Abstract:
A pallet sled includes an upper frame including spaced-apart arms adapted to receive feet of a pallet therebetween. A lower frame supports the upper frame. A plurality of pivotable arms connect the lower frame to the upper frame. A handle is pivotably connected to the lower frame and the upper frame, such that pivoting the handle selectively raises and lowers the upper frame relative to the lower frame.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Pallets are often used to ship goods into stores. Loaded pallets on trucks are brought into stores and may be unloaded onto shelves in refrigerators or freezers. Existing means for lifting and moving pallets can be large, heavy, expensive and difficult to maneuver. Powered lifts may have heavy and expensive motors or hydraulics. Many lifts are too large to be wheeled directly into a freezer or refrigerator at a store, or may be difficult to maneuver once there. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0002]    A pallet sled includes an upper frame including spaced-apart arms adapted to receive feet of a pallet therebetween. A lower frame supports the upper frame. A plurality of pivotable arms connect the lower frame to the upper frame. A handle is pivotably connected to the lower frame and the upper frame, such that pivoting the handle selectively raises and lowers the upper frame relative to the lower frame. 
         [0003]    The sled provides a small, lightweight manual, non-powered lift for lifting pallets. The sled can be used to deliver loaded pallets into stores, such as into store refrigerator or freezers, because the sled is small and maneuverable. The sled is particularly adapted to the “half-pallets” that have been used to move goods from a truck into a refrigerator/freezer at a store. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a pallet sled according to a first embodiment. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the sled of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the sled of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the sled of  FIG. 1  with the handle disconnected. 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the sled of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the sled of  FIG. 1  in the lifted position. 
           [0010]      FIG. 7  shows the sled of  FIG. 1  in the lowered position with the upper frame and lower frame positioned under a pallet. 
           [0011]      FIG. 8  shows the sled and pallet of  FIG. 7  with the handle moved to a second position, which causes the lift mechanism to raise the upper frame and the pallet. 
           [0012]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the sled and pallet of  FIG. 8  in the lifted position. 
           [0013]      FIG. 10  is a front perspective view of an alternative sled with an alternative frame in a retracted position. 
           [0014]      FIG. 11  shows the sled of  FIG. 10  with the frame expanded. 
           [0015]      FIG. 12  is a side view of the sled of  FIG. 1 , partially broken away to show the lift mechanism. 
           [0016]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the broken-away sled of  FIG. 12 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 14  is similar to  FIG. 12 , but with the handle pivoted forward to a maneuvering position. 
           [0018]      FIG. 15  is similar to  FIG. 12 , but with the handle moved to an engaged position. 
           [0019]      FIG. 16  is a bottom perspective view of the portion of the sled of  FIG. 15 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 17  is similar to  FIG. 12 , but with the handle and handle receiver being pivoted forward in the handle-engaged position. 
           [0021]      FIG. 18  is similar to  FIG. 17 , with the lift mechanism locked in the lifted position. 
           [0022]      FIG. 19  is similar to  FIG. 18 , with the handle disengaged. 
           [0023]      FIG. 20  is similar to  FIG. 19 , showing the handle pivoted rearward into rearward engagement of the ratchet plate. 
           [0024]      FIG. 21  is similar to  FIG. 20  with the handle returned to the engaged position. 
           [0025]      FIG. 22  is similar to  FIG. 21  with the handle pivoted forward to release the ratchet pin. 
           [0026]      FIG. 23  is similar to  FIG. 22  with the release pedal depressed. 
           [0027]      FIG. 24  is similar to  FIG. 23  with the handle and ratchet plate pivoted rearward to lower the upper frame. 
           [0028]      FIG. 25  is a front perspective view of a pallet sled according to a second embodiment, with the handle in the upright, engaged position and the upper frame in the lowered position. 
           [0029]      FIG. 26  is a rear perspective view of the pallet sled of  FIG. 25 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 27  is an enlarged view of a portion of the lift mechanism of  FIG. 26 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 28  is a front perspective view of the pallet sled of  FIG. 25  with the handle in a forward position that raised the upper frame to a lifted position. 
           [0032]      FIG. 29  is an enlarged view of a portion of the lift mechanism of  FIG. 28 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 30  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 29  with the handle disengaged and pivoted forward, and the upper frame in the lifted position. 
           [0034]      FIG. 31  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 30  with the handle pivoted rearward to the upright position and still disengaged, with the upper frame in the lifted position. 
           [0035]      FIG. 32  is a front perspective enlarged view of the lift mechanism of  FIG. 31 , with the handle engaged. 
           [0036]      FIG. 33  is a front perspective view of the pallet sled of  FIG. 25  in the folded or collapsed position. 
           [0037]      FIG. 34  is a rear perspective view of the pallet sled of  FIG. 33 . 
           [0038]      FIG. 35  is a front perspective view of the pallet sled of  FIG. 25  positioned under a pallet, with the upper frame in the lowered position. 
           [0039]      FIG. 36  shows the pallet sled and pallet of  FIG. 35  after the upper frame has been moved to the lifted position. 
           [0040]      FIG. 37  is a side view of the pallet sled and pallet of  FIG. 36 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0041]    A merchandiser sled  10  is shown in  FIG. 1 . The sled  10  is used for lifting and moving pallets, particularly half-pallets. The merchandiser sled  10  includes a lower frame  12  and upper frame  14  connected by pivot arms  16  at a rearward end and by a lift mechanism  18  at a forward end. A U-shaped cradle  19  is mounted at the forward end of the upper frame  14  and opens rearwardly. A handle  20  connects to the lift mechanism  18 . A pair of casters  22  support the lower frame  12  at the ends of arms  23  at the forward end. A pair of wheels  24  support the lower frame  12  at the rearward end. 
         [0042]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the sled  10 . The upper frame  14  is connected to the lower frame  12  by the pivot arms  16  and the lift mechanism  18 .  FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the sled  10 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the sled  10  with the handle  20  disconnected. The lift mechanism  18  includes a tubular handle receiver  26  and a pin  28  for connecting the handle  20 . The handle  20  includes an aperture  30  for receiving the pin  28  which connects it to the lift mechanism  18 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the sled  10 . In  FIGS. 1-5 , the sled  10  is in the lowered position, in which the upper frame  14  is lower and closer to the lower frame  12 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the sled  10  in the lifted position. Generally, as will be explained in more detail below, the handle  20  can be selectively engaged and pivoted such that moving the handle  20  forward causes the lift mechanism  18  to pivot the upper frame  14  upward and forward relative to the lower frame  12 . The pivot arms  16  pivot upward and forward as well. 
         [0046]      FIG. 7  shows the sled  10  in the lowered position with the upper frame  14  and lower frame  12  positioned under a pallet  110 . The pallet  110  in this example is a half-pallet with a relatively high aspect ratio. The pallet  110  includes a deck  112  and feet  114  that are nestable in the deck  112  of a similar pallet  110  when empty. As shown, upper frame  14  and lower frame  12  of the sled  10  can be positioned below the deck  112  of the pallet  110  and between the feet  114  (after entering the pallet  110  on the short side). 
         [0047]    In  FIG. 8 , the lift mechanism  18  has raised the upper frame  14 , which contacts the underside of the deck  112  to lift the pallet  110  off the floor so that the pallet  110  (and any goods stacked thereon) can be wheeled about by the sled  10 . The cradle  19  captures the outer sides of the forward end of the pallet  110  for stability.  FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the sled  10  and pallet  110  in the lifted position. 
         [0048]      FIG. 10  shows an alternative sled  10   a  with an alternative upper frame  14   a  (the rest of the sled  10   a  is the same as sled  10  of  FIGS. 1-9 ). The upper frame  14   a  includes a retractable rear portion  32   a  pivotably connected to the rear end of the rest of the upper frame  14   a  by a hinge  34   a . When empty, the rear portion  32   a  can be pivoted to the retracted position on the rest of the upper frame  14   a , as shown in  FIG. 10 . This reduces the overall length of the sled  10   a  for improved maneuverability and easier storage when retracted and empty but provides a longer upper frame  14   a  when deployed for improved stability when supporting a pallet. 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIG. 11 , for use, the rear portion  32   a  of the upper frame  14   a  is pivoted rearward such that the rear portion  32   a  extends rearward of the rest of the upper frame  14   a . The sled  10   a  can be used to support longer pallets and/or to provide a shorter storage length. 
         [0050]      FIG. 12  is a side view of the sled  10  of  FIG. 1 , partially broken away to expose the lift mechanism  18 .  FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the broken-away sled  10  of  FIG. 12 . Note that the lift mechanism  18  is symmetric about the long axis of the sled  10 . In  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the lift mechanism  18  is in the lowered position such that the upper frame  14  is near the lower frame  12 . The lift mechanism  18  includes a pair of ratchet plates  36  (one visible) each having a first tooth  38  projecting upward and rearward to define a high notch rearwardly thereof, and a second tooth  39  spaced forward of the first tooth  38  and also projecting upward and rearward to define a low notch rearwardly thereof. The ratchet plate  36  includes a central opening  40  having a lower portion  42  that curves about a lower axis and an upper leg  44  extending radially upward from the lower portion  42 . A rearward portion of the ratchet plate  36  is pivotably secured to the upper frame  14  by a pivot pin  46 . A lower portion of the ratchet plate  36  is pivotably secured to the lower frame  12  by a lower pivot pin  54 . The lower pivot pin  54  also passes through an elongated slot  52  formed in a handle plate  50  positioned adjacent the ratchet plate  36  and fixed to the handle receiver  26 . The lower pivot pin  54  is slidable and pivotable in the elongated slot  52  formed in the handle plate  50 . An upper pivot pin  56  is fixed to the handle plate  50  and projects outwardly therefrom, the upper pivot pin  56  is slidably and pivotably received in the central opening  40  of the ratchet plate  36 . 
         [0051]    A lower surface of the ratchet plate  36  between the lower pivot pin  54  and the pivot pin  46  contacts a cross-member  58  of the lower frame  12 . This contact provides a limit for rearward rotation of the ratchet plate  36 . 
         [0052]    A release pedal  60  positioned at forward ends of release arms  64  is pivotably secured by a pivot pin  66  to the arms  23 . Rearward ends of the release arms  64  each have a ratchet pin  68  projecting inwardly (i.e. toward one another) therefrom. The ratchet pin  68  engages the teeth  38 ,  39  on the ratchet plate  36  (this will be explained further below). 
         [0053]      FIG. 14  is a side view of the lift mechanism  18  area of the sled  10  of  FIGS. 12 and 13  but with the handle  20  pivoted forward to a maneuvering position. The handle  20  is pivoted forward about the lower pivot pin  54 , which pivots in the elongated slot  52  in the handle plate  50 . The upper pivot pin  56  slides forward in the lower portion  42  of the central opening  40  of the ratchet plate  36 . Note that the handle  20 , handle receiver  26  and handle plate  50  can pivot back and forth, moving upper pivot pin  56  within the lower portion  42  of the central opening  40  of the ratchet plate  36  without moving the ratchet plate  36  or raising or lowering the upper frame  14 . 
         [0054]    In  FIG. 15 , the handle  20 , handle receiver  26  and handle plate  50  have been pivoted rearward and slid upward such that the upper pivot pin  56  is received in the upper leg  44  of the central opening  40 . In this handle-engaged position, movement of the handle  20  forward or rearward will engage the ratchet plate  36  and permit the handle  20  to cause the ratchet plate  36  to pivot on lower pivot pin  54 . In  FIG. 15 , the ratchet plate  36  contacts the cross-member  58 , so the ratchet plate  36  can only rotate forward (i.e. clockwise in  FIG. 15 ). 
         [0055]      FIG. 16  is a bottom perspective view of the portion of the sled  10  of  FIG. 15 . The handle plate  50  has been slid upward such that the lower pivot pin  54  is at the bottom of the elongated slot  52 . 
         [0056]    As shown in  FIG. 17 , the handle  20  and handle receiver  26  can be pivoted forward in the handle-engaged position, thereby pivoting the ratchet plate  36  forward on lower pivot pin  54 . This causes the rearward end of the ratchet plate  36  to pivot forward and upward, lifting the upper frame  14  (and any pallet  110  thereon as in  FIG. 8 ) with the pivot pin  46 . The ratchet pins  68  slide rearward along the upper surface of the ratchet plate  36  toward the first tooth  38 , until the ratchet pins  68  can drop in behind the first tooth  38  into the high notch as shown in  FIG. 18 . In this position, the lift mechanism  18  is locked in the raised (or lifted) position, with the upper frame  14  spaced further away from the lower frame  12 . This corresponds to the lifted position of the pallet  110  in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0057]    As shown in  FIG. 19 , the handle  20 , handle receiver  26  and handle plate  50  can then be slid downward relative to the ratchet plate  36 , such that the upper pivot pin  56  moves out of the upper leg  44  and into the lower portion  42  of the central opening  40  of the ratchet plate  36 . Concurrently, handle plate  50  slides downward on the lower pivot pin  54 , such that the lower pivot pin  54  is upward in the elongated slot  52  of the handle plate  50 . Note that in this handle-disengaged position, the handle  20 , handle receiver  26  and handle plate  50  can again move freely back and forth (i.e. upper pivot pin  56  moves back and forth within the lower portion  42  of the central opening  40 ) without affecting the position of the upper frame  14 . 
         [0058]    As shown in  FIG. 20 , the handle  20  and handle receiver  26  can be pivoted rearward until upper pivot pin  56  engages the end of the lower portion  42  of the central opening  40  of the ratchet plate  36 . 
         [0059]    Referring to  FIG. 21 , the handle  20 , handle receiver  26  and handle plate  50  can be lifted upward such that the upper pivot pin  56  enters the upper leg  44  of the central opening  40  of the ratchet plate  36 . The lift mechanism  18  is returned to the handle-engaged position. 
         [0060]    The handle  20  can then be pivoted forward as shown in  FIG. 22 , causing ratchet plate  36  to pivot forward until the ratchet pin  68  is clear of the first tooth  38  on the ratchet plate  36 . Depressing the release pedal  60 , as shown in  FIG. 23 , then causes the release arm  64  to pivot the ratchet pin  68  upward away from the ratchet plate  36 . Moving the handle  20  rearward then permits the ratchet plate  36  to pivot rearward, the first tooth  38  moving past the ratchet pin  68 , until the second tooth  39  captures the ratchet pin  68  in the low notch as shown in  FIG. 24 , and the lift mechanism  18  is returned to the lowered position. In the lowered position, the upper frame  14  is closer to the lower frame  12 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 25  is a front perspective view of a pallet sled  210  according to a second embodiment.  FIG. 26  is a rear perspective view of the pallet sled  210  and  FIG. 27  is an enlarged view of a portion of the lift mechanism  218 , of the pallet sled  210  in the same position as in  FIG. 25 . The sled  210  includes a lower frame  212  and upper frame  214  connected by pivot arms  216  and by a lift mechanism  18 . The lower frame  212  includes a pair of lower arms  213  connected by a base  272  at a forward end. A pair of flanges  273  extend upward from side edges of the base  272 . The upper frame  214  includes a pair of upper arms  215  connected by U-shaped cradle  270  at a forward end. 
         [0062]    A handle  220  connects to the lift mechanism  218  at a forward end of the sled  210 . A pair of casters  222  support the lower frame  212  at the forward end. A pair of wheels  224  support the lower frame  212  at the rearward end. 
         [0063]    The handle  220  is pivotably connected to the base  270  and the lower frame  212 . A pair of ratchet plates  274  are also pivotably connected to the base  270  about the same axis as the handle  220 . The ratchet plates  274  are pivotably connected to the upper frame  214  by a pair of angled brackets  275 . Each ratchet plate  274  includes a low notch  277  and a high notch  282  (shown more clearly in  FIG. 27 ). 
         [0064]    An index crossbar  276  extends between vertical portions of the handle  220  and through elongated openings  280  in each vertical portion. A spring  278  in each vertical portion of the handle  220  biases the index crossbar  276  downward. In the position shown, where the upper frame  214  is lowered, the index crossbar  276  is also received in the low notch  277  in each ratchet plate  274  and retained there by the spring  278 . The index crossbar  276  may also bear against the flanges  273  on the base  272  to prevent further rearward movement of the handle  220  and ratchet plates  274 . 
         [0065]    A pivotable folding lever  284  is mounted to the handle at a first height and a handle lever  286  is mounted at a second height (higher than the first). Either lever  284 ,  286  can raise the index crossbar  276  upward within the elongated openings  280  in the handle  220 , compressing the springs  278 . 
         [0066]    In  FIGS. 25-27 , the handle  220  is engaged with the ratchet plates  274 , with the index crossbar  276  engaging the low notches  277  of the ratchet plates  274 , so that the upper frame  214  is in the lowered position, close to the lower frame  212 . 
         [0067]    To raise the upper frame  214  to the raised position, the handle  220  can be pulled forward and down as shown in  FIGS. 28 and 29 . This causes the ratchet plates  274  to pivot forward, drawing the upper frame  214  forward and upward (pivoting on arms  216 ). The upper frame  214  pivots forward to a point where the arms  216  are past vertical, so that the upper frame  214  will remain in place even after force on the handle  220  is no longer applied. 
         [0068]    The index crossbar  276  is then raised by pivoting the handle lever  286  ( FIG. 25 ) until the index crossbar  276  is moved to the upper ends of the openings  280  in the handle  220 , compressing the springs  278 , and out of the low notches  277  of the ratchet plates  274 . The handle  220  can then be pivoted rearward to an upright position as shown in  FIG. 30 . The handle lever  286  ( FIG. 25 ) can then be released so that the index crossbar  276  is biased downward into the high notches  282  of the ratchet plates  274 . This locks the upper frame  214  in the lifted position and locks the handle  220  in the upright position. Alternatively, the index crossbar could be a pair of pins that extend and retract in and out of holes in the ratchet plates  274 . 
         [0069]    To lower the upper frame  214  from the lifted position to the lowered position, the process can be reversed. The index crossbar  276  is disengaged from the high notches  282  of the ratchet plates  274  and the handle  220  is pivoted to align the index crossbar  276  with the low notches  277 , where it is then secured. The handle  220  can then be pivoted upward and rearward, to pivot the upper frame  214  rearward and downward. 
         [0070]    The pallet sled  210  can also be folded as shown in  FIGS. 33 and 34 . The index crossbar  276  is moved upward out of the low notches  277  of the ratchet plates  274  and the handle  220  is pivoted all the way rearward (past the high notches  282 ), until the handle  220  rests on the upper frame  214 . In this folded position, the pallet sled  210  occupies less volume and can be more easily shipped and stored. 
         [0071]    In use, the pallet sled  210  is placed in the lowered position, with the upper frame  214  lowered close to the lower frame  212 . The pallet sled  210  can then be rolled under a pallet  110  as shown in  FIG. 35 . The feet  114  of the pallet  110  are received between the arms  213 ,  215  of the lower frame  212  and upper frame  214 , respectively. The upper frame  214  and cradle  270  are positioned below the deck  112 , outward of the feet  114 . The upper frame  214  is the moved to the lifted position in the manner described above by pivoting the handle  220  forward. The handle  220  is then pivoted rearward and engaged as shown in  FIG. 36 . In  FIG. 36 , the feet  114  of the pallet  110  are lifted off the floor and the pallet  110  is supported by the upper frame  214  and the cradle  270 . The handle  220  is engaged in the upright position. The pallet sled  210  can be pushed or pulled by the handle  220  to move the pallet  110  (which would be loaded with goods in use). 
         [0072]      FIG. 37  is a side view of the pallet sled  210  and pallet  110  of  FIG. 36 . As shown, the feet  114  are lifted off the floor so that the pallet  110  can be moved by the pallet sled  210 . 
         [0073]    The sleds  10 ,  210  each provide a small, lightweight manual, non-powered lift for lifting pallets  110 . The sleds  10 ,  210  can be used to deliver loaded pallets  110  into stores, such as into store refrigerator or freezers, because the sleds  10 ,  210  are small and maneuverable. 
         [0074]    In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes and jurisprudence, exemplary configurations described above are considered to represent a preferred embodiment of the invention. However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope.