Patent Application
20060196394
The present invention relates to pallets and in particular to a multi-purpose pallet having detachable components.
Pallets made of wood are typically used throughout the world for easy storing and transporting of goods. These pallets are generally of a square shape having an upper and lower deck made of a series of wooden planks and at least two solid wooden beams therebetween. The pallet is normally nailed together and includes slots within which a forklift's tines or other material handling devices can be located for lifting and moving the pallet.
Known pallets suffer from many disadvantages. For example; they are expensive to manufacture; require repeated repair; are limited to standard sizes; have protruding fixings or connections; are limited in the amount they can carry; are easy to damage or break; are heavy; difficult to attach additional components when required; absorb moisture, liquids and odours; are a fire risk; can have termite and insect contamination; splinter easily; the nails can loosen; have a short life span and the timber used is generally from hardwood forests. Of particular concern is that wood pallets damaged easily and the repair or replacement of the pallet is expensive, time consuming and it is usually easier to just discard the pallet. Further, wood pallets retain dirt and other undesirable substances which minimises their use in contamination or hygienic areas such as the food or medical industries.
Metal and plastic pallets have also been developed. These types of pallets have many disadvantages similar to wood pallets.
Accordingly, there is a need for a lightweight metal pallet that has releasably connectable parts for easy maintenance and repair, overcomes debris and contamination problems and includes no sharp edges.
It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate some of the disadvantages of the prior art, or at least to provide a useful alternative.
There is firstly disclosed herein a metal pallet having:
a top deck;
a bottom deck; and
at least two elongate bearers securing said decks together;
each bearer having a first portion and second portion, each portion extends separately between said decks and has a top web and a bottom web connected to a central web by inclined portions.
Preferably, said central webs of said first and second portions are releasably securable together.
Preferably, said central webs are substantially normal to said decks.
Preferably, said top and bottom webs are releasably securable to said decks.
Preferably, said webs are releasably securable to said decks and/or each other by fastening means.
Preferably, said fastening means are threaded fasteners.
Preferably, said pallet includes a plurality of holes for receiving each said fastening means.
Preferably, said fastening means are welds or rivets.
Preferably, said pallet is of a generally rectangular configuration having a front edge, a rear edge and two side edges.
Preferably, at least one edge includes a cover plate.
Preferably, at least one elongate bearer includes a stiffener.
Preferably, at least one bearer includes an end cap.
Preferably, said top and/or bottom deck is of a profiled configuration.
Preferably, said profiled configuration are corrugations.
Preferably, said pallet includes sheet material secured to at least one said deck.
Preferably, said pallet includes cavities for receipt of tines of a forklift or other handling equipment.
Preferably, said cavities are located on all sides of said pallet.
A preferred form of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
a to 5d are cross-sectional views of bearer embodiments for a pallet of the present invention;
a to 6c are partial side views of embodiments of the invention showing recesses for tines of a forklift;
a and 7b are perspective views showing the four way openings of
There is disclosed herein a pallet I manufactured of metal typically galvanised steel or aluminium. The pallet 1 includes a top deck 5, a bottom deck 10 and at least two elongate bearers 15 securing the decks 5, 10 together. As best seen in
Typically, the portions 16, 17 of the bearers 15 are positioned abutting each other and fastening means 40 in the form of a threaded fastener, spot welds, blind rivet or the like secure the two central webs 30 together. The pallet 1 can also include a counter-sunk bore or aperture in the holes 45 for hiding the fastening means 40 below the plane of the adjacent surfaces. This will ensure no sharp objects, such as the end of a bolt, protrude above the adjacent surface of the deck 5, 10. As best seen in
Referring specifically to
In
The advantages of the pallet 1 as shown herein is that all components can be disassembled and reassembled or damaged components easily replaced, if required. Shaped sleeves 60 (as best seen in
a to 5d and 8 show different embodiments of the bearer 15. These embodiments are utilised for different fastener combinations allowing easy access to the bearer 15. As seen in
a to 6c, 7a and 7b show further embodiments of the invention, detailing openings 75 in the pallet 1 for allowing four way entry for a lifting device.
The pallet 1 disclosed herein can be completely disassembled as all components can be replaced individually quickly and inexpensively. Pallet 1 has extremely strong load bearing capacity due to the angles of the members making up the portions 16, 17; has structural adequacy and load distribution for rotational movements; the shape can be altered in all dimensions and angles for various purposes; smooth non sharp surfaces on each bearer 15 horizontal side surfaces; small cross sectional area of end maximises width of openings 75 for fork lift tines; allows for bolted, riveted, screwed or welded fixings 40 for joins and decks 5, 10 to bearers 15; holes or apertures 45 are recessed allowing for non protruding fixings/connections; external side has no visible joins, resists dirt collection; interior space is minimised to reduce contamination area; interior space small to enhance any cleaning pressure hose effect; the bearers 15 could be galvanised steel or aluminium.
The deck 5, 10 and the additional sheet material layer 79 could be steel, timber, plastic, paperboard, composites or fibres. The steel bearers 15 for example could support timber decking and be secured by a threaded nail, bolt or the like. The bearer 15 shape allows for mid height horizontal stiffener 50 attachment for extra heavy loads; bearer shape can be segmented to allow for 4 way pallet option; deck 5, 10 can be adapted to 100% coverage if pallet 1 purpose requires; one or more additional decks 5, 10 could be added; allows hygienic adaptability for food industry requirements; deck board profile can have edge returns 77 roll formed to avoid sharp edges; deck board edge return 60 to stiffen end against fork lift and pallet truck impact; bearer 15 shape allows for timber deck boards if necessary; deck board shape can have steel strip attached to cover cavities; deck board profile can have 45-60 degree folded ends to eliminate sharp edges; and alternatively deck boards can have horizontal angle cover attachment.
Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms and other structures.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003905661 | Oct 2003 | AU | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/AU04/01397 | 10/13/2004 | WO | 9/23/2005 |
