GB2190895A - Interengageable pallets - Google Patents

Abstract

A pallet (10) adapted for interengagement with a second pallet (10') to form a double pallet unit. The pallet (10) comprises a U-shaped chassis (12), a load platform (14), a rear panel (16), two side panels (18,20) and a front panel. The pallet (10) can be interlinked with a second pallet (10') by removing the front panel and lifting the load platform (14) on each of the pallets (10, 10') and slidably interengaging the chassis (12,12'). The load platforms (14,14') are then replaced and these both comprise locking pins which locate in apertures in the chassis (12,12') to lock these together. The chassis may be wheeled and have guides for lift forks. The panels are secured to the chassis by pin and slots and are hinged to each other. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Pallet The present invention relates to a pallet.

It is known to provide a steel pallet comprising a rectangular chassis provided with castors and up to four upright steel panels mountable on the chassis. It is known to make one or more ofthe panels hingedly openable to provide access to the interior of the pallet.

The present invention aims to provide a pallet which is moreversatilethan known pallets.

According to the present invention we provide a pallet comprising meansforenabling secure linking ofthe pallet to a second pallet to form a double pallet unit. An advantage of a pallet according to the present invention is that it is more versatile because it can be combined with a second pallet to make a double pallet unit having a greatercapacityand with the capability of holding bulkiergoods.

Preferably, the pallet is configured forsliding interengagementwithasecond pallet. Thesliding interengagement enables quick and convenient linking oftwo pallets.

The palletmaycompriseachassisconfiguredfor engagement with a chassis on a second pallet. In a particular embodiment the chassis has a hollow part configured for slidably receiving a part of the chassis of a second pallet.

Preferably, the pallet comprises locking means for securing the pallet to a second pallet. In a particular embodiment,thepalletcomprisesachassiswherein the load platform comprises the locking means and is configured so that when the load platform is in its operative position it locks together the juxtaposed chassis of two pallets. This feature is particularly advantageous in that the locking means is provided on an existing component ofthe pallet and locking is achieved simply by placing the load platform in its operative position.

In a particularembodimentthe locking means comprises a locking pin provided on the underside of the load platform and the chassis comprises a pairof apertures, one for receiving a locking pin on its own load platform and the second for receiving a locking pin on the load platform of a second pallet.

Preferably, the apertures are arranged so that these align with corresponding apertures on the chassis of the second pallet when the two chassis are engaged so that the locking pin on the load platforms can be inserted, one through each pair of apertures, to lock the two chassis together.

A preferred feature is that the pair of apertures on the chassis are offset from one another along the direction of engagement of the pallet with a second pallet. This feature enables the edges of two chassis to be linked sothatthe neighbouring edges ofthe load platforms lieflush with one another.

The chassis may be generally U-shaped. An advantage ofthisfeature is that it enables nesting of pal lets thereby reducing the storage space required for these.

Preferably,thepalletcomprisesuprightpanels which are interlinked. This interlinking provides greaterstructural stabilityto the palletas a whole.

Furthermore, the pallet comprises upright panels which are configured for interlinking with one or more of the upright panels on a second pallet. This feature increases the stability of the double pallet unit and provides a more secure linkage between two pallets than can be achieved by relying solely on the interengagement of the chassis.

Preferably, at least one of the panels is hingedly openableabouta neighbouring panel and means are provided for retaining this panel in its open position.

Optionally, at least one panel may be provided with retaining means enabling itto be supported on another ofthe panels. This feature is particularly convenient if, when it is desired to nest pallets, one panel has to be removed, because that panel can simply be supported on one ofthe remaining panels until the pallet is next used.

A particular embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an exploded view of a pallet according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of an assembled pallet; Figure 3 is an exploded view of two pal lets during interengagement.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a double pallet unit; Figure is an enlarged view of the pallet chassis; Figure 6is a schematic view illustrating how pallets are nested for storage.

Referring to figures 1,2 and 5, a pallet (10) comprises a steel chassis (12), a load platform (14) mountable on the chassis, a rear panel (16), two side panels (18,20) and afront panel (22), all four panels being adapted for mounting on the chassis (12).

The chassis (12) is formed from three rectangular section hollow steel struts (24,26,28) which are welded togetherto form a generally U-shape chassis. The struts (24,28) will be referred to as side struts and the strut (26) as the rear strut. The end of the side strut (28) has a rectangular section sleeve (30) secured thereto. A hole (32) is formed in the upperface in the sleeve (30). There is also a hole (33) provided at the front end of the strut (24) which is slightly offset from the hole (32) when viewed across the front ofthe chassis (12). Attached to the-inner side ofthe sleeve (30) is a square section socket (34) for receiving a spigot on the bottom of the front panel (22) as will be described later.

Attached to the underside of each of the side struts (24,28) is a guide member (36,38) respectively each defining a rectangular slot (40). The guide members (36,38) aid location of the tines of a fork-lifttruckas will be described.

The side strut (24) ofthe chassis (12) comprises two holes (42,44) in its upperface and contains two steel tubes (not shown) which are aligned with the holes (42,44) for receiving spigots on the bottom of the side panel (18). The other side strut (28) has corresponding holes (46,48) with aligned steel tubes (not shown) for receiving spigots on the bottom of the side panel (20).

The rear end of the side strut (24) comprises a further hole (50) in its upper face which is aligned with a hole (52) in its lowerface. A sleeve (54) depends from the lowerface of the strut (24) aligned with the holes (50,52) and is configured for receiving a bottom portion oftheframe ofthe rear panel (16).

The rear end of the other side strut (28) is also provided with aligned holes (56,58) and a sleeve (60) for the same purpose.

The rear strut (26) comprises two tubular sockets (62,64) welded thereto. The sockets (62,64) are aligned along the length ofthe strut (26) and are configured to receive rods on the load platform (14).

The side strut (28) is provided with a mark (65) which is simply to indicate to the userthat it is the panel (20) that is the one which is normally opened to gain access to the pallet (10).

The chassis (12) is fitted with two fixed castors (66,68) atthe front thereof and two swivel castors (70,72) atthe rearthereof. Each of the castors is attached by means of a loose locking plate (not shown)which is inserted into an end of one ofthe side struts (24,26). The plate has screws welded thereto which drop through holes in the underside of the side struts (24,26) for attachment to a castor-carrying plate.

The load platform (14) comprises a steel frame (74) which is generally square and is formed from a rim (76) of angle steel and two transverse strengthening struts (78,80) (shown dotted). A plywood base (82) is seated in the frame (74). The rearface of the rim (76) is provided with two stepped rods (84,86). The underside ofthefront of the rim (76) comprises a corner locking pin (88) used in linking two pallets together which doubles as a lug) which enables the load platform (14) to be held in a lifted position buy a strap.

All four of the panels (16,18,20,22) are generally rectangular and comprise a tubular steel frame (92) with a mesh infill (94) and two transverse strengthening rods (96,98). As can be seen from Figure 1,the mesh infill in the front and back panels (16 and 22) is vertically offset by half a pitch from the mesh infill in the two side panels (18 and 20). This is so that, when the side panel (20) is hinged around and attached to the rear panel (16), the transverse struts ofthe mesh ofthe side panel (20) are not aligned with those of the rear panel (16) and so do not impede hooking and unhooking of shelf supports between the front and rear panels (22 and 16).

Figure 1 shows the mesh infill (94) on the front and back panels and 22) lowered by half a pitch relative to that ofthe side panels (18 and 20) whereas it could just as easily be half a pitch higherthanthe mesh infill (94) of the side panels (18 and 20).

The rear panel (16) has four tubular sockets (100,102,104,106). These sockets are arranged two on each side ofthe rear panel (16) with the pair of sockets (100,102) on one side of the rear panel being aligned with the pair of sockets (104,106) on the other side ofthe panel. A rubber strap (108) comprising an eyelet (110) is attached to the mesh infill (94) ofthe rear panel (16) and a retaining lug (112) is provided on the transverse strengthening rod 96 around which the strap (108) can hook. A second strap 113 which is similar two the strap 108 is attached on the left hand side of the mesh (94) of the rear panel (16). The bottom ends of the frame (92) of the rear panel (16) extend downwardly beyond the base strut ofthe frame.

The side panel (20) comprises one tubular socket (114) at the upper end of the front side thereof and further comprises two hinge pins (116,118) onthe rear side thereof to enable the panel (20) to be hinged through 270". The base of the frame (92) of the side panel (20) is provided with two downwardly depending spigots (120,122). A protective strip (123) is attached to the upper part of the side panel (20) for protecting the goods carried in the pallet (10).

The side panel (18) comprises two hinge pins (124,126) on the rear side thereof and comprises two stepped supporting rods (128,130) on the front side thereof. The base oftheframe (92) of the side panel (18) is provided with two downwardly depending spigots (132,134).The side panel (18) is also provided with a protective strip (136).

The front panel (22) comprises two tubular sockets (138,140) on the left hand side thereof as shown in figures 1 and 2 and comprises one stepped supportingrod(142)ontheupperpartoftheother side thereof. The base of the frame (92) ofthefront panel (22) comprises a single spigot (144). Thetop of the frame (92) ofthefront panel (22) comprises two L-shaped retaining lugs (146,148) to enablethefront panel to be supported on one of the other panels (16,18,20) by hooking the lugs (146,148) overthetop of the frame (92) of one of these other panels. A swinging wire hook(149) is attachedtothefront panel (22) for a purpose to be described.

Optionally, long and short shelf rods may be provided enabling division of the pallet into compartments or simply as extra supports forthe goods contained in the pallet (10). Two long shelf rods (50) are partly shown in Figure 4. One of the panels e.g. the back panel (16) may be provided with an identity plate or 'docket pocket' from which information relating to the goods contained in the pallet (10) can be obtained.

To assemblethe pallet(10),thecastors (66,68,70,72) are first attached to the chassis (12) as described above. The load platform (14) is then mounted on the chassis (12) by sliding the stepped rods (84,86) onthe load platform (14) into thetubular sockets (62,64) on the rearstrut(26) ofthechassis (12) while the load platform (14) is in a lifted position.

The load platform (14) is then lowered by pivotting it about the tubular sockets (62,64) so that the locking pin (88) locates in the hole (33) at the front of the side strut (24) of the chassis (12). A small retaining pin is driven through the end of one of the stepped rods (84,86) sothatthe load platform (14) iscaptively hinged to the chassis(12).

The rear panel (16) is secured to the chassis (12) by locating the bottom ends of its frame (92)through the pairs of holes (50,52 and 56,58) respectively and into the sleeves (54,60). Rivets are applied to the sleeves (54,60), to secure the back panel (16) in place.

The side panel (18) is lifted onto the chassis (12) and positioned so that the hinge pins (124,126) locate in the tubular sockets (100,102) on the left hand side of the rear panel (16) and sothatthe spigots (132,134) locate in the holes (42,44) in the side strut (24) ofthe chassis(l2). Asmall retaining pin is drivethrough the bottom of at least one ofthe hinge pins (124,126) so thatthe side panel (18) is captively hinged to the rear panel (16).

The front panel (22) is lifted onto the chassis (12) so that the tubular sockets (138,140) locate over the two stepped supporting rods(128,130) on the side panel (18) and so that the spigot (144) locates in the socket (34) attached to the sleeve (30) on the chassis (12).

The remaining side panel (20) is mounted sothat the two hinge pins (116,118) locate in thetubular sockets (104,106) on the right hand side of the rear panel (16), sothatthetubularsocket (114) on theside panel (20) locates over the stepped supporting rod (142) on the front panel (22) and so that the two spigots (120,122) locate in the holes (46,48) in the side strut (28) of the chassis (12).

Thus the pallet (10) is simple and quickto assemble and the assembled pallet is a compact structure with no parts extending laterally from the chassis (12). Possible dimensionsforthe pallet(10) are as follows.

Overallsize-814m long x 790m wide x 1830m high; Internalsize-750m long x 717mwide x 1615m high.

Optionally,the interiorof the pallet (10) can be divided by shelves using the shelf supports mentioned above.

In use, the side panel (20) is the one normally used to allow access to the interiorofthe pallet (10) and can be opened by lifting the panel (20) so hatthe tubular socket (114) is lifted clearofthesupporting rod(142)onthefrontpanel(22)andsothatthe spigots (120,122) are lifted clearofthe holes (46,48) in the side strut (28) ofthe chassis (12). The panel (20) is then hinged around the right hand side ofthe back panel (16) until it is generally parallel with the back panel (16) where it can be held in position using the strap (108) by threading the strap (108) through the mesh of the panel (20) and hooking the eyelet (110) on the retaining pin (112).In this condition the pallet (10) can be loaded/unloaded and then the panel (20) repositioned to closethe pallet(10).

In use, the pallet (10),when used for "order picking", may be carried byawarehousefork-lift truck to enable goods to be loaded/unloaded from a warehouse racking system. The tines ofthefork-lift truck are inserted on each side ofthe guide members (36,38) ofthe chassis (12) as indicated bythearrows in figure 2. It is also possibleforthe pallet (10) itselfto be loaded onto a warehouse rack in which casethe pallet (10) is held so that the castors (66,68,70,72) locate in apertures in the rack so that the chassis (12) is seated directly on the rack for safety purposes.

An advantage ofthe pallet (10) as described above is that it can conveniently be nested with other like pallets. To do this the front panel (22) is removed by unlatching the side panel (20) from the stepped supporting rod (142)onthefrontpanel (22)andthen simply lifting the front panel of the other side panel (18) and the chassis (12) and the side panel (20) is then repositioned. The front panel (22) can be supported, using the lugs (146,148), on one of the remaining panels. The front panel (22) is steadied against another panel by hooking the wire hook (149) over a strut of the mesh infill (94) of the other panel.

The front of the load platform (14) is raised and the strap (113) is hooked around the locking pin (88)on the underside of the load platform (14)to retain it in the raised position. The pallet (10) is then generally U-shaped in section and can be nested with other like pallets (10) as indicated schematically in figure 6.

The way in which two pallets can be linked will now be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5.

The same reference numerals will be employed for the second pallet except that reference numerals for the second palletwill be primed (10').

Starting with two assembled pal lets (10,10') the following steps are taken with each one; the side panel (20) is unlatched and hinged around so as lie generally parallel with the back panel (16) as described above and held in that position using the strap (108); the front panel is lifted off the chassis (12) and stored - it is not used in the double palletunit; the load platform (14) is lifted and the strap (113) is used to retain it in its lifted position; the two chassis (12,12') are pushed together so that the sleeves (30,30') on the ends of the struts (28,28') slide over the ends of the struts (24',24) respectively.The sliding movement is stopped when the end of the strut (24) abuts the end of the strut (28') and the end of the strut (28) abuts the end of the strut (24'); the load platform (14) is replaced so that its locking pin (88) locatesthroughthe hole (32') in the sleeve (30') and through the hole (33) in the side strut (24) of the chassis (12); the load platform (14') is replaced sothatits locking pin (88') locates in the hole (32) in the sleeve (30) and in the hole (33') in the side strut (24') ofthe chassis (12'). Thus the pallets (10,10') are locked together; the side panels (20,20') are then repositioned in the normal way and so that socket (114) of the panel (20) seats onthestepped lug (128') ofthe panel (18') and so that the socket (114') ofthe panel (20') seats on the stepped lug (128) ofthe panel (1 8).Thus the panels of the pallets (10) and (10') are interlinked with one anotherwhich increases the stability of the double pallet unit.

The double pallet unit comprising the pallets (10,10') is a compact unit and typically hasthe following dimensions; Overall size 1578m long x 790m wide x 1830m high; Internal size 1500m long x 717m wide x 1615m high.

The interior of the double pallet unit(10,10') can be divided by the addition of shelves using sheiving supports if desired.

In use, access to the double pallet unit (10,10') can be gained by unhinging either ofthe side panels (20,20') and fastening these to the respective rear panel (16,16') using the respective strap (108,108') if desired. The longest side ofthe double pallet unit (10,10') can be completely opened by opening the side panel (20) as described and by lifting the side panel (18') so that the spigots (132',134') clearthe chassis (12') and hinging the panel (18') aboutthe rear panel (16') and attaching it thereto using the strap (108'). Likewise, the panels (18,20') could be opened to enable access through the other longest side ofthe double pallet unit (10,10').

When using the double pallet unit (10,10')for "order picking", the tines of a warehouse fork-lift truck are inserted atthe rear end of one ofthe chassis (12,12') as indicated bythe arrows in figure 4. When the double pallet unit (10,10') is itself putonto/taken off a warehouse racking system, the tines of a racking stackertruck locate in the guide members (36,36',38,38') ofthe chassis (12,12').

When it is desired to divide a double pallet unit (10,10') into two single pallets this can be achieved simply by opening the panels (20,20'), lifting the load platforms (14,14'), separating the chassis (12,12'), replacing the load platforms (14,14'), replacing the front panels (22,22') and repositioning the panels (20,20').

Thus, the present invention provides a versatile pallet which can simply and conveniently be combined to make a double pallet unit with greater capacity ad the capability of holding bulkier goods.

It will be understood thattwo pal lets ofthetype described with reference to figures 1 and 2 could be locked together in many different ways ratherthan using a locking pin on the load platform as described above. One simple alternative would be to provide locking pins on the chassis and a complementary aperture on each load platform.

In fact a wide variety of mechanical linkages could be used. For example separate nuts and bolts could be used to secure two chassis together once they had been slidingly interengaged. Alternativeiy, a sprung loaded pin could be provided on each chassis which could be released so as to engage a hole on a neighbouring chassis. A further alternative would be to provide a tubular socket on the facing ends oftwo chassis and a bent locking pin for interconnecting these. Alternatively a sliding bolt may be provided on one ofthe side panels for locking two chassis together.

There is also the possibility that, rather than locking two chassis together, only the side panels of two neighbouring pallets may be interengaged e.g.

using tubular sockets and a locking pin.

It is possible that a pallet according to the present invention may be adapted to be linked to one which is similar but not identical e.g. part of the chassis on one pallet may be smallerthan the corresponding part ofthe chassis on the other pallet so that one can slide wholely within the other.

It is envisaged thatthere may be situations in which it is desired to linktwo double pallet units together e.g. by using a brace adapted to straddlethe chassis oftwo pallets or by using latch and socket arrangements or simply by using an adjustable strap.

Claims (21)

1. A pallet comprising means for enabling secure linking ofthepalletto a second pallet to form a double pallet unit.

2. A pallet according to claim 1 configured for sliding interengagementwith a second pallet.

3. Apalletaccordingto claim 1 or claim 2 comprising a chassis wherein the chassis is configuredforengagementwith achassisona second pallet.

4. Apailetaccordingto claim 3whereinthe chassis has a hollow part configured for slidably receiving a part of the chassis of a second pallet.

5. A pallet according to any preceding claim comprising locking means for securing the pallet to a second pallet.

6. A pallet according to claim 5 comprising a chassis and a load platform mountable on the chassis wherein the load platform comprises the locking means and is configured so thatwhen the load platform is in its operative position it locks togetherthejuxtaposed chassis of two pallets.

7. A pallet according to claim 6 wherein the locking means comprises a locking pin provided on the underside ofthe load platform.

8. A pallet according to any of claims 4-7 wherein the chassis comprises a pair of apertures, one for receiving a locking pin on its own load platform and the second for receiving a locking pin on the load platform of a second pallet.

9. A pallet according to claim 8 wherein the apertures are arranged so that these align with corresponding apertures on the chassis ofthe second pal let when the two chassis are engaged so that the locking pin on the load platforms can be inserted, one through each pair of apertures, to lock the two chassis together.

10. A pallet according to claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the pair of apertures on the chassis are offset from one another along the direction of engagement of the pallet with a second pallet.

11. A pallet according to any preceding claim comprising a chassis which is generally U-shaped.

12. A pallet according to any preceding claim comprising upright panels which are interlinked.

13. Apalletaccording to any preceding claim comprising upright panels which are configured for interlinking with one or more ofthe upright panels on a second pallet.

14. Apalletaccording to claim 12 orclaim 13 wherein at least one of the panels is hingediy openable about a neighbouring panel.

15. Apalletaccordingto claim 14comprising means for retaining said at least one panel in its open position.

16. A pallet according to any preceding claim comprising upright panels having a mesh infill wherein the mesh on at least two neighbouring panels is arranged differently.

17. A pallet according to claim l6whereinthe mesh on at least two neighbouring panels is vertically spaced by halfthe mesh pitch.

18. A pallet according to any of claims 12to 17 wherein at least one panel has retaining means enabling itto be supported on another of the panels.

19. A double pallet unit comprising two pallets as claimed in any preceding claim securely interlinked.

20. A pallet substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in figures 1 and 2, Sand 6 of the accompanying drawings.

21. A double pal let unit su bstantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.