Abstract:
An improved pallet that is capable of easy assembly, functionally adequate for some situations and capable of easy disassembly. In one form of the invention, a pallet is provided that is made of all wood. In one embodiment, the pallet may be comprised of a plurality of stringers with bores, a plurality of deck boards with openings, and a plurality of wooden dowels disposed in the bores and openings to connect the stringers and deck boards.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a continuation in part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/939,933, filed Sep. 13, 2004. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to pallets, and more particularly to a pallet having deck boards connected to stringers with wooden dowels having stepped diameter peripheral surfaces which act as internal clamps. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Pallets of various types are known in the art. Typical pallets are constructed of wood and include parallel stringers to which transverse deck boards are then nailed or otherwise secured with metal fastener devices to form the pallet. Pallets need to have sufficient strength to withstand the weight of objects loaded thereon and other impact forces to which the pallets are subjected when objects are loaded onto them and when the pallets are moved, as by a fork-lift truck or the like. 
         [0004]    In many pallets, pallets are damaged at their lead boards. As a fork lift or other mechanism is brought to engage a pallet, it will often impact the lead board of the pallet with significant force. This shearing force may disengage the lead board or otherwise damage it, yielding a worn or damaged pallet that may not work as well and may be dangerous to users and merchandise. 
         [0005]    Also, as pallets are used, they can become worn and weakened, causing some of the stringers or deck boards to break or become at least partially detached, rendering the pallet inoperable or in a dangerous condition. The use of nails or other metal fastener devices can also render pallets dangerous. Many times, the damage to a pallet occurs where the metal nail goes into the wood. The use of metal fasteners can cause checking in the stringers or deck boards. Further faults include product damage or personal injury caused by exposed fasteners and inadequate joint stiffeners. 
         [0006]    In an effort to save money and resources, the undamaged portions of worn or damaged pallets are often salvaged and reused in making recycled pallets, used as fuel or sawdust, or put to other uses. Those in the art have employed many methods in their attempts to salvage worn-out pallets by stripping or otherwise disassembling the stringers and deck boards from each other. However, many of these methods require costly machinery or a great deal of time and effort and put workers at significant safety risk. Nails and other metallic fasteners are often a great hindrance in efforts to disassemble pallets. The presence of, for example, nails prevents the use of standard saws or similar devices, which do not effectively cut through nails. Devices that are able to disassemble worn-out pallets that include nails face other disadvantages. First, they are often large, unwieldy and expensive. Second, often times the nails remain in the stringers or deck boards after disassembly. In order to reuse the boards in optimal condition, the nails need be removed, requiring additional time with attendant increased cost and expense. 
         [0007]    More recently, companies who utilize pallets have turned to Radio Frequency Identification (“RFID”) technology to monitor and track pallet location and other information. To use such technology, encoded RFID tags or devices are placed on a pallet. As the pallet moves through distribution channels, RFID readers scan the devices. By, for example, placing a RFID reader at a dock door of a warehouse, a supplier and customer know when a pallet arrives. Wal-Mart has imposed RFID deadlines on its major suppliers. However, there have been problems implementing RFID systems. One problem that faces RFID technology is the ability to read metal products because metal can prevent RFID readers from operating properly. A pallet without metallic fasteners would thus be desired. Further, liquid inside of objects can absorb RF signals, making reading more difficult. It is thus desirable to have a wooden pallet that can be constructed with drier wood. However, nails and other metallic fasteners often cannot be used to construct a pallet with dry wood because they will cause checking and damage to the wood during construction. 
         [0008]    In response to these problems, construction of pallets without utilizing metallic fasteners has been attempted. One such method uses only adhesives to connect stringers to deck boards. However, there are numerous disadvantages to such a pallet. One is that the connection is often times not strong enough to resist typical shearing or other forces. A second disadvantage to such a pallet is the required use of external clamps or similar devices to hold the pieces together while the glue sets. A third disadvantage of this technique is the waste of time between initial alignment and ultimate formation of the pallet. This waste of time stems from the requirement of waiting for the glue to set before use of the pallet. There thus exists a need for a pallet that can be readily and economically assembled, can withstand substantial impact and load forces, can be easily disassembled, including with dry wood, and will not interfere with RF signals or prevent RFID readers from operating properly. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    In carrying out one embodiment of the invention, a pallet made predominately of wood comprises a plurality of wooden stringers. Each wooden stringer comprises four elongated longitudinal surfaces and two end surfaces. A selected longitudinal surface is designated as a mounting surface and has a plurality of bores formed therein so that the longitudinal axes of the bores are generally normal to the mounting surface. The size and shape of the bores can range from a depth completely through the stringer to a smaller depth sufficient to receive a portion of a dowel. 
         [0010]    The deck boards can be connected to the stringers by a plurality of wooden dowels. Each of the dowels preferably has a first and second portion. The dowel comprises at least two contiguous dowel sections having different cross-sectional size. The dowels are preferably constructed so that one portion fits into one of the bores in the stringer while the other portion fits into one of the openings in the deck board, thereby connecting the stringer to the deck board. Adhesive is used to augment that connection. The second end of the deck board can be similarly connected to a second stringer so that the deck board is transverse the wooden stringers. A pallet can be formed by so connecting a plurality of deck boards to the stringers. 
         [0011]    One benefit of the present invention is to provide a pallet that can be easily assembled through the use of wooden dowels that facilitate attachment of transverse deck boards to parallel stringers in a quick and efficient manner. 
         [0012]    Another benefit of the present invention is to provide a pallet of the aforedescribed type that may in one embodiment employ an adhesive in conjunction with the dowels, the dowels being configured to eliminate the need for external clamps to hold the parts together while the adhesive sets or cures. Thus, there is no time wasted after initial alignment and connection because the dowels provide sufficient connectivity to allow for immediate handling and use of the formed pallets. 
         [0013]    Another benefit of the present invention is to provide a pallet that works properly. The dowels provide for a connection that is sufficiently strong to resist standard shear and other forces. 
         [0014]    Another benefit of the present invention is to provide a pallet that can be more easily disassembled. In the preferred embodiment the dowels are made of wood; therefore, the pallet can be more readily stripped or broken down using standard wood-cutting saws. This allows for an increased number of customers for used or worn pallets, because those customers have no need for specialty equipment to grind up nails. 
         [0015]    Another benefit of the present invention is to provide a pallet which can be a carrier of RFID technology. Because the preferred embodiment does not have metal, the pallet will not prevent RFID readers from working properly. The pallet claimed herein can have a RFID device placed on it, and it will be able to be read by RFID readers without fear of a nail or other metal fastener preventing the RFID reader from working properly. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0016]    The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The drawings may not be to scale. The invention may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a deck board and stringer that may be used in the pallet of the subject invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is an elevated side view of one embodiment of a dowel used in the pallet of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is an end view of the embodiment of the dowel depicted in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a side view of one embodiment of a dowel utilized in the subject invention to connect a stringer to a deck board. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a side view of another embodiment of a dowel utilized in the subject invention to connect a stringer to a deck board. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the subject invention showing a pallet comprising stringers, deck boards and dowels. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  sets forth the steps in one embodiment of a method for assembling a pallet according to the subject invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a side view of another embodiment of the subject invention showing a pallet with a notched stringer. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0025]    While the present invention is susceptible of embodiments of various forms, there is shown in the drawings, and will hereinafter be described some exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention. It is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments listed. 
         [0026]    In general terms, one embodiment of the pallet comprises the combination of wooden dowels and adhesive to connect stringers and deck boards to form a pallet. 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a deck board  10  and a stringer  30  can be seen. The deck board  10  has a first end  11  and a second end  12 . The deck board  10  comprises a first pair of opposing elongated longitudinal surfaces  9 ,  14  with a first width  15 , a second pair of opposing elongated longitudinal surfaces  16 ,  17  with a second width  18  and a pair of end surfaces  19 ,  20 . The first width  15  is greater than the second width  18 . Both the first end  11  and the second end  12  have at least one opening  13 . Preferably, the openings are in the same elongated surface  16 ,  17 ,  19 ,  20 . More preferably, the openings  13  are in one of the first pair of elongated surfaces  16 ,  17 . In one embodiment, both the first end  11  and the second end  12  have a plurality of openings  13 . The openings  13  have an inner surface  84 . Preferably, the deck board  10  is constructed of wood or like material. Along with first and second ends  11 ,  12  the deck board  10  can also have a middle section  21 , wherein the middle section  21  has at least one opening  13  preferably in the same elongated surface  16 ,  17 ,  19 ,  20  as the openings  13  in the first and second ends  11 ,  12 . 
         [0028]    The stringer  30  comprises a first pair of opposing longitudinal mounting surfaces  31 ,  32  which have a first width  33 . The stringer  30  further comprises a second pair of opposing longitudinal mounting surfaces  34 ,  35  which have a second width  36 . The second width  36  is greater than the first width  33 . The stringer  30  further comprises a pair of opposing end surfaces  37 ,  38 . At least one of the longitudinal mounting surfaces  31 ,  32 ,  34 ,  35  has a plurality of bores  39  defined therein. The terms bore and opening are herein used synonymously. The different terms are used to more easily reference stringer (having bores) or deck board (having openings). The bores  39  have an inner surface  88 . In one embodiment, the plurality of bores  39  are spaced substantially equally along a longitudinal mounting surface  31 ,  32 ,  34 ,  35 . In another embodiment, opposing longitudinal surfaces, either  31 ,  32  or  34 ,  35 , both have a plurality of bores  39 . Preferably, the stringer  30  is made of wood or like material. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , one embodiment of a wooden dowel  50  can be seen. The dowel  50  comprises a first portion  52  and a second portion  54 . The dowel may have a plurality of dowel sections, a first section  56 , middle sections  58 ,  60 , and last section  62 . While in a preferred embodiment, the dowel  50  has two middle sections  58 ,  60  other embodiments may have no middle section, one middle section, or three or more middle sections. The first and last sections  56 ,  62  may have side walls  64 ,  66  and end walls  68 ,  70 , respectively. Each of the middle sections  58 ,  60  may have side walls  72 ,  74  and step walls  76 ,  78 , respectively. In a preferred embodiment, each of the sections  56 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62  are contiguous to another section  56 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62 . The sidewalls  64 ,  66 ,  72 ,  74  define a cross-sectional size for their respective sections  56 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62 . In a preferred embodiment, the cross-sectional size of the sidewalls  64 ,  66 ,  72 ,  74  decreases as one progresses from the first section  56  to the last section  62  in a number of steps. In another embodiment, the cross-sectional size of the sidewalls is greatest in a middle section (not shown). The cross-sectional size of the sidewalls  64 ,  66 ,  72 ,  74  may be any suitable size. The length of each individual dowel section  56 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62  may vary considerably. In one embodiment, the dowel section  656 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62  with the smallest cross-sectional size is as long or longer than the length of any of the other dowel sections. The dowel  50  may have some sections, e.g.,  58 ,  60  or all sections  56 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62  that have grooves  80 . The dowel  50  may have other configurations, such as, the dowel shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,267,527, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , an embodiment is depicted having dowel sections  56 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62  having a circular configuration. Other embodiments of the dowel  50  may be constructed so that each dowel section has a substantially square, triangular, or other cross-section. Further embodiments may mix and match square sections with triangular sections, or try other combinations. It is preferred that the dowel  50  be constructed from a single integral piece of wood. The dowel  50  may be constructed of different pieces of wood that are functionally attached to form the dowel  50 . The dowel  50  is preferably made substantially of birch, but may also be made of red oak, cherry, ash, beech, or other suitable preferably hardwoods. 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the dowel  50  connects the stringer  30  and the deck board  10 . The opening  13  of the deck board  10  is configured to receive either the first or second portion  52 ,  54  of the dowel  50 . The opening  13  is preferably sized so that it is slightly smaller than the dowel portion  52 ,  54  that it is configured to receive. The dowel  50  may fit snugly into the opening  13 . Preferably, the dowel  50  and the opening  13  form a friction fit. In a preferred embodiment, the dowel  50  can be partially inserted into the opening  13  by hand. Because of the stepped nature of the dowel  50 , the dowel  50  can be partially inserted into the opening  13  with minimal force. The partially inserted dowel  50  in the opening  13  of the deck board  10  is aligned with a selected bore  39  of the stringer  30 . The selected bore  39  can configured to receive the portion of the dowel  50 , either first or second  52 ,  54 , that the opening  13  of the deck board  10  has not received. This receipt of the dowel shank  52 ,  54  in a cinching fashion is achieved by machining the bore  39  to a smaller cross section area in the stringer or second wood piece. Thus, the bore  39  cinches or grabs the dowel portions  52 , 54 . While the bore  39  is receiving the dowel in a cinching fashion, the bore or opening in the first piece of wood or deck board is machined so that the opening  13  in deck board  10  is the same size or larger than dowel  50  cross sectional area. This means that the dowel  50  fits into the opening  39  in a cinching and grabbing fashion caused by the compression of the dowel surface by the surrounding wood on the surface of the pilot hole for a tight grip caused by the ratio of the dowel cross sectional area to the pilot hole cross sectional area being greater than one while the opening  13  is simply a snug, taut, or firm fit to the dowel and does not cinch the dowel caused by the ratio of the dowel cross sectional area to the pilot hole cross sectional area being less than or equal to one The pallet components are held together by cross sectional differences in the component openings and the respective bores with the dowel cross sections, whereby the openings  13  are equal to or very slightly larger than the dowel head or top (first section  56 ) and less than the diameter of dowel  50  in the middle and last sections  58 . 60 , and  62 . Alternatively the second stage down from the top of dowel  50  can have a cross sectional area that is larger than the cross sectional area of the section stage of the pilot hole in the deck board  10  or first piece of wood such that the cap portion of dowel  50  has a cross sectional area equal to or less than the cross sectional area of the cap portion of dowel  50  and greater than the cross sectional area of the second section of dowel  50  in the first piece of wood  10 . This provides for cinching of the dowel in the second piece of wood to be joined and cinching of the dowel in the lower portion of the first piece of wood to be joined while allowing a snug fit in the top cap portion of the dowel in hole  13  of board  10 . The forgoing allows for the dowel to act like a nail in pulling the first piece of wood tightly to the second piece of wood. Again, because of the stepped nature of the dowel  50 , the dowel can be partially inserted into the bore  39  with minimal effort. Through the ability to be partially inserted with minimal force, the dowel  50  provides proper alignment of the opening  13  with the bore  39 . The dowel  50  can be substantially or fully inserted into the opening  13  and bore  39  through the use of a suitable pounding device (not shown), such as a hammer or mallet, or through manual strength. The dowel  50  may fit snugly into the selected opening  13  and bore  39 . Preferably, the dowel  50  and the opening  13  and bore  39  form a friction fit. Preferably, adhesive (not shown) is disposed between the abutting parts of the dowel  50 , stringer  30  and deck board  10 . 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a second embodiment of the connection between a selected stringer  30  and a selected deck board  10  can be seen. In this embodiment, the opening  13  is such that it defines a hole  82  through the deck board  10 . In other embodiments, the bore  39  defines a hole  82  through the stringer  30 , or both the bore  39  and the opening  13  define holes  82  in the stringer  30  and deck board  10 , respectively. An advantage of this embodiment is that it allows the dowel  50  to be more easily inserted into both the deck board  10  and stringer  30  almost simultaneously. This embodiment also allows for one-step desired alignment of the opening  13  with the bore  39 . In this embodiment, the opening  13  and bore  39  can be created at the same time using a properly shaped drill (not shown) or other suitable device. The drill bit (not shown) used with a drill may have many configurations, such as the drill bit shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,267,527, which is hereby incorporated by reference. The deck board  10  can be placed in a predetermined alignment with the stringer  30 . An operator can then drill a hole  82  through the deck board  10 , creating the opening  13 , and then continue to drill into the stringer  30  to create the corresponding bore  39 . 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , an embodiment of the pallet is depicted as having three stringers  30  orientated in substantially the same plane in a parallel relationship. Many other pallet configurations may be used including, e.g., the stringer design, the block design, skids, stevedore type double wing, plywood panel deck stringer, nine block four-way entry pallet, single wing pallet with optional chamber on bottom boards, or the reversible stringer pallet. This list is given as an example of some types of pallets, and is not intended to be exhaustive. One of skill in the art would recognize that a wide variety of pallet formations can be contemplated and would fall within the scope of the invention. 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , one embodiment may have first, second, and third stringers  30  arranged parallel to each other. The second stringer  30  is spaced a substantially equal space from the first and third stringers  30 , respectively. The distance between the first and third stringer  30  is substantially equal to the length of a pre-selected deck board  10 . Each of the first pair of opposing longitudinal mounting surfaces  31 ,  32  has a plurality of bores  39  (some not shown) defined therein The embodiment may have a plurality of deck boards  10  arranged parallel to each other and transverse to the stringers  30 . Preferably, one of the first pair of opposing elongated longitudinal surfaces  9 ,  14  of each deck board  10  has a plurality of openings  13  (some not shown) defined therein. The deck boards  10  are arranged such that the openings  13  defined in the first end  11 , second end  12  and middle section  21  are aligned with the bores  39  defined in the stringers  30 . A plurality of dowels  50  are fit into the openings  13  and aligned bores  39  to connect the stringers  30  to the deck boards  10 . One set of deck boards  10  are connected opposing longitudinal mounting surface  31  while a second set of deck boards  10  are connected to opposing longitudinal mounting surface  32 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 7  sets forth the steps of a preferred method for forming a pallet. It should be noted that  FIG. 7  gives numbers to Parts of the method for ease of reference only. The invention can be performed in an order different than that provided. The reference numerals, e.g. dowel  50 , provided below refer to  FIGS. 1-6 . 
         [0036]    Part  1  of  FIG. 7  recites the step of providing a plurality of wooden dowels  50 . Each of the dowels  50  comprises first and second portions  52 ,  54  and has at least two contiguous dowel sections  56 ,  62  having sidewalls  64 ,  66  of different cross-sectional size. The dowels  50  may be of the type shown in  FIGS. 2-6  and described above. 
         [0037]    Part  2  recites providing of at least two elongated stringers  30 . Each stringer  30  has a longitudinal mounting surface  31  having a plurality of bores  39  formed therein in spaced relation along the mounting surface  31 . The bores  39  are configured to receive a selected portion  52 ,  54  of one of the dowels  50 . 
         [0038]    Part  3  describes the step of the providing of a plurality of deck boards  10 . Each of the deck boards  10  has first and second ends  11 ,  12  with each end having an opening  13  adapted for aligned relation with a selected bore  39  in one of the stringers  30 . The openings  13  are configured to receive a remaining portion  52  or  54  of the dowel  50 . The bores  39  and openings  13  can be configured with the use of a drill (not shown) with attendant drill bit (not shown). The drill bit may have many configurations, such as, e.g., the drill bit shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,267,527, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Preferably, the stringers  30  and deck boards  10  provided are comprised of a dry wood. The method can further comprise providing an RFID device (shown as  110  in  FIGS. 6 and 8 ) to be attached to the pallet. 
         [0039]    Part  4  recites the application of adhesive material (not shown) to the stringers  30  and deck boards  10  such that some of the adhesive material is disposed in the bores  39  and openings  13 . The adhesive material may be applied to the surfaces  31 ,  32 ,  34 ,  35 ,  13 ,  14 ,  16 ,  17 , of the stringers  30 , deck boards  10  or side walls  64 ,  66 ,  72 ,  74  of the dowels  50  to strengthen or augment the connection. The adhesive material is preferably PVA, but can be any material that would adequately connect the parts of the pallet together, such as, e.g., elastomers, hot melts, urethane, epoxy, PRF, or urethane/isocyanate. Preferably, during the construction of a pallet, the adhesive is applied to the stringers  30  and deck boards  10  such that some of the adhesive is disposed in the bores  39  and openings  13  prior to the insertion of the dowels  50 . The adhesive material may also be applied to the side walls  64 ,  66 ,  72 ,  74  of the dowel  50 . In a preferred embodiment, the adhesive applied to the dowel  50  is thinned to allow for more ready insertion and connection. As the dowel is inserted into the bore or opening  13 , the adhesive material may be at partly scraped from the side walls  64 ,  66 ,  72 ,  74  to accumulate on the end wall  70  and step walls  76 ,  78 . 
         [0040]    Part  5  recites the positioning of the stringers  30  in parallel relation with the mounting surfaces  31 ,  32  of different stringers  30  in substantially coplanar relation, and positioning the deck boards  10  in parallel relation transverse to the mounting surfaces  31 ,  32 . 
         [0041]    Part  6  recites the insertion of the dowels  50  into the openings  13  of the deck boards  10  and into the aligned bores  39  of the stringers  30  in a snug relationship to thereby connect the deck boards  10  to the stringers  30 . The stepped configuration of the dowel  50  provides easier alignment of the dowel  50  with the opening  13  and bore  39  during the insertion process. Further, significant pressure need be only applied to the dowel  50  during, for example, approximately the last  20  percent of the insertion distance. A pounding device (not shown) may be used to insert the dowels. This device may be a hammer, mallet, or other suitable instrument. Preferably, the dowels  50  fit snugly into the openings  13  and bores  39 . Most preferably, the dowels  50  form a friction fit with the inner surface  84 ,  88  of the opening  13  or bore  39 . The snug or friction fit connects the deck boards  10  to the stringer  30 . Using a dowel  50  with grooves  80  yields a connection that is stronger. One benefit of the dowel  50  is that it acts as an internal clamping mechanism that holds the pallet together while the adhesive sets or cures. This benefit provides needing flexibility to the manufacturing process, allowing more ready manufacture of pallets. For example, the use of the dowels  50  can eliminate the need for external clamps or other devices (not shown) to maintain connection of the deck boards  10  to the stringers  30  while the adhesive cures. The manufacturer can thus avoid the costs of these external clamps as well as the time, effort, and floor space needed to utilize them. A second benefit of the use of the dowel  50  is that it can allow for the use of a wide variety of adhesive materials. A pallet manufacturing operations using adhesives may have the capability of manufacturing a number of pallets per unit time. However, the need for space to allow for the adhesive in the pallets to set or cure is great. Typically, these operations will thus prefer adhesives with very short set or cure times, even though these adhesives are not optimal on a cost or performance basis. The use of the dowel  50  to connect the runners  10  to the stringers  30  allow for the practical use of adhesives with longer cure times because the pallet can be handled and used while the adhesive is setting or curing. It also allows for the use of adhesives that are approved for use in the transport of food. 
         [0042]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a side view of a preferred embodiment of a pallet is shown.  FIG. 8  shows a stringer  30 , deck boards  10  and lead deck boards  90 . The lead deck board  90  has a height  90   a  and a width  90   b  and opposing surfaces  99 ,  100 . The stringer  30  comprises notches  92 . The notches  92  can have a first surface  94  and a second surface  96 . The notches have a depth  92   a  and a width  92   b . Preferably, the width  90   b  of the lead deck board  90  is substantially similar to the width  92   b  of the notches  92  so that the lead deck board  90  can be disposed in the notch  92 . Preferably, the height  90   a  of the lead deck board  90  can be substantially similar to the sum of the width  18  of the deck board  10  and the depth  92   a  of the notch so that, when disposed in the notch  92 , surface  100  can be substantially planar to surface  14  of the deck boards  10 . In this embodiment, the lead deck board  90  is able to withstand a greater shearing force because the connection between the lead deck board  90  and stringer  30  receives lateral support from the second surface  96  of the stringer  30 . The lead deck board  90  can be connected to the stringer  30  with wooden dowels  50  and adhesive. 
         [0043]    In another embodiment, the notches  92  can have an angled second surface  96  (angle not shown). Preferably, a corresponding surface  98  of the lead deck board  90  is angled complimentary to the angled second surface  96  to form, e.g., a dovetail configuration (not shown). Preferably, the deck boards and lead deck boards are connected to the stringer  30  using a wooden dowel  50  and adhesive, as described hereinabove. 
         [0044]    In a preferred embodiment, the pallet described herein consists essentially of wood and adhesive. In the most preferred embodiment, the pallet consists of wood and adhesive. The use of a wooden dowel  50  and wooden stringers  30  and deck boards  10 , along with adhesive, can, through construction, create a pallet that exceeds industry requirements for static strength, stiffness, and resistance to rough handling. 
         [0045]    Further, the pallet described herein can be substantially lighter than standard pallets that employ nails or other metal fasteners. First, the use of wooden dowels inserted into bores or openings instead of nails creates less weight. The weight of the dowel  50  being inserted is offset by the amount of wood drilled out of the deck boards  10  and stringers  30 . With the use of nails, there is no offset. With the use of a large number of nails in typical pallets (sometimes over one hundred for a used pallet), this weight difference can become substantial. Second, the pallet described herein can be made with kiln dried wood, which is lighter than wet or green wood. Typical pallets are made of wet or green wood because hammering in nails in dry wood can cause damage to the wood, such as checking, and result in a damaged or weakened pallet. Through the use of the dowel  50 , the pallet described herein can be constructed of wood that is kiln dried. Preferably, the wood is less than 15% moisture and more preferably between 9 and 12% moisture. The pallet described herein can be substantially lighter than typical patents, making them less likely to cause injury to workers during transport, and also yielding substantial savings in fuel economy during transport. 
         [0046]    It is believed that the pallet described herein can be constructed so that it meets industry requirements for a rated load of 2800-pounds that is less than sixty pounds. Preferably, such a pallet will be between fifty three and fifty eight pounds. More preferably, such a patent will be less than fifty three pounds. In contrast, the typical wooden pallet can weigh from seventy to eighty pounds. 
         [0047]    The construction of a pallet of essentially all kiln dried wood and adhesive creates further advantages. A significant advantage is that the pallet is less likely to interfere with RFID. As seen in  FIGS. 6 and 8 , an RFID device  110  can be attached to the pallet. Preferably, the RFID device  110  is attached to an inside surface  34  or  35  of the middle stringer  30  or one of the outside stringers  30 . A warehouse (not shown) can have an RFID reader (not shown) near a dock door. When the pallet described herein, with the attached RFID device  110 , enters the warehouse, the RFID reader will can read the RFID device  110 . RFID readers can have difficulty reading RFID devices which are near liquid, which absorbs RF signals. The pallet described herein can be constructed of dried wood, lessening the amount of RF signal absorption and potentially allowing for higher read rate accuracy. Further, the pallet described herein is preferably constructed without metal. Metal can prevent RF readers from working properly. The pallet described therein is therefore likely to yield higher read rate accuracy. 
         [0048]    The preferred lack of metal also allows for the pallet to be subjected to microwave sterilization. This potentially results in a pallet that does not, for example, transport alien organisms or animals from one region to another. 
         [0049]    The present invention is not limited to their particular details of the method depicted, and other modifications and applications are contemplated. Certain other changes may be made in the above-described method without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention herein involved. For example, the present method may be utilized with other styles of pallets, which have different formations of stringers, panel boards, or like members. It is intended, therefore, that the subject matter in the above depiction shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.