Symmetrical pallets

• US 4,220,100 A
• Filed: 02/28/1979
• Issued: 09/02/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Manuel W. Palomo, Michael B. Kitchen
• Original Assignee: Manuel W. Palomo, Michael B. Kitchen
• Inventors: Kitchen, Michael B., Palomo, Manuel W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lyddane, William E.
• Application Number:
  US06/015,955
• Time in Patent Office: 552 Days
• Field of Search: 108/51.1, 108/51.3, 108/52.1, 108/53.1, 108/53.3, 108/55.1, 108/56.1, 108/57.1, 108/901, 108/902, 206/386, 206/596, 206/599, 206/600, 52/799, 52/801, 52/802, 52/823
• US Class Current: 108/57.26
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 19/0093 forming discontinuous or non-planar contact surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00024 Metal
• 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 2519/00069 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 2519/00278 the load supporting surface and the base surface being identical
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00293 made of more than one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00303 Cell type, e.g. honeycomb
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00323 made of more than one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00358 Cell type, e.g. honeycomb
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00378 whereby at least one spacer is made of two or more pieces
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00432 Non-integral, e.g. inserts B65D2519/00462 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00557 without separate auxiliary elements
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00562 chemical connection, e.g. glued, welded, sealed

Abstract

A composite pallet comprised of a plurality of structural components including a pair of solid, exterior decks, an interior fork entry core portion and a pair of load distributing truss members, located, stressed and locked in place by means of a perimeter compression strip yields a structural and functional unit. The pallet is made from materials which permit it to be immersion cleaned without degrading. The pallet is further characterized by its inherent symmetry.

Claims

1. A unitized composite pallet formed by a plurality of structural components comprising a pair of solid flat exterior decks, an interior fork entry core portion and a perimeter compression strip integrating said structural components, said perimeter compression strip being generally U-shaped having an outwardly facing base portion, and inwardly extending leg portions overlapping said exterior decks and being provided with a plurality of fork entries spaced along its length surrounded interiorly by inwardly extending tab portions fitted into said interior fork entry core portion;

said leg portions and said base portion co-operating with said tab portions to locate, stress and lock said structural components in place, said tab portions providing a guide and a protector to said interior core portion.

2. A unitized composite pallet as claimed in claim 1 wherein said structural components further comprise a pair of load distributing truss members sandwiched between the exterior decks, one on either side of said interior fork entry core portion.

3. A unitized composite pallet as claimed in claim 2 wherein said load distributing truss members are corrugated.

4. A unitized composite pallet as claimed in claim 2, made from metallic materials.

5. A unitized composite pallet as claimed in claim 2 wherein said lead distributing truss members are bonded by adhesives to the interior fork entry core portion and the exterior decks.

6. A unitized pallet as claimed in claim 2 made from plastics material.

7. A unitized pallet as claimed in claim 2 made from a combination of plastic and metallic materials.

8. A unitized pallet as claimed in claim 2 made from a selection of composite materials.

9. A unitized composite pallet, as claimed in claim 2 wherein said interior fork entry core portion consists of a pair of identical sections held against one another and formed to provide symmetrical enclosed fork entry cores.

10. A unitized composite pallet, as claimed in claim 9 including four fork receiving channels, two of which extend in one direction completely through the fork entry core portion, the other two of which are at 90°

to said direction completely through the fork entry core portion;

said perimeter compression strip being provided with eight fork entries with said tab portions fitted into said fork receiving channels.

11. A unitized composite pallet as claimed in claim 10 wherein each of said components is identical to its counterpart and having a square shape with said fork entries being located along the perimeter of said pallet such that said pallet is totally symmetrical.