EP0793603A1 - Wooden construction element, construction form and pallet or bin made therewith - Google Patents

Wooden construction element, construction form and pallet or bin made therewith

Info

Publication number
EP0793603A1
EP0793603A1 EP95942895A EP95942895A EP0793603A1 EP 0793603 A1 EP0793603 A1 EP 0793603A1 EP 95942895 A EP95942895 A EP 95942895A EP 95942895 A EP95942895 A EP 95942895A EP 0793603 A1 EP0793603 A1 EP 0793603A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
wooden
bin
deck
members
blocks
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP95942895A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Clifton D. Cope
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Yakima Pallet & Bin Inc
Original Assignee
Yakima Pallet & Bin Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Yakima Pallet & Bin Inc filed Critical Yakima Pallet & Bin Inc
Publication of EP0793603A1 publication Critical patent/EP0793603A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D19/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D19/02—Rigid pallets with side walls, e.g. box pallets
    • B65D19/06—Rigid pallets with side walls, e.g. box pallets with bodies formed by uniting or interconnecting two or more components
    • B65D19/14—Rigid pallets with side walls, e.g. box pallets with bodies formed by uniting or interconnecting two or more components made wholly or mainly of wood
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D19/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D19/38—Details or accessories
    • B65D19/40—Elements for spacing platforms from supporting surface
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D19/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D19/0004—Rigid pallets without side walls
    • B65D19/0053—Rigid pallets without side walls the load supporting surface being made of more than one element
    • B65D19/0077—Rigid pallets without side walls the load supporting surface being made of more than one element forming discontinuous or non-planar contact surfaces
    • B65D19/0089—Rigid pallets without side walls the load supporting surface being made of more than one element forming discontinuous or non-planar contact surfaces the base surface being made of more than one element
    • B65D19/0093—Rigid pallets without side walls the load supporting surface being made of more than one element forming discontinuous or non-planar contact surfaces the base surface being made of more than one element forming discontinuous or non-planar contact surfaces
    • B65D19/0095—Rigid pallets without side walls the load supporting surface being made of more than one element forming discontinuous or non-planar contact surfaces the base surface being made of more than one element forming discontinuous or non-planar contact surfaces and each contact surface having a stringer-like shape
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00009—Materials
    • B65D2519/00014—Materials for the load supporting surface
    • B65D2519/00029—Wood
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00009—Materials
    • B65D2519/00049—Materials for the base surface
    • B65D2519/00064—Wood
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00009—Materials
    • B65D2519/00084—Materials for the non-integral separating spacer
    • B65D2519/00099—Wood
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00009—Materials
    • B65D2519/00119—Materials for the construction of the reinforcements
    • B65D2519/00129—Metal
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00009—Materials
    • B65D2519/00154—Materials for the side walls
    • B65D2519/00169—Wood
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00258—Overall construction
    • B65D2519/00263—Overall construction of the pallet
    • B65D2519/00273—Overall construction of the pallet made of more than one piece
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00258—Overall construction
    • B65D2519/00283—Overall construction of the load supporting surface
    • B65D2519/00288—Overall construction of the load supporting surface made of one piece
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00258—Overall construction
    • B65D2519/00283—Overall construction of the load supporting surface
    • B65D2519/00293—Overall construction of the load supporting surface made of more than one piece
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00258—Overall construction
    • B65D2519/00283—Overall construction of the load supporting surface
    • B65D2519/00298—Overall construction of the load supporting surface skeleton type
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00258—Overall construction
    • B65D2519/00313—Overall construction of the base surface
    • B65D2519/00323—Overall construction of the base surface made of more than one piece
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00258—Overall construction
    • B65D2519/00313—Overall construction of the base surface
    • B65D2519/00328—Overall construction of the base surface shape of the contact surface of the base
    • B65D2519/00333—Overall construction of the base surface shape of the contact surface of the base contact surface having a stringer-like shape
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00258—Overall construction
    • B65D2519/00368—Overall construction of the non-integral separating spacer
    • B65D2519/00378—Overall construction of the non-integral separating spacer whereby at least one spacer is made of two or more pieces
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00258—Overall construction
    • B65D2519/00398—Overall construction reinforcements
    • B65D2519/00432—Non-integral, e.g. inserts
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00258—Overall construction
    • B65D2519/00492—Overall construction of the side walls
    • B65D2519/00497—Overall construction of the side walls whereby at least one side wall is made of one piece
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00547—Connections
    • B65D2519/00552—Structures connecting the constitutive elements of the pallet to each other, i.e. load supporting surface, base surface and/or separate spacer
    • B65D2519/00557—Structures connecting the constitutive elements of the pallet to each other, i.e. load supporting surface, base surface and/or separate spacer without separate auxiliary elements
    • B65D2519/00562—Structures connecting the constitutive elements of the pallet to each other, i.e. load supporting surface, base surface and/or separate spacer without separate auxiliary elements chemical connection, e.g. glued, welded, sealed
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00547—Connections
    • B65D2519/00552—Structures connecting the constitutive elements of the pallet to each other, i.e. load supporting surface, base surface and/or separate spacer
    • B65D2519/00572—Structures connecting the constitutive elements of the pallet to each other, i.e. load supporting surface, base surface and/or separate spacer with separate auxiliary element, e.g. screws, nails, bayonets
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00547—Connections
    • B65D2519/00577—Connections structures connecting side walls, including corner posts, to each other
    • B65D2519/00616—Connections structures connecting side walls, including corner posts, to each other structures not intended to be disassembled
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00547—Connections
    • B65D2519/00636—Connections structures connecting side walls to the pallet
    • B65D2519/00666—Structures not intended to be disassembled

Definitions

  • a pallet is a horizontal portable platform device used as a base for assembling, storage, handling and transporting in a unit load.
  • Pallet structures must be made of hard durable materials constructed to bear high compreesive loads over long periods of time, repeated rough usage and high intensity impacts during handling.
  • a typical prior art wooden pallet comprises a top deck assembly consisting of a plurality of longitudinally extending spaced wooden top deck boards 10 fastened to a plurality of wooden stringer boards 12, 14, 16 which extend parallel to one another, and perpendicular to the top deck boards 10.
  • the stringer boards 12, 14, 16 in turn are affixed to the top surfaces of wooden spacer blocks 18 which separate the top deck assembly from the bottom deck boards 20.
  • This construction permits four-way access by forklift tongs which may be inserted between the top and bottom decks.
  • the pallet is in the form of a truss, and therefore the loads are distributed through the various components in such a way that any defects, weaknesses or damage in individual components typically will not materially adversely affect the total performance of the pallet.
  • a pallet typically is assembled using mechanical fasteners such as nails 22 and/or staples which permits replacement of individual damaged components.
  • Particularly susceptible to damage are the spacer blocks 18 which typically comprise 2 1/2 inch by 3 1/2 inch by 4 to 8 inch wooden blocks.
  • the spacer blocks are prone to splitting due to rough handling of the pallets and/or from impact from the tongs of a forklift. Also, the spacer blocks are weakened by nailing, and may often split when one or more of the top or bottom deck boards are replaced. Accordingly, care must be taken to employ only the highest quality, knot-free, old-growth lumber to form the spacer blocks. Such lumber is expensive. Moreover, notwithstanding the use of such select lumber, spacer block splitting remains a significant problem and is a significant part of the cost of maintaining wooden pallets in usable condition. In order to overcome the aforesaid problem of spacer block splitting, it has been proposed to build up spacer blocks by laminating plywood pieces together.
  • a bin is essentially a horizontal portable platform device similar to a pallet, but having a solid top deck assembly typically comprising a sheet of plywood, and four upstanding walls which, together with the plywood deck form an open bin. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved wood construction for wooden pallets or bins which overcomes the aforesaid and other disadvantages of the prior art. Another more specific object of the present invention is to provide an improved wooden pallet or bin construction having desired characteristics of toughness, rigidity, hardness, high impact, high compressive strength, and durability in rough handling.
  • a yet further object of the invention is to provide a wooden pallet or bin assembly having the aforesaid desired characteristics, and in which the spacer blocks can be formed from commonly available low-cost wood products rather than scarce, expensive, old-growth lumber.
  • the present invention provides a new and improved wooden pallet or bin construction in which the spacer blocks comprise preformed blocks consisting of a solid wood core member sandwiched between top and bottom layers of plywood which are adhesively laminated to the top and bottom surfaces to the core member to form a sturdy block assembly.
  • the resulting laminated block assembly has improved rigidity and strength and resistance to splitting as compared to unitary blocks formed of even select old- growth, lumber.
  • Fig. 1 is a perspective view from below of a conventional prior art wooden pallet construction
  • Fig. 2 is a view, similar to Fig. 1, and showing a wooden pallet made in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing details of a wooden spacer block made in accordance with the present invention
  • Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the spacer block of Fig. 3
  • Fig. 5 is a perspective view from below of a wooden bin assembly made in accordance with the present invention
  • Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig.
  • FIG. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 5, and showing another form of wooden bin assembly made in accordance with the present invention
  • Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 3, and showing details of the runner construction employed in the Fig. 7 wooden bin assembly made in accordance with the present invention
  • Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a construction form made in accordance with the present invention.
  • a wooden pallet made in accordance with the present invention, including the top deck sub-assembly of conventional construction, comprising a plurality of elongate top deck boards 30 which are affixed using conventional mechanical fasteners such as staples or nails, to a plurality of wooden stringers 32, 34, 36.
  • the top deck board/stringer sub-assembly in turn is affixed to the top surface of spacer blocks 38 made in accordance with the present invention, as will be described in detail below.
  • the top deck is first formed as a sub-assembly by nailing or stapling the top deck boards to the stringers, and the top deck sub- assembly is then fastened to the spacer blocks 38 by nailing through the top deck boards 30, the respective underlying stringers 32, 34, 36 and well into the spacer blocks 38.
  • the top deck sub- assembly is then fastened to the spacer blocks 38 by nailing through the top deck boards 30, the respective underlying stringers 32, 34, 36 and well into the spacer blocks 38.
  • three or more 2 1/2 or 3 inch screw or ring shank nails are used to fasten the top deck sub- assembly to each underlying support block 38.
  • Spacer blocks 38 are positioned at the corners of the pallet, intermediately of both the sides and ends of the pallet, and one spacer block is positioned directly in the center of the pallet.
  • Completing the pallet are bottom deck boards 40 which are attached to the bottom surface of and bridge the spacer blocks 38. As seen in Fig.
  • each bottom deck board 40 bridges and is attached to three spacer blocks.
  • Bottom deck boards 40 are affixed to their respective spacer blocks by means of nails 41. As before, at least three nails sufficiently long to be driven well into each block are used.
  • the construction provides four-way access for the tines of a forklift truck.
  • a feature and advantage of the present invention is the provision of unique spacer blocks which resist splitting.
  • the spacer blocks 38 in accordance with the present invention comprise a wooden core member 42, typically 1 1/2 inches by 3 1/2 inches by 4 to 8 inches which is sandwiched between plywood members 44, 46, which are adhesively laminated affixed to the top and bottom surfaces of the wooden core blocks 42.
  • the plywood comprises half-inch plywood so that the resulting spacer blocks are 2 1/2 ' inches by 3 1/2 inches wide by 4 to 8 inches, i.e. are of a dimension comparable to unitary spacer blocks conventionally employed in the prior art.
  • the spacer blocks made in accordance with the present invention may be formed of conventional construction grade 2 by 4 inch studs (nominally 1 1/2 by 3 1/2 inch) for the core member, and conventional CDX exterior plywood for the plywood members, and an exterior, water-resistant adhesive as the laminating adhesive.
  • a bin made in accordance with the present invention comprising a bin bottom 50 typically formed of a solid sheet of plywood, and four upstanding walls 52 (only two of which are visible in Fig. 5), which together with base 50 and corner posts (not shown) form an open bin 54 of conventional construction.
  • the bin bottom 50 includes a pair of skid assemblies 56 each comprising skid boards 58 and spacer block assemblies 60.
  • each skid assembly 56 comprises three spacer blocks, one mounted at each end of the skid assembly, and one mounted at the mid-point of the skid assembly.
  • the spacer blocks 60 are affixed to the bin bottom 50 by nailing through from the inside of the bin, while the skid boards 58 are attached to the opposite surface of the spacer blocks by nailing through the skid boards 58.
  • the construction permits four-way access to the tines of a forklift truck.
  • the corners of the bin are reinforced by steel corner brackets or so-called "corner irons" 62 which bridge and are fastened, by nailing, to the lower skid boards 58, the core member 42 of the spacer block 38 and the walls 52 of the bin.
  • elongate stringers 63 each comprise an elongate core member 64, typically a 2 by 4 inch or 2 by 6 inch construction grade stud, sandwiched between elongate strips of plywood 68, 70, which are adhesively laminated to the core member.
  • the skids are attached to the bin bottom 50 adjacent opposite edges of the bin bottom by nailing through the bin bottom 50.
  • a third skid 63' similar to skids 63, may be employed, for supporting the center of the bin.
  • metal corner brackets or corner irons 72 similar to corner brackets 62 (see Fig. 6) may be employed for reinforcing the corners, and a flat bracket or "iron" 74 may be employed for stabilizing the center skid.
  • the resulting construction provides two-way access for the tines of a forklift truck.
  • the skids may be notched as shown in phantom at 75, for providing four-way access for the tines of a forklift truck.
  • the present invention is susceptible to modification.
  • the laminated block concept of the present invention advantageously may be used in constructing stiffening elements for construction forms or the like, for example, concrete forms and/or temporary retaining walls.
  • One such construction is shown in Fig. 9.
  • the construction form comprises a plywood sheet 80, on which are mounted a plurality of stiffening elements 82.
  • Stiffening elements 82 are similar to the runners 63 of the Fig. 7 embodiment, and comprise a wooden core member 84 formed, for example, of 2 by 4 inch or 2 by 6 inch construction grade stud lumber sandwiched between elongate strips of construction grade exterior plywood members 86,86 which are adhesively laminated to the core lumber member 84.
  • the reinforcing studs are affixed to the panel 80 by nailing from the outside of the panel through the panel and into the laminated reinforcing members.
  • the invention also advantageously may be used for forming construction timbers, for example, for use as floor joists, roof rafters, and the like.
  • a construction grade stud such as a 2 by 6, 2 by 8, 2 by 10 or the like is sandwiched between elongated strips of construction grade exterior plywood members which are adhesively laminated to the core lumber member as before.
  • two 2 by 4's or the like construction grade studs may be laid edge- to-edge, and adhesively laminated between elongate exterior plywood members to form a construction timber of desired size.
  • the resulting construction timbers made in accordance with the present invention have improved resistance to twisting and bending as compared to conventional wooden timbers of comparable size, and generally are less expensive than conventional wooden timbers since lower quality wood may be employed to form the core member in accordance with the present invention.
  • Spacer blocks made in accordance with the present invention were tested for resistance to splitting by nailimj. Twenty-four 3 inch screw nails were driven, twelve nails to a side, into a 2 1/2 by 3 1/2 by 5 inch laminated block made in accordance with the present invention. No splitting was observed.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Pallets (AREA)
EP95942895A 1994-11-28 1995-11-28 Wooden construction element, construction form and pallet or bin made therewith Withdrawn EP0793603A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US34583894A 1994-11-28 1994-11-28
US345838 1994-11-28
PCT/US1995/015308 WO1996016873A1 (en) 1994-11-28 1995-11-28 Wooden construction element, construction form and pallet or bin made therewith

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0793603A1 true EP0793603A1 (en) 1997-09-10

Family

ID=23356696

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP95942895A Withdrawn EP0793603A1 (en) 1994-11-28 1995-11-28 Wooden construction element, construction form and pallet or bin made therewith

Country Status (12)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0793603A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
KR (1) KR980700219A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CN (1) CN1167469A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
AU (1) AU4408796A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
BR (1) BR9509773A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CA (1) CA2204410A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
FI (1) FI972229L (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
MX (1) MX9703833A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
NO (1) NO972411D0 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
PL (1) PL320479A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
TW (1) TW289012B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
WO (1) WO1996016873A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2524599A (en) * 1946-09-06 1950-10-03 Clark Equipment Co Pallet
US2503022A (en) * 1946-09-28 1950-04-04 Lawrence Universal Pallet Corp Pallet
CH323848A (de) * 1953-06-01 1957-08-31 Portasilo Ltd Ringförmiges Bauelement aus Holz

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO9616873A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BR9509773A (pt) 1997-11-04
NO972411L (no) 1997-05-27
NO972411D0 (no) 1997-05-27
FI972229A7 (fi) 1997-05-27
FI972229A0 (fi) 1997-05-27
CN1167469A (zh) 1997-12-10
CA2204410A1 (en) 1996-06-06
WO1996016873A1 (en) 1996-06-06
MX9703833A (es) 1997-12-31
PL320479A1 (en) 1997-09-29
KR980700219A (ko) 1998-03-30
AU4408796A (en) 1996-06-19
TW289012B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1996-10-21
FI972229L (fi) 1997-05-27

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