Configurable, repairable, and recyclable cargo pallet

Abstract

The present invention relates to a lightweight and versatile pallet and its manufacturing and assembling method. It consists of the design of a repairable, recyclable, and reusable pallet with a modular structure, configurable load capacity, and with non-slip rubber surfaces to prevent sliding of the cargo on the pallet and of the pallet on the ground, shelf, and forklift or other pallet handling equipment. This pallet is to be used in numerous commercial and industrial applications. An embodiment of the platform members used to form the bottom and top surfaces of the pallet can be used to construct other flat platforms such as walls, floors, and molds for pouring concrete structures.

Description

OTHER RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application is related to pending PCT application No. PCT / CR09 / 000,001, filed on Dec. 18, 2009, belonging to the same applicant, Edgar Hidalgo Vargas.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to a configurable, repairable, recyclable, and adjustable load capacity cargo pallet and to its manufacturing and assembling method.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]The applicant considers that the closest references correspond to the references discussed below. However, they differ from the present invention in that none of them disclose a simple design of a repairable, recyclable, and reusable cargo pallet with the following characteristics:[0006]a) A modular structure with configurable load capacity by varying the robustness and / or the number of the components that make up the new pallet.[0007]b) Non-slip rubber surfaces are used to prevent sliding of the cargo on the pallet and of the...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0021]This invention is a new cargo pallet that is repairable, reusable, recyclable, lightweight, robust, and configurable to different load capacities to transport and store a great variety of loads. This invention consists of an industrializable pallet and its manufacturing and assembling process to substitute traditional wooden pallets; consequently, a positive impact on the environment is achieved by preventing deforestation. The pallet of this invention is a versatile, low-cost, long useful life, robust, and non-slip pallet, to be not only acceptable to replace wooden pallets but also to improve them while performing the same or similar functions. While the wooden pallets are disposable, the plastic pallets of this invention are to be continuously reusable, and if an entire pallet or some of its parts are damaged, they can be repaired, and the damaged parts can be recycled. Other advantages of the plastic pallets in this invention, with respect to wooden pallets, are that they do not produce splinters and they do not need thermal or chemical treatments. The new pallet is built with strong and lasting components to obtain a long useful life of the pallet; the connection of the components in made in such a way to avoid deformations of the pallet when the pallet is subjected to impacts or under normal use.

Problems solved by technology

Even though several pallets have been designed in the past, the applicant believes that none of them discloses a design of a repairable, recyclable, and reusable cargo pallet with a modular structure, configurable load capacity, and with non-slip rubber surfaces to prevent sliding of the cargo on the pallet and of the pallet on the ground, shelf, and forklift.

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