EP0911269B1 - Pallet with enhanced load capacity - Google Patents

Abstract

Longitudinal beams (2) are each reinforced by a mirror-image beam (21) with openings (61) aligning with those (6) in the longitudinal beam and spaced from them. The reinforcing beams comprise open C- or U-sections, positioned one inside the other. The lower legs form skids (4) on which the pallet stands. Transverse beams (3) are preferably formed by C- or U-sections.

Description

The invention relates to a pallet according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Currently the so-called "EURO" pallets, which are used internationally Transport procedures used in the exchange process, almost exclusively made of wood manufactured. While this has the advantage of being relative due to the low material value are cheap, but the wooden pallets have a relatively high weight of approx. 20 kg. In addition, the lifespan of the wooden pallets is due to the low Resistance relatively low.

Known plastic pallets show less weight and possibly also lower manufacturing price, but do not meet the necessary stability requirements. The same applies to cheap metal pallets, for example manufactured by deep drawing. In contrast, metal pallets that meet the stability criteria are usually too expensive their manufacture and / or too heavy.

A pallet of the type specified is known from WO 84/03267 A1. This construction is made of one or more parts from thin sheet metal, the required stability should be achieved by appropriate design of the components. DE 34 08 980 A1 describes a pallet formed from sheet metal, which in one Drawing process is made. AT 360 417 B is a stackable pallet Metal sheet known in which the support feet are made from deformed sheet metal strips. Other metal pallets are for example from WO 86/00866 A1, EP 0 550 072 A2, DE 41 14 888 A1 or DE 29 15 460 A1. A wide application of the Metal pallets and a replacement of the wooden pallets have so far failed due to the high price or the low stability properties.

The aim of the invention is to create a range, in particular a multi-way range mentioned type, which as a functionally at least equivalent replacement for known interchangeable wooden pallets. In addition, the pallet according to the invention have the longest possible usage time and also the lowest possible weight exhibit. Finally, there is also a high load capacity of the pallets and high inherent stability required. The construction of the pallet is said to be automated allow to keep the price of the pallets as low as possible for the highest possible acceptance can.

This object is achieved in that the longitudinal beams inside each are stiffened with an inserted, essentially mirror-image carrier, which Has elongated holes that are aligned with the openings of the side members and at a distance from these are arranged, the longitudinal beams and the beams used therein open, facing and nested preferably C or U profiles exist, the superimposed lower legs form runners on which the pallet stands. Due to the construction of the pallet according to the invention, a light weight and More robust pallet while fulfilling the requirements for multi-way pallets Stability criteria and reasonable costs can be realized. The higher manufacturing price will due to the longer period of use and the lower due to the lower weight Make up for transportation costs. In addition, the range can be according to the present Invention by type, i.e. be made from one material, which is recycling the palette easier.

According to a further feature of the invention, the cross members are made of hollow profiles with C- or U-shaped cross section. This brings a further increase in stability.

The cover plate is advantageously formed in one piece with the side members and closed continued on both long sides by side parts, which side parts each by 90 ° are bent and form the skids of the pallet.

According to further features of the invention it is provided that the individual parts made of sheet metal, preferably made of light metal sheets and by welding or riveting, in particular rivet-free rivets, are connected to one another, the metal sheets having a thickness of have a maximum of 2 mm and the individual parts for better connectivity with flanges or Like. Are provided and holes or the like. To save weight. Through this Characteristics is the lowest possible weight of the pallet with sufficient Stability properties achievable.

If at least the top surface of the pallet with a non-slip material, for example Rubber that is covered can cause the goods and goods on the pallet to slip stacked pallets can be prevented.

The transverse edge of the cover plate is advantageously bent through 90 ° during the Edge of the side parts twice, once diagonally and then into the plane of the bent edge is further bent, so that pockets on both transverse ends of the pallet arise, in each of which a cross member can be used, which with the cover plate by a Riveting process is connected.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the pallet consists of two together connected half-pallets, with the halved cover plate along the edge of the connection a protruding rag and the side parts of the cover plate are each the same Have flaps which are bent inwards and with corresponding flaps of the adjacent halved cover plate are connected, for example riveted.

Further features of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the drawings, in which embodiments of the pallet according to the invention are shown.

Fig. 1

eine Seitenansicht einer Palette

Fig. 2

eine Draufsicht auf die Palette gemäß Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

eine Kreuzansicht der Palette gemäß Fig. 1,

Fig. 4

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Palette von unten,

Fig. 5

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Palette gemäß Fig. 4 von oben,

Fig. 6

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Ausführungsform der die Längsträger innenseitig versteifenden Träger,

Fig. 7

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Ausführungsform eines Querträgers der Palette,

Fig. 8

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Palette von oben ohne Deckplatte,

Fig. 9

eine Ausführungsform der Deckplatte in Draufsicht vor dem Abbiegen der Seitenteile, und

Fig. 10

eine Variante der Deckplatte in perspektivischer Ansicht.

Show it

Fig. 1

a side view of a pallet

Fig. 2

2 shows a top view of the pallet according to FIG. 1,

Fig. 3

2 shows a cross view of the pallet according to FIG. 1,

Fig. 4

a perspective view of an embodiment of the pallet according to the invention from below,

Fig. 5

4 shows a perspective view of the pallet according to FIG. 4 from above,

Fig. 6

2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the beams stiffening the longitudinal beams on the inside,

Fig. 7

2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a cross member of the pallet,

Fig. 8

a perspective view of the pallet from above without a cover plate,

Fig. 9

an embodiment of the cover plate in plan view before turning the side parts, and

Fig. 10

a variant of the cover plate in a perspective view.

1 to 3 show the basic structure of an interchangeable pallet, such as for example a "EURO" palette. The pallet consists of a cover plate 1, at least two side members 2 and two or three cross members 3. The cover plate 1 can consist of several Parts. For easier handling of the pallet, there are 2 in the side members Elongated holes 6 through which the fork of a forklift is inserted and Pallet can be manipulated together with the goods on it. In this For example, the side members 2 form the runners 4 on which the pallet stands.

The pallet according to the invention has a cover plate 1, longitudinal member 2 and cross member 3. Die Side members 2 can be made in one piece with the cover plate 1 by the cover plate 1, as shown in FIG. 9, in the initial state by side parts 2 'and 4' on both long sides is continued. To form the side members 2 and the adjoining runners 4 the side parts 2 'and 4' around the bending edges 2 "and 4" each bent by 90 °, so that the Side members 2 and adjoining runners 4 are formed (see Fig. 8). In Fig. 9 there is only one half cover plate 1 shown, which will be discussed in more detail later. The transverse margin 1a of the cover plate 1 is bent around the bending line 1a 'by 90 °, while the edge 2a of the Side part 2 'obliquely around the bending line 2a', e.g. by 45 ° and then around the bending line 2a " is essentially further bent into the plane of the bent edge 1a, so that two transverse ends of the pockets 5 arise. As can be seen from Fig. 4, in this Pockets 5 each have a cross member 3 inserted with the cover plate 1 by a Are connected riveting process, which will be described in more detail below.

Each of the two longitudinal beams 2 has two oval elongated holes 6 for inserting one each Provide the gripper of a forklift. The side members 2 are each by a essentially congruent carrier 21 stiffened. As can be seen from Fig. 6, the Carriers 21 have corresponding elongated holes 61 and have tabs 21 'angled at the edge. The elongated holes 6 of the longitudinal beams 2 have inwardly bent edges 6 ', which in Fig. 9 are shown in the initial state. Reach behind these bent edges 6 ' corresponding edges of the profiles 21, so that these with their holes 61 at a distance from the holes 6 are located and thereby form a stiffening of the pallet.

The cross members 3, as shown in FIG. 7, consist of U-shaped profiles, the legs 3A have outwardly projecting tabs 3B, which in the installed state rest on the underside of the cover plate 1 and with this through the riveting process mentioned get connected. In the illustrated embodiment, the pallet is also in the Longitudinal center of a cross member 3 is provided, but depending on the structure of the pallet can be omitted. For reinforcement, the cross members 3 can be arranged at a distance from one another have transverse beads 7A.

There is also the option of producing the pallet from two half-pallets, which are in the Longitudinal center to be connected. Such a halved cover plate 1 is shown in Fig. 9, which has a projecting tab 1A along the connecting edge and the side parts 2 ' and 4 'each have a similar flap 2A and 4A which extends inward about the bending line X. be bent and halved with the corresponding rag of the neighboring one Cover plate connected, e.g. riveted.

To stiffen the pallet, the cover plate 1 is provided with beads 7, depressions or the like. which can have any shape. In the embodiment of the cover plate 1 after 10 have seen in the longitudinal direction, the cover plate halves facing each other U-shaped Beads 7, the open leg ends of which are bridged by angled beads 7 ', wherein between the two beads 7 and 7 'still longitudinally and transversely arranged beads 7 " are provided.

The pallet according to the invention is preferably made of galvanized sheet metal with a Wall thickness of 1 to 2 mm, preferably 1 mm, wherein to reduce the weight of the Pallet, at most holes 8, for example at a distance from one another, along the runners 4 can be provided (Fig. 4). The pallet is expedient in the deep-drawing process produced, but any other method is conceivable within the scope of the invention. Although the Use of galvanized sheet advantageous due to the high corrosion resistance there is also the possibility to use other metals or plastics. As part of Various design changes can be made to the invention. So there is the possibility of the side members 2 with the runners 4 as independent molded parts which are connected to the cover plate 1, e.g. riveted.

Claims (7)

1. A pallet consisting of several interconnected individual parts which are plates or hollow sections made of plates, the hollow sections having at least two parallel longitudinal carriers (2) arranged at the edges and at least two transverse carriers (3) arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal carriers (2) and preferably at the edges, the longitudinal carriers (2) having openings (6) for insertion of gripping means of a fork lift truck or the like, characterised in that the longitudinal carriers (2) on their inner sides are each reinforced by an inserted, substantially mirror-inverted carrier (21) comprising long holes (61) in alignment with the openings (6) of the longitudinal carriers (2) and arranged at a distance therefrom, the longitudinal carriers (2) as well as the carriers (21) inserted therein being comprised of open, facing and nested, preferably C- or U-sections whose superimposed lower legs form skids (4) on which the pallet rests.
2. A pallet according to claim 1, characterised in that the transverse carriers (3) are formed by hollow sections of C- or U-shaped cross-section.
3. A pallet according to claim 1, characterised in that a cover plate (1) is integrally formed with the longitudinal carriers (2) and extended on either longitudinal side by side parts (2', 4'), the side parts (2', 4') each being bent by 90° and forming the skids (4).
4. A pallet according to claim 1, characterised in that the individual parts are made of metal sheets, preferably light metal sheets and interconnected by welding or riveting, in particular rivet-free riveting, the sheets having a thickness of 2 mm at the most and the individual parts being provided with flanges or the like to improve their connectability and holes (8) to reduce their weight.
5. A pallet according to claim 1, characterised in that at least the cover face of the pallet is coated with an anti-skid material, e.g. rubber.
6. A pallet according to claim 1, characterised in that the transverse-side rim (1a) of the cover plate (1) is bent by 90°, whereas the rim (2a) of the side parts (2') is bent twice, i.e. one time inclinedly and then further into the plane of the bent rim (1a) so that pockets (5) are formed on both transverse ends of the pallet, one transverse carrier (3) each being insertable therein, which transverse carrier is connected with the cover plate (1) by a riveting procedure.
7. A pallet according to claim 1, characterised in that the pallet consists of two interconnected half-pallets, the halved cover plate having a projecting tab (1A) along the connecting . rim, and the side parts (2', 4') each having a like tab (2A, 4A) which are bent inwardly and connected, e.g. riveted, with the corresponding tabs of the neighbouring halved cover plate.

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