Tip-over prevention apparatus

Abstract

A tip-over prevention apparatus is provided for use with a product. The product is disposable for transportation in side-to-side, front-to-back and up-and-down directions. The tip-over prevention apparatus includes tilt arms disposed at sides of the product facing in the side-to-side directions and hinges by which the tilt arms are rotatably coupled to the sides of the product.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tip-over prevention apparatus for a product that is disposable for transportation in side-to-side, front-to-back and up-and-down directions, the tip-over prevention apparatus comprising:
 tilt arms disposed at sides of the product facing in the side-to-side directions; and   hinges by which the tilt arms are rotatably coupled to the sides of the product.   
     
     
         2 . The tip-over prevention apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the tilt arms comprises:
 a telescopic member;   a trigger assembly for triggering an extension of the telescopic member; and   a lock assembly for maintaining the telescopic member in an extension position.   
     
     
         3 . The tip-over prevention apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the telescopic member has multiple extension positions. 
     
     
         4 . The tip-over prevention apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the tilt arms comprises at least one of:
 an anti-slip feature; and   a rotation-stop feature.   
     
     
         5 . The tip-over prevention apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the tilt arms comprises a shock-absorber. 
     
     
         6 . The tip-over prevention apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a mechanism configured to return the product to an upright position during a prevented tip-over incident. 
     
     
         7 . A tip-over prevention apparatus, comprising:
 a pallet on which a product is disposable for transportation in side-to-side, front-to-back and up-and-down directions;   a package formed about the product to comprise first sides facing in the side-to-side directions, second sides facing in the front-to-back directions and a top and a bottom facing in the up-and-down directions;   tilt arms disposed at the first sides of the package; and   hinges by which the tilt arms are rotatably coupled to the first sides of the package.   
     
     
         8 . The tip-over prevention apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein each of the tilt arms comprises:
 a telescopic member;   a trigger assembly for triggering an extension of the telescopic member; and   a lock assembly for maintaining the telescopic member in an extension position.   
     
     
         9 . The tip-over prevention apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the telescopic member has multiple extension positions. 
     
     
         10 . The tip-over prevention apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the telescopic member has sufficient length to extend below a lowermost portion of the pallet. 
     
     
         11 . The tip-over prevention apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein each of the tilt arms comprises at least one of:
 an anti-slip feature; and   a rotation-stop feature.   
     
     
         12 . The tip-over prevention apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein each of the tilt arms comprises a shock-absorber. 
     
     
         13 . The tip-over prevention apparatus according to  claim 7 , further comprising a mechanism configured to return the package, the product and the pallet to an upright position during a prevented tip-over incident. 
     
     
         14 . A tip-over prevention apparatus, comprising:
 a pallet on which a product is disposable for transportation in side-to-side, front-to-back and up-and-down directions;   a package formed about the product and defining apertures at sides of the package facing in the side-to-side directions;   tilt arms disposed at the sides of the package; and   hinges by which the tilt arms are rotatably coupled to the product through the apertures.   
     
     
         15 . The tip-over prevention apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein each of the tilt arms comprises:
 a telescopic member;   a trigger assembly for triggering an extension of the telescopic member; and   a lock assembly for maintaining the telescopic member in an extension position.   
     
     
         16 . The tip-over prevention apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the telescopic member has multiple extension positions. 
     
     
         17 . The tip-over prevention apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the telescopic member has sufficient length to extend below a lowermost portion of the pallet. 
     
     
         18 . The tip-over prevention apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein each of the tilt arms comprises at least one of:
 an anti-slip feature; and   a rotation-stop feature.   
     
     
         19 . The tip-over prevention apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein each of the tilt arms comprises a shock-absorber. 
     
     
         20 . The tip-over prevention apparatus according to  claim 14 , further comprising a mechanism configured to return the package, the product and the pallet to an upright position during a prevented tip-over incident.