Abstract:
A pallet lock comprising: (a) a housing including two opposing rails defining a channel therebetween; and (b) a biased double lock at least partially seated within the channel, the double lock repositionable between a pick side blocking position and a load side blocking position, the double lock including a load side portion and an opposing pick side portion, where the pick side portion includes a pick side lock, where the load side portion includes a load side lock, and where at least one of the pick side lock and the load side lock are recessed within the channel as a result of the bias of the double lock.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §§119, 120 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/836,528 filed on Aug. 9, 2006, entitled “PALLET LOCKS,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 

   RELATED ART 
   Field of the Invention 
   The present invention is directed to devices and methods of controlling egress of bulk goods and, more specifically, to devices and methods of controlling the egress of pallets. 
   INTRODUCTION TO THE INVENTION 
   It is a first aspect of the present invention to provide a pallet lock comprising: (a) a housing including two opposing rails defining a channel therebetween; and (b) a biased double lock at least partially seated within the channel, the double lock repositionable between a pick side blocking position and a load side blocking position, the double lock including a load side portion and an opposing pick side portion, wherein the pick side portion includes a pick side lock, wherein the load side portion includes a load side lock, and wherein at least one of the pick side lock and the load side lock are recessed within the channel as a result of the bias of the double lock. 
   In a more detailed embodiment of the first aspect, the two opposing rails are longitudinally in parallel to one another. In yet another more detailed embodiment, the double lock includes a pivot pin rotationally repositionable with respect to the housing, thereby rendering the double lock rotationally repositionable with respect to the housing. In a further detailed embodiment, a center of balance of the double lock is offset from the pivot pin. In still a further detailed embodiment, the double lock is always in either the pick side blocking position of the load side blocking position. In a more detailed embodiment, the double lock is biased by a spring to the pick side blocking position. In a more detailed embodiment, the double lock includes conveyor wheels. In another more detailed embodiment, the double lock includes a segment that is generally Z-shaped, a first section of the Z-shaped segment comprises the load side portion, and a second section of the Z-shaped segment, generally opposite that of the first section, comprises the pick side portion. 
   It is a second aspect of the present invention to provide a pallet lock comprising: (a) a housing including two opposing rails defining a channel therebetween, where the housing includes a spindle; and (b) a floating spring ramp having a first portion mounted to the housing and recessed within the channel, and a second portion, generally opposite the first portion, vertically repositionable with respect to the channel between a blocking position where a majority of the second portion is not seated within the channel and an egress position where the majority of the second portion is seated within the channel, where the floating spring ramp under loaded conditions contacts the spindle and bends at least partially around the spindle to arrive at the egress position. 
   In a more detailed embodiment of the second aspect, the two opposing rails are longitudinally in parallel to one another. In yet another more detailed embodiment, the spindle is mounted to at least one of the two opposing rails. In a further detailed embodiment, the floating spring ramp is biased to the blocking position. In still a further detailed embodiment, the floating spring ramp includes conveyor wheels. In a more detailed embodiment, the two opposing rails each include dorsal skis. 
   It is a third aspect of the present invention to provide a unidirectional conveyor rail segment comprising a conveyor rail segment including a wheeled section comprising at least one of a floating wheeled section or a pivoting wheeled section, where the wheeled section includes a repositionable barrier, biased to a barrier position, to inhibit transport of articles in a first direction beyond the conveyor rail segment, but allow transport of articles in a second direction, generally opposite the first direction. 
   In a more detailed embodiment of the third aspect, the wheeled section comprises a floating wheeled section. In yet another more detailed embodiment, the wheeled section comprises a pivoting wheeled section. In a further detailed embodiment, the pivoting wheeled section includes a V-shaped portion that includes a first leg angled with respect to a second leg, the first leg includes at least one wheel, and the second leg includes a barrier. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an elevated perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment in accordance with the present invention, where the embodiment is shown in a pick end blocking position; 
       FIG. 2  is a plan view of the first exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a left side profile view of the first exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a frontal view of an exemplary pallet flow rack  12  incorporating the first exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is left side profile view, without the left side rail, of the first exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 , shown in a load end blocking position; 
       FIG. 6  is a plan view of a first alternate exemplary embodiment, shown in the pick end blocking position; 
       FIG. 7  is a left side profile view of the first alternate exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 8  is left side profile view, without the left side rail, of the first alternate exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 6 , pick end egress position; 
       FIG. 9  is a left side profile view of a second exemplary embodiment, shown in the pick end blocking position; 
       FIG. 10  is a left side profile view of a second exemplary embodiment, without the left side rail, shown in the egress position; and 
       FIG. 11  is a left side profile view of a second alternate exemplary embodiment, without the left side rail, shown in the pick end blocking position. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described and illustrated below to encompass devices and associated methods for conveying and inhibiting travel of palletized, boxed, containerized, and bulk goods in a predetermined direction. Of course, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the preferred embodiments discussed below are exemplary in nature and may be reconfigured without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. However, for clarity and precision, the exemplary embodiments as discussed below may include optional steps, methods, and features that one of ordinary skill should recognize as not being a requisite to fall within the scope of the present invention. 
   Referencing  FIGS. 1-5 , an exemplary pallet lock  10  comprises a channel  20  in which a lock member  50  is pivotally mounted. This pallet lock  10  can be affixed to a conventional pallet flow rack  12  (see  FIG. 4 ), a conveyor, or another device used to transport or store palletized, boxed, containerized, or otherwise discrete loads. The channel  20  has an load end  28  and a pick end  30 . When the pallet lock  10  is fixed to a pallet flow rack  12 , it can be attached to the frame of the rack  12  adjacent to the conveyor rollers so that the lock member  50  extends above the upper surface of the rollers as will be described in greater detail below. In exemplary form, the load end  28  of the pallet lock  10  may be located and oriented proximate to a load end  13  of the pallet flow rack  12 . The pallet lock  10  is generally oriented so that the normal direction of pallet  15  flow is from the load end  28  to the pick end  30 . Nevertheless, it is also within the scope of the invention to attach one or more pallet locks  10  at locations other than that of the load end  13  of a pallet flow rack  12 . For example, the pallet lock  10  may be attached at any point along a pallet flow rack  12 , a conveyor, or another device used transport or store palletized, boxed, containerized, or otherwise discrete loads. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , the channel  20  of the pallet lock  10  is generally rectangular in cross-section, where the cross-sections are parallel to a horizontal plane. The lock member  50  is mounted to a dowel  52  piercing each of the opposed rails  53 ,  55 , where the dowel  52  extends from one side of the channel  20  to the opposing side and is rotationally repositionable with respect to the side rails  53 ,  55  partially defining the channel  20 . In this manner, the dowel  52  establishes a rotational axis for the lock member  50 . Moreover, the center of balance of the lock member  50  may be offset from the location where the lock member is mounted to the dowel  52 . 
   Referencing  FIG. 3 , the lock member  50  is generally Z-shaped. The lock member  50  has two opposing ends comprising a load end  54  and a pick end  56 . The dowel  52 , which the lock member  50  is mounted to, is mounted to the rails  53 ,  55  near the upper edge  22  of channel  20  to enable rotational repositioning of the lock member  50  in a multitude of angular positions. In this exemplary embodiment, the upper edge  22  is operative to provide a ski along which a pallet may slide. Turning back to the angular positions, these angular positions of the lock member  50  include one end  54 / 56  or a portion of both ends  54 / 56  of the lock member  50  extending above the upper or dorsal edge  22  of the channel  20  and rails  53 ,  55 . In this exemplary embodiment, the lock member  50  is biased by a torsion spring  59  circumscribing the dowel  52 , but the lock member may also be biased by gravity, or both a spring force and gravity so that the load end  54  pivots downward into the channel  20  and the pick end  56  pivots upward and out of the channel  20  when no pallet  15  is present (i.e., an unloaded position). 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , an exemplary pallet flow rack  12  includes a pallet lock  10  interfacing with pallets  15  on each of the four levels of the pallet flow rack. The pallet flow rack  12  has a load end  13  and a pick end  14  and includes rollers (such as conveyor tracks, not shown) affixed to the horizontal members  16 . Initially, the pallet lock  10  is biased into the unloaded position (see the second and fourth levels of the pallet flow rack of  FIG. 4 ), but as pallets are loaded within the respective levels, this position changes to a loaded position. When loading operations commence, each pallet  15  travels along the conveyor of the pallet flow rack  12  in the forward direction (in the direction from the load end  13  to the pick end  14 ), its leading edge depresses the upwardly extended slanted portion  57  of the lock member  50  adjacent to the pick end  56  of the lock  10 . This applied force of the pallet causes the lock member  50  to pivot about the rotational axis established by the dowel  52  so that the pick end  56  moves downward and into the channel  20 , while the load end  54  of the lock member  50  moves upward and out of the channel  20 . When rotated upward, the load end  54  of the lock member  50  prevents a pallet  15  from traveling backwards (in the direction from pick end  13  to load end  14 ) on the pallet flow rack  12  (see the first and third levels of the pallet flow rack of  FIG. 4 ). This position is commonly referred to as the loaded position (see  FIG. 5 ). 
   As further the pallets  15  are loaded, the pallet closest to the load side  13  travels along the conveyor and its trailing edge eventually passes beyond the pick end  56  of the pallet lock  10 . At this point, the pallet lock  10  returns to its initial unloaded position with the pick end  56  raised out of the channel  20  and the load end  54  recessed within the channel  20  due to the biasing discussed above. In this unloaded position, the pick end  56  prevents a pallet  15  from traveling backwards (in the direction from pick end  14  to load end  13 ) on the pallet flow rack  12 . 
   The exemplary pallet lock  10  may be constructed primarily of steel. It is within the scope of the invention to utilize other materials for constructing the pallet lock  10  including, but not limited to, plastics, composites, fibers, ceramics, rubber, or wood. In addition, it is within the scope of the invention to include components such as bumpers, wear surfaces, and fasteners composed of other materials. 
   The pallet lock  10  may be attached to a pallet flow rack  12 , a conveyor, or another device used to transport or store palletized, boxed, containerized, or otherwise discrete loads using methods such as, but not limited to, fasteners, such as screws, bolts, or clips, or welded joints. 
   All dimensions shown on the drawings are exemplary in nature. Thus, dimensions may vary from those shown in the figures without departing from the scope of the invention. Additionally, although the above description of the operation of the invention includes pallets  15 , it is within the scope of the invention to use the pallet lock  10  as described with any palletized, boxed, containerized, or otherwise discrete loads. 
   Referencing  FIGS. 6-8 , a first alternate exemplary pallet lock  10 ′ includes a lock member  50 ′ and dowel  52 ′ that are not fastened together. In this exemplary embodiment, the load end  54 ′ of the lock member  50 ′ is permanently mounted within the channel  20 ′, while the pick end  56 ′ is able to traverse up and down with respect to the channel  20 ′. In this exemplary embodiment, the load end  54 ′ is welded to the opposing rails  53 ′,  55 ′. 
   As with the first exemplary embodiment, the pallet lock  10 ′ is generally rectangular in cross-section, where the cross-sections are parallel to a horizontal plane. However, in this exemplary embodiment, the lock member  50 ′ floats above the dowel  52 ′ and is operative to contact the dowel  52 ′ and at least partially deform around the dowel  52 ′ when under a load. In this manner, the lock member  50 ′ itself provides the spring force to deform under loads and return to an upright position out of the channel under unloaded conditions. 
   In operation of this alternate exemplary embodiment, pallets (not shown) are loaded onto the pallet rack (not shown) in the forward direction (in the direction from the load end to the pick end) and are operative to contact the upwardly extended slanted portion  57 ′ of the lock member  50 ′ adjacent to the pick end  56 ′. In this alternate exemplary embodiment, the lock member  50 ′ is forced against the dowel  52 ′ and deforms under the contact pressure from the pallet  15 . This deformation causes the pick end  56 ′ down and into the channel  20 ′, thereby allowing passage of the pallet  15  (which may or may not be riding upon the rails  53 ,  55 ). When the pallet  15  passes the pick end  56 , the spring force of the lock member  50  is operative to reposition the lock member to an upright position (i.e., an unloaded position), thereby blocking pallets from traveling in a rearward direction (in the direction from the pick end  14  to the load end  13 ). 
   Referring to  FIGS. 9-11 , a second alternate exemplary pallet lock  60  is integrated into a pallet conveyor  62  In exemplary form, the pallet lock  60  comprises a section of a pallet conveyor  62  and includes a plurality of wheels  64  for transporting palletized, boxed, containerized, or otherwise discrete loads. Similar to the first exemplary embodiment (see  FIGS. 1-5 ), a lock member  66  is pivotally mounted with respect to a pair of longitudinal rails  68 , but biased to an unloaded position (see  FIG. 9 ) so that a pick end  70  includes a barrier to inhibit pallets (not shown) from passing from left to right beyond the pick end and the load end  72  when exposed to an unloaded condition. Conversely, the load end  72  of the lock member includes inclined wheel assembly to allow pallets to move from right to left. In this exemplary embodiment, the lock member  66  is biased to the blocking position of  FIG. 9  by way of a torsion spring  76  circumscribing an axial pin  74  about which the lock member pivots. 
   In operation of this second alternate exemplary pallet lock  60 , pallets are loaded onto a conveyor in the forward direction (in the direction from the load end  72  to the pick end  70 ) and are operative to contact the inclined wheel assembly of the lock member  66  adjacent to the load end  72 . In this second alternate exemplary embodiment, the lock member  66  pivots about the axial pin  74  so that the pick end  70 . The wheels  64  are operative as a ramp to allow portions of the pallet to ride over the load side, while inhibiting the pallet from traveling from left to right after the pallet has passed the pick side  70  (see  FIG. 9 ). When in the loaded position (see  FIG. 10 ), the lock member  66  is depressed into a channel between the pair of longitudinal rails  68 , thereby negating the pick side barrier. 
   Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 11 , the second alternate exemplary pallet lock  60 ′ may be fabricated similar to the first alternate exemplary embodiment, but in this instance the lock member  66 ′ is a V-shaped pivoting member having a wheel assembly at one leg  80  of the V, while the other leg  82  of the V includes a block  84  to inhibit travel of pallets from left to right. In this exemplary embodiment, an axial pin  74 ′ is circumscribed by a torsion spring  76 ′ to bias the lock member  66 ′ in a pick side blocking position (see  FIG. 11 ). However, the bias of the torsion spring may be overcome by the weight of the pallet and/or the items mounted on the pallet to pivot the lock member  66 ′ into a load side blocking position where the wheel assembly of the first let  80  would be substantially level with the remaining wheels of the conveyor, while the second leg  82  would project upward from the conveyors (and conveyor rails) at an angle to expose the block  84  and inhibit travel of pallets from the pick side  70 ′ to the load side  72 ′. 
   Following from the above description and invention summaries, it should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that, while the methods and apparatuses herein described constitute exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the invention contained herein is not limited to this precise embodiment and that changes may be made to such embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Additionally, it is to be understood that the invention is defined by the claims and it is not intended that any limitations or elements describing the exemplary embodiments set forth herein are to be incorporated into the interpretation of any claim element unless such limitation or element is explicitly stated. Likewise, it is to be understood that it is not necessary to meet any or all of the identified advantages or objects of the invention disclosed herein in order to fall within the scope of any claims, since the invention is defined by the claims and since inherent and/or unforeseen advantages of the present invention may exist even though they may not have been explicitly discussed herein.