Patent Publication Number: US-11389943-B2

Title: Tool pallet apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     NA 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     1. Field of the Disclosure 
     The disclosure relates in general to a pallet apparatus, and more particularly, to a tool pallet apparatus. 
     2. Background Art 
     Worksites, particularly those that include heavy equipment such as excavators, backhoes, bulldozers, bobcats, etc., also include addition worksite equipment such as welders, gas tanks, generators, electrical cords, drills, water hoses, and other worksite equipment that is typically used on such worksites. Such worksite equipment is typically transported to such worksites via pickup trucks. Such pickup trucks are typically configured to hold such worksite equipment. However, such pickup trucks may not have access to an entire worksite. Thus, substantial manual labor is typically needed to remove such worksite equipment from the pickup trucks, transport such worksite equipment throughout the worksite, transport such worksite equipment back to the pickup trucks, and reload such worksite equipment onto the pickup trucks. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The disclosure is directed to an apparatus that includes a base portion, a workbench, and a compartment system. The base portion includes a first side, a second side, and an opening between the first side and the second side, the opening being sized to accommodate a lift to elevate the apparatus and move the apparatus from a first location to a second location. The workbench portion is disposed on an opposite end of the apparatus as the base portion, the workbench portion including a first side and a second side. The compartment system is disposed between the base portion and the workbench portion and comprising a plurality of support members coupled to the first side of the base portion and second side of the workbench portion. The compartment system further comprises at least one of a vertical divider and a horizonal divider to accommodate a worksite equipment, with the plurality of support members supporting the workbench portion. 
     In some configurations, the lift includes a pair of forklift forks. 
     In some configurations, the base portion has an approximate width W and an approximate length L, the base portion being one of 40 inches W×48 inches L, 42 inches W×42 inches L, 48 inches W×48 inches L, 48 inches W×40 inches L, 48 inches W×42 inches L, 40 inches W×40 inches L, 48 inches W×45 inches L, 44 inches W×44 inches L, 36 inches W×36 inches L, 48 inches W×36 inches L, 35 inches W×45.5 inches L, and 48 inches W×20 inches L. 
     In some configurations, the apparatus further includes an electrical cord mount including a first winding post and a second winding post. 
     In some configurations, the electrical cord mount is coupled to the compartment system. 
     In some configurations, the workbench portion is coupled to the compartment system via a plurality of bolts. 
     In some configurations, the apparatus further includes a vise coupled to the workbench surface. 
     In some configurations, the apparatus further includes a crowbar mount to couple at least one crowbar to the apparatus. 
     In some configurations, the workbench portion includes at least one hole through the workbench portion to guide the at least one crowbar into the crowbar mount. 
     In some configurations, the crowbar mount is coupled to the base portion. 
     In some configurations, the compartment system further includes a vertical divider disposed between the first side of the base portion and the second side of the workbench portion. 
     In some configurations, the vertical divider creates a compartment that is approximately sized to accommodate at least one of a welder, a generator, and a combination welder/generator. 
     In some configurations, the apparatus further includes an electrical wire mount. 
     In some configurations, the electrical wire mount is coupled to the workbench portion. 
     In some configurations, the compartment system further includes a gas tank mount to secure the gas tank to the apparatus. 
     In some configurations, the compartment system further includes a cubbyhole including four surrounding walls. 
     In some configurations, the cubbyhole is sized to accommodate a bin. 
     In some configurations, at least one of the plurality of support members is doglegged to accommodate entry and exit of at least one of the plurality of worksite equipment. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an isometric view of an example tool pallet apparatus the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an isometric view of another example tool pallet apparatus the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an isometric view of the tool pallet apparatus shown in  FIG. 2  the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     While this disclosure is susceptible of embodiment(s) in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and described herein in detail a specific embodiment(s) with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification and is not intended to be limited to the embodiment(s) illustrated. 
     It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components, referred to herein, may be identified throughout the drawings by like reference characters. In addition, it will be understood that the drawings are merely schematic representations of the invention, and some of the components may have been distorted from actual scale for purposes of pictorial clarity. 
     With reference to the deficiencies discussed above, an apparatus is disclosed, such as the example tool pallet apparatus  100 , that provides a convenient way to transport multiple pieces of worksite equipment to a worksite. Referring now to the drawings and in particular to  FIG. 1 , an isometric view of the tool pallet apparatus  100  illustrates that the tool pallet apparatus  100  includes a base portion  110 , a workbench portion  120 , and a compartment system  130 . In at least one embodiment, the base portion  110 , the workbench portion  120 , and/or the compartment system  130  can be constructed of steel, aluminum, a metal alloy, a plastic, or any other material that provides the strength needed to maintain a form and use of the tool pallet apparatus  100 . One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the tool pallet apparatus  100  and tool pallet apparatus  200  ( FIG. 2 ) are examples, with the tool pallet apparatus  100 / 200  being extensively configurable and customizable to fulfil functionality requirements for a particular worksite. 
     The base portion  110  includes a first side  114 , a second side  112 , and an opening  116  between the first side  112  and the second side  116 . The opening  116  is sized to accommodate a lift ( FIG. 3 ) that elevates the tool pallet apparatus  100  and moves the tool pallet apparatus  100  from a first location to a second location, such as on a worksite. In at least one embodiment, the lift  315  is a telescopic handler forklift, as shown. In other embodiments, the lift  315  is an industrial reach forklift truck, industrial counterbalance forklift, rough terrain forklift, industrial side loader forklift, and pedestrian operated pallet truck. The base portion  110  has an approximate (+−15%) width W and an approximate (+−15%) length L. In at least one embodiment, the base portion  110  is one of 40 inches W×48 inches L, 42 inches W×42 inches L, 48 inches W×48 inches L, 48 inches W×40 inches L, 48 inches W×42 inches L, 40 inches W×40 inches L, 48 inches W×45 inches L, 44 inches W×44 inches L, 36 inches W×36 inches L, 48 inches W×36 inches L, 35 inches W×45.5 inches L, and 48 inches W×20 inches L. These sizes for the base portion  110  correspond to various standard U.S. sizes for pallets. In other embodiments, the base portion  110  correspond to various standard non-U.S. sizes for pallets. In other embodiments, the base portion  110  does not correspond to any standard sizes for pallets. The base portion  110  typically is disposed, on the second side  112 , on soil, concrete, or any other worksite surface. 
     The workbench portion  120  is disposed on an opposite end of the tool pallet apparatus  100  as the base portion  110 , with the workbench portion  120  including a first side  122  and a second side  124 . In at least one embodiment, the workbench portion  120  is approximately (+−10%) sized to correspond with the base portion  110 . In at least one embodiment, the workbench portion  120  includes a workbench surface  126  that corresponds to the first side  122  of the workbench portion  120 , onto which worksite tools can be disposed, worksite tools can be mounted onto, worksite labor can be conducted on, etc. In at least one embodiment, the workbench portion  120  is coupled to the compartment system  130  via a plurality of bolts  124   a ,  124   b ,  124   c ,  124   d  that are disposed proximate to the corners of the workbench portion  120 , as shown. In other embodiments, the workbench portion  120  is coupled to the compartment system  130  via another fastener type, such as welding, high strength adhesive, riveting, etc. 
     The compartment system  130  is disposed between the base portion  110  and the workbench portion  120 . The compartment system  130  is comprised of a plurality of support members  132   a ,  132   b ,  132   c ,  132   d  coupled to the first side  114  of the base portion  110  and the second side  124  of the workbench portion  120 , the support members  132   a ,  132   b ,  132   c ,  132   d  supporting the workbench portion  120  and any items disposed and/or mounted on the workbench portion  120 . The length of the plurality of support members  132   a ,  132   b ,  132   c ,  132   d  creates an overall height H for the tool pallet apparatus  100 . This height H is typically a height that easily accommodates a storage of worksite equipment within the compartment system  130  while simultaneously providing easy access to the workbench surface  126  for a user. Although four support members  132   a ,  132   b ,  132   c ,  132   d  are shown, the compartment system  130  can include more or less support members as needed. 
     The compartment system  130  is further comprised of at least one of a vertical divider  134  and a horizontal divider  136 , such as to each accommodate a worksite equipment. The vertical divider  134  can be disposed anywhere on the first side  114  of the base portion  110  to create a space on at least one side thereof to accommodate worksite equipment. In at least one embodiment, the vertical divider  134  can bear loads and act as a support member to support the workbench portion  120 . Likewise, the horizontal divider  136  can be disposed anywhere between the base portion  110  and the workbench portion  120  to create a space on at least one side thereof to accommodate worksite equipment. The number of vertical dividers  134  and horizontal dividers  136  used for the tool pallet apparatus  100  is only limited by the space between the base portion  110  and the workbench portion  120 , and user needs. The compartment system  130  accommodates a plurality of worksite equipment, which are shown in more detail in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The compartment system  130  includes various vertical and/or horizontal dividers that are used to make one or more cubbyholes, which are shown and discussed in more detail in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an isometric view of yet another tool pallet apparatus  200  including various vertical dividers and horizontal dividers, along with various example worksite equipment that can be used with the tool pallet apparatus  200 . For example, the tool pallet apparatus  200  includes an electrical cord winding mount. The tool pallet apparatus  200  includes an electrical cord  140  wound onto an electrical cord mount including a first winding post  242   a  and a second winding post  242   b . In at least one embodiment, the first winding post  242   a  and the second winding post  242   b  are coupled to the compartment system  130 , such as vertical divider  245  that is disposed between the first side  114  of the base portion  110  and the second side  124  of the workbench portion  120 . In other embodiments, the first winding post  242   a  and the second winding post  242   b  are coupled to other portions of the tool pallet apparatus  200 , such as the base portion  110  and/or the workbench portion  120 . Although the electrical cord  140  is shown as being wound onto the first winding post  242   a  and the second winding post  242   b , a water hose, an air hose, or any other hose or wire can be wound onto the first winding post  242   a  and the second winding post  242   b.    
     In an example, the tool pallet apparatus  200  includes a vise  250  coupled to the workbench portion  120 . The vise  250  is shown as being coupled to the workbench portion  120  at a corner of the workbench portion  120 , however in other embodiments the vise  250  can be coupled to the workbench portion  120  anywhere on the first side  122  of the workbench portion  120 . In an example, the tool pallet apparatus  200  includes a tank mount, such as the gas tank mount  250 . The compartment system  130  includes the gas tank mount  250  to secure a gas tank  252  to the tool pallet apparatus  200 . In the example shown, the gas tank mount  250  is disposed along an outside edge of the base portion  110  and is coupled to the first side  114  of the base portion  110 , however in other examples the gas tank mount  250  can be disposed at any other location within the compartment system  130 . 
     In an example, the tool pallet apparatus  200  includes an electrical wire mount, such as electrical wire mount  260 . In an example, the electrical wire mount  260  is coupled to the workbench portion  120 . In other examples, the electrical wire mount  260  can be mounted to a vertical divider of the compartment system  130 . 
     In an example, at least one of the plurality of support members, such as illustrated support member  232 , is doglegged to accommodate entry and exit of at least one of the plurality of worksite equipment, such as the shown combination welder/generator  235 . Although a single doglegged support member is shown, depending upon the worksite equipment that the tool pallet apparatus  200  is configured to carry and accommodate, the tool pallet apparatus  200  can includes a plurality of doglegged support members. For example, the tool pallet apparatus  200  can include a second doglegged support member on an opposite end of the combination welder/generator  235  to allow the combination welder/generator  235  to enter and exit the compartment system  130  from either corner. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates another isometric view of the tool pallet apparatus  200  including shown in  FIG. 2 . In an example, the tool pallet apparatus further includes another vertical divider, such as vertical divider  310 . In this example, the vertical divider  310  is used to isolate the shown combination welder/generator  235  from other equipment within the compartment system  130 . In an example, the vertical divider  310  creates a compartment that is approximately sized to accommodate at least one of a welder, a generator, and/or the shown combination welder/generator  235 . 
       FIG. 3  further illustrates an example lift, such as the lift  315  (e.g., forklift) that includes a pair of forklift forks  317   a  and  317   b . In at least one embodiment, a system  300  includes the lift  300  and the tool pallet apparatus  200 . As shown, the workbench portion  120  is constructed to support various worksite equipment, such as a storage box  320  and a fire extinguisher  330 . 
     In an example, the tool pallet apparatus  200  includes a crowbar mount  340  to couple at least one crowbar  341  to the tool pallet apparatus  200 . In at least one embodiment, the workbench portion  120  includes at least one hole  342  through the workbench portion  120  to guide the at least one crowbar  341  into the crowbar mount  340 . In this example, the crowbar mount  340  is coupled to the base portion  110 . Although the crowbar mount  340  is illustrates as being disposed proximate to a corner of the tool pallet apparatus  200 , the crowbar mount  340  can be disposed anywhere where convenient for a user of the tool pallet apparatus  200 . Likewise, although the crowbar mount  340  is shown as being coupled to the base portion  110 , in other embodiments the crowbar mount  340  is mounted to a divider, such as a vertical divider, of the compartment system  130 . 
     In another example, the compartment system  130  further includes one or more cubbyholes  350   a / 350   b / 350   c  including four surrounding walls  351   a / 351   b / 351   c / 351   d . In the example shown, the cubbyholes  350   a / 350   b / 350   c  are sized to accommodate one or more bins  360   a / 360   b , such as to hold at least one of hand tools (e.g., drill, hammer, screwdriver, wrench, plier, etc.) bolts, nuts, pins, screws, and/or any other worksite equipment used on a worksite. The one or more cubbyholes  350   a / 350   b / 350   c  and the one or more bins  360   a / 360   b  are illustrates as being disposed centrally between two corners of the compartment system  130 , however one or more cubbyholes  350   a / 350   b / 350   c  and the one or more bins  360   a / 360   b  can be disposed anywhere within the compartment system  130  that is convenient for a user of the tool pallet apparatus  200 . 
     The foregoing description merely explains and illustrates the disclosure and the disclosure is not limited thereto except insofar as the appended claims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications without departing from the scope of the disclosure.