Modular low cost pallet and shelf assembly

Abstract
A modular, low cost pallet and shelf assembly and a method for assembling the assembly is disclosed. The shelf assembly comprises a plurality of support members arranged so as to releasably accept a pallet therebetween, each vertical support member comprising a plurality of apertures disposed therethrough, wherein each aperture is configured so as to accept and releasably hold tabs inserted through the aperture, and a plurality of pallet securing members, each pallet securing member comprising at least one pallet securing member tab releasably securable within a vertical support member aperture and a securing surface for restraining the pallet between the vertical support members.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




1. Field of Invention




The present invention relates generally to shipping and retail display devices and more particularly to a modular low cost pallet and shelf assembly using conventional hardware.




2. Description of Related Art




Products shipped from the manufacturer or producer are often shipped to the retailers in corrugated boxes. Typically, these boxes are loaded onto wooden pallets, lifted with a forklift onto a shipping container, and unloaded into the container for transportation to the retail outlet. When the goods arrive at the retail outlet, the corrugated boxes are removed from the shipping container, loaded onto pallets, moved to the retail display location or storage using a forklift or similar device. The products are then removed from the corrugated boxes, and placed on retail display.




There are several problems associated with the aforementioned procedures. Unloading and loading the corrugated boxes is a labor-intensive procedure, often resulting in damage to the products and/or the corrugated boxes. It is also common for the products to be damaged when the corrugated boxes (which are typically stacked during storage and transportation) collapse.




Another problem with these procedures is that the corrugated boxes are not generally reusable, and must be broken down and disposed of by the retail outlets. Alternative wood racking systems, such as those employed in nurseries, do not solve this problem. These racking systems are also difficult to transport, require labor intensive procedures to unload transported products and display them at a retail level, and cannot be broken down easily at the retail outlet. These devices are also typically held together with nails, which further complicate their disassembly and storage, and make any return to the manufacturer generally unprofitable.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




As the foregoing indicates, there is a need for efficient transportation of products from the manufacturer or producer to retail display. The present invention satisfies that need.




The present invention discloses a racking system using a modular pallet and shelving assembly. This racking system is easily constructed and broken down, and which uses conventional, standardized, and readily available hardware. The design of the present invention directs the weight of the rack to a metal structure advantageously placed in relation to the pallet. Even when used with a commonly available wooden pallet, this design is exceptionally strong, allowing the unit to be lifted and transported with a forklift or pallet jack. This system provides an efficient system for delivering material and products to the marketplace (or to warehouses for later retail sales) without damage. The present invention also allows material and products to be removed from trucks by forklift, and placed directly on retail display.




Because the present system also utilizes reusable metal shelving, it can be easily broken down. This allows the system to be reused on site, disposed of by selling the racking system as a complete package, or in its component parts, or simply returned to the shipper or manufacturer for re-use. Further, because the design of the present invention is both simple and strong, the system can be more space efficiently constructed to take advantage of the available truck container space.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout:





FIG. 1

is a perspective view of the one embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 2A

is a view of one embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a coupling between the pallet and the shelving;





FIG. 2B

is a close up view of the relationship between the tabs and the keyhole apertures in one embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 3

is a side view of one embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the pallet and vertical support members;





FIG. 4

is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention using cleats;





FIG. 5

is a close up view of one embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a coupling between the pallet and vertical support members;





FIG. 6

is a side view of one embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the use of cleats to couple the pallet and the vertical support members;





FIG. 7

is a diagram of the cleats used in one embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 8A

is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention illustrating a segmented design suitable for smaller merchandising units;





FIG. 8B

is a section view of the coupling between the segments shown in

FIG. 8A

;





FIG. 9A

presents a side view illustrating the use of an inverted keyhole aperture configuration;





FIG. 9B

presents a top view illustrating the use of an inverted keyhole aperture configuration;





FIG. 10

is a perspective view of an embodiment using the inverted keyhole aperture configuration;





FIG. 11

is a top view of another embodiment of the present invention using the inverted keyhole apertures;





FIG. 12A

is a top view of another embodiment of the present invention showing an alternative arrangement for the pallet securing members;





FIG. 12B

is a side view of another embodiment of the present invention showing an alternative arrangement for the pallet securing members;





FIG. 13

is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention showing an alternative arrangement for the pallet securing members;





FIG. 14

is a side view of another embodiment of the present invention showing the use of double-sided keyhole apertures;





FIG. 15

is a side view of another embodiment of the present invention showing the use of a strengthening segment in the vertical support member;





FIG. 16

is a side view of another embodiment of the present invention showing the use of fewer keyhole apertures; and





FIG. 17

is a flow chart depicting the assembly of one embodiment of the present invention.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT




In the following description of the preferred embodiment, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration a specific embodiment in which the invention may be practiced. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.





FIG. 1

is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention. The invention comprises a plurality of L-shaped vertical support members


100


, which are so arranged to accept a pallet


102


therebetween. In one embodiment, the pallet


102


is a common two-way wood pallet, which accepts forklift tongues in slots on the front and rear of the pallet


102


. In an alternative embodiment, a four-way pallet may be used. The four-way pallet comprises additional slots on opposite sides of the pallet to accept forklift tongues, thus allowing the pallet to be lifted by a forklift from any side. The design of the pallet


102


can be changed to accommodate different loads, with heavier-duty construction pallets


102


employed for maximum strength applications. Each vertical support member


100


comprises a plurality of keyhole shaped apertures


108


disposed on the right angle portions of the vertical support members


100


. In one embodiment, the vertical support members


100


are commonly available angle posts that are 84 inches in length.




The present invention also comprises a plurality of L-shaped cross braces


104


, which are affixed to the vertical support members


100


. Each L-shaped cross brace


104


comprises a right angle portion and a number of cross brace tabs


109


, each of which is small enough to be inserted into the larger portion of the keyhole shaped aperture


108


, yet large enough to be retained by the smaller portion of the keyhole shaped aperture


108


. When a plurality of braces


104


are so coupled with the vertical cross members


100


, the right angle portion (which comprises the lower portion of and “L” when viewed from the side) of the brace


104


forms a horizontal surface, upon which a planar surface


106


is placed. Planar surface


106


is sized so as to be inserted between all four vertical support members


100


and larger than the aperture formed by the braces


104


extending between the vertical support members. Accordingly, the braces


104


serve to support the planar surface


106


. The planar surface


106


can be comprised of particle board, OSB, plastic, metal, or other material. Planar surface


106


may also be molded to conform to the product.




In one embodiment, the braces


104


are commonly available double rivet beams. The size of the braces


104


is selected in accordance with the desired dimensions of the finished assembly, as is the pallet


102


size. In a typical arrangement, two of the braces


104


are 48 inches in length, and two are 42 inches in length. The number of braces


104


used in the assembly is also determined by the number of desired shelves of the finished product. For example, a four-shelf unit would require eight 48 inch braces


104


and eight 42 inch braces, whereas a five-shelf unit wood require ten 48 inch braces and ten 42 inch braces.




Since four braces


104


are not required to hold the planar surfaces


106


, it is also possible to use only two braces per shelf level, in a staggered relationship. For example, the first level can use two 48 inch braces


104


, the next, two 42 inch braces


104


, and so on. This configuration is nominally not as strong, but is lower in cost, and suitable for many applications.





FIG. 2A

is a close up view of one embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the relationship between the pallet


102


and the vertical support members


100


. In this embodiment, pallet securing members


118


are utilized to releasably accept and secure the pallet


102


in place between the vertical support members


100


, and to bear the weight of the racking system when lifted by a fork lift or pallet jack. As strength requires, either two or four pallet-securing members


118


can be used.





FIG. 2B

is a detailed view of the embodiment shown in FIG.


2


. Keyhole apertures


108


each comprise a first aperture segment


107


and a second aperture segment


109


, which is smaller in cross section than the first aperture segment


107


. Tab heads


110


A are smaller than the first aperture segment


107


, yet larger than the second aperture segment


109


. Hence, when tab heads


110


A are inserted into the first aperture segment


107


and moved laterally, the tab


110


is affixed within the aperture


108


.




The pallet


102


comprises a plurality of bottom members


112


and support members


114


, both of which are affixed to a pallet cross member


116


. In one embodiment, the vertical support members


100


are affixed to the pallet


102


by inserting one or more wood screws


124


(such as lag screws) of suitable length and diametric cross section through the appropriate keyhole apertures


108


and into the pallet


102


.




In another embodiment, a number of pallet-securing members


118


are employed. These pallet-securing members


118


comprise one or more pallet-securing member tabs


110


which are inserted into the keyhole apertures


108


of the vertical support members


100


. Ordinarily, the pallet-securing member tabs


110


are of the same design as the cross member tabs


109


. However, since the pallet-securing member tabs


110


must bear greater weight and shear force, these tabs may be suitably reinforced or made of stronger material, if necessary.




In one embodiment, the securing members


118


are cross braces


104


but inverted so that an interior-facing surface


120


is disposed above the vertical surface


122


. This places an interior-facing securing surface


120


over the top of the pallet


102


, and in particular, the pallet support members


114


. In this configuration, the pallet


102


is restrained between the vertical support members


100


. Pallet securing member tabs


110


on the support members


118


are inserted into the larger opening of the keyhole tabs


108


. The support members


118


transfer the weight of the assembly to the metal structure, rather than the pallet


102


.




The pallet support members


118


and vertical support members


100


may optionally be affixed to the pallet


102


with a suitably sized fastening device


124


such as a wood screw or lag bolt. The fastening device


124


should comprise a head larger than any dimension of the keyhole aperture


108


. This assures that the components are securely fastened together. One-quarter inch lag bolts of 1 ¼ inch length are suitable for this purpose. If necessary, a suitably placed hole or aperture may be drilled through the pallet


102


before the bolt is inserted and thereafter secured with a nut or other means.




The tabs


110


comprise a head portion


110


A and a shank portion


110


B. The head


110


A is a smaller diameter than the larger portion of the keyhole apertures


108


, to allow insertion therein. In one embodiment, the upper portion of the inner surface of the keyhole aperture


108


and the tab shank


110


B are in contact, thus causing the tab head


110


A to extend beyond the keyhole aperture


108


. This provides additional strength to prevent the vertical support members


100


from extending away from the support brace


118


. In another embodiment, the head size of the fastening device


124


is selected to be close to or contact the tab to minimize this possibility. In still another embodiment, the support brace


118


comprises two or more tabs


110


, and each tab is inserted into its corresponding keyhole aperture


108


. For additional strength, all of these couplings may be further secured by additional fastening devices


124


, if desired.





FIG. 3

is a front view of one embodiment of the invention showing another view of the coupling between the pallet and vertical support members.





FIG. 4

presents another embodiment of the present invention, where pallet securing members


118


comprise one or more cleats


126


, including a left cleat


126


A and a right cleat


126


B.





FIG. 5

presents a close-up view of the employment of the cleats


126


in the present invention. Nominally, each cleat


126


is L-shaped, and comprises one or more cleat tabs


111


on one outer surface, and one or more keyhole-shaped apertures


108


on the other outer surface. In one embodiment, the cleat


126


is affixed to the pallet


102


by one or more fastening devices


128


inserted through the keyhole aperture


108


in the cleat. The fastening device


128


can be a wood screw of suitable dimension or other fastening means. Optionally, vertical support member


100


can be further secured to the pallet by one or more additional fastening devices


130


. Cleat tab


111


extends within a keyhole aperture


108


, and may be secured with an additional fastening device as described herein.





FIG. 6

is a side view of the embodiment shown in

FIGS. 4 and 5

.





FIG. 7

is an illustration showing the two types of cleats employed in the embodiments shown in

FIGS. 4 and 5

. Left cleats


126


A (depicted in FIG.


5


), and right cleats


126


B are employed. Nominally, a total of four cleats


126


(two left cleats


126


A, and two right cleats


126


B) are used.




Nominally, four vertical support members


100


are employed in the present invention, one at each corner of the pallet


102


. In alternative embodiments, the present invention can comprise additional vertical support members


100


for additional bracing. Nominally, these additional vertical support members


100


will be flat, and not L-shaped, so as to be easily affixed to the cross members


104


, but the present invention can accommodate a wide variety of vertical support member shapes with modification. These additional vertical support members


100


may be affixed to the pallet, but need not be so. Further, if exceptional rigidity is required, the additional cross bracing may be employed in either the pallet


102


structure, the metal between vertical support members


100


, or both.





FIG. 8A

presents perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention illustrating a segmented design in which the assembly comprises two rigid, yet easily separable sections which can be separated to form smaller shelving units for separate transport or for display and merchandising of products. In this embodiment, the vertical support members


100


comprise bottom vertical support members


100


A and top vertical support members


100


B, both of which are of generally shorter length than the vertical support members


100


previously described herein. The lower portion of the bottom vertical support members


100


A are secured to a first pallet


102


A using the techniques and structures described earlier in this disclosure.




A plurality of cross braces


104


are coupled to the vertical support members


100


. Cross braces


104


A are coupled to the vertical support members


100


to form an aperture for inserting planar surfaces


106


a right angle shelf portion on which supports the planar surfaces


106


, as previously described and illustrated. Pallet support members


105


are inserted between the lower vertical support members


100


A at the topmost position in an inverted “L” configuration, with the right angle portion disposed above or below the vertical portion. So disposed, the right angle portions of the pallet support members


104


B form a shelf or cavity which supports a second pallet


102


B, which, if desired, may be secured to the assembly using lag screws


130


or similar fastening devices inserted through apertures in the right angle portions of the cross braces


104


B. Upper vertical support members


100


B and second pallet securing members such as the cleats


126


described earlier are then secured to the upper pallet


102


B using the structures and methods previously described to secure the shelving to the pallet


102


, using either cleats


126


, pallet securing members


118


, or inverted cross braces


104


.





FIG. 8B

is a side view of the structures shown in FIG.


8


A.





FIG. 9A

presents a side view of another embodiment of the present invention illustrating the use of a unique keyhole aperture


108


configuration. In this embodiment, the vertical support member


100


comprises two sets of keyhole apertures


108


, a first set


121


comprising one or more keyhole apertures


108


A facing in a first direction, and a second set


123


comprising one or more keyhole apertures


108


B facing in a second direction substantially inverted from that of the first set of keyhole apertures


108


A. For purposes of clarity, keyhole apertures


108


A will be referred to henceforth as downward facing keyhole apertures, and keyhole apertures


108


B will be referred to as upward facing keyhole apertures. This embodiment also shows another alternative for the pallet securing members


118


. Here, one or more right angle support members


140


, having one or more right angle support member tabs


113


of suitable size for insertion into the upward facing keyhole apertures


108


B are utilized. The right angle support members


140


are disposed adjacent to the vertical support members


100


in a fitting relationship and affixed to the vertical support members by inserting tabs


113


in the upward facing keyhole apertures


108


B, and applying suitable force in a direction towards the upward facing keyhole aperture


108


B smaller portion.




When the foregoing elements are arranged as described above, a pallet


102


can be inserted in the space formed by the vertical support members


100


to allow the entire assembly to be lifted and moved with a forklift or other similar device. Lifting forces from the pallet


102


are then borne by the right angle support members


140


, right angle support member tabs


113


, and upward facing keyhole aperture


118


B smaller portions, structural elements which are well suited to support considerable weight. This embodiment may also be practiced with the use of pallet securing members


118


or cleats


126


in the place of right angle support member


140


. This embodiment also obviates the need for the insertion or removal of pallet securing devices


124


, speeding assembly and disassembly.





FIG. 9B

is a top view of the embodiments shown in FIG.


9


A.





FIG. 10

shows a perspective view of the foregoing embodiment of the present invention. Safety devices, such as clips or right angle bolts


142


can be inserted into keyhole apertures


108


. In the event of a tab


110


failure, these safety devices serve to restrict excessive motion of structures that were supported by the failed tab


110


. In the illustrated embodiment, right angle bolt


142


is inserted into keyhole aperture


108


A. The right angle bolt


142


comprises a head structure


144


which prevents passage through the keyhole aperture


108


, and preferably, a shank structure


146


that is smaller in cross section than the smaller portion of the keyhole aperture


108


. In one embodiment, shank structure


146


is of sufficient length and/or mass to assure that the right angle bolt


142


is balanced so as to remain in the keyhole aperture


108


after insertion. If necessary, the safety device may be locked or secured into the keyhole apertures by bolts, clips, pins, or other means.




Friction between the tabs


110


and the upward facing keyhole apertures


108


B as well as friction between the right angle support members


140


and the vertical support members


100


are generally sufficient to retain the tabs


113


in the smaller portion of the keyhole aperture


108


B. However, if desired, vertical support member


100


and right angle support member


140


may also comprise interconnecting fastening means. Such fastening means can feature, for example, one or more shear apertures


150


in each structure adjacently disposed on assembly, thus allowing the insertion of a pin, nail, or other device


152


after assembly to restrict the apertures from sliding relative to one another. Similarly, if desired, the right angle support member


140


and pallet


102


can be affirmatively secured to the vertical support member


100


by means of a wood screw, nail, bolt or other securing device


144


inserted through the upward facing keyhole aperture


108


B larger portion.





FIG. 11

is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a simple cleat


126


is used in place of the right angle support member


126


. If additional strength is desired, a second cleat can be disposed at a right angle to and lapped on top of the illustrated cleat so that the cleat tabs


111


from the second cleat are disposed through the upward facing keyhole apertures


108


A in the vertical support member


100


. If necessary, the location of the upward facing keyhole apertures


108


A presented to the cleat tabs


111


of the second cleat can be adjusted vertically in an amount sufficient to account for the vertical displacement of the second cleat, or the location of the tabs on the second cleat can be so adjusted to achieve the same effect. Also, if desired, a nail, bolt, or wood screw may be inserted into the cleat


126


keyhole aperture


118


and into the pallet


102


to secure the pallet


102


to the assembly.




Upward facing keyhole apertures


108


B are generally disposed near the lower portion of the vertical support members


100


. However, that need not be the case. Upward facing keyhole apertures


108


B can be disposed on any portion of the vertical support members


100


, and when used in conjunction with other structures herein described, provide an exceptionally strong means for lifting and transporting any assembly constructed using the vertical support members


100


.





FIGS. 12A and 12B

present another embodiment of the present invention, in which the pallet securing members (here, inverted cross braces


104


) are affixed so that the securing surface is disposed at the bottom of the securing member. This configuration can be advantageously used to accommodate different pallet


102


thicknesses.





FIG. 13

is a perspective view of the alternative embodiment shown in

FIGS. 12A and 12B

.





FIG. 14

is a side view of another embodiment of the present invention in which keyhole apertures are replaced with double-sided keyhole apertures


200


. Each double-sided keyhole aperture


200


has an upward oriented aperture segment


202


and a downward oriented aperture segment


204


. This design is simpler to produce because the keyhole apertures


200


have a symmetrical orientation and can be easily punched from the vertical support members


100


without reorientation.





FIG. 15

illustrates another embodiment of the present invention using double-sided keyhole apertures


200


. In this embodiment, a strengthening segment


220


is placed between the double-sided keyhole apertures


200


to increase the strength of the modular shelving. This configuration is particularly well suited to heavy loads. Strengthening segment


220


can be implemented by a greater distance between double-sided keyhole apertures


222


and


224


, a greater distance between the double-sided keyhole apertures


224


and


226


, or a greater distance between both. Alternatively, a vertical support member can be reinforced in this area as required with additional thickness material, molding or stamping a stronger shape, or by heat treatment.





FIG. 16

illustrates another embodiment of the present invention in which only a limited number of double-sided keyhole apertures


200


are utilized. This configuration is useful in situations where higher vertical support member


100


rigidity is required, or when less flexibility in shelf location is required.




In addition to the aforementioned advantages, the present invention is also easily constructed and broken down. Construction is accomplished by placing pallet securing members


118


or cleats


128


about the periphery of the pallet


102


so that the pallet securing tabs


110


(or, in embodiments using cleats


126


, the cleat tabs


111


) face outward from the center of the pallet. Next, vertical support members


100


are placed at each corner of the pallet


102


. Then, downward force is applied to the vertical support members to lock them to the pallet securing members


118


(or cleats


126


). Then, the desired number and location of shelves is determined. At the aforementioned locations, four cross braces


104


are inserted into the structure with the tabs


110


on the braces fitting into the keyhole apertures


108


in the vertical support members


100


. Downward force is then applied to the cross braces


104


, affixing them in position. When so inserted, these cross braces


104


form a shelf upon which the planar surface


106


is placed, completing the construction. Disassembly follows the reverse procedure.





FIG. 17

is a flowchart illustrating the foregoing operations. The process begins by placing


302


a pallet securing member


118


having a pallet securing tab


110


about the periphery of a pallet so that the pallet securing tab faces outward from the center of the pallet


102


. Then, vertical support members


100


are placed


304


at each corner of the pallet


102


, and the pallet securing tabs


110


are inserted


306


through the keyhole apertures


108


. Pressure is then applied


308


to each vertical support member


100


so as to affix the keyhole apertures


108


to the pallet securing tabs


110


. A plurality of cross braces


104


having cross brace tabs


109


are then disposed


310


between the vertical support members


100


. These cross braces


104


are then coupled and secured to the vertical support members


100


by inserting the cross member tabs


109


in the vertical support member apertures


108


and applying suitable force on the cross member braces


104


. Finally, the process is completed by placing


316


shelving between the vertical support members


100


and upon the cross member braces


104


.




The present invention may be practiced in a number of embodiments. For example, while the foregoing has been described with respect to conventional L-shaped steel shelving with tabs


110


and keyhole shaped apertures


108


, the present invention can be practiced with other means to affix the elements of the invention together. Similarly, although generally stronger in construction, L-shaped members are not required to practice the present invention. Although the present invention is especially suitable for transport via fork lifts, it is also envisioned that the foregoing invention can be practiced with the use of wheels (which may comprise braking or setting means) affixed to the bottom surface of the pallet


102


. Also, while the present invention has been described with apertures


108


on the vertical support members


100


, and tabs on other elements, the invention is not so limited, and could be practiced in other embodiments. For example, the present invention could be practiced using tabs on the vertical support members, and apertures on the other interconnecting elements. Cross braces can also be affixed with the use of push-through sections at appropriate locations in the vertical support members. Such push through sections can be fashioned by making U-shaped cuts in the vertical support members, and bending the cut sections inward. The upper portion of the cut sections can then support cross braces or shelving of medium to light weight.




CONCLUSION




In summary, a modular pallet and shelving assembly has been described which uses widely available conventional components, reduces damage to products in transit, and reduces time consuming handling of products to remove them from shipping containers and place them on retail shelves. The present invention presents a flexible solution to product transportation. The structure may be returned to the manufacturer, broken down and used for its component parts, or disposed of, or returned to the manufacturer in an assembled or disassembled state. Further, the present invention supports multiple pallet structures to heights suitable for retail display and merchandising.




The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto. The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.



Claims
  • 1. A shelf assembly, comprising:a plurality of first support members; and a second support member, coupled to at least one of the plurality of first support members, the second support member having a pallet-facing surface configured to bear at least a portion of the weight of the shelf assembly when the shelf assembly is lifted by a pallet; wherein each of the plurality of first support members are disposed proximate a corner of the pallet.
  • 2. The shelf assembly of claim 1, wherein the second support member is coupled to the pallet.
  • 3. The shelf assembly of claim 2, wherein at least one of the plurality of first support members includes an aperture.
  • 4. The shelf assembly of claim 3, wherein the second support member is secured to the at least one of the plurality of first support members via insertion of a member through the aperture.
  • 5. The shelf assembly of claim 4, wherein the member is a bolt.
  • 6. The shelf assembly of claim 4, wherein the member is a pin.
  • 7. The shelf assembly of claim 1, wherein the shelf assembly comprises a plurality of second support members, each disposed a corner of the pallet.
  • 8. The shelf assembly of claim 1, wherein each of die second support members are disposed about at lease two sides of the pallet.
  • 9. The self assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the second support members are disposed about at least three sides of the pallet.
  • 10. The shelf assembly of claim 1 wherein the shelf assembly comprises a plurality of second support members that collectively bear the weight of the shelf assembly when the shelf assembly is lifted by the pallet.
  • 11. A shelf assembly, comprising:a plurality of vertical support members, each of the plurality of vertical support members having at least one pallet-facing surface; a plurality of pallet support members, each of the plurality of pallet support members coupled to at least one of the vertical support members, and each of the plurality of support members each comprising a pallet-facing surface; and wherein the plurality of vertical support member surfaces and the plurality of pallet support member surfaces are disposed about a periphery of a pallet to restrain the pallet therebetween from motion in a horizontal plane and an vertical direction.
  • 12. The shelf assembly of claim 11, wherein the plurality of vertical support member surfaces and the plurality of support member surfaces are disposed about the periphery of the pallet to restrain the pallet therebetween from motion in the horizontal plane and the vertical direction when the pallet is lifted in the vertical direction.
  • 13. The shelf assembly of claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of vertical support members are disposed proximate a corner of the pallet.
  • 14. The shelf assembly of claim 13, wherein the pallet support members are coupled to the pallet.
  • 15. The shelf assembly of claim 14, wherein at least one of the plurality of vertical support members includes an aperture.
  • 16. The shelf assembly of claim 14, wherein the member is a bolt.
  • 17. The shelf assembly of claim 14, wherein the member is a pin.
  • 18. The shelf assembly of claim 13, wherein the pallet support members are secured to the vertical support members via insertion of a member through the aperture.
  • 19. The shelf assembly of claim 11, wherein the pallet support members are disposed at each corner of the pallet.
  • 20. The shelf assembly of claim 11, wherein each of the pallet support members are disposed about at least two sides of the pallet.
  • 21. The shelf assembly of claim 11, wherein each of the pallet support members are disposed at least three sides of the pallet.
  • 22. The shelf assembly of claim 11, wherein all the of vertical support member surfaces are in contact with the pallet.
  • 23. The shelf assembly of claim 22, wherein all of the plurality of pallet support member surfaces are in contact with the pallet.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and commonly assigned Continued Prosecution Application (CPA) Ser. No. 09/358,285, filed Jul. 21, 1999, for MODULAR LOW COST PALLET AND SHELF ASSEMBLY of Jeffrey Salmanson and Jon R. Dickey, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,244,194, issued Jun. 12, 2001, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/081,411, filed May 19, 1998, for MODULAR LOW COST PALLET AND SHELF ASSEMBLY, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,979,338, issued Nov. 9, 1999.

US Referenced Citations (9)
Number Name Date Kind
2935210 Cohen May 1960 A
3273720 Seiz Sep 1966 A
3294250 Evans Dec 1966 A
3672515 Rous Jun 1972 A
RE28244 Evans Nov 1974 E
4302023 Kiesz Nov 1981 A
4344368 Remington et al. Aug 1982 A
5979338 Salmanson et al. Nov 1999 A
6244194 Salmanson et al. Jun 2001 B1
Foreign Referenced Citations (2)
Number Date Country
437137 Nov 1967 CH
2362160 Jun 1975 DE
Provisional Applications (2)
Number Date Country
60/046883 May 1997 US
60/062754 Oct 1997 US
Continuations (2)
Number Date Country
Parent 09/358285 Jul 1999 US
Child 09/829589 US
Parent 09/081411 May 1998 US
Child 09/358285 US