Selectively arrangeable pallet
First Claim
1. A selectively arrangeable pallet for supporting conventional and unconventional loads above the ground and transportable with a lifting mechanism, said selectively arrangeable pallet comprising:
- a tray having first and second load-bearing surfaces, said first and second surfaces operative to support the conventional and unconventional loads, respectively, said second surface having a plurality of relatively spaced support pads extending from said second surface for also supporting the unconventional loads; and
a base having upper and lower surfaces and a support structure extending from said lower surface, said upper surface and said support structure defining a plurality of relatively spaced recesses extending from said upper surface into said support structure,whereby said tray and said base are selectively arrangeable in an overlaying relationship relative to each other in a nested configuration wherein the plurality of relatively spaced support pads are nested within the plurality of spaced recesses and alternatively in an expanded configuration wherein the plurality of relatively spaced support pads extend outwardly from the pallet, said tray capable of being selectively arranged relative to said base into said nested configuration to permit said first load-bearing surface to support the conventional loads and alternatively into said expanded configuration to permit said second load-bearing surface and said support pads to support the unconventional loads.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A selectively arrangeable pallet for supporting conventional and unconventional loads and for reducing shock and vibrations on the loads. The selectively arrangeable pallet includes a base and a tray. The base and tray are selectively arrangeable in an overlaying relationship relative to each other in a nested configuration and alternatively in an expanded configuration. The tray is capable of being inverted relative to the base into the nested configuration to permit a first load-bearing surface of the tray to support the conventional loads and into the expanded configuration to permit a second load-bearing surface to support the unconventional loads. The second load-bearing surface of the tray includes a plurality of relatively spaced support pads for reducing shock and vibration. The support pads correspond with a plurality of relatively spaced recess in an upper surface of the base. The recesses extend through the upper surface of the base down into a plurality of relatively spaced support blocks extending from a lower surface of the base. The support blocks also reduce shock and vibration. In the nested configuration, the support pads nest within the recesses and, in the expanded position, the support pads support the unconventional loads.
65 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A selectively arrangeable pallet for supporting conventional and unconventional loads above the ground and transportable with a lifting mechanism, said selectively arrangeable pallet comprising:
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a tray having first and second load-bearing surfaces, said first and second surfaces operative to support the conventional and unconventional loads, respectively, said second surface having a plurality of relatively spaced support pads extending from said second surface for also supporting the unconventional loads; and
a base having upper and lower surfaces and a support structure extending from said lower surface, said upper surface and said support structure defining a plurality of relatively spaced recesses extending from said upper surface into said support structure,whereby said tray and said base are selectively arrangeable in an overlaying relationship relative to each other in a nested configuration wherein the plurality of relatively spaced support pads are nested within the plurality of spaced recesses and alternatively in an expanded configuration wherein the plurality of relatively spaced support pads extend outwardly from the pallet, said tray capable of being selectively arranged relative to said base into said nested configuration to permit said first load-bearing surface to support the conventional loads and alternatively into said expanded configuration to permit said second load-bearing surface and said support pads to support the unconventional loads. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A selectively arrangeable pallet for supporting conventional and unconventional loads above the ground and transportable with a lifting mechanism having a pair of laterally separated forks, said selectively arrangeable pallet comprising:
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a tray having first and second load-bearing surfaces, said first surface operative to support conventional loads, said second surface including a plurality of relatively spaced apart support pads extending outwardly from said second surface, said second surface and said support pads operative to support unconventional as well as conventional loads; and a base having upper and lower surfaces, a plurality of relatively spaced support blocks extending outwardly from said lower surface, said upper surface and said support blocks defining a plurality of relatively spaced recesses extending from said upper surface into said support blocks, said tray capable of being selectively arranged relative to said base in a nested configuration wherein the plurality of relatively spaced support pads are nested within the plurality of spaced recesses and alternatively in an expanded configuration wherein the plurality of relatively spaced support pads extend outwardly from the pallet, said tray and said base in an overlaying relationship relative to each other when in both said configurations, and said support pads of said tray substantially corresponding with said recesses of said base such that said support pads are received in and nest within said recesses when said pallet is in said nested configuration. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A method of selectively arranging a pallet for supporting conventional and unconventional loads above the ground and for transporting the loads by means of a lifting mechanism, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a base having an upper surface and a plurality of relatively spaced recesses in said upper surface; providing a tray having first and second load-bearing surfaces and a plurality of relatively spaced support pads extending outward from said second load-bearing surface; orienting said tray to overlay said base and to define a nested position such that said first load-bearing surface is positioned for supporting a conventional load and said support pads are received in said recesses; and inverting said tray relative to said base and reorienting said tray to overlay said base to define an expanded position such that said second load-bearing surface and said support pads are positioned for supporting an unconventional load. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. A method of selectively arranging a pallet for supporting conventional and unconventional loads above the ground and transportable with a lifting mechanism, said method comprising the steps of:
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orienting a tray to overlay a base to provide a first load-bearing surface on said tray for supporting conventional loads; nesting a plurality of relatively spaced support pads extending downward from said tray into a plurality of corresponding, relatively spaced recesses in an upper surface of said base; and inverting said tray in relation to said base and reorienting said tray to overlay said base such that said support pads instead extend upward from said tray and to provide a second-load bearing surface on said tray for supporting unconventional loads. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification