Shock and vibration absorbing pallets and panels

• US 10,618,687 B2
• Filed: 03/19/2018
• Issued: 04/14/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2017
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Modality Solutions LLC
• Original Assignee: Paul J. Harber
• Inventors: Harber, Paul J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Troy, Daniel J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ayres, Timothy M
• Application Number:
  US15/924,514
• Publication Number:
  US 20180282019A1
• Time in Patent Office: 757 Days
• Field of Search: 108 5112, 108 5712, 108 513, 108 551- 555, 108 5713, 108 5716, 108 5731, 108 5733
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2250/02 2 layers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2250/03 3 layers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2250/242 All polymers belonging to those covered by group B32B27/32
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2250/40 Symmetrical or sandwich layers, e.g. ABA, ABCBA, ABCCBA
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/56 Damping, energy absorption
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/7265 Non-permeable
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2553/02 Shock absorbing
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/08 of synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/32 comprising polyolefins comprising vinyl (co)polymers or acrylic (co)polymers B32B27/30
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/40 comprising polyurethanes
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 3/08 characterised by added members at particular parts layer formed of separate pieces of material which are juxtaposed side-by-side B32B3/14, B32B3/18
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 3/20 of hollow pieces, e.g. tubes; of pieces with channels or cavities
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 7/05 the layers not being connected over the whole surface, e.g. discontinuous connection or patterned connection using interposed adhesives or bonding materials applied in spaced arrangements B32B7/14
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 19/0055 forming a continuous plane contact surface
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 19/0063 and each contact surface having a stringer-like shape
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 19/38 Details or accessories
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00034 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00069 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00273 made of more than one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00293 made of more than one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00318 : made of one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00333 : contact surface having a stringer-like shape
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00562 : chemical connection, e.g. glued, welded, sealed
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/02 : specially adapted to protect contents from mechanical damage containers of polygonal cross-section provided with internal protecting elements for contents B65D5/50; devices to locate articles in containers B65D25/10
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 1/36 : made of rubber or other material having high internal friction, e.g. thermoplastic elastomers spring units consisting of several springs F16F3/08
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 1/3732 : having an annular or the like shape, e.g. grommet-type resilient mountings
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 1/44 : loaded mainly in compression
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 15/08 : with rubber springs grommet- or bushing-type resilient mountings F16F1/3732, F16F1/38; with springs made of rubber and metal arrangement of internal-combustion or jet-propulsion units B60K5/12; mounting of propulsion plants on vessels B63H21/30; mounting of vehicle drivers' cabs B62D33/0604
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 2224/025 : Elastomers

Abstract

A shock and vibration isolation assembly for absorbing the energies generated from movement of a product carried thereon includes a pallet or a lower panel having an upper surface, an upper panel above the upper surface, the upper panel configured to support the product or a pallet thereon. The assembly further includes a plurality of flexible visco-elastic rings affixed to at least one of said upper surface of said pallet or lower panel and a facing surface of the upper panel. A frame member disposed between and affixed to the upper surface of the pallet or lower panel and the upper panel to seal the space therebetween. The frame member encircles the plurality of flexible rings and is formed of a resilient substantially liquid-impermeable material.

Claims

1. A shock and vibration isolation pallet assembly, for absorbing the energies generated from movement of a product carried thereon, comprising:

a pallet having an upper surface;

an upper panel above said upper surface, the upper panel configured to support the product thereon, wherein the upper panel and said pallet have a configuration and area that are substantially co-extensive;

a plurality of flexible rings affixed to at least one of said upper surface of said pallet and a surface of said upper panel facing said upper surface, said flexible rings formed of a visco-elastic material; and

a frame member disposed between and affixed to the upper surface of said pallet and said upper panel to seal the space therebetween, said frame member configured to encircle the plurality of flexible rings and formed of a resilient substantially liquid-impermeable material,

wherein said plurality of rings are chemically bonded to at least one of said upper surface of said pallet and said surface of said upper panel facing said upper surface.

2. The pallet assembly of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of flexible rings is formed of a material having a durometer greater than or equal to the resilient material of said frame member.

3. The pallet assembly of claim 2, wherein the material of said plurality of flexible rings has a durometer of Shore 20-40 A.

4. The pallet assembly of claim 3, wherein the resilient material of said frame member has a durometer of Shore 10-20 A.

5. The pallet assembly of claim 1, wherein said frame member has a configuration that is substantially co-extensive with a perimeter portion of the pallet.

6. The pallet assembly of claim 1, wherein said frame member is chemically bonded to both said upper surface of said pallet and said upper panel.

7. The pallet assembly of claim 1, wherein said upper panel is formed of a substantially rigid material relative to said plurality of flexible rings.

8. The pallet assembly of claim 7, wherein said upper panel is formed of a high-density polyethylene (HDPE).

9. The pallet assembly of claim 1, wherein said plurality of flexible rings are circular and have an outer diameter of 5-6″

, an inner diameter of 3-4″

, a wall width of 1-2″ and

a thickness of about 1.5″

.

10. The pallet assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of flexible rings includes 9-16 rings evenly distributed across the width and length of said pallet.

11. The pallet assembly of claim 1, wherein said frame member has a thickness between said upper panel and said pallet that is greater than the thickness of each of said plurality of rings between said upper panel and said pallet.