BACKGROUND
Asset-tracking has become more prevalent as the cost and size of the electronic tracking devices decrease. However, it has been difficult to attach electronic tracking devices to pallets. Additionally, it may periodically be necessary to charge, maintain, or replace the electronic tracking devices in the pallets.
SUMMARY
A pallet includes a deck and a plurality of columns supporting the deck. A cover is removably secured over an opening in the deck or in one of the plurality of columns. The opening leads to a recess for receiving an electronic device.
In one embodiment, the cover is removably secured over an opening in the deck which leads into a recess in one of the columns. In another embodiment, the recess is formed in the deck away from the columns. In other embodiments, the cover is removably secured over an opening in an exterior wall of one of the columns.
The recess may be defined by a body portion formed separately from the deck or the column. The body portion may be molded plastic and may be formed as a cup that is secured to the deck or to the column. Alternatively, the recess may be defined by the upper wall, the lower wall and the ribs of the deck and the cover may be removably secured directly to the deck.
Each of the embodiments described herein facilitates attachment of electronic devices, such as tracking devices, IoT devices, or other sensors to pallets. The electronic device may include any combination of a battery, processor, sensor, electronic storage, gps receiver, communication circuit (e.g. cell data, wifi, Bluetooth, etc), and other known components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a pallet according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a section view through a portion of the deck of FIG. 1, taken through the electronics housing.
FIG. 3 is a section view through the electronics housing.
FIG. 4 shows an alternative housing for the electronic device within the deck of the pallet.
FIG. 5 shows a pallet according to another embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a section view through the pallet of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged upper perspective view of the electronic device in the pallet of FIG. 5.
FIG. 8 is a section view showing the electronic device received in the electronics housing of FIG. 5.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a pallet according to another embodiment.
FIG. 10 shows a section view though the column and housing of FIG. 9.
FIG. 11 is a side view of the exterior wall of the column of FIG. 10 with the cover removed.
FIG. 12 shows a pallet according to another embodiment.
FIG. 13 shows the center column of FIG. 12 with the upper deck removed.
FIG. 14 is a partially exploded view of the electronic device and cartridge of FIG. 13.
FIG. 15 shows the electronic device and cartridge inserted into the column of FIG. 13.
FIG. 16 is a section view through the column, the cartridge and the electronic device of FIG. 13.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 shows a pallet 10 according to a first example. In this example, the pallet 10 is a nestable pallet, but as will be shown, the invention could be used in other types of pallets just as well.
The pallet 10 includes a deck 12 and a plurality of feet 14 (or columns) supporting the deck 12. In this example, there are nine feet supporting the deck 12. The plurality of feet 14 are hollow and have aligned openings through the upper wall 16 of the deck 12 so that the plurality of feet 14 of an identical pallet could be nested therein when empty.
An electronics housing 20 is formed in the deck 12 of the pallet 10. In this example, the electronics housing 20 is received in recess leading from an opening through the upper wall 16 of the deck 12. The cover 24 of the electronics housing 20 is flush with the upper wall 16 of the deck 12. Alternatively, the cover 24 may be slightly recessed relative to the upper wall 16.
FIG. 2 is a section view through a portion of the deck 12 of FIG. 1, taken through the electronics housing 20. As is known in this type of plastic pallet, the deck 12 includes the upper wall 16 spaced above a lower wall 19. Upper ribs 18 formed integrally with the upper wall 16 are connected to lower ribs 17 formed integrally with the lower wall 19 to form the deck 12.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the electronics housing 20 includes a body portion, which in this example is a cup 26 received between the upper wall 16 and the lower wall 19 and between adjacent sets of ribs. The cup 26 is aligned with and secured to the opening 22 through the upper wall 16 of the deck 12. Snap-fit retainers 28 snap under the upper wall 16. An outer flange 29 along the outer perimeter of the cup 26 is larger than the opening 22 and abuts an outer surface of the upper wall 16. The cover 24 is secured to an upper edge of the cup 26 and/or the inner perimeter of the opening 22. In the example shown, the cover 24 has external threads that threadably engage threads on the interior periphery of the upper edge of the cup 26 The electronics housing 20 may be snap-fit secured to the upper wall 16 as shown. Alternatively, the electronics housing 20 may be secured with mechanical fasteners, adhesive, welding, etc.
An electronic device 30 is housed within the electronics housing 20. The cup 26 defines a recess therein for receiving the electronic device 30. The electronic device 30 may be an IoT device including a sensor 32 (such as a temperature sensor, accelerometer, RFID, etc) and a communication circuit 34 (such as wifi, Bluetooth, cell data, etc). The electronic device 30 may also include a processor 36 and electronic storage 38 for data and instructions. The electronic device 30 may also include a battery 40 or other power source for powering the components in the electronic device 30. Any combination of these components or others could be implemented in the electronic device 30.
This electronics housing 20 could also be used with non-nestable pallets with decks having upper and lower walls spaced apart by ribs.
FIG. 4 shows an alternative housing for the electronic device 30 within the deck 12 of the pallet 10. The electronic device 30 may be placed (or secured via adhesive or fasteners) within a recess within the deck 12, i.e. between the upper wall 16, the lower wall 19, and between the ribs. The electronic device 30 may be accessed via the opening 22 through the upper wall 16 by removing the cover 24. Preferably the cover 24 can be removed and replaced easily without damaging the pallet 10. In the example shown, the cover 24 is threadably secured to the upper wall 16 of the deck 12, but other attachment methods could be used such as fasteners, snap-fit connectors, etc. Preferably, the cover 24 can be removed and replaced without damage. In this example, the upper wall 16, the lower wall 19, and the ribs 17 form the body portion of the electronics housing, which is then selectively closed by the cover 24. This “integral housing” could also be used with non-nestable pallets with decks having upper and lower walls spaced apart by ribs.
FIG. 5 shows a pallet 110 according to another embodiment. The pallet 110 is a non-nestable pallet with a deck 112 having an upper wall 116. Columns 114 extend downward from the deck 112. Runners 134 connect lower ends of the columns 114. In this example, there are nine columns 114, including a center column 114 in which the electronics housing 120 is received. Alternatively, the electronics housing 120 could be received in one of the other columns 114.
FIG. 6 is a section view through the pallet 110 of FIG. 5. The deck 112 includes an upper wall 116 and a plurality of ribs 117 extending downward from the upper wall 116. The electronics housing 120 is received through an opening 122 through the upper wall 116 and ribs 117 of the deck 112 and substantially within the center column 114. A cover 124 is snap-fit or secured via fasteners or otherwise removably secured to the electronics housing 120 over the opening 122 in the upper wall 116. Preferably the cover 124 can be removed and replaced easily without damaging the pallet 110. The electronic device 30 is received within the electronics housing 120 and may be secured to the electronics housing 120 (via snap-fit, adhesive, fastener, etc).
FIGS. 7 and 8 show the electronic device 30 received in the electronics housing 120. The cup 126 includes an outer flange 136 for mounting to a wall of the pallet 110. The outer flange 136 surrounds an opening to the cup 126 and the cover 124 is received within the flange 136. Side walls of the cup 126 have apertures 138 for receiving snap-fit legs 140 formed integrally with the cover 124. In the example shown, the cover 124 is rectangular, but a round cover could also be used, in which case the cover could be threadably secured to the cup 126.
The electronic device 30 is protected within the electronics housing 120. The electronics housing 120 includes a body portion, which in this example is the cup 126 defining a recess for receiving the electronic device 30 and having the outer flange 136 that remains on the outer surface of the deck 112. The outer flange 136 may be secured to the deck 112 via fasteners, adhesive, welding, a snap-fit connection or the like. The electronics housing 120 also includes the cover 124.
As shown in FIG. 9, the electronics housing 120 could also be mounted through an exterior wall of one of the columns 214 of a pallet 210.
FIG. 10 shows a section view taken horizontally though the column 214 and electronics housing 120 of FIG. 9. The column 214 includes an exterior wall about its perimeter and a plurality of ribs extending inward radially from the exterior wall. An opening 122 is formed through the exterior wall of the column 214. The body portion or cup 126 of the electronics housing 120 is inserted through the opening 122 and into a space between the ribs. The outer flange 136 may be secured to the exterior wall via fasteners, adhesive, welding, a snap-fit connection or the like. The electronic device 30 is inserted into the cup 126 in the column 214. The cover 124 is then snap-fit (or otherwise secured-preferably in a removable fashion) to the cup 126.
FIG. 11 is a side view of the exterior wall of the column 214 of FIG. 10 with the cover 124 removed. The electronic device 30 is inserted into the electronics housing 120. The cover 124 (FIG. 10) is then secured over the opening to retain the electronic device 30 within the electronics housing 120. Subsequently, the cover 124 can be easily removed so that the electronic device 30 can be removed for repair or replacement.
FIG. 12 shows a pallet 310 according to another embodiment. In this pallet 310 the electronics housing 320 is installed through an opening formed in one of the exterior walls of the center column 314. This configuration could also be used in any exterior wall of any of the columns 314. The pallet 310 includes an upper deck 312 having an upper wall 316 and ribs extending downward therefrom to free ends. Columns 314 extend downward from the upper deck 312 to runners 334.
FIG. 13 shows the center column 314 of FIG. 12 with the upper deck removed. As shown, first and second openings 322 are formed through opposite vertical walls of the center column 314. The electronic device 30 is installed in a recess defined by a cartridge 326, which forms the body portion of the electronics housing 320, and which extends through at least one of the vertical walls of the center column 314.
As shown in FIG. 14, the electronic device 30 is installed in the cartridge 326, which is then inserted through one of the vertical walls as shown in FIG. 15. Alternatively, the cartridge 326 could be inserted into the column 314 before inserting the electronic device 30. The cover 324 is then secured to the cartridge 326 (via removable fasteners, as shown, or via snap-fit connection, adhesive, etc) over the opposite wall to secure the cartridge 326 within the center column 314 as shown in FIG. 16. The upper deck 312 would then be secured to the column 314 (and the other columns 314) as shown in FIG. 12. Alternatively, the upper deck 312 could be secured to the columns 314 before installation of the cartridge 326 and electronic device 30. The cover 324 can be removed and replaced easily without damaging the pallet 310 in order to access the electronic device 30.
Each of the above configurations facilitates attachment of electronic devices 30, such as tracking devices, IoT devices, or other sensors to pallets. Various processes can be used to produce the electronics housings 20, 120, 320, such as injection molding, thermoforming, or machining. The electronics housing 20, 120, 320 may be molded/formed in various materials to ensure that the IoT device (or other electronic device) is protected. Materials may include but are limited to polypropylene, high-density polyethylene, nylon, carbon fiber.
Because technology changes rapidly, the electronic devices 30 may also need to be charged or have maintenance completed throughout its life. It may therefore be important that the electronic device 30 be accessible. Most pallets are thermoformed or molded of plastic and are constructed of various sections, including a top and bottom deck, legs and cruciform bases, and they can also be reinforced with fiberglass, steel, or aluminum rods/components. The electronics housings 20, 120, 320 for the electronic devices 30 are designed in such a way that they can be removed/opened/sandwiched without damaging the pallet 10, 110, 210, 310 in any way. The housing can be placed into a cut out section of the pallet. This could be on the top deck, pallet columns or legs that space the top and bottom deck from one another.
In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes and jurisprudence, exemplary configurations described above are considered to represent a preferred embodiment of the invention. However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope. Alphanumeric identifiers on method claim steps are for case of reference in dependent claims only and do not signify a required sequence of steps unless other explicitly recited in the claims.
Patent Application
20240359867
