APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING COILED WIRE

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to support devices, and, more particularly, to pallets for supporting coiled wire.

BACKGROUND

Pallets are used in a variety of applications to support items thereon. For example, rectangular or square pallets are traditionally used to support coils of wire for use in manufacturing, industrial applications, and/or the like. These conventional rectangular or square designs, however, are not only more expensive to produce but may further require particular orientations in order to properly interface with a vehicle. Applicant has identified a number of deficiencies and problems associated with conventional support devices. Through applied effort, ingenuity, and innovation, many of these identified problems have been solved by developing solutions that are included in embodiments of the present disclosure as described in detail herein.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure address the above by providing a pallet for supporting coiled wire that reduces material costs, provides increased rigidity, and provides improved stackability. In particular, a pallet is disclosed that includes a primary support member and one or more support legs attached to the primary support member that extend from a bottom surface of the primary support member. Furthermore, the primary support member may define an exterior body that bounds a circular interior space and one or more support struts that extend through the circular interior space and attach with the exterior body such that, in operation, the primary support member forms a structure for supporting coiled wire.

In some embodiments, a location of one or more attachment points between the one or more support legs and the primary support member may coincide with a corresponding support strut position on the exterior body.

In some embodiments, the one or more support struts may include a plurality of support struts, and a location of one or more intersection points of the plurality of support struts may coincide with a location where two or more support struts intersect. In some embodiments, an intersection point of the one or more intersection points is located substantially in a central location of the circular interior space defined by the exterior body.

In some embodiments, a location of one or more attachment points between the one or more support legs and the one or more support struts may coincide with the one or more intersection points formed by the one or more support struts.

In some further embodiments, the plurality of support struts form at least four intersection points, and a portion of the plurality of support struts defined between the four intersection points may form a substantially square shape.

In some further embodiments, a central location of the substantially square shape may be located substantially in a center of the circular interior space defined by the exterior body.

In some embodiments, the one or more support struts may include a plurality of support struts and one or more of the one or more support struts may bisect the exterior body.

In some embodiments, the one or more support struts may include a plurality of support struts and each of the plurality of support struts may form an angle that is approximately 90 degree with one another at an intersection point.

In some embodiments, the one or more support struts may include a plurality of support struts and each of the plurality of supporting struts may form an angle that is approximately 45 degrees with one another at an intersection point.

In some embodiments, the pallet may further include a secondary support member positioned substantially parallel relative to the first support member. The secondary support member may define a complementary shape to the primary support member. Furthermore, the one or more support legs may be positioned between the primary support member and the secondary support member.

In some embodiments, the one or more support legs may be positioned substantially perpendicularly with respect to a top surface of the secondary support member.

In some embodiments, the secondary support member may include an exterior body. The exterior body may bound a circular interior space. In some embodiments, the secondary support member may include one or more support struts that extend through the circular interior space and attached with the exterior body such that, in operation, the secondary support member and primary support member form a structure for supporting coiled wire.

In some embodiments, a location of one or more attachment points between the one or more support legs and the secondary support member may coincide with a corresponding support strut position on the exterior body of the secondary support member.

In some embodiments, the one or more support struts of the secondary support member may include a plurality of support struts, and a location of one or more intersection points of the plurality of support struts may coincide with a location where two or more support struts intersect.

In some further embodiments, an intersection point of the one or more intersection points may be located substantially in a central location of the circular interior space defined by the exterior body of the secondary support member.

In some further embodiments, a location of one or more attachment points between the one or more support legs and the one or more support struts of the secondary support member may coincide with the one or more intersection points formed by the one or more support struts.

In some further embodiments, the plurality of support struts of the secondary support member may form at least four intersection points and a portion of the plurality of support struts defined between the four intersection points form a substantially square shape. In some embodiments, a central location of the substantially square shape is located substantially in a center of the interior space defined by the exterior body of the secondary support member.

In some embodiments, the one or more support struts of the secondary support member may include a plurality of support struts, and one or more of the one or more support struts may bisect the exterior body of the secondary support member.

The above summary is provided merely for purposes of summarizing some example embodiments to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosure. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the above-described embodiments are merely examples and should not be construed to narrow the scope or spirit of the disclosure in any way. It will be appreciated that the scope of the disclosure encompasses many potential embodiments in addition to those here summarized, some of which will be further described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having described certain example embodiments of the present disclosure in general terms above, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings. The components illustrated in the figures may or may not be present in certain embodiments described herein. Some embodiments may include fewer (or more) components than those shown in the figures.

FIGS. 1A-1B illustrate a top view and side profile view, respectively, of an example pallet with a primary support member for supporting cored wire in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate a top view and side profile view, respectively, of an example pallet with a primary support member and secondary support member for supporting cored wire in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate a top view and side profile view, respectively, of another example pallet with a primary support member for supporting cored wire in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate a top view and side profile view, respectively, of another example pallet with a primary support member and a secondary support member for supporting cored wire in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate a top view and side profile view, respectively, of yet another example pallet with a primary support member for supporting cored wire in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate a top view and side profile view, respectively, of yet another example pallet with a primary support member and a secondary support member for supporting cored wire in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of the example pallet of FIGS. 1A-1B in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Overview

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which some but not all embodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, these inventions may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, terms such as “front,” “rear”, “side,” “top,” etc. are used for explanatory purposes in the examples provided below to describe the relative position of certain components or portions of components.

As described above, pallets are used in a variety of applications to support items thereon. For example, rectangular or square pallets are traditionally used to support coils of wire for use in manufacturing, industrial applications, and/or the like. These conventional rectangular or square designs, however, are not only more expensive to produce but may further require particular orientations in order to properly interface with a vehicle. For example, a rectangular or square pallet requires additionally material to form the corners of the rectangular or square pallet that extend beyond the surface area occupied by a cylindrical coil of wire. In other words, conventional pallets that rely upon a rectangular or square shape provide unused surface area that is expensive to manufacture (e.g., due to increased material costs) while failing to provide any additional benefit (e.g., the additional material is used to form unused surface area). Furthermore, these conventional support structures often fail to provide sufficient rigidity or stability for high load applications. For example, coils of metal wire are often heavy such that conventional designs may be susceptible to breakage and/or fracture resulting in required repair or replacement. Still further, the square or rectangular shape of these conventional pallets requires that vehicles (e.g., forklifts, pallet jacks, etc.) configured to move such pallets maneuver into a position that is substantially centered with a pallet side in order to lift and/or move the pallet. Although described herein with reference to an implementation in which an example pallet is used for supporting coiled wire, the present disclosure contemplates that the pallet embodiments described herein may be operable to support any product, material, etc., particularly those having a coiled, cylindrical, and/or circular cannister shape.

In order to address these problems and others, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a pallet for supporting coiled wire which includes a primary support member and one or more support legs. The primary support member may define an exterior body which bounds a circular interior shape and one or more support struts which extend through the circular interior space. As such, the pallet is configured to support coiled wire in that the dimensions (e.g., the inner and/or outer diameter of the bounded circular interior) matches the corresponding dimensions of the cylindrical coil of wire supported thereon. Furthermore, the pallet of the present disclosure may be formed of any suitable metal (e.g., steel, aluminum, etc.) such that the pallet is able to withstand repeated use. The dimensions of the pallet may further be selected based at least in part on the corresponding coil size. As such, the pallet may effectively support the coiled wire while reducing the amount of material, associated manufacturing cost, and spatial blueprint associated with conventional pallets. The circular shape of the pallet may further facilitate interactions with vehicles in that these vehicles may lift and/or move said pallet from a variety of orientations or positions.

As described more fully hereinafter with reference to the figures, an example pallet of the present disclosure may include a primary support member and one or more support legs. The primary support member may define an exterior body and one or more support struts. The exterior body may bound a circular interior space and the one or more support struts may extend through the circular interior space. Thus, the primary support member may form a structure which is capable of supporting coiled wire. In particular, a top surface of the primary support member may be configured to support the coiled wire. In some embodiments, the diameter of the primary support member as measured from the one side of the inner portion of the exterior body to a directly opposite side of the inner portion of the exterior body may range between 25 inches to 70 inches. The one or more support legs of the example pallet may extend from a bottom surface of the primary support member. In some embodiments, the one or more support legs may be placed on a surface (e.g., ground, floor, etc.) and may allow the primary support member 101 to be raised above the surface by a determined height.

In some embodiments described hereafter, the pallet may further include a secondary support member. The secondary support member may also include an exterior body which bounds a circular interior space and one or more support struts which extend through the circular interior space, similar to the primary support member. The secondary support member may be positioned substantially parallel to the primary support member and may define a complementary shape to the primary support member so as to increase the stability and/or rigidity provided by the pallet. Furthermore, the one or more support legs may be positioned between the primary support member and the secondary support member.

The height of the primary support member may depend at least in part on the length of the one or more support legs and/or the secondary support member. In some embodiments, the height of the one or more support legs may be between one and ten inches long. In some embodiments, the one or more support legs may each be three inches long. As such, the heigh of the one or more support legs may provide an interior space between the surface and the primary support member or secondary support member and primary support member such that a vehicle with tines (e.g., forklift, pallet jack, etc.) may insert the tines into the interior space such that the pallet may be lifted and/or moved.

In any of the embodiments described herein, the pallet may be manufactured in any suitable fashion. For example, the pallet may be formed using molding techniques, casting techniques, machining techniques, three-dimensional (3D) printing techniques, and/or by the welding individual components. For example, the primary support member and one or more support legs may be created using casting techniques (e.g., die-casting, investment casting, plaster casting, and/or sand casting) and the one or more support legs may be welded to the primary support member. As another example, the exterior body and the one or more support struts may be created using casting techniques and then the one or more support struts may be welded to one another and/or welded to the exterior body. As yet another example, the pallet may be 3D printed as an integrated component. In other words, the present disclosure contemplates that any mechanism for creating the pallets described herein may be used based upon the intended application of the pallets. In any embodiment, one or more of the members that form the pallet may be tubular in shape (e.g., have a hollow interior bounded by an exterior wall). For example, the pallets described herein may be formed of tubular members having a circular cross-sectional shape (e.g., defining an inner diameter and an outer diameter). Although described with reference to a circular cross-sectional shape, the present disclosure contemplates that any number of shapes, configurations, dimensions, etc. may be used based upon the intended application of the pallet.

The components of the pallet (e.g., the primary support member, the one or more support legs, and/or the secondary support member) may be formed of any suitable material. In some embodiments, each component may be formed of the same material. In other embodiments, portions of the pallet may be formed of different materials, such as to increase the strength or rigidity of a particular portion of the pallet. Example materials may include metals such as steel or aluminum. Alternatively, metal alloys, polymeric materials, and/or the like may also be used to form the pallet components without limitation.

Example Pallet Implementations

Referring now to FIGS. 1A-1B, a top view and side profile view, respectively, of an example pallet 100 are depicted in accordance with some embodiments. With reference to FIG. 1A, a primary support member 101 of the pallet 100 is shown. The primary support member 101 may define an exterior body 105 and one or more support struts 110. The exterior body may bound a circular interior space 115 and the one or more support struts 110 may extend through the circular interior space 115. As shown in FIG. 1A, the primary support member 101 may form a structure which is capable of supporting coiled wire along the exterior body 105 (e.g., formed as a complementary shape to the cylindrical coil of wire). In particular, a top surface of the primary support member 101 may be configured to support coiled wire thereon.

As further shown in FIG. 1B, the pallet 100 may include one or more support legs 120. The one or more support legs 120 may be attached to the primary support member 101 opposite the surface configured to support the coiled wire and may extend substantially perpendicular with respect to a bottom surface of the primary support member 101. Although described as extending substantially perpendicular with respect to the bottom surface, the present disclosure contemplates that the orientation of the support legs 120 may vary based upon the intended application of the pallet 100. In some embodiments, the pallet 100 may include five (5) support legs. Although described and illustrated with five (5) support legs 120, the present disclosure contemplates that any number of support legs 120 may be used. The location at which the one or more support legs 120 and primary support member 101 are attached may be referred to herein as an attachment point 180. In some embodiments, the location of the one or more attachment points 180 between the of the one or more support legs 120 and the primary support member 101 may coincide with a corresponding support strut position 160 on the exterior body 105. As shown in FIG. 1A, the plurality of support struts 110 may be positioned on the exterior body 105 at a position 160 (i.e., at the location at which the support strut 110 is attached to the exterior body 105).

In some embodiments, the one or more support legs 120 may additionally or alternatively be attached to the one or more support struts 110. In some embodiments, the attachment point between the one or more support legs 120 and the one or more support struts 110 may coincide with one or more intersection points formed by the one or more support struts, as will be described in greater detail below.

In some embodiments, the one or more support struts 110 may include a plurality of support struts 110. For example, the one or more support struts 110 may include three (3) support struts 110. In some embodiments, two or more of the plurality of support struts 110 may form one or more intersection points 150. An intersection point may be the location at which two or more support struts 110 intersect with one another. In some embodiments, a location of the intersection point of the one or more intersection points 150 may be located substantially in a central location of the circular interior space 115 defined by the exterior body 105, as depicted in FIG. 1A.

In some embodiments, one or more of the plurality of support struts 110 may bisect the exterior body 105 of the primary support member 101. That is, one or more support struts 110 may extend through the circular interior space 115 such that the length of the support strut is substantially the same as the radius of the circular interior space 115. Said differently, the one or more support struts 110 that bisect the exterior body 105 may divide the circular interior space 115 substantially in half. In some embodiments, one or more support struts 110 may extend partially through the circular interior space 115 and intersect with one or more other support struts 110. In such an instance, the combination of the two or more support struts may be configured to bisect the exterior body 105 and divide the circular interior space 115. As would be evident in light of the present disclosure, the plurality of support struts 110 may form one or more angles 170 with one another at an intersection point 150. In some embodiments, each of the one or more angles formed between the plurality of support struts 110 may be substantially the same. In some embodiments, the angle 170 formed is approximately 90 degrees.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A-2B, a top view and side profile view, respectively, of an example pallet 200 are depicted in accordance with some embodiments. With reference to FIG. 2A, a secondary support member 201 of the pallet 200 is shown. In some embodiments, the secondary support member 201 may be used in conjunction with the primary support member 101 to form the pallet 200. The secondary support member 201 may define a complementary shape to the primary support member 101. In some embodiments, the secondary support member 201 may be substantially the same in size, dimensions, orientation, etc. to the primary support member 101. Additionally, the secondary support member 201 may be positioned substantially parallel with respect to the primary support member 101.

The secondary support member 201 may also define an exterior body 205 and one or more support struts 210. The exterior body 205 may similarly bound a circular interior space 215, and the one or more support struts 210 may extend through the circular interior space 215. The secondary support member 201, in operation with the primary support member 101, may form a structure that is capable of supporting coiled wire, and the combination of the two support members 101, 201 may increase the strength of the pallet 200. As described above, a top surface of the primary support member 101 may be configured to support coiled wire. The secondary support member 201 may provide for additional stability support and/or control, particularly when raising, lifting, moving, or otherwise adjusting the pallet 200.

In some embodiments, the one or more support struts 210 may also include a plurality of support struts 210. For example, the one or more support struts 210 may include three (3) support struts. In some embodiments, two or more of the plurality of support struts 210 may form one or more intersection points 250. An intersection point 250 may be the location where two or more support struts intersect with one another. In some embodiments, a location of an intersection point of the one or more intersection points 250 may be located substantially in the center of the circular interior space 215 defined by the exterior body 205, as depicted in FIG. 2A.

In some embodiments, one or more of the plurality of support struts 210 may bisect the exterior body 205 of the secondary support member 201. That is, one or more support struts 210 may extend through the circular interior space 215 such that the length of the support strut is substantially the same as the radius of the circular interior space 215. Said differently, the one or more support struts 210 that bisect the exterior body 205 may divide the circular interior space 215 substantially in half. In some embodiments, one or more support struts may extend partially through the circular interior space 215 and intersect with one or more other support struts. In such an instance, the combination of the two or more support struts may be configured to bisect the exterior body 205 and divide the circular interior space 215. In some embodiments, the plurality of support struts may form one or more angles 270 with one another at an intersection point 250. In some embodiments, each of the one or more angles formed between the plurality of support struts is substantially the same. In some embodiments, the angle 270 formed is approximately 90 degrees.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the pallet 100 may include the primary support member 101, one or more support legs 120, and the secondary support member 201. As described above, the one or more support legs 120 may be attached to the primary support member 101 and extend substantially perpendicularly from a bottom surface of the primary support member 101. As further depicted in FIG. 2B, the one or more support legs 120 may be positioned between the primary support member 101 and the secondary support member 201. Furthermore, the one or more support legs 120 may be positioned substantially perpendicularly from a top surface of the secondary support member 201. The location at which the one or more support legs 120 and secondary support member 201 attach may be referred to as an attachment point 280. In some embodiments, the location of the one or more attachment points 280 between the of the one or more support legs 120 and the secondary support member 201 may coincide with a corresponding support strut position 260 on the exterior body 210 of the secondary support member 201. As shown in FIG. 2A, the plurality of support struts 210 may be positioned on the exterior body 210 of the secondary support member 201 at a position 260 (i.e., the location at which the support strut is attached to the exterior body).

In some embodiments, the one or more support legs 120 may additionally or alternatively be attached to the one or more support struts 210 of the secondary support member 201. In some embodiments, the attachment point between the one or more support legs 120 and the one or more support struts 210 may coincide with one or more intersection points formed by the one or more support struts 210.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3B, a top view and side profile view, respectively, of an example pallet 300 are depicted in accordance with some embodiments. With reference to FIG. 3A, a primary support member 301 of the pallet 300 is shown. The primary support member 301 may define an exterior body 305 and one or more support struts 310. The exterior body may bound a circular interior space 315 and the one or more support struts 310 may extend through the circular interior space 315. As shown in FIG. 3A, the primary support member 301 may form a structure which is capable of supporting coiled wire. In particular, a top surface of the primary support member may be configured to support coiled wire.

As further shown in FIG. 3B, the pallet 300 may further include one or more support legs 320. The one or more support legs 320 may be attached to the primary support member 301 and extend substantially perpendicularly from a bottom surface of the primary support member 301. In some embodiments, the pallet 100 may include nine (9) support legs. The location at which the one or more support legs 320 and primary support member 301 attach may be referred to as an attachment point 380. In some embodiments, the location of the one or more attachment points 380 between the of the one or more support legs 320 and the primary support member 301 may coincide with a corresponding support strut position 360 on the exterior body 305. As shown in FIG. 3A, the plurality of support struts 310 may be positioned on the exterior body 305 at a position 360 (i.e., the location at which the support strut 310 is attached to the exterior body 305).

In some embodiments, the one or more support legs 320 may additionally or alternatively be attached to the one or more support struts 310. In some embodiments, the attachment point between the one or more support legs 320 and the one or more support struts 310 may coincide with one or more intersection points formed by the one or more support struts, as will be discussed in greater detail, below.

In some embodiments, the one or more support struts 310 may include a plurality of support struts 310. For example, the one or more support struts 310 may include seven (7) support struts. In some embodiments, two or more of the plurality of support struts 310 may form one or more intersection points 350. An intersection point may be the location where two or more support struts intersect with one another. As depicted in FIG. 3A, an intersection point 350 may be the location where each of the seven (7) support struts intersect. In some embodiments, a location of an intersection point of the one or more intersection points 350 may be located substantially in the center of the circular interior space 315 defined by the exterior body 305, as depicted in FIG. 3A.

In some embodiments, one or more of the plurality of support struts 310 may bisect the exterior body 305 of the primary support member 301. That is, one or more support struts 310 may extend through the circular interior space 315 such that the length of the support strut 310 is substantially equivalent to the radius of the circular interior space 315. Said differently, the one or more support struts 310 which bisect the exterior body 305 may divide the circular interior space 315 substantially in half. In some embodiments, one or more support struts may extend partially through the circular interior space 315 and intersect with one or more other support struts. In such an instance, the combination of the two or more support struts may be configured to bisect the exterior body 305 and divide the circular interior space 315.

In some embodiments, the plurality of support struts may form one or more angles 370 with one another at an intersection point. In some embodiments, each of the one or more angles formed between the plurality of support struts is substantially the same. In some embodiments, the angle 370 formed is approximately 45 degrees.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A-4B, a top view and side profile view, respectively, of an example pallet 400 are depicted in accordance with some embodiments. With reference to FIG. 4A, a secondary support member 401 of the pallet 400 is shown. In some embodiments, the secondary support member 401 may be used in conjunction with the primary support member 301 to form the pallet 400. The secondary support member 401 may define a complementary shape to the primary support member 301. In some embodiments, the secondary support member 401 may be substantially similar to the primary support member 301. Additionally, the secondary support member 401 may be positioned substantially parallel with respect to the primary support member 301.

The secondary support member 401 may define an exterior body 405 and one or more support struts 410. The exterior body 405 may bound a circular interior space 415 and the one or more support struts 410 may extend through the circular interior space 415. The secondary support member 401 in operation with the primary support member 301 may form a structure which is capable of supporting coiled wire. As described above, a top surface of the primary support member 301 may be configured to support coiled wire. The secondary support member 401 may provide for additional stability support and/or control, particularly when raising, lifting, moving, or otherwise adjusting the pallet 400.

In some embodiments, the one or more support struts 410 may include a plurality of support struts 410. For example, the one or more support struts 410 may also include seven (7) support struts. In some embodiments, two or more of the plurality of support struts 410 may form one or more intersection points 450. An intersection point may be the location where two or more support struts intersect with one another. In some embodiments, a location of an intersection point of the one or more intersection points 450 may be located substantially in the center of the circular interior space 415 defined by the exterior body 405, as depicted in FIG. 4A.

In some embodiments, one or more of the plurality of support struts 410 may bisect the exterior body 405 of the secondary support member 401. That is, one or more support struts 410 may extend through the circular interior space 415 such that the length of the support strut is substantially equivalent to the radius of the circular interior space. Said differently, the one or more support struts 410 that bisect the exterior body 405 may divide the circular interior space 415 substantially in half. In some embodiments, one or more support struts may extend partially through the circular interior space 415 and intersect with one or more other support struts. In such an instance, the combination of the two or more support struts may be configured to bisect the exterior body 405 and divide the circular interior space 415.

In some embodiments, the plurality of support struts may form one or more angles 470 with one another at an intersection point. In some embodiments, each of the one or more angles formed between the plurality of support struts is substantially the same. In some embodiments, the angle 470 formed is approximately 45 degrees.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the pallet 400 may include the primary support member 301, one or more support legs 320, and the secondary support member 401. As described above, the one or more support legs 320 may be attached to the primary support member 301 and extend substantially perpendicularly from a bottom surface of the primary support member 301. Furthermore, the one or more support legs 320 may be positioned substantially perpendicularly from a top surface of the secondary support member 401. As further depicted in FIG. 4B, the one or more support legs 320 may be positioned between the primary support member 301 and the secondary support member 401. The location at which the one or more support legs 320 and secondary support member 401 attach may be referred to as an attachment point 480. In some embodiments, the location of the one or more attachment points 480 between the of the one or more support legs 320 and the secondary support member 401 may coincide with a corresponding support strut position 460 on the exterior body 405 of the secondary support member 401. As shown in FIG. 4A, the plurality of support struts 410 may be positioned on the exterior body 405 of the secondary support member 401 at a position 460 (i.e., where the support strut is attached to the exterior body).

In some embodiments, the one or more support legs 320 may additionally or alternatively be attached to the one or more support struts 410 of the secondary support member 401. In some embodiments, the attachment point between the one or more support legs 320 and the one or more support struts 410 may coincide with one or more intersection points formed by the one or more support struts 410.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A-5B, a top view and side profile view, respectively, of an example pallet 500 are depicted in accordance with some embodiments. With reference to FIG. 5A, a primary support member 501 of the pallet 500 is shown. The primary support member may define an exterior body 505 and one or more support struts 510. The exterior body may bound a circular interior space 515 and the one or more support struts 510 may extend through the circular interior space 515. As shown in FIG. 5A, the primary support member 501 may form a structure which is capable of supporting coiled wire. In particular, a top surface of the primary support member 501 may be configured to support coiled wire as described above.

As further shown in FIG. 5B, the pallet 500 may further include one or more support legs 520. The one or more support legs 520 may be attached to the primary support member 501 and extend substantially perpendicularly from a bottom surface of the primary support member 501. In some embodiments, the pallet 100 may include twelve (12) support legs. The location at which the one or more support legs 520 and primary support member 501 attach may be referred to as an attachment point 580. In some embodiments, the location of the one or more attachment points 580 between the of the one or more support legs 520 and the primary support member 501 may coincide with a corresponding support strut position 560 on the exterior body 505. As shown in FIG. 5A, the plurality of support struts 510 may be positioned on the exterior body 505 at a position 560 (i.e., where the support strut is attached to the exterior body).

In some embodiments, the one or more support legs 520 may additionally or alternatively be attached to the one or more support struts 510. In some embodiments, the attachment point between the one or more support legs 520 and the one or more support struts 510 may coincide with one or more intersection points formed by the one or more support struts.

In some embodiments, the one or more support struts 510 may include a plurality of support struts 510. For example, the one or more support struts 510 may include eight (8) support struts. In some embodiments, two or more of the plurality of support struts 510 may form one or more intersection points 550. An intersection point may be the location where two or more support struts intersect with one another. As depicted in FIG. 5A, an intersection point 550 may be the location where three (3) or more support struts intersect. In some embodiments, the plurality of support struts may include at least four intersection points 550. Furthermore, at least a portion of the support struts defined between the four intersection points may form a substantially square shape 590. The center of the substantially square shape 590 may coincide with the center of the circular interior space 515.

In some embodiments, the plurality of support struts may form one or more angles 570 with one another at an intersection point. In some embodiments, each of the one or more angles formed between the plurality of support struts is substantially the same. In some embodiments, the angle 570 formed is approximately 90 degrees.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A-6B, a top view and side profile view, respectively, of an example pallet 600 are depicted in accordance with some embodiments. With reference to FIG. 6A, a secondary support member 601 of the pallet 600 is shown. In some embodiments, the secondary support member 601 may be used in conjunction with the primary support member 501 to form the pallet 600. The secondary support member 601 may define a complementary shape to the primary support member 501. In some embodiments, the secondary support member 601 may be substantially similar to the primary support member 501. Additionally, the secondary support member 601 may be positioned substantially parallel to the primary support member 501.

The secondary support member 601 may define an exterior body 605 and one or more support struts 610. The exterior body 605 may bound a circular interior space 615 and the one or more support struts 610 may extend through the circular interior space 615. The secondary support member 601 in operation with the primary support member 501 may form a structure which is capable of supporting coiled wire. Similarly as described above, a top surface of the primary support member 501 may be configured to support coiled wire. The secondary support member 601 may provide for additional stability support and/or control, particularly when raising, lifting, moving, or otherwise adjusting the pallet 600.

In some embodiments, the one or more support struts 610 may include a plurality of support struts 610. For example, the one or more support struts 610 may include eight (8) support struts. In some embodiments, two or more of the plurality of support struts 610 may form one or more intersection points 650. An intersection point may be the location where two or more support struts intersect with one another. As depicted in FIG. 6A, an intersection point 650 may be the location where three (30 or more support struts intersect. In some embodiments, the plurality of support struts may include at least four intersection points 650. Furthermore, at least a portion of the support struts defined between the four intersection points may form a substantially square shape 690. The center of the substantially square shape 690 may coincide with the center of the circular interior space 615.

In some embodiments, the plurality of support struts may form one or more angles 670 with one another at an intersection point. In some embodiments, each of the one or more angles formed between the plurality of support struts is substantially the same. In some embodiments, the angle 670 formed is approximately 90 degrees.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the pallet 600 may include the primary support member 501, one or more support legs 520, and the secondary support member 601. As described above, the one or more support legs 520 may be attached to the primary support member 501 and extend substantially perpendicularly from a bottom surface of the primary support member 501. Furthermore, the one or more support legs 520 may be positioned substantially perpendicularly from a top surface of the secondary support member 601. As further depicted in FIG. 6B, the one or more support legs 520 may be positioned between the primary support member 501 and the secondary support member 601. The location at which the one or more support legs 520 and secondary support member 601 attach may be referred to as an attachment point 680. In some embodiments, the location of the one or more attachment points 680 between the of the one or more support legs 520 and the secondary support member 601 may coincide with a corresponding support strut position 660 on the exterior body 605 of the secondary support member 601. As shown in FIG. 6A, the plurality of support struts 610 may be positioned on the exterior body 605 of the secondary support member 601 at a position 660 (i.e., where the support strut is attached to the exterior body).

In some embodiments, the one or more support legs 520 may additionally or alternatively be attached to the one or more support struts 610 of the secondary support member 601. In some embodiments, the attachment point between the one or more support legs 520 and the one or more support struts 610 may coincide with one or more intersection points formed by the one or more support struts 610.

FIG. 7 depicts an operational example of a pallet 700 which includes a primary support member 701 and one or more support legs 720. The primary support member 701 includes an exterior body 705 and one or more support struts 710. The coiled wire, such as cored wire, may be loaded on the top surface 770 of the pallet 700 and the pallet 700 may support the coiled wire.

In operation, a pallet, such as any of the pallets described above, may be moved in accordance with the following steps. A pallet may be loaded with coiled wire, such as cored wire. A vehicle (e.g., a forklift, pallet jack, etc.) may insert a pair of tines beneath the primary support member of the pallet. In some embodiments, the pair of tines may be inserted in between the primary support member and the secondary support member of the pallet. The vehicle may use a lifting mechanism to raise the pair of tines and the pallet may be lifted to a particular height. The vehicle may transport the pallet to a desired location and activate a lowering mechanism to lower the pallet to a ground surface. Before, during, and after transport, the pallet may effectively support the coiled wire loaded on the top surface.

CONCLUSION

Many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these embodiments pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING COILED WIRE

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