NZ244463A - Bracket having support pillar engagement portion that does not interfere with load carrying capacity of pallet - Google Patents

Description

24 4 4 6 3 Patents Form No 5 THE PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION PALLET STACKING SYSTEM WE, R W & A M BARTLEY LIMITED Trading as ALI ARC INDUSTRIES, a New Zealand company of 449 Heads Road, Wanganui, New Zealand, hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: 24 4 4 PALLET STACKING SYSTEM TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to a system for stacking two or more pallets, and more particularly, to a system for supporting said stacked pallets in such a way as to ensure that goods located on pallets positioned at lower levels of the stack are not crushed by the weight of goods and/or pallets bearing down from above.

BACKGROUND ART To maximise use of storage space it is obviously desirable to pile goods into stacks which reach upwards to the limits of the available space. Often such stacks comprise a number of conveniently sized bundles of goods, each arranged on a pallet and then piled one on top of the other.

It has been found that with goods which are easily damaged by crushing maximum storage space utilisation cannot be obtained unless some damage to at least a portion of the stored goods is accepted. Clearly, in most situations any damage is unacceptable and is virtually always undesirable. In any case, should some of the goods at lower levels of the stack become crushed by the weight of goods/pallets bearing down from above the pile can become unstable and, therefore, unsafe, with the risk that it could topple over. 24 4 4 Particular problems have been noted with the storage of horticultural produce and the like which is typically packaged in cardboard cartons sized to allow convenient stacking onto pallets for storage and transportation. When two or more pallets stacked with cartons are piled one on top of the other it will readily be appreciated that cartons of produce at the lower levels in the pile are subjected to considerable compressive loading. Depending on their structural load carrying capacity, this compressive loading can cause these cartons to collapse, leading to crushing of the produce inside. As, in many instances, horticultural produce is stored in cool stores or the like where moisture in the air can reduce the load carrying capacity of the cardboard cartons, maximum ultilisation of storage space can be almost impossible to achieve without damage to some of the stored produce ensuing. Indeed, it has been found that, for example, with apples stored in this way apples in the top and bottom row of cartons on a pallet are usually crushed to a greater or lesser extent and it is not uncommon for upwards of 25% of all apples on each pallet to be damaged.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a stacking system for supporting stacked pallets, and components thereof, which go at least some way towards overcoming the above noted problems. 244 463 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a first broad aspect of this invention there is provided a bracket, for use in conjunction with a pallet having a substantially planar load carrying upper surface, the bracket being configured and arranged for mounting at a corner of the pallet comprising a bracket body, retaining means whereby the bracket body can be attached to the pallet corner, and a support pillar engagement means adapted to engage and locate a support pillar at the pallet corner without reducing or interfering with the load carrying capacity of the upper surface.

The bracket can be fixed mounted to the corner of the pallet or, alternatively, can be releasably mounted thereto.

Semi-permanent fixed mounting of the bracket can be achieved using fastening means, such as for example nails, screws or bolts. Permanent fixed mounting can be achieved by forming the bracket as an integral part of the corner of the pallet.

In one embodiment of the bracket the bracket body comprises a substantially flat plate having a pair of substantially perpendicular edges from each of which depend a locating means to facilitate positioning and location of the bracket body on the pallet corner.

Advantageously, one said locating means depending from the bracket body forms a clip arrangement 24 4 engagable with the pallet, so comprising the retaining means.

Desirably, the support pillar engagement means comprises an extension of the plate forming the bracket body, such that said extension has an aperture therethrough shaped to slidably engage and locate the support pillar.

Conveniently, an additional retaining means comprising one or more apertures in the bracket body through which screws, nails or the like can be driven to secure the bracket to the pallet is also provided. Expediently, the bracket is positionable and locatable on, and securable to the upper surface of the pallet.

In another embodiment of the bracket the bracket body comprises two interconnected plates disposed perpendicularly with respect to each other shaped to abut the perpendicular vertical surfaces of the corner of the pallet.

Desirably, the support pillar engagement means comprises a fitting extending from the bracket body, such that said fitting is shaped to slidably receive, locate and engage the support pillar. Expediently the fitting is elongate and hollow, having an aperture at one end, the aperture and hollow interior being shaped to slidably receive, locate and engage the support pillar.

Conveniently the retaining means comprises one or more apertures in the bracket body through which 24 4 4 screws, nails, bolts or the like can be inserted to secure the bracket to the pallet corner. Alternatively, where the bracket and pallet are both formed from plastics material or metal the retaining means can comprise the portion of the bracket body which can be used to weld the bracket to the pallet.

In a still further embodiment of the bracket the bracket body comprises the pallet corner itself.

Preferably the support pillar engagement means comprises a fitting mounted at the pallet corner, such that said fitting is shaped to slidably receive, locate and engage the support pillar. Desirably the fitting is elongate and, in combination with the pallet corner, forms a passageway having an opening at one end, the opening and passageway being shaped to slidably receive, locate and engage the support pillar.

In this embodiment the retaining means, bracket body and pallet corner are one and the same.

In a second broad aspect of this invention there is provided a pallet on which a bracket according to the preceding aspect is fitted to each corner.

Preferably the pallet and brackets are integrally formed, expediently from aluminium.

In a third broad aspect there is provided a support pillar for use in a pallet stacking system, the support pillar comprising an elongate member having a first end receivable and locatable at a corner of a first pallet without reducing or interferring with 24 4 4 the load carrying capacity of the upper surface of the first pallet, and a second end adapted to receive a corner of a second pallet, the length of the elongate member being such as to space the first and second pallets apart at a distance corresponding to, or greater than, the height of a predetermined volume of goods piled on the first pallet.

Preferably the support pillar includes locating means for locating bracing straps used to restrain a load stacking on the upper surface of the pallet.

Desirably the first end of the support pillar is adapted to be receivable and locatable in a bracket according to the first broad aspect above.

In a fourth broad aspect of this invention there is provided a pallet stacking system comprising a plurality of brackets according to the first aspect above positionable on a first pallet, together with a plurality of support pillars, one to each bracket, each said support pillar comprising an elongate member having a first end engagable with a said bracket and a second end adapted to receive a corner of a second pallet, the length of said elongate member being such as to space the first and second pallets apart at a distance corresponding to, or greater than, the height of a predetermined volume of goods piled on the first pallet. 24 4 4 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURES 1, 2 and 3 illustrate, respectively, a plan view, a first side elevation and a second side elevation of one embodiment of a bracket according to the present invention; FIGURE 4 illustrates a perspective view of the bracket of figures 1-3 on a pallet; FIGURES 5 and 6 illustrate a plan view and side elevation, respectively, of an alternative bracket according to the invention, including a pallet corner; FIGURES 7 AND 8 illustrate a plan view and side elevation, respectively, of a further alternative bracket according to the invention, including a pallet corner; FIGURES 9 AND 10 illustrate a plan view and side elevation, respectively, of a still further alternative bracket according to the invention; FIGURE 11 illustrates a plan view of a still further alternative bracket according to the invention, including a pallet corner; FIGURE 12 illustrates a support pillar combination according to the present invention; FIGURE 13 shows the detail of the lower end of one of the support pillars of figure 12; FIGURE 14 illustrates a partially cut away side elevation of an alternative lower end of a support pillar according to the present invention for use with the bracket of figure 11; FIGURE 15 illustrates a partially cut away side elevation of the support pillar of figure 14 in combination with the bracket of figure 11; FIGURES 16 AND 17 illustrate a side elevation and plan view, respectively, of an alternative upper end of a support pillar according to the present invention; FIGURES 18 AND 19 illustrate partial side elevations of alternative bracing strap locators according to the present invention; FIGURE 20 illustrates a detailed perspective view of the bracing strap locator of figure 19; FIGURE 21 illustrates a perspective view of a pallet stacking system according to the present invention incorporating the support pillar combination of figure 12 and bracket of figures 1-4; and FIGURE 22 shows details of the stacking of pallets using the system of figure 21.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In one preferred embodiment of the pallet stacking system according to the present invention there is provided a bracket, as generally indicated at 1 as shown in figures 1-4, for attachment to the corner 51 of a pallet 50 (see in particular figure 4) .

The bracket 1 comprises a main body portion in the form of a plate 2. The plate 2 has a pair of substantially perpendicular edges 3, 4. The edges 3, 4 do not intersect because of an L shape extension 5 of the plate 2 which produces an outwardly extending step 6, 7 in each edge 3, 4, respectively. A generally L shaped slot 8 is provided in the extension 5, the arms of which slot 8 are substantially aligned with the edges 3, 4 so that when the bracket 1 is fitted to the corner of the pallet 50 an angle section can be slidably extended through the slot 8 and caused to abut the corner 51 of the pallet 50.

Depending from the edge 3 is a strip 9 which, when the bracket 1 is mounted on the pallet 5, locates against a side edge 52 of the pallet 50, thereby assisting in positioning and retaining of the bracket 1.

From the edge 4 depends a further locating strip 10 which locates against the front or rear edge 53, 54 of the pallet 50. The strip 10 perferably bends back under the plate 2 to form a clip arrangement which is able to engage with and retain the bracket 1 on the load carrying platform 55 of the pallet 50. Additional retaining means for the bracket 1 can be provided in the form of one or more apertures 11 in the plate 2 through which a screw(s), nail(s) or the like may be driven. 24 4 4 6 3 Figures 5 through 11 illustrate various alternative embodiments of the bracket of the present invention.

The bracket of figures 5 and 6, as generally indicated at 101, is integrally formed with the corner 151 of a pallet 150. An L-shaped slot 108 is provided between the pallet corner 151 and a shaped strip of material 105, which strip 105 is formed from heavy plate. The lower end of a support pillar 20 is receivable and locatable by the slot 108.

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate a bracket, as generally indicated at 201, integrally formed with a corner 251 of a pallet 250. An L-shaped (in plan) passage 208 is created between an elongate section of angle 205 extending vertically down, and spaced by edge strips 206, 207 outwardly from the pallet corner 251. The passage 208 is open ended, enabling the lower end of a support pillar 20 to be received into the top end 212. Having the bottom end 213 open is advantageous, as it prevents blockage and allows thorough cleaning.

In figures 9 and 10 there is illustrated a bracket, as generally indicated at 301, which may be permanently or semi-permanently fixed to a pallet corner. The bracket 301, comprises a main body portion in the form of a plate 302 which is bent substantially about its centre line to form perpendicular sections 303 and 304. A passage 308 of L-shaped cross section 24 4 is created between an elongate section of angle 305 extending along the centre line of the plate 302, and spaced by edge strips 306, 307 outwardly therefrom. The passage 308 is open ended, enabling the lower end of a support pillar 20 to be received into the top end 312. The sections 303 and 304 of the main body portion extend transversely outward of the angle 305, and each include a plurality of apertures 311 therethrough enabling mounting of the bracket 301 to a pallet corner. In this regard, nails, screws or the like may be used. Alternatively, if the pallet is made of the same material as the bracket 301 they may be welded together for a more permanent connection.

An advantage of the brackets 1 and 301 is that they may be fitted to wooden pallets, and relatively quickly retrofitted to pallets formed from other materials, unlike brackets 101 and 201 which generally can only be used on pallets formed from the same material as the bracket.

Figure 11 shows a further alternative bracket design. In this embodiment the bracket 401 is housed within, rather than exterior of, the pallet corner 451. The body portion of the bracket 401 comprises the pallet corner 451, which has a bore 408 provided slightly in from its apex. The bore 408 is lined with a tubular section 405 to add strength. As shown in figure 15, the tubular section 405 is stepped down from the load carrying surface of the pallet 450. 24 4 4 Referring now to figures 12 and 13, the pallet stacking system, as generally indicated at 40 (see in particular figure 21) further includes a plurality of support pillars 20 which, for convenience only, can be linked in pairs to form a support pillar combination 21. It will be appreciated that in many instances linking of support pillars 20 will be unnecessary, and indeed undesirable.

Each pillar 20 comprises a length of angle section 22. Adjacent the lower end 23 of each pillar 20 in the pillar combination 21 there is provided a limiting lug 24 which, when the pillar 20 is slid into the slot 8 of the bracket 1, only allows the angle section 22 to extend through the slot 8 to a predetermined distance. This predetermined distance is usually, but not necessarily, the height, or thickness of the pallet 50.

The upper end 25 of each pillar 20 incorporates a landing 26 onto which the corner of a second pallet 56 can be rested.

In the embodiment illustrated the pair of pillars 20 are shown as being connected by way of a cross member 27. The position of the cross member 27 is not critical, but conveniently it interconnects the upper ends 25 of the pillars 20. One advantage derived from this position of the cross member 27 is that the support area for the second pallet 56 to rest on is enlarged. Which pair of the four pillars 20 24 4 4 from each pallet form a pillar combination 21 is not of major importance, although the two pillars 20 on the same edge of the pallet 50 (rather than diagonally opposite each other) is obviously the most straightforward to engage with a corresponding pair of brackets 1. In some situations it may be more desirable to interconnect the pair of pillars 20 at the front or rear of the pallet 50, and in others it may be preferable to interconnect the pairs of pillars 20 at each side.

The height of each pillar 20 should be the same as all of the other pillars 20 in the system 40, and should be selected to keep the second pallet 56 slightly above the maximum height of goods stacked on the bottom pallet 50.

Figure 22 illustrates that a second set of pillars 20 and brackets 1 can be used in connection with the second pallet 56 so that a third pallet (not shown) can be stacked on top of it.

In some instances, where for example the pallet 50 is particularly wide, it may be desirable to include one or more additional support pillars intermediate the pillars 20 located at the pallet corners. Brackets of similar construction to those described above in connection with the pallet corners could be used to locate such additional pillars.

Figures 14 to 20 illustrate various alternative or additional features which can be 24 4 4 incorporated into the support pillars 20.

Figure 14 illustrates a variant to the lower end 23 of a support pillar 20 enabling it to be used in conjunction with the bracket 401 of figure 11. Unlike the pillar 20 of figure 6, a limiting lug 424 is provided on the inside of the angle section 22. The lug 424 comprises a small plate 428 from which depends a locating pin 429.

As shown in figure 15, the pin 429 slidably engages the inside of the tubular section 405, and when fully down the plate 428 fits into the step 413 created between the top of the section 405 and the load carrying platform 455 of the pallet 450. The lower end 23 of the support pillar 20 then simply abuts the pallet corner 451.

Figures 16 and 17 illustrate a modification to the upper end 25 of the support pillar 20. The modification comprises extending the angle section 22 beyond the landing 26. This provides the advantage of establishing a correct location when stacking pallets on top of each other.

Figures 18 and 19 shown two types of banding strap locators 30 which may be provided to guide and locate straps used to tie the bundle of goods stacked on the pallet 50 together into a single unit. In figure 18 each locator 30 comprises a guide pin 31 oriented to direct the banding strap in the desired direction and to ensure that it is maintained in position. In 24 4 4 figure 19 each locator 30 comprises a groove 32 formed into the corner edge of the angle 22 of the support pillar 20. Figure 20 shows the groove 32 in more detail.

Returning to figures 21 and 22, before loading products onto the pallet 50 a bracket 1 must first be mounted on each corner. If the pallets 50 are to be transported in any distance without a load resting on them, such as, say to an orchardist or similar person, the brackets 1 should be attached to the pallets 50 with a screw or nail through each aperture 11. The pallet 50 could then be loaded up with cartons of produce and transported to a cool store for storage. At the cool store support pillar combinations 21 could be engaged with the brackets 1 and then the pallets 50 stacked one on top of the other to the desired height, separated and supported by the pallet stacking system 40.

All of the components of the pallet stacking system of the present invention are ideally suited to being made from aluminium, however, steel or a plastics material could be used.

It will readily be appreciated that the modular nature of the present invention provides significant advantages. In particular, the system can be easily adapted for use with any sized pallet and with pallets fabricated from any material, for example, wood, plastics material, aluminium, steel 24 4 4 or the like. Further, the brackets do not interfere with the load carrying capacity of the pallet and a minimum of space is required between pallets when they are placed side by side.

It is to be understood that numerous modifications to the various component parts of the preferred embodiment described above may be made without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed. For example, the type of section used in the support pillar may be altered requiring a corresponding alteration to the bracket.

Finally, additional advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the principles in particular form as discussed and illustrated. Thus, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiment described or illustrated, but is intended to cover all alterations, additions or modifications which are within the scope of the appended claims. 244463

Claims (26)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A bracket, for use in conjunction with a pallet having a substantially planar load carrying upper surface, the bracket being configured and arranged for mounting at a corner of the pallet comprising a bracket body, retaining means whereby the bracket body can be attached to the pallet corner, and a support pillar engagement means adapted to engage and locate a support pillar at the pallet corner without reducing or interfering with the load carrying capacity of the upper surface.

2. A bracket according to claim 1 which can be fixed mounted to any corner of the pallet.

3. A bracket according to claim 1 which can be releasably mounted to any corner of the pallet.

4. A bracket according to claim 1 wherein the bracket is semi-permanent fixed to a corner of the pallet using fastening means.

5. A bracket according to claim 3 wherein the bracket body comprises a substantially flat plate having a pair of substantially perpendicular edges from each of which depend a locating means to facilitate positioning and location of the bracket body on the pallet corner.

6. A bracket according to claim 5 wherein one said locating means depending from the bracket body forms a clip arrangement engagable with the pallet, so comprising the retaining means.

7. A bracket according to claim 5 or 6 wherein - 18 - 2 i A ma u Li the support pillar engagement means comprises an extension of the plate forming the bracket body, such that said extension has an aperture therethrough shaped to slidably engage and locate the support pillar.

8. A bracket according to any one of claims 5 to 7, further including an additional retaining means comprising one or more apertures in the bracket body through which screws, nails or the like can be driven to secure the bracket to the pallet is also provided.

9. A bracket according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the bracket is positionable and locatable on, and securable to the upper surface of the pallet.

10. A bracket according to claim 2 wherein the bracket body comprises two interconnected plates disposed perpendicularly with respect to each other shaped to abut the perpendicular vertical surfaces of the corner of the pallet.

11. A bracket according to claim 10 wherein the support pillar engagement means comprises a fitting extending from the bracket body, such that said fitting is shaped to slidably receive, locate and engage the support pillar.

12. A bracket according to claim 11 wherein the fitting is elongate and hollow, having an aperture at one end, the aperture and hollow interior being shaped to slidably receive, locate and engage the support pillar. - 19 - 244463

13. A bracket according to any one of claims 10 to 12 wherein the retaining means comprises one or more apertures in the bracket body through which screws, nails, bolts or the like can be inserted to secure the bracket to the pallet corner.

14. A bracket according to any one of claims 10 to 12 where the bracket and pallet are both formed from plastics material or metal and the retaining means comprises that portion of the bracket body which can be used to weld the bracket to the pallet.

15. A bracket according to claim 1 wherein the bracket body comprises a pallet corner itself.

16. A bracket according to claim 15 wherein the support pillar engagement means comprises a fitting attached to the pallet corner, such that said fitting is shaped to slidably receive, locate and engage the support pillar.

17. A bracket according to claim 16 wherein the fitting is elongate and, in combination with the pallet corner, forms a passageway having an opening at one end, the opening and passageway being shaped to slidably receive, locate and engage the support pillar.

18. A pallet on which a bracket according to any one of the preceding claims is fitted to each corner.

19. A pallet according to claim 18 wherein the pallet and brackets are integrally formed. """ »>•£ I 24 4 4 6 3

20. A pallet stacking system comprising a plurality of brackets according to any one of claims 1 to 17 positionable on a first pallet, together with a plurality of support pillars, one to each bracket, each said support pillar comprising an elongate member having a first end engagable with a said bracket and a second end adapted to receive a corner of a second pallet, the length of said elongate member being such as to space the first and second pallets apart at a distance corresponding to, or greater than, the height of a predetermined volume of goods piled on the first pallet.

21. A support pillar for use in a pallet stacking system according to claim 20, the supporting pillar comprising an elongate member having a first end receivable and locatable at a corner of a first pallet without reducing or interferring with the load carrying capacity of the upper surface of the first pallet, and a second end adapted to receive a corner of a second pallet, the length of the elongate member being such as to space the first and second pallets apart at a distance corresponding to, or greater than, the height of a predetermined volume of goods piled on the first pallet.

22. A support pillar according to claim 21 which includes locating means for locating bracing straps used to restrain a load stacking on the upper surface of the pallet.

23. A bracket substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

24. a pallet substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

25. A support pillar substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

26. A pallet stacking system substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. McCABE AND COMPANY ATTORNEYS FOR THE APPLICANT