Pallet having crowned cross rail

• US 20070012225A1
• Filed: 02/23/2006
• Published: 01/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: The Engineered Pallet Company LLC
• Original Assignee: The Engineered Pallet Company LLC
• Inventors: Moore, Roy
• Application Number:
  US11/360,553
• Publication Number:
  US 20070012225A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 108/57.250
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 19/0026 and each contact surface having a stringer-like shape
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00034 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00069 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00129 Metal
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00268 made of one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00273 made of more than one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00283 of the load supporting surface
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00288 made of one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00323 made of more than one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00333 contact surface having a stringer-like shape
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00442 on the base surface
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00796 Guiding means for fork-lift

Abstract

A molded plastic pallet, connects opposing sides of the pallet bottom, has a cross rail that has a crowned surface. Thus, should the wheels of a pallet jack rest on the surface of the rail as the jack'"'"'s fork prongs are inserted under the pallet, they will be urged to roll off the rail, to avoid damage to the pallet which could occur when the jack lifts the pallet.

Claims

1. A pallet, comprising:

a cross rail configured to run along a portion of the floor or other surface to connect opposite sides of the pallet, wherein the cross rail has a crowned top surface.

2. A pallet in accordance with claim 1, wherein the crowned top surface comprises a curved surface.

3. A pallet in accordance with claim 2, wherein the curved surface has a maximum height between the edges of the cross rail.

4. A pallet in accordance with claim 1, wherein the crowned top surface comprises at least one surface angled relative to a horizontal.

5. A pallet in accordance with claim 1, wherein the crowned top surface comprises two surfaces angled relative to a horizontal, wherein an apex of the surfaces lies midway between the edges of the cross rail.

6. A pallet in accordance with claim 1, wherein the crowned top surface comprises a plurality of surfaces angled relative to a horizontal.

7. A pallet in accordance with claim 1, wherein the cross rail has at least one vertical edge.

8. A pallet in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a second, non-crowned cross rail positioned as an outer pallet rail, wherein the crowned cross rail is an inner cross rail.

9. A pallet in accordance with claim 8, wherein the inner cross rail has at least one vertical edge that is about the same height of the outer cross rail.

10. A pallet in accordance with claim 1, wherein the crowned cross rail includes at least one recessed lower surface.

11. A pallet in accordance with claim 1, wherein the cross rail comprises a plastic cross rail.

12. A pallet in accordance with claim 11, wherein the cross rail comprises a plastic cross rail having a metal reinforcing beam.

13. A pallet in accordance with claim 1, wherein a frame, base or deck portion of the pallet comprises a plastic.

14. A pallet in accordance with claim 13, wherein a frame, base, or deck portion of the pallet comprises a polyethylene or a polypropylene material.