FR2960860A1 - Element e.g. parallelepiped shaped cross beam, for pallet to store and transport objects, has bar with ribs that are coincided with ribs of another bar to increase mechanical resistance of element - Google Patents

Abstract

The element e.g. parallelepiped shaped cross beam (100), has bars (101, 111) connected together at a plane connection surface (101.111). Each bar occupies volume representing a part of thickness of flat volume of the element. Each arm includes a wall (102) remotely extended from the connection surface, and ribs (122, 132) are arranged between the wall and the connection surface. The ribs are extended until the connection surface. The ribs of one bar are coincided with ribs of another bar to increase mechanical resistance of the element. An independent claim is also included for a pallet for storing and transporting objects.

Description

The present invention relates to an element such as a board, a cross or a tray, to form a pallet for storing and transporting objects. Moreover, the present invention relates to a pallet for storing and transporting objects comprising at least one such element. The present invention finds application in the field of storage and transport of various objects. A transport pallet of the prior art includes soles resting on the ground, boards forming a tray for placing the objects, as well as sleepers arranged between the soles and the boards, so as to keep the board away from the ground. The boards and crosspieces are made of solid material, such as wood, to give the pallet a mechanical strength adapted to a maximum load determined by the dimensions of the soles, boards and crosspieces. However, for a given maximum load, a pallet 15 is relatively heavy, which makes handling more difficult and more dangerous for an operator. An object of the present invention is to solve, in whole or in part, the problems mentioned above. To this end, the subject of the invention is an element, such as a board, a cross-piece or a plate, for forming a pallet for storing and transporting objects, the element occupying a generally flat volume and preferably The element is characterized in that it comprises two reinforcements fastened together at a joining surface, each armature occupies a volume representing a part of the thickness of the overall flat volume, each armature comprising: at least one wall extending at a distance from the fastening surface; and a plurality of ribs arranged between the wall and the joining surface, ribs extending up to the fastening surface, ribs of one armature coinciding with ribs of another armature so as to increase the mechanical strength. of the element. In other words, a pallet board or crossbeam may be formed of two half-shells which have ribs defining recesses and which are assembled to coincide all or part of their respective ribs. The coincidence of the ribs of the armatures and allows the transmission of the forces between armatures and increases the quadratic moments of the armatures. In particular for a plate according to the invention, the coincidence of the ribs strongly reduces the deflection of the central region of the pallet, which limits the mechanical stresses, particularly in fatigue, exerted on the pallet. Thus, a pallet member according to the invention has a high stiffness, while having a relatively low weight. An element according to the invention makes it possible to produce a light and mechanically resistant pallet.

According to one embodiment, ribs define cells. Thus, a pallet member according to the invention has high quadratic moments with respect to the three dimensions of the space, which is particularly suitable for forming a cross member.

According to one embodiment, a plurality of ribs extend in respective planes perpendicular to a longitudinal direction and a plurality of ribs extend in respective planes parallel to the longitudinal direction, the member forming a cross-member or a plate. Thus, a pallet member according to the invention has a high quadratic moment with respect to a preferred dimension, which is particularly suitable for forming a board. According to one embodiment, ribs define grooves parallel to each other, the length of each groove, measured in the longitudinal direction, being between 50% and 100%, preferably between 70% and 95%, of the length of the groove. respective armature, at least one of the armatures having a flat outer face, the element forming a board. Thus, a pallet member according to the invention has a high quadratic moment and uniform with respect to a preferred dimension, which is particularly suitable for forming a board. According to one embodiment, the element is made of synthetic plastic material, preferably polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP). Thus, a pallet member according to the invention is light and mechanically strong, which makes it possible to form a light and mechanically strong pallet.

According to one embodiment, the reinforcements are secured by means of glue or solder, such as a vibration weld or a mirror weld. Thus, the joining of the reinforcements is durable and the mechanical strength of an element according to the invention is high. According to one embodiment, the fastening surface is flat. Thus, the joining of the reinforcements is relatively easy to achieve, in particular by means of a mirror weld. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a pallet, for storing and transporting objects, comprising an assembly of several elements, including at least one board and at least one cross member. The pallet is characterized in that it comprises at least one element as previously discussed. Thus, a pallet according to the invention is therefore light and mechanically resistant. Depending on its geometry, a pallet according to the invention and having a weight of the order of 13 kg can withstand objects inducing about 1500 kg, dynamic load or storage "rack" and 5000 kg static load. In addition, a pallet 20 according to the invention which incorporates metal profiles can withstand, for a weight of the order of 16 kg, objects inducing about 2500 kg in dynamic load or rack storage. To support such loads, a pallet of the prior art must weigh at least 25 kg, or even 30 kg. According to one embodiment, each board comprises a plurality of tenons and each cross-member comprises a plurality of housings, each housing having a shape substantially complementary to a tenon, the cooperation of the tenons and housings making it possible to removably fix a board to a cross-member. Thus, the boards and crosspieces can be assembled to form a pallet according to the invention, and then disassembled to repair a pallet according to the invention, in particular to replace a deteriorated item. According to one embodiment, each tenon comprises a rod and a head, the cross sectional area of the head being smaller than the cross sectional area of the rod, the head projecting from the rod and wherein each housing comprises: - a first cavity of area greater than the area of a cross section of the head, so as to insert the head into the first cavity in an insertion direction, - a second cavity designed to guiding the head in translation in a direction perpendicular to the direction of insertion and for retaining the rod in a direction parallel to the direction of insertion, so as to fix a board relative to a cross. Thus, the housing allows to lock the tenons, so to maintain in position a board on a cross. In addition, the geometry of the housing, complementary to that of the tenons, prevents the entry of polluting particles in the element. The present invention will be well understood and its advantages will also emerge in the light of the description which follows, which is given solely by way of non-limiting example and which is given with reference to the appended drawings, in which: FIG. an exploded perspective view from above of an element according to a first embodiment of the invention, in this case a cross member, in the uncoupled state; FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view from below of the element of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a perspective view, along the angle of FIG. 1, of the element of FIG. 1, in the solid state; FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of detail IV in FIG. 2; FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view, along the angle of FIG. 2, of an armature of the element of FIG. 1 and a portion of an element according to a second embodiment of the invention; , in this case a board; FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view, along the angle of FIG. 2, of the element of FIG. 5 according to a second embodiment of the invention; - Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view and from above of a portion of an element according to a third embodiment of the invention, in this case a tray; FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view from below of part of the element of FIG. 7; - Figure 9 is a perspective view, according to the angle of Figure 1, the pallet of Figure 9, in the partially assembled state; - Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9 of the pallet of Figure 9 in the assembled state; - Figure 11 is a perspective view and from below, the pallet of Figure 10; - Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 10 of a pallet according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; and FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 11 of the pallet of FIG. 12. FIG. 1 illustrates a cross member 100 in the uncoupled state. The cross member 100 constitutes an element for forming a pallet for storing or transporting objects. The crosspiece 100 occupies a generally flat and parallelepipedal volume with rectangular section. In this case, the rectangle is elongated, so that the cross member 100 extends substantially in a transverse direction Y100. In the example of the figures, the cross member 100 is made of synthetic plastic material, for example polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP).

In the present application, a volume is said to be "generally flat" if one of its dimensions, called thickness, is significantly smaller than at least one of the other two dimensions, called length and width. In the case of the cross member 100, the thickness E100 is significantly less than the length L100 and the width M100, since the thickness E100 represents less than 50% of the length L100 or the width M100. The cross member 100 comprises two frames 101 and 111. Each frame 101 or 111 is integrally molded. Each armature 101 or 111 occupies a volume representing a portion of the thickness of the overall flat volume, in fact one half of this thickness. In the present application, the thickness is the smallest dimension of the overall flat volume. Each armature 101 or January 1 extends substantially in the transverse direction Y100. Insofar as the armature 101 is identical to the armature 111, the description of the armature 111 given below can be transposed to the armature 101.

As shown in Figure 3, the plates 101 and 111 are secured together at a securing surface 101.111. The fastening surface 101.111 extends in a plane P111 which is parallel to the transverse direction Y100. The reinforcements 101 and 111 are secured by means of glue or solder, such as a vibration weld or a mirror weld. The armature 111 has a wall 112, visible in Figure 2, which extends generally in the transverse direction Y100. The wall 112 has a generally rectangular outline. The wall 112 is composed of several elementary walls 112.1, 112.2, 112.3 and the like which are separated by orifices 113, 114 and 115. The armature 101 has a wall 102 similar to the wall 112. The wall 112 extends at a distance of the fastening surface 101.111. The wall 112 extends substantially parallel to the fastening surface 101.111. The armature 111 further comprises a plurality of ribs arranged between the wall 112 and the securing surface 101.111, some of which are referenced 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135 in FIG. Most of the ribs 121-125, 131-135 and equivalent extend to the wall 112. The ribs 121-125, 131-135 and equivalent extend to the fastening surface 101.111. On the side of the securing surface 101.111, the respective edges of the ribs 121-125, 131-135 and the like extend in the plane P111. As shown in FIG. 2, the armature 101 has symmetrical ribs, with respect to the plane P111, to the ribs 121-125, 131-135 and the like. When joining the reinforcements 101 and 111, ribs 121-125, 131-135 and equivalent of the armature 111 coincide with corresponding ribs of the armature 101, so as to increase the mechanical strength of the cross member 100. For this purpose, the armatures 101 and 111 are kept facing when they are secured. In the present application, the verb "to coincide" and its derivatives refer to components having similar or identical positions and dimensions, when an element according to the invention is in the joined state. For example, the ribs 121-125, 131-135 and equivalent of the armature 111 coincide respectively with the symmetrical ribs of the armature 101. After joining the armatures 101 and 111, the ribs 121-125, 131-135 and equivalent of the armature 111 are secured to corresponding ribs of the armature 101, for example by means of glue or welding. The ribs 121-125 and equivalent extend in respective planes perpendicular to the transverse direction Y100. Ribs 131-135 and the like extend in respective planes parallel to the transverse direction Y100. The ribs 121-125, 131-135 and the like thus define cells which generally have rectangular shapes. In this application, the term "cell" refers to a small cavity. The positions and dimensions of the ribs 121-125, 131-135 and the like are determined to optimize the resistance to sagging of the cross member 100, while retaining a certain flexibility without rupture. Figure 6 illustrates a board 200 in the uncoupled state. Insofar as the board 200 is similar to the cross member 100, the description of the cross member 100, given above in relation to FIGS. 1 to 5, can be transposed to the board 200, with the exception of the differences set forth in FIG. -after. An element of the board 200 which is similar or corresponding, in structure or function, to an element of the crosspiece 100 hereinafter has the same numerical reference increased by 100. Thus, two similar reinforcements 201 and 211, a surface 201.211, a plane P211, a wall 212, ribs 221, 222, 223, 224 and 225. Like the crosspiece 100, the plate 200 occupies a generally flat and parallelepipedal volume section shaped elongated rectangle. The thickness E200 of the board 200 is significantly less than its length L200 and its width M200, since the thickness E200 represents less than 50% of the length L200 or the width M200. The board 200 differs from the cross member 100 since the board 200 extends substantially in a longitudinal direction X200 which is perpendicular to the transverse direction Y100, when the board 200 and the board 100 are assembled to form a pallet 1, visible to Figures 9, 10 and 11.

The board 200 differs from the cross member 100, because the ribs 221-225 define grooves parallel to each other and to the longitudinal direction X200, instead of defining cells. The length of each groove, measured in the longitudinal direction X200, is about 100% of the length L200 of the armature 211. The plate 200 differs from the cross member 100, since an outer face of the wall 212 of the armature 211 is flat, as shown in Figures 9 and 10. This outer face of the wall 212 is designed to form, in juxtaposition with the walls of other boards, a plate for the pallet 1.

The outer face of the wall 212 is the upper face. In the present application, the adjective "superior" refers to an element which is above a so-called "lower" element when the element according to the invention, board, traverse or plate, is in use in a pallet whose soles are placed on the ground.

The board 200 differs from the cross member 100 because the outer face of the wall 202 is different from the outer face of the wall 212. As shown in Figure 6, the outer face of the wall 202 is formed essentially of two arcuate portions for to withstand significant forces induced on the board 200 by the weight of the objects placed on the pallet 1. Figures 7 and 8 respectively illustrate two frames 301 and 311 of a plate 300. Insofar as the plate 300 is similar to the crossbar 100, the description of the cross member 100, given above in relation to FIGS. 1 to 5, can be transposed to the plate 300, with the exception of the differences set out below. An element of the plate 300 similar or corresponding, by its structure or by its function, to an element of the crosspiece 100 hereinafter has the same numerical reference increased by 200. Thus, two similar reinforcements 301 and 311 are defined, a joining surface 301.311, a plane P311, a wall 312, ribs 321, 322, 323, 324, 331, 332, 333 and 334. The plate 300 differs from the crossbar 100 because the plate 300 occupies a volume whose section in the form of rectangle is close to a square, its two sides having similar lengths. The plate 300 thus extends both in a transverse direction Y300 and in a longitudinal direction X300.

Like the crosspiece 100 and the plate 200, the plate 300 occupies a generally flat and parallelepipedal volume. The thickness of the plate 300 is significantly less than its length L300 and its width M300, because its thickness is less than 50% of the length L300 or the width M300. The plate 300 differs from the crossbar 100 because the plate 300 has ribs 321-324, 331-334 and the like which are evenly spaced. In addition, the ribs 321-324 are all parallel to each other, as the ribs 331-334. Like ribs 121-125, 131-135 and the like, ribs 321-324, 331-235 and the like define cells. The structure of the armature 311 is similar to the structure of the armature 301 described above. To simplify the reading of Figure 8, the positions of the ribs of the frame 311 are shown schematically by a single line or mixed at the wall 312 which is full.

FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 illustrate a pallet 1, for storing and transporting objects, which comprises an assembly of three sleepers 100, six boards 200 and three flanges 2, 3 and 4. The three flanges 2, 3 and 4 are designed to rest on a flat floor and they extend over a substantial part of the length of the pallet 1. The pallet 1 has a length L300 of about 1200 mm and a width M300 of about 1000 mm. As shown in FIG. 6, the board 200 comprises six tenons 251, 252, 253, 254, 255 and 256. Insofar as the 251, 252, 253, 254, 255 and 256 have identical structures, the description of the tenon 251 given below may be transposed to the pins 252, 253, 254, 255 and 256.

Each crosspiece 100 comprises a plurality of housings 151, 152 and the like which each have a shape substantially complementary to a post 251 or 252. As shown in FIG. 9, the cooperation of the tenons and the housings makes it possible to removably fix a board 200 on a post crosses 100.

As shown in Figure 5, the stud 251 comprises a rod 251.1 and a head 251.2. The cross sectional area of the head 251.2 is smaller than the cross sectional area of the rod 251.1. The head 251.2 projects all around the rod 251.1. In the example of FIGS. 1 to 11, the cross section of the rod 251.1 is cylindrical with a circular base and the cross section of the head 251.2 is prismatic with a generally rectangular base.

As shown in FIG. 4, the housing 151 comprises: a first cavity 151.1 of area greater than the area of a cross section of the head 251.2, so as to insert the head 251.2 into the first cavity 151.1 in a direction of insertion Z100 which is perpendicular to the transverse direction Y100. a second cavity 151.2 designed to guide the head 251.2 in translation in the transverse direction Y100 and to retain the rod 251.1 in a direction parallel to the insertion direction Z100, so as to fix the board 200 with respect to the cross member 100. For this purpose, the second cavity 151.2 defines a stop 153 which retains the head 251.2, thus the pin 251 in the housing 151. As shown in Figure 9, during the assembly of the pallet 1, an operator positions a board 200 facing the three cross members 100, so as to simultaneously insert the studs 251-256 in the first cavities 151.1 of the housings 151, 152 and the like. Then, the operator moves the head 251.2 in translation to the second cavities 151.2 and equivalent, which fixes the board 200 on each cross 100. After fixing each board 200, the pallet 1 is assembled. During total or partial disassembly of the pallet 1, the operator performs the reverse movements to detach a board 200 from the three sleepers 100. It is thus possible to replace a board or a crosspiece possibly deteriorated when using the pallet 1 Figures 12 and 13 illustrate a pallet 41 according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. Since the pallet 41 is similar to the pallet 1, the description of the pallet 1, given above in relation with FIGS. 9, 10 and 11, can be transposed to the pallet 41, with the exception of the differences. set out below. An element of the pallet 41 similar or corresponding, by its structure or by its function, to an element of the pallet 1 carries hereinafter the same numerical reference preceded by the prefix 4. Three insoles 42, 43 and 44 are thus defined. The pallet 41 differs from the pallet 1 because the cross members 4100 have a cross-section of a shape different from that of the cross members 100. The section of the cross members 4100 is approximately in the shape of an "E", which facilitates the formation of the cross member 4100. handling of the pallet 41.

According to other embodiments of the invention not shown, taken alone or in any technically permissible combination: - ribs have curved cross sections, instead of rectilinear, or even more complex shapes; the length of each groove defined by ribs may be between 50% and 100%, preferably between 70% and 95%, of the length of the armature; - An element, cross, board or tray, comprises inserts which are made of metal or composite material and which are mounted within the element between the ribs, so as to further increase the mechanical strength of the element; the number of crosspieces of a pallet is between 2 and 5; - the number of boards in a pallet is between 4 and 13 - the dimensions of a pallet are variable, in particular its length, width and height, to adapt it to a customer's needs or standards in force, for example in Europe or the United States; - A tray according to the invention, whose volume is generally flat, has ribs arranged projecting on the upper face of the plate, so as to fitly received and stable the lower part of cylindrical objects, for example drums. drink; - The armatures of an element according to the invention are secured by resilient latching means or by screwing; - An element according to the invention forms a pallet sole. 25 30

Claims (10)

REVENDICATIONS1. Element (100; 200; 300), such as a board, a crossbeam or a tray, for forming a pallet (1; 41) for storing and transporting objects, the occupying member (100; 200; 300) a generally flat and preferably parallelepipedal volume, the element (100; 200; 300) being characterized in that it comprises two reinforcements (101, 111; 201, 211; 301, 311) joined to one another at a bonding surface (101.111; 201.211; 301.311), each armature (101, 111; 201, 211; 301, 311) occupies a volume representing a part of the thickness of the generally flat volume, each armature (101, 111; 201, 211; 301, 311) comprising: - at least one wall (102, 112; 202, 212; 302, 312) extending away from the fastening surface (101.111; 201.211; 301.311); and - a plurality of ribs ( 121-125, 131-135, 221-225, 321-324, 331-334) arranged between the wall (102, 112; 202, 212; 302, 312) and the securing surface (101.111; 201.211; 20 3 01.311), ribs (121-125, 131-135; 221-225; 321-324, 331-334) extending to the fastening surface (101.111; 201.211; 301.311), ribs (121-125, 131-135; 221-225; 321-324, 331-334); an armature (101, 111; 201, 211; 301, 311) coinciding with ribs (121-125, 131-135; 221-225; 321-324, 331-334) of another armature (101, 111; 201, 211; 301, 311) so as to increase the mechanical strength of the element (100; 200; 300). The element (100; 300) of claim 1, wherein ribs (121-125, 131-135; 321-324, 331-334) define cells. 3. Element (100; 300) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of ribs (121-125, 131-135; 321-324, 331-334) extend in respective planes perpendicular to a longitudinal direction. (X200) and wherein a plurality of ribs (121-125, 131-135, 321-324, 331-334) extend in respective planes parallel to the longitudinal direction (X200), the element (100; crosses or a plateau. 4. Element (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein ribs (221-225) define grooves parallel to each other, the length of each groove, measured in the longitudinal direction, being between 50% and 100% , preferably between 70% and 95%, of the length (L200) of the respective armature (201, 211), at least one of the armatures (201, 211) having a flat outer face, the element (200 ) forming a board. 5. Element (100; 200; 300) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the element (100; 200; 300) is made of synthetic plastic material, preferably polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP). ). An element (100; 200; 300) according to claim 5, wherein the reinforcements (101,111; 201,211; 301,311) are secured by means of glue or solder, such as a vibration weld or a mirror weld. 7. Element (100; 200; 300) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening surface (101.111; 201.211; 301.311) is flat. 8. Pallet (1; 41) for storing and transporting objects, comprising an assembly of several elements, at least one board and at least one cross-member, the pallet (1; 41) being characterized in that it comprises at least one element (100; 200; 300) according to one of the preceding claims. The pallet (1; 41) according to claim 8, wherein each board comprises a plurality of studs (251-256) and each cross member comprises a plurality of housings (151, 152), each housing (151, 152) having a shape substantially complementary to a tenon (251-256), the cooperation of 10 15tenons (251-256) and housing (151, 152) for removably attaching a board on a cross. The pallet (1; 41) according to claim 9, wherein each tenon (251-256) comprises a rod (251.1) and a head (251.2) (251.2), the cross sectional area of the head (251.2). ) being smaller than the area of a cross-section of the shank (251.1), the head (251.2) projecting from the shank (251.1), and wherein each housing (151, 152) comprises: - a first cavity (151.1) of area greater than the area of a cross-section of the head (251.2) (251.2), so as to insert the head (251.2) into the first cavity (151.1) in an insertion direction (Z100) a second cavity (151.2) adapted to guide the head (251.2) in translation in a direction perpendicular to the direction of insertion (Z100) and to retain the rod (251.1) in a direction parallel to the direction of insertion ( Z100), so as to fix a board -100) relative to a crossbar (200). 20