Patent Publication Number: US-5158403-A

Title: Material handling arrangement

Description:
The present application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 556,178, filed Jul. 23, 1990 with the same inventor now abandon. 
    
    
     As is known, the transporting of material, such as parts and/or components needed for production, the finalized product and/or the like, usually require sturdy, and oftentimes quite cumbersome and/or heavy, shipping pallets and/or containers. A basic problem with the current shipping procedures, however, lies in pallet return, since destruction after shipment (use) would be costly and unjustifiable and, as well, the expense involved for pallet return to the point of origin is likewise uneconomical. 
     A need has arisen, therefore, for providing a pallet or like material handling arrangement which is readily and positively assembled for contents receipt prior to shipment and which, thereafter, and after contents removal, may be disassembled, i.e. knocked down, so that the pallet may be returned to the point of origin (until physical replacement becomes necessary). 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention accomplishes the preceding in a variety of arrangements, each primarily affording ready assembly at the site of reuse and, as well, ready disassembly at the point of shipment unloading. The common denominator of each of the procedures lies in the use inexpensive releasable metal ribbon for fastening ease, or inexpensive threaded elements for the same purpose. In other words, the means of positive assembly must be convenient and inexpensive since such are the only components which will probably be replaced during reassembly. 
     In any event, the significance of the invention is apparent in the instance of large sized pallet type units which serve item support purposes and, at the same time, as a means for securing coverment. Thus, a large area coverage would make invention usage advantageous, considering that a relatively small number of disassembled components would replace a large expanse of assembled components. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
     A better understanding of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one form of material handling arrangement in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view detailing the invention form of FIG. 1, taken at line 2--2 on such figure and looking in the direction of the arrows; 
     FIG. 3 is another perspective view, further detailing the invention, in this instance taken at line 3--3 on FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a component forming part of another material handling arrangement in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view detailing the invention form of FIG. 4, taken at line 5--5 on such figure and looking in the direction of the arrows; 
     FIG. 6 is another perspective view detailing the invention form of FIG. 4, in this instance, however, taken at line 6--6 on such figure and looking in the direction of the arrow; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a still further form of the material handling arrangement in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a component of the invention form of FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 9 is perspective view detailing the invention form of FIG. 7, taken at line 9--9 on such figure and looking in the direction of the arrows; and, 
     FIG. 10 is a view in elevation detailing an assembly arrangement in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated devices, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, one form 10 of material handling arrangement is disclosed, where such, typically, presents a carrying expanse or area suitable for large material/equipment. Basically, the unit 10 is defined by longitudinally disposed spacers 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d, where spacers 10a and 10d define edges of the unit 10 and spacers 10b, 10c, facing each other, are in the mid-area of the unit 10. 
     The spacers 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d selectively receive locking members 10e, 10e&#39;, i.e. as respectively shown in one form in FIG. 2 and in another form in FIG. 3. The locking numbers 10e, 10e&#39; are each secured to upper and lower lateral members 10f, as through threaded means 10g (see FIGS. 2 and 3). 
     The outer surfaces of upper and lower lateral members 10f collectively serves as a receiving area, where each of such also serve to locate one of the longitudinal spacers 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d. 
     In other words, a positive assembly is achieved through interaction of locking members 10e, 10e&#39; and spacers 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d, and, ultimately, the use of flexible and releasable metal banding 35 around selected spacers 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d, with associated fasteners (not shown), to maintain the unit 10 in an assembled condition, notwithstanding the overall area thereof. 
     It shall be understood that upon disassembly, a large area of material handling structure is combined into a relatively small and compact bundle of transportable components, representing ease in shipping, as well as a significant decrease in cost. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, another material handling arrangement 20 is disclosed, where, in this instance, the principal feature thereof is the use of a series of laterally disposed support members 21, each defined by upper and lower members 21a, 21b spaced apart by upstanding locating members 22a, 22b, 22c and 22d (see FIG. 4). 
     As evident in such figure, and typically, upstanding locating members 22a and 22d are spaced inwardly from the outer edges of the upper and lower members 21a, 21b, while upstanding locating members 22b and 22c are spaced apart, but maintained in the general lateral mid-area of the unit 20. As particularly evident in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the upstanding locating members 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d are secured into position through the use of screw members 24. 
     In use, the finished material handling unit 20 may assume various dimensions, depending upon stock length. In assembly, a series of support members 21 are placed in a spaced apart side-by-side relationship, where, thereafter, longitudinal members 25a (not shown) and 25c are received in the spacing at the free ends of the upper and lower members 21a, 21b and within (longitudinal member 25b) the spacing between the centrally disposed upstanding locating members 22b, 22c. Flexible releasible banding 35 is employed to maintain the assembly in a unitary condition, including the use of fasteners (not shown). 
     As in the instance of material handling arrangement 10, disassembly of material handling arrangement 20 is readily accomplished, permitting the compacting of the support members 21 and all longitudinal members 25a, 25b and 25c for economies in returning the handler 20 to its point of origin. 
     FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 disclose a further form of material handling arrangement 30 in accordance with the invention. In this instance, locking is achieved through the use of an independent fasteners 31 (see FIGS. 8 and 9), typically molded from a plastic resin. 
     As evident in FIG. 7, and somewhat in FIG. 9, longitudinal members 32a, 32c each include a longitudinal cut-out area, while, in the instance of horizontal member 32b and at the mid-region, two cut-out areas. Threaded means 34, together with a pin 31a, serve to position each fastener 31 at a use location typically illustrated in FIG. 7. 
     In other words, a similar relationship is evident with invention embodiment 30, i.e. one similar to that of embodiments 10 and 20. In this instance, however, fasteners 31, each having a particular configuration, are secured to one of a series of lateral receiving members 33a and 33b (certain of which may be side-by-side - see FIG. 9) selectively engaged in a locking relationship with the aforesaid longitudinal cut-out in longitudinal members 32a, 32b and 32c. Flexible releasable banding 35 is also employed. 
     Again, and upon disassembly, only a small bundle of operative components remain, meaning ease of shipment to the point of origin and, as well, handling economies. 
     FIG. 10 is included to show another means of assembly/disassembly 40. In this instance, a longitudinal web-like member 41 having a surfaces 41a engaging the inner surface of a top pallet member 42 and a surface 41b engaging the inner surface of side pallet member 43 includes channel or longitudinal cut-outs 41c for receiving (and retaining) the flattened heads of recessed screws 44. 
     In other words, and with the aid of a mallet (not shown), the wedge-like member 41 can be driven so that the heads of screws 44 are retained in the channel-like cut-outs 41c provided along the length thereof. In other words, FIG. 10 represents further significance in achieving a knockdown pallet assembly/disassembly arrangement for ready reuse purposes. 
     As should be evident, therefore, the invention overcomes a significant problem in the transporting of items requiring large area expanse, i.e. in permitting the ready disassembly of such at the point of destination and reuse at the point of origin. The preceding forecloses ungainly empty pallet reshipment for a reuse operation. Thus, the invention sparks interest not only in a knockdown pallet per se, but, also, various forms of such to accommodate particular shipping problems. 
     The material handling arrangement of the invention, in several presented forms, is susceptible to various changes within the spirit of the invention, including, by way of example, in proportioning; the precise independent locking means employed and the location of such; the manner of securement of the releasable banding, the latter being a common ingredient in the art; and, the like. Thus, the preceding should be considered illustrative and not as limiting the scope of the following claims: