Patent Application
20200407110
The present invention relates to a modular pallet transport system, to be assembled in a toolbox principle, suitable especially for the transport of big and bulky goods and capable to be stapled also with heavy payload in a transport vehicle or in a transport compartment.
The transport of goods over long distances became multiplicative in-between the last decades. Especially in the manufacturing industry, components for the production as well as finished products are partially transported around the globe. A very important feature in this context is the efficient use of the available space in the transport vehicle as well as a fast handling of the regarding goods. A number of standard loading-devices as Euro-Pallet systems and regarding accessories have been firmly established for a long time too. For the transport of goods with extended dimensions in comparison, these standard loading-devices are suitable to only a limited extent. In cases where loaded standard-pallets are in need to be stacked, traditional systems are reaching quickly their limits, because in many cases the required stability or tilt resistance is no more ensured. Determinant values are mentioned in regarding rules and standards, displaying the maximum allowed acceleration/deceleration of the payload transported with the respective transport vehicle (truck, train, ship, and aircraft).
The prior art references have dealt with other examples of transporting system as follows:
The patent application no. (FR2774971) discloses a group of frames configuration pallet system, comprises lower and upper chassis formed from welded tubular elements. The lower chassis has an upper frame with angle sections and a lower frame with braces connected by steel sheets and legs. The upper chassis comprises a peripheral frame with lugs for the centralizing and fixing of optional separators. There are notches for the passage of rubber pegs for supporting the load.
Also, the patent application no. (US2012145031) discloses a pallet Handling System (PHS) of a ship, the invention proposes that the driving means which drives the payload support platform along a rail is also used to move that rail relative to the payload support platform and a support rail so that the position of the rail can be changed during the movement of the payload support platform between one site and another, the payload support platform is lockable to the support rail, such that the force which drives the payload support platform along the rail changes to driving the rail relative to the support rail.
The patent application no. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,868,080) discloses pallets for storing and transporting goods, and more particularly, to A reinforced plastic pallet construction and assembly method are presented wherein multiple reinforcing bars are employed, at least some of the reinforcing bars having an exposed surface at a top surface, underneath surface or bottom surface of the pallet. In addition to functioning as a reinforcing member, the exposed surfaces of the reinforcing bars comprise an anti-skid surface for maintaining positioning of payload on the pallet or facilitating transport of the pallet, e.g., via a forklift or automated transport system. Various techniques for retaining the reinforcing bars within channels formed in the plastic pallet body. The reinforcing bars preferably comprise composite structural members of fiberglass reinforced plastic.
Also, the patent application no. (GB2526704) is directed to a collapsible tubular sleeve has apertures suitable to receive fork lift tines and a lid engages its upper edge. The lower edge of the sleeve can rest on the ground around a pallet. Engagement between the sleeve and lid can be in the form of a downwardly facing channel on the lid or a horizontally facing channel on the wall. The sleeve could be formed of various plastics, card, and layers of corrugated card, metal or plywood. Panels of the sleeve could be cut from a single blank and connected by hinges comprising fold lines and adhesive or a releasable latch at an overlap portion. A waterproofing coating such as wax, resin or paint could be applied. The corrugations could receive reinforcing filler or rods. The lid could be formed of various materials such as multilayer corrugated card, fiber reinforced plastic or wooden slats and a lip could be formed of L shaped plastic or paper pulp members attached by adhesive or screws. There can be insulation within the sleeve and/or around it in the form of wrapping or plates engaged with internal U-shaped channels at either end of each panel. An aperture could allow access and coolant packages could be provided in within the sleeve.
The patent application no. (US2012145031) discloses a shipping assembly for shipment of elongated containers of semi-rigid material by securing a plurality of like dimensional containers into an integral bundle, said shipping assembly comprises: a plurality of longitudinally spaced parallel base pads, having oppositely disposed pairs of upstanding support tubes extending therefrom, connecting elements interconnecting some of said upstanding support tube pairs, a plurality of corner flaps on the ends of said connecting elements an elongated pallet overlying said base pads and said base board, end cap assemblies extending over some of said support tubes and related base pads, means for inter engaging said end cap assemblies and said elongated pallet and upstanding support tube pairs on said integral bundle of like dimensional containers, and means for securing said shipping assembly about said integral bundle.
The problem experienced in the previous prior art, discloses pallets as a consumable packaging cost. as products supplied on non-returnable pallets and in order to keep costs to a minimum, the pallets are made light in weight and with only sufficient strength to carry the load of the goods being loaded.
Another problem experienced, that pallets are bulky by their nature (which is to provide an elevated load platform with space underneath for lifting forks) and unloaded pallets thus occupy large volumes.
Also, one of the problems is that the pallet system disclosed in the applications with different standard pallet sizes that are used for different types of goods, load weights, storing configurations (e.g. with or without stacking and/or racking), etc. The space constraints in different areas where the payload need to be stored vary from one pallet to another.
The present invention seeks to address the shortfalls mentioned above, including providing cost effective, light weight pallets with good load carrying abilities, providing convenient and cost effectiveness use of pallets by reducing the weight of pallets during transportation, capable for all kind of goods that cannot be stacked by using standard pallet systems.
There is disclosed herein a modular pallet system suitable especially for the transport of big and bulky goods and capable to be stapled also with heavy payload comprising modules of basic-pallet, vertical-pillars, longitudinal-reinforce-elements and transversal-reinforce-Elements. The Basic-Pallet provides the surface for placing the cargo and for lashing via integrated tie-down points.
Further junction points at the edges of the Basic-Pallet are for the connection with the Vertical-Pillars and through these with the Reinforce-Elements, necessary to provide the assembly's stability, enabling stack ability of multi-story structure with additional Basic-Pallets on top.
Because of the modular design of the said pallet-system, the modules are combined in a way, to fit in the dimensions of the payload in the best way, whereby the regarding modules are put together by a “toolbox” principle into one or more combined assemblies. A special attention by developing this pallet-system has been taken onto the (empty) carriage of the modules, which can be performed in a quite space-saving way.
The “basic pallet” module (P) is made of solid steel frame with 2 wooden top surfaces, can be painted or hot dip galvanized. Staple dimension=(80-220) mm/pallet. The connection with the vertical pillar module (VP) and the transversal reinforce module (RT) takes place via standard-screws (M8 up to M36) or alternative via plug-connection. The modules “vertical-pillar” (VP) & “reinforce-longitudinal” (RL) comprising steel beams connected via screws or plug system. The connection of module (VP) with (RL) takes place via standard-screws (M8 up to M36), the connection of module (P) with module (RT) takes place via standard-screws (M8 up to M36). Alternative the modules can be connected via plug connection, with exception of connection (VP) with (RT), which needs to be screwed only (M8 up to M36), because of a very rigid connection, needed at this specific position. The module (VP) is available in different lengths, i.e. the specific module can be selected individually conform to the height of the payload. The length of the regarding module is specified by a number after the code designation. Example: VP−(500-1800)=Vertical-Pillar with a length of (500-1800) mm.
The module “reinforce-transversal” (RT) is made of steel element needed to absorb transversal forces. The connection of the basic pallet (P) takes place via standard-screws (M8 up to M36), or alternative via plug-connection. The connection of the vertical pillar (VP) takes place with standard-screws (M8 up to M36) only. All the modules can be painted or hot dip galvanized.
The dimensions of the modules designed to have technical specifications shown as the following:
Example (1): Alternative pallet widths can be offered 600 mm or 800 mm particularly suitable for the transport of motor bikes, 1.150 mm for the use in sea-containers (optimum use of the inner width) 1.600 mm wider version (inside the truck space is still available for a 600 mm or a 800 mm wide unit beside) 2.100 mm for the transport of cars.
Example (2): If the loading of a 13.60 m mega-trailer with a maximum inner loading height of 3.00 m is assumed, the suggested payload components of the construction business are transported. The “Module combination” comprises the number and the code designation of the modules, as (P), (V), (RL) and (RT) for the particular assemblies are mentioned. The number after (VP) specifies the length of the vertical pillar.
e.g. 1×P/4×VP-1200/2×RL/2×RT
1× Basic-pallet module, 4× Vertical pillar module with length 1.200 mm, 2× Longitudinal reinforce module, 2× Transversal reinforce module.
For the return transport or for the transport to the next loading place, all utilized pallets (empty) as well as all additional modules are in need of a loading space of 1.20×1.20×3.00 m (l×w×h), which is equivalent to the “footprint” of one single basic-pallet (P). For stacking the basic-pallets (P), the upper one has to be positioned with a displacement of 90° in comparison with the lower one.
For load securing, the payload is secured via the suspension points on the basic-pallet (P) and at the other hand, the pallet combinations are secured via the suspension points on the loading floor of the semi-trailer. Therefore standard lashing belts with tensioning devices are used. At the pallet combinations themselves, many positions are capable for placing the hook of a lashing belt.
For mounting and handling of the pallet combinations, 2 variations can take place, at the first variation, the modules or respectively one pallet combination with the other, are connected via standard-screws (M12) and (M16), whereby a rigid “mono block” situation occurs. The drawings conform are giving a visual impression for this kind of connection the (“screwed only”).
At the second variation, the connecting points of the modules are equipped with conic aligned bolts, whereat the modules needs to be plugged only and whereby the modules can be mounted much faster and easier. Also stacking the combinations via forklift becomes easier. The only position, which is in need to be screwed only, is the connection of the vertical-pillar module (VP) with the transversal reinforce module (RT), because at this position a quite rigid connection is required. The drawings conform (“screwed/plugged”) are giving a visual impression for this kind of connection.
Additional modules and accessories can be offered, e.g. adapter-beams, which will be connected with the basic pallet for transporting special goods, e.g. wheeled vehicles or engineering elements. Suchlike adapter beams will be connected with the basic pallet via screw-connection. Regarding connecting points are already foreseen at the basic-pallet for fixing the wooden panels, i.e. these wooden panels will be off-mounted and replaced with the regarding adapter beam. Also lifting accessories for lifting via crane.
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Details for other embodiments of payload and pallet-assemblies conform as shown in
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 201937835 | Jun 2019 | GC | regional |
