U.S. patent application number 11/143558 was filed with the patent office on 2005-10-27 for pallet and conveyor system for loading onto transport.
This patent application is currently assigned to Mobile Concepts, Inc.. Invention is credited to Fridman, Boris, Warlow, Jerry L..
Application Number | 20050235884 11/143558 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34798639 |
Filed Date | 2005-10-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050235884 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Warlow, Jerry L. ; et
al. |
October 27, 2005 |
Pallet and conveyor system for loading onto transport
Abstract
A pallet and conveyor system for loading pallets onto a
transport vehicle is described. The conveyor system has a first and
a second conveyor which positions the pallets between the conveyors
and maintains the pallets in upright orientation. The conveyor
defines an upper conveyance track and a lower conveyance track
which may be placed on the bed of a transport truck. The pallets
maintained in the conveyor system are easily loadable on the truck
and can be captured without operator lifting by the conveyor
system. The pallets may be forked from any direction and provide a
stabilization device for maintaining the cargo within the
pallets.
Inventors: |
Warlow, Jerry L.; (Lebanon,
PA) ; Fridman, Boris; (York, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JOHN F. SALAZAR
MIDDLETON & REUTLINGER
2500 BROWN & WILLIAMSON TOWER
LOUISVILLE
KY
40202
US
|
Assignee: |
Mobile Concepts, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
34798639 |
Appl. No.: |
11/143558 |
Filed: |
June 2, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11143558 |
Jun 2, 2005 |
|
|
|
10443922 |
May 22, 2003 |
|
|
|
6935248 |
|
|
|
|
10443922 |
May 22, 2003 |
|
|
|
10407674 |
Apr 4, 2003 |
|
|
|
6814214 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
108/55.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2519/00666
20130101; B65D 19/08 20130101; B65D 19/44 20130101; B65G 1/127
20130101; B65D 2519/00293 20130101; B65D 2519/00273 20130101; B65D
2519/00512 20130101; B65D 2519/00631 20130101; B65D 2519/00975
20130101; B65D 2519/00786 20130101; B65D 2519/00059 20130101; B65D
2519/00323 20130101; B65D 2519/00815 20130101; B65D 2519/00164
20130101; B65D 2519/00024 20130101; B65D 2519/00333 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/055.1 |
International
Class: |
B65D 019/44 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A conveyor for transporting pallets having a plurality of tires
in side by side relationship on a transport vehicle, comprising: a
first and a second conveyor, each of said first and second conveyor
having a drive chain affixed to a plurality of carriages and to a
forward and rear sprocket, a first and a second rotation hub, each
of said carriages having an upper end thereof, said upper end
having a pin extending outwardly therefrom.
2. The conveyor for transporting pallets on a transport vehicle of
claim 1 further comprising a plurality of pallets positioned
between said first and said second conveyor and rotationally
connected to said carriages on said first conveyor and said
carriages on said second conveyor.
3. The conveyor for transporting pallets on a transport vehicle of
claim 1 further comprising a plurality of pallets supported between
said first and said second conveyor along an upper conveyance track
and a lower conveyance track, said plurality of pallets
rotationally supported on said first and said second conveyor by
said carriages.
4. The conveyor for transporting pallets on a transport vehicle of
claim 3 wherein each of said plurality of pallets are rotationally
supported by a first and a second pin, said first pin affixed to a
first carriage on said first conveyor, said second pin connected to
a second carriage on said second conveyor.
5. The conveyor for transporting pallets on a transport vehicle of
claim 1 wherein said first and said second conveyor define a first
conveyor path and a second conveyor path, said first conveyor path
above said second conveyor path, said first and said second
conveyor forming an ovalized rotational conveyor system between
which are supported a plurality of pallets, each of said plurality
of pallets rotationally connected to said first conveyor and said
second conveyor
6. The conveyor for transporting pallets on a transport vehicle of
claim 1 further comprising a plurality of pallets rotationally
supported between said first and said second conveyor, said first
and said second conveyor defining a continuous ovalized carriage
truck track defining a upper and a lower conveyance track, each of
said plurality of pallets rotationally supported between said first
and said second conveyor on at least one carriage from said first
conveyor and at least one carriage from said second conveyor.
7. A conveyor system for loading and transporting a plurality of
pallets on a truck bed, comprising: a first and a second circular
conveyor spaced apart and mounted on a truck bed defining an upper
conveyance path and a lower conveyance path; a plurality of pallets
suspended between said first and said second conveyor; wherein each
of said pallets is rotatably supported on a first and a second side
by a first and a second carriage, said first carriage mounted to
said first conveyor, said second carriage mounted to said second
conveyor.
8. The conveyor system of claim 7 wherein each of said first and
said second circular conveyor define a continuous carriage truck
track, said carriage truck track retaining a drive chain affixed to
said carriages.
9. The conveyor system of claim 8 wherein each of said carriages
has an outwardly extending pin, said pin rotationally connected to
at least one of said pallet.
10. The conveyor system of claim 7 wherein said first and said
second circular conveyor forms a continuous circular track, said
continuous circular track having a first rotation hub at a first
end and a second rotation hub at a second end, said first and said
second rotation hub having an outer wall forming a turn between
said upper conveyance path and said lower conveyance path.
11. The conveyor system of claim 7 wherein each of said pallets is
rotationally supported between said first circular conveyor and
said second circular conveyor.
12. The conveyor system of claim 8 wherein said carriage truck
track forms a continuous ovalized conveyance path on said truck
bed, said continuous ovalized conveyance path having an upper
conveyance path and a lower conveyance path, said plurality of
pallets on said upper conveyance path suspended above said
plurality of pallets on said lower conveyance path.
13. The conveyor system of claim 10 wherein said drive chain is
connected to a forward sprocket at said first rotation hub, said
forward sprocket drivingly connected to a drive motor.
14. The conveyor system of claim 11 wherein each of said plurality
of pallets is connected to a first pin on said first carriage on a
first side wall of said pallet and a second pin on said second
carriage on a second side of said pallet, said first side and said
second side of said pallet having a bottom rail extending there
between.
15. The conveyor system for loading and transporting a plurality of
pallets on a truck bed, comprising: a first and a second circular
conveyor mounted on a truck bed, said first and said second
circular conveyor defining an upper conveyance path and a lower
conveyance path; a plurality of pallets suspended between said
first conveyor and said second conveyor along said upper conveyance
path and said lower conveyance path; wherein each of said pallets
has a first side wall and a second side wall, each of said pallets
supported on said first side wall by a first carriage mounted on
said first conveyor, said second side wall mounted on a second
carriage connected to said second conveyor; wherein said first
conveyor and said second conveyor define an ovalized carriage truck
track, said ovalized carriage truck track suspending a plurality of
pallets on said upper conveyance path and a plurality of pallets on
said lower conveyance path.
16. A pallet and conveyor system for loading a transport and
supporting a plurality of tires in side by side relationship in the
pallets, comprising: a plurality of pallets suspended between a
first conveyor and a second conveyor, said first and said second
conveyor in spaced apart separated relationship, said first
conveyor and said second conveyor defining a first conveyance path
above a second conveyance path; each of said plurality of pallets
rotatably supported by a first and a second carriage, said first
carriage affixed to said first conveyor, said second carriage
affixed to said second conveyor.
17. The pallet and conveyor system of claim 16 wherein each of said
first carriage and said second carriage is connected to a carriage
truck, said carriage truck having at least one carriage truck wheel
formed thereon.
18. The pallet and conveyor system of claim 17 wherein said first
conveyance path and said second conveyance path form an ovalized
carriage truck track to receive said carriage trucks.
19. A mobile conveyor system for suspending a plurality of pallets
containing tires comprising a first and a second ovalized conveyor
in separated relationship, said first and said second conveyor
rotationally connected to a plurality of pallets suspended between
said first and said second conveyor and defining an ovalized
conveyance path for said plurality of pallets, said ovalized
conveyance path including an upper conveyance path and a lower
conveyance path, said upper conveyance path suspending at least one
of said pallets above at least one of said pallets on said lower
conveyance path.
20. A mobile pallet and conveyor system for loading a plurality of
pallets onto a transport vehicle, comprising a first conveyor
mounted to a truck bed and separated from a second conveyor mounted
to said truck bed, said first and said second conveyor rotationally
supporting a plurality of pallets there between, said first and
said second conveyor each having an ovalized carriage truck track
having a drive chain and a plurality of carriage trucks retained
therein, each of said carriage trucks having a carriage support
affixed thereto, said carriage supports having a pallet connecting
pin formed on a distal end, said pallet and conveyor system being
mobile by virtue of being mounted on said truck bed.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation patent application of and
claims priority to and benefit from, currently pending, U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/443,922, filed on May 22, 2003, which is a
Divisional patent application of and claims priority to and benefit
from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/407,674, filed on Apr. 4,
2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,814,214, issued on Nov. 9, 2004, all
hereby incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a system for storage and
transportation of material in pallets, particularly tires, and a
conveyor system for movement of the pallets.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of the conveyor system of
the present invention;
[0004] FIG. 2 is a first front sectional view of the conveyor
system taken along sectional lines A-A shown in FIG. 1;
[0005] FIG. 3 is a second first sectional view taken along
sectional lines B-B shown in FIG. 1;
[0006] FIG. 4 is a third front sectional view taken along section
C--C shown in FIG. 1;
[0007] FIG. 5 is a side view of the pallet and conveyor system for
loading onto a transport vehicle of the present invention;
[0008] FIG. 6 is an end view of the transport vehicle depicted in
the pallet and conveyor system of the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 7A is a side view of the carriage support used in the
conveyor system of the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 7B is a side view of the carriage support for the
conveyor system of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of the conveyor system and
pallet of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 9 is an end view of the pallet design for the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 10 is a front view of the pallet design of the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the pallet design of the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the pallet and tire
retaining mechanism of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 13 is a side view of stacked pallets of the present
invention;
[0017] FIG. 14 is a close up perspective of the rotational support
arm of the pallet of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] The pallet and conveyor system 10 of the present invention
depicted in the drawings allows for loading, storage and unloading
of large objects, particularly tires stored in pallets, onto a
transport vehicle with minimal interaction required by an operator.
As shown in FIG. 5, the truck conveyor system 10 may be adapted for
use on a transport vehicle, such as a flat bed truck shown, and
used in combination with a plurality of pallets for storage and
movement of the loaded material, in this case, for example, tires,
and allows for placement of the pallets and the material stored
therein onto the transport vehicle in organized and readily
accessible fashion. As shown, the conveyor 20 may rotate in a
ovalized conveyor path or pattern so that the pallets may be easily
stored on the transport vehicle and also moved thereon. The pallet
and conveyor system 10 of the present invention having a first and
a second circular conveyor in spaced apart relationship on the
truck bed allows the pallets, and necessarily the tires located
thereon, to be rotated on the truck in order to deliver the stored
material to both ground level and dock level without the need for
manual lifting. The pallet and conveyor system 10 of the present
invention further makes efficient use of the space available on the
transport vehicle by utilizing a first conveyor path suspended over
a second conveyor path. The pallet and conveyor system 10 of the
present invention easily loads and utilizes currently available
equipment while nearly eliminating any manual handling at the truck
and any drop-off or loading station.
[0019] As shown, for exemplary purposes for the present embodiment,
the pallets 40 may store a plurality of tires 42 located thereon in
side-by-side relationship, each of the tires weighing up to 240
pounds. The tires, in this example, efficiently utilize the entire
space of the transport vehicle and pallet while making loading and
unloading easily completed.
[0020] Returning to FIG. 1, the conveyor 20 used in the pallet and
conveyor system 10 of the present invention is depicted. As seen in
combination with FIG. 1 and the schematic of FIG. 6, the conveyor
shown is one side of the two conveyor system. As shown therein, a
conveyor mechanism is provided for transportation of the pallets 40
which contain the stored cargo within the truck. The conveyor
mechanism 20 has both a forward sprocket 22 and a rear sprocket 24
which rotates a drive chain 26. The entire conveyor mechanism 20 is
supported upon a plurality of supports 16 on the bed of a truck or
other transport. The conveyor 20 has located thereon a plurality of
carriages 12 which are affixed to the drive chain 26 by carriage
trucks 13. The design sets forth a mechanism for conveyance of the
plurality of pallets 40 in an organized fashion wherein the pallets
40 are supported on either side by a carriage 12 and rotated on the
transport by a conveyor 20 rotationally affixed to either side of
each pallet. The conveyor, depicted in the Figures, is only an
exemplary conveyor design for movement and support of the pallets
40 and a number of different embodiments may be utilized for
support and movement of the pallets on the transport vehicle.
[0021] In general, as described in one embodiment shown in FIG. 1,
the conveyor 20 is comprised of the drive chain 26 which is rotated
by a drive motor 55. The drive chain 26 may be rotated and aligned
by the forward and rear sprockets 22 and 24 and forms both an upper
conveyance path or track 51 and a lower conveyance path or track
52. The conveyor 20 thus provides the ability to have rotating
upper and lower stacks of pallets 40 placed upon the transport
vehicle and the ability to move the stored cargo with relative ease
and without human lifting or interference.
[0022] The upper conveyance path 51 and lower conveyance path 52
are made possible by the carriages 12 and carriage trucks 13 which
rotate from positions on the upper conveyor path 51 to positions on
the lower conveyance path 52 by the rotation hub 21 at either end
of the conveyor 20.
[0023] As seen in the exemplary depiction of the present invention
in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the plurality of pallets 40 which have stored
thereon tires or other cargo 42 may be rotated about the conveyor
20 between positions on the upper conveyance path 51 and lower
conveyance path 52. The pallets will fully support the plurality of
tires 42 located thereon in side-to-side fashion and allow the
tires or other cargo to be loaded and unloaded off of the conveyor
system 10 of the present invention by a lift gate 54 on the
transport. Thus, placement of the loaded pallets 40 onto the lift
gate of the transport vehicle allows the lift gate to raise the
loaded pallet into proper position and upon activation of the truck
conveyor system 10, conveyor 20 causes the pallet to be engaged by
the truck conveyor system 10 so that it is loaded onto the truck
conveyor system 10 and placed onto the transport vehicle.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 6, the truck conveyor system 10 of the
present invention incorporates the conveyor 20 into both the left
hand side and the right hand side of the truck bed for adequate
engagement of the carriages 12 which fully support the pallet 40.
Both an upper series or plurality of pallets 40 and a lower series
or plurality of pallets may be handled and rotated by the truck
conveyor system 10 about the conveyor 20 so that they may be
readily loaded and unloaded from the transport vehicle. As
indicated, a number of different conveying system may be utilized
in order for proper rotation and storage of the loaded pallets onto
the transport vehicle and as such the specific exemplary depiction
of the conveyor described herein is not felt to be limiting as one
of ordinary skill in the art would understand that variations to
the design described herein may be readily available.
[0025] Returning to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4, the conveyor 20 of the
present invention as depicted in the examples provides an
embodiment wherein the carriage 12 is affixed to a carriage truck
13, shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, wherein the carriage truck 13 is
connected to the drive chain 26. Drive chain 26, upon rotation
within or adjacent to the carriage truck track 56, causes the
carriage 12 to rotate from an upwardly directed position to a
downwardly directed position as shown in the Figures. In both
instances, the pallets are maintained in upward orientated fashion
by allowing the pallets to rotate upon pin 15 at an upper end of
each of the carriages 12.
[0026] Each of the carriage trucks 13 are moved by the drive chain
26 which may be rotated by at least one motor 55. Rotation hubs 21
at either end of the conveyor 20 additionally allow the carriage
trucks to be positioned from the upper conveyance path or track 51
to the lower conveyance path track 52, both the upper and lower
conveyance paths being co-aligned in stacked or vertical
relationship as depicted in FIG. 6.
[0027] As can be readily seen in the Figures, and in particular
FIG. 1, and FIG. 2, the carriage truck 13 has at either end
carriage truck wheels 23 which allow the carriage truck to rotate
about each of the rotation hubs 21 positioned on conveyor 20. The
carriages 12 may therefore rotate positions from upwardly directed
to downwardly directed smoothly while maintaining support of the
loaded pallets 40 which may have significant weight. Further, each
of the carriage trucks 13 are maintained in position along both the
upper truck path and lower truck path within the continuous
ovalized carriage truck track 56 which maintains the carriage
trucks 13 in proper position along the conveyor 20. Thus, the first
and second conveyor on either sides of the pallets support the
pallets there between and form an ovalized rotational conveyor
system which suspends the pallets between the conveyors.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 8, the carriage truck track 56 provides an
area within which the carriage trucks 13 are positioned and in
which the drive chain 26 is placed for movement of the carriages 12
and therefore pallets 40. Various alternative constructions are
available for construction of the track 56 in combination with the
drive chain 26 in order to properly convey the carriage trucks 13
along the conveyor 20. Such modifications fall within the
generalized teachings of the conveyor system 20 since such
modifications are available for use in combination with the overall
novel design of the conveyor system and pallet support mechanisms
described.
[0029] The carriages utilized in the conveyor 20 have at an upper
portion thereof a pin 15 which is utilized to support each of the
pallets 40. Each of the pins 15 located at the upper end of the
carriage 12 are rotationally retained within a pallet arm 32 and
the pallet arm head 34, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The design of
the pallet arm 32 with respect to the pin 15 positioned on carriage
12, allows the pallet to freely rotate about the pin as the
carriage transitions about the circular conveyor or ovalized
conveyor 20. At the end of the pin 15 is a support pin head 19
which may be utilized to prevent lateral movement of the pallet 40
once positioned on both sides by the carriages 12 and by pin
15.
[0030] As shown in conjunction with the Figures, including FIGS.
7A, 7B and 8, the carriage pin 15 extends through an open area of
the pallet arm 32 such that the pallet is adequately supported on
either side wall 30 by the carriage 12. As depicted in FIG. 8, the
carriage 12 supports the pallet along sidewall 30 by the outwardly
extending pallet arm 32 such that the pallet is suspended between
the left and right conveyor 20. As can be seen from this view, the
pallet can be fully supported on either end with the conveyor 20
allowing the pallet to be mobilized within the truck or transport
vehicle. Further, with the design of the pallet and carriage 12 of
the present invention, the pallet can be loaded and unloaded with
relative ease by allowing the pallet to be captured by pin 15 once
the pallet is placed upon the lift gate 54 of the transport vehicle
and positioned appropriately. Additionally, as can be seen from the
side view of FIG. 5 and of the pallet in FIG. 9, the pallet arm
head 34 may be designed as an inverted V-shaped receiving unit
which allows the pin 15 of the carriage 12 to be captured therein
once placed in a proper position.
[0031] Turning to the pallet design 40 of the present embodiment
depicted in Figs, 9, 10, 11 and 12, the pallet 40 has side wall 34
which defines an open interior space within which materials or
cargo may be placed. As shown in the examples herein, a plurality
of tires may be placed side-by-side between the side walls 30 and
supported by pallet bottom wall 31. Outwardly extending from each
of the pallet side walls 30 is the pallet arm 32 which contacts the
pin 15 on either side of the pallet. The pallet arm and pallet arm
head allows for the proper support of the pallet between the left
and right conveyor.
[0032] The pallet may be, for example, approximately 6 feet wide
for proper supporting of the cargo and of adequate height to assure
stabilized positioning of the cargo therein.
[0033] Turning to FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, it is apparent that the
pallet of the present design also has fork apertures 38 on both the
front and back side to allow a fork lift truck to approach from the
front and back for lifting of the pallet. Additionally, fork
apertures 39 are provided longitudinally extending along the bottom
wall 31 of the pallet such that a fork lift may approach from any
side of the pallet to lift and move the pallet and loaded cargo.
The fork apertures are positioned below the pallet bottom wall 31
and may be utilized for lifting as in any standard fork lift
application.
[0034] Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 9-12, tire retaining device
36 may be provided on both the front and back edge of the pallet
bottom wall 31. As can be seen from the example herein, the tire
retaining device 36 is rotatable so that it may be raised and
lowered as indicated in FIGS. 9 and 12, the left most tire
retaining device 36 being in the raised position and the right most
tire retaining device being in the lowered position. As
constructed, the tire retaining device 36, when in the lowered
position, covers the fork apertures 38 on the front and back wall
or edge of the pallet 40 and may also partially cover the adjacent
side wall fork apertures 39 in order to prevent forking of the
pallet unless the tire retaining device 36 is raised and actuated
as depicted in FIG. 12. As depicted on the left hand side of FIG.
9, the tire retaining device is in the raised position in order to
contact the tires 42 and maintain the tires in stable relationship
within the pallet 40. As shown therein, the tire retaining device
36 may swing up and be locked in place by utilizing a ball locking
retaining pin shown in FIG. 12 or other similar device which would
fit through the tire retaining device 36 and into retaining pin
aperture 37 placed in multiple positions around the four sides of
the pallet 40 so that each side of both a front and back tire
retaining device 36 may be placed in the raised and locked
position. Once placed in the raised and locked position by
utilizing, for example, a ball locking retaining pin or similar
device, the pallet may be forked and manipulated by a fork truck as
necessary or loaded onto the conveyor system 10 of the present
invention. Thus, the tire retaining device 36 blocks access of the
form apertures from the side and the front when not in the raised
and locked position thereby forcing the operator to engage the
locking device and position the tires 42 in an immobile state. The
tire retaining device 36 may extend along the entire length of the
front and lower edge of the pallet 40 in order to adequately cover
the fork apertures 38, 39.
[0035] As depicted herein, the pallet 40 of the present design may
also be stackable so that a plurality of pallets may be positioned
one on top of the other for use and may readily be forked or moved
when needed. As shown therein, projections 50 may extend upwardly
from a top edge or top corners of the pallets in order that the
pallet may be stacked one on top of the other, the projections 50
nestling within apertures 57 placed along the lower surface thereof
of the tire retaining device 36 or of an alternative structure
placed within the pallet bottom wall 31. Thus, the design of the
pallet 40 allows for stacking of each individual pallet, one on top
of the other and proper and secure placement thereof until ready
for use.
[0036] Turning towards the pallet 40 of the present design, the
pallet depicted in FIG. 9-14 acts as a suspension pallet which may
be suspended between a first conveyor and a second conveyor.
Generally, the pallet as depicted in this embodiment has a first
and a second side wall on either end of a bottom wall 31, as
previously described. As shown for this particular utilization, the
pallet does not have a front and back retaining wall but very well
may, in other variations, have a combination of side wall or front
and back walls which is considered to fall within the teaching
hereof.
[0037] Turning to FIG. 9, as previously described, projections 50
extend upward from a top edge of either corner of the first and
second side wall. This provides the ability for mating with
positionally mating apertures formed on the bottom wall 31, the
apertures 57 shown in FIG. 11 and the stacking nature of the
pallets shown in FIG. 13, thereby allowing the pallets to be
stacked one on top of the other prior to use within the suspension
conveyor system.
[0038] The suspension pallets 40 further have, as previously
described, rotational capture arms 32 which rotationally connect to
the supports of a first and a second conveyor system position on
either side of the pallet. As a result of the rotational capture
arms 32, the pallet has the ability to rotate freely about the
supports or carriages of the conveyor system so that the pallets
can be rotated one on top of the other within the conveyor as shown
in the embodiments hereof. Alternative but equivalent designs may
be utilized to limit the rotational function of the pallet and
conveyor design but still allow the pallet to be stacked as well as
rotated about a first and second conveyor path in stacked vertical
relationship as is shown in the examples hereof.
[0039] Turning to FIG. 12, the pallets may also have a cargo or
tire retaining device 36 which in this example has a longitudinally
extending bar between the first and second side wall and has on
either end an inner plate 61 and an outer plate 62. The inner plate
and outer plate 61, 62 are provided to rotate about pivot pin 63
such that the entire cargo retaining device 36 can position itself
in a locked upright position as depicted in FIG. 12 to a downward
open position as shown on the right side of FIG. 13 and the other
figures. The inner plate and outer plate are bound together about
pivot pin 63 but provide a gap therebetween so that the plates
rotate on either side of the side wall extension 65 shown in FIG.
12. The inner plate 61 and outer plate 62 both have apertures for
receiving the security pin 64 therethrough which allows the cargo
retaining device to be locked in either the up or down position. As
previously described, in the downward position the retaining device
36 covers both fork apertures 38 on the front edge and rear edge
while also covering the apertures 39 on the end wall of the pallet
40. Thus, outer plate 62 covers apertures 39 while the laterally
extending bar covers the apertures 38 thereby preventing the pallet
from being forked when the retaining device 36 is in the downward
position.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 13, the pallets 40 may be stacked one on
top of the other such that the extensions 50 have positionally
mating apertures on the bottom wall as previously described.
[0041] A close up of the rotational capture arms 32 is shown in
FIG. 14 wherein the rotational capture arm or support arms 32 have
a first depending wall 71 and a second depending wall 72 with the
support arm head 34 positioned therebetween. As can be seen, the
rotational capture arm 32 may be an inverted V-shaped capture arm
which allows relatively easy loading on to carriage support 12 and
pin 15. Further, the open top area 73 allows relatively easy
positioning of the pin 15 therein and allows the pallet 40 to
rotate about pin 15 when the pallet is being moved on the conveyor
system previously described. As shown, the support arm head 34 may
be reinforced such that it is strengthened to support the entire
weight of the loaded suspension pallet thereby assuring proper
support of the pallet 40 presently described.
[0042] It is apparent that variations may be made to the conveyor
system and pallet design of the present invention in regards to
specific design elements of the individual conveyor elements or of
the pallets in relation to the conveyor in order to assure a proper
positioning of the pallet between the first and second conveyor.
Such variations however are deemed to fall within the teachings of
the present invention as generally modifications may be made to
placement of the particular structure described herein while
falling within the general teachings hereof.
* * * * *