Energy absorbing apparatus for shipping container

An energy-absorbing bulkhead apparatus for use in a shipping container, the shipping container including container side walls defining an access opening and opposing channel features, at least one door for closing the access opening, and framework on an end of the side walls adjacent the access opening, the bulkhead apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of metal tubular bars with configured ends shaped to matably engage the opposing channel features, the configured ends having a first cross-sectional shape different than a second cross-sectional shape in a center of the bars, the bars being arranged horizontally between the side walls and defining a vertical plane to form a bulkhead that prevents shipped materials from unacceptably shifting into the at least one door.

A method of constructing an energy absorber bulkhead within a shipping container comprising:

• providing a plurality of removable tubular bars, each having one of configured ends and a swept center portion;
• and
• attaching the bars to the shipping container by placing ends of the bars into mating channel features in the side walls of the shipping container in an arrangement where the bars extend horizontally in a vertically stacked arrangement that forms a temporary structure that prevents product from unacceptably shifting against a container door