Stackable pallet

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a pallet for the stacking and movement of material and/or paper boxes. The pallet includes a rectangular platform having a length and width that generally conform to the length and width of a paper box. Each end of the top surface of the platform includes a series of recesses in liner alignment across the width. The pallet includes support posts under each end of the platform with one support post positioned on the bottom surface of the platform directly underneath one of the recesses. The support posts are dimensioned so that the support posts on the bottom of one pallet will nest in recesses in the top of another pallet when the pallets are stacked for storage. The space between the two rows of support posts accommodates the introduction of the blade of a hand truck under the pallet.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/835,463, filed on Apr. 16, 2001, from which priority is claimed.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

[0002] Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The invention relates generally to moving and storage equipment and, more particularly to a lightweight, stackable pallet well suited for the storage and movement of paperboard boxes, such as copy paper boxes.

[0004] Pallets used for the storage and movement of bulk materials or items are known to the art. In general, known pallets are relatively low profile, rectangular frame structures. These pallets have a bottom-slatted surface, which rests directly on the floor or ground, and a top slatted surface connected together by horizontally extending braces. Materials are placed or stacked on the top surface. Generally, space is provided between the top and bottom surfaces and the between the braces to allow the introduction of the forks of a conventional forklift. These pallets generally are constructed from wooden slats and braces made of two inch by four-inch boards. To accommodate a practical amount of heavy materials and to withstand movement by a forklift, the typical wooden pallet is relatively large and heavy.

[0005] These large pallets are well suited for handling heavy bulk items transported in large trucks or trailers, moved about by a forklift, and stored in large warehouses or storage facilities. However, due to their size and weight, they are not practical for movement by smaller transporters such as a two-wheel cart or hand truck. Known pallets are not practical for storage and movement of small items, lightweight items or a relatively small number of items. Conventional heavy wood pallets are not well suited for use in a space-restricted environment. For example, these known pallets are not suited for use in a small storage facility or office space. Furthermore, the large, heavy pallets are cumbersome and not convenient to store when not in use.

[0006] My invention recognizes several particular uses for pallets in which conventional or known pallets are not well suited. For example, it has been observed that a large amount of paper, particularly printer or copier paper, is stored and used in office or workplace environments or stored and shipped by paper suppliers. The paper is provided in standard boxes, which generally are constructed from paperboard and are about 18 inches long, 12 inches wide and 12 inches in height. Likewise, it has been observed that storage boxes, commonly referred to as “banker's boxes” are used to store and transport printed documents and the like. These “banker's boxes” commonly are constructed from paper board and are about 16 inches long, 12 inches wide and 10 to 12 inches in height. In most cases, these boxes are full of paper, heavy, and stacked for storage. It will be appreciated that it is impractical to use conventional large, heavy wooden pallets for storage or transportation for these types of boxes. Consequently, the boxes are set directly on the floor for storage. And, when more than one or two boxes are transported, generally they are stacked and moved on a conventional hand truck.

[0007] It will also be appreciated that typical storage and transportation methods for these paper board boxes can be inconvenient and cumbersome. For example, the boxes that rest directly on the floor sometimes are difficult to grasp and move. The boxes can be heavy, when full, and it is difficult to get hands or fingers under the boxes to lift them. Furthermore, it can be difficult to slide the platform of the hand truck under the boxes. The boxes can be damaged in the process of sliding the platform of the hand truck underneath the paperboard box. Also, boxes setting directly on the floor can be exposed to moisture, dirt or other contaminants. In addition to damage to the contents, wet boxes are quite difficult to move by hand or by cart. It would be advantageous, therefore, to have an apparatus to facilitate the storage and transport of boxes, such as copier and printer paper boxes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] It is among the objects of the invention to provide a convenient pallet for the stacking, storage and movement of small or small quantities of materials and/or boxes.

[0009] It is another object of the invention to provide such a pallet that is dimensioned to accommodate one or more paperboard boxes stacked on the pallet.

[0010] Another object of the invention is to provide such a pallet that can easily be lifted and moved by a conventional two-wheel cart or hand truck.

[0011] Another object of the invention is to provide such a pallet that is designed to allow stacking of more than one pallet for convenient storage when the pallets are not in use.

[0012] Still another object of the invention is to provide such a pallet that is lightweight, economical to manufacture, easy to use, and well suited for its intended purposes.

[0013] In accordance with the invention, generally stated, a pallet to accommodate the stacking and movement of materials and/or boxes is provided. The pallet includes a rectangular platform that, in a preferred embodiment, has a length and width that generally conforms to the length and width of a typical paper box. Each end of the top surface of the platform includes a series recesses or cavities in liner alignment across the width. In the preferred embodiment, there are three recesses formed along each end of the top surface. The pallet includes support posts under each end of the platform. In the preferred embodiment, there are three support posts under each end of the platform. One support post is position on the bottom surface of the platform directly underneath each one of the recesses. The support posts are dimensioned so that the support posts on the bottom of one pallet will nest in recesses in the top of another pallet when the pallets are stacked for storage. To facilitate movement of the pallets, when under load, in the preferred embodiment the length of the space between the two rows of support posts is such so as to allow the introduction of the hand truck under the pallet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the box pallet of the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 2 is a top plan view thereof;

[0016] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view thereof;

[0017] FIG. 4 is an end plan view thereof;

[0018] FIG. 5 is an end plan of the end opposite of that shown in FIG. 4;

[0019] FIG. 6 is an end plan view of three box pallets of the present invention in a stacked arrangement; and

[0020] FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of a box pallet of the present invention with boxes thereon, loaded on a hand truck.

[0021] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding structures throughout the various drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0022] The box pallet of the present invention is indicated generally by reference numeral 10 in the drawings. As shown, the box pallet 10 includes a main platform 12. Although the platform can be of any dimension, in the preferred embodiment platform 12 is about 12 inches wide and about 18 inches long, which corresponds to the general width and length of a copier paper or printer paper boxes B, generally as shown in FIG. 7. The platform is approximately 1 inch thick.

[0023] The platform 12 has a top surface 13 and a first end 14 and a second end 16. First end 14 has three rectangular cavities or recesses 18, 20 and 22 formed therein. Recesses 18, 20 and 22 are evenly spaced apart and in linear alignment across the width of end 14. In the preferred embodiment, each recess is about 1-½ inches wide, about 2½ inches long, and about ¾ inch deep. The recesses are spaced about 2 inches apart. The surface of second end 16 also has three recesses 24, 26 and 28 which are evenly spaced apart and in linear alignment across the width of end 16. Recesses 24, 26 and 28 are opposite of, and in linear alignment with, recesses 18, 20 and 22 respectively. Recesses 24, 26 and 28 have approximately the same dimensions as recesses 18, 20 and 22.

[0024] There is a first row of three support posts 30, 32, 34 under end 14 of platform 12. Correspondingly, there is second row of three support posts 36, 38 and 40 under the opposite end 16 of the platform. The post can be integral with the bottom surface 41 of the platform or can be formed separately and attached to bottom surface 41. It will be appreciated that posts 30, 32 and 34 are in linear alignment across the width of the bottom of the platform and are positioned on the bottom surface 41 of platform 12 at end 14 directly beneath the center of recesses 18, 20 and 22, respectively. Likewise, posts 36, 38 and 40 are in linear alignment across the width of the bottom surface 41 of the platform at the opposite end 16 and positioned on the bottom surface of the platform directly beneath the center of recesses 24, 26 and 28, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, each post is approximately 1-¾ inches long, approximately 1 inch wide and about 1-¼ inches in height. As best seen in FIG. 3, there is an open space S, between the two rows of posts. The width of open space S is such that the platform section of a conventional hand truck can slide under platform 12, between the rows of posts, as seen in FIG. 7. Generally space S is a little greater than 14 inches, the width of a blade BL on a convention hand truck T (FIG. 7).

[0025] As will be appreciated from the description of the recesses and the posts, a number of pallets 10 can be conveniently stacked, as shown in FIG. 7. The support posts of one pallet will nest in the recesses in the top surface of the pallet below it. This arrangement reduces the overall height of the stacked pallets and prevents the pallets from slide or shifting when moved in the stacked or nested arrangement.

[0026] The pallet 10 further comprises two display areas 42. The display areas 42 preferably comprise recessed portions that display the same or different advertisements. The advertisements may be molded into the pallet 10 or they may be decals placed within the recesses that may be removed or covered with more decals. The advertisements are readily viewable by anyone who loads or unloads the pallet and therefore are preferably targeted to provide advertising for products or services relevant to the individuals who are loading or unloading the product placed upon the pallet 10.

[0027] The novel pallet 10 of the present invention is ideal for the storage and movement of boxes B, as shown in FIG. 7. Because pallet 10 is appropriately dimension to seat a box B, no substantial portion of pallet 10 extends out beyond the sides of the box. This makes movement of the pallet and boxes easier and safer, since the pallet is not exposed to strike other objects or persons. Because the posts are approximately 1-¼ inches in height, boxes on the pallet are elevated enough distance above the floor to keep them from getting wet or damaged, but not so high as to be in a precarious position. The 1-½ inch clearance is ample to allow easy introduction of the blade BL of hand truck T under the pallet. The pallets can be stacked, as shown in FIG. 6. Due to the nesting arrangement, stacked pallets can be moved without danger of shifting or sliding.

[0028] The pallet 10 of the present invention can be constructed from any appropriate, durable and lightweight material, without departing from the scope of the invention. Preferably, for example, pallet 10 can be molded from recycled plastic.

Claims

1. A pallet for stacking and movement of at least one standard paperboard box and size for use with and movement by a hand dolly comprising:

a rectangular platform having a length dimension and a width dimension which generally correspond to the length and width of the standard paperboard box, such that the length dimension is greater than the width dimension, the platform having a substantially flat upper surface and a bottom surface, the width dimension of the platform defining a first end and a second end, the first and the second ends of the top surface of the platform each having a series of linearly aligned recesses formed therein along the width dimension of the platform;

a series of support post under each end of said platform, each support post of each series of support posts being positioned on the bottom surface of the platform directly underneath and aligned with one of the recesses formed in said ends of said top surface, the support posts being dimensioned so that the support posts on the bottom of one pallet will nest in the corresponding recess of the top surface of another pallet when the pallets are stacked on top of one another for storage, the length dimension of said platform between the aligned support posts being size to receive the hand dolly; and

at least one display area comprising a recessed portion with an advertisement displayed within the recessed portion.

2. The pallet of claim 1 wherein the at least one recessed portion comprises two recessed portions and the advertisements displayed therein are rotated 180 degrees with respect to one another.

3. The pallet of claim 2 wherein the advertisement is molded into the platform.

4. The pallet of claim 3 wherein the at least one recessed portion comprises two recessed portions and the advertisements displayed therein are rotated 180 degrees with respect to one another.