BE1022550B1 - PALLET WITH LOW STRUCTURE AND PLATE-PATIN CONNECTOR FOR SAID PALLET PROVIDED WITH EASY EXTRACTION MEANS - Google Patents

Abstract

Pallet with lightweight structure and plate-shoe connector for said pallet provided with easy extraction means, where pallet (1) the connector (7) are molded in plastic comprising a platform (2) with groups (3) of feet lower bound by means of a pad (3a), where the platform (2) comprises 4 symmetrical longitudinal grooves (5) to accommodate anti-slip bands, the intermediate foot (6) of each group (3) is integrated into the pad (3a) and has an upper configuration with shoulders (6a) with clipping means (9), and re-entrant formations (6b) for reinforcement, and each of the end feet of each shoe (3a) comprises a connector (7) which admits to be used with variable orientation and can include configurations which facilitate its extraction.

Description

LIGHTWEIGHT STRUCTURE PALLET AND PLATEAUPATIN CONNECTOR FOR SAID PALLET PROVIDED WITH EASY EXTRACTION MEANS

DESCRIPTION

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a lighter structure pallet, which offers essential features of novelty and considerable advantages over the known means and used for the same purposes in the current state of the art. The invention more particularly proposes the development of a pallet for loading, transport and storage of articles, whose structure is obtained by a molding operation and responds to a loading platform configuration whose design has has been revised to lighten the latter compared to the pallets of the current technique, and this without any loss of structural strength or load capacity. The modified structure of the pallet of the invention includes not only the mentioned relief of the loading platform, but also other changes that concern the components that are part of the feet of the pallet, the skates from where they emerge. or the connections between components, so that the resulting pallet has better stiffness, maneuverability and safety characteristics than the pallets of the same type that already exist.

In addition, the present invention also relates to a skid plate connector for said pallet, also referred to as a "fuse" in this document, provided with easy extraction means, which offers essential characteristics of novelty and considerable advantages over known means and used for the same purposes in the current state of the art.

This aspect of the invention more particularly the development of said connector element, including a connector of the type used for the connection junction between the ends of each pad with the plate (or platform) of the pallet, adapted and modified in its respective plug-in portions to facilitate the release of the junctions of these plug-in portions to the pad and / or the plate of the pallet when one wishes to replace a damaged connector or when it is desired to recover a connector for reuse.

The field of application of the invention is in the industrial sector specialized in the manufacture of pallets and platforms for the support of goods, and more particularly pallets injected material.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The great utility of pallets for the transport and storage of articles and goods in a wide variety of industrial sectors is generally known. In general, the pallets consist of structures that include a platform that provides the loading surface on which the items are located, whose platform is supported by feet that at the opposite end of the junction to the platform are grouped together by longitudinal extension plates usually known as "skates".

Over time, the skids have evolved considerably, initially they were built from a number of wooden plates, placed adjacent to one another on the platform of the loading platform, and interconnected by means of others. plates of the same material extending transversely to the first. The feet consisted of wooden wedges located in various places in their lower perimetral contour, and sometimes in a central position as well, with the feet on each side (or those of intermediate positioning) connected to each other by their lower faces by means of other wood plates constituting the respective support pads on the ground or other support surface. Improved molding techniques have allowed the pallet platforms and other components of their structure to be constructed from plastic materials, for example by the use of injection molding techniques. to obtain manufacturing pallets much faster and simple, of a weight much lower than that of wooden pallets, and which can offer substantially improved performance compared to the pallets of the prior art. A good example of a molded pallet of the type mentioned is given in the Spanish Utility Model ES-1 079 048, of the same holder, in which a loading platform constituted of a single piece, and provided with through orifices in the longitudinal direction for accommodating reinforcing metal inserts against the bending derived from the load, comprises support pads from which the feet emerge, where a central foot is integrated with the shoe to which it belongs and each of the two end feet begins with an integral low height vertical portion prepared to receive an intermediate support member, or connector, (usually known in technical slang as "fuse"), prepared to be clipped to both the initial vertical portion and by the opposite end to the corresponding housing formed on the underside of the loading platform. The pallet is prepared to adopt an alternative configuration in which it can be provided with wheels for its easy movement, with associated rabbets in opposite positions of the upper face of the platform to partially accommodate said wheels when several pallets are stacked.

As can be understood, a pallet with the structural characteristics just mentioned, implies a significant progress in this type of devices, as regards the aspects of the construction and the design as for their use, reuse and space requirements for storage of these.

However, the modifications introduced by the applicant in the structure of the loading platform and in the other components which together with said platform form the pallet of the previous model, have made it possible to improve the structural characteristics and the operational capacities of said pallet, by a lightening of the structure of the loading platform and the presence of modified components, which offer additional alternatives that were not initially envisaged on the previous model.

Thus, an object of the present invention is the presence of a loading platform lightened compared to the pallet of the previous model, which does not lose its structural strength, and which is provided with a number of anti-slip elements (longitudinal strips) which significantly increase the coefficient of friction with the load on the pallet and which guarantee a better retention of the latter.

Another object of the invention is to improve the structural resistance of the embedding portion of the central foot of each of the pads with the respective housing of the loading platform, by means of a perimetral wall profile specifically designed to prevent the possible deformation of said zone.

Another object of the invention consists in the presence of an embedding portion of the central foot of each pad whose dimensions are provided so as to increase the contact surface with the walls of the housing and also the rigidity of the assembly.

Another object of the present invention is the presence of a smooth zone, free from reinforcement ribs or any other external formation, in the recording zone between the position of the central foot and the perimeter of the pad, in the double objective to increase the play and compatibility between different models of pallets and avoid the accumulation of dirt as happens in the ribbed areas of the current skates.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide inside the central foot of the shoe a housing for the RFID tag integrally assembled to the inner surface of the housing by radial ribs, so that it guarantees, as in the previous model, the integrity of said label against external agents.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide the shoulder pads at each of their ends, small in size but sufficient to ensure the immobilization of the pallets when mounted on plastic boxes.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide intermediate support members, also referred to as fuses or connectors, reinforced for each of the end legs of the pad, provided with an upper plug-in portion and a plug-in portion. lower, these elements having design features such that the intermediate support member or connector is symmetrical with respect to the central plane, therefore being of reversible positioning in its mounting as an intermediate support member with respect to each end of the pad, and each of the large faces of the pad further having a respective surface space which on one side shows a textured surface for affixing a tag and on the opposite side shows a smooth surface for affixing logos or other means of identifying the customer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide each connector or fuse releasable means of quick clipping in relation to each of the plugging portions of each end, and with this feature that at least the clipping means of the portion of upper plug are designed to have an external profile that facilitates both the embedding operation and release.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a protective case for the RFID tag, specifically designed to protect the label inside and to be securely inserted in the housing provided for this purpose in the central foot. skating.

These and other objects and advantages are made and offered by the invention pallet, the essential features of which are listed in the set of claims appended to this specification.

Further, taking as a starting point the improved fuse element or connector that has been mentioned in the foregoing paragraphs, it has become apparent that by appropriately modifying said connector element, substantial advantages can be provided that facilitate its operation. extraction without damaging it.

Thus, the present invention also aims to provide a connector or fuse of the same type as that which has already been mentioned, but provided with easy extraction means that allow a user to be able to separate, easily, and using simple tools, each of the plug-in portions of their junctions with both the pad and the pallet plate, whether to replace a connector that could have been damaged for one reason or another , or whether to recover these connectors when they are in good condition (that is to say, able to be reused) and that the pallet itself will be discarded. For this purpose, said connector or fuse with easy extraction means has the following aspects: - the connector has been provided with formations with a greater accumulation of material at opposite positions of the perimetrical edge which delimits the upper insertion portion ( that is to say, the insertion portion intended for the connection junction with the pallet plate), concretely in relation to the two ends of a transverse internal transverse reinforcement partition included in the insertion portion mentioned above; the tray has been provided with an orifice at positions respectively opposed to each upper insertion portion of each connector or fuse, through which a simple tool, such as a punch or other similar tool, can be passed over which, after having made it bear on the zone of the central transverse partition mentioned, it will be possible to tap to transfer the output force to the corresponding end of the connector which is to be extracted, and - the connector has been provided, with respect to each of the central fingers included in the lower plug-in portion (i.e., the plug-in portion for the connecting junction with the corresponding end of a pad), each of its own grooves two sides of the respective clawing claws, framing said small claws, so that it facilitates to a large extent the bending of the latter during the encast operations / release of these small claws in / from housing or thinned portions in which they fit.

With such an arrangement, the coupling and uncoupling operations, in particular the separation operations of each connector according to what has been said, are considerably simplified and facilitated.

It should also be emphasized that a user can perform connector extraction operations with conventional tools as simple as a punch, a hammer, and a tool configured in the likeness of the lower portion of the connector. that is to say terminated by a four-finger end adapted to be introduced into the corresponding holes or housings of the pad and prepared at the other end so that it can be hammered on with the hammer and the where appropriate, punch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the invention will be more clearly demonstrated from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of this invention, given solely by way of illustrative example and without any limiting character with reference to the drawings attached to this description, in which:

Figure la is a schematic, perspective view from above, of an improved pallet constructed in accordance with the instructions of the present invention; Figure lb shows a schematic perspective view of the loading platform of the pallet of Figure la, seen on its underside;

Figure 2 is a schematic view of an end portion of a pallet according to Figure 1, with the components of the skid disassembled relative to the platform;

Figures 3 and 4 show each of the schematic views, in perspective, of a connector element or fuse according to Figure 2, seen on each of its two largest faces;

Figure 5 is a cross-section of the connector of Figure 3 taken along the line V-V;

Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of a central foot portion of the pad of Figure 2;

Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of a pad like that shown in Figure 2, but in reverse position, together with a detail D1, on a larger scale, relating to an end of the pad;

Figure 8 is a schematic elevational view of a pad portion illustrating the end shoulders formed thereon;

Figures 9 to 11 are schematic illustrations, in section, of the clipping connection of the ends of a connector to both the loading platform and the respective end elevation of the pad;

Figures 12 and 13 are schematic views, in perspective, of the protective housing designed to contain the RFID tag, respectively in the open housing and closed housing positions, and

Figures 14 and 15 illustrate perspective and side elevation representations, respectively, of the upper fuse or connector portion shown in Figure 3 of the drawings.

Figure 16 shows a schematic view, in perspective from the top, of an upper plug-in portion of a connector or fuse of a pallet, provided with thickened portions according to the present invention;

Figure 17 is a diagrammatic perspective view from above of a pallet tray having access ports at the upper ends of the connectors, together with a larger scale detail D;

Figure 18 is an enlarged view with a greater detail of a tray portion of the pallet on which is shown one of the access ports which suggests the transverse partition of the upper insertion portion. the connector or fuse associated with this position;

Figure 19 is a diagrammatic perspective view from below of the lower plug-in portion of a connector or fuse with the central fingers provided with small respective clipping claws framed on both sides by grooves extending into the longitudinal direction of each corresponding finger, and

Figures 20 to 22 respectively illustrate, schematically, a set of simple tools used in the extraction operations, an illustrative sequence of the extraction of a connector by its lower end, and an illustrative sequence of the extraction. a connector by its upper end.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As mentioned above, the detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the subject of the invention will be carried out hereinafter with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals are used to designate the identical or similar parts. Thus, if reference is first made to FIG. 1a of the drawings, a general view of a pallet constructed in accordance with the present invention, generally designated by the reference numeral (1), can be appreciated in which usually a platform or loading platform (2), and three groups of feet and associated pads generally designated by the reference numeral (3), parallel and equidistant from each other, a group of feet and skids occupies the centered position. The surface of the platform (2) has a multiplicity of perforations (2b) extending over almost all of the latter, including the central longitudinal fringe (2a), while on the underside these openings are surrounded by partitions of reduced height, as shown in Figure lb drawings, organized so that they form a grid integrated in the platform that gives it the rigidity to support the loads while involving a weight reduction of the platform, with the material saving that results.

As in the case of the model that was mentioned above, the platform has orifices (4) extending longitudinally along the platform (2), obtained during the same molding operation as that of the platform, intended for the insertion of rigid bars (4a) to give the platform (2) the bending stiffness characteristic that could derive from the supported load. These rigid bars (4a) appear partially inserted in the representation of FIG. 2.

In addition, the platform (2) has been provided with longitudinal grooves (5) on its upper surface, obtained during the molding operation, parallel and spaced apart, occupying symmetrical positions in pairs on both sides of the axis. longitudinal of the loading platform (2), intended to house inside them anti-slip bands, normally heat-sealed to the plate, which have a holding effect on the loads located above the pallet of the made of their high coefficient of friction. Unlike other palettes of the current technique, the invention provides that the platform (2) has a total of four grooves for the insertion of as many anti-slip strips, so that the user can have the possibility of choosing the number of anti-slip strips that it deems most appropriate for their use with each type of load.

Referring again to Figure 2 of the drawings, an end portion of a pallet may be seen with the corresponding foot and pad group separated from the platform (2). As shown, each group of feet comprises a shoe (3a) from which emerges in the intermediate position a central foot (6), and at the ends of each of which appears a portion (3b) raised vertically, of reduced height, provided to accept the incorporation of the lower end of an intermediate support member or connector (7), which at the opposite end is coupled with the platform (2). The representation also shows the presence of a somewhat thinned longitudinal zone (22) extended to a central portion of the pad (3a), in correspondence with the registration zone between pad and perimeter, including the smooth surface finish. , or at least free of ribs or any other external formation, prevents soil from accumulating in said area and at the same time increases the play and compatibility between different models of pallets, thus reaching another of objectives sought by the pallet realization of the present invention.

The construction and design characteristics of the intermediate foot (6) can be better appreciated in the representation of FIG. 6. As shown, the foot (6) is generally cylindrical in shape and has at its upper end a portion with shoulders (6a) whose height, unlike other feet of the current technique, has been extended until it is at the same level as the clipping means (9), so that this increase height compared to similar feet of the current technique involves an increase in the contact area with the housing (8) of the respective platform (2), which substantially improves the rigidity of the assembly.

But in addition, the upper portion (6a) of the foot (6) of the pallet (1) according to the present invention has an additional advantageous feature which is that it has been provided with reinforcing re-entrant formations, in particular four formations (6b) extended vertically to the total height of the portion with shoulders (6a), spaced at the same angular distance and thus occupying diametrically opposed positions in pairs. The foot (6) is hollow inside and has been provided with a central vertical housing (10), open at the upper end, integral with the inner surface of the foot by virtue of several radial partitions (11). The housing (10) is intended to house within it, as has been said, the RFID tag which is usually included in this kind of panels, under conditions of total protection against external agents.

Referring again to Figure 2 of the drawings, the intermediate support members or connectors (7) also appear separate from the pad (3a). Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings illustrate enlarged representations of a pad (7), seen on both sides, which better appreciate the construction details of this element. The intermediate support element or connector (7) of the present invention, like others of the current technique, consists of a substantially flat prismatic body, of oblong transverse section, hollow inside, and with internal partitioning ( 12), visible on the section of Figure 5 corresponding to the line VV of Figure 4, which gives it the necessary structural strength that will allow it to absorb the impacts associated with the use of usual handling means (devils and pallet trucks ). However, unlike other equivalent elements of the present art, the connector (7) of the present invention has the particularity of having been designed symmetrically with respect to its central plane, which makes it possible to use it with n ' any direction, as needed.

The body of the intermediate support element, fuse or connector (7) has on each of its faces a surface portion with predetermined dimensions for the addition of labels or other means of identification. By way of example, a surface portion (7a) of one of the faces is for bonding the shipping label and has a textured finish to minimize the possible retention of adhesive from the shipping container. label, and the other surface portion (7b) can be smooth finish, to receive customer logos or other means of identification. Thus, because of the symmetry of the connector (7) and therefore of its ability to be used with the appropriate orientation, it is possible to choose the position of the labels or logos face to face respectively inwardly or outwardly , as required.

The body of each connector (7) is able to be coupled by its lower end, according to what has been said, both to the vertical high portions (3b) of each end of the shoe (3a), as for its upper end to the respective housings present on the underside of platform (2), designated by the reference (13) in Figure lb. To do this, the connector element (7) is configured in such a way that the insertion portion of its lower end, as can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings, is divided into four vertical portions or fingers ( 14) successively adjacent, the two central fingers have, on both sides, small claw claws (15). In a complementary manner, each of the vertical elevations (3b) of each end of the shoe (3a) is divided internally into four housings (16), configured and dimensioned in correspondence with the fingers (14) of the connector, and the two housings central ones being configured with thinned areas (17) in the two opposite walls, in accordance with the small claws (15) for clipping. This arrangement is more clearly visible in Figure 7 of the drawings, and in particular on the detail DI on a larger scale. On the other hand, the plug-in portion of the upper end of each intermediate support member or connector (7) also comprises means of clipping releasable on both sides, which consist of projecting buttons (18), with inclined surfaces promoting the insertion / extraction operation in respective through-orifices (19) formed in the two side walls of each housing (13). This external configuration of the clipping projections (18) may be better appreciated in the representations which appear in Figures 14 and 15 of the drawings. From what is shown, the outer surface of each of the clipping projections (18) has a horizontal central fringe and two inclined planes extending from said central horizontal fringe to each of the opposite perimetric edges. This configuration makes it possible for each of the inclined sections respectively to assist the insertion / extraction of each projecting clipping button (18) in / from its respective recess housing (13).

In addition, the two views of Figures 14 and 15 commented also illustrate an important feature included in each of the intermediate support members or connectors (7), which consists of the presence of notches (23) in the transition of each of the faces larger of each upper and lower plug-in portion with the central portion of the connector (in the Figures only the lines (23) corresponding to the upper plug-in portion have been shown, but as previously stated, they have also been have been included in the lower plug-in portion even though they are not visible in the Figures). These notches (23) ultimately constitute notches which as weakening lines facilitate the beginning of the break in said areas in case of severe impacts, thereby protecting the plates and pads and greatly reducing the financial cost associated repairing the damage derived from these impacts.

Referring now to Figure 8 of the drawings, another innovative feature of the pallet of the invention is the presence of indentations or shoulders (3c) in the lower portion of each end of a shoe (3a). ). This provides means that provides restraint and prevent the sliding of a pallet when mounted on plastic crates. In an exemplary embodiment, the height of these shoulders may be of the order of 2.5 mm.

Referring now to Figures 9-11 of the drawings, cross-sectional views are shown which evoke various aspects of the invention. FIG. 9 illustrates a portion of platform cut longitudinally that makes it possible to appreciate the foot (6) coupled by its upper end to the platform (2) of the pallet, with the clipping means (9) hooked to corresponding places present in FIG. the hole (8) for coupling the foot, clearly showing the housing (10) with the housing (20) containing the RFID tag inserted inside the latter. Figure 10 is a cross-section of a pallet portion showing the coupling between the upper and lower connector portions of a connector (7) with the respective housing of the platform (2) and the pad ( 3a), with the upper clipping elements (18) inserted in the orifices (19) of the housing (13) of the platform (2). FIG. 11 makes it possible to appreciate in greater detail the lower insertion portion of an intermediate support element or connector (7) inserted into the recesses of the high vertical portion (3b) of the end of a shoe ( 3a), one of the fingers (14) being specifically visible with its clipping means (15) housed in the thinned portions (17) of the housing (16) corresponding.

Finally, Figures 12 and 13 illustrate schematic views, in perspective, of a housing (20) used as a housing and protection mode of an RFID tag which, as mentioned, is usually attached to the donated goods. by pallets such as that proposed by the present invention. The positioning of this housing with the RFID tag inside it, inserted inside the central housing (10) of the intermediate foot (6), has already been commented on with respect to FIG. 9. The housing is generally of rectangular prismatic form, of openable type, for the introduction / extraction of the RFID tag, operations for which it consists of two halves (20a), (20b) which can be mutually coupled, preferably molded in a suitable plastic material interconnected by a hinge (21) integral with a corresponding end of each of the halves and obtained in the same molding process as the housing. Figure 12 shows the open housing with the two halves (20a), (20b) extended in a mutual alignment relationship, and Figure 13 shows the closed housing, by the flap from one half to the other.

In the foregoing description, terms such as "superior", "lower", "vertical", "horizontal" or others of a similar nature have been used. It should be understood that the adoption of these terms must be interpreted in accordance with the operational position of the pallet.

With regard to the fuse or connector (7), it comprises an upper insertion portion, visible in FIG. 16 of the drawings, in which the location of the buttons (18) for clipping by insertion into the through orifices has been provided. (19) made in the tray or platform (2) relative to the side walls of each housing (see Figure 17 and more particularly detail D), and also comprises a lower insertion portion in which the fingers have been formed ( 14) extending in the longitudinal direction of the connector, adjacent and separated from each other, two fingers (14) of which occupy the central positions comprise small claws (15) clipping for attachment to the corresponding rabbets made in each housing respective formed in the high end portions of a pad (shown in Figures 3 to 5).

As previously discussed, this aspect of the present invention improves and improves the connector or fuse element (7) to facilitate extraction operations both by its upper coupling end and its end. lower coupling. It should be remembered that the connector or fuse (7) is a part obtained by a molding operation, for example by means of injection molding, and for the purpose of weight reduction and saving of material it is usually hollow. In this sense, Figure 16 of the drawings shows a schematic view, in perspective, of the upper plugging portion of the connector, on which the hollow interior can be appreciated in accordance with what has just been described, but crossed by a cross partition (22) located at a central position and integrated into the body of the room. As regards the termination of the two ends of said transverse partition (22), provision is made for the formation of a pair of larger, larger, outwardly projecting zones (23) and configured to promoting the thrust of the part in the direction of the outlet relative to its connection in the corresponding housing of the platform (2) by inserting the clipping buttons (18) within the lateral openings (19). In this way, the two thicker formations (23) are elements that collaborate during the process of separating the connector from the tray when it is desired to remove it for replacement or recovery purposes.

As mentioned previously, FIG. 17 illustrates a schematic view, in perspective from above, of a platform or pallet plate (2) on which are visible the positions occupied by the external through-holes (19) for embedding and retaining the respective clipping buttons (18). FIG. 17 also makes it possible to appreciate the existence, in accordance with the present invention, of access orifices (24) passing through, made on both sides of the surface of the plate (2) near the edge of each side, these orifices (24) opening into the housings in which are located the upper ends of each of the connectors (7) included in the pallet, and occupying positions approximately opposite to the central end portion of the upper insertion portion of the connector, in particular opposite the position at which the central partition (22) is located. Detail D provides a view on a larger scale that allows to appreciate the formation of one of the orifices (24) with respect to the projecting angle of the plateau surrounded by the circle of Figure 17, while Figure 18 shows an enlarged view of an orifice (24) opposite to the corresponding upper end of a connector, in particular opposite to what has been said to the central partition (22) of the connector, thus facilitating insertion a tool of the punch type or other similar tool, for pushing by typing or by another gesture said end in the output direction of the connector, an operation which, as has been said, is facilitated by the thickened formations (23) produced in the edge of the connector relative to the two ends (5) of the partition (22).

Referring now to Figure 19 of the drawings, there is shown a diagrammatic perspective view from below of the fingers (14) provided with the lower plug-in portion of the connector (7). The central fingers (14) comprise, as described above, small claws (15) respectively clipping insertable in complementary rabbets (17) made in the receiving portions of the corresponding pad (see detail of Figure 7). For purposes of uncoupling and separation between the connector and the pad, provision has been made for the addition of separating aid means to the fingers provided with these small claw claws (15). In the case of Figure 19, the small claw claws (15) are formed on two central fingers (14), which is why on each of them have been made two grooves (25), one on each side of each small claw (15), extending in the longitudinal direction of the respective finger, of a length identical to or slightly greater than the total height of the small claw (15) they frame. This ensures a better flexion of the small claw when it is forced inwards both in the insertion operation and in the extraction operation, particularly facilitating the extraction operation exerted from the outside when it comes to replacing a damaged connector or when it comes to recovering a connector for reuse.

After the description of the innovative aspects included in the connector or fuse for pallet provided by the present invention, hereinafter will be mentioned an example of tools necessary to achieve, with extraordinary ease, the extraction operation of the connector by the two ends.

As has been said, the means used in these operations are extraordinarily simple, some of them usual in the state of the art, and one of them built with a configuration such that it is completed with the form adopted by the realization of the fingers (14) of the lower insertion portion of the connector or fuse (7). These tools are visible in Figure 20 of the drawings, and comprise a punch (26), of appropriate length and with a diameter such that it allows its insertion through the orifices (24) of the plate or platform (2); a hammer (27), of any type existing in the current state of the art, and finally an extraction device (28) provided with a handle (29) which is projected in a direction along the longitudinal direction of the workpiece and finger-like formations (14 ') projecting in the opposite direction, also extending in the longitudinal direction of the workpiece, adjacent and parallel to each other, separated laterally by a distance so that their configuration can be comparable in size and positioning to that of the fingers (14) of the connector (7). These are the only tools that are used during connector extraction operations.

Figures 21 and 22 illustrate the use of the tools of Figure 20. In particular, the image sequence of Figure 21 illustrates the extraction operation of the end of the connector (7) coupled to a pad (3a). ), for which the pad assembly with connector is placed in the reverse position (representation 21a), located on a support piece (30) provided with a through opening (31), with dimensions adapted to admit the insertion of the connector (7). With the connector inserted into the opening (31) and with the pad (3a) resting on the surface of the support piece (30) (Fig. 21b), a user can apply the extraction device (28) by placing his finger-shaped formations (14 ') through the apertures or housings (16) of the shoe (representation 21c), by tapping with a hammer (27) on the handle (29) of the extraction device (28). The result, after a few light knocks, is the separation of the connector (7) by its lower end relative to the pad (3a), as shown in the representation 21 d.

Similarly, Figure 22 is a sequence of separation of the upper end of a connector (7) from a platform or pallet tray (2). To do this, the entire pallet is located on any bearing surface, so that the connector (7) meets no obstacle (22a representation); under these conditions, the access ports (24) are perfectly within the reach of the user, being visible through them a respective partition (22) of a connector (7) located in this position (representation 22b). Then, it suffices to introduce a punch (26) through the corresponding orifice (24) (representation 22c) and to tap with a hammer (27); after a few light knocks, separation of the corresponding end of the connector (7) from the plate (2) is obtained, the punch (26) used in the extraction operation being removable in the same way. At this point in the description, it should be noted that references to terms such as "upper" or "lower" should be understood in accordance with the normal use of the pallet.

It is not considered necessary to further elaborate the content of the present description so that an expert in the subject can understand its scope and the benefits that flow from it, and can carry out the practical realization of its object.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, and since the description carried out corresponds only to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that, within the limits of its essential characteristics, it will be possible to introduce multiple variations of detail, which are also protected, which may concern the shape, size or materials of manufacture of the assembly or parts thereof, without implying any alteration of the invention as a whole, delimited solely by the claims which are provided below.

Claims (8)

A lightened structure pallet and tray-shoe connector for said pallet provided with easy extraction means, in particular a pallet (1) molded in a plastic material of the type comprising a plate or platform (2) intended to provide the surface support for the load to be transported or stored, and groups (3) of feet that can be coupled to the underside of the platform (2) each of the groups consisting of two end legs and an intermediate foot interconnected by means of a lower pad (3a), in which the loading platform (2) has a multiplicity of openings (2b) distributed over almost all of its surface, where the loading platform (2) comprises orifices longitudinal members (4) obtained in the same molding operation as that of the platform and intended to house reinforcing metal inserts (4a), where the loading platform (2) further comprises elements or anti-slip strips for holding the load placed on the surface of the loading platform (2), characterized in that: the loading platform (2) comprises a total of 4 grooves (5) extending in the direction longitudinal, parallel and spaced apart, occupying symmetrical positions two by two on both sides of the central longitudinal axis of the loading platform (2), intended to accommodate one or more anti-slip bands, connected to the platform by thermo -soldering; the intermediate foot (6) of each group (3) of feet, emerging from and integrated with a respective shoe (3a), has an upper portion with shoulders (6a) the dimensions of which are provided in such a way that reaches the height of the upper edge of the clipping means (9), and furthermore has the particularity of comprising re-entrant formations (6b) of reinforcement extending vertically to the total height of this portion with shoulders at spaced apart positions. angularly comparable, and each of the end feet associated with each pad (3a) comprises an intermediate support member, fuse or connector (7) consisting of a substantially flattened prismatic body, of oblong transverse section, which has at each of the levels upper and lower portions of plugging, with the particularity that it responds to a design that maintains a symmetry with respect to a central plane and admits of be used with a variable orientation. 2. Pallet according to claim 1, characterized in that the intermediate foot (6) is hollow inside and comprises a central vertical housing (10) connected to the inner surface of the foot by means of radial partitions (11), which housing (10) being sized to house a housing (20) with an IRF tag inside it. 3. Pallet according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper insertion portion of each intermediate support member or connector (7) of each end foot, adapted for its coupling in a housing (13) of the respective face lower part of the loading platform (2), comprises clipping means (18) symmetrical with respect to the intermediate plane of the element, consisting of projecting knobs prepared for their housing inside orifices (19) made in the two walls of the respective housing (13), with the outer surface of said projecting knobs materialized with each of the planes inclined in opposite directions from a central transverse fringe for ease of insertion / extraction operations in / from the orifices (13) mentioned, and in that the lower insertion portion of the intermediate support element or connector (7) of each end foot, adapted for its housing inside a respective vertical high portion (3b) of one end of the shoe (3a), is divided into four vertically or fingers portions (14) successively adjacent, of which two fingers (14) intermediate comprise on both faces of the clipping means (15) with a symmetry with respect to the central plane, and the high vertical portion (3b) has its internal space divided into four housings (16) configured and dimensioned in accordance with the fingers (14), the two housings (16) comprising intermediate wall portions (17) thinned for their coupling and connection with the clipping means (15) mentioned the lower insertion portion of the connector (7). 4. Pallet according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each of the upper and lower insertion portions of each connector (7) has at its junction with the intermediate portion of the connector the formation of a notch materialized by a notch ( 23) constituting a line of commencement of rupture in the event of severe impacts. Pallet according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the intermediate support element or connector (7) comprises a surface portion (7a) on one of its faces, with a textured finish for bonding a label, and a surface portion (7b) on the opposite side, smooth finish, for the addition of a logo or other means of identification. 6. Pallet according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each pad (3a) comprises on both ends a portion with shoulders (3c), a height of the order of 2 mm approximately, which constitutes an anti sliding when the pallet is mounted on plastic crates. 7. Pallet according to claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the housing (20) for protecting the IRF tag is molded in a plastic material and comprises two mutually connectable halves (20a, 20b) interconnected with each other. means of a hinge (21) integrated at one of the corresponding ends of each half and obtained during the same molding operation. 8. Lightened structure pallet and pad-tray connector for said pallet provided with easy extraction means according to any one of claims 3 to 7; in particular a connector or fuse (7) of the type used to establish a connection junction between a plate or platform (2) of a pallet with a shoe (3a) by insertion of an upper insertion portion provided on both faces of clipping buttons (18) adapted to be inserted into through orifices (19) formed on both sides of the respective housing provided on the platform or platform (2), and by insertion of a lower insertion portion provided with fingers (14) configured as adjacent and parallel longitudinal formations, separated laterally from each other, whose fingers (14) occupying central positions are provided with small clawing claws (15) adapted to be inserted into complementary rabbets formed in finger receiving housings (16) (14) formed in each of respective upstanding end portions of a shoe (3a), the connector (7) being a this mold, hollowed on the inside, with a reinforcing partition (22) arranged transversely in a position centered with respect to its upper end, characterized in that: as regards the transverse reinforcement partition (22) mentioned above, the upper end of the connector or fuse (7), the perimetral edge of said upper end comprises, at positions coinciding with the two ends of the central transverse partition (22) mentioned, each of the formations (23) thickened, protruding towards the outside and configured to promote the separation between the connector (7) and the platform or platform (2) of the pallet; the platform or platform (2) of the pallet comprises through orifices (24) on two of its sides, in particular at the positions which coincide respectively with the upper end of each connector (7), opposite each respective partition (22). and these orifices being of a diameter such that they admit the insertion of a punch (26) on which one is likely to tap during the operation of the extraction of the connector or fuse (7), and each of the fingers (14) central in the lower insertion portion of the connector or fuse (7) and provided with a small claw claw (15) each comprise through grooves (25) on both sides of each small claw (15) mentioned , extending in the longitudinal direction of each finger, and a length equal to or greater than the length of the small claw, to provide additional flexibility to these small claws during the insertion operation or the the extraction operation when pushed from the outside with an extraction tool (28) provided with fingers (14 ') configured complementary to the fingers (14) of the connector or fuse (7) and dimensioned to be inserted through the mentioned housings (16) of each of the pad (3a) of the pallet.