Patent ID: 6076475
Filing Date: 2000-06-20
Classification: B65D

Abstract:
A divisible shipping platform apparatus for supporting and transporting loads by conventional tined material handling devices, which apparatus can be operably divided into multiple, independent shipping platform units for supporting and transporting loads, said divisible shipping platform apparatus comprising:a substantially flat, planar load-bearing platform member for supporting said load,said platform member having a top surface and a bottom surface opposite said top surface, wherein said load is capable of resting upon said top surface during the storage and transporting of said load;a substantially flat planar bottom panel member positioned substantially parallel to, and distally spaced below said platform member, for supporting and bearing the weight of both said platform member and said load,said bottom panel member having a top surface and a bottom surface opposite said top surface;a plurality of pylons operably positioned between said platform member and said bottom panel member so as to facilitate the insertion, maintenance and removal of one or more tines of said conventional tined material handling devices therebetween, and to further maximize the supportable strength of said apparatus while providing balance, stability and support to said divisible shipping platform apparatus during use thereof,each of said pylons having a top end and a bottom end opposite said top end, and an outer surface,said top end of each of said pylons being operably secured to said bottom surface of said platform member, and said bottom end of each of said pylons being operably secured to said top surface of said bottom panel member;at least one frangibility line operably positioned across at least a portion of at least one of the platform member and the bottom panel member so as to enable severing of at least said portion of one of said platform member and said bottom panel member along said at least one frangibility line to, in turn, facilitate reduction in size of the overall shipping platform apparatus into multiple, independent shipping platform units of smaller size for the subsequent handling, supporting and transporting of loads borne thereby.