GB2137587A - Pallet - Google Patents

Abstract

A pallet for use in the loading and unloading of turf or other articles comprises a platform made up of two plates 1, 2 held together by releasable coupling members. The plates are removed from underneath the load by means of the same device as is used for lifting the pallet, after removing the coupling members. The coupling members are U-shaped and are inserted into apertures 8 and lugs 6, 7 when these apertures are brought into alignment. Lifting lugs 4 are provided for attachment by chains to a stretcher device suspended from a hoist carried on the transporting vehicle. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Loading and unloading pallet device This invention relates to a method and apparatus for use in the loading and unloading of turf or other articles. Thus the invention could be used for example for loads of sacks containing peat, potting compound, fertilizer or like materials.

The invention aims to reduce the labour involved in delivering loads of grass turf. In the past the loading and unloading of turf has largely been done by hand which is both laborious and time consuming. Sometimes wooden pallets are used but these normally require a fork lift truck for handling purposes. Such a truck may be available where the turves are cut and loaded but would not normally be found at the unloading points. The vehicle used for transporting the turves should therefore be provided with a hydraulic or mechanical hoist if off-loading by hand is to be avoided. This gives rise to the need for returning the pallets to the loading point and this cannot be done until the turves have been manhandled off the pallets.

This invention may greatly facilitate the loading and unloading of turves and-other articles and may overcome many of the drawbacks of previous methods.

According to this invention the cut turves or other articles are loaded onto a pallet which can readily be removed from underneath the load by means of the same lifting device as is used to lift the pallet onto and lift it off the transporting vehicle.

In one example of the invention the pallet comprises a support platform made up of two plates which are held together by means of a readily releasable coupling member or members.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a pallet according to the invention, with the parts in uncoup led positions, Figure 2 shows an isometric view of a manually operated coupling member, Figure 3 shows an isometric view of a lifting lug for the pallet, Figure 4 is a plan view of the pallet seen in Figure 1, Figure 5 shows a diagrammatic view of the pallet carrying a load of turves and suspended from a hydraulic hoist, Figure Gis similar two Figure 5 but shows the pallet being removed from underneath the load, Figure 7shows a plan view of a stretcher bar usable in the invention, Figure 8 shows a side view of the stretcher bar shown in Figure 7, Figure 9 shows a diagrammatic perspective view of aload with lifting c chains for the pallet, and Figure 10 shows one end of part of the stretcher bar shown in Figure 7.

As shown in Figure 1 the pallet comprises two metal base plates 1,2 which are preferably of aluminium or an aluminium alloy. In one example each plate measures 4ft. by lft.71/4in. by ĭn. thick.

The plates may be provided with reinforcing ties 3welded to the undersides of the plates. Each tie 3 is located off-centre, and in the example illustrated is 7inches from the edge of the plate adjacent to the other plate. Each plate is provided with two lifting lugs 4 preferably made of mild steel to resist wear.

The lugs 4 are shaped as shown in Figure 3 and have a rear portion inclined at e.g. 15 degrees to the vertical. Strengthening fillets may be welded to the lugs 4. The lugs 4 are secured to the underside of the plates 1,2 by means of dome-headed bolts 5 which may have recesses in their heads for tightening by means of an Allen key.

Each plate 1,2 is also provided with a pair of lugs or projections 6, 6 and 7,7 provided with apertures 8 adapted to receive the ends 9 of a U-shaped locking or coupling device 10 shown in Figure 2. As seen in Figure 4 two of the corners of one plate (2) are cut away so that the lugs 7,7 are nearer to one another than the lugs 6, 6. The lugs 7 are flush at one end with a longitudinal edge of the plate 2 whereas the lugs 6 project from the corresponding edge of the plate 1. In use, the plates 1,2 are arranges to overlap a small distance to bring the apertures 8 in the lugs 6,7 into alignment so that the ends of the coupling devices can be inserted into the apertures 8 to lock the plates together.The ends of the coupling devices 10 may be provided with collars 11 to limit insertion into the apertures 8. The collars 11 may be washers slipped over the ends 9 and welded thereto.

The assembled pallet is placed on the ground and the cut turves or other articles piled thereon. Preferably a band of webbing which may be 9 inches wide is wrapped around the lower part of the pile and tightened by means of a ratchet device of a known kind. A lifting device 12 which may be hydraulically operated is provided with a hook 13 for connection to a stretcher device 17. In one form this device is generally H-shaped in plan (Figure 7) and comprises a pair of side members 19 or stretcher bars connected by a pair of metal plates 20 welded thereto. A toughened metal rod 21 extends between the plates 20 for engagement by the hook 13. The spacing apart of the plates 20 is such that when the hook 13 engages the rod 21 the plates 20 limit longitudinal tilting of the device 17 thus helping to keep the pallet and its load stable.The side members 19 may be made from lengths of RSJ with the ends partly cut away (Figures 8, 10) and provided with holes for connecting to four chains 14 which support the pallet. By providing a series of holes in the ends of the side members 19 the inclination of the chains 14 can be varied to give, by trial and error, the best arrangement for any given size of load on the pallet.

The lower ends of the chains 14 are connected to lengths of rigid bars 14' carrying on their ends self-locking hooks 15. These bars 14' facilitate engaging the hooks 15 with holes 16 in the lugs 4 when the pallets are closely arranged on the vehicle.

Stability of the loaded pallet may be improved by using a further pair of chains 22, 23 extending diagonally of the load and inter-connecting diagonally opposed pairs of chains 14 (see Figure 9). At one end each chain is permanently connected to a chain 14, while at the other end it has a readily releasable connector (not shown).

When the pallet is to be unloaded the chains 22, 23 are released, and the coupling devices 10 withdrawn from the lugs 6, 7. This may be done by inserting a bar ( not shown ) into the U-shaped portion of the device and levering against the edge of the plates 1, 2. The lifting device 12 which may be a HIAB is then operated to raise the chains 14 ( see Figure 6 ). This has the effect of tilting the plates 1,2 and withdrawing them from underneath e.g. a pile of turves T. The turves are thus deposited on the ground and the plates 1, 2 are removed for re-use. Figure 6 shows the turves T as though retaining their shape; in practice the pile will tend to drop in the centre but the band of webbing referred to above will help to hold the pile from being unduly disturbed.

It will be clear that many details of the embodiment described can be modified within the scope of the invention. For example the means for coupling the plates 1, 2 together could be different from that shown, as will be apparent to those with mechanical knowledge.

Claims (12)

1. A method of loading and unloading an article or articles wherein the load is placed on a pallet and the pallet is removed from underneath the load by means of the same device as can be used for raising and lowering the pallet.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pallet comprises a support platform made up of two portions which are held together by means of a releasable coupling member or members.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the coupling member or members is/are removed to enable the two portions to be extracted from opposite sides of the load.

4. A pallet for use in the method claimed in claim 1 comprising a support platform made up of two portions releasably held together by means of a coupling member or members.

5. A pallet as claimed in claim 4 wherein the two portions comprise two flat plates arranged to overlap a short distance in the assembled condition.

6. A pallet as claimed in claim 4 or 5 wherein the or each coupling member is U-shaped and engages in apertures in lugs carried by the two portions or plates.

7. A pallet as claimed in claim 4,5 or 6 wherein the two plates or portions are provided with lifting lugs for engagement by lifting chains of a hydraulic or mechanical hoist.

8. A pallet as claimed in any of claims 4 to 7 made of aluminium or other lightweight material.

9. A pallet as claimed in claim 7 in association with a stretcher device to which the chains are attached at variable positions.

10. A pallet as claimed in claim 9 wherein the stretcher device comprises an H-shaped frame with means for attaching to the hoist.

11. A pallet as claimed in any of claims 4 to 10 substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A method as claimed in claim 1,2 or 3 substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.