CA1064840A - Plastics material pallet - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed a plastics material pallet having a load-bearing upper deck, supporting legs which define between them engagement apertures for fork lift truck arms, and a lower deck or skids. At least one of the decks or skids has outer supporting sections whose inwardly facing sides are connected by an insert.
The sections each has an upper flange and a lower flange interconnected by an intermediate web to form a profile which is closed outwardly and open inwardly This profile is complemented by the insert to form a first hollow profile which is closed along its periphery and from which supporting legs extend. And the insert is formed with at least one "second" hollow profile which is also closed along its periphery which is provided in at least one deck or inner skid.

Description

The inv~ntion relatec to a plas-tics material ~ ~rtllet of the type having a load-bearing upper deck, - supporting legs de-~ining er,gagement apertures between them for fork liIt truck arms, and a lower deck or sl.ids, wherein at least one deck (or skicls) comprises outer supporting sections whose inwardly facing sides are connected by an insert and which comprise an upper ~lange and a lower flange interconnected by an -~ intermediate web these formiL~ ~Tith one another a ` 10 profile which is closed outwardly and open inwardly, .
- this profile being complemented by the insert to ` lorm in each case a "first" hollo~1 profile which is - closed along its periphery and from which supporting legs extend. ~-In a known pl-astics material palle-t of this kind (German laid-Qpen speci~ication 2 403 374) more particularly the "~irst" hollow sections contribute - ~.
- to maintaining such rigidit~ as to pass the -tests ~ ~
.
lald down for plastics material pallets in Germany and in Japan. Furthermore an unbroken surface, rounded or bevelled in desired manner, can be provided at the periphery o~ the pallet and round about the individual -~
supporting legs. In -the known plastics material pallet of the type re~erred to it is proposed to arrange -the first hollow profiles as a hollow pro~ile ~rame for the plastics material pallet, this frame comprising a p-urality of com~onents which are colmected la~terally to -the prefabricated insert. ~Jo "first" hollow profiles e~tend in each case parallel to each lon~itudinal edge of the pallet in the frame region. In the msert , - i-tself no hollo~r profile is constructed in this plastics material pallet of -the type referred to.
The invention has a3 i.'GS object to improve the transverse rigidity OI a pl st;ics material pallet of the t~pe referred to.
To solve this problem, according to the invention ~` it is proposed in a plastics material pallet of the -type referred to that in thèinsert there is constructed at least one "second" hollow profile which is closed along its periphery and which is arranged in at least one deck or inner skid (as the case may be). Such a "second"
hollow profile conveniently is disposed with a spacing parallel to or at least with a parallel extension component relatively to the two outer supporting sections. Eowever, 15 it may also e~tend transversely to these if appropriate, -;
for e~ample at right angles to the two outer supporting sections or diagonally between the corners of the plastics ~;~
material pallet.
~he "secondl' hollow profile or a plurality of these "secondt' hollow profiles cc~n be produced in the insert by using lateral bars as a component in the mould when the insert is being prefabricated, these being withdrawn ^~
laterally when the insert is removed from the mould~ If , -~
.:
a single "second" hollow profile is produced by means of two such oppositely directed lateral bars fro~ the two outer ends of the "second" hollow profile, la-teral bars are required of half -the transverse size of the plastics ma-terial pallet being produced. It is possible ~rhere appropriate to close the "second" hbllow sections at their ends by an additlonal operatioll, using a cover , _ . -:: - - . ... .................. . ,. . . . .
.... . . . . .. . . . .
. ... . . . ... . ~ .

; part alsoO '~he relatively high manufacturing outlay required in this production method is balanced by the ~ advantage that cach "second" hollow profile can be already ,~ preformed in a single prefabricated component, and thus ;- 5 connecting æones be-tween difleren-t prefabricated components are not necessary.
:
Preferably, however, each "second" hollow profile ; and also the ~firs-t~ hollow profiles at the edge of the plastics material pallet are produced from a plurality of prefabricated components (preferably two) which co~plement one another in the connecting zone to form the respective "second" hollow profile. This a~ords ,- ;
the advantage that the components of the insert can be produced on relatively small machines such as are already ;~
widely a~ailable. ~urthermore it is possible -~rom the .. ~ , - .
outset to arrange the complementary parts of the "second hollow section in such a manner that it is also closed at the ends as early as at the original forming stage.
: ;
It is simply necessary in this case to produce a profile on at least one of these components which is open laterally towards the other component. The ou-tlay on -~ moulding is also very small7 since very small lateral -~
-~ bars which can be withdrawll are sufficient for this : i purpose. The connection of a pluralit~ o~ such components in the insert is no longar very dif-Xicult with the state Q~ the art at present, even thou~h -the connection of a pl~lrality of components represents c~n additional workin~
step in each case~
It is possible to construc-t the insert between the two lateral suppor-ting sections in each case from .

.

t~ro adjacently situated intermedi.~te parts one ~ide of which in each case is connec-ted Irith an outer supporting sectioL~ and ~7hich together form a "second" hollow profile at their connecting zone. ~orrespondingly it is possible to provida between the two outer supporting sections a series of more -than two intermediate webs which in each case form a l'second" hollow profile about ~ their connecting zone ~Glaim 2).
: It is also possible between each intermeaiate 10 part arranged at each ou-ter supporting section an inner supportin~ section which together with at least one of the adjacant intermediate parts connected therewith forms a "second" hollow profile. ~he intermediate part - connected to the other side of the inner supporting , 15 section cc~ but need not, contribute to forming the "second" hollow profile. Whan also using an inner ~
supporting section for obtaining the "second" hollow -.;
profile also it is possible to multiply the arr~ngement,.
providing for example betwee~ the two outer supporting ~;
sections a series of intermediate par-t, inner supporting section, intermediate part, inner supporting section, intermediate part ~Jith two or more inner supporting sections which contribute in each case in pairs or in threes to form a "second" hollo~r profile (Claim 3).
Preferably in the last-~entioned possibility it iq proposed that the imler supporting sec-tion forms at each side of it-s intermediate web, wi-th c~n upper flange and a lower fla~ge, in each case a laterally open profile which is then closed by the particular adjoining ~0 intermediate part to form a "seoond" hollow profile.

.

.

~0~

In -this c~.se there is obtained beside the two intermediate webs o-f the inner supporting section together with the in-termedic.~Q par-ts adjacent at both sides in fact a pair o~ adjacently situated "second" hollow profiles ~rhich may be bu-t are not necessarily, completely separated from one c~nother by the intermediate web.
If it is simply important to increase the bending rigidity of the pallet, support.ing legs of the insert can be dispensed with or they may also proceed from ~ 10 intermediate parts. 3ut preferably to support the - load of the pallet resting on the insert at least one -~ supporting leg is arranged on the insert starting from the "second" hollo~7 profile~ ~hese supporting legs may be arranged on the pallet edge not formed by the outer supportin~ sections and/or further inwards on the insert, ~or example directly at the centre of the pallet or offset in pairs relatively to the said centre.
It is also possible to produce the supporting legs in a known m-~nner with sufficient load-bearing capacity as separate components and to connect them subsequently to the component or components forming the "second" hollo~J profile. ~ut it is more advantageous to produce the supporting leg of -the insert integrP11y with the component or components forming the "second" hollow profile and -thus at the same time as this component or these components is/are formed~
A good compromise between supporting ability and lo~ outlay on material is obtained if the supporting leg ~-~ of the insert forms a hollow profile which is closed : 30 along its periphery and the "second" hollow profile is ~ L0648~
constructed ~nd arranged to be vertically continuous.
The continuous supporting leg can be constructed simply at an inner supporting section, but can also be constructed in a complementary ~ashion from two components which arc adjacent one another~ such as two intermediate parts, or evan -three or more components ~.djacent one another such as two intermedia-ts parts and an intervening supporting section. -~he continuous arrangement o~ the supporting leg . .
shows the feature that the two ends of the supporting leg are,open unless they are closed by special measures.
~he open profile o~ the supporting leg in the case of the upper deck can contribute together with internal vertical reinforcing webs in a desirable manner to -increasing the resistance to slipping of the surface of the upper deck. ` ~
But it is often desirable for the ends of the ~`
supporting legs to be closed also. For this purpose, but also for the construction of open ends of supportlng :
legs, it can be arranged advantageously that the supporting leg of the insert forms a hollow profile ;~
olosed along its periphery, peripheral regions connected in a complementary m~nner being const~ucted integrally with complementary portions of the second hollow profile.
25 The contour of the internal supporting leg can be -~
p-roduoed otherwise than in the case of the through `
arrangement of the alternative indicated hereinbe~ore, again, by short withdrawable lateral bars in the mould for producing the rslevant component, and where `~
appropriate to provide the end closing of the supporting ~ :

",.~. ,. .. ~
.. :.~ . .. .. : :

legs frorn the very outset d~ing -the moulding operation~
'~o forM l~1o~m l~ttice ~rids a-t the e~ternal sides of the r~lcvan-t deck, which reduce the~ natural sliding pro~erties ol the plastic material, the portions of -the decl; formed by the intermediate parts can comprise vertical webs which are arranged in a honeycomb or cross grid fashion and which may also be reinforced i-~appropria-te in a suitable known manner, and at the same -~time contribute along with an encircling edge strip to closing the particular adjacent "first" or "second"
hollow profile.
The "second" hollow profiles provide the plastic material pallet according to the present invention with addi-tional rigidity in one direction of extent of the plastios ~at~rial pallet. '~o provide corresponding rigidity in the transverse direction relatively thereto, according to the invention at least one "third" hollow - -~ profile may be providedwhich extends through the insert tra~sversely to the "second" hollow section or sections -~ -and is closed along its periphery. '~his, if it extends at right a~gles to or transversely to the external ~ ;
supporting sections, lS preferably closed at the ends by -the outer supporting sections. '~he "third't hollow . . .
pro~iles are preferably used for transverse stiffening ~5 between the ou-ter supporting`æac~ions and then extend at right angles to these or diagonally along a plastics material pallet. ~ut they may also extend with a spacing between the outer supporting sections i~ the - "second" hollow profile or profiles extends/cxtend ~0 transversely to the external supporting section~.

, -- ~ -,- , . .
: -:

8~
It is also possible ~or this kind o~ "third" hollow profile to be form~d on the insert from the outset by means i o~ withdrawc~ble lateral bars duri~g the moulding o~ the insert or i-ts components. I-t is possible to manage with relativel~ short la-teral bars if the insert is composed of a plurality of componen-ts such as a plurality of illtermedia-te parts, ~There appropriate at least one inner supporting~ section also, ancl -the respective "third" hollow ' . .
profile ca~ be formed separately in stages in the various components.
By using "second" hollow profiles, but pre~erably "third" hollow profiles, it is also possible to avoid ~`~
constructi~ a hollow profile frame from separately ~-~
'"! produced supporting sections as in the case of the k~o~Tn . , .
r 15 plas-tics material pallet o~ the type referred to initially, ~, the sections being closed internally. On the contrary, .. , . ~ : .
- ~ complementing the ou~er supporting sections at the egternal edges of the plastics material pallet which extends transversely at the said sections in each case as indicated in Claim 14 can be effected by a "third" hollow profile which is formed in the insert itself and which extends for exc~mple transversely relati~ely to a "second"
hollo~ profile situated centrally between the "~irst"
hollow profiles. But this does not exclude -the possibility o~ also construoting a frame of supporting sections round about in a plastics material pallet according to the invention. ~he a~oresaid preferable solution, however, me~es it possible to construct a frame pallet ~th fewer connecting zones -than hitherto, for e~ample in the minimum case simply with two connecting Yones between an outer ' , . _g_ . .............. ~: . .

- 1~64~4~
supportin~ section and the insert and also between the insert and the other ou-ter supporting sec-tion, whereas no further connecting zones between nei~hbouring cornponents - are required for -the forma-tion o~ the "third" hollow profiles. ~ven if a "second" hollo~J profile is produced with a complementary arran~ement between a-t least two components of the insert, by these components, it is possible still to have one or two connecting zones less than the pl~stics material pallet of the type initially referred to with encircling supporting sections, depending Oll whether an inner supporting section is used or only two intermediatQ parts are placed,a~ainst one ~nother for forming a "seco~d" hollow profile.
, But the "third" hollow profiles can be used not i~ 15 only for the comple-tion of a hollow,profile frame, but ~ :
- alternatively or in conjunction therelJith also for - ,`
producin~ intermediate stiffening means for the piastics : material pallet by "third" hollow profiles as indicated i in ~laim 15. ~uch a hollow profile can extend for 20~ e~ample between the centres of the two outer supporting ., sections or a plurality of "thirdl' hollow profiles can be provided which are situated equiclistant relatively to the sald oentre. l~ith the las-t-mentioned arran~ements of . the hollow prof1les also, alternatively hollow profiles can

2~ be formed similarly to the "second" hollow profiles ., - .
., between neighbouring components. ~
.~ . ,.
The co~struc~on of a plastics material pallet ., .
a.coording to the invention oan be used both for single-deck plastics material pallets, ~Therein an upper dec~
simply res-ts on suppor-ting legs, and also for double-deck - , ~, : ~-S . ' ' ' ~ , .' ', . ' ' ' , ' " ~ ' :

p~lle-ts and more particul.lrly Ior skid pallets. The l~tter may even be stiffened where necessary in their upper -~ deck region ~rith the use oI` "second" or if` appropriate "t~lircl" holloTi profiles - more par-ticularly in a frame arrangement and -.Jith continuous criss-cross additional reinforcement - without lateral supporting sections formingr any obstacles to penetration along the skids.
It is also possible according to the invention as indicated in Claim 16 to provide a double-deck pallet with ~ide apertures for the passages of wheels of a fork lift truck, .Tkerein the absence of material stiffening in the wide openings in the lower deck is compensated by surrounding these openings by the part-frame formed by the "first", "second"
and "third" hollow profiles.
~onveniently, the intermediate parts and/or the internal supporting section are constructed in onejpiece in each case over their entire height. The intermediate parts do not need to be constructed in one piece along the supporting sections, but, more particularly if only relatively small moulds are available, a plurality of intermediate parts can adjoin in the lon~itudinal direction of the outer supporting sections. It is possible, but not necessary, to use continuous outer and where appropriate inner supporting sections. -~
~he plastics material palle-t according to the present invention, which consists for example of polyethylene or polypropylene, is usually produced from a solid injec-tion moulding. The inven-tion however is not limited to ~ny speci~ic production method. For exa.mple it is also possible to use transfer ~oulding ; 8~
or blo~ mouldin~ or even f`oamed pla3tic3 ma-tericll. It is also possible to pro~ide ~h~ plastics matsrial in Lnown manner with insert elements. The feature of , thc invention t~lt the "first" "seconcl" and/or "third"
,~ 5 hollow profiles are closed along their periphery, does not exclude the possibility that some perforations may ,~ also be provided which do not adversely affect to any substantial extent the operation of the plastics material pallet proposed by the present invention. For connecting the prefabriGated components of the plastics ma-terial pallet according to the present invention, such as the - supporting section (ou~er section and where appropriate `~-inner section), the intermediate parts and where appropriate specially produced supporting ~eet, it is possible to use various ~nown methods. It is preferable to use ,~ hot tool welding a~ in the case of the plastics material pallet of the type re~erred to initially; but it is also possible to use other welding methods or adhesive fixing ,~
methods and/or mechanical connections between the components. The use of the expression "outer" supporting sections is not intended to exclude the possibility o~ `~
comlecting further components externally to the outer supporting sections.
~he invention will now be explained in greater i 25 detail with reference to diagramma-tic drawings of -, ~ constructional examples thereof. In the drawings:
, Fig. 1 shows c~`perspective vie~J from above on to ,~ a double-deck pallet according to the present in~ention, wherein the upper deck and lower deck are o~ sub3tantially identical construc-tlon, : ' ' '~
.

, -12-,.. .. . .......... . . . . . .

~L0~4B40 Fig. 2 sho~ls a perspective viell from above onto a double-deck p~lle-t accordi ~ to the invention, uherein wide apertures are forl~ed in t.he lower deck for the passage .
.. of wheels o~ a forklift -truck;
~ig. 3 shows a perspective view from above on to :
a skid pallet according to -the presen-t invention;
~ig. 4 shows in an exploded view a vie~l on to a . ~ , .
single-deck, double-deck or skid pallet according to the present invention with an arrangement of the upper deck 10 as sho~m in ~ig. 1 in a four~part construction; - -~ ig. 5 shows an explodad view on to a. single-deck double-deck or skid pallet according to the present invention wlth an arrangement of the upper deck as shown . in Fig. 3 in a six-part construction; .
..
~igo 6 shows an exploded vie~l on to a single-deck, .
double-deck or skid pallet according to the present ... : ~
invention ag~in with an arrangement of the upper deck . ~-. :
~ as shown in~Fig. 3, but in a seven-part construction;
- Fig. 7 shows a plan view on to a single-deck, ~;
double-deck~or skid pallet according to the present invention, with a mixed ~orm of upper deck from Figs. 1:
or 2 and 3, in a five-part construction;
~ig 8a shows a plan vie~i on to the intermediate part accordlng to ~ig. 4;
Fig. 8b shows a side view o~ -the intermediate , part sho~rn in ~ig. 8a with a hal.--section taken on the line A-A of Fig. 8a, showing the constructional form according to ~ig. 2 in ~ull lines and the constructional form according to ~ig. 1 supplemented by broken lines;

:

, -1~- . ' ~ lig. 8c shoT,rs a vie~ of the intermediate part according to Fig. 8a f`rom belo~/ for the cons-tructional form sho~,/n in Fig. 2;
Fi~. 8d shows an end vieTli o~ -the intermediate - 5 part according to Fig 8a bo-th for -the constructional form shoTm in Fig. 1 and ~lso for the form shown in Fig. 2; ~ :
- ~ig. 8e shows 2 section taken on the line B-B
of Fig. 8c;
Fig. 9a sho~s a plan view on to an intermediate part according to Fig. 5, which is usecl similarly in Fig. 6 with a slightly narrower foot part;
Fig. 9b shows a side view of the intermediate part aecording to Fig. 9æ with a half-section on the llne ~-C of Fig. 9a for a skid pallet according 'GO
Fig. ~;
~ig. 9c shows an end view of the intermediate part aeeordil~ to ~ig. 9a in the eonstruetional form shown in Fig. 9b for a skid pallet;
Fig. 10a sho~rs a plan view on to an interm~diate part aeeordir~ to ~ig. 7;
~ig. 10b shows a side view of the inte-rmediate part aeeording to Fig. 1Oa ~ith a half-seetion on the line D-~ of ~ig. 1Oa, the full lines relating to the oons-truetional form shown in ~ig. 2 alld the broken lines being used as supplementary illustration for the eonstruetional form shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 10c shows a view from below o~.the intermediate part aeeording to ~ig. 1Oa for the eonstruc~onal form sho~rn in Fig. 2;

' .... . . .
... . .. ~ ~ .;
.::, . . . ... .. . . ~ .

6 ~
Fig. 10d sho-rs an end vieT" of the intermediate part according to Fig. 1Oa both ~or the construc-tional form shown in Fig. 1 and also for the constructional ~ form shor~n in Fig. 2;
-- 5 Fig. 10e shows a section taken on the line l~-E
of Fig. 10c;
Fig. 11a shows a side view from the inside of an outer supporting section according to Fig. ~ or alterncatively a view of c~n ir~er supporting section according to Fig. 7 both from one side and from the other;
Fig. 11b shows a plan view on to the inner -supporting section according to ~ig. 7 or alternatively with a slight modification of the rounding at the ends likewise for an outer supporting section as sho~ in ~ig. ~;
~ig. 11c shows a section -taken on the line F-F -- of Fig~ 11b; `~
; Fig~ 11d shous a section taken on the line G-G of :` :
~ig. 11b for an lnner supporting section;
` ~20 Fig~ 1 1 e shows a section corresponding to Fig. 1 ld taken on the llne G-G for the moclified form in Fig. 11b as an outer supporting section;
Fig, 12a sho~ls a plan view on to an outer supporting section as shown in Figs 5 to 7; ~;
~ Flg. 12b shows a side view of the outer supporting ection according to Fig 12a with a half-sec-tio~ taken on - ~ths line ~I-H~of Fig. 12a;
Flg.~13a shows a pl~1 vieT.~ on to an inner supporting seotion according to Figo 6 and .

~' ' , S
,., . , : . .. . ~ ..

6~L89~1 Fig. 13b shows a side vie~r of this inner supportillg section from both sides, the scale chosen for L-~'igS 8a -to 13b beingr larger thc~ in Figs. 1 to 7.
In the three constructional forms of a plastics 5 material pallet ns shown in ~igs. 1, 2 and 3 there is provided in each case a load-bearing up~er deck 1 which is supported by supporting legs 3 of eq~al length.
~Iore especially "first" supporting legs 4 are provided at the four corners of the plastics ma-terial pallet, ~ 10 "second" supporting legs 5 at the edge o* the pallet - in the middle between the corners and"third" supporting legs 6 in the centre of the pallet, as more particularly shown in Figs 8b, 11a and 13b.
! '~he suppo~ting legs 3 define en~æ~ement apertures 8 15 between them for fork lift truck arms (not shown). hll the constructional lorms of ~igs 1 to 3 are constructed $
as so-called two-way pa1lets~ wherein engagement apertures ~ are arranged in pairs at each of all the ~our sides o~ the squa.re pallet. But the pallets may also 20 be modified so that they have a rectangular shape - departing-from a square form, and/or are cor.structed only as one-way pallets. It is also possible to provide more or less than -two engagement apertures per pallet sids.
In the constructional form shown in ~igs 1 and 2 a 25 double-deck pallet is shown in each case, a lower dec~ 9 being provided below the supporting legs 3. ~his lower deck in the constructional form shown in ~ig 1 hàs subs~tan-tially the same construction as the upper deck 1 It is possible to make the upper deck 1 and the lower 30 deck 9 of îdentical formation, so -tha-t the palle~s can be ~1 G- .
......... ... ..... .. . . .. . . .. . .

~ (1 64~
used either side UP~ Bu-t is is also possible to adap-t the upper clcck for its special function as a load-bearing deck and the lo~er deck to its special function as a supporting deck. For example it is possible to make the upper deck c~nd the lower deck of different -~ heights, morc particularly giving the upper deck a :, greater height than the lower deck.
:. , ~
Fig. 2 shows a plas-tics material pallet wherein - the constructional form according to ~ig. 1 is modified, ~i retaining the same construction in othar aspects, so ~hat four wide apertures 10 ar~tprovided for the passage of the : wheels of a fork lift truck (not sho~7n~ betlTeen an external frame part of the lower deck and a cel1tral cross bridging this frame part. These apertures are 1 15 rectangular in the constructional example shown, but they may also be given other kinds of outline.
Instead of a lower deck 9, as shown by the - constructional form of ~ig. 3, the 10~.Ter ends of the supporting legs 5 can connect with skids 12 9 and in the illustrated constructional example two outer skids are provided, with an inner skid eqvall~ spaced midT~ay between them. However, the central skid could also be omitted or a larger number of adjacent skids 12 could be - provided.
From the constructional form shown in Fig. 1, 2 or 3 an arrangement can be ellvisaged (not shown) having a single-dock pallet which simply comprises an upper deck 1 alld supporting legs 3 bu-t does not have a lower deck 9 or skids 12.
At the engagemen-t apertures 8, convenien-tly the ~;

, ... ~ ..

boundar~ ~rllls at th~ supporting legs a~l th~ particular decL concerned are rounded ou,t~ardly or bevelled so that an en-try ~nel is -for~ec1 for the arms of` the forlr liLt truck. Suitable rounded portions 1~ on the supporting , 5 legs are sho~m in more detail in ~igs 8d, 9c~ 10d and ~' ,~ in ~ig. 11a and also 12b. Similar rounded portions 15 are shown in Figs 8b, 9b, 1Ob and 11a.
All these plastics ~terial pallets consist of a plurality of prefabricated components. As Figs 4 to 7 , 10 show, in each case there are provided at two opposite ''' ;, ; edges of the plastics material pallet two ou-ter supporting sections 16 whose inward facing sides are connected 'by an insert 18. This insert may be made in one piece; '4 but it is preferred to use one of the constructional r 15 forms shown in ~ig. 4, which has a two-~part insert 18, ;~ ~ig. 5 which has a ~our-part insert 18, Fig. 6 which has a ~ive-p~rt insert 18 or ~ig. 7 whlch has a three-part ''~ ;~
insert 18.
As regards ~he outer supporting sections 16, two 20 different constructional arrangements are sho,wn in Fig. ~
' on the one hand and ~igs 5, 6 and 7 on the 3ther hand. ', ~he constructional,arrangement shown in Fig. 4 is shown in detail in ~ig. 11a and 11e, and the construction of the other ~igures 5 to 7 is described in ~, ' 25 Figs 12a and 12b.
, It is a common feature of ~ll the constructional for~s that the outer supportil,~ section 16 is made in ~,~ one piece over its entire height. In each case both in the - upper deck and in the lower deck or in skids there is provided an upper flange 20 and a lower ~lange 22 these -18- :

89~

e~tending substantially horizontally and being connected to one another by an in-termediate web 24 situQted at the outer edge o~ the plastics material pallet -to form a sectio~1 open tolrards the insert.
The in-termedia.te web 24 e~tenas continuously ~-~
along the entire edge of the deck or the s~id and in the region o~ the engagement apertur~s 8 with th~ rounded portions t5.
The "first" and "second" supporting legs provided at the outer supporting section 16 can be arr~nged in two different ways.
In both cases 9 the supporting leg forms a hollow section which is closed along its periphery. This is stiffened in the constructional form sho~?n in ~igs 1~ 2 15 and 4 by vertical intermediatQ walls 26 ~hich intersect~ -and extènd through the supporting foot 4 or 5 ~nd are clearly visible at the upper and/or lower sides of the pallet in Flgs. 1, 2 and 4. That they extend vertically ~ throughout the pallet ~rom top to bottom can be seen~ ;
i~ 20 particularly clearly in ~ig. 1~1c. As can be seen rom .~ . .
a comparison of Figs 1 and 2 on the one hand and ~ig. 4~ `
- on the other hand the n~ber of intermediate walIs eYtendlng parallel to the outer edges of the pallet may be varied; thus in the constructional form shown in ~ig. 4 there is only one intermediate wall along the-central line o~ the outer supporting section9 whereas in the constructional ~orm shown in Fig~ 1 and 2 two such supporting walls are sho~m. rhe same applies as regards the number of intermediate walls 26 situated at right angles to the outer~edge of the pallet.

:::
--I g-- , , .
, ~L~64~
, In this unbroken continuously ex-tending ,~- arrangement of the suppor-ting feet, their entire hollo~
~ profile -together ~rith stiffenin~ means is m~de in one !~ piece on the outer supporting sectionO
But it is also possib].e as is shown in ~ig. 3 `~ and i,l ~igs 5 to 7 to form the end of the supporting . .
,- fect, by means of the side nearest the insert 18, Then th ~tiffenin~ of the supporting feet will be -formed by at least one vertical first intermediate wall 27 and/or at least one second horizontal intermediatc- walls 28 as sho~m in ~ig. l2b. It i,s convenient as sho~Tn in this - ~igure to continue the upper deck and ~Jhere appropriate ,`! the lower deck or the skids into the region of the feet -~ with upper flange 20, lower flange 22 and intermedia-te 15 web 2~. If necessary, it is also possible to provide ,~
on1y horiæontal intermediate walls 28 or only vertical intermediate walls 27 in the supporting Peet, ``, In this case the region 30 of the supporting ;~ legs 4 or 5 which is continuous along its outer periphery ; 20 forms, in conjunction with the lower flange 22 of the ;`
upper deck and the upper flange 20 of the lower deck, ~ ~, ~ or of skids~ a~profi',e 37 ~hich is open towards the insert ,, ~ith a shape ranging from the cup-shaped to the boY-shaped.
The insert 18 ~.~rith its peripheral web 36 suppier~ents this profile 37 to constitute a supporting leg profile ~hich is closed all round. At the same time the peripheral web 36 closes the open profile formed by the upper flange 20, lo~ier flange 22 and intermediate web 2 ~, in the respective deck or in the skids to form a "first"
hollow profile in each case. As a res~Llt, a "first"
''' ' .. - .~ :
, , . :' ~
.
i -20- ~

,.. . . . . .

8~(~
hollow profile extencls hori~ontally in each case at the t~ro edges at least in the upper deck but where appropriate also in t,he lo~rer deck or in skids. Also a hollow profile extends vertically in each case in the supporting legs ~ or 5 arld in its stiffening f~lction is continued in ~le profile of the supporting feet, which is closed at least alon~g its periphery. ~he "first" hollo~J profile 32 is divided as shown in ~ig. 12b by vertical partition walls 34 into individual box-shaped sections 35. The same applies to the constructional form shown in Fig~ 11a as regards the outer supporting section.
The inwardly open profile of the outer su.pporting section 16, forned by the upper flange 20, the lower ~'lange 22 and the intermediate web 24, is in ~ll the constructional forms shown in Figs. 4 to 7 con~eniently closed by a straight vertical edge strip o~ the insert 18 to form the "first" hollow profile. Ili the modifiea ~ -.~ ~
form shown in ~igs. 5 to 7 there is also formed for the complementary completion of the profile ~7, constructed on the outer supporting section 16, of the supporting feet 4 or 5 in the insert 18 a complementary shell 38 of a shape ranging from the cup-shaped to the box-shaped which complements the open pro-file 37 of -the relevant supporting leg and the intermediate ~Jalls 27 and/or 28 25~ thereof.
In this way it is possible not only to close the end OI the relevant supporting legs 4 and 5 but also to obtain a larger transverse dimension for the supporting legs as compared with the transverse di~ension of the ou~ter suppor-ting sections 16.

,; .. .. :: . , : :::.- : , ..

~L~64~4(~

30th ways of constructir~ the supportin~ legs 4 ancl 5 and the "firs-t" hollo-" pro~ilcæ can be uscd : s~lectiv~ly ~ith the various construction possibilities shoun in Figs 4 to 7, these simply representing a suitable SpecilQic choice.
Within its edge strip 36 the insert is formed at least in the upper deck 1 and where appropriate also in 2 lower deck 9, over its main surface region by vertical i ~ -webs 40 which intersect at right angles parallel to the edges of the plastics material pallet and in so doing - fornl a lattice structure with rectangular honeycomb compartments. Othar compartment cross-sections are also possible. ~he vertical ~Jebs may be additiollally stif.fened, for e~ample as shown in ~ig. 8b or ~ig. 10b 15 horizontal stiffening ~ebs 42 can be connected at -right angles to the respective inner side of the upper deck 1 or of the lower deck 2 to one side or to both . :
sides in I-shaped or ~-shaped manner as appropriate, But this ~ind of construction which is already relatively rigid in it~elf does not have the shape-retaining qualities of a profile which is closed along its periphery.
~or ~urther stiffening of the insert 18 it is also : possible to incorporate at least one further hollo~J
pro~ile, i.e. a "second" hollow profile in a single-piece `-~
insert, from the side, in a manner not shown. But ~igs 4 to 7 show various preferred possibilitias of ~roducilyg this kind of "second" hollow profile in the insert 18 in a ~ ;~
complementary fashion from two or three prefabric3.ted :~
components o~ the insert. An arrangeLlent of 2 plurality oi "second" hollow sactions ~.djacent one another can ba :

1~4~340 effec-tcd by suitablc ~ultipliGation of the arrangement d~scribed.
In c~ll the constructlonal forms shown in ~igS 4 to 7 there are pro~ided intermedi~te part~ 4~ ~Jhich on the one hand comprise the edge strip 36 at the periphery ~or complementary completion of the respective "~irst" hollow profile 32 ~nd on the other hancl the ~ertica] web~ 40 formillg the grid or lattice. ~ `
In the constructionally simple3t form shoT~m in ~ig. 4, there are two such intermediate parts 44 (compare more particularly Fi~. 8a). i~s ~ig. 8b shows, the side profile of each interrnediate pcart9 ~Jhich faces towards the : .
-` other intermecliæte part 4~, is of substantially the same construction as the side profile directed towards the insert l8 and arranged on the c~foresaid external supporting section 16. Here there is again a profile open towards the other intermediate pa-rt and arranged between an upper flange 20, a lower flange 22 and an external vertical ;, ~
web 40 of the lattice. Two identical such open profiles - 20 of the two intermediate parts which adjoin one another form with one ~no-ther a hollow "second" proflle 46 which is closed c~long its periphery and which extends along the cen-tre line o~ the pallet with an equal spacing from the two "first" hollow profiles at the edges. If - 25 necessary it is also possible to make the upper and . ' .
~ 10~7er flang~es 20 and 22 of the two open profiles, which .. . .
form the "second" hollow profile 46, of different leng~hs or in extreme cases to provide this kind of open pro~ile only-at one intermediate part 44 and to terminate this profile with an edge strip corresponding to the :

--23-- .

. . ~ . .. , , .. ., ... ~ . .

:1~6~L84~
ecl~^ strip 36, as the "first" hollow profile i8 terminated relatively to the external sup~ortir~ section.
The "second" hollo~J profile 46 is sho~Jn in broken lines in Figs 8a~ 8c and 9a. The "second" hollo~r profile ~;~
5 is divided like -the "first" hollow profile by vertical intermediate ~ralls 34 into box-shape section~ 35.
In -the constructional ~orm shown in ~ig. 4, t~Jo ed~e supporting legs 5 and a central supporting leg 6 ` ` ;
ex-tQIld through the "second" hollow pro~ile ~6. Two 10 complementary parts 48 and 50 at tha two intermediate parts 44 complement one another to fo~m a supporting foot with ths same basic construction as has been described in the same constructional example in Fig. 4 with regard to the outer suppo-rting section 16. The r 15 supporting feet are again stiffened internally in each case by vertical intermediate walls 26 which cross one another.
The hollow profile of the outer supporting legs 5, - .
~Jhich is entirely closed along its periphery in each case, 20 iæ complemented so that the "second" hollow profile is also closed at the end; this is sho~n at 51 in ~igs 8a and 8b in the &awings. Furthermore9 the "firs-t" hollo~
pr~file 32 is closed at the end by -the through :~:
supporting feet in thé outer supporti~g section 16 in 25 eacll case. ~ -~
There are also constructed in the insert 18 three "third" hollow profiles 52. T~ro of them ex-tend in the `~
t~Jo decks 1 and 9 bet~leen th3 supporting feet 4 situated atthe corners of the pallet in such a manner that they 30 form together with the "first" hollow profiles in the outer - .

:.
~ ~ -2~-J~O~ 4~
supporting sections 16 a hollo~J profile frame of the plastics materlal p-lllet; a -further extends between the cen-tral supporting feet 5 of the outer supporting sections 16, so that it forms ~rith -the "second" hollow p~ofile ~6 a stiffel1ir~ cross in t,he insert, ex-te~ldingr at right an~les to the said second hollow profile and to the said first hollow profiles. The "third" hollow profiles are again divided by vertical intermediate walls 54 in-to bo~-shaped subsidic~ry c,ompartments 55. ~igs 8a and 8c show tha-t the central supporting foot has a ~reater width of the "-third" hollow profile.
~ or the wide apertures 10 in the lower decl., as shown in ~ig. 8c, the hollo~l profiles of the first seco~d and third types ~orm four part-frames between the central cross-shaped stiffening ~ld the box profile fr~me. All the hollow profiles are bounded at -their upper side by an upper flange 20 and at their lo~er side b~ a lower flanOe 22. , ~ he alternati`ve constructional form shown in ~ig. 5 differs from that sho~/n in Fig. 4 in the first instance in that instead of two intermediate parts there are provided four intermediate parts 44, of which each -~
two in ~ig~ 5 complement one another to make up one of the parts shown in ~ig. 4. This constructional form is also possible with an othe~Jise unaltered arrangament of ~ig. 4.
Conversely it is also possible wi-th the cons-tructional form shown in Fig~ 5 to provide through feet every~here as in ~ig. 4.
On -the other hand it is sho~m with the use of ~ig. 5 -that the supporting ~eet of the "secolld" hollow profile and also those of the "first" hollow proIile ca~

.'.'' ~ ' . ' ' ~ ,; ~ ' . ' :, ., ;: ; . .;
,,, ~, ~

` ~64840 be formecl ~rom the sicle in such a manner tha-t they are closed a ~ the ends~
cen-tral supporting ~oot 5 on the outer supporting section is assembled in complemen-tary fashion *rom the said sectiol1 and two adjoining intsrmediate parts 4~, and - the central supporting foot 6 in fact from four complementary parts and four in-termediate parts 44. The supporting feet 4 and the central supporting foot 5 at -the edge of the insert 18 are in each cas9 composed of two complemer.tary components. The internal structure -~ of a supporting foot at the insert is illus-trated with re~erence to the supporting foot 5 in Fig. 9b similarly to Fig. 12b which relates to the outer supporting ' section 16. It can be seen that for internal stiffeni~
. .
15 of a supportin~ foot of this kind at least one vertical ,~
', intermediate ~Jall 27 and/or at least one horizontal intermediate wall 28 can be provided.
More particul2rly for a skid pallet, but also for ,~ ~;
the other kinds of pallet explained ~Jith reference to ' ZO Fig, 1 and Fig. 2, including a single-deck pallet, the i ;
,' further modification shown ill Fi~. 6 c~n be considered.
This constructional form differs fro~ that sho~ in Fig. 5 primarily in that between ~he two pairs o-~ intermediate '~
parts 40 there is also in-terposed an internal supporting section 58 ~s a special prefabricated component. Its const~lction is shown in more de"ail in Figs. 13a and 13b.
j It comprises in each deck an ~lpper flange 20 and a lower '~ flange 22, these being connected together by an in-termediate web 24 arranged centrally in contrast to the outer 30 supporting sections,16, and are divided by ver-tical ~ ', :1 .
.
~'. . ' .

'~ ' , 84a~
in-termedi2-te walls 26 into I pl~ality of profiles ~hich are open towards the adjoining in-termediate ~reb 40.
'~hese open profiles are complementad by suitable open hollolT profiles, which ho~rever are of short~r dimensions, at the edge of the intcrmediate webs 44 li~ewise to form the "second" hollow profile 46 as has already been described ~ith reference to ~ig. 5.
~ etween the upper deck l and the lower decl~ 9 there extend again integrally peripheral regions 60 o~ the supporting ~eet 5 and 6, whi.ch complement one another and again are stiffened inte-rnally by at least one vertical intermediate wall 27 and/or at least one hori~ontal intermediate wall 28. The in-termediate web 24 ~orms a pair of two "second" hollow profiles relatively to the intermediate parts 40 adjoining the internal supporting - section 58 at both sides.
-~ As is particularly clearly sho~7n in ~ig. 9c to illustrate the alternative according to Fig~ 3, the skids ~;
.12 and also the supporting legs 5 and 6 can be composed of complementary parts together forming a closed profile.
This is sho~m in the section view sho~rn in ~ig~ 9b alsoO
The only di~ference relatively to the fsrmation o-~ the supporting ~eet is that in the region of the skids 12 the complementary regions extend over the entire length of the palletO ~he skids 12 can also be sti~en~d in a mann~r not shown in the drawings, likewise ths supporting legs, by vertical and/or hori~ontal intermediate walls such as is sho~m relatively -to the vertical int~rmediate walls 27 in ~ig. 9b.
Whereas the "third" hollow profiles 52 situated in -27~

:,~ - . ' , . . . ...

the eclge of the insert 18 fre each formed by lateral bars in a single intermediate p~rt 44, the "third" hollow profile 52a formetl between two intermediate parts 44 adjoinin~ along an outer supporting section, is composed - 5 sir;lilarly to the "second" hollow section 46 in Fig. 4 o two complementary hollo~J ~rofile3 ~lich are ~o~med in each case as sho~rll in Fig. 9b by an upper flang~ 20, a lower flange 22 ancl an intermediate web 24. This arrangement is used not only in skid pallets but conveniently in all cases where a plurality of adjoining intermediate parts as sho~n in Fig. 5 or 6 are provided .
~long an external supporting section 16 instead of a single intermediate part 44 as in Fig. 4.
Finally, ~ig. 7 sho~Ts a miged form deriving from 15 the constructional form sho~n in Figs. 4, 5 and 6. -~ ere the supporting legs 4 and 5 construoted at the external supporting sections 16 are closed at the ends similarly to ~ig. 5~ In general the description of -~ ;
.~ . . . .
~ig. 5 can be referred to for more details as regards~
their~construction.
.
- Only a single intermediate part 40 is provided along the external supporting section in ~ig. 7, as in ~i~. 4. On the other hand, like Fig. 6 there is arranged between the two intermediate parts 44 an int3rnal :. .
supporting section 58 which ~orms the i'second" hollow profile 46 as ~hown in Figs. 11a and 11c from i comp1ementary open profiles between upper flange 20, ! ~ lo~rer flange 22 and an intermediate web 24 (~ig~ 11d) - complem~nting the intermediate parts 44 which adJoin at both sides as sho~n in ~ig. 11a. On the other hand :,, ' ' ., .

4~
Fig. 7 shows the feat~e th~t the supporting legs 5 and 6 of the insert are for~d integra1ly in this case ~ith the in-ternal supporting scction 18, extending throu~h the lat-ter 9 S has been desc-ribed ~Ji-th rcference to ~ig~ 4 in a similar m~lmer for the outer supporting sections 16.
In this case again the hollow profile o-f the particular supporting leg concerned, which pro~ile is closed along ltS periphery and open a-t the end, is stiff~ncd by vertica]:' intermediate walls 26 which cross one another at right angles, and the nu~ber of these walls can be varied in both directions as in the case OL the outer supporting section. In the constructional e~ample thrce such intermediate webs arè rovided in the longitudinal direction of the intermediate supporting section as sho~1n ~5~ in Fig. ~1b and two such webs in the transverse direction.
The "second" hollow profile or,`pro~iles 32 e~tends, or extend, over the entire pallet ~ength along the outer -:
supporting sections 16 except for the regions where the supporting legs 5 and 6 are arranged. The "third" hollow profiles extend correspondingly between the fifth and sixth supporting legs between the supporting sections 16 and 58 e~cept *or the region of the supporting legs.
However similarly to Figs 9 and 9b it is also possible to make the arrangement such that the "second" and "third"
hollow profiles also extend through the supporting legs, possibly with adaptation o-f the stif~ening of the supporting legs to the stiffening means of the hollow profiles in the sense of extending through each other for mutual fu~ctional pu~poses ~nd continuing the hollo~r profiles on the one hand in the deck and/or a s~id and .

~ -29-.... . . .

8~

Ol1 thc oth~r halld i~1 the respr ctive ~upportin,~, leg.
s 1 1 a, 1 1 c, 1 1 d, ar d 1 1 e also show that ~here necess2.ry the upper decl; 1 can be ~iven a g1~ea tr~r height than a loT.Jer decl~ 9 or ~shids 12 ~rhere appropriate.

; `
' ' . . ~,' ; .
. ' '' ~
., , ,'~' ~.
:. - .
., ' ''' .
.~ ' ' , ' ' ' - . , ;:
.' ' " ,. . ~ .

~ .

~.
O

Claims (18)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. Plastics material pallet having a load-bearing upper deck, supporting legs which define between them engagement apertures for fork lift truck arms, and a lower structure select-ed from decks and skids; at least one of the upper deck and lower structure having outer supporting sections whose inwardly facing sides are connected by an insert, said sections having an upper flange and a lower flange interconnected by an intermediate web to form a profile which is closed outwardly and open inwardly, the said profile being complemented by the insert to form a "first" hollow profile which is closed along its periphery and from which supporting legs extend, the insert being formed with at least one "second" hollow profile which is closed along its periphery and which is provided in at least one of the upper deck and lower structure.

2. Plastic material pallet according to Claim 1, wherein the insert has at least one pair of intermediate parts which are connected adjacent one another and of which at least one forms a profile that is outwardly closed and inwardly open towards the other intermediate part, the latter being complement-ed by the other intermediate part to form the "second" hollow profile.

3. Plastics material pallet according to claim 2, wherein the insert has at least one inner supporting section disposed between the outer supporting sections and comprising in at least one of the upper deck and lower structure an upper flange and a lower flange interconnected by an intermediate web to form a later-ally open profile, the intermediate parts being connected with the internal supporting section to complement the open profile in the inner supporting section to form the "second" hollow profile.

4. Plastics material pallet according to claim 3, wherein the inner supporting section forms a profile which is open laterally at the two sides of its intermediate web with upper and lower flanges.

5. Plastics material pallet according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the "first" and/or "second" hollow profiles are also closed at the end.

6. Plastics material pallet according to claim 1 wherein at least one supporting leg starts from the "second"
hollow profile of the insert.

7. Plastics material pallet according to claim 6, wherein the supporting leg of the insert is integrally connected with the component or components forming the "second" hollow profile.

8. Plastics material pallet according to claim 6, wherein the supporting leg of the insert forms a hollow profile which is closed along its periphery, and the "second"
hollow profile is arranged and constructed to be vertically continuous.

9. Plastics material pallet according to claim 6, wherein the supporting leg of the insert forms a hollow profile closed along its periphery, peripheral regions connected in complementary manner being constructed in one piece with complementary parts of the "second" hollow profile.

10. Plastics material pallet according to claim 9, wherein the supporting leg of the insert is also closed at the end.

11. Plastics material pallet according to claim 1, wherein the part of the deck which is formed by the intermediate parts comprises vertical webs arranged in honeycomb or cross-grid fashion.

12. Plastics material pallet according to claim 1, having at least one "third" hollow profile which is closed along its periphery and extends through the insert transversely to the "second" hollow profile or profiles.

13. Plastics material pallet according to claim 12, wherein the "third" hollow profile is closed at the end by the outer supporting sections.

14. Plastics material pallet according to claim 12, wherein a "third" hollow profile at the two edges of the plastics material pallet complements the "first" hollow profile to form a hollow profile frame for the plastics material pallet.

15. Plastics material pallet according to claim 12, wherein a "third" hollow profile or a plurality of adjacently situated "third" hollow profiles connects/connect together the central regions of the two outer supporting sections.

16. Plastics material pallet according to claim 14 constructed as a double-deck pallet, wherein the "first"
and "third" hollow profiles are arranged in the lower deck as the hollow profile frame of the plastics material pallet, at least a "second" hollow profile and at least one further "third" hollow profile connecting the central regions of the two outer supporting sections delimit four part-frames each of which has a further aperture for the passage of wheels of a fork lift truck.

17. Plastics material pallet according to claim 2 wherein the intermediate parts and/or the inner supporting section are constructed in one piece over their entire height.

18. Plastics material pallet according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of intermediate parts adjoin one another in the longitudinal direction of the outer supporting sections.