U.S. patent application number 16/402417 was filed with the patent office on 2019-11-07 for pallet.
The applicant listed for this patent is Brian O'Connell. Invention is credited to Brian O'Connell.
Application Number | 20190337673 16/402417 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 68384529 |
Filed Date | 2019-11-07 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190337673 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
O'Connell; Brian |
November 7, 2019 |
PALLET
Abstract
An improved pallet may include a support deck with an upper load
contacting surface and a lower ground facing surface that may each
be positioned along a first sidewall and an opposingly positioned
second sidewall. One or more ground contacting legs may be coupled
to or integrated in the first sidewall and to the second sidewall.
A first deck edge may be coupled to the support deck and may extend
between the first sidewall and the second sidewall. A second deck
edge may also be coupled to the support deck and may be opposingly
positioned to the first deck edge, and the second edge may extend
between the first sidewall and the second sidewall. Preferably, the
pallet may comprise one or more sidewall recessed pockets which may
be coupled to or positioned along at least one sidewall and/or one
or more edge recessed pockets which may be coupled to at least one
deck edge.
Inventors: |
O'Connell; Brian;
(Huntersville, NC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
O'Connell; Brian |
Huntersville |
NC |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
68384529 |
Appl. No.: |
16/402417 |
Filed: |
May 3, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62666437 |
May 3, 2018 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 19/0018 20130101;
B65D 2519/00318 20130101; B65D 2519/00815 20130101; B65D 2313/02
20130101; B65D 2519/00064 20130101; B65D 2519/00024 20130101; B65D
2519/00288 20130101; B65D 2519/00069 20130101; B65D 2519/00955
20130101; B65D 2519/00029 20130101; B65D 2519/00034 20130101; B65D
2519/00273 20130101; B65D 2519/00338 20130101; B65D 2519/00562
20130101; B65D 19/004 20130101; B65D 2519/00039 20130101; B65D
2519/00741 20130101; B65D 2519/00323 20130101; B65D 2519/00059
20130101; B65D 2519/00074 20130101; B65D 2519/00771 20130101; B65D
2519/00293 20130101; B65D 2519/00791 20130101; B65D 2519/00268
20130101; B65D 2519/00572 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 19/00 20060101
B65D019/00 |
Claims
1. An improved pallet, the pallet comprising: a support deck with
an upper load contacting surface and a lower ground facing surface;
a first sidewall and an opposingly positioned second sidewall each
extending downward from the support deck; a first and a second
ground contacting leg positioned along the first sidewall; a third
and a fourth ground contacting leg positioned along the second
sidewall; a first deck edge coupled to the support deck and
extending between the first sidewall and second sidewall; a second
deck edge coupled to the support deck and opposingly positioned to
the first deck edge, the second edge extending between the first
sidewall and second sidewall; a first sidewall recessed pocket
positioned within the first sidewall below the upper load
contacting surface; and a second sidewall recessed pocket
positioned within second sidewall below the upper load contacting
surface, the second sidewall recessed pocket aligned with and
oppositely positioned to the first sidewall recessed pocket.
2. The pallet of claim 1, wherein the first sidewall recessed
pocket and the second sidewall recess pocket each comprise a
vertical backplate coupled to a horizontal shelf.
3. The pallet of claim 2, wherein the first sidewall recessed
pocket and the second sidewall recess pocket each comprise a slot,
the slot being selected from the group consisting of; a horizontal
slot and a vertical slot.
4. The pallet of claim 2, wherein the first sidewall recessed
pocket comprises a horizontal slot.
5. The pallet of claim 4, wherein the horizontal slot is centrally
positioned in the horizontal shelf.
6. The pallet of claim 2, wherein the first sidewall recessed
pocket comprises a vertical slot.
7. The pallet of claim 6, wherein the vertical slot is centrally
positioned in the vertical backplate.
8. The pallet of claim 2, wherein the first sidewall recessed
pocket comprises a horizontal slot and a vertical slot, and wherein
the horizontal slot and vertical slot are in communication with
each other.
9. The pallet of claim 1, further comprising a first standard
lateral access channel, and wherein the first sidewall recessed
pocket and second sidewall recessed pocket are positioned above the
first standard lateral access channel.
10. The pallet of claim 9, further comprising a third sidewall
recessed pocket positioned within the first sidewall and further
comprising a fourth sidewall recessed pocket positioned within the
second sidewall, the third sidewall recessed pocket aligned with
the fourth sidewall recessed pocket, and further comprising a
second standard lateral access channel, wherein the third sidewall
recessed pocket and fourth sidewall recessed pocket are positioned
above the second standard lateral access channel.
11. An improved pallet, the pallet comprising: a support deck with
an upper load contacting surface and a lower ground facing surface;
a first sidewall extending below a first side of the support deck
and an opposingly positioned second sidewall extending below a
second side of the support deck; a first and a second ground
contacting leg coupled to the first sidewall; a third and a fourth
ground contacting leg coupled to the second sidewall; a first deck
edge running along the support deck and extending between the first
sidewall and second sidewall; a second deck edge running along the
support deck and opposingly positioned to the first deck edge, the
second edge extending between the first sidewall and second
sidewall; a first sidewall recessed pocket positioned along the
first sidewall; a second sidewall recessed pocket positioned along
the second sidewall, the second sidewall recessed pocket aligned
with the first sidewall recessed pocket; a first edge recessed
pocket positioned along the first deck edge; and a second edge
recessed pocket positioned along the second deck edge.
12. The pallet of claim 11, wherein the first sidewall recessed
pocket, the second sidewall recess pocket, the first edge recessed
pocket, and the second edge recessed pocket each comprise a
vertical backplate coupled to a horizontal shelf.
13. The pallet of claim 12, wherein the first sidewall recessed
pocket, the second sidewall recess pocket, the first edge recessed
pocket, and the second edge recessed pocket each comprise a slot,
the slot is selected from the group consisting of; a horizontal
slot and a vertical slot.
14. The pallet of claim 11, wherein the first sidewall recessed
pocket comprises a horizontal slot.
15. The pallet of claim 14, wherein the horizontal slot is
centrally positioned in the horizontal shelf.
16. The pallet of claim 11, wherein the first sidewall recessed
pocket comprises a vertical slot.
17. The pallet of claim 16, wherein the vertical slot is centrally
positioned in the vertical backplate.
18. The pallet of claim 11, wherein the first sidewall recessed
pocket comprises a horizontal slot and a vertical slot, and wherein
the horizontal slot and vertical slot are in communication with
each other.
19. The pallet of claim 11, further comprising a first standard
lateral access channel, and wherein the first sidewall recessed
pocket and second sidewall recessed pocket are positioned above the
first standard lateral access channel.
20. The pallet of claim 11, further comprising a third sidewall
recessed pocket positioned along the first sidewall, further
comprising a fourth sidewall recessed pocket positioned along the
second sidewall, the third sidewall recessed pocket aligned with
the fourth sidewall recessed pocket, and further comprising a
second standard lateral access channel, wherein the third sidewall
recessed pocket and fourth sidewall recessed pocket are positioned
above the second standard lateral access channel.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of the
filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/666,437, filed
on May 3, 2018, entitled "PALLET WITH RECESSED LOCATIONS", which is
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of material
transporting equipment and devices. More specifically, the
invention relates to improved pallets for use with transporting
devices such pallet jacks as forklifts.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Pallets are commonly used to secure durable goods during
transport between various locations. Typically, a pallet comprises
a square or rectangular load bearing surface or deck configured to
receive goods for storage and transport. Sidewalls with ground
contacting legs extend vertically below the deck forming a space or
cavity suitable to engage various types of pallet transporting
equipment such as hand pallet trucks, Walkie Pallet Jacks,
forklifts, and the like. Pallet transportation equipment commonly
includes two elongated forks known as "tines" which are inserted
under the pallet deck and into the pallet cavity to raise the
pallet off of the ground for transportation.
[0004] Recently, pallets with narrow elongated decks and high
profile designs have become common place. These high profile
pallets may have support decks which are 6 inches or higher above
the ground. While advantageous in certain environments, the high
profile design of these new pallets pose an inherent design issue
that prevents them from being loaded onto a trailer to maximize
cube utilization. Companies that utilize narrow high profile design
(HPD) pallets currently shrink-wrap pallets, a plastic film that
wraps the pallet load which helps contain the load to the pallet
deck during transport. Also, companies attach straps equipped with
hooks and e-track receivers to the sidewalls of HPD pallets which
causes problems during transport. These pallets are loaded side by
side in trailers which causes hooks and e-track hardware become
entangled with one another as they are loaded and unloaded from the
trailer. In addition, when pallet are loaded and placed further
apart to prevent the above issue the cube utilization of the
trailer goes down and operation costs rise.
[0005] Therefore, a need exists for improved pallets that has a
containment design that can easily be adaptable to the various
containment systems and equipment that are on the market today.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] An improved pallet is provided. In some embodiments, the
pallet may include a support deck with an upper load contacting
surface and a lower ground facing surface that may each be coupled
to a first sidewall and an opposingly positioned second sidewall. A
first and a second ground contacting leg may be coupled to the
first sidewall, and a third and a fourth ground contacting leg may
be coupled to the second sidewall. A first deck edge may be coupled
to the support deck and may extend between the first sidewall and
second sidewall. A second deck edge may be coupled to the support
deck and may be opposingly positioned to the first deck edge, and
the second edge may extend between the first sidewall and second
sidewall. A first sidewall recessed pocket may be coupled to the
first sidewall. A second sidewall recessed pocket may be coupled to
the second sidewall, and the second sidewall recessed pocket may be
aligned with the first sidewall recessed pocket.
[0007] In further embodiments, the pallet may include a support
deck with an upper load contacting surface and a lower ground
facing surface that may each be coupled to a first sidewall and an
opposingly positioned second sidewall. A first and a second ground
contacting leg may be coupled to the first sidewall, and a third
and a fourth ground contacting leg may be coupled to the second
sidewall. A first deck edge may be coupled to the support deck and
may extend between the first sidewall and second sidewall. A second
deck edge may be coupled to the support deck and may be opposingly
positioned to the first deck edge, and the second edge may extend
between the first sidewall and second sidewall. A first sidewall
recessed pocket may be coupled to the first sidewall. A second
sidewall recessed pocket may be coupled to the second sidewall, and
the second sidewall recessed pocket may be aligned with the first
sidewall recessed pocket. A first edge recessed pocket may be
coupled to the first deck edge, and a second edge recessed pocket
coupled to the second deck edge.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as
an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying
drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements
and in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 depicts a top perspective view of an example of an
improved pallet according to various embodiments described
herein.
[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates a first side elevation view of an example
of an improved pallet according to various embodiments described
herein.
[0011] FIG. 3 shows a second side elevation view of an example of
an improved pallet according to various embodiments described
herein.
[0012] FIG. 4 depicts a front elevation view of an example of an
improved pallet according to various embodiments described
herein.
[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates a rear elevation view of an example of an
improved pallet according to various embodiments described
herein.
[0014] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an example of a recessed
pocket of an improved pallet according to various embodiments
described herein.
[0015] FIG. 7 depicts a sectional, through line 7-7 shown in FIG.
6, elevation view of an example of a recessed pocket according to
various embodiments described herein.
[0016] FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of another example of
a recessed pocket of an improved pallet according to various
embodiments described herein.
[0017] FIG. 9 shows a sectional, through line 9-9 shown in FIG. 8,
elevation view of an example of a recessed pocket according to
various embodiments described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the invention. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and
all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As
used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended
to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless
the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further
understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when
used in this specification, specify the presence of stated
features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do
not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other
features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups
thereof.
[0019] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and
scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly
understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this
invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such
as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be
interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their
meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present
disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly
formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0020] In describing the invention, it will be understood that a
number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has
individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with
one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed
techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description
will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the
individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the
specification and claims should be read with the understanding that
such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention
and the claims.
[0021] For purposes of description herein, the terms "upper",
"lower", "left", "right", "rear", "front", "side", "vertical",
"horizontal", and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention
as oriented in FIG. 1. However, one will understand that the
invention may assume various alternative orientations and step
sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary.
Therefore, the specific devices and processes illustrated in the
attached drawings, and described in the following specification,
are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined
in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other
physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed
herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims
expressly state otherwise.
[0022] Although the terms "first", "second", etc. are used herein
to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited
by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one
element from another element. For example, the first element may be
designated as the second element, and the second element may be
likewise designated as the first element without departing from the
scope of the invention.
[0023] As used in this application, the term "about" or
"approximately" refers to a range of values within plus or minus
10% of the specified number. Additionally, as used in this
application, the term "substantially" means that the actual value
is within about 10% of the actual desired value, particularly
within about 5% of the actual desired value and especially within
about 1% of the actual desired value of any variable, element or
limit set forth herein.
[0024] A new pallet for material transporting is discussed herein.
In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous
specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough
understanding of the present invention. It will be evident,
however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may
be practiced without these specific details.
[0025] The present disclosure is to be considered as an
exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the
invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or
description below.
[0026] The present invention will now be described by example and
through referencing the appended figures representing preferred and
alternative embodiments. FIGS. 1-5 illustrate examples of an
improved pallet ("the pallet") 100 according to various
embodiments. In some embodiments, the pallet 100 may comprise a
support deck 16 with an upper load contacting surface 13 and a
lower ground facing surface 12 that may each be coupled to or
integrated with a first sidewall 18A and an opposingly positioned
second sidewall 18B. One or more ground contacting legs 15 may be
coupled to or integrated with the first sidewall 18A, and one or
more ground contacting legs 15 may also be coupled to or integrated
with the second sidewall 18B. A first deck edge 16A may be coupled
to or part of the support deck 16 and may extend between the first
sidewall 18A and the second sidewall 18B. A second deck edge 16B
may also be coupled to or be part of the support deck 16 and may be
opposingly positioned to the first deck edge 16A, and the second
edge 16B may extend between the first sidewall 18A and the second
sidewall 18B. Preferably, the pallet 100 may comprise one or more
sidewall recessed pockets 17A which may be coupled to or formed in
the support deck 16 or in at least one sidewall 18A, 18B, and/or
one or more edge recessed pockets 17B which may be coupled to or
formed in at least one deck edge 16A, 16B.
[0027] Generally, a pallet 100 may be configured to support one or
more objects on an upper load contacting surface 13 of the support
deck 16. One or more, such as six, ground contacting legs 15 may be
coupled to or integrated with the sidewalls 18A, 18B, and may be
configured to support the support deck 16 above a ground surface.
The ground contacting legs 15 may be configured in any shape and
size.
[0028] In preferred embodiments, the pallet 100 may comprise one or
more access channels 24A, 24B, 25A, 25B, 26, and the ground
contacting legs 15 may be configured to support the support deck 16
above a ground surface so that the tines of a pallet moving device
may be inserted into the access channels 24A, 24B, 25A, 25B, 26,
and used to lift and otherwise manipulate the pallet 100. In some
embodiments, the pallet 100 may comprise a first standard lateral
access channel 24A and a second standard lateral access channel
24B. The standard lateral access channels 24A, 24B, may be
positioned between the ground contacting legs 15. A tine support
edge 14 may be coupled to each sidewall 18A, 18B, in each standard
lateral access channel 24A, 24B, so that the tines of a pallet
moving device inserted into the standard lateral access channels
24A, 24B, may be contacted by the four tine support edges 14 when
the pallet 100 is lifted by the pallet moving device.
[0029] In some embodiments, the pallet 100 may comprise a first
narrow lateral access channel 25A and a second narrow lateral
access channel 25B. The narrow lateral access channels 25A, 25B,
may also be positioned between the ground contacting legs 15, but
the narrow lateral access channels 25A, 25B, may preferably be
positioned closer to each other than the standard lateral access
channels 24A, 24B. A narrow tine support edge 14A may be coupled to
each sidewall 18A, 18B, in each narrow lateral access channel 25A,
25B, so that the tines of a narrow pallet moving device inserted
into the narrow lateral access channels 25A, 25B, may be contacted
by the four narrow tine support edges 14A when the pallet 100 is
lifted by the narrow pallet moving device.
[0030] In some embodiments, the pallet 100 may comprise one or more
longitudinal access channels 26. The longitudinal access channels
26 may also be positioned between the ground contacting legs 15,
but may be oriented generally perpendicular to the lateral access
channels 24A, 24B, 25A, 25B, so as to extend between the deck edges
16A, 16B. Preferably, the tines of a pallet moving device or narrow
pallet moving device inserted into the longitudinal access channels
26 may be contacted by the lower ground facing surface 12 or other
surface or element when the pallet 100 is lifted by the pallet
moving device or narrow pallet moving device.
[0031] The pallet 100 may comprise one or more recessed pockets
17A, 17B, which may be positioned anywhere on the pallet 100. In
preferred embodiments, one or more sidewall recessed pockets 17A
may be coupled to one or more sidewalls 18A, 18B, and/or one or
more edge recessed pockets 17B may be coupled to one or more deck
edges 16A, 16B.
[0032] In some embodiments, the pallet 100 may comprise a first
sidewall recessed pocket 17A that may be coupled to the first
sidewall 18A and a second sidewall recessed pocket 17A that may be
coupled to the second sidewall 18B, and the second sidewall
recessed pocket 17A may be aligned with the first sidewall recessed
pocket 17A. Two sidewall recessed pockets 17A may be aligned with
each other so that a first sidewall recessed pocket 17A on the
first sidewall 18A may be approximately the same distance from the
deck edges 16A, 16B, as the first sidewall recessed pocket 17A on
the second sidewall 18A is from the deck edges 16A, 16B, as perhaps
best shown in FIG. 1. In preferred embodiments, a first sidewall
18A may comprise or be coupled to two sidewall recessed pockets
17A, and a second sidewall 18B may also comprise or be coupled to
two sidewall recessed pockets 17A.
[0033] In some embodiments, the pallet 100 may comprise a first
edge recessed pocket 17B that may be coupled to the first deck edge
16A and a second edge recessed pocket 17B that may be coupled to
the second deck edge 16B, and the second edge recessed pocket 17B
may be aligned with the first edge recessed pocket 17B. Two edge
recessed pockets 17B may be aligned with each other so that a first
edge recessed pocket 17B on the first deck edge 16A may be
approximately the same distance from the sidewalls 18A, 18B, as the
first edge recessed pocket 17B on the second deck edge 16B is from
the sidewalls 18A, 18B, as perhaps best shown in FIG. 1. In
preferred embodiments, a first deck edge 16A may comprise or be
coupled to two edge recessed pockets 17B, and a second deck edge
16B may also comprise or be coupled to two edge recessed pockets
17B.
[0034] In some embodiments, the pallet 100 may comprise a first
sidewall recessed pocket 17A coupled to the first sidewall 18A and
a second sidewall recessed pocket 17A coupled to the second
sidewall 18B, and the second sidewall recessed pocket 17A may be
aligned with the first sidewall recessed pocket 17A. In further
embodiments, the pallet 100 may include a first standard lateral
access channel 24A, and the first sidewall recessed pocket 17A and
second sidewall recessed pocket 17A may be positioned above the
first standard lateral access channel 24A. In still further
embodiments, the pallet 100 may comprise a third sidewall recessed
pocket 17A coupled to the first sidewall 18A and a fourth sidewall
recessed pocket 17A coupled to the second sidewall 18B, and the
third sidewall recessed pocket 17A may be aligned with the fourth
sidewall recessed pocket 17A. In yet further embodiments, the
pallet 100 may include a second standard lateral access channel
24B, and the third sidewall recessed pocket 17A and fourth sidewall
recessed pocket 17A may be positioned above the second standard
lateral access channel 24B.
[0035] As perhaps best shown in FIGS. 6-9 and in preferred
embodiments, a sidewall recessed pocket 17A and an edge recessed
pocket 17B may be configured substantially similar to each other
with a sidewall recessed pocket 17A coupled to a sidewall 18A, 18B,
and an edge recessed pocket 17B coupled to a deck edge 16A,
16B.
[0036] In some embodiments, a recessed pocket 17A, 17B, may
comprise a vertical backplate 20 which may be coupled to a
horizontal shelf 21. Preferably, a vertical backplate 20 and/or a
horizontal shelf 21 may comprise a generally planar shape, although
a vertical backplate 20 and/or a horizontal shelf 21 may be
configured in any shape and size. Generally, a horizontal shelf 21
may be recessed below the upper load contacting surface 13 of a
support deck 16, and a vertical backplate 20 may be recessed into
or below the surface of a sidewall 18A, 18B, or deck edge 16A, 16B,
depending on if the vertical backplate 20 is part of a sidewall
recessed pocket 17A or an edge recessed pocket 17B,
respectively.
[0037] In some embodiments, a recessed pocket 17A, 17B, may
comprise one or more slots 22, such as one or more vertical
vertical slots 22A and/or one or more horizontal slots 22B.
Generally, a slot 22 may be configured as an opening which may lead
to a cavity 27. In some embodiments, a slot 22 and a cavity 27 may
comprise approximately the same dimensions. In other embodiments, a
cavity 27 may be larger than a slot 22 so that portions of cargo
securing hardware, such as surcingles, e-track receiver anchors,
hook receivers, release buckle receivers hooks, etc., may be
inserted into the cavity 27 via the slot 22 and then turned or
otherwise actuated to removably couple the cargo securing hardware
in the cavity 27 and slot 22.
[0038] In some embodiments, a recessed pocket 17A, 17B, may
comprise a horizontal slot 22B which may be positioned or disposed
in a horizontal shelf 21. In further embodiments, a recessed pocket
17A, 17B, may comprise a horizontal slot 22B which may be centrally
positioned in a horizontal shelf 21 as perhaps best shown in FIGS.
6-9. In some embodiments, a recessed pocket 17A, 17B, may comprise
a vertical slot 22A which may be positioned or disposed in a
vertical backplate 20. In further embodiments, a recessed pocket
17A, 17B, may comprise a vertical slot 22A which may be centrally
positioned in a vertical backplate 20 as perhaps best shown in
FIGS. 6-9. In some embodiments and as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a
recessed pocket 17A, 17B, may comprise a horizontal slot 22B and a
vertical slot 22A, and the horizontal slot 22B and vertical slot
22A may be in communication with each other. In further
embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 9, a recessed pocket 17A, 17B,
may comprise a horizontal slot 22B and a vertical slot 22A, and the
cavities 27 of the horizontal slot 22B and vertical slot 22A may be
in communication with each other. It is to be understood any
vertical slot 22A and horizontal slot 22B of the pallet 100 may be
positioned at various angles along its vertical backplate 20 or
horizontal shelf 21, respectively.
[0039] While some exemplary shapes and sizes have been provided for
elements of the pallet 100, it should be understood to one of
ordinary skill in the art that a recessed pocket 17A, 17B, vertical
backplate 20, horizontal shelf 21, vertical slot 22A, horizontal
slot 22B, and any other element described herein may be configured
in a plurality of sizes and shapes including "T" shaped, "X"
shaped, square shaped, rectangular shaped, cylinder shaped, cuboid
shaped, hexagonal prism shaped, triangular prism shaped, or any
other geometric or non-geometric shape, including combinations of
shapes. It is not intended herein to mention all the possible
alternatives, equivalent forms or ramifications of the invention.
It is understood that the terms and proposed shapes used herein are
merely descriptive, rather than limiting, and that various changes,
such as to size and shape, may be made without departing from the
spirit or scope of the invention.
[0040] Additionally, while some materials have been provided, in
other embodiments, the elements that comprise the pallet 100 may be
made from or may comprise durable materials such as aluminum,
steel, other metals and metal alloys, wood, hard rubbers, hard
plastics, fiber reinforced plastics, carbon fiber, fiber glass,
resins, polymers or any other suitable materials including
combinations of materials. Additionally, one or more elements may
be made from or may comprise durable and slightly flexible
materials such as soft plastics, silicone, soft rubbers, or any
other suitable materials including combinations of materials. In
some embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the
pallet 100 may be coupled or connected together with heat bonding,
chemical bonding, adhesives, clasp type fasteners, clip type
fasteners, rivet type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, other
types of fasteners, or any other suitable joining method. In other
embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the pallet
100 may be coupled or removably connected by being press fit or
snap fit together, by one or more fasteners such as hook and loop
type or Velcro.RTM. fasteners, magnetic type fasteners, threaded
type fasteners, sealable tongue and groove fasteners, snap
fasteners, clip type fasteners, clasp type fasteners, ratchet type
fasteners, a push-to-lock type connection method, a turn-to-lock
type connection method, a slide-to-lock type connection method or
any other suitable temporary connection method as one reasonably
skilled in the art could envision to serve the same function. In
further embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the
pallet 100 may be coupled by being one of connected to and
integrally formed with another element of the pallet 100.
[0041] Although the present invention has been illustrated and
described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and
specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may
perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such
equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope
of the present invention, are contemplated thereby, and are
intended to be covered by the following claims.
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