EP1219543A2 - Plastic pallet - Google Patents

Abstract

The plastic pallet has hollow feet (16) arranged in rows. The feet in each row can be connected using a bar (36) which fits against the ends (34) of the leg walls (48). This is held in place by hooks (44) which snap over corresponding hooks (42) on inner partition walls in the legs.

Description

The invention relates to a pallet consisting essentially of plastic, with a support surface for items to be transported and / or stored Well-bearing support plate, which is facing away from the support surface Bottom is provided with legs that are essentially hollow are the spaces serving above the engagement of a transport fork are separated from each other and at least arranged in rows partially detachable by means of a snap device with one each assignable bottom part can be connected, the support surfaces with contact surfaces the legs are connectable and such a connection Pillars of a series with each other.

A corresponding generic pallet is through EP-A-0 539 698 known. In the known pallet with carrier plate and runners as floor parts are on the underside of the support plate at least along the outer circumference their essentially rectangular base area on each side at least two, preferably three, through so-called fork insertion spaces for a transport fork of a transport truck, forklift or the like, separate Legs that are easily interchangeable, provided that these must be exchanged for new runners due to wear.

In the known solution, the support plate has receiving openings on the underside on, with the legs over adapted holding projections have and are also essentially hollow. The one Row arranged pillars, which are integral part of the floor parts are in via a connecting bridge in the area of their stands Rows connected to each other, with the retaining projections in the receiving openings are snapped into place and for this at least a snap projection on a side wall of the shaft-like receiving opening is provided as a snap part or a recess with a corresponding recess or with a corresponding Snap projection of the holding projection of the supporting leg cooperates. To increase the stability, the hollow legs are with a Intermediate floor formed, an extension of this intermediate floor forms a support shoulder for supporting an edge as a contact surface the shaft-like receiving opening of the support plate. The one addressed The edge overlaps the retaining projection from the outside.

Furthermore, the main leg widens in the direction of the web-like base part, that forms the pallet runner and thus reduces the possible free spaces for the engagement of the transport fork. Because the respective pillars are essentially formed by the bottom part, is at one necessary replacement of the runners relative to the material portion to be disposed of high, which significantly increases the cost of providing the spare parts runners. The mentioned pillars, which are essentially in cross section form a kind of H-shape, are injection molding technically complex to manufacture and therefore equally expensive. It is through widening of the legs towards the bottom, which at their free end to Stand increase a wall reinforcement forming a footprint have increased stability; however, this leads to a disability of the free area of intervention for the transport fork and thus to handling obstacles for the well-known palette itself.

The EP-A-400 640 makes it a plastic transport pallet also known, the projecting legs from the web-like bottom part to form substantially perpendicular to this so as to be a disability to avoid the free access area for the gaps; in this known solution alone, the support plate and the bottom parts with their legs just stuck together and then over one separate locking plate secured against loosening. More backup and Connection means can then additionally for the connection in question be used. The assembly is therefore again complex and Particularly if the runner part is damaged, it can be easily replaced without damaging the remaining, still usable support plate part hardly possible. Because with this known solution at least in the area the connection of the support plate with the pillars the wall thickness Injection molding production is very different also difficult and cracking (committee) occur frequently.

Starting from this prior art, the object of the invention based on further improving the known pallets in that they are easy to handle, that an exchange of the runners as floor parts is possible quickly and inexpensively when worn and that the range can be produced inexpensively overall with a reduced reject rate. A this task solves a palette with the features of the claim 1.

The fact that according to the characterizing part of claim 1 Bottom part made of a substantially flat bottom plate is formed and that the bottom part on the support and contact surfaces such a flush, marginal conclusion with the assignable The legs form that the legs with the locked parts of the Bottom end plate are arranged perpendicular to the support plate, that is the respective skid-forming bottom part is plate-like, so that at only a small amount of plastic waste arises from their wear. In contrast to the known solutions, where the respective bottom part essentially with the support legs standing upright, remain in the solution according to the invention, the pillars on the support plate and only the bottom, closing bottom plate is in Dispose of failure. Thus, the pillars of the invention Solution also on an intermediate floor for a support or the like. to be dispensed with, as this is directly in the lower leg area can be done with the help of the base plate. The perpendicular from limit the supporting legs protruding downwards with the Support plate and the respective bottom end plate one essentially in cross section rectangular space for the engagement of a Transport fork, so that the relevant access and removal are unobstructed and can take place safely. This is an unintentional toast the transport fork on the legs is reduced.

In a preferred embodiment of the pallet according to the invention the snap means arranged within the legs individual Snap on parts in the area of their free, the bottom part facing Ends have snap projections with locking parts of the bottom part are lockable for the relevant intervention in the hollow legs protrude. Due to the relevant design, the Snap parts arranged at the lower end of the legs and an input and Unclamping with the associated locking parts of the base plate can be reliably achieved with little effort. Preferably are the snap parts each as part of a T-shaped connecting web with the chamber walls of the associated hollow pillar connected. The latter is in the injection molding design Pallet an advantage.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention Pallet is at least one support surface of the base part with the one contact surface forming underside of a chamber wall of the supporting leg in plant or simultaneously with the free end of the snap part of this leg as another investment area. The relevant support is provided on the front between adjacent support and contact surfaces, so that a direct Force is applied from the side of the support plate to the base plate, which forms the plastic skid to be replaced when worn.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention Pallet has the bottom part between each one of a mainstay Row of assignable locking parts supporting webs on their the supporting plate opposite bottom are comb-shaped in cross section. hereby this results in a particularly stable and non-slip elevation the support plate over the legs opposite the respective floor parts. The base parts preferably have different widths, a broader bottom part being arranged between two narrower bottom parts is.

In a further preferred embodiment, the locking parts of the base part arranged on meandering protruding surfaces of the same, the at least partially hollow chambers limit that as a further limitation have the support surfaces. Furthermore, in the longitudinal direction of the respective Bottom part preferably in pairs opposite to each other Arranged locking parts, each four of these pairs in one leg Row for locking with four pairs of snap parts on this leg are provided. In connection with the T-shaped design of the Snap parts is therefore ensured that even under high loads a possible bulging and / or twisting of the hollow chamber walls of the support plate of the respective mainstay is excluded.

The following is the palette according to the invention with reference to the drawing explained in more detail.

Fig.1

die Unteransicht auf die erfindungsgemäße Palette mit nicht aufgesetzten Bodenteilen;

Fig.2

in vergrößerter Darstellung, wie angegeben, einen Ausschnitt aus der Unteransicht gemäß Fig.1;

Fig.3

eine Schnittdarstellung ohne Schraffur und mit teilweise aufgesetzten Bodenteilen längs der Linie I - I in Fig.1 sowie mit Blickrichtung auf die Figur gesehen darunter angeordneten Tragstegen mit kammartigem Querschnitt;

Fig.4

eine Seitendarstellung auf die Palette nach der Fig.1 in ihrer Längsausrichtung mit teilweise dargestelltem Innenleben;

Fig.5

eine Unteransicht auf die verschieden einsetzbaren Bodenteile.

They show the principle and not to scale

Fig.1

the bottom view of the pallet according to the invention with floor parts not attached;

Fig.2

in an enlarged view, as indicated, a section of the bottom view of Figure 1;

Figure 3

a sectional view without hatching and with partially attached bottom parts along the line I - I in Figure 1 and with a view of the figure seen below arranged supporting webs with a comb-like cross section;

Figure 4

a side view of the pallet of Figure 1 in its longitudinal orientation with the interior shown partially;

Figure 5

a bottom view of the various usable floor parts.

The range shown in the figures consists essentially of plastic with a support surface 10 arranged on its top for Good to be transported and / or stored (not shown). The said Support surface 10 is part of a support plate 12 which is on its the support surface 10 facing bottom 14 is provided with legs 16 which in form essential hollow chamber profiles. The legs 16 are over gaps serving the engagement of a transport fork (not shown) 18 separated from each other. Furthermore, the pillars 16 are in groups of three arranged along three longitudinal rows 20. Furthermore, the Legs 16 seen in the transverse direction of the pallet also in groups of three Cross rows 22 out. The longitudinal rows 20 are oriented in their longitudinal alignment on the long sides 24 of the pallet and the transverse rows 22 on the two opposite transverse sides 26.

The size dimensions of the pallet are chosen so that this is the standardized Size dimensions for transport pallets in this area corresponds. So this pallet shown is provided with the dimensions 800 x 1200 mm. Other, especially standardized size ranges are conceivable. In the case of embodiments that are not shown in more detail, the pallet could also be used provided on its underside with only four legs 16 as a round pallet be or with more than nine pillars. The distance between the legs 16 do not change anything about the spaces 18 Geometrically to leave the transport forks of forklifts, forklifts or the like, the respective palette can also be handled well.

The free ends of the legs 16 are designated as a whole by 28 Snap device, each with an assignable bottom part 30 connectable, with the bottom parts 30 used with their undersides 5 are shown in detail. The respective bottom part 30 has via support surfaces 32 which are in contact with contact surfaces 34 of the legs 16 are connectable and thus connect the legs 16 of a longitudinal row Make 20 together.

The respective base part 30 is made of an essentially flat one Bottom end plate 36 is formed and the respective bottom part 30 forms Such a flush over the support surfaces 32 and the contact surfaces 34, edge 38 with the assignable legs 16 that the legs 16 with the latched parts of the bottom end plate 36 are arranged perpendicular to the support plate 12.

The snap device 28 is arranged within the legs 16 individual snap parts 40, which are associated with the legs 16 and the ends in the region of their free ends facing the base part 30 Have snap projections 42 (see FIG. 3) that correspond with molded locking parts 44 of the base part 30 can be locked, which in turn protrude into the hollow legs 16 for the relevant intervention. Both the snap projections 42 and the locking parts 44 are of the type formed by locking lugs that can be hooked together, the elasticity of the plastic material used in the area of the legs 16 releasing the relevant snap device 28 allows. To the To be able to better represent the snap arrangement for the supporting legs 16, was seen in the direction of Fig.3 on the left side of the latch with the assignable bottom part 30 omitted.

The mentioned snap parts 40 are each part of a T-shaped To see connecting web 46 and thus with the two opposite, chamber walls running in the longitudinal direction of the pallet 48 of the associated hollow support leg 16 connected in one piece. The this arrangement can be seen in particular from FIG an enlarged section of the underside of the pallet according to Fig.1 reproduces. Allow the relevant T-like connecting webs 46 on the one hand, secure support for the latched snap device 28 and thus a secure hold of the respective base part 30 on the assignable Longitudinal row 20 on the legs 16, and yet the support chosen such that in the manner of a bow or clip spring Snap device 28 without further use of tools, for example by hand, can be released again, so that the bottom part 30 in wear or Failure can easily be exchanged for a new one. in the the rest is via the connecting webs 46 in the interior of the hollow chamber cross sections the legs 16 reach such a stiffening that a torsion same or a bulge of the chamber walls 48 excluded is.

To securely support the support plate 12 with its legs 16 to reach along the three bottom parts 30 in the embodiment shown it is provided that all the support surfaces 32 of the bottom parts 30 with the the contact surfaces 34 forming undersides of the chamber walls 48 of the Mainstay 16 are in plant, the plant in question is also on the parallel to the two transverse sides 26 of the support plate 12 relates further chamber walls 50. Shouldn't be closer to one though illustrated embodiment of the pallet according to the invention, the snap device 28 inside the leg 16 towards the bottom 14 of the support plate 12 can be reset, only a support via the outer support surfaces 32 and assigned contact surfaces 34 take place.

To increase slip resistance and improve stability is further provided in the pallet according to the invention that respective bottom part 30 between the respective one leg 16 one Longitudinal row 20 assignable locking parts 44 supporting webs 52 which on their bottom facing away from the support plate 12 comb-like in cross section are trained and in the narrower version of a bottom part 30 seven Have tines and in the widened embodiment for the middle Bottom part 30 has thirteen support tines. Contrary to the representation 3 form the support webs 52, as in the illustration the Fig.4 correctly reproduced, a flush conclusion down with the other bottom end plate 36, i.e. the free ends of the tines 52 end in the same plane as the supporting walls 54 of the respective base part, the snap-in devices opposite each other in pairs 28 connect to each other in the area of each leg 16. The comb-like arrangement of the supporting webs 52 allows in particular Cushion damping side impacts on the pallet. The supporting webs 52 can be made of the same plastic material as the other parts of the Base parts 30, but possibly also from another rubber-elastic Material, which may then be in recesses in the base parts 30 to be used and to be adhesively bonded to them, for example.

The bottom parts 30 mentioned have different widths, with between two narrower base parts 30 arranged a wider base part 30 is. The one arranged and widened essentially in the center according to the figures Bottom part 30 has the advantage that when the pallet is loaded the main load arises in the middle of the same and so safely over the widened Bottom part 30 is derived into the underground. An unwanted one The pallet bulges downwards when the load is increased thus avoided. For pallets that are not exposed to increased loads are, but it is also possible to have all legs 16 and all bottom parts 30 train right away what the effort for replacement processes when worn Bottom parts 30 facilitated and the storage of appropriate Spare parts simplified.

Injection molding has proven to be particularly advantageous, the locking parts 44 of the respective base part 30 on meandering protruding surfaces 56 (see Fig. 4) to be arranged, at least partially with the others Support parts of the bottom parts 30 limit hollow chambers 58, which are further Limit the support surfaces 32 already mentioned. Like the 3 shows another, is in the area of the widened bottom part 30 Part of the hollow chambers 58 the hollow interior of the respective mainstay 16 assigned, the respective hollow chambers 58 with their free Cross sections in the side chambers of the T-type connecting webs 56, which are separated from each other by the same. The passing one The transition between the hollow cross sections takes place along the Separating end 38. In the arrangement with the narrower Bottom parts, however, can be parts of the hollow chambers 58 mentioned flow down into the environment and in this area over others Support parts allow elevation of the associated supporting leg 16. In the sense of meandering, the hollow chamber arrangement in question can be carried out alternately.

According to the representation according to Figure 1 are in the longitudinal direction of the respective Bottom part 30 arranged in pairs opposite to each other, the locking parts 44, with four of these pairs in each leg of a longitudinal row 20 for locking with four pairs of snap parts 40 of this leg 16 are provided. Thanks to this arrangement of four is a secure locking given between the base parts 30 and the legs 16, a different number depending on the size of the pallet on pairs of latches (not shown) is possible. Because of the pairs, opposing arrangement it is possible by exercising a lateral pressure on the bottom part 30 first loosening one Allow in part on snap devices 28 to then disengage same the other connection on the opposite To solve long side. As further shown in FIG. 4, are in the relevant Arrangement of the spaces 18 for the mentioned transport fork essentially rectangular in cross section and bounded on the edges by a pair of opposing legs 16, of the bottom part 30 and the support plate 12 itself. Due to the this rectangular cross-sectional arrangement is a safe, unhindered entry and exit of the transport fork in or out of Pallet possible. Otherwise, it has been shown that the cross-sectional arrangement favorable to the introduction of force into the load-bearing parts of the pallet effect.

The plastic material used for the pallet and its parts preferably consists of recycled plastic which is not of the same type and which is processed by an injection molding process. To increase the stability of the injection molded parts, it is provided that on the underside of the support plate 12 this is provided with a latticework 60 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) which has support walls 62 which run at right angles to one another, but which has the area of the supporting legs 16 leaves free. Contrary to the representation according to FIG. 3, the lattice structure 60 thus protrudes a little downward in the direction of the base parts 30. The lattice structure 60 increases the stability and load-bearing capacity of the pallet as a whole. The support surface 10 of the support plate 12 is substantially flat and allows moisture or the like to drain away, so that the pallet is also easy to clean. In the area of the intermediate spaces 18, these are delimited at the bottom by the crossbeams of each floor end plate 36, the respective crossbeam again having or including the comb-like supporting webs 52, wherein several comb-like segments on the supporting webs 52 can be arranged one behind the other (see FIG .4). Furthermore, the cross members, as shown in FIG. 5, have recesses 64 for the two narrow base parts on the edge, which facilitate the handling of the base parts and the insertion of the transport fork into the pallet. Due to the recycled plastic material used, environmentally friendly reuse of plastic materials for a useful object, here a pallet, is possible. Since the legs 16 remain with the actual support plate 12 and in the event of failure only the plate-like base parts 30 have to be exchanged, the material expenditure required for an exchange process is reduced, which in turn takes account of environmental considerations. Despite the possible use of less plastic material, the construction chosen gives a very rigid pallet that is characterized by a high load-bearing capacity.
In addition to the manufacturing method shown as an injection molded part, however, the pallet can be manufactured very well, in particular using a pressing process. The latter applies in particular if the range consists of recycled plastics.

Claims (10)

Pallet, consisting essentially of plastic, with a support surface (10) for a carrier plate (12) to be transported and / or stored, which is provided with legs (16) on its underside (14) facing away from the support surface (10), which are essentially hollow, which are separated from one another by the engagement of a transport fork (18) and which are arranged in rows (20) at least partially releasably connectable by means of a snap device (28) with an assignable bottom part (30), the Can be connected to support surfaces (34) of the supporting legs (16) via support surfaces (32) and thus connects the supporting legs (16) of a row (20) to one another, characterized in that the respective base part (30) consists of an essentially flat surface Bottom end plate (36) is formed and that the bottom part (30) on the support (32) - and contact surfaces (34) such a flush, edge Termination (38) with the assignable legs (16) forms that the legs (16) with the latched parts of the bottom end plate (36) are arranged perpendicular to the support plate (12). Pallet according to claim 1, characterized in that the snap device (28) arranged within the legs (16) has individual snap parts (40) which have snap projections (42) in the region of their free ends facing the base part (30), which have snap-in parts (44) of the base part (30) can be locked, which protrude into the hollow legs (16) for the relevant engagement. Pallet according to Claim 2, characterized in that the snap parts (40) are each connected to the chamber walls of the associated hollow support leg (16) as part of a T-shaped connecting web (46). Pallet according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one support surface (32) of the base part (30) is in contact with the underside of a chamber wall (48) of the supporting leg (16) forming a contact surface (34) or at the same time with the free end of the snap part (40) this mainstay (16) as a further contact surface. Pallet according to one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the base part (30) has support webs (52) between the respective detent legs (16) of a row (20) which can be assigned to detent parts (44) and which on their support plate (12) the opposite underside (14) are comb-like in cross section. Pallet according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the base parts (30) have different widths and that a wider base part (30) is arranged between two narrower base parts (30). Pallet according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the latching parts (44) of the base part (30) are arranged on meandering protruding surfaces (56) thereof which at least partially delimit hollow chambers (58) which, as a further delimitation, support surfaces ( 32). Pallet according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the locking parts (44) are arranged in pairs in the longitudinal direction of the respective base part (30) and that four of these pairs in each leg (16) of a row (20) for the Locking with four pairs of snap parts (40) of this supporting leg (16) are provided. Pallet according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the intermediate spaces (18) for the transport fork are essentially rectangular and are bordered on the edges by a pair of opposing standing legs (16), by the base part (30) and the support plate ( 12). Pallet according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the plastic material consists of non-sorted recycled plastic which gives the parts of the pallet by an injection molding process.

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