Importance

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Abstract

A chain cap is provided for forming a stable load suitable for vehicular travel from a plurality of elongate articles. A plurality of the chain caps are provided for encompassing the elongate articles. Each of the chain caps are provided with interfitting surfaces which interlock when the chain caps are stacked, tie bar surfaces which define tie bar channels extending between adjacent chain caps and conformal surfaces for engaging the elongate articles. Each of the elongate articles is engaged by at least a pair of the chain caps, the conformal surfaces of the chain caps engaging opposing sides of the elongate articles. A first planar array of the elongate articles is established, the elongate articles being disposed in a roughly parallel relationship with pairs of chain caps being adjacently disposed for defining a tie bar channel therebetween. A tie bar is mounted in the tie bar channel, the tie bar extending between adjacent pairs of chain caps. A second planar array of elongate articles is established atop the first planar array of objects by stacking the chain caps of the first planar array of articles atop the chain caps of the second planar array of articles. The interfitting surfaces of the chain caps prevent lateral movement between chain caps stacked one atop the other and the tie bars stabilize articles in a side-by-side relationship. A clamping tension band surrounds the chain caps for securing the elongate articles into a stable load suitable for vehicular travel.

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First Claim