Unit load assembly for spools

A unit load assembly for holding a spool member having windings wrapped around a spindle, the spindle having ends extending out beyond the edge of the windings, comprising:

• a pair of frame members interconnected to one another by a plurality of internal coupling means, said internal coupling means spacing said frame members from each other, each frame member having opposed end walls, opposed side walls, an outer frame surface and an inner frame surface, each frame member further including:
• a plurality of receiving means for cooperating with said internal coupling means;
• means for receiving an end of the spindle;
• and,
• perimeter side support means and internal support means for supporting the load placed upon the assembly, said perimeter side support means being a second side wall having a plurality of integral posts, both projecting outwardly from and integral with said inner frame surface,
• whereby a spool member can be held between two pairs of interconnected frame members by engaging each end of the spindle into said spindle receiving means and by encircling the entire assembly with tightened straps.

A spool member holding unit load assembly comprising:

• a spool member having windings wrapped around a spindle, the spindle having ends extending beyond the edge of the windings;
• two pallet members, each said pallet member including a central aperture therein for receiving one end of the spindle, said spool member being disposed between said pallet members;
• and,
• at least one strap encircling the entire assembly, said strap being tightened;
• each said pallet member having forklift tine receiving slots therein and being a pair of substantially identical frame members releasably interconnected,
• each said frame member including two approximately equal side sections, opposed end and side walls, an outer frame surface and an inner frame surface,
• a plurality of spaced connector openings and at least one central aperture therein, each said connector opening and said central aperture positioned to be vertically aligned with each said interconnected frame member connector openings and said central aperture, and,
• a perimeter support structure and an internal support structure integral with and projecting outwardly from said inner frame surface, said internal support structure projecting outwardly from said inner frame surface of only one said side section and including a first longitudinal support wall and a spaced, parallel second longitudinal support wall connected to an arcuate support wall, said longitudinal support walls extending generally from one end to said opposed end, said arcuate support wall being generally semi-circular and positioned adjacent the perimeter of said central aperture, whereby the internal and side support structures of each frame member compliment and strengthen the nonsupported other side section of each frame member when they are interconnected to one another;
• and,
• a plurality of connector members for releasably coupling said frame members.

A spool member holding unit load assembly comprising:

• a spool member having windings wrapped around a spindle, the spindle having ends extending beyond the edge of the windings;
• two pallet members, each said pallet member including a central aperture within for receiving one end of the spindle, said spool member being disposed between said pallet members;
• and,
• at least one strap encircling the entire assembly, said strap being tightened;
• each said pallet member having forklift tine receiving slots therein and being a pair of substantially identical frame members releasably interconnected,
• each said frame member including opposed end and side walls, an outer frame surface and an inner frame surface,
• a plurality of spaced connector openings and at least one central aperture therein, each said connector opening and said central aperture positioned to be vertically aligned with each said interconnected frame member connector openings and said central aperture, and,
• a perimeter support structure and an internal support structure integral with and projecting outwardly from said inner frame surface, said perimeter support structure being one side wall with integral posts which are higher than said opposed side wall;
• and,
• a plurality of connector members for releasably coupling said frame members.

A unit load assembly for spools for holding a spool member having windings wrapped around a spindle, the spindle having ends extending beyond the edge of the windings, comprising:

• a pair of substantially identical interconnected frame members, said frame members being interconnected by a plurality of connector members disposed therebetween for engagedly coupling with each said frame members, each said frame member having two approximately equal side sections, opposed end walls, opposed side walls, an outer frame surface and an inner frame surface and further including:
• a plurality of spaced connector openings and a central aperture therein, each said openings and said aperture positioned to be vertically aligned with said interconnected frame member openings and aperture;
• an end wall having an inclined ramp section that tapers inwardly from said outer frame surface towards said inner frame surface;
• a side support structure;
• and,
• an internal support structure comprising a first longitudinal support wall connected to said side support structure, a second longitudinal support wall parallel to and spaced apart from said first longitudinal support wall and connected to an arcuate support wall, each said support wall being integral with and projecting outwardly from said inner frame surface of only one said side section, said side support structure, said longitudinal support walls extending generally from one end to said opposed end, said arcuate support wall being semi-circular and positioned adjacent the perimeter of said central aperture whereby the internal and side support structures of each frame member compliment and strengthen the nonsupported other side section of each frame member when they are interconnected to one another, and,
• said frame members being oriented so that each inner frame surface faces the other, each end walls align with the other end walls, each side support structure opposes the other side support structure, and being connected by said connector members engagedly disposed within the vertically-aligned connector openings of each frame member,
• whereby a spool member can be held in either a vertical position or a horizontal position between two pairs of interconnected frame members by threading one end of the spindle into said central aperture of one interconnected pair of frame members, by threading the other end of the spindle into said central aperture of the other interconnected pair of frame members, and by encircling the entire assembly with tightened straps.