Support Element Attachable To Or Separable From Support Surface Patents (Class 108/56.3)
  • Patent number: 11440701
    Abstract: A block assembly for connecting a first section and a second section of a load bearing assembly includes a male fitting and a female fitting. The male fitting includes a male fitting body and a projection extending from the male fitting body. The female fitting includes a female fitting body and defines a fitting cavity extending within an interior of the female fitting body. The male fitting couples with the female fitting by inserting the male fitting body within the fitting cavity and moving the male fitting body toward a base of the female fitting. The projection on the male fitting interacts with an interlocking joint on the female fitting to resist detachment of the male fitting with respect to the female fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Paxxal Inc.
    Inventors: Omar Shawaf, Ezzeldin Elmassry, Ben Stoller, Ellwood Phillip Hunt, III, Thomas Richard Hopson, III
  • Patent number: 11332080
    Abstract: A fixing piece, intended to immobilize at least one object on a fibrous covering in a motor vehicle, the fixing piece having a plate defining an upper surface and a lower surface configured to be oriented toward the fibrous covering, the upper surface being intended to come into contact with the object, and at least one object retaining stop protruding from the upper surface. The retaining stop is configured to maintain the object horizontally. The lower surface has a fibrous fixing structure configured to fix the fixing piece on the fibrous covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: FAURECIA AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRIE
    Inventors: Johnny Forget, Rémi Bouton, Xavier Bathelier
  • Patent number: 10858150
    Abstract: A securing device includes a base and a sheet placed on the base. The sheet includes a hole. A securing support is disposed opposite the hole of the sheet. A coupler secures the sheet to the base through the securing support. The securing support includes a contact face that contacts the coupler. The contact face includes a notch through which the securing support is removed from the coupler to separate the base from the sheet without removing the coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Hideyuki Goda
  • Patent number: 10487460
    Abstract: A deck module includes deck panels having a plate shape extending in a first direction and having deck grooves formed in both side surfaces thereof in the first direction, a bottom structure disposed on lower portions of the deck panels in a second direction crossing the first direction, and quick clip modules connected to a side surface of the bottom structure, wherein the quick clip modules comprise quick clip bases extending in the second direction, quick clip protrusions protruding from the quick clip bases in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction and having protrusion portions formed at ends of the quick clip protrusions to protrude in the second direction and correspond to the deck grooves, and quick clip supports protruding from the quick clip protrusions in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Inventor: Kyeong Jun Lee
  • Patent number: 10040599
    Abstract: Shipping pallets with a single-piece base, where the base is a substantially planar substrate with a top side and a bottom side, the pallet including a plurality of feet formed from depressions in the substrate, where each foot protrudes from the bottom side of the substrate in an arcuate fashion, and a plurality of partitions are disposed normally from the top side of the substrate with each partition smoothly meeting the substrate in an arcuate fashion. A lid is configured to fit atop the single-piece base covering the plurality of partitions to form a closed polygon cell system. In some examples, the partitions form chambers with four, five, six, eight, or twenty sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Haissam Haidar
    Inventor: Ibrahim El Kawam
  • Patent number: 9944449
    Abstract: A thermally insulating package comprises an outer shell (6) formed from a foam insulating material, a plurality of vacuum insulated panels (12) removably received on the walls of the outer shell (6) and a plurality of phase change material panels (18) arranged within the vacuum insulated panels (12) to define a payload space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Peli BioThermal Limited
    Inventors: Richard Wood, Sean Austerberry, Kevin Valentine, Karen Adams
  • Patent number: 9038273
    Abstract: A shipping pallet having a top deck, a bottom skid, and a plurality of posts disposed between and separating the top deck and the bottom skid such that at least one tow fork is able to be positioned between the top deck and the bottom skid. The shipping pallet also includes a plurality of collars formed as part of the top deck, and the posts are integrally formed as part of the bottom skid. Each of the plurality of posts is received into and connected to a respective one of the plurality of collars. There is also a plurality of reinforcements, and each of the reinforcements is disposed within and surrounded by a post. Each post and reinforcement is received into one of the collars, and the post is connected to the collar through a connection point, such as an adhesive joint or thermoplastic weld.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Grgac, Stephen R. Roddy, Matthew R. Plauman
  • Patent number: 9016212
    Abstract: A wrap for a retail display, e.g., a pallet, is provided. The wrap includes corner units and a strap. The strap is releasably interfaced with corner units, with the corner units locating the strap relative to a retail display. The strap may include indicia such as printed indicia, such as, for example, advertisements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Southern Imperial, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Valiulis
  • Publication number: 20150068436
    Abstract: A pallet assembly includes a support base including a support deck having a plurality of openings. A plurality of pallets each include a pallet deck having a plurality of feet extending downward therefrom. The plurality of pallets are arranged such that the plurality of feet are received in the plurality of openings in the support deck of the support base. In this manner, a plurality of smaller pallets can be handled as a single standard size pallet, including being stacked in a pallet rack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: John B. Zelek, Jon P. Hassell
  • Patent number: 8950342
    Abstract: A plastic pallet has a top part and a bottom part and multiple runners and foot elements. The foot elements have multiple ribs which extend over the entire height of the foot elements. The foot elements of the top part and bottom part are fully insertable into each other and lockable by means of latching connections, wherein the joined foot elements have a double wall. The ribs of the foot elements have semicircular recesses for receiving reinforcement tubes, and projections for fixing the tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Georg Utz Holding AG
    Inventor: Patrik Plattner
  • Publication number: 20150033991
    Abstract: Pallet (P) base (1) which comprises an internal honeycomb structure made of plastic (2) two metal sheets (3, 4) arranged on either side of the plastic internal structure (2) two outer sheets of plastic (5, 6) adjoined to the metal sheets (3, 4) wherein the ends of the joining edges (7) of the honeycomb cells overhang said cells, the metal sheets (3, 4) being provided with through-holes (8) for passage of the ends of said edges (7), in such a way that it is possible to closely bind said ends to the outer sheets of plastic (5, 6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventor: Josep Ramon VIOLA TERÈS
  • Patent number: 8943979
    Abstract: A modular pallet constructed from individual parts, to form a transporting pallet or a storage pallet, by using intermediate components of different dimensions, and changeable from a transporting pallet to a storage pallet for use in a high-bay warehouse by moving adapters beneath the transporting rails automatically when entering the high-bay warehouse, and back from a storage pallet to a transporting pallet by removing the adapters again when leaving the high-bay warehouse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Konsortium Two in One
    Inventors: Pascal Gysin, Bruno Weiss
  • Patent number: 8936226
    Abstract: A support frame for a modular lectern is assembled together with a top board, a bottom board and a divider board to form the modular lectern and is provided with a main board, a first connecting member and a second connecting member, wherein the parts of the support frame of are locked together in a tongue and groove manner, and can be disassembled into the three main parts: the main board, the first connecting member and the second connecting member, which can be stacked one upon another together with the top, bottom and divider boards for easy transportation. Furthermore, the top and bottom boards are pivoted to the main board via the first and second connecting portions, so that the top and bottom boards can be folded to further save transportation space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Inventor: Chuan-Ching Chang
  • Patent number: 8887646
    Abstract: A pallet used for stowing and transporting items for shipping. The pallet design of the present invention includes a top deck, a bottom skid, and several posts for providing support between the top deck and bottom skid. The posts are integrated with either the top deck or bottom skid. Within each pallet post is a steel tube reinforcement that is overmolded directly into the bottom skid, or is assembled after the pallet post is molded. The supports, which are typically hollow posts, are molded onto either the top deck or bottom skid, and a thermoplastic weld or adhesive joint is applied to the posts to complete the assembly. The palled having the integrated posts and reinforcements provides an economical approach of reinforcing pallet posts to absorb tow fork impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Tommy J. Skudutis, Steven Grgac
  • Patent number: 8863671
    Abstract: A secondary or spill containment pallet that is the combination of a base or reservoir member composed of a flexible, non-self-sustaining material, one or more horizontally disposed apertured deck members, and an internal load-bearing support structure capable of supporting the deck member and liquid containers disposed on the deck members. The support structure maintains the deck members a suitable distance above the bottom of the base member such that a large internal volume is created, whereby liquid leaking or spilling from the containers will be received and retained within the base member, the walls of which are suspended from or attached to the deck members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Inventor: Mark D. Shaw
  • Patent number: 8833270
    Abstract: The plastic pallet structure includes a supporting base and loading plates. The supporting base includes first bases and second bases. Each first base includes a first base body, first opening clamping portions and first arch bridge portions. The first opening clamping portions and the first arch bridge portions are respectively disposed on two first long side edges of the first base body. Each second base includes a second base body, second opening clamping portions and second arch bridge portions. The second opening clamping portions and the second arch bridge portions are disposed on a second long side edge of the second base body. When the loading plates load goods, forks of a forklift are inserted in to the second bases, so that the forks of the forklift are abutted against the second arch bridge portions without contacting with the loading plates to lift the goods up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Camry Packing Industrial Limited
    Inventor: Bo-Xin Jian
  • Publication number: 20140102339
    Abstract: A pallet having a top deck (1) and a frame (2) including one or more bottom slats (3) which extend, at a distance below the top deck (1), in which the bottom slat (3) is connected to the top deck (1) via an assembly of a wire- like connecting element (4) and a holder (5), (50) which are releasably connected to each other, and in which the connection between the connecting element (4) and the holder (5), (50) is designed to automatically come apart on account of a pulling force in order to prevent damage. The width of the wire-like connecting elements (4) is limited, as a result of which the pallet can be designed to have relatively short sides provided with lifting openings (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventors: Richard Leen, Sander Mollet
  • Publication number: 20140096708
    Abstract: An air cargo pallet with a central panel created from a plurality of sandwiched layers, including a foam core disposed between an upper skin layer having a resin and fiber combination and a lower skin layer having a resin and fiber combination. The central panel is reinforced with additional fibers extending through the lower skin layer, the foam core and the upper skin layer. An interface layer is disposed around the periphery of the foam core and bonded between the upper skin layer and the lower skin layer to complete the central panel. The pallet is then formed by snap fitting a plurality of rails around the circumference of the central panel by connection to the interface layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Advanced Composite Structures, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas R. Pherson
  • Publication number: 20140000494
    Abstract: The invention proposes a modular pallet, the individual parts of which can be used to construct either a so-called transporting pallet or a so-called storage pallet. The transporting pallet is useable in the high-bay warehouse by an adapter 8 present in the high-bay warehouse being moved automatically beneath the transporting rail 7. Interchanging the intermediate component 6 (at least four of which are present in the pallet) makes it possible to change a storage pallet into a transporting pallet and the transporting pallet into a storage pallet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: KONSORTIUM TWO IN ONE
    Inventors: Pascal Gysin, Bruno Weiss
  • Patent number: 8584599
    Abstract: A pallet is formed from a thermoplastic material of the polyolefin type, from two pieces, base and deck, that can be coupled to each other with fasteners therebetween. The base and deck are provided with posts each projecting in a direction towards the other and able to be coupled to each other in order to form hollow columns. The posts projecting from the base form the outer wall of a plurality of columns, and the posts projecting from the deck are located at the interior of the columns, forming the inner wall thereof and thus constituting a hollow passage between the outer and inner walls of the columns. The hollow space is filled up with a foamed material to provide a greater impact resistance and resistance to disassembly under normal conditions of operation. The pallet can be integrally recycled without the need to separate the components thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Plasticos Tecnicos Mexicanos, S.A. DE C.V.
    Inventor: Sergio Sosa Bravo
  • Patent number: 8555787
    Abstract: A shuttle pallet for a high rack storage facility has three longitudinal supports extending parallel to each other. Load bearing bridges orthogonally extend relative to the longitudinal supports. The longitudinal supports and the load bearing bridges are connected to one another in an articulated fashion. The longitudinal supports are made of a wear-resistant and bending-resistant semi-finished product and are form-fittingly and exchangeably connected to the load bearing bridges. The longitudinal supports have in cross-section an area with a circular ring-shaped cross-section. The load bearing bridges have legs. Snap-on-connectors with a circular segment-shaped cross-section are formed on the legs. The longitudinal supports are supported with the circular ring-shaped cross-section rotatably about an axis of rotation and exchangeably in the snap-on connectors, respectively. The axis of rotation extends in a direction of a longitudinal axis of the longitudinal supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: CABKA GmbH
    Inventor: Dietrich Haaf
  • Patent number: 8505469
    Abstract: A collapsible, reusable and repairable pallet is composed of a plate(s) with penetrative holes and various of grooves. The pallet is composed of a numbers of supporting legs, at least two joint shifts, a plurality of nuts, a number of belts, different types of RFID tags and renewable batteries. The collapsible pallet results the zero space waste in pallet collection, storage and transportation for further application. Any damaged part of the pallet can be replaced with a new part, including the plate(s), the supporting legs, the belts, the joint shifts, the nuts, the RFID tags and the batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Inventors: Xue Wu Liu, Rui Li
  • Publication number: 20130180437
    Abstract: Resin pallets having a deck and a base, where the deck and base are joined by an interlock, which is optionally reversible, are described. Methods of making such pallets by assembling the pallets by interlocking parts to form the pallets, in an optionally reversible method, are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: A.R. ARENA PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Donald E. Wilcox, Charles S. Arena
  • Patent number: 8464647
    Abstract: A plastic pallet suitable for stacking firewood, camping gear, and the like, above a concrete floor or in the attic, includes at least two longitudinal stringers and a plurality of four-sided open-box slats, the sides of which taper outwardly from the upper surface to afford a stackable profile. The slats assemble to the stringers without the need of tools or independent fasteners. The ends of each stringer are formed with interlocking profiles which allow the length of the pallet to be extended, as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventor: Frank Chernek
  • Patent number: 8448582
    Abstract: A plastic pallet structure, includes a plurality of bases. Each base includes a basic portion, the basic portion includes an opening clamping portion, an arch bridge, an extension portion, an arch bridge portion, first and second supporting portions, the complete base is formed by means of plastic pre-casting and by coupling a mesh-typed sheet body to every section. The opening clamping portion is disposed with a slide-in slot. To increase the bearing capacity thereof a space for accepting a metal bar may be disposed above each opening clamping portion. The combination plastic pallet with a backbone is formed after the bases are coupled together as such. Furthermore, since the bases are combined, one single base can be replaced if damaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Camry Packing Industrial Limited
    Inventor: Bo-Xin Jian
  • Patent number: 8434618
    Abstract: A reusable shipping container adapted to resist damage to the feet of the container and to allow the fork straps to be replaced if the fork straps or the feet are damage. The container can also easily be adapted to accommodate the use of pallet jacks without reducing the capacity of the container or increasing the weight of the container. The container is also adapted to easily receive dunnage required to protect the material being shipped in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Macro Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Mitchell, Todd T. Turner
  • Patent number: 8424468
    Abstract: A new pallet rail that is light weight, strong and environmentally friendly is part of an alternative modular pallet assembly. The rail includes a recessed portion with projections extending thereinto. A method of making the pallet rails and assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Inventors: Alan A Aden, Russell Ortner
  • Patent number: 8397916
    Abstract: A foot for a corrugated shipping container, comprising a spiral of corrugated board legs having a fastener retaining plank inner core. An inner layer of an impact absorbing foam can be used within the spiral. The inner core can also be a corrugated inner layer sandwiched between a pair of plywood planks. A plurality of legs is secured to a base member, corrugated or wood, by a plurality of fasteners, with each leg having a plurality of feet. The fasteners, such as nails, extend through the corrugated layers to the plank layer. A plywood plank can be placed between the base member and each of the legs. The feet can also be manufactured from a composite having a plurality of layers, including one or more planks, corrugated blank and an impact absorbing foam inner core. The base can be used to retain a corrugated shipping container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Inventors: Robert E. Cassidy, David P. Goodrich
  • Patent number: 8286563
    Abstract: A pallet comprises a plurality of side rails, each side rail including upper and lower runners; a multiplicity of boards, each board being adapted to extend between a runner of two of the rails; a spine member extending parallel to the rails, the spine member including upper and lower spine runners, each board including a spine engaging portion adapted for sliding engagement with a spine runner; and locking member adapted when locked to prevent sliding disengagement of the boards from the slide runner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Eco-Block International Limited
    Inventor: Eng Choon Low
  • Patent number: 8141500
    Abstract: A pallet includes an upper and lower deck. The upper deck includes first joining members that project downwardly from the upper deck, with each first joining member including an outer sleeve. The lower deck includes second joining members that project upwardly from the lower deck, with second joining member including an inner sleeve. At least one of the upper and lower decks includes channels between top and bottom surfaces thereof, with each channel extending from a side edge to an opposing side edge of the corresponding deck. Sleeved reinforcing rods are in the channels. Each sleeved reinforcing rod includes a reinforcing rod having opposing ends and side surfaces therebetween, and a sleeve enclosing the side surfaces of the reinforcing rod, with there being relative movement between the sleeve and the reinforcing rod. The inner sleeves of the second joining members receive the outer sleeves of the first joining members to define a plurality of support blocks joining the upper and lower decks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Chep Technology Pty Limited
    Inventors: Vishnu Naidu, Ken Brandt
  • Patent number: 8113129
    Abstract: Pallet systems are described that can be formed of corrugated paperboard without the necessity of any attachment materials such adhesives, staples, or the like. Individual stringers of a pallet matrix are interwoven together, with stringer notches interlocking with notches of crossing stringers from both above and below any one stringer. Systems can be easily and quickly assembled and, should the need arise, can be quickly repaired, for instance by replacement of one or more individual runners. Systems can also exhibit extremely high strength, and can withstand greater than about 20,000 pounds of static compression at less than about ? inch deflection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Clemson University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Rupert Andrew Hurley, Judson T. Valentine, Matthew J. Whitlock, Jason Szymanski, Kyle D. Dunno
  • Patent number: 8087364
    Abstract: An assembly of a pallet component and fasteners makes a pallet on which various kinds of objects can be placed and which is movable by a forklift. The pallet component includes two outer unit members and an intermediate connector. Each outer unit member has an inner side formed with spaced projections and concavely provided with spaced receiving recesses adjacent thereto. The spaced projections of each outer unit member correspond in position to and are therefore receivable in the spaced receiving recesses of the other outer unit member. The intermediate connector is bilaterally provided with connecting sections that have different orientations. The working end of each connecting section has spaced projections and spaced receiving recesses adjacent thereto so as to connect with the corresponding outer unit member. Thus, a pallet can be easily made according to the widths of objects to be placed on the pallet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Inventor: Chou Huang-Jung
  • Patent number: 8056727
    Abstract: Systems and methods related to an expanding pallet skirt (EPS) are shown and described. In one example, an EPS includes a side including a stabilizer flap (SF), a display flap (DF), and a convertible shelf (CS) positioned between the SF and the DF. The SF has a ship-orientation and a display-orientation. The DF has a ship-orientation and a display-orientation. The CS converts from a shipper-rest-orientation to an expansion-spacer-orientation. Some systems may optionally include a removable shipper-cover configured to interface with the EPS when the DF is in its ship-orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Carolina Container Company
    Inventor: Craig S. Marsh
  • Patent number: 8056488
    Abstract: A pallet assembly includes an upper deck and a lower deck spaced by a plurality of columns. The weight of the pallet is reduced without significant reduction in strength by providing only a single cross beam in each of the upper and lower reinforcement members and orienting them perpendicular to one another. The reinforcement members are minimized for weight reduction and for improved performance in heat tests. The peripheral rail of the upper reinforcement member is reduced such that it rests on only an inwardly open recess on an inner corner of each of the corner columns. This reduces the size and weight of the upper reinforcement member, while still providing support to the upper deck. Additionally, the peripheral rails of both the upper and lower decks are reduced in length such that either ledge does not directly support them while the pallet is stored on a rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: William P. Apps, Justin M. Smyers, Trenton M. Overholt
  • Publication number: 20110253016
    Abstract: The present invention includes systems, methods and apparatus for pallets that may be assembled for reliable use, and then easily disassembled into component parts that take up less space during storage and/or shipment. Embodiments of the present invention include an upper platform portion and a lower support portion, in which the upper portion has a plurality of downwardly oriented legs that engage corresponding openings in the lower portion, creating a completed pallet having a vertical space between the upper and lower portions through which the arms of a forklift or other transporting device may be inserted. In some embodiments, the lower portion is made up of a single component part, and in other embodiments the lower portion is made up of a plurality of component parts. The upper and lower portions may be separated after use by applying a separating force, and are separately stackable and therefore take up less space during storage and transport.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventor: Joseph W. Leakey
  • Patent number: 8006629
    Abstract: A pallet includes an upper and lower deck. The upper deck includes snap-pin openings. First joining members project downwardly from the upper deck, with each first joining member including an outer sleeve surrounding a respective snap-pin opening. Second joining members project upwardly from the lower deck, with each second joining member including an inner sleeve and a snap-pin receiving cavity positioned therein. The inner sleeves receive the outer sleeves to define support blocks joining the upper and lower decks. Snap-pins are inserted into the snap-in openings in the upper deck. Each snap-pin includes a head for engaging a snap-pin opening, and spaced apart tips that extend through the snap-pin receiving cavity for engaging a backside of the inner sleeve associated therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Chep Technology Pty Limited
    Inventor: Vishnu Naidu
  • Patent number: 7938070
    Abstract: A pallet includes a carrier and a plurality of pallet supports. Each pallet support includes: a cover member, a retaining board, a retaining wall, a cannular piece, and a base member. The retaining board includes a first hole; the cover member includes a second hole, and the base member includes a third hole. The retaining wall and the cannular piece are located on the base member. The retaining board is located above the retaining wall. The cannular piece is connected to the cover member by passing through the first hole. Thus, the carrier can be supported between the cover member and the retaining board. The retaining board and the retaining wall are both made of paper material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Inventor: Ming-Ho Shea
  • Patent number: 7913630
    Abstract: A combination knockdown pallet structure and article container is disclosed wherein the knockdown pallet structure comprises a base panel and a pair of pockets which are secured upon undersurface portions of the base panel so as to accommodate rigid support members for accommodating the fork tines of a forklift truck. A pair of cross-brace members are pivotally secured at first end portions upon the bas member so as to be movable between first operative position and a second inoperative position in order to permit the entire pallet structure to be rolled up, folded, or otherwise knocked-down. The article container is pivotally or removably secured upon the base panel so as to provide access to the cross-brace members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Creighton, Selamawit T. Desta Rogowsky, Edward J. Cavenagh
  • Patent number: 7878127
    Abstract: A pallet includes a cargo layer for supporting different size cargo cases. The cargo layer includes a pair of spaced apart end deck boards, with each end deck board having a first width. Spaced apart intermediate deck boards are positioned in a pattern between the pair of spaced apart end deck boards for providing deck coverage for the different size cargo cases. The pattern is defined by two pairs of first and second intermediate deck boards, with each intermediate deck board in each pair having a second width. Each pair of intermediate deck boards is adjacent one of the end deck boards. A pair of third intermediate deck boards is between the two pairs of intermediate deck boards, with each third intermediate deck board having a third width. A fourth intermediate deck board is between the pair of third intermediate deck boards, and has the second width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Chep Technology Pty Limited
    Inventor: Kristen Karl Hedstrom
  • Publication number: 20100199890
    Abstract: A portable, lightweight collapsible motorcycle stand and method of use is presented. The motorcycle stand comprises a platform, two support members rotatably affixed to opposite outer edges of the platform, and a shelf for storing tools and the like. The shelf reversible affixes to cross bars located on the two support members. The shelf is removable, thereby enabling collapsing of the motorcycle stand. The shelf is secure to the collapsed stand via shelf hooks and the entire apparatus is lock into a collapsed position through use of a cross bar hook. Alternate embodiments and their method of use are provided as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: Jose Ricardo Goncalves Corria de Castro, Sergio Bruno Oliveira Tavares
  • Patent number: 7748330
    Abstract: A heavy load support made of plastic includes at least a rectangular bottom part with a leg part into which the fork of a forklift engages and which is provided with props located at least in the four corner areas of the bottom part. Metallic U-shaped profiled rails that are open towards the outside are provided between the props along the bottom edge of the load support. The props can be removably fixed to the bottom face of the bottom part of the load support and are provided with a support area for the corner areas of the bottom part as well as an edge which rises vertically from the support area and encloses the edges of the load support at a right angle, pegs being molded onto the free final leg surfaces of the edge to accommodate and fix the U-shaped profiled strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Georg Utz Holding AG
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Dubois, Jürgen Straub, Christian Mathews, Thomas Feilner
  • Patent number: 7712421
    Abstract: A pallet for receiving and transporting loads, having an upper platform for receiving the loads, and a substructure, which supports the upper platform and is constructed of an upper part and a lower part and several support members inserted between them. A good shock absorption, along with a rugged construction, is achieved because the support members each is of a held-together bundle of spike-like individual elements, which extend between the upper part and the lower part, can be laterally deflected with respect to each other and have damping properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Rittal GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Marc Andreas Hartel, Deane Harder, Markus Milwich, Henrique Monnerat, Thomas Speck
  • Publication number: 20100095875
    Abstract: A pallet may include a deck having a load carrying surface and a lower surface, and at least two spaced apart support legs. The legs may have one or more passages formed therethrough at a level beneath the lower surface of the deck to enable receipt of packaging material through the legs and beneath the deck to facilitate securing an object to the deck. The legs and deck may be made out of plastic materials, and may be formed in one-piece or in separate pieces connected together by complementary and mated connection features. The deck may include a plurality of friction elements adapted to engage an object on the deck to, for example, reduce slippage of the object relative to the deck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: Magline, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce L. Hailston, Andrew P. Richard
  • Patent number: 7661373
    Abstract: A pallet assembly includes an upper deck and a lower deck spaced by a plurality of columns. The weight of the pallet is reduced without significant reduction in strength by providing only a single cross beam in each of the upper and lower reinforcement members and orienting them perpendicular to one another. The reinforcement members are minimized for weight reduction and for improved performance in heat tests. The peripheral rail of the upper reinforcement member is reduced such that it rests on only an inwardly open recess on an inner corner of each of the corner columns. This reduces the size and weight of the upper reinforcement member, while still providing support to the upper deck. Additionally, the peripheral rails of both the upper and lower decks are reduced in length such that either ledge does not directly support them while the pallet is stored on a rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: William P. Apps, Justin M. Smyers, Trenton M. Overholt
  • Publication number: 20100012000
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to formable pallets that are easy to construct into a generally stably product receiving state and easy to collapse into a storage/transport state. The pallet includes one or more display elements which may be integrated with the supporting platform to achieve point of purchase objectives. The display element may be a separate component that is removeable from the pallet or the display element may be configurable from the pallet such as by unfolding and/or folding portions of the supporting platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventor: Norman H. Gordon
  • Patent number: 7644665
    Abstract: A new and improved knockdown pallet structure comprises a relatively flexible base panel which is fabricated from a suitable woven plastic material, such as, for example, polypropylene, and a pair of laterally spaced, longitudinally extending pockets are secured upon undersurface portions of the base panel so as to accommodate rigid support members, which may comprise rigid thermoplastic tubes or pipes, for accommodating the fork tines of a forklift truck when a pallet structure, having a palletized load disposed thereon, is to be lifted and transported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Creighton, Selamawit T. Desta Rogowsky, Edward J. Cavenagh
  • Patent number: 7640867
    Abstract: A pallet assembly includes an upper deck and a lower deck spaced by a plurality of columns. In one embodiment, the columns are snap-fit into the upper deck and the lower deck. The weight of the pallet is reduced without significant reduction in strength by providing only a single cross beam in each of the upper and lower reinforcement members and orienting them perpendicular to one another. The reinforcement members are minimized for weight reduction and for improved performance in heat tests. The peripheral rail of the upper reinforcement member is reduced such that it rests on only an inwardly open recess on an inner corner of each of the corner columns. This reduces the size and weight of the upper reinforcement member, while still providing support to the upper deck. Additionally, the peripheral rails of both the upper and lower decks are reduced in length such that either ledge does not directly support them while the pallet is stored on a rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Sean T. Ogburn, William P. Apps, Justin M. Smyers, Trenton M. Overholt
  • Publication number: 20090320723
    Abstract: A pallet comprises: a plurality of side rails, each side rail including upper and lower runners; a multiplicity of boards, each board being adapted to extend between a runner of two of the rails; a spine member extending parallel to the rails, the spine member including upper and lower spine runners; each board including a spine engaging portion adapted for sliding engagement with a spine runner; and locking means adapted when locked to prevent sliding disengagement of the boards from the slide runner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: Eco-Block International Limited
    Inventor: Eng Choon Low
  • Publication number: 20090301359
    Abstract: A portable support system having a portable support having a first end and a second end. The first end includes a tapered portion, and the second end includes a footing structure. The system also includes a receiving member having a support cone configured to receive the tapered portion. The support cone has a tapered inner surface and a tapered outer surface. The inner surface and outer surface are engagable with mating tapered surfaces. The receiving member is capable of attachment to one or both of a frame and a panel for use as a platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: TAIT TOWERS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael TAIT, Adam DAVIS, James FAIRORTH
  • Patent number: 7607542
    Abstract: This invention discloses a container assembly of pallet structure with portable parts, including one or more side board unit, one or more corner connectors, one or more supporting pallets, and one or more laying boards. The side board unit further includes a side board and a bottom board. The side board has stop-by-contact section extends from each of side of the side board to engage with the groove of a corner connector. The bottom of the side board engages with the pallet to form a unit, while allowing laying boards to be installed within.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Inventor: Chuan Pao Hsieh