Stackable quarter size plastic platform and related methods

Abstract

A platform includes a top panel having spaced apart platform support leg openings extending therethrough, and platform support legs extending from a lower surface of the top panel and aligned with the platform support leg openings. Each platform support leg includes an upper portion having an opening extending therethrough and aligned with a corresponding platform support leg opening in the top panel. The lower portion includes a shelf separating the opening in the upper portion from the lower portion. The shelf provides support for a bottom surface of the platform support leg when stacked thereon. A pair of extensions extend outwardly from a bottom surface of the lower portion, the opening in the upper portion providing a gap for the pair of extensions on the platform support leg of the same platform when stacked thereon.

Description

[0001] Related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 147,864, filed February 10, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates to the field of pallets, and more specifically, to a stackable quarter-size plastic platform. Background Technology

[0004] Retail stores often prefer to use partial pallets when displaying products for customers to purchase. Partial pallets are typically one-quarter to one-half the size of a full-size pallet. Partial pallets have a significantly smaller footprint, allowing retail stores to display a wider variety of products within the same area as a full-size pallet.

[0005] In addition, retail stores generally prefer to use partially plastic pallets over partially wooden pallets. Partially plastic pallets are more aesthetically pleasing and more hygienic than partially wooden pallets.

[0006] Even considering current partial plastic pallets, there is still a need for pallets that can be easily moved by pallet handling equipment, especially when they are not loaded with any products and when stacked with other partial plastic pallets. When partial plastic pallets are loaded with products to be transported, there is also a need to achieve an aesthetically pleasing and acceptable product display in retail stores. Since the products carried by partial plastic pallets can sometimes be relatively heavy, the pallet's load-bearing capacity should not be sacrificed while providing accessibility. Summary of the Invention

[0007] A platform includes a top plate comprising an upper surface and an opposing lower surface, and having a plurality of spaced-apart platform support leg openings extending through the upper and lower surfaces. The plurality of platform support legs extend from the lower surface of the top plate and are aligned with the plurality of platform support leg openings. Each platform support leg includes an upper portion and a lower portion.

[0008] The upper portion is adjacent to the lower surface of the top plate and has openings extending through a first pair of spaced-apart sidewalls. These openings are aligned with one of the platform support leg openings in the top plate. The lower portion is adjacent to the upper surface and includes a shelf separating the openings in the upper portion from the lower portion. The shelf is configured to provide support to the bottom surface of the platform support legs from the same platform when stacked on the same platform. A pair of extensions extend outward from the bottom surface of the lower portion, and the openings in the upper portion provide clearance for these extensions on the platform support legs of the same platform when stacked on the same platform.

[0009] The pair of extensions on the lower part can be aligned with the openings in the upper part of each platform support leg.

[0010] The pair of extensions on the lower portion can extend beyond the width of the opening in the upper portion of each platform support leg.

[0011] When stacked on the same platform, the pair of extensions on the same platform can extend beyond the width of the opening in the upper part of each platform support leg.

[0012] The lower portion of each platform support leg may include a first pair of spaced-apart sidewalls aligned with the first pair of spaced-apart sidewalls in the upper portion, and both of the first pair of sidewalls have a width that gradually decreases toward the pair of extensions.

[0013] The upper and lower portions of each platform support leg may include a second pair of spaced-apart sidewalls, and the second pair of sidewalls shall each have the same width.

[0014] The shelf may extend between the bottom surface of the lower portion of each platform support leg and the opening in the upper portion. The upper surface of the shelf may include a ribbed structure.

[0015] Each platform support leg opening in the top plate may include a first pair of spaced-apart sidewalls (aligned with the first pair of spaced-apart sidewalls in the upper portion of the corresponding platform support leg) and a second pair of spaced-apart sidewalls adjacent to the first pair of spaced-apart sidewalls. The second pair of sidewalls may include spaced-apart peaks extending into the platform support leg opening, the peaks serving as guides when the corresponding platform support legs of the same platform are stacked on top of each other.

[0016] The first pair of sidewalls are spaced apart to allow for gaps when the pair of extensions on the platform support legs of the same platform are stacked on top of each other.

[0017] The upper and lower portions of each platform support leg may include a second pair of spaced-apart sidewalls aligned with the second pair of spaced-apart sidewalls in the platform support leg opening. The second pair of sidewalls may include spaced-apart peaks extending outward from the second pair of sidewalls. These spaced-apart peaks may be staggered relative to the pair of spaced-apart peaks in the platform support leg opening to serve as guides when the corresponding platform support legs of the same platform are stacked on top of each other.

[0018] The top plate includes at least one product display attachment slot configured to receive tabs from at least one product display to allow the at least one product display to be held in place.

[0019] The other aspect relates to a method for manufacturing the platform as described above. The method includes forming a top plate comprising an upper surface and an opposing lower surface, and having a plurality of spaced-apart platform support leg openings extending through the upper and lower surfaces. The method further includes forming a plurality of platform support legs extending from the lower surface of the top plate and aligned with the plurality of platform support leg openings.

[0020] Each platform support leg includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is adjacent to the lower surface of the top plate and has openings extending through a first pair of spaced-apart sidewalls, the openings being aligned with one of the respective platform support leg openings in the top plate. The lower portion is adjacent to the upper surface and includes a shelf separating the openings in the upper portion from the lower portion, the shelf being configured to provide support to the bottom surface of the platform support legs from the same platform when stacked on the same platform. A pair of extensions extend outward from the bottom surface of the lower portion, and the openings in the upper portion provide clearance for the pair of extensions on the platform support legs of the same platform when stacked on top of each other. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a top perspective view of a quarter-size plastic platform according to this disclosure.

[0022] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The lower perspective view of the quarter-size plastic platform shown.

[0023] Figure 3 It is along Figure 1 A side view showing the length of a quarter-size plastic platform.

[0024] Figure 4 It is along Figure 1 A side view showing the width of a quarter-size plastic platform.

[0025] Figure 5 It is along Figure 1 The side view shows the length of the quarter-size plastic platform stacked with other quarter-size plastic platforms.

[0026] Figure 6 It is along Figure 1 The side view of the platform support legs of the plastic platform shown.

[0027] Figure 7 It is along Figure 1 The side view of the platform support legs showing the width of the plastic platform.

[0028] Figure 8 yes Figure 1A top view of one of the platform support legs of the plastic platform shown.

[0029] Figure 9 yes Figure 1 A bottom view of one of the platform support legs of the plastic platform shown.

[0030] Figure 10 yes Figure 1 The top view of the plastic platform shown includes a hand access hole and a product display attachment point.

[0031] Figure 11 yes Figure 1 The side view of the plastic platform shown has a shrink wrap holding position.

[0032] Figure 12 yes Figure 10 A perspective view of the product display attachment point on one side of the top panel.

[0033] Figure 13 yes Figure 12 A more detailed perspective view of the attachment points of the product display shown. Detailed Implementation

[0034] This description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are illustrated. However, many different embodiments may be used, and therefore this description should not be construed as limiting itself to the specific embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete. Similar numerals refer to similar components throughout.

[0035] First refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in the figure, the plastic platform 20 includes a top plate 30 having a plurality of spaced-apart platform support leg openings 33 extending through an upper surface 32 and a lower surface 34 of the top plate 30. A plurality of platform support legs 40 extend from the lower surface 34 of the top plate and are aligned with the plurality of platform support leg openings 33. The platform support leg openings 33 are configured to receive the bottom surfaces of platform support legs 40 from the same platform 20 when stacked on the same platform 20.

[0036] Due to its size compared to a full-size pallet, the plastic platform 20 may also be referred to as a quarter-size plastic platform. A full-size pallet is 48 inches × 40 inches, while a quarter-size plastic platform 20 is 24 inches × 20 inches. Using the metric system, a quarter-size plastic platform 20 corresponds to 60.96 cm × 50.8 cm. In some cases, the platform may be interchangeable with the pallet.

[0037] The quarter-size plastic platform 20 is designed for retail sales and display configurations and provides a stable platform for various display types. As will be discussed in detail below, the quarter-size plastic platform 20 includes product display attachment points. Because the quarter-size plastic platform 20 is intended to be placed on a retailer's floor space to display merchandise simultaneously, its small footprint allows retailers to easily place the plastic platform 20 within aisles as needed.

[0038] The upper surface 32 of the top plate 30 may be referred to as the product support surface, and the lower surface 34 may be referred to as the lower side. The top plate 30 has externally exposed side surfaces 36, 38 extending between the upper surface 32 and the lower surface 34. The external side surface 36 corresponds to the length of the quarter-size plastic platform 20, and the external side surface 38 corresponds to the width or end of the quarter-size plastic platform 20. The length is the longer dimension (i.e., 24 inches), and the width is the shorter dimension (i.e., 20 inches).

[0039] The platform support legs 40 are advantageously positioned on the lower surface 34 of the top plate 30 to support the load and also enable two-way or four-way access using a variety of platform jack types. For example, platform jack types include 27-inch forklifts, 21-inch manual jacks, and electric platform jacks with 8-inch, 9-inch, and 10-inch fork tines.

[0040] The dimensions and positioning of the platform support legs 40 will now be discussed. The dimensions are provided for illustrative purposes and not intended to be limiting. A side view of the plastic platform 20 along its length 36 is shown. Figure 3 Provided. Each platform support leg 40 in this view has a consistent width or non-tapered width of 3.56 inches, as indicated by reference numeral 50. Each platform support leg 40 is spaced 3.04 inches from the end of the top plate 30, as indicated by reference numeral 52. The distance between the platform support legs 40 is 10.71 inches, as indicated by reference numeral 54.

[0041] Referring still to the side view of the plastic platform 20 along its length 36, each platform support leg 40 is 4.06 inches high, as indicated by reference numeral 60. The top plate 30 is 1.46 inches high, as indicated by reference numeral 62. The total height of the plastic platform 20 is 5.51 inches, as indicated by reference numeral 64.

[0042] Each platform support leg 40 includes a lip or extension 66. Each extension 66 extends outwardly by 0.36 inches from the width of the platform support leg 40 in this view, as indicated by reference numeral 58. The distance between the extensions 66 on a pair of platform supports is 9.99 inches, as indicated by reference numeral 56. The extensions 66 advantageously increase the surface area of ​​the lower or bottom surface of each platform support leg 40, which allows the plastic platform 20 to operate better when placed on a conveyor belt with a wide gap between rollers.

[0043] The plastic platform 20 is shown in a side view along a width of 38. Figure 4 Provided. As shown in this view, each platform support leg 40 has a gradually tapering width. The width of the platform support leg 40 extending from the top plate 30 begins at 2.87 inches, as indicated by reference numeral 70. The width of the platform support leg 40 then gradually decreases to 2.15 inches, as indicated by reference numeral 72. Each platform support leg 40 is spaced 3.25 inches from the side of the top plate 30, as indicated by reference numeral 74. The distance between the platform support legs 40 is 7.69 inches, as indicated by reference numeral 76.

[0044] Referring still to this side view of the plastic platform 20 along end 38, each platform support leg 40 includes an opening 78. The opening 78 is 2.17 inches above the bottom surface of each platform support leg 40, as indicated by reference numeral 80. The opening 78 is necessary when the plastic platforms 20 are stacked on top of one another, as... Figure 5 As shown.

[0045] Each opening 78 provides clearance for extensions 66 on the bottom surface of platform support legs 40 of the same platform when stacked on top of each other. As shown, the extensions 66 extend outward from the opening 78. As will be described in detail below, the lower surface of each opening 78 includes a shelf or support structure to support the lower surfaces of the respective platform support legs 40 of the same platform when stacked on top of each other.

[0046] The advantage of the shelf or support structure supporting the lower surface of the respective platform support legs 40 is that it allows a gap 92 to be provided between the top plates 30 of the stacked platforms 20. This gap 92 allows a person's fingers to be placed between the stacked plastic platforms 20, making it easier to separate them. Another advantage of the shelf or support structure is that when stacked on top of the lower plastic platforms 20, the platform support legs 40 are partially wedged into place, which also makes the stacked platforms 20 easier to separate.

[0047] Now for reference Figures 6 to 9The platform support legs 40 will be discussed in more detail. Each platform support leg 40 includes an upper portion 41 and a lower portion 43. The upper portion 41 is adjacent to the lower surface 34 of the top plate 30 and has an opening 78 extending through a first pair of spaced-apart sidewalls 110. The opening 78 is aligned with one of the platform support leg openings 33 in the top plate 30.

[0048] The lower portion 43 is adjacent to the upper portion and includes a shelf 90 that separates the opening 78 in the upper portion 41 from the lower portion 43. The shelf 90 is configured to provide support to the bottom surface 130 of the platform support legs 40 from the same platform 20 when stacked on top of each other. The pair of extensions 66 extend outward from the bottom surface 130 of the lower portion 43, and the opening 78 in the upper portion 41 provides clearance for the pair of extensions 66 on the platform support legs 40 of the same platform 20 when stacked on top of each other.

[0049] A pair of extensions 66 on the lower portion 43 are aligned with openings 78 in the upper portion 41 of each platform support leg 40. These extensions 66 extend beyond the width of the openings 78 in the upper portion 41 of each platform support leg 40. Therefore, when stacked on the same platform 20, the pair of extensions 66 on the same platform 20 extend beyond the width of the openings 78 in the upper portion 41 of each platform support leg 20, as... Figure 5 As shown.

[0050] The lower portion 43 of each platform support leg 40 includes a pair of spaced-apart sidewalls aligned with the first pair of spaced-apart sidewalls 110 in the upper portion 41, the two pairs of sidewalls 110 having a width that tapers toward the pair of extensions 66.

[0051] The upper portion 41 and the lower portion 43 of each platform support leg 40 include a second pair of spaced-apart sidewalls 100, both of which have the same width.

[0052] The shelf 90 is adjacent to the upper portion 41 of each platform support leg 40, and the upper surface of the shelf 90 includes a rib-like structure. This rib-like structure is defined by a pair of spaced-apart ribs 122 and a separator 124 intersecting the pair of ribs 122, as shown below. Figure 8 As shown.

[0053] Still referencing Figure 8 As shown, each platform support leg opening 33 in the top plate 30 includes a first pair of spaced-apart sidewalls 109 and a second pair of spaced-apart sidewalls 99. The first pair of spaced-apart sidewalls 109 are aligned with a first pair of spaced-apart sidewalls 110 in the upper portion 41 of the corresponding platform support leg 40. The second pair of spaced-apart sidewalls 99 are adjacent to the first pair of spaced-apart sidewalls 109 and aligned with a second pair of spaced-apart sidewalls 110 in the upper portion 41 of the corresponding platform support leg 40.

[0054] Each sidewall 99 includes spaced-apart peaks 113 extending into platform support leg openings 33. The peaks 113 serve as guides when corresponding platform support legs 40 of the same platform 20 are stacked on top of each other.

[0055] The sidewalls 109 are spaced apart to allow for gaps on the platform support legs 40 of the same platform 20 when the pairs of extensions 66 are stacked on top of each other.

[0056] The upper portion 41 and the lower portion 43 of each platform support leg 40 include a second pair of spaced-apart sidewalls 100 aligned with the second pair of spaced-apart sidewalls 99 in the platform support leg opening 33. The second pair of spaced-apart sidewalls 100 includes spaced-apart peaks 102 extending outwardly from the second pair of sidewalls 100, such as... Figure 6 and Figure 9 As shown. The spaced-apart peaks 102 are separated by valleys 104 and staggered relative to a pair of spaced-apart peaks 113 in the platform support leg openings 33 to act as guides when corresponding platform support legs 40 of the same platform 20 are stacked on it. Moreover, the lower portion 43 of each platform support leg 40 includes a drain outlet.

[0057] The spaced-apart peaks 102 are separated by valleys 104 and staggered relative to a pair of spaced-apart peaks 113 in the platform support leg openings 33 to act as guides when corresponding platform support legs 40 of the same platform 20 are stacked on top of each other. Furthermore, the lower portion 43 of each platform support leg 40 includes a drainage opening.

[0058] Other features of the plastic platform 20 will now be referred to. Figures 10 to 13 These features are to be discussed. They include a hand access hole, stretch packaging material to retain position, straps to retain rails, and product display attachment points.

[0059] The top view of the top plate 30 is as follows Figure 10 As shown, a pair of hand access holes 140 are provided. The hand access holes 140 provide an operator with a simple means of manipulating the quarter-size plastic platform 20. Each hand access hole 140 is large enough for a user to insert all four fingers. With the hand access holes 140 provided near each end of the plastic platform 20, the quarter-size plastic platform 20 can be easily gripped by a user to carry it or unload it from a stacked platform.

[0060] Shrink packaging material retains position 150. Figure 11The plastic platform 20 is shown in a side view. There are respective shrink wrap holding positions 150 on the long sides 36 of the side surface 36 of the plastic platform 20. These shrink wrap holding positions 150 are used to apply and hold shrink wrap onto the product carried by the top plate 30. Shrink wrap is typically used to secure the product to the platform. This is usually an alternative to straps, but both can be used simultaneously if desired.

[0061] One problem encountered when applying shrink packaging to a platform is securing the ends of the shrink packaging. This problem arises at both the beginning and end of the shrink packaging process, as the packaging may not want to adhere to the product or platform, or may not be able to retain itself on the product on the platform at the end.

[0062] Each shrink wrap holding position 150 employs a two-sided recess, similar in shape to an anvil. The two-sided recess has a front recess and a rear recess, with a narrow opening between them. This narrow opening allows the shrink wrap to enter the recess but makes it more difficult for it to escape again. The wrap can be pulled into the front or rear recess, and the end of the wrap can be secured at the beginning or end of the wrapping process.

[0063] The top plate 30 includes a plurality of different product display attachment points for securing product displays or boxes to the quarter-size plastic platform 20. For example, when the quarter-size plastic platform 20 is located on the floor of a store and has products on it, the product display helps to promote the products. U.S. Patent No. 9,387,953 discloses a partial plastic tray with product display attachment points, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Patent '953 has been assigned to the present assignee of this invention.

[0064] The product display attachment points include display attachment slots 170, 180, and 190 in the upper surface 32 of the top plate 30, such as... Figure 10 and Figure 12 As shown. Each display attachment slot 170, 180 and 190 is rectangular in shape and its dimensions are designed to accommodate tabs that descend from the bottom of the product display so as to allow the product display to remain in place on platform 20.

[0065] A pair of display attachment slots 170 are located at each of the adjacent sides 36, 38 of the top plate 30, totaling four. The top plate 30 also contains four display attachment slots 180 and four display attachment slots 190. Each display attachment slot 180 is aligned with a corresponding display attachment slot 170, and each display attachment slot 190 is recessed from the sides 36, 38 of the top plate 30 and also aligned with a corresponding display attachment slot 180. Still referring to... Figure 10 and Figure 12As shown, each display attachment slot 180 includes an outer slot 200 within a top plate 30 and an inner slot 204 recessed within the outer slot. The outer slot 200 includes side panels 202 and a partially enclosed bottom 214, forming a curved shelf. The inner slot 204 is adjacent to the curved shelf and recessed below the outer slot 200. The inner slot 204 has a pair of spaced-apart sidewalls 205 and 207 and a closed bottom 209.

[0066] Within the inner groove 204, a sidewall 205 includes a protrusion 210 extending therefrom, and an opposing sidewall 207 includes a tapered member 216 extending therefrom. The tapered member 216 has a downward tapering shape toward the protrusion 210. If the product display tab has a properly positioned hole, that hole can engage and lock onto the protrusion 210 or the tapered member 216.

[0067] The sidewall 207 with tapered member 216 is curved, corresponding to a curved shelf, while the sidewall 205 with protrusion 210 is not curved. Tapered member 216 includes a lowest surface perpendicular to the closed bottom of inner groove 204. A gap exists between the flat lower side and the closed bottom. For example, protrusion 210 has a quarter-spherical shape. Tapered member 216 is aligned with the center of protrusion 210.

[0068] Each display attachment slot 190 is recessed from the sides 36, 38 of the top plate 30. A significant portion of the corresponding sides 36, 38 of the top plate 30 is removed to expose the display attachment slot 190. The removal of the corresponding sides 36, 38 of the display attachment slot 190 is consistent to form a pair of spaced-apart retaining tabs 191 for securing the product display tabs. The retaining tabs 191 are located at the upper part of the display attachment slot 190, while the lower part of the display attachment slot 190 is fully exposed.

[0069] Many modifications and other embodiments will arise in those skilled in the art upon which the teachings presented in the foregoing description and the associated drawings will come to mind. Therefore, it should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A platform comprising: A top plate, including an upper surface and an opposing lower surface, having a plurality of spaced-apart platform support leg openings extending through the upper surface and the lower surface; and Multiple platform support legs extend from the lower surface of the top plate and are aligned with openings in the multiple platform support legs, each platform support leg comprising: The upper portion, adjacent to the lower surface of the top plate, and having openings extending through a first pair of spaced-apart sidewalls, the openings being aligned with one of the respective platform support leg openings in the top plate, and The lower portion, adjacent to the upper surface, includes: A shelf, separating the opening in the upper portion from the lower portion, is configured to provide support to the bottom surface of platform support legs from the same platform when stacked on them. A pair of extensions extend outward from the bottom surface of the lower portion, and the opening in the upper portion provides a gap for the pair of extensions on the platform support legs of the same platform when stacked on top of each other.

2. The platform of claim 1, wherein the pair of extensions on the lower portion are aligned with the opening in the upper portion of each platform support leg.

3. The platform of claim 1, wherein the pair of extensions on the lower portion extends beyond the width of the opening in the upper portion of each platform support leg.

4. The platform according to claim 3, wherein, When the pair of extensions on the same platform are stacked on top of each other, they extend beyond the width of the opening in the upper part of each platform support leg.

5. The platform of claim 1, wherein the lower portion of each platform support leg includes a first pair of spaced-apart sidewalls aligned with the first pair of spaced-apart sidewalls in the upper portion, and both of the first pair of sidewalls have a width that gradually decreases toward the pair of extensions.

6. The platform of claim 1, wherein the upper and lower portions of each platform support leg include a second pair of spaced-apart sidewalls, and the second pair of sidewalls each has the same width.

7. The platform of claim 1, wherein the shelf extends between the bottom surface of the lower portion of each platform support leg and the opening in the upper portion.

8. The platform of claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the shelf includes a ribbed structure.

9. The platform of claim 1, wherein each platform support leg opening in the top plate comprises the following: The first pair of spaced-apart sidewalls are aligned with the first pair of spaced-apart sidewalls in the upper part of the corresponding platform support leg; and The second pair of spaced-apart sidewalls, adjacent to the first pair of spaced-apart sidewalls, includes spaced-apart peaks extending into the openings of the platform support legs, the peaks serving as guides when the respective platform support legs of the same platform are stacked thereon.

10. The platform of claim 9, wherein the first pair of sidewalls are spaced apart to allow for gaps when the pair of extensions on the platform support legs of the same platform are stacked on top of each other.

11. The platform of claim 9, wherein the upper and lower portions of each platform support leg include a second pair of spaced-apart sidewalls aligned with the second pair of spaced-apart sidewalls in the platform support leg opening, wherein the second pair of sidewalls includes spaced-apart peaks extending outward from the second pair of sidewalls, the spaced-apart peaks being staggered relative to the pair of spaced-apart peaks in the platform support leg opening to serve as guides when the respective platform support legs of the same platform are stacked thereon.

12. The platform of claim 1, wherein the top plate includes at least one product display attachment slot configured to receive tabs from at least one product display to allow the at least one product display to be held in place.

13. A method for creating a platform, comprising: A top plate is formed, the top plate including an upper surface and an opposite lower surface, and having a plurality of spaced-apart platform support leg openings extending through the upper surface and the lower surface; and Multiple platform support legs are formed, extending from the lower surface of the top plate and aligned with the openings of the multiple platform support legs, each platform support leg comprising: The upper portion, adjacent to the lower surface of the top plate, and having openings extending through a first pair of spaced-apart sidewalls, the openings being aligned with one of the respective platform support leg openings in the top plate, and The lower portion, adjacent to the upper surface, includes: A shelf, separating the opening in the upper portion from the lower portion, is configured to provide support to the bottom surface of platform support legs from the same platform when stacked thereon. A pair of extensions extend outward from the bottom surface of the lower portion, and the opening in the upper portion provides a gap for the pair of extensions on the platform support legs of the same platform when they are stacked on top of each other.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the pair of extensions on the lower portion are aligned with the opening in the upper portion of each platform support leg.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the pair of extensions on the lower portion extends beyond the width of the opening in the upper portion of each platform support leg.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein, When the pair of extensions on the same platform are stacked on top of each other, they extend beyond the width of the opening in the upper part of each platform support leg.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the lower portion of each platform support leg includes a first pair of spaced-apart sidewalls aligned with the first pair of spaced-apart sidewalls in the upper portion, and both of the first pair of sidewalls have a width that gradually decreases toward the pair of extensions.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the upper and lower portions of each platform support leg include a second pair of spaced-apart sidewalls, and the second pair of sidewalls each has the same width.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the shelf extends between the bottom surface of the lower portion of each platform support leg and the opening in the upper portion.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein the upper surface of the shelf comprises a ribbed structure.

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