Pallet assembly
First Claim
1. A reinforced pallet assembly comprising:
- a first deck;
a second deck;
a plurality of columns between the first deck and the second deck;
a first reinforcement member between the first deck and the plurality of columns, the first reinforcement member comprising a first peripheral rail and a first cross-bar connected at opposite ends to the first peripheral rail to define at least one uninterrupted opening solely by the first peripheral rail and first cross bar; and
a second reinforcement member between the second deck and the plurality of columns, the second reinforcement member comprising a second peripheral rail and a second cross-bar connected at opposite ends to the second peripheral rail.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A pallet assembly includes an upper deck and a lower deck spaced by a plurality of columns. The weight of the pallet is reduced without significant reduction in strength by providing only a single cross beam in each of the upper and lower reinforcement members and orienting them perpendicular to one another. The reinforcement members are minimized for weight reduction and for improved performance in heat tests. The peripheral rail of the upper reinforcement member is reduced such that it rests on only an inwardly open recess on an inner corner of each of the corner columns. This reduces the size and weight of the upper reinforcement member, while still providing support to the upper deck. Additionally, the peripheral rails of both the upper and lower decks are reduced in length such that either ledge does not directly support them while the pallet is stored on a rack. As a result, in the case of sufficient heat source on the pallets, the pallets will eventually collapse without interference from the reinforcement members and at least partially smother the heat source.
72 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A reinforced pallet assembly comprising:
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a first deck; a second deck; a plurality of columns between the first deck and the second deck; a first reinforcement member between the first deck and the plurality of columns, the first reinforcement member comprising a first peripheral rail and a first cross-bar connected at opposite ends to the first peripheral rail to define at least one uninterrupted opening solely by the first peripheral rail and first cross bar; and a second reinforcement member between the second deck and the plurality of columns, the second reinforcement member comprising a second peripheral rail and a second cross-bar connected at opposite ends to the second peripheral rail. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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9. The reinforced pallet assembly of claim S wherein the first cross-bar is substantially perpendicular to the second cross-bar.
Specification