Pallet and method for using same

• US 5,911,179 A
• Filed: 07/25/1997
• Issued: 06/15/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Oracle America, Inc. (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Storage Technologies Corporation (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Spiczka, Darrell
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILKENS, JANET MARIE
• Application Number:
  US08/900,249
• Time in Patent Office: 690 Days
• Field of Search: 108/51.11, 108/52.1, 108/57.12, 108/57.15, 108/57.16, 108/57.17, 108/55.3, 108/55.1, 248/346.02, 248/345.1, 206/320, 193/41, 193/38
• US Class Current: 108/51.11
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 19/0095 and each contact surface having a stringer-like shape
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 19/38 Details or accessories
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 19/44 Elements or devices for locating articles on platforms
• 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 2519/00059 Metal
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00064 Wood
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00069 Plastic
• 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 2519/00323 made of more than one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00333 contact surface having a stringer-like shape
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00805 Means for facilitating the removal of the load
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00845 Slip means

Abstract

A pallet including a ramp and two slide assemblies inserted between the pallet surface and the article to be shipped. The ramp is pivotally attached as part of the pallet structure and may be folded up during shipping and down during unloading. The slide assemblies include a strip of material with a low coefficient of friction to facilitate sliding on the pallet surface and the ramp.

Claims

1. A pallet assembly adapted to hold an article, the pallet assembly comprising:

a support structure on which said article may rest, said support structure having guide rails vertically extending thereon to substantially limit lateral movement of said article, wherein the guide rails include protective strips attached along vertical portions thereof;

a ramp pivotally attached to said support structure; and

a slide assembly insertable between said support structure and said article so as to contact a surface of said support structure and said article, said slide assembly including a strip of material attached to said slide assembly, said strip of material having a coefficient of friction which is lower than said surface of said support structure;

whereby said article may slide on said support structure and said ramp.

2. A pallet according to claim 1 wherein said support structure includes a shock absorbing layer.

3. A method for unloading an article from a support structure of a pallet comprising the steps of:

a) sliding said article in a first direction on two slide assemblies inserted between said support structure and said article so as to contact a surface of said support structure and said article, said article being substantially limited from lateral movement in a second direction transverse to said first direction by vertically extending guide rails provided on said support structure, said guide rails having protective strips attached along vertical portions thereof, each said slide assembly including a strip of material attached to said slide assembly, said strip including a material having a coefficient of friction which is lower than said surface of said support structure;

(b) further sliding said article on a ramp included in said support structure until either said slide assemblies or said article contacts a surface;

(c) tilting said article such that said article does not contact said support structure;

(d) removing said support structure;

(e) tilting said article such that said article does not contact one of said slide assemblies;

(f) removing one of said slide assemblies; and

(g) repeating steps e and f for the other of said slide assemblies.