US3159116A

US3159116A - Pallet tiering frame

Info

Publication number: US3159116A
Application number: US317402A
Authority: US
Inventors: Leroy F Skubic
Original assignee: PALTIER CORP
Current assignee: PALTIER CORP
Priority date: 1963-10-16
Filing date: 1963-10-16
Publication date: 1964-12-01
Anticipated expiration: 1981-12-01

Description

Dec. 1, 1964 l.. F. sKuBlc PALLET TIERING FRAME 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Oct. 16, 1965 INVENTOR. LEROY F. sKue/c wnal/Mx/M/ Dec. 1, 1964 F. sKuBlc PALLET TIERING FRAME 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 16, 1963 INVENTOR. LEROY United States Patent O 3,159,116 PALLET TIERING FRAME Leroy F. Skubic, Long Beach, Ind., assigner to The Peltier Corporation, Michigan City, Ind., a corporation of Iliinois Filed Oct. 16, 1963, Ser. No. 317,402 Claims. (Cl. 10S-53) The present invention relates generally to pallets and load-supporting pallet tiering frames therefon, and more particularly to improvements in mounting brackets for mounting the frames on the pallets, and is a continuationin-part of my application Serial No. 180,529, now abandoned.

It is an object of the present invention tov provide a mounting bracket for a pallet tiering frame which will allow the frame to be quickly and easily installed on the pallet, while providing an unusually rigid interengagement which will allow the pallet and frame combination to be employed to the limit of their collective capabilities. It is a related obiect'of the present invention to provide a mounting bracket as characterized above which is simple and durable of construction and, thus, highly economical A furthen object of the present inventionlis to provide a mounting bracket as characterized hereinabove having an additional safety feature which permits the bracket to be securely locked in its engagedj position, irrespective of whether solid decking or spaced deck boards are used on the associated pallet. p

It is still another object of the present invention to pipovide a mounting bracket of the type described which may be selectively inserted into or permanently attachable to the frame itself, and which is compatible with various forms of frame interlocking arrangements so as to make the frame easily mountable, either separately on in one piece, and in either cas-e requiring only a minimum of lskill and strength to accomplish the mounting.

These and` other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent in the reading of the following detailed description when taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:` Y FIGURE 1 is a perspective view. of one type 'of pallet tiering fname embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is lan enlarged perspective view of a mounting y FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of an alternative mounting bracket, shown in FIG. 3,V which illustratesanother embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of, still another type of pallet tiering frame embodying the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective of mounting bracket similar to that of FIG. 4, but embodying the alternative safety lock construction of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a partial sectionof the pallet and frame showing the arrangement of elements when the bracket of FIG. 6 is used; and

FIG. 8 is a section taken along the line 8 8 of FIG. 6. While certain illustrative modifications of the present invention have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in considerable detail, it should be `understood that there is no intention to limit the invention ice to the specific forms disclosed. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, equivalents and uses falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as expressed in the appended claims.

The present invention is constructed to be universally mountable on most commercial pallets, whether single or double face, and without reference to the particular decking dimensions of the pallet, insofar as they are compatible with the type of frame to be mounted thereon. An exemplary pallet 10 is shown in FIG. l and includes the plurality of Stringer members 11 which are serially spaced, and, as shown, are disposed endwise. Deck boards 12 may be nailed or otherwise fastened transversely of the stringers on either side thereof. Byvirtue of the present invention, it will be understood that solid decking consisting of a single platform may be used in place of deck boards Where desired. For the purpose of simplicity, however, such structure isrnot specifically shown in the drawings. Where deck boards are placed on one side only, the pallet is referred to as single face, and where deck boards are placed on both sides of the stringers, the pallet is referred to as double face. In the exemplary pallet, a stringe-r is positioned at each end of the deck boards and one in the middle; however, the number of intermediate stringers may vary, depending upon the load which the pallet is intended to carry.

In order to increase the load-carrying versatility and ability of the pallet, there is provided a tiering framework attachable to the pallet for supporting a second pallet in vertically tiered relation to` the rst pallet. The particular framework construction will usually depend on the specific task to be performed. Appropriately, the present invention is adaptable to use with practically any pallet tiering frame, and, therefore, exemplary yframes have been illustrated in FIGURES 1, 3 and 5. `While the frames shown differ somewhatin their construction, they serve to illustrate the versatility of the present mounting bracket construction.

In FIGURE 1 there is illustrated an exemplary square base frame 15 well suited for supporting additional pallets without tipping due to uneven loading of other, pallets mounted thereon. Broadly, the frame comprises a pair of U-shaped members 16 which are jointed by an interlockdevice 17. Frame posts or legs 20 are mounted in depending fashion from the bends of the U members 16. As illustrated, a hairpin or clevis-type mounting bracket 21 is provided `at the foot of each depending 50 frame post 20. The foot 21 is provided with a web 22 normal to the post upon which it is mounted, and from the web a pair of flanges 23 extend downward to straddle a portion of the Stringer 11 showing between a pair of deck boards 12 near the middle of the Stringer. Considering the fname 15 assembled as a whole, with the U members 16 interlocked, the posts 20 having the bracket orfoot 21 described above are in substantially the same vertical plane, which plane runs parallel to the deck boards in the present instance and is located at approximately the midpoint of the base pallet.

The frame described is rectangular and, accordingly, includes another pair of legs or posts 2S disposed in a plane at right angles to the plane of the first-described legs Ztl. Secured to the base of each of these second-mentioned posts 25 is an improved mounting bracket 26 forming a part of the present invention in one of its exemplary embodiments. Viewing4 the invention in its broader aspects, a bracket 'is provided which embraces one edge of a deck board, preferably the outer edge thereof, and straddles the central, or one of the intermediate stringers, therebylgripping the pallet in a manner not unlike the manner in which one would grasp the outer deck boards with his hands.

- Y the bracket Vinto thepallet.

With respect to therparticular mounting bracket illustrated .in FIGS. l and 2, there is provided a fiat transverse web portion 30 which is secured in any convenient manner tothepost, for example, such as bypermanently welding to the lower end of the pest. The web 30 in this Vinstance 4has an upstanding insert over which the post is telescoped -prior-to welding. The insert is of such a size as'to provide minimum clearance between it and thepost so as to prevent sloppiness between the-two. The web presentsna substantially flat Vsurface tothe 'ace of the deck .board .to which it is mounted, thus distributing the vertical components .ofthe -loadexperienced by that post over an area greater than that `subtended by `the diameter ,of the post.

. tForgr'ipping-the edge of the pallet .deck boards, the bracket isprovided, on the edge `of the web outwardly of the area described-by the four posts of the frame, with a pair .of `flanges 33 which extend downwardly from the web, andare formed at theirlowerends with an-inturned portion 34. The ends 34 are .turned under and back so that viewingthe bracket, as in FIG. 2, it has a vJ or hooked shape.

The bracket is conveniently .formed by stamping or otherwise providing .a substantially at :U-shaped configuration with an .enlarged base, and then-bending the legs of the U toform hooks, as seen n'FIG. 2. The enlarged baseportiomofcourse, vserves as the webi) of theV bracket. The -distance .between the flanges 33 of the bracket is-made only slightlyV greater than the .thickness of the stringerll-to minimizefthepossibilityioflateral-play when the bracket is mounted.

In Vkeeping with an important aspect of .the invention, -a Apositive locking arrangement is,provided -which substantifallyfeliminates anyftendency .of the legscarryin g the improved brackets -26 yfromslippingoutwardly, or yin a direction away from eachother. `Such arrangement also prevents-each -bracket26-.from .slidingaway from its. position embracing the deck board and straddlingthefstringer.

To'this end, a locking arrangement 36 is -provided,-which comprises, in oneexempl-ary .form,an aperture 37 in theweb portion 30 ofthe bracket, which isaligned with a corresponding aperture (not shown) .inthedeck board and through-the deckboard intothefstringer where deemed appropriate. 1A locking-pin 38 is provided, which, for .the purposet of the .present invention, is. illustrated as conveniently mounted to the post :by a ringf39. The pin is disposed lparallelto the post and, as the ring is moved downward alongt-hepost, the-.pin 38 passesthrough the -hole 37 -in the bracket and-intorthe receptacle .therefor provided in thedeck board, lthus creating Va.,positive lock- -ing engagement between the bracket-and deck board. The ring '39 can lslide 'on the fpost, but loss-of thepin is,.pre vented inasmuch las thefringcannot be removed from the fpost.

When the vfra-me -isvmounted -to thepal'let,A the bracket `is slipped Aoverthe deck-board fand positionedin .the manner shown AinA FIG. l in straddlingrelationfwith they central Stringer, and the locking 1pin -38'is inserted through In this manner, the bracket is notfonly mounted at :af'position of voptimum strength of the pallet for-carrying maximum loads applied to the frame structure, but slippage or othermisalignment of the bracket, vand consequently theposts secured thereto, is prevented. 'This is accomplished in part by reason of the inturned end portions 34 of the flanges which reside on either side of fthe Stringer so that any tendency of the bracket to slide :along the deck board v12 is vprevented by the Stringer, andinpart'bythe engagement ofthe locking pins "38 with the bnackets and the pallet. kBecause of the rrigidity of the upper part of the lframe asa result of the interlocking of the frame members, the entire frame is rigidly-.positioned on'the pallet and capablel of carrying `optimum loads. Vertical loads on the frame are distributed on the at web portions of the bracket, and .non-

vertical loads are compensated for by the depending gripping flanges and the locking pins.

The wide applicability of the present invention becomes even more apparent when it is viewed with respect to the structure illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. For the purpose of easy comparison, parts of a nature and yfunction comparable to'those ofFIG. l will bear-similar numerals with afsuiiix a attached. Inthese figures, a modified framework is shown, which represents another well known pallet tiering'framework. Inthe present example, a pair of H frames 45 are adapted to kbe mounted in the four corners yof. a pallet lil-a, which Apallet is substantially identical to that shown in 'FIGURE l. The H frame is conveniently interconnected by tubular crossbars 46 which have dependingreceptacles 47 for receiving the upper ends 4 8 of the-cornerposts 49 of the. H frames.

At the foot of each corner post there is provided a mounting bracket 26a constructedin` accordance with-the present invention. The mounting bracket is secured to each corner. post in any convenient manner, vsuch as that shown in the previous figures. The bracket, however, though .constructed in accordancewith theV principles of the present invention, is modified somewhat in order to make maximum use of the particular'location ,in which it is `to be used, that is, the corner of the pallet.

To this end, there is Aprovided, aspreviously described, a llat webbed portion '30a which is in substantial face-toface relationship with the face of the deck board to which it is mounted, and having flanges 33a, `33b depending therefrom, at least one of which, 33a, .embraces the deck'board 12a in a manner substantially as described heretofore.

In its present exemplary form, the 'flanges 33a, 33h depending from the web, lie in planes which are at right angles, thus providing support on'both of the sides which come together to make the` particular corner. Again, there is a space between the flanges which is greater than the width of the Stringer member,'in this case the endor outer stringer, so `that the bracket may effectively straddle the stringer. As fthe deck boards are substantially iiush with tially the same. as the exemplary form illustrated in FIG. 1,`

comprising an aperture37a in the web '30a and a cornplementarylocking pin-"38a to be received therein. The function of this lockingdevice has' been described in detail above.

With reference now to'FIG.-5, still another exemplary "pallet .tiering frame is shown. Again for purpose of easy comparison with previous embodimentaparts hav- .ing a nature .and function which are comparable in all of the views are, in FIG.v 5, labeledwith the appropriate numeral followed by the suix'b. Thus, in FIG. 5, there isshown a pallet tiering frame having an X configuration-as denedby intersecting cross bars 55 `and 56. rEach end of the

bars

55, 56 is fitted with a post receiv- .ing receptacle or cup 58 adapted to receive the upper ends of supportingposts 60. vEach receptacle or cup` -58..is .conveniently provided with a set screw 62 for securing the posts on the X Vframe together.

Fixed .to the lower end ,of each post, in a manner previously described, is a mounting bracket 26b, which resembles the bracketZGa inconstruction, and the brackets I26 and .26a in .its function. The bracket 26b is :adapted to .mount .the posts 60 at the four corners of the pallet 10b having stringers 11b and deck boards 12b or solid decking if desired.

The present invention Aencompasses a positive locking arrangement which inhibits lateral movement of the mounting bracket once inplace. Suchany arrangement .is .exemplified in FIGS..2 .and 4, and has been A, previously described. With reference now more particularly to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 of the drawings, an alternative locking arrangement 62 is illustrated which affords security against not only lateral movement of the bracket as mounted .to the pallet, but provides the additional valuable advantage of inhibiting inadvertent disengagement of the bracket and Stringer by tipping or tilting thereof once the locking device is engaged. r'Ihe locking arrangement 62 comprises, in its exempliied form, a vertically disposed locking pin 64, conveniently mounted by a ring 65 to the post 60, thusV facilitating translation of the pin in a vertical direction guided by the post. An aperture 65 is provided in the web 30b of the bracket which is aligned with a hole of a slightly larger diameter formed in the pallet 10b passing through the deck board 12b and into the Stringer 1lb as seen in FIG. 7. It will be noted in FIG. 6 that in order to retain the locking pin at all times in a position of relative readiness for engagement with the pallet, a dimple 67 is formed on the post 60 a short distance above the bracket, thereby limiting movement of the ring 65 and accordingly the pin 64 on the post.

In keeping with this aspect of the invention, ,the locking pin 64 is formed with a protruding portion 70 intermediate the lower extremity of the locking pin and the elbow portionwhich attaches the same to the ring 65.

As seen in FIG. 7, the protruding portion 70 presents a relatively flat shoulder or lip 72 to the underside of the web b when the pin is inserted in its locking position. It will be appreciated from viewing FIG. 7 that in the event that any tipping or tilting of the pallet tiering frame occurs the pin 64 will have a tendency to tilt slightly in the aperture provided therefor and the lip ,f

72 will engage the underside of the web 30h, thus skewing the pin in its normallocking position and causing it to bear against the pallet within the hole. As a result, it becomes extremely dithcult for the pin Vto inadvertently pop out or, in fact, be physically removed from its loclc'ng position as shown in FIG. 7 while the post is tilted or tipped as before indicated. Accordingly, the pallet tiering frame and pallet remain engaged until the post 60 is'again righted, at which time the pin 64 may be removed by pulling the same vertically outwardly to detach the bracket and pallet.

Thus, it is seen that aihighly versatile mounting bracket is provided for attaching many different types of frame structures on conventional pallets in virtually any position.

I claim as my invention: p

l. For use with a pallet having one or more deck boards transversely mounted on a plurality of Stringer members, and a load-'supporting framework on said pallet, said framework including posts extending vertically from said pallet where each is releasably mounted to a deck board, a mounting bracket comprising, in combination, a web attachable to a vertical post and disposable in face-to-face vertical load-supporting relation with a deck board, gripping iianges depending from said web, said flanges being so constructed and arranged as to embrace an edge of said deck board outwardly of said posts for supporting the same in position against nonvertical forces encountered thereby, means defining an aperture in said web, and a locking pin disposed for projection through said aperture into engagement with the deck board.

2. In combination, a pallet having a deck transversely secured to a plurality of Stringer members, and a framework on said pallet, said framework including posts extending vertically from said pallet Where each is releasably mounted to a deck by means of a mounting bracket, each said bracket including a web portion in faceto-face vertical load-supporting relation with said deck, and a plurality of gripping iianges depending from said web, at least one of said flanges being so constructed and arranged las to embrace an edge of said deck outwardly of said post for supporting said post in position against nonvertical forces encountered thereby, and means including a member movable relative to said bracket for effecting a positive lock between said bracket and the associated deck of the pallet.

3. In combination, a pallet having serially spaced deck boards transversely secured to a plurality of Stringer members, and a framework on said pallet, Said framework including posts extending vertically from said pallet where each is releasably mounted to a deck board by means of a mounting bracket, each Said bracket including a web portion in face-to-face vertical load-supporting relation with a deck board, and a plurality of iianges depending from said web having a space between them greater than the smallest dimension of said Stringer, said iiange substantially embracing an edge of said deck board in straddling relation with one of said stringers, outwardly of said post for supporting said post in position against nonvertical forces encountered thereby, and means including a pin member for effecting a positive lock between said bracket and the associated deck board of the pallet. Y

4. In combination, a pallet having a deck transversely secured t0 a plurality of Stringer members, and a framework on `Said pallet, said framework including posts extending vertically from the corners of said pallet where each is releasably mountedto said deck by means of mounting brackets, each said bracket including a web portion in face-to-face vertical load-supporting relation with said deck, and gripping iianges depending from said web, such that the planes thereof are normal, and said flanges being` so constructed and arranged as to embrace the corner of said deck outwardly of said posts for supporting the same in position against nonvertical forces encountered thereby, and positive lockingmeans carried by said framework including aligned apertures Y in said web portion of said bracket and the associated deck, and a pin on said posts, receivable in said apertures for locking said bracket to the pallet.

5. In combination, a pallet having serially spaced deck boards transversely mounted on a plurality of Stringer members, and a framework on said pallet, said framework including posts extending vertically from Said pallet where each is releasably mounted to a deck board by means of a mounting bracket, said bracket including a web portion in face-to-face vertical load-supporting relation with a deck board, and gripping flanges depending from an edge of said web, said flanges being so constructed and arranged as to embrace the edge of said deck board outwardly of said posts for supporting the same in position against nonvertical forces encountered thereby, and means including a pin member movable `relative to Said web for effecting a positive lock between said bracket and the associated deck board of the pallet.

6. In combination, a pallet having serially spaced deck board transversely mounted on a plurality of Stringer members, and a framework on said pallet, said framework including posts extending vertically from said pallet where each is releasably mounted to a deck board by means of a mounting bracket, said bracket including a Vweb portion in face-to-face vertical load-supporting relation with a deck board, flanges depending from said web, inwardly extending fingers on at least one of said flanges, said iianges and said fingers cooperable to embrace the edge of said deck board outwardly of said posts for supporting the same in position against'nonvertical forces encountered thereby, aligned apertures provided in said web and the pallet, a pin member slidably mounted outwardly of and parallel to said posts, said pin member being received in said apertures to prevent relative movement between said web and the pallet, a protrusion provided on said pin in position to engage the bottom of said web when an attempt is made to remove said framework from said pallet without first removing said pin.

-7. ln f combination, .a `pallet l:having a .deck transversely mounted kon a plurality dof LStringer members, and la framework on. said' pallet, said rframework including posts extending vertically from said ,pallet where each is releasably mounted to said deckby meansofa mounting bracket, said bracket including a -.web fportion in `faceto-face vertical load-supporting Arelation .with said.deck, flanges depending 'from asaid web, .inwardly extending ngerson at'leastone -of saidflanges, said :flanges and said fingers cooperable to embrace the edgeof said deck outwardly-ofsaid posts for supporting the same in posii tion against nonvertical forces encountered thereby, aligned apertures .provided lfinsaid web and the fpallet,.a pin member slidably mounted outwardlyof and parallel to said posts, said vpin member being received in said apertures lto prevent relative movement between said web and the pallet, and a protrus'ion provided on said pin intermediate the'ends thereof, dening a transversely extending lip, said lip adapted totengage the .bracketto inhibit removal of -said pin therefrom, when said pin is in other than vertical disposition.

v8. -ln combination, apallet 4having a deck-transversely securedlto a plurality of Stringer -member-s, and a @framework on said pallet, said Aframework including posts eX- tending vertically from-said pallet where each is releasably -mounted to 4said deck by lmeans of a mounting bracket, each said bracket including a web portion in face-to-faceevertical load-supporting relation with a deck, and a plurality of gripping flanges depending from Vsaid web, at least vone of said anges being so constructed and arranged as'toembrace an edge of said deck outwardly of said post for'vsupporting said post in position against nonvertical forces encountered thereby, and means for eilecting a positive llock :between said ybracket and lthe associated deck of the pallet, including means for inhibiting removal of 'said positive vmeans when the same is disposed in other than a vertical plane.

9. In combination, a pallet having serially spaced deck boards transversely secured to a plurality of-stringer-members, and a framework on said pallet, said framework including posts extending vertically from the corners of said pallet where each is releasably mounted to a deck board by lmeans of mounting brackets, each said bracket including -a web portion in -face-toface -vertical loadsupporting relation with a deck board, and' gripping anges .depending ffrom said web, such that the planes thereof are normal, said anges being lso `constructed and V,arranged ,as to .embrace rthe corner of said -deck board outwardly of said posts for supporting the :same in position against .lnonvertical forces encountered thereby, and-positive locking means carriedby said framework including aligned aperturesin said webportion and associated deck board, a pin'on eachrof said posts receivable in said apertures, said kpin having 4a protrusion thereon for inhibiting removal of said pin, and accordinglysaid racket from said pallet .when said pin is inother `than vertical disposition.

10. In combination, a pallet having serially `spaced deck boards transversely securedto apluralityof Stringer members, and a framework 'on vsaid pallet, saidframework including posts extending :vertically vfrom the corners of said pallet where each is releasably-'mounted to a deck board by 4means of mounting brackets, veach fsaidbracket including a web portion in Vface-to-face vertical loadsupporting relationwith a deck board, andgripping'anges depending from said web, such;that the planes thereof are normal, said flanges `being so constructed and arranged as to embrace the .cornervof 'said deck board outwardly of said posts for supporting the sarnein position against nonvertical forces encountered thereby, .and positive locking means carried .by said framework including aligned apertures in said rweb portion -of '.said .bracket and the associated deck board, andapin on each of said posts receivable in said apertures, and khaving means thereon forA locking said pin in said apertures lagainst removalwhen said framework is tiltedortippedon said pallet.

l i References zCitedfbygthe Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,495,711 1/50 Fletcher :108-53 2,686,645 8/ 54 .Whibehurst et al 108-53 2,828,932 4/58 De Pewtet al, 108-55 2,828,933 4/58 .De Pewlet al. `10S-55 2,924,339 2/ 60 Skubic 108-53 2,932,477 4/6() Franks 10S-53 2,940,706 6/ 60 VDe Pew 10S-53 3,017,151 1./62 Townson 1087-53 FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner,

Claims

1. FOR USE WITH A PALLET HAVING ONE OR MORE DECK BOARDS TRANSVERSELY MOUNTED ON A PLURALITY OF STRINGER MEMBERS, AND A LOAD-SUPPORTING FRAMEWORK ON SAID PALLET, SAID FRAMEWORK INCLUDING POSTS EXTENDING VERTICALLY FROM SAID PALLET WHERE EACH IS RELEASABLY MOUNTED TO A DECK BOARD, A MOUNTING BRACKET COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A WEB ATTACHABLE TO A VERTICAL POST AND DISPOSABLE IN FACE-TO-FACE VERTICAL LOAD-SUPPORTING RELATION WITH A DECK BOARD, GRIPPING FLANGES DEPENDING FROM SAID WEB, SAID FLANGES BEING SO CONSTRUCTED AND ARRANGES AS TO EMBRACE AN EDGE OF SAID DECK BOARD OUTWARDLY OF SAID POSTS FOR SUPPORTING THE SAME IN POSITION AGAINST NONVERTICAL FORCES ENCOUNTERED THEREBY, MEANS DEFINING AN APERTURE IN SAID WEB, AND LOCKING PIN DISPOSED FOR PROJECTION THROUGH SAID APERTURE INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH THE DECK BOARD.