Thermoformed load bearing pallet

Abstract

The loadable and readily moveable thermo-plastically constructed pallets of the present invention utilize three directionally longitudinally extending beams extending integrally downwardly from a horizontal and topically loadable panel. Respective beams at the lower-side are provided with a plurality of transversely alignable cutaways, including two medial-cutaways and two flanking-cutaways, the latter being adapted to rest rack wise upon a range of spaced apart rails. Also extending integrally downwards from such horizontal panel are a plurality of serpentine pallet-strengthening ribs, each rib being integrally attached to a pair of said beams.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE BY RELATED APPLICATIONS

Reference is made to Provisional Patent Applications nos. 61/464,289 (2011) and 61/633,965 (2012).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Loadable and readily movable pallets or platforms are well known in the prior art. As typified in U.S. Pat. No. 6,283,431 (4 Sep. 2001) there is the quest for providing conventionally movable, resinously thermoformed pallets utilizing minimal resinous structural material yet consistent with attaining high pallet loads. Such objectives include high loads whether the pallet is resting upon a horizontally extending substrate or whether the pallet is resting upon a plural-rails rack.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With the above sought objectives in view: The loadable and readily movable thermo-plastically constructed pallets of the present invention utilize three directionally longitudinally extending beams extending integrally downwardly from a horizontal and topically loadable panel. Respective beams at the lower-side are provided with a plurality of transversely transversely alignable cutaways, including two medial-cutaways and two flanking-cutaways, the latter being adapted to rest rackwise upon a range of spaced apart rails. Also extending integrally downwards from such horizontal panel are a plurality of serpentine pallet-strengthening ribs, each rib being integrally attached to a pair of said beams. Other secondary features are also mentioned herebelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

In the drawing, wherein like characters refer to like part in the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric top plan view of a representative embodiment ETP of the Thermoformed Load Bearing Pallet concept of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view, akin to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an isometric bottomward detail view of representative ribs configuration for the embodiment ETP generally shown in drawing FIGS. 1-7;

FIG. 4 is a directionally long-tudinally extending sectional elevational view of embodiment ETP, taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is directional transversely extending elevational view of embodiment ETP:

FIG. 6 is an isometric bottomward view of embodiment ETP;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view akin to FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a detail elevational view, especially emphasizing one secondary feature e.g. at stretch wrap anchoring prints (80).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The thermoformed resinous pallet embodiment showing FIGS. 1-7 comprises three main integrally structurally-continuous components including a topically loadable horizontal panel (10), three parallel directionally longitudinally beams (20) extending downwardly of panel (10), and also extending downwardly of panel (10), a plurality of serpentine pallet-strengthening ribs (30), each such rib being endwise integrally connected to a pair of such beams (20).

A typically rectangular such resinous horizontal panel 10 has an upper-surface 11 for topically supporting a load thereupon. Also utilizable are shoulders (15) extending integrally upwardly along the rectangular circumference of panel 10. Panel 10 has a generally horizontal lower-surface 12.

Extending integrally downwardly from panel lower-surface 12 are three directionally longitudinally extending, and directionally transversely separated, beams 20. Each beam has a directionally longitudinally extending lower-extremity 21 the plane of which is adapted to downwardly abut a floor or other horizontal substrate. Each beam 20 longitudinally therealong is bottom wise provided with a plurality of cutaways extending transversely therethrough. Such cutaways include two medial-cutaways (22) and two flanking-cutaways (22). For reason to be explained later, respective such cutaways are directionally transversely alignable.

Similarly extending integrally downwards from panel lower-surface 12 are a plurality of pallet-strengthening ribs e.g. 30. The lower-ends e.g. 31 for such ribs 30 lie at an elevation above the beams lower-extremities 21. Preferably such ribs 30 might be parallel to each other and preferably take a serpentine form. Ends of each such rib 30 are integrally connected to a pair of such beams 20. Ancillary to thermoforming manufacturing processes, and the pallet's economical strength enhancing properties, the panel top-surface 11 has downward indentations corresponding to the locations of beams 20 and ribs 30.

It is thusly apparent that the directionally transverse separations TS between longitudinal beams 20 and the directionally transversely alignable medial-cutaways 22 provide so-called “4-ways lifting” capability for a such pallet e.g. ETP. For example, a forklift can enter in either longitudinal direction between transversely separated (T.S) beams 20, and additionally in either transverse direction along transversely alignable medial cutaways 22.

It is also thusly apparent that the directionally transversely alignable flanking -cutaways 23 will permit the pallet to rest rackwise upon parallel rails e.g. RB.

A generous longitudinal extent for flanking-cutaways 23 will accommodate rails separations of substantially 32-42 inches, without detracting from pallet loadability.

Generally rectangular pallets having a circumference of about 200-inches, and thermoformed throughout of high density polyethylene, or equivalent resinous material, might weigh as little as 20-pounds yet have the following load capabilities;

• • when resting (21) upon a horizontal substrate, an evenly distributed topical load of 2-tons; and when resting rackwise (23 at RB), an evenly distributed topical load of 1-ton.
  • Pallet secondary features briefly alluded to here above include;
  • A. nestability for serially stacked pallets;
  • B. slots for accommodating strapping and/or banding for securing topical loads (e. g. 20);
  • C. aptly positioned openings to enable easy manipulation of non-loaded pallets (e. g. 40);
  • D. stretch wrap anchor abutment points (e. g. 80); and
  • E. strategic drain holes (e. g. 70).
    From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the “thermoformed load-bearing platform” concept of the present invention will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the scope of the invention, except as decided in the appealed claims.

Claims

1. Pallet continuously molded throughout including a substantially rectangular horizontal panel provided with an upper-surface for supporting a topical load and an underlying lower-surface, and further comprising:

A. extending integrally downwardly from said panel lower-surface, three directionally transversely separated and directionally longitudinally extending beams, each beam being provided with a directionally longitudinally extending lower-extremity that collectively define a lower-plane adapted to downwardly abut an underlying horizontal substrate, and the lower-side of each leg including two flanking-cutaways that flank two medial-cutaways; and

B. extending integrally downwardly from said panel lower-surface, a plurality of directionally transversely extending pallet-strengthening ribs, each such rib being integrally connected to two such beams, lower-ends of such ribs lying in elevation above said beams lower-extremities.

2. The pallet structure of claim 1 wherein the panel upper-surface has indentations corresponding to the locations of said downwardly extending beams and pallet-strengthening ribs.

3. The pallet structure of claim 2 wherein the said collectively directionally transversely alignable medial-cutaways provide dual-transverse admissions of a suitable lifting means; wherein the said directionally transverse separations of the legs provides dual-longitudinal admissions of a such lifting means; and wherein the said collectively transversely directionally allignable flanking-cutaways provide pallet rack ability upon a dual-bars rack.

4. The pallet structure of claim 3 wherein said horizontal panel is provided there around with four upstanding shoulders, two extending directionally longitudinal in parallel said beams and the intervening two extending directionally transversely of said beams.

5. The pallet structure of claim 4 wherein, for such directionally transversely alignable flanking-cutaways, are directionally longitudinally sufficient to accommodate various dimensions of dual-bars racks to accommodate rack spacings within the range of about 32-inches to 42-inches.

6. The pallet structure of claim 5 further having:

a. nestability for serially stacked pallets;

b. slots for accommodating strapping and/or banding for securing topical loads (e.g.20);

c. aptly positioned openings to enable easy manipulation of non-loaded pallets (e.g.40);

d. stretch wrap anchor abutment points (e.g.80); and

e. strategic drain holes (e.g. 70).

7. The pallet of claim 1 constructed throughout of thermoplastic resinous material; wherein the panel has a circumference of about 200-inches and the pallet weighs only about 20 pounds, yet able to support a 2-tons uniform load when the legs' lower-extremities rest upon a horizontal substrate, and a 1-ton uniform load when supported rack wise at transversely aligned beams inward-cutaways.

8. The pallet of claim 6 constructed throughout of high-density polyethylene;

wherein the panel has a circumference of substantially 200-inches and the pallet weighs only about 20-pounds, yet able to support a uniform 2-tons load when the legs' lower-extremities rest upon a floor and at least a uniform 1-ton load when supported rack wise upon transversely aligned beams inward-cutaways.