Stackable pallet

Abstract: A pallet includes a planar portion (22,52) for supporting articles and feet (24,54) extending from the bottom of the planar portion. The upper surface (26,56) of the planar portion includes recesses (32,62) formed therein having center islands (30,60) extending upward even with the supporting surface. The feet include bottoms having a center recess (36,66) and rim (34,64) extending around the recess. The rim of the feet extend into the recess on the upper surface when the empty pallets are stacked and the center islands extend into the bottom recess of the foot to provide nesting and to prevent lateral sliding of the pallets.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a loading pallet, and in particular, to a loading pallet which presents a flat supporting surface which prevents sliding when pallets are stacked while empty. 2. Description of the Prior Art Pallets for supporting and moving various types of articles are well known. Pallets are made of many materials, including wood, metal, fiberglass or plastic, depending on the intended use and environment in which it is used. Pallets generally provide a support surface and are adapted for use with various types of loading equipment, including attachment to cranes or lifting by forklifts or pallet jacks. Pallets are often constructed with a planar supporting portion and feet or runners extending downward therefrom to elevate the articles being supported off the ground to prevent moisture, dirt and other debris from coming into contact with the supported articles. When not in use, the pallets are typically stored in a stacked configuration. However, the stacks may become very high and the amount of space required for storing the pallets may be quite extensive. In addition, the pallets may easily slide relative to one another, making the stacks very unstable. Difficulty arises when trying to design safeguards to prevent stacked empty pallets from sliding while maintaining a supporting surface which will not harm the articles being supported. Indentations in the supporting surface of the pallet have been made in some prior art pallets to align with the supporting feet when empty pallets are stacked, but these indentations may damage some of the soft goods supported on the pallets. For example, indentations on pallets supporting sheets of paper may cause indentations on the bottom sheets over the area spanning the indentations, as great weight is applied by the paper mass, which may often weigh more than a ton. This causes quality control problems and leads to a portion of the paper being unusable, thereby increasing costs. It can be seen then that a pallet is needed which is lightweight and sufficiently strong to support heavy loads. In addition, such a pallet should provide a maximum supporting surface area which does not damage the articles being supported, yet provides for empty pallets being stackable in a manner in which they do not easily slide relative to one another. Moreover, such a pallet should provide some nesting capabilities so that the overall height of the stacked empty pallets is reduced. The present invention addresses these as well as other problems related to storage pallets. In EP-A-0 523 737, a pallet according to the preamble of claim 1 is disclosed, comprising a planar portion having an upper supporting surface; a plurality of spaced apart feet extending from the planar portion opposite the supporting surface; a plurality of centre planar portions, wherein each of the feet includes an associated centre portion having an upper surface substantially coplanar with the upper supporting surface, and wherein each of the support portions includes a recess formed in the supporting surface extending around the centre support portion, wherein the centre support portion is at least as wide as the recess. The invention provides a pallet, comprising a support portion having a substantially planar upper supporting surface; a plurality of support members extending from the support portion; each of said support members including a rectangular central portion projecting substantially to the planar upper supporting surface and defining a recess around the central portion, each support member defining a bottom recess aligning with the central portion, characterised in that a plurality of channels are formed in said supporting surface extending across the pallet, and said recess extends to a depth not greater than said plurality of channels. The feet are configured with a bottom center recess and a wide rim type portion surrounding the recess. The support portions on the surface of the planar portion are aligned with the recesses in the lowermost portion of the feet. In addition, the rim portions of the feet are aligned with the recesses formed in the upper surface. Therefore, when empty pallets are stacked, the feet engage the recesses on the upper surface of the planar portion. This engagement prevents sliding of the empty pallets relative to one another in a stacked configuration. The recess configuration also provides a degree of nesting so that the overall height of the empty pallets when stacked is decreased. Handles and other support may be molded into the pallets to provide for easier handling while maintaining a light weight. These and various other advantages and features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings, wherein like reference letters and numerals indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a pallet according to some of the principles of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a top plan view of the pallet shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a bottom plan view of the pallet shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a side elevational view of the pallet shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 shows an end elevational view of the pallet shown in Figure 1; Figure 6 shows a partial sectional view on the pallet shown in Figure 1 taken through the support feet; Figure 7 shows a sectional view of two of the empty pallets shown in Figure 1 stacked together; Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a pallet according to the principles of the present invention; Figure 9 shows a top plan view of the pallet shown in Figure 8; Figure 10 shows a bottom plan view of the pallet shown in Figure 8; Figure 11 shows a side elevational view of the pallet shown in Figure 8; Figure 12 shows an end elevational view of the pallet shown in Figure 8; Figure 13 shows a partial sectional view of the pallet shown in Figure 8 taken through the support feet; and, Figure 14 shows a partial sectional view of two of the empty pallets shown in Figure 8 stacked together. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding structure throughout the views, and referring in particular to Figure 1, there is shown a pallet having some of the features of the present invention, generally designated 20. The pallet 20 shown is a molded plastic, but other materials could be utilized as well. The pallet 20 includes a planar portion 22 having an upper surface 26 configured for supporting articles. A number of feet 24 extend from an underside of the planar portion 22 to provide for elevating the planar portion 22 off the ground, as also shown in Figures 4 and 5. The feet 24 are spaced so that fork lifts and pallet jacks can enter and support the pallet 20 from four directions. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, associated with each of the feet 24 are recesses 32 formed in the upper surface 26 and island type support portions 30 which extend upward from the center of the recesses 32 even with the upper surface 26. Although the support portions 30 and recesses 32 are shown as being generally rectangular, other shapes such as circles, ovals or squares may also be used. Referring now to Figure 3, the underside of the planar portion 22 includes handle portions 42, which are molded at opposite sides for lifting and moving the pallet 20. A number of ridges 40 extend between support recesses 38 molded in the pallet 20 for reducing weight while providing added structural support. In the embodiment shown, having dimensions of approximately 1.2 m by 1.0 m (48 by 40 inches), the plastic pallet 20 is capable of supporting dynamic loads of 906 Kg (2000 pounds) and more and static loads of 1359 Kg (3000 pounds) and more. However, it can be appreciated that many pallet sizes may be used with the present invention. The underside of each of the feet 24 includes a wide outer rim portion 34, as also shown in Figure 6. The rim portion 34 surrounds a recess 36 which is configured for nesting with the center support portion 30. As shown in Figure 7, when the empty pallets are stacked, the feet 24 nest with the rim portions 34 extending into the recesses 32 and the center portions 30 extend upward into the bottom recesses 36. It can be appreciated that this greatly decreases the overall height of a stack of empty pallets 20. In addition, this configuration prevents the pallets 20 from sliding laterally relative to one another. It can also be appreciated that the recess 32 provides a narrow distance to span between the center support portion 30 and the upper surface 26. This configuration maximizes surface area to support soft materials without damage. Although nine feet 24 are shown, it can be appreciated that fewer or more feet may be utilized or that other support members, such as runners extending horizontally, may replace the feet while still providing a center support portion, a recess around the center support portion, and a bottom recess to provide nesting and to prevent lateral sliding of stacked empty pallets. Referring now to Figure 8, there is shown a pallet according to the present invention, generally designated 50. The pallet 50 includes a planar portion 52 which includes an upper surface 56 having a number of channels 58 extending across the pallet. Feet 54 extend from the planar portion 52 to raise the planar portion 52 off the ground, as also shown in Figures 11 and 12. Referring again to Figures 8 and 9, the upper surface 56 has a number of support portions 60 formed therein corresponding to each of the feet 54. The support portions 60 include recesses 62 extending therearound to separate the support portions 60 from the upper surface 56. It can be appreciated that the center support portions 60 extend to a height even with the upper surface 56 of the planar portion 52 and provide maximum surface area for supporting articles on the pallet 50. Referring now to Figure 10, the underside of the pallet 50 is shown. The pallet 50 includes support ridges 70 and molded structural recesses 68 for adding strength to the plastic pallet 50. The feet 54 include rim portions 64 surrounding a recess 66. Handles 72 are molded into opposite edges of the underside of the pallet 50 to provide for lifting and carrying the pallet. Referring now to Figures 13 and 14, the empty pallets 50 can be stacked so that the lower ridges 64 of the feet 54 engage corresponding recesses 62 when the pallets 50 are stacked. It can be appreciated that the bottom rim 64 of the feet 54 rest in the recess 62 to prevent sliding of the pallets 50 relative to one another when stacked while empty. In addition, the recesses 62 engaging the bottom portion 64 of the feet 54 provide slight nesting to reduce the overall height of the stack. It can be appreciated that according to the present invention, pallets 20 and 50 are stackable and provide for nesting. The upper surface of the pallets 20 and 50 engaging the feet of a pallet stacked on the upper surface prevents sliding of the pallets laterally. In addition, center portions formed in the upper surface have recesses formed therearound. The recesses provide sliding prevention but do not detract from maximizing the supporting area of the upper surface. Center portions have a width which is sufficient so as not to form an indentation in the bottom sheets should papers or other similar soft materials be stacked on the pallets. In addition, the recesses are narrow enough so that an impression is not made into the bottom of soft materials. This provides for improved stacking and storage of the pallets while still providing sufficient support properties. It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts to the full extent indicated by the appended claims.

Claims: A pallet (50), comprising a support portion (52) having a substantially planar upper supporting surface (56); a plurality of support members (54) extending from the support portion; each of said support members including a rectangular central portion (60) projecting substantially to the planar upper supporting surface and defining a recess (62) around the central portion, each support member (54) defining a bottom recess (66) aligning with the central portion, characterised in that a plurality of channels (58) are formed in said supporting surface (56) extending across the pallet, and said recess (62) extends to a depth not greater than said plurality of channels (58). A pallet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bottom recess (66) is selectively configured to receive the central portion (60) of a corresponding support member (54) on a second pallet when the pallets are stacked while empty. A pallet as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the bottom recess (66) and central portion (60) are selectively configured to nest the pallets when stacked while empty. A pallet as claimed in claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein the pallet (50) is made of plastic, wood, metal, or resin-fiber composite. A pallet as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pallet includes nine support members (54) extending from the planar supporting surface (56). A pallet as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 and further comprising handles (72) molded into an underside of the support portion (52). A pallet as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the rectangular central portion (60) is substantially coplanar with the upper supporting surface (56). A pallet as claimed in claim 7, wherein the rectangular central portion (60) is at least as wide as the recess (62) around the central portion.

Inventors: ELDER ANDREW W, SKINNER WILLIAM J, ELDER, ANDREW W., SKINNER, WILLIAM J.
Applicants: STRATIS CORP, STRATIS CORPORATION
Application year: 1996
Main classification: B65D19
IPC codes: B65D19