GB2491089A

GB2491089A - A pallet cage

Info

Publication number: GB2491089A
Application number: GB201021666A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Charles Owens
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-12-20
Filing date: 2010-12-20
Publication date: 2012-11-28
Also published as: GB201021666D0

Abstract

A Pallet Cage 1 with the facility to contain and secure all of the varied components required to assemble a complete Scaffolding Tower such that all the varying components may be accommodated and secured within a single pallet frame which may then be manually and / or mechanically handled for transport and storage and from which the components may readily be removed and replaced in the order in which they are required during erection and dismantling. The pallet cage may include wheels 7, 8, and locating and retaining members 9, 11 to retain scaffold tower frame components. A box frame 13 may be provided to retaining scaffold platform units, which may be pivotally connected at a lower end 14 to lower members 3 and may include a padlock receivable staple 15 for locking the pallet assembly.

Description

Patent Application.

Title.

METAL PALLET FOR STORAGE OF TOWER SCAFFOLDING

Scaffolding and scaffold Towers have long been used especially in the construction and refurbishment industries and are delivered to, stored and moved around the work place many times during the progressing work schedule. Most of these Scaffolding Towers comprise of many different loose components varying in form, dimension and shape. Many of the components are tubular and are difficult to secure to storage pallets and therefore present a risk of injury from falling objects when handled by machinery. Pallets are currently in use for storing and carriage of components usually in batches of components of similar type and or shape.

Repeated handling of multiples of different components leads to damage, losses, discrepancies in equipment quantities and complaints from customers as to shortages both when delivered to and collected from site.

I

It is also a requirement for all employers to keep the workplace tidy and free from the risk of injury by tripping, falling objects and other materials handling hazards.

The purpose of this invention is to provide a single pallet specifically designed for containing and securing all of the varied components required to assemble a complete Scaffolding Tower such that all of the varying components may be accommodated and secured within a single pallet frame with a single locking device.

The Pallet incorporates lockable security frames to secure all of the component parts within the pallet framework thus preventing the unauthorised removal or accidental displacement of components from the Pallet. The Pallet is both fork lift truck and crane handleable and incorporates wheels such that the pallet may be easily moved around. The Pallet may be pre-loaded with all of the required components ahead of the delivery schedule, which may then be secured, rapidly transported and delivered to the workplace. Since the component parts are held in an ordered manner the checking of quantities and for damage is greatly simplified.

The Pallet may be retained on site and used for the storage of excess component parts, which may then be re-secured and placed in a storage location until required.

The Invention will now be described with reference to the following drawings where:-Fig. 1. is an orthographic end elevation of an empty pallet frame. With fig. I a being a front view, fig. lb being a plan view and fig Ic being an end elevation of the pallet in the open position ready for loading with components Fig. 2. is an orthographic end elevation of a loaded pallet frame. With fig. 2a being a front view showing the scaffolding frame components and fig. 2b being an end view of the pallet in the open position with all tower components loaded for checking and securing.

Description.

The pallet cage (1) comprises of a rectangular metal hollow section main spine (2) with transverse metal hollow section members (3) forming apertures for the insertion of the forks of a forklift truck. Vertical components (4) comprising a pair of vertical posts to which are attached horizontal spacing member (5) between the upper ends of the posts. Corner brace members (6) are fixed in the corners to stiffen the structure and to provide lifting points (6a) for crane handling purposes.

Wheels (7 & 8) are incorporated near to the ends of the members (3) such that the pallet may be wheeled around. The wheels may be of the castor and / or fixed direction type such that the direction of the pallet may be controlled more easily.

Locating members (9) and retaining members (10) are incorporated on one side of the pallet designed to positionally retain tower frame components.

Further locating members (11) are attached to the vertical components (4) such that circular profile brace components may be located in the generally horizontal plane. Locating members (12) with receiving apertures (12a) are also attached to the vertical members for the location of tower castors and jack stems. A three dimensional box frame (13) designed for the retention of tower platform units is pivotally connected at the lower end (14) to the members (3) such that the box frame may be rotationally rotated away from the vertical position between pre-determined limits. The upper cross member of the box frame (13) incorporates a padlock receivable staple (15) used for the locking of the pallet assembly.

Members (16) connected to the vertical components (4) incorporating pivotally connected link members (17) and (18) forming an enclosing structure the ends of which can be located between pairs of fork members (24 & 25). A sliding bar member (22) incorporating a padlock Hasp portion (23) and passing through apertures in the fork members (24 & 25) and additional limiting fork members (26) such that the apertures between the pairs of fork members (24 and 25) may be alternately opened and closed and such that when the sliding bar member is within the central region of displacement both the apertures are closed. In this position the aperture may be secured by locating the aperture in the hasp (27) over the Staple (15) which may then be locked using a conventional padlock. In this condition all retaining portions of the pallet frame are secured against un-authorised release. Additionally the lower member of the box frame 13 incorporates a deformable block made from foam rubber or similar material such that when the box frame is in the locked position any components beneath the block are compressed and prevented from being laterally displaced.

The purpose to the Pallet is to provide for a single unit for the secure storage and transport of Scaffolding Tower Components.

In use the procedure for loading the components into the pallet is as follows:-An empty Pallet is opened by releasing the padlock and sliding bar member and rotationally opening the box frame (13) and releasing the ends of the link members (18) as shown in fig. Ic.

Components may be loaded into the pallet in any convenient order but usually in such a manner as to easily identify each required component and to check the inventory as loading proceeds. Typically loading would be as follows;-With reference to fig. I c and fig. 2 & 2b Plain frames (30) and Ladder Frames (31) are located onto the locating members (9) and leant against the posts (4) castor wheels and jack stem assemblies are located into the apertures 12a. The link members (17 & 18) are articulated between the rungs of the scaffolding frame such that one Leg of each of the frames is enclosed by the link members and may then be trapped in the locked position by the alternate lateral displacement of the sliding member (22). Horizontal and diagonal brace members (32) are located in the locating members (11) attached to the posts (4). Stabiliser members (Outriggers) are placed in the bottom of the pallet with toe boards on top. Platform units are placed into the box frame (13). The platform locking members (20) are rotated over the platform units to trap them in place. The box frame assembly is rotated to the closed position compressing the foam rubber onto the toe boards and Stabilisers and trapping the bracing members within the partial apertures in the locating members (11) finally the padlock hasp attached to the sliding member is located over the staple member and a padlock is inserted through a hole in the staple thus locking all the releaseable parts of the pallet in place. Once locked the components within the pallet are secure but are all visible for inventory checks prior to despatch. Since all of the components are located in specific positions within the pallet, inventory checks are simpified ensuring critical components are not omitted.

An added advantage of this storage method is that the straightness of components can easily be checked visually by comparison of each component with its neighbour and the end fittings of braces and fittings are easily visible and accessible for both visual inspection and physical checking. On arrival at the workplace the inventory can be checked without the need for un-locking the pallet thus ensuring completeness of the inventory. In use the pallet lock is removed and the pallet is opened for the operatives to gain access to each component as required. Surplus frame, platform and brace components may be retained within the pallet, which may be re-locked for security and on-site storage.