NZ620448B2 - Load bearing structure - Google Patents
Load bearing structure Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- NZ620448B2 NZ620448B2 NZ620448A NZ62044812A NZ620448B2 NZ 620448 B2 NZ620448 B2 NZ 620448B2 NZ 620448 A NZ620448 A NZ 620448A NZ 62044812 A NZ62044812 A NZ 62044812A NZ 620448 B2 NZ620448 B2 NZ 620448B2
- Authority
- NZ
- New Zealand
- Prior art keywords
- pallet
- tubular portions
- fold
- corrugations
- portions
- Prior art date
Links
- 238000011068 load Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 28
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 72
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 18
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 18
- 239000000945 filler Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 12
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 230000023298 conjugation with cellular fusion Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 230000013011 mating Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 230000021037 unidirectional conjugation Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 239000010960 cold rolled steel Substances 0.000 claims description 11
- 238000005219 brazing Methods 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000005260 corrosion Methods 0.000 abstract description 6
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 17
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 17
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 13
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 13
- 210000001503 Joints Anatomy 0.000 description 6
- 230000002401 inhibitory effect Effects 0.000 description 6
- JEIPFZHSYJVQDO-UHFFFAOYSA-N iron(III) oxide Inorganic materials O=[Fe]O[Fe]=O JEIPFZHSYJVQDO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- 230000003014 reinforcing Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 4
- HCHKCACWOHOZIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N zinc Chemical compound [Zn] HCHKCACWOHOZIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 239000011701 zinc Substances 0.000 description 4
- 229910052725 zinc Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 description 3
- 210000000088 Lip Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- -1 aluminium-zinc Chemical compound 0.000 description 2
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000002708 enhancing Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000011800 void material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910000906 Bronze Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 210000003660 Reticulum Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminum Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000010974 bronze Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 description 1
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 231100000078 corrosive Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 231100001010 corrosive Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 description 1
- RTZKZFJDLAIYFH-UHFFFAOYSA-N diethyl ether Chemical compound CCOCC RTZKZFJDLAIYFH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005755 formation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003973 paint Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010422 painting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000035515 penetration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920001296 polysiloxane Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000004513 sizing Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D19/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
- B65D19/0004—Rigid pallets without side walls
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D19/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
- B65D19/0004—Rigid pallets without side walls
- B65D19/0006—Rigid pallets without side walls the load supporting surface being made of a single element
- B65D19/0008—Rigid pallets without side walls the load supporting surface being made of a single element forming a continuous plane contact surface
- B65D19/001—Rigid pallets without side walls the load supporting surface being made of a single element forming a continuous plane contact surface the base surface being made of a single element
- B65D19/0014—Rigid pallets without side walls the load supporting surface being made of a single element forming a continuous plane contact surface the base surface being made of a single element forming discontinuous or non-planar contact surfaces
- B65D19/0016—Rigid pallets without side walls the load supporting surface being made of a single element forming a continuous plane contact surface the base surface being made of a single element forming discontinuous or non-planar contact surfaces and each contact surface having a stringer-like shape
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D19/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
- B65D19/38—Details or accessories
- B65D19/40—Elements for spacing platforms from supporting surface
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
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- B65D2203/00—Decoration means, markings, information elements, contents indicators
- B65D2203/10—Transponders
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
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- B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
- B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
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- B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
- B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
- B65D2519/00009—Materials
- B65D2519/00049—Materials for the base surface
- B65D2519/00059—Metal
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
- B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
- B65D2519/00009—Materials
- B65D2519/00084—Materials for the non-integral separating spacer
- B65D2519/00094—Metal
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
- B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
- B65D2519/00258—Overall construction
- B65D2519/00263—Overall construction of the pallet
- B65D2519/00273—Overall construction of the pallet made of more than one piece
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
- B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
- B65D2519/00258—Overall construction
- B65D2519/00283—Overall construction of the load supporting surface
- B65D2519/00288—Overall construction of the load supporting surface made of one piece
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
- B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
- B65D2519/00258—Overall construction
- B65D2519/00283—Overall construction of the load supporting surface
- B65D2519/00303—Cell type, e.g. honeycomb
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
- B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
- B65D2519/00258—Overall construction
- B65D2519/00313—Overall construction of the base surface
- B65D2519/00323—Overall construction of the base surface made of more than one piece
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
- B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
- B65D2519/00258—Overall construction
- B65D2519/00313—Overall construction of the base surface
- B65D2519/00328—Overall construction of the base surface shape of the contact surface of the base
- B65D2519/00333—Overall construction of the base surface shape of the contact surface of the base contact surface having a stringer-like shape
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
- B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
- B65D2519/00258—Overall construction
- B65D2519/00368—Overall construction of the non-integral separating spacer
- B65D2519/00373—Overall construction of the non-integral separating spacer whereby at least one spacer is made of one piece
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
- B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
- B65D2519/00258—Overall construction
- B65D2519/00398—Overall construction reinforcements
- B65D2519/00402—Integral, e.g. ribs
- B65D2519/00407—Integral, e.g. ribs on the load supporting surface
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
- B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
- B65D2519/00258—Overall construction
- B65D2519/00398—Overall construction reinforcements
- B65D2519/00402—Integral, e.g. ribs
- B65D2519/00412—Integral, e.g. ribs on the base surface
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
- B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
- B65D2519/00258—Overall construction
- B65D2519/00398—Overall construction reinforcements
- B65D2519/00402—Integral, e.g. ribs
- B65D2519/00417—Integral, e.g. ribs on the non-integral separating spacer
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
- B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
- B65D2519/00547—Connections
- B65D2519/00552—Structures connecting the constitutive elements of the pallet to each other, i.e. load supporting surface, base surface and/or separate spacer
- B65D2519/00557—Structures connecting the constitutive elements of the pallet to each other, i.e. load supporting surface, base surface and/or separate spacer without separate auxiliary elements
- B65D2519/00562—Structures connecting the constitutive elements of the pallet to each other, i.e. load supporting surface, base surface and/or separate spacer without separate auxiliary elements chemical connection, e.g. glued, welded, sealed
Abstract
Disclosed is a metal pallet for loading or stacking cargo upon it designed to minimise its weight, reduce corrosion and allow the use of RFID chips. The pallet includes a deck for carrying cargo; and a frame about a perimeter of the pallet, the frame being formed of horizontally extending tubular portions. One or more elements support the frame above a support surface to overlie one or more openings for receiving the tines of a lifting device or forklift. The tubular portions include lengthwise corrugations and are inwardly directed such that the tubular portions outwardly present aligned planar portions without intermediate projections to suit mating with other components. Each of the tubular portions substantially consists of formed sheet material. Two edges of the sheet material of each of the tubular portions each include a respective return fold; and each fold of each respective tubular portion is energetically bonded using filler material having a melting point of less than about 1150°C to the other fold of the respective tubular portion to define a seam. rtions. One or more elements support the frame above a support surface to overlie one or more openings for receiving the tines of a lifting device or forklift. The tubular portions include lengthwise corrugations and are inwardly directed such that the tubular portions outwardly present aligned planar portions without intermediate projections to suit mating with other components. Each of the tubular portions substantially consists of formed sheet material. Two edges of the sheet material of each of the tubular portions each include a respective return fold; and each fold of each respective tubular portion is energetically bonded using filler material having a melting point of less than about 1150°C to the other fold of the respective tubular portion to define a seam.
Description
P1029NZPC
LOAD BEARING STRUCTURE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
Various aspects of the invention relate to load bearing structures, such as pallets,
frames and members, and identifying and tracking load bearing structures and other
items, and bonding sheet material to form load bearing structures and other items.
A pallet , as the term is used herein, is a horizontal structure for carrying loads such as
boxed groceries at an elevation above a support surface (e .g. the ground) so as to
define opening(s ) into which the tines of a lifting device (e .g. a forklift) are receivable to
lift the pallet and the load carried thereby.
An elongate member , as the term is used herein, is a member which is much longer
(sa y at least two times) longer than it is wide.
BACKGROUND
It is generally desirable that a load bearing structure should be strong and light. Light
weight structures typically include less material (a nd so potentially lower material costs)
and are usually easier and safer to construct and handle. In the case of transportable
load bearing structures, such as pallets, lighter weight leads to significant fuel savings.
It is also generally desirable that load bearing structures should be robust. Pallets are
routinely exposed to rough handling. By way of example, forklift drivers routinely use the
pointed ends of forklift tines to nudge loaded pallets into place rather than lifting and
replacing the pallet which is more difficult and time consuming.
At present wooden pallets are popular. Plastic pallets and steel pallets are also
available. Plastic pallets are thought to be not strong enough for racking. Racking
involves the pallet bridging a space between two parallel rails of a rack. Steel pallets are
thought to be strong but expensive and heavy.
P1029NZPC
A typical wooden pallet includes two horizontal arrays of parallel horizontal planks
respectively defining a top and bottom deck. The planks are typically in the vicinity of
20mm thick. A horizontal array of three parallel horizontal beams sits between and
spaces the decks. The beams are typically each about 100mm high by about 50mm
wide. Thus the pallet is about 140mm high and includes a pair of about 100mm high tine
receiving voids defined between the beams.
Such wooden pallets are heavy. Moreover the planks of the bottom deck present an
impediment to the insertion of the wheeled tines of certain lifting devices. A powerful
user of pallets now specifies that the bottom deck must include a chamfered edge to aid
with the insertion of wheeled tines.
Corrosion reduces the life of metallic load bearing structures. The effects of corrosion
can be reduced by employing a rust inhibiting coating.
Galvanised steel is steel with a zinc ( o r zinc based) rust inhibiting coating. The coating
serves to both directly shield the steel from corrosive elements and to electrochemically
protect the steel. There a variety of methods for applying the coating, e.g. the steel
might be hot dipped or electrochemically treated.
Galvanised steels are not well suited to welding or other forms of energetic bonding
such as brazing. Typically the zinc coating is destroyed at and about the weld site. The
weld sites are thus prone to corrosion unless treated post welding, e.g. by painting the
weld sites with a zinc rich paint. This treatment adds cost.
Some load bearing structures are made up of sheet metal. By way of example, some
house frames are made up of elongate open channel sections formed of sheet metal.
Sheet material is not always well suited to energetic bonding. Sheet material, and
especially thin sheet material, can be b urnt away when attempting to form an energetic
bond. This is especially so at the edges of the sheets.
The properties of sheet metal depend on how it is processed. Cold rolled steel is
stronger than steel rolled in a semi molten state and thus is sometimes referred to as
high tensile steel. Cold rolled steel is typically only available in thicknesses up to 1mm.
P1029NZPC
An existing metal pallet includes a construction which mirrors that of typical wooden
pallets. Its top and bottom decks are formed of galvanised sheet metal with corrugations
in the vicinity of 20mm high. Its beams are made up of formed galvanised sheet. Such
metal pallets are thought to be heavy and, like typical wooden pallets, to present an
impediment to the insertion of wheeled tines.
A further disadvantage of using metal in the construction of pallets arises when
endeavoring to use Radio Frequency Identification (RFI D) tags to identify and track the
pallets. RFID tags emit a radio frequency signal in response to an interrogation signal
from an RFID tag reader. The emitted signal can uniquely identify the pallet and/or carry
other information about pallet and/or its contents. The present inventor has discovered
that certain RFID tags do not work when mounted against certain metallic structures.
The invention aims to at least partly address one or more of the above problems, or at
least to provide an alternative in the marketplace.
SUMMARY
One aspect of the invention provides a pallet including
a deck for carrying cargo; and
a frame about a perimeter of the pallet, the frame being formed of horizontally extending
tubular portions;
one or more elements for supporting the frame above a support surface to overlie one or
more openings for receiving the tines of a lifting device;
wherein the tubular portions include lengthwise corrugations.
Preferably the lengthwise corrugations are inwardly directed such that the tubular
portions outwardly present aligned planar portions without intermediate projections to
suit mating with other components.
In preferred forms of the pallet each of the tubular portions substantially consists of
formed sheet material. In this case most preferably two edges of the sheet material of
P1029NZPC
each of the tubular portions each include a respective fold (e .g. return fold); and each
fold of each respective tubular portion is energetically bonded to the other fold of the
respective tubular portion to define a seam. The energetically bonding is preferably
brazing with a filler material having a melting point of less than about 1150°C.
Lengthwise corrugations in the range of 4mm to 6mm high are preferred, and it is also
preferred that the corrugations are spaced at a pitch of less than about 20mm. By way of
example, pitch may be in the range of 12mm to 20mm.
Optionally each of the tubular portions has a cross-section including vertical spaced
horizontal portions which each include at least one of the lengthwise corrugations.
Two or more elements preferably define upwardly diverging load paths such that weight
carried by the pallet tensions one or more of the tubular portions.
Preferably the tubular portions at least predominantly consist of metal, most preferably
cold rolled steel.
In variants of the pallet having an elongate member underlying at least one of the
openings, the elongate member preferably includes a body having lengthwise
corrugations. Each side of the body may respectively include a portion formed to overlap
a portion of the body. Preferably the overlapping portion is fastened along its length to
the body.
The pallet preferably includes a non-metallic, e.g. plastic, member carrying an RFID tag.
By way of example, the RFID tag may be adhesively bonded to the non-metallic
member. Alternatively, the RFID tag may be embedded in the non-metallic member. The
RFID tag is preferably in substance at least 2mm, or more preferably at least 10mm,
from the nearest metal.
Also disclosed is an item, e.g. a pallet, at least predominantly formed of metal including
a non-metallic member carrying an RFID tag. Preferably the RFID tag is adhesively
bonded to the non-metallic member. The non-metallic member is preferably plastic. The
RFID tag is preferably in substance at least 2mm, or more preferably at least 10mm,
from the nearest metal.
P1029NZPC
Also disclosed is an elongate member, for bearing loads, formed of a web of material
including lengthwise corrugations less than about 6mm high.
The corrugations are preferably in the range of 4mm to 6mm high, and most preferably
spaced at a pitch of less than about 20mm; e.g. spaced at a pitch in the range of 12mm
to 20mm.
The member may include
a body having two sides; and
a respective wall projecting from each side of the body to define an open channel;
wherein at least one of the body and the respective walls includes the lengthwise
corrugations.
Preferably the body includes the lengthwise corrugations.
Alternatively, the member may include
an elongate body including the lengthwise corrugations and having two sides; and
at at least one of the sides a portion formed to overlap a portion of the body.
Also disclosed is an elongate member, for bearing loads, formed of a web of material
including
a body having two sides; and
a respective wall projecting from each side of the body to define an open channel;
wherein at least one of the walls includes lengthwise corrugations.
According to preferred forms of the member the walls are substantially perpendicular to
the body.
Also disclosed is an elongate member, for bearing loads, formed of a web of material
including
a body having two sides; and
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a respective wall projecting from each side of the body to define an open channel;
wherein
at least one of the body and the respective walls includes lengthwise corrugations; and
the walls are substantially perpendicular to the body.
Each of the walls preferably include lengthwise corrugations.
Also disclosed is an elongate member, for bearing loads, formed of a web of material
and including
an elongate body including lengthwise corrugations and having two sides; and
at at least one of the sides, or more preferably each of the sides, a portion formed to
overlap a portion of the body.
The overlapping portion(s ) are optionally fastened along their length to the body.
The members may at least predominantly consist of metal such as cold rolled steel. The
members may include a rust inhibiting coating. Preferably corrugations project from one
face of the web, the other face of the web being free of projecting corrugations for
connection to other members.
Also disclosed is a pallet including at least one of the members.
Within the pallet, the member may be a horizontally extending member supported by
one or more elements above a support surface to overlie one or more openings for
receiving the tines of a lifting device. The horizontally extending member preferably
includes an upwardly projecting portion shaped to cooperate with an upwardly adjacent
like pallet for aligned stacking and most preferably supports a deck for carrying cargo.
Also disclosed is a pallet including
a deck for carrying cargo; and
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a horizontally extending member and one or more elements for supporting the
horizontally extending member above a support surface to overlie one or more openings
for receiving the tines of a lifting device;
wherein the horizontally extending member supports the deck and includes an upwardly
projecting portion shaped to cooperate with an upwardly adjacent like pallet for aligned
stacking.
The horizontally extending member may at least predominantly consist of a web of
material and have one or more lengthwise corrugations. Optionally the first horizontally
extending member is fastened along its length to the deck.
Preferably at least a region of the decking at least predominantly consists of vertical
webs of material. Horizontally extending strips of metal may define the vertical webs of
material. At least an upper edge of each said strip may be formed to stiffen the strip.
Preferably the vertical webs of material define cells.
The one or more elements preferably define upwardly diverging load paths such that
weight carried by the pallet tensions the horizontally extending member.
Also disclosed is a pallet including
a horizontally extending member and one or more elements for supporting the
horizontally extending member above a support surface to define one or more openings
for receiving the tines of a lifting device;
wherein the one or more elements define upwardly diverging load paths such that
weight carried by the pallet tensions the horizontally extending member.
Preferably the pallet includes a metallic portion having a rust inhibiting coating and at
least one brazed joint including a filler material having a melting point of less than about
1150°C.
Also disclosed is a pallet including a metallic portion, which portion has a rust inhibiting
coating and at least one brazed joint including a filler material having a melting point of
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less than about 1150°C. Preferably the filler material is at least 50%, or most preferably
about 63%, copper.
Another aspect of the invention provides a frame, for bearing loads, including one of the
above members.
The frame may be a truss and/or at least a portion of a house frame.
Also disclosed is a method of connecting sheet material to further material including
folding along an edge of the sheet material;
relatively positioning an exterior of the fold and the further material; and
energetically bonding the exterior of the fold to the further material.
The fold is preferably a return fold.
The further material may also be sheet material in which case the method may further
include folding the further material to form a fold, and the relative positioning and the
energetically bonding may be to an exterior of the fold of the further material.
The energetically bonding is preferably brazing with a filler material having a melting
point of less than 1150°C. The sheet material and the further material are preferably
metallic.
Also disclosed is a pallet including
a deck for carrying cargo; and
a frame about a perimeter of the pallet, the frame being formed of horizontally extending
tubular portions;
one or more elements for supporting the frame above a support surface to overlie one or
more openings for receiving the tines of a lifting device;
wherein
each of the tubular portions substantially consists of formed sheet material;
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two edges of the sheet material of each of the tubular portions each include a respective
fold; and
each fold of each respective tubular portion is energetically bonded to the other fold of
the respective tubular portion to define a seam.
The folds are preferably return folds.
The energetically bonding is preferably brazing with a filler material having a melting
point of less than about 1150°C.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The Figures illustrate various exemplary arrangements.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pallet;
Figure 1A is a close up view of the corner of the pallet;
Figure 2 is a top view of the pallet;
Figure 3 is a bottom view of the pallet;
Figure 4 is a front view of the pallet;
Figure 5 is a side view of the pallet;
Figure 6 is a transverse cross-section view of a top chord of the pallet;
Figure 7 is a transverse cross-section view of a bottom chord of the pallet;
Figure 8 is a transverse cross-section view of a support element;
Figure 9 is a side view of a portion of a truss;
Figure 10 is a transverse cross-section view of a bottom chord of the truss;
Figure 11 is a perspective view of an elongate member;
Figure 12 is a transverse cross-section view of a return fold;
Figure 13 is perspective view of another pallet; and
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Figure 14 is transverse cross-section view of a tubular portion of a frame.
DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT
Figures 1 to 7 illustrate a pallet 10 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
invention. The pallet 10 includes a decking 12 supported by a support frame 14.
The frame 14 includes four top chords 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D. Each top chord is an
elongate member more than five times longer than it is wide. The top chords are
arranged end to end at right angles to define a rectangular perimeter frame. The top
chords directly underlie to support the decking.
The top chords 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D are supported at an elevation above the ground by
elements including elements 14H, 14I, 14J, 14K, 14L, 14M (se e Figure 4) to define tine
receiving openings 13. The illustrated pallet includes a respective pair of tine receiving
openings 13 on each of its four side faces so that a forklift (o r other lifting device) may
approach the pallet 10 from any direction to lift the pallet, i.e. the pallet 10 is a four-way
pallet .
Four bottom chords 14E, 14F, 14G, 14H are arranged end to end at right angles to
define a rectangular perimeter frame about the lower extent of the pallet 10.
A longitudinally extending central support member 14T extends from a center point of
the forward top chord 14C to a centre point of the rear top chord 14A.
Elongate support members 14P extend transversely to respectively connect the centres
of the side mounted top chords 14B, 14D to the lengthwise centre of support member
14T. Secondary elongate support members 14R, 14S extend transversely, to
interconnect the top side chords 14B, 14D to the member 14T, in the spaces fore and aft
of the central support member 14P. The support members 14P, 14R, 14S and 14T
directly underlie and further support the decking 12.
A further elongate member 14Q extends transversely to connect the centre points of the
side mounted bottom chords 14F, 14H.
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It will be appreciated that the top chords 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D and supports 14P, 14R,
14S, 14T form a top frame portion, and that the bottom chords 14E, 14F, 14G, 14H and
elongate member 14Q define a bottom frame portion, and that the top frame portion is
held above the bottom frame portions by the elements including elements 14H to 14M.
Figure 6 is a transverse cross-section view of the top chord 14C. Each of the other top
chords 14A, 14B, 14D have a like cross-section. The top chord 14C is formed of
0.75mm thick cold rolled steel which has been roll formed to the illustrated shape. The
chord 14C includes a horizontal floor 17 and an upwardly projecting portion in the form
of vertical side wall 20. The side wall 20 terminates in a downward return 22 consisting
of an end portion of the sheet material having been bent outwardly by 180° to extend
downwardly. The downward return 22 creates a smooth rounded upper edge instead of
the potentially sharp free edge of the sheet material. Moreover the return 22 adds a
significant strength to the chord 14C.
The floor 17 is corrugated. The corrugations run parallel to the length of top chord 14C;
i.e. are lengthwise corrugations. A corrugation is an elongate formation formed in a web
of material which is superimposed on without substantially changing the overall shape of
the material. By way of example, conventional corrugated roofing sheets may have a
generally sinusoidal corrugation profile superimposed on but not changing the generally
planar shape of the sheet.
The floor 17 includes a corrugation pattern having upwardly projecting curved portions
16 between flat portions 18. It will be observed that the flat portions 18 are horizontally
aligned with portions of the floor 17 outside of the corrugation pattern. The portions 16
project upwardly whereby the downward face of the chord 14C is substantially planar for
welding, or otherwise fastening, to other members.
In this embodiment the corrugations are spaced at a pitch P of about 20mm and have a
height H of 5mm. The height is measured from the uppermost and lowermost points of
the corrugation. Each corrugation portion 16 is preferably in the vicinity of 6 to 12mm
wide.
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The inventor has surprisingly discovered that corrugations of this magnitude, or even
smaller, dramatically increase the load bearing characteristics of the top chord 14C. The
inventor s tests have shown that the illustrated top chord is stronger than, but weighs no
more than, a like chord formed of 1mm thick cold rolled steel lacking corrugations, also
surprisingly, the inventor has discovered that the illustrated top chord 14C uses
significantly less material than an equivalent strength top chord lacking corrugations. As
such, by introducing such ultra low corrugations the strength to weight ratio (a nd indeed
the strength to material cost ratio) of the elongate member can be improved. Indeed
finite element analysis has shown that a short planar member formed of 0.75 thick steel
including the described corrugations weighs about the same but is almost 6 times
stronger than a 1mm thick simple planar sheet lacking corrugations (w hen load is
applied to bend the material about an axis parallel to its plane and perpendicular to the
corrugations).
The decking 12 sits atop the upwardly curved portions 16 of the floor 17 and within the
bounds of the wall 20. The wall 20 projects upwardly beyond the decking 12 by a
distance A to define a lip co-operable with the bottom chords of an upwardly adjacent
like pallet for aligned stacking; i.e. the bottom chords of the upwardly adjacent like pallet
nest within the bounds of the wall 20 and sit atop the decking 12. Thus the upwardly
projecting portion 20 facilitates registration of vertically adjacent pallets to create neatly
formed and secure stacks of pallets. Dimension A, i.e. the height of the lip, is preferably
2 to 10mm. The chord 14C is about 75mm wide (d imension W) . The side toward the left
of Figure 6 terminates in an upward 180° return fold. The fold is the same height as the
portions 16 and so contacts the decking 12. The fold supports the decking and
strengthens the chord 14C.
Figure 7 illustrates a bottom chord 14G which consists of a web of 0.75mm thick cold
rolled steel formed to have the same corrugation pattern as the top chord 14C. The
chord 14G is about 130mm wide. At each side of the chord 14G a return fold 22 is
formed so that a short portion of the web material overlaps the main body of the chord
14G. The inventor has found that surprisingly this small return fold greatly enhances the
strength of the chord. The inventor has further discovered that the strength can be
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further improved by brazing or otherwise fastening the overlapping portion to the body
portion. In Figure 7 the return fold is brazed to an upwardly projecting corrugation
adjacent the edge along a seam 22. Thus the return fold 22, the overlapped portion of
the body and the corrugation thus define a tubular portion to add significant strength to
the member 14G.
The bottom chord 14G is in the vicinity of 5mm thick and so substantially overcomes
difficulties associated with inserting wheeled tines. Advantageously the corrugations
project downwardly leaving aligned upward facing planar portions.
Figure 8 illustrates a transverse cross-section view of the support element 14J. The
element 14J takes the form of an open channel section having a floor 17 and a
respective side wall 20 projecting perpendicularly from each side of the floor 17 . Each
wall 20 terminates in a return fold. The support element 14J is about 70 to 130mm wide.
The walls 20 are about 35mm high.
The inventor has found that the walls being substantially perpendicular to the floor is
much stronger than the walls being divergent.
Figure 4 illustrates the support elements 14H to 14M supporting the top chord 14C
above the bottom chord 14G. It will be observed that in this embodiment the support
elements take the form of struts and that the struts 14I, 14J (a nd also 14K, 14L) diverge
in the upward direction. In this embodiment these support elements diverge
symmetrically, each being about 60° to the horizontal. Surprisingly this outward
divergence improves the load bearing characteristics of the pallet. When a weight is
borne by the pallet the elements 14I, 14J define upwardly diverging load paths for
transmitting the weight of the load to the ground. Due to their inclination the force
applied by each of these load paths to the top and bottom chords has a horizontal
component. The vertical component of the force of course matches the weight of the
load. The horizontal component of the force transferred to the bottom chord 14G are
resisted predominantly by frictional engagement with the ground surface rather than
placing the bottom chord 14G into compression. In contrast at the upper end of the
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elements 14I, 14J the horizontal components of the forces transferred to the chord 14C
place portions of the chord 14C intermediate the elements of 14I, 14J into tension.
So tensioning the top chord 14C has been found to increase the strength of the pallet.
Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory this is thought to be related to
delaying buckling of the top chord under applied loads.
This upwardly diverging construction has an additional advantage. It will also be
observed that the support elements 14I, 14J define the sides of a respective tine
receiving void 13. When a tine is received within the void 13 and elevated to lift the
pallet, it will find the underside of the chord 14C and so cleanly lift the pallet 10. In
contrast the inventor s experiments with upwardly converging support elements resulted
in tines bearing against and riding along one or more of the inclined elements to
horizontally drive the pallet when a forklift driver is simply trying to lift the pallet.
Figure 1A shows the structure of the corner of the pallet 10 in more detail. This corner
region includes support elements 14H, 14I in relatively close proximity and additional
reinforcing elements 14O, 14N to strengthen this corner region. The corner region of a
pallet is typically exposed to the roughest treatments, including bearing the brunt of the
tines of a carelessly driven forklift.
The support element 14H is formed by an upwardly folded end portion of the bottom
chord 14G. In contrast the element 14I is a separate piece held in place with a series of
brazed joints 15. The reinforcing members 14N, 14O are formed of sheet material and
have a similar cross-section to the support element 14I. Reinforcing element 14N is
arranged so that its walls project downwardly to engage the bottom chord 14G. The
reinforcing element 14N thereby defines a closed space between its floor and the
bottom chord 14G, which space is closed at its ends by the elements 14H, 14I. The
reinforcing element 14O is arranged to likewise define a closed space with the element
14H.
The location of the various brazed joints is illustrated in Figure 1A. In this embodiment
the frame 14 is formed of aluminium-zinc coated steel (i n the form of BlueScope s
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Zincalume®) for its corrosion resistant properties. Zinc-iron coated products such as
BlueScope s Zincanneal® are also suitable. The brazed joints 15 are formed using a
silicone bronze braze material having a melting point in the vicinity of 1000°C.
Aluminium bronze filler materials are also suitable.
The inventor has found that using low temperature braze materials leads to greatly
enhanced corrosion properties without the need for post brazing treatment.
The decking 12 is constructed in line with the disclosure of the applicant s own
international patent publication A1, the content of which is herein
incorporated by reference.
The decking 12 is formed of painted steel strips which extend in the horizontal direction
and have vertical faces. The strips are formed with spaced 60° bends about vertical
axes so that when the strips are brought together in a defined pattern and welded
together they define a tessellation of hexagonal cells in a honeycomb like pattern. In this
embodiment the upward edge of each strip includes a short return fold. This enhances
the strength of the deck and presents a smooth rounded edge to cargo carried on the
deck rather than the potentially sharp free edge of the strip of material. The deck is
preferably formed of cold rolled steel in the vicinity of 0.5mm thick.
The deck may include other constructional variants as disclosed in A1.
Pallets are used for transporting goods. The specific size of the pallet is important.
Standardised sizing makes for efficient handling. Common sizes are:
Dimensions, mm (L x W) Dimensions, in (L x W) Region most used in
1219 × 1016 48.00 × 40.00 North America
1200 x 1000 47.24 x 39.37 Europe, Asia
1165 × 1165 45.87 × 45.87 Australia
North America, Europe,
1067 × 1067 42.00 × 42.00 Asia
1100 × 1100 43.30 × 43.30 Asia
1200 x 800 47.24 x 31.50 Europe
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North American pallets, and their metric equivalents in Europe and Asia, pack most
efficiently into standard shipping containers.
Elongate members in accordance with the invention may take the form of Hat profiles.
Hat profiles are used for battens on roofs. Other embodiments of the invention may take
the form of rectangular hollow sections. By way of example, two members per Figure 6
might be brought together and brazed, or otherwise fastened, to form a rectangular
hollow section. Four such sections may be joined end to end to form a perimeter frame
of a pallet.
Figure 9 illustrates a portion of a truss 24 in accordance with another embodiment of the
invention. A truss is a form of frame in which straight elongate members are connected
at nodes, and the members are arranged such that loads applied to the nodes are
resisted at least predominantly (i deally entirely) by tension or compression in the
members (r ather than a bending moment within any one member).
The truss 24 includes horizontally extending top and bottom chords 26, 28
interconnected by a series of inclined struts 30 arranged in a horizontally extending
zigzag pattern. The truss 24 may find application as, for example, a floor joist in a
residential building.
The inventor has discovered that the load bearing characteristics of a truss can be
enhanced by the inclusion of ultra low corrugations similar to those described in
respect of the embodiment of Figures 1 to 8. In particular the characteristics can be
improved by including the corrugations in a side wall, or walls, of one or both of the top
and bottom chords 26, 28.
Figure 10 illustrates a transverse cross-section view of the bottom chord 28. The chord
28 includes a horizontal floor 28A including lengthwise ultra low corrugations, and at
each side of the floor 28A a respective side wall 28B, 28C projecting perpendicularly to
the floor 28A to define an open channel section. Each of the walls 28B, 28C includes
ultra low corrugations and terminates in a short return flange.
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Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory the inventor has observed that
previously existing frames incorporating open channel sections frequently fail under load
when the side walls of the section buckle, often buckling by bulging outwardly. The
inclusion of ultra low corrugations along the side walls 28B, 28C are thought to delay
this failure mode under applied load thereby increasing the strength of the truss 24 for
minimal additional cost or weight. Moreover, as described in respect of the earlier
embodiment the inclusion of the inventor s ultra low corrugations in cold rolled steel can
produce an elongate member having a strength equivalent to a thickness of cold rolled
steel not regularly commercially available (o r at least not economically so).
Figure 11 illustrates a member 32 in accordance with a further embodiment of the
invention. The previously described embodiments included elongate members formed of
a single integral web of material. The member 32 consists of a web of material made up
of parallel elongate web portions 32A, 32B joined at longitudinally spaced brazed joints
34. The member 32 further includes a pair of side walls which each terminate in a return
fold. Brazed joints 34 spaced longitudinally along each return fold fasten the free edge
of the web of material to the main body of the wall.
Figure 12 illustrates a brazed joint 34 in which filler material bridges a gap defined by a
return fold.
Figure 13 illustrates an exemplary pallet in which the members 114A, 114B, 114C and
114D (w hich define a frame about a perimeter of the pallet) take the form of tubular
portions. The frame is spanned longitudinally by tubular member 114T to define a pair of
longitudinally extending transversely spaced regions. Each of these regions are
spanned by corrugated sheet material which is about 0.48mm thick and has an
approximately sinusoidal profile (n ot shown). The corrugations of the profile are about
6mm high ( p eak to trough).
Under the sheet material, each of the regions either side of the member 114T is
transversely spanned by a pair of members 114R, 114S. The members 114R, 114S take
the form of an upwardly open channel and are closed by the sheet material.
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The members 114A, 114B, 114C, 114D, 114R, 114S, 114T and the sheet material are
brazed together and together constitute a deck for carrying cargo. The corrugated
surface has been found to contribute to load stability by providing sliding resistance to
bags, cardboard boxes and other cargo.
Figure 14 is a transverse cross-section view of one of these tubular portions. In this
embodiment, each tubular portion is roll formed from a continuous sheet of material and
then parted off and mitred. The mitred ends of the tubular portions are brazed together
using a low temperature braze material. Such low temperature brazes have been found
to have good resistance to vibration and impact loading.
As an alternative to parting off the tubular portions, an integral perimeter may be formed
by cutting suitable triangular cut-outs along a single length of tube.
The tubular portions have a rectangular cross-section including a pair of walls vertically
spacing a floor and ceiling. Each of the floor and the ceiling include inwardly directed
lengthwise corrugations 116 spacing aligned outward planar portions 118. Without
intermediate projections, the planar portions 118 can mate with planar or linear elements
of other parts such as the short vertical struts which support the frame.
During the roll forming operation to create the portion 114A, a strip of material is
deformed about its long axis to define a closed tubular shape, which in the illustrated
variant is rectangular. Respective lengthwise portions of the strip are brought together
and bonded to form a lengthwise seam.
The described variant of the strip is 0.48mm thick steel. Typically steels of this thickness
are not well suit to welding, brazing or other forms of energetic bonding. Accordingly, in
this variant, the free edges for the strip are formed to include return folds (i .e. folds in the
vicinity of 180°) and the curved exteriors of the return folds are brought together and
bonded to form a lengthwise seem. This reduces the risk of burning away material
which may be problematic if attempting to weld to two free edges.
As a further option, vertical stripes of braze may be applied to the walls of the members
114A, 114B, 114C and 114D which face outwardly from the pallet. The stripes are
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preferably spaced at a pitch of 50 to 60mm and serve to reinforce these outer walls
against damage, e.g. to reinforce against penetration by misdirected forklift tines. The
pallet of figure 13 is predominantly formed of b are steel (i .e. steel without any form of
coating) to which a rust inhibiting coating in the form of a food grade powder coating is
applied after the brazing operation. Desirably the powder coating covers the base
material and the braze material in a continuous outer layer. The powder coating tends to
fill any sharp corner and/or voids, e.g. about the brazed joints, thus making the pallet
easier to clean.
Preferred forms of the pallet include a plastic panel to which an RFID tag is adhesively
bonded. The inventor has found that by mounting the tag on a plastic component and
spacing the tag from metallic components, simple low-cost adhesively attachable tags
can work effectively on metal structures. Most preferably the panel is a carried within
between struts at an edge of the pallet so that the struts protect the panel and the tag
from damage yet the tag is accessible for reading.
P1029NZPC
Claims (22)
1. A pallet including a deck for carrying cargo; and a frame about a perimeter of the pallet, the frame being formed of horizontally extending 5 tubular portions; one or more elements for supporting the frame above a support surface to overlie one or more openings for receiving the tines of a lifting device; wherein the tubular portions include lengthwise corrugations.
2. The pallet of claim 1 wherein the lengthwise corrugations are inwardly directed 10 such that the tubular portions outwardly present aligned planar portions without intermediate projections to suit mating with other components.
3. The pallet of claim 1 or 2 wherein each of the tubular portions substantially consists of formed sheet material.
4. The pallet of claim 3 wherein 15 two edges of the sheet material of each of the tubular portions each include a respective fold; and each fold of each respective tubular portion is energetically bonded to the other fold of the respective tubular portion to define a seam.
5. The pallet of claim 4 wherein the folds are return folds. 20
6. The pallet of claim 4 or 5 wherein the energetically bonding is brazing with a filler material having a melting point of less than about 1150°C.
7. The pallet of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the lengthwise corrugations are in the range of 4mm to 6mm high.
8. The pallet of any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the corrugations are spaced at a 25 pitch of less than about 20mm. P1029NZPC
9. The pallet of any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the corrugations are spaced at a pitch in the range of 12mm to 20mm.
10. The pallet of any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein each of the tubular portions have a cross-section including vertical spaced horizontal portions which each include at least 5 one of the lengthwise corrugations.
11. The pallet of any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein one or more of the tubular portions span one or more of the openings, and two or more of the elements define upwardly diverging load paths such that weight carried by the pallet tensions one or more of the tubular portions spanning one or more of the openings. 10
12. The pallet of any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein the tubular portions at least predominantly consist of metal.
13. The pallet of any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein the tubular portions at least predominantly consist of cold rolled steel.
14. The pallet of any one of claims 1 to 13 including an elongate member underlying 15 at least one of the openings; wherein the elongate member includes a body having lengthwise corrugations.
15. The pallet of claim 14 wherein each side of the body respectively includes a portion formed to overlap a portion of the body.
16. The pallet of claim 15 wherein the overlapping portion is fastened along its 20 length to the body.
17. The pallet of any one of claims 1 to 16 including a non-metallic member carrying an RFID tag.
18. The pallet of claim 17 wherein the RFID tag is adhesively bonded to the non- metallic member. 25
19. The pallet of claim 17 or 18 wherein the non-metallic member is plastic. P1029NZPC
20. The pallet of claim 17, 18 or 19 wherein the RFID tag is in substance at least 2mm from the nearest metal.
21. The pallet of any one of claim 17 to 20 wherein the RFID tag is in substance at least 10mm from the nearest metal. 5
22. The pallet of any one of claims 1 to 21 including filler material energetically applied to outwardly facing walls of the tubular portions to reinforce those walls.
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU2011903311A AU2011903311A0 (en) | 2011-08-18 | Load bearing structure | |
AU2011903311 | 2011-08-18 | ||
AU2012901541 | 2012-04-19 | ||
AU2012901541A AU2012901541A0 (en) | 2012-04-19 | Load bearing structure | |
PCT/AU2012/000932 WO2013023238A1 (en) | 2011-08-18 | 2012-08-07 | Load bearing structure |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
NZ620448A NZ620448A (en) | 2016-02-26 |
NZ620448B2 true NZ620448B2 (en) | 2016-05-27 |
Family
ID=
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