CA2804997A1 - Metallic pallet with frame and panel support surface - Google Patents

Abstract

A metallic pallet (20) having generally planar top (22) and bottom (40) sides. Corner pieces (56) join the top (22) and bottom (40) sides and provide controlled deformation in the event of corner impacts. Spacer block (78, 80) function as risers to establish a space between top (22) and bottom (40) sides for receiving forklift tines (24). The top side (22) is formed in a rectangular formation with long (28) and short (30) rails establishing a perimeter and a cruciform inner frame members (32, 34). The rails (28, 30) and inner frame members (32, 34) establish four bounded interior fields (38) which are filled with die cast aluminum quarter panels (84) the quarter panels (84) are stitch welded about their periphery to the inner edges of the rails (28, 30) and inner frame members (32, 34) to create an integral, rigid top side (22) which is easy to fabricate and exceptionally strong. An RFID tag (58) may be located in a hollow corner piece (56) for tracking purposes.

Description

Attorney Docket #37665-7 METALLIC PALLET WITH FRAME AND PANEL SUPPORT SURFACE

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to Provisional Patent Application No.
61/365,410 filed July 19, 2010, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference and relied upon.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention relates generally to horizontally supported planar surfaces such as industrial platforms having a support surface provided with supporting means whereby a load may be supported relatively close to a floor and having means to receive handling means beneath said surface or load and wherein the support surfaces are made of metal.
Related Art

[0003] Pallets are commonly used to support and transport bundled objects or loads in application like that shown in Figure 1. Traditionally, pallets have been constructed from wood members assembled together. However, wooden pallets are subject to many drawbacks, including a relatively short lifespan, chemical contamination, insect infestation, and fire hazard, to name a few. More recently, pallets have been constructed from plastic materials which can be more durable than wood and are typically insect resistant, however are still subject to chemical contamination, fire hazards and other shortcomings. While additives can be used to make a plastic pallet more fire retardant, such additives are costly and generally disfavored in situations where food handling is required. There is a desire within the material handling industry to identify new materials suitable for manufacturing cargo carrying pallets which will provide superior functionality at a cost competitive price with other options.

[0004] Some examples of pallet constructions representative of prior art teachings may be found in US Patent No. 6,622,642 to Ohaneisan granted September 23, 2003, US

to Kruger et al. published November 16, 2006, and US 2006/0201400 to Moore, Jr. et al.
published September 14, 2006. These examples of prior art illustrate various approaches in Attorney Docket #37665-7 mixed forms of construction which include at least some metallic components.
In these examples, the pallets include a top deck or load engaging surface which may be composed of a single large integral panel or such a panel variously attached to a surrounding frame made from plastic or wood.

[0005] One drawback found in prior art constructions relates to the general lack of strength of the pallet in terms of resisting racking forces. Racking forces are generated when a pallet experiences an impact force to one of its corners. This may occur when the pallet is being transported by a forklift, or when the pallet is stationary but some object collides with it. It will be appreciated that metallic pallets are substantially more expensive to manufacture than wooden pallets. The cost proposition for a metallic pallet therefore becomes favorable when the metallic pallet can operate in specialized settings (e.g., in food handling and other operations requiring sterilization) and/or the metallic pallet can enjoy a substantially longer service life than the typical wooden pallet or other available alternatives. Accordingly, with regard to the latter consideration, constructing a metallic pallet that has the ability to withstand racking forces, rough handling and other stressful conditions is advantageous to the business proposition for this class of products.

[0006] With regard to the construction cost of a metallic pallet, there are two significant contributing factors: material cost and fabrication cost. Of these, fabrication costs are largely a controllable factor. Prior art pallet assemblies may include numerous components that must be assembled together with fasteners or welding at many intersection points resulting in relatively high cost and effort. As a result, the fabrication costs for a metallic pallet assembly may substantially overshadow the material costs. Accordingly, metallic pallets have inherent benefits and are being increasingly accepted within an industry accustomed to utilizing cheap wooden pallets. Nevertheless, there remains opportunity to further improve pallet designs and constructions with the objectives to reduce construction cost and to extend service life.

7 CA 02804997 2013-01-09PCT/US2011/044438 Attorney Docket #37665-7 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A metallic pallet is provided of the type for supporting objects for storage and transport.
The pallet comprises a generally planar top side having a substantially rectangular configuration defining four corners. The top side includes four elongated outer top frame members. The top side also includes a first inner top frame member and a second inner top frame member. The outer and inner top frame members are arranged to form four bounded interior fields. A
generally planar bottom side is provided having a substantially rectangular configuration defining four corners. The bottom side includes four elongated outer bottom frame members.
The bottom side is disposed below the top side so that its corners are vertically aligned with the corners of the top side in corresponding pairs. Likewise, the outer top and outer bottom frame members are arranged in opposing pairs. Four generally hollow corner pieces are provided.
Each corner piece extends between a respective aligned pair of corners of the top and bottom sides. The top side further includes a rigid, unitary corner panel fixedly disposed in each of the four bounded interior fields.

[0008] The subject invention is distinguished from prior art pallet designs by providing a top side configured in a frame-and-panel type construction wherein four rigid, unitary quarter panel pieces are set within and fixed to the frame members. This design, which represents a departure from prior art techniques, enables a metallic pallet assembly to be fabricated much more quickly and with less effort than required by prior art designs. Furthermore, the unique design substantially increases the ability of a metallic pallet to resist racking and other undesirable impact forces, which thereby favorably extends the service life and hence cost benefit of a metallic pallet.

Attorney Docket #37665-7 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily appreciated when considered in connection with the following detailed description and appended drawings, wherein:

[0010] Figure 1 is an environmental view showing a pallet constructed in accordance with one embodiment of this invention utilized to support cargo and poised for handling via a common forklift vehicle;

[0011] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the subject pallet;

[0012] Figure 3 is a top view of the subject pallet;

[0013] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along lines 4-4 in Figure 2;

[0014] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the bottom or underside of the pallet according to Figure 2;

[0015] Figure 6 is an exploded view of the pallet shown in Figure 2;

[0016] Figure 7 is an exploded view of a corner piece according to an embodiment of this invention;

[0017] Figure 8 is a perspective view of an exterior spacer block according to an embodiment of this invention;

[0018] Figure 9 is a schematic view describing tracking capabilities for the subject pallet when configured to include an RFID tag;

[0019] Figure 10 is a perspective view of a first alternative corner piece construction;

[0020] Figure 11 is an exploded view of the alternative comer piece shown in Figure 10;

[0021] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along lines 12-12 in Figure 10:

[0022] Figure 13 is a perspective view of a separately formed cover used in conjunction with the first alternative corner piece shown in Figure 10;

[0023] Figure 14 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a second alternative corner piece in partially exploded fashion and illustrating the optional inclusion of an RFID tag in the hollow space therein; and

[0024] Figure 15 is a perspective view of a third alternative corner piece design.

Attorney Docket #37665-7 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0025] Referring to the figures, wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, a pallet constructed in accordance with embodiments of this invention is generally shown at 20. Standard pallet dimensions are given as 48 inches x 40 inches x .6 inches, however the specific dimensional properties of the pallet 20 are subject to alteration depending upon the application.

[0026] As perhaps best shown in Figures 2-6, the pallet 20 includes a generally planar top side, generally indicated at 22. The top side 22 establishes a generally horizontal surface for supporting objects such as cargo for storage and transport. The top side 22 is elevated above the floor or other under supporting structure so that the tines of a forklift 24 (Figure 1) can be inserted under the top side 22 in the customary fashion. The top side 22 is a substantially rectangular configuration as suggested by the dimensions suggested above, however this is also subject to variation depending upon design choice. The top side 22 defines four corners which, in the preferred embodiment, are represented by notches 26. The top side 22 also includes four elongated outer top frame members comprised of two long rails 28 and two short rails 30. The long 28 and short 30 rails are arranged about the perimeter of the top side 22 and extend each into the notches 26 thus establishing a generally rectangular shape for the top side 22. The long 28 and short 30 rails are preferably made from extruded aluminum having any desirable and suitable cross-sectional shape such as, for example, shown in the cross-section of Figure 4. The top side 22 further includes a first inner top frame member 32 and a second inner top frame member 34. The first inner top frame member 32 is affixed parallel to and halfway between the long rails 28, whereas the second inner top frame member 34 is disposed parallel to and midway between the short rails 30. The second inner top frame member 34 perpendicularly bisects the first inner top frame member 32 at a top inner section joint 36, thus establishing a somewhat cruciform construction inset within the perimeter of rails 28, 30. The rails 28, 30 and inner top frame members 32, 34 are all disposed within a common plane, generally, which forms the horizontal support surface of the top side 22. In this arrangement, four bounded interior top fields 38 are formed. The four bounded interior fields 38 are the openings created by the surrounding frame members 28, 30, 32, 34, are generally equal in size and generally proportional Attorney Docket #37665-7 to the overall rectangular configuration of the top side 22, as perhaps best shown in Figure 2.
Preferably, the inner top frame members 32, 34 are affixed such as by welding to one another at the top inner section joint 36 as well as at their terminal ends to the respective long 28 and short 30 rails, thereby providing a rigid matrix and generally fixing the shape of the bounded interior fields 38.

[0027] Turning now to Figure 5, the pallet 20 is shown including a generally planar bottom side 40. The bottom side 40, like the top side 22, also has a substantially rectangular configuration having corners defined by notches 42. The outer dimensional properties of the bottom side 40 are substantially identical to that of the top side 22 so that the notches 26, 42 can be directly aligned one over the other. The bottom side 40 also includes four elongated outer frame members comprised of long 44 and short 46 rails. The short rails 46 of the bottom side 40 are generally congruent with the short rails 30 of the top side 22, and likewise the long rails 44 of the bottom side are generally congruent with the long rails 28 of the top side 22. unlike the rails

28, 30 of the top side 22, however, in the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5, the rails 44, 46 of the bottom side 40 are significantly wider (measured laterally) than their long 28 and short 30 rail counterparts of the top side 22. As a result, the long 44 and short 46 rails of the bottom side 40 may, in one embodiment, directly connect to one another at their terminal ends via a truncated miter joint 40. This miter joint 48 may be welded to provide direct fix connection between the long 44 and short 46 rails. The bottom side 40 further includes a first inner bottom frame member 50 and a second inner bottom frame member 52. The second inner bottom frame member 52 perpendicularly bisects the first inner bottom frame member 50 at a bottom intersection joint 54 which may be welded to secure the frame members 50, 52 to one another.
Additionally, the terminal ends of each of the first 50 and second 52 inner bottom frame members may be attached at their respective ends to the inner edges of the long 44 and short 46 rails such as by welding to establish a strong matrix or skeletal construction.
[0028] Four generally identical, hollow corner pieces are generally indicated at 56. The corner pieces 56 each extend between a respective aligned pair of corners of the top 22 and bottom 40 sides as represented by their respective notches 26, 42. In other words, the corner pieces 56 fit into each of the notches 26, 42 and are there securely attached such as by welding so as to rigidly join the top side 22 to the bottom side 40 via the corner pieces 56. Thus, because the corner Attorney Docket #37665-7 pieces 56 are set into the notches 26, 42, it may be seen that the corner pieces 56 each interrupt the generally planar top 22 and bottom 40 sides such that the top 22 and bottom 40 sides do not overlie the corner pieces 56. As a result, corner impacts to the pallet 20 may be absorbed entirely by deformation of the hollow corner pieces 56 without distorting the planar configurations of the top 22 and bottom 40 sides.

[0029] Various configurations for corner pieces 56 may be found by reference to the applicant's co-pending US 2010/0218705, published September 2, 2010, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference and relied upon. Figure 7 is an exploded view of a corner piece 56 according to one preferred embodiment of the subject invention which is designed for optimal performance, low cost, ease of construction, as well as the ability to safely contain an RFID tag 58 (Figure 14) or other tracking features. The corner piece 56 shown here comprises an extruded aluminum body establishing perpendicular back walls 60 in direct abutting contact with the top 22 and bottom 40 sides. Upper and lower plates 62, which in this example are made from stamped aluminum sheet stock, are respectively affixed to the back walls 60 such as by welding or by other suitable fixation technique. As a result, the upper plate 62 is generally planar with the top side 22 and the lower plate 62 is generally planar with the bottom side 40 thereby contributing to the load carrying capacity without increasing or diminishing the loading stresses. A cover 64 is formed integrally with the back walls 60 during the extrusion process. The cover 64 is configured to simultaneously engage the back walls 60 and the upper and lower plates 62 to provide a solid, secure exposed area for the corner piece 56. The cover 64 includes an outer edge 66 establishing the leading or terminal corner for the pallet 20. Generous deformation grooves 68 may be formed in the cover 64 laterally on either side of the outer edge 66 to provide controlled collapse in the event of impact. The corner pieces 56 may further include internal webbing 70 formed integrally during the extrusion process to join the cover 64 and back walls 60 for both strength and controlling deformation. Through this design, the corner pieces 56 may absorb and deform under control substantial impact forces without stressing the top 22 or bottom 40 sides and thereby helping to maintain their planar nature for extended surface life of the pallet 20. The upper and lower plates 62 provide an enclosed space, i.e., hollow, in the corner pieces 56 to resist infiltration by liquids or other unwanted substances.
Each plate 62 may include a small hole 72 aligned over an intersection point 74 of the webbing Attorney Docket #37665-7 70. During the assembly process, the plates 62 are positioned over the extruded body section with the holes 72 providing a convenient location through which to place a small tack weld to the webbing 70 and thereby secure the plates 62 in position.

[0030] As mentioned, a small RFID tag 58 may be sealed inside one or more of the corner pieces 56 to provide pallet locating and tracking capabilities. An adhesive may be used to anchor and seal the RFID tag 58 inside the corner piece 56. Alternatively, the RFID tag 58 may be securely stationed in a pocket or receptacle formed integrally with or subsequently attached to the inside of the corner piece 56. In this way, the RFID tag 58 can be contained in a protected enclosure so as to provide long term service life and functionality for purposes of tracking the pallet 20. If the RFID tag 58 is installed into a comer piece 56 prior to assembly of that corner piece 56 with the top 22 and bottom 40 sides, the RFID tag 58 is preferably retained in a position spaced as far as possible from each of the back walls 60 where welding occurs during attachment to the top 22 and bottom 40 sides. This will help protect the RFID tag 58 from damage due to excessive heat that occurs during welding operations. Conversely, the RFID tag 58 is also located as far as possible from the outer edge 66 where the majority of deformation is expected to occur in use. This will help protect the RFID tag 58 from damage for a longer service life.

[0031] Figure 9 shows an exemplary, highly schematic method by which the RFID
tag 58 may be used to triangulate the position of a pallet 20 which has been lost or possibly stolen. Using known RFID technology, the exact position of a pallet 20 with respect to a digital map 76 can be determined. Of course, the map 76 may be specific to a particular warehouse or manufacturing facility, or used more generally to track pallets 20 which may be stolen or misplaced in a much wider geographic area. Additional functionality may be incorporated into the RFID tag 58 according to known techniques.

[0032] Returning to Figures 6 and 8, the pallet 20 is shown including a plurality of extruded aluminum spacer blocks 78, 80. Each spacer block 78, 80 extends perpendicularly between the top 22 and bottom 40 sides for holding the top 22 and bottom 40 sides in generally parallel spaced and aligned relation to one another so that the notched corners 26, 42 remain vertically aligned and so that the corresponding pairs of long 28, 44 and short 30, 46 rails remain aligned.
Furthermore, the spacer blocks 78, 80 increase the weight force loading with which the pallet 20 is capable of supporting. Each spacer block 78, 80 may include at least one internal web. Four Attorney Docket #37665-7 spacer blocks 78 comprise exterior spacer blocks 70 arranged about the outer periphery of the pallet 20. Two exterior spacer blocks 78 extend between the respective pairs of long rails 28, 44, whereas another two exterior spacer blocks 78 extend between opposing short rails 30, 46.
These exterior spacer blocks 78 are preferably made from extruded aluminum materials and welded in place.

[0033] As perhaps best shown in Figure 8, the exterior spacer blocks 78 have a generally D-shaped profile when viewed in cross-section. This D-shaped profile includes an outer convex portion 82 that is oriented outwardly from the pallet 20. In other words, as perhaps best shown in Figures 2 and 6, the convex portions 82 of the exterior spacer blocks 78 face outwardly and so that if contacted by the tines of a forklift 24, they will gently direct the tines to the side usually with little to no damage. Preferably, although not necessarily, at least one spacer block 80 comprises an interior spacer block 80 disposed for direct contact between the backbone 34 and bottom inner section joint 54 to provide column strength in the center of the pallet 20. The interior spacer block 80 may have a generally rectangular profile in cross-section. Like the exterior spacer block 78, the interior spacer block 80 is also preferably made from extruded aluminum material and securely welded in place at each end

[0034] Referring again to Figures 2-6, the top side 22 is shown including a rigid, unitary quarter panel, generally indicated at 84, fixedly disposed in each of the four bounded top interior fields 38. The quarter panels 84 are preferably made from aluminum in a die casting operation.
In one embodiment, the top surfaces of the quarter panels 84 are generally flush with the top surfaces of the outer 28, 30 and inner 32, 34 frame members to reduce edges on the support surface which might snag cargo. The outer peripheral edges of each quarter panel 84 are preferably welded to the directly adjacent outer 28, 30 and inner 32, 34 frame members. Stitch welding is a suitable welding technique. The inside edges of the outer 28, 30 and inner 32, 34 frame members may be formed with notch-like rabbets to receive the peripheral edges of the quarter panels 84. Rabbets, if used, mechanically strengthen the welded joints. All interior edges of each field 38, whether rabbeted or not, are welded directly to the exterior edges of each quarter panel 84 thereby substantially strengthening the top side 22 with a relatively minimal amount of fabrication effort. By welding the outer edges of each quarter panel 84 to the rails 28, 30 and inner top frame members 32, 34, an integral top side 22 is created which has the ability to Attorney Docket #37665-7 resist racking forces and other impacts that would otherwise disfigure the planar configuration of the top side 22. As a result, the subject pallet 20 is substantially stronger than prior art designs and is considerably easier and faster to fabricate. The relatively long weld lines provided at the interface between quarter panels 84 and frame members 28, 30, 32, 34 that extend in both longitudinal and lateral directions create a solid yet easily manufactured top side 22 capable of extended service life and operation when compared with prior art constructions.

[0035] Each quarter panel 84 may include at least one, but as shown four hand grips 86 adjacent the inner top frame members 32, 34. The hand grips 86 are formed integrally in the quarter panels 84 near the interior of the pallet 20, making it convenient for a person to carry the pallet 20. Each quarter panel 84 may further include a plurality of lightening holes 88 to reduce weight and material costs, provide ventilation and multiple drainage paths for liquids. The quarter panels 84 may further include a plurality of intersecting reinforcing ribs 90 to provide strength and resist deflection.

[0036] Figures 10-13 depict a first alternative design for the corner pieces 156. In this alternative embodiment, reference numerals previously set forth are reused for convenience but offset by 100. As shown, the corner pieces 156 include perpendicular back walls 160 together with upper and lower plates 162. However, in this embodiment, the back walls 160 and plates 162 are formed as an integral assembly from aluminum or other suitable material. Here, the cover 164 is separately formed from a plastic or hard rubber material. Webbing 170 is not formed as part of the cover 164, but rather integral with the back walls 160 and plates 162. The cover 164 includes notches 192 for receiving or engaging with the outer edges of the webbing 170 which, here, is formed as three vertical ribs. The upper and lower plates 162 are also formed with chamfers 194. The outer edge 166 of the cover 164 is configured with short extensions to directly engage the chamfers 194 as perhaps best shown in Figure 10. Through this design, the cover 164 and cast aluminum components become mechanically interlocked so that the corner pieces 156 may absorb and partially collapse in response to impact forces without stressing the top 22 or bottom 40 sides and thereby helping to maintain their planar nature for an extended service life of the pallet 20. The hollow corner pieces 156 resist infiltration by liquids or other unwanted substances.

Attorney Docket #37665-7

[0037] Figure 14 shows a second alternative embodiment of the corner piece 256, wherein like or corresponding parts are indicated with reference numerals offset by 200. In this example, a simplified version of the corner piece 256 includes a less sophisticated separate cover 264 which may be secured in position to a cast aluminum back wall 260 and upper/lower plate 262 construction. A single horizontal web 270 and optional intersecting vertical web may be formed therein to improve crush resistance. An RFID tag 58 can be placed inside the hollow corner piece 256 and secured with a suitable adhesive or by other means as described previously.

[0038] Figure 15 shows yet another alternative construction for a corner piece 356, with like or corresponding parts being identified with similar reference numbers offset by 300. In this example, the corner piece 356 is made from cast aluminum and omits the cover altogether so as to present an open cellular hollow corner for the pallet. In all other respects, the corner piece 356 functions similarly to that described above.

[0039] The foregoing invention has been described in accordance with the relevant legal standards, thus the description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature.
Variations and modifications to the disclosed embodiment may become apparent to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims (20)

1. A metallic pallet of the type for supporting objects for storage and transport, the pallet comprising:
a generally planar top side having a substantially rectangular configuration defining four corners, said top side including four elongated outer top frame members, said top side including a first inner top frame member and a second inner top frame member, said outer and inner top frame members being arranged to form four bounded interior fields;
a generally planar bottom side having a substantially rectangular configuration defining four corners, said bottom side including four elongated outer bottom frame members, said bottom side disposed below said top side such that said corners of said top side are vertically aligned over said corners of said bottom side in corresponding pairs and said outer top and outer bottom frame members are arranged in opposing pairs;
four generally hollow corner pieces, each said corner piece extending between a respective aligned pair of said corners of said top and bottom sides; and said top side further including a rigid, unitary quarter panel fixedly disposed in each of said four bounded interior fields.

2. The pallet of claim 1, wherein each said quarter panel is fabricated from a die cast aluminum material.

3. The pallet of claim 1, wherein each said quarter panel is set in rabbeted edges and welded to the directly adjacent said outer and inner top frame members.

4. The pallet of claim 1, wherein each said quarter panel includes at least one hand grip adjacent said inner top frame members.

5. The pallet of claim 1, wherein each said quarter panel includes a plurality of lightening holes.

6. The pallet of claim 1, wherein each said quarter panel includes at least one reinforcing rib on an underside thereof.

7. The pallet of claim 1, wherein each said quarter panel includes a plurality of intersecting reinforcing ribs.

8. The pallet of claim 1, wherein said four bounded interior fields are generally equal in size and generally proportional to said rectangular configuration of said top side.

9. The pallet of claim 1, wherein said corner pieces each interrupt the generally planar top and bottom sides such that said top and bottom sides do not overlie said corner pieces.

10. The pallet of claim 1, wherein at least one of said corner pieces includes an RFID
tag in the hollow interior space thereof.

11. The pallet of claim 1, wherein each said bottom frame member is directly connected to the next adjacent said bottom frame member along a truncated miter joint.

12. The pallet of claim 1, further including a plurality of spacer blocks, each said spacer block extending perpendicularly between said top and bottom sides for holding said top and bottom sides in generally parallel spaced and aligned relation to one another.

13. The pallet of claim 12, wherein said spacer blocks comprise extruded aluminum members.

14. The pallet of claim 12, wherein each said spacer block includes at least one internal web.

15. The pallet of claim 14, wherein four of said spacer blocks comprise exterior spacer blocks extending directly between two opposing said outer top and outer bottom frame members.

16. The pallet of claim 15, wherein said exterior spacer blocks have a generally D-shaped profile in cross-section, said D-shaped profile including a convex portion oriented in a direction facing outwardly from said pallet.

17. The pallet of claim 12, wherein said second inner top frame member perpendicularly bisects said first inner top frame member at a top intersection joint, said bottom side including a first inner bottom frame member and a second inner bottom frame member, said second inner bottom frame member perpendicularly bisecting said first inner bottom frame member at a bottom intersection joint.

18. The pallet of claim 17, wherein one of said spacer blocks comprises an interior spacer block, said interior spacer block extending directly between said top and bottom intersection joints.

19. The pallet of claim 18, wherein said interior spacer block has a generally rectangular profile in cross-section.

20. A metallic pallet of the type for supporting objects for storage and transport, the pallet comprising:
a generally planar top side having a substantially rectangular configuration defining four corners, said top side including four elongated outer top frame members, said top side including a first inner top frame member and a second inner top frame member, said second inner top frame member perpendicularly bisecting said first inner top frame member at a top intersection joint, said outer and inner top frame members being arranged to form four bounded top interior fields, said four bounded interior fields being generally equal in size and generally proportional to said rectangular configuration of said top side;
a generally planar bottom side having a substantially rectangular configuration defining four corners, said bottom side including four elongated outer bottom frame members, each said bottom frame member directly connected to the next adjacent bottom frame member at a truncated miter joint, said bottom side including a first inner bottom frame member and a second inner bottom frame member, said second inner bottom frame member perpendicularly bisecting said first inner bottom frame member at a bottom intersection joint;
a plurality of extruded aluminum spacer blocks, each said spacer block extending perpendicularly between said top and bottom sides for holding said top and bottom sides in generally parallel spaced and aligned relation to one another such that said corners of said top side are vertically aligned over said corners of said bottom side in corresponding pairs and said outer top and outer bottom frame members are arranged in opposing pairs, each said spacer block including at least one internal web, at least two of said spacer blocks comprising exterior spacer blocks extending directly between two opposing said outer top and outer bottom frame members, said exterior spacer blocks having a generally D-shaped profile in cross-section, said D-shaped profile of said exterior spacer blocks including a convex portion oriented outwardly from said pallet, one of said spacer blocks comprising an interior spacer block, said interior spacer block extending directly between said top and bottom intersection joints, said interior spacer block having a generally rectangular profile in cross-section;
four generally hollow corner pieces, each said corner piece extending between a respective aligned pair of said corners of said top and bottom sides, said corner pieces each interrupting the generally planar top and bottom sides such that said top and bottom sides do not15 overlie said corner pieces; and said top side further including a rigid, unitary quarter panel fixedly disposed in each of said four bounded top interior fields, each said quarter panel being fabricated from a die cast aluminum material, each said quarter panel being welded to the directly adjacent said outer and inner top frame members, each said quarter panel including at least one hand grip adjacent said inner top frame members, each said quarter panel including a plurality of lightening holes, each said quarter panel including a plurality of intersecting reinforcing ribs.