Abstract: A reinforced pallet (20) and method for making the same are disclosed. The pallet (20) includes a body (28) having a pair of laterally spaced apart edge portions (56) with a central span (60) extending therebetween. A flexible tensile member (26) extends between the edge portions (56) and generally beneath the central span (60). The tensile member (26) may be in the form of a mesh affixed between upper and lower decks (22,24) of the pallet (20). When the edge portions (56) of the pallet (20) are simply supported and a load is place atop the pallet (20), the central span (60) of the pallet (20) will vertically deflect in response to the load. The central span (60) will bear upon the tensile member (26) with the tensile member providing support against deflection. A method for retrofitting a pallet (200) includes adding a tensile member (210) to the pallet (200) to reduce the amount of deflection of the pallet (200) when simply supported in response to a load placed atop the pallet (200).

Abstract: A plastic pallet has improved strength characteristics by the use of bosses arranged so as to avoid forming hinge lines in the deck. The arrangement is generally non-symmetrical about any axis of the deck. The bosses can be of varying sizes and varying depth.

Abstract: A reinforced pallet (20) and method for making the same are disclosed. The pallet (20) includes a body (28) having a pair of laterally spaced apart edge portions (56) with a central span (60) extending therebetween. A flexible tensile member (26) extends between the edge portions (56) and generally beneath the central span (60). The tensile member (26) may be in the form of a mesh affixed between upper and lower decks (22,24) of the pallet (20). When the edge portions (56) of the pallet (20) are simply supported and a load is place atop the pallet (20), the central span (60) of the pallet (20) will vertically deflect in response to the load. The central span (60) will bear upon the tensile member (26) with the tensile member providing support against deflection. A method for retrofitting a pallet (200) includes adding a tensile member (210) to the pallet (200) to reduce the amount of deflection of the pallet (200) when simply supported in response to a load placed atop the pallet (200).

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for distributing a load applied thereto, such as by a shipping pallet. The apparatus comprises first and second thermoformed plastic sheets. The first sheet has a generally planar surface, a central indentation and a plurality of symmetrical peripheral indentations disposed around the central indentation, and a plurality of first ribs extending radially from the central indentation. The second sheet is joined with the first sheet and has a series of adjacent first channels which form a generally diamond-shaped patten. Each pair of adjacent first channels is separated by a raised portion including a groove and a pair of second ribs flanking the groove. Both the first channels and the grooves of the second sheet are recessed below a plane defined by the raised portions, the grooves being recessed to a depth less than the first channels.