Hoisting pallet
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A pallet comprising:
- (a) a twin-sheet thermoformed top deck having a thermoplastic upper sheet which is fused to a thermoplastic lower sheet, wherein the top deck has a lower surface and two opposed ends;
(b) portions of the pallet top deck which define at least one downwardly protruding plastic detent on each of said two opposed ends of the top deck, wherein the detents have inwardly facing surfaces which extend from the top deck lower surface to engage against a flexible lifting member looped beneath the top deck to restrain outward motion of the member when the pallet is supported by the lifting member;
(c) a twin-sheet thermoformed bottom deck having a thermoplastic upper sheet which is fused to a thermoplastic lower sheet; and
(d) a plurality of plastic posts which extend between and are fastened to the top deck and the bottom deck, wherein the posts are located inwardly from the top deck indents.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A twin sheet thermoformed pallet upper deck has a reinforcing metal substrate and downwardly protruding detents which engage with a hoisting cable or strap. Notches are formed on the sides of the top deck and restrict the escape of the cable when the pallet is elevated. A twin sheet thermoformed, metal substrate reinforced, lower deck is bolted to the upper deck through injection molded plastic legs which have upper and lower protrusions which fit within semi-circular pockets located on the upper and lower decks. Fasteners extend through metal gusset plates welded to the upper and lower deck substrates to form a rigid and strong pallet.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A pallet comprising:
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(a) a twin-sheet thermoformed top deck having a thermoplastic upper sheet which is fused to a thermoplastic lower sheet, wherein the top deck has a lower surface and two opposed ends; (b) portions of the pallet top deck which define at least one downwardly protruding plastic detent on each of said two opposed ends of the top deck, wherein the detents have inwardly facing surfaces which extend from the top deck lower surface to engage against a flexible lifting member looped beneath the top deck to restrain outward motion of the member when the pallet is supported by the lifting member; (c) a twin-sheet thermoformed bottom deck having a thermoplastic upper sheet which is fused to a thermoplastic lower sheet; and (d) a plurality of plastic posts which extend between and are fastened to the top deck and the bottom deck, wherein the posts are located inwardly from the top deck indents. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A pallet comprising:
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(a) a twin-sheet thermoformed top deck having a thermoplastic upper sheet which is fused to a thermoplastic lower sheet; (b) a twin-sheet thermoformed bottom deck having a thermoplastic upper sheet which is fused to a thermoplastic lower sheet; (c) a plurality of plastic posts which extend between and are fastened to the top deck and the bottom deck; (d) a metal substrate located in the top deck between the upper sheet and the lower sheet, the substrate having segments which are positioned above and over portions of the pallet posts; (e) at least one metal plate which is connected to one of said substrate segments, wherein the metal plate is positioned above and over a pallet post, the plate having portions defining a bolt hole; and (f) a fastener which extends through the top deck upper sheet, through the metal plate bolt hole, through the top deck lower sheet, through the pallet post and through the bottom deck to engage the top deck to the bottom deck. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. A pallet comprising:
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(a) a twin-sheet thermoformed top deck having a thermoplastic upper sheet which is fused to a thermoplastic lower sheet, wherein the top deck has a lower surface, and two opposed ends and two sides which extend between the ends; (b) portions of the pallet top deck which define at least one downwardly protruding plastic detent on each of said two opposed ends of the top deck, wherein the detents have an inwardly facing surface which extends beneath the top deck lower surface to engage against a flexible lifting member looped beneath the top deck to restrain outward motion of the member when the pallet is supported by the lifting member; (c) portions of the pallet top deck which define a a pair of notches proximate each of said opposed ends, wherein a notch is positioned on each of said top deck sides intermediate said opposed ends, and wherein each notch has a bearing wall which extends vertically and has outwardly extending sidewalls which restrict motion of a flexible lifting member engaged within a notch in a direction between said opposed ends; (d) a bottom deck disposed beneath the top deck; and (e) a plurality of plastic posts which extend between and are fastened to the top deck and the bottom deck, wherein the posts are located inwardly from the top deck indents and notches. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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Specification