Plastic pallet

• US 6,938,558 B1
• Filed: 04/16/2003
• Issued: 09/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Victor L. Peres
• Original Assignee: Victor L. Peres
• Inventors: Peres, Victor L
• Primary Examiner(s): Mai, Lanna
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRAN, HANH VAN
• Application Number:
  US10/414,635
• Time in Patent Office: 874 Days
• Field of Search: 108/56.1, 108/56.3, 108/57.25, 108/57.17, 108/57.18, 108/57.19, 108/901
• US Class Current: 108/56.3
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 19/0095 and each contact surface having a stringer-like shape
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00034 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00069 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00273 made of more than one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00293 made of more than one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00298 skeleton type
• 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 2519/00373 whereby at least one spacer is made of one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00407 on the load supporting surface
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00412 on the base surface
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00557 without separate auxiliary elements
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00562 chemical connection, e.g. glued, welded, sealed
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00567 mechanical connection, e.g. snap-fitted
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00835 Integral
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/0098 Dismountable elements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 108/901 Synthetic plastic industrial platform, e.g. pallet

Abstract

A two-part, blow-molded plastic pallet includes slats which lock onto support stringers by sliding, dovetail engagement. The upper and lower surfaces of the stringer are flat to enhance load distribution. A vertical staking through the slat at a plurality of locations affords structural rigidity.

Claims

1. A plastic pallet comprising

a. a plurality of stringers having a maximum height, a first maximum width, and first overall length extending parallel to each other in a first direction, each of said plurality of stringers having

i) a totally flat uppermost surface and

ii) a flat lowermost surface,

iii) said totally flat uppermost surface having a central region which extends to said maximum height over an entirety of said first length,

iv) a plurality of attachment regions each for receiving a slat;

b. a plurality of slats, said plurality of slats being equal to said plurality of attachment regions, each said slat having a plurality of dovetail slots for receiving and locking to said attachment regions of said plurality of stringers, wherein said attachment regions of said stringers have a first configuration and comprise portions extending laterally outwardly from said central region defining a second width at said maximum height and lateral regions of reduced height at said second width extending along each side of said central region.

2. The plastic pallet of claim 1 wherein said flat uppermost surface of said central region of said stringer extends a third width which is generally about ½

of said maximum width throughout said first length of said stringer.

3. The plastic pallet of claim 1 wherein said lateral regions of a reduced height comprise a first flat zone of a second height, a second downwardly sloping zone which defines a notch and a third flat zone of said second height.

4. The plastic pallet of claim 3 wherein an inner surface of said dovetail slot in said slat comprises a second configuration which complements said first configuration in said attachment region of said stringer.

5. The plastic pallet of claim 3 wherein said flat lowermost surface comprises a third configuration substantially identical to said first configuration with a plurality of attachment regions.

6. The plastic pallet of claim 5 further comprising a plurality of slats attached to said plurality of attachmentregions of said flat lowermost surface, said plurality being less than said fifth plurality of said attachment regions.

7. The plastic pallet of claim 1 wherein each said slat can only be assembled by sliding said dovetail slot onto said attachment region in a first axial direction and, once assembled, said slat is locked onto said plurality of stringers.

8. The plastic pallet of claim 1 wherein said stringers and said slats are each hollow.

9. The plastic pallet of claim 8 wherein at least one of said slats are reinforced with ribs and staked columns.