GB2139983A - Pallet frames - Google Patents

Abstract

A pallet frame is formed from frame sections (6-9) which fit detachably on a lower pallet (2). The frame sections are interconnected with each other but can be collapsed generally flat when the frame is detached from the lower pallet. At least one, and preferably each of two opposed shorter frame sections (6, 8), has a central, upright hinged joint (26) which permits inward folding of the frame section when the frame is collapsed. An abutment, such as a 2-section flange (27) engages the lower pallet to prevent folding of the frame section in use of the frame. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Pallet frames This invention relates to a pallet frame by which is meant a frame structure adapted to fit on a pallet or like load-supporting platform so as to extend upwardly at the periphery thereof.

Pallet frames are known, often referred to as pallet converters which comprise interconnected rigid upstanding posts and which are suitable for use in converting loaded pallet into stackable containers.

These frames can usually be disassembled when not in use but generally are of a relatively large and heavy construction.

Pallet frames are also known, often referred to as retention units, which comprise interconnectable wirework side walls. These frames may be of light construction and the interconnection between the side walls may be effected such that although generally unsuitable for stacking purposes, the frame, when detached from the pallet can be collapsed flat and is particularly convenient to store and transport.

An object of the present invention is to provide a pallet frame which may be particularly convenient to store and transport when not in use, yet which can provide a strong, stable structure and which may possibly be suitable for stacking as well as for load-retention purposes.

According to the invention therefore there is provided a pallet frame comprising a plurality of interconnectable frame sections adapted to fit detachably on a lower pallet or the like so that said sections extend upwardly to define side walls at the periphery thereof, the interconnection between the frame sections being such that the frame can be collapsed generally flat when detached from the said pallet, characterised in that at least one said section has an upright hinged joint in the central region thereof so that said section can be folded inwardly about said joint on said collapse of said frame, and at least one abutment is provided on said section for engagement with said pallet to prevent folding of said section in use of the frame.

With this arrangement, due to the inward folding capability of the said frame section it is possible to attain a compact collapsed state of the frame for storage and transport purposes whilst, at the same time, when the frame is assembled, a stable rigid structure which may even be suitable for stacking purposes can be achieved, especially having regard to the action of the or each said abutment. In the case where the frame is to be used for stacking purposes, at least some of the frame sections are preferably provided with members arranged to define a seat at the top of the frame for an upper palletorthe like.

Preferably two opposed frame sections are cen trallyjointed as aforesaid so as to be foldable inwardly and, in a particularly preferred embodiment, the frame has four frame sections, one for each side of a rectangular pallet, and the arrangement is such that said opposed frame sections can be folded between the other two sections so that the frame can be collapsed generally flat within the dimensions of the latter sections.

Where more than one frame section is centrally jointed as aforesaid, each such section is preferably provided with at least one said abutment.

The or each said foldable frame section may be provided with an abutment as aforesaid in the form of a depending flange adapted to fit alongside the outer surface of the lower pallet side edge and which thereby acts to prevent inward folding of the section.

This flange may be secured to the bottom of the pertaining side section at one side of the folding joint and may have an associated upstanding part adapted, in the assembled state, to fit behind the side section on the other side of the joint, such part reinforcing the action of the flange in preventing inward folding and possibly also resisting or contributing to the prevention of any outward folding of the section. Conveniently said flange and upstanding part may be provided by a Z-section member which seats on the lower pallet.

Alternatively or additionally (preferably additionally) and in the case where the frame is to be used for stacking purposes, the or each said foldable frame section may be provided with an upper abutment in the form of an upstanding flange adapted to fit alongside the outer surface of the upper pallet side edge and which thereby acts, in use, to prevent inward folding of the section. This flange may be secured to the top of the pertaining side section at one side of the folding joint and may have a depending part adapted, in the assembled state, to fit behind the side section on the other side of the joint, such part acting to prevent or resist any outward folding of the section and also possibly reinforcing the action of the flange in preventing inward folding when the weight of the upper pallet is supported.Conveniently said upstanding flange and depending part may be provided by a Z-section member which seats beneath the upper pallet.

Preferably the side sections of the frame are hingedly interconnected at or closely adjacent the corners thereof. In a particularly preferred embodiment these corner hinge joints are spaced slightly from the corners to facilitate flat collapse of the frame. With the above-described arrangement having four frame sections with two opposed shorter foldable sections the corner hinge joints are preferably provided at the ends of bent-round corner extensions of the said longer sections.

The frame may have appropriate structures at the bottom and top corners thereof for location relative to the corners of the upper and lower pallet. With the above-described arrangement having four frame sections with two opposed shorter foldable sections, the other two sections may be provided with such corner structures.

The bottom said corner structures may comprise locators adapted to fit around and seat on the corners whereas the top corner structures may comprise angle members.

The frame sections are most preferably lightweight wirework structures. As desired, one or more sections may incorporate drop-down gates or other modifications.

The invention will now be described further by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of one form of a frame according to the invention in an assembled state; and Figure 2 is a diagrammatic plan view showing the frame partially collapsed.

The drawing shows a retention unit 1 for use with an oblong pallet 2 of conventional form having wooden laths forming top and bottom decks 3,4 with wooden spacing blocks 5 therebetween defining spaces for the forks of a fork-lift truck.

The retention unit 1 comprises four frame sections 6,7,8,9 interconnected via corner hinge joints 10 so as to define, in the assembled state shown in Figure 1, an oblong frame in which each frame section 6-9 defines a respective upright side wall.

The two longer frame sections 7,9 are made from wirework (i.e. bent and welded wire rods) and are generally rectangular having upright end rods 11, transverse top and bottom rods 12,13 and a mesh 14 of upright and transverse wires between such rods 11-13. Partial box-section corner structures 15 are fixed at opposite ends of the bottom rods 13, and angle section members 16 are fixed at the top ends of the end rods 11. Further rods 17 extend beyond each end rod 11 adjacent the top and bottom thereof and are bent at right angles to form parts of the said corner hinge joints 10.

One long section 7 has an upper part 18 thereof in the form of a drop-down gate.

Each of the two shorter frame sections 6,8 is formed in two side-by-side rectangular parts 19,20 each such part being defined by a wire mesh 21 (like the mesh 14) welded between peripheral rods 22-25.

The two parts 19, 20 are interconnected in the centre of the sections 6,8 by means of an upright joint defined by hinges 26 (formed for example by a short rod or pin passed through a sleeve) fixed to adjacent upright peripheral rods 23 of the parts 19,20. The two parts 19,20 are also connected, at the ends of the sections 6,8, to the adjacent bent rods 17 of the sections 7, 9 by engagement of such rods 17 with sleeves welded to outermost upright peripheral rods 25 of the parts 19,20 thereby defining said corner joints 10.

One part 19 of each section 6, 8 has welded to the bottom rod 24 thereof an angle member 27 having a horizontal web which fits beneath the rod 24, a first flange depending from the web on the outer side of the sections 6, 8 and a second flange upstanding from the web on the inner side of the sections 6,8.

The other part 20 of each section 6, 8 has welded to the top thereof an angle member 28 having a horizontal web which fits on top of the rod 22, a first flange upstanding from the web on the outer side of the sections 6,8 and a second flange depending from the web on the inner side of the sections 6,8.

In use, the frame 1 can be fitted detachably onto a lower pallet 2 as shown in Figure iso thatthe four corner structures 15 seat on the four corners of the top deck 3 of the pallet and the two bottom angle members 27 seat on the central regions of the two shorter side edges of such top deck. The four frame sections 6-9 thereby planar vertical side walls extending upwardlyfrom thefourside edges ofthe pallet.

In this way the frame can act to retain goods in position on the pallet, even when lifted with a fork-lift truck, it being understood that the corner structures 15 and angle members 27 ensure secure location of the frame relative to the pallet.

Further, a second loaded pallet (not shown) can be stacked on top of the frame 1 by resting same on the angle members 16 and 28. The upright flanges of the members 16,28 fit alongside the outer surfaces of the edges of the lower deck of the upper pallet and thereby act to locate same.

The frame lisa lightweight wirework collapsible construction yet when assembled defines a strong, stable structure suitable for use in stacking a small number of loaded paliets on top of each other.

Stability is derived in particular from the angle section members 27,28 which act, in use, to hold the two parts 19,20 of the frame sections rigidly in line with each other.

Thus, in use, the depending flanges of the bottom members 27 abut against the outer surfaces ofthe pertaining side edges of the top deck of the bottom pallet and thereby prevent directly the pertaining part 19 from moving inwardly. The adjacent part 20 is prevented from moving inwardly by virtue of its interconnection with the first said part 19 and also by abutment with the upstanding innerflange of the member 27.

The top members 28 similarly prevent inward movement by abutment of the upstanding outer flanges with the top pallet.

Moreover the top pallet bears down on the horizontal webs of the top members 28 so that the top rods 22 of those parts 19 to which the members 28 are not welded securely engage the members 28 beneath the webs and against the inner flanges whereby outward movement of the parts 19,20 is effectively prevented.

When not in use, the frame 1 can be lifted off the bottom pallet and then readily collapsed into a relatively small package as shown in Figure 2. That is, when detached from the pallet, the parts 19,20 can fold inwardly to lie in generally parallel disposition between and in contact with the sections 7, 9, it being understood that this is facilitated by the bent corner rods 17 which act to space the corner hinge joints inwardly away from the main body areas of the frame sections 7,9. The resulting generally flat package is of relatively small dimensions and also, due to the wirework construction, is of a light weight whereby it can be conveniently carried and stored.

Moreover, it will be observed that the frame is formed in one piece, in that the various frame sections are permanently interconnected, whereby the collapsed flat package is of a particularly convenient format.

The top flanges 28 provide additional location for the top pallet whereby such pallet can be held in position without need to provide corner locators.

It is of course to be understood that the invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above embodiment which are described by way of example only. Thus, for example although the pallets and frame are oblong in the foregoing it is to be understood that square structures may also be used. Further, the outer pallet locating flanges of the members 27, 28 need not be combined with the inner abutment parts; if desired an arrangement of separate parts and flanges may be used.

Claims (21)

1. A pallet frame comprising a plurality of interconnectable frame sections adapted to fit detachably on a lower pallet or the like so that said sections extend upwardly to define side walls at the periphery thereof, the interconnection between the frame sections being such that the frame can be collapsed generally flat when detached from the said pallet, characterised in that at least one said section has an upright hinged joint in the central region thereof so that said section can be folded inwardly about said joint on said collapse of said frame, and at least one abutment is provided on said section for engagement with said pallet to prevent folding of said section in use of the frame.

2. A pallet frame according to claim 1, wherein at least some of the frame sections are provided with members arranged to define a seat at the top of the frame for an upper pallet.

3. A pallet frame according to claim 1 or 2, wherein two opposed frame sections are centrally jointed as aforesaid so as to be foldable inwardly.

4. A pallet frame according to claim 3, having four frame sections, one for each side of a rectangular lower pallet, and wherein the arrangement is such that said opposed frame sections can be folded between the other two sections so that the frame can be collapsed generally flat within the dimensions of the latter sections.

5. A pallet frame according to claim 3 or 4, wherein each said foldable section is provided with at least one said abutment.

6. A pallet frame according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the or each said abutment comprises a depending flange adapted to fit alongside the outer surface of the lower pallet side edge.

7. A pallet frame according to claim 6, wherein the said flange is secured to the bottom of the pertaining side section at one side of the folding joint.

8. A pallet frame according to claim 7, wherein the said flange has an associated upstanding part adapted, in the assembled state to fit behind the side section on the other side of the joint.

9. A pallet frame according to claim 8, wherein said flange and upstanding part are provided by a Z-section member which is arranged to seat on the lower part.

10. A pallet frame according to claim 2 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the or each said foldable frame section is provided with an upper abutment in the form of an upstanding flange adapted to fit alongside the outer surface of the upper pallet side edge thereby to act, in use, to prevent inward folding of the section.

11. A pallet frame according to claim 10, wherein the upper flange is secured to the top of the pertaining side section at one side of the folding joint and has a depending part adapted, in the assembled state, to fit behind the side section on the other side of the joint.

12. A pallet frame according to claim 11, wherein said upstanding flange and depending part are provided by a Z-section member which is arranged to seat beneath the upper pallet.

13. A pallet frame according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the side sections thereof are hingedly interconnected at or closely adjacent the corners of the frame.

14. A pallet frame according to claim 13, wherein said corner hinge joints are spaced slightly from the corners.

15. A pallet frame according to claim 4 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the foldable sections are shorter than the other two sections and the corner hinge joints are provided at the ends of bent-round corner extensions of the said other two sections.

16. A pallet frame according to claim 2 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein structures are provided at the bottom and top corners of the frame for location relative to the corners of the upper and lower pal lets.

17. A pallet frame according to claim 15 and claim 16, wherein said corner structures are provided on said other two sections.

18. A pallet frame according to claim 16 or 17, wherein said bottom corner structures comprise locators adapted to fit around and seat on the pallet corners.

19. A pallet frame according to any one of claims 16to 18, wherein said top corner structures comprise angle members.

20. A pallet frame according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein said frame sections are wirework structures.

21. A pallet frame substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.