GB2036688A

GB2036688A - Load handling pallets

Info

Publication number: GB2036688A
Application number: GB7936372A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1978-10-24
Filing date: 1979-10-19
Publication date: 1980-07-02
Also published as: GB2036688B

Abstract

The invention concerns a knock- down pallet suitable for conveying tubes. The pallet has two opposed rectangular end frames (1,2) which are connected together by two opposed side frames (3,4) to form an open box-like structure. Each side frame is provided with an outwardly opening channel-shaped socket (15) which fits about a side member (7,8) of an adjacent end frame (1,2). A spigot (16) on each side member engages with a complementary slot (17) formed in the side of the socket portion (15) so as to detachably secure the side frames (3,4) to the end frames (1,2). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in pallets The invention relates to improvements in pallets, and is particularly concerned with a knock-down pallet suitable for conveying tubing and the like.

Conventional pallets for conveying tubing such as cardboard tubes are either in the form of a solid frame which cannot conveniently be dismantled and so are bulky and difficultto transport when empty, or, alternatively, are of the knock-down type in which the sides are hinged together. The latter form of pallet, when in a folded position, is less bulky to transport than the former but has been found in practice to be susceptible to damage especially in the region of the hinges.

It is an object of the invention to provide a knock-down pallet of simple construction suitable for transporting tubing, which when in its assembled condition forms a rigid and strong construction capableofwithstanding rough handling, butwhich when broken down stacks into a compact package for transport purposes.

According to the invention a knock-down pallet comprises two rectangular end frames and two rectangular side frames which connect together to form an open box-like structure wherein each side frame is provided at each corner region thereof with a socket portion which opens outwardly from the general plane of the side frame and is adapted to fit about a side member of an adjacent end frame such that when the pallet is assembled opposed pairs of sockets of each side frame engage with the adjacent side members of each end frame, and wherein means are provided for detachably securing each socket to the respective side member.

Preferably, the means for securing each socket to a side member comprises a spigot on the side member which connects with a slot formed in the socket.

Some embodiments of the invention are hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an assembled knock-down pallet according to the invention: Figure 2 is an elevation of an end frame of the pallet viewed in the direction of the arrow A shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side elevation of the end frame of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a rear elevation of a side frame of the pallet of Figure 1; Figure 5 shows a detail, to an enlarged scale, of the pallet of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of pallet according to the invention; and Figures 7 and 8 illustrate methods of stacking the pallet components of Figures 1 and 6 when disassembled.

Referring to Figures 1 to 5 of the drawings, a knock-down pallet comprises two opposed end frames 1,2 which are connected together by two opposed side frames 3, 4 to form an open box-like structure.

Each end frame 1, 2 comprises lengths of steel box-section welded together to form a rectangular frame, and which includes a top member 5, a bottom member 6 and two side members 7, 8. Each end frame is supported by a pair of feet 9 which consist of short lengths of channel-section steel welded to the underside of the bottom member 6. The upper ends 10 of each side member 7, 8 protrude above the top member 5, and serve to engage with and prevent slipping of a second pallet stacked upon the first pallet.

Each side frame 3,4 comprises two spaced-apart horizontal members 11, 12 connected by two vertical members 13, 14toform a rectangular frame. The horizontal members 11, 12 are provided at each end thereof with a jaw or socket 15, which comprises a length of channel-section steel welded to the end of the horizontal member, the open channel of which faces outwardly from the general plane of the side frame 3,4.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the pallet is assembled by connecting opposed pairs of sockets 15 to an adjacent side member 7, 8 of an end frame 1,2. The mouth of the socket 15 is only slightly greater in width than the width of the side member 7, 8 so that it fits snugly around the box-section from which the side member is constructed. As shown in Figure 1, the side frames 3,4 are connected to the inside of the side members 7,8 of the end frames, with the advantage that when the pallet is loaded the load presses the side frames against the side members 7, 8. Each side member 7, 8 is formed on a face thereof with a spigot 16 which engages with a slot 17 formed in the side of the socket 15 (see Figure 5).Preferably, each spigot 16 is arranged on an inwardly facing face of the side members 7, 8; that is, the spigots on one side member of the end frame are disposed opposite and facing the spigots on the other side of the end frame. It will be noted from Figure 2 that the member spigots on the side member 7 of each end frame are staggered relative to the spigots on the side member 8. The reason for this is that when the pallet is assembled the horizontal members 11, 12 of one side frame are not disposed exactly opposite the horizontal members 11, 12 of the other side frame.

It will be appreciated that the sockets 15 of side members 11, 12 occupy part of the load space of the pallet and if these members were disposed exactly opposite each other the width of the load space in that region would be reduced by twice the thickness of the end wall of the socket.

The pallet of the invention is particularly suitable for conveying cardboard tubes and the tubes are arranged in the pallet as shown in Figure 2. It will be appreciated, however, that the pallet is equally suitable for conveying other kinds of tubing such as tubes and pipes, of metal or plastics, rolls of textile material, and the like. The pallet can be lifted by inserting the forks of a fork-lift truck between the feet 9, or from the side under the load.

A suitable dimension for the pallet when erected is, for example, about 4 ft. x 4 ft., and this knocks-down to a flat package about 4 inches in thickness. As shown in Figure 6 the pallet can be of double this height in which case four side frames can be utilized if necessary. Depending on the load to be carried it may be found necessary to strengthen the bottom of the pallet in which case a bottom bar 18 can be inserted as shown in Figure 6. Alternatively, a bottom frame identical in construction with one of the side frames 3, 4 can be utilized. Advantageously, the dimensions allow optimum utilization of the space available in an I.S.O. container.

The pallet knocks down into a very compact package for transport when empty, as shown in Figures 7 and 8. For example, as shown in Figure 8, the two side frames can be laid back to back with the sockets 15 facing outwardly, and the end frames are positioned on the outside of each side frame with the top and bottom members 5, 6 positioned in the sockets. The feet 9 of one end frame are arranged opposite the feet of the other end frame. Alternatively, the end frames can be laid one on the other with the side frames clipping on from the outside.

Or, as shown in Figure 7, the two side frames of the double-size pallet of Figure 6 may be laid across the end frames with cross member 5a and top or bottom members 5 or 6 positioned in the sockets 15.

The feet 9 of one end frame are arranged opposite the feet of the other end frame.

Claims

1. A knock-down pallet comprising two rectangular end frames and two rectangular side frames which connecttogethertoform an open box-like structure wherein each side frame is provided at each corner region thereof with a jaw portion which opens outwardly from the general plane of the side frame and is adapted to fit about a side member of an adjacent end frame such that when the pallet is assembled opposed pairs of jaws of each side frame engage with adjacent side members of each end frame, and wherein means are provided for detachably securing each jaw portion to the respective side member.

2. A knock-down pallet as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the means for securing each jaw portion to a side member comprises a spigot on the side member which connects with a slot formed in the jaw portion.

3. A knock-down pallet as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the side members of the end frame are constructed from metal box-section, and wherein each jaw portion comprises a channel-shaped socket the open mouth of which is slightly greater in width than the width of the metal box-section such that it may fit snugly around the side member.

4. A knock-down pallet as claimed in Claim 3, wherein in the assembled position the side frames are positioned to the inside of the side members with the open mouths of the sockets facing outwardly of the pallet.

5. A knock-down pallet as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the spigot of one side member of each end frame is not positioned directly opposite the spigot on the other side member of that end frame such that when the pallet is assembled the sockets of one side frame are not disposed exactly opposite the sockets of the opposite side frame.

6. A knock-down pallet substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.

7. A knock-down pallet substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings.