FR2463068A1 - Narrow pallet with slatted deck - has series of wooden blocks mounted on slatted base leaving spaces for forks of forklift truck - Google Patents

Abstract

The pallet is for use with a forklift truck and has a number of base strips (3) which are arranged parallel to each other and support pairs of blocks (1) arranged near the ends of the base. The blocks in adjacent strips are formed by a beam (20). The beams are covered by the top strips (41). A central support (12) is parallel to the beams (20), and an edge support (22) is fixed to one end. The edge of the base is chamfered at the centre (31). The pallet may be lifted in either direction.

Description

 The subject of the present invention is a handling pallet, with four inlets, of small width, which can be transported both by means of a fork-lift trolley and by means of a standard pallet truck device, pallet of the type comprising a floor supported by a set of blocks forming spacers mounted on soles and leaving free spaces between floor and soles for the passage of the fork of a transport device.

 There is a known type of standard wooden handling pallet, with four entries capable of being transported using both a forklift truck and a device of the pallet truck type, the fork of the cart or of the pallet truck being able to be engaged. either in the length direction of the pallet, or in the direction of its width.

 A pallet of this type comprises at least four spacer blocks arranged at each of the angles of the pallet, as well as intermediate reinforcing spacer blocks arranged at the center of each of the sides of the pallet.

 Such a pallet presents a certain convenience of use. However, while its use as a medium for transporting goods is advantageous, its use as a medium for storing goods poses a certain number of problems. In particular, a standard pallet of this known type has minimum dimensions (conditioned by a minimum spacing of the end spacer blocks to allow the passage of a forklift or pallet fork) too large, so that a such a pallet cannot constitute a convenient display for goods which, in the storage position, must be easily accessible.

 There is also known a small width handling pallet which can serve both as a means of transporting goods as a means of storing goods, and in which all of the spacer blocks mounted on soles and supporting a floor are distributed. exclusively in the vicinity of the longitudinal axis of the pallet. However, such a type of pallet has a certain fragility due to the existence of a large overhang on either side of the longitudinal axis of the pallet reinforced by the spacer blocks.

 The present invention aims precisely to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks and to allow the use of a narrow pallet in an optimum manner both as a means of transporting goods and as a means of storing goods, while guaranteeing good mechanical strength of this pallet.

 These aims are achieved thanks to a wooden handling pallet of the type mentioned at the start in which, in accordance with the invention, the blocks forming spacers are divided into first and second series of blocks located the first immediately adjacent to the one of the longitudinal edges of the pallet eL the second slightly offset from the other longitudinal edge of the pallet.

 Such a pallet, which can be entirely of wood, therefore inexpensive to manufacture and therefore likely to constitute possibly a lost package, can have a relatively reduced width, barely greater than the overall outside width of the fork of the instrument. lifting. Due to the asymmetry of the two series of spacer blocks with respect to the longitudinal axis of the pallet which ensures a slight offset of a series of spacer blocks with respect to a longitudinal edge, the fork of a lifting device can s '' easily engage on the one hand under the floor part which constitutes a small projecting wing in the vicinity of the second series of blocks, on the other hand under the floor part located between the two series of blocks, in the vicinity of the first series of blocks.

The mechanical assembly of the pallet also remains very resistant since there is a wing protruding from the floor on one side only and over a short length.

 Preferably, the blocks of the series immediately adjacent to one of the longitudinal edges of the pallet have a width, in the transverse direction of the pallet, which is greater than the width of the blocks of the second series offset from the other longitudinal edge of the pallet.

For example, the width of the blocks immediately adjacent to one of the longitudinal edges of the pallet is close to half that of the blocks of the second series offset from the other longitudinal edge of the pallet.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the blocks of the second series are offset relative to the longitudinal edge of the pallet which is closest to them by a distance substantially equivalent to the width of said blocks.

 Each series of blocks includes two end spacer blocks arranged adjacent respectively to each of the transverse edges of the pallet.

Each series of blocks further comprises at least one additional spacer block aligned with the two end spacer blocks of the same series and situated substantially equidistant from said two end spacer blocks.

Each spacer block is mounted, on the side opposite the floor of the pallet, on a dirty dirty worm sole constituted by a board which is parallel to the small sides of the pallet, of length substantially equal to the transverse dimension of the pallet and of neighboring width. the length of the spacer blocks it supports.

 The width is of the order of 600 mm. and the length is greater than or equal to about 750 mm.

 The spacer blocks of the first series have, in the transverse direction of the pallet, a width of between approximately 50 and 70 mm and the spacer blocks of the second series are offset from the longitudinal edge of the pallet closest to a distance between approximately 80 and 170 mm.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows on from embodiments of the invention, given solely by way of example, with reference to the appended drawings, in which
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of two pallets according to the invention,
- Figure 2 is a side view along arrow F of one of the pallets in Figure 1.

 - Figure 3 is a perspective view of a variant pallet according to the invention.

Figure 1 shows two pallets A and B according to the invention, arranged back to back one next to the other so as to cover an area equivalent to that of a large pallet. Each pallet
A, B is thus likely to constitute half of one per standard letter and, taken individually, constitutes a narrow palette with four entries.

 A pallet such as A or B, entirely made of wood, comprises two series of spacer blocks 1, 2 supporting a slatted floor 4 in the form of parallel transverse slats 41 connected to each other by cross members 10,20 to which the spacer blocks d 'a m * ne series 1,2 respectively. The spacer blocks are distributed not only in two longitudinal parallel rows, but also in transverse rows defined by the flanges 3, which extend sensi.'iwlement over the entire width of the pallet at each end thereof and in an area substantially mid-distance on each of the short sides 7, 8 of the pallet.

The blocks 1 fixed on the flanges 3 and the cross-member 10 are located immediately adjacent to the longitudinal edge 5 of the pallet, so that the end of the floor does not overhang beyond the studs 1. On the contrary, the blocks 2, also fixed on the flanges 3, at a distance from the blocks 1, and connected to the cross-member 20, are situated a little behind the second longitudinal edge 6 of the pallet, at a distance d from that -this, so that outside the studs 2, between the soles 3 and the floor 4, free spaces are provided which allow, in the longitudinal direction, the passage of one of the arms of a fork lifting, the other arm of the fork being able to engage in parallel in the free space provided between the two series of blocks 1 and 2.

 The soles 3, which are thin and do not interfere with the passage of the lifting fork are of a length roughly equivalent to that of the transverse dimension of the pallet. However, in the case where it is not envisaged to stack the pallets, the length of the flanges 3 can also be slightly reduced on the side of the blocks 2 so that the wings of the flanges which extend beyond the spacer blocks 2 do not are not too large cantilever parts.

 The internal interval between two blocks 1 and 2 is naturally greater than or equal to the total width of a branch of a lifting fork, so as to allow the pallet to be lifted and transported using a fork entering through the longitudinal sides of the pallet. Chamfers 11, 21 can be produced on the vertical edges of the spacer blocks facing the free spaces reserved for the passage of the branches of a lifting fork, in order to facilitate the engagement of this fork in the pallet. Similarly, the soles 3 have chamfers 31, 32 on their upper edges in order to facilitate the passage of the wheels of a device of the pallet truck type.

The blocks 1 situated immediately adjacent to the longitudinal edge 5 of the pallet are preferably of a width el reduced, in the transverse direction of the pallet, compared to the width e2 of the blocks arranged at a short distance from the longitudinal edge 6 of the palette. The width el can be for example of the order of half the width e2, the width e2 of the blocks 2 can itself be of the order of magnitude of the distance d corresponding to the width of the part of the floor 4 which constitutes an overflowing wing.

Pallet A or B of Figure 1 can easily be lifted and transported using a lifting device fork engaged in the longitudinal direction of the pallet. In fact, no obstacle limits the passage of a fork outside, one of the branches of which is engaged on the outside of the blocks 2 and, despite the small width of the pallet, the reduced width and of the blocks 1 and their confinement. along the edge 5 of the pallet allows easy passage of the second branch of the fork of the lifting machine.

 By way of example, a pallet A or B of the type represented in FIG. 1 can have a width 1 of the order of 600 mm, a length L of the order of 800 mm and a height of blocks 1, 2 of around 100 mm, in order to constitute a standard half-pallet. The spacer blocks 1,2 have, in the transverse direction of the pallet respectively a width el of between approximately 50 and 70 mm and a width e2 of between approximately 100 and 150 mm while, in the longitudinal direction of the pallet, the blocks 1, 2 can have an overall length of between approximately 100 and 200 mm.

 The length d of the projecting wing of the floor can be between approximately 80 and 170 mm and is advantageously of the order of 100 mm.

The pallet according to the invention may comprise, in addition to two groups of spacer blocks 1, 2 at the end, a third group of median spacer blocks 1, -2, disposed substantially at equal distance from the end blocks. The passage of a fork in the transverse direction of the pallet remains possible in the free spaces provided between the end blocks on the one hand and the middle blocks on the other hand. The blocks 1, 2 of the central group have a configuration similar to that of the end blocks 1, 2 and are fixed on the one hand to the crosspieces 10, 20 respectively, integral with the floor 4, and on the other hand to a transverse sole 3 similar to the end soles 3. The soles 3 of the pallet can also be joined together by one or more intermediate boards, not shown, arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pallet.

It will be noted that the floor 4 can be made of wood, using contiguous slats or not mounted on crosspieces such as 10, 20 or even be formed by a plywood, cardboard or the like striped directly on the spacer blocks. 1, 2.

 The whole of the floor block spacers, and possibly soles can also be produced directly in one piece by molding, for example in expanded material, such as expanded polystyrene, or also in plastic material.

 An essential advantage of a pallet according to the invention lies in the fact that, in addition to its ease of manufacture, its low cost, its robustness, its reduced dimensions which allow it to serve as a display, and the possibility that it offers. be entered both in the longitudinal direction and in the transverse direction using a forklift or a standard pallet truck, the pallet according to the invention constitutes exactly a standard half-pallet. Thus, two pallets of small width in accordance with the invention arranged back to back in the manner shown in FIG. 1 and brought together so as to be practically in contact with one another constitute the equivalent of a pallet of four entries of standard dimensions .

 In this case, using a forklift, or a pallet truck, it is possible to easily transport simultaneously the two pallets A and B by gripping them in the transverse direction as well as in the direction lQngitudinal. When the pallets are gripped in the transverse direction, the blocks 1 do not in fact form any obstacle to the passage of the fork of the transport vehicle, since these blocks are always rejected immediately adjacent to the longitudinal edges 5 attached to the pallets A and B and, because of their small width, even when double, remain less than the free space located between the two branches of the fork.

 Once transported to the desired location, each of the two pallets A and B can then be treated and transported individually to form a display rack whose dimensions are not excessive.

The floor 4 can be made in very different ways. Thus, additional longitudinal crosspieces 12, 22 can be interposed between the crosspieces 10, 20 to connect the boards 41 together.

The cross members 10, 20 may themselves be of a width greater than the width of the pads 1, 2 respectively.

Furthermore, the floor can also be produced as shown in FIG. 3 with longitudinal slats 141 assembled by transverse planks 110 each of which is secured with both a stud 1 of small width and a stud 2 offset from the longitudinal edge next to the pallet. This structure makes it possible to reduce the mass of the pallet while giving it excellent robustness.

Claims (9)

 1.- Pallet handling, with four entrances, of small width, which can be transported as well by means of a forklift, as using a standard hand pallet truck, pallet of the type comprising a floor supported by a set of blocks forming spacers mounted on soles and leaving free spaces between floor and soles for the passage of the fork of a transport device, characterized in that the blocks forming spacers are divided into first and second series of blocks located the first immediately adjacent to one of the longitudinal edges of the pallet and the second slightly offset from the other longitudinal edge of the pallet.  2. Pallet according to claim 1, charac terized in that the blocks of the series immediately adjacent to one of the longitudinal edges of the pallet have a width, in the transverse direction of the pallet, which is greater than the width blocks of the second series offset from the other longitudinal edge of the pallet. 3.- Pallet according to claim 2, characterized in that the width of the blocks immediately adjacent to one of the longitudinal edges of the pallet is close to half that of the blocks of the second series offset from the other longitudinal edge of the pallet. 4. Pallet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the blocks of the second series are offset relative to the longitudinal edge of the pallet which is closest to them by a distance substantially equivalent to the width of said blocks. 5. Pallet according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each series of blocks comprises two end spacer blocks arranged adjacent respectively to each of the transverse edges of the pallet.  6. Pallet according to claim 5, characterized in that each series of blocks further comprises at least one additional spacer block aligned with the two end spacer blocks of the same series and located substantially equidistant from said two spacer blocks d 'end. 7. Pallet according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each spacer block is mounted, on the side opposite to the floor of the pallet, on a transverse sole formed by a board which is parallel to the short sides of the pallet, of length substantially equal to the transverse dimension of the pallet and of width close to the length of the spacer blocks that it supports. 8.- Pallet according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the width is of the order of 600 mm and the length is greater than or equal to about 750 mm.  9. Pallet according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the spacer blocks of the first series have, in the transverse direction of the pallet, a width of between approximately 50 and 70 mm and in that the spacer blocks of the second series are offset from the longitudinal edge of the nearest pallet by a distance of between approximately 80 and 170 mm. 1 Pallet according to any one of re vendications 1 to 9, characterized in that the floor is constituted by a set of transverse slatted slats joined together by crosspieces on which the blqc $ -spreaders of a same series of blocks.