Shipping chocks and methods for loading cylindrical-shaped objects for transport
View Patent ↗Shipping chocks for securing a transverse cylindrical-shaped object on top of at least two vertically oriented cylindrical-shaped objects are disclosed. Methods of loading cylindrical-shaped objects in both vertical and horizontal orientations, using the chocks, allows for more cylindrical-shaped objects to be shipped in a shipping container in a safe and effective manner that reduces shipping costs.
1. A method for loading a shipping container with a plurality of cylindrical-shaped objects, said method comprising:
providing at least a first shipping chock and a second shipping chock, the first shipping chock and the second shipping chock each including a runner and a wedge, the runner being generally elongated and having a first end, a second end, a length and a width, the wedge being positioned proximate the first end of the runner, the wedge extending upwardly from the runner, the wedge having a width and a length that is substantially less than the length of the runner;
positioning the first shipping chock on a top end of a first cylindrical-shaped object and the second shipping chock on a top end of a second cylindrical-shaped object, the first and second cylindrical-shaped objects being vertically oriented;
positioning the first and second cylindrical-shaped objects with the first and second shipping chocks thereon proximate a first end of the shipping container, the first shipping chock on the first cylindrical-shaped object being substantially parallel to the second shipping chock on the second cylindrical-shaped object; and
positioning a third cylindrical-shaped object transversely over the vertically oriented first and second cylindrical-shaped objects in contact with the runners of the first shipping chock and the second shipping chock proximate the wedges, the third cylindrical-shaped object being retained between the wedges and a first end wall of the shipping container, wherein the wedge of each of the first shipping chock and the second shipping chock is configured to engage a cylindrical outer wall of the third cylindrical-shaped object and provide a stop surface to retain the transverse third cylindrical-shaped object on the vertically oriented first and second cylindrical-shaped objects during transit.
2. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said positioning the first shipping chock on a top end of a first cylindrical-shaped object and the second shipping chock on a top end of a second cylindrical-shaped object further comprises aligning the second end of each shipping chock runner with an outer wall of each of the first and second cylindrical-shaped objects, the outer wall extending between the top end and a bottom end of each of the first and second cylindrical-shaped objects.
3. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said positioning the first and second cylindrical-shaped objects with the first and second shipping chocks thereon near a first end of the shipping container further comprises:
positioning the first cylindrical-shaped object adjacent a first side wall of the shipping container; and
positioning the second cylindrical-shaped object adjacent a second side wall of the shipping container.
4. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said positioning a third cylindrical-shaped object transversely over the vertically oriented first and second cylindrical-shaped objects further comprises:
lifting the third cylindrical-shaped object over the wedges of the first and second shipping chocks; and
lowering the third cylindrical-shaped object slightly forward of the wedges and rolling the third cylindrical-shaped object into place on the first and second cylindrical-shaped objects.
5. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said positioning a third cylindrical-shaped object transversely over the vertically oriented first and second cylindrical-shaped objects further comprises releasing the third cylindrical-shaped object from about a height of the wedges and allowing the third cylindrical-shaped object to roll into place on the first and second cylindrical-shaped objects.
6. A method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said positioning the first and second cylindrical-shaped objects with the first and second shipping chocks thereon proximate a first end of the shipping container further comprises:
positioning the first cylindrical-shaped object adjacent the first end wall of the container; and
positioning the second cylindrical-shaped object a distance from the first end wall of the container, wherein the first shipping chock has a first runner length and the second shipping chock has a second runner length, the first and second runner lengths selected to locate each of the wedges at the same distance from the first end wall of the shipping container despite the first and second cylindrical-shaped objects being located at different distances from the first end wall of the shipping container.
7. A method in accordance with claim 6 wherein said positioning the second shipping chock on the second cylindrical-shaped object further comprises positioning the second shipping chock on the second cylindrical-shaped object, wherein the second shipping chock has a second runner length shorter than the first runner length.
8. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising positioning a first series of vertically oriented cylindrical-shaped objects and a first series of transverse cylindrical-shaped objects in the shipping container proximate the first end of the shipping container using at least a third shipping chock, wherein at least one next vertically oriented cylindrical-shaped object is located adjacent the first and second cylindrical-shaped objects, the third shipping chock positioned on the at least one next vertically oriented cylindrical-shaped object retaining a next transverse cylindrical-shaped object between a wedge of the third shipping chock and the transverse third cylindrical-shaped object.
9. A method in accordance with claim 8 wherein said positioning a first series of vertically oriented cylindrical-shaped objects and a first series of transverse cylindrical-shaped objects in the shipping container further comprises positioning a cylinder riser at an end of the first series of vertically oriented cylindrical-shaped objects, the end of the first series of vertically oriented cylindrical-shaped objects being proximate a center of the shipping container.
10. A method in accordance with claim 8 wherein said positioning a first series of vertically oriented cylindrical-shaped objects and a first series of transverse cylindrical-shaped objects in the shipping container further comprises positioning a blocking cylindrical-shaped object on a cylinder riser, the blocking cylindrical-shaped object in an elevated position with respect to the first series of vertically oriented cylindrical-shaped objects and abutting an end transverse cylindrical-shaped object at an end of the first series of transverse cylindrical-shaped objects, the cylinder riser and the blocking cylindrical-shaped object facilitating retaining the first series of transverse cylindrical-shaped objects in position with respect to the first series of vertically oriented cylindrical-shaped objects.
11. A method in accordance with claim 8 wherein said positioning a first series of vertically oriented cylindrical-shaped objects and a first series of transverse cylindrical-shaped objects in the shipping container further comprises positioning a bracing cylindrical-shaped object adjacent a blocking cylindrical-shaped object to prevent the blocking cylindrical-shaped object from moving with respect to at least the first series of vertically oriented cylindrical-shaped objects, wherein the blocking and bracing cylindrical-shaped objects facilitate preventing the transverse and vertical cylindrical-shaped objects from moving during transport.
12. A method in accordance with claim 8 further comprising positioning a second series of vertically oriented cylindrical-shaped objects and a second series of transverse cylindrical-shaped objects in the shipping container proximate a second end of the shipping container using at least a fourth shipping chock, the second series of vertically oriented cylindrical-shaped objects and the second series of transverse cylindrical-shaped objects substantially mirroring an arrangement of the first series of vertically oriented cylindrical-shaped objects and the first series of transverse cylindrical-shaped objects, wherein the first series of vertically oriented cylindrical-shaped objects and the first series of transverse cylindrical-shaped objects form a first group of cylindrical-shaped objects and the second series of vertically oriented cylindrical-shaped objects and the second series of transverse cylindrical-shaped objects form a second group of cylindrical-shaped objects.
13. A method in accordance with claim 12 wherein said positioning a second series of vertically oriented cylindrical-shaped objects and a second series of transverse cylindrical-shaped objects in the shipping container further comprises positioning a void filler between the first group of cylindrical-shaped objects at the first end of the shipping container and the second group of cylindrical-shaped objects at the second end of the shipping container.
14. A shipping chock for securing a first cylindrical-shaped object in a transverse position to a second cylindrical-shaped object and a third cylindrical-shaped object, the first cylindrical-shaped object secured in position using at least two of said shipping chocks positioned respectively on the second and third cylindrical-shaped objects, the second and third cylindrical-shaped objects being vertically oriented, said shipping chock comprising:
a generally elongated runner having a length and a width; and
a wedge extending upwardly from said runner, said wedge having a width that is less than the width of said runner and a length that is substantially less than the length of said runner, said wedge substantially centered across the width of said runner, wherein said wedge is configured to engage a cylindrical outer wall of the first cylindrical-shaped object and provide a stop surface to retain the transverse first cylindrical-shaped object on the vertically oriented second and third cylindrical-shaped objects during transit, said wedge comprising a vertical face that extends upwardly substantially perpendicular to said runner immediately adjacent a first end edge of said runner and a ramp surface extending between a top of the vertical face to a top surface of said runner toward a free second end edge of said runner.
15. A shipping chock in accordance with claim 14 wherein said wedge is configured to prevent the transverse first cylindrical-shaped object from rolling off the second and third cylindrical-shaped objects while at least the first cylindrical-shaped object is being unloaded.
16. A shipping chock in accordance with claim 14 wherein said runner is generally planar, and said wedge comprises a generally triangular cross-sectional shape.
17. A shipping chock in accordance with claim 14 wherein said wedge comprises at least one passage extending therethrough along the width of said wedge to facilitate providing ventilation through said wedge.
18. A shipping chock in accordance with claim 14 wherein said wedge is configured to retain a transverse cylindrical-shaped object having a diameter between about 50 inches and about 58 inches.