GB2091209A

GB2091209A - Pallet support assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2091209A
Application number: GB8039690A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: SUTCLIFFE HENRY Ltd
Current assignee: SUTCLIFFE HENRY Ltd
Priority date: 1980-12-11
Filing date: 1980-12-11
Publication date: 1982-07-28

Abstract

A pallet support assembly is provided comprising two end members 2, 3 which support opposite ends of a pallet 1, each end member including two posts 4, 5 interconnected by a pallet support 6. The two end members are interconnected to lock them against removal from a pallet received by the pallet supports. Each pallet support defines for example a rectangular slot into which an end of the pallet is inserted, the pallet supports being interconnected by elongate members 8, 9 the ends of which are shaped to define apertures 10, the ends of the elongate members being slipped over the posts of the two end members. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Pallet support assembly The present invention relates to a pallet support assembly.

It is conventional practice for goods to be transported and stored on pallets. When the goods are removed from the pallets, the pallets should in theory be returned promptly to source for re-use.

This often does not happen and as a result businesses which receive large volumes of goods on pallets but do not have a correspondingly large requirement for pallets in their own output find themselves in possession of considerable numbers of unused pallets which occupy valuable space. It would be advantageous if some use could be found for such pallets.

Within factories and warehouses, particularly those associated with assembly operations such as vehicle manufacture, it is necessary to temporarily store large quantities of goods next to the assembly lines or in closely adjacent storage areas. Conventionally the goods are transferred to steel containers which can be manoeurvred using fork lift equipment, the containers having a base and four corner posts.

A cup-shaped foot is provided at the bottom of each post so that the containers can be stacked, the feet of an upper container engaging over the top of the posts of a lower container. Stacking of the containers is esential to avoid wasting available space.

The conventional containers are unfortunately expensive and when not in use occupy just as much area as when in use. When such containers are used to transport goods between factories this waste of space is particularly important as when returned empty they occupy just as much loading capacity as when full. In addition they are often stolen or otherwise mislaid.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a pallet support system which makes it possible to assemble containers for use in the manner described above from conventional pallets.

According to the present invention there is provided a pallet support assembly comprising two end members adapted to support opposite ends of a pallet, each end member including two posts interconnected by a pallet support, and means for interconnecting the two end members to lock them against removal from a pallet received by the pallet supports.

Preferably each pallet support defines a rectangular slot into which an end of the pallet is inserted, means being provided for limiting the depth to which the pallet can be inserted into the slot. The depth of insertion can be limited by a lip around the edge of the slot remote from the insertion end, or by a sheet of material which closes off the end of the slot.

The interconnecting means may comprise elongate members the ends of which are shaped to define apertures, the ends of the elongate members being slipped over the posts of the two end members.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded view of a pallet and a support assembly according to the present invention; and Figure 2 is a perspective view of a container assembled from the components shown in Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 1, a conventional timber twoway entry pallet 1 is located between two end members 2 and 3. Each end member comprises two posts 4 and 5 of square-section steel tube interconnected by a pallet support 6 which defines a rectangular slot dimensioned to receive one end of the pallet 1. The end of the slot remote from the pallet supports a lip 7 to limit the penetration of the pallet into the slot. The interconnecting side members 8 and 9 define apertures 10 at their ends which may be slipped over the posts 4 and 5.

The components of Figure 1 may be assembled to form the container illustrated in Figure 2. The side members 8 and 9 prevent the two end members 2 and 3 from moving towards or away from each other and the lips 7 abut against the ends of the pallet to provide increased stability. Positioning the pallet in the supports 6 elevates it above floor level so that the container can be lifted by forks inserted either through the slots of the supports 6 into the pallet or beneath the pallet between the two end members.

The posts 4 and 5 have cup-shaped feet 11 the undersides of which are shaped to receive the tops of the posts of another identical container. Thus containers of the type shown in Figure 2 can be stacked one upon another two make efficient use of available headroom.

The supports 6 and side members 8 and 9 may be fabricated from sheet steel using conventional techniques. Where the entry of forks through the supports 6 is not required, for example when using four-way entry pallets, the lips 7 may be replaced by a simple sheet of material closing off the ends of the slots defined by the supports 6.

Where there is a danger of goods supported on the container falling off, side members can be provided.

These may be in the form of two side members of the type shown linked by a sheet of stiff material such as steel or corrugated board. The two interlinked side members would be supported between the same pair of posts.

The illustrated pallet support assembly cannot be attached to a pallet which already supports goods as the upper sides of the supports 6 could not slide beneath such goods. These upper sides of the supports could be dispensed with however to enable the fitting of the pallet support structure to already loaded pallets, although this would mean that lifting the pallet would not automatically also result in lifting of the entire container.

In circumstances where it is not necessary to insert forks beneath the pallet the supports 6 could be positioned lower down on the posts 4 and 5.

1. A pallet support assembly comprising two end members adapted to support opposite ends of a

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Pallet support assembly The present invention relates to a pallet support assembly. It is conventional practice for goods to be transported and stored on pallets. When the goods are removed from the pallets, the pallets should in theory be returned promptly to source for re-use. This often does not happen and as a result businesses which receive large volumes of goods on pallets but do not have a correspondingly large requirement for pallets in their own output find themselves in possession of considerable numbers of unused pallets which occupy valuable space. It would be advantageous if some use could be found for such pallets. Within factories and warehouses, particularly those associated with assembly operations such as vehicle manufacture, it is necessary to temporarily store large quantities of goods next to the assembly lines or in closely adjacent storage areas. Conventionally the goods are transferred to steel containers which can be manoeurvred using fork lift equipment, the containers having a base and four corner posts. A cup-shaped foot is provided at the bottom of each post so that the containers can be stacked, the feet of an upper container engaging over the top of the posts of a lower container. Stacking of the containers is esential to avoid wasting available space. The conventional containers are unfortunately expensive and when not in use occupy just as much area as when in use. When such containers are used to transport goods between factories this waste of space is particularly important as when returned empty they occupy just as much loading capacity as when full. In addition they are often stolen or otherwise mislaid. It is an object of the present invention to provide a pallet support system which makes it possible to assemble containers for use in the manner described above from conventional pallets. According to the present invention there is provided a pallet support assembly comprising two end members adapted to support opposite ends of a pallet, each end member including two posts interconnected by a pallet support, and means for interconnecting the two end members to lock them against removal from a pallet received by the pallet supports. Preferably each pallet support defines a rectangular slot into which an end of the pallet is inserted, means being provided for limiting the depth to which the pallet can be inserted into the slot. The depth of insertion can be limited by a lip around the edge of the slot remote from the insertion end, or by a sheet of material which closes off the end of the slot. The interconnecting means may comprise elongate members the ends of which are shaped to define apertures, the ends of the elongate members being slipped over the posts of the two end members. An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded view of a pallet and a support assembly according to the present invention; and Figure 2 is a perspective view of a container assembled from the components shown in Figure 1. Referring to Figure 1, a conventional timber twoway entry pallet 1 is located between two end members 2 and 3. Each end member comprises two posts 4 and 5 of square-section steel tube interconnected by a pallet support 6 which defines a rectangular slot dimensioned to receive one end of the pallet 1. The end of the slot remote from the pallet supports a lip 7 to limit the penetration of the pallet into the slot. The interconnecting side members 8 and 9 define apertures 10 at their ends which may be slipped over the posts 4 and 5. The components of Figure 1 may be assembled to form the container illustrated in Figure 2. The side members 8 and 9 prevent the two end members 2 and 3 from moving towards or away from each other and the lips 7 abut against the ends of the pallet to provide increased stability. Positioning the pallet in the supports 6 elevates it above floor level so that the container can be lifted by forks inserted either through the slots of the supports 6 into the pallet or beneath the pallet between the two end members. The posts 4 and 5 have cup-shaped feet 11 the undersides of which are shaped to receive the tops of the posts of another identical container. Thus containers of the type shown in Figure 2 can be stacked one upon another two make efficient use of available headroom. The supports 6 and side members 8 and 9 may be fabricated from sheet steel using conventional techniques. Where the entry of forks through the supports 6 is not required, for example when using four-way entry pallets, the lips 7 may be replaced by a simple sheet of material closing off the ends of the slots defined by the supports 6. Where there is a danger of goods supported on the container falling off, side members can be provided. These may be in the form of two side members of the type shown linked by a sheet of stiff material such as steel or corrugated board. The two interlinked side members would be supported between the same pair of posts. The illustrated pallet support assembly cannot be attached to a pallet which already supports goods as the upper sides of the supports 6 could not slide beneath such goods. These upper sides of the supports could be dispensed with however to enable the fitting of the pallet support structure to already loaded pallets, although this would mean that lifting the pallet would not automatically also result in lifting of the entire container. In circumstances where it is not necessary to insert forks beneath the pallet the supports 6 could be positioned lower down on the posts 4 and 5. CLAIMS

1. A pallet support assembly comprising two end members adapted to support opposite ends of a pallet, each end member including two posts interconnected by a pallet support, and means for interconnecting the two end members to lock them against removal from a pallet received by the pallet supports.

2. A pallet support assembly according to claim 1, wherein each pallet support defines a rectangular slot into which an end of the pallet is inserted, means being provided for limiting the depth to which the pallet can be inserted into the slot.

3. A pallet support assembly according to claim 2, wherein a lip is provided around the edge of the slot remote from the insertion end to limit the depth of insertion.

4. A pallet support assembly according to claim 2, wherein a sheet of material closes off the end of the slot remote from the insertion end to limit the depth of insertion.

5. A pallet support assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the interconnecting means comprise elongate members the ends of which are shaped to define apertures, the ends of the elongate members being slipped over the posts of the two end members.

6. A pallet support assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.