PALLET

Abstract

A stackable pallet device for use in the transportation of goods includes a flat body having an upper face and a lower face. The upper face is open to a plurality of substantially hollow and elongate support members depending from the lower face of the flat body for forming the lower side of the pallet device. The elongate support members are shaped so that stackable pallet devices can nest one above another.

Description

AREA OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the area of transport of goods whether by land or sea or air where such goods are customarily transported on pallets. In particular the invention relates to a multi purpose pallet which can be used in relation to a plurality of transport means and for a variety of applications.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

There are many pallets available of different designs for stacking and transporting goods. These are generally flat topped and are provided with support devices below to raise them above any surface that may be placed on such that fork lift tines and the like can be used to lift the pallets.

Different pallets have customarily been designed for specific applications and as a result there is little uniformity of design or dimensions. For example the pallet strength required for certain goods may differ greatly from that required for others.

As a result goods during transit may have to be loaded and unloaded from pallets suitable for shipping container travel to ones suitable for trucking and so on.

In addition such pallets need to be returned to their place of departure or, alternatively be destroyed as is often the case with wooden pallets. The latter course is costly however wooden pallets occupy a large volume when loaded for return and are costly to transport unused. Another disadvantage with wooden pallets is that they are prone to damage.

An alternative option is to use plastic pallets. These are much more durable than wooden pallets but are more costly and have the same disadvantages with respect to returning to their place of origin as do the wooden pallets.

To some extent the latter problem can be ameliorated by the provision of stackable pallets however those known in the art to date tend to be provided with nested “leg” type supports which are vulnerable to damage and prevent appropriate storage on racking as fork tines cannot pass under the pallets of that type of design.

OUTLINE OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide a pallet device for use as a pallet in the transportation of goods which pallet device can be stacked when not in use in a relatively compact fashion such that a minimal volume is occupied during transport of unloaded pallets.

It is also an object of the invention that the pallet device of the invention be stackable but also be provided with interlocking means both for use as a pallet and for other applications.

It is a further object of the invention that the pallet device of the invention have the requisite strength for carrying most loads of a type customarily transported on pallets and be able to be used for virtually all desired goods pallet transport applications.

The invention is a stackable pallet device for use in the transportation of goods said pallet device including a flat body having an upper face and a lower face, the upper face being open to a plurality of generally hollow and elongate support members depending from the lower face of the pallet body to form the lower side of the pallet device, the elongate support members being shaped such that the pallet devices can nest one above the other.

It is preferred that the generally elongate support members be situated adjacent a first side and an opposing second side of the pallet and that a third elongate support member be positioned parallel to and between these members.

It is further preferred that the hollow part of each elongate member depending from the lower face of the pallet include a hollow central well component joined at each side to an offset hollow foot device by a hollow wall of approximately half the depth of the central well thereby defining a gap through which fork lift tines may pass.

It is also preferred that each foot device be offset just to a side of the well.

It is preferred that the undersides of two pallet devices can interengage to form a unitary stronger pallet unit.

It is further preferred that this connection be effected by interengagement of the elongate support members of two pallet devices.

It may be further preferred that these pallet devices be fastened together by connection means, the precise means not being restricted in the invention.

It may also be preferred that the pallet devices be attachable to other containers for use as removable connectors.

It is further preferred that the pallet device be provided with additional reinforcement means where required.

It may be preferred that the periphery of the pallet device be reinforced with a metal or other boundary.

It may also be preferred that reinforcement means be applied to the base of the walls between the well and feet of the elongate support members.

It is preferred that the pallet devices be manufactured from a moulded plastic type material.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood we shall describe by way of non limiting example a particular embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 Shows a perspective view of the lower side of the pallet device of the invention;

FIG. 2 Shows a perspective view of the lower side of the pallet device of the invention with skid devices provided on the base of the elongate members;

FIG. 3 Shows an upper plan view of the pallet device;

FIG. 4 Shows two pallet devices, one inverted and rotated through 180 degrees;

FIG. 5 The pallet devices of FIG. 4 when interengaged;

FIG. 6 The concept shown in FIG. 5 as applied to other devices;

FIG. 7 Shows the compact stackibility of the pallet devices;

FIG. 8 Shows the pallet devices stacked for rack storage;

FIG. 9 Shows stacked paired pallet devices;

FIG. 10 Shows a perspective view of the pallet device of the invention with various reinforcement means;

FIG. 11 Shows a plan view of the pallet device of the invention with reinforcement means in situ;

FIG. 12 Shows a compressive means of fastening the reinforcing means to the pallet device;

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a pallet device for use in the transportation of goods which pallet is preferably dimensioned such that it is able to be used for the entire journey of such goods both within a country and internationally. The precise dimensions of the pallet device are however not restricted in the invention,

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the pallet device is manufactured from a synthetic material such as a plastic which is both stronger and lighter than pallets of other materials such as a wood and less prone to environmental and other damage. An important feature of the invention is the stackable nature of the pallet devices which minimises the volume occupied by the pallet devices when stacked for transport.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is a single pallet device which functions as an improved pallet in yew of the prior art and is used in the transportation of goods.

The pallet device 10 of the invention as shown in FIG. 1 includes a flat body 15 with periphery 14 having an upper face 16 and a lower face 17, the upper face 16 being open to a plurality of generally hollow and elongate support members 20 depending from the lower face 17 of the pallet body to form the lower side of the pallet device, the elongate support members being shaped such that the pallet devices can nest one above the other as shown in FIG. 7.

Although the number of elongate support members used is not restricted in the invention It is preferred that one such member be situated adjacent a first side and a second member be situated along an opposing second side of the pallet with a third elongate support member positioned parallel to and between these members as shown in the accompanying Figures.

While the precise shape of each hollow elongate support member is also not restricted in the invention it is preferred that each member depending from the lower face of the pallet include a hollow central well device 30 joined at each side to an offset hollow foot device 50 by a hollow wall device 40 of approximately half the depth of the central well thereby defining a gap 45 through which fork lift tines may pass.

While the support members are generally elongate as shown in FIG. 3 each foot device is offset just to a side of the well such that when one pallet device is inverted over the lower face 17 of a pallet device and rotated through 180 degrees the lower faces of these two pallet devices can interengage as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Provision for fastening these devices together is made using reinforcing plates 60 and 65 with connection members 70 which in this preferred embodiment of the invention are screw means although the precise means is not restricted in the invention.

By this means two pallet devices can interengage to form a unitary stronger pallet unit.

In a further embodiment of the invention the pallet devices may be attached to other containers or devices for use as removable connectors as shown in FIG. 6.

In addition, if required, the pallet device be provided with additional reinforcement means as shown in FIG. 10. In particular the periphery of the pallet device may be reinforced with a metal peripheral support 80, or other preferred material, about its boundary. An internal reinforcement means 90 in the form of a grid, as shown in FIG. 10, is also provided as is a strengthening member 100 positioned in the base of the wall members.

Such reinforcement is not necessarily essential but may be preferred for certain applications where additional strength is required. This is demonstrated in FIG. 11 which shows a plan view of part of the reinforcement system of the invention including fastening means 110 for securing the reinforcing to the pallet by compressive means as shown in FIG. 12. Alternatively the reinforcing may be located in the pallet device during moulding.

The invention provides a sturdy and versatile pallet device which is not prone to the damage which can occur with wooden pallets and the like and is highly transportable.

The invention described is not restricted as to the type of materials used or the appearance and shape of its component parts and while we have described herein one particular embodiment of the invention it is to be understood that variations and modifications in the materials used and the features described can still lie within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1-12. (canceled)

13. A stackable pallet device for use in transporting goods, comprising:

a flat body having an upper face and a lower face, said upper face being open to a plurality of substantially hollow and elongate support members depending from said lower face of said flat body for forming a lower side of said stackable pallet device, said elongate support members being shaped for permitting a first said stackable pallet device to nest above a second said stackable pallet device.

14. The stackable pallet device for use in transporting goods according to claim 13, wherein said elongate support members are situated adjacent a first side and a second side of said stackable pallet device, said second side being an opposing side relative to said first side, and with an additional elongate support member being positioned parallel to, and between, said elongate support members.

15. The stackable pallet device for use in transporting goods according to claim 13, wherein a hollow part of each elongate support member of said plurality of substantially hollow and elongate support members depending from said lower face of said flat body includes a central well component joined at each side to an offset foot device by a hollow wall of approximately half a depth of said central well for defining a gap through which fork lift tines are passable.

16. The stackable pallet device for use in transporting goods according to claim 15, wherein each said offset foot device is offset to a side of said central well.

17. The stackable pallet device for use in transporting goods according to claim 13, wherein said lower side of each of two stackable pallet devices are inter-engageable.

18. The stackable pallet device for use in transporting goods according to claim 17, wherein said two stackable pallet devices are connected with additional connection means when interengaged.

19. The stackable pallet device for use in transporting goods according to claim 13, wherein said stackable pallet device is attachable to a surface of an object so that said lower side of said stackable pallet device is usable as an interengagement means with the surface of the object.

20. The stackable pallet device for use in transporting goods according to claim 13, wherein said stackable pallet device is made of plastic.

21. The stackable pallet device for use in transporting goods according to claim 13, further comprising means for reinforcing structural integrity of said stackable pallet device.

22. The stackable pallet device for use in transporting goods according to claim 21, wherein said means for reinforcing structural integrity of said stackable pallet device includes reinforcing said stackable pallet device with a metal band.