WO1989012580A1

WO1989012580A1 - A pallet

Info

Publication number: WO1989012580A1
Application number: PCT/NO1989/000062
Authority: WO
Inventors: Henrik Meedom
Original assignee: Industrial Sales Company (Isco) A/S
Priority date: 1988-06-20
Filing date: 1989-06-20
Publication date: 1989-12-28
Also published as: CN1039565A; AU3834289A; NO882716D0; NO882716L

Abstract

A pallet, especially a Euro-pallet, with a central block (7), corner blocks and side blocks (4, 5, 6) between a pallet underside (1, 2, 3), and a supporting pallet surface (11, 12, 13), comprising a securing plate (16), which is centrally arranged on the pallet, and a riser element (20), which may be connected with said securing plate, as well as means (27) on said riser element, which are intended for contact with goods or the like on the pallet. Securing plate (16) comprises a sleeve shaped socket member (15), which extends down into the central block (7) of the pallet. The riser element is a rod (20) adapted for guided insertion into socket member (15), and at least one supporting bracket (27) is provided having an X-shaped supporting plane and being provided with a central opening (28) which is normal to the supporting plane and is adapted to receive rod (20) slidingly, and locking means (26, 29, 30) are provided for locking supporting bracket (27) to rod (20) at a level above the pallet.

Description

A PALLET. The invention relates to a pallet, especially a so called Euro-pallet, with a central block, corner blocks and side blocks between a pallet underside and a supporting pallet surface.

It is known from GB-PS 135 842 to place four carrying posts, one in each corner, on a pallet. The carrying posts are screwed into correspondingly threaded bores in the corner blocks of the pallet and are intended for carrying a roof, in this case, especially to suspend carcass meat. The special object of said known embodiment is to transfer relatively great loads from the suspended carcasses to the pallet, which is to be placed and transported in a common container.

So called Euro-pallets are standard pallets which enjoy widespread employment. They show a standardized area of 120 x 80 cm and are intended for reuse, in the same manner as standardized containers which are common today, or e.g. bottles⁰ for beer and soft drinks. The Euro-pallets, thus, represent great values, and it would be advantageous if they could be utilized to a higher degree than today, being mainly employed for transport and storage of goods.

It is, thus, a main object of the present invention to provide an arrangement which will permit more universal utilization of a Euro pallet, without interfering with its real functional area, and it is a special object of the invention to provide an arrangement permitting use of a Euro- pallet for transport, storage, in shops, for exhibitions, and on building sites, etc.

According to the invention a pallet as mentioned above is, thus, proposed, said pallet being characterized by the fact that the pallet is provided with one or more centrally arranged rod(s) having one or more height adjustable carrying or holding means for goods to be displayed and/or transported on said pallet, said loadcarrying rod(s) being fastened to the pallet by means of a force transmitting fastening means.

Preferably the force transmitting means comprises a securing plate with a sleeve-shaped base element which extends down into said center block.

Preferably the force transmitting means comprises the center 0 block, the center block having a central bore for insertion of the carrying rod.

Preferably said centrally arranged rod(s) includes a in its supporting plane x-shaped supporting bracket having a central ₅ opening normal to said supporting plane, adapted to slidingly receiving said rod, as well as locking means for locking supporting bracket to the rod at a level above the pallet.

Said components, together with the pallet, will form the _Q basic elements of a system which permits universal employment of the pallet. The socket, with securing plate and the associated sleeve-shaped socket member will not interfere with the underside of the pallet or its supporting surface, and the pallet can, thus, be used for common transport and ₅ storage of goods. The rod and supporting bracket may, advantageously, be used to secure the pallet-load, with the supporting bracket mounted on the rod which projects trough the load and being placed on top of the load.

o In an especially advantageous embodiment the rod may consist of a tube, so that its length can readily be varied by plug-in connection to permit adaption to various required levels.

₅ The supporting bracket or brackets may in an advantageous manner be associated with a respective supporting plate the length of which corresponds to the pallet length. Supporting plate may have a width corresponding to the pallet width, or it may advangaeously have a smaller width than the pallet, and the supporting plates may preferrably have different widths for use with one and the same pallet.

Such supporting plates will highly contribute to more universal application of the pallets. They may, advantageous¬ ly, be used to form intermediate supporting/separating elements in a pile of goods on the pallet, with or without employment of the rod, and they may be used in an especially advantageous manner to provide shelves for sale or exhibition with the pallet constituting the basic foundation and with the separate supporting brackets and associated supporting plates being distributed along the central rod and being fixed relative to said rod at desired levels. If the rod is not used actively during transport, it may, advantageously, follow in the pallet load to be used at the point of destination where it may be desirable to build a shelf system.

Pallets may advantageously be linked together to form long rows of shelves. From such a row of shelves separate pallets can suitably be removed, or replaced, respectively, by the aid of a jack trolley. The shelf may also be added to in height by joining rod lengths to the rod/rods. In order to increase the stability of a number of linked together pallets where rods, supporting brackets, and associated supporting plates form shelves, the supporting brackets or plates may according to the invention, advantageously, be provided with coupling means for connection with adjacent corresponding supporting brackets/supporting plates on adjacent pallets.

The rods may also be provided with coupling means for coupling with one or a plurality of corresponding rods on one or several other pallets. Such coupling means may, e.g. be known so-called key clamps. By assembling a number of pallets to form a floor, it will, e.g. be possible to build an outdoor stand on a trade fair, or the like, e.g. by employment of rods at the corners and centrally on the floor. Such rods will extend from respective pallets, and the rods are connected with horizontally extending bars forming a rack for a roof. A corresponding arrangement may advantag¬ eously be used, e.g. for building a temporary lean-to, a shelter for tents or the like.

An arrangement according to the invention may, advantageous¬ ly, serve as a scaffold, either alone, or in combination with one or a plurality of other pallets. A pallet with a centrally placed rod, and a supporting bracket with a supporting plate which are provided in a desired position may, thus, serve as a simple platform, e.g. for a painter.

Also, it would, e.g. be possible to place two pallets on edge and connect them by the aid of a central rod. In this manner a simple foundation for a scaffold is provided, and catwalks, or the like may be placed on the pallets.

The sleeve-shaped socket member is preferably a through member to prevent water and dirt from accumulating in the rod holder. The rod is, thus, suitably provided with a collar for supporting contact with the securing plate, so that the rod does not slide through the sleeve-shaped socket means when the pallet is lifted. Suitably, the rod and socket are also locked against mutual rotation when the rod and the receiving space for the rod in the socket have matching circular cylindrical shapes.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing, where

Figure 1 shows the essential components of the arrange¬ ment according to the invention in a perspective view,

Figure 2 is a sectional view of a central block in a pallet with a supporting plate and an associated socket sleeve,

Figure 3 is a sectional view of a supporting plate which is placed on a supporting bracket, Figure 4 is an elevational view in perspective of a pallet with an associated arrangement according to the invention,

Figure 5 is an elevational view in perspective showing a possible application of the invention, Figure 6 is an elevational view in perspective showing another possible application of the invention,

Figure 7 shows a variant of the application of Figure 6, Figure 8 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 4 with goods, and supplementary exhibit¬ ion basket, and a sunshade,

Figure 9 shows a loaded pallet, Figure 10 shows the pallet of Figure 9 which is placed in a shop and mounted to serve as a shelf,

Figure 11 shows a pallet mounted to serve as a shelf, like those shown in Figures 8 and 10, but in this case with baskets placed on the supporting plates and on the pallet,

Figure 12 shows two pallets with an associated arrangement according to the invention, provided side-by-side,

Figure 13 shows a pallet with a rod and a supporting bracket safeguarding the transport, Figure 14 is a plan view of the embodiment of Figure 13, Figure 15 is an elevational view of a pallet with a top plate supported by a supporting bracket, to safequard goods which does not tolerate much load on top,

Figure 16 is a plan view of the embodiment shown in Figure 15,

Figure 17 shows a pallet placed on top of an underlying pallet which is provided with a rod and a supporting bracket/supporting plate according to the invention,

Figure 18 shows another application of the invention, with a number of pallets assembled to form a floor support with a light roof structure built from rods,

Figure 19 shows a variant of the concept indicated in

Figure 18, Figure 20 shows another embodiment of a practical application of the invention, in this case for fencing a building site,

Figure 21 shows a special central block, Figure 22 is a sectional view of the central block of Figure 21, and

Figure 23 is a view in perspective showing yet another possible embodiment of a central block.

In Figure 1 part of a Euro-pallet with associated equipment according to the invention is shown. The whole Euro-pallet is shown in Figure 4. It is built from three mutually parallel bottom boards 1, 2, and 3. Three blocks 4, 5, and 6 are placed on each bottom board. The middle block on middle bottom board 2 is a central block and is provided with a separate reference numeral, 7, because it is of essential importance in connection with the invention. As shown in Figure 4, transversal boards 8, 9, and 10 are placed on the blocks. The supporting surface of the pallet is formed by five mutually parallel boards 11, 12, 13 which extend across transversal boards 8,9, and 10, i.e. in parallel with bottom boards 1, 2, and 3. In Figure 4 only three boards of the supporting face are shown, the second and fourth boards of the supporting surface being omitted to show the structure of the pallet. The lacking boards are, however, shown in the sectional view of Figure 1, cf also, e.g. Figures 5 and 6.

The Euro-pallet shown and discussed has a length of 120 cm, and a width of 80 cm. The length is measured in parallel with the bottom boards. The Euro-pallet is designed to be lifted and transported by the aid of jack-trolleys, fork-trucks, and the like, permitting the tines of the fork-truck to be inserted from any of the four sides.

In central block 7, indicated by dashed lines in Figure 1, and through overlying transversal board 9, and supporting board 12, a through bore 14 is provided. Bore 14 is provided to receive a sleeve-shaped socket member 15, which is welded to a securing plate 16. Securing plate 16, and associated socket member 15 may, if desired, form a moulded unit. The sleeve-shaped socket member has a bore 17 which continues through securing plate 16.

In Figure 2 securing plate and socket member are shown placed on and secured to the pallet. As shown, sleeve-shaped socket member 15 is inserted in bore 14 which—extends through supporting board 12, transversal board 9, central block 7, and bottom board 2, and securing plate 16 is screwed onto the pallet by the aid of screws 18 which pass through suitable holes 19 in securing plate 19. ^"~

In Figure 1 a rod 20 is also shown, which forms a component of the arrangement according to the invention. Said rod is designed to be a steel tube in the present case. The advantage of a tube shape is reduced weight, at the same time as the essential structural strength is maintained. Also, tube lengths may readily be plugged-in to change the length of the tube. In Figure 1 such a tube length for plugging-in is shown on top and designated 21. Rod or tube 20 is provided with a collar 22 at its lower portion which collar is intended to bear against securing plate 16 when rod 20 is inserted into bore 17 in the socket member. Rod portion 23 below collar 22 is sized to fit into bore 17 in the socket. In order to prevent rotation of rod 20, two diametrical projections 24 are provided on the underside of collar 22 for engagement with coresponding small, radially extending recesses 25 in securing plate 16. Additionally, rod 20 has a plurality of diametrical through holes 26 distributed along its length at suitable mutual distances and at a suitable distance from collar 22. Said through holes 26 serve to fix the level of supporting bracket 27, shown in Figure 1. Supporting bracket 27, as shown, has an X-shaped supporting plane (horizontal plane), and comprises four arms extending from a sleeve or a hub 28. Hub 28 has a diametrical through opening 29 which may be aligned with a desired through opening 26 in rod 20. Supporting bracket 27 can be locked to rod 20 by the aid of locking pin 30 which is inserted through aligned openings or bores 26,29. The supporting bracket arms have through bores 31 which receive screws to fasten a supporting plate that may be placed on supporting bracket 27, as shown in figure 3, where a supporting plate 32 is placed on a supporting bracket 27 and is firmly attached by the aid of screws 33.

Supporting plates 32 may have the same size as the pallet, however, they preferably show the same length as the pallet with various width dimensions. As shown in Figure 4, cf also Figures 10, 11, and 12, a supporting plate 34 may advantage¬ ously have a length corresponding to that of the pallet, and a width which is smaller than that of the pallet, whereas a supporting plate 35 placed higher up has a length correspond¬ ing to that of the pallet, and a width which is further reduced, so that supporting plate 35 is narrower than lower supporting plate 34. In this manner a system of shelves is achieved with reduced shelf width upwards, which is suitable in connection with exhibition of goods which is placed on the supporting plate of the pallet and on supporting plates 34, 35 which are provided on or above the former and are supported by bar 20 with employment of supporting brackets 27.

Figure 5 shows an example of how the invention may be employed to supply a working scaffold, in the present instant illustrated by a painter who is to paint a ceiling, not shown. A pallet 36 is provided with a rod 37 (corresponding to rod 20), on which a supporting plate 38 is placed by the aid of a supporting bracket. The supporting bracket is not shown, but it sits below the supporting plate 38 (e.g. cor¬ responding to supporting plate 34 in Figure 4) and is designed to correspond with the general embodiment of a supporting bracket 27, shown in Figure 1. On top of rod 37 a vessel 39 for paint is provided.

Figure 6 shows another possible embodiment employing the inventive concept, illustrating two pallets 40,41 which are connected by a rod 42 and are used to support two catwalk boards 43, 44. In this manner a handy scaffold is provided which in the shown case has a height of 80 cm above ground.

A corresponding scaffold may be built with a height of 120 cm above ground by turning the pallets, as shown in Figure 7, where the catwalk boards are not shown.

Fig. 8 is an illustration in perspective of a practical application of the pallet arrangement of Figure 4 to exhibit goods at three levels. Additionally, an exhibition basket 45 is placed on top of rod 20, and rod 20 is extended by an additional tube length 46 (corresponding to tube length 21 which is indicated in Figure 1), which is here used to support a sunshade 47.

A pallet 48 is shown in Figure 9. On said pallet goods 49, 50, and 51 is placed with intermediate supporting plates 52, 53. The load is secured by shrinkplastic wrapping 54, known per se.

In Figure 10 pallet 48 is mounted to form an exhibition/sales stand. Supporting plates 52, 53, and basket 51 are arranged on a central rod 55 at levels providing sufficient space for separate goods. Rod 55 can be transported constituting part of the load shown in Figure 9, and may be mounted on the pallet during transport, or it may be mounted when shelves are built to form the stand as shown in Figure 10. Rod 55 is, obviously, built from a number of joined rod lengths in Figure 10.

A variant of the shelf structure of Figure 10 is shown in Figure 11. The difference is that baskets are here placed on the pallet 48 and on a supporting plate 52. Supporting plate 53 is omitted in this embodiment. The baskets are designated 56, and 57, respectively in Figure 11. In Figure 11, as contrary to Figure 10, a sunshade 58 is placed on top of pallet 48, in the same manner as indicated in Figure 8. The pallet arrangement of Figure 11 is especially suited for out¬ door exposure of goods, as is the arrangement of Figure 8.

Figure 12 illustrates how a larger system of shelves may be built by linking together a number of pallets. In Figure 12 only two assembled or linked-together pallets 59, 60 are shown, but it will be understood that any desired number of pallets may be assembled to form a shelf of a desired length. Roughly, the design of Figure 12 is like that of Figure 11, apart from the fact that in stead of sunshade 58 a ridged canvas roof 61 is provided above the shelf, supported by two rods 62, 63, which are centrally arranged on a pallet 59 and 60, respectively.

In Figures 13 and 14 yet another possible application of the invention is shown. On a pallet 64 a rod 65 is mounted which carries a supporting bracket 66 on top. As shown, so called standing goods 67 is placed on pallet 64. Supporting bracket 66 bears against the top of the standing goods, and from supporting bracket 66 corner sling means 68 extend to secure the standing goods on tne pallet.

In Figures 15 and 16 another possible application is shown. On pallet 69 a central rod 70 is provided with a supporting bracket 71 mounted on top and provided with an associated supporting plate 72. Between the load 73 placed on pallet 69 and supporting bracket/supporting plate 71,72 polystyrene blocks 74 are provided. Goods may suitably be provided with a ₅ fixed top plate 71, 72 when such goods does not tolerate much load from above. On supporting plate 72 a loaded pallet may be placed, its load being substantially received by rod 70 and transferred down to pallet 69.

10 A similar embodiment is shown in Figure 17, where the polystyrene blocks are omitted, but where the arrangement is in other respects based on the same concept as shown in Figures 15 and 16. The same reference numerals are, thus, used in Figures 15, 16, and 17. In Figure 17 a pallet 75 is

15 placed on the top plate, i.e. on supporting plates 72 carried by supporting brackets 71.

Figures 18 and 19 show two more examples of application of the invention. In Figures 18 and 19 a floor is built by the

20 aid of a number of assembled pallets 76. From some of pallets 76 rods 77 extend upwards, and by the aid of suitable joining

elements 78, e.g. so called key-clamps, said rods 77 are connected with transversal, horizontal rods 79 and, if desired, with rods 80 sloping relative to the horizontal rods

25 79 to form a slope of a roof (Figure 19). In this manner a skeleton structure is provided. On such a structure a roof (not shown) may be placed, e.g. a tent canvas roof, a corrugated iron roof or, the like. In this manner, e.g. an outdoor stand may be built at a fair. The floor surface in

30 Figure 18 may, e.g. cover an area of 30 m^, being assembled of 5 x 6 pallets. The shown vertical rods 77 may, obviously, also be used to carry supporting brackets and associated supporting plates. If desired, separate rods may be provided in the floor on selected pallets to form required shelves and

35 exhibition/sales racks.

In Figure 20 it is shown how the invention may be used to build so called fencing. Pallets 80 are placed at a certain mutual distance. Each pallet 80 is provided with a rod 81, and rods 81 are mutually connected on top and bottom by corresponding rods or tubes 82, 83. A fencing netting 84 is supported by the rods.

In Figures 21 and 22 a special embodiment of a central block is shown to be a member, e.g. moulded from an aluminium alloy. The block has a through hole 85 and four threaded holes 86 in its top and bottom faces.

In Figure 23 a welded embodiment of a central boss is shown. A rectangular steel plate is bent to a tubular shape 87 and is welded at joint 88. A piece of tube 89 is fixed by welding, as shown. Member 87 may, obviously, be a piece of square tube. The central blocks indicated here may be mounted during production of the Euro-pallet, or they may be exchanged^~fδr^~ the existing common wooden block.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS:

1.

A pallet for exhibition and transport especially a Euro- pallet, with a central block (7), corner and side blocks (4,5,6) between a pallet underside (1,

2,3) and a supporting pallet face (11,12,13), c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the pallet is provided with one or more centrally arranged rod(s) (20) having one or more height adjustable carrying or holding means (27) for goods to be displayed and/or transported on said pallet, said loadcarrying rod(s) being fastened to the pallet by means of a force transmitting fastening means (15).

²-

A pallet according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the force transmitting means comprises a securing plate (16) with a sleeve-shaped base element (15) which extends down into said center block (7).

V*.

3.

A pallet according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the force center transmiting means comprises the center block (7), the center block having a central bore for insertion of the carrying rod.

4.

A pallet according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that said centrally aranged rod(s) includes a In its supporting plane x-shaped supporting bracket (27) having a central opening (28) normal to said supporting plane adapted to slidingly receiving said rod

(20), as well as locking means (26,29,30) for locking supporting bracket (27) to the rod at a level above the pallet.

5.

A pallet according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that rod (20) has the shape of a tube, so that the length of the rod can readily be changed by plugging in tube lengths (21).

6.

A pallet according to claim 4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that supporting brack¬ et/brackets (27) have a respective associated supporting bracket (32,34,35).

7.

A pallet according to claim 6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that supporting bracket (34) has a length corresponding to the pallet length.

8.

A pallet according to claim 6 or 7, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that supporting bracket (34,35) has a width that is smaller than the pallet width.

9.

A pallet according to claim 8, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that supporting plates (34,

35) have different widths.

10.

A pallet according to one of the preceding claims 6-9, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that supporting brackets (27) or supporting plates (34, 35) are provided with coupling means to connect one or more adjacent corresponding support¬ ing brackets/supporting plates on one or more adjacent pallets.

11.

A pallet according to one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that rod (77) is provided with coupling means (78) for connection with one or more corresponding rods on one or more other pallets.

12.

A pallet according to one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n a collar (22) on rod (20).

13. A pallet according to one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n a locking means (24,25) against mutual rotation of rod (20).