U.S. patent application number 10/299251 was filed with the patent office on 2003-05-22 for modular pallet display system.
Invention is credited to Jozefiak, Roman L., Wishart, Andrew S..
Application Number | 20030094124 10/299251 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26971117 |
Filed Date | 2003-05-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030094124 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wishart, Andrew S. ; et
al. |
May 22, 2003 |
Modular pallet display system
Abstract
A modular pallet system is provided for storing and displaying
merchandise and other items. The modular pallet system uses a
pallet as its support base. The pallet has at least one socket for
receiving an upright to support stretchers that are adjustable to
different heights along the upright. The stretchers may join
multiple pallets and support shelving in a variety of
configurations. Shelves or other retail fixtures may be supported
by the stretchers or the upright for multiple tiers and may run
between pallets. The modular pallet system offers greater
versatility and customization, as compared to previously known
systems.
Inventors: |
Wishart, Andrew S.;
(Massapequa, NY) ; Jozefiak, Roman L.;
(Mississauga, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MICHAEL BEST & FRIEDRICH LLC
401 NORTH MICHIGAN AVENUE
SUITE 1700
CHICAGO
IL
60611-4212
US
|
Family ID: |
26971117 |
Appl. No.: |
10/299251 |
Filed: |
November 19, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60331845 |
Nov 20, 2001 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
108/51.11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2519/00074
20130101; B65D 2519/00248 20130101; B65D 2519/00323 20130101; B65D
2519/00069 20130101; B65D 2519/00034 20130101; B65D 2519/00572
20130101; B65D 2519/00676 20130101; B65D 2519/00233 20130101; B65D
2519/00631 20130101; B65D 2519/00024 20130101; B65D 2519/00029
20130101; B65D 2519/00333 20130101; B65D 2519/00701 20130101; B65D
2519/00696 20130101; B65D 2519/00039 20130101; B65D 2519/00059
20130101; B65D 2519/00238 20130101; B65D 2519/00756 20130101; B65D
2519/00243 20130101; B65D 2519/00562 20130101; B65D 2519/00064
20130101; B65D 19/38 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/51.11 |
International
Class: |
B65D 019/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A pallet assembly, the pallet assembly comprising: a pallet
having a deck supported by a footing; an upright; and a bracket
coupled to the pallet, the bracket at least partially defining a
socket oriented to receive the upright substantially
vertically.
2. The pallet assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bracket
is coupled to the deck and the footing.
3. The pallet assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bracket
is L-shaped.
4. The pallet assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upright
is releasably coupled to the bracket.
5. The pallet assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a
stabilizer bar coupled to the bracket for reinforcing the
socket.
6. The pallet assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a
stretcher, wherein the stretcher is releasably coupled to the
upright and adjustable to different vertical locations along the
upright.
7. The pallet assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein a distal end
of the stretcher includes fasteners that releasably couple to the
upright.
8. The pallet assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the fasteners
include one of a peg, a pin, a post, a key, a finger, a protrusion,
a bolt, and a wedge.
9. The pallet assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the stretcher
is permanently secured to the upright.
10. A shelving system comprising: two racks, each rack including a
pallet having a deck supported by a footing, an upright, and a
bracket coupled to the pallet, the bracket at least partially
defining a socket oriented to receive the upright substantially
vertically; and a shelf extending between and releasably coupled to
the racks.
11. The system as claimed in claim 10, further comprising a
stretcher extending between the racks and releasably coupled to
each of the uprights, and wherein the shelf is releasably coupled
to the stretcher.
12. The system as claimed in claim 10, further comprising a panel
coupled to the rack.
13. The system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the bracket is
coupled to the deck and the footing.
14. The system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the bracket is
L-shaped.
15. The system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the upright is
releasably coupled to the bracket.
16. The system as claimed in claim 10, further comprising a
stabilizer bar coupled to the bracket, and wherein the stabilizer
bar reinforces the socket.
17. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the stretcher is
adjustable to different vertical locations along the upright.
18. The system as claimed in claim 17, wherein a distal end of the
stretcher includes fasteners that releasably couple to the
upright.
19. The system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the fasteners
include one of a peg, a pin, a post, a key, a finger, a protrusion,
a bolt, and a wedge.
20. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the stretcher is
permanently secured to the upright.
21. The system as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a hang
rod coupled to the stretcher.
22. The system as claimed in claim 11, further comprising auxiliary
display elements coupled to one of the stretcher and the
upright.
23. The system as claimed in claim 22, wherein the auxiliary
display elements include one of a basket, a shelf, a hanger, a
post, a panel, a clip, and a wall.
24. A display system comprising: a pallet having a deck supported
by a footing; an upright; an L-shaped bracket coupled to the
pallet, the bracket at least partially defining a socket oriented
to receive the upright substantially vertically; a stretcher
releasably coupled to the upright; and a shelf releasably coupled
to the stretcher.
25. The display system as claimed in claim 24, wherein the bracket
is coupled to the deck and the footing.
26. The display system as claimed in claim 24, wherein the upright
is releasably coupled to the bracket.
27. The display system as claimed in claim 24, further comprising a
stabilizer bar coupled to the bracket, and wherein the stabilizer
bar reinforces the socket.
28. The display system as claimed in claim 24, wherein the
stretcher is adjustable to different vertical locations along the
upright.
29. The display system as claimed in claim 28, wherein a distal end
of the stretcher includes fasteners that releasably couple to the
upright.
30. The display system as claimed in claim 29, wherein the
fasteners include one of a peg, a pin, a post, a key, a finger, a
protrusion, a bolt, and a wedge.
31. The display system as claimed in claim 24, wherein the
stretcher is permanently secured to the upright.
32. A method of assembling a modular shelving system, the method
comprising: providing a first pallet having a deck supported by a
footing; coupling a bracket to the pallet, the bracket at least
partially defining a socket oriented to receive an upright
substantially vertically; coupling the upright to the bracket;
coupling a stretcher to the upright; and coupling a shelf to the
stretcher.
33. The method as claimed in claim 32, further comprising adjusting
the stretcher to different vertical locations along the
upright.
34. The method as claimed in claim 32, further comprising providing
a second pallet having a foot and an upper portion, an upright, a
bracket coupled to the second pallet, the bracket at least
partially defining a socket oriented to receive the upright
substantially vertically, a stretcher coupled to the upright, and a
shelf coupled to the stretcher.
35. The method as claimed in claim 34, further comprising coupling
the second pallet to the first pallet.
36. The method as claimed in claim 35, wherein the second pallet is
coupled to the first pallet via an interconnecting lateral support
member.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S.
provisional patent application serial No. 60/331,845 filed Nov. 20,
2001.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to pallets, and more
particularly to adjustable pallets and pallet systems for storing
and displaying merchandise and other items, methods of assembling
such pallets and pallet systems, and components of such pallets and
pallet systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Warehouse and retail outlets continually strive to store and
display goods in a versatile manner at a minimum cost. Toward this
end, various pallet and shelf assemblies have been developed.
[0004] Conventional warehouse-type racks and pallets have a base
and uprights attached to the base, generally at each corner, with
stretchers connecting the uprights to provide stability and serve
as mounting locations for merchandise shelving racks or displays.
Because these conventional racks and pallets utilize relatively
large stretchers and include few connection points on the uprights,
they can be arranged in only a limited number of different shelving
configurations. Apparently, the conventional warehouse racks and
pallets are intended to carry much larger loads than the relatively
light-duty merchandise racks and displays found in most retail
establishments. In addition, the conventional warehouse racks
cannot be easily moved from one location to another within a store
and reconfigured. However, with the increased popularity of
warehouse-type retail stores, the need for more versatile, mobile,
and adjustable warehouse-type pallets and racks has also
increased.
[0005] Store owners would welcome a modular pallet system in which
a pallet can be readily (and reversibly) adapted to form an
adjustable shelving display. Desirably, two or more pallets can be
joined in the new system by adjustable shelving or the like in
multiple configurations to accommodate various storage and display
floor plans.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention relates to modular pallet display
systems that can be used to construct adjustable shelving for
display and storage. A basic warehouse pallet is provided with
sockets located at each corner for receiving and supporting four
slotted upright supports. The sockets are affixed to the base of
the pallets to provide a rigid support frame for the modular pallet
system. The slotted uprights allow shelving and other fixtures to
be removably attached to the system at selected locations along the
uprights, including shelves which span between two pallets. In this
way, a highly flexible system is provided to accommodate many
different retail and storage environments. The modular pallet
system thus uses warehouse pallets to construct the system in place
of standard gondolas or other known store shelving components.
[0007] Other independent features and independent advantages of the
present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art
upon review of the following detailed description, claims, and
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a two-pallet assembly
according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a single pallet
assembly;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a front view of the single pallet assembly
illustrated in FIG. 2;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a two-pallet assembly
according to another embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a single pallet assembly
according to another embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a front view of the single pallet assembly
illustrated in FIG. 5;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a socket for receiving and
retaining upright supports;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a side view of the socket illustrated in FIG.
7;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a socket with a retaining
bar;
[0017] FIG. 10 is a side view of the socket with a retaining
bar;
[0018] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a gusset for supporting and
strengthening shelves and other fixtures attached to the
uprights;
[0019] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a bar or hang rod with an
end clip for attachment to the pallet assembly;
[0020] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the end clip of FIG.
12;
[0021] FIG. 14 is a front view of an upright post;
[0022] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a pallet
for use in the assembly illustrated in FIG. 2;
[0023] FIG. 16 is a side view of the pallet illustrated in FIG.
15;
[0024] FIG. 17 is a top view of the pallet illustrated in FIG.
15;
[0025] FIG. 18 is a side view of a lateral or front-rear
stretcher;
[0026] FIG. 19 is a side view of a second embodiment of the lateral
or front-rear stretcher;
[0027] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an assembled modular pallet
system showing its application as a bulk end cap;
[0028] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an assembled modular pallet
system showing its application as a bulk end cap having additional
shelving to one side of the pallet;
[0029] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of an assembled modular pallet
system showing its application as an end cap with graduated
shelving;
[0030] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of an assembled modular
two-pallet system with additional shelving suspended
therebetween;
[0031] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of another assembled modular
two-pallet system with additional shelving suspended
therebetween;
[0032] FIG. 25 is a perspective view of an assembled modular
two-pallet system with additional shelving suspended
therebetween.
[0033] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in
its application to the details of the construction and the
arrangements of the components set forth in the following
description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is
capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out
in various ways which are still within the spirit and scope of the
present invention. Also, it is understood that the phraseology and
terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and
should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including" and
"comprising" and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass
the items listed, and equivalents, as well as additional items.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0034] The present invention provides a merchandise and/or display
rack structure and system having a significantly greater degree of
adjustability and mobility for accommodating a great number of
shelving configurations and locations, as compared to conventional
structures and systems. The structure includes a pallet 10, sockets
or brackets 12 for receiving the uprights 40, and one or more
stretchers for supporting a series of shelves or other store
fixtures at a variety of heights and in numerous adjustable
configurations. The inventive modular pallet system uses a pallet
as its support base. For the present purposes, "pallet" means a
low, portable platform on which materials are stacked for storage
or transportation, as in a warehouse.
[0035] The pallet 10 has sockets 12, preferably at each corner,
into which uprights 40 are inserted and to which the uprights 40
are secured. The uprights 40 are interconnected, preferably by
front-rear stretchers 60 or alternatively (or in combination with)
lateral stretchers 65. Merchandise display and support elements
(such as shelving, rods, hangers, baskets, and the like) are then
attached in any conventional manner to the uprights 40 and/or
stretchers 60, 65. Preferably, the present invention employs one or
more shelves 70 upon which merchandise can be displayed and
supported. Various embodiments of the present invention can employ
any number (including none) of these additional display and support
elements as desired.
[0036] The present invention preferably enables a user to position
merchandise in an increased range of vertical and horizontal
positions upon a warehouse-type pallet. Most preferably, the
modular pallet system of the present invention enables a user to
locate merchandise display and support elements such as shelves,
buckets, baskets, rods, hangers, and the like at any number of
desired vertical, lateral, and front-rear positions using a
warehouse-type pallet as the base.
[0037] The modular pallet system of the present invention can
preferably be installed, removed, and adjusted on a warehouse-type
pallet without disturbing the pallet itself. This provides
significant advantages over conventional pallets and shelving
systems by making installation, removal, and adjustment simple and
fast. Also, the adjustability of the modular pallet system of the
present invention is much greater than that of the pallets alone,
providing a user with the same or similar display and storage
options as offered in lighter-duty retail-type display and storage
rack systems.
[0038] Although the structure of the present invention can be
permanently incorporated into a warehouse-type pallet (i.e.,
integral with such a pallet), a removable system wherein the
uprights, stretchers, beams, shelving, and other fixtures can be
removed and reconfigured as desired is preferred. The removable
system enables a user to purchase and use standard warehouse-type
pallets and to install modular pallet systems on an as-needed
basis.
[0039] In one embodiment, the modular pallet system does not
require a separate support structure. Instead, the system relies
upon the support and ground-contacting structure of the
warehouse-type pallet on which it is installed. This reduces cost,
complexity, and assembly time and enables the system to be readily
moved fully assembled by inserting forklift tongues into the pallet
slots 14, rather than disassembled and reassembled as would be
necessary for most shelving systems.
[0040] FIGS. 1 and 4 are perspective views of a two-pallet
assembly, showing two embodiments of the present invention. The
two-pallet assembly comprises a first pallet 10, a second pallet 20
and a shelf 30 interconnecting the first and second pallets. The
first pallet 10 uses a number of uprights 40 which are
interconnected by front-rear stretchers 60. Shelving 70 is
supported on the stretchers 60 between the uprights 40. The second
pallet 20 is similarly assembled with the uprights 40. Lateral
stretchers 65 are used to interconnect the uprights 40 between the
pallets 10 and 20. The shelving 30, 70 rests on the stretchers 65,
60, respectively. The shelving 30, 70 could also be connected or
fastened to the stretchers 65, 60, respectively, with a bolt,
screw, rivet, staple, or other element. The shelving 30, 70 could
also be permanently connected to the stretchers 65, 60,
respectively, by welding, gluing, brazing, or any other method. In
addition, the shelving 30 could also rest upon the pallets 10 and
20 and/or the shelving 70. Lateral stretchers 65 could also be
employed alone or in combination with the front-rear stretchers 60
above the pallets 10 and 20.
[0041] As seen in FIGS. 2-3 and 5-6, the modular pallet system can
also be used with a single pallet.
[0042] The pallet can be any conventional pallet so long as it
provides a support deck with feet or skids. As seen in FIGS. 15-17,
the pallet 10 has feet 16 that are of sufficient height to elevate
the pallet 10 above the ground to permit a forklift to insert its
forks into the spaces 14 between the feet 16 and transport the
pallet 10 to other locations. The pallet 10 can be made of any
suitable material, such as metal, wood, composites, plastic, and
the like. Most preferably, pallet 10 is made of a relatively
high-strength material such as steel, iron, aluminum, or a metal
alloy.
[0043] As seen, for instance, in FIG. 16, sockets 12 are secured to
each corner of the pallet 10. In this embodiment, the sockets 12
rest on the floor or ground with the foot 16 of the pallet 10. The
preferred socket 12 can best be seen in FIGS. 7-8 and is L-shaped.
As seen in FIG. 16, once assembled, the socket 12 is secured to an
outer foot 16 of the pallet 10 and to the deck or upper portion 18
of the pallet 10. The socket 12 is connected in any conventional
manner, preferably permanently, to the pallet 10, and more
preferably welded, but may be removably secured, such as with
bolts, screws, nails, pins, dowels, rivets, or any type of fastener
as well. As will be understood by those skilled in the art,
alternative designs for the socket 12 may be constructed. For
instance, as seen in FIGS. 4-6, the socket 12 may be designed to
connect only to the upper portion 18 of the pallet 10, without
being connected to the outer foot 16.
[0044] The holes 42 of the upright 40 and the holes 13 of the
socket 12 are preferably shaped and sized to align with each other.
A threaded fastener, finger, pin, nail, dowel, staple, screw, bolt,
or other element can be inserted into the holes 13 of the socket 12
and the aligned holes 42 (shown in FIG. 14) of the upright 40 after
the upright 40 has been inserted into the larger aperture 15 (shown
in FIG. 7) of the socket 12 in order to removably secure the
connection between the upright 40 and the socket 12. Alternatively,
the upright 40 and socket 12 can be permanently secured, as by
welding, gluing, brazing, or any other method. Other methods of
releasably or permanently connecting the upright 40 and socket 12
are possible within the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
[0045] As seen in FIGS. 9-10, a stabilizer bar 19 may be secured to
the socket 12 to help hold the upright 40 in place. The bar 19 is
connected to the socket 12 in any conventional manner, preferably
permanently, such as by welding, brazing, gluing or removably, such
as with bolts, screws, nails, dowels, staples, pins, fasteners, or
similar devices. The stabilizer bar 19 and socket 12 may be made of
any suitable material such as metal, composites, plastic, and the
like. Most preferably, stabilizer bar 19 and socket 12 are made of
a relatively high-strength material such as steel, iron, aluminum,
or a metal alloy.
[0046] Referring to FIG. 14, uprights 40 includes apertures 44 to
receive stretchers 60, 65 that extend either laterally or from
front to rear. Typically, either or both types of stretchers 60, 65
are adjustably connected to the uprights 40. Adjustable connections
between stretchers 60, 65 and uprights 40 can be accomplished in a
number of different methods. For example, the uprights 40 can have
a series of apertures 44 along all or part of their lengths into
which pins, posts, wedges, keys, fingers, teeth, tabs, or other
protrusions or fasteners on the ends of the stretchers 60, 65
extend for connection to the uprights 40. Alternatively or in
addition, fasteners such as pins and mating apertures, threaded
fasteners, or interlocking flanges can be employed to connect the
stretchers 60, 65 and uprights 40.
[0047] Preferably, the upright 40 has receiving members 44,
preferably slots, to permit stretchers 60, 65 to be adjustably
secured therein by holding members 46, such as by keys, wedges,
pins, posts, fingers, teeth, tabs, or other protrusions or
fasteners, as shown in FIGS. 18-19. The stretchers shown in FIGS.
18-19 illustrate different holding members 46. Some holding members
46 are illustrated as a protrusion with a downward tip to engage
the receiving members 44 of the upright 40. Other holding members
46 are illustrated as a protrusion including a notch to engage the
receiving members 44 of the upright 40. The particular stretcher
60, 65 used may depend on the type of pallet shelving structure
built. Still other methods of releasably and adjustably connecting
the uprights 40 to either or both types of stretchers 60, 65 are
within the scope of the invention.
[0048] The uprights 40 and stretchers 60, 65 can be tubular or
solid and can have any cross sectional shape desired. By way of
example only, the uprights 40 and/or stretchers 60, 65 can have a
variety of cross sections as may be required or desirable, such as
hollow rectangular, C-shaped, round, or I- or L-shaped. These
elements also can be solid bars or rods or have other polygonal
cross sections with flanges, extensions, and other features as
needed, and the like. One rack style is illustrated in the figures,
in which a number of C-shaped uprights 40 are connected together by
front-rear stretchers 60 having hollow stepped rectangular cross
sections. The uprights 40 and the stretchers 60, 65 can be made of
any appropriate material such as metal, wood, composites, plastic,
and the like. Most preferably, these elements are made of a
relatively high-strength material such as steel, iron, aluminum, an
alloy, or any other suitable metal.
[0049] In certain embodiments of the present invention, additional
stretchers are employed to strengthen rack structures similar to
the rack structure described above. For example,
diagonally-oriented front-rear stretchers 60 (not shown) can be
connected between the uprights 40 for further strength of the
structure. As another example, secondary front-rear stretchers can
be connected in any manner to the lateral stretchers, and can run
perpendicularly or at any other angle with respect to the lateral
stretchers 65. Still other types of stretchers can be employed as
desired.
[0050] In other embodiments of the present invention, the
stretchers are permanently connected to the uprights 40, such as by
welding, brazing, riveting, or by forming the stretchers integrally
with the uprights 40.
[0051] The heights of shelves in the racks described above are
dictated by the connection location of the stretchers employed to
support the shelves 30, 70. In this regard, the heights of shelves
are determined by the heights of the front-rear stretchers 60 if
the shelves rest upon and are supported by the front-rear
stretchers, and are determined by the heights of the lateral
stretchers 65 if the shelves rest upon and are supported by the
lateral stretchers 65. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, for example,
the shelves 70 above the pallets 10 and 20 are only supported by
the front-rear stretchers 60 while the shelf 30 between the pallets
10 and 20 is supported by lateral stretchers 65. Therefore, in this
embodiment, the location of the connections between the lateral
stretchers 65 and the uprights 40 (e.g., the upright apertures to
which the lateral stretchers are connected) determines the height
of the shelves in the shelving between the pallets 10 and 20, while
the location of the connections between the front/rear stretchers
60 and the uprights 40 determine the height of the shelving above
the pallets 10 and 20. Thus, the height or the vertical spacing
between the shelves can be adjusted as desired by connecting the
stretchers 60, 65 to the uprights 40 at any location along the
length of the uprights 40 as provided by the plurality of slots
44.
[0052] To provide support and strength to the display elements, a
gusset 75, such as that shown in FIG. 11, can be used at various
intersections of the stretchers 60, 65, uprights 40, and shelving
30, 70. The gusset 75 may be used to connect the stretchers 60, 65
to the uprights 40. The gusset 75 could be permanently attached to
the stretcher 60, 65 by welding, gluing, brazing, or any other
method for ease of assembling the pallet shelving system. The
gusset 75 could also be attached to the shelf 30, 70 to assemble
the shelf 30, 70 to the upright 40, without using a stretcher 60,
65.
[0053] To provide more options for connecting merchandise display
and storage elements within the modular pallet system, optional
support uprights (not shown) can be used between adjacent uprights
40 if the run of shelving or the like requires additional
non-pallet-based support. The support uprights can be substantially
flat elements such as the preferred uprights 40 shown in, for
example, FIG. 1, tubular elements, elements having a channel or
angle-shaped cross-section, or elements having any other hollow or
solid cross-sectional shape desired. In addition, the support
uprights can be made of any suitable material such as metal, wood,
composites, plastic, and the like. Most preferably, these elements
are made of a relatively high-strength material such as steel,
iron, aluminum, an alloy, or any other suitable metal.
[0054] The modularity of this system offers a variety of
configurations for meeting different retail needs and environments.
Different merchandise display and storage elements or fixtures can
be mounted on the described modular pallet system, preferably in a
range of depths, heights, and configurations. These configurations
include a single pallet, a straight run of pallets, and various
combinations of pallets and intervening shelving, including
T-shaped, L-shaped, and C-shaped systems, depending on the needs of
the user.
[0055] This inventive modular pallet system is not limited to
shelves. As seen in FIGS. 12, 13 and 25, a hang rod 80 with an end
clip 90 may be used to fit over the stretchers 60, 65, whether
lateral or front-rear. Moreover, a wide variety of conventional
merchandise display and storage elements and fixtures can be
mounted on this framework (such as baskets, shelves, hangers,
posts, panels, walls, etc.) to fit the products to be stored or
displayed, as can be seen in FIGS. 20-25. Most preferably, these
merchandise display and storage elements can be adjustably mounted
as described above in a range of lateral, depth, and height
positions in the warehouse-type pallet, thereby providing existing
warehouse-type pallets with significantly increased flexibility and
adaptability.
[0056] As seen in FIG. 21, panels or walls 100 can be connected to
the modular pallet system by being connected to one or more
uprights 40 or stretchers 60,65 in any manner (e.g., by welding,
threaded fasteners, wire, bolts, and the like). In other
embodiments, the tops and/or bottoms of the panels 100 can be
received within channels or apertures defined by the stretchers 60,
65 or uprights 40 by headed posts, pins, posts, fingers, teeth,
tabs, fasteners or other protrusions received within the channels
or apertures (or vice versa). Still other manners of mounting
panels or walls 100 within the system of the invention are
possible. The panels or walls 100 can take any form desired,
including without limitation solid or apertured plates, expanded
metal, mesh, corrugated or shaped panels, peg-board, welded wire
grid, drawer-containing panels and the like.
[0057] FIGS. 20-25 show a few examples of the types of shelving
configurations that can be formed with the modular pallet system of
the present invention, including shelving that can be connected to
the uprights 40, to stretchers, 60, 65 or to panels or walls 100
which are connected to the uprights 40 or stretchers 60, 65. As
described, the shelves 30, 70 and/or supporting stretchers 60, 65
can have one or more teeth, fingers, pins, posts, tabs, fasteners,
or other protrusions which can mate with apertures 44 in the
uprights 40 or panels or walls 100. Other shelving connections and
alternatives are also within the scope of the present invention.
For purposes of adjustability, the uprights 40 and/or the panels or
walls 100 preferably have multiple apertures (not shown) along
their lengths to enable a wide range of positions in which the
shelves 30, 70 can be connected as desired. Shelving and other
types of retail display and storage fixtures can be arranged
vertically in just about any desired configuration to meet the
needs of different retail and storage environments.
[0058] The modular pallet system herein described is a movable,
transportable, and flexible display and storage system. It offers
strength and durability for applications in supermarkets, warehouse
outlets, home centers, "big box" retail stores, and other retail
environments. The addition of uprights, beams, stretchers, and
accessories allows a retailer to merchandise everything from
clothing to grocery products to fertilizer. For many retailers, the
modular pallet system offers greater versatility and customization
than previously known gondolas and pallet racking.
[0059] As can be seen from the above, the invention provides a
modular pallet display system for storing and displaying
merchandise and other items. Various features and advantages are
set forth in the following claims.
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