Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Space Sav~ng Nestable Skeletal Pallet
THE TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to pallets.
BACKGROUND ART
Pallets are used to support bases which allow for access to fork tines under thesupport base so that a forklift can lift the support base and any product ~u~ollcd
directly or indirectly by the support base.
Pallets are used ~lt~iv-ely in the l,~l,oll industry. The most common type of
pallet used is the wooden pallet. Ul~lLu lalcly there are a nnmh~r of problems
10 associated with wooden pallets inr.lllflin~ shortness of life. Another problem is that it
has become c~l~ensi~re to return buLky wooden pallets to the country of origin on
account of their size.
,A1t~mrt~ have been made from time to time to come up with pallets of di~tl~
confi~lr~hnn~ andlor of ~1~C1C11l m~tPri~l~ or ll~utes of m~t~ri~l~ which will provide
15 an ~ ;vc to the tr~-lition~l wooden pallets. Other pallet types have been made from
a variety of m~t~ri~l~ inchlrlin~ corrugated metal, wire mesh, ~ ...i";l...., fibre board
and plastics.
See for example US Design Patents 256007, 306226 and US Patent 2405535.
US Patent 2405535 (Le Roy Weiss) discloses an adjustable pallet which allows
20 by means of its construction increases in size by fairly small increments to
accommodate LLLclclll size boxes or glou~ gs of boxes. It 1). ;... ~ ;ly comrn~es a
~l~elPt~l ~u~pGlL base on three parallel runners, an outer runner of which is at a distal end
of support base ~lP~nin~ slats, beams or the like which int~rm~h and are moveable
lon~ lin~lly relative to like slats, beams or the like fixed to span between the other
25 two lulln~. The product therefore, in one degree of freedom, is telescopic down to a
size not much larger than the area defined by the slats, beams or the like of the two
runners which are fixed relative one to the other. Contraction/e~r~n~ion telescopically
in ~.oLL~ degree of freedom, ie. normal to the lon~ib~rlin~l extent of said slats, beams
or the like is also disclosed.
We reco~i~e a potential market for pallet forms (assemblies as a bare pallet or
modified to cage, bin or the like forms) which provide for fle~ibility of use and
compliance with the n~tion~l Standards of a number of diLrClClll countries whilepreferably providing for ease of repair by sllhstihlhion of components lLelcor as and
when the need alises. An ability to repair greatly enhances pallet life and lowers
35 nltim~te cost.
The Standards of colmhies vaIy and by way of eY~mple various Standards
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pro~de for ~he follo~ng pa~et s~es rn m~ ts -
TA~BLE 1
NZ2010:1970 800x 1000
800 x 1200
1000 x 1200
1200 x 1600
1200 x 1800
B.S.2629: 1989 1200 x 1000
1200 x 800
1140 x 1140
ISO 1000 x 1200
1200 x 800
800 x 1200
1140x 1140
DnN 15 146 1000 x 1200
800 x 1200
800 x 600
AUSTR~LIAN AS 4068 1165 x 1165
llOOx 1100
JIS 0606 800 x 1100
JIS 0604 1100 x 800
900 x 1 100
1 100 x 900
llOOx 1100
llOOx 1300
1300 x 1100
1100 x 1400
1400 x 1100
NOTRECOGNISED * 1440x 1130
IN JIS 0604 800 x 1200
1200 x 800
1000x 1200
1200x 1000
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It can be seen even on bare pallet size that the J~p~n~ee Standard JIS 0604 doesnot allow sizes allowed in other countries.
TABLE 2
~; NOM STANDARD DIM A DIM B DIM C DIM D DIM E DIM F
SIZE NO.
M~ M~n M~ Mh M9~ Mh- M~ Min M~ Mh~ M~ Min
.1200 B.S 2629 1203 1194 770 150 127 28
PART I
1000 B.S 2629 1006 997 720 150 127 28
PART I
1140 B.S2629 1146 1137 760 150 127 28
PART I
1200 NZS 2010 1220 1200 760 150 127 28
1970
1000 NZS 2010 1016 1000 710 150 127 28
1970
1200 DIN 146 1203 1197 907 147 142 148 126 121 23
1200 ISO 6780 1200 1194 770 150 127 28
1988
1165 A.S 4068 1170 1160 860 430 150 90
1993
1100 AS4068 1120 1100 860 430 150 90
1993
1200 ns 1989 1205 1195 116
Z0604
1200 ns Z0606 60
1993 +F
By rcre.~lce to Figure 28 ~nnexe~l hereto which defines the ~imen~ion~ A
20 ~rough F, Table 2 sets out for ~he Standatds listed in Table 1 the divergent requirements
as to ~ sion~ A through F.
As can be seen therefore from Tables 1 and 2 hereinbefore there is great
~liffi5~ ty in r~gti~nz~ ing ~he Standards from a number of dirrcr~ countries (all
pul~ 1 ~ading ~ lllCl~) in relation to tine receiving opening~ pallet sizes etc. This
25 is fur~er exacc.l,alcd where a pallet form is required which is adjustable as to size
owing to confli~ting lcquilclllents concerning tine receiving opening size for the
dirr~ adjusted pallet size. Such standards also create difficulties with any
arlic~ ting form of pallet.
Diverse ...;..1~ fûr pallets exist. On market exists fûr fûIms ~at might artiG~ te
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to allow, for example, a sales represPnt~tive to uplift and articulate a pallet that has
been delivered, [for c ~ ,1r into a retail store] and to return of that pallet in his or her
car since one pallet very seldom justifies a truck journey. There is also of course the
more usual market for pallets where they are simply accnm~ ted and rel~ f~l in bulk
S or are reused for a return journey. Here of course ~rljllctmçnt as to size, an ability to be
reduced in volume (eg by n~Psting) and of course an ability to have them repaired is of
k~ce.
The present invention relates to an ~ltPrn~tive pallet forms to any of those
previously tlçfinPd which reduces space required for the pallet upon its return when
10 nnlo~r1P~l andlor which at least in some embo~ does allow the pilorin~ of the size
of the pallet to a specific load to be camed thereon and/or which provides a repairable
pallet (inr,lll-lin~ cage, bin, etc.) assembly which provides a fair degree of comp1i~nr.e
with the !~t~n~l~rds of a mlmher of coun~ies.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The ~lGstl.l invention relates to a pallet c~p~ble of being stably positinn~ on
a horizontal surface (eg. the ground), of (3~finin~ in use at least a skeletal ~u~pull
surface for a load and of ~1Pfining a forklift or the like tine engP~e~hle snrf~ce or
snrf~cçs below said ~U~JpOll surface and above any such h~.. ;~....lsll surface ~lo~rh~hle
by tine(s) from at least two direction~, each to allow the uplifhng of said pallet from
20 such a ho.;,u~.l;.l surface when in a load supporhng condition, the pallet being
characterised in that a plurality of ~lb~l;...l;~lly parallel beam or beam like ~ssçmhlies~
each fixed directly or indirectly in lateral juxtaposition to any neighbouring beam(s) or
beam assembly(a~s~mhlies), define said ~ul~oll surface (at least in part) and bottom
~... ri1ce(s) to position on such a hr.. ;,...~1~1 s ~ ce7 the beams or beam assemblies being
25 linked by means (preferably only) above said bottom sllrface(s), the arr~ng- m~qnt
providing ~ ;..g(s) into which like beam(s) can sllbst~nh~lly nest from belûw to allow
base to base (i) n~.sting of beams or beam assemblies of ~lirrGlGl.~ pallets or (ii) self
nesting of the same pallet upon ar~G~ hf n, ~ereby to provide a reduction in ~e overall
volume of (i) any pairing of pallets or (ii) any individual articulatable pallet30 lc~ec~ ,ly.
In l)lc~clled forms of the present invention three types of pallet (as herein
finPd) are cû"l~ ."~ tç~, namely -
(a) a simple pallet of fixed size capable of repair,
(b) a simple articnl~tinp form of pallet which by base to base self npshnp~ upon35 ar*çlll~ti~-n allows the prospect-of c~ Eç of the pallet in, for e~mrlP~, the trunk or
boot of a car, and
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(c) a base to base nesting non ar~icnl~*ng pallet which preferably offers up to 50%
space saving in its nested c~ ntlition over a non nested con-lition during a return journey
and/or st~ r~, and which might, optionally, in~hlr1P a telescopic section which allows
for ~ of the pallet preferably by ek~n~ting the pallet in a direction parallel to
5 the beams which is transverse to the ~lcrcllcd opposite forklift or the equivalent *ne
cce;ving directions of the transverse openings of the beams and/or beam ~csPmb~ s
While variants of the pallet forms of the present invention will hc~c~Lc~ be
described spe~king of non artic~ *ng pallet forms which are eYtPn-1ihle by means of
telescopic eyt~nci~nc at each end or an artic~ ting pallet which is çYt~n~lible at at least
10 one end, such forms of the invention introduce unnecessa~y complic~tion and create
greater ~liffir.~ y and compliance with a fair range of Standards as set forth previously
by reference to figures Table 1 and Table 2.
In a further aspect the invention consists in a pallet c~p~ble of being stably
po,citi~n~(l on a h.,. ;,/...~i11 surface (eg. the ground), of dP.fining in use at least a cl~P1et~1
15 ~u~oll sl~ re for a load and of ~lefinin~ a forklift or the like tine eng~ge~ble snrf~r~e
or sllrf~.~es below said support surface and above any such hori~ont~l surface
appro~ch~hle by tine(s) from at least two directi- nc, each to allow the llplifting of said
pallet from such a hc.. ;,.~ 1 surface when in a load supporting con~1ition, the pallet
being chara~ ' in that a plurality of subst~nti~lly parallel beam or beam like
20 ~ccPmhliPc, each fixed directly or il,d~c.i~ in lateral juxtaposition to any neighbouring
beam(s) or beam ~c~Pmhly(~e~...hliP,s), define said ~u~olL surface (at least in part) and
bottom sllrf~ee(s) to position on such a h".;,(...li.l snrf~ce7 the beams or beam
assemblies being linked by means above said bottom sllrf~ee(s), the ~~
providing ~c;~g(s) into which like beam(s) can s~lbst~nti~lly nest from below to allow
25 base to base (i) nesting of beams or beam assemblies of ~lirr~ pallets or (ii) self
nesting of the same pallet upon ar~irll1~tion thereby to provide a re~ tion in the overall
volume of (i) any pairing of pallets or (ii) any individual articulatable palletrespectively, and being rurlhe. charae~ c~ in that each said beam or beam
~ccf~mhly by means of transverse opening(s) through each said beam or beam ~csemhly
30 can acco~ te a pair of forks from opposite hc,. ;'~O~ 1 directionc~ (ie. said at least
two directions) when the pallet is positioned with *s bottom s~ ce(s) on a h~
sllrf~r.e
Preferably the laterally juxtaposed are of members or ~cs~mhliçs of transverse
sec*nn(s) to said beams or beam like assemblies provide less spacing between them at
35 the top thereof than belw~en them at the bottom thereof thereby ~lçfinin~ a greater area
of support for any load to be carried thereon while providing beam to beam sp~cing
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- 6 -
from below to accommodate n~stin~
Preferably each beam or beam assembly is spaced from those in juxtaposition
c~nt to it at the top.
~ crclably the er~rin~ apart of the beams or beam ~ec~mh1i~s at the plane of said
5 ~u~ll snrf~ce(s) is just greater than the lateral distance across the bottom s~f~ce(s).
Preferably each beam or beam assembly in transverse section is about 50% or
less across laterally at its bottom surface when cc,.l,~a.ed with laterally across its said
~u~ Sllrf~r,e
P~crclably at least a primaIy means of location of the beams or beam ~ee~mhlies
10 in their parallel juxtaposed con~lition iS a span at each end of the beams or beam
. tnhlies that eyt~n~1e normal to the general plane of said support snrf~r~e(s) in such
a way and to such an extent as to still enable base to base nesting of type (i) or (ii).
F~crclably each span is an end m~mh.or that çxt~n-le duw,.~vardly less than about
50% ofthe ~uy~ull surface to bottom surface ~liepnr.e.
Plcr~lal)ly said beams or beam like assemblies inc111de laterally there through at
least two said openings each to accommodate a tine being advanced norm~11y to the
lon~itl1~lin~1 axis of any such beam in a plane to subst~nt~ y parallel to the g~n~r~1
plane of said top surface(s).
Preferably each support surface of each of at least a ~ou~-.,g of ~ cent beams
20 or beam ~es~mhlies is traversed by at least one linking runner or plate.
Preferably all of said beams or beam ~es~mblies are traversed by at least one
linking runner or plate.
r~ bly there are at least two elongate runners that at least s~1bst~nti~11y spansaid beams or beam assemblies.
Preferably each runner is above a said opening.
Preferably said runner(s) and/or plate is or are fixed to at least most of said
beams and/or beam ~s~mhli~s
Preferably said span(s) is or are no higher than said runner(s) or plate above said
beams or beam ~ssçmhli~s.
In one embo~1impnt range, each beam or beam assembly is çxt~nd~ble
telescopically by mea~s of a telescopic ext~n~ion at at least one end thereo~
In some embo~ one end only is provided with a telescopic çYt~n~ion and
telescopic çxtt?ncion member of a beam assembly is provided with lateral ope~ gs or
gaps such as to allow in conjunction with openings in the non telescopic part of each
35 beam or beam assembly the receiving of tines of a forklift in both an 1mtoxt~nded or
eYt~n-led con-liti~ n from a direction lateral to the lon~ih1-lin~1 axis of said beam or beam
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assemblies.
In another embodiment range, said pallet is articulatable about a rot~tion~l
- altic~ ti~m axis ~ lly normal to the lon~ihl~lin~l axis of said beams or beam like
~csemblies
5 P~er~l~bly said beam ~ccçmhli~c as beam sets ~lb~ lly on opposite sides of t~ear~iclll~ti~n axis are mlltll~lly moveable as sets relative each other in a direction parallel
to and/or along said articnl~tion axis to allow base to base self m~ting
Pl~r~l~bly one set is f~xed to a hinge pin, shaft or the like which passes ~rough part
of each beam of each set at a region thereof of reduced thir~ness thereby providing a
10 profile of each which will provide for al,ulll,t,ll of shoulders when in its load carrying
condition.
In PYtpn~lible forms, preferably a span is directly or indirectly fixed to each beam
~csçmhly at a non telescopic end and anodler is directly or indirectly fixed to the
telescopic extencion set at the other end of the pallet.
15 Preferably each beam or beam assembly inclll-les an extruded elem~nt or
rot~tion~lly moulded elem~ont
Preferably any such extruded elem~nt or rotationally moulded elem~nt has been
subsequently provided with a said opening or openings.
ably at least one component of a beam or beam ~cc~mbly is an extruded
20 member rl~fining
(i) a top box section of any configuration,
(ii) a bottom box section of any confi~lr~tion, and
(iii) links between said top and bottom box section~ that ~ul~ lly
a~rox;...~te an 'I' beam form using the top and bottom box sections. Preferably such
25 a col~Gl,ell~ in ~rt~on~lible foIms slides wi~in another extruded or rû~u~ m~lly
moulded form of a~ o~iate transverse section. - -
Preferably said openings are through said links only.
I~cre.al)ly said b-ottom box section in~ es a fork tine dçflPcting ramp form below
each said link.
30 Preferably said top box section has a lower surface to be llplifte~l by a fork tine
through a said opening.
l~f~.~ly at least one end of each said extluded çlPm~nt or rotationally moulded
çlçmf~.n~ is fitted with an end cap.
Preferably any beam assembly ~n~l~ble as to length is provided with means to
35 pin the ~s~mhly to a length that comrlies with at least one Standard as hereinbefore
~1~fine~
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PrefOEably the beam ~sPInhlies are eYton-lflkl~ there are two said ope~....g~ and the
longitll(lin~l lengths of the two openings differ.
In some forms said pallet is the base of a cage or bin type structure or ~cseTnhly
Preferably said pallet is formed at least in part by a m~tçri~l other than wood.5 In still another aspect the invention is a pallet of any of the forms hereinbefore
described with l~fe,e"ce to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.
Preferably a ~L~L-lc;d transverse section of the beam(s) is ~ul~ lly as
herein~fter described.
The invention concictC in the folei~oi~lg and also envisages constructions of which
10 the following gives examples.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
One l)re~t;"~d form of the present invention will now be described with reference
to the accc"~ ing drawings in which,
Figure 1 which is a perspective view of a pallet (non ar~ic~ hng and non
15 eYten~lible) having openings as well beam spacing to allow uplifting by fork lift tines
from two directions,
Figure 2 shows the base to base nesting capability of two pallets such as shown in
Figure 1,
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a pivotable pallet illllctr~tell in a partly folded
20 con-lition after axial movement of one set to clear an interlocking en~Pm~ont about ~e
articulation axis desirable when non articlll~te~l to a nesting con~lition
Figure 4 is a top view of a pivotable pallet of Figure 3 illusllaled in a storedc~ n~liti~n,
Figure 5 is a side view of a pivotable pallet (less l lef~ ;d) having two t~-lçccopic
25 eYhncions shown in a opened conditinn having its end members extçn~çcl
Figure 6A shows a section of a pallet assembly in a carrying mode from above with
l~lescopic eYt~ncion m~mhPrs as a bank at one end fully ext~n~lç~l but not occhl~lin~ the
tine-.Gce-vi,lg openingc of the beams,
Figure 6B is a view of the arr~ngement of Figure 6A from below but having the
30 eYt~n~lin~ ~.bel as a bank at one end ~ 1ed and telescopically inwardly of each
beam ~e tine-receiving openings again not being occluded,
Figure 6C is a view as in Figure 6A but with the ç-xt~n~lin~ member inwardly,
Figure 6C showing each beam dislocated at its articulation zone by axial movement
relative to the ar~irlll~tion axis of one set of beam regions so as to allow rotation and
35 self nesting of part of each beam between corresponding parts of itself and a p~o~ te
beam,
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Figure 6D is a view of the arr~ngem~nt of Figure 6C from below,
Figure 6E shows the arr~ngtomPnt of Figures 6C and 6D being arhcnl~te~
Figure 6F is a similar view of the arr~n~m~nt of Figure 6E,
Figure 6G shows the pallet assembly of Figure 6A-6F in its self-nestin~ fully
S articulated non-load car~ying mode w~ich reduces the volume thereof by ~luxi~ t~ly
50%,
Figure 7 is a partial end view ûf a pallet (ûf any of the prece-1ing kinds) showing
a pl~;rt~ed outline of several ~7uy~u~l beams,
Figure 8 is a cross section~l view through the ylc;r~lled embo~liment of a ~U~JpOll
10 beam ~cemhiy of the present invention which provides for a telescopic e~rtpnei~n~
Figure 9 is a side view and cross section~l side view through the end regions of a
~ul~lJoll beam of Figure 8,
Figure 10 is a side view showing further general detail of a pallet (with ~Pmhli~s
of Figure 8 or 9) of the present invention,
15 Figure 11 is a side view of the pallet as shown in Figure 10 in an nnPYtpn~le con~litinn,
Figure 12 is a side view of a basic four-way pallet carrying a collapsable crate, one
half of the figure illustrating the ~Yt~rn~l detail of the crate, the other half illu~llalillg
the intern~l detail and working~ of the collapsing mech~ni~m of the crate,
20 Figure 13 is an end view of a basic four-way pallet carrying a coll~ps~ble crate in
a fully erected con~ition,
Figure 14 is a section~l view through an ~1 Ir~ re configuration of a beam, the
beam ... -.... I;~c~lred by ex~usion,
Figure 15 is a partial perspechve view of an end of a beam and jpA~ g member
25 illu~llaLillg these co~ )ollents in an exploded arr~ngernent
Figure 16 is a parhal side view of the beam of Figure 14 also illu~ aLillg the
g member,
Figure 17 is a plan view of a parality of bearns of Figure 14 and also showing the
Sp~ g member,
30 Figure 18 is an end view of a parality of beams of Figure 14, also illu~LIalillg ~e
Sp~ ;..g member, ~-
Figure 19 is an end view of a beam of a hybrid pallet,
Figure 20 is a partial side view of the beam and ~ g member as shown inFigure 19,
35 Figure 21 is a partial plan view of two beams and a sp;~ l;..g member as shown in
Figures 19 and 20,
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- 10-
Figure 22 is a partial side view of a plastic/steel hybrid e~t~n~ling pallet,
Figure 23 is an end view of two beams in a stored con-lition of pallets as shown in
Figure 22,
Figure 24 is a general plan view of a pallet of Figures 22 and 23,
S Figure 25 is a side view of a pallet of Figures 22, 23 and 24,
Figure 26 is an end view of a pallet of Figures 22, 23, 24 and 25,
Figure 27 is a ~t,~ecli~e view of a hybrid pallet wherein beams are rot~tion~llymoulded from HDPE and having wood or ~ braces, and
Figure 28 shows for the ~ ose of ~kulda~'/ds the ~-lea~u.clllcl-~ ferc-lcd to in Table
10 2 hereo~
BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
In the ~lcrcl-ed form of the present invention there is provided a pallet c~p~ble of
being llpli~d from ~rcr~.dl~ly two clirrc.c--l directit nc both transverse to the ~cre~cd
parallel beams or beam assemblies of the pallets of the present invention. Optinn~lly
15 two directit~nc, ie. u~osilt; directions parallel to such longiturlin~l axis of the beams or
beam ~cs~mblies may also be provided for.
It is envisaged that by the base to base nesting of pallets of the present invention
space savings of 50% are achievable. The space saving is achievable with the telescopic
or non tel~ccopic but non arhclll~tin~ form of the pallets of the ~lCSe;lll invention by
20 ~lO~lidt~, base to base ;..l~....~cl.;~g With the c .Ir~d;l~ or non ~rt~onrlin~ articlll~tin~
forms of the pallets of the y~scnl invention the space saving occurs by means of base
to base nesting of a single pallet upon such articlll~tion, preferably after disloc~1ion of
the beams or beam assemblies by relative movement of the Ll~c~,nl end sets thereof
relative to the articlll~tion axis or at least mutual movement relative to such an axis.
25 The pallets ofthe present invention could be made from any ~o~liaLt; Illill~ lc
and may indeed still inc,h~de wood. It is envisaged that a metal such as~ ... can
be used for one or more of the components as can of course any ~,u~,iate plastics
m~t~ri~l A snit~l~le pl~etirs m~t~ri~l is an ~pro~,iate HDPE and/or LDPE. If
rot~tion~l m~lllling of any kind is lltili~e~l an ~,u~,iate PVC may indeed be used.
30 Indeed some ofthe confi~lrations of the present invention do not rule out ~e ~,us~
of hybrid constructions mixing m~t~ri~l~ in single components and/or hlh~ in~
m~teri~l~ from component to component.
As used herein the term "pallet" refers to a pl~tform or skeletal pl~tform d~finin~
member with or without any cage, side walls or the like. While such a term will
35 ~en~lly be used without ~;rtl~nce to such a cage and/or side walls embotliment~ of the
present invention do cover pallet forms which are erectable or remain erect as bins,
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cages or the like. In fact such cages, bins or the like can be de-mountable in form and
thus the term "pallet" in accordance with the present invention envisages emboAimPntc
c~r~hle of being c~mhin~A with co~ olle~ to be erected into cages, bins and the like.
P~crell~,d forms of the present inven*ion will now be described with lef~,.lce to
S the ~-c~ .jing drawings in which Figure 1 shows a simrlified pallet in accor~ce
with the present invention having a plurality of beams 1 ~lipninp in a spaced
interrçla*onchi~ and dPfining at an upper surface 2 thereof collectively a ~l~PlPt~l
su~lJoll surface and (lefining at the lower snrf~ces thereof collectively a bottom surface
or Cl~Plpt~1 sllrf~e 3 c~p~ble of supporting the pallet stably on a h... ;,.~ ;.1 sllrf~çe.
10 Generally the cnnfi~l~*nn of each beam as is the case in all yl~rcllcd embo.l;...~ of
the ~lcsclll invention is provided with a greater width (ie. transverse to the longit l~lin~l
axis of each beam 1) greater than the transverse width at the bottom surface 13 so as to
better accommoA~te base to base n-os*n~
In the ~r~lcd form of the present invention save for any rack lc~ r~ providing
15 means that may be interposed between some of the ~djacPnt beams (non shown) at or
near the top snrf~ces 2 thereof. Preferably the only fixing of the beams 1 in their
parallel yet ~lcf~lably spaced juxta position is by means of ~ l;..g mPmhers 3 at each
end which in the ~l~,rcllcd form of the present invention do not extend down beyond
50% of the distance between the ~u~ surface 2 and the bottom surface 13.
20 Posi1i~ nPd transversely through each beam 1 are tine receiving op~ning~ 4. So that
tines can be received from either end or side of the pallet and provide a surface 5 against
which an upper snrf~ce of the tines can engage in order to uplift the pallet. Figure 2
shows how in some embo~limpntc of the p~sel~l invention the span or ~p~
llltlllllCl:i 3 or 3A can be ~ffiXPd by a~lu~liate screws eg. 6 or 6A respectively to the
25 ends of the beams or beam ~s~mblies 1 and lA respectively.
As shown in Figure 2 ~ g~ ;c~lly it can be seen that a 50% space saver when
unused is achievable and indeed even in the nested form the whole structure is capable
of being ~-plifted by the tines of a forklift or the equivalent lifting m~ .ry by
enp~ag~ l through align~d openings 4 transversely of the nested parallel beams
30 provided the top to bottom extent of each opening 4 with preferably a 1ll;l.;lllllll- of
d.~l)pill~ from the fully nested con~itic n of the beams lA owing to Pnp~gPment by the
rO. kl; rl tines against the surface 7 while lifting on s~rf~ce 5 of the beams 1.
Figure 3 shows in a partially artic~ tP,d form the beams or beam assemblies of an
altic~ tPd form otherwise having all of the char~ctçri~tics of the structure as shown in
35 Figures 1 and 2 but having an ar~cnl~tion axis 8 to be ~lescribe~l in further detail.
Figure 4 shows from above the fully nested and thus 50% space saving form of the
-
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~tT~ngPment with the support surface ~lefining surfaces of one half set (herc~Lrlcr "set")
of the beam regions ( tP~ cd as 9) having the bottom surface ~iPfining sllrf~sçs of the
other set interposed there between which is possible by virtue of the ~l~,r~ d
dislocation of one set relative to the other by a sliding of that one set along the
5 articlll~hnn providing shaft, pin or the like 8.
Figures 6C through 6F best shows such actual dislocation, one set relative to the
other about the pin and ar~iclll~tion axis providing member 8.
Even in the pl.,rc~lcd articlll~ting form as shown in Figure 8, there is provided a
s~ g mem~pr 11 which equates to that l~rCllcd to as 3 in relation to the Ptnl~o-limPnt
10 of Figure 1 but this time being fitted to the end of telescopic e~tçnC~ionc; 12 which are
telescopically receivable within each of the articulating sets 13 and 14.
Preferably the extension includes an opening or openings 15 such that when
l~lc~sed fillly home within the respective receiving beam sets 13 and 14 the opening 16
of a beam set 9 or 14 is not occ~ dPd from receiving a tine of a forklift ~imil~rly when
15 exten~lP~ t as shown in Figure 5, preferably each telescopic extension 12 incl~l~lPs a
second opening there through which subst~nti~tly corresponds to the opening 16 to
allow even in the e~rtP.n~le t con-lition a forklift tine to be passed there through. Such a
co~ ,yunding opening 17 can best be seen by reference to Figure 6A.
The offset ~tT~ngPtnPnt which~des the a~ r~ 18 best shown in Figures 6A
20 and 6B are ideal for rigidity dDg normal load supporting andlor h~n~lling operations
in~ lin~ while being supported by forklift.
Preferably however one of the sets 13 or 14 is actually slirt~hle on the pivot shaft
or the like arr~n~mPnt 8 so as to assume the variety of di~clellL con~ition~ best
illu~LIaled by reference to Figures 6C ~rough 6F until finally they drop into their self
2S nesting base to base npstin~ form as shown in Figure 6G.
Figure 7 shows an end view of a prerelled configuration of for example, an
~h.. il.;.. or plastic beam or beam assembly preferably having a width "X" which is
greater than ~at of "Y" so at to allow the nesting shown in Figure 2. Preferably "Y"
is 50% or less the fiiC~t~n~e "X' and preferably the sp~c.in~ between ~ cent beams is
30 such that "Y" can be fully received in the con~ on as shown in Figure 2 illc~ecLi~
of whether or not we are dealing with an articulating form or a base to base self nesting
form.
While generally the beams as shown in Figure 7 are convergent from the :jU~l)Ol
surface to the bottom surface it is not nlocess~tily for such convergence to be of a
35 straight line, a line or straight curvature type as minor v~nRtions and configurations as
depicted can easily be accommodated.
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Figure 8 shows a ~ d form of st~ucture for a telescopic form of the present
invention where the beam ~c~mhly is capable of being formed by ~lol,liate extrusion
of a metal or metals and/or a pl~ctics m~tPri~l such as previously set forth. In the
arr~n~ement as shown in Figure 8 a beam component receives slidably there withinS another exlIusion 20 not shown of course in this end view are the appl~opliate sp~ g
mPmhPr or mPmhPrc nor the lateral opPningc It can be seen however that by means of
Pfining regions 21 in member 19 there can be ~ccommodation for pluLIu~ions
and/or stops 22'in the inner member 20 to delimit the actual ~licpl~em~nt of onemPmhçr 19 or 20 relative to the other upon some loc~ A ~ief~m~tion of the ~ ...";l
10 member 21.
Persons skilled in the art will appreciate the many options that are bound.
The lower region of the extrusion 20 c~ of bevelled up stands 27 which when
the tines of a forldift are entered through the openings 4 are able to deflect the tines
(where not fully aligned with the ~. ..;..~) u~w~s to enter through the opPnin~ The
15 upper edge of the o~ is ~l~fin~od by the upper section 28 of the bevelled up stands
27. The angle of the bevelled up stands 27 is ~lPfined by Standards. The distance
l~twet;ll the upper region 29 of the ~ 4 and the upper section 28 of the extrusion
20 is also ~lefin~cl by a Standard.
Figure 9 shows a side elevational view, ie. laterally but in cross-section at AA of
20 the ~l j1..g~ nt of Figure 8 but this time showing how at each end the beam sets of
metnh~ 19 (particularly where being artic~ t~ble can be fixed togethpr by a plurality
of llalls~ ely ~ rttonrling rail m~.mb~r~ 23) shown in dotted oudine in Figure 8, dhese
in ~13r1iti~n to the ~ ..bc~ ~ 24 affixed by ~ r~plid~ means at dhe ends of each
of dle extrusions 20. Most preferably the sl~ g members 24 are secured to each
25 ends of extrusions 20 by a secllring means which allows for the pallet to be l~,p;~cd
when d~m~ged Most preferably such secllring means are screwsj-bolts or other
penetrative types sec~lring means. When a pallet or component of a pallet has been
1 simple removal of the secllring means will allow for the ~l~m5~e component
to be lc~ t;d and replaced by a repl~ce....~ component which again is cimil~rly
30 se~ cd to the pallet. Other forms of securement which are less desirable may inelllde
ultrasonic bon~1ing dle use of plastics cement or solvent based glues. These h~ ,vt;
do not as easily allow for dhe components of a pallet to be repl~ce~l when ~m~tlThe lip 30 provided from the end cap 25 provides for ~sd(1ition~ and
loc~te~bility of the ~ JA~ g members 24.
35 The rail members 23 (also herein referred to as anti racking members 23) are
se~ cd to a pallet when necessary to provide streng~ and rigidity against any racking
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motion of the pallet. The anti r~rl~inp mPmher~ 23 locate onto the pallet most preferably
peIpentlic~ r to the lonpihl~lin~l direction of the beams. Most preferably such ,~cl~ g
,..~..,h~ .~ are located on top ofthe s-lrf~cp~s 2 as ~lPfined in Figure 1. ~ ;vely the
locating of anti racking members bt;lween the beams is also possible. In such
S Ci~ CP,s the anti racking members are made up of individual pieces of which
locate bd~efn beams in a s--it~ble place. From a storage point of view such
co..r.~ ;on wiU require for rececces in the bottom region of each beam to be ~1~3_ -1
to allow when in a stored con~lition the intPrmçshin~ of the beams and the anti racking
memhPrs. In Figure 27 the beams have been provided with a recess to aUow the anti
10 r~rl~ing ..~ ~.-b~ to slot into the lccesses 36. A person skilled in the art will realise that
such anti racking members 23 may also lie ~ gon~lly across the beams of a pallet to
prevent l~d~ ; of the paUet. ~ the ~ d form of the ~lc;s~ l invention, at least one
anti l~cLi~ lr~lb~ is provided. Several anti racking members may be provided lying
at spaced intervals across the beams. ~h~tively a single anti racking member 23 may
15 consist of a sheet or plate of material which covers ~e entire or ~ul~s~ lly entire
upper surface area of the paUet. Anti ~ ing members 23 may be made of wood, steel,
~1.. ;~.;,.. plastic or comrosite or the like.
Again from a repairability point of view it is desirable for the anti racking
~.f ..br.(s) 23 to be secured to the paUet by a sec.lrin~ means which will allow removal
20 of the anti racking member(s) 23 when ~l~m~ge.l Such r~ ..;"g means are most
pl~r~l~bl~ ;v~ r~ ..p means such as screws, bolts, or the like. A ~ elyanti racking m~mb~r(s) 23 may be secured to the pallet by a s~i~ble adhesive means
such as a plastic c~ l or solvent based glue or ultrasonic bon~lin~ Fu~ ...ore the
anti racking members also provide a support for products which are likely to sag25 l~lw~n the beams. As an ~ ,1e bags of grain when supported by the pallet may sag
between the beams and sag down to such a point where they are in line with the
~ 4. This is undesirable as the enterin~ of the tines into the openings may as aresult puncture the- bags or sacks. The use of anti r~r~in~ members therefore also
provides ~u~Ol~ for products or items carried by the pallet.
30 nc;r~l~l,ly end caps are provided over each of the extrusions 20 such that the outer
ends of each mPmher 20 are supported by the bottom surface of the end cap structure
25 which in tum :SU~ the s~. ~...;..~ m~nb~r~ 24. These end caps 25 can be screwed
and/or adhered in place by a~plol~liate plastics m~teri~l suitable for the mating of the
m~teri~l~ sel~cted
35 Figure 10 shows an ~ ..rnt of a non artic~ tin~ kind of a pallet as depicted
in Figure 1 but with a one way ext~n~ion~ partially ext~n(le~l the non ext~n~lible parts
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of the pallet being spanned by three top rail mf?mbf?rs of the kind deFtGted as 23 in
Figures 10 and 11.
- Figure 11 showsthe~ gr.llf .. 1 ofthenonarticnl~*n~kindofpalletasshownin
Figure 10 with no eYtf~nci~n~ f YtPn~i.ofl
- 5 The pallet of Figures 10 and 11 has been df?si nefl to comply with Standards as
herein described. The opf~nin~c 4 of the pallet in an nnf xtrnf~ed conflition as shown in
Figure 11 comply in size and :~lJ ~C;~g with the Standard for a pallet of width equal to the
pallet illu~ lal~d in an .. ~ flefl conflition as shown in Figure 11. The same pallet in
an f~Ytf?n~1f~?~1 Gnn-litinn as shown in Figure 10 has ~1'?~ ~ 4 which comply in shape and
10 sp~ring with a Standard for a pallet of size as per the pallet illu~ d in Figure 10 in
an eYtçn~le~l conrlition Hence in an nn~Yt~n(led con~lition as shown in Figure 11 the
pallet when viewed from the side is not of a symm~triC cc-nfi~lration. The i~-?n*rs-l
pallet cnmrlies with the Standards for size and sp~ring of the opening 4 in both an
~Yt~nrlPrl and lm~yt~nrle~l conrlition
15 Illustrated in Figure 13 there is a pallet as hereinbefore ~iesr,ribe~l on to which a
cage 40 is mounted in an erected con~lition The side view ill,.~ t;d in Figure 13
shows the cage having two pairs of side walls 41 and 42 located one above the other,
the other pair located on the O~OSlllg side. The ~ cent end walls 43 and 44 form the
other bolm~l~ries of the cage.~ The cage is movable from a fully erected cr.n~lition as
20 shown in Figure 13 to a coll~rsed cc n~iition by the pivoting of the side walls 41 and 42
relative to each other as shown in Figure 12. Prior to the moving of the cage from a
fully erect con-litinn to a collapsed con-litinn, the end walls 43 and 44 are coll~psed
inwardly and u~w~ly about pivots 45 and 46. Subsequently the cage is able to move
to a coll~psed condition by the pivoting of the side walls about pivots 47, 48 and 49.
25 The ability ofthe cage to collapse from a fully erect con~li*on to a collapsed con~lition
reduces the space le4uil~e"lent of the pallet and cage when not in use. This is a
particular advantage when storing the crate as less space is required for such storage.
The sectinn~l view of Figure 12 ill. ~ "e~c the cage in three con~litionc a first in a
fillly erect contlition~ the second in a fully collapsed con~ition and the third in an
30 int~nne~ te con~1ition.
Figure 14 illustrates an s~l~r~ e configuration of a beam elemtont Again the
lower region 26 has bevelled up stands and the riict~n. e between the upper section 28
and upper region 29 is defined by Standards.
Figure 15 is a p~ )e~ re view ill~ ;..g how an end cap 25 is able to be inserted35 into a beam elemPnt and secured thereto by suitable secllring means such as screws.
Tllns~ted in Figure 15 is an end cap which foIms an integral part of a sp~.lll;"g member
,.~
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24. Most preferably this is a moulding of a suitable plastics m~tPri~l such as HDPE.
Figure 16 is a partial side view of a beam el~p~npnt end cap and s~ member
of Figures 14 and 15.
Figure 17 is a partial plan view of the components shown in Figures 14, 15 and 16
5 illu~ g several beam elpmentc in a parallel side by side con~r~tion
Figure 18 is a partial end view of several beam elçmPntc showing their l~e
side by side configuration.
Figure 19 is an end view of a beam of a pallet c~ncicting of co~ ol.~ of d rr~.
m~tPri~l The beam elemPnt extrusion is most preferably made of ~ ;n;~ for steel
10 or a like. ~imil~rly the s~ g member is of a similar ...i.~ 1 Acsoci~te~1 with the
beam ClF~ S are mo ll-lingc 31 as shown in Figures 20 and 21 which are secured to
the ex~usions 20 by ~e f~xing means. Mo~L l~.c;re.~bly such means are penet~ative
fixing means such as screws or bolts 32. Again, the use of such penptrative fixing
means allows for components of the pallet to be removed when tl~m~rl, Lerearle:~15 being replaced by new components.
Figure 22 is a partial side view of a hybrid pallet conci~ting of a plastic/metal. The
metal members 33 and 34 are telescopically c~ eable relative to each other to thereby
provide the ability of the pallet to be eYtPn-le-l Mol-klin~c 31 provide a sllit~ble sp~cin~
to allow the ~xt~n~lihility of the pallet.
20 Again the design of the lay out of the components of the beam is such as to comply
with the Standard.
Figure 23 ill~ .i Irc the nPst~bility of beams of this type of configuration to allow
pallets to be stored in a space saving ~ cl .
Figures 24, 25 and 26 are general plan~ side and end views respectively of pallets
25 having components shown in Figures 22 and 23.
Figure 27 is a perspective view of a hybrid pallet having most ~lt;rt;l~bly
ro~tion~lly moulded beams and having wooden or ~l..."i~,;..." ~p;~ g m~nb~r.c and
anti racking members.
Again, most preferably the s~ members and anti racking members are
30 secured to the bea-ms by sec~lrin~ means which allow for removal from ~e beams when
~m~ge~l
Figure 28 shows for the purpose of Standards the ,lleasu.e~.ents referred to Table
2 herein.
The paUets aUow for the use of slip sheets or transfer sheets to provide a means of
35 L,~ L. ~ ;..g items carried by a pallet from a pallet.
Illustrated in Figure 12 is a pallet having two partial beam members which do not
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extend to the same depth as the other beam members. Such a relief in the seqnence of
beam el~ m~ntc provides a relief into which a tine of a forklift is able to be i.lsell~d.
This allows for the paUet to be lifted from 2 perpendicular direction~ This is useful in
~i1n~tic)n~ where a restricted space does not allow for a forklift to ~r~)acll the pallet~ from a certain direction. The provision of the release in the pallet provides for an
re direction by which the pallet may be lifted.
Although not every pallet drawn or described herein has such a relief, a person
skilled in the art will realise that the provision of such a relief is applic~ble to each
shape and confi~lration of a pallet described herein.
