Abstract: A lift indicator assembly for a pallet truck includes a lift sensor assembly, and a lift status display for determining a lift condition of a load wheel of the pallet truck. The lift sensor assembly is to be carried by a fork of the pallet truck and includes a housing section, and a primary sensor assembly. The primary sensor assembly includes a first primary arm coupled to the housing section, and a first primary contact switch carried by the housing section and adjacent the first primary arm. The first primary contact switch has an engaged position and a disengaged position based on position of the first primary arm. The lift status display determines the lift condition of the load wheel based on position of the first primary contact switch.

Abstract: An automated pallet inspection station includes a frame, a transport system carried by the frame for transporting a pallet to be inspected, and at least one pallet feature sensing head adjacent the transport system for inspecting the pallet. The at least one pallet feature sensing head includes a downward looking pallet feature sensing head positioned above the transport system for inspecting a top surface of the pallet, and an upward looking pallet feature sensing head positioned below the transport system for inspecting a bottom surface of the pallet.

Abstract: An automated pallet inspection and repair apparatus comprises an inspection station and a repair station. The inspection station comprises a laser that illuminates a pallet, a camera that collects the reflected light and a computer system. The computer system analyses the output of the camera and acquires the pallet's geometry and topography. The design of the pallet is determined by the computer software. A decision to repair the pallet is made by comparing acquired pallet data against the design criteria. If the pallet needs repair, a recipe of repair steps is constructed by inspecting each of the pallet's elements. The recipe is transmitted to the automated repair station.

Abstract: A system may include structural components, and joining areas on the structural components where fasteners connect the structural components into a shipping platform. The system may also include a wrap positioned on each selected joining area of selected structural components where the fasteners connect the selected structural components together.

Abstract: A system to open a shipping bin slide-gate may include an opener, a pivot point towards one end of the opener, and a handle towards the other end of the opener. The system may also include a puller, a connector towards one end of the puller, and a joiner towards the other end of the puller that connects to the opener. The system may further include an attacher that engages a shipping container and the pivot point, and the attacher transmits a force applied at the handle to the connector to open the slide-gate carried by the shipping container.

Abstract: A pallet (10) includes a base layer (20), a cargo layer (30) and spaced apart support elements (40) positioned between the base layer (20) and the cargo layer (30) and forming a gap (50) therebetween for receiving a lifting member. The cargo layer (30) includes a pair of spaced apart connector boards (32) and a pair of spaced apart end deck boards (34) orthogonal to the pair of connector boards (32). Each support element (40) extends in length between the pair of spaced apart end deck boards (34) and is configured as a one-piece skid, and includes an open recessed channel (60) therein to receive a respective connector board (32) from the cargo layer (30).

Abstract: A system may include a bottom deck to a shipping platform. The system may also include a component affixed to the bottom member opposite the shipping platform's top to lower static coefficient of friction between the component and a floor the shipping platform in its load bearing usage position is resting on.

Abstract: A system may include a bottom deck to a shipping platform. The system may also include a block joined to the bottom deck, and a top deck joined to the block. The system may further include a T3 panel carried by the top deck that is structurally different from the top deck and does not extend to two ends of the top deck.

Abstract: A pallet includes a cargo layer, a base layer and support structures coupled between. The cargo layer includes a pair of horizontally positioned outer deck boards and at least one horizontally positioned intermediate deck board therebetween. The at least one horizontally positioned intermediate deck board has opposing sidewalls, and a spaced apart openings at least partially extending through the opposing sidewalls. The pair of horizontally positioned outer deck boards have opposing sidewalls, and spaced apart openings extending through at least one of the sidewalls of each outer deck board. The spaced apart openings in each horizontally positioned outer deck board are aligned with the spaced apart openings in an adjacent sidewall of least one horizontally positioned intermediate deck board. Inserts are in the spaced apart openings.

Abstract: A pallet includes a cargo layer, a base layer and support structures coupled between. The cargo layer includes a pair of horizontally positioned outer plastic deck boards and at least one horizontally positioned intermediate plastic deck board therebetween. The at least one horizontally positioned intermediate plastic deck board has opposing sidewalls, and a spaced apart openings at least partially extending through the opposing sidewalls. The pair of horizontally positioned outer plastic deck boards have opposing sidewalls, and spaced apart openings extending through at least one of the sidewalls of each outer plastic deck board. The spaced apart openings in each horizontally positioned outer plastic deck board are aligned with the spaced apart openings in an adjacent sidewall of least one horizontally positioned intermediate plastic deck board. Inserts are in the spaced apart openings.

Abstract: A nailing system may include a bracket that mounts to a nail gun, and an arm. The system may also include a movable joint to connect the arm to the bracket. The system may further include an anvil carried by the arm where the arm positions the anvil to be under a driver of the nail gun, and the anvil bends nails driven by the driver.

Abstract: A method to improve a pallet may include joining into a pallet four C-brackets, a pallet-deck, a first bottom-deck member, and a second bottom-deck member where two of the four C-brackets insides face two of the other four C-brackets' insides. The method may also include sizing a port to receive load-handling equipment tines formed by the four C-brackets, the pallet-deck, the first bottom-deck member, and the second bottom-deck member.

Abstract: A shipping platform system may include a top deck, and a top block joined to the top deck. The system may also include a bottom deck, and a bottom block joined to the bottom deck. The system may further include a joint that yields under a predetermined load that joins the top block to the bottom block.

Abstract: A method to improve a pallet may include joining into a pallet four C-brackets, a pallet-deck, a first bottom-deck member, and a second bottom-deck member where two of the four C-brackets insides face two of the other four C-brackets' insides. The method may also include sizing a port to receive load-handling equipment tines formed by the four C-brackets, the pallet-deck, the first bottom-deck member, and the second bottom-deck member.

Abstract: A lift indicator assembly for a pallet truck includes a lift sensor assembly, and a lift status display for determining a lift condition of a load wheel of the pallet truck. The lift sensor assembly is to be carried by a fork of the pallet truck and includes a housing section, and a primary sensor assembly. The primary sensor assembly includes a first primary arm coupled to the housing section, and a first primary contact switch carried by the housing section and adjacent the first primary arm. The first primary contact switch has an engaged position and a disengaged position based on position of the first primary arm. The lift status display determines the lift condition of the load wheel based on position of the first primary contact switch.

Abstract: A system may include a bottom deck to a shipping platform, and a block joined to the bottom deck. The system may also include a top deck joined to the block. The system may further include a T1 lead-board structurally different from the top deck fastened to an edge of the top deck.

Abstract: A board removal apparatus for a wooden pallet includes a frame, and a carriage carried by the frame. The carriage includes a pair of spaced apart tables with a fixed gap therebetween. The carriage is movable between a pallet receiving position and a board removal position. The pallet is positioned on the carriage when in the pallet receiving position so that a board to be removed overlies the fixed gap. A board removal assembly is carried by the frame and includes a push rod and a board removal foot pad pivotally coupled thereto. The push rod and the board removal foot pad are inserted between adjacent stringers on the pallet when the carriage is in the board removal position.

Abstract: A system may include structural components, and joining areas on the structural components where fasteners connect the structural components into a shipping platform. The system may also include a wrap positioned on each selected joining area of selected structural components where the fasteners connect the selected structural components together.

Abstract: A system may include a bottom deck to a shipping platform. The system may also include a component affixed to the bottom member opposite the shipping platform's top to lower static coefficient of friction between the component and a floor the shipping platform in its load bearing usage position is resting on.

Abstract: A system may include a bottom deck to a shipping platform, and a block joined to the bottom deck. The system may also include a top deck joined to the block. The system may further include a T1 lead-board structurally different from the top deck fastened to an edge of the top deck.