ZA200305720B

ZA200305720B - Pallet.

Info

Publication number: ZA200305720B
Application number: ZA200305720A
Authority: ZA
Inventors: Alan Graham Young; Terence Deyzel; Dale Hunter Howarth; Vadim Kozyrkov
Original assignee: Young Company Ltd B
Priority date: 2001-02-07
Filing date: 2003-07-24
Publication date: 2003-11-14

Description

3 © WO 02/062670 PCT/IB02/00364

PALLET

INTRODUCTION TO THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a pallet of the type used to support and transport goods.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

In many instances the storage and transportation of goods and materials is effected using a support or material handlings device in the form of a pallet. These support devices are one of the most efficient and effective ways of handling materials and articles in large quantities and their use reduces loading and unloading times as well as serving as a base for stacking individual items.

Pallets may be classified into two types; a so-called single-faced pallet having a single surface which is effectively a top stacking deck, and a double faced pallet which includes both a top deck and a bottom deck.

Runners are used to separate the two decks in the latter instance and to provide an opening for the entry forks of a forklift truck. Two-way pallets allow for fork entry from two opposing sides and four-way pallets allow fork entry from all four sides.

CONFIRMATION COPY

Traditionally pallets are made from wood and these pallets account for the My vast majority of pallets sold and used today. Wooden pallets come in both . single faced and double faced configurations.

Wooden pallets are however associated with a number of problems which become increasingly important when automated material handling systems are used. These problems include the following: a. use of low grade or decayed timber; b. warping as a result of exposure to the elements; c. broken and missing support members on the top deck or other parts; 10d. protruding fastening devices such as nails; e. out of squareness or out of specification dimensions.

Because of these and other problems, pallet manufacturers have been turning to other materials particularly pressed wood fibre, corrugated fibre board, plastics and metals.

Pressed wood fibre is only suitable for applications where the pallet can be protected from the elements as moisture tends to cause the fibres to swell and the material to break down. In the case of corrugated fibre board these pallets have little strength and are only useful for supporting and transporting lightweight articles. Metal pallets on the other hand are long lasting and strong. They are however expensive.

As a result of the above considerations pallets made from plastics materials have become increasing popular with many types having become available over the last few years, including both single faced and double faced pallets. These plastic pallets have advantages over wooden pallets including ease of cleaning, elimination of rotting corrosion, splintering and degradation, non, harbouring of bacteria or absorption of chemicals, and recyclability. :

. © WO 02/062670 PCT/IB02/00364

By way of example Cookson Plastic Molding Corporation of the United

States of America produces various plastic pallets in both the single faced and double faced configuration under the name RACKR name. These panels include a top and bottom decks and runners that are welded together.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION :

An object of this invention is to provide a new pallet made from plastics or metal materials.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention a pallet comprises: at least two substantially parallel! spaced runners having upper and lower surfaces and supporting at least a top deck, the top deck comprising a plurality of spaced parallel elongated top deck members engaged by top deck member engaging formations in the runners.

Further according to the invention the pallet includes a bottom deck and the bottom deck comprises a plurality of spaced parallel elongated bottom deck members engaged by bottom deck member engaging formations in the runners.

Still further according to the invention there are at least three runners including two outer runners at opposite ends of the pallet.

Still further according to the invention the runners include two spaced openings in their lengths for receiving forklift tynes.

Still further according to the invention the top deck member engaging MN formations are in the upper surfaces of the runners.

Still further according to the invention the top deck members include a . central rib with upper and lower edges and outwardly directed flanges at the upper edge forming support surface members and outwardly directed flanges at the lower edge forming retaining means; and the top deck member engaging formations inciude channeis extending through the width of the runners and in the upper surfaces, the channels having a cross-sectional configuration corresponding substantially to that of the top deck members.

Still further according to the invention the outwardly directed flanges at the upper edge of the rib have a wing-shaped profile with each flange having an upwardly curved configuration.

Still further according to the invention the bottom deck members are of a i5 hollow equiiaterai trianguiar configuration with a central rib extending from a base thereof to the opposing apex; and the bottom deck member engaging formations include correspondingly shaped apertures through the width of the runners near the base thereof.

Still further according to the invention the runners are of a general

I-shaped cross-sectional configuration.

Still further according to the invention the pallet is one of plastics, metal, and both plastics and metal.

Still further according to the invention the top deck and bottom deck members are extruded and the runners are moulded.

. © WO 02/062670 PCT/IB02/00364

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One embodiment of the invention described by way of example anly, follows with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 5 FIG. 1 is a general view of a pallet according to the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a detail of part of a runner and top and bottom deck members for the pallet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS

In this embodiment of the invention a pallet (1) is made entirely from plastics material in the form of polypropylene.

The pallet (1) is a double faced pallet having an upper deck (2) and a lower deck (3) supported by three identical runners (4). As may be seen from the drawings the runners (4) are parallel to each other and equally spaced so that two runners are on opposite sides of the pallet with a third runner centrally located in the middie thereof.

The top deck (2) of the pallet is made from a plurality (in this case 18) identical elongated members which are spaced apart from but parallel to each other. These top deck members are extruded in known manner.

The cross-sectional configuration of the top deck members (5) is more clearly shown in figure 2. Each member (5) comprises a central rib (6) having an upper end (7) and a lower end (8). Two flanges (9) project from the upper end (7) of the rib (6) in a winged or curved configuration. These flanges (9) provide a concave surface (10) running along tie length of each top deck member (5). This surface (10) forms the load carrying surface for the member.

Projecting outwardly from the lower end (8) of the rib (6) are two short curved flanges (11) the purpose of which is to provide locking formations for locking the top deck members (5) with respect to the runners (4) as will be described hereafter.

The lower deck (3) of the pallet (1) comprises a plurality (in this case four) of spaced lower deck members (14). These members (14) are of extruded plastics material and have a hollow equilateral triangular cross- sectional configuration with a stiffening and load bearing integral rib (15) extending between the centrai point of the base (16) thereof and the opposing apex (17).

The runners (4) are elongated moulded plastics members and are of a general l-shaped cross-sectional configuration with a central rib portion 13 {18} terminating in upper and lower cutwardly directed flanges {18} and (20) so as to provide upper and lower surfaces (21) and (22).

Two generally rounded but rectangular apertures (23) are located in the length of each runner (4) at positions corresponding approximately to the optimum positions for the tynes of a forklift. The apertures (23) are surrounded by reinforcing (24) extending between the ribs (20) and centrai member (18).

Corresponding the the positions of the top deck members (5) are a plurality of buttress type formations (25) which extend between the central member (18) and the flanges (20) or alternatively the reinforcing (24). At the upper ends of each formation (25), (i.e. those ends comesponding to the upper surface (21)) the formations (25) terminate in locating formations (26) for the top deck members (5). These locating formations

(26) are open ended slots or channels of the same configuration as the cross-sectional configuration of the top deck members (5) and extend the full width of the runners (4). As may be seen from figure 2 of the drawings the formations (26) include an upper recessed portion (27) for locating the flanges (9).

At the base or lower ends of four of the buttress formations (25) are hollow triangular locating apertures (30) which are open ended and extend the full width of the runners (4). These apertures (30) are for locating the bottom deck members (14).

To save plastics material and to ensure that the overall pallet is as light as possible the spaces (31) between the buttress formations (25) (and which spaces are not otherwise occupied) include circular or elliptical apertures (32) which may include reinforced side walls (33).

The ends (35) of the runners (4) are triangularly tapered as indicated in the drawings so as to minimise damage during lifting operations.

It will be appreciated that the pallet (1) is easily assembled from its component parts with both the top deck and bottom deck members (5) and (14) respectively being easily located in their corresponding formations in the central and outer runners (4). There are then fixed in place by gluing or welding for example. Finally end caps (36) may be provided for the bottom deck runners (14). The invention thus provides for a pallet (1) which is not only easy to manufacture and assemble but which is light weight strong and resistant to damage.

Other embodiments are envisaged within the scope of the invention including other shapes configurations and applications thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS Te

1. A pallet comprises: at least two substantially parallel spaced runners having upper and lower surfaces and supporting at least a top deck, the top deck comprising a plurality of spaced parallel elongated top deck members engaged by top deck member formations in the runners.

2. A pallet as claimed in claim 1 in which there are at least three runners including two outer runners at opposite ends of the pallet.

3. A pallet as claimed in either of the preceding claims in which the runners include two spaced openings in their lengths for receiving forklift tynes.

4. A pallet as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the top deck member engaging formations are in the upper surfaces of the runners.

5. A pallet as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the top deck members include a central rib with upper and lower edges and outwardly directed flanges at the upper edge forming support surface members and outwardly directed flanges at the lower edge forming retaining means.

6. A pallet as claimed in claim 5 in which the outwardly directed flanges at the upper edge of the rib have a wing-shaped profile with each flange having an upwardly curved configuration.

7. A pallet as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the top deck member engaging formations include channeis extending

: © WO 02/062670 PCT/1B02/00364 through the width of the runners and in the upper surfaces, the channels having a cross-sectional configuration corresponding substantially to that of the top deck members.

8. A pallet as claimed in any of the preceding claims which includes a bottom deck.

9. A pallet as claimed in claim 8 in which the bottom deck comprises a plurality of spaced parallel elongated bottom deck members engaged by bottom deck member engaging formations in the runners.

10. A pallet as claimed in either of claims 8 or 9 in which the bottom deck members are of a hollow equilateral triangular configuration with a central rib extending from a base thereof to the opposing apex; and the bottom deck member engaging formations include correspondingly shaped apertures through the width of the runners near the base thereof.

11. A pallet as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the runners are of a general |-shaped cross-sectional configuration.

12. A pallet as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the pallet is one of plastics, metal, and both plastics and metal.

13. A pallet as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the members are extruded and the runners are moulded.

14. A pallet substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.