DUAL PURPOSE NESTING PALLETS

• US 3,696,761 A
• Filed: 10/27/1969
• Issued: 10/10/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bigelow-Sanford Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Dwight C. Brown
• Inventors: Brown, Dwight C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gay, Bobby R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Finch, Glenn O.
• Application Number:
  US04/869,748
• Time in Patent Office: 1,079 Days
• Field of Search: 108/51-58 211/74 248/346
• US Class Current: 108/53.3
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 19/38 Details or accessories
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00024 Metal
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00029 Wood
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00034 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00044 Combination, e.g. different elements made of different materials, laminates
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00059 Metal
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00064 Wood
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00069 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00079 Combination, e.g. different elements made of different materials, laminates
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00273 made of more than one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00288 made of one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00308 grid type, e.g. perforated plate
• 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 2519/00343 contact surface being substantially in the form of a panel
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00363 grid type, e.g. perforated plate
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00567 mechanical connection, e.g. snap-fitted
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/0094 nestable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 108/902 Made with deformable integral fastening elements

Abstract

A pallet is used for supporting and transporting a load in either a single deck pallet form, or a double deck pallet form which includes a pair of the single deck units. Each single deck unit includes a deck having a side adapted to receive a load and an underside from which a plurality of spaced hollow support elements project. The single deck units are identical to each other such that the support elements of one deck unit will mate with the support elements of any other deck unit when the deck units are not in use, to permit storage of two or more deck units in overlying relation by registering and nesting the support elements of one within the support elements of the other. Two single deck units may also be placed in back-to-back relation such that the decks are spaced apart with the support elements of one deck unit abutting against the underside of the deck of the opposite deck unit. Thereby, the two deck units form a double deck pallet which enables support of a load on the pallet while maintaining the spaced apart relationship of the two decks, and mating pairs of support elements have their side portions in contact with one another to prevent lateral shifting of the decks relative to one another during loading, handling, and transit. One form of support element has a cup-like shape with a ridge or protrusion adjacent thereto shaped to surround at least a portion of the end of the respective support element on the opposite deck when the two single deck units are assembled in double deck pallet configuration. This secures and interlocks the two single deck units together to further reduce the possibility of lateral shifting. Fasteners having components integral with one or both of the decks are used to secure the two units together in the vertical double deck pallet configuration. In another embodiment, the two deck units differ from one another, in that only one has projecting support elements, the other having holes in the deck, and ridge pockets arranged to receive the projecting elements of the first. Deck units having a plurality of open U-shaped support elements attached to the underside of the respective deck in runner support configuration can be secured and interlocked together in the double deck pallet assembly by use of individual longitudinal members which are inserted through the aligned Ushaped elements when the decks are in back-to-back configuration. In still another form, the support elements may be aligned on individual runners and the runners alone used in single deck or double deck pallet configuration.

Claims

1. In a double-deck pallet construction including separable upper and lower decks adapted for nesting to permit compact storage, the improvement comprising:

a plurality of hollow elements oppositely projecting from said decks in lateral abutment, each with sides tapering towards the free end of the element, said element free end of sufficient length to contact the opposite deck;

means for receiving said element free end provided on said deck;

said receiving means being constructed of a shape conforming to the contacting element free end to retain said free end and to maintain said abutting elements in laterally interlocked position.

2. The pallet according to claim 1 wherein said means comprises a plurality of ridges adjacent each projecting element of that member, the pattern of each ridge providing the conformation with the abutting end of the respective projecting element on the other member to receive and retain the latter projecting element.

3. The pallet according to claim 1 wherein is further included a plurality of fasteners for securing said members together in the double-deck loading configuration, each of said fasteners consisting of a captive male component on the underside of a deck of one of said members and a female component, constructed and arranged to mate with the respective male component, integral with the abutting end of the projecting element.

4. The pallet according to claim 1 wherein is further included a plurality of fasteners for securing said members together in the double-deck loading configuration, each of said fasteners consisting of a female component integral with the underside of a deck of one of said members and a captive male component, constructed and arranged to mate with the respective female component, at the abutting end of the projecting element.

5. The pallet according to claim 1 wherein each of said members has said plurality of support elements of substantially identical configuration and position thereon, said elements being tapered and forming receptacles accessible from said load side of the respective deck for nesting of said elements of one member in said elements of the other during storage of said members.

6. The pallet according to claim 2 wherein each of said members has said plurality of ridges on the underside of its deck, each of said ridges constituting a deformation of the material of the respective deck to provide a corresponding channel on the load side of that deck, the ridges on one of said members being constructed and arranged to register with and to nest within the channels of the other member.