Pallet assembly

Abstract

A pallet assembly includes a pair of elongate lifting tine receiving members. Each of the lifting tine receiving members has an open first end, an open second end, a top surface and opposed sides. An integrally formed longitudinal engagement member extends like a spine along the top surface between the first end and the second end. At least one body is provided having a bottom surface with a pair of longitudinal engagement channels. Each of the engagement channels has a first end, a second end, and is adapted to interlock with the engagement member of one of the lifting tine receiving members when the engagement member is inserted into one of the engagement channels from one of the first end or the second end.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a pallet assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As shipping costs increase, it is becoming impractical to ship a fully assembled pallet across the country. Instead, pallet assemblies have been developed, which enable pallets to be disassembled and the pieces shipped in relatively compact bundles in order to reduce shipping costs. The pallet assemblies can then be reassembled in preparation for use, when they arrive at their destination.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an alternative configuration of pallet assembly.

According to the present invention there is provided a pallet assembly which includes a pair of elongate lifting tine receiving members. Each of the lifting tine receiving members has an open first end, an open second end, a top surface and opposed sides. An integrally formed longitudinal engagement member extends like a spine along the top surface between the first end and the second end. At least one body is provided having a bottom surface with a pair of longitudinal engagement channels. Each of the engagement channels has a first end, a second end, and is adapted to interlock with the engagement member of one of the lifting tine receiving members when the engagement member is inserted into one of the engagement channels from one of the first end or the second end.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to in any way limit the scope of the invention to the particular embodiment or embodiments shown, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an end view of the first embodiment of an elongate lifting tine receiving member constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the first embodiment of a pallet assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of a plank illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an end view of an alternative form of the elongate lifting tine receiving member illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an end view of an alternative form of the elongate lifting tine receiving member illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an end view of a second alternative form of the elongate lifting tine receiving member illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is an end view of the second embodiment of an elongate lifting tine receiving member constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the second embodiment of a pallet assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an end view of the pallet assembly illustrated in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of a first weight bearing sheet illustrated in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of a second weight bearing sheet illustrated in FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is an end view of the first embodiment of an elongate lifting tine receiving member illustrated in FIG. 1, disassembled for storage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A first preferred embodiment, a pallet assembly generally identified by reference numeral 10, will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 6 and 12 . A second preferred embodiment, a pallet assembly generally identified by reference numeral 100, will now be described with reference to FIGS. 7 through 11.

Structure and Relationship of Parts of the First Embodiment:

Referring to FIG. 2, pallet assembly 10 has a pair of elongate lifting tine receiving members 12, each of tine receiving members 12 having an open first end 14 and an open second end 16. Referring to FIG. 1, tine receiving members 12 are further adapted with a top surface 18, an open bottom 20, opposed sides 22, and an integrally formed longitudinal dove tail engagement member 24, which extends like a spine along top surface 18 between first end 14 and second end 16 as illustrated in FIG. 2. Referring to FIG. 1, each of tine receiving members 12 has an inwardly extending flange 26 which extends inwardly from a remote edge 28 of opposed sides 22. Referring to FIG. 3, several planks 30 are provided, having a bottom surface 32 with a pair of dove tail engagement channels 34, each of engagement channels 34 having a first end 36 and a second end 38. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, each of dove tail engagement channels 34 of planks 30 are adapted to interlock with each of dove tail engagement members 24 of tine receiving members 12 when engagement member 24 is inserted into one of engagement channels 34 from one of first end 36 or second end 38. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, alternate profiles of tine receiving members 12 are shown wherein each of opposed sides 22 has at least one concave channel 40. It will be appreciated that various numbers of planks 30 and lengths of tine receiving members 12 may be used.

Operation of the First Embodiment:

The use and operation of pallet assembly 10 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 6 and FIG. 12. Referring to FIG. 12, where pallet 10 illustrated in FIG. 2, needs to be stored or shipped, each of planks 30 are slid along each of engagement members 24 until they are clear of tine receiving members 12. As a result, tine receiving members 12 and planks 30 may be bundled or otherwise packed in an efficient manner. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, where a pallet is to be assembled, tine receiving members 12 are spaced and engagement members 24 are interlocked with engagement channels 34 of each of planks 30 by inserting first end 14 or second end 16 of engagement member 24 into second end 38 or first end 36 of engagement channel 34 such that planks 10 are aligned into an integrated pallet as shown in FIG. 2. Referring to FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 where extra strength or durability may be required, reinforced tine receiving members with channels 40 may be used. Due to the ‘modular’ construction of the first embodiment pallet 10, it may be more suited to situations where flexibility and adaptation are required. Referring to FIG. 6, where extra strength or durability may be required, channels 40 such as those having a square shape as illustrated in FIG. 6 are preferred. It will also be appreciated that while As a result, tine receiving members 12 are shown as having engagement members 24 as illustrated in FIG. 4, more than one engagement members 24 could be provided as illustrated in FIG. 5.

Structure and Relationship of Parts of the Second Embodiment:

Referring to FIG. 8, pallet assembly 100 has a pair of elongate lifting tine receiving members 102, each of tine receiving members 102 having an open first end 104 and an open second end 106. Referring to FIG. 7, tine receiving members 102 are further adapted with a top surface 108, a closed bottom 110, opposed sides 112, and an integrally formed longitudinal dove tail engagement member 114, which extends like a spine along top surface 108 between first end 104 and second end 106 and an integrally formed longitudinal dove tail engagement member 115 which extends like a spine along the closed bottom 110 between first end 104 and second end 106 as illustrated in FIG. 8. Referring to FIG. 9, a first weight bearing sheet 116 has a bottom surface 118 with a pair of dove tail engagement channels 120. Referring to FIG. 10, each of engagement channels 120 has a first end 122 and a second end 124 and is adapted to interlock with engagement member 114 of one of tine receiving members 102 when engagement member 114 is inserted into one of engagement channels 120 from one of first end 122 or second end 124 as illustrated in FIG. 8. Referring to FIG. 9, a second weight bearing sheet 126 has a top surface 128 with a pair of dove tail engagement channels 130. Referring to FIG. 11, each of engagement channels 130 has a first end 132, a second end 134, and are adapted to interlock with engagement member 115 on closed bottom 110 of one of lifting tine receiving members 102 when engagement member 115 is inserted into one of engagement channels 130 from one of first end 132 or second end 134 as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. It will be appreciated that various dimensions of first weight bearing sheet 116 and second weight bearing sheet 126 and lengths of tine receiving members 102 may be used.

Operation of the Second Embodiment:

The use and operation of pallet assembly 100 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 7 through 11. Referring to FIG. 8, where pallet 100 needs to be stored or shipped, each of first weight bearing sheet 116 and second weight bearing sheet 126 are slid along each of engagement members 114 and 115 respectively until they are clear of tine receiving members 102. As a result, tine receiving members 102 and first weight bearing sheet 116 and second weight bearing sheet 126 may be bundled or otherwise stacked in an efficient manner. Referring to FIGS. 7, 10 and 11, where a pallet is to be assembled, tine receiving members 12 are spaced and engagement members 115 are interlocked with engagement channels 130 of second weight bearing sheet 126 by inserting first end 104 or second end 106 of engagement member 115 into second end 134 or first end 132 of engagement channels 130. Engagement members 114 are then interlocked with engagement channels 120 of first weight bearing sheet 116 by inserting first end 104 or second end 106 of engagement member 114 into second end 124 or first end 122 of engagement channel 120 such that first weight bearing sheet 116 and second weight bearing sheet 126 are aligned into an integrated pallet as shown in FIG. 8. Due to the ‘sandwich’ construction of the second embodiment pallet 100, it may be more suited to situations where rigidity and strength are required.

In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements.

It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter defined in the Claims.

Claims

1. A pallet assembly, comprising:

a pair of elongate lifting tine receiving members, each of the lifting tine receiving members having an open first end, an open second end, a top surface and opposed sides, and an integrally formed longitudinal engagement member which extends like a spine along the top surface between the first end and the second end;

at least one body having a bottom surface with a pair of engagement channels, each of the engagement channels having a first end, a second end, and being adapted to interlock with the engagement member of one of the lifting tine receiving members when the engagement member is inserted into one of the engagement channels from one of the first end or the second end.

2. The pallet assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein each of the lifting tine receiving members has an open bottom.

3. The pallet assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein each of the lifting tine receiving members have an inwardly extending flange extending inwardly from a remote edge of the opposed sides.

4. The pallet assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein each of the opposed sides has at least one concave channel.

5. The pallet assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the engagement member is a dove tail and the engagement channel is a dove tail.

6. The pallet assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein each of the lifting tine receiving members has a closed bottom.

7. The pallet assembly as defined in claim 6, wherein the closed bottom has an integrally formed longitudinal engagement member which extends like a spine along the closed bottom between the first end and the second end, and at least one body having a top surface with a pair of engagement channels, each of the engagement channels having a first end, a second end, and being adapted to interlock with the engagement member on the closed bottom of one of the lifting tine receiving members when the engagement member is inserted into one of the engagement channels from one of the first end or the second end.

8. The pallet assembly as defined in claim 6, wherein there is a single body in the form of a weight bearing sheet.

9. The pallet assembly as defined in claim 6, wherein there is more then one body in the form of planks.

10. A pallet assembly, comprising:

a pair of elongate lifting tine receiving members, each of the lifting tine receiving members having an open first end, an open second end, a top surface, an open bottom and opposed sides, and an integrally formed longitudinal dove tail engagement member which extends like a spine along the top surface between the first end and the second end, each of the lifting tine receiving members have an inwardly extending flange extending inwardly from a remote edge of the opposed sides; and

several planks having a bottom surface with a pair of dove tail engagement channels, each of the engagement channels having a first end, a second end, and being adapted to interlock with the engagement member of one of the lifting tine receiving members when the engagement member is inserted into one of the engagement channels from one of the first end or the second end.

11. The pallet assembly as defined in claim 10, wherein each of the opposed sides has at least one concave channel.

12. A pallet assembly, comprising:

a pair of elongate lifting tine receiving members, each of the lifting tine receiving members having an open first end, an open second end, a top surface, a closed bottom and opposed sides, an integrally formed longitudinal dove tail engagement member which extends like a spine along the top surface between the first end and the second end, and an integrally formed longitudinal dove tail engagement member which extends like a spine along the closed bottom between the first end and the second end;

a first weight bearing sheet having a bottom surface with a pair of dove tail engagement channels, each of the engagement channels having a first end, a second end, and being adapted to interlock with the engagement member of one of the lifting tine receiving members when the engagement member is inserted into one of the engagement channels from one of the first end or the second end; and

a second weight bearing sheet having a top surface with a pair of dove tail engagement channels, each of the engagement channels having a first end, a second end, and being adapted to interlock with the engagement member on the closed bottom of one of the lifting tine receiving members when the engagement member is inserted into one of the engagement channels from one of the first end or the second end.