U.S. patent application number 15/217293 was filed with the patent office on 2016-11-10 for pallet transportation assembly and processes of transporting pallets using the same.
The applicant listed for this patent is Coca-Cola Bottling Co., United, Inc.. Invention is credited to STANLEY CHARLES ELLINGTON.
Application Number | 20160325973 15/217293 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52480535 |
Filed Date | 2016-11-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160325973 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ELLINGTON; STANLEY CHARLES |
November 10, 2016 |
PALLET TRANSPORTATION ASSEMBLY AND PROCESSES OF TRANSPORTING
PALLETS USING THE SAME
Abstract
The present invention relates to a pallet transportation
assembly comprising a first and second tine, each having a top, a
bottom, a front wheel, a middle wheel, a rear wheel, and a riser;
and a body coupled to the first and second tines comprising a tine
adjustment system and a vertical backing portion.
Inventors: |
ELLINGTON; STANLEY CHARLES;
(Trussville, AL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Coca-Cola Bottling Co., United, Inc. |
Birmingham |
AL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52480535 |
Appl. No.: |
15/217293 |
Filed: |
July 22, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14475981 |
Sep 3, 2014 |
9403547 |
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15217293 |
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13404797 |
Feb 24, 2012 |
9260125 |
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14475981 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2519/00796
20130101; B62B 3/0606 20130101; B62B 2203/24 20130101; B62B 2203/20
20130101; B62B 2203/60 20130101; B62B 3/06 20130101; B62B 2301/00
20130101; B65D 19/38 20130101; B66F 9/07586 20130101; B62B 3/001
20130101; B62B 3/008 20130101; B62B 2203/29 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B66F 9/075 20060101
B66F009/075; B62B 3/00 20060101 B62B003/00; B65D 19/38 20060101
B65D019/38 |
Claims
1. A pallet transportation assembly comprising: a first and second
tine, each having a top, a bottom, a front wheel, a middle wheel, a
rear wheel, and a riser; and a body coupled to the first and second
tines comprising a tine adjustment system and a vertical backing
portion.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/475,981, filed Sep. 3, 2014, which is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
13/404,797, filed Feb. 24, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,260,125,
issued Feb. 16, 2016, the contents of both incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a pallet transportation
assembly comprising a first and second tine, each having a top, a
bottom, a front wheel, a middle wheel, a rear wheel, and a riser;
and a body coupled to the first and second tines comprising a tine
adjustment system and a vertical backing portion.
[0004] 2. Background Art
[0005] Manually operated pallet jacks include mechanical devices
used primarily for interior applications in such locations as
warehouses and some larger consumer stores. The term "manually"
refers to the means for moving and operating the pallets jacks:
typically, they use hydraulic, pneumatic or electric lifting
mechanisms that an operator enables to lift goods. Pallet jacks
typically have two or more tines, that are placed under a pallet,
upon which is stored the goods to be moved. In the U.S., loaded
pallets are typically about 4 feet long by 4 feet wide, and can be
between a couple of inches to as much as 8-10 feet in height. The
major considerations in the maximum height are the weight to be
lifted and the center of gravity.
[0006] Other types of pallet jacks include those that are
completely or semi-automated. These pallet jacks can include an
internal combustion engine or motor, or an electric or propane
operated motor that drives the pallet jack according to mechanical
inputs received from the operator. Some of these pallet jacks can
place goods on pallet several stories in height (20'-40').
[0007] As briefly discussed above, pallet jacks are usually
operated in the interior of buildings, on substantially smooth,
pre-stressed concrete floors. These floors are extremely smooth and
extremely strong. Pallet jacks are generally designed to operate in
such an interior environment, and usually have two small wheels
located in the rear portion of the pallet jack, directly under the
lifting mechanism. The tines are located outwardly from the
centrally located rear wheels, and the lifting mechanism is located
directly over the centrally located rear wheels. Such known pallet
jacks are generally useful for lifting heavily loaded pallets,
wherein the pallets have a length (measured in the same direction
as the tines extend from the pallet jack) to width ratio of about
1.0 and less.
[0008] Pallets are used for receiving and handling heavy or bulky
loads to facilitate the stacking of several articles to comprise
the load. Normally the load and pallet are shipped as a unit. A
conventional pallet is a wooden structure made up of several
parallel, horizontal stringers and several cross boards, all nailed
together to form a rectangular element. In two-way pallets, the
tines enter between the stringers and engage the cross boards from
below. In a four-way pallet, the stringers are cut out in two areas
each to provide inverted U-shaped openings in what is known as the
"four-way" side spaced apart to receive the tines. A forklift may
enter selectively, from any of the four sides of the pallet,
whereas in the two-way pallet entry can occur from only two
opposite sides.
[0009] All conventional pallets are not exactly alike, but are
dimensioned so as to accommodate most fork-lifts. The entry
openings are made wide enough to accommodate different tine spacing
as well as to enable easy entry without precise maneuvering of the
fork-lift. Nevertheless, it is not possible for a pallet jack to
unload or load a pallet from the four-way side of a pallet because
the inverted U-shaped openings of the pallet are not wide enough to
accept the width of a pallet jack tine.
[0010] Due to these varying base configurations, certain pallets
may require a first pallet transportation assembly, while other
pallets require a second transportation assembly.
[0011] In a conventional pallet jack, the tines sit atop wheels.
The tines may be raised slightly to subsequently raise a pallet off
the ground, which transfers the weight of the load from the pallet
legs to the pallet jack wheels. In this position, the wheels
support the tines and the accompanying load and allow the load to
be easily transported. The top surfaces of the tines, however, are
at a predetermined distance from the bottoms of the wheels and from
the ground. This predetermined distance allows for insertion into a
conventional pallet. Other pallet designs, however, may have longer
legs and, as such, may sit higher off the ground than conventional
pallets. Accordingly, the same predetermined distance may not allow
the tines to engage and raise such a pallet while keeping the
pallet jack wheels on the ground. As a result, the weight of the
load is not transferred from the pallet legs to the pallet jack
wheels and the load cannot be effectively transported.
[0012] Also, when transporting up an incline, in taller pallet
designs, the legs of the pallet extend farther downward than a
conventional pallet. As such, the legs come into contact with the
incline, which may cause the pallets to dislodge from the pallet
transportation assemblies and/or to topple.
[0013] Thus, a need exists for a pallet transportation assembly
that can transport pallets requiring more vertical clearance from
the ground and are capable of transporting pallets having different
base configurations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] In some embodiments, the present invention is a pallet
transportation assembly comprising a first and second tine, each
having a top, a bottom, a front wheel, a middle wheel, a rear
wheel, and a riser; and a body coupled to the first and second
tines comprising a tine adjustment system and a vertical backing
portion.
[0015] In some embodiments, the riser is located within a plane of
the tine and is coupled to the tine adjustment system, wherein the
tine adjustment system is configured to move the riser in and out
of the plane of the tine. In some embodiments, the tine adjustment
system is further configured to adjust the elevation, pitch, yaw,
length or combinations thereof, of the first or second tine. In
some embodiments, the tine adjustment system operates mechanically,
pneumatically, electrically, hydraulically or combinations
thereof.
[0016] In some embodiments the riser is configured to receive a
base configuration of a pallet.
[0017] In some embodiments, a pallet transportation assembly
further comprises a vertical backing portion comprises a lashing
system having a strap, buckle and ratcheting mechanism. In some
embodiments, the vertical backing portion comprises an adjustable
wall.
[0018] In some embodiments, the first and second tines are
co-planar and parallel to each other.
[0019] In some embodiments, the front wheel and rear wheel have a
first aspect ratio and the middle wheel has a second aspect ratio,
wherein the first aspect ratio is less than the second aspect
ratio. In some embodiments, the front and rear wheels are caster
swivel wheels. In some embodiments, the middle wheel rotates about
a fixed axle.
[0020] In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to a
pallet transportation assembly comprising a first and second tine,
each having a top, a bottom, a front wheel, a middle wheel, a rear
wheel and a riser; and a body coupled to the first and second tines
comprising a tine adjustment system; a wheel, and a vertical
backing portion; wherein the front wheel and rear wheel have a
first aspect ratio and the middle wheel has a second aspect ratio
greater than the first aspect ratio; wherein the front and rear
wheels are caster swivel wheels and the middle wheel rotates about
a fixed axle.
[0021] In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to a
process for transporting a pallet having a base configuration, the
process comprising the step of providing a pallet transportation
assembly comprising a first and second tine, each having a top, a
bottom, a front wheel, a middle wheel, a rear wheel and a riser;
and a body coupled to the first and second tines comprising a tine
adjustment system; a wheel, and a vertical backing portion; wherein
the front wheel and rear wheel have a first aspect ratio and the
middle wheel has a second aspect ratio greater than the first
aspect ratio; wherein the front and rear wheels are caster swivel
wheels and the middle wheel rotates about a fixed axle; adjusting
each riser to accommodate the base configuration of the pallet;
transporting the pallet; pivoting the pallet transportation
assembly about the middle wheel; and adjusting the riser to
disengage the assembly from the pallet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0022] The invention is described in detail below with reference to
the appended drawings, wherein like numerals designate similar
parts.
[0023] FIG. 1 shows a pallet transportation assembly in accordance
with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 2 shows a riser in accordance with one embodiment of
the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 3 shows a riser in accordance with one embodiment of
the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 4 a pallet transportation assembly in accordance with
one embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 5 a pallet transportation assembly in accordance with
one embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 6 shows a pallet transportation assembly in accordance
with one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] The various features of the embodiments will now be
described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like
parts are identified with the same reference characters. The
following description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but
is provided merely for the purpose of describing the general
principles of the invention.
[0030] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a
pallet transportation assembly is disclosed and described herein
having a number of significant advantages over conventional pallet
transportation assemblies. According the embodiment depicted in
FIG. 1, pallet transportation assembly comprises a first tine and a
second tine each having a top, a bottom, a front wheel, a middle
wheel, a rear wheel, and a riser. A pallet transportation assembly
of the present invention further comprises a body having a tine
adjustment system and a vertical backing portion. In some
embodiments, first tine is similar to second tine, in that each are
parallel to each other, of similar dimensions and configuration,
and lie within the same horizontal plane. First and second tines
are connected to body at their rear-most portion. The first and
second tine further comprises a front wheel, a middle wheel, and a
rear wheel.
[0031] In some embodiments, the front, middle and rear wheels are
configured to provide substantial stability and ease of operation
when transporting loaded pallets, especially when such transport
occurs on a substantially uneven or non-smooth terrain, as in a
gravel parking lot, or one in which the pavement has cracks and/or
potholes. In some embodiments, the front, middle and rear wheels
have an aspect ratio, defined as:
Aspect Ratio = Height of Wheel Width of Wheel ##EQU00001##
[0032] Accordingly, in some embodiments of the present invention
the front and rear wheels have a first aspect ratio and the middle
wheel has a second aspect ratio greater than the first aspect
ratio.
[0033] In some embodiments, the aspect ratios for each wheel are
selected to provide the ability to negotiate substantially uneven
or non-smooth terrain. Furthermore, because wheels are selected
made of the appropriate material, which are not used on known
pallet transportation assemblies, a pallet transportation assembly
of the present invention will not scuff or scrape the floor of a
convenience store or other retail establishment. For example,
according to one embodiment of the present invention, one or more
wheels of the present invention are made with a rubber compound. In
other embodiments, one or more wheels of the present invention are
made from semi-hard plastic.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 4, in some embodiments, the front and rear
wheels are caster swivel wheels, wherein the middle wheel rotates
about a fixed axle. As depicted in the FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the wheel
configuration of the assemblies of the present invention high
maneuverability, including the capability of pivoting in a 360
degree manner about the middle wheels. Increased maneuverability is
advantageous over conventional assemblies because it allows the
operator to negotiate a number of small spaces, ultimately
increasing the efficiency of pallet transport.
[0035] According to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, each tine
comprises one or more risers. In some embodiments, the riser is
located in the plane of the tine and is coupled to the tine
adjustment system. In some embodiment, the tine adjustment system
is configured to move the riser in and out of the plane of the tine
to engage a base configuration of a pallet. In some embodiments the
riser may comprise one or more independent points of contact. For
example, as depicted in FIG. 1, the embodiment shown has four
risers, located in the plane of the tines. In other embodiments,
the risers can be configured to be a singular piece along a length
of the tine. The riser of the present invention may be operated
simultaneously or independently from each other. In some
embodiments the tine adjustment system is configured to
simultaneously move each riser at the substantially the same speed
and height. In some embodiments, the tine adjustment system is
configured to move less than all of the risers located in the plane
of the tines.
[0036] A riser of the present invention is comprised of a material
that is the same as or different than the material from which the
tine is made. For example, in some embodiments, a tine is made from
a metal, e.g. steel, and riser is also made from steel. In other
embodiments, tine 101 is made from a metal, e.g. steel, and riser
is made from a material softer than steel, e.g. rubber. In some
embodiments, the riser is made from a material that reduces damage
to a pallet. Examples of materials from which the riser can be made
include, but are not limited to steel, aluminum, iron, rubber,
polymeric materials, or combinations thereof.
[0037] A riser of the present invention may comprise various shapes
or configurations in order to accommodate various base
configurations of the pallet to be transported. For example, a
riser of the present invention may comprise notches, staggered
heights, platforms, tongue and groove components, or combinations
thereof. While not being bound by any particular theory, in some
embodiments a riser having a configuration that complements a base
configuration of the pallet being transported increases the surface
area shared between the riser and the pallet, thus, increasing the
stability of the pallet being transported.
[0038] While not being bound to one particular theory, the riser of
the present invention allows the assembly to interface with the
pallet without altering the assemblies contact with the ground. For
example, in some embodiments, the pallet is lifted using the riser,
wherein the assembly remains in constant, unchanged contact with
the ground. This allows for increased stability and efficiency when
transporting pallets.
[0039] In some embodiments, the body of the present invention
further comprises a tine adjustment system. In some embodiments, a
tine adjustment system is configured to manipulate a tine and/or a
riser of the present invention. For example, a tine adjustment
system of the present invention may be configured to perform a
number of functions including, but not limited to, elevating the
tines, lowering the tines, adjusting the pitch of the tines,
adjusting the yaw of the tines, adjusting the plane of the tines,
adjusting the length of the tines or combinations thereof. Tine
adjustment systems are generally known to those of skill in the art
and may include, but are not limited to, hydraulic systems,
pneumatic systems, electrical systems, mechanical systems and the
like, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the tine
adjustment system is configured to independently manipulate each
tine and/or riser.
[0040] In some embodiments, a body for use in the present invention
may further include one or more wheels. In some embodiments, the
body wheel assists the operator of the pallet transportation
assembly to maneuver the orientation of the pallet transportation
assembly in space. In some embodiments, wheel 107 free pivots in a
360.degree. manner. In some embodiments, the wheel is connected to
a motor to provide drive to the pallet transportation assembly in
order to facilitate the transportation of pallets using a pallet
transportation assembly of the present invention.
[0041] In some embodiments, the pallet transportation assembly
further comprises a vertical backing portion. In some embodiments,
vertical backing portion serves to provide vertical support to the
goods carried on the pallet to reduce the occurrence of toppling.
In some embodiments, vertical backing portion further comprises a
lashing system. In some embodiments, lashing system provides
increased cargo stability by securing the cargo to the pallet
transportation assembly of the present invention. Examples of
lashing systems suitable for use with the present invention
include, but are not limited to, strap and buckles, cords,
ratcheting systems, and the like, or combinations thereof. In some
embodiments, the lashing system comprises a strap, buckle, and
ratcheting mechanism.
[0042] In some embodiments, the vertical backing portion further
comprises an adjustable wall. The adjustable wall provides
additional cargo support for loads contained on pallets smaller
than the length of the tines. In some embodiments, the adjustable
wall can engage the cargo, wherein the adjustable wall moves from a
compartment located on the body. In some embodiments, the
adjustable wall moves both laterally down the length of the tines
or vertically in the plane of the vertical backing portion. In some
embodiments, the adjustable wall rotates about a fixed point
located in the vertical backing portion. In some embodiments, the
adjustable wall further comprises a lashing system as described
above. In some embodiments, the adjustable wall comprises notches
or cavities which may be used to assist in securing the cargo being
transported. being transported on the pallet transportation
assembly.
[0043] In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to a
process for transporting a pallet having a base configuration, the
process comprising the step of providing a pallet transportation
assembly comprising a first and second tine, each having a top, a
bottom, a front wheel, a middle wheel, a rear wheel and a riser;
and a body coupled to the first and second tines comprising a tine
adjustment system; a wheel, and a vertical backing portion; wherein
the front wheel and rear wheel have a first aspect ratio and the
middle wheel has a second aspect ratio greater than the first
aspect ratio; wherein the front and rear wheels are caster swivel
wheels and the middle wheel rotates about a fixed axle; adjusting
each riser to accommodate the base configuration of the pallet;
transporting the pallet; pivoting the pallet transportation
assembly about the middle wheel; and adjusting the riser to
disengage the assembly from the pallet.
[0044] While not being bound by any particular theory, the present
invention dramatically reduces the materials and resources needed
to transport pallets between locations by providing a pallet
transportation assembly that is capable of transporting pallets
having differing base configurations. Another advantage of the
present invention is the ability to retrofit present pallet
transportation assemblies with the features of the present
invention to increase their utility. For example, the pallet
transportation assemblies described in U.S. Patent Appl. Pub. Nos.
2009/0185890, 2009/0183953, 2008/0149005, 2010/0196134,
2010/0295261 and U.S. Pat. No. 8,011,677, which are incorporated by
reference in their entirety herein, may be suitable candidates for
retrofitting with the features of the presently claimed
invention.
[0045] The present invention has been described with reference to
certain exemplary embodiments thereof. However, it will be readily
apparent to those skilled in the art that it is possible to embody
the invention in specific forms other than those of the exemplary
embodiments described above. This may be done without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention. The exemplary
embodiments is are merely illustrative and should not be considered
restrictive in any way. The scope of the invention is defined by
the appended claims and their equivalents, rather than by the
preceding description.
[0046] All United States patents and applications, foreign patents,
and publications discussed above are hereby incorporated herein by
reference in their entireties.
* * * * *