Abstract:
A pallet comprised of a first deck, a second deck, a dampening device and a shield. The first deck includes an interior surface, an exterior surface and an edge. The second deck includes an interior surface. The dampening device located between the interior surface of the first deck and the interior surface of the second deck. The dampening device configured to contract to counteract a compression force when the first deck and the second deck are pressed together and further configured to deform to counteract an expansive force when the first deck and the second deck are pulled apart. The shield having a first planar member adjacent to the exterior surface of the first deck opposite the dampening device and a second planar member extending from the first planar member to the interior surface of the second deck and adjacent to the edge of the first deck.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to pallets, and more specifically, to shields to protect pallet blocks and stringers. 
     Cushioned pallets (or shock pallets) can be used when shipping fragile products that are susceptible to damage in transit. These pallets are designed with cushioning and/or dampening material integrated in the pallets&#39; blocks and stringers to reduce the shock seen by the products mounted onto the pallets. These pallets can be used to protect large and heavy rack products (1000+ lbs) against shock and/or vibration damage while the product is being shipped. Large rack products can be handled somewhere within the supply chain by a fork lift. This is because the products are so large and heavy, that moving via pallet jack is extremely slow, and depending on the infrastructure, impossible if the rack product needs to change elevation (either go up a hill or sit onto a raised area). Fork lifts are large and generally have to move and turn static products to get them to fit properly within trucks and warehouses to maximize space. In some cases there is not any room, or there is just no time for the fork lift operator to pick a product up and move it via a series of turns. Damage can occur to wooden stringers and blocks and when soft foam blocks are used, the results can be disastrous when a careless or hurried fork lift driver wishes to turn a heavy rack product in transit by using the fork tines to push the blocks. These blocks can be damaged or cut to the point that the pallet integrity is compromised. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a pallet is disclosed. In various embodiments, the pallet may include a first deck having a first interior surface, an exterior surface and an edge. The pallet may also include a second deck having a second interior surface facing the first interior surface of the first deck. In addition, the pallet may include a dampening device between the first interior surface of the first deck and the second interior surface of the second deck. The dampening device may be configured to contract to counteract a compression force when the first deck and the second deck are pressed together and further configured to deform to counteract an expansive force when the first deck and the second deck are pulled apart. Furthermore, the pallet may include a shield. The shield may include a first planar member adjacent to the exterior surface of the first deck opposite the dampening device. The shield may also include a second planar member extending from the first planar member to the second interior surface of the second deck and adjacent to the edge of the first deck. 
     According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a pallet is disclosed. In various embodiments, the pallet may include a first deck having a first interior surface, a first exterior surface, and first edge. The pallet may also include a second deck having second interior surface, a second exterior surface, and a second edge. In addition, the pallet may include a dampening device between the first interior surface of the first deck and the second interior surface of the second deck. Also, the pallet may include a first shield. The first shield may include a first planar member adjacent to the first exterior surface of the first deck and opposite the dampening device. The first shield may also include a second planar member extending from the first planar member towards the second interior surface of the second deck and adjacent to the first edge of the first deck. Furthermore, the pallet may include a second shield. The second shield may include a third planar member adjacent to the second exterior surface of the second deck and opposite the dampening device. The second shield may also include a fourth planar member extending from the third planar member towards the first interior surface of the first deck to at least the second planar member of the first shield. 
     According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a pallet is disclosed. In various embodiments, the pallet may include a first deck having a first interior surface. The pallet may also include a second deck having a second interior surface facing the first interior surface. In addition the pallet may include a dampening device between the first deck and the second deck. Also, the pallet may include a first shield. The first shield may include a first planar member between the first interior surface of the first deck and the dampening device. The first shield may also include a second planar member extending from the first planar member towards the second interior surface of the second deck. Furthermore, the pallet may include a second shield. The second shield may include a third planar member between the second interior surface of the second deck and the dampening device. The second shield may also include a fourth planar member extending from the first planar member towards the first interior surface of the first deck to at least the second planar member of the first shield. 
     The above summary is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings included in the present application are incorporated into, and form part of, the specification. They illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, along with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. The drawings are only illustrative of certain embodiments and do not limit the disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  depicts an exploded view of a block-style pallet positioned for attachment with a shield, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  depicts an exploded view of a block-style pallet with a dampening device and positioned for attachment with a shield, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  depicts an example of a dampening device, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  depicts an example cross sectional view of a portion of a pallet with a dampening device, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  depicts another example cross sectional view of a portion of a pallet with a dampening device, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 6  depicts another example cross sectional view of a portion of a pallet with a dampening device, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Aspects of the present disclosure relate to pallets, more particular aspects relate to shields to protect pallet blocks and stringers. While the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to such applications, various aspects of the disclosure may be appreciated through a discussion of various examples using this context. 
     Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward a shield configured to protect blocks and stringers of pallets from damage. Particular embodiments can have a pallet comprised of a first deck, a second deck, blocks or stringers between the decks, and protective shields covering or guarding the blocks and stringers. In certain embodiments, the shield can be a single piece and in other embodiments, the shield may be made up of two separate pieces. Particular pallet embodiments can have cushioned blocks or stringers (e.g., foam or rubber) used to dampen or absorb shock to the pallet when the pallet is being used (e.g., when products are being stacked on the pallet or when the pallet is being moved). Cushioned blocks can be more susceptible to damage than regular hard blocks (e.g., wood blocks). The shield may be connected to the pallet in a position that guards against possible hazardous objects, but still allows the cushioned block to use its dampening properties to soften or absorb some of the shock to the pallet. For example, pallets with cushioned blocks can be used so that high-end devices (e.g., servers that can cost in upwards of a million dollars) can be moved and shipped without being damaged. These devices can be extremely heavy (e.g., upwards of 1000 lbs) and it could be too difficult to pick up and turn the pallet and device. Tines on forklifts are then used to turn the palletized device by pushing on a cushioned block. As a result, the cushioned block can be damaged and a pallet with a damaged block may no longer have the same dampening properties and the device may be more susceptible to damage. Particular embodiments can have a cushioned block that is susceptible to coming into contact with the tines of a forklift. According to various embodiments, a shield may protect the cushioned block from the tines, allowing the cushioned block to dampen the shock and vibrations that the pallet may experience during movement and shipping. 
     According to various embodiments, a block or stringer between decks of a pallet can be a damping device. The damping device can be configured to counteract the compressing and extending of the pallet. In certain embodiments, when the first deck and the second deck are pressed together, the damping device can contract such that, the more the first deck and the second deck are pressed together, the greater the force the damping device uses to push the first deck and the second deck apart. Then, when the first deck and the second deck are pulled apart, the damping device can deform such that, the more the first deck and the second deck are separated, the greater the force the damping device uses to pull the first deck and the second deck back together. In particular embodiments, the damping device can expand so that the force increases as the damping device is stretched. In other embodiments, the damping device can be configured with an absorption mechanism that is outside the first and second deck and the absorption mechanism can contract so that the force increases as the first deck and the second deck are pulled apart. 
     Various embodiments can have the shield configured to protect the damping device from damage. In one embodiment, the first deck of the pallet is the top deck and the second deck is the bottom deck. The shield can have a first planar member that is adjacent to the top surface of the top deck or the bottom surface of the bottom deck. When the first planar member is adjacent to the top surface of the top deck, the shield can have a second planar member that is adjacent to an edge of the top deck so that the shield overlaps the top deck and the second planar member can extend at least to the top surface of the bottom deck. In this configuration, the shield can cover the damping device from potential hazards (e.g., the tines of a fork lift) and reside outside the pallet so the second planar member does not push against the top surface of the bottom deck when the top deck and the bottom deck are pressed together. As a result, the shield may not interfere with the dampening properties of the dampening device. 
     When the first planar member is adjacent to the bottom surface of the bottom deck, the second planar member can be adjacent to an edge of the bottom deck so that the shield overlaps the bottom deck and the second planar member can extend at least to the bottom surface of the top deck. Similar to the previous embodiment, this will allow the shield to cover the damping device and reside outside the pallet so the second planar member does not push against the bottom surface of the top deck when the top deck and the bottom deck are pressed together. 
     In another embodiment, the shield can be comprised of a top shield and a bottom shield. The top shield can have a first planar member that is adjacent to the top surface of the top deck and a second planar member that is adjacent to the edge of the top deck. The bottom shield can have a first planar member that is adjacent to the bottom surface of the bottom deck and a second planar member that extends at least to the second planar member of the top shield and overlaps the second planar member of the top shield. In this configuration, the shield can cover the damping device from potential hazards and the shields may not push against the decks of the pallets or one another when the top deck and the bottom deck are pressed together. In another embodiment, the second planar member of the bottom shield can be adjacent to the edge of the bottom deck and the second planar member of the top shield can overlap the second planar member of the bottom shield. In this configuration the shields can work similar to the previous configuration. 
     In still another embodiment, the top shield can have a first planar member that is adjacent to the bottom surface of the top deck and a second planar member that is adjacent to the block, stringer, or dampening device. The bottom shield can have a first planar member that is adjacent to the top surface of the bottom deck and a second planar member that extends at least to the second planar member of the top shield and overlaps the second planar member of the top shield. In this configuration, the shield can cover the damping device from potential hazards and the shields may not push against the decks of the pallets or one another when the top deck and the bottom deck are pressed together. In yet another embodiment, the second planar member of the bottom shield can be adjacent to the block, stringer, or dampening device and the second planar member of the top shield can overlap the second planar member of the bottom shield. In this configuration the shields can work similar to the previous configuration. 
     Turning now to the figures,  FIG. 1  depicts an exploded view of a block-style pallet  100  positioned for attachment with a shield, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. The pallet  100  may be constructed from wood or another suitable material. According to various embodiments, the pallet  100  can include a top deck  102 , a bottom deck  104 , blocks  118 ,  120 ,  122 , top shields  106 ,  108 ,  110 , and bottom shields  112 ,  114 ,  116 . The top and bottom decks can be constructed from two or more planks  124 , as shown, or from a single sheet of material. In certain embodiments, blocks  112 ,  114 , and  116  can be cushioned blocks (e.g., foam and rubber) and the top shields and bottom shields can be metal, molded plastic, wood, etc. Top shields  106 ,  108 , and  110  can be attached to the top deck  102  and bottom shields  112 ,  114 , and  116  can be attached to the bottom deck  104  using nails, screws, or another type of fastener. In various embodiments, one or more of the top shields  106 - 110  or the bottom shields  112 - 116  may be integrally formed, respectively, with a top or bottom deck  102 ,  104 . The top shields and bottom shields can also be attached to the blocks using nails, screws, or another type of fastener. 
     The arrows in the exploded view of  FIG. 1  are meant to depict the direction the different parts move to assemble the pallet  100 . As shown, during assembly, the planks  124  of the top deck  102  move down and the planks  124  of the bottom deck  104  move up. In particular embodiments, the bottom shields  112 ,  114 , and  116  are above the bottom deck  104 . The bottom shield  112  can be comprised of a front planar member  126 , side planar members  127 ,  128 , and a bottom planar member (not visible in  FIG. 1 , but can be seen in  FIG. 2  as bottom planar member  227 ) (bottom shields  114  and  116  can also be comprised of a front planar member, side planar members, and a bottom planar member; however, they are not numbered in  FIG. 1 ). When the pallet  100  is assembled, the bottom shields can be attached to the blocks using nails, screws, or another type of fastener so that the top deck  102  is secured to the bottom deck  104 . In addition, the bottom planar member of the bottom shield  112  can be adjacent to a top surface  129  of the bottom deck. The bottom shield  112  can also include the front planar member  126  and side planar members  127 ,  128  to partially or completely enclose a respective block  118 . 
     In various embodiments, the top shields  106 - 110  can be comprised of a front planar member  130 , side planar members  131 ,  132 , and a top planar member  133 . When the pallet  100  is assembled, the top shields can be attached to the blocks using nails, screws, or another type of fastener so that the top deck  102  is secured to the bottom deck  104 . In addition, the top planar member  133  can be adjacent to a bottom surface  134  of the top deck. The top shield  110  can also include the front planar member  130  and side planar members  131 ,  132  to at least partially enclose block  122 . 
     A direction proceeding from a bottom deck to a top deck may be referred to herein as a “vertical” direction. A direction perpendicular to the vertical direction may be referred to herein as a “horizontal” direction. The vertical width of the top shields  106 - 110  and bottom shields  112 - 116  may each be less than the vertical widths of the blocks  118 - 122 . In addition, the vertical width of the top shields  106 - 110  and bottom shields  112 - 116  may each be greater than fifty percent of the vertical widths of the blocks  118 - 122 . Accordingly, each top shield may overlap vertically with a corresponding bottom shield as shown in  FIG. 4 . As one example, the vertical widths of blocks  118 - 122  may be 15 cm and the vertical widths of the top shields  106 - 110  and bottom shields  112 - 116  may each be 8 cm. Moreover, the top shields  106 - 110  and bottom shields  112 - 116  may be offset from in a horizontal direction so that the shields do not contact one another in an assembled position. 
     The example top shields  106 ,  108 ,  110  and bottom shields  112 ,  114 ,  116  generally have three or four planar members (e.g.,  126 ,  127 ,  128 ,  130 ,  131 ,  132 , and  133 ) that cover, partially or completely enclose, go around, overlap, and protect blocks  112 ,  114 , and  116  from damage by accepting, absorbing and spreading out a force when a damage causing device (e.g., the tines of a forklift) hits the blocks. To provide the feature of spreading and absorbing forces, the three or four planar members of the top shields and bottom shields should be strong and therefore comprised of a suitable material such as metal or molded plastic and may be, for example, thick. 
     One example of a damage causing event that can occur to a pallet is when a device is heavy and there is little room to lift and rotate the palletized device. In theses instances, the tines of a forklift can be used to push on a block of a pallet at an angle that can slide and rotate the palletized device. This pushing can damage the integrity of the block such that further degradation occurs even if all future pallet uses are more proper. Another example of a damage causing event is when a pallet is being approached and the tines are either not inline with the openings of the pallet or the pallet is not being addressed square on. Rather than slide into the appropriate openings and proceed parallel to the stringers or blocks, the points of the tines can hit and gouge, splinter, or dent the blocks. To mitigate the damage that can be caused by the tines, the top shields  106 ,  108 ,  110  can vertically overlap bottom shields  112 ,  114 ,  116  such that the blocks  118 ,  120 , and  122  are not exposed to the tines and the top shields and bottom shields can take the brunt of the force. 
       FIG. 2  depicts an exploded view of a block-style pallet  200  with a dampening device and positioned for attachment with a shield, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. The pallet  200  may be constructed from wood or another suitable material. According to various embodiments, the pallet  200  can include a top deck  202 , a bottom deck  204 , dampening devices  212 ,  214 ,  216 , and shields  206 ,  208 ,  210 . The top and bottom decks can be constructed from two or more planks  224 , as shown, or from a single sheet of material. The shields  206 ,  208 , and  210  can be attached to the bottom deck  204  using nails, screws, or another type of fastener. In various embodiments, one or more of the shields  206 - 210  may be integrally formed, respectively, with the bottom deck  204 . In addition, the shields can be metal, molded plastic, wood, etc. 
     The arrows in the exploded view of  FIG. 2  are meant to depict the direction the different parts move to assemble the pallet  200 . As shown, during assembly, the planks  224  of the top deck  202  move down and the planks  224  of the bottom deck  204  move up. In particular embodiments, the shield  206  can have a front planar member  226 , a bottom planar member  227 , and a side planar member  228  (shield  208  can also be comprised of a front planar member and a bottom planar member and shield  210  can be comprised of a front planar member, a side planar member, and a bottom planar member; however, they are not number in  FIG. 2 ). When the pallet  200  is assembled, the bottom planar member  227  can be adjacent to a bottom surface  229  of the bottom deck. In addition, the shield  206  can include the front planar member  226  that is adjacent to an edge  230  of the bottom deck  204  and the side planar member  228  that is adjacent to another edge  231  of the bottom deck  204 . The front planar member  226  and the side planar member  228  can extend at least to a bottom edge  232  of the top deck to partially or completely cover, overlap, and protect dampening device  212  from damage by accepting, absorbing and spreading out a force when a damage-causing device (e.g., the tines of a forklift) would otherwise hit the blocks, similar to the top shields and bottom shields from  FIG. 1 . Furthermore, because the shields are adjacent to and border and the edges of the bottom deck  204  (essentially wrapping around the corner of the bottom deck  204 ), they may be offset horizontally from the top deck  202 . As a result, when the top deck  202  and bottom deck are pressed together, the front planar member  226  and the side planar member  228  may not press against the top deck. As a result, the shields may not interfere with the dampening and absorbing properties of the dampening devices. 
       FIG. 3  depicts an example of a dampening device  300 , consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure.  FIG. 3  illustrates the change in the vertical dimension of a dampening device, such as the various dampening devices discussed herein may undergo during operation. The damping device  300  can be configured to counteract the compressing and extending of the pallet (e.g., pallet  200 ). Under no load (e.g., when a pallet is not in use and does not have a device on top of it) the dampening device may have a vertical dimension  300 A. In particular embodiments, the damping device can be configured to stretch when the first deck and the second deck are pulled apart and the dampening device may have a vertical dimension  300 B 304 . In this configuration, the force exerted by the dampening device  300  may increase as the decks are extended apart. In addition, in certain embodiments, when the first deck and the second deck are pressed together, the damping device may contract and have a vertical dimension  300 C. In this configuration, the force exerted by the dampening device may increase as the decks are compressed together. However, this is only one embodiment and there may be other configurations of the dampening device. For instance, the damping device can be configured with an absorption mechanism that would lie above a top deck, below a bottom deck, or both and the absorption mechanism could be configured to contract so that the force it exerts increases as the top deck and the bottom deck are pulled apart. 
       FIG. 4  depicts an example cross sectional view of a portion of a pallet  400  with a dampening device  422 , consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. The pallet can include a bottom shield  407  and a top shield  406 . The dampening device  422  can include a screw  408 , a nut  410 , a washer  412 , absorption mechanism  414 , neoprene pad  420 , a foam block  416 , and a plunger  418 . The screw  408 , nut  410 , and washer  412  can be for connection purposes and can be replaced by another type of fastener. Absorption mechanism  414 , foam block  416 , and neoprene pad  420  can be used to provide shock absorption and vibration isolation for large machine tools and can achieve a low resonant frequency of around 13 Hz, which can effectively isolate/protect products in the 25 to 30 Hz range. The dampening device  422  can change its stiffness as the load on the pallet is increased or decreased. The plunger  418  can vary the stiffness of the pallet. As the load on the pallet increases, the plunger  418  can become more embedded into the neoprene pad  420 , increasing the stiffness of the dampening device. As a result, in various embodiments, increasing the mass on the pallet can cause the dampening device  422  to become stiffer such that the natural frequency remains approximately the same for different loads. 
     In this example, the bottom shield  407  has a first planar member  424  that is adjacent to a bottom surface  432  of the bottom deck  404  and a second planar member  426  that is adjacent to an edge  434  of the bottom deck. The top shield  406  has a first planar member  428  that is adjacent to a top surface  436  of the top deck  402 . The top shield  406  also has a second planar member  430  that is adjacent to an edge  438  of the top deck  402 . The second planar member  430  of the top shield extends at least to the second planar member  426  of the bottom shield. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the second planar member  430  of the top shield and the second planar member  426  of the bottom shield may extend vertically past one another in various embodiments. In addition, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the second planar members  426  and  430  may horizontally offset from one another to permit the members  426  and  430  to extend past one another vertically, according to various embodiments. The top shield and bottom shield may be configured to protect the dampening device similar to the way the top shields  106 ,  108 ,  110  and bottom shields  112 ,  114 ,  116  (from  FIG. 1 ) partially or completely cover, partially or completely enclose, go around, overlap, and protect blocks  118 ,  120 , and  122  (from  FIG. 1 ). 
       FIG. 5  depicts another example cross sectional view of a portion of a pallet  500  with a dampening device  522 , consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. The pallet  500  can include a bottom shield  507  and a top shield  506 . The dampening device can be configured to operate similar to the dampening device  422  (from  FIG. 4 ). In this example, the bottom shield  507  has a first planar member  524  that is adjacent to a top surface  532  of the bottom deck  504  and a second planar member  526  that is adjacent to a foam block  516 . The top shield  506  has a first planar member  528  that is adjacent to a bottom surface  534  of the top deck  502  and a second planar member  530  that extends at least to the second planar member  526  of the bottom shield  507 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the second planar member  530  of the top shield and the second planar member  526  of the bottom shield may extend vertically past one another in various embodiments. In addition, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the second planar members  526  and  530  may horizontally offset from one another to permit the members  526  and  530  to extend past one another vertically, according to various embodiments. The top shield and bottom shield may be configured to protect the dampening device similar to the way the top shields  106 ,  108 ,  110  and bottom shields  112 ,  114 ,  116  (from  FIG. 1 ) cover, partially or completely enclose, go around, overlap, and protect blocks  118 ,  120 , and  122  (from  FIG. 1 ). 
       FIG. 6  depicts another example cross sectional view of a portion of a pallet  600  with a dampening device  622 , consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure. The pallet  600  can include a shield  606 . The dampening device can be configured to operate similar to the dampening device  422  (from  FIG. 4 ). In this example, the shield  606  has a first planar member  624  that is adjacent to a bottom surface  632  of a bottom deck  604  and a second planar member  626  that is adjacent to an edge  634  of the bottom deck and extends at least to a bottom surface  636  of a top deck  602 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the second planar member  626  of the shield may extend vertically past the bottom surface  636  of the top deck  602  in various embodiments. In addition, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the second planar members  626  may be horizontally offset from the top deck  602  to permit the second planar member  626  to extend past the bottom surface  636  of the top deck vertically, according to various embodiments. The shield  606  may be configured to protect the dampening device similar to the way the top shields  206 ,  208 , and  210  (from  FIG. 2 ) partially or completely cover, partially or completely enclose, go around, overlap, and protect dampening devices  212 ,  214 , and  216  (from  FIG. 2 ). 
     The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.