PT11151T - ALIGNED STRUCTURE PALLET AND PANEL-SKATE CONNECTOR FOR DITA PALLET PROVIDED WITH EASY EXTRACTION MEANS - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of pallets for loading, transporting and storing articles, and more particularly to a pallet (1) of a slanted structure and a panel-skimmer connector for said pallet (1), whereby The pallet (1) as the connector is molded in plastics, the pallet (1) comprising a load platform (2) with groups of legs (3) attached by a lower profile, where the load platform (2) comprises (4) is integrally formed with the lower skirt and has an upper portion (6A) with a fastening means (9), which is provided with a plurality of fasteners ), And in which reinforcing formations (6B) (6B) are formed, and wherein each of the end legs of each of the legs includes a connector that allows it to be used with varying orientation and may include configurations which facilitate its extraction.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND THE PANEL-SKIP CONNECTOR FOR THE DRAWING PALLET PROVIDED WITH EASY EXTRACTION MEDIUM "

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a lightweight pallet which provides essential novelty features and notable advantages over known means and used for the same purposes in the current state of the art.

More particularly, the invention proposes the development of a pallet for loading, transporting and storing articles, the structure of which is obtained by some molding operation and is responsive to a redesigned pallet configuration to lighten the pallet of the current technique, although without any loss of structural strength and load capacity. The modified structure of the pallet of the invention not only includes the aforesaid lightening of the loading platform, but also other changes affecting the components that integrate the legs of the pallet, the skids from which they emerge or the linkages between components, so that the resulting pallet presents better rigidity, handling and safety characteristics than existing pallets of the same type.

Additionally, the present invention also relates to a skid panel connector for said pallet, also referred to as a "fuse" in this document, provided with easy extraction means, which provides essential novelty features and notable advantages over known and used means for the same purposes in the current state of the art.

More particularly, this aspect of the invention develops said connector element, in particular a connector of the type used for the binding between the ends of each skid with the pallet panel (or platform), adapted and modified in its respective junction portions to facilitate release of the joints from such joining portions to the skid and / or pallet panel when it is desired to replace a damaged connector or when it is desired to recover a connector for reuse. The field of application of the invention is comprised within the industrial sector dedicated to the manufacture of pallets and pallets for goods support, and more particularly pallets of injected material.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The general use of pallets for the transport and storage of articles and merchandise in a wide variety of industrial sectors is generally known. In general, the pallets consist of structures which include a platform which provides the loading surface on which the articles are located, the platform of which is supported by legs which are grouped together by means of longitudinally extending plates known from the opposite end of the platform usually as "skates".

Over time, the skates evolved considerably, so that initially they were constructed from a number of wooden boards, positioned adjacent to one another in a plane constituting the loading platform and linked together by other boards of the same material extended the first. The legs consisted of wooden blocks located at various positions of their lower perimeter contour, and sometimes also in some central position, with the legs of each side (or those of intermediate positioning) joined together by their lower faces by other wooden boards constituent of their respective supporting skids on the floor or other support surface. Improved molding techniques have enabled pallet platforms and other components that integrate their structure to be constructed of plastic materials, for example by the use of injection molding techniques, thereby achieving pallets of much faster manufacturing and simple, of considerably less weight than those of wood, and with the possibility of substantially improved performances than the pallets of the prior art. A clear example of a shaped pallet of the type mentioned is the Spanish Utility Model ES-1 079 048, of the same holder, in which a load platform consisting of one piece, and provided with through-holes in the longitudinal direction to accommodate metal inserts reinforcing with respect to the flexion derived from the load comprises support skids from which the legs emerge, in which a central leg is integral with the skid to which it belongs and each of the two end legs starts with an integral vertical portion of (generally known in the technical slang as "fuse"), prepared to be attached by stapling to both the initial upright portion and the end opposite the corresponding housing formed in the underside of the housing. loading platform. The pallet is adapted to adopt an alternative configuration in which wheels can be provided for easy movement with corresponding recesses in facing positions of the upper face of the platform to partially house said wheels when stacking several pallets.

As will be appreciated, a pallet with the structural features just mentioned has meant a significant advance in this type of devices, both in terms of design and construction aspects and as regards aspects of use, reuse and space requirements to store them.

However, the modifications introduced by the applicant in the structure of the pallet and in the rest of components which together with said platform constitute the pallet of the previous model, have allowed to improve the structural characteristics and the operative capacities of said pallet, by means of a slight structure of the loading platform and with the provision of equally modified components offering additional alternatives which had not been initially contemplated in the previous model.

Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a lightweight pallet with respect to the pallet of the previous model, without thereby losing structural strength, and provided with a number of non-slip elements (longitudinal ribbons) which significantly increase the coefficient of friction with the load located on the pallet and ensure a better retention of the pallet.

Another object of the invention is to improve the structural strength of the central leg catch portion of each of the skates with the respective housing of the loading platform by means of a perimetral wall profile specifically developed to prevent any deformation of said zone.

Another object of the invention is to provide a recess portion of the central leg of each skid dimensioned so as to increase the contact surface with the walls of the housing and also the rigidity in the assembly.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a smooth zone, free of reinforcing nerves or any other external formation, in the registration zone between the position of the central leg and the perimeter of the skate, with the dual purpose of increasing play and compatibility between different models of pallets and avoid the accumulation of dirt as happens in the ribs of the current skates.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide within the central leg of the shoe a housing for the RFID tag integrally attached to the inner surface of the housing by radial nerves, so as to ensure, in the same manner as in the previous model, the integrity of said tag relative to external agents.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide the skates with a staggering at each of their ends, small in size, but sufficient to ensure the immobilization of the pallets when traversing on plastic boxes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide intermediate support elements, also referred to as fuses or connectors, reinforced for each of the end legs of the skate, provided with an upper joint portion and a lower joint portion, these elements having characteristics of such that the intermediate support member or connector has symmetry relative to a central plane and is therefore reversible in its mounting as an intermediate support element with respect to each end of the skate, and further each of the major faces of the a respective surface space which on one face has a textured surface for incorporating a label and on the opposite side presents a smooth surface for incorporating logos or other means of customer identification.

Another object of the present invention is to provide each connector or fuse with releasable quick-setting means with respect to each of the joint portions of each end, and with the particularity that at least the embedding means of the upper joint portion is designed in such a way that they have an external profile that facilitates both the insertion and the releasing operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a protective housing for the RFID tag specifically designed to protect the tag therein and to be inserted safely into the housing provided for that purpose in the central leg of the skate.

These and other objects and advantages have been achieved by the pallet of the invention, and the essential features of which are set forth in the claims set accompanying the present disclosure.

In addition, starting from the improved fuse element or connector set out in the previous paragraphs, it has been found that by properly modifying said connector element, substantial improvements can be provided that facilitate its extraction without damaging it.

Thus, it is also the object of the present invention to provide a connector or fuse of the same type already discussed, but provided with easy extraction means that allows a user to easily and easily separate single utensils from each of the joint portions of the their joints with either the skid or the pallet panel, either for the purpose of replacing a connector that has been damaged for any reason or for the purpose of recovering these connectors when in good condition (i.e., capable of being reused ), and the pallet itself will be discarded.

To that end, said connector or fuse with easy extraction means includes the following aspects: the connector has provided formations with greater accumulation of material in facing positions of the perimetral edge delimiting the upper junction portion (i.e. a connecting portion intended for binding to the pallet panel), specifically in relation to both ends of a central transverse internal reinforcing partition included in said upper junction portion; the panel has been provided with a hole in positions respectively facing each upper joint portion of each connector or fuse through which a simple tool, such as a pointer or the like, can be passed which, upon bearing on the area of said partition transverse center portion, admits being struck to transfer the output force to the corresponding end of the connector to be drawn, and the connector has been provided, relative to each of the central fingers included in the lower joint portion (i.e., the portion of which is intended for binding to the corresponding end of a skate), with respective grooves on both sides of the respective clamping clips, flanking said clamps in such a way as to facilitate, to a large extent, the flexing of the latter during operations of engaging / releasing said clips in / from the housings or recessed portions in which they engage.

With such an arrangement, the coupling and uncoupling operations, in particular the separation operations of each second connector, are simplified and greatly speeded up. It should also be pointed out that a user may carry out the extracting operations of the connector with as simple a conventional utensils as a pointer, a hammer and a shaped tool similar to the lower portion of the connector, i.e. terminated by a four-fingered end adapted to be inserted into the corresponding holes or recesses of the shoe and prepared at the other end to be struck with the aid of the hammer and if applicable of the pointer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the invention will be more clearly apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, given by way of illustrative example only and not by way of limitation with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view from above of an improved pallet constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; Figure 1b shows a schematic perspective view of the pallet loading platform of Figure 1a, seen from its bottom face; Figure 2 is a schematic view of an end portion of a pallet according to Figure 1, with the skid components disassembled relative to the pallet;

Figures 3 and 4 show respective schematic perspective views of a connector element or fuse according to Figure 2, as viewed by each of its two major faces; Figure 5 is a cross-section of the connector of Figure 3 taken on the V-V line; Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the central leg of the figure 2; Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of a skate such as that shown in Figure 2, but in inverted position, along with a larger scale detail D1, relative to one end of the skate; Figure 8 is a schematic top view of a skid portion illustrating extreme steps therein;

Figures 9 to 11 are schematic illustrations, in section, of the clamping engagement of the ends of a connector both to the loading platform and to the respective extreme elevation of the skate;

Figures 12 and 13 are schematic perspective views of the protective case designed to contain the RFID tag, respectively in the open and closed carton positions, and

Figures 14 and 15 illustrate perspective and side elevations, respectively, of the upper fuse or connector portion shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. Figure 16 shows a schematic perspective view from above of an upper junction portion of a connector or fuse of a pallet, provided with thickened portions according to the present invention; Figure 17 is a schematic perspective view from above of a pallet panel having access holes for the upper ends of the connectors, along with a larger scale detail D; Figure 18 is an enlarged and more detailed view of a panel portion of the pallet in which there is one of the access holes showing the transverse partition of the upper junction portion of the connector or fuse associated with that position; Figure 19 is a schematic perspective view from below of the lower joint portion of a connector or fuse with the central fingers provided with respective stapling clips flanked on both sides by grooves extending along the longitudinal direction of each corresponding finger, and

Figures 20 to 22 schematically illustrate schematically a set of simple utensils used in the extraction operations, an illustrative sequence of extracting a connector from its lower end, and a sequence illustrative of the extraction of a connector from its upper end.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As mentioned above, the detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the object of the invention will be carried out in the following with the aid of the accompanying drawings, by which the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar parts. Thus, in view of the drawings, an overall view of a pallet constructed in accordance with the present invention, generally indicated by the reference numeral (1), can be appreciated, in which, as usual, a panel or (2), and three groups of legs and associated skates indicated generally by numerical reference (3), parallel and equidistant from each other, of which a group of legs and skates occupies a centered position. The surface of the loading platform 2 has a multiplicity of perforations or apertures 2b extending substantially through the entire length thereof, including the central longitudinal strip 2a, while on the underside these apertures 2b are surrounded by partitions of reduced height, as shown in Figure 1b of the drawings, arranged so as to form an integral mesh with the platform which provides the rigidity necessary to support the loads while at the same time supposing a lightening of the weight of the platform, with the consequently saving material.

In the same way as in the case of the above-mentioned model, the platform has longitudinally extending holes (4) along the loading platform (2) obtained during the same molding operation of the platform, intended for the insertion of rigid bars or metal inserts (4a) to provide the load platform (2) with the flexural stiffness characteristic that could be derived from the supported load. These rigid bars (4a) appear partially inserted in the representation of Figure 2.

In addition, the loading platform (2) has provided longitudinal grooves (5) on its upper surface obtained during the molding operation, which are parallel and spaced from each other, occupying symmetrical positions two to two on both sides of the longitudinal axis of the loading platform (2), intended to house therein non-slip strips, usually thermally welded to the panel, which provide a retention effect on the loads located on top of the pallet (1) because of its high coefficient of friction. Unlike other pallets of the current art, the invention provides that the loading platform (2) incorporates a total of four slots or grooves (5) for insertion of as many non-slip strips, so that the user can have the option to select the number of non-slip tapes that you consider most appropriate for use with each type of load.

Referring again to Figure 2 of the drawings, there can be seen an end portion of a pallet 1 with the group of legs 3 and corresponding lower skid 3a separated from the loading platform 2. As shown, each set of legs 3 includes a lower shoe 3a from which an intermediate leg 6 emerges in the intermediate position, and at each end of which a vertically raised portion 3b appears, of reduced height, intended to accept the incorporation of the lower end of an intermediate support element or connector (7), which at the opposite end engages the loading platform (2). The representation further provides for the provision of a somewhat recessed longitudinal zone 22 extending to a central portion of the lower skid 3a in correspondence with the registration zone between skid and perimeter whose smooth or at least free surface finish ribs or any other external formation prevents dirt from accumulating in said region 22 and at the same time allows increased play and compatibility between different pallet models 1, thereby achieving another of the objects set forth in the embodiment (1) of the present invention.

The constructional and design features of the intermediate leg 6 can be better appreciated in the depiction of Figure 6. As shown, the intermediate leg 6 is generally cylindrical and has at its upper end a stepped portion 6a whose height, unlike other legs of the current art, has been extended to positionally rasp with the clamping means (9), such that this height increase in front of similar legs of the current technique supposes an increase of the contact surface with the housing (8) of the loading platform (2), substantially improving the rigidity of the assembly.

Moreover, the upper portion (6a) of the leg (6) of the pallet (1) according to the present invention incorporates an additional advantageous feature consisting in the fact that it has provided reinforcing formations (6b), in particular four formations (6b) extending vertically to the total height of the stepped portion (6a) angularly spaced equidistantly and occupying positions diametrically facing two by two. The intermediate leg 6 is internally hollow and provided with a central vertical housing 10, opened by the upper end, integral with the inner surface of the leg by virtue of several radial partitions 11. The housing 10 is intended to house within it, as mentioned, the RFID tag which is usually included in this type of panels, under conditions of total protection against the external agents.

Referring again to Figure 2 of the drawings, the intermediate support elements or connectors 7 are also spaced apart from the lower skid 3a. Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings illustrate enlarged representations of a connector (7), seen on both sides, which allow better appreciation of the constructive details of this element. The intermediate support member or connector (7) of the present invention, like the others in the current art, consists of a substantially oblong, oblong, substantially hollow cross-section and an internal partition (12), visible in section of Figure 5 corresponding to the line VV of Figure 3, which provides it with the necessary structural strength that allows it to absorb upright (3b) of each end of the lower shoe (3a) is internally divided into four housings (16), configured and dimensioned in (14) of the connector (7), and the two central housings being configured with recessed areas (17) in both facing walls, in accordance with the stapling clips (15). This arrangement is more clearly visible in Figure 7 of the drawings, and especially in detail the larger scale D1.

On the other hand, the junction portion of the upper end of each intermediate support element or connector 7 also includes releasable fastening means on both faces, consisting of protruding knobs 18, with sloping surfaces favorable to the insertion / into respective through holes (19) in both side walls of each housing (13). This external configuration of the protruding stud knobs 18 may be better appreciated in the depictions shown in Figures 14 and 15 of the drawings. As shown, the outer surface of each of the projecting stud knobs (18) has a horizontal center strip and two inclined planes extending from said central horizontal strip toward each of the opposing perimetric edges. This configuration allows each of the inclined planes to respectively assist insertion / withdrawal of each embossing knob (18) into / from its respective recess housing (13).

Additionally, both views of the discussed Figures 14 and 15 also illustrate an important feature included in each of the intermediate support elements or connectors (7), consisting of providing notches (23) in the transition of each of the larger faces of each portion of the upper and lower junction with the central portion of the connector 7 (only the notches 23 corresponding to the upper junction portion have been shown in the Figures, but as previously stated, they were also included in the lower junction portion even though are not visible in the Figures). These grooves (23) ultimately constitute grooves which as weak lines facilitate the onset of breakage by said zones in the event of severe impacts, thus protecting the panels and skates and considerably reducing the economic cost associated with repairing the damages derived from such impacts.

Referring now to Figure 8 of the drawings, there is shown another novel feature of the pallet 1 of the invention, consisting of providing notches or slots 3c in the lower part of each end of a lower skid 3a. Thus means are provided which provide retention and prevent sliding of a pallet (1) when it is retracted onto plastic boxes. In one embodiment, the height of these steps can be of the order of 2.5 mm.

Referring now to Figures 9 to 11 of the drawings, sectional views are presented which allude to various aspects of the invention. Figure 9 shows a longitudinally sectioned platform portion which allows to appreciate the intermediate leg 6 coupled at its upper end to the loading platform 2 of the pallet 1, with the stapling means 9 engaged in corresponding seats provided in the leg coupling hole (8), the housing (10) clearly showing the housing (20) containing the RFID tag inserted therein. Figure 10 is a cross-section of a pallet portion (1) showing the coupling between the upper and lower junction portions of a connector (7) with respective housings (13) of the loading platform (2) and the (3a), with the upper clamping elements (18) inserted in the through holes (19) of the housing (13) of the loading platform (2). Figure 11 shows in greater detail the lower joint portion of an intermediate support element or connector (7) inserted in the housings of the raised vertical portion (3b) of the end of a lower shoe (3a), with one of the fingers (14) with its stapling means (15) housed in the recessed areas (17) of the corresponding housing (16).

Finally, Figures 12 and 13 are illustrative of schematic perspective views of a carton (20) used as a housing and protection means for an RFID tag which, as mentioned, usually accompanies the goods supported by pallets (1) such as proposed by the present invention. The positioning of this carton with the RFID tag therein inserted inside the central housing (10) of the intermediate leg (6) has already been mentioned with respect to Figure 9. The carton (20) is generally rectangularly prismatic in shape, (20b), (20b), preferably molded in a suitable plastics material, linked together by means of a hinge (21), which is connected to the housing, integral with a corresponding end of each of the halves (20a and 20b) and obtained in the same molding process as the carton (20). Figure 12 shows the carton (20) in the open condition with both halves (20a), (20b) extended in mutual mutually aligned relationship, and Figure 13 shows the carton (20) closed, by abatement of a half over the another.

In the foregoing description, terms such as "superior", "inferior", "vertical", "horizontal" or others of a similar nature were used. It is to be understood that the adoption of such terms has to be interpreted in accordance with the operative position of the pallet (1).

Referring to the fuse or connector (7), it includes a top joint portion, visible in Figure 16 of the drawings, in which the location of the insert push buttons (18) in the through holes (19) in the panel or platform is predicted. (2) in relation to the side walls of each housing (see Figure 17 and more particularly the detail D), and also includes a lower junction portion in which the fingers (14) have been formed extended in the longitudinal direction of the connector (7), adjacent and spaced apart from each other, two fingers (14) occupying the central positions include stapling clips (15) for their attachment to the corresponding bundles performed in each respective housing formed in the raised end portions of a skid (visible in Figures 3 to 5).

According to the foregoing disclosure, this aspect of the present invention improves and enhances the connector element (7) or fuse for ease of extraction operations both by its upper coupling end and by its lower coupling end. It should be remembered that the connector (7) or fuse is a part obtained by some molding operation, for example by injection molding, and that for weight-saving and material-saving purposes it is generally hollow. In this regard, Figure 16 of the drawings presents a schematic perspective view of the upper junction portion of the connector 7, where the hollow interior is seen as just discussed but crossed by a transverse partition 22 located in position with the body of the part. In connection with the termination of both ends of said transverse partition 22, a pair of thickened thickened regions 23 are provided, protruding from the outside, and configured so as to promote the thrust of the part in the outward direction relative to their engagement in the corresponding housing of the loading platform (2) by insertion of the engraving knobs (18) into the through holes (19). In this way, both the thickened formations (23) constitute collaborating elements during the operation of separating the connector (7) from the panel when it is desired to withdraw the same for substitution or recovery purposes.

As mentioned previously, Figure 17 shows a schematic perspective view from above of a loading platform (2) or pallet panel (1) in which the positions occupied by the outer catch holes (19) are visible and retaining the respective engraving knobs (18). Also, Figure 17 allows to appreciate the provision, according to the present invention, of through holes (24) carried out on both sides of the surface of the loading platform (2) near the edge of each side, opening such holes ( 24) within the housings in which the upper ends of each of the connectors (7) included in the pallet (1) are located, and occupying positions approximately facing the central end portion of the upper joint portion of the connector (7) in particularly facing the position in which the central partition (22) is located. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT D provides a view on a larger scale that allows to appreciate the formation of one of the holes 24 relative to the corner of the panel enclosed in the circle of Figure 17, while Figure 18 shows an enlarged view of a hole 24, facing the corresponding upper end of a connector (7), in particular faced, as mentioned, to the central partition (22) of the connector (7), thereby facilitating the insertion of a pointer-like tool or the like, for pushing blow or other action said end in the outlet direction of the connector (7), an operation which as mentioned is facilitated by the thickened formations (23) at the edge of the connector (7) relative to both ends (5) of the partition (22).

Turning now to Figure 19 of the drawings, a schematic, perspective view from below has been shown of the fingers 14 of which the lower joint portion of the connector 7 is provided. The central fingers 14 include, as described above, respective stapling clips 15 inserted into complementary recesses 17 carried out in the receiving portions of the corresponding shoe (see detail of Figure 7). For the purpose of decoupling and separation between the connector 7 and the lower shoe 3a, provision has been made for incorporating aiding means for separating the fingers fitted with such stapling clips 15. In the case of Figure 19, the stapling clips 15 are formed in two central fingers 14, whereby in each of them two slits 25, one on each side of each clamp 15, the longitudinal direction of the respective finger, of a length equal to or somewhat greater than the total height of the clip (15) to which they flank. Thus, a better bending of the clamp is ensured when it is forced inwards both in the insertion operation and in the extraction operation, in particular facilitating the extraction operation exerted from the outside when it is a question of replacing a damaged connector (7) or when it is a matter of recovering a connector (7) for its reuse.

Once the innovative aspects included in the connector (7) or fuse for pallet (1) provided by the present invention will be mentioned, reference will now be made in an example of utensils necessary to perform, with extraordinary ease, the extraction operation of the connector ( 7) at both ends.

As mentioned, the means used in such operations are extremely simple, some of them customary in the state of the art, and one constructed in such a configuration as to complement the shape adopted by the realization of the fingers (14) of the joint portion connector (7) or fuse. These utensils are visible in Figure 20 of the drawings, and include a pointer (26) of suitable length and of such a diameter as to permit their insertion through the apertures (24) of the loading panel (2); a hammer 27 of any kind in the state of the art, and finally an extraction device 28 provided with a handle 29 which projects in a direction along the longitudinal direction of the workpiece and by finger-like formations 14 'which project in the opposite direction also extending along the longitudinal direction of the part, adjacent and parallel to each other, separated laterally by a certain distance, such that its configuration can be equated in size and position to that presented by the configuration of the fingers (14) of the connector (7). These are the only utensils that are used during the extraction operations of the connector (7).

Figures 21 and 22 illustrate the use of the utensils of Figure 20. In particular, the imaging sequence of Figure 21 illustrates the operation of extracting the end of the connector (7) coupled to a lower skid (3a), for which the (7) are disposed in an inverted position (shown in figure 21a), located on a die piece (30) provided with a through aperture (31) dimensionally adapted to admit insertion of the connector (7). With the connector 7 inserted through the aperture 31 and with the lower shoe 3a resting on the surface of the stamper 30 (representation 21b), a user may apply the extraction device 28 by applying the its finger-like formations 14 'through the holes or lures 16 of the skate 21c by striking a hammer 27 on the handle 29 of the extraction device 28. The result, after a few strokes, is the separation of the connector (7) at its lower end relative to the lower shoe (3a), as shown in the figure 2d.

Likewise, Figure 22 is a sequence of separating the upper end of a connector (7) relative to a loading platform (2). To this end, the pallet assembly 1 is located on a support surface in such a way that the connector 7 is clear of any obstacle (representation 22a); in such conditions, the access holes 24 are perfectly within reach of the user, a partition 22 of which is visible from a connector 7 located in such a position (representation 22b). Next, simply inserting a pointer (26) through the corresponding hole (24) (representation 22c) and hammering with a hammer (27); after a few strokes, the corresponding end of the connector (7) is separated from the loading platform (2), and the pointer (26) used in the extraction operation can also be withdrawn.

At this point in the description, it should be noted that references to terms such as "upper" or "lower" should be understood according to the normal position of use of the pallet (D · It is not considered necessary to extend the content of the present description to one skilled in the art can understand its scope and the advantages deriving therefrom, as well as carry out the practical realization of its object. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and in that the description given corresponds only to a preferred embodiment of the invention , it will be understood that within its essentiality there may be multiple variations of detail, equally protected, which may affect the shape, size or materials of manufacture of the assembly or its parts, without assuming any change in the invention as a whole, limited solely by the claims which are given below.

Lisbon, August 25, 2015

Claims (8)

A lightweight pallet (1), in particular a pallet (1) molded of plastic material of the type comprising a load panel or platform (2) intended to provide the bearing surface for the load to be carried or stored, and groups of legs (3) engageable to the underside of the loading platform (2) each constituted by two end legs and an intermediate leg (6) linked together by a lower shoe (3a), in which the platform (2) has a plurality of apertures (2b) distributed over substantially the entire surface thereof, wherein the loading platform (2) comprises longitudinal holes (4) obtained in the same molding operation of the platform and intended to house metal inserts (4a), wherein the loading platform (2) further includes anti-slip elements or strips for retaining the load positioned on the surface of the loading platform (2), characterized in that the platform The load (2) comprises a total of four grooves (5) extending in the longitudinal direction, parallel and spaced from each other, occupying symmetrical positions two and two on both sides of the central longitudinal axis of the loading platform (2), intended to house one or more anti-slip strips, attached to the platform by heat welding; the intermediate leg 6 of each leg group 3, emerging from and integral with the respective lower leg 3a, has a stepped upper portion 6a that is dimensioned so that in height it reaches the upper edge of a stapling means (9), and further has the feature of including reinforcing formations (6b) extending vertically to the total height of this stepped portion, at angularly spaced apart positions, and each of the end legs associated with each skid (3a) includes an intermediate support element, fuse or connector (7) constituted by a substantially flat oblong body having an oblong cross-section, which has both upper and lower portions of the joint, with the particularity that it responds to a drawing such that it has symmetry relative to a central plane and admits to be used with variable orientation. Pallet (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the intermediate leg (6) is internally hollow and comprises a central vertical housing (10) attached to the inner surface of the leg through radial partitions (11), this housing (10) sized to house a carton (20) with an RFID tag therein. A pallet (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper joint portion of each intermediate support element or connector (7) of each end leg, adapted to be coupled to a housing (13) of the lower face of the loading platform (2), includes a symmetrical clamping means relative to the intermediate plane of the element, consisting of protruding knobs (18) prepared for their housing inside through holes (19) in both walls of the housing ( 13) with the outer surface of said protruding knobs (18) materialized with both planes inclined in opposite directions from a central transverse strip for ease of insertion / extraction operations in / from said through holes (19), and in that the lower joint portion of the intermediate support member or connector (7) of each end leg, adapted for its housing within a portion ve (3a) of one end of the lower shoe (3a), is sectioned into four successively adjacent vertical portions or fingers (14), of which two intermediate fingers (14) incorporate on each face a stapling clip (15) with symmetry relative to the central plane, and the raised vertical portion (3b) has its inner space divided into four housings (16) configured and dimensioned in accordance with the fingers (14), the two intermediate housings (16) including recessed areas (17) for coupling and engaging said stapling clips (15) of the lower junction portion of the connector (7). Pallet (1) according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each of the upper and lower joint portions of each connector (7) has at its junction with the intermediate portion of the connector (7) the formation of a materialized notch by means of a notch (23) constituting a start line of rupture in case of severe impacts. Pallet (1) according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the intermediate support element or connector (7) comprises a surface portion (7a) on one of its faces with a textured finish for bonding a tag, and a surface portion (7b) on the opposite side, of smooth finish, for the incorporation of a logo or other means of identification. A pallet (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each lower shoe (3a) includes at both ends a stepped portion (3c), with a height in the order of approximately 2 mm, which constitutes a means of anti-slip in the condition of pallet (1) reassembled on plastic boxes. A pallet (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the protective housing (20) of the RFID tag is molded of plastics material and comprises two mutually attachable halves (20a, 20b) connected to one another by a hinge ( 21) integral with a corresponding end of each of the halves (20a and 20b) and obtained during the same molding operation as the carton (20). A skid panel connector (7) described according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 7, in particular a connector (7) or fuse of the type used to establish a binding bond between a panel or platform of (2) of a pallet (1) with a lower shoe (3a) by insertion of an upper joint portion provided by both faces of a push-button (18) adapted to be inserted into through holes (19) made in both sides of the respective housing realized in the loading panel or platform (2), and by insertion of a lower joint portion provided with fingers (14) configured as adjacent and parallel longitudinal formations, spaced laterally from each other, from which the fingers (14) are provided with stapling clips (15) capable of being inserted into complementary recesses made in finger receiving housings (16) with formed in each of the raised end portions (3b) of the lower shoe (3a), the connector (7) being an internally hollow shaped part with a reinforcing partition (22) disposed transversally in a position centered relative to its upper end , characterized in that, in relation to said reinforcing transverse partition (22) present at the upper end of the connector (7) or fuse, the perimetric edge of said upper end includes, in positions coincident with both ends of said central transverse partition (22 shaped formations (23) protruding outwardly and configured so as to favor the separation between the connector (7) and the loading panel (2) of the pallet (1); the pallet loading panel (2) includes through holes (24) in two of its sides, particularly at positions respectively coincident with the upper end of each connector (7), facing each respective reinforcing partition (22) and said through holes (24) of such a diameter as to admit the insertion of a striking pointer (26) during the operation of extracting the connector (7) or fuse, and each of the central fingers (14) present in the (15) include a through slots (25) on both sides of each said stapling clip (15), which are extended in the longitudinal direction of each finger, and of a length equal to or greater than the height of the stapling clip (15), in order to provide additional flexibility to such stapling clips (15) during the insertion operation or during the ex (28) provided with fingers (14 ') configured complementary to the fingers (14) of the connector (7) or fuse and sized to be inserted through said housings ( 16) of each lower skid (3a) of the pallet. Lisbon, August 25, 2015