WO1997009240A1

WO1997009240A1 - A pallet extender

Info

Publication number: WO1997009240A1
Application number: PCT/AU1996/000559
Authority: WO
Inventors: Maurice Charles Baker
Original assignee: Maurice Charles Baker
Priority date: 1995-09-07
Filing date: 1996-09-06
Publication date: 1997-03-13

Abstract

A pallet extender for connection to a cargo pallet such as for use in aircraft cargo transportation. The pallet extender can be detachably coupled along an edge of a pallet to provide additional cargo capacity, and can be folded to a relatively flat configuration when not in use. Slidable frame extensions are provided to enable the pallet extender to be used with various sized pallets and further cargo space is provided within the structure of the pallet extender, for which specially shaped boxes may be utilised.

Description

"A PALLET EXTENDER"

The present invention relates to an extender for use with pallets. The pallet extender has particular application with aeroplane goods pallets.

To maximise the carrying capacity of pallets used in the cargo section of aeroplanes, it is common for freight companies to attach pallet extenders to the pallets. Typically, such pallet extenders have an L-shaped configuration and are made of wood. The pallet extenders are connected along the length of the pallet by screws and then a number of straps are secured between the pallet and the load carrying portion of each pallet extender to brace and support the pallet extender. A pallet extender of this general type is described, for example, in United States Patent No. 4,869,445.

Although the construction of such pallet extenders may allow them to be used a number of times, in most instances the pallet extenders are only used once and are then destroyed. One reason why such pallet extenders are only used once is that there is often insufficient freight on a return load to warrant use of the pallet extenders. Furthermore, the configuration of the pallet extenders means that they are cumbersome to transport on mass. Accordingly, freight companies prefer to continually replace their pallet extenders rather than paying costly freight charges to return pallet extenders to their home base.

Another difficulty with current pallet extenders arises from the fact that it is often the airline's responsibility to provide the straps which secure the pallet extenders to the pallets. In many instances, the freight companies are delayed in loading their /freight because of difficulties locating sufficient straps to secure the freight properly.

The present invention seeks to pro- 'ide a pallet extender which is arranged for multiple use. Preferably, the pallet extenders are designed so they are collapsible and can be assembled without the straps which are required by the pallet extenders currently in use. According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pallet extender comprising a support portion for in use supporting cargo thereon, and an attachment structure for removably attaching the pallet extender along a length of a pallet with the support portion, in use, extending out from the pallet in a plane substantially parallel to the pallet but displaced therefrom, the pallet extender being collapsible with respect to the support portion and attachment structure when detached from a pallet.

In a preferred form, the attachment structure is slidably adjustable for adaption of the pallet extender to different sized pallets.

Preferably the pallet extender comprises a rectangular and generally flat support portion which may be constructed from, for example, a mesh of frame members. The support portion may be connected at one edge thereof to an upright frame which extends, in use, transversely from adjacent an edge of the pallet when attached thereto so as to space the support portion from the pallet. An angled frame preferably extends between the upright frame and the support portion defining a generally triangular cross-sectioned space bounded by the support portion, the upright frame and the angled frame. The angled frame preferably is constructed so as to enable cargo to be supported thereon within the space bounded by the angled frame, upright frame and support portion. A detachable coupling means for connecting the pallet extender to the pallet is preferably provided at or near the juncture of the upright frame and angle frame. Bracing arms may additionally be provided extending from opposed ends of the support portion, for example, to detachable connections with the pallet. In one form of the invention, the bracing arms are connected to frame extensions at the ends of the support portion, the frame extension being slidably movable to extend the length of the support portion and also extend the displacement between the opposed bracing arms to allow the bracing arms to be connected at opposed edges of various sized pallets.

Preferably, the pallet extender is collapsible by virtue of the provision of hinged connections between the support portion and the angle frame and between the support portion and the upright frame. Additionally, the angled frame may be detachable from the upright frame adjacent the detachable connections to the pallet. The angled frame may be formed in two portions which are foldably coupled together by hinged connections. Further, the bracing arms may be hingedly connected to the frame extensions and also foldable about a generaUy central hinged coupling in the bracing arms.

In another aspect the invention provides a pallet extender comprising a top frame, an upright frame and an angled frame hingedly coupled to one another in an elongate substantially triangular cross-sectioned configuration and adapted to carry cargo on said top frame and on said angled frame in the space bounded by said frames, and attachment means for removably attaching the pallet extender to a pallet, wherein one of said frames being formed in two sections which are hingedly interconnected, such that the pallet extender is collapsible by virtue of the hinges to a substantially flat configuration as compared to an operative configuration when attached to the pallet.

Embodiments of the invention are described hereinbelow, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view ofthe support portion of a pallet extender according to one embodiment ofthe invention;

Figure 2 is a front side view ofthe pallet extender shown in Figure 2 (not showing the brace members);

Figure 3 is an end view ofthe pallet extender illustrating a tie rod used to connect the pallet extender to a pallet; Figure 4 schematically illustrates one of the hinge connections between the support portion and the upright frame ofthe pallet extender;

Figure 5 schematically illustrates the pivotal connection between one of the brace members and one ofthe upright members ofthe upright frame;

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate respective plan and side views ofthe locking component used to lock one ofthe tie rods to the pallet;

Figures 8 to 10 illustrate schematically how the pallet extender can be collapsed from its

StraSTITUTE SHEET (Rule 26) in use position to a collapsed position;

Figure 11 is a schematic plan view of a pallet;

Figure 12 is an enlarged view ofthe apertures formed in the pallet;

Figure 13 is an axonometric underside view of a pallet extender according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 14 is a top view ofthe pallet extender shown in Figure 13;

Figure 15 is a side view ofthe pallet extender shown in Figure 13;

Figure 16 illustrates a foot for detachable connection between the pallet extender and a pallet; Figure 17 illustrates a swing arm lock clip for detachable connection between the pallet extender and a pallet;

Figures 18 and 19 illustrate isometric and top views, respectively, of a frame extension for the pallet extender of Figure 13;

Figure 20 is an isometric top view of a box adapted for use with the pallet extender; and Figures 21 to 23 are diagrammatic side-view illustrations of a mode of foldably collapsing a form ofthe pallet extender for storage.

The pallet extender 10 shown in the Figures comprises a support portion 12, an upright frame portion 14, three brace members 16 and two tie rods 18. The support portion 12 is best illustrated in Figure 1 and compπses a frame made from steel section. The frame comprises first and second longitudinal members 20, 22 and first end, middle and second end transverse members 24, 26, 28. The frame also includes a plurality of supports 30. The support portion 12 is arranged to receive and support cargo. Typically, the cargo would comprise a plurality of boxes.

The upright frame portion 14 comprises three upright members 32 which are spaced along the length ofthe pallet extender 10 and which are each connected at their upper end to a longitudinal member 34 and at their lower end to a second longitudinal member 36. Longitudinal member 34 is connected to the longitudinal member 22 ofthe support portion 12 by three hinges 38. The hinges 38, which are shown schematically in Figure 4, enable the support portion 12 to be pivoted relative to the upright frame portion 14 as shown schematically in Figures 8 to 10. Each hinge 38 is formed from two tubes 40, 42 and a pin 44. Tube 40 is connected, for example by welding, to the longitudinal member 22 and tube 42 is connected, for example by welding, to the longitudinal member 34. Pin 44 is arranged to be mounted within the tubes 40,

42 and is welded or otherwise connected to the end wall 40a ofthe tube 40. In this manner, the support portion 12 can pivot about the pin 44.

A brace member 16 extends between each ofthe upright members 32 and the transverse members 24, 26, 28 of the support portion 12. The brace members 16 support the support portion 12 in a substantially horizontal orientation. As best illustrated in Figures 3 and 5, each brace member has a first end 16a which is arranged to fit within an aperture 24a, 26a, 28a formed in its respective transverse member 24, 26, 28. The second end 16b of each brace member 16 is arranged to fit within a pair of sleeves 50, 52. Sleeve 50 is connected, for example by welding, to the lower end ofthe upright member 32. Sleeve 52 is connected, for example by welding, to the lower end 16b ofthe brace member 16. Each brace member 16 is thereby connected to one ofthe upright members 32 in such a manner that once the upper end 16a ofthe brace member 16 is released from the respective aperture 24a, 26a, 28a formed in the transverse member 24, 26, 28, the brace member 16 can pivot relative to the upright member 32. In this manner, each ofthe brace members 16 can be pivoted to a position wherein it lies substantially adjacent to the plane containing the upright members 32.

The pallet extender 10 is arranged to be mounted on a pallet 100. Figures 11 and 12 schematically illustrate the configuration ofthe pallet 100. As shown in these Figures, a plurality of apertures 200 are formed inside the periphery 102 ofthe pallet 100. The apertures have a repeating circular then slotted configuration.

When the pallet extender 10 is mounted to the pallet 100 each ofthe sleeves 52 attached to the three brace members 16 pass into one ofthe circular apertures formed in the pallet 100 and rest on the base plate 110 ofthe pallet 100 (see Figure 5). The pallet extender 10 is then secured to the pallet 100 by means ofthe two tie rods 18. The tie rods 18 each comprise a rod which has a first end 18a which is arranged to be pivotally mounted within a sleeve 54 which is connected, for example by welding, to one ofthe first and second end transverse members 24, 28. Connected to the second end 18b of each ofthe tie rods 18 is a locking member 70 (not shown to scale in Figure 3). The locking member 70 comprises an L-shaped extension 72 connected to the second end 18b ofthe tie rod 18 and a locking component 74. The locking component 74 is best illustrated in Figures 6 and 7. As shown in these Figures, the locking component 74 is substantially rectangular in shape and includes a central bore 76. The locking component 74 is mounted on the extension 72 in a manner whereby it can be slid longitudinally along the extension 72 in order to lock the tie rod 18 in position relative to the pallet 100. This will be explained in more detail below.

Two circular protrusions 78 extend from the locking component 74 via a rectangular cross-sectional shaped neck portion 80. The circular protrusions 78 are arranged to be aligned and to then pass through the circular portions ofthe apertures 200 formed in the pallet 100. The locking member 74 is then arranged to be slid longitudinally so that the neck portions 80 ofthe locking component engage within the slotted portion ofthe apertures 200. The position ofthe pair of protrusions 78 when the locking component 74 is in this locked position is best illustrated in dashed lines in Figure 13. A locking pin 82 locks the locking component 74 to the extension 72 when the locking component 74 is in the required locked position. When each tie rod 18 is locked to the pallet 100, the free end 72a ofthe extension 72 is located within one ofthe circular portions ofthe apertures 200 formed in the pallet 100. This arrangement is also illustrated in Figure 12. The locking component 74 is thereby arranged to lock the pallet extender 10 to the pallet 100. The tie rods 18 also help to maintain the support portion 12 in a horizontal orientation.

When a pallet extender 10 is connected to the pallet 100, the support portion 12 provides a support onto which boxes of cargo can be mounted. Thus, boxes of cargo can be mounted on the pallet 100 itself, as well as on the support portion 12 of each pallet extender. Typically, a pallet extender 10 would be mounted along each longitudinal edge of a pallet 100. By using such a pallet extender 10 it is possible to greatly increase the load carrying capability of each pallet 100 within the area defined by the cargo space of an aeroplane or other freight carrier.

When the cargo has been unloaded, the pallet extender 10 can easily be disconnected and removed from the pallet 100. This is done by disengaging the locking pins 82 so as to release the tie rods 18. The pallet extender 10 can then be lifted off the pallet 100 ready for disassembly. To disassemble the pallet extender 10, the frame portion 12 is pivoted relative to the upright members 32 so that the support portion 12 extends in a plane substantially coincident with the plane of the upright members 32 (see Figure 9). The upper ends 16a of each of the brace members 6 are thereby released from the apertures 24a, 26a, 28a within the transverse members 24, 26, 28 ofthe support portion 12 allowing the brace members 16 to be pivoted relative to the upright members 32. In this way, the brace members 16 can be pivoted to a position where they lie substantially adjacent a plane containing upright members 32 (Figure 10). The tie rods 18 can then be pivoted to a position where they lie substantially adjacent to the plane containing the pivoted transverse members 24, 26, 28 and the upright members 32 (Figure 10). Once in this disassembled or collapsed position, the pallet extender 10 is of a substantially flat configuration and is arranged so that a plurality of pallet extenders 10 can easily be stacked one atop the other for transport and storage.

It is envisaged that modifications could be made to the described embodiment so that the length ofthe upright members 32 could be adjusted to enable the spacing between the floor of the pallet 100 and the support portion 12 to be varied. This would enable different sizes of cargo boxes to be mounted on the pallet 100.

Another form of pallet extender 105 is illustrated in Figures 13, 14 and 15, which includes some additional features. The pallet extender 105 comprises generally a rectangular top frame 110, a rectangular side frame 120 and a rectangular brace frame 130. The top frame 110, side frame 120 and brace frame 130 are connected to one another at their respective elongate edges to form a structure having a generally triangular cross-section. The opposed ends ofthe top frame 110 support respective frame extensions 150 to which are coupled respective swing arms 140.

The top frame 110 is constructed from a mesh of top frame members 111 and 112, the top frame members 111 extending longitudinally of the top frame 110, and the members 112 extending transversely. Similarly, the side frame 120 comprises a mesh of longitudinally extending side frame members 121 and transversely extending side frame members 122. The brace frame 130 comprises lower and upper brace frames 131 and 132. The lower brace frame 131 comprises longitudinally extending lower brace frame members 137 and transversely extending lower brace frame members 135. The upper brace frame 132 comprises respective 5 longitudinally and transversely extending upper brace frame members 138 and 136. The lower and upper brace frames 131, 132 are coupled to one another by way of lower brace hinges 133 which couple together the respective transversely extending brace frame members 135,136.

The top frame 110 is coupled at one edge to the side frame 120 by way of side hinges

10 124 which are provided adjacent ends ofthe transversely extending top frame members 112 and transversely extending side frame members 122. The hinged connection between the top frame

110 and side frame 120 allows the top frame 110 to be swivelled into a plane substantially parallel to that ofthe side frame 120, as discussed in greater detail hereinbelow.

15 The brace frame 130 is coupled to the top frame 110 at the longitudinal edge ofthe top frame 110 opposed to its connection to the side frame 120. The top frame 110 is connected to the upper brace frame 132 by way of upper brace hinges 134 which are provided adjacent ends ofthe transversely extending top frame members 112 and transversely extending upper brace frame members 136. The hinged connection between the upper brace frame 132 and top frame

20 110 allows the upper brace frame 132, in use, to be swivelled into a plane substantially parallel to the top frame 110 for collapsed storage or the like ofthe card extender 105, as described in greater detail hereinbelow. Additionally, the hinged connection between the upper and lower brace frames 132,131 enables the brace frame 130 to be folded about the lower brace hinges 133.

25 At the longitudinal edge ofthe side frame 120 opposed to its connection to the top frame

110, there is provided feet 125 adjacent ends ofthe transversely extending side frame members 122. As seen best in Figure 16, each foot 125 has a cylindrical projection 126 which extends parallel to the plane ofthe side frame 120 and is adapted to seat in an aperture 200 of a pallet (see Figures 11 and 12). The cylindrical projections 126 of the feet 125 allow detachable

30 coupling ofthe side frame 120 ofthe pallet extender 105 to a pallet 100. Each foot 125 also has an angled generally square projection 127 which is adapted to interfit with an open end of a transversely extending lower brace frame member 135. The interfitting ofthe foot projections 127 and lower brace frame members 135 provide a detachable coupling between the brace frame 130 and side frame 120. In the preferred form ofthe invention, the frame members ofthe top frame, side frame, and brace frame are constructed from square cross-sectioned steel tubes. In this case, the angled projections 127 ofthe feet 125 are dimensioned so as to allow them to extend into open ends ofthe lower brace frame members 135.

A frame extension 150 is provided at each end of the top frame 110. Each frame extension 150 has a transverse frame extension member 151 from the ends of which extend parallel longitudinal frame extension members 152. The longitudinal frame extension members 52 have portions of reduced cross-section 153 which are provided to extend into open ends of respective hollow longitudinal top frame members 111. This arrangement allows the frame extensions 150 to be slidably extended from the ends ofthe top frame 110.

To each frame extension 150 there is attached a swing arm 140 by way of a swing arm swivel joint 144. The swing arm swivel joint 144 is positioned on the lateral frame extension member 151 toward the end thereof closest to the side frame 120. The swing arm 140 is constructed in two sections, having an upper swing arm 141 which extends from the swing arm swivel joint 144 to a swing arm hinge 143, and a lower swing arm 142 which extends from the swing arm hinge 143 to an end having a swing arm lock clip 145. The swing arm lock clip 145 is shown in greater detail in Figure 17. The construction ofthe swing arm lock clip 145 is known in the art as a means for providing a detachable coupling to a pallet 100 using the apertures 200 formed therein.

The disposition of a pallet extender 105 when operationally coupled to a pallet 100 is best seen in Figures 14 and 15, wherein the pallet 100 is illustrated in dashed lines. As previously described in connection with Figures 11 and 12, the pallet 100 is provided with a plurality of apertures 200 formed along the inside periphery ofthe pallet. The feet 125 provided along the bottom edge ofthe side frame 120 are arranged to align with respective apertures 200 formed along the length of a first edge 101 ofthe pallet 100. Similarly, the swing arm lock clips 145 are arranged to interfit with respective apertures formed along respective edges 102 ofthe pallet 100 extending transversely to the edge 101. In this way, the pallet extender 105 is detachably secured to the pallet 100, with each ofthe feet 125 and swing arm lock clips 145 received in respective apertures 200. In this operative arrangement, the side frame 120 extends along the length of edge 101 substantially at right angles to the plane ofthe pallet 100, as best seen in Figure 15. The top frame 110 extends substantially parallel to the plane ofthe pallet, outwardly from the top edge ofthe side frame 120. The brace frame 130 extends from the feet 125 to the distal edge ofthe top frame 110, thus forming a triangularly cross-sectioned space 180, bounded by the top frame, side frame and brace frame. The height ofthe side frame 120 is of similar magnitude to the width ofthe top frame 110, such that the brace frame 130 extends outwardly from the pallet 100 at an angle of about 45° to the plane thereof. The swing arms 140 are dimensioned so as to also extend at an angle of about 45°. In this way, the pallet extender 105 is able to support cargo on the top frame 110, above the plane ofthe pallet 100, and extending outwardly from the edge 101 thereof. Furthermore, the lattice of longitudinally extending brace frame members 137,138 and laterally extending brace frame members 131,132 provide a support for cargo which can be placed in the space 180 bounded by the top frame, side frame and brace frame. Cargo stored and transported within the space 180 is prevented from sliding out along the sloped surface of the brace frame 130 by the provision of the longitudinally and laterally extending side frame members 121, 122. Boxes or cartons may be constructed to fit snugly within the space 180, as illustrated, for example, in Figure 20.

The pallet extender 105 is also capable of being attached to a larger pallet 100, wherein the edges 102 thereof are spaced further apart by a longer edge 101. The frame extensions 150 are provided for that purpose. In particular, the frame extensions 150 can be slidably extended from the top frame 110 by sliding the reduced portions 153 thereof outwardly from the longitudinal top frame members 111, thereby increasing the distance between the respective swing arms and swing arm lock clips 145 for alignment with the apertures 200 along the edges 102 of the larger sized pallet.

Once removed from a pallet 100 by removing the lock clips 145 and feet 125 from the respective apertures, the pallet extender 105 can be foldably collapsed for storage or transport.

In particular, the transverse lower brace frame members 131 can be detached from the projections 127 of feet 125, which allows the top frame 110, carrying the frame extensions 150, to be folded into a plane substantially parallel to that of the side frame 120 by virtue of the side hinges 124 coupling the side frame and top frame. The lower brace frame 131 can be folded adjacent the upper brace frame 132 by way of the lower brace hinges 133, and the brace frame swivelled into a plane substantially parallel to the top frame 110 using the upper brace frame hinges 134. Similarly, the swing arm 140 can be folded to bring the upper and lower swing arms 141,142 adjacent one another, and parallel to the plane of the side frame 120 using the swing arm hinges 143 and swing arm swivel joints 144. The pallet extender 145 can thereby be folded into a relatively flat collapsed construction for ease of storage and transport when not in use.

In an alternative form of the pallet extender the lower brace frame members 131 may bc hinged at their connection to the feet 125 rather than being detachable therefrom. The transversely extending top frame members 112, side frame members 122, upper and lower brace frame members 131 and 132 then form a four bar linkage, hingedly coupled to one another so as to permit the pallet extender to be collapsed by folding without detaching the frame portions from one another. The way in which the pallet extender may be foldably collapsed is illustrated diagrammatically in side elevation in Figures 21, 22 and 23.

Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word

"comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

The foregoing detailed description of the invention has been presented by way of example only, and is not intended to be considered limiting to the invention, which includes every novel feature and novel combination of features herein disclosed.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A pallet extender comprising a support portion for in use supporting cargo thereon, and an attachment structure for removably attaching the pallet extender along a length of a pallet with the support portion, in use, extending out from the pallet in a plane substantially parallel to the pallet but displaced therefrom, the pallet extender being collapsible with respect to the support portion and attachment structure when detached from a pallet.

2. A pallet extender as claimed in claim 1, wherein the attachment structure is slidably adjustable for adaption of the pallet extender to different sized pallets.

3. A pallet extender as claimed in claim 1, wherein the attachment structure comprises an upright strut structure, an angled strut structure and attachment means for in use coupling the pallet extender to a pallet, wherein the angled strut structure is adapted to support cargo in a space bounded by the support portion, the upright strut structure and the angled strut structure.

4. A pallet extender as claimed in claim 1, wherein the attachment structure comprises an upright frame having a base with first attachment means for coupling adjacent an edge of a pallet, the upright frame being hingedly coupled to the support portion, and wherein the attachment structure further comprises an angled frame extending between the upright frame and the support portion defining a generally triangular cross-sectioned space bounded by the support portion, the upright frame and the angled frame, the angled frame being hingedly coupled at its connection to at least one of the support portion and the upright frame, wherein the angled frame is adapted to support cargo within said generally triangular space.

5. A pallet extender as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a pair of bracing arms hingedly coupled at respective ends of said support portion, said bracing arms having second attachment means for detachably coupling to respective opposed edges of a pallet, in use.

6. A pallet extender as claimed in claim 5, wherein at said respective ends of said support portion frame extensions are provided which are slidably moveable to extend the length of the support portion and adjust the relative positions ofthe respective bracing arms coupled thereat.

7. A pallet extender as claimed in claim 5, wherein said angled frame is hingedly coupled at its connection to both the support portion and the upright frame, and wherein the angled frame is formed in two sections which are hingedly coupled together between the connections to the support portion and upright frame, wherein the hinged couplings between the support portion, upright frame , angled frame, and between the angled frame sections enable the pallet extender to collapse to a generally flat configuration when detached from a pallet.

8. A pallet extender as claimed in claim 7, wherein each of the bracing arms is formed in two sections so as to be foldable about a generally central hinged coupling.

9. A pallet extender comprising a top frame, an upright frame and an angled frame hingedly coupled to one another in an elongate substantially triangular cross-sectioned configuration and adapted to cany cargo on said top frame and on said angled frame in the space bounded by said frames, and attachment means for removably attaching the pallet extender to a pallet, wherein one of said frames being formed in two sections which are hingedly interconnected, such that the pallet extender is collapsible by virtue of the hinges to a substantially flat configuration as compared to an operative configuration when attached to the pallet.

10. A pallet extender as claimed in claim 9, wherein said attachment means comprises couplings provided on said upright frame for detachably coupling the pallet extender adjacent an edge ofthe pallet, and a pair of bracing arms connected to respective sides of the top frame for detachably securing the pallet extender at respective transverse edges of the pallet, in use.

11. A pallet extender as claimed in claim 10, wherein the top frame is provided with frame extensions at said respective sides, the frame extensions being mounted for sliding relative movement to enable elongation of the top frame and the spacing between the respective bracing arms.

12. A pallet extender as claimed in claim 9, further comprising at least one box or carton having a shape adapted to be received in said space bounded by said frames.