Abstract:
A connector selectively connects at least two support structures to provide a larger, rigid support structure. The connector includes a body portion from which extends downward a center support portion. A pair of outer sleeves extend downwardly from the body portion on opposite sides of the center support portion, each outer sleeve extending downwardly less than the center support portion. In use, the outer sleeves are inserted through openings in the support structures into the feet of the support structures. The body portion rests on the decks of the support structures and the center support portion extend downward from the body portion between the support structures. The center support portion is sized to extend to the floor when the connector is connected to the support structures.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to support structures and more particularly to a connector for connecting two support structures, such as pallets, to form a single, large support structure. 
   Pallets are often used to store and transport goods. Pallets maintain the goods at a distance above the floor such that they can readily be lifted and moved by a forklift. Plastic pallets are lighter and more durable than wooden pallets. Elongated metal or composite reinforcement members have been used in some plastic pallets in order to increase the stiffness and load-bearing capacity of the pallet. 
   Some plastic pallets are nestable. The nestable pallets generally include openings in the deck that are aligned with recesses in the feet, such that feet of one deck may receive the feet of another, like pallet stacked thereon. Nestable pallets reduce the overall size of the stacked pallets when empty for convenient transport and storage. 
   Pallets are typically provided in one of several standard sizes. Occasionally, it is desirable to use pallets for an object (such as a bundle of goods) that are greater than the size of the pallet, even greater than two or three times the size of the pallet. Two or more standard size pallets can be used adjacent one another if the object is rigid and self-supporting, but not if the object is non-rigid and needs a continuous rigid support structure. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a connector for connecting at least two support structures to provide a larger, rigid support structure. The connector includes a body portion from which extends downward a center support portion. A pair of outer sleeves extend downwardly from the body portion on opposite sides of the center support portion, each outer sleeve extending downwardly less than the center support portion. In several embodiments, the body portion is a single elongated body portion, x-shaped, a circumscribed x-shape, or planar. 
   In use, the outer sleeves are sleeved through openings in the support structures into the feet of the support structures. The body portion rests on the decks of the support structures and the center support portion extend downward from the body portion between the support structures. The center support portion is sized to extend to the floor when the connector is connected to the support structures. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other advantages of the present invention can be understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of three of the connectors of  FIG. 1  and two support structures. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the connectors connecting the support structures of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 4  is a top view of the connectors and support structures of  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 5  is a sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of Area A of  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the connector of  FIG. 7  connecting two support structures. 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the connector of  FIG. 9  connecting two support structures. 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a connector according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the connector of  FIG. 11  connecting two support structures. 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of three connectors according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention connecting two support structures. 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of three connectors according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention connecting two support structures. 
       FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a connector according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention connecting two support structures. 
       FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a connector according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention connecting two support structures. 
       FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a connector according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention connecting two support structures. 
       FIG. 18  is a sectional view through a connector according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 19  is a sectional view through the connector of  FIG. 18  connecting two support structures. 
       FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a connector according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , a connector  10  according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes an elongated body portion  12  and a center support portion  14 . The center support portion  14  has a generally cylindrical wall  16  extending downward from the center of the body portion  12  to form a foot portion. The wall  16  defines a center recess  18  therein. 
   A pair of outer sleeves  20  on either side of the center support portion  14  and at opposite ends of the body portion  12  each include a generally cylindrical wall  22 . The walls  22  each define an outer recess  24  therein. An opening  28  through the body portion  12  is aligned with each of the outer recesses  24  and the center recess  18 . The connector  10  is nestable with similar connectors  10 , such that the outer sleeves  20  and center support portion  14  can be received within the outer sleeves  20  and center support portion  14  of a like connector  10  stacked therebelow. 
     FIG. 2  illustrates three of the connectors  10  connecting two support structures  40 . In the example shown, the support structures  40  are nestable pallets having a deck  42  and generally cylindrical feet  44  extending downward therefrom. Openings  46  in the deck  42  are aligned with the feet  44 . The openings  46  are capable of receiving therein the feet  44  of a like pallet  40 , such that the pallets  40  are nestable. 
   To connect the two support structures  40 , the outer sleeves  20  of the connectors  10  are aligned with adjacent openings  46  along one peripheral edge of each support structure  40 . The outer sleeves  20  are then sleeveed into the openings  46  and into the feet  44  of the support structures  40 , as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The two structures  40  and connectors  10  provide a single, large, rigid support for supporting objects, such as large, non-rigid objects. 
     FIG. 5  is a section view along lines  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the outer sleeves  20  are received within the feet  44  of the support structures  40 . When the connectors  10  are connected to the support structures  40 , the bottom-most edge of the center support portion  14  is co-planar with bottom-most edges of the feet  44  of the support structures  40 . 
     FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of Area A of  FIG. 5 . When connected, the outer sleeve  20  of the connector  10  extends through the opening  46  in the deck  42  and into the foot  44  of the support structure  40 . The body portion  12  abuts the deck  42  of the support structure  40 . 
     FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a connector  110  according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The connector  110  includes an x-shaped body portion  112 . A generally cylindrical center support portion  114  extends downward from the intersection of the x-shaped body portion  112 . Generally cylindrical outer sleeves  120  extend downward from outer ends of the arms of the x-shaped body portion  112 . Openings  128  extend through the body portion  112  and are aligned with the outer sleeves  120  and the center support portion  114 . 
     FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the connector  110  of  FIG. 7  connecting two support structures. When connected, the outer sleeves  120  of the connector  110  are received within the openings  46  in the deck  42  of the support structures  40 , until the outer sleeves  120  are received within the feet  44  of the support structures  40 . In this manner, the connector  110  and the two support structures  40  are connected as a single, large, rigid unit that is suitable for supporting large, non-rigid object(s). When connected, the bottom-most edge of the center support portion  114  is co-planar with the feet  44  of the support structures  40 , such as when the support structures  40  and connector  110  are resting on the floor. 
     FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a connector  210  according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The connector  210  includes an x-shaped body portion  212 , elongated side portions  213  and elongated end portions  215  connecting adjacent outer ends of the x-shaped body portion  212 . A generally cylindrical center support portion  214  extends downward from the intersection of the x-shaped body portion  212  and from the center of each of the end portions  215 . Generally cylindrical outer sleeves  220  extend downward from outer ends of the arms of the x-shaped body portion  212 . Openings  228  extend through the body portion  212  and are aligned with the outer sleeves  220  and the center support portion  214 . 
     FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the connector  210  of  FIG. 9  connecting two support structures  40 . When connected, the outer sleeves  220  of the connector  210  are received within the openings  46  in the deck  42  of the support structures  40 , until the outer sleeves  220  are received within the feet  44  of the support structures  40 . In this manner, the connector  210  and the two support structures  40  are connected as a single, large, rigid unit that is suitable for supporting large, non-rigid object(s). When connected, the bottom-most edge of the center support portions  214  are co-planar with the feet  44  of the support structures  40 , such as when the support structures  40  and connector  210  are resting on the floor. The side portions  213  rest on the decks  42  of the support structures  40 . 
     FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a connector  310  according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The connector  310  includes generally planar body portion  312 . Three generally cylindrical center support portions  314  extend downward along a centerline of the body portion  312 . Three generally cylindrical outer sleeves  320  extend downward from each end of the body portion  312 . Openings  328  extend through the body portion  312  and are aligned with the center support portions  314  and outer sleeves  320  and center support portions  314 . 
     FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the connector  310  of  FIG. 11  connecting two support structures  40 . When connected, the outer sleeves  320  of the connector  310  are received within the openings  46  in the deck  42  of the support structures  40 , until the outer sleeves  320  are received within the feet  44  of the support structures  40 . In this manner, the connector  310  and the two support structures  40  are connected as a single, large, rigid unit that is suitable for supporting large, non-rigid object(s). When connected, the bottom-most edge of the center support portions  314  are co-planar with the feet  44  of the support structures  40 , such as when the support structures  40  and connector  310  are resting on the floor, as shown. The body portion  312  of the connector  310  rests on the deck  42  of the support structures  40 . 
     FIG. 13  is a perspective view of three connectors  410  according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention connecting two support structures  40 . The connector  410  includes an elongated body portion  412  and a center support portion  414 . A pair of outer sleeves  420  on either side of the center support portion  414  and at opposite ends of the body portion  412  are aligned with an opening  428  extending through the body portion  412 . The connector  410  is nestable with similar connectors  410 , such that the outer sleeves  420  and center support portion  414  can be received within the outer sleeves  420  and center support portion  414  of a like connector  410  stacked therebelow. 
   To connect the two support structures  40 , the feet  44  of the support structures  40  are inserted into the outer sleeves  420  of the connectors  410  through the openings  428 . The two structures  40  and connectors  410  provide a single, large, rigid support for supporting objects, such as large, non-rigid objects. 
     FIG. 14  is a perspective view of three connectors  510  according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention connecting two support structures  40 . The connector  510  includes an elongated body portion  512  a center body portion  512   a , which is elevated relative to two outer body portions  512   b . A center support portion  514  extends downward from the center body portion  512   a . A pair of outer sleeves  520  are each aligned with an opening  528  extending through one of the outer body portions  512   b . The connector  510  is nestable with similar connectors  510 , such that the outer sleeves  520  and center support portion  514  can be received within the outer sleeves  520  and center support portion  514  of a like connector  510  stacked therebelow. To connect the two support structures  40 , the feet  44  of the support structures  40  are inserted into the outer sleeves  520  of the connectors  510  through the openings  528 . The two structures  40  and connectors  510  provide a single, large, rigid support for supporting objects, such as large, non-rigid objects. The elevated center body portion  512   a  provides a continuous surface with the decks  42 . 
     FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a connector  610  according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention connecting two support structures. The connector  610  includes an x-shaped body portion  612 . A generally cylindrical center support portion  614  extends downward from the intersection of the x-shaped body portion  612 . Generally cylindrical outer sleeves  620  extend downward from outer ends of the arms of the x-shaped body portion  612 . To connect the two support structures  40 , the feet  44  of the support structures  40  are received in the outer sleeves  620  of the connector  610 . 
     FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a connector  710  according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention connecting two support structures  40 . The connector  710  includes an x-shaped body portion  712 , elongated side portions  713  and elongated end portions  715  connecting adjacent outer ends of the x-shaped body portion  712 . A generally cylindrical center support portion  714  extends downward from the intersection of the x-shaped body portion  712  and from the center of each of the end portions  715 . Generally cylindrical outer sleeves  720  extend downward from outer ends of the arms of the x-shaped body portion  712 . The feet  44  of the support structures  40  are received in the sleeves  720  of the connector  710  to connect the support structures  40 . 
     FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a connector  810  according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention connecting two support structures  40 . The connector  810  includes generally planar body portion  812 . Three generally cylindrical center support portions  814  extend downward along a centerline of the body portion  812 . Three generally cylindrical outer sleeves  820  extend downward from each end of the body portion  812 . The feet  44  are received in the outer sleeves  820  of the connector  810  to connect the two support structures  40 . 
     FIG. 18  is a sectional view through a connector  910  according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention. The connector  910  could be a 1×3 connector similar to those in  FIGS. 1 ,  13  and  14  or a 3×3 connector as shown in the other embodiments. The connector  910  includes a body portion  912  from which a center support portion  914  and outer sleeves  920  extend downwardly. The outer sleeves  920  define openings  928  through the connector  910 . In this embodiment the outer sleeves  920  do not extend to the floor, but are open at the bottom so that the feet  44  of the support structures  40  can extend through them to the floor, as shown in  FIG. 19 . 
   The outer sleeves  1020  could also simply be the openings  1028  through the body portion  1012 , as shown in an eleventh embodiment of the present invention in  FIG. 20 . 
   The connector  10  to  1010  of the present invention could be made of polypropylene, HDPE, polycarbonate or any other suitable material, such as via an injection-molding or any other suitable process. All of the embodiments are nestable. 
   While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, several possible shapes of the body portion  12  to  1012  are shown, but other shapes of the body portion could also be used. Also, the connector  10  to  1010  has been shown connecting two standard-size full pallets that each have nine feet arranged three by three, but could also be used with non-standard two by three or one by three pallets. It could also be used to connect support structures of different size, shape, configuration, numbers of feet and aspect ratios. The connector could connect non-standard size pallets or non-standard size support structures.