Bracing system and method for cargo containers
A bracing system and method are provided to restrain cargo against longitudinal movement within a cargo container. The system uses U-channels in opposing side walls of the cargo container adjacent a rear opening of the cargo container. The system includes one or more bracing bars and an end cap at the first end and at the second end of each bracing bar. Each end cap has a channel section providing an extension to fit in the U-channels of the cargo container. The channel section is configured for a frictional fit in the U-channel to resist vertical displacement in the U-channel once a bracing bar with a pair of end caps is forced into a horizontal position across the opening of the cargo container, with the channel sections in the opposing U-channels.
1. A bracing system to restrain cargo against longitudinal movement within a cargo container of the type having opposing side walls, an opening at the rear of the cargo container between the opposing side walls, and a U-channel formed in each opposing side wall adjacent the opening so as to form two opposing, aligned, inwardly opening U-channels, the bracing system comprising:
one or more bracing bars, each bracing bar having a first end, a second end, and a length to span the opening when positioned horizontally between the side walls;
an end cap at the first end and an end cap at the second end of each bracing bar, each end cap having a channel section which provides an extension to fit into one of the opposing U-channels of the cargo container, the channel section being configured for a frictional fit in the U-channel to resist vertical displacement in the U-channel once the bracing bar, the end cap at the first end and the end cap at the second end is forced across the opening of the cargo container, with the channel section of each end cap in one of the opposing U-channels; and
each end cap having a bar section formed to accommodate the first end or the second end of each bracing bar, the bar section being formed with a right-angled step wall configured to extend rearwardly of the channel section along one of the opposing side walls of the cargo container to transfer longitudinal load from the cargo onto one of the opposing side walls of the cargo container.
2. The bracing system of claim 1 , wherein the end cap is formed integrally with each bracing bar.
3. The bracing system of claim 1 , wherein the end cap is formed separately from each bracing bar, and wherein the bar section of each end cap is formed with an opening to accommodate the first end or the second end of each bracing bar.
4. The bracing system of claim 3 , wherein the channel section of each end cap has a rise wall which is rear-facing when positioned in one of the opposing U-channels, the rise wall being formed with one or more outwardly extending protrusions configured to be deformable or collapsible to provide the frictional fit in the U-channel.
5. The bracing system of claim 4 , wherein the end cap is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of a plastic resin material, steel, metal and a composite material, and wherein each bracing bar is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of wood, steel, plastic, reinforced plastic, and a composite material.
6. The bracing system of claim 5 , wherein the bar section and the channel section of the end cap are integral with each other.
7. The bracing system of claim 6 , wherein the one or more outwardly extending protrusions are formed from a coating of a collapsible material on the rise wall or as one or more deformable ridges, knobs, stiff bristles or dimples extending outwardly from a face of the rise wall to provide the frictional fit in one of the opposing U-channels.
8. The bracing system of claim 6 , wherein the one or more outwardly extending protrusions comprise one or more outwardly protruding deformable ridges formed on the rise wall to provide the frictional fit in one of the opposing U-channels.
9. The bracing system of claim 8 , wherein each bracing bar comprises a 2×4 wooden stud, and wherein the opening of the bar section of the end cap has a profile to accommodate the first end or the second end of the 2×4 wooden stud and to hold the 2×4 wooden stud such that a shorter dimension of the 2×4 stud is cargo-facing when the end cap is in one of the opposing U-channels.
10. The bracing system of claim 9 , wherein the end cap is formed by injection molding from a plastic resin material.
11. The bracing system of claim 10 , wherein:
the end cap is generally hollow;
the end cap is formed with inwardly protruding ribs to strengthen the end cap; and
the end cap is formed with an internal structural support within the channel section.
12. The bracing system of claim 11 , wherein the end cap is formed with outwardly protruding ribs on the step wall to strengthen the step wall.
13. The bracing system of claim 12 , wherein the channel section forms a channel-facing end wall parallel to a plane through of the opening in the bar section, and wherein the end wall is formed with outwardly protruding ribs to strengthen the end wall.
14. The bracing system of claim 13 , wherein the one or more outwardly protruding deformable ridges comprise a plurality of parallel spaced curved or rigid fins configured to be oriented perpendicular to a plane through the opening of the bar section, and which are injection molded from the plastic resin material.
15. The bracing system of claim 14 , wherein the one or more outwardly protruding deformable ridges comprise a plurality of parallel spaced rigid fins configured to be oriented perpendicular to a plane through the opening of the bar section, and which are injection molded from the plastic resin material.