Abstract:
A dolly pallet assembly including a pallet having a pallet body defining a bottom surface and at least two channels therein. Each channel includes side walls and a channel bottom surface spaced a first height relative to the pallet body bottom surface. An entry into each channel is defined in the body and includes a ramped surface which slopes from a second height relative to the pallet body bottom surface at the entry to a third height relative to the pallet body bottom surface adjacent the channel bottom surface, wherein the second height is less than the first and third heights. The dolly includes a support platform with a plurality of wheel assemblies and at least one locking member, wherein the dolly is positionable relative to the pallet with the wheels received in respective channels and the locking member selectively engageable to lock the dolly relative to the pallet.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/677,738 filed on Jul. 31, 2012, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to a dolly pallet assembly for supporting and transporting items. In particular, this invention relates to an assembly including a pallet configured to receive and lockingly position a wheeled dolly relative thereto such that the pallet and dolly may be moved as a unit or the dolly may be moved independently of the pallet. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The shipping industry typically packages items into groups that can be supported on a pallet for transportation from one location to another location. A single large item or multiple smaller items are positioned on a pallet which has openings configured to receive forks or tines from a forklift, pallet jack or other piece of bulk handling equipment. Once the bulk handling equipment is positioned relative to the pallet, the forks or tines are lifted whereby the pallet and the items thereon are lifted. During the loading procedure, the loading area must be large enough for the pallet to be positioned and also for the bulk handling equipment to position relative thereto. As such, the items to be transported must be stored in this large area or moved to this area, typically by carrying the items or loading and unloading the items on an intermediate mover, for example a dolly or hand truck. The additional loading and unloading adds time and cost in additional labor. 
         [0004]    Once the pallet is loaded, it may then be moved via the bulk handling equipment from the loading area to a transportation unit, for example a truck, train car or cargo ship. Once the transportation unit reaches its destination, another piece of bulk handling equipment must be used to unload the pallet from the transportation unit and move it to its final destination. In some instances, the bulk handling equipment may not be available, in which case the items may have to be unloaded one at a time and moved to the final location. In some cases, even when the bulk handling equipment is available, the destination may not have room for the bulk handling equipment to maneuver to the final location for the items, so again, it is necessary to remove the items from the pallet and then transport them to the final location. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Briefly, the present invention provides a dolly pallet assembly including a wheeled dolly which may be loaded and moved onto and locking secured relative to the such that the pallet and dolly may be moved as a unit. Once at a desired destination, the dolly may be moved independently of the pallet. 
         [0006]    In one aspect, the invention provides a pallet including a pallet body defining a bottom surface and at least two channels therein, each channel including side walls and a channel bottom surface spaced a first height relative to the pallet body bottom surface, and an entry into each channel, the entry including a ramped surface which slopes from a second height relative to the pallet body bottom surface at the entry to a third height relative to the pallet body bottom surface adjacent the channel bottom surface, wherein the second height is less than the first and third heights. 
         [0007]    In another aspect, the invention provides a dolly pallet assembly comprising a pallet including a pallet body defining a bottom surface and at least two channels therein, each channel including side walls and a channel bottom surface spaced a first height relative to the pallet body bottom surface, and an entry into each channel, the entry including a ramped surface which slopes from a second height relative to the pallet body bottom surface at the entry to a third height relative to the pallet body bottom surface adjacent the channel bottom surface, wherein the second height is less than the first and third heights, wherein a locking recess is defined in the pallet body adjacent at least one of the entries; and a dolly including a support platform with a plurality of wheel assemblies and at least one locking member, wherein the dolly is positionable relative to the pallet with the wheels received in respective channels and the locking member selectively engageable with the locking recess to lock the dolly relative to the pallet. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute part of this specification, illustrate the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the features of the invention. In the drawings: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a dolly pallet assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention supporting exemplary bottled water storage racks. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of the assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of the assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a bottom plan view of an exemplary bottled water storage rack. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view of an exemplary pallet in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the exemplary pallet of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a top plan view of the exemplary pallet of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view along the line  9 - 9  in  FIG. 8 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view along the line  10 - 10  in  FIG. 8 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view along the line  11 - 11  in  FIG. 8 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is an isometric view of an exemplary dolly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  is an exploded view of the exemplary dolly of  FIG. 12 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  is a top plan view of the exemplary dolly of  FIG. 12 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 15  is a side elevation view of the exemplary dolly of  FIG. 12 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 16  is a front elevation view of the exemplary dolly of  FIG. 12 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 17  is an isometric view illustrating an exemplary locking member in a locking position. 
           [0026]      FIG. 18  is an isometric view illustrating the exemplary locking member of  FIG. 17  in a move position. 
           [0027]      FIG. 19  is a side elevation view of a dolly pallet assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the invention supporting exemplary bottled water storage racks. 
           [0028]      FIG. 20  is an exploded view of the exemplary pallet of the assembly  FIG. 19 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 21  is a top plan view of the exemplary pallet of the assembly  FIG. 19 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 22  is a cross-sectional view along the line  22 - 22  in  FIG. 21 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 23  is a cross-sectional view along the line  23 - 23  in  FIG. 21 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 24  is a cross-sectional view along the line  24 - 24  in  FIG. 21 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 25  is an isometric view of another exemplary dolly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 26  is a top plan view of the exemplary dolly of  FIG. 25 . 
           [0035]      FIG. 27  is a side elevation view of the exemplary dolly of  FIG. 25 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0036]    In the drawings, like numerals indicate like elements throughout. Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. For example, the terms front, back, left and right are utilized herein to assist with understanding of relative positioning, but are not intended to be limiting to an orientation of use of the device. The following describes a preferred embodiment of the present invention. However, it should be understood, based on this disclosure, that the invention is not limited by the preferred embodiment described herein. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , an exemplary embodiment of a dolly pallet assembly  10  is shown supporting a plurality of exemplary bottled water storage racks  120 . The dolly pallet assembly  100  of the present embodiment generally includes a pallet  12  and one or more dollies  70 . In the illustrated embodiment, the pallet  12  is configured to receive and support two dollies  70 , however, the pallet  12  may be configured to support fewer or more dollies. 
         [0038]    In the exemplary embodiment, each dolly  70  is configured to support a plurality of bottled water storage racks  120 , three as illustrated. Each storage rack  120  includes two apertures, with each aperture  122  configured to receive two water bottles  124 . The exemplary storage racks  120  have a rib structure  121  with engaging projections  106  along the top surface and corresponding receiving slots  123 ,  125  along the bottom surface (see  FIG. 5 ). When the racks  120  are stacked, the projections  126  of a lower rack  120  engage the slots  123 ,  125  of a rack  120  above to maintain the stacked configuration. While the invention is illustrated and described herein in conjunction bottled water storage racks  120 , the invention is not limited to such, and the dollies  70  may be utilized to support and move different items, whether in racks or not. Additionally, while the illustrated racks  120  are plastic racks, the invention is not limited to such and the racks may be of any material, including metal. Additionally, while the racks  120  are illustrated as separate components stacked on the dollies  70 , the racks may be formed integral with the dollies and may include any number of apertures, slots, shelves or the like. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIGS. 6-11 , an exemplary pallet  12  will be described. The pallet  12  is preferably manufactured from a polymer material, for example a plastic or thermoplastic material, but may be manufactured from other materials as well. The pallet  12  has a pallet body  14  including three lateral beams  15 ,  17  and  19  extending laterally between two side channels  23  with two intermediate channels  24  therebetween. This configuration facilitates two dollies  70  as illustrated, however, the pallet  12  may be formed with only two channels to receive a single dolly or may be formed with more than four channels to receive more than two dollies. In the present embodiment, the beams  15 ,  17  and  19  and the channels  23 ,  24  are formed integrally, however, they may be formed as separate components and joined together. The beams  15 ,  17  and  19  define a lower surface of the pallet  12  which extends along a plane P (see  FIGS. 10 and 11 ). Lateral openings  16  and  18  are defined between the beams  15 ,  17  and  19 . The lateral openings  16  and  18  are configured to receive forklift tines or the like to lift and move the pallet  12 . Longitudinal openings  11  and  13 , which will be described hereinafter, are also configured to receive forklift tines or the like so the pallet  12  may be accessed by a forklift or the like from any side. 
         [0040]    Each of the channels  23 ,  24  extends from a rear wall  30  to a ramped opening  50 . The side channels  23  include an outer wall  25  and an inner wall  27  extending forward from the rear wall  30 . The outer walls  25  may be formed with a reduced height as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-7  or may be formed with a configuration similar to the inner wall  27  as illustrated in  FIGS. 8-11 . The outer wall  25  and inner wall  27  each have an inward tapered portion  29  at the lower end thereof with a longitudinal gap  31  defined between the opposed tapered portions  29 . Similarly, the intermediate channels  24  each have an inner wall  27  with an inward tapered portion  29  at the lower end thereof. The intermediate channels  24  share a common wall  28  which has an inward tapered portion  29  on each side thereof, with each common wall tapered portion  29  opposing a tapered portion  29  of a respective inner wall  27  with a longitudinal gap  31  therebetween. 
         [0041]    Front and rear bridge portions  32  and  33  extend between the respective inner walls  27  of the side and intermediate channels  23 ,  24  to define an upper surface of the pallet  12 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 9 , the bridge portions  32 ,  33  are spaced from the beams  15 ,  17  and  19  to define the longitudinal openings  11  and  13 . The bridge portions  32 ,  33  may be formed as a continuous surface, however, openings  34 ,  35  may be left between the side and intermediate channels  23 ,  24  to reduce the amount of material, reduce weight and simplify manufacturing. 
         [0042]    In the illustrated embodiment, each longitudinal gap  31  is open except where the gap  31  crosses the lateral beams  15 ,  17  and  19 . With this configuration, a reinforcing track  40  is configured to be positioned within each longitudinal gap  31 . Each track  40  includes a planar central surface  42  with tapered surfaces  43  extending outwardly therefrom and is manufactured from metal, reinforced thermoplastic or the like. The track  40  is received in a respective longitudinal gap  31  with the tapered surfaces  43  supported on the corresponding tapered portions  29 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , bores  47  are provided through the beams  15 ,  17 ,  19  such that the tracks  40  may be secured to the pallet body  14  with the illustrated screws  44 , washers  45  and nuts  46 . The tracks  40  may be connected to the pallet body  14  in any desired matter, including but not limited to, molding of the pallet body  14  about the tracks  40 . The walls  25 ,  27  and  28  and the tracks  40  are preferably configured such when a track  40  is secured within one of the channels  23 ,  24 , the track planar surface  42  is parallel with the plane P defined by the beams  15 ,  17 ,  19 . Alternatively, the configuration may be that the track planar surface  42  is sloped from front to back such that the dolly  70  is biased by gravity toward the rear wall  30 . 
         [0043]    While the exemplary embodiment of the pallet  12  includes separate tracks  40 , the pallet  12  may be formed without such. For example, the longitudinal gap  31  may be formed as a continuous surface having a sufficient thickness or support structure to support a dolly, thereby eliminating the need for a separate track. 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIGS. 6 ,  8  and  11 , the walls  25 ,  27  and  28  continue forward of the tapered portions  29  and tracks  40  with reduced height walls  52  which connect to beam  15  and define the ramped opening  50 . The wall  52  which is part of the common wall  28  may include an upwardly extending dividing portion  55  to reduce the chance of a wheel rolling to the wrong channel  24 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the beams  15 ,  17  and  19 , the common wall  28 , the rear wall  30  and the dividing portion  55  are preferably formed as an integral structure, however, each of the various components of the pallet  12  may be formed as separate components which are connected together. 
         [0045]    An entry into each channel is defined by a ramped surface  51  extending between the walls  52  and extends from a lower most forward area to a height substantially equal to the height of the track planar surface  42 . Each of the walls  52  preferably includes a tapered section  53  at the forward area such that a funnel like opening is defined and extends to a narrow section  54  with a width substantially equal to the width of the track planar portion  42 . A locking recess  56  is defined into each set of opposed walls  52  across the narrow section  54 . The recess  56  defines a stop shoulder  57  in each of the walls  52  and is configured to receive a portion of a respective locking member  100  on the dolly  70  as will be described hereinafter. 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIGS. 12-18 , an exemplary dolly  70  will be described. The dolly  70  includes a support platform  72  configured to support a moveable item, in the illustrated embodiment, one or more storage racks. The support platform  72  may include depending walls  74 ,  76  to provide added rigidity to the support platform  72 . As illustrated in  FIG. 14 , the support platform  72  may include an extended portion  78  which makes the dolly  70  accessible even with items positioned thereon. A connecting bore  77  may be provided to facilitate connection of a handle or the like to assist in moving the dolly  70 . The edges of the support platform  72  may include upwardly extending boundary wall portions  73 ,  75  which help to retain items on the support platform  72 . The support platform is preferably manufactured from metal, for example, steel, but may be manufactured from other materials, for example, plastic or thermoplastics. 
         [0047]    In the present embodiment configured to support the storage racks of  FIGS. 1-5 , forward and rear cleats  80 ,  82  are provided on the support platform  72  and are positioned to engage the slots  123  and  125  in the rack  120 . As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the cleats  80 ,  82  include depending projections  81 ,  83 , respectively, which are configured to engage and lock into slots  71  in the support platform  72 . Depending on the configuration, the cleats  80 ,  82  may have different configurations, may be positioned differently or may not be required. The platform  72  may be provided with multiple slots  71  to allow cleats or other securing members to be interchanged and arranged in various configurations. Other connection assemblies, for example, straps or the like may be utilized to secure items to the dolly  70 . 
         [0048]    The dolly  70  includes a pair of rear wheel assemblies  84  and a pair of forward wheel assemblies  94  attached to the lower surface of the platform in any desired manner. The illustrated embodiment illustrates attachment of the wheel assemblies via screws  85 , washers  87  and nuts  89 . The illustrated rear wheel assemblies  84  include a wheel  88  secured via a non-rotating support structure  86 . The illustrated front wheel assemblies  94  include a wheel  98  supported by a rotating support structure  96  and a reinforcing plate  95 . The wheel assemblies are not limited to positioning as indicated and may be arranged in any desired manner. Additionally, either the front, rear or both wheel assemblies may be manufactured with a switching mechanism which allows them to be switched between rotating and non-rotating configurations. The rear wheel assemblies  84  are laterally spaced from one another a distance equal to the distance between the adjacent longitudinal gaps  31 . Similarly, forward wheel assemblies  94  are laterally spaced from one another a distance equal to the distance between the adjacent longitudinal gaps  31 . 
         [0049]    A locking member  100  is secured at each side of the platform  72  forward of a respective forward wheel assembly  94 . With reference to  FIGS. 17 and 18 , each of the exemplary locking members  100  includes a securing plate  102  with a first tube member  104  depending therefrom. A second tube member  106  is telescopingly associated with the first tube member  104  such that the second tube member  106  is axially extendible relative to the first tube member  104 . A securing pad  108  is attached on the free end of the second tube member  106 . 
         [0050]    A pair of upper linkage members  114  each having a linear configuration are pivotally connected at one end thereof to the upper tube member  104  at pivot point  113 . A pair of lower linkage members  110  having an L-shaped configuration are joined together via a locking plate  112  at one end thereof and are pivotally connected to the upper linkages  114  at pivot points  113 . An intermediate portion of each lower linkage member  110  is pivotally connected to the second tube member  106  at pivot point  111 . Each lower linkage member  110  further includes a release plate  116  adjacent its pivotally connected end. 
         [0051]      FIG. 17  illustrates the locking member  100  in an locking position. In this position, the locking plate  112  has been pushed in the direction A. As a result, the lower linkage  110  has pivoted about pivot point  111  and caused the opposite end of the lower linkage  110  and the upper linkage  114  to pivot about pivot point  115  to a more linear configuration with the second tube  106 , and thereby the securing pad  108 , extended further from the upper tube  104 . In this position, the securing pad  108  is spaced a distance from the securing plate  102  which is equal to or greater than the height of the front wheel assemblies  94  such that the securing pad  108  will be received in a respective locking recess  56  in the pallet  12 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Preferably, the securing pads  108  and locking recesses  56  have complimentary configurations such that engagement of the pads  108  into the recesses  56  causes a desired alignment and registration between the dolly  70  and the pallet  12 . The recesses  56  may have a tapered structure, see  FIGS. 6 and 7 , to guide the pads  108  into the recesses  56 . This achieves a repeatable and accurate registration of the dollies  70 , and therefore the contents of the dollies  70 , with the pallet  12 . Such registration may be important in various applications, for example, when automated, robotic loading is used to load the product onto the dollies or the racks. The locking and registration may also be accomplished by other components, assemblies or mechanisms on either the dolly or mechanisms on the pallet used together with or in lieu of the illustrated locking members  100 . 
         [0052]    With the dolly  70  positioned in the respective channels  23 ,  24  and the locking members  100  in the locking position, the dolly  70  and pallet  12  form an integrated structure that may be moved together using the openings  11 ,  13  or  16 ,  18 . 
         [0053]    To load or unload a dolly  70  relative to the pallet  12 , the locking member  100  is moved to the unlocked or moved position illustrated in  FIG. 18 . To move the locking member  100 , the release plates  116  are moved in the direction of arrow B such that the linkages  114  and  110  pivot relative to one another with the angled configuration lifting the second tube member  106  and thereby the securing pad  108 . In the move position, the pad  108  is clear of the recess  56  and walls  52  such that the dolly  70  may be wheeled onto or off of the pallet via the ramped surfaces  71 . 
         [0054]    With the locking members  100  in a move position, the dollies  70  can be removed from the pallet  12  and easily moved via the wheels  88 ,  98 . The dollies  70  can move multiple stored items to a final location without the need to move the items one at a time. Additionally, the dollies  70  can be wheeled off of transportation units via a ramp or the like, thereby eliminating the need for bulk handling equipment to remove the pallet  12  from the transportation unit. 
         [0055]    Referring to  FIGS. 19-27 , an alternative exemplary embodiment of a dolly pallet assembly  10 ′ including an alternative exemplary pallet  12 ′ and an alternative exemplary dolly  70 ′ will be described. The pallet  12 ′ is substantially the same as in the previous embodiment except that the pallet  12 ′ does not include any locking recesses as in the previous embodiment and some of the components may be differently sized. Instead of the recesses, the locking member  100 ′ on the dolly  70 ′ functions independent of the pallet  12 ′, as will be described hereinafter. The pallet  12 ′ may be used with any wheeled rack system which includes a means for locking at least one wheel against movement. The pallet  12 ′ is again illustrated used in conjunction with water bottle racks  120 , but is not limited to such and may be used with any wheeled racks including a locking means, for example, bread racks, etc. As an example of a differently sized component, the reinforcing tracks  40 ′ of the present embodiment are narrower but taller than the reinforcing tracks  40  in the previous embodiment. Other scale modifications are within the scope of the present invention. Common element numbers are used on the pallets  12  and  12 ′ and therefore the common features of pallet  12 ′ are not described again in detail. 
         [0056]    Referring to  FIGS. 25-27 , an alternative exemplary dolly  70 ′ will be described. The dolly  70 ′ of the present embodiment includes an open support platform  72 ′ configured to support a moveable item, in the illustrated embodiment, one or more storage racks. The open support platform  72 ′ is defined by a plurality of longitudinal rails  172  interconnected with a plurality of lateral rails  174 . As illustrated in  FIG. 26 , the support platform  72 ′ may include an extended portion  78 ′ which makes the dolly  70 ′ accessible even with items positioned thereon. A connecting bore  77 ′ may be provided to facilitate connection of a handle or the like to assist in moving the dolly  70 ′. The edges of the support platform  72 ′ may include upwardly extending boundary wall portions  73 ′,  75 ′ which help to retain items on the support platform  72 ′. The support platform is preferably manufactured from metal, for example, steel, but may be manufactured from other materials, for example, plastic or thermoplastics. 
         [0057]    In the present embodiment configured to support the storage racks of  FIGS. 1-5  and  19 , forward and rear cleats  80 ′,  82 ′ are provided on the support platform  72 ′ and are positioned to engage the slots  123  and  125  in the rack  120 . The cleats  80 ′,  82 ′ are preferably configured to fit about and connect to the longitudinal rails  172 . Depending on the application, the cleats  80 ′,  82 ′may have different configurations, may be positioned differently or may not be required. Other connection assemblies, for example, straps or the like may be utilized to secure items to the dolly  70 ′. While the dolly  70 ′ of the present embodiment includes an open support platform  72 ′, the dolly  70 ′ may have a planar support as in the first embodiment and the dolly  70  of the first embodiment may have an open support frame, or combinations thereof. 
         [0058]    The dolly  70 ′ includes a pair of rear wheel assemblies  84 ′ and a pair of forward wheel assemblies  94 ′ attached to the lower surface of the platform in any desired manner. In the present embodiment, both the illustrated rear wheel assemblies  84 ′ and the illustrated front wheel assemblies  94 ′ include a wheel  88 ′,  98 ′ supported by a rotating support structure  86 ′,  96 ′ and a reinforcing plate  85 ′,  95 ′. The wheel assemblies are not limited to positioning as indicated and may be arranged in any desired manner. Additionally, either the front, rear or both wheel assemblies may be manufactured with a switching mechanism which allows them to be switched between rotating and non-rotating configurations. The rear wheel assemblies  84 ′ are laterally spaced from one another a distance equal to the distance between the adjacent longitudinal gaps  31 . Similarly, forward wheel assemblies  94 ′ are laterally spaced from one another a distance equal to the distance between the adjacent longitudinal gaps  31 . 
         [0059]    A locking member  100 ′ is secured to each forward wheel assembly  94 ′. The exemplary locking members  100 ′ includes a securing pad  108 ′ connected to a step plate  112 ′ which is pivotally connected to the respective support structure  96 ′ via linkages  113 ′,  114 ′.  FIGS. 19 ,  25  and  27  illustrate the locking member  100 ′ in an locking position. In this position, the step plate  112 ′ has been pushed in the direction A. As a result, the securing pad  108  is pivoted into frictional contact with the respective wheel  98 ′. Preferably the linkage  113 ′,  114 ′ is configured such that the step plate  112 ′ is secured in the locking position until a further force is applied thereto. To release the locking member  100 ′, the step plate  112 ′ is pushed in the unlocking manner and the securing pad  108 ′ pivots to a non-engaged position. 
         [0060]    With the dolly  70 ′ positioned in the respective channels  23 ,  24  and the locking members  100 ′ in the locking position as shown in  FIG. 19 , the dolly  70 ′ and pallet  12 ′ are secured from relative movement and may be moved together using the openings  11 ,  13  or  16 ,  18 . To load or unload a dolly  70 ′ relative to the pallet  12 ′, the locking member  100 ′ is moved to the unlocked or move position. With the locking members  100 ′ in a move position, the dollies  70 ′ can be removed from the pallet  12 ′ and easily moved via the wheels  88 ′,  98 ′. The dollies  70 ′ can move multiple stored items to a final location without the need to move the items one at a time. Additionally, the dollies  70 ′ can be wheeled off of transportation units via a ramp or the like, thereby eliminating the need for bulk handling equipment to remove the pallet  12 ′ from the transportation unit. 
         [0061]    These and other advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing specification. Accordingly, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It should therefore be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, but is intended to include all changes and modifications that are within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined in the claims.