Stackable pallet bracket, package, and method

• US 6,851,555 B1
• Filed: 03/13/2002
• Issued: 02/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Electric Research and Manufacturing Cooperative Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Ermco Incorporated
• Inventors: Ghafourian, Ali A., Thornton, Clinton D.
• Primary Examiner(s): FOSTER, JIMMY G
• Application Number:
  US10/096,729
• Time in Patent Office: 1,063 Days
• Field of Search: 108/26, 108/53.1, 108/53.5, 206/386, 206/597, 206/600, 206/503, 206/504, 206/821, 248/646, 248/675, 248/674, 414/802
• US Class Current: 206/386
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 19/385 Frames, corner posts or pallet converters, e.g. for facilitating stacking of charged pallets

Abstract

A piggy back shipping/storage package, a bracket for use in building the package, and method for building the package. The bracket has an article attachment lug for being attached to the top of a lower article mounted on a lower pallet, and a pallet supporting platform for supporting the bottom of an upper pallet on which an upper article is supported.

Claims

1. A shipping/storage package comprising:

(a) a first pallet;

(b) a first article positioned on top of said fist pallet, said first article having a first side and a second side;

(c) a second pallet, said second pallet having a first side and a second side;

(d) a second article positioned on top of said second pallet;

(e) a first bracket having an article attachment lug attached to said first side of said first article and a pallet supporting platform supporting said first side of said second pallet;

said first bracket including a pallet attachment means for attaching said second pallet to said pallet supporting platform of said first bracket; and

(f) a second bracket having an article attachment lug attached to said second side of said first article and a pallet supporting platform supporting said second side of said second pallet;

said second bracket including a pallet attachment means for attaching said upper pallet to said pallet supporting platform of said second bracket.

2. A method for building a piggy back shipping/storage package comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a first article/pallet unit including a first pallet and a first article positioned on top of said first pallet, said first article having a first side and a second side;

(b) providing a second article/pallet unit including a second pallet and a second article positioned on top of said second pallet, said second pallet having a first side and a second side;

(c) providing a first bracket having an article attachment lug and a pallet supporting platform;

said first bracket including a pallet attachment means;

(d) attaching said pallet attachment means of said first bracket to said first side of said second pallet;

(e) providing a second bracket having an article attachment lug and a pallet supporting platform;

said second bracket including a pallet attachment lug;

(f) attaching said pallet attachment lug of said second bracket to said second side of said second pallet;

(f) attaching said article attachment lug of said first bracket to said first side of said first article;

(f) attaching said article attachment lug of said second bracket to said second side of said first article;

(g) supporting said first side of said second pallet on said pallet supporting platform of said first bracket; and

(h) supporting said second side of said second pallet on said pallet supporting platform of said second bracket.