GB2558549A

GB2558549A - Pallet support apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2558549A
Application number: GB1622171.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Watson Danny
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-12-23
Filing date: 2016-12-23
Publication date: 2018-07-18
Also published as: GB201622171D0

Abstract

A pallet support apparatus 1 comprising a first chassis 2, and provided there above, a second chassis 3; each having a pallet sized load bearing platform; and legs 10 extending between the first 2 and second 3 chassis. One or more of the legs 10 comprise a knee joint 11, allowing the second chassis 3 to be collapsed down onto the first chassis 2. On bending the legs 10, which may be pivotally connected to both chassis 2, 3, the knee 11 may move inward to a collapsed position where they overlie one another. Brace members or struts 12 may be pivotally connected to the chassis 2, 3, with a quick release clamp 13 for securing them in place. The brace members may include an extendable and retractable gas strut (16, figure 2). The apparatus 1 may comprise a third chassis and each chassis may comprise straps for handling the apparatus.

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

Danny Watson

110 Station Road, AYLESFORD, Kent, ME20 7JW, United Kingdom (72) Inventor(s):

Danny Watson

(51) INT CL:
B65D 19/38 (2006.01)	A47B 43/00 (2006.01)
(56) Documents Cited: GB 2150110 A WO 2016/035056 A1 WO 2005/056392 A2 ZA 009405779 B	GB 1222861 A WO 2012/027778 A1 FR 002876668 A1
(58) Field of Search: INT CLA47B, B65D Other: WPI, EPODOC

(74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

Graham Watt & Co LLP

Patent & Trade Mark Attorneys, St Botolph's House, 7-9 St Botolph's Road, SEVENOAKS, Kent, TN13 3AJ, United Kingdom (54) Title of the Invention: Pallet support apparatus

Abstract Title: Collapsible Pallet Support Apparatus (57) A pallet support apparatus 1 comprising a first chassis 2, and provided there above, a second chassis 3; each having a pallet sized load bearing platform; and legs 10 extending between the first 2 and second 3 chassis. One or more of the legs 10 comprise a knee joint 11, allowing the second chassis 3 to be collapsed down onto the first chassis 2. On bending the legs 10, which may be pivotally connected to both chassis 2, 3, the knee 11 may move inward to a collapsed position where they overlie one another. Brace members or struts 12 may be pivotally connected to the chassis 2, 3, with a quick release clamp 13 for securing them in place. The brace members may include an extendable and retractable gas strut (16, figure 2). The apparatus 1 may comprise a third chassis and each chassis may comprise straps for handling the apparatus.

14 /: 5 . 15 , 12

5'

1110

8’

FIGURE 1

At least one drawing originally filed was informal and the print reproduced here is taken from a later filed formal copy.

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05 18

FIGURE 3

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FIGURE 4

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FIGURE 5

PALLET SUPPORT APPARATUS

The present invention relates to a pallet support apparatus, and particularly to such apparatus for enhancing the transport of goods provided on pallets.

In this connection, pallets are routinely used to transport goods. They can be made from any suitable material but are most commonly formed of wood.

Their simple yet strong construction provides a support on which goods can be loaded and secured. The structure of a standard pallet base furthermore allows it to be readily picked up and moved using a fork-lift truck.

One disadvantage of the standard pallet is that it does not allow for stacking. Whilst it is possible to pile one pallet loaded with goods on top of another pallet loaded with goods, this will result in the goods and the pallet at the bottom bearing all the weight, which can cause damage to the goods and is to be avoided. The goods at the top will moreover be unstable and likely to move and potentially topple from the pallet which can be highly dangerous.

In this respect, a transport pallet system fortransport and/orstorage of two orthree standard pallets stacked above each other and loaded with goods is disclosed in EP 2390198. The arrangement of this system provides a multi-tiered frame for stacking pallets, but is relatively bulky and compromised in relation to its collapsibility. The arrangement is only partially collapsible and each level is a separate entity, as are the legs. As a result, the system can prove to be burdensome in taking up space undesirably, for example for storage in the warehouse or perhaps more importantly in the trailer of an articulated vehicle, where space is at a premium in transport systems of this nature. As number of separate components also undesirably increases the weight of the system, which increases transport costs and makes the arrangement unsuitable for manual deployment by an individual.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved pallet support apparatus.

According to the present invention, there is provided a pallet support apparatus comprising:a first chassis, and provided there-above, a second chassis; each chassis having an outer perimeter defining within it a substantially pallet sized load bearing platform; and a plurality of legs extending between the first and second chassis; wherein one or more of the legs comprise a knee joint, allowing the second chassis to be collapsed down onto the first chassis. In this way, the apparatus affords an adaptable pallet support mechanism which can be deployed into different configurations depending upon requirements.

Preferably, the support apparatus has deployed and collapsed states, wherein in the deployed state the apparatus has sides, a front, and a rear. Conveniently, the apparatus has a leg substantially at each corner of the outer perimeters of the first and second chasses.

Preferably, the knee joints are orientated so that on moving to the collapsed state, each leg bends at the knee joint such that the knee joint moves inwardly within the plane of a side of the apparatus. In this way, the second chassis drops down onto the footprint of the first chassis for optimal use of space.

Conveniently, wherein each leg has upper and lower leg elements defined by its knee joint. Preferably, the upper and lower leg elements are pivotally connected to the first and second chasses. In this manner, the leg elements can readily deflect as required.

Conveniently, each knee joint allows the upper and lower leg elements to move from a deployed position of the apparatus where they are collinear to a collapsed position where they overlie one another. This ensures the chasses overlie one another.

Preferably, the pallet apparatus further comprises one or more brace members coupled between the first and second chasses in the plane of the sides of the apparatus. The brace members afford support and rigidity to the apparatus.

Conveniently, the one or more brace members connect corners of one of the first and second chasses of a side of the apparatus with a midpoint of a side rail of the other of first and second chasses in the side of the apparatus. Each section between respect chasses as such benefits from a pair of braces members provided on respective sides of the apparatus.

Preferably, the one or more brace members are pivotally connected at the corners of the first and second chasses.

Conveniently, the connection at the midpoint of the side rail of the other of the first or second chasses comprises a quick release clamping mechanism for securing the respective brace members in place. Often speed is of the essence and the quick release clamping mechanism allows an operator to quickly collapse or deploy the apparatus to the desired configuration.

Preferably, side rails of the first and second chasses have retaining members for stowing the brace members along the side rails when not deployed for bracing. The retaining members ensure the brace members are kept out of the way when the corresponding chassis has been collapsed.

Conveniently, one or more of the brace members includes a gas extendable and retractable gas strut. Such gas struts provide assisted collapsing and/or deployment, facilitating the process for the operator. The apparatus can as such be deployed and operated by hand as a single combined structure.

Preferably, the pallet apparatus further comprises a third chassis, spaced above the second chassis. In this regard, whilst three levels are shown in the preferred example, this can be altered for requirements.

Conveniently, each chassis further comprises straps for handling the apparatus. Such straps further assist the operator in achieving the desired configuration.

To help understanding of the invention, a specific embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a pallet support apparatus according to the present invention in a deployed state;

Figure 2 shows the pallet support apparatus according to Figure 1 with an upper portion in a state of partial collapse;

Figure 3 shows the pallet support apparatus of Figures 1 and 2 with the upper portion collapsed;

Figure 4 shows the pallet support apparatus according to Figures 1 to 3 with a lower portion in a state of partial collapse; and

Figure 5 shows the pallet support apparatus of Figures 1 to 4 in a fully collapsed state.

Referring to the drawings, a pallet support apparatus 1 comprises a first chassis 2 having an inner perimeter defining a space for receiving a pallet (not shown). Situated above the first chassis 2 is a second chassis 3, which again has a space for receiving a pallet.

A third chassis 4 defines a top of the pallet support apparatus, the top again defining a surface for receiving a pallet. Whilst the described embodiment shows three chasses, the present invention is not in way limited to this number or configuration. For example, it can comprises fewer chassis, i.e. two, or more chasses, such as four or even five chasses, for larger applications.

The apparatus of the example shown however affords three levels for supporting pallets, a base level, a mid-height level and an upper or top level.

The apparatus is intended to be loaded with laden pallets and itself transported within a trailer or the like to its destination. The apparatus 1 can be deployed to different levels to offer different configurations of pallet support, and can be completely collapsed to take up minimal space, for example in a warehouse or in the trailer.

The base chassis is formed by side rails 5 coupled to front 6 and rear rails 7 with lateral pallet supports 8 running across the side rails 5 across a central support 9.

The mid-height chassis 3 is formed by lateral pallet supports 8' running across side supports 5' and a central support 9'.

Similarly, the top chassis is formed by lateral pallet supports 8” running across side supports 5” and a central support 9”.

Connecting the chasses together are legs 10 which are provided at the corners of the apparatus. Each leg has a knee joint 11, which allows the respective leg to bend so that during collapse of apparatus the leg deflects inwardly in the plane of the side of the apparatus.

As shown in Figure 2, the rear two legs 10 are partially bent as the apparatus is being collapsed. In this connection, in order to allow the legs to be bent in this way, bracing struts 12 have been decoupled from a quick release clamp point 13. The struts 12 can pivot about pivot points 14 so that once decoupled from clamp point 13 they can be rotated and held by retaining members 15 shown in Figure 1. Once the rear of legs 10 have been collapsed the user moves round to the front of the apparatus to drop the front legs in a similar fashion, thereby collapsing the top chassis onto the mid-height chassis.

Vertical side bracings (not shown) may also be used for when in the collapsed position that can be stowed on the top level.

The apparatus can be used in this configuration or the top and mid-height chasses can be similarly dropped as shown in Figures 4 and 5 so that all that remains is a low profile pallet shaped article that takes little space and which can operate as a single layer pallet support. In this state the support has a gross weight load capacity of 1200 kg. The mid-height and top chasses have a load capacity of 300 kg each. If used in the configuration shown in Figure 3 where there are two 2 levels, a quarter pallet not exceeding 600 mm high can be positioned on the base chassis. A second pallet can then be positioned on the second level, whose height is determined by the vehicle used and not exceeding 300kg.

As shown, the apparatus may have gas extendable and retractable gas struts 16 to assist in the deployment and collapsing of the apparatus. Straps 17 may moreover be providing to assist in the deployment and collapsing of the apparatus.

In the preferred embodiment the apparatus has a width of 1350 mm, which is only 35 cm wider than a standard UK pallet. The apparatus is moreover only 5 cm deeper that a standard UK pallet. This allows a pair of the pallet support apparatuses to be placed back to back on most UK commercial vehicles. Clearly the dimensions can be altered where necessary to meet requirements.

The apparatus can be deployed or collapsed in a matter of a few minutes thereby having little impact on the vehicle driver's time. As a result the loading space of the vehicle can be optimised within a few minutes to ensure a vehicle will not leave the warehouse only being filled to part of the truly available space.

The gross weight of the example apparatus having three chasses is less than 150 kg, and incorporates assisted raising and lowering struts, to ensure that the driver can readily adjust its configuration to optimise the load carrying characteristics.

When in the deployed state, all three levels of the apparatus are available to fork-lift access, whether it is a curtain side or rear of a box vehicle.

The metal components of the apparatus are preferably painted and/or powder coated with a galvanised load area.

It will be understood that the apparatus can be constructed with differing numbers of chasses, to meet the requirements. However, as each level is collapsed the apparatus is usable in that position. As such, with a three chasses apparatus, if the top chassis is collapsed the apparatus, can be used as a two level system.

Furthermore, the apparatus can be manually operated by a single operator between the deployed and collapsed states. The apparatus can be moved around in its collapsed or deployed states with a fork truck or pallet truck.

The apparatus can accept standard UK and Euro pallets without any alterations.

Claims

1. Pallet support apparatus comprising:a first chassis, and provided there above, a second chassis;

each chassis having an outer perimeter defining within it a pallet sized load bearing platform; and a plurality of legs extending between the first and second chassis;

wherein one or more of the legs comprise a knee joint, allowing the second chassis to be collapsed down onto the first chassis.

2. Pallet support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support apparatus has deployed and collapsed states, wherein in the deployed state the apparatus has sides, a front, and a rear.

3. Pallet support apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the apparatus has a leg substantially at each corner of the outer perimeters of the first and second chasses.

4. Pallet support apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the knee joints are orientated so that on moving to the collapsed state, each leg bends at the knee joint such that the knee joint moves inwardly within the plane of a side of the apparatus.

5. Pallet support apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein each leg has upper and lower leg elements defined by its knee joint.

6. Pallet support apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the upper and lower leg elements are pivotally connected to the first and second chasses.

7. Pallet support apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein each knee joint allows the upper and lower leg elements to move from a deployed position of the apparatus where they are collinear to a collapsed position where they overlie one another.

8. Pallet apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising one or more brace members coupled between the first and second chasses in the plane of the sides of the apparatus.

9. Pallet support apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the one or more brace members connect corners of one of the first and second chasses of a side of the apparatus with a midpoint of a side rail of the other of first and second chasses in the side of the apparatus.

10. Pallet support apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the one or more brace members are pivotally connected at the corners of the first and second chasses.

11. Pallet support apparatus according to any one of claims 8, 9 or 10, wherein the connection at the midpoint of the side rail of the other of the first or second chasses comprises a quick release clamping mechanism for securing the respective one or more brace members in place.

12. Pallet support apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein side rails of the first and second chasses have retaining members for stowing the one or more brace members along the side rails when not deployed for bracing.

13. Pallet support apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein one or more of the one or more brace members includes a gas extendable and retractable gas strut.

14. Pallet support apparatus according to any proceeding claim, further comprising a third chassis, provided above the second chassis.

15. Pallet support apparatus according to any proceeding claim, wherein each chassis further comprises straps for handling the apparatus.

16. Pallet support apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1622171.5 Examiner: Dr Kathryn Willett