Pallet Skids

Abstract

Pallet support members with recessed-shaped sections made from a sheet material of uniform thickness and having a pair of V-shaped parallel channels on one surface of the sheet material, spaced apart from each other a predetermined distance and a second pair of V-shaped parallel channels in the second surface of the sheet material formed intermittent and parallel to the first pair of channels and spaced apart therefrom a predetermined distance whereby said sheet material being connected along the apices of the V-shaped channels to produce a recess-shaped section when the surfaces between immediately adjacent channels are angularly displaced to substantially close said V-shaped channels thereby defining a pallet support member as disclosed herein. Preferably the support members are formed in pairs in longitudinal frame members of a platform.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to spacing means for supporting pallet platforms and more particularly to pallet support members or skids formed from a sheet material of substantial uniform thickness.

In the field of pallet design several methods are already known for supporting and spacing the surface of the pallet from the surface on which the pallet rests, as indicated by the following U.S. Pat: Nos. 3,298,326; 3,272,158; 3,247,810; 3,172,374; 2,706,099; 1,934,389 and 1,736,170.

However, a pallet skid which may be readily formed with woodworking tools yet is of substance sufficient to support substantial loads has not heretofore been realized.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a pallet skid which may be conveniently manufactured with customary woodworking tools and used in combination as a longitudinal frame member for a pallet or platform.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pallet skid which may be used to support a load spaced from and above a floor that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Still another object is to provide a pallet with sufficient clearance between the floor and the platform to adapt it for four-way use by both high and low fork-type lift trucks such that it may be engaged from both ends and both sides by such lifting vehicles.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the figures and wherein:

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a single pallet skid according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a sheet of material suitably notched for forming into a pallet skid.

FIG. 3 is the sheet material of FIG. 2 partially folded before the configuration of FIG. 1 results.

FIG. 4 shows two pallets according to the present invention resting on top of each other.

FIG. 5 shows two pallets according to the present invention, the top pallet being nested in the pallet underneath.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the preferred form of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3, the pallet skid comprises a section of sheet material 10 having two sides, V-shaped grooves 12 and 14 defining parallel channels spaced apart from each other and extending transversely from one edge of the surface of the sheet material to the opposite edge are in the upper surface of sheet material 10 and V-shaped parallel channels or grooves 16 and 18 are formed in the opposite surface of sheet material 10 also parallel to each other and spaced intermittent channels or grooves 12 and 14. It will be understood that the degree of angles of the channels 12, 14, 16 and 18 are subject to wide variation depending upon the ultimate use of pallet skid. For practical purposes, however, I have found that an angle of the order of about 50.degree. is most suitable. Thus, calculated from a line perpendicular through the sheet 10 an angle on either side of the line 25.degree. is desirable. Of course, this is in no matter limiting the novel aspects of the present invention, but merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

FIG. 3 shows the sheet 10 partially folded and FIG. 1 shows sheet 10 folded such that the apices of V-shaped channels 12, 14, 16 and 18 are brought together and connected by a suitable means (not shown) to define a recess-shaped section. As a connecting means there may be used screws, nails, brads, staples, adhesives and the like.

In order that the pallet skid base remain substantially parallel to the floor the distance between channels 12 and 16 should be nearly equal to that between channels 14 and 18. This distance is also governed by another factor, namely the clearance that is desired above the floor level required for the forks of the lift trucks. Generally this is usually of the order of about 3 to 4 inches.

As the sheet material there may be used any robust substantial material of uniform thickness. Although wood and wood products are preferred, it is also possible to use metal and thermoplastic materials such as impact polystyrene, 4-methylpentene-1, high density polypropylene and other rigid thermoplastic substances. Wood is the material of choice in that the platform portion of the pallet is generally formed from wood and the woodworking tools are in most instances available. For example, the V-shaped channels, 12, 14, 16 and 18 can be placed in the surface of the sheet material in a direct manner as the workman is assembling the pallet platform and thereby avoiding the necessity for special equipment and techniques. The depths of grooves or channels 12, 14, 16 and 18 is subject to wide variation and depends, in part, upon the nature and mechanical properties of the sheet material selected. It is desirable that the channels be provided at a depth such that the deepest point of the channel is near or substantial adjacent to the opposite surface of the sheet material. In this manner the sheet material may be deformed to define a recess opening while remaining one integral piece of material. Of course it is also contemplated that the channels may extend from the top surface of the sheet material to the bottom surface resulting in several pieces which must be held together in a jig or the like to be secured together. Once the grooves or channels are placed in the sheet material it is then conformed to a recess-shaped opening and fixed into position by first securing the two edges of the channels together with a suitable means, as for example an adhesive or staple, and then attaching the pallet skid to the base of the platform.

It will be appreciated that in order to manufacture an acceptable pallet it is necessary to have a plurality of pallet skids supporting same. To this end, the present invention encompasses a pallet platform comprising a plurality of transverse members and longitudinal frame members attached thereto. Additional longitudinal frame members are made according to the present invention and include thereon at least two of the pallet support members per longitudinal frame member. This will be more apparent from FIG. 4 wherein longitudinal frame member 20 is securably attached to transverse members 22, 24, 26 and 28. Also attached therein are longitudinal frame members 30 and 32, each carrying two pallet skids on the underside. These second longitudinal frame members are also securably attached to the transverse members. The pallet skids of the present invention may be used in combination with a longitudinal frame member thereby providing additional support for the platform above, securing the shaped pieces of sheet material 10 to the underside of the platform and avoiding "break-through" of separately attached pallet skids or spacers.

Also according to the present invention a plurality of the platforms as previously described may be stacked one on the other with the pallet skids of each superimposed platform in nested relation to the platform below it, thereby permitting stacking and nesting of the platforms in a relatively compact space and reducing space requirements for storage of several of such platforms. As shown in FIG. 5, another embodiment of the invention, the platforms are provided with the recesses between the longitudinal frame members such that the pallet skids of the lower platform receive the legs of a superimposed platform in nested relation. This is accomplished by leaving an opening or recess directly above the skid members by not placing a longitudinal frame member directly thereover. Again the angle of the channels 12, 14, 16 and 18 is important that when the sides of the pallet skid are substantially perpendicular to the platform, difficulty may be experienced when two or more pallets are nested in that the nested pallet skids may be difficult to disengage.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing disclosure relates to only preferred embodiments of the present invention and that numerous modifications or alterations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

I claim:

1. A pallet to support a load spaced from a floor comprising:

a plurality of transverse members;

at least one first longitudinal frame member securably attached to said transverse members;

at least two second longitudinal frame members securably attached to said transverse members;

said second longitudinal frame members carrying sheet material members having two surfaces and cooperating with said second longitudinal members to provide at least two recesses adapted to receive a device for lifting the pallet said sheet material members having a first pair of generally V-shaped parallel channels in said first surface spaced apart a predetermined distance from each other and extending transversely from one edge of the first surface to the opposite edge;

a second pair of V-shaped parallel channels in the second surface formed intermittent and parallel to said first pair of channels and spaced apart from each other a predetermined distance;

each of said first pair and second pair of V-shaped parallel channels independently defining an angle of not greater than about 50.degree.;

said sheet material members being connected along the apices of said V-shaped channels there to produce recess-shaped sections having open sections facing in the direction of said transverse members when the surfaces between immediately adjacent channels are angularly displaced to substantially close said V-shaped channels.

2. A pallet as claimed in claim 1 including apertures between said transverse members and longitudinal frame members in alignment with said recess-shaped sections to permit stacking of a plurality of said pallets in nested relation.

3. A pallet support member as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sheet material comprises wood.