US20070186826A1

US20070186826A1 - Pallet

Info

Publication number: US20070186826A1
Application number: US11/357,811
Authority: US
Inventors: Wen-Nan Kuo
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-02-16
Filing date: 2006-02-16
Publication date: 2007-08-16

Abstract

A pallet includes plural pallet bases and a pallet plate. The pallet base is formed integrally to shape as a cylinder having a connecting member at one end. The connecting member is provided with an annular portion planted symmetrical or dissymmetrical or evenly or unevenly with plural projections on the two sides respectively. An engaging member has to be set at the other end of the pallet base if the pallet plate is to be made double-layered, otherwise does not. The pallet plate able to be one-layer or double-layer is formed integrally together with the pallet bases so as to enhance the strength of the structure.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a pallet, particularly to one that possesses plural bases formed integrally and having a cylinder respectively. The cylinder is provided with a connecting member at one end for combining together integrally with a pallet plate of a single-layer pallet or with an upper pallet plate of a double-layer pallet, achieving a strong pallet.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A conventional assembled pallet made of plastic, as disclosed in Taiwan patent No. 281912, is provided with plural plates and plural blocks used as feet and to support the plates.
The conventional pallet is prepared at first by forming the plates and the blocks independently. Then, the plates and the blocks are mutually assembled together by manual labor to become a conventional pallet. The combination between the plates and the blocks is depended on locking rods on the top and the bottom of the block to fit in locking holes on the outer corners of the upper and the lower plates. That is, the combination of the plates with the blocks only counts on the engagement of the locking rods and the locking holes. Therefore, unless the plates and the blocks are made of materials with a considerable strength, otherwise a pallet assembled by the plates and the blocks does not have enough strength, easy to be broken.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objective of this invention is to offer a pallet provided with plural bases and a pallet plate that are formed together integrally, quickly manufactured and uneasy to be separated into parts or broken.
The main characteristics of the invention are described as follows:
1. The pallet is provided with plural pallet bases respectively formed integrally and having a cylinder. The cylinder is provided with a connecting member at one end possessing an annular portion that is provided with plural projections and penetrating holes in both its top and its bottom surfaces respectively. The projections and the penetrating holes can be arrayed symmetrically or asymmetrically or evenly or unevenly.
2. The pallet base is provided with an engaging member at the other end that has to be set only for a double-layer pallet.
3. The pallet base can be formed as any shape as long as it is able to be matched with the pallet plate.
4. The pallet plate or the upper pallet plate of a double-layer is formed together integrally with the pallet bases, able to enhance the combined strength of the invention.
5. If the pallet plate is double-layered, the lower pallet plate is formed independently and then, combined together with the pallet bases.
6. The combination between the lower pallet plate and the pallet bases can be done by bolting or by high frequency for fusing or engagement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

This invention is better understood by referring to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a top view of a first preferred embodiment of a pallet in present invention;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the A-A line in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a top view of a pallet base in a second preferred embodiment of a pallet in present invention;
FIG. 4 is a top view of a pallet base in a third preferred embodiment of a pallet in present invention;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a pallet base in a fourth preferred embodiment of a pallet in present invention;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a pallet base in a fifth preferred embodiment of a pallet in present invention;
FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of a single-layer pallet in the first preferred embodiment of a pallet in present invention;
FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of a single-layer pallet in the second preferred embodiment of a pallet in present invention;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a single-layer pallet in the first preferred embodiment of a pallet in present invention;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a double-layer pallet in the first preferred embodiment of a pallet in present invention;
FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a double-layer pallet in the first preferred embodiment of a pallet in present invention;
FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of a double-layer pallet in the second preferred embodiment of a pallet in present invention;
FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view of a double-layer pallet in the third preferred embodiment of a pallet in present invention;
FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional view of a double-layer pallet in the fourth preferred embodiment of a pallet in present invention;
FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view of a double-layer pallet in the fifth preferred embodiment of a pallet in present invention;
FIG. 16 is a partial cross-sectional view of a double-layer pallet in a sixth preferred embodiment of a pallet in present invention:
FIG. 17 is a partial cross-sectional view of a double-layer pallet in a seventh preferred embodiment of a pallet in present invention;
FIG. 18 is a partial cross-sectional view of a double-layer pallet in an eighth preferred embodiment of a pallet in present invention;
FIG. 19 is a partial cross-sectional view of a double-layer pallet in a ninth preferred embodiment of a pallet in present invention;
FIG. 20 is a partial top view of a pallet base in a sixth preferred embodiment of a pallet in present invention;
FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the B-B line in FIG. 20;
FIG. 22 is a partial cross-sectional view of a single-layer pallet in the third preferred embodiment of a pallet in present invention;
FIG. 23 is a partial cross-sectional view of a single-layer pallet in the fourth preferred embodiment of a pallet in present invention;
FIG. 24 is a partial cross-sectional view of a double-layer pallet in a tenth preferred embodiment of a pallet in present invention;
FIG. 25 is a partial cross-sectional view of a double-layer pallet in an 11th preferred embodiment of a pallet in present invention;
FIG. 26 is a partial cross-sectional view of a double-layer pallet in a 12th preferred embodiment of a pallet in present invention;
FIG. 27 is a partial cross-sectional view of a double-layer pallet in a 13th preferred embodiment of a pallet in present invention;
FIG. 28 is top view of a double-layer pallet in a 14th preferred embodiment of a pallet in present invention; and
FIG. 29 is top view of a double-layer pallet in a 15th preferred embodiment of a pallet in present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As shown in FIGS. 1, 7 and 9, a first preferred embodiment of a pallet in the present invention includes plural pallet bases 1, an upper pallet plate 2 and a lower pallet plate 3 (only for a double-layer pallet).
The pallet base 1 pre-formed integrally can be formed as any shape (as seen in FIGS. 2-6) as long as it is able to be fitted with the upper pallet plate 2. The pallet base 1 is provided integral with a cylinder 10 having a central hole 100 reinforced with plural reinforcing ribs 101, and a minor cylinder 102 may be set at the center of the cylinder 10, having a minor central hole 103 with a diameter altered in accordance with necessity. The cylinder 10 is provided with a connecting member 11 at one end, which is provided with an annular circumference 110 set with plural projections 111 properly spaced apart and penetrating holes 114 properly spaced apart in the top surface 112 or the bottom surface or the both, able to be symmetrical or dissymmetrical, even or uneven, and in a single row or plural rows. The top surface 112 surrounded by the annular circumference 110 can also be wholly flat, able to close the upper end of the cylinder 10, as shown in FIG. 5. If the pallet is double-layered, the cylinder 10 is additionally provided with an engaging member 12 at the lower end, which is provided with an annular groove 120, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, or plural engaging recesses 121 as shown in FIG. 8, or a connecting unit 122 inserted previously, such as a sleeve as shown in FIG. 12 or a screw nut as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, or plural complex-material pieces 123 formed previously with the same material of the lower pallet plate 3 as shown in FIG. 15, showing the variety of the engaging member 12.
The upper pallet plate 2 is formed integrally together with the pallet bases 1 so as to enhance the strength of the structure. That is, when the upper pallet plate 2 is being formed, its connecting member 20 is to completely wrap up the annular circumference 110 of the pallet base 1 as shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 12 and 19 to achieve a tight combination of the projections 111 with the penetrating holes 114 for enhancing the combined strength. In addition, different materials or colors can be used simultaneously for the pallet base 1 and the upper pallet plate 2, increasing a variety for the present invention.
The lower pallet plate 3 used only for the double-layer pallet is to be assembled with the lower ends of the pallet bases 1 that are formed integrally with the upper pallet plate 2 first. The lower pallet plate 3 is provided integral with a connecting portion 30 as shown in FIG. 10. The connecting portion 30 formed symmetrical with the cylinder 10 is provided with a outer annular portion 300 and an inner annular portion 301 (as shown in FIGS. 11-19), and an annular groove 302 set correspondingly with the annular groove 120 of the engaging member 12, the outer annular portion 300 and the inner annular portion 301, so that the annular groove 302 can be fitted with the annular groove 120 of the engaging member 12. The lower pallet plate 3 is also screwed with the connecting unit 122 of the pallet base 1 with a bolt 32 as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. The other combining ways of the pallet base 1 with the lower pallet plate 3 are described below.
1. As shown in FIG. 15, combine the lower pallet plate 3 with the complex-material pieces 123, formed together the pallet bases 1 and having the same material as the lower pallet plate 3, by high frequency.
2. The lower pallet plate 3 is provided with plural connecting annular portions 34 for being glued with the pallet bases 1.
3. Keep the engaging member 12 of the pallet base 1 fitted with the connecting annular portion 34 of the lower pallet plate 3 while the lower pallet plate 3 still has a proper temperature after being formed, so that the engaging member 12 is to be completely combined with the connecting annular portion 34 before the temperature drops down, as shown in FIG. 17.
4. The connecting annular portion 34 of the lower pallet plate 3 is provided with reverse saw-teeth 340 for engaging with the engaging member 12, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19.
As shown in FIGS. 20-25, a second preferred embodiment of a pallet in the present invention, which can be manufactured by a lying plastic injection molding machine, unavailable for the first embodiment, or a stand-up plastic injection molding machine, includes plural pallet bases 1, an upper pallet plate 2 and a lower pallet plate 3 (only for a double-layer pallet).
The pallet base 1 pre-formed integrally can be formed as any shape as long as it is able to be fitted with the upper pallet plate 2. The pallet base 1 is provided with a square cylinder 10 having a central hole 100 reinforced with plural reinforcing ribs 101, and a minor cylinder 102 may be set at the inner end of the reinforcing ribs 101 having a minor central hole 103 that has an opening at the top and a diameter altered in accordance with necessity.
The pallet base 1 is provided with an anti-slipping unit 14 in the minor central hole 103. What are described below are the ways how the anti-slipping unit 14 is combined with the minor central hole 103.
1. The anti-slipping unit 14 is formed integrally and combined directly with the minor central hole 103, as shown in FIG. 23.
2. The anti-slipping unit 14 is provided with a fixing base 140 and an anti-slipping block 141, made of soft material and fitted on the fixing base 140, enabling the fixing base 140 to penetrating through to combine with the minor central hole 103, as shown in FIG. 25.
3. The minor central hole 103 can be filled with proper material for loading, able to gain the purpose.
The square cylinder 10 is provided with a connecting member 11 at an upper end, which is provided with an annular circumference 110 set with plural projections 111 and penetrating holes 114 in the top surface 112 or the bottom surface or both, able to be symmetrical or dissymmetrical, even or uneven, and in a single row or plural rows, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21. Also, the connecting member 11 is provided with an equal-level surface 113 as high as the projections 111 for combining with the pallet plate 2. A penetrating hole 105 is set under the minor central hole 103. Additionally, if the pallet is double-layer, the pallet base 1 has to be provided with an engaging member 12 at the lower end as the first preferred embodiment does.
The upper pallet plate 2 is formed integrally together with the pallet bases 1 so as to enhance the strength of the structure. That is, when the upper pallet plate 2 is being formed, its connecting member 20 is to completely wrap up the annular portion 110 of the pallet base 1 as shown in FIGS. 20-25, tightly combined with the projections 111 and the penetrating holes 114 for enhancing the combined strength. In addition, different materials or colors can be used simultaneously for the pallet base 1 and the upper pallet plate 2, making a variety for the present invention.
The lower pallet plate 3 assembled with the lower end of the pallet bases 1 that are formed integrally with the upper pallet plate 2 first is provided with a connecting portion 30 formed integrally (as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25). The connecting portion 30 is provided with an annular groove 303 and a recess 304. By the time when the lower pallet plate 3 still has a proper temperature after being formed, the annular groove 303 is filled with adhesive and fitted with the engaging member 12 of the pallet base 1. Then, a bolt 106 can be screwed in the penetrating hole 105 of the pallet base 1 to tie tightly the lower pallet plate 3 and the pallet bases 1 together. Therefore, the lower pallet plate 3 and the pallet bases 1 together with the upper pallet plate 2 can be strongly combined together.
In addition, as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, the upper pallet plate 2 and the lower pallet plate 3 of the double-layer pallet can be respectively combined with the pallet base 1 as the structure seen in FIG. 26, then, keep the two pallet bases 2 fitted together correspondingly. That is, each of the two pallet bases 2 has a correspondingly fitting portion 16 shaped concave or convex, so that both the pallet bases 2 can be matched together, and then, add adhesive to fuse both the pallet bases 2 together and by high frequency as well. The anti-slipping unit 14 can also be used for anti-slipping effect.
As seen in the foresaid description, the invention is emphasized that the pallet base and the pallet plate can be made of different materials, such as regular material for the pallet plate and rock or timber or metal added in the pallet base to obtain a solid body, and the center of the pallet plate is emptied to omit a pallet base as shown in FIG. 28. Also, in order to prevent goods, such as oil tanks, loaded on the pallet from slipping, a layer of anti-slipping material, such as rubber, can be applied to obtain the purpose. Moreover, because the pallet plate or the upper pallet plate (double-layer) is formed together integrally with the pallet bases, such a pallet is able to withstand heavy impacts from a forklift truck. Therefore, a long life can be expected.
While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been described above, it will be recognized and understood that various modifications may be made therein and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications that may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A pallet comprising:

plural pallet bases respectively formed integrally and provided with a cylinder having a connecting member, said connecting member provided with an annular circumference having plural projections and penetrating holes; and

an upper pallet plate having a connecting member able to wrap up said connecting member of said pallet base so as to combine with said projections and said penetrating holes tightly, enhancing the combined strength.

2. A pallet comprising:

plural pallet bases respectively provided with a cylinder having a connecting member at one end and an engaging member at the other end, said connecting member provided with an annular circumference having plural projections properly spaced apart and penetrating holes properly spaced apart, said engaging member having an annular groove; and

an upper pallet plate having a connecting member able to wrap up said connecting member of said pallet base so as to combine with said projections and said penetrating holes tightly; and

a lower pallet plate provided with a connecting portion shaped symmetrically with said cylinder of said pallet base, said connecting portion provided with a

outer annular portion and an inner annular portion having an annular groove respectively for matching with said annular groove of said engaging member of said cylinder, a bolt used to screw with a connecting unit pre-inserted in said pallet base.

3. A pallet as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cylinder of said pallet base is provided with a central hole reinforced with plural reinforcing ribs and a minor cylinder with a minor central hole may be formed at the inner end of said reinforcing ribs.

4. A pallet as claimed in claim 2, wherein said projections and said penetrating holes are arrayed symmetrical or dissymmetrical, evenly or unevenly, and in a single row or plural rows.

5. A pallet as claimed in claim 1, wherein an upper surface of said annular portion of said connecting member of said cylinder is fully closed.

6. A pallet as claimed in claim 2, wherein said engaging member of said cylinder is provided with a connecting surface.

7. A pallet as claimed in claim 2, wherein said engaging member of said cylinder is provided with a connecting unit.

8. A pallet as claimed in claim 2, wherein said engaging member of said cylinder is provided with a complex-material piece.

9. A pallet as claimed in claim 2, wherein the

combination between said pallet bases and said lower pallet plate is done by high frequency.

10. A pallet as claimed in claim 2, wherein said lower pallet plate is combined with said complex-material pieces of said pallet bases by high frequency to carry out its combination with said pallet bases.

11. A pallet as claimed in claim 2, wherein said lower pallet plate is provided with a connecting annular portion that, corresponding to each said pallet base, is to match with said engaging member of said pallet base while said lower pallet plate still has a proper temperature after being formed, so that said engaging member is to be completely combined with said connecting annular portion before the temperature drops down.

12. A pallet as claimed in claim 11, wherein said connecting annular portion is provided with reverse saw-teeth.

13. A pallet comprising:

plural pallet bases respectively provided with a cylinder having a connecting member at one end and an engaging member at the other end, said connecting member provided with an annular circumference having plural projections and penetrating holes, and an equallevel surface as high as said projections; and

a pallet plate having a connecting member able to wrap up said annular portion of said connecting member

of said pallet base so as to combine with said projections and said penetrating holes of said pallet base tightly.

14. A pallet as claimed in claim 13, wherein said pallet base is provided with a minor cylinder having a minor central hole that has an opening at the top.

15. A pallet as claimed in claim 14, wherein said minor cylinder is set with an anti-slipping unit.

16. A pallet as claimed in claim 15, wherein said anti-slipping unit is formed integrally and fitted in said minor central hole of said minor cylinder.

17. A pallet as claimed in claim 15, wherein said anti-slipping unit is provided with a fixing base for matching with said minor central hole of said minor cylinder and an anti-slipping block able to be penetrated through by said fixing base because of its considerable soft property.

18. A pallet as claimed in claim 13, wherein said pallet plate is provided with a lower pallet plate that is combined with said engaging member of said cylinder of said pallet base, and provided with a connecting portion having an annular groove and a recess, said annular groove to be filled with adhesive to get fitted with said engaging member of said pallet base, said recess and said pallet base screwed together by a bolting unit for achieving a double-layer pallet.

19. A pallet as claimed in claim 13, wherein an upper pallet plate and a lower pallet plate are respectively combined with an upper pallet base and a lower pallet base, which are respectively provided with a correspondingly fitting portion shaped concave or convex so as to match with each other, and then fused together both by adding adhesive and by high frequency as well and becoming a double-layer pallet.

20. A pallet as claimed in claim 2, wherein said cylinder of said pallet base is provided with a central hole reinforced with plural reinforcing ribs and a minor cylinder with a minor central hole may be formed at the inner end of said reinforcing ribs.

21. A pallet as claimed in claim 2, wherein an upper surface of said annular portion of said connecting member of said cylinder is fully closed.