Dunnage assembly

Abstract

A dunnage assembly that is quickly and easily installed within a shipping container and is easily reworked while remaining secure and adjustable during use is provided. The dunnage assembly of the present disclosure may also include a locking mechanism to keep the sling assembly securely positioned during shipping. Finally, according to one aspect the dunnage assembly of the present disclosure may collapse into the base of the shipping container, allowing it to remain mounted within the shipping container when the shipping container is collapsed for the return shipment back to be reused.

1 . A dunnage assembly comprising:
 a first side rail;   a second side rail spaced apart from the first side rail within a container;   at least one cross bar extending between the first and second side rails;   at least one slider assembly having a first section operably connected to the at least one cross bar and a second section operable to engage one of the first side rail and the second side rail, wherein the first section of the at least one slider assembly is rotatable relative to the second section; and   a sling assembly supported between the first and second side rails by the at least one cross bar.   
     
     
         2 . The dunnage assembly of  claim 1  further comprising:
 at least two slider assemblies operably connected to the at least one cross bar on a first end and a second end thereof, wherein the slider assembly of the at least two slider assemblies operably connected to the first end engages the first side rail and the slider assembly of at least two slider assemblies operably connected to the second end engages the second side rail. 
 
     
     
         3 . The dunnage assembly of  claim 2  wherein the at least two slider assemblies removably engage the first and second side rails via a clip body. 
     
     
         4 . The dunnage assembly of  claim 3  wherein the clip body is operable to flex over the first and second side rails. 
     
     
         5 . The dunnage assembly of  claim 4  wherein the at least two slider assemblies are slidable along the first and second side rails. 
     
     
         6 . The dunnage assembly of  claim 2  wherein the at least one cross bar is extendable. 
     
     
         7 . The dunnage assembly of  claim 6  wherein the at least two slider assemblies further comprise:
 a tube arm slidably engaged with the at least one cross bar. 
 
     
     
         8 . The dunnage assembly of  claim 7  wherein the extension of the at least one cross bar is achieved through the slidable engagement the at least one cross bar with the tube arm of the at least two slider assemblies. 
     
     
         9 . The dunnage assembly of  claim 1  wherein the at least one cross bar is movable between a first position wherein the at least one cross bar is perpendicular relative to the first and second side rails and a second position wherein the at least one cross bar is angled relative to the first and second side rails. 
     
     
         10 . The dunnage assembly of  claim 9  wherein the at least one cross bar is moved between the first and second positions relative to the side rails via slideable engagement between the at least two slider assemblies and the first and second side rails. 
     
     
         11 . The dunnage assembly of  claim 10  wherein the sling assembly is operable to accommodate an item longer than a width of the container in which the dunnage assembly is installed when the at least one cross bar is in the second position. 
     
     
         12 . The dunnage assembly of  claim 2  further comprising:
 at least one mounting plate with at least one shoulder disposed through a mounting aperture defined therein; and 
 wherein the at least one shoulder is operable to secure one of the first and second rails to the at least one mounting plate. 
 
     
     
         13 . The dunnage assembly of  claim 12  wherein the at least one shoulder further comprises:
 a shoulder flange operable to prevent the at least one shoulder from passing through the mounting aperture defined at least one mounting plate; and 
 a lock arm extending forward from the shoulder flange of the at least one shoulder. 
 
     
     
         14 . The dunnage assembly of  claim 13  wherein the lock arm of the at least one shoulder is configured to engage the second section of at least one of the at least two slider assemblies. 
     
     
         15 . The dunnage assembly of  claim 14  wherein the lock arm of the at least one shoulder is operable to lock the at least one of the at least two slider assemblies into place relative to the first and second side rails. 
     
     
         16 . The dunnage assembly of  claim 2  wherein the at least two slider assemblies further comprise:
 a mounting shoulder extending from an outer surface of the second section; and 
 a slot defined in a base of the first section operable to engage the mounting shoulder of the second section. 
 
     
     
         17 . The dunnage assembly of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a plurality of cross bars extending between the first and second side rai Is; 
 a plurality of slider assemblies having a first section operably connected to the plurality of cross bars on a first end and a second end, and a second section operable to engage the first side rail on the first end of the plurality of cross bars and the second side rail on the second end of the plurality of cross bars, wherein the first section of the plurality of slider assemblies is rotatable relative to the second section; and 
 wherein the sling assembly is supported between the first and second side rails by the plurality of cross bars. 
 
     
     
         18 . The dunnage assembly of  claim 17  wherein the plurality of cross bars are extendable. 
     
     
         19 . The dunnage assembly of  claim 18  wherein the plurality of cross bars are movable between a first position wherein the plurality of cross bars are perpendicular relative to the first and second side rails and a second position wherein the plurality of cross bars are angled relative to the first and second side rails. 
     
     
         20 . The dunnage assembly of  claim 19  wherein the sling assembly is operable to accommodate an item longer than a width of the container in which the dunnage assembly is installed when the plurality of cross bars are in the second position.