PALLET

Abstract

A pallet includes a top plate, an opposite bottom plate, and a series of supports disposed between the top and bottom plates. The series of supports, top plate, and bottom plate collectively define an opening on each vertical side of the pallet. The spacing of the supports from each other further defines a series of pathways configured to receive the forks of both a forklift and a pallet jack. The pallet may be configured to receive the forks of a forklift and a pallet jack from multiple different directions. The forks of the forklift may be received by the pallet such that the forks are oriented either perpendicular or parallel to the sides of the pallet. The forks of the pallet jack may be received by the pallet such that the forks are offset from being either perpendicular or parallel to the sides of the pallet.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is directed toward a pallet, and, in particular, a pallet capable of being engaged and lifted by both forklifts and pallet jacks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Welding wire for automatic or semi-automatic welding processes is often provided in bulk in the form of a welding wire coil. The welding wire coil is often disposed within a welding wire container for transportation, storage, and use of the welding wire coil. The welding wire container may facilitate protection of the welding wire coil during transportation and/or storage of the welding wire coil. The welding wire container may also serve as a delivery device that allows continuous withdrawal of the welding wire from the coil within the welding wire container.

Bulk welding wire containers typically have widths of in the range of approximately 500 mm to 600 mm. In order to facilitate transport and placement of the bulk welding wire containers, the bulk welding wire containers are typically placed on specialized pallets that are configured to receive and integrate with a single bulk welding wire container. Thus, these specialized pallets become part of the bulk welding wire container, as they serve as the base for transporting the bulk welding wire container from place to place. These specialized pallets, or welding wire container pallets, may be substantially square in shape with the approximate dimensions of 600 mm by 600 mm.

In North America, while pallet jacks and forklifts may be used, forklifts are the primary device used for moving large/heavy objects, especially those disposed on pallets. Thus, the pallets used in North America are more likely to be designed to be primarily used with forklifts, with the openings in the side of the North American pallets being sized and spaced to accommodate the size and spacing of the forks/tines of a forklift. Each fork/tine of a forklift typically has a width in the approximate range of 76-150 mm (approximately 3-6 inches), and the forklift total fork width (i.e., overall width between the outer edges of two spaced forklift forks/tines) may typically be in the approximate range of 245-1020 mm (approximately 9.5-40 inches). Conversely, in Europe, both pallet jacks and fork lifts are used to lift and move large/heavy objects disposed on a pallet. However, a European pallet may differ from a North American pallet in that the openings on the side of a European pallet may be sized and spaced to accommodate the size and spacing of the forks/tines of a pallet jack. Each fork/tine of a pallet jack typically has a width of approximately 178 mm (approximately 7 inches), and the pallet jack total fork width (i.e., overall width between the outer edges of two spaced pallet jack forks/tines) may typically be in the approximate range of 514-686 mm (approximately 20.25-27 inches). Because of the size of the specialized welding wire container pallets (i.e., 600 mm by 600 mm), conventional versions of the specialized welding wire container pallets may be formulated to be utilized by only one of a pallet jack or forklift, or may be formulated such that one side of the specialized welding wire container pallet accepts the forks/tines of a pallet jack while another side accepts the forks/tines of a forklift. In other words, the specialized welding wire container pallets are not formulated to accept the forks/tines of both a pallet jack and a forklift from all sides of the pallet.

Thus, what is needed is a specialized pallet for welding wire containers and other welding equipment (e.g., welding devices, etc.) that is capable of being utilized (e.g., engaged with, lifted, and moved) with both a forklift and a pallet jack from all sides. What is further needed is a welding equipment pallet that may be sized and shaped so that multiple welding equipment pallets may be disposed on a standard sized pallet (e.g., a EUR pallet having the approximate dimensions of 1,200 mm by 800 mm; a North America Pallet having the dimensions of 1,016 mm by 1,219 mm, etc.). What is also needed is a specialized pallet that is constructed from recyclable materials.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is directed towards a pallet that includes a top plate, an opposite bottom plate, and a series of supports disposed between the top plate and the bottom plate. The series of supports, the top plate, and the bottom plate collectively define an opening on each of the sides of the pallet. The spacing of the supports from each other further defines a series of pathways configured to receive the forks of both a forklift and a pallet jack. The pallet is further configured to receive the forks of a forklift and of a pallet jack from multiple different directions. Thus, the forklift and the pallet jack may approach the pallet from multiple different directions. The forks of the forklift may be received by the pallet such that the forks are oriented either perpendicular or parallel to the sides of the pallet. The forks of the pallet jack may be received by the pallet such that the forks are offset from being either perpendicular or parallel to the sides of the pallet.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a pallet for welding equipment, the pallet being engageable by both a forklift that has a pair of forks and a pallet jack that has its own pair of forks, the pallet comprising a top plate, a bottom plate, and a plurality of supports positioned between and coupled to the top plate and the bottom plate, the plurality of supports including a first support, a second support, a third support, a fourth support, and a center support, the top plate, the bottom plate, and the plurality of supports collectively having a top side, a bottom side opposite the top side, a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a third side, and a fourth side opposite the third side, each of the first side, the second side, the third side, and the fourth side being disposed between the top side and the bottom side, the first side defining a first opening, the second side defining a second opening, the third side defining a third opening, and the fourth side defining a fourth opening, wherein the first opening, the second opening, the third opening, and the fourth opening are sized so that a pair of forks of a forklift engages the same one of the first opening, the second opening, the third opening, and the fourth opening when a forklift engages the pallet, and sized so that a pair of forks of a pallet jack engages different ones of the first opening, the second opening, the third opening, and the fourth opening when a pallet jack engages the pallet.

In one embodiment, the first opening is opposite the second opening, and the pallet further comprises a first pathway extending from the first side to the second side, the first pathway extending proximate to the first support, the second support, and the center support, and a second pathway extending from the first side to the second side, the second pathway extending proximate to the third support, the fourth support, and the center support, wherein the first pathway extends in a direction parallel to the direction in which the second pathway extends. In another embodiment, each of the first pathway and the second pathway extends between the first opening and the second opening.

In another embodiment, the third opening is opposite the fourth opening, and the pallet further comprises a third pathway extending from the third side to the fourth side, the third pathway extending proximate to the first support, the third support, and the center support, and a fourth pathway extending from the third side to the fourth side, the fourth pathway extending proximate to the second support, the fourth support, and the center support, wherein the third pathway extends in a direction parallel to the direction in which the fourth pathway extends. In one embodiment, each of the third pathway and the fourth pathway extends between the third opening and the fourth opening.

In another embodiment, the pallet further comprises a fifth pathway proximate to the first support, the second support, the third support, and the center support, wherein the fifth pathway extends between the first opening and the third opening. In another embodiment, the pallet further comprises a sixth pathway proximate to the first support, the second support, the fourth support, and the center support, wherein the sixth pathway extends between the third opening and the second opening. In yet another embodiment, the pallet further comprises a seventh pathway proximate to the first support, the third support, the fourth support, and the center support, wherein the seventh pathway extends between the first opening and the fourth opening. In yet another embodiment, the pallet further comprises an eighth pathway proximate to the second support, the third support, the fourth support, and the center support, wherein the eighth pathway extends between the second opening and the fourth opening.

In another embodiment, each of the first pathway, the second pathway, the third pathway, and the fourth pathway is sized to receive one of a pair of forks of a forklift, and each of the fifth pathway, the sixth pathway, the seventh pathway, and the eighth pathway is configured to receive one of a pair of forks of a pallet jack. Alternatively, each of the first pathway, the second pathway, the third pathway, and fourth pathway has a first width, each of the fifth pathway, the sixth pathway, the seventh pathway, and the eighth pathway has a second width, and the second width is different than the first width.

In one embodiment, each of the first pathway, the second pathway, the third pathway, and the fourth pathway extends perpendicularly relative to one of the first side, the second side, the third side, and the fourth side. In another embodiment, each of the fifth pathway, the sixth pathway, the seventh pathway, and the eighth pathway extends diagonally relative to one of the first side, the second side, the third side, and the fourth side. In another embodiment, each of the fifth pathway, the sixth pathway, the seventh pathway, and the eighth pathway intersects with at least one of the first pathway, the second pathway, the third pathway, and the fourth pathway.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a pallet comprises a top plate, a bottom plate, and a plurality of supports positioned between and coupled to the top plate and the bottom plate, the plurality of supports including a first support, a second support, a third support, a fourth support, and a center support, the top plate, the bottom plate, and the plurality of supports collectively having a top side, a bottom side opposite the top side, a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side, wherein the first side includes a first opening and is opposite the second side which has a second opening, the third side includes a third opening and is opposite the fourth side which has a fourth opening, and the plurality of supports define a first pathway and a second pathway, each of the first pathway and second pathway extending between the first opening and the second opening, a third pathway and a fourth pathway, each of the third pathway and fourth pathway extending between the third opening and the fourth opening, a fifth pathway extending between the first opening and the third opening, a sixth pathway extending between the second opening and the third opening, a seventh pathway extending between the first opening and the fourth opening, and an eighth pathway extending between the second opening and the fourth opening.

In another embodiment, the first pathway and the second pathway extend perpendicularly to and between the first opening and the second opening, and the third pathway and the fourth pathway extend perpendicularly to and between the third opening and the fourth opening. Alternatively or in addition, each of the fifth pathway, the sixth pathway, the seventh pathway, and the eighth pathway extends diagonally relative to the first opening, the second opening, the third opening, and the fourth opening.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a pallet comprises a top plate, a bottom plate, and a plurality of supports positioned between and coupled to the top plate and the bottom plate, the top plate, the bottom plate, and the plurality of supports collectively having a top side, a bottom side opposite the top side, a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side, the first side being opposite the second side, and the third side being opposite the fourth side, wherein the plurality of supports define a first set of pathways between the plurality of supports, the top plate, and the bottom plate, and a second set of pathways between the plurality of supports, the top plate, and the bottom plate, each pathway in the first set of pathways extending perpendicularly relative to at least one of the first side, the second side, the third side, and the fourth side, and each pathway in the second set of pathways extending diagonally relative to the first side, the second side, the third side, and fourth side.

In an alternative embodiment, the first set of pathways includes a first pathway, a second pathway, a third pathway, and a fourth pathway, the first pathway and second pathway extend parallel to each other, and the third pathway and fourth pathway extend parallel to each other and extend perpendicularly to the first pathway and the second pathway. Alternatively or in addition, the second set of pathways includes a fifth pathway, a sixth pathway, a seventh pathway, and an eighth pathway, the fifth pathway and the eighth pathway extend parallel to each other, the sixth pathway and the seventh pathway extend parallel to each other, the fifth pathway and the eighth pathway extend perpendicularly to the direction in which the sixth pathway and the seventh pathway extend, and each of the fifth pathway, the sixth pathway, the seventh pathway, and eighth pathway extending at an angle relative to at least one of the directions in which the first pathway, the second pathway, the third pathway, and the fourth pathway extend.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The apparatuses, systems, devices, modules, components, plates, supports, openings, and pathways presented herein may be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. It should be understood that some elements in the figures may not necessarily be to scale and that emphasis has been placed upon illustrating the principles disclosed herein. In the figures, like-referenced numerals designate corresponding parts/steps throughout the different views.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a pallet for welding equipment (e.g., bulk welding wire containers) according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the pallet illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective front-top view of a support of the pallet illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective rear-bottom view of the support illustrated in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the pallet illustrated in FIG. 1, the cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5A illustrates a perspective view of the pallet illustrated in FIG. 1 receiving the forks/tines of a forklift.

FIG. 5B illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of the pallet illustrated in FIG. 1, and the various possible orientations of the forklift forks/tines with respect to the pallet when the forks/tines of the forklift are inserted into the pallet.

FIG. 6A illustrates a perspective view of the pallet illustrated in FIG. 1 receiving the forks/tines of a pallet jack.

FIG. 6B illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of the pallet illustrated in FIG. 1, and the various possible orientations of the pallet jack forks/tines with respect to the pallet when the forks/tines of the pallet jack are inserted into the pallet.

FIG. 7A illustrates a perspective view of the pallet illustrated in FIG. 1 prior to receiving a bulk welding wire container.

FIG. 7B illustrates a perspective view of a bulk welding wire container disposed on the pallet illustrated in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7C illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of the pallet illustrated in FIG. 7B and the respective location of the bulk welding wire coil of a bulk welding wire container when the bulk welding wire container is disposed on the pallet like that illustrated in FIG. 7B.

FIG. 7D illustrates a perspective view of the bulk welding wire container disposed on and secured to the pallet illustrated in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7E illustrates a perspective view of two container and pallet arrangements disposed on and secured to a conventionally sized pallet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying figures which form a part hereof wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout, and in which is shown, by way of illustration, embodiments that may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of embodiments is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Aspects of the disclosure are disclosed in the description herein. Alternate embodiments of the present disclosure and their equivalents may be devised without parting from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. It should be noted that any discussion herein regarding “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “an exemplary embodiment”, and the like indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, and that such particular feature, structure, or characteristic may not necessarily be included in every embodiment. In addition, references to the foregoing do not necessarily comprise a reference to the same embodiment. Finally, irrespective of whether it is explicitly described, one of ordinary skill in the art would readily appreciate that each of the particular features, structures, or characteristics of the given embodiments may be utilized in connection or combination with those of any other embodiment discussed herein.

Various operations may be described as multiple discrete actions or operations in turn, in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the claimed subject matter. However, the order of description should not be construed as to imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. In particular, these operations may not be performed in the order of presentation. Operations described may be performed in a different order than the described embodiment. Various additional operations may be performed and/or described operations may be omitted in additional embodiments.

For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrase “A and/or B” means (A), (B), or (A and B). For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrase “A, B, and/or C” means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B and C).

The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like, as used with respect to embodiments of the present disclosure, are synonymous.

Illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 is an example embodiment of a pallet 100 configured to support a bulk welding wire container or other types of welding equipment (e.g., welding devices, etc.). The illustrated pallet 100 is further configured to receive, be engaged by, and lifted by the forks of both a forklift and a pallet jack. The pallet 100 illustrated may include a top side 110, an opposite bottom side 120, a first side 130, a second side 140 opposite the first side 130, a third side 150 connected to both the first and second sides 130, 140, and a fourth side 160 opposite the third side 150. As illustrated, the first side 130, the second side 140, the third side 150, and the fourth side 160 are vertical sides that span from the top side 110 to the bottom side 120. The illustrated pallet 100 may be in the shape of a square prism or rectangular prism that contains, as best illustrated in FIG. 4, a square shaped cross-section.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pallet 100 further includes a top plate 200, a bottom plate 300, and a series of supports 400(1)-400(5) disposed between the top plate 200 and the bottom plate 300. The top plate 200 may be disposed proximate to the top side 110 of the pallet 100. The top plate 200 may be substantially planar, and may be sized and shaped to span across the top side 110 of the pallet 100 between the first side 130, the second side 140, the third side 150, and the fourth side 160. The top plate 200 may include a top surface 210, an opposite bottom surface 220, and four edges 230. The top surface 210 of the top plate 200 may form the top side 110 of the pallet 100, while the bottom surface 220 of the top plate 200 may be disposed within the interior of the pallet 100. In addition, the edges 230 of the top plate 200 may form at least a portion of each of the first side 130, the second side 140, the third side 150, and the fourth side 160. The top plate 200 may have a thickness T1, which is the distance between the top surface 210 of the top plate 200 and the bottom surface 220 of the top plate 200 (i.e., the height of the edges 230). In some embodiments, the top plate 200 may be constructed from plywood. In other embodiments, the top plate 200 may be constructed from any other material including, but not limited to, plastics, metals, composites, cardboard, etc.

The bottom plate 300 may be disposed proximate to the bottom side 120 of the pallet 100. Similar to the top plate 200, the bottom plate 300 may be substantially planar. Moreover, the bottom plate 300 may be sized and shaped to span across the bottom side 120 of the pallet 100 between the first side 130, the second side 140, the third side 150, and the fourth side 160. Like the top plate 200, the bottom plate 300 may include a top surface 310, an opposite bottom surface 320, and four edges 330. The bottom surface 320 of the bottom plate 300 may form the bottom side 120 of the pallet 100, while the top surface 310 of the bottom plate 300 may be disposed within the interior of the pallet 100. The top surface 310 of the bottom plate 300 may face toward the bottom surface 220 of the top plate 200. In addition, the edges 330 of the bottom plate 300 may form at least a portion of each of the first side 130, the second side 140, the third side 150, and the fourth side 160. The bottom plate 300 may have a thickness T2, which is the distance between the top surface 310 of the bottom plate 300 and the bottom surface 320 of the bottom plate 300 (i.e., the height of the edges 330). In some embodiments, the bottom plate 300 may be constructed from plywood. In other embodiments, the bottom plate 300 may be constructed from any other material including, but not limited to, plastics, metals, composites, cardboard, etc.

In the illustrated embodiment, the thickness T1 of the top plate 200 is greater than the thickness T2 of the bottom plate 300. More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the thickness T1 of the top plate 200 may be approximately 25 mm, while the thickness T2 of the bottom plate 300 may be approximately 12 mm. However, in other embodiments, the thickness T1 of the top plate 200 may be equal to, or less than, the thickness T2 of the bottom plate 300. Thus, in other embodiments, the thickness T1 of the top plate 200 and the thickness T2 of the bottom plate 300 may be of any value.

Turning to FIGS. 3A and 3B, and with continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, illustrated are perspective views of one support 400(1) of the series of supports 400(1)-400(5) of the pallet 100. While FIGS. 3A and 3B only illustrate one support 400(1), the description of support 400(1) and of FIGS. 3A and 3B applies to the other supports 400(2)-400(5) since all of the supports 400(1)-400(5) are substantially identical to one another. As illustrated, the support 400(1) may be a rectangular prism, where the support 400(1) includes a top end 410(1) and an opposite bottom end 420(1). The support 400(1) may further include a first sidewall 430(1), a second sidewall 432(1) opposite the first sidewall 430(1), a third sidewall 434(1) spanning between the first and second sidewalls 430(1), 432(1), and a fourth sidewall 436(1) opposite the third sidewall 434(1) and also spanning between the first and second sidewalls 430(1), 432(1). The sidewalls 430(1), 432(1), 434(1), and 436(1) are each vertically oriented and span between the top end 410(1) and the bottom end 420(1) of the support 400(1) such that each of the sidewalls 430(1), 432(1), 434(1), and 436(1) have, and thus the support 400(1) has, a height H1 (e.g., the distance between the top end 410(1) and the bottom end 420(1)). As further illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the sidewalls 430(1), 432(1), 434(1), and 436(1) may each have a width W1, which give the support 400(1) a substantially square cross-section (as best illustrated in FIG. 4). In some embodiments, the support 400(1) may be constructed from compressed wood chips (e.g., a chip block, wood chip particle board, etc.). In other embodiments, the support 400(1) may be constructed from any other material including, but not limited to, plastics, metals, composites, cardboard, etc.

In the illustrated embodiments, the height H1 of the support 400(1) may be equal to the width W1 of the support 400(1). More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the height H1 and widths W1 of the support 400(1) may be approximately 90 mm. However, in other embodiments, the height H1 of the support 400(1) may be greater than, or less than, the width W1 of the support 400(1). Thus, in other embodiments, the height H1 of the support 400(1) and the width W1 of the support 400(1) may be of any value. In even further embodiments, the widths of the sidewalls 430(1), 432(1), 434(1), and 436(1) may differ from one another. In yet even further embodiments, the supports 400(1)-400(5) may be of any other shape including, but not limited to, cylinders, triangular prisms, etc.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the top end 410(1)-410(5) of each of the supports 400(1)-400(5), respectively, are coupled to the bottom surface 220 of the top plate 200, while the bottom end 420(1)-420(5) of each of the supports 400(1)-400(5), respectively, are coupled to the top surface 310 of the bottom plate 300. The supports 400(1)-400(5) may be coupled to the top and bottom plates 200, 300 via any known method including, but not limited to, fasteners, bonding, adhesives, etc. As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, the first support 400(1) is disposed between the top plate 200 and the bottom plate 300 proximate to the first side 130 and the third side 150 of the pallet 100, while the second support 400(2) is disposed between the top plate 200 and the bottom plate 300 proximate to the second side 140 and the third side 150 of the pallet 100. In addition, the third support 400(3) is disposed between the top plate 200 and the bottom plate 300 proximate to the first side 130 and the fourth side 160 of the pallet 100, while the fourth support 400(4) is disposed between the top plate 200 and the bottom plate 300 proximate to the second side 140 and the fourth side 160 of the pallet 100. As further illustrated in FIG. 4, the fifth support 400(5) is also disposed between the top plate 200 and the bottom plate 300 such that the fifth support 400(5) is centrally disposed in the interior of the pallet 100. In other words, the fifth support 400(5) is also disposed between the top plate 200 and the bottom plate 300 such that the fifth support 400(5) is spaced equidistantly from each of the first side 130, the second side 140, the third side 150, and the fourth side 160.

Continuing with FIG. 4, a cross-sectional plan view of the pallet 100 is illustrated. In this embodiment, the first support 400(1), the second support 400(2), the third support 400(3), and the fourth support 400(4) of the pallet 100 are oriented similar to one another, while the fifth support 400(5) is oriented differently from the other supports 400(1)-400(4). More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the fifth support 400(5) may be rotated approximately 45 degrees from the orientation of the other supports 400(1)-400(4). As illustrated, the first support 400(1), second support 400(2), third support 400(3), and fourth support 400(4) are oriented such that their first sidewalls 430(1)-430(4), respectively, face toward the first side 130 of the pallet 100, their second sidewalls 432(1)-432(4), respectively, face toward the second side 140 of the pallet 100, their third sidewalls 434(1)-434(4), respectively, face toward the third side 150 of the pallet 100, and their fourth sidewalls 436(1)-436(4), respectively, face toward the fourth side 160 of the pallet 100.

As further illustrated, the fourth side 436(1) of the first support 400(1) faces toward the third side 434(3) of the third support 400(3) along the first side 130 of the pallet 100 such that the first support 400(1) and the third support 400(3) are spaced apart from one another by spacing S1. The spacing S1 of the first support 400(1) from the third support 400(3) at least partially defines, along with the top plate 200 and the bottom plate 300, an opening 132 in the first side 130 of the pallet 100.

The fourth side 436(2) of the second support 400(2) faces toward the third side 434(4) of the fourth support 400(4) along the second side 140 of the pallet 100 such that the second support 400(2) and the fourth support 400(4) are spaced apart from one another by spacing S2. The spacing S2 of the second support 400(2) from the fourth support 400(4) at least partially defines, along with the top plate 200 and the bottom plate 300, an opening 142 in the second side 140 of the pallet 100.

The second side 432(1) of the first support 400(1) faces toward the first side 430(2) of the second support 400(2) along the third side 150 of the pallet 100 such that the first support 400(1) and the second support 400(2) are spaced apart from one another by spacing S3. The spacing S3 of the first support 400(1) from the second support 400(2) at least partially defines, along with the top plate 200 and the bottom plate 300, an opening 152 in the third side 150 of the pallet 100.

The second side 432(3) of the third support 400(3) faces toward the first side 430(4) of the fourth support 400(4) along the fourth side 160 of the pallet 100 such that the third support 400(3) and the fourth support 400(4) are spaced apart from one another by spacing S4. The spacing S4 of the third support 400(3) from the fourth support 400(4) at least partially defines, along with the top plate 200 and the bottom plate 300, an opening 162 in the fourth side 160 of the pallet 100.

As further illustrated in FIG. 4, and with continued reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3A, and 3B, the fifth support 400(5) is positioned within the pallet 100 between the top plate 200 and the bottom plate 300, and oriented with respect to the other supports 400(1)-400(4), such that the first side 430(5) of the fifth support 400(5) faces toward the first support 400(1), the second side 432(5) of the fifth support 400(5) faces toward the fourth support 400(4), the third side 434(5) of the fifth support 400(5) faces toward the second support 400(2), and the fourth side 436(5) of the fifth support 400(5) faces toward the third support 400(3). Thus, the fifth support 400(5) is spaced from the first support 400(1) by a spacing S5, is spaced from the second support 400(2) by a spacing S6, is spaced from the third support 400(3) by a spacing S7, and is spaced from the fourth support 400(4) by a spacing S8.

The spacings S1, S2, S3, and S4 of each of the supports 400(1)-400(4), and the spacings S5, S6, S7, and S8 of the fifth support 400(5) from each of the other supports 400(1)-400(4) further creates clearance spacings CL1, CL2, CL3, and CL4. As explained in further detail below, the clearance spacings CL1, CL2, CL3, and CL4 may represent the width of pathways extending through the pallet that are configured to receive the forks of a forklift. The clearance spacing CL1 may represent the width of a pathway extending between the first side 130 and the second side 140 (i.e., from the first opening 132 to the second opening 142 or vice versa) proximate to the first support 400(1), the second support 400(2), and the fifth support 400(5) (i.e., a pathway that extends perpendicular to the first and second sides 130, 140, but parallel to the third and fourth sides 150, 160, and that passes through the spacings S5 and S6). The clearance spacing CL2 may represent the width of a pathway extending between the first side 130 and the second side 140 (i.e., from the first opening 132 to the second opening 142 or vice versa) proximate to the third support 400(3), the fourth support 400(4), and the fifth support 400(5) (i.e., a pathway that extends perpendicular to the first and second sides 130, 140, but parallel to the third and fourth sides 150, 160, and that passes through the spacings S7 and S8). The clearance spacing CL3 may represent the width of a pathway extending between the third side 150 and the fourth side 160 (i.e., from the third opening 152 to the fourth opening 162 or vice versa) proximate to the first support 400(1), the third support 400(3), and the fifth support 400(5) (i.e., a pathway that extends parallel to the first and second sides 130, 140, but perpendicular to the third and fourth sides 150, 160, and that passes through the spacings S5 and S7). The clearance spacing CL4 may represent the width of a pathway extending between the third side 150 and the fourth side 160 (i.e., from the third opening 152 to the fourth opening 162 or vice versa) proximate to the second support 400(2), the fourth support 400(4), and the fifth support 400(5) (i.e., a pathway that extends parallel to the first and second sides 130, 140, but perpendicular to the third and fourth sides 150, 160, and that passes through the spacings S6 and S8).

As explained in further detail below, the spacings S5, S6, S7, and S8 of the fifth support 400(5) from each of the other supports 400(1)-400(4) may also represent the width of additional pathways extending through the pallet that are configured to receive the forks of a pallet jack. The Spacing S5 may represent the width of a pathway extending diagonally between the first side 130 and the third side 150 (i.e., from the first opening 132 to the third opening 152 or vice versa) proximate to the first support 400(1), the second support 400(2), the third support 400(3), and the fifth support 400(5). Spacing S6 may represent the width of a pathway extending diagonally between the second side 140 and the third side 150 (i.e., from the second opening 142 to the third opening 152 or vice versa) proximate to the first support 400(1), the second support 400(2), the fourth support 400(4), and the fifth support 400(5). Spacing S7 may represent the width of a pathway extending diagonally between the first side 130 and the fourth side 160 (i.e., from the first opening 132 to the fourth opening 162 or vice versa) proximate to the first support 400(1), the third support 400(3), the fourth support 400(4), and the fifth support 400(5). Spacing S8 may represent the width of a pathway extending diagonally between the second side 140 and the fourth side 160 (i.e., from the second opening 142 to the fourth opening 162 or vice versa) proximate to the second support 400(2), the third support 400(3), the fourth support 400(4), and the fifth support 400(5).

In the illustrated embodiment, spacings S1, S2, S3, and S4 may be equal to one another, spacings S5, S6, S7, and S8 may be equal to one another, and clearance spacings CL1, CL2, CL3, and CL4 may be equal to one another. Furthermore, the spacings S1, S2, S3, and S4 may be greater than the spacings S5, S6, S7, and S8 and the clearance spacings CL1, CL2, CL3, and CL4, while the spacings S5, S6, S7, and S8 may also be greater than the clearance spacings CL1, CL2, CL3, and CL4. More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the spacings S1, S2, S3, and S4 may be approximately 420 mm, the spacings S5, S6, S7, and S8 may be approximately 252 mm, and the clearance spacings CL1, CL2, CL3, and CL4 may be approximately 146 mm. In other embodiments, the spacings S1, S2, S3, and S4 may differ from one another, the spacings S5, S6, S7, and S8 may differ from one another, and the clearance spacings CL1, CL2, CL3, and CL4 may differ from one another. In even further embodiments, the spacings S1, S2, S3, and S4 may be equal to the spacings S5, S6, S7, and S8 and the clearance spacings CL1, CL2, CL3, and CL4. In yet even further embodiments, the spacings S1, S2, S3, and S4 may be less than the spacings S5, S6, S7, and S8 and less than the clearance spacings CL1, CL2, CL3, and CL4. In some even further embodiments, the spacings S5, S6, S7, and S8 may be less than the clearance spacings CL1, CL2, CL3, and CL4.

The pallet 100 may have an overall width on each side 130, 140, 150, 160 of the relative spacings S1, S2, S3, S4 plus the width W1 of each of the supports 400(1)-400(4) of that respective side. For example, the first side 130 of the pallet 100 may have a total width of the first width W1 of the first support 400(1) plus the spacing S1 between the first support 400(1) and the third support 400(3) plus the first width W1 of the third support 400(3) (i.e., total width of the first side 130 being W1+S1+W1). With W1 being approximately 90 mm and the spacings S1, S2, S3, S4 being approximately 420 mm, each side 130, 140, 150, 160 of the pallet 100 may have a total width of 600 mm (e.g., the total width of each side 130, 140, 150, 160 of the pallet 100 being approximately 90 mm+420 mm+90 mm). As explained in further detail below, the pallet 100 having the approximate dimensions of 600 mm by 600 mm allows for a bulk welding wire container to be disposed on top of the pallet 100 such that the sides of the bulk welding wire container are aligned with the sides 130, 140, 150, 160 of the pallet 100 (i.e., a bulk welding wire container has widths of approximately 600 mm).

Turning to FIGS. 5A and 5B, and with continued reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3A, 3B, and 4, illustrated are views showing how a forklift 500 interacts with the pallet 100 in order to lift and move the pallet 100. The forklift 500 may be equipped with a pair of forks 510(1), 510(2) that extend parallel to one another from the forklift 500. As illustrated, the forks 510(1), 510(2) of the forklift 500 may be substantially identical to one another. Each fork 510(1), 510(2) may have a width W2, and the forks may be spaced a distance of D2 from one another. Depending on the width W2 of each of the forks 510(1), 510(2), and the distance D2 that the forks 510(1), 510(2) are spaced from one another, the forks 510(1), 510(2) of the forklift 500 may have a total width of forks WOF(1).

As illustrated in FIG. 5A and the schematic illustration of FIG. 5B, the forks 510(1), 510(2) of the forklift 500 may be at least partially inserted into the pallet 100 (i.e., such that the forks 510(1), 510(2) are at least partially disposed between the top plate 200 and the bottom plate 300) via one of the openings 132, 142, 152, 162 on one of the sides 130, 140, 150, 160, respectively, such that the forks 510(1), 510(2) are oriented perpendicular to the side 130, 140, 150, 160 within which the forks 510(1), 510(2) are inserted. In other words, and as best illustrated in FIG. 5B, the forks 510(1), 510(2) of the forklift 500 may be inserted into the pallet 100 such that the forks 510(1), 510(2) extend along one of the pathways having a width defined by the clearance spacings CL1, CL2, CL3, and CL4. For example, if the forks 510(1), 510(2) were inserted into the opening 132 on the first side 130 of the pallet 100, the forks 510(1), 510(2) would be oriented perpendicular to the first side 130 and the second side 140 of the pallet 100 (and oriented parallel to the third side 150 and the fourth side 160 of the pallet 100). Similarly, if the forks 510(1), 510(2) were inserted into the opening 152 on the third side 150 of the pallet 100, the forks 510(1), 510(2) would be oriented perpendicular to the third side 150 and the fourth side 160 of the pallet 100 (and oriented parallel to the first side 130 and the second side 140 of the pallet 100). Moreover, depending on the length of the forks 510(1), 510(2), the forks 510(1), 510(2) may extend entirely through the interior of the pallet 100 such that the forks 510(1), 510(2) also the extend out of the side 130, 140, 150, 160 of the pallet 100 that is opposite of the side 130, 140, 150, 160 within which the forks 510(1), 510(2) were inserted. For example, if the forks 510(1), 510(2) were inserted into the opening 132 on the first side 130 of the pallet 100, the forks 510(1), 510(2) may at least partially extend out of the opening 142 on the second side 140 of the pallet 100 (e.g., the first fork 510(1) may extend through the interior of the pallet 100 proximate to the first support 400(1), the second support 400(2), and fifth support 400(5), while the second fork 510(2) may extend through the interior of the pallet 100 proximate to the third support 400(3), the fourth support 400(4), and the fifth support 400(5)). Similarly, if the forks 510(1), 510(2) were inserted into the opening 152 on the third side 150 of the pallet 100, the forks 510(1), 510(2) may at least partially extend out of the opening 162 on the fourth side 160 of the pallet 100 (e.g., the first fork 510(1) may extend through the interior of the pallet 100 proximate to the second support 400(2), the fourth support 400(4), and fifth support 400(5), while the second fork 510(2) may extend through the interior of the pallet 100 proximate to the first support 400(1), the third support 400(3), and the fifth support 400(5)).

In the illustrated embodiment, the forks 510(1), 510(2) of the forklift 500 that are configured to engage and lift the pallet 100 may have a maximum width W2 of approximately 146 mm because, as previously explained, 146 mm is the approximate width of the clearance spacings CL1, CL2, CL3 and CL4 through which each fork 510(1), 510(2) of the forklift 500 may pass when engaging the pallet 100. Moreover, the forks 510(1), 510(2) of the forklift 500 configured to engage and lift the pallet 100 may have a total width of forks WOF(1) of approximately 420 mm because the openings 132, 142, 152, 162 on each respective side 130, 140, 150, 160 (e.g., the spacings S1, S2, S3, and S4) through which the forks 510(1), 510(2) may be inserted is approximately 420 mm. As previously stated, the total width of forks WOF(1) is determined from the width W2 of each of the forks 510(1), 510(2) and the distance D2 between the forks 510(1), 510(2). In other words, the distance D2 between the forks 510(1), 510(2) may be determined based on the maximum total width of forks WOF(1) allowed by the pallet 100 (e.g., the spacings S1, S2, S3, and S4 or width of the openings 132, 142, 152, 162) and the width W2 of the forks 510(1), 510(2) of the forklift 500.

Turning to FIGS. 6A and 6B, and with continued reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3A, 3B, and 4, illustrated are views showing how a pallet jack 600 interacts with the pallet 100 in order to lift and move the pallet 100. Like the forklift 500, the pallet jack 600 may be equipped with a pair of forks 610(1), 610(2) that extend parallel to one another. As illustrated, the forks 610(1), 610(2) of the pallet jack 600 may be substantially identical to one another. Each fork 610(1), 610(2) may have a width W3, and the forks may be spaced a distance of D3 away from one another. Depending on the width W3 of each of the forks 610(1), 610(2), and the distance D3 the forks 610(1), 610(2) are spaced from one another, the forks 610(1), 610(2) of the pallet jack 600 may have a total width of forks WOF(2). As explained in further detail below, the width W3 of each of the forks 610(1), 610(2) of the pallet jack 600 may be greater than the width W2 of each of the forks 510(1), 510(2) of the forklift 500. This may result in the total width of forks WOF(2) of the pallet jack 600 being greater than the total width of forks WOF(1) of the forklift 500. Because the pallet 100 has an approximate width of 600 mm, and because the total width of forks WOF(2) of the pallet jack 600 is greater than the total width of forks WOF(1) of the forklift 500, it may not be capable to insert the forks 610(1), 610(2) of the pallet jack 600 into the interior of the pallet 100 in the same orientation/manner as that of the forks 510(1), 510(2) of the forklift 500.

As illustrated in FIG. 6A and the schematic illustration of FIG. 6B, the forks 610(1), 610(2) of the pallet jack 600 may be at least partially inserted into the pallet 100 (i.e., where the forks 610(1), 610(2) are at least partially disposed between the top plate 200 and the bottom plate 300) such that the forks 610(1), 610(2) are offset from being perpendicular or parallel to any side 130, 140, 150, 160 of the pallet 100, and such that the forks 610(1), 610(2) are inserted through two separate openings 132, 142, 152, 162 in the pallet 100 simultaneously. In other words, when inserted into the interior of the pallet 100, the forks 610(1), 610(2) of the pallet jack 600 are not perpendicular or parallel to one of the sides 130, 140, 150, 160 of the pallet 100 like that of the forklift 500. Instead, the forks 610(1), 610(2) of the pallet jack 600 are at an angle with respect to each of the sides 130, 140, 150, 160 of the pallet 100. Moreover, when inserted into the interior of the pallet 100, the space between the forks 610(1), 610(2) of the pallet jack 600 (e.g., the space having a width of the distance D3) receives one of the corners (i.e., one of the supports 400(1)-400(4)) of the pallet 100. With the corners (i.e., one of the supports 400(1)-400(4)) of the pallet 100 being received in the space between the forks 610(1), 610(2) of the pallet jack 600, each fork 610(1), 610(2) is disposed in one of the openings 132, 142, 152, 162 of either side of the corner of the pallet 100.

For example, if the pallet jack 600 is engaged with the pallet 100 such that the first support 400(1) is disposed within the space between the forks 610(1), 610(2), the first fork 610(1) may be inserted through at least the third opening 152 on the third side 150 of the pallet 100 while the second fork 610(2) may be inserted through at least the first opening 132 of the first side 130 of the pallet 100. In this example, the first fork 610(1) may extend through the interior of the pallet 100 through a pathway having a width defined by spacing S6 and such that the first fork 610(1) is disposed proximate to the first support 400(1), the second support 400(2), the fourth support 400(4), and the fifth support 400(5). Furthermore, the second fork 610(2) may extend through the interior of the pallet 100 through a pathway having a width defined by spacing S7 and such that the second fork 610(2) is disposed proximate to the first support 400(1), the third support 400(3), the fourth support 400(4), and the fifth support 400(5).

In another example, if the pallet jack 600 is engaged with the pallet 100 such that the third support 400(3) is disposed within the space between the forks 610(1), 610(2), the first fork 610(1) may be inserted through at least the first opening 132 on the first side 130 of the pallet 100 while the second fork 610(2) may be inserted through at least the fourth opening 162 of the fourth side 160 of the pallet 100. The forks 610(1), 610(2) may be inserted far enough that they extend through the interior of the pallet 100 such that the first fork 610(1) extends out of the third opening 152 of the third side 150 and the second fork 610(2) extends out of the second opening 142 of the second side 140. In this example, the first fork 610(1) may extend through the interior of the pallet 100 through a pathway having a width defined by spacing S5 and such that the first fork 610(1) is disposed proximate to the first support 400(1), the second support 400(2), the third support 400(3), and the fifth support 400(5). Furthermore, the second fork 610(2) may extend through the interior of the pallet 100 through a pathway having a width defined by spacing S8 and such that the second fork 610(2) is disposed proximate to the second support 400(2), the third support 400(3), the fourth support 400(4), and the fifth support 400(5).

In the illustrated embodiment, the forks 610(1), 610(2) of the pallet jack 600 that is configured to engage and lift the pallet 100 may have a maximum width W2 of approximately 252 mm because, as previously explained, 252 mm is the approximate width of the spacings S5, S6, S7, and S8 through which each fork 610(1), 610(2) of the pallet jack 600 may pass when engaging the pallet 100. Moreover, the forks 610(1), 610(2) of the pallet jack 600 configured to engage and lift the pallet 100 may have a total width of fork WOF(2) of approximately 594 mm because the maximum spacing between diagonally opposed supports (i.e., between the first support 400(1) and the fourth support 400(4), and between the second support 400(2) and the third support 400(3)) is approximately 594 mm. As previously stated, the total width of forks WOF(2) is determined from the width W3 of each of the forks 610(1), 610(2) and the distance D3 between the forks 610(1), 610(2). In other words, the distance D3 between the forks 610(1), 610(2) may be determined based on the maximum total width of forks WOF(2) allowed by the pallet 100 (e.g., the spacing between the diagonally opposed supports 400(1)-400(4)) and the width W3 of the forks 610(1), 610(2) of the pallet jack 600.

Turning to FIGS. 7A-7E, and with continued reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3A, 3B, and 4, illustrated are the various steps for loading and securing a bulk welding wire container 700 to the illustrated embodiment of the pallet 100. While not illustrated herein, the steps detailed and described below may also be utilized to secure other types of welding equipment (welding devices, etc.) to the pallet 100. Thus, the bulk welding wire container 700 is merely an example of how to load and secure one or more pieces of welding equipment to the pallet 100. Illustrated in FIG. 7A is another perspective view of the pallet 100 with the second opening 142 of the second side 140, the third opening 152 of the third side 150, and the top side 110 of the pallet 100 being shown. As illustrated in FIG. 7B, a bulk welding wire container 700 is disposed atop the top side 110 of the pallet 100. In other words, the bulk welding wire container 700 is disposed on the top surface 210 of the top plate 200 of the pallet 100. The bulk welding wire container 700 may include at least one container sleeve 710, a bulk welding wire coil 720 centrally disposed within the interior of the at least one container sleeve 710, and a lid 730 (best shown in FIG. 7D). As further illustrated in FIG. 7B, the outer sides of the at least one container sleeve 710 of the bulk welding wire container 700 are aligned with each of the sides 130, 140, 150, 160 of the pallet 100.

As illustrated in the schematic illustration of FIG. 7C, when the bulk welding wire container 700 is disposed on the pallet 100 like that illustrated in FIG. 7B, the bulk welding wire coil 720 is centrally disposed on the pallet 100 such that the bulk welding wire coil 720 is coaxial with a central vertical axis X of the pallet 100. Moreover, the bulk welding wire coil 720 may be disposed on the pallet 100 such that the fifth support 400(5) of the pallet 100 is centrally disposed with the bulk welding wire coil 720 (i.e., is vertically aligned with the central opening 722 of the bulk welding wire coil 720). The other supports 400(1)-400(4), which form the corners of the pallet 100 are oriented outside of the outer circumferential surface 724 of the bulk welding wire coil 720.

As illustrated in FIG. 7D, with the bulk welding wire container 700 placed on the pallet 100 (and the lid 730 disposed on the at least one container sleeve 710), the bulk welding wire container 700 is secured to the pallet 100 via a series of first straps 740. The straps 740 may extend over the lid 730 of the bulk welding wire container 700, through the openings 132, 142, 152, 162 on the respective sides 130, 140, 150, 160 of the pallet 100, and through the interior of the pallet 100. With the straps threaded through the interior of the pallet 100 (i.e., with the straps extending through the openings 132, 142, 152, 162 on the respective sides 130, 140, 150, 160 of the pallet 100), the bulk welding wire container 700 is secured to the top plate 200 of the pallet 100.

Once the bulk welding wire container 700 is secured to the pallet 100, as illustrated in FIG. 7E, the pallet 100 is disposed atop a standard sized pallet 800 (e.g., a standard EUR pallet). The standard sized pallet 800 may include a top surface 810 and an opposite bottom surface 820, two elongated sides 830, and two shortened sides 840. The elongated sides 830 and the shortened sides 840 span from the top surface 810 of the standard sized pallet 800, while the shortened sides 840 also span between the two elongated sides 830. The elongated sides 830 of the standard sized pallet 800 may include side openings 832, while the shortened sides 840 may also include side openings 842. The side openings 832, 842 may provide access to the interior of the standard sized pallet 800, while further enabling machinery (e.g., forklift, pallet jack, etc.) to lift and move the standard sized pallet 800 and any items disposed atop the standard sized pallet 800. As further illustrated in FIG. 7E, the pallet 100 is sized, as explained above, so that two pallets 100 with bulk welding wire containers 700 secured thereto may fit side by side on the standard sized pallet 800. The pallets 100 and the bulk welding wire containers 700 may be secured to the top surface 810 of the standard sized pallet 800 via a series of second straps 850. The straps 850 may extend over the lids 730 of the bulk welding wire containers 700, through the side openings 832 of the elongated sides 830 and/or the side openings 842 of the shortened sides 840, and through the interior of the standard sized pallet 800. With the straps 850 threaded through the interior of the standard sized pallet 800 (i.e., with the straps extending through the side openings 832 of the elongated sides 830 and the side openings 842 of the shortened sides 840 of the standard sized pallet 800), the pallets 100 and the bulk welding wire containers 700 are secured to the top surface 810 of the standard sized pallet 800.

The pallet 100 shown and described above may be integrated with welding equipment (e.g., a bulk welding wire container 700, as described above) in order to facilitate the lifting and moving of welding equipment (e.g., the bulk welding wire container 700) via either a forklift 500 or a pallet jack 600. Moreover, the pallet 100 may be configured to receive the forks 510(1), 510(2) of a forklift 500 and the forks 610(1), 610(2) of the pallet jack 600 from multiple different directions, which means that engagement with the pallet 100 by the forklift 500 or the pallet jack 600 is not limited to just one or two directions. In some embodiments, the structure of the pallet 100 described herein may be configured to support any type of welding equipment including, but not limited to, a bulk welding wire container 700 weighing approximately 600 kg. In addition, the pallet 100 may be constructed from recyclable materials that are capable of supporting the weight of the welding equipment (e.g., the bulk welding wire container 700), while also being able to be recycled once the welding equipment is no longer needed or once the welding equipment has been fully consumed (e.g., once the bulk welding wire coil 720 of the bulk welding wire container 700 is fully consumed and the pallet 100 is no longer in use).

While the apparatuses presented herein have been illustrated and described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since it will be apparent that various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the inventions and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. For example, the supports presented herein may be modified to be of any other shape and/or of any other size, the spacings presented herein may be modified to be of any other size, the plates presented herein may be of any other shape and size, and the pallet presented herein may contain any number of supports, plates, etc.

In addition, various features from one of the embodiments may be incorporated into another of the embodiments. That is, it is believed that the disclosure set forth above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in a preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions, and/or properties disclosed herein. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the following claims.

It is also to be understood that terms such as “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “side,” “height,” “length,” “width,” “upper,” “lower,” “interior,” “exterior,” “inner,” “outer” and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points of reference and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration. Further, the term “exemplary” is used herein to describe an example or illustration. Any embodiment described herein as exemplary is not to be construed as a preferred or advantageous embodiment, but rather as one example or illustration of a possible embodiment of the invention. Additionally, it is also to be understood that the components of the apparatuses described herein, or portions thereof, may be fabricated from any suitable material or combination of materials, such as, but not limited to, plastic, metals wood, cardboard, plastics, etc., as well as derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof.

Finally, when used herein, the term “comprises” and its derivations (such as “comprising”, etc.) should not be understood in an excluding sense, that is, these terms should not be interpreted as excluding the possibility that what is described and defined may include further elements, steps, etc. Similarly, where any description recites “a” or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof, such disclosure should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. Meanwhile, when used herein, the term “approximately” and terms of its family (such as “approximate”, etc.) should be understood as indicating values very near to those which accompany the aforementioned term. That is to say, a deviation within reasonable limits from an exact value should be accepted, because a skilled person in the art will understand that such a deviation from the values indicated is inevitable due to measurement inaccuracies, etc. The same applies to the terms “about”, “around”, “generally”, and “substantially.”

Claims

1. A pallet for welding equipment, the pallet being engageable by both a forklift that has a pair of forks and a pallet jack that has its own pair of forks, the pallet comprising: a top plate;a bottom plate; anda plurality of supports positioned between and coupled to the top plate and the bottom plate, the plurality of supports including a first support, a second support, a third support, a fourth support, and a center support, the top plate, the bottom plate, and the plurality of supports collectively having a top side, a bottom side opposite the top side, a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a third side, and a fourth side opposite the third side, each of the first side, the second side, the third side, and the fourth side being disposed between the top side and the bottom side, the first side defining a first opening, the second side defining a second opening, the third side defining a third opening, and the fourth side defining a fourth opening,wherein the first opening, the second opening, the third opening, and the fourth opening are sized so that a pair of forks of a forklift engages the same one of the first opening, the second opening, the third opening, and the fourth opening when a forklift engages the pallet, and sized so that a pair of forks of a pallet jack engages different ones of the first opening, the second opening, the third opening, and the fourth opening when a pallet jack engages the pallet.

2. The pallet of claim 1, wherein the first opening is opposite the second opening, and the pallet further comprises: a first pathway extending from the first side to the second side, the first pathway extending proximate to the first support, the second support, and the center support; anda second pathway extending from the first side to the second side, the second pathway extending proximate to the third support, the fourth support, and the center support, wherein the first pathway extends in a direction parallel to the direction in which the second pathway extends.

3. The pallet of claim 2, wherein each of the first pathway and the second pathway extends between the first opening and the second opening.

4. The pallet of claim 2, wherein the third opening is opposite the fourth opening, and the pallet further comprises: a third pathway extending from the third side to the fourth side, the third pathway extending proximate to the first support, the third support, and the center support; anda fourth pathway extending from the third side to the fourth side, the fourth pathway extending proximate to the second support, the fourth support, and the center support, wherein the third pathway extends in a direction parallel to the direction in which the fourth pathway extends.

5. The pallet of claim 4, wherein each of the third pathway and the fourth pathway extends between the third opening and the fourth opening.

6. The pallet of claim 4, further comprising: a fifth pathway proximate to the first support, the second support, the third support, and the center support, wherein the fifth pathway extends between the first opening and the third opening.

7. The pallet of claim 6, further comprising: a sixth pathway proximate to the first support, the second support, the fourth support, and the center support, wherein the sixth pathway extends between the third opening and the second opening.

8. The pallet of claim 7, further comprising: a seventh pathway proximate to the first support, the third support, the fourth support, and the center support, wherein the seventh pathway extends between the first opening and the fourth opening.

9. The pallet of claim 8, further comprising: an eighth pathway proximate to the second support, the third support, the fourth support, and the center support, wherein the eighth pathway extends between the second opening and the fourth opening.

10. The pallet of claim 9, wherein each of the first pathway, the second pathway, the third pathway, and the fourth pathway is sized to receive one of a pair of forks of a forklift, and each of the fifth pathway, the sixth pathway, the seventh pathway, and the eighth pathway is configured to receive one of a pair of forks of a pallet jack.

11. The pallet of claim 9, wherein each of the first pathway, the second pathway, the third pathway, and fourth pathway has a first width, each of the fifth pathway, the sixth pathway, the seventh pathway, and the eighth pathway has a second width, and the second width is different than the first width.

12. The pallet of claim 9, wherein each of the first pathway, the second pathway, the third pathway, and the fourth pathway extends perpendicularly relative to one of the first side, the second side, the third side, and the fourth side.

13. The pallet of claim 12, wherein each of the fifth pathway, the sixth pathway, the seventh pathway, and the eighth pathway extends diagonally relative to one of the first side, the second side, the third side, and the fourth side.

14. The pallet of claim 9, wherein each of the fifth pathway, the sixth pathway, the seventh pathway, and the eighth pathway intersects with at least one of the first pathway, the second pathway, the third pathway, and the fourth pathway.

15. A pallet, comprising: a top plate;a bottom plate; anda plurality of supports positioned between and coupled to the top plate and the bottom plate, the plurality of supports including a first support, a second support, a third support, a fourth support, and a center support, the top plate, the bottom plate, and the plurality of supports collectively having a top side, a bottom side opposite the top side, a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side,wherein the first side includes a first opening and is opposite the second side which has a second opening, the third side includes a third opening and is opposite the fourth side which has a fourth opening, and the plurality of supports define: a first pathway and a second pathway, each of the first pathway and second pathway extending between the first opening and the second opening,a third pathway and a fourth pathway, each of the third pathway and fourth pathway extending between the third opening and the fourth opening,a fifth pathway extending between the first opening and the third opening,a sixth pathway extending between the second opening and the third opening,a seventh pathway extending between the first opening and the fourth opening, andan eighth pathway extending between the second opening and the fourth opening.

16. The pallet of claim 15, wherein the first pathway and the second pathway extend perpendicularly to and between the first opening and the second opening, and the third pathway and the fourth pathway extend perpendicularly to and between the third opening and the fourth opening.

17. The pallet of claim 16, wherein each of the fifth pathway, the sixth pathway, the seventh pathway, and the eighth pathway extends diagonally relative to the first opening, the second opening, the third opening, and the fourth opening.

18. A pallet, comprising: a top plate;a bottom plate; anda plurality of supports positioned between and coupled to the top plate and the bottom plate, the top plate, the bottom plate, and the plurality of supports collectively having a top side, a bottom side opposite the top side, a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side, the first side being opposite the second side, and the third side being opposite the fourth side, wherein the plurality of supports define a first set of pathways between the plurality of supports, the top plate, and the bottom plate, and a second set of pathways between the plurality of supports, the top plate, and the bottom plate, each pathway in the first set of pathways extending perpendicularly relative to at least one of the first side, the second side, the third side, and the fourth side, and each pathway in the second set of pathways extending diagonally relative to the first side, the second side, the third side, and fourth side.

19. The pallet of claim 18, wherein the first set of pathways includes a first pathway, a second pathway, a third pathway, and a fourth pathway, the first pathway and second pathway extend parallel to each other, and the third pathway and fourth pathway extend parallel to each other and extend perpendicularly to the first pathway and the second pathway.

20. The pallet of claim 19, wherein the second set of pathways includes a fifth pathway, a sixth pathway, a seventh pathway, and an eighth pathway, the fifth pathway and the eighth pathway extend parallel to each other, the sixth pathway and the seventh pathway extend parallel to each other, the fifth pathway and the eighth pathway extend perpendicularly to the direction in which the sixth pathway and the seventh pathway extend, and each of the fifth pathway, the sixth pathway, the seventh pathway, and eighth pathway extending at an angle relative to at least one of the directions in which the first pathway, the second pathway, the third pathway, and the fourth pathway extend.