Interlocking deck support system

A deck support system for supporting cargo in a freight compartment having spaced apart side walls, comprising:

• at least one pair of deck panels mounted opposite one another on the side walls and capable of movement between an upright position and an extended horizontal deployed position, each respective deck panel having,
• an end pivotably mounted to one of the side walls, and
• a free end,
• wherein said deck panels at least partially define a secondary platform when said free ends are adjacent to one another in the deployed position;
• and
• a support bracket removably engaging said deck panels adjacent said free ends when said deck panels are in the deployed position, said support bracket removably engaging said deck panels along a side edge of each panel,
• said support bracket including:
• an elongated body defining a longitudinal axis, said elongated body having,
• a first side and a second side;
• a longitudinally extending channel defined in said first side shaped for removable engagement with one pair of said deck panels;
• and
• a longitudinally extending support ledge defined in said second side;
• wherein the longitudinally extending channel interlocks the deployed deck panels and the longitudinally extending support ledge is capable of providing support to further pairs of adjacent deployed deck panels.

A support bracket for use with deck panels mounted to the side walls in a cargo freight compartment in a deck support system, comprising:

• an elongated body defining a longitudinal axis, said elongated body including;
• a first side and a second side;
• a longitudinally extending channel defined in said first side of said elongated body and shaped for removable engagement with one pair of said deck panels;
• and
• a longitudinally extending support ledge defined in said second side of said elongated body;
• wherein the longitudinally extending channel is capable of interlocking the deployed deck panels and the longitudinally extending support ledge interlock is capable of providing support to further pairs of adjacent deployed deck panels.

A freight trailer, comprising:

• a trailer having a floor and at least two spaced apart side walls;
• a plurality of deck panels mounted opposite one another on the side walls and capable of movement between an upright position and a horizontal deployed position, each respective deck panel having,
• an end pivotably mounted to the side wall, and a
• free end,
• wherein said deck panels at least partially define a platform in said trailer spaced above said floor when said free ends are adjacent to one another in the deployed position;
• and
• a support bracket removably engaging said deck panels adjacent said free ends when said deck panels are in the deployed position, said bracket interlocking said pair of deployed deck panels and providing a support ledge for other said deck panels.