IE45322B1 - Pallet construction - Google Patents

Abstract

The pallet has two or three box beams (12) which run in one direction and a number of cross beams (16) which run in the transverse direction. The box beams (12) are fitted with a number of brackets (20) set along the upper and lower edges (14). Each of the cross beams consists of an upper surface (30) joining a number of vertical support. There are two slots (46) in the central supports which match the brackets on the main beams. The outside supports of cross beams are fitted with lugs which fit under the hook edges of the brackets (20).

Description

The present invention relates to a pallet construction. .

The pallet of the present invention is constructed wholly of aluminum and in an assemblable and disassemblable form. The pallet is formed from a plurality of one type of member and a plurality of a second type of member, the types of members being interlocked by a unique locking structure.

The interlocking of the two types of members to provide the pallet and the disassembly of the interlock are achievable without the· necessity for any special tools or skills.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a pallet construction which comprises at least two spaced-apart substantially parallel longitudinally-extending aluminum members and a plurality of deck-forming aluminum members joined to and extending at least between the at least two longitudinally-extending members generally transverse thereto in spaced-apart relation. A snap fit is provided ’ releasably interconnecting the longitudinally-extending members and the deck-forming members at each intersection thereof. The snap fit comprises a first and second pair of spaced channels situated on the longitudinally-extending member and channel-engaging members formed on each of the deck-forming members constructed to snap fit into the pairs of channels. A stop is located at each intersection preventing longitudinal movement of each of the deck-forming members transverse to the longitudinally-extending members while normally permitting movement of the deck-forming members out of contact with the longitudinally-extending members upon release of the snap fit to allow disassembly of the pallet. The stop comprises two projections from the longitudinally-extending member engaging respective openings in the deck-forming member.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the pairs ox channels and the two projections are defined by firet and second continuous elongate protrusions which extend from a deck-forming member supporting surface of the longitudinallyextending member. The protrusions have shoulders projecting in opposite directions generally parallel to and spaced from the supporting surface to define the channels.

The continuous protrusions preferably extend parallel to each other and to the lateral extremities of the supporting surface in inwardly-spaced relation with reference thereto.

In another preferred embodiment, the deck-forming members include a continuous planar portion, integral skirt members depending from the planar portion at or adjacent the lateral extremities of tha planar portion and carrying the channel-engaging members at the free ends thereof. A Spacer is also provided depending from the planar portion into engagement with the longitudinally-extending member at the intersections and has the openings formed therein. The spacer preferably tak·?.; the form of a pair of integral webs parallel to the skirt members with the openings being in the form of vertically-extending slots in the webs.

The longitudinally-extending members and deck-forming members preferably take the form of integrally formed extrusions fox ease of manufacture.

The invention is described further, by way of illustration, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a two-deck, two-way pallet construction provided in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a close-up of one side of the pallet of Figure 1, partly exploded, showing the interlocking of the pallet-forming members; and 48322 Figures 3 end 4 are elevation views of the interlocking of the members to form the pallet construction of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, a pallet 10 constructed of aluminum parts includes three parallel hollow elongate members or stringer elements 12 of rectangular cross-section and arranged with their longest dimension upright so that the outer surfaces 14 of the shorter dimension provide a supporting surface. The number of such stringer elements 12 may be varied depending on the siae and strength of the pallet desired.

A plurality of deck-forming elongate extrusions or members IS are supported on the outer surfaces 14 and are releasably connected to the rectangularly cross-sectioned members 12 in spaced parallel relation generally perpendicular to the meEifasrs 12 and cooperate to provide a deck IS on each side of tfe'e pallet 10.

Each rectangularly cross-sectioned member 12 includes a plurality of pairs of integral parallel elongate laterallythin protrusions 20 extending from the outer surfaces 14, each protrusion having a longitudinal dimension substantially equal to the width of each deck-forming member 16.

Where it is desired to provide a single deck pallet, the protrusions 20 are provided on the top outer surfaces 14 only.

The number of pairs of protrusions 20 is equal to the number of deck-forming members to be attached to the rectangularly cross-sectioned member 12 and' the number is the same for each of the rectangularly cross-sectioned members 12.

The longitudinal spacing apart of the pairs of protrusions 20 from each other on the surface 14 - 4 of the rectangularly cross-sectioned member 12 may vary widely, depending on the spacing desired between the deck-forming members 16 in the pallet 10, which in turn is dependent on the desired end use and desxred strength of the pallet 10.

Each member of the pairs of protrusions 20 is positioned inwardly spaced from and parallel to the adjacent longitudinal edge of the surface 14, to enable the deck-forming members 16 to terminate flush with the outer edges of the stringers 32, as illustrated. However, each such protrusion member may be positioned at the longitudinal edge, in which event the deck-forming members 16 will extend beyond the lateral extremity of the stringers 12.

The longitudinal ends of each protrusion 20 are undercut to define shoulders 22 and 24 respectively and undercuts 26 and 28 respectively.

Each of the deck-forming members 16 has a continuous pltnsr surface 30 which cooperates with other like surfaces to provide the deck s ---face 18. Depending generally perpendicularly from each lateral extremity of the planar surface 30 are integral skirt portions 32 and 34 and at the lower end of each skirt portion, 32 and 34 is a shoulder-engaging member 36 and 38 respectively. The skirt portions 32 and 34 may be positioned inwardly from the lateral extremities of the planar surface 30, if desired.

Each of the shoulder-engaging members 36 and 38 includes a portion projecting inwardly of the skirt 32 or 34 and a 3houlder face-engaging portion. Generally, shoulderengaging member 36 projects inwardly a greater distance than shoulder-engaging member 38 and a distance substantially equal to the depth of the undercut 26.

While the undercuts 26 and 28 have the same dimensions and depth approximately equal to the extremity of the shoulderengaging member $6S this arrangement is for convenience in assembly of the pallet 10, allowing the longer shoulderengaging member 36 to be inserted in either undercut to engage hoth the shoulder and the end wall of the undercut, and, if desired, each of the undercuts 26 and 28 may be dimensioned to correspond to the dimensions of the shoulder-engaging members 36 and 38.

Each shoulder 22 and 24 has a sloping outer surface 10 40 and the surface 42 of the shoulder-engaging member 38 intended to engage the sloping surface 40 during assembly is also sloped.

Each of the deck-forming members 16 also comprises a pair of webs or spacer elements 44 integral with and. depending from the planar surface 30 and arranged parallel to the skirt portions 32 and 34.

Slots 46 are provided in each of the webs 44 for receiving the protrusions 20 therein when the pallet is assembled to prevent longitudinal displacement of the deck20 forming members 16 relative to the stringer elements 12 in an assembled pallet.

Each of the deck-forming members X6 has a thickness and size allowing limited flexibility when bent about its longitudinal centre line to permit assembly and disassembly of the pallet 10 without special tools or skills.

As seen in Figures 3 and 4, the pallet 10 is assembled by, at each intersection of deck-forming member 16 and rectangularly cross-sectioned member 12, inserting the longer shoulder-engaging member 36 into the undercuts 26 of the • 30 pair Of protrusions 20 and pushing the shorter shoulder-engaging member 38 against the upper and outer surface of the shoulders - 6 24 of the pair of protrusions 20, causing the deck-forming member 16 to flex slightly about its centre line, thereby moving the shoulder-engaging members 36 and 38 a greater distance apart, so that the sloping surface 42 rides on and round the sloping surfaces 40 of the pair of protrusions 20 and snap fits into the undercuts 28 of the pair of protrusions 20 in engagement with the underside of the shoulders 24.

Disassembly of the interlock is readily achieved by flexing the deck-forming member 16 about its centre line until the shoulder-engaging members 36 and 38 are spaced apart a distance sufficient to remove the shoulder-engaging member 38 from the undercut 28, The pallet may be provided in a 4-way form, if desired.

It will be seen from this description that the present invention provides a pallet construction which is in a knockdown form and which is formed from only two types of aluminum members, the members of each type being completely interchangeable one with another.

The knock-down form of the pallet permits shipping and storage in compact form with consequently decreased shipping storage and inventory costs as compared with conventional wooden pallets. The use of aluminum results in a pallet which is not damaged by the elements and fire, which is 100Ϊ recyclable, and which is lighter in weight, imparting additional benefits as compared with conventional wooden pallets.

Claims (7)

1. A pallet construction, comprising at least, two spacedapart substantially-parallel longitudinally extending aluminum members and a plurality of deck-forining aluminum members joined to and extending at least between the at least two longitudinally-extending members generally transverse thereto in spaced-apart relation, characterized by a snap fit releasably interconnecting the longitudinally-extending members and the deck-forming. members at each intersection comprising a first and second pair of spaced channels situated on the longitudinally-extending member vzith the channels in each pair opening in opposite directions of extension of the longitudinally-extending member and channel-engaging members formed on each of the deck-forming members constructed to snap fit into the pairs of channels,and a stop located at each intersection preventing longitudinal movement of each of the deck-forming members and comprising two projections from the longitudinally-extending member engaging respective openings in the deck-forming member.

2. A pallet construction as claimed in claim 1 in which each of the longitudinally-extending members has a planar supporting surface supporting the deck-forming members and the pairs of channels and the projections are defined by first and second continuous elongate protrusions extending from the supporting surface,

3. O A pallet construction as claimed in claim 2 in Which the continuous elongate protrusions extend parallel to the lateral extremities of the supporting surface inwardly spaced from the lateral extremities. - 8

4. A pallet construction as claimed in any one of Claims 1, 2 or 3 in which each of the deck-forming members includes a continuous planar portion spaaed from the longitudinallyextending members at the intersections, first and second

5. Skirt members depending from the planar portion and carrying the channel-engaging members at the free ends thereof and a spacer also depending from the planar portion into engagement with the longitudinally-extending member at the intersections and having the openings formed therein.

6. 10 5. A pallet construction as claimed in claim 4 in which the spacer comprises a pair of webs depending from the planar portion parallel to each other and to tbs skirt members and the openings comprise vertically-extending slots formed in the webs.

7. 15 6. A pallet construction substantially as herein described with reference to or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings