US3438342A

US3438342A - Material-handling pallet and improved pallet leg or support and load-distributing attachment therefor

Info

Publication number: US3438342A
Application number: US631690A
Authority: US
Inventors: Richard G Woolworth; Paul Allen
Original assignee: Woodstream Corp
Current assignee: Woodstream Corp
Priority date: 1967-04-18
Filing date: 1967-04-18
Publication date: 1969-04-15
Anticipated expiration: 1986-04-15

Description

April 15, 1969 WQQLWQRTH ET AL 3,438,342

' MATERIAL-HANDLING PALLET AND IMPROVED PALLET LEG OR SUPPORT AND LOAD-DISTRIBUTINGATTACHMENT THEREFOR Filed April 18, 1967 Sheet of 2 BYMQM Ml vsw'oes,

April 15, 1 R. G. WOOLWORTH ET L MATERIAL'HANDLING PALLET ANDIMPROVED PALLET LEG OR AND LOAD-DISTRIBUTING ATTACHMENT THEREFOR Filed April 18, 1967 Sheet mm @moeam F/CHA/ZD 6 l'l aoz wafer/l P404 ALLEN United States Patent US. Cl. 108--51 17 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A pallet leg or support, preferably formed of a high impact plastic, and incorporating a double-wall arrangement including an outer wall member and an inwardly spaced inner wall member. Reinforcing means are advantageously provided at least in the space between the inner and outer wall members. Such reinforcing means may be spaced web members or a reinforcing insert. Further, each pallet leg includes an upper laterally extending structure which may be used to advantage as an attachment area for direct aflixation of the pallet leg to the pallet structure. Also, the pallet leg may be releasably affixed to the pallet structure by means of an upper or top securing member which threadably engages with the actual pallet leg. Additionally, a load-distributing attachment may be provided for each pallet leg whenever a larger area of contact is desired.

Background of the invention The present invention broadly relates to material-handling pallets and, more specifically, pertains to improved pallet supports or legs for safely and reliably carrying loads placed upon the platform or retaining sheet of the pallet and which maintain the latter in spaced relationship from the floor or other support surface.

Numerous constructions of load supporting structures, commonly referred to as pallets or pallet structures, are known to the art. These pallets are increasingly employed in industry owing to their convenience in the storage and shipping of materials, packages and so forth. The increasing demand for reliable pallet structures has resulted in the development of a number of different structural types. Still, in actual practice the prior are manifestations of pallets have not been completely satisfactory in all respects, either because they were too complicated in their construction, too expensive, incapable of utilization with heavy loads, readily subject to damage and so forth. Therefore, there is a real need for a pallet unit which capably fulfills the requirements of industry as to expected ruggedness and functionality, and additionally, is also relatively inexpensive to manufacture so that purchase thereof will be attractive from the standpoint of the ultimate consumer.

Technological developments have resulted in the production of a pallet incorporating upper and lower spaced platforms, suitable spacing members being arranged between the aforementioned upper and lower platforms. An extension of this broad principle further resulted in a pallet where the upper and lower platforms are formed of individual spaced strip-like elements which are hingedly connected to one another, so that the entire pallet structure could be collapsed when not used. Nonetheless, it should be apparent that pallet structures which employ spaced upper and lower platforms, even if collapsible, are relatively expensive to manufacture owing to the increased amount of material which is expended. Furthermore, not only is the assembly thereof rather complicated so that labor costs are increased, but they do reice quire a relatively large amount of space when they are stored and not used. Apart from this, these pallets are relatively bulky and heavy so that they are expensive to ship.

Other attempts in the field have resulted in the construction of a portable pallet employing a raised platform or retaining sheet with pallet legs or supports affixed thereto for supporting a load in storage or during shipping. These platforms are sufficiently raised so as to enable the lift forks of a standard lift truck to engage beneath the platform to elevate the pallet and to displace it to a desired location. Even though this type of pallet structure overcomes some of the drawbacks of prior existing pallets it is still quite expensive to manufacture and heavy so that the customer is still involved with considerable purchase and shipping costs.

Moreover, even the so-called lightweight pallets which have become known to the artwhile certainly reducing shipping costsstill are not completely satisfactory in that they possess an inherent inability to support heavy loads. Further, any attempts which have been made to reinforce such lightweight pallets have resulted in increased costs and usually a rather complicated construction.

Summary of the invention Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved pallet structure which overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art structures as explained above.

Another, more specific object of this invention is directed to the provision of an improved lightweight, mold able pallet support or leg for a pallet structure which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, exceptionally robust, extremely easy to assemble at the platform or otherwise of the pallet structure, and capable of supporting heavy loads in a reliable manner.

Still a further significant object of this invention pertains to an improved lightweight pallet leg for a pallet which can be mass produced inexpensively and possesses the requisite strength for heavy duty-load support functions.

A further noteworthy object of the present invention resides in the provision of an improved reinforced pallet leg or support for a pallet which enables the latter to maintain heavy loads without danger of failure and collapse of the pallet legs.

A further significant object of the present invention pertains to an improved load-supporting leg means which can be expeditiously employed to palletize a retaining sheet or container and to reliably and safely support materials thereon.

Another equally significant object of the present invention relates to an improved pallet structure incorporating a separate retaining sheet or a retaining sheet forming part of a container, box or the like and equipped with specially reinforced pallet legs which may be advantageously detachabl'y carried thereby to provide a pallet structure capable of handling heavy loads, and further, wherein the pallet structure when not used, particularly during shipping, can have the pallet legs disassembled from the retaining sheet or otherwise in a quick and simple manner.

An additional object of this invention relates to an improved pallet leg for a pallet structure and further to an improved load distributing attachment for the pallet leg which provides an increased contact area for the pallet leg, particularly when the pallets are stacked upon one another, especially when using cardboard boxes for instance.

Generally speaking, in order to implement these and still further objects of the invention, which will become more readily apparent as the description proceeds, the improved pallet leg or support of the present invention incorporates spaced outer and inner wall members defining a double-wall arrangement with reinforcing means disposed in the space between such double-wall arrangement.

To fully appreciate the importance of this double-wall pallet leg arrangement, it should be understood that prior art pallet legs formed of a thin, single wall have the noticeable tendency to buckle under load. This is so, first of all, because of the inherent inconsistency of the material from which the legs are formed and, further, because the loads are not generally completely symmetrically applied, so that moments are created in the pallet legs. On the other hand, by providing the inventive double-wall pallet leg arrangement with reinforcing means preferably in the form of web members disposed in the intermediate space between the double-wall arrangement, it is possible to obtain a pallet leg structure which in essence is still thin walled, as required, while effectively preventing any substantial buckling to a high degree. Hence, the improved pallet leg of the invention effectively copes to a large extent with any asymmetrical loading which may be pres ent and which is generally difficult to avoid in practice, as well as any inherent inconsistency in the forming material for the legs, to thereby substantially minimize buckling by striving for straight compressive loading of the leg and the absence of any appreciable bending moments. As a result, there is imparted to the inventive pallet leg all the necessary strength characteristics for use as heavy-duty supports, without any great danger of buckling.

Further, laterally extending means, for instance in the form of flange means, are located at the upper region of the double-wall arrangement in a position capable of confronting the pallet structure when the pallet leg is afiixed in load-supporting relationship thereat.

According to one very desirable embodiment of the invention the pallet legs or supports can be directly affixed to the pallet structure by application of staples, nails, fixing screws or other fastening expedients through the laterally extending flange means and into the body of the pallet structure, typically in the form of a retaining sheet or platform. Also, the reinforcing means in such instance may be in the form of spaced web means which extend between the bottom and top of the pallet leg within the double-wall arrangement, and preferably extend substantially coextensive with the top of the outer and inner wall members. The reinforcing means could also comprise a reinforcing insert, such as an annular core of paper which is inserted into the space between the double-wall arrangement.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is contemplated a different manner of afiixation of the load-supporting leg means to the pallet structure. In this regard, there is employed a top piece or upper member providing a securing means which includes a depending externally threaded member capable of being telescopically interfitted into the inner wall member of the aforementioned double-wall pallet leg, with the external threading of the securing means meshing with internal threading provided at the inner wall member. Here also, the reinforcing means may partake the form of spaced web members or else can be a reinforcing insert. If web members are employed then they preferably should not extend the full height of the double-wall arrangement, rather they should terminate below or at the lower level of the internal threading of the inner wall member to allow stripping of the pallet leg from the mold without a threading-out mechanism when such leg is formed of plastic for instance. However, in this instance additional web members are advantageously spaced about the periphery of the outer wall member at the upper region thereof and in contact with the laterally extending flange means so that there is insured for the requisite load bearing strength. Of course, this external reinforcing web arrangement could also be provided for the pallet leg type which is directly affixed to the pallet structure as previously considered, if additional strength is desirable.

Furthermore, the invention additionally contemplates the provision of a load-distributing member which can be detachably secured to the various inventive embodiments of pallet legs so as to increase the area of contact between the pallet leg and the object upon which it is placed. This is particularly advantageous when articles are packaged in cardboard boxes which are palletized with the inventive pallet legs and the resultant pallet structures are stacked upon another. The load-distributing means prevent the pallet legs of the superimposed pallet structures from crushing through the cardboard boxes or other packages or articles which are located on the lower pallet structure.

Brief description of the drawings The invention will be better understood, and objects other than those set forth above, will become apparent, when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary, schematic cross-sectional view of a pallet stnlcture incorporating a platform or retaining sheet equipped with a first embodiment of inventive pallet supports or legs;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the pallet leg employed in the pallet structure shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the pallet leg illustrated in FIGURE 2 and showing the arrangement of the spaced reinforcing Web members angularly distributed about the double-wall arrangement of such pallet leg;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of a. pallet structure in the form of a container or box where the bottom provides the retaining sheet or platform to which there is affixed a modified form of pallet leg equipped with a load-distributing attachment;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the pallet leg employed in the pallet structure of FIGURE 4 and showing a reinforcing insert in lieu of the previously employed reinforcing web members;

FIGURE 6 is a top plan view of the load-distributing attachment used in the arrangement of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of a pallet structure in the form of a retaining sheet or platform which has afiixed thereto a two-piece pallet leg or support constructed in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 8 is an exploded view of the two-piece pallet leg or support used in the pallet structure of FIGURE 7 and depicting the spaced web members located in the double-wall arrangement defined by the inner and outer wall members and further showing the external angularly spaced web members at the outer wall member;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of a different type of pallet structure, here depicting a cardboard box which has been palletized through affixation of the modified form of pallet legs shown in FIGURES 7 and 8; and

FIGURE 10 is an exploded view of pallet leg or support which is quite similar to that shown in FIGURES 7 to 9, except that here the spaced internal web members are replaced by a reinforcing insert.

Description of the preferred embodiments With reference now to the drawings, in particular directing attention to the pallet unit depicted in FIGURE 1 and the pallet supports or legs thereof shown in detail in FIGURES 2 and 3, it will be seen that the pallet structure incorporates a substantially flat retaining sheet or platform 10 which may be formed of plywood for instance. A number of pallet legs or supports 12 are afiixed in spaced relationship to the underside of the platform 10, at a distance from one another sufiicient to enable the lift forks of a standard lift truck to engage between juxtapositioned rows of such pallet legs 12. In this instance, each of the pallet legs 12 may be advantageously formed of a high impact plastic, such as high impact polyethylene for instance, the forming operation being carried out by conventional molding techniques known in the plastic art.

Since each of the pallet legs or support 12 is identical it will be sufficient to merely describe the details of a given one of such pallet legs. Thus, it should be recognized that each pallet leg 12 embodies an outer wall member 14 and a radially inwardly spaced inner wall member 16. Although the outer and

inner wall members

14, 16 are here shown to possess a substantially cylindrical configuration other geometric shapes could be conceivably employed. Further, both the outer wall member 14 and the inner wall member 16 are preferably formed by continuous

cylindrical walls

13 and 15, respectively. Whereas the bottom of the pallet leg or support 12 is closed by an end wall 18 which bridges the lower coextensive ends of the outer and

inner wall members

14 and 16, the opposite end of this pallet leg 12 is open. However, extending circumferentially about the upper region of the outer wall member 14 is a laterally depending flange structure 20 which is located in a position capable of confronting the platform when the pallet leg 12 is affixed in load-supporting relationship thereat.

Since the inner wall member 16 is radially spaced inwardly and preferably concentrically with respect to the outer wall member 14 there is formed a double-wall arrangement for the pallet leg 12 which defines an annnular compartment 22 disposed between the spaced

wall members

14, 16. Although the double-

wall arrangement

14, 16 just considered in itself already provides increased strength for the pallet leg 12, there is additionally provied reinforcing means within the annular compartment 22 which serves to impart sufiicient rigidity, stability and strength to each pallet leg 12 so that it can be used to maintain and support heavy loads upon the platform 10. In this case, the reinforcing means which are disposed in the space between the double-

wall arrangement

14, 16 comprise angularly spaced, preferably equidistant, upright web members 24 disposed between the bottom and top of the pallet leg 12. More precisely, each of these web members 22 extends from the bottom end wall 18 and coextensive with the upper edges of the outer and

inner wall members

14 and 16 respectively.

Moreover, it should be understood that the outer wall member 14, the inner wall member 16, the end wall 18, the laterally extending upper flange means 20 and the rev inforcing web members 24 are molded as an integral unit with one another, so that it is completely unnecessary to assemble any components to form the composite pallet leg 12. Furthermore, the double-wall arrangement which includes the inner wall member 16 and the outer wall member 14 together with the angularly spaced reinforcing web members 24 provide an extremely robust and sturdy construction, exceptionally suitable for supporting heavy loads while still providing the advantages of a lightweight, economically manufactured unit. Apart from this, attachment of the pallet leg 12 to the platform 10 of the pallet structure can be carried out quite simply in that, for instance, staples 26 or other suitable fixing means can be driven through the laterally extending flange means 20 and into the body of the platform 10, to thereby securely affix each pallet leg 12 to such platform. Instead of the staples 26 the laterally extending flange means 20 could also have a number of bores or apertures 27 spaced about the surface thereof for receiving nails, screws or other fastening expedients which will positively secure the pallet leg 12 to the platform 10. Moreover, with such manner of attachment it is equally possible to disassemble each pallet leg 12 from the platform 10, if desired, for instance when the pallet structure is stored and/or during shipping thereof to a given destination.

FIGURES 4 and 5 depict a somewhat modified form of pallet leg 28 which is employed in conjunction with a pallet structure in the form of a box 30 formed of cardboard, corrugated paper or fiber board for instance, and which has been palletized by attachment of a suitable number of these pallet legs 28 to its bottom or floor 32, wherein the aforesaid floor 32 may be conveniently considered equivalent to the flat retaining sheet or platform 10 of the previous embodiment of FIGURE 1. In this case, each pallet leg 28 again incorporates the preferably continuous, radially spaced, inner and

outer wall members

34 and 36 respectively, bridged at their lower respective ends by the bottom wall 38. At the upper region of the outer Wall member 36, and specifically preferably at its uppermost end there is again provided the laterally extending flange structure 40 intended to bear against the outer face of the floor 32 of the carboard box 30 or the like. This laterally extending flange structure 40 once again conveniently provides an area for attachment of the pallet leg 28 to the platformlike bottom 32 of the cardboard box 30 in that staples 42 can be easily driven through the flange structure 40 and into the bottom 32. Of course, other fixing means, such as previously considered, also could be used to advantage. Additionally, it will be recognized that the cardboard box or container 30 is internally provided with a pair of flaps 31 which when lowered overlie the bottom 32 and thereby protect the box contents from becoming damaged by the staples 42 or other fixing means.

While it will be recalled that in the embodiment of pallet leg 12 depicted in FIGURES 1 to 3 reinforcing web members 24 were arranged in the space 22 between the outer and

inner wall members

14 and 16, here the reinforcing means is constituted by a reinforcing insert 44 placed into the upwardly open, annular compartment 46 formed between the inner wall member 34 and the outer wall member 36. This reinforcing insert 44 may be a core or roll of paper for instance, such as kraft paper, cut to desired size so that it substantially completely fills the annular compartment 46.

The modified form of pallet leg 28 of this embodiment is also formed of a suitable high impact plastic, such as high impact polyethylene, with the inner wall member 34, the outer wall member 36, the bottom end Wall 38 and the upper flange structure 40 integrally molded to one another. Not only does such an integrally molded plastic pallet leg 28 provide a lightweight, relatively inexpensive unit, but further the incorporation of the reinforcing insert 44 in the annular compartment 46 increases the load-supporting capability of this pallet leg 28 so that it can sustain heavy loads without such pallet legs becoming crushed or otherwise damaged.

Additionally, when using a cardboard box 30 or similar type containers for the pallet structure it is advantageous to provide a load-distributing attachment 48 at the base of each pallet leg 28 to prevent crushing of the pallet legs 28 of one palletized cardboard box 30 through a lower arranged cardboard box when they are stacked upon one another. As clearly evident by referring to FIGURES 4 and 6, the load-distributing attachment 48 embodies a base member 50 of considerably larger diameter than the diameter of the outer wall 36 of the pallet leg 28. This base member 50 is advantageously provided with a plurality of angularly spaced ribs 52 equidistantly disposed about the outer region of the base member 50 and extending radially inwardly from the circumference thereof, as best shown in FIGURE 6. Further, it will be recognized that each of these ribs 52 has an upper surface 54 which slopes inwardly and upwardly towards the center of the base member 48, yet terminates at a distance forwardly thereof suflicient so that all of these rib members 52 collectively provide a bore 56 of a size adequate to snugly receive and embrace the outer wall member 36 of the associated pallet leg 28.

Moreover, at the region of the pocket or bore 56 and depending upwardly from the base member 50 is a central lug 58 and spaced about the latter a number of snap-type projecting fasteners 60. The central upwardly projecting lug 58 is received by a suitable aperture 62 provided at the bottom end wall 38 whereas the surrounding snap type projecting fasteners 60 are received by correspondingly oriented holes 64 also provided at the bottom end wall 38 of the pallet leg 28. Consequently, it is possible to detachably secure the load-distributing attachment 48 to each pallet leg 28, or even to the pallet legs of any of the other embodiments disclosed herein, whenever it is desirable to have a larger area of contact for each pallet leg.

As far as the remaining embodiments of pallet legs disclosed in FIGURES 7 to 10, it should be appreciated that each such pallet leg is formed as a two-piece unit. Turning now more particularly to the embodiment of FIGURES 7 and 8, it will be seen that the two-piece pallet leg 66 incorporates the lower pallet leg member 68 disposed at the underside of the retaining sheet or platform 70, similar to the platform of FIGURE 1, and further, the upper member 72 defining a securing means which is situated at the opposite or upper face of the platform 70, as shown. This two-piece pallet leg unit 66 of FIGURE 7 is arranged at the platform 70 of the pallet structure in a manner such that the lower pallet leg member 68 and the upper member 72 straddle or sandwich a portion of this platform 70 therebetween.

Now, as far as the lower pallet leg member 68 is concerned, such possesses a certain similarity to the pallet leg 12 of the embodiment of FIGURE 1. Hence, there will be again recognized the double-wall arrangement embodying the outer Wall member 74 and the radially inwardly spaced, inner wall member 76, both of which are bounded at their lower respective ends by the bottom end wall 78. However, as best recognized by referring to FIG- URE 8, in this embodiment the hollow inner wall member 76 is provided at its upper region with internal threading 80 intended to engage with external threading 82 formed at the outer wall of the downwardly depending hollow tubular member 84 of the upper member 72. Furthermore, a flat disk member 86 is integrally connected with the downwardly depending, externally threaded member 84. Also, if desired, stiffening ribs 87 or the like may be provided at the upper pallet leg member 72 internally of the hollow tubular member 84 at the region of joinder with the upper disk 86, as best seen by referring to FIG- URE 7. Moreover, the upper disk member 86 can conveniently possess a substantially teardrop configuration to facilitate handling and rotation of the upper member 72 during attachment of the lower pallet leg member 68 to the platform 70.

As far as the lower pallet leg member 68 is concerned it also may possess reinforcing means in the form of angularly spaced, upright web members 88 which extend from the bottom end wall 78 towards the opposite open end of this lower pallet leg member 68 and within the space formed by the double-

wall arrangement

74, 76. However, owing to the fact that the upper region of the inner wall member 76 is provided with internal threading 80 these reinforcing web members 88 should not extend coextensive with the upper edges of the outer and

inner wall members

74, 76, otherwise it will be impossible to strip the pallet leg member 68 from the mold. Hence, it will be recognized that these reinforcing web members 88 advantageously terminate, at least at the innermost upper end 90 adjacent the inner wall member 76, at a. location slightly beneath the internal threading 88, so that the inner wall member 76 can be flexed radially outwardly a certain amount during stripping from the mold. However, it will be additionally recognized that further reinforcing web members 92 are angularly spaced about the periphery of the outer wall member 74 at the upper region thereof and extend outwardly into contact with the lower face of the laterally extending flange structure 94. The provision of the internal web members 88 and the external web members 92 in conjunction with the doublewall arrangement including the outer wall member 74 and the inner wall member 76 of the lower pallet leg 68 provides for an extremely robust structure which is radially capable of supporting heavy loads.

Continuing, it will be understood that the lower pallet leg member 68 as well as the upper member 72 defining securing means for attaching the former in desired position at the underside of the platform 70, each may be molded from a high impact plastic, polyethylene for example, as previously explained. Once again, since each of the components of the lower pallet leg member 68 as well as those of the upper securing means 72 are integrally molded structures, this two-piece pallet leg unit 66 is not only quite suitable for heavy duty application, but can be relatively inexpensively manufactured.

Since, during assembly of the two-piece pallet leg unit 66 to the platform 70 of the pallet structure, it is necessary to insert the externally threaded, downwardly depending tubular member 84 in telescopic fashion into the internal compartment of the inner wall member 76 the platform 70 must be equipped with a suitable bore 96 (FIGURE 8) through which this externally threaded tubular member 84 piercingly extends. If desired, both the tubular member 84 and the inner wall member 76 ma be tapered to provide for a better bight or locking engagement. After the pallet leg unit 66 has been attached in the manner shown in FIGURE 7, it is possible to apply a staple 98 or other fixing means through the upper disk member 72 and into the body of the plywood platform 70 to prevent any rotation of the two-piece pallet leg unit 66 about its axis, and to thereby facilitate subsequent removal of the lower pallet leg member '68 and even reattachment.

In FIGURE 9 there is again employed a two-piece pallet leg unit of the type considered in conjunction with the previous embodiment of FIGURES 7 and 8, and for which reason the same reference numerals have been used to indicate the same components. However, in this instance such two-piece pallet leg unit 66 is used to palletize a box or container 100, for instance similar to the cardboard box 30 of the embodiment of FIGURE 4. Therefore, it will be also recognized that the bottom or floor 102 of this box serves as the platform to which the lower pallet leg member 68 is secured by means of the upper member 72 defining the securing means. Additionally, just as was the case with the cardboard box 30 of the embodiment of FIGURE 4, here also internal flaps 104 are provided which may be placed over the upper disk member 86 as shown at the right of FIGURE 9, in order to protect the contents of the container or box 100 from becoming damaged by this upper disk member. Furthermore, it will be recognized that a load-distributing attachment 48 of the type considered in detail during the discussion of FIGURE 6 is also provided for each pallet leg unit 66 of FIGURE 9. In fact, such a load-distributing attachment 48 can be employed in the arrangement of FIGURE 7, or even with other pallet legs whenever it is desired to provide a larger area of contact for the associated pallet leg to prevent damage to the material carried by stacked pallet structures.

Finally, in the remaining embodiment of FIGURE 10 there is again disclosed a two-piece pallet leg unit 66' which is substantially identical to the pallet leg units 66 of FIGURES 7 and 9, for which reason the same reference numerals have been again conveniently employed. However, in this case instead of providing the internal web members 88 the annular space formed between the outer wall member 74 and the inwardly disposed inner wall member 76 is filled with a reinforcing insert, such as a roll or core of paper 106 as previously considered. Attachment of this two-piece pallet leg unit 66' to the platform or retaining

sheet

70 or 102 of the pallet structure is undertaken in the manner previously explained.

Having now had an opportunity to consider the various exemplary embodiments of pallet supports disclosed herein, it should be readily apparent that such pallet supports or legs are extremely capable of fulfilling the objects set forth at the outset to the specification. Moreover, the double-wall arrangement of the pallet legs with the spaced inner and outer walls and the reinforcing means disposed in the space appearing between such inner and outer walls provides for an extremely sturdy and rugged pallet leg which is quite suitable for heavy duty applications. Additionally, since the pallet legs are preferably molded from a suitable plastic material they provide all of the advantages enjoyed by a light-weight structure,,while still affording the requisite load-bearing characteristics, and are also relatively simple and economical to manufacture.

While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.

Accordingly, what is claimed is:

1. A pallet leg for a pallet structure comprising loadsupporting leg means incorporating spaced outer and inner wall members defining a double-wall arrangement, reinforcing means disposed in the space between said double-wall arrangement, laterally extending means disposed radially outwardly of said outer wall member and located at the upper region of the double-wall arrangement in a position capable of confronting the pallet structure when the pallet leg is affixed in load-supporting relationship at the pallet structure.

2. A pallet leg for a pallet structure as defined in claim 1, further including load-distributing means secured to the lower region of said load-supporting leg means and providing an increased contact area for the pallet leg.

3. A pallet leg for a pallet structure as defined in claim 2, further including means for detachably securing said load-distributing means to the lower region of said loadsupporting leg means.

4. A pallet leg for a pallet structure as defined in claim 3, wherein said load-distributing means includes a base member, a plurality of radially inwardly extending, angularly spaced ribs disposed about the periphery of said base member, said radially inwardly extending ribs terminating short of the center of said base member to provide a substantially centrally disposed bore of a diameter suflicient to detachably receive and embrace the lower end of said outer wall member.

5. A pallet leg as defined in claim 1, wherein said laterally extending means comprises flange means directed outwardly of said outer wall member at the upper region thereof.

6. A pallet leg for a pallet structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said reinforcing means includes spaced web means disposed between the bottom and top of said loadsupporting leg means and extending substantially coextensive with the top of said outer and inner wall members.

7. A pallet leg for a pallet structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said reinforcing means comprises a separate reinforcing insert located in the space between said outer and inner members.

8. A pallet leg for a pallet structure as defined in claim 1, further including an end wall interconnecting said outer and inner wall members at one end intended to be directed away from the pallet structure when the pallet leg is mounted thereat, said end wall, said outer and inner wall members and said laterally extending means being integral with one another.

9. A pallet leg for a pallet structure as defined in clairr 8 wherein said load-supporting leg means is an integral molded unit formed of plastic.

10. A pallet leg for a pallet structure as defined ir claim 1, wherein said reinforcing means includes spacec' web means disposed between the bottom and top of said load-supporting leg means, said spaced web means contacting said inner and outer wall members.

11. A pallet leg for a pallet structure as defined ir claim 10, wherein said spaced web means include internal web members located in the space between said doublewall arrangement and terminating below the top of at least said inner wall member.

12. A pallet leg for a pallet structure as defined ir claim 11, further including additional reinforcing means in the form of external web members spaced about the outer periphery of said outer wall member at the upper region thereof and bearing against said laterally extending means.

13. A pallet leg for a pallet structure as defined in claim 12 wherein said inner wall member is provided with internal threading at its upper region at a location above said spaced internal web members, securing means for detachably connecting said load-supporting leg means to said pallet structure, said securing means including an externally threaded member telescopically threadably received by said load-supporting leg means with the external threading of said externally threaded member meshing with the internal threading of said inner wall member and with at least a portion of the pallet structure straddled by said securing means and said load-supporting leg means.

14. A pallet leg for a pallet structure as defined in claim 13, said securing means further including an upper disk integrally connected with said externally threaded member, said externally threaded member depending sub stantially perpendicularly from said upper disk.

15. A pallet leg for a pallet structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said outer and inner wall members are hollow substantially cylindrical members.

16. A pallet leg for a pallet structure as defined in claim 15, wherein said outer and inner wall members possess substantially continuous walls defining said cylindrical members.

17. In a pallet structure, the combination of: a platform, at least one load-supporting leg means incorporating spaced outer and inner wall members defining a doublewall arrangement carried by said platform, reinforcing means disposed in the space between said double-wall arrangement, said reinforcing means extending radially between and in contact with said inner and outer wall members as well as extending lengthwise thereof, and laterally extending means extending radially externally 01 said outer wall member and being located at the upper region of the double-wall arrangement in a position confronting said platform.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,507,588 5/1950 Brandon et al 10857 2,673,052 3/1954 Risch 248-188.8 2,842,417 7/1958 Scanlon 248-188.8 2,918,241 12/1959 Maher 108--57 2,930,560 3/1960 Carnwath et a1. 108-56 3,106,174 10/1963 Newton 108-51 BOBBY R. GAY, Primary Examiner.

G. O. FINCH, Assistant Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 108-158