Configurable, repairable, and recyclable cargo pallet

• US 9,409,674 B2
• Filed: 09/17/2012
• Issued: 08/09/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Edgar Hidalgo Vargas
• Original Assignee: Cajas Para ExportaccioN Retornables, S.A.
• Inventors: Hidalgo Vargas, Edgar
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Jose V
• Application Number:
  US14/428,821
• Publication Number:
  US 20150274358A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,422 Days
• Field of Search: 108/56.1, 108/56.3, 108/901, 108/902, 108/57.25, 108/51.11
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 19/0095 and each contact surface having a stringer-like shape
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 19/0097 and each contact surface having a discrete foot-like shape
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 19/44 Elements or devices for locating articles on platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00029 Wood
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00069 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00104 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00139 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 2519/00323 made of more than one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00333 contact surface having a stringer-like shape
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00338 contact surface having a discrete foot-like shape
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00378 whereby at least one spacer is made of two or more pieces
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00567 mechanical connection, e.g. snap-fitted
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00796 Guiding means for fork-lift
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00835 Integral
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00985 the pallet being not usable as a pallet after dismounting

Abstract

A configurable pallet that can be readily assembled to match the particular load requirements of an application. The pallet includes structural elongated platform members 10; 10′ used in different configurations with either leg members 30 or reinforcement structural beams 20. Platform members 10′ include conical protuberances 14′; 16′ that are receivable within cooperating frustoconical openings 14; 16 or 14a; 16a that keep the structural members in place and perpendicularly to each other, in addition to the use of fastening members. When reinforcement beams 20 are used, the structural integrity of the pallet is enhanced to reduce the stress/relaxation wear thereby preventing or minimizing the possibilities of disengagement. A diaphragm plate 225 is optionally used to enhance the structural stability of beam 20.

Claims

1. A pallet, comprising:

at least two elongated structural platform first members, each having two end sides, two lateral sides, an upper side and an underside, said first members are kept at a parallel and spaced apart relationship with respect to each other;

at least two elongated structural platform second members, each having two end sides, two lateral sides, an upper side and an underside, said first members are kept at a parallel and spaced apart relationship with respect to each other, and at least two of said first members and at least two of said second members mounted to each other at their respective first and second ends to form a structure having a rectangular projection; and

at least four leg members removably mounted to said underside of said first members thereby keeping said pallet at a substantially parallel and spaced apart relationship with respect to a resting surface;

a plurality of solid frustoconical protrusions are perpendicularly formed on the upper sides of said first members, wherein the solid frustoconical protrusions are conical in shape from the base to the top of the protrusion; and

a corresponding plurality of frustoconical holes are cooperatively disposed and dimensioned to receive said solid frustoconical protrusions in the underside of the second members to prevent rotation of said first members with respect to said second members, wherein the frustoconical holes have a corresponding shape to receive the solid frustoconical protrusion.

2. The pallet set forth in claim 1, wherein said platform members include a reinforcement web rigidly mounted interiorly from said upper side and lateral sides with distal ends that define said underside.

3. The pallet set forth in claim 2, wherein said first and second numbers include each a plurality of through holes passing through said first and second members, cooperatively positioned to coincide with each other when said first and second members are brought in abutting relationship with respect to each other, and further including a fastener for mounting said first and second members together and passing through said through holes.

4. The pallet set forth in claim 3 further including:

at least one anti-skid assembly for preventing the movement of a load mounted on said second members.

5. The pallet set forth in claim 4, wherein said frustoconical holes and said through holes of said second members are grouped in sets located at predetermined locations that cooperative receive said solid frustoconical protrusions of said first members and coincide with said through holes of said first members'"'"' upper sides.

6. The pallet set forth in claim 4, having three first members, equally spaced apart from each other so that sufficient space is provided to receive the forks of a forklift truck.

7. The pallet set forth in claim 4, wherein said anti-skid assembly includes a rubber block.

8. The pallet set forth in claim 3, wherein each of said leg members have a frustoconical shape.

9. The pallet set forth in claim 8, wherein said leg members include at least one off-centered tapered pin and the undersides of said first members include at plurality of cooperating frustoconical holes for receiving said tapered pins so that rotation of said leg members is prevented.

10. A pallet, comprising:

at least four elongated structural platform members, each having two end sides, two lateral sides, an upper side and an underside, wherein at least two of said platform members define a first group of first platform members that are kept at a parallel and spaced apart relationship with respect to each other and at least two of said platform members defining a second group of second platform members that are kept at a parallel and spaced apart relationship with respect to each other; and

at least two elongated structural reinforcement beam members kept at a parallel and spaced apart relationship with respect to each other, each of said beam members including two end walls, two lateral walls, an upper wall and an lower wall, said lower wall being removably mounted to the upper sides of said first platform members and said upper wall being removably mounted to said undersides of said second platform members resulting in a pallet configuration with a rectangular projection, and said beam members having a cooperative separation from each other to removably receive the forks of a forklift truck;

a plurality of solid frustoconical protrusions formed in the upper and lower walls at predetermined locations and said platform members including a plurality of frustoconical holes for cooperatively receiving said solid frustoconical protrusions to prevent rotational movements of said platform members with respect to each other, wherein the solid frustoconical protrusions are conical in shape from the base to the top of the protrusion and the frustoconical holes have a corresponding shape to receive the solid frustoconical protrusion.

11. The pallet set forth in claim 10, wherein platform members and said beam members include a plurality of cooperating through holes and a respective plurality of fastening means passing through said through holes for rigidly securing said platform members against said beam members.

12. The pallet set forth in claim 11, wherein each of said beam member includes a longitudinally extending web structure between said upper wall and lower walls.

13. The pallet set forth in claim 12, further including:

at least one anti-skid assembly for preventing the movement of a load mounted on said second members.

14. The pallet set forth in claim 10, wherein at least one of said beam members includes at least one elongated diaphragm plate mounted to at least one of the lateral walls to enhance the rigidity of said at least one of said beam members.

15. The pallet set forth in claim 14, wherein said upper and lower walls include a plurality of solid frustoconical protrusions at predetermined locations and said platform members including a plurality of frustoconical holes for cooperatively receiving said frustoconical protrusions to prevent rotational movements of said platform members with respect to each other.

16. The pallet set forth in claim 15, wherein platform members and said beam members include a plurality of cooperating through holes and a respective plurality of fastening means passing through said through holes for rigidly securing said platform members against said beam members.

17. The pallet set forth in claim 16, wherein said beam member includes a longitudinally extending web structure between said upper wall and lower walls.

18. The pallet set forth in claim 17, further including:

at least one anti-skid assembly for preventing the movement of a load mounted on said second members.