GB2561331A

GB2561331A - Pallet support apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2561331A
Application number: GB1701824.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Watson Danny
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-02-03
Filing date: 2017-02-03
Publication date: 2018-10-17
Also published as: GB201701824D0

Abstract

A pallet support comprising: first (2, fig. 1) and second chassis 3 comprising load bearing platforms; plurality of posts 10 extending between the chassis; the second chassis comprising coupling 14 for each post, each coupling being movable up and down the respective post and allowing angular displacement of the pallet. Preferably, each coupling comprises sleeve with pivot connection (15, fig. 6) to the chassis, and pin engaging with a slot 22 in the chassis to adjust the length of the side 5 of the chassis. Preferably, two articulated brace members (36,38 fig. 1) extend between top and bottom of respective post, where the points of articulation are joined by quick release mechanism (46, fig. 1) to allow collapsing of the apparatus. Preferably, side rails have retaining members (56, fig. 1) to stow brace members when not deployed. Preferably, posts comprise slots engaged with pins in the base to allow pivoting of the post.

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)
(56) Documents Cited:
JP 2005014926 A	US 6431090 A
US 6158600 A	US 5884567 A
US 5094350 A US 20080237168 A (58) Field of Search: INT CLA47B, B65D Other: WPI, EPODOC	US 20160029786 A

(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: Pallet with movable and angularly displaceable chassis (57) A pallet support comprising: first (2, fig. 1) and second chassis 3 comprising load bearing platforms; plurality of posts 10 extending between the chassis; the second chassis comprising coupling 14 for each post, each coupling being movable up and down the respective post and allowing angular displacement of the pallet. Preferably, each coupling comprises sleeve with pivot connection (15, fig. 6) to the chassis, and pin engaging with a slot 22 in the chassis to adjust the length of the side 5’ of the chassis. Preferably, two articulated brace members (36,38 fig. 1) extend between top and bottom of respective post, where the points of articulation are joined by quick release mechanism (46, fig. 1) to allow collapsing of the apparatus. Preferably, side rails have retaining members (56, fig. 1) to stow brace members when not deployed. Preferably, posts comprise slots engaged with pins in the base to allow pivoting of the post.

FIGURE 6

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

1/7

Si 90 93

figure

217

FIGURE 2

SO 60

05 18

FIGURE 3

4/7

FIGURE 4

05 18 θ5^Αδ

FIGURE 6

05 18

7/7

FIGURE 7

05 18

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 posts. 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. The 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 a second chassis; each chassis having a load bearing platform; and a plurality of posts extending between the first and second chassis; wherein the second chassis comprises a coupling for each post, each said coupling being moveable up and down its respective post to allow the second chassis to move up and down relative to the first chassis, each coupling further allowing angular displacement of the second chassis. In this manner, a robust pallet support apparatus is provided that can be readily deployed and collapsed by a single operator.

Conveniently, each coupling comprises a sleeve element that is slidable in relation to its respective post. The couplings thereby have a restricted degree of movement, ensuring solidity of the apparatus.

Preferably, each coupling comprises a pivot connection with the second chassis. The pivot connection at the coupling allows the second chassis to be inclined within the frame of the posts, thereby allowing it to be moved in stages up and down the frame.

Conveniently the pallet support apparatus further comprises length adjustment means for adjusting the length of the sides of the second chassis. Such length adjustment means allows the second chassis to be inclined as it moves up and down the posts.

Preferably, the length adjustment means comprises a slot and pin arrangement. Conveniently, the slot is provided in a side of the second chassis, with the pin being provided on a coupling, and forming a pivot for allowing angular displacement of the second chassis.

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

Conveniently, a first brace member comprises a first articulated arm whose ends are pivotally connected to the top and bottom of a first post of a side of the apparatus.

Preferably, a second brace member comprises a second articulated arm whose ends are pivotally connected to the top and bottom of a second post of said side of the apparatus.

Conveniently, the first and second brace members have interconnection means at or adjacent their respective points of articulation allowing them to be connected together. Preferably the interconnection means comprise a fast release mechanism.

Conveniently, side rails of one or more of the first and second chassis have retaining members for stowing the one or more brace members along the side rails when not deployed for bracing.

Preferably, each post pivots about a base support provided on the first chassis. In this way, the posts can be lowered so that they lie flat on one another on the side of the second chassis.

Conveniently, each coupling can pass over the base support of its respective post to a point past the pivot axis of the post about the post support. In this way, the couplings of the second chassis pass over the base supports, past their pivot points allowing the posts to be lowered.

Preferably, one or more of said posts have a slotted lower portion in which a pivot pin of its base support can slide. In this way, the post can be lifted out of the base support when required and lowered down to a collapsed state.

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 in a collapsed state;

Figure 3 shows the pallet support apparatus of Figures 1 and 2 in a first stage of deployment;

Figure 4 shows the pallet support apparatus according to Figures 1 to 3 in a second stage of deployment;

Figure 5 shows the pallet support apparatus of Figures 1 to 4 in a third stage of deployment;

Figure 6 shows the pallet support apparatus of Figures 1 to 4 in a fourth stage of deployment; and

Figure 7 shows the pallet support apparatus of Figures 1 to 4 in a fifth stage of deployment;

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 has an area for receiving a pallet.

The apparatus of the example can thereby afford two levels for supporting pallets, a base level, and an upper 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 with the upper level at different heights 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 first or base chassis 2 is formed by side rails 5 coupled to a base frame 6 with lateral pallet supports 8 running across the side rails 5 and supports 7.

The second or upper chassis 3 is formed by lateral pallet supports 8' running across side supports 5'.

Runners 9 and 9' run along the top of the lateral supports of the base and upper chassis. The runners are used for removing the pallet by a pallet truck, where the wheels of the pallet truck can run along them. Ramp sections (not shown) can be coupled to the front of the runners at both the upper and base levels, to enable the pallet truck to access the runners.

In one embodiment, the pallet apparatus may be placed on the tail lift of a vehicle and lowered to allow the ramp to be connected at the right angle to allow the use of a pallet truck to remove the pallet from either level.

Connecting the base and upper chassis together are posts 10, 10' which are provided at the corners of the apparatus. Each post is preferably pivotally attached to a base support 11 on the base chassis so that it can be raised from a folded position as shown in Figure 2, into an upright position shown in Figure 3. Once raised into the upright position, the proximal end of each posts can be dropped down into the base support to securely maintain it in the upright orientation. A fixing bolt or the like that passes through the base support 11 and the post 10, 10' may be used to secure the post in its upright position. As shown in Figure 2, a lower post section 52 of rear post 10, is slotted such that the post 10 can be lifted out ofthe base support 11 and dropped down to overlie the other post 10' for storage in the collapsed state.

Once all four posts 10, 10' have been raised to an upright position as shown in Figure 4, the upper chassis 3 can be raised, away from the base chassis 2, as shown in Figure 5.

In this connection, if there is sufficient manpower or machine assisted power to raise the upper chassis from two or more ends or sides, the second chassis can be lifted vertically. In this regard, the upper chassis 3 is provided with couplings 14, which can move up and down the post to which they are assigned. In the preferred embodiment, the couplings comprise sleeve elements that can slide up and down their post. As shown in Figure 2, when putting the apparatus into the collapsed state, the couplings 14 pass over the channel sections 11 at the base of the posts 10,10' so that the posts can pivot down and be lowered onto the sides 5' ofthe dropped upper chassis.

The couplings 14 further have a connection with the upper chassis 3 that allows a degree of inclination ofthe upper chassis relative to the horizontal, namely the plane at 90° to the posts 10 when upright. The couplings may in this connection have a simple pivot joint 15 with chassis.

In this way, in order to raise the chassis a user can raise one end of the chassis a certain amount as shown in Figure 6. The pivot joints 15 allow the chassis sides to pivot from the horizontal plane so that the front 16 and rear 17 ofthe upper chassis are at different heights, whereby the whole upper chassis 3 is inclined.

As the inclined distance between the posts at the front and rear of the apparatus will be greater than the horizontal distance between the posts at the front and rear of the apparatus, the side rails of the upper chassis have length adjustment means, which allow the length of the side rails to vary according to the degree of inclination of the upper chassis.

The length adjustment means of the present embodiment takes the form of a slot 22 and pin 21 arrangement provided on at least one of the couplings 14. In this respect, couplings 14 at the rear post 10 include a fixed pin 21 on which the chassis sides 5' pivot. The sides 5' moreover have a slot 22 in which the pin 21 is received, meaning that the side 5' can pivot about pin and move laterally in relation to the pin. As such, the combination of the pivots on couplings 14 and 14' and length adjustment means permit the upper chassis to be inclined to a certain degree.

With the front of the chassis raised, it can be locked in position using, for example, suitable locking bolts received in apertures 26 (shown on the rear post). The operator can then move round to the rear of the apparatus, unlock the rear of the chassis and raise it in the same manner to the desired point. In this connection, a retractable spring loaded bolt mechanism 20 is provided to each coupling 14 to lock the chassis at the desired position. A pair of such mechanisms 20 may be operated by a lever attachment so that both front or rear couplings can be released or locked together by the operator.

In this way, the upper chassis can be lifted in staggered stages by a single operator to the top position shown in Figure 7. The upper chassis 3 need not be raised to the full height of the posts where this is not required.

Once in its desired deployed position, brace members are swung into place from their resting positions along the sides of the chassis 2. In this regard, the brace members each comprise an articulated arm. For example a first brace member has two limbs 35 and 36 and is pivotally fixed at the bottom of post 10' at pivot 40. When required, the limbs are lifted from their resting position in retainer 56 of side 5, with the distal end of limb 36 hooking on pin 41 provided at the top of post 10'. Similarly, limbs 37, 38 of the second brace are lifted and unfolded, pivoting from pivot 42 at the bottom of post 10, with the distal end of limb 37 hooking on pin 43 provided at the top of post 10.

The two braces comprising limbs 35, 36, 37 and 38 are then coupled together centrally, using for example a fast release mechanism such as a wing nut 46.

A similar bracing arrangement is provided on the rear of the apparatus, with a half bracing arrangement 47 being provided to the front, to ease with loading and unloading the apparatus.

When in the collapsed state, retainers 55, provided on the upper chassis, can be used to house the posts 10, 10'. The bracing members can be housed using retainers 56 mounted on the base chassis.

The apparatus may have gas extendable and retractable gas struts to assist in the deployment and collapsing of the apparatus.

In the preferred embodiment the apparatus has a width of 1250, which is only 25 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 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 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 chassis, to meet the requirements. However, as each level is collapsed the apparatus is usable in that position.

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.

Claims

1. A pallet support apparatus comprising:a first chassis and a second chassis, each chassis having a load bearing platform; and a plurality of posts extending between the first and second chassis;

wherein the second chassis comprises a coupling for each post, each said coupling being moveable up and down its respective post to allow the second chassis to move up and down relative to the first chassis, each coupling further allowing angular displacement of the second chassis.

2. Pallet support apparatus according to claim, wherein each coupling comprises a sleeve element that is slidable in relation to its respective post.

3. Pallet support apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each coupling comprises a pivot connection with the second chassis.

4. Pallet support apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising length adjustment means for adjusting the length of the sides of the second chassis.

5. Pallet support apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the length adjustment means comprises a slot and pin arrangement.

6. Pallet support apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the slot is provided in a side of the second chassis, with the pin being provided on a coupling, and forming a pivot for allowing angular displacement of the second chassis.

7. Pallet apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising one or more brace members coupled between the posts in the plane of the sides of the apparatus.

8. Pallet apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a first brace member comprises a first articulated arm whose ends are pivotally connected to the top and bottom of a first post of a side of the apparatus.

9. Pallet apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a second brace member comprises a second articulated arm whose ends are pivotally connected to the top and bottom of a second post of said side of the apparatus.

10. Pallet apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the first and second brace members have interconnection means at or adjacent their respective points of articulation allowing them to be connected together.

11. Pallet apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the interconnection means comprises a fast release mechanism.

12. Pallet support apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein side rails of the first and second chassis 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 preceding claim, wherein each post pivots about a base support provided on the first chassis.

14. Pallet support apparatus according to claim 13, wherein each coupling can pass over the base support of its respective post to a point past the pivot axis of the post about the base support.

15. Pallet support apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, wherein one or more of said posts have a slotted lower portion in which a pivot pin of its base support can slide.

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

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1701824.3 Examiner: Mr Peter Banks