Abstract:
A guard for protecting the sides of a pallet on which goods can be stacked or a merchandise grouping placed on a support surface, the guard comprising a plurality of modular guard sections, each section being couplable to an adjacent section to surround at least a portion of the perimeter of a pallet or merchandise grouping, each modular guard section having a substantially wedge or triangular shape in cross section to increase the stability of the guard section, and the guard sections each having a complementary portion of a joint for coupling the sections together.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    The present application claims the priority and benefit of U.S. Provisional patent applications S. No. 60/415,484 filed Oct. 1, 2002 entitled WEDGE SHAPED PALLET GUARD and 60/476,261 filed Jun. 4, 2003 entitled PALLET GUARD WITH INTERCHANGEABLE SIGNAGE, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to a protector for a pallet or a merchandise grouping placed on the floor or other support surface without a pallet, and in particular to a pallet guard that has increased stability as well as to a pallet guard with changeable displays.  
         DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART  
         [0003]    A pallet guard that is modular and adjustable is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,408,768. The disclosed pallet guard fits around a pallet on which goods for sale or display are stacked or around a merchandise grouping placed on the floor or other support surface and can be adjusted to the size of the pallet in addition to being fitted to one or more pallets placed adjacently in a group.  
           [0004]    Palletized goods are commonly displayed for sale to customers of a business establishment. Displaying goods for sale in this manner is a convenience for business establishments or operators as a large quantity of merchandise can easily be transported out of a stock area utilizing a pallet jack or fork lift and placed with discretion around a store without further handling or arranging of the merchandise. This type of product merchandising is a convenience to store operators and sometimes creates unpleasant effects and poses dangers to its customers. The above described U.S. Pat. No. 5,408,768 shows a pallet guard which can be arranged around the bottom of the pallet to create a quick and inexpensive pleasing visual effect and also to protect customers from injury by the exposed portions of the pallet and protect merchandise from stock carts and shopping carts, which leads to trips and falls over spilled or damaged merchandise and unsaleable merchandise. The pallet guard is arranged around the pallet or merchandise and can be adjusted to the size of the pallet or area of merchandise.  
           [0005]    It is often convenient for retailers to display goods in bulk placed on a pallet in, for example, an aisle of a store, especially a warehouse type store or outlet. Indeed, there are a number of retail establishments that operate on the basis of bulk sales in which goods are typically transported and displayed in palletized units. In this manner, the retailer can obtain cost benefits by being able to restock items as an entire pallet that can be transported from a stock area using a pallet jack or forklift and placed in a desired retail area without having to handle individual pieces. Pallets containing goods for sale are often stored in the retail area itself in storage racks accessible by forklifts that are operated continually while customers shop. Pallet guards also protect the merchandise in these racks by forming a linear barrier between the pallet edge and the selling floor, creating a pleasing visual effect, but side panels need to be used to keep it in place.  
           [0006]    As in the case of warehouses and retail establishments that stock palletized goods, there are often dangers associated with permitting public access to bulk goods stored in palletized units. For example, pallets are often made of unfinished wood with jagged edges that can catch clothing or cause abrasions to unwary customers. Accordingly, a pallet guard can protect customers from injury, while creating a pleasant visual effect to enhance the shopping experience of customers in the retail establishment.  
           [0007]    A problem with existing pallet guards is that they can be unstable, particularly if the pallet guard sections are connected together in a line to protect a series of pallets arranged in a line. The present invention provides a solution to this problem by providing a wedge or triangular shaped pallet guard that is stable, even when protecting a line of adjacently arranged pallets.  
           [0008]    Another problem with existing pallet guard designs is that they contain no means of providing for an indicia of goods or services other than permanent molded-in graphics or pressure sensitive labels offered by the retailer, distributor, manufacturer or other third party related to the retail establishment, or the goods on the protected pallet. Interchangeable signage can incorporate sale items, pricing or tie into seasonal or promotional campaigns.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    The present invention relates to an improved modular guard for a pallet (or a modular guard for protecting a merchandise grouping disposed on a support surface such as the floor without a pallet) having a wedge or triangular shaped design in cross section which increases the stability of the guard particularly when a plurality of the modular guards protect a series of pallets or merchandise arranged in a line.  
           [0010]    The present invention also provides a modular guard with replaceable signage fitted to portions of the guard walls. The placement of the signage permits the guard to be expandable or collapsible without having to adjust the signage. The signage can be related to the goods around which the guard is placed, or can inform the customer about other complementary products or discounts available from manufacturers, distributors or other third parties. Advantageously, the guard has a sloped display frontage for easily viewed displays and is wedge or triangular shaped in cross section for increased stability.  
           [0011]    Pallet guards also protect the merchandise in storage racks by forming a linear barrier along the pallet edge facing the selling floor. This barrier is created with one or more modular pallet guard sections and can be placed in a recess fashion adjacent to the rack stanchions (vertical posts of merchandise racks) in front of the pallet with the ends of the pallet guard abutting the rack stanchion. The pallet guard section can be free standing or attached to the rack stanchion. The pallet guard sections can also be coupled together behind the rack stanchions inside the bay area formed by the racking whereby the pallet guard is between the stanchions and the pallets running in a linear fashion facing the selling floor, or coupled outside of the rack stanchions forming a continuous linear barrier covering both the rack stanchions and the pallet facings. This may be free standing or attached to the stanchions.  
           [0012]    Also pallets are sometimes placed on end isles whereby featured items are offered for sale. In this application three sides of the pallet guard are used to cover the end and side isle facings of the pallet or display thus achieving the same benefits: A pleasant finished look, protection of merchandise being displayed, protection from injuries relating to exposed pallets and damaged merchandise spills, and a fast and inexpensive method of display. Because of the wedge shape and sturdy corners, three modular panels can free stand around the end or be attached to the pallet, display base or isle end. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pallet guard panel with signage according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the view in FIG. 1;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 showing a signage attachment mechanism;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of several assembled pallet guard panels according to the present invention;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of several pallet guard panels assembled in a modular form with a straight line connection;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a pallet guard panel with signage according to another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the pallet guard panel in FIG. 6;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 8 is a close up view illustrating a retaining mechanism for signage according to the present invention;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of several assembled pallet guard panels according to another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an assembly of pallet guard panels according to the embodiment of FIG. 9 with a straight line connection;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of connecting pieces of the embodiment of FIG. 9;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of connection components according to the embodiment of FIG. 9;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 13 is an end perspective view of an extension according to the embodiment of FIG. 9;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a pallet guard assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a pallet guard assembly with straight line extension according to the embodiment of FIG. 14;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 16 is an exploded view of a joint for a pallet guard according to the embodiment of FIG. 14;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 17 is an exploded view of two connective pallet guard sections according to the embodiment of FIG. 14;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 18 is a close up perspective view of a signage attachment according to the embodiment of FIG. 14;  
         [0031]    FIGS.  19 - 22  show another embodiment of a pallet guard;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIGS. 23 and 24 show a further embodiment;  
         [0033]    FIGS.  25 - 26  show yet another embodiment;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 27 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 28 shows the embodiment of FIG. 27 showing the signage removed;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 29 shows the embodiment of FIGS. 27 and 28 arranged in a straight line connection;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 30 shows details of the corner connection of this embodiment;  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 31 shows details of the corner joint section in an exploded view;  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 32 shows details of how the pallet guard sections are coupled in straight line connection;  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 33 shows the straight line connection of FIG. 32 in an exploded view;  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 34 shows the ends of the two telescoping pallet guard sections;  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 35 shows the ends of the two telescoping pallet guard sections coupled to each other;  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 36 shows one embodiment of a portion of a detent mechanism for holding the telescoping adjustable pallet guard sections at a desired length;  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 37 is a view showing a portion of the detent mechanism;  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 38 shows a single pallet protected by a pallet guard according to this embodiment;  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 39 shows a plurality of pallets protected by the pallet guard of this embodiment;  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 40 shows how the signage slides into grooves of the pallet guard section;  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 41 shows details of the slidable signage;  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 42 shows further details of the slidable signage;  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 43 shows a further embodiment of the pallet guard according to the present invention;  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 44 shows the pallet guard of FIG. 43 in a straight line connection;  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 45 shows the signage removed from the embodiment of FIG. 44;  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 46 shows details of the joint between the pallet guard sections in a 90° configuration;  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 47 shows the joint in an exploded view;  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 48 shows the joint in a straight line connection;  
         [0056]    [0056]FIG. 49 shows the joint of a straight line connection in an exploded view;  
         [0057]    [0057]FIG. 50 shows one example of a detent mechanism of this embodiment;  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 51 shows further details of the detent mechanism; and  
         [0059]    [0059]FIG. 52, comprising FIGS. 52A to  52 I, shows three embodiments of a guard section attached to a stanchion of a merchandise rack. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0060]    Referring now to FIGS.  1 - 5 , a section of a pallet guard with signage according to the present invention is illustrated generally as a pallet guard panel  10 . Panel  10  a includes pallet guard module section  12  and a signage  14 . Section  12  is part of a modular panel construction, shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 as modules  40 . Modules  40  include sliding sections  42  that interlock with a complementary joint section  16  of section  12 . The joint section can comprise a complementary recess in one section and projection in the other section, for example, as shown by the joint sections shown in FIG. 11, relating to a different embodiment, where a projection on section  122  interlocks with a recess in the section  120 . Note that these sections can interlock either in a straight line (to protect multiple pallets in a row) or at 90° to go around a pallet corner. Sliding sections  42  are displaced in and out of opening  18  on an end of section  12  opposite to joint section  16 . In accordance with this arrangement, modules  40  can be expanded or collapsed to fit a variety of sizes of pallets around which they are placed.  
         [0061]    In accordance with the present invention, signage  14  on each section  12  is visible from an exterior of the pallet guard and pallet arrangement. Each section of module  40  can contain a different display for advertising, information or aesthetic appeal. The content of signage  14  is typically visible from all angles that modules  40  are visible. Signage  14  also can include information about the contents of goods stored on the pallet around which modules  40  are arranged. For example, it is sometimes the case that boxed goods stacked on a pallet are not easily identifiable by the exterior of the boxes. Accordingly, a customer wishing to select the desired goods from a pallet would need other indicia of the contents of the boxes to ensure proper identification and selection. Signage  14  can include descriptions of the boxed goods on the pallet, in addition to further information concerning the goods, such as, for example, price, sizes of individual containers in the boxes, special features, promotions and the like.  
         [0062]    In accordance with the present invention, it is possible that signage  14  can be shipped with pallets of goods to be displayed and sold in a pallet format or put on at the store by retail or manufacturer&#39;s representiatives. At the retail location, signage  14  is placed in sections  12  to identify the goods and any special features provided with the goods. As the goods are sold, signage  14  can be replaced with new or additional signage provided, for example, by the manufacturer or retailer to note further improvements or sales.  
         [0063]    Referring now to FIG. 3, a cutaway section of section  12  and signage  14  are shown slightly separated from each other. Signage  14  includes a tab  30  for securing signage  14  to section  12 . Section  12  includes a notch  32  shaped to receive tab  30  of signage  14 , and retain signage  14  in a front, flat recess of section  12 . As shown in FIG. 2, a number of tabs  30  are provided on signage  14  to fit into mating notches  32  on section  12 . It should be apparent that, while signage  14  is shown to have a size and shape approximately the same as that of the flat recess in section  12 , the device should not be considered to be so limited. For example, signage  14  can have a greater width for the same length, so that signage  14  bows outward from section  12  in the shape of an arc or cylinder section. In addition, a number of notches  32  can be provided in section  12  to permit a number of signages  14  to be accommodated on a single section  12 . It is preferred, however, that signage  14  be essentially shaped and sized to the flat recess in section  12 , so that it can receive support from section  12  and obtain a level of resistance to impacts or other external forces that might otherwise damage signage  14 .  
         [0064]    Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, it should be apparent that signages  14  can be made flexible to extend around a corner of assembled modules  40 , or extend across a junction of assembled modules  40  so that signage  14  can be provided as a long ribbon-like component that attaches simply to sections  12  on the different modules  40 . In such a case, signage  14  is provided with slack material to permit modules  40  to slidably expand without having to remove signage  14 . It should also be apparent that signages  14  can have texture or a three-dimensional look and/or feel.  
         [0065]    Referring now to FIGS.  6 - 8 , a second embodiment according to the present invention is illustrated with like numerals representing similar elements to those of the previous embodiment. According to this embodiment, a section  64  is similar in all respects to previously described section  12 , with the exception of the configuration of the signage. Section  64  includes retainer tabs  62  for retaining a signage  60 , shown to have a rectangular size and shape. In accordance with this embodiment, signages  60  need not be specially configured with tabs, but rather can take a size and shape approximately the same as that of the flat recess of section  64  and be properly retained by tabs  62 . It should be apparent that any number of tabs  62  can be provided to retain signage  60  on section  64 . Accordingly, signages  60  need not be precisely shaped or sized to be accommodated in the flat recess in section  64 . Furthermore, if signage  60  extends across several modules including sections  64 , the need for slack to permit slidable expansion of the pallet guard is greatly reduced. That is, flexible material can be provided for signage  60  to permit signage  60  to wrap around corners or across module joints while still closely fitting to the pallet guard surface and sliding within the flat recess under tabs  62 .  
         [0066]    Signage  14  and  60  can comprise any type of material suitable for display, including metal, plastic, cardboard, textile, or any other type of material that can be retained in sections  12  and  64 . In addition, or alternatively, signage  14  and  60  can be secured in place with other attachment devices such as glue, screws, rivets, nails and the like. Signages  14  and  60  are designed to be removable and replaceable, but substantially non-permanent fasteners can be used to secure signages  14  and  60 .  
         [0067]    As noted above, signage  60  is preferably a flat rectangle to permit the flat recess in section  64  to support signage  60 . However, signage  60  can be larger than the flat recess in section  64 , so that it bulges outward or has a three-dimensional character. In this way, information on signage  60  can be arranged to be more easily observed by the shopper or viewer.  
         [0068]    Referring now to FIGS.  9 - 13 , another embodiment of a pallet guard according to the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, extruded or molded sections  90  are slidable on molded panels  92 , to form pallet guard module  94 . Modules  94  are connected at a joint  96  to form a 90° corner for arrangement around a corner of a pallet. Alternatively, the two sections  120  and  122  (see FIG. 11) at joint  96  can be connected in-line at 180° to extend the pallet guard about multiple in-line pallets. In this embodiment, the sections  90  and  92  are made wedge shaped or triangular shaped in cross section, thus increasing the stability of the pallet guard, particularly when the pallet guard sections are coupled together in-line to protect a plurality of linearly arranged pallets. Also, in this embodiment, signage  98  is slidable within section  90 , as illustrated more clearly in FIG. 13. In FIG. 13, two retaining rails  132  are shaped to form channels  130  that cooperate with an edge of signage  98  to retain signage  98  on section  90 . Signage  98  can be installed in section  90  by being slid into channels  130  from an end of section  90 . Alternatively, signage  98  is flexible and is installed on section  90  by placing an edge in one channel  130 , slightly deforming signage  98  so that it bows outward away from section  90 , and then installing the other edge of signage  98  into the other channel  130 .  
         [0069]    Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, assembly of two modules  94  in a 90° relationship is illustrated. A connector  120  is fitted to a section  90  to mate with a complementary connector  122  that is provided as an integral part of panel  92 . The arrangement of connectors  120 ,  122  in cooperation provides a 90° angle connection for the pallet guard junction  96 .  
         [0070]    An extended straight line connection like that illustrated in FIG. 10 is obtained by orienting section  90  with connector  120  in line with panel  92 . Connectors  120 ,  122  cooperate in this configuration to maintain an in-line relationship between two panels  92 . Accordingly, sections  90  provide a housing for retaining connector  120 , as well as receiving panel  92  in a slidable relationship to provide expansion for each pallet guard module  94 .  
         [0071]    In the embodiments of FIGS.  9 - 13 , signage  98  is presented at an angle or slant with the vertical so that a content of signage  98  can be easily read from a number of locations, including when pallet guard modules  94  are placed on a floor. As with the previous pallet guard embodiments, signage  98  can be made to extend around a joint  96  and be received on another section  90  to form a ribbon-like display. Signage  98  can also be made to be three-dimensional, and can be comprised of multiple panels that are independent and individually removable or positioned. In addition, all of the components of the pallet guard according to this embodiment can be made of any type of material, including signage  98 , although plastic or resin material is preferred for durability and ease of use.  
         [0072]    Other advantages of the wedge or triangular shaped design include that the bottom of the pallet guard sections, by virtue of their wedge shape, extend further outward than the tops of the pallet guard sections, thus providing clearance between shopping carts and stock carts (whose chassis or wheels strike the pallet guards) and the merchandise stacked on the pallet. Additionally, because the pallet guards extend past the pallet, it is possible to allow greater overhang of the merchandise on the pallet over the pallet guard, due to the wedge-shaped design.  
         [0073]    Referring now to FIGS.  14 - 18 , another embodiment of a pallet guard according to the present invention is illustrated. In this embodiment, a section  140  carries signage  146  for display at an angle to the observer. A panel  142  is shaped to fit and slide within section  140  to provide extendible adjustment for a dimension of the pallet guard device. Section  140  and panel  142  each have a complementary connector  160 ,  162 , respectively, that cooperate to couple section  140  and panel  142  together in a pivotable relationship. Connectors  160 ,  162  cooperate to form a pivotable joint  144  that permits section  140  and panel  142  to have an angular relationship in the range of 90° to 180° (corner connection to straight line connection). Both a straight line and corner connection relationship for joint  144  are illustrated in FIG. 15. Signage  146  may be attached to section  140  with tabs  180  that fit into notches  182  to secure the long edges of signage  146  to section  140 . The relationship between tabs  180  and notches  182  is similar to that described in the first embodiment of FIGS.  1 - 5  and will not be repeated here. See FIG. 18. Also, other signage holding mechanisms can be employed, such as the slide-in tracks discussed later herein. However, it should be apparent that signage  146  can be made to extend around a corner including joint  144  of the pallet guard according to the fourth embodiment, such that signage  146  is retained by more than one section  140 .  
         [0074]    FIGS.  19 - 22  show another embodiment of a pallet guard according to the invention. FIG. 19 shows the pallet guard comprising pallet guard module sections  1  comprising two sections  20  and a middle section  10 . The module sections  1  are coupled by a pivotable joint section  20 , shown in more detail in FIGS. 21 and 22. FIG. 20 shows the pallet guard extending around a plurality of pallets, such that one of the joint sections  30  is pivoted to an in-line position. FIG. 21 shows details of the sections of the pallet guard showing how each module section  1  has a telescoping slidable inner member  10  which slides within at least one of two adjacent outer members  20  so it is adjustable to the side of the pallet. A hinge  25  is provided which is hinged at a joint section  30  which is slidable within the two adjacent members  20 . The corner can rotate through an angle of 90° as shown in FIG. 22 (straight line to corner connection).  
         [0075]    [0075]FIG. 20 shows that multiple pallets can be accommodated by setting the angle of the corner section to a straight line configuration.  
         [0076]    [0076]FIGS. 23 and 24 show another embodiment employing a live or molded-in flexible hinge  25 A at the corner to accommodate the corner angle. FIG. 24 shows that the live hinge can be set straight to accommodate multiple pallets arranged adjacent each other.  
         [0077]    [0077]FIGS. 25 and 26 show a third embodiment having a separate fixed corner piece  30 B which snaps or slides into the adjacent straight sections  1 B. The straight sections  1 B telescope to the required length. Should it be desired to have the pallet guard arranged in multiple adjacent pallets, the straight side sections snap or slide into each other to extend around multiple adjacent pallets. The members  20 B have portions  20 C (FIG. 26) onto which the corner members  30 B snap or slide. The corner pieces are only used at the corners in this embodiment.  
         [0078]    In these embodiments, the inner members  10  can be fixed to or be separated from (and slidable in) an adjacent member  20 ,  20 A,  20 B.  
         [0079]    FIGS.  27 - 42  show yet another embodiment of the invention. FIG. 27 shows two pallet guard module sections each comprising two sections  200  and  202  connected by a corner section  210 . The telescoping section  202  slides in each of the sections  200 .  
         [0080]    [0080]FIG. 28 shows how the signage is retained in a section  200 . Preferably, as shown in FIGS.  40 - 42 , the signage  204  is slid into channels  206  provided at the bottom and top of the triangular or wedged shaped pallet guard section  200 .  
         [0081]    [0081]FIG. 29 shows two modular sections each comprising a telescoping section  200  and  202  arranged in an in-line configuration. In arranging the modular sections in the in-line configuration, the corner section  210  is removed and section  202  couples into a complementary end connection of section  200  or stands alone in an in-line configuration.  
         [0082]    [0082]FIG. 30 shows the corner section  210  connected to a section  202  and a section  200  to make a 90° bend. Show in more detail in FIG. 31, section  210  includes a projecting section  212  which is slidably received in a triangular shaped channel  214  of section  202 . Likewise, a projecting section  216  (identical to projecting section  212 ) of section  200  is received in a corresponding triangular recess or channel  218  (identical to channel or recess  214 ) of corner section  210 .  
         [0083]    [0083]FIG. 32 shows how the sections  200  and  202  are joined to make a straight in-line connection. The channel  214  is adapted to slide over the projection  216  to hold the sections  200  and  202  in an in-line connection. This is shown in an exploded view in FIG. 33. The section  210  is not used when making an in-line connection or when the pallet guard is used as a linear barrier to protect goods stored in a rack.  
         [0084]    [0084]FIGS. 34 and 35 show how section  202  telescopes into section  200 . Preferably, a projection  220  is provided at the bottom of section  202  which has a lip  222  which snaps over a bridge  224  provided at the bottom of section  200 . As shown, in order to save material, the bottom of sections  200  and  202  are preferably open, with the exception of the bridge sections  224 . Further, the back surface of the pallet guard section  200  and/or  202  (the surfaces facing the pallet) can be made open to save material, or can be made substantially open, with bridge like members like member  224  provided for strength and rigidity at spaced intervals.  
         [0085]    [0085]FIGS. 36 and 37 show that a detent means can be provided to hold the sections  200  and  202  in a semi-fixed, adjustable position with respect to each other. As shown, the detent mechanism can include a small bead-like projection  230  at the top face of section  202  which engages with one of a plurality of recesses  240  arranged in the underside of the top of section  200 , shown in FIG. 37.  
         [0086]    [0086]FIG. 38 shows this embodiment of the pallet guard arranged around a single pallet.  
         [0087]    [0087]FIG. 39 shows this embodiment of the pallet guard arranged around a plurality of pallets.  
         [0088]    FIGS.  43 - 51  show yet still a further embodiment of the pallet guard according to the present invention. In this embodiment, each modular pallet guard section includes a first section  300  and a section  302  which telescopes into section  300 . A joint section  310  is provided connecting each modular section to the adjacent modular section. This joint section  310  comprises end portions of complementary sections  302  and  300  and which can be arranged either 90° or in a straight line configuration as shown in FIG. 43.  
         [0089]    [0089]FIG. 44 shows two modular sections each comprising sections  300  and  302  arranged in a straight line configuration.  
         [0090]    [0090]FIG. 45 shows the signage  304  removed from one of the pallet guard modular sections. The signage  304  may be maintained in the pallet guard section in the same way as described in any of the other embodiments.  
         [0091]    [0091]FIG. 46 shows the section  302  coupled to an adjacent section  300  via the joint  310 . As shown in FIG. 47, section  302  includes a projecting member  340  having a vertically oriented projection  342  which is received in a recess  344  of a projecting section  346  that projects from a section  300 . The members  340  and  346  can be coupled together in the 90° corner arrangement shown in FIGS. 46 and 47 or in the straight line configurations shown in FIG. 48 and FIG. 49. FIG. 49 shows an exploded view of the joint arranged in a straight line configuration.  
         [0092]    [0092]FIG. 50 shows another embodiment of a detent mechanism which can be used with any of the various embodiments described and which may be utilized with the embodiment described with respect to FIGS.  43 - 51 . As shown, the detent mechanism includes two horizontally extending members  350  and  352  each provided with a plurality of notches  360 ,  362 , respectively. When telescoping member  302  is received in member  300 , notches  362  receive, depending upon the adjustment of the members  300  and  302 , an edge  372  of a vertically aligned fin  371  and notches  360  receive a vertically aligned edge  370  of the fin  371 .  
         [0093]    [0093]FIG. 51 shows the detent mechanism when the members  300  and  302  are telescoped together showing how the fin  371  is received in respective pairs of the matches  360 ,  362  to effect a detent adjustment of the two members  300  and  302  whereby the members  300  and  302  can be adjusted in a detented fashion to the desired length.  
         [0094]    [0094]FIG. 52 shows how the pallet guard section can be used to protect a merchandise rack and wherein the pallet guard section or sections are attachable to the rack stanchion or stanchions with an attachment member. The pallet guard sections can be wedge-shaped or non-wedge-shaped, i.e., rectangular in cross section.  
         [0095]    [0095]FIGS. 52A to C show a first embodiment comprising a slide-on or snap on embodiment wherein the channel  500  of the guard section slides or snaps onto the stanchion  502 . FIG. 52C shows two adjustable guard sections fastened to three stanchions  502 .  
         [0096]    [0096]FIG. 52D to F show a second bolt-on embodiment. The stanchion  502 A has holes  502 AA to receive the bolts.  
         [0097]    [0097]FIGS. 52G to I show a third clip-on embodiment wherein the channels have hook-shaped tabs  500 A that engage and hook over the holes in the stanchion to maintain the guard sections in position.  
         [0098]    As understood herein, the term “pallet guard” is used to denote a protective guard for a pallet on which goods are stacked as well as a protector for a grouping of merchandise stacked directly on a floor or support surface without a pallet.  
         [0099]    Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the present invention should be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.