CN114206739A

CN114206739A - Shipping pallet and/or pallet therefor

Info

Publication number: CN114206739A
Application number: CN202080052223.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: B·库布雷
Original assignee: Rdp Group Ltd
Current assignee: Rdp Group Ltd
Priority date: 2019-07-12
Filing date: 2020-07-10
Publication date: 2022-03-18
Also published as: US20220289427A1; US20240083626A1; JP2022540644A; WO2021009635A1; EP3997005A1; EP3997005A4

Abstract

A pallet 1 for carrying a load and being lifted by the tines of a forklift is disclosed. The pallet 1 comprises a planar pallet 10 for receiving a load thereon and a base tray located below the pallet for supporting the pallet. The chassis includes a plurality of hollow beams 112 having a constant quadrilateral cross-section in the form of a grid to act as a flexure to aid in the palletized load support. The beams 112 span a plane parallel to the pallet 10 and are each oriented to have a vertical sidewall facing perpendicular to the plane of the pallet 10 and a horizontal sidewall facing parallel to the plane of the pallet 10. At each intersection of two beams of the grid, two vertical sidewalls of a first beam of the two beams are removed to allow a second beam of the two beams to pass through the first beam.

Description

Shipping pallet and/or pallet therefor

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a pallet for shipping and/or for use therewith.

Background

Shipping pallets for storing and transporting goods are primarily a double pallet construction made of wood panels and beams. The top and bottom of the pallet are typically defined by planks arranged in a parallel manner and which cooperate to provide the pallet as a laminated structure. This provides a pallet with high load bearing strength in bending and torsion. Such pallets made of wood are relatively inexpensive. They are typically designed to receive the tines of a forklift truck for lifting by the forklift truck when carrying a load.

However, wooden shipping pallets have several disadvantages.

One disadvantage arises in the trans-border shipment of goods carried on such pallets. Regulations in some countries require that wood be fumigated before leaving a seaport or arriving at an airport and entering the country. This can be expensive and time consuming. It is possible that untreated microorganisms may grow on/in the wooden pallet and this may be unhygienic if left behind.

Another disadvantage is that wooden pallets absorb water and become heavy and weak as a result. Wooden pallets are also very susceptible to impact damage. Damage to the guide plate caused by too fast a forklift entering the pallet is a common cause of failure.

Another disadvantage is that their transportation, for example for a round trip origin, can be cost prohibitive, and therefore wooden pallets are often discarded after one use. The double pallet version of this pallet is not suitable for economical transport to the site due to the volume of space it consumes. Pallets that can be nested in a stacked configuration address this problem. US7690215 and US3664272 are examples. Such nestable pallets are typically single-layer pallets. Double pallets generally prevent nesting. But not having a double pallet "laminated" structure compromises the strength of such single pallet pallets. Steel beams such as shown in US 5596933 may be introduced to increase the load bearing strength of a single-layer pallet. More/thicker steel beams can be added if higher strength is required. Or the beam may have a higher second moment of inertia to resist out-of-plane bending, preferably by increasing the height of the beam. More/thicker steel beams increase the weight of the pallet, which is undesirable as it increases manufacturing and shipping costs. Increasing the height of the beams reduces the compactness of the stacked nested pallets, which can increase storage and/or shuttle costs.

Pallets can be stored in storage racks that do not have pallets but rather have two parallel pallet support rails. Typically, the pallet is supported on two parallel rails of the storage rack at two opposite edges of the pallet. Storage racks can take two forms, the first being a drive-through type in which pallets are loaded onto two rails sequentially from one end of the rails, and the second being a standard rack in which pallets are loaded onto the rails transversely to the direction of the rails by lowering onto the rails. The load on top of the pallet causes the pallet to bend between the two rails. Therefore, the pallet needs to be strong in bending to resist collapse under load. Compared to a double pallet of similar weight and size, a single pallet, while better suited for nested stacking with similar pallets, may be weaker in bending. In addition, standard rack loading and unloading of single-pallet pallets can be problematic. The tines of a forklift require clearance between the rails and the pallet of the pallet.

When the pallet is designed with a chassis with a plurality of beams in a grid, excessive welding may be required at least at each joint or intersection of the beams. Furthermore, a chassis with an over-welded connection is unreliable and may be less robust, since there is a risk of cracks forming at the welded parts, or any other damage that may typically occur at the protected parts, especially due to fatigue or due to loading or overloading of the pallet. Even if the beams in the form of a grid are non-metallic beams, too many fixing/joining means (e.g. screws, nails, glue, etc.) may be required at each joint or intersection of the beams. Cracks, fractures and/or other damage often occur at such portions of the fixing/joining device and/or the chassis, especially due to fatigue or due to loading or overloading of the pallet. The beam may also accidentally detach and/or fall from the rest of the pallet due to fatigue or due to loading or overloading of the pallet.

Disclosure of Invention

Object of the Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a shipping pallet which addresses at least some of the disadvantages described above and/or which will provide the user with a useful choice.

Statement of the invention

In one aspect there is provided a pallet for carrying a load and capable of being lifted by the tines of a forklift, the pallet comprising a planar pallet for receiving a load thereon and a chassis beneath the pallet for supporting the pallet, the chassis comprising a plurality of hollow beams orthogonal in a grid to hollow beams of constant quadrilateral cross-section for acting in bending to assist in pallet load support, the beams spanning a plane parallel to the pallet and each being oriented to have vertical side walls facing perpendicular to the plane of the pallet and horizontal side walls facing parallel to the plane of the pallet,

wherein at the intersection of two beams of the grid, both vertical sidewalls of a first beam of the two beams are removed to allow a second beam of the two beams to pass through the first beam.

In one embodiment, the beam having the side walls removed at the intersection has at least some of its bottom horizontal side walls continuous and parallel and preferably adjacent at the intersection and contacting the bottom horizontal side walls of the beam passing through the first beam.

In one embodiment, the beam having the side walls removed at the intersection has at least some of its top horizontal side walls continuous and parallel and preferably adjacent at the intersection and contacts the top horizontal side walls of the beam passing through the first beam.

In one embodiment, the beam passing through the first beam has no cut-out near the intersection.

In one embodiment, the beams passing through the first beam have a constant cross-section at and near the intersection.

In one embodiment, the beam passing through the first beam is welded to the first beam at a region where the side walls of the two beams are adjacent to each other.

In one embodiment, the beam passing through the first beam is welded to the first beam at the region where the side walls of the two beams are adjacent to each other, rather than at the bottom horizontal side wall.

In one embodiment, the beam is square or rectangular in cross-section.

In one embodiment, the height of the beam substantially defines the thickness of the cargo board.

In one embodiment, at least one beam is made of sheet metal.

In one embodiment, all of the beams are made of sheet metal.

In one embodiment, at least one beam is roll formed from sheet metal.

In one embodiment, all of the beams are roll formed from sheet metal.

In one embodiment, the sheet metal is not thicker than 1.8mm thick.

In one embodiment, the sheet metal is about 1mm thick.

In one embodiment, the pallet is square in shape.

In one embodiment, the pallet is rectangular in shape.

In one embodiment, the pallet is a shipping pallet.

In one embodiment, the grid structure is comprised of at least two first sets of beams extending between a first pair of opposing sides of the pallet and at least two second sets of beams extending between a second pair of opposing sides of the pallet.

In one embodiment, at least one of the first and second sets of beams defines a bottom of the pallet where the tines of the forklift can engage to lift the pallet.

In one embodiment, a bottom of at least one of the beams is provided with (a) a design profile (b) at least one of the double walls of the sheet.

In one embodiment, the design profile and/or the two walls of the sheet material are arranged in a manner that increases the bending resistance of the beam bottom.

In one embodiment, the design profile and/or the two walls of the sheet material are arranged in a manner that increases the second moment of inertia of the beam bottom.

In one embodiment, the design profile of the sheet material is provided in a manner that increases the resistance of the profile at the bottom of the beam to bending.

In one embodiment, the design profile of the sheet material is provided in a manner that increases the second moment of inertia of the profile at the bottom of the beam.

In one embodiment, the first set of beams have the same cross-sectional profile.

In one embodiment, the beams of the second set have the same cross-sectional profile.

In one embodiment, the first set of beams is at least 700m long.

In one embodiment, the first set of beams is at least 800m long.

In one embodiment, the first set of beams is at least 900m long.

In one embodiment, the first set of beams is at least 1000m long.

In one embodiment, the first set of beams is at least 1100m long.

In one embodiment, the first set of beams is at least 1200m long.

In one embodiment, the second set of beams is at least 700m long.

In one embodiment, the second set of beams is at least 800m long.

In one embodiment, the second set of beams is at least 900m long.

In one embodiment, the second set of beams is at least 1000m long.

In one embodiment, the second set of beams is at least 1100m long.

In one embodiment, the second set of beams is at least 1200m long.

In one embodiment, the length of the first set of beams is no longer than 800m long.

In one embodiment, the length of the first set of beams is no longer than 900m long.

In one embodiment, the length of the first set of beams is no longer than 1000m long.

In one embodiment, the length of the first set of beams is no longer than 1100m long.

In one embodiment, the length of the first set of beams is no longer than 1200m long.

In one embodiment, the second set of beams is no longer than 800m long.

In one embodiment, the second set of beams is no longer than 900m long.

In one embodiment, the second set of beams is no longer than 1000m long.

In one embodiment, the second set of beams is no longer than 1100m long.

In one embodiment, the second set of beams is no longer than 1200m long.

In one embodiment, at least one of the beams of the first and second sets of beams is quadrilateral in cross-section and the design profile is a flange of the sheet metal extending into the interior or into the beam.

In one embodiment, the beam comprises a single layer of said sheet wall structure and a double layer of said sheet wall structure.

In one embodiment, the beam comprises a single layer of said sheet wall structure and a double layer of said sheet wall structure at a lower region of said beam.

In one embodiment, a plurality of posts extend downwardly from the pallet to allow the pallet to be stably supported on a horizontal surface such as the ground, pallet or similar or identical pallet.

In one embodiment, the pillars are formed (preferably integrally formed) as part of the top panel of the pallet.

In one embodiment, the pallet can be edge supported on parallel rails of the storage rack.

In one embodiment, the pallet is a single pallet.

In one embodiment, the pallet is capable of nesting with the same pallet in a stacked condition.

In one embodiment, the pallet includes four corners, which are chamfered corners.

In one embodiment, a shock absorber is provided at each corner of the pallet.

In one embodiment, the damper is provided by a rubber block.

In one embodiment the pallet is rectangular in shape, 1200mm in length and 1000mm in width.

In one embodiment, the total weight of the pallet is about 17 kg.

In one embodiment, the total weight of the pallet is 30kg or less, preferably 25kg or less, preferably 23kg or less.

In one embodiment, the beam is a center beam.

In one embodiment, welding occurs at the vertical sidewalls of the beams at each grid or intersection of two beams.

In one embodiment, welding occurs only at the vertical sidewalls of the beams at each grid or intersection of two beams.

In one embodiment, welding occurs at the vertical side walls and only one horizontal side wall of the beam at each grid or intersection of two beams.

In one embodiment, no welding occurs at the horizontal side walls of the beams at each grid or intersection of two beams.

In one embodiment, each beam is spaced apart from each side cargo panel parallel to the longitudinal axis along which the beam extends.

In one embodiment, each corner of the chassis is secured with a corner bracket.

In one embodiment, each corner bracket is L-shaped.

In one embodiment, each corner bracket is secured to the chassis by welding.

In one embodiment, welding occurs at each (or at least one) intersection of two beams.

In one embodiment, at each (or at least one) intersection of two beams, welding occurs only at the horizontal side walls of the beams.

In one embodiment, at each (or at least one) intersection of two beams, welding occurs only at the vertical sidewalls of the beams.

In one embodiment, welding occurs at the horizontal and vertical sidewalls of the beams at each (or at least one) intersection of the two beams.

In one embodiment, at each (or at least one) intersection of two beams, welding occurs at only one of the horizontal side walls of the beams.

In one embodiment, the welding occurs at the design profile of the beam.

In one embodiment, the welding occurs below the design profile of one or more beams.

In one embodiment, the welding occurs over the design profile of one or more beams.

In one embodiment, the welding occurs at each (or at least one) portion where the two beams contact each other.

In one embodiment, at each (or at least one) portion where two beams contact each other, welding occurs only at the horizontal side walls of the beams.

In one embodiment, at each (or at least one) portion where two beams are in contact with each other, welding occurs only at the vertical sidewalls of the beams.

In one embodiment, welding occurs at the horizontal and vertical sidewalls of the beams at each (or at least one) portion where the two beams contact each other.

In one embodiment, at each (or at least one) portion where two beams are in contact with each other, welding occurs at only one of the horizontal side walls of the beams.

In one embodiment, the horizontal surface of at least one or each beam remote from the pallet comprises a longitudinally extending slot extending between the ends of the at least one or each beam. In one embodiment, the welding occurs in a spaced apart configuration between the longitudinally extending grooves.

In another aspect there is provided a pallet for carrying a load and being liftable by the tines of a forklift, the pallet comprising a planar pallet for receiving the load thereon and a chassis beneath the pallet for supporting the pallet, the pallet having a top for supporting the load and a bottom opposite the top; at least four sides including a first pair of opposing sides and a second pair of opposing sides, the chassis being in the form of a grid and comprising: a first set of at least two spaced apart and parallel beams extending between a first pair of opposing sides of the pallet but spaced apart from a second pair of opposing sides of the pallet; and a second set of at least two spaced apart and parallel beams extending between but spaced apart from the first pair of opposing sides of the pallet,

wherein the first set of beams is orthogonal to the second set of beams,

wherein at each intersection of two beams of the grid, a first beam of the two beams has a notch or slot to allow a second beam to pass through the first beam.

In one embodiment, the beams are hollow beams having a constant quadrilateral cross-section, the beams spanning a plane parallel to the pallet and each oriented with vertical side walls perpendicular to the plane of the pallet and horizontal side walls parallel to the plane of the pallet.

In one embodiment, the notch or groove is formed by removing two vertical sidewalls of the first beam.

In one embodiment, the slot is formed by removing one of two vertical and horizontal side walls of the first beam, one of the horizontal side walls being adjacent to the pallet.

In one embodiment, the pallet and/or pallet is of the type described above or below.

In a first aspect, there is provided an individual pallet comprising:

a pallet having a top for supporting a load and a bottom opposite the top; at least four sides including a first pair of opposed sides and a second pair of opposed sides, the base including a chassis including a plurality of orthogonal hollow beams of constant quadrilateral cross-section in a grid to act upon bending to assist in pallet load support, the beams spanning a plane parallel to the pallet and each oriented to have vertical side walls facing perpendicular to the plane of the pallet and horizontal side walls facing parallel to the plane of the pallet,

In one embodiment the grid structure is provided by at least two first sets of said beams extending between a first pair of opposite sides of the pallet and at least two second sets of said beams extending between a second pair of opposite sides of the pallet.

In a further aspect there is provided a pallet as claimed in any one of the preceding statements wherein the pallet comprises a plurality of discrete distributed main posts depending from the pallet and projecting below the bottom of the pallet to assist in supporting the pallet on a surface.

In one embodiment, the pallet can be supported by spaced parallel rail edges of the storage rack.

In one embodiment, the pallet further comprises a plurality of discretely distributed main posts depending from and projecting below the bottom of the pallet to support the pallet on a surface.

In one embodiment, the pallet further comprises a plurality of discrete secondary supports for supporting the pallet on the tracks of the storage rack, each secondary support projecting at or below the bottom of the pallet and being disposed intermediate the primary support and an associated at least one of the four sides of the pallet to lift the bottom of the pallet above the rack to accommodate passage of the forklift tines between the tracks of the rack and the pallet of the pallet.

In one embodiment, the main and secondary uprights are spaced apart to allow the two tines of a forklift to pass between the main and secondary uprights to bear on the bottom of the pallet.

In one embodiment, the pallet width between the or a first pair of opposed sides of the pallet is greater than the gap between two spaced parallel rails of a storage rack on which the pallet may be supported on secondary posts.

In one embodiment, the plurality of main pillars are adjacent to and spaced inwardly along the first pair of opposing sides to allow the main pillars to be located in the middle of the tracks of the storage racks.

In one embodiment, the main pillars disposed along each of the first pair of opposing sides are spaced between the first pair of opposing sides such that the main pillars may be located in the middle of the tracks of storage racks.

In one embodiment, the primary support is disposed along each of the first pair of opposing sides that are spaced apart to prevent any of the first pair of opposing sides from falling off the rails of the storage rack due to lateral movement of the pallet relative to the rails when the pallet is supported on the rails by the secondary support.

In one embodiment, the main stanchion disposed adjacent each of the first pair of opposing sides is spaced between the first pair of opposing sides such that when the pallet is supported on the track by the secondary stanchion, the main stanchion adjacent each of the first pair of opposing sides engages the track to substantially prevent lateral movement of the pallet along the track.

In one embodiment, the main columns disposed along each of the first pair of opposing sides include a lead-in such that each main column tapers from an adjacent one of the first pair of opposing sides as the main column projects away from the base of the pallet.

In one embodiment, the main pillars each comprise a protrusion projecting from the base of the pallet, each protrusion tapering at least partially inwardly from each of the first pair of opposing sides as the main pillar extends from the base of the pallet.

In one embodiment, the plurality of main struts are adjacent to and spaced apart along the or a second pair of opposed sides to allow the main struts to be located intermediate each respective second side and the main strut adjacent each second side.

In one embodiment, the main posts disposed along the or each of the second pair of opposing sides are spaced apart to prevent any of the second pair of opposing sides from falling off the rails of the storage rack due to lateral movement of the pallet relative to the rails when the pallet is supported on the rails by a portion of the edge of the pallet proximate to each of the second pair of opposing sides.

In one embodiment, the main column disposed along each of the second pair of opposing sides includes a lead-in such that the main column tapers from an adjacent one of the second pair of opposing sides as the main column projects away from the base of the pallet.

In one embodiment, the primary struts project away from the bottom of the pallet a distance greater than the distance the secondary struts project from the pallet.

In one embodiment, the main stanchion disposed adjacent each of the second pair of opposing sides is spaced between the second pair of opposing sides such that when the pallet is edge supported on the track, the main stanchion adjacent each of the second pair of opposing sides engages the track to substantially prevent the pallet from moving laterally along the track.

In one embodiment, the main columns disposed along each of the second pair of opposing sides include a lead-in such that each main column tapers from an adjacent one of the second pair of opposing sides as the main column projects away from the base of the pallet.

In one embodiment, the main columns adjacent each of the first pair of opposing sides of the pallet are inset from their associated side of the pallet.

In one embodiment, a plurality of primary columns are distributed in a grid pattern from the pallet.

In one embodiment, the pallet includes at least four main posts, wherein four of the at least four main posts are disposed near one end of each of the two opposing sides.

In one embodiment, the pallet includes four corners at the intersection of the first pair of sides and the second pair of sides, and four main pillars are disposed at or toward each of the four corners.

In one embodiment, the pallet is or includes a quadrilateral shape.

In one embodiment, the pallet is or comprises a rectangle or square.

In one embodiment, the pallet includes one or more rounded or chamfered corners.

In one embodiment, a plurality of main struts are inset from each of the first pair of opposing sides.

In one embodiment, a plurality of main struts are inwardly adjacent and spaced apart along a first pair of opposing sides and a second pair of opposing sides.

In one embodiment, the secondary strut is disposed only intermediate the primary struts located adjacent and along the first pair of opposing sides.

In one embodiment, the secondary struts are not disposed intermediate the primary struts positioned adjacent and along the second pair of opposing sides.

In one embodiment, the number of secondary braces corresponds to the number of primary braces disposed immediately adjacent each of the first pair of opposing sides of the pallet.

In one embodiment, the pallet includes at least four secondary posts, wherein four of the at least four secondary posts are associated with four main posts disposed near an end of each of the first set of opposing sides.

In one embodiment, the width of the secondary struts in the direction of the first set of opposing sides is less than the width of the primary struts in the direction of the first set of opposing sides.

In one embodiment, at least some of the secondary posts are deck dependent.

In one embodiment, at least some of the secondary struts depend from at least some of the primary struts.

In one embodiment, the secondary struts depend from the primary strut positioned adjacent each of the first pair of opposing sides.

In one embodiment, the pallet may be supported on rails of the pallet on a plurality of secondary posts such that the pallet may be accessed by a forklift in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rails of the pallet.

In one embodiment, the pallet may be supported on a second set of opposing sides of the pallet such that the pallet may be accessed by a forklift in a direction substantially parallel to the rails of the pallet.

In one embodiment, the pallet between the main leg and each side of the second pair of opposing sides includes a ledge such that pallets supported on the second of the opposing sides are supported on the ledge of the pallet.

In one embodiment, the cargo board includes a roof, and the main columns depend from the roof.

In one embodiment, the main columns are integrally formed with the top panel of the pallet.

In one embodiment, the top panel comprises a plurality of main hollow depressions corresponding to the number of main posts and shaped to nest with main posts of another pallet, preferably as described above or below.

In one embodiment, the nesting includes receiving a main stanchion of another pallet at least partially within the plurality of main hollow depressions of the top deck.

In one embodiment, the top panel comprises a plurality of secondary hollow depressions corresponding to the number of secondary posts and shaped to nest with secondary posts of another pallet, preferably another dunnage board pallet, preferably as described above or below.

In one embodiment, nesting includes receiving a secondary leg of another pallet at least partially within the plurality of secondary hollow depressions of the top deck.

In one embodiment, the primary recess includes one or more third struts projecting towards the pallet of the pallet such that the pallet of the pallet and the pallet of the nested pallet remain separated to allow the tines of a forklift to pass between the pallets.

In another aspect, there is provided a system of pallets and pallets as described above or below, wherein the pallets are skid-mounted pallets, the skid-mounted pallets being either or both

On tracks of pallet racks supported on secondary uprights, the opposite sides of the pallet being tracks substantially parallel to the racks, or

Supported on opposite ends of the pallet, the opposite ends of the pallet being substantially parallel to the rails of the pallet.

In one embodiment, the pallet is of the type described above.

In a further aspect, there is provided a plurality of pallets described above or below, the pallets being single-tier pallets provided in a nested condition relative to one another.

In one embodiment, secondary braces are provided along all sides of the pallet.

In one embodiment, the spacing of the parallel beams between two adjacent main struts in a first orthogonal direction is different from the spacing of the parallel beams between two adjacent struts in a second orthogonal direction.

In one embodiment, the spacing between a beam and an adjacent main strut is the same for beams between all adjacent struts in said orthogonal direction.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless otherwise expressly stated, reference to such external documents is not to be construed as an admission that such documents, or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art, or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

For purposes of the following description, the terms "upper," "lower," "right," "left," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "lateral," "longitudinal," and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as it is oriented in the drawing figures. It is to be understood, however, that the invention may assume various alternative variations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following description, are simply exemplary embodiments of the invention. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.

It is to be understood that the term "comprising" may have an exclusive or inclusive meaning in various jurisdictions. For the purposes of this specification, and unless otherwise indicated, the term "comprising" shall have an inclusive meaning that it will allow for the inclusion of not only the listed components or elements, but also other non-specified components or elements. The terms "comprises" or "comprising" have similar meanings when used in relation to one or more steps in a system or method or process.

As used above and below, the term "and/or" means "and" or ", or both.

As used above and below, "s" following a noun means the plural and/or singular form of the noun.

As used in the claims, unless otherwise specified, the word "for" should be interpreted as meaning "adapted" only, and not specifically "adapted" or "configured," for example, for the purpose of presentation.

For the purposes of this specification, the term "plastic" is to be construed as a generic term referring to a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic polymeric products, and generally consisting of hydrocarbon-based polymers.

For the purposes of this specification, where method steps are described as sequential, the order does not necessarily imply that the steps are chronologically ordered in that order, unless there is no other logical way of interpreting the order.

The entire disclosures of all applications, patents, and publications (if any) cited above and below are hereby incorporated by reference.

For the purposes of this specification, the term "plastic" is to be construed as a generic term referring to a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic polymeric products, and generally consisting of hydrocarbon-based polymers. PLA is also envisaged.

Many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art to which the invention relates without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

figure 1 shows a perspective view of a pallet of the preferred form of the invention shown from above,

figure 2 is a bottom perspective view of the pallet of figure 1,

figure 3 is a top plan view of the pallet of figure 1,

figure 4 is a bottom view of the pallet of figure 1,

figure 5 is a side view of the pallet of figure 1,

figure 6 is an end view of the pallet of figure 1,

figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of two pallets nested in a stacked configuration,

figure 8 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the pallet of figure 1,

figure 9A shows a pallet seen in front view carrying goods stored in standard racks on parallel rails of the rack,

figure 9B is a view in the direction AA of figure 9A,

fig. 10A shows the pallet of fig. 1 on a drive-through pallet, the pallet carrying goods,

figure 10B shows a view in the direction BB of figure 10A,

figure 11A shows a side view of a variant of the pallet,

figure 11B shows a side view of another variation of a pallet,

figure 11C shows a side view of yet another variation of a pallet,

figure 12A shows an end view of a variant of the pallet,

figure 12B shows an end view of a variation of the pallet,

figure 12C shows an end view of another variation of a pallet,

figure 13A shows a bottom view of a pallet having perimeter beams and stanchions in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,

fig. 13B shows a bottom view of an embodiment of a pallet according to another embodiment of the present invention, having pillars but no perimeter beams,

fig. 13C shows a bottom view of a pallet according to yet another embodiment of the invention, having peripheral beams but no struts,

figure 13D shows a bottom view of an embodiment of the pallet without the posts and without the perimeter beams,

figure 13E shows the tines of the forklift of figures 13A-13D for lifting a pallet,

figure 14 shows a bottom perspective view of the pallet of figure 13A,

figure 15 shows a cut-away perspective view of the pallet of figure 13D,

figure 15A is a side view of the pallet and forklift tines of the pallet;

fig. 15B is a side view of the pallet supported on the pallet end on rails, showing the deflection of the pallet when under load,

fig. 15C is a side view of the pallet, showing uneven loading and the resulting uneven curvature of the pallet that may result from such loading,

figure 16 shows a bottom plan view of a metal frame for one example of a base pan for pallets in a pallet of the present invention,

figure 16A shows a detailed view of section a of figure 16,

figure 17 is a bottom plan view of the chassis of figure 16,

figure 17A shows a detailed view of section B of figure 17,

fig. 18A shows an example of a beam, which may be used in or define a chassis for pallets used in the pallet of the present invention,

figure 18B is a bottom plan view of the beam of figure 18A,

figure 18C shows a side view of the beam of figure 18A,

fig. 18D shows another example of a beam, which may be used to define the chassis of a pallet used in the pallet of the present invention,

figure 18E shows a side view of the beam of figure 18D,

fig. 18F shows an end view of the beam of fig. 18D. This can also be considered as a cross-sectional view of the beam of figure 18A or 18D in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the beam at a location that does not include a notch or groove,

fig. 19A-19B are bottom partial perspective views, showing two beams coupled at a notch of one of the two beams at an intersection or grid,

fig. 19C is a top perspective view of two beams, showing the two beams being joined at the intersection or grid at the slot of one of the two beams,

figure 20A shows the portions of the two beams at the intersections or grids where welding can occur,

figure 20B shows the horizontal wall of the beam in tension when a load is applied to the beam,

figure 21A shows a bottom perspective view of a metal frame for one example of a chassis for pallets in the pallet of the present invention,

figure 21B is a bottom plan view of the chassis of figure 21A,

figure 21C shows a view of the chassis of figure 21B in the direction XX,

figure 21D shows the chassis of figure 21B in a view in the direction YY,

figure 21E is a bottom plan view of the chassis of figure 21A,

figure 22A shows a detailed view of section C of figure 21B,

figure 22B shows a detailed view of section D of figure 21B,

figure 22C shows a detailed view of section E of figure 21B,

figure 22D shows a detailed view of section F of figure 21B,

figure 22E shows a detailed view of section G of figure 21E,

figure 22F shows a detailed view of section H of figure 21E,

figure 22G is a cross-sectional view of figure 21C taken along direction V-V,

figure 22H shows a cross-section along the direction ZZ of figure 21E,

figure 23A shows a perspective view of one of the beams of the chassis of figure 21A,

figure 23B is an end view of the beam of figure 23A,

figure 23C is a bottom plan view of the beam of figure 23A,

figure 23D shows a side view of the beam of figure 23A,

figure 24A shows a perspective view of another one of the beams of the chassis of figure 21A,

figure 24B is an end view of the beam of figure 24A,

figure 24C is a bottom plan view of the beam of figure 24A,

figure 24D shows a side view of the beam of figure 24A,

fig. 25 shows a corner bracket of the chassis of fig. 21A.

Detailed Description

Referring to figures 1 and 2, an individual pallet 1 is shown. The individual board pallet 1 can be supported by spaced parallel rail edges of the storage rack. It can also be lifted by forklift tines. The single-board pallet 1 may comprise a pallet 10 (defining a planar shape), the pallet 10 having a top 11 and a bottom 12 for supporting a load. Preferred constructions and materials for the pallet are described further below.

The pallet 10 of the pallet 1 comprises at least 4 sides including a first pair of opposed sides 13 and a second pair of opposed sides 14. The pallet may be edge supported along at least one pair of opposed sides of the pallet. In the most preferred form, the pallet is substantially quadrilateral, for example rectangular or square. Furthermore, the pallet may correspond to a pallet of standardized dimensions commonly used in the industry.

In a preferred form, the pallet has a square or rectangular plan shape and may, by way of example, have the following dimensions (with a preferred overall minimum load capacity in the edge support mode shown):

·600×800(2000kg)

·1000×1200(2000kg)

·1000×1000(2000kg)

other pallet sizes may include:

·1000×1200

·1006×1206

·1016×1219

·1067×1067

·1200×1200

·1020×1200

·1060×1200

·1100×1100

·1165×1165

·1166×1242

in a preferred form, as shown for example in fig. 1 and 2, a majority of the periphery of the pallet is formed to define a first pair of opposed sides 13 and a second pair of opposed sides 14. The first and second pairs of opposing sides intersect each other at four corners of the pallet 10. In some embodiments, the pallet may include one or more chamfered corners (see fig. 1). Additionally, or alternatively, the corners of the pallet may also include impact absorbers, such as rubberized covers (e.g., rubber blocks) or attachments for each corner.

The pallet may comprise a plurality of discretely distributed main posts 15. In the view of fig. 2a plurality of discretely distributed main struts 15 is shown. A plurality of main stanchions 15 preferably depend from the pallet 10 and project below the bottom 12 of the pallet 10 to support the pallet on a surface such as the ground or storage rack pallet in a manner that supports the pallet in an elevated manner above the ground/storage rack pallet. This ground clearance allows the forklift tines to pass under the pallet and then lift the pallet at the pallet (by bearing on the bottom 12 of the pallet 10). All main pillars preferably protrude an equal distance from the pallet 10.

At least two main legs 15 are preferably located near each edge of the pallet 10 to provide a stable platform for the cargo carried on the pallet when the pallet is supported on the ground or on another pallet or any other horizontal or substantially horizontal surface. There may thus be at least 4 main pillars, one pillar adjacent each corner of the pallet. Additional struts may be provided along each edge and/or intermediate the struts at the edges.

Preferably, the main support 15 has an opening at its bottom to allow liquid to flow through. The pallet 10 preferably has air holes. Preferably, the top panel or surface is one-piece and may have an edge lip. It may be covered with a non-slip coating.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the pallet 10 further may include a plurality of discrete secondary posts 16. In order to provide spacing such that the two tines of a forklift can pass between the main and

secondary legs

15, 16 and bear on the bottom of the pallet, the main legs can be distributed in a grid from the pallet. One such grid form is shown, for example, in figures 2 to 4, in which nine main pillars 15 project below the pallet and are arranged in aligned rows and columns.

The main pillars 15, particularly the perimeter main pillars closest to one or more sides of the pallet 10, may have a purposeful spatial relationship with either or both of the first and second pairs of

side portions

13, 14, as described below.

As shown in fig. 9A-9B and 10A-10B, in some cases, secondary posts 16 may be used to support pallets 1 at the upper edges of rails 19 of pallets 17 in order to lift pallets 10 above rails 19. This lifting allows the forklift tines to pass through the gap between the rails and the pallet and then lift the pallet 1 by engaging the bottom of the pallet 10. The racking system that may be used to house pallets in this configuration is sometimes referred to as a standard rack.

Each secondary leg 16 preferably projects below the bottom 12 of the pallet 10. They all preferably protrude an equal distance from the pallet 10.

In the preferred form, secondary braces 16 are located near the ends adjacent the edges to help provide a stable platform for goods carried on the pallet 1 when the edges are supported on standard shelf rails.

Each secondary leg 16 is preferably disposed intermediate the main leg 15 and an adjacent one of the four sides of the pallet 10 in plan view. For example, as shown in fig. 1 and 2, a plurality of main struts 15 are disposed adjacent to and along each of the first pair of side portions 13. Each secondary strut 16 is then disposed intermediate each primary strut 15 and their respective one of the first pair of side portions 13. In other embodiments, the secondary struts 16 may be disposed in an intermediate configuration along either or both of the first and second pairs of

sides

13, 14.

Figures 3 and 4 show views from above and below the pallet 1 showing the top 11 of the pallet 10, the bottom 12 of the pallet 10, and the primary and

secondary uprights

15, 16.

In the storage state, the secondary posts 16 serve to lift the bottom 12 of the pallet 10 above the pallet 17, more particularly above the rails 19 of the pallet 17, when the pallet 10 is supported on the rails 19 of the pallet 17. This height of the bottom of the pallet 10 is at least such as to accommodate the passage of forklift tines between the tracks 19 of the pallet 17 and the pallet 10 of the pallet 1.

Figure 5 shows a side view of the pallet 1. The secondary strut 16 is shown in a preferred position intermediate the outer primary strut 15 and the first pair of side portions 13. In some forms of pallet (not shown), a secondary brace 16 is also provided along each of the second pair of sides 14. In the preferred form, however, the secondary struts 16 are not disposed along each of the second pair of sides 14. Instead, the flanges 20 of the bottom 12 of the pallet 10 are disposed between the main pillars 15 and each of the second sides 14. This is shown for example in figure 10b and is provided to make the pallet suitable for a drive-through pallet as will be described below.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the main and

secondary legs

15, 16 are spaced horizontally to allow the two tines 100 of a forklift to be spaced apart a distance D to pass between the main and

secondary legs

15, 16 to bear on the bottom 12 of the pallet 10. Such spacing of the main and secondary uprights may be in the lengthwise direction of the first pair of side portions 13 or the second pair of side portions 14. However, in the preferred form, this horizontal spacing of the primary and secondary uprights is in both directions of the first and second pairs of

sides

13, 14 so that the pallet can be used as a four-way pallet. In such a configuration, when the tines of a forklift are introduced in a direction substantially perpendicular to either of the first pair of sides 13 or to either of the second pair of sides 14, both tines of the forklift may be allowed to pass between the main and secondary legs and bear on the bottom of the pallet.

To accommodate the secondary struts 16, the primary struts 15 may be inserted from each of the first pair of side portions 13. This is particularly the case in the configuration shown in figures 1 and 2, in which the secondary uprights 16 are positioned intermediate the main uprights 15 and one of the first pair of sides 13, but also directly between each main upright 15 and the adjacent part of its associated one of the first pair of sides 13.

In some forms, the secondary struts 16 may be disposed at different locations along the first pair of side portions 13 such that they are not directly between the primary strut 15 and an adjacent portion of one of the first pair of side portions 13.

In some embodiments, the secondary struts 16 may extend all the way to their respective first pair of sides 13.

The secondary uprights 16 may be provided independently of one or both of the pallet 10 and the main uprights 15. Three exemplary configurations of the secondary strut 16 are shown in fig. 11A to 11C. In fig. 11A, secondary legs 16 depend from both the pallet 10 and the primary legs 15, and may be integrally formed with both the pallet and the primary legs. In fig. 11B, the secondary strut 16 is provided to rely only on its associated primary strut 15. In fig. 11C, a peripheral secondary strut 16 will also be provided in a particular relationship relative to the second pair of side portions 14. The secondary struts 16 are preferably at least partially nestable, but may not be.

The pallet 1 may be edge supported on rails of a storage rack. A preferred form of providing such edge support is by providing a main strut 15 disposed along each of the second pair of sides 14, the main strut being inset from a respective one of the second pair of sides to provide the ledge 20. Figure 10b shows a view of pallet 1 along the second pair of sides 14 and shows a ledge 20 on which the pallet may be edge supported. If secondary struts 16 are not provided at corresponding locations along the first pair of side portions 13 to the primary struts 15, the secondary struts 16 at either end of the first pair of side portions 13 may also need to be inset from the second pair of side portions 14 in order to provide a ledge 20 for this form of shelf support.

In the preferred form, ledges 20 adjacent each second pair of sides 14 allow the pallet to be edge supported on a pair of rails 19 along the length of the second pair of sides.

In a preferred embodiment, the main uprights 15 are inserted from the first and second pairs of

sides

13, 14, while the secondary uprights 16 are arranged at least from the second pair of sides 14.

The pallet 1 can be supported on rails of a storage rack and the pallet's pallet 10 is accessible at its bottom for lifting by a forklift truck when the pallet is oriented with its first 13 or its second 14 pair of sides substantially parallel to the rails of the storage rack.

A view of a potential storage rack 17 that may be used with pallet 1 is shown in figures 9A to 9B and 10A to 10B. As shown in these figures, the support frame 17 comprises a plurality of uprights 18 and a plurality of associated parallel rails 19. The configuration shown in fig. 9 and 10 is merely exemplary, and any number of common variations, such as variations in the height, width, and number of rows of the tracks 19 of the support 17, may be provided within the scope of the invention.

Fig. 9A and 9B show a first shelf structure of the pallet 1. In this configuration, the first pair of sides 13 is oriented substantially parallel to the rails 19 of the support frame. When oriented in this manner relative to the rails 19, the pallet 1 is supported on the rails 19 by the secondary supports 16.

When supported on the secondary uprights 16 as shown in figures 9A and 9B, a gap is provided between the rails 19 and the pallet's pallet 10 so that the tines of a forklift can be accommodated between the pallet 10 and the rails 19.

When supported on the secondary uprights 16, the forklift can access the pallet 1 from the side of the pallet, i.e. in a direction perpendicular to the direction of elongation of the rails 19.

Thus, the depth of protrusion of the secondary uprights 16 away from the bottom 12 of the pallet 10 may be selected depending on the application, for example for different thicknesses of forklift tines, or for different desired clearances for the forklift tines.

Fig. 10A and 10B show a second shelf structure. In this configuration, the second pair of sides 14 of the pallet are oriented substantially parallel to the rails 19 of the support 17. The pallet is supported on rails 19 along ledges 20 of pallet 10, ledges 20 being adjacent each of the second pair of sides 14. In this storage configuration, any secondary supports 16 provided by the pallet 1 need not be supported on the rails. When supported on the pallet 17 with the second pair of sides 14 substantially parallel to the rails 19, the forklift will approach the pallet 1 in a direction parallel to the elongate direction of the rails 19, i.e. along the length of the supporting pallet 17.

Preferably, the width of the pallet 10 between either of a pair of sides of the pallet to be supported by the rails 19 is greater than the gap between the two spaced apart rails 19 of the storage rack 17. For example, in the case of a pallet to be supported on the secondary uprights 16, the width of the pallet 10 between the first pair of suggested sides 13 must be greater than the width of the gap between the two parallel rails of the support 17. Similarly, if the pallet is supported on ledge 20 of pallet 10 such that second pair of sides 14 are oriented substantially parallel to rails 19, the width of pallet 10 between second pair of sides 14 must be greater than the gap between rails 19.

Preferably, in either support orientation, the plurality of main struts are inwardly adjacent and spaced apart along at least one of the first and second pairs of sides, but preferably are inwardly adjacent and spaced apart along both pairs of sides. Thus, when the pallet is supported by the rails, the main support posts 15 will be located in the middle of the rails 19 of the storage rack.

A certain spacing of at least the main uprights 15 relative to the rails 19 of the supporting frame 17 is also desirable.

For pallet configurations at the boom 20 with its edges supported on the rails 19, the spacing of the perimeter main posts 15 along the first pair of sides 13 can be used to control the pallet lateral movement of both rails 19 when the pallet edges are supported on the rails. The main support 15 is located in the middle of the track 19. By providing a peripheral main post 15 closer to its adjacent rail 19 than the gap between the rail and the outer edge 14 of the pallet, the main post can be used to prevent the pallet from falling off the rail by restricting lateral movement of the pallet on the rail.

Similarly, the positioning of the main post 15 along the second pair of sides 14 may be designed to limit lateral movement of the pallet 1 relative to the rails 19 when the pallet is supported on the secondary posts 16.

An exemplary configuration of main support posts 15 distributed along the first pair of sides 13 to limit lateral movement of the pallet on rails 19 when pallet 1 is edge supported on ledges 20 of the pallet is shown in figure 10B.

The secondary supports 16 may be provided along all sides of the pallet 1. They are preferably located more outside the main uprights 15, but alternatively, at least in some cases, inside their adjacent main uprights 15.

Similarly, an exemplary embodiment is shown in figure 9B, which shows the distribution of the main posts 15 along the second pair of sides 14, so as to limit the lateral movement of the pallet 1 on the rails 19 when the pallet 1 is supported on its secondary posts 16.

In some forms, the arrangement of the main posts along the first and second pairs of sides may be such as to prevent the pallet from sliding off the rails on which it is supported. In other forms, the spacing of the main posts may be used to lock the pallet laterally on the rails 19 so as to limit or even substantially prevent lateral movement of the pallet onto the rails.

To accommodate the motion limiting relationship between the main uprights 15 and the tracks 19, particularly when loading the main uprights 15 and tracks 19 into the support frame 17, and also to prevent unwanted engagement between the main uprights 15 and tracks 19, at least a peripheral portion of the main uprights 15 may be provided with drop lines. This introduction may be characterized by the main pillar tapering away from the adjacent one of the first or second pair of

sides

13, 14 as the main pillar projects away from the base of the pallet. For example, see the embodiment of FIG. 2, wherein the main pillars 15 around the perimeter of the pallet 10 include lead-in wires such that at least their portions adjacent the first and second pairs of

sides

13, 14 taper from the sides of the pallet as the main pillars extend downward.

The distance that the main pillars extend below the pallet is preferably greater than the distance that the secondary pillars extend below the pallet. The distance of the secondary strut from the bottom of the pallet is 30 mm. The main strut distance may be, for example, 95 mm.

In a preferred form, the top 11 of the pallet 10 may be defined by a roof panel comprising a plurality of major hollow depressions 21. These main hollow depressions 21 correspond to the number of posts 15 and are shaped to nest with the main posts of another pallet of dunnage. Such a main hollow recess 21 is visible in fig. 1, for example.

Figure 7 shows a cross-section of two pallets 1 shown in a nested configuration.

To provide for more complete nesting of the individual pallet pallets of the present invention within one another in a stacked state, the top deck of the pallet of each pallet may further include a plurality of auxiliary hollow depressions 22 corresponding to the number and location of the secondary posts 16. The secondary hollow depressions 22 are shaped to nest with the secondary posts of another pallet of dunnage.

In the case of single pallet pallets to be nested together, it may be desirable to limit the extent to which the pallets are nested within one another so that the tines of a forklift can still pass between the pallets of the pallets in order to separate them. To this end, either or both of the primary hollow recess 21 or the secondary hollow recess 22 (if present) may be provided with at least one third pillar 23. A third strut 23 according to one embodiment is shown in figures 7 and 8. A third leg 23 extends from the bottom of the recess upwardly toward the top 11 of the pallet 10. The spacing of the pallets of the nested pallets from each other when they are in their nested condition can be controlled by varying the height of the third leg or legs 23.

In one arrangement, the top panel of the pallet is made of a plastic material. This may be compression moulding, vacuum moulding or injection moulding, for example. The primary struts preferably define primary recesses and the secondary struts define secondary recesses.

The pallet 1 as described above may, but need not, include the studs or recesses as described above. The pallet 1 may be of simple construction without any braces or indentations as shown in figures 13C and 13D. As shown in fig. 13C and 13D, the pallet 1 may comprise a pallet 10, wherein a chassis 110 is located below the pallet 10 for supporting the pallet 10.

Independent of the double pallet configuration, the single pallet 1 of the present invention as shown in figures 13A, 13B, 13C and 13D gains strength from the frame or chassis 110 of the metal beams 112. An example of the chassis 110 is also shown in fig. 16 and 17, fig. 16 being a top view of the chassis 110, and fig. 17 being a bottom view of the chassis 110. The chassis 110 of the metal beams mainly provides the load bearing capacity of the pallet 1/pallet 10. When the pallet 1/pallet 10 is edge supported, for example along the first 13 or second 14 pair of sides, the beams of the chassis 110 extending across the gap between the rails are bent to carry the load on the pallet. The number of beams and their second moment of inertia when bending in this way is therefore a major design factor.

In a preferred form, the pallet 1 includes a pallet of parallel beams extending in a first direction (i.e., extending from one of the first opposing sides 13 to the other of the first opposing sides 13) and parallel beams extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction (i.e., extending from one of the second opposing sides 14 to the other of the second opposing sides 14). Preferably, as shown in fig. 13A-13D, there are 4 beams extending in each direction. Preferably, the beam 112 is a hollow beam of constant quadrilateral shape (e.g., rectangular or square cross-section) as shown in fig. 18A-18F. The beam 112 is positioned at least as a central beam, meaning that the beam 112 is spaced from the

sides

13, 14 and corners 113 of the pallet/pallet. In other words, each beam 112 may be spaced apart (or spaced apart) from each

side

13, 14 of the pallet 10 parallel to the longitudinal axis along which the beam extends. The beams 112 may also define or be positioned as peripheral beams of the pallet 1.

The perimeter beams 111 shown in fig. 13A and 13C are purely optional. This is because the load is normally placed in the middle of the pallet 1 and therefore the cross members/beams 112 located in the middle/middle portion of the pallet 1/pallet 10 need to be strong. As shown in figures 13B and 13D, the base pan 110 comprises a plurality of beams 112 extending from or between a first pair of sides 13 of the pallet 1/pallet 10 and a beam extending between a second pair of sides 13 of the pallet 1, and there is no peripheral beam 13 in the pallet 1. Each beam 112 preferably has a hollow quadrilateral cross-section (e.g., a rectangular cross-section) as shown in fig. 18A-18F.

The beam 112 extending between the pair of sides 13 is preferably at a right angle to the beam extending between the pair of sides 14. The beams 112 extending between the pair of sides 13 are also preferably parallel to each other. Similarly, the beams 122 extending between a pair of sides 14 are also parallel to each other, as shown in fig. 13A. In addition, referring to fig. 16 and 17, only the chassis 110 is shown without the pallet 10. As shown, the plurality of orthogonal beams 112 provide a lattice structure (or lattice) to function when bent to assist in palletized load support. By having a hollow quadrilateral (e.g., rectangular or square cross-section) in cross-section, the beams are oriented such that the

vertical side walls

112A, 112A 'face a plane perpendicular to the pallet 10 and the

horizontal side walls

112B, 112B' face a plane parallel to the pallet 10. The beams 112 may be positioned/arranged and have a shape and configuration such that they may receive forklift tines to allow the pallet to be lifted.

At the intersection of two beams of the grid (e.g., intersection I), a first beam of the two beams preferably has its two

vertical sidewalls

112A, 112A' removed so as to allow a second beam of the two beams to pass through the first beam. Examples of beams are shown in fig. 18A-18E.

As shown in fig. 18A, two

vertical sidewalls

112A, 112A' and one of the two horizontal sidewalls (top horizontal sidewall 112B) of the beam 112 are removed at a portion where the beam 112 is configured to intersect the other beam. It will be appreciated that when the chassis 110 supports the pallet 10, the top horizontal side walls 112B of the beams 112 are the horizontal side walls that are closer to the pallet 10 and the bottom horizontal side walls 112B' are the walls that are further from the pallet 10. A notch 150 is formed in the beam 112 by removing the top horizontal sidewall 112B and the two vertical sidewalls.

Fig. 19A-B show how two beams with such a notched structure are connected together to form a grid at each intersection point I of the beams 112 in the chassis 110. In fig. 19A-B, a first beam of the two beams is denoted by reference numeral 112' and a second beam passing through the first beam is denoted by reference numeral 112 ". It should be understood that the second beam 112 "may be, but need not be, the same type as the first beam 112'. In other words, the second beam 112 "may be any suitable beam that is capable of being received within the recess 150 formed on the first beam 112'.

Thus, as will be appreciated from the above, at the intersection of two beams 112 ', 112 "of the grid, a first beam 112 ' of the two beams may have its vertical side wall 112A and one of the horizontal side walls (near the top horizontal side wall 112B of the pallet) to provide a recess 150 that allows a second beam 112" of the two beams to pass through the first beam 112 '.

Alternatively, it is possible that at the intersection of two beams 112 ', 112 "of the grid, the first beam 112' of the two beams may have both of its

vertical side walls

112A, 112A 'removed, but the horizontal side walls (i.e. the top horizontal side wall 112B adjacent to the pallet and the bottom horizontal side wall 112B' remote from the pallet) remain unremoved and continuous. This configuration provides a slot 160 formed at the first beam 112' that allows the second beam 112 "of the two beams to pass through the first beam 112".

As shown in fig. 18D, two

vertical sidewalls

112A, 112A' of the beam 112 are removed at a portion where the beam 112 is configured to intersect another beam. However, neither the top horizontal sidewall 112B nor the bottom horizontal sidewall 112B' is removed. It will be appreciated that when the chassis 110 supports the pallet 10, the top horizontal side walls 112B of the beams 112 are those closer to the pallet 10 and the bottom horizontal side walls 112B' are those further from the pallet 10. A slot 160 is formed in the beam 112 by removing only the two lower vertical sidewalls.

Fig. 19C shows how two beams are connected together with this slot arrangement to form a grid at each intersection point I of the beams 112 in the chassis 110. In fig. 19C, a first beam of the two beams is denoted by reference numeral 112', and a second beam passing through the first beam is denoted by reference numeral 112 ". It should be understood that the second beam 112 "may be, but need not be, the same type as the first beam 112'. In other words, the second beam 112 "may be any suitable beam that is capable of being received within the slot 160 formed on the first beam 112'.

It will be appreciated that by having this configuration, less welding of two orthogonally oriented beams 112 is required at the junction/intersection of the grid. For example, at each grid or intersection/junction of two beams 112', 112 ", welding may occur only at the vertical sidewalls of the beams. Little or no welding may occur at the horizontal side walls of the beams at the connections/intersections or at the grid. In one configuration, the welding may occur at the top horizontal sidewall on the beam. In one configuration, welding may be performed at the top horizontal and vertical sidewalls of the beam, but welding may not be required at the bottom horizontal sidewall 120B of the beam (see fig. 20A). Since the bottom side wall 112B of the first beam 112 'continuously supports the second beam 112 ", the second beam 112" does not fall off even when no welding is applied to the bottom horizontal side walls 120B of the beams 112' and 112 ".

This may be advantageous because, due to the need for less welding at the joint, the risk of cracks forming at the weld, or any other damage that may typically occur at the protected portion, may be completely prevented or avoided, in particular due to fatigue or due to loading or overloading of the pallet. In particular, the bottom horizontal sidewall 112B' of one of the two beams at the intersection is continuous. This means that in the region of highest bending moment stress in the beam (at the bottom), the two

beams

112, 112 "have a continuity of material. If the two beams 112' and 112 "at the intersection are in abutting relationship, where only one beam may have its bottom horizontal sidewall continuous, there is no discontinuity.

Fig. 20B shows a load L applied to the beam. Tension T occurs at the bottom horizontal side wall supporting the load. An example of a stress and strain map of a beam is also shown in fig. 20B.

As shown in fig. 13A and 13C, the grid of metal beams may comprise peripheral beams 111, but as mentioned above, such peripheral beams 111 are purely optional. The perimeter beams 111 may meet at a corner 113, the corner 113 being a right angle corner or a chamfered corner. The preferred form chamfered corners are shown in fig. 13A-13D. The corners may also be rounded. The chamfered configuration at the corners of the perimeter beams provides additional strength to the corner regions of the pallet. Corner region 113 may additionally carry a shock absorbing element, such as that shown at the lower left corner in fig. 13A showing shock absorber 114. The shock absorber may be made of rubber or plastics material.

In one example, the perimeter beams 111 have a C or U cross-sectional shape. In a preferred form, the region 116 of the C-shaped perimeter beam 111 is the outermost portion of the frame 110. The beam may also be box-shaped or trapezoidal.

Alternatively, and more preferably, the peripheral beams 111 may also have a hollow quadrilateral cross-section (e.g., a rectangular cross-section) similar to the beams 112. At the grid where the perimeter beams 111 and beams 112 intersect, the perimeter beams 111 or beams 112 preferably have their two vertical sidewalls 112A removed to allow the second of the two

beams

111, 112 to pass through the first beam. It is possible that at the intersection of the two

beams

111, 112 of the grid, one of the two

beams

111, 112 preferably has its vertical side wall 112A and one of the horizontal side walls removed, in order to allow the second of the two beams to pass through the first beam. As mentioned above, the peripheral beams 111 are purely optional, and in the most preferred embodiment the pallet preferably does not have such peripheral beams 111.

Figures 21A-E show another example of a chassis 210, which chassis 210 may be used as described above or as part of a pallet 1. Figure 21A shows a bottom perspective view of a metal frame of a chassis 210 for a pallet of several embodiments of a pallet 1 as described above. Fig. 21B is a bottom plan view of the chassis of fig. 21A. Fig. 21C shows a view of the chassis of fig. 21B in the direction XX, and fig. 21D shows a view of the chassis of fig. 21B in the direction YY. Fig. 21E is a bottom plan view of the chassis of fig. 21A.

As shown, the plurality of orthogonal beams 212A-212L provide a lattice structure to function when bent to aid in palletized load support.

Fig. 22A-22F show detailed views of various portions of fig. 21B and 21E. Specifically, fig. 22A shows a detailed view of section C of fig. 21B. Fig. 22B shows a detailed view of section D of fig. 21B. Fig. 22C shows a detailed view of section E of fig. 21B. Fig. 22D shows a detailed view of section F of fig. 21B. Fig. 22E shows a detailed view of section G of fig. 21E. Fig. 22F shows a detailed view of section H of fig. 21E. Fig. 22G shows a cross-sectional view in the direction VV of fig. 21C, fig. 22H shows a cross-sectional view in the direction ZZ of fig. 21E, and fig. 22A to 22F also show the welded portion W. The welded portion W is shown as an example. The chassis of fig. 21A-E need not be welded in exactly the same manner as shown in fig. 22A-F, and fewer welds than shown in fig. 22A-F are equally possible.

Fig. 23A-23D show how beams 212A-212H look. Specifically, FIG. 23A shows a perspective view of one beam (although labeled 212A, it could be any of beams 212A-212H). Fig. 23B is an end view of beam 212A of fig. 23A. Fig. 23C is a bottom plan view of beam 212A of fig. 23A. Fig. 23D shows a side view of the beam of fig. 23A.

Similarly, FIGS. 24A-24D show how beams 212I-212L look. Specifically, FIG. 24A shows a perspective view of one beam (although labeled as 212I, it could be any of beams 212I-212L). Fig. 24B is an end view of the beam of fig. 24A. Fig. 24C is a bottom plan view of the beam of fig. 24A. Fig. 24D shows a side view of the beam of fig. 24A.

As shown, the cross-section of beams 212A-212L may be hollow quadrilateral (e.g., rectangular or square cross-section). With such a cross-section, the beams may be

vertical side walls

213A, 213B, 213C, 213D and

horizontal side walls

215A, 215B, 215C, 215D, the

vertical side walls

213A, 213B, 213C, 213D being perpendicular to the plane of the pallet 10 and the

horizontal side walls

215A, 215B, 215C, 215D being parallel to the plane of the pallet 10.

Beams 212A-212L may be positioned/arranged and have a shape and configuration such that they may receive forklift tines to allow the pallet to be lifted.

As shown in fig. 24A, at the intersection point of two beams of the grid (e.g., intersection point J), a first beam of the two beams preferably has its two vertical sidewalls 213C, 213D removed to allow a second beam of the two beams to pass through the first beam. As also shown in fig. 24B, the beam 221I may have its vertical sidewalls 213C, 213D and one of the two horizontal sidewalls (top horizontal sidewall 215C) removed at the portion where the beam 112 is configured to intersect the other beam (preferably any of the beams 212E-212H). It should be understood that when the chassis 210 supports the pallet 10, the top horizontal side wall 215C is the horizontal side wall proximate to the pallet 10 and the bottom horizontal side wall 215D is the wall distal from the pallet 10. Notches 250 are formed in the

beams

212I, 212L by removing the top horizontal sidewall 112B and the two vertical sidewalls.

Fig. 22C shows how two beams with such a notched structure are connected together to form a grid at each intersection J of beams 212E-212L in chassis 210.

It will be appreciated that by having a structure as described above, less welding of the two orthogonally oriented beams 212E-212L is required at the junctions/intersections of the grid. The detailed views of fig. 22A-22F show examples where welding W may be required. Preferably, welding may only be required at each grid or intersection/junction of the two beams. The welding may only occur at the vertical side walls of the beam. Little or no welding may occur at the horizontal side walls of the beams at the connections/intersections or at the grid.

Since less welding is required at the joint, the risk of cracks forming at the welded portions, or any other damage that may typically occur at the protected portions, may be prevented, in particular due to fatigue or due to loading or overloading of the pallet. The corners may be L-shaped as shown in fig. 21A-E. The corner may include a corner bracket 217. Fig. 25 shows an example of a corner bracket that may be welded (see fig. 22A, where the weld area is shown by W) or otherwise attached to each corner of the chassis. The region 217 may additionally carry shock absorbing elements such as shock absorbers. The shock absorber may be made of rubber or plastics material.

It will thus be appreciated from the above that the pallet 1 of the present invention may comprise a pallet/pallet for receiving a load thereon and a chassis 110, 210 (shown in figures 16, 17, 21A-21E) located beneath the pallet 10 for supporting the pallet 10. The pallet has a top 118 for supporting a load and a bottom opposite the top, at least four sides including a first pair of opposed sides 13 and a second pair of opposed sides 14. The

chassis

110, 210 is in the form of a grid as shown in fig. 16, 17, 21A-21E. As shown, the

chassis

110, 210 includes a first set of at least two spaced apart and parallel beams extending between a first pair of opposing sides of the pallet, but spaced apart from a second pair of opposing sides of the pallet. 13D-13D, 16, 17, 21A-21E, the

chassis

110, 210 also includes a second set of at least two spaced-apart and parallel beams extending between the second pair of opposing sides of the pallet, but spaced-apart from the first pair of opposing sides of the pallet. The first set of beams is orthogonal to the second set of beams. At each intersection of two beams of the grid, a first beam of the two beams has a

notch

150, 250 or slot 160 to allow a second beam to pass through the first beam.

In a preferred form, all of the

beams

112, 212A-212L are coplanar. In a preferred form, all of the

beams

112, 212A-212L have the same height so as to together define the bottom 12 of the pallet 10. The bottom 12 of the pallet is thus of planar (despite the discontinuous grid of beams) construction, allowing the tines of a forklift to support the pallet on the bottom surface.

The frame/

chassis

110, 210 is optionally encapsulated by plastic. The plastic may define a top plate 118, the top plate 118 defining the top 11 of the pallet 1. In a preferred form, the plastic may also extend around the periphery of the peripheral beams and may also extend over the bottom of the beams to define the bottom of the pallet 1. The plastic housing of the frame may be formed from at least two sections of plastic bonded together. Defining the main portion of the top plate 118 and the stanchions, as well as additional portions of the plastic received by the frame from below. The top plate may be made of fiber reinforced plastic. The top panel may be adapted and depicted to help hold the beams in a column during bending rather than deflecting laterally during bending.

Alternatively, the plastic may define only the top plate 118 and the main and

secondary struts

15, 16, with the frame 110 being fixed or otherwise bonded to the plastic.

In some forms, the plastic may be compression molded around the beam grid 110 or injection molded around the beam grid.

The top deck is where goods or loads are supported on the pallet. The load may be evenly distributed over the beam. However, in many cases, pallets may have uneven load distribution. In addition, pallets can be picked up by the tines of a forklift in a manner that results in uneven load distribution and point loading of the tines of the forklift on the bottom of the pallet. In addition, the forklift may hit the sides of the pallet at a certain speed, and this may cause damage to the pallet.

Referring to figure 15a, it can be seen that when a forklift picks up a pallet 1, the tines 100 of the forklift may contact the bottom of the pallet 10 (i.e. the bottom of the beams of the pallet) in a manner which produces a point load as shown in figure 15 a. This loading L on the

beams

112, 212A-212L may cause the walls of the

beams

112, 212A-212L at the bottom of the pallet to buckle or crush. One way to avoid this point loading damaging the bottom of the beam, potentially reducing the strength of the pallet, is to increase the gauge thickness of the

beam

112, 212A-212L. However, increasing gauge thickness increases the weight of the beam, thereby increasing the weight of the pallet. Given that the most likely location for lift mode damage to occur with a forklift is the

beam

112, 212A-212L at the bottom region of the beam, it has been found that reinforcing the beam at the bottom region can be achieved without substantially increasing the weight of the

beam

112, 212A-212L.

The

beams

112, 212A-212L can still be manufactured from thin gauge cold rolled steel sheet, yet provide enhanced crush/bend resistance due to, for example, the wall profile by design (e.g., the

regions

130, 230 at the bottom surfaces 131, 231 of the bottom side walls 112B', 215B, 215D, as shown in fig. 18A-18E, 23B, 24B. the design profile at the

regions

130, 230 are, for example, internal flanges extending into the hollow cross section of a rectangular cross section beam, as shown in fig. 18A-18E, 23B and 24B. the designed profile enhances the second moment of inertia of the bottom of the beam and thus enhances the resistance of that region of the beam to crush or impact damage caused by, for example, point loading of the ends of the forklift tines on the bottom of the beam. The

beams

112, 212A-212L may remain thin gauge steel, but may have a form in the base region for enhancing the strength of the base region. This allows the

beams

112, 212A-212L to remain low in weight because such an enhanced strength structure is not required in other portions of the beams.

In the alternative, the strength of the bottom of the

beams

112, 212A-212L may be enhanced by forming a thin gauge plate in a manner that doubles the layer of plate at the bottom surface.

Also, the perimeter beams (if present) may have double the sheet metal at the bottom to also help resist impact damage of the perimeter beams at the bottom. Thus, forming the sheet metal to substantially define the beam to enhance local strength of the beam may be achieved, rather than enhancing the thickness of the sheet metal used to form the entire beam, thereby providing weight savings.

The double area of the beam preferably extends along the entire length of the beam. In another configuration, however, a double region may be provided intermediate the ends of the beam, yet still provide enhanced resistance to bending.

As mentioned above, the forklift tines 100 are able to reach under the pallet 1 at a location between the main uprights 15. The horizontal spacing between the main uprights 15 allows sufficient lateral clearance between the uprights of the tines of the forklift.

To ensure that the forklift tines (typically 100mm wide) contact the bottom of the pallet at the location where the beams 112 are located (the beams 112 extend in the forking direction), the beams 112 are preferably located between the gaps between the main posts. The gap G for the forklift tines 100 (of fig. 13E) to pass through can be seen in fig. 13. The forklift tines 100 will bear on the beam 112. When the pallet is stored on the ground, for example, the main posts support the pallet on the ground, and the only gap through which the forklift tines pass under the pallet is the gap between adjacent main posts. Given that the forklift tines typically have a width W of 100mm wide, the gap G between the main uprights and the positioning of the beams 112 in the gap are preferably such that the forklift tines are always in contact with the beams 112, or two or more beams 112 are provided which extend between the gaps G of adjacent main uprights.

In one example, the distance K is preferably less than 100mm so that if the forklift tines rest against the main column, the tines are located under the beam 112 on their other side. Also, the distance K2 between the beams may be less than 100mm so that the forklift tines cannot slide between the gaps between the parallel center beams, as shown in fig. 13. In one example, for example, the spacings K1 and K2 are about 70 mm. Again, the spacing may be in the other direction but is not described in detail but the skilled person will understand how this will work to ensure that the forklift tines reaching under the pallet of the pallet will always bear on the centre sill of the pallet. The spacing on the other axis may be different than the axis shown.

It will be appreciated that only one forklift tine is shown in figure 13E, however two forklift tines are typically used to lift the pallet, the other forklift tine entering a gap adjacent to the gap. As mentioned above, the forklift tines may also reach under the pallet in a direction transverse to the direction shown in fig. 13, between the gaps of adjacent main pillars spaced apart in the other direction.

The pallet of the present invention may be made of a lightweight construction. This helps to reduce shipping/return costs. It also allows the handling of the pallet by hand. As an example, some of the weight of a pallet that can be edge supported and can support 2500kg of evenly distributed load may be as follows:

(a) 1200X 800 to about 18kg

(b) 1200X 1000 to about 22 kg.

The pallet may nest to about 50% or more of its height, further saving shuttle costs.

The height of the pallet, which is defined primarily by the height of the metal frame/chassis plus the plastic, may be between 30 and 60 mm.

Using thin gauge sheet metal, preferably cold rolled to the desired beam shape, preferably allows at least one of the intermediate beam and the peripheral beam to remain lightweight in construction, but with local reinforcement (e.g., by providing a designed profile and/or doubling the layers of sheet metal at certain locations) to improve impact/wrinkle resistance. In a preferred form, the steel gauge used is preferably between 0.045 and 1.8mm thick. Preferably, the sheet gauge thickness is 1 mm. Examples of dimensions and other characteristics of exemplary profiles that may be used for the perimeter and/or center beams are shown below.

The

beams

112, 212A-212L may be made of a single plate or of two plates, each plate having half the profile made of cold rolled steel, forming a box shape, and joining the two ends of the plate by continuous or spot welding, if desired. Parameters are as follows:

TABLE 1

Load distribution potentially has more detrimental effects on the performance of the pallet than the size of the load. As shown in fig. 15B, a pallet with a centrally applied load between each side support (e.g. rails 19 of the pallet) will result in a substantially uniform curved profile of the beams of the pallet extending between the rails. However, as shown in figure 15B, uneven load distribution of the pallet may result in an uneven curved profile and, as a result, the curvature R1 at and/or near one rail 19 is higher than the curvature R2 at or near the other opposing rail. A higher curvature R1 (even though the load L in fig. 15A may be the same as the load L in fig. 15B) may cause goods stacked on the pallet to topple more easily in region R1, assuming that the region of the top of the pallet on which the goods are located is sloped. Therefore, in designing a pallet, it is important to take into account uneven load distribution and to ensure that the beams are sufficiently rigid so as not to bend to fail or cause significant tilting of the top of the pallet, which could potentially destabilize the cargo on top. The cargo may also crush itself as they may be on it.

It will therefore be appreciated that the design of a pallet as described above may achieve good and desirable results for carrying loads of up to two tonnes on the pallet and therefore of sufficient strength, yet still be able to rely on a reduction in pallet thickness and/or be nested without the provision of a double pallet form. Furthermore, the tension between the weight of the pallet and the strength of the pallet is also suitably provided intact. The pallet is strong enough but light enough to be handled by hand. In addition, the pallet is able to handle a considerable degree of wear and tear and potential damage from, for example, forklift tines.

Although described herein as a pallet, such as a shipping pallet comprising a pallet and primary and preferably secondary legs, it will be appreciated that the pallet can also be used as part of a shipping crate, such as a crate comprising a pallet as described herein and side walls extending vertically above the pallet. These side walls may define an enclosure/crate in which goods are stored. The side walls may also assist in the load transfer of a plurality of similar stacked crates from one pallet to another at the edges of the pallet, rather than through a post located in the middle of the footprint of the crate.

The invention described herein also includes a system of nesting single pallet pallets as described herein, in combination with standard pallets and preferably drive-through pallets. It will be appreciated that the pallet as already described herein may be adapted for use with standard and/or drive-through pallets.

The pallet of the present invention is preferably made of non-biological materials. The pallet is preferably made of plastic or metal.

The pallet is preferably a four-way pallet allowing the tines to enter from four sides of the pallet. Preferably, the access openings (gaps) between adjacent main pillars are of the same height on all sides, based on the fact that the main pillars extend an equal distance from the pallet.

An optional perimeter frame may be provided to facilitate storage of the racks in drive-over racks. The pallet drive-through racking is realized by ledges on the outside of the main posts, outside the two parallel sides of the pallet. In addition, working with the posts spaced from the tracks of the drive-over rack will help to hold the pallet on the tracks on the drive-over rack and prevent the pallet from sliding off the rack.

If the post and corner are damaged, replacement may be performed.

Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to elements or equivalents having known equivalents, then such equivalents are included as if individually set forth.

Although the present invention has been described by way of example and with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications and/or improvements may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A pallet for carrying a load and being liftable by the tines of a forklift, the pallet comprising a planar pallet for receiving a load thereon and a chassis below the pallet for supporting the pallet, the chassis comprising a plurality of hollow beams of constant quadrilateral cross-section in the form of a grid, the hollow beams being curved to assist in pallet load support, the beams spanning a plane parallel to the pallet and each being oriented to have vertical side walls facing perpendicular to the plane of the pallet and horizontal side walls facing parallel to the plane of the pallet,

2. The pallet of claim 1 wherein the beam having the side walls removed at the intersection has at least some of its bottom horizontal side walls continuous and parallel and adjacent at the intersection and contacts the bottom horizontal side wall of the beam passing through the first beam.

3. A pallet as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the beam having the side walls removed at the intersection has at least some of its top horizontal side walls continuous and parallel and adjacent at the intersection and contacts the top horizontal side wall of the beam passing through the first beam.

4. A pallet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the beams passing through the first beam are free of cuts near the intersections.

5. A pallet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the beams passing through the first beams have a constant cross-section at and near the intersections.

6. A pallet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the beam passing through the first beam is welded to the first beam at the region where the side walls of the two beams are adjacent to each other.

7. A pallet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the pallet is a shipping pallet.

8. A pallet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the grid is formed from at least two first sets of said beams extending between a first pair of opposed sides of the pallet and at least two second sets of said beams extending between a second pair of opposed sides of the pallet.

9. A pallet as claimed in claim 8 wherein at least one of the first and second sets of beams defines a base of the pallet at which the tines of the forklift can engage to lift the pallet.

10. A pallet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the base of at least one of said beams is provided with (a) a design profile (b) at least one of the double walls of said sheet material.

11. A pallet as claimed in claim 10 wherein the design profile and/or two walls of the sheet material are provided in a manner to increase the resistance to bending of the base of the beam.

12. A pallet as claimed in claim 10 wherein the design profile and/or two walls of the sheet are arranged in a manner to increase the second moment of inertia of the base of the beam.

13. The pallet according to any one of claims 10 to 12 wherein at least one of the beams of the first and second sets of beams is quadrilateral in cross-section and the design profile is a flange of the sheet metal extending into the interior or into the beam.

14. A pallet as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 13 wherein the beam comprises a single layer of the sheet wall structure and a double layer of the sheet wall structure.

15. A pallet as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 13 wherein the beam includes a single layer of the sheet wall structure and a double layer of the sheet wall structure at a lower region of the beam.

16. A pallet as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15 wherein a plurality of posts extend downwardly from the pallet to allow the pallet to be stably supported on a horizontal surface such as the ground, pallet or similar or identical pallet.

17. A pallet as claimed in claim 16 wherein said posts are integrally formed as part of the top deck of said pallet.

18. A pallet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the pallet is capable of being edge supported on parallel rails of a storage rack.

19. A pallet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the pallet is a single pallet.

20. A pallet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the pallet is nestable with the same pallet in a stacked condition.

21. The pallet according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the pallet comprises four corners, the four corners being chamfered corners.

22. A pallet as claimed in claim 21 wherein a shock absorber is provided at each corner of the pallet.

23. A pallet as claimed in claim 22 wherein the shock absorbers are provided by rubber blocks.

24. A pallet for carrying a load and being liftable by the tines of a forklift, the pallet comprising a planar pallet for receiving the load thereon and a chassis beneath the pallet for supporting the pallet, the pallet having a top for supporting the load and a bottom opposite the top; at least four sides including a first pair of opposing sides and a second pair of opposing sides, the chassis being in the form of a grid and comprising: a first set of at least two spaced apart and parallel beams extending between a first pair of opposing sides of the pallet but spaced apart from a second pair of opposing sides of the pallet; and a second set of at least two spaced apart and parallel beams extending between but spaced apart from the first pair of opposing sides of the pallet,

wherein the first set of beams is orthogonal to the second set of beams,

25. A pallet as claimed in claim 24 wherein said beams are hollow beams of constant quadrilateral cross-section, said beams spanning a plane parallel to said pallet and each being oriented to have a vertical side wall perpendicular to the plane of said pallet and a horizontal side wall parallel to the plane of said pallet.

26. A pallet as claimed in claim 24 or 25 wherein the recesses or grooves are formed by removing two vertical side walls of the first beam.

27. A pallet as claimed in claim 24 or 25 wherein said grooves are formed by removing one of two vertical and horizontal side walls of said first beam, one of said horizontal side walls being adjacent said pallet.

28. An individual pallet comprising:

29. The pallet of claim 28 wherein the grid structure is comprised of at least two first sets of beams extending between a first pair of opposing sides of the pallet and at least two second sets of beams extending between a second pair of opposing sides of the pallet.

30. A pallet as claimed in claim 28 or 29 wherein at least one of the first and second sets of beams defines a base of the pallet at which the tines of the forklift can engage to lift the pallet.

31. A pallet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the pallet comprises a plurality of discrete distributed main posts which depend from the pallet and project below the bottom of the pallet to assist in supporting the pallet on a surface.

32. A pallet as claimed in claim 31 wherein the pallet further comprises a plurality of discrete secondary posts for supporting the pallet on the tracks of the storage racks, each secondary post projecting below the bottom of the pallet and being disposed intermediate the main post and an associated at least one of the four sides of the pallet to lift the bottom of the pallet above the racks to accommodate passage of the forklift tines between the tracks of the racks and the pallet's pallet.

33. A pallet as claimed in claim 32 wherein the main and secondary supports are spaced apart to allow the two tines of a forklift to pass between the main and secondary supports to bear on the bottom of the pallet.

34. A pallet as claimed in claim 33 wherein the width of the pallet between the or a first pair of opposed sides of the pallet is greater than the gap between two spaced parallel rails of a storage rack on which the pallet may be supported on secondary posts.

35. The pallet of claim 34, wherein the plurality of main columns are adjacent to and spaced inwardly along the first pair of opposing sides to allow the main columns to be located in the middle of the rails of the storage racks.

36. The pallet according to claim 34 or 35 wherein the main columns provided along each of the first pair of opposed sides are spaced between the first pair of opposed sides such that the main columns can be located intermediate the rails of a storage rack.

37. A pallet as claimed in claims 34 to 36 wherein said main post is provided along each of said first pair of opposed sides spaced apart to prevent any of said first pair of opposed sides from falling off of said rails of said storage shelf as a result of lateral movement of said pallet relative to said rails when said pallet is supported on said rails by said secondary posts.

38. The pallet according to claim 37 wherein the main posts disposed adjacent each of the first pair of opposed sides are spaced between the first pair of opposed sides such that when the pallet is supported on the rails by the secondary posts, the main posts adjacent each of the first pair of opposed sides engage the rails to substantially prevent lateral movement of the pallet along the rails.

39. A pallet as claimed in claim 37 or 38 wherein the main posts provided along each of the first pair of opposed sides comprise a lead-in such that each main post tapers from an adjacent one of the first pair of opposed sides as it projects away from the base of the pallet.

40. A pallet as claimed in any one of claims 37 to 39 wherein the main posts each comprise a projection projecting from the base of the pallet, each projection tapering at least partially inwardly from each of the first pair of opposed sides as the main posts extend from the base of the pallet.

41. A pallet as claimed in any one of claims 37 to 40 wherein the plurality of main posts are adjacent to and spaced along the or a second pair of opposed sides to allow the main posts to be located intermediate each respective second side and the main posts adjacent each second side.

42. The pallet according to claim 41 wherein the main posts disposed along each of the second pair of opposed sides are spaced apart to prevent any of the second pair of opposed sides from falling off the rails of the storage shelf due to lateral movement of the pallet relative to the rails when the pallet is supported on the rails by a portion of the edges of the pallet proximate each of the second pair of opposed sides.

43. A pallet as claimed in claim 41 or 42 wherein said main posts provided along each of said second pair of opposed sides include a lead-in such that they taper from adjacent ones of said second pair of opposed sides as they project away from the base of the pallet.

44. A pallet as claimed in any one of claims 41 to 43 wherein the main posts project further away from the bottom of the pallet than the secondary posts project from the pallet.

45. The pallet of any one of claims 41 to 44 wherein the main posts disposed adjacent each of the second pair of opposed sides are spaced apart between the second pair of opposed sides such that when the pallet is edge supported on the rails, the main posts adjacent each of the second pair of opposed sides engage the rails to substantially prevent lateral movement of the pallet along the rails.

46. A pallet as claimed in any one of claims 31 to 45 wherein the pallet comprises a top deck and the main supports depend from the top deck.

47. A pallet as claimed in claim 46 wherein said main posts are integrally formed with the top deck of said pallet.

48. A pallet as claimed in claim 46 or 47 wherein the top deck includes a plurality of main hollow depressions corresponding to the number of main posts and shaped to nest with main posts of another pallet.

49. The pallet according to claim 48 wherein the nesting comprises receiving a main post of another pallet at least partially within the plurality of main hollow depressions of the top deck.

50. A pallet as claimed in any one of claims 46 to 49 when dependent directly or indirectly on claim 32 wherein the top deck includes a plurality of secondary hollow depressions corresponding to the number of secondary posts and shaped to nest with secondary posts of another pallet.