MXPA06010101A

MXPA06010101A - Pallet.

Info

Publication number: MXPA06010101A
Application number: MXPA06010101A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Eduardo Garcia
Original assignee: Rehrig Pacific Co
Priority date: 2005-09-09
Filing date: 2006-09-05
Publication date: 2007-03-08
Also published as: AU2006203742A1; CA2558071A1; GB2430187B; US20070056483A1; GB2430187A; GB0617520D0

Abstract

A pallet includes a deck and a plurality of columns extending downwardly from the deck. The columns have interiors that open upwardly through the deck, such that the pallet is nestable, i.e. the columns of a similar pallet will be at least partially received within the columns of the pallet when stacked thereon. A plurality of running boards are removably connectable to the bottoms of the columns. A plurality of reinforcement pockets are molded into an upper surface of the deck.

Description

PALLET Field of the Invention This invention relates to a pallet. Pallets are commonly used to store and transport items. The pallets keep the items at a distance above the ground, as they can be lifted and moved quickly by a forklift. Plastic pallets are lighter and more durable than wooden pallets. _Some plastic pallets include a platform from which a variety of columns extend downwards. The receiver openings of the fork are defined between the columns. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Some plastic pallets can be stowed, that is, the columns of an empty pallet are partially received within the columns of an empty pallet stacked below the other. This reduces the total height of a pile of empty pallets. Other platforms include a lower platform or tensioners (or stirrups) that connect the bases of the columns. This improves the stability of loaded pallets when stacked. However, platforms with tensioners are not stowed when they are empty and therefore have a higher height when stacked. REF: 175504 Brief Description of the Invention In accordance with the present invention, a pallet includes a platform and a variety of columns extending downward from the platform. The columns have hollow interiors that open upwards through the platform, so that the platform can be stowed, that is, the columns of a similar platform will be, at least, partially received inside the columns of the platform. when it is stacked on top of another. A variety of stirrups are removably connected to the bases of the columns. "The stirrups improve the stability of the pallet when it is stacked with other loaded pallets. Before connecting to a pallet, the stirrups can be stowed one with The pallet platform includes a variety of reinforcing cavities formed between an adjacent pair of columns, the reinforcing cavities increase rigidity and strength of the platform, while allowing the pallet to be molded as a single part. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Other advantages of the present invention can be understood by reference to the following detailed description, when they are considered to be connected to the appended figures: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the pallet in accordance with the present invention, Figure 2 is a top view of the pallet, Figure 3 is a bottom view of the pallet, Figure 4 is an end view. of the pallet, Figure 5 is a side view of the pallet, Figure 6 is a perspective view of the pallet of Figure 1, connected to a variety of stirrups, Figure 7 is an end view of the pallet and the stirrups of Figure 6, Figure 8 is a side view of the pallet and stirrups of Figure 6, Figure 9 is a bottom view of the pallet and stirrups of Figure 6, Figure 10 is a top view of the stage and the stirrups of Figure 6, Figure 11 is a perspective view of the stage of Figure 1, stowed on a similar stage, Figure 12 is a perspective view of a second mode of the steps of the stage. Figure 6, Figure 13 is a perspective view of a stirrup of Figure 12 stowed on a similar stirrup, Figure 14 is a side view of the stirrups of Figure 13, Figure 15 is a sectional view of stirrups of Figure 14 Detailed description of the invention In accordance with the present invention, a pallet 10 is shown in Figure 1. The pallet 10 includes a platform 12 from which a plurality of corner columns 14a, side columns 14b and end columns 14c and a downward section extend. central column 14d, collectively referred to herein as "columns 14". Each column 14 defines an interior opening 15 upwards, through the platform 12. The platform 12 includes a flange 16 extending downward from a peripheral edge of the platform 12. A variety of reinforcement cavities 18d are molded on the upper surface of the platform 12 between each adjacent column 14. Each reinforcing cavity 18 extends from a column 14 to another adjacent column 14 and includes a pair of opposite side walls 20, a pair of opposite end walls 22, perpendicular reinforcements 24 and a base 26. The base 26 is generally parallel to the upper surface of the platform 12 and is generally in a plane spaced below the upper surface of the platform 12. Figure 2 is a top view of the stage 10. The Figure 3 is a bottom view of the pallet 10. Each column 14 includes a peripheral wall 30 and a bottom wall 32. A pair of openings 34 are formed through the bottom wall 32. Referring to Figure 3, a variety of brackets 36 extend from the rim 16 of the platform 12, to the side walls 20 of the reinforcing cavities 18. The brackets 36 reinforce the periphery of the platform 12 outside the reinforcement cavities 18. The brackets 36 also provide angled protruding surfaces for contacting the forks of a pallet lift 10 by means of a forklift with forks, they reduce the impact force of the forks on the platform 12 and / or in the cavities 18. -reinforcement. Figure 4 is an end view of the pallet 10. Figure 5 is a side view of the pallet 10. Each of the columns 14 includes a variety of notches 38 formed on each side of the column 14. In the embodiment that shown, the notches 38 are not formed at the ends of the columns 14, but could be formed at the ends, adding or instead of on the sides. Figure 6 is a perspective view of pallet 10 of Figure 1 connected to a variety of stirrups 40. Each of the stirrups 40 includes a vaultity of cavities 42 connected by tensioners 44. Figure 7 is an end view of a pallet 10 and stirrups 40 of Figure 6. Figure 8 is a side view. from pallet 10 and stirrups 40 of Figure 6 Figure 9 is a bottom view of pallet 10 and stirrups 40 of Figure 6. Figure 10 is a top view of pallet 10 and stirrups 40 and Figure 6. The instantaneous adjustment tabs 46 of the brackets 40 (Figure 9) automatically adjust to the openings 34 in the lower walls 32 of the columns 14 to removably secure the brackets 40 (Figure 9) of the pallet 10. Figure 11 is a perspective view of the pallet 10 of Figure 1, stowed on 'a similar pallet 10'. The columns 14 of the upper platform 10 'are partially received inside the interiors 15 of the columns 14 of the platform 10. This reduces the overall height when stowing the pallets 10 and 10' empty. Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of one of the stirrups 40 of Figs. 6 to 10. Each of the cavities 42 includes two pairs of snap-fit flexible tabs 46 projecting upwardly from the wall. bottom of the cavity 42. Each cavity 42 additionally includes two opposing pairs of projections 48 within the cavity 42. The abutment 40 is identical to that of Figures 6 to 10, with the exception that it additionally includes a pair of pyramids 50 that they project upwards from the adjacent tensors 44 each, outside the cavity 42. The pyramids 50 are. they interconnect with a cavity on the underside of a similar stirrup 40 ', stowed thereon as shown in Figure 13. Figure 13 is a perspective view of the stirrup 40 of Figure 7 stowed on a similar stirrup 40'. Figure 14 is a side view of the stirrups 40, 40 'of Figure 13. Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of the stirrups 40, 40' of Figure 14. The pyramids 50 of the lower stirrup 40 are partially received. within the cavities of the underside of the upper stirrup 40 ', such as the reinforcements 52' projecting downward from the tensioner 44 'are interconnected between the pyramids 50, for a more stable stowage of several tensioners 40, 40'. The pallet 10 and the tensioners 40 can be injection molded, compression molded, thermally formed, thermally formed with twin plates or formed by any other suitable process from a plastic, such as polypropylene or HDPE. While the embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it is not intended that these embodiments show and describe all possible forms of the invention. Instead, the words used in the specification are words, descriptive, rather than limiting, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and approach of the invention.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS Having described the invention as above, property is claimed as contained in the following claims: 1. A platform, characterized by includes: a platform; a variety of columns that extend down from the platform; and at least one abutment removably secured to the variety of columns.
2. The pallet according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the stirrups includes a variety of cavities connected by a variety of tensioners.
3. The pallet according to claim 2, characterized in that the variety of columns are removably secured within a variety of cavities.
4. The pallet according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one bracket it includes at least one snap tab which snaps into an opening formed on a bottom wall of a variety of columns .
The pallet according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the variety of cavities includes a pair of instantaneous adjustment tongues.
The platform according to claim 5, characterized in that the pair of instantaneous adjustment tabs extend upwards from a bottom wall of at least one cavity.
The pallet according to claim 6, characterized in that at least one of the variety of the cavities additionally includes two opposite pairs of projections.
8. The pallet according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one bracket includes a first bracket and a second bracket, wherein the first bracket includes a pair of pyramids projecting upward from an upper side of the first stirrup.
9. The platform according to claim 8, characterized in that the second stirrup includes at least one cavity disposed on the lower side of the second stirrup.
10. The pallet according to claim 9; wherein when the first bracket and the second bracket are removed from the array of columns and the second bracket is stowed on the first bracket, the pair of pyramids first stirrup received partially within at least one cavity of the second footboard .
11. A pallet, characterized in that it includes: a platform that includes a top surface and at least one reinforcement cavity molded therein; and a variety of columns that extend down from the platform.
The pallet according to claim 11, characterized in that the variety of columns includes at least a pair of adjacent columns and therefore a reinforcement cavity extending between the pair of adjacent columns.
The pallet according to claim 12, characterized in that at least one reinforcing cavity includes a pair of opposite side walls and a pair of opposite end walls.
The pallet according to claim 13, characterized in that at least one reinforcement cavity additionally includes at least one reinforcement, so that the reinforcement is substantially perpendicular to a bottom.
15. The platform according to claim 14, characterized in that the bottom is generally parallel to the upper surface of the platform and in a separate plane downwardly of the upper surface of the platform.
16. The pallet according to claim 15, characterized in that the variety of columns associated with at least one pallet are partially received inside of a second variety of columns associated with another pallet.
17. The platform according to claim 15 / characterized in that it additionally includes at least one stirrup removably secured to the variety of columns.
18. The pallet according to claim 17, characterized in that at least one stirrup includes a variety of cavities and a variety of tensioners placed between the variety of cavities.
19. The platform according to claim 18, characterized in that the variety of columns are received within the variety of cavities. "20. The platform according to claim 13, characterized in that it additionally includes a variety of brackets, the platform includes a flange and at least one of the variety The brackets extend from the flange of the platform to at least a pair of opposite side walls 21. The platform according to claim 20, characterized in that at least one of the variety of brackets includes at least one angled surface. to make contact with the forks of a forklift with forks 22. The pallet according to claim 11, characterized in that each of the variety of columns includes a peripheral wall, a bottom wall and a pair of openings. pallet in accordance with claim 2.2, characterized in that the pair of openings is formed through the bottom wall. "24. The pallet of according to claim 23, characterized in that it additionally includes at least one • abutment removably secured to the variety of columns by means of a pair of openings. 25. The pallet according to claim 11, characterized in that each of the variety of columns includes a pair of opposite side walls and a pair of opposite side walls, and at least one of the variety of columns includes a variety of notches formed in each of the pair of opposite side walls and the pair of opposite end walls. 26. A stirrup, characterized in that it includes: a variety of cavities connected by, at least, one tensioner. 27. The stirrup according to claim 26, characterized in that it additionally includes at least one tongue to fit with at least one opening of a platform to removably secure the bracket to the tarim. 28. The abutment according to claim 27, characterized in that at least one tongue is placed inside at least one of the variety of cavities. 29. The stirrup according to claim 27 ', characterized in that at least one tongue is a snap-fit tongue. 30. The stirrup according to claim 26 ,. characterized in that the variety of cavities include a first cavity, a second cavity and a third cavity; and at least one stirrup including a pair of turnbuckles, wherein one pair of turnbuckles extends between the first cavity and the second pocket and the other pair of turnbuckles extends between the second pocket and the third pocket. The stirrup according to claim 30, characterized in that it additionally includes at least one pair of tongues, placed in at least one of the first cavity, of the second cavity and of the third cavity, to be adjusted with at least an opening of a platform to removably secure the footboard to the platform.