US2925947A

US2925947A - Collapsible pallets

Info

Publication number: US2925947A
Application number: US685052A
Authority: US
Inventors: Dwight C Brown
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1957-09-19
Filing date: 1957-09-19
Publication date: 1960-02-23
Anticipated expiration: 1977-02-23

Description

Feb. 23, 1960 D. c. BROWN 2,925,947

COLLAPSIBLE PAL-LETS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 19, 1957 Feb. 23, 1960 D. c. BROWN COLLAPSIBLE PALLETS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 19, 1957 IN VENTOR Dwighf C. Brown BY ATTORNEY Feb. 23, 1960 D. c. BROWN 2,925,947

COLLAPSIBLE PALLETS Filed sept. 19, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR Dwight C. Brown BY WM BM i Feb. 23, 1960 D. c. BROWN COLLAPSIBLE PALLETS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 19, 1957 INVENTOR Dwight C. Brown ATTORNEY United States This invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United tent O States for governmental purposes without the payment tome of any royalty thereon in accordance with the provisions of Title 35, United States Code, section 266.

This invention relates to folding or collapsible type pallets for use in shipping equipment and supply items and isdesigned to provide for unitized handling by the use of fork lift and pallet lift trucks in shipping and storage operations. The invention has specific reference to pallets madechiefly of paperboard material of the expendable or disposal type used for initial shipment, distribution and storage, and reuse where desired, for transporting, handling and storage materials in unit loads.

Because of its economical cost as compared with conventional rigid type wood and metal pallets, the collapsible paperboard type of pallet as embodied in this invention may be expanded after final distribution or consumption of the materials stored and shipped thereon.

While all the modifications are suitably adapted to fabrication from paperboard material, they can also be fabricated either wholly or in part from metal, plywood, veneer and laminated material having a wood veneer core with paper or paperboard on one or both sides.

The term paperboard as used herein refers to and includes corrugated board, fibreboard and other paper and fibrous products that are capable of supporting relatively medium and heavy weight loads. The paperboard materials may be treated Wholly or in part with resins, in organic silicates, glues, synthetic rubber compounds, insecticides, corrosion inhibitors, moisture proofing materials, plastics and similar type materials for stiffening and strengthening.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an inexpensive light weight pallet with novel folding and collapsible features providing quick and easy means of setting up the pallet for use from a knock-down position and collapsing to a substantially flat form for return shipment or storage for reuse, if so desired.

Another object is to provide a folding or collapsible type pallet with support components or units so arranged and constructed as to eliminate the need for the conventional flat pallet deck member generally used.

A further object of the invention is to provide a folding collapsible type pallet with a take it or leave it feature enabling a fork lift truck to lift and remove the entirecontents of the loaded pallet from the pallet itself by inserting multiple forks under the loaded contents in spaces provided within the support member cells.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a collapsible box like pallet pack container having built in folding or collapsible support members.

This invention relates to modified forms of that shown in my application Serial Number 586,889, filed May 23, 1956.

Referring to the drawings for a more complete disclosure of the invention:

1 and folding the fork

entry passageway portions

12, 13, 14,

2,925,947 Patented Feb. 23, 1960 Figure 1 is a top side perspective view of one form of the invention in a set up position;

Figure 2 is a top side perspective view of the form shown in Figure 1 in nearly collapsed or folded position;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary top detailed perspective view of the cellular construction of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a top side perspective view showing use of the form shown in Figure 1 inside a collapsible sleeve;

Figure 5 is a top side perspective view of the form shown in Figure l equipped with a two pice folding deck;

Figure 6 is a top side perspective view of a folding or collapsible box like container having built in folding or collapsible support members of the form shown in Figurel;

Figure 7 is an underside perspective view of a folding or collapsible box like container similar to Figure 6 having modified cell structure support members;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the form shown in Figure 5 in a nearly collapsed or folded position;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the form shown in Figure 6 in nearly collapsed or folded position.

Referring to Figure 1, the pallet or supporting unit A is constructed with

side strips

1, 2, 3, and 4 which are pivotally connected at each of their ends. Parallel with the side strips are a plurality of intersecting

partitions

5 and 6. The partitions 5 are pivotally connected at each of their ends to the side strips 1 and 3. The partitions 6 are pivotally connected at each of their ends to the side strips 2 and 4. The

partitions

5 and 6 are pivotally connected with each other at their inter sections, by means of interengaging slots 11a on each partition. Y

This arrangement provides a cellular structure, which when in set-up position has support member 'cells spread over the entire pallet area, the top edges of the vertical cellular support members comprising the loading surface.

In order to provide passageways 7 and 8 on one side and 9 and 10 on the other side for lifting forks, portions of the

side strips

1, 2, 3, and 4 and intersecting

partitions

5 and 6 are scored, as at 11, so that a portion 12 of a partition 5 can be turned down into a horizontal position. Similarly a portion 13 of the side strips 2 and 4 are turned down into a horizontal position in the'same direction. By thus turning down into a horizontal position portions of the vertical cell support strips in two or more cell rows, and in tight engagement with the sides of the partition, the set up position of the pallet is made secure and provision is made for the entry of the lifting forks. By similarly turning in the same direction, the

portions

14 and 15 of the sides 1 and 3 and partitions 6 in two or more cell rows, provision is made for the entry of lifting forks.

In using the passageways 7 and 8, the load is lifted off of the pallet and in using the

passageways

9 and 10 the pallet with the load is lifted. When the

portions

12, 13, 14, and 15 are in the down turned position of Figures 1 and 3, they fit sufiiciently tight against the sides of the respective partitions to give stability to the pallet when in the extended position of Figures 1 and 3 and hold it firmly in open position. When it is desired to convert the pallet to knock down or folded position of Figure 2, the reverse procedure is followed i.e. the

portions

12, 13, 14, and 15 are returned to their vertical position. The pallet then can be collapsed into the folded position of Figure 2, the partitions and sides turning on their pivotal connections. In the folded or collapsed form the pallet is ready for return shipment or storage for later reuse.

Set up of the pallet from the folded position of Figure 2 is accomplished by pulling the sides out accordion fashion and to a horizontal position, thus securing the pallet in proper rectangular shape for loading and use.

Referring to Figure 4, a reversible double deck pallet B is provided "by using a collapsible sleeve that has a deck 16 on one side and a deck 17 on the other side, the decks being connected by the side portions 18' and 19. The sleeve of the pallet B is open at both

ends

20 and 21 so that the pallet A can be slipped in between the

decks

16 and 17. The

decks

16 and 17 and

side portions

18 and 19 are pivotally connected to each other so that when not in use they can be folded flat. The two components can be furnished separately or attached together .as a unit. When furnished as a unit the cellular member A is fastened at one end to the inside end of the sleeve.

Referring to Figure 5, a pallet C is provided that is equipped with a folding deck in two cover pieces 3-7 and 38 which are hinged along their longitudinal edges to the supporting uIiit A, Figure 1. When set up for use, the

two piece folding deck attachment provides a flat loading surface.

Referring to Figure 8, the pallet C. Figure 5 is shown in nearly complete folded flat position in which the supporting unitA is folded as in Figure 2 and the

cover pieces

37 and 38 are folded flat against the sides 2 and 4 of the supporting unit A.

Referring to Figure 6, there is provided a pallet pack D in which there is combined with the folding unit support A, a container '17. The

sides

18, 19, 20, and 21 are extensions respectively of the

sides

1, 4, 3, and 2 of the unit A, Figure l. The

passageways

33, 34, 35, and 36 for the fork lifts are respectively comparable to the

passageways

9, 10, 7, and 8 of the supporting unit A, Figure l. The cellular supporting structure between the sides of the container 17 is the same cellular construction as that between the sides of the supporting unit A, Figure l. Pivotally secured to the

sides

19 and 2 1 of the container 17 are the two

bottom pieces

22 and 23 which when set up for use lie fiat upon the top of the cellular structure. The

cover pieces

24, 25, 2.6, and 27 are pivoted respectively to the

sides

18, 19, 20, and 21 and are shown in open position, Figure 6. They can be folded over to close the top of the receptacle. The bottom and the top cover may consist of one or more folding pieces depending on the floor and closure requirements and the particular shape and dimentions of the box like structure.

Referring to Figure 7, this is a modification of the folding construction of Figure 6 insofar as the cellular supporting unit is concerned. Instead of a single-sup porting unit as shown in Figure 6, there are three continuous rows of

separated cells

28, 29, and 30 to provide

passageways

31 and 32 for the fork lifts. This modification is particularly adapt-able for use with conventional fork lift trucks having wide forks andpallet lift trucks having forks with wheel attachments. By this support construction, the width of the fork entry passageways can be controlled by the desired spacing between the rows of cells and not limited by the space width between parallel partitions of the cellular structure. The construction and mode of operation is otherwise the same as in Figure 6.

Referring to Figure 9, the pallet pack D, Figure 6 is shown in nearly complete flat folded position in which the cellular supporting'unit A is foldable as in Figure 2 to a final flat folded position. The cover pieces'24, 25', 26, and 2 7 are folded downwardly and inwardly flat against the inner side of the

walls

18, 19, 20, and 21 .respectively of the sides of the container 17. The bottom piece 22 is folded upwardly and flat against the folded in cover piece 25 and side wall 19 and the bottom piece 23 is folded upwardly and flat against folded in cover piece 27 and side wall 21. In its final folded or collapsed position the assemblage is substantially fiat, with the cover pieces and the bottom pieces in substantially parallel position between. the sides of the container. The container of Figure 7 is folded in the same manner as that of 4 Figure 6. In setting up the pallet pack for use, are unfolded in the reverse order.

I claim:

1. A collapsible integrated supporting unit in the form of a rectangular receptacle, the adjacent sides of the receptacle being pivoted to each other at their ends, interconnected partitions pivotally secured at their ends to the sides of the receptacle and pivotally connected to each other at their intersections, the unit having an open supporting position and collapsed folded position, the unit when in collapsed folded position having two sides of the receptacle in substantially parallel planes with the other two sides with the pantitions interposed between the sides and substantially parallel therewith, the plane of the sides and partitions being vertical in open supporting position of the unit when in use, the unit being collapsible from the open supporting position to collapsed folded position, a portion of the partitions in open supporting position being foldable into a horizontal position to provide transverse parallel passageways for a forklift.

2. A collapsible integrated supporting unit in the form of a rectangular receptacle, the adjacent sides of the receptacle being pivoted to each other at their ends, interconnected partitions pivotally secured at their ends to the sides of the receptacle and pivotally connected to each other at their intersections, the unit having an open supporting position and a collapsed folded position, the unit when in collapsed folded position having two sides of the receptacle in substantially parallel planes with the other two sides with the partitions interposed between the sides and substantially parallel therewith, the plane of the sides and partitions bei g vertical in open supporting position of the unit when in use, the unit being collapsible from the open supporting position to collapsed folded position, a portion of the partitions in open supporting position being foldable into a horizontal position and in tight engagement with thesides of the partition to maintain the unit in open supporting position.

3. The collapsible unit of claim 2 in which there are two sets of passageways, one being open at the top of the unit and the other being open .at the bottom of the unit.

4. The collapsible unit of claim- 3 in which the sets of passageways are located transversely of each other.

5. A collapsible integratedsupporting unit in the form of a rectangular receptacle, the adjacent sides of the receptacle being pivoted to each other at their ends, interconnected partitions pivotally secured at their ends to the sides of the receptacle and pivotally connected to each other at their intersections, the uni-t having .an open sup porting position and a collapsed folded position, the unit when in collapsed folded position having two sides of the receptacle in substantially parallel planes with the other two sides with the partitions interposed between the sides and substantially paralleltherewith, the plane of the sides and partitions being vertically in open supporting position of the unit when in use, the unit being collapsible from the open supporting position to collapsed folded position, two sets of passageways for a fork lift located transversely of each other within the unit, one at the top of the unit and theother at the bottom of the unit, the unit being inserted in a sleeve that covers both the top and bottom of the unitto provide a reversible double deck pallet.

6. A collapsible integrated supporting unit in the form of a rectangular receptacle, the adjacent sides of the receptacle being pivoted to each other at their ends, interconnected partitions pivotally secured at their ends to the sides of the receptacle and pivotally connected to each other at their intersections, the unit having an open supporting position and a collapsed folded position, the unit when in collapsed folded position having two sides of the receptacle in substantially parallel planes with the other two sides with the partitions interposed between; the sides and substantially parallel therewith, the plane of the sides the parts and pantitions being vertical in open supporting position of the unit when in use, the unit being collapsible from the open supporting position to collapsed folded position, two sets of passageways for a fork lift located transversely of each other within the unit, one at the top of the unit and the other at the bottom of the unit a cover pivotally connected to the top side of the unit, the cover in open supporting position overlying partitions and in folded collapsed position overlying and parallel with the side to which it is pivotally attached.

7. A portable materials handling pallet for use in lift truck operations and adapted to support a load on its upper surface comprising a collapsible integrated sup porting unit in the form of a rectangular receptacle, the adjacent sides of the receptacle being pivoted to each other at their ends, interconnected partition walls pivotally secured at their ends to the sides of the receptacle and pivotally connected to each other at their intersections, the unit having an open supporting position for a load and a collapsed folded position, the unit when in collapsed folded position having two sides of the receptacle in substantially parallel planes with the other two sides with the partition walls interposed between the sides and substantially parallel therewith, the plane of the sides and the walls being vertical in open supporting position of the unit when in use to provide a series of cells, the top edges of the walls forming a support for the overlying load, the unit being collapsible from the open supporting position to collapsed folded position, the sides of the retangular receptacle extending above the partition walls to provide a container, the sides of the co tainer being pivotally connected to each other, the container when in collapsed folded position having two sides of the container in substantially parallel planes with the other two sides.

8. The container of claim 7 in which the container is provided with a cover pivotally connected with a side of the container, the cover when the container is in collapsed position lying flat against an inner wall of the container.

9. The container of claim 7 in which the container is provided with a bottom pivotally connected with a side of the container, the botto when the container is in collapsed position lying flat against an inner wall of the container.

10. The container of the claim 7 in which there are a plurality of separated collapsible integrated units, the collapsible units being spaced apart to provide passageways for handling by fork lift.

11. A combination s 'pping pallet and container comprising a bottom for the container in the form of a rectanguiar receptacle, interconnected partition walls within the sides of the receptacle, the plane of the sides and walls being vertical in open supporting position, the top edges of the walls forming a support for an overlying load, the bottom having an open supporting position and a collapsed folded position, the sides of the container being an extension of the sides of the receptacle and pivotally connected with each other, the container when in collapsed folded position having two sides of the container in substantially parallel planes with the other two sides, and two sides of the rectangular receptacle in substantially parallel planes with the other two sides.

12. A portable materials handling pallet for use in lift truck operations and adapted to support a load on its upper surface comprising a collapsible integrated supporting unit in the form of a rectangular receptacle, the adjacent sides of the receptacle being pivoted to each other at their ends, interconnected partition walls pivotally connected to each other at their intersections, the unit having an open supporing position for a load and a collapsed folded position, the plane of the walls being vertical in open supporting position, the top edges of the walls forming a support for an overlying load, the unit when in collapsed fiat folded position having the walls substantially parallel with each other and each side overlying one connected adjacent side and in a substantially straight line with the other adjacent connect side, the length of the unit in flat folded position being substantially the combined length of the aforesaid adjacent sides and a passageway for a fork lift located within the unit.

13. The collapsible unit of claim 12 in which there are two sets of passageways for a fork lift, one being open at the top of the unit and the other being open at the bottom of the unit.

14. The collapsible unit of claim 13 in which the sets of passageways are located transversely of each other.

15. A collapsible integrated supporting unit in the form of a rectangular receptacle, the adjacent sides of the receptacle being pivoted to each other at connected partitions pivotally secured at their ends to the sides of the receptacle and pivotally connected to each other at their intersec 'ons, the unit having an open supporting position and a collapsed folded position, the unit when in collapsed folded position having two sides of the receptacle in substantially parallel planes with the other two sides with the partitions interposed between the sides and substantially parallel therewith, the plane of the sides and partitions being vertical in open supporting position of the unit when in use, the unit being collapsible from the open supporting position to collapsed folded position, two sets of passageways for a fork lift located within the unit, one being open at the top of the unit and the other being open at the bottom of the unit.

16. The collapsible unit of claim 15 in which the sets of passageways are located transversely of each other.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,072,185 Smiley Sept. 2, 1913 1,795,942 Flagstad Mar. 10, 1931 2,611,569 Coleman et a1. Sept. 23, 1952 their ends, inter-