A cradle unit for supporting metal coils, and other cylindrical objects,
consists of two, parallel and separate saddles preferably made of
polyurethane having an approximate hardness range of between 50 Shore A
and 90 Shore D, which saddles are connected together via a pair of
parallel steel angle-brackets that provide inherent structural integrity
to the cradle unit itself, while still allowing the unit to conform to
the shape or level of the underlying support structure. The single cradle
unit may be as a mobile support-device, or may be bolted or otherwise
attached to a surface for a specific location of the stored product. The
cradle unit of the invention may, also, be attached to the bed of a
transportation vehicle, such as a truck trailer or rail car, in order to
provide secure, protective storage and location of the items. In this
case, the nature of the resilient or soft material from which the cradle
unit is made provides shock-absorption qualities for the transported
coil. The cradle unit is generally concave-shaped and has a first main or
central lower concave curvature of a first radius, and a middle or
secondary transitional curvature that connects the first main lower
curvature to an upper, tertiary concave curvature of a second radius
greater than the first radius, so that coils or rolls of different
diameter may be safely and firmly supported.