PALLET

Abstract

An improved pallet may include a support deck with an upper load contacting surface and a lower ground facing surface that may each be positioned along a first sidewall and an opposingly positioned second sidewall. One or more ground contacting legs may be coupled to or integrated in the first sidewall and to the second sidewall. A first deck edge may be coupled to the support deck and may extend between the first sidewall and the second sidewall. A second deck edge may also be coupled to the support deck and may be opposingly positioned to the first deck edge, and the second edge may extend between the first sidewall and the second sidewall. Preferably, the pallet may comprise one or more sidewall recessed pockets which may be coupled to or positioned along at least one sidewall and/or one or more edge recessed pockets which may be coupled to at least one deck edge.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of material transporting equipment and devices. More specifically, the invention relates to improved pallets for use with transporting devices such pallet jacks as forklifts.

BACKGROUND

Pallets are commonly used to secure durable goods during transport between various locations. Typically, a pallet comprises a square or rectangular load bearing surface or deck configured to receive goods for storage and transport. Sidewalls with ground contacting legs extend vertically below the deck forming a space or cavity suitable to engage various types of pallet transporting equipment such as hand pallet trucks, Walkie Pallet Jacks, forklifts, and the like. Pallet transportation equipment commonly includes two elongated forks known as “tines” which are inserted under the pallet deck and into the pallet cavity to raise the pallet off of the ground for transportation.

Recently, pallets with narrow elongated decks and high profile designs have become common place. These high profile pallets may have support decks which are 6 inches or higher above the ground. While advantageous in certain environments, the high profile design of these new pallets pose an inherent design issue that prevents them from being loaded onto a trailer to maximize cube utilization. Companies that utilize narrow high profile design (HPD) pallets currently shrink-wrap pallets, a plastic film that wraps the pallet load which helps contain the load to the pallet deck during transport. Also, companies attach straps equipped with hooks and e-track receivers to the sidewalls of HPD pallets which causes problems during transport. These pallets are loaded side by side in trailers which causes hooks and e-track hardware become entangled with one another as they are loaded and unloaded from the trailer. In addition, when pallet are loaded and placed further apart to prevent the above issue the cube utilization of the trailer goes down and operation costs rise.

Therefore, a need exists for improved pallets that has a containment design that can easily be adaptable to the various containment systems and equipment that are on the market today.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An improved pallet is provided. In some embodiments, the pallet may include a support deck with an upper load contacting surface and a lower ground facing surface that may each be coupled to a first sidewall and an opposingly positioned second sidewall. A first and a second ground contacting leg may be coupled to the first sidewall, and a third and a fourth ground contacting leg may be coupled to the second sidewall. A first deck edge may be coupled to the support deck and may extend between the first sidewall and second sidewall. A second deck edge may be coupled to the support deck and may be opposingly positioned to the first deck edge, and the second edge may extend between the first sidewall and second sidewall. A first sidewall recessed pocket may be coupled to the first sidewall. A second sidewall recessed pocket may be coupled to the second sidewall, and the second sidewall recessed pocket may be aligned with the first sidewall recessed pocket.

In further embodiments, the pallet may include a support deck with an upper load contacting surface and a lower ground facing surface that may each be coupled to a first sidewall and an opposingly positioned second sidewall. A first and a second ground contacting leg may be coupled to the first sidewall, and a third and a fourth ground contacting leg may be coupled to the second sidewall. A first deck edge may be coupled to the support deck and may extend between the first sidewall and second sidewall. A second deck edge may be coupled to the support deck and may be opposingly positioned to the first deck edge, and the second edge may extend between the first sidewall and second sidewall. A first sidewall recessed pocket may be coupled to the first sidewall. A second sidewall recessed pocket may be coupled to the second sidewall, and the second sidewall recessed pocket may be aligned with the first sidewall recessed pocket. A first edge recessed pocket may be coupled to the first deck edge, and a second edge recessed pocket coupled to the second deck edge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a top perspective view of an example of an improved pallet according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates a first side elevation view of an example of an improved pallet according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 3 shows a second side elevation view of an example of an improved pallet according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 4 depicts a front elevation view of an example of an improved pallet according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 5 illustrates a rear elevation view of an example of an improved pallet according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an example of a recessed pocket of an improved pallet according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 7 depicts a sectional, through line 7-7 shown in FIG. 6, elevation view of an example of a recessed pocket according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of another example of a recessed pocket of an improved pallet according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 9 shows a sectional, through line 9-9 shown in FIG. 8, elevation view of an example of a recessed pocket according to various embodiments described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims.

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “right”, “rear”, “front”, “side”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. However, one will understand that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. Therefore, the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

Although the terms “first”, “second”, etc. are used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, the first element may be designated as the second element, and the second element may be likewise designated as the first element without departing from the scope of the invention.

As used in this application, the term “about” or “approximately” refers to a range of values within plus or minus 10% of the specified number. Additionally, as used in this application, the term “substantially” means that the actual value is within about 10% of the actual desired value, particularly within about 5% of the actual desired value and especially within about 1% of the actual desired value of any variable, element or limit set forth herein.

A new pallet for material transporting is discussed herein. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.

The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or description below.

The present invention will now be described by example and through referencing the appended figures representing preferred and alternative embodiments. FIGS. 1-5 illustrate examples of an improved pallet (“the pallet”) 100 according to various embodiments. In some embodiments, the pallet 100 may comprise a support deck 16 with an upper load contacting surface 13 and a lower ground facing surface 12 that may each be coupled to or integrated with a first sidewall 18A and an opposingly positioned second sidewall 18B. One or more ground contacting legs 15 may be coupled to or integrated with the first sidewall 18A, and one or more ground contacting legs 15 may also be coupled to or integrated with the second sidewall 18B. A first deck edge 16A may be coupled to or part of the support deck 16 and may extend between the first sidewall 18A and the second sidewall 18B. A second deck edge 16B may also be coupled to or be part of the support deck 16 and may be opposingly positioned to the first deck edge 16A, and the second edge 16B may extend between the first sidewall 18A and the second sidewall 18B. Preferably, the pallet 100 may comprise one or more sidewall recessed pockets 17A which may be coupled to or formed in the support deck 16 or in at least one sidewall 18A, 18B, and/or one or more edge recessed pockets 17B which may be coupled to or formed in at least one deck edge 16A, 16B.

Generally, a pallet 100 may be configured to support one or more objects on an upper load contacting surface 13 of the support deck 16. One or more, such as six, ground contacting legs 15 may be coupled to or integrated with the sidewalls 18A, 18B, and may be configured to support the support deck 16 above a ground surface. The ground contacting legs 15 may be configured in any shape and size.

In preferred embodiments, the pallet 100 may comprise one or more access channels 24A, 24B, 25A, 25B, 26, and the ground contacting legs 15 may be configured to support the support deck 16 above a ground surface so that the tines of a pallet moving device may be inserted into the access channels 24A, 24B, 25A, 25B, 26, and used to lift and otherwise manipulate the pallet 100. In some embodiments, the pallet 100 may comprise a first standard lateral access channel 24A and a second standard lateral access channel 24B. The standard lateral access channels 24A, 24B, may be positioned between the ground contacting legs 15. A tine support edge 14 may be coupled to each sidewall 18A, 18B, in each standard lateral access channel 24A, 24B, so that the tines of a pallet moving device inserted into the standard lateral access channels 24A, 24B, may be contacted by the four tine support edges 14 when the pallet 100 is lifted by the pallet moving device.

In some embodiments, the pallet 100 may comprise a first narrow lateral access channel 25A and a second narrow lateral access channel 25B. The narrow lateral access channels 25A, 25B, may also be positioned between the ground contacting legs 15, but the narrow lateral access channels 25A, 25B, may preferably be positioned closer to each other than the standard lateral access channels 24A, 24B. A narrow tine support edge 14A may be coupled to each sidewall 18A, 18B, in each narrow lateral access channel 25A, 25B, so that the tines of a narrow pallet moving device inserted into the narrow lateral access channels 25A, 25B, may be contacted by the four narrow tine support edges 14A when the pallet 100 is lifted by the narrow pallet moving device.

In some embodiments, the pallet 100 may comprise one or more longitudinal access channels 26. The longitudinal access channels 26 may also be positioned between the ground contacting legs 15, but may be oriented generally perpendicular to the lateral access channels 24A, 24B, 25A, 25B, so as to extend between the deck edges 16A, 16B. Preferably, the tines of a pallet moving device or narrow pallet moving device inserted into the longitudinal access channels 26 may be contacted by the lower ground facing surface 12 or other surface or element when the pallet 100 is lifted by the pallet moving device or narrow pallet moving device.

The pallet 100 may comprise one or more recessed pockets 17A, 17B, which may be positioned anywhere on the pallet 100. In preferred embodiments, one or more sidewall recessed pockets 17A may be coupled to one or more sidewalls 18A, 18B, and/or one or more edge recessed pockets 17B may be coupled to one or more deck edges 16A, 16B.

In some embodiments, the pallet 100 may comprise a first sidewall recessed pocket 17A that may be coupled to the first sidewall 18A and a second sidewall recessed pocket 17A that may be coupled to the second sidewall 18B, and the second sidewall recessed pocket 17A may be aligned with the first sidewall recessed pocket 17A. Two sidewall recessed pockets 17A may be aligned with each other so that a first sidewall recessed pocket 17A on the first sidewall 18A may be approximately the same distance from the deck edges 16A, 16B, as the first sidewall recessed pocket 17A on the second sidewall 18A is from the deck edges 16A, 16B, as perhaps best shown in FIG. 1. In preferred embodiments, a first sidewall 18A may comprise or be coupled to two sidewall recessed pockets 17A, and a second sidewall 18B may also comprise or be coupled to two sidewall recessed pockets 17A.

In some embodiments, the pallet 100 may comprise a first edge recessed pocket 17B that may be coupled to the first deck edge 16A and a second edge recessed pocket 17B that may be coupled to the second deck edge 16B, and the second edge recessed pocket 17B may be aligned with the first edge recessed pocket 17B. Two edge recessed pockets 17B may be aligned with each other so that a first edge recessed pocket 17B on the first deck edge 16A may be approximately the same distance from the sidewalls 18A, 18B, as the first edge recessed pocket 17B on the second deck edge 16B is from the sidewalls 18A, 18B, as perhaps best shown in FIG. 1. In preferred embodiments, a first deck edge 16A may comprise or be coupled to two edge recessed pockets 17B, and a second deck edge 16B may also comprise or be coupled to two edge recessed pockets 17B.

In some embodiments, the pallet 100 may comprise a first sidewall recessed pocket 17A coupled to the first sidewall 18A and a second sidewall recessed pocket 17A coupled to the second sidewall 18B, and the second sidewall recessed pocket 17A may be aligned with the first sidewall recessed pocket 17A. In further embodiments, the pallet 100 may include a first standard lateral access channel 24A, and the first sidewall recessed pocket 17A and second sidewall recessed pocket 17A may be positioned above the first standard lateral access channel 24A. In still further embodiments, the pallet 100 may comprise a third sidewall recessed pocket 17A coupled to the first sidewall 18A and a fourth sidewall recessed pocket 17A coupled to the second sidewall 18B, and the third sidewall recessed pocket 17A may be aligned with the fourth sidewall recessed pocket 17A. In yet further embodiments, the pallet 100 may include a second standard lateral access channel 24B, and the third sidewall recessed pocket 17A and fourth sidewall recessed pocket 17A may be positioned above the second standard lateral access channel 24B.

As perhaps best shown in FIGS. 6-9 and in preferred embodiments, a sidewall recessed pocket 17A and an edge recessed pocket 17B may be configured substantially similar to each other with a sidewall recessed pocket 17A coupled to a sidewall 18A, 18B, and an edge recessed pocket 17B coupled to a deck edge 16A, 16B.

In some embodiments, a recessed pocket 17A, 17B, may comprise a vertical backplate 20 which may be coupled to a horizontal shelf 21. Preferably, a vertical backplate 20 and/or a horizontal shelf 21 may comprise a generally planar shape, although a vertical backplate 20 and/or a horizontal shelf 21 may be configured in any shape and size. Generally, a horizontal shelf 21 may be recessed below the upper load contacting surface 13 of a support deck 16, and a vertical backplate 20 may be recessed into or below the surface of a sidewall 18A, 18B, or deck edge 16A, 16B, depending on if the vertical backplate 20 is part of a sidewall recessed pocket 17A or an edge recessed pocket 17B, respectively.

In some embodiments, a recessed pocket 17A, 17B, may comprise one or more slots 22, such as one or more vertical vertical slots 22A and/or one or more horizontal slots 22B. Generally, a slot 22 may be configured as an opening which may lead to a cavity 27. In some embodiments, a slot 22 and a cavity 27 may comprise approximately the same dimensions. In other embodiments, a cavity 27 may be larger than a slot 22 so that portions of cargo securing hardware, such as surcingles, e-track receiver anchors, hook receivers, release buckle receivers hooks, etc., may be inserted into the cavity 27 via the slot 22 and then turned or otherwise actuated to removably couple the cargo securing hardware in the cavity 27 and slot 22.

In some embodiments, a recessed pocket 17A, 17B, may comprise a horizontal slot 22B which may be positioned or disposed in a horizontal shelf 21. In further embodiments, a recessed pocket 17A, 17B, may comprise a horizontal slot 22B which may be centrally positioned in a horizontal shelf 21 as perhaps best shown in FIGS. 6-9. In some embodiments, a recessed pocket 17A, 17B, may comprise a vertical slot 22A which may be positioned or disposed in a vertical backplate 20. In further embodiments, a recessed pocket 17A, 17B, may comprise a vertical slot 22A which may be centrally positioned in a vertical backplate 20 as perhaps best shown in FIGS. 6-9. In some embodiments and as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a recessed pocket 17A, 17B, may comprise a horizontal slot 22B and a vertical slot 22A, and the horizontal slot 22B and vertical slot 22A may be in communication with each other. In further embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 9, a recessed pocket 17A, 17B, may comprise a horizontal slot 22B and a vertical slot 22A, and the cavities 27 of the horizontal slot 22B and vertical slot 22A may be in communication with each other. It is to be understood any vertical slot 22A and horizontal slot 22B of the pallet 100 may be positioned at various angles along its vertical backplate 20 or horizontal shelf 21, respectively.

While some exemplary shapes and sizes have been provided for elements of the pallet 100, it should be understood to one of ordinary skill in the art that a recessed pocket 17A, 17B, vertical backplate 20, horizontal shelf 21, vertical slot 22A, horizontal slot 22B, and any other element described herein may be configured in a plurality of sizes and shapes including “T” shaped, “X” shaped, square shaped, rectangular shaped, cylinder shaped, cuboid shaped, hexagonal prism shaped, triangular prism shaped, or any other geometric or non-geometric shape, including combinations of shapes. It is not intended herein to mention all the possible alternatives, equivalent forms or ramifications of the invention. It is understood that the terms and proposed shapes used herein are merely descriptive, rather than limiting, and that various changes, such as to size and shape, may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Additionally, while some materials have been provided, in other embodiments, the elements that comprise the pallet 100 may be made from or may comprise durable materials such as aluminum, steel, other metals and metal alloys, wood, hard rubbers, hard plastics, fiber reinforced plastics, carbon fiber, fiber glass, resins, polymers or any other suitable materials including combinations of materials. Additionally, one or more elements may be made from or may comprise durable and slightly flexible materials such as soft plastics, silicone, soft rubbers, or any other suitable materials including combinations of materials. In some embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the pallet 100 may be coupled or connected together with heat bonding, chemical bonding, adhesives, clasp type fasteners, clip type fasteners, rivet type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, other types of fasteners, or any other suitable joining method. In other embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the pallet 100 may be coupled or removably connected by being press fit or snap fit together, by one or more fasteners such as hook and loop type or Velcro® fasteners, magnetic type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, sealable tongue and groove fasteners, snap fasteners, clip type fasteners, clasp type fasteners, ratchet type fasteners, a push-to-lock type connection method, a turn-to-lock type connection method, a slide-to-lock type connection method or any other suitable temporary connection method as one reasonably skilled in the art could envision to serve the same function. In further embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the pallet 100 may be coupled by being one of connected to and integrally formed with another element of the pallet 100.

Although the present invention has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, are contemplated thereby, and are intended to be covered by the following claims.

Claims

1. An improved pallet, the pallet comprising: a support deck with an upper load contacting surface and a lower ground facing surface;a first sidewall and an opposingly positioned second sidewall each extending downward from the support deck;a first and a second ground contacting leg positioned along the first sidewall;a third and a fourth ground contacting leg positioned along the second sidewall;a first deck edge coupled to the support deck and extending between the first sidewall and second sidewall;a second deck edge coupled to the support deck and opposingly positioned to the first deck edge, the second edge extending between the first sidewall and second sidewall;a first sidewall recessed pocket positioned within the first sidewall below the upper load contacting surface; anda second sidewall recessed pocket positioned within second sidewall below the upper load contacting surface, the second sidewall recessed pocket aligned with and oppositely positioned to the first sidewall recessed pocket.

2. The pallet of claim 1, wherein the first sidewall recessed pocket and the second sidewall recess pocket each comprise a vertical backplate coupled to a horizontal shelf.

3. The pallet of claim 2, wherein the first sidewall recessed pocket and the second sidewall recess pocket each comprise a slot, the slot being selected from the group consisting of; a horizontal slot and a vertical slot.

4. The pallet of claim 2, wherein the first sidewall recessed pocket comprises a horizontal slot.

5. The pallet of claim 4, wherein the horizontal slot is centrally positioned in the horizontal shelf.

6. The pallet of claim 2, wherein the first sidewall recessed pocket comprises a vertical slot.

7. The pallet of claim 6, wherein the vertical slot is centrally positioned in the vertical backplate.

8. The pallet of claim 2, wherein the first sidewall recessed pocket comprises a horizontal slot and a vertical slot, and wherein the horizontal slot and vertical slot are in communication with each other.

9. The pallet of claim 1, further comprising a first standard lateral access channel, and wherein the first sidewall recessed pocket and second sidewall recessed pocket are positioned above the first standard lateral access channel.

10. The pallet of claim 9, further comprising a third sidewall recessed pocket positioned within the first sidewall and further comprising a fourth sidewall recessed pocket positioned within the second sidewall, the third sidewall recessed pocket aligned with the fourth sidewall recessed pocket, and further comprising a second standard lateral access channel, wherein the third sidewall recessed pocket and fourth sidewall recessed pocket are positioned above the second standard lateral access channel.

11. An improved pallet, the pallet comprising: a support deck with an upper load contacting surface and a lower ground facing surface;a first sidewall extending below a first side of the support deck and an opposingly positioned second sidewall extending below a second side of the support deck;a first and a second ground contacting leg coupled to the first sidewall;a third and a fourth ground contacting leg coupled to the second sidewall;a first deck edge running along the support deck and extending between the first sidewall and second sidewall;a second deck edge running along the support deck and opposingly positioned to the first deck edge, the second edge extending between the first sidewall and second sidewall;a first sidewall recessed pocket positioned along the first sidewall;a second sidewall recessed pocket positioned along the second sidewall, the second sidewall recessed pocket aligned with the first sidewall recessed pocket;a first edge recessed pocket positioned along the first deck edge; anda second edge recessed pocket positioned along the second deck edge.

12. The pallet of claim 11, wherein the first sidewall recessed pocket, the second sidewall recess pocket, the first edge recessed pocket, and the second edge recessed pocket each comprise a vertical backplate coupled to a horizontal shelf.

13. The pallet of claim 12, wherein the first sidewall recessed pocket, the second sidewall recess pocket, the first edge recessed pocket, and the second edge recessed pocket each comprise a slot, the slot is selected from the group consisting of; a horizontal slot and a vertical slot.

14. The pallet of claim 11, wherein the first sidewall recessed pocket comprises a horizontal slot.

15. The pallet of claim 14, wherein the horizontal slot is centrally positioned in the horizontal shelf.

16. The pallet of claim 11, wherein the first sidewall recessed pocket comprises a vertical slot.

17. The pallet of claim 16, wherein the vertical slot is centrally positioned in the vertical backplate.

18. The pallet of claim 11, wherein the first sidewall recessed pocket comprises a horizontal slot and a vertical slot, and wherein the horizontal slot and vertical slot are in communication with each other.

19. The pallet of claim 11, further comprising a first standard lateral access channel, and wherein the first sidewall recessed pocket and second sidewall recessed pocket are positioned above the first standard lateral access channel.

20. The pallet of claim 11, further comprising a third sidewall recessed pocket positioned along the first sidewall, further comprising a fourth sidewall recessed pocket positioned along the second sidewall, the third sidewall recessed pocket aligned with the fourth sidewall recessed pocket, and further comprising a second standard lateral access channel, wherein the third sidewall recessed pocket and fourth sidewall recessed pocket are positioned above the second standard lateral access channel.