Pallet composed of elements assembled and provided with reinforcing bars

Abstract

Pallet (1) comprising a floor (2), rows (6) of studs (5) and a sole (7). Each stud (5) is removably fixed, on the one hand, with the floor (2) and, on the other hand, with the sole (7). A first assembly member, of the tapped hole type, is arranged on the floor (2) and a second assembly member, of the threaded rod type, is arranged on the stud (5). The floor (2) comprises conduits (42) extending from one side of the floor (2) above the rows (6) of studs (5) and passing through the first assembly members, each second assembly member comprising a groove corresponding to the conduit (42) when it cooperates with the first assembly member. The pallet (1) comprises reinforcing bars (9) inserted respectively into the conduits (42).

Description

Domaine technique

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of pallets used daily to transport goods in more or less significant quantities, these pallets being easily handled by means of handling equipment equipped with a fork, for example forklifts, stackers or pallet trucks, which in particular make it possible to move the pallets from one place to another, for example from a transport vehicle to a storage location and vice versa.

[0002] The pallet which is the subject of the invention will be implemented by pallet manufacturers and used in all fields, for example industry, agriculture and commerce, whenever it is necessary to transport large quantities of goods and / or heavy loads which need to be easily handled by means of such a handling device equipped with a fork. Etat de la technique

[0003] Pallets are widely used on the market for transporting more or less large quantities of goods of various types, generally constituting heavy loads that require handling using handling equipment equipped with a fork. These goods may be pre-packaged in boxes, bags or packs. By way of non-limiting examples, these goods may consist of boxes of products pre-packaged in boxes, bottles or cans, bags of materials (cement, sand, gravel, salt, granules, etc.), packs of bottles of liquid (water, milk, fruit juice, etc.), crates of food products (fruit, vegetables, etc.) or large industrial parts.

[0004] Pallets are handled by means of handling equipment equipped with a fork, in particular forklifts, stackers and pallet trucks, to be moved from one place to another, by a transport vehicle such as a truck, train, boat or plane, to a storage location, and vice versa, the pallets being for example placed on the ground, a floor of the transport vehicle or on a platform of a rack and / or stacked on top of each other in certain cases.

[0005] Traditionally, a pallet is made of wood, comprising a floor made up of juxtaposed slats on which the goods are placed, a sole which is made up of several slats spaced from each other and coming into contact with the surface on which the pallet rests and rows of studs which separate the slats of the sole, from the floor to maintain spacing between the sole and the floor, these spacings allowing the passage of the fork of the handling equipment for lifting the pallet. The floor slats, the sole slats and the studs are fixed together by nailing, screwing or stapling.

[0006] During handling, these pallets are very often damaged by impacts between them, on walls, on shelving structures, by their scraping on the surfaces that receive them and by the forks of handling equipment. It is therefore often necessary to recondition these pallets by replacing the damaged parts, often the sole blades and the blocks, in order to be able to reuse them, or even to scrap them, in which case the pallet parts are separated from the assembly elements (nails, screws, staples) for wood recycling. Removing the damaged parts for pallet reconditioning or separating them for wood recycling is not easy and takes time.

[0007] There are also known one-piece plastic pallets which, if damaged, must be recycled, as they cannot be reconditioned. In addition, these pallets lack robustness and are limited in the load capacity they can accommodate.

[0008] Plastic pallets are also known, composed of elements assembled together in a removable manner in order to allow the replacement of some of these elements when they are damaged. The applicant is particularly aware of the American patent application published under number US 2019 / 367212, which describes a pallet comprising a floor intended to receive a load, three rows of studs and a sole intended to come into contact with a surface for receiving the pallet, the three rows of studs being arranged between the floor and the sole to generate a spacing capable of allowing the introduction of a fork of a handling machine. Each stud is removably fixed, on the one hand, with the floor using first fixing means and, on the other hand, with the sole using second fixing means.The first fastening means comprise first snap-on branches arranged on the floor and second snap-on branches arranged on the pad and complementary to the first snap-on branches. The floor comprises rectilinear conduits extending from one side of the floor to the other above the rows of pads. These conduits each receive a reinforcement bar and pass between the first snap-on branches. When assembling the pad on the floor, the second snap-on branches are also each positioned on one side of a conduit in which a reinforcement bar is inserted. The assembly and disassembly of the pad from the floor can be restrictive and more or less time-consuming since it is necessary to snap or unsnap each pad from the floor and the sole, requiring the use of force.After repeated forceful assembly and disassembly, the first and second snap-on branches may become damaged. Résumé de l'invention

[0009] The present invention relates to a new pallet design that overcomes the disadvantages of pallets currently on the market and allows for receiving high loads while reducing the thickness of the pallet and the quantity of material required for its manufacture, compared to traditional pallets designed to have the same load capacity. The objective of the present invention is to design an alternative to the pallet implemented in patent application US 2019 / 367212, more robust and of reduced thickness, while allowing easier removal of a stud from the floor for replacement.

[0010] To this end, the invention relates to a pallet which has the characteristics defined in the main claim below. The pallet comprises a floor intended to receive a load, at least two rows of studs and a sole intended to come into contact with a receiving surface of the pallet. The at least two rows of studs are arranged between the floor and the sole to generate a spacing capable of allowing the introduction of a fork of a handling machine, for example a forklift, a stacker or a pallet truck. According to the invention, each stud is removably fixed, on the one hand, with the floor by means of first fixing means and, on the other hand, with the sole by means of second fixing means. The first fixing means comprise a first assembly member arranged on the floor and a second assembly member arranged on the stud and complementary to the first assembly member.Furthermore, the floor comprising at least two rectilinear conduits extending from one side of the floor to the other, respectively above the at least two rows of studs and passing through the first assembly members on the floor. Each second assembly member comprises a passage configured to correspond with the conduit when it cooperates with the first assembly member for fixing the stud with the floor. Furthermore, the pallet comprises at least two reinforcing bars configured to be inserted respectively into the at least two conduits, said reinforcing bars passing through the first assembly members and passages on the second assembly members, respectively on the rows of studs fixed to the floor.

[0011] Thus, the pallet according to the invention has the advantage of being composed of separate elements assembled together in a removable manner to form said pallet, which advantageously allows the replacement of only one of these elements in the event of damage to it with use. The presence of reinforcement bars also makes it possible to improve the strength of the pallet, which can thus receive higher loads. This design of the pallet according to the invention also makes it possible to reduce the thickness of the floor and / or the total thickness of the pallet, in comparison with traditional pallets having the same load capacity and, thus, to reduce the quantity of material necessary for the manufacture of the pallet.

[0012] According to the pallet which is the subject of the invention, the first assembly member on the floor consists of a tapped hole through which a conduit passes and the second assembly member on the stud consists of a threaded cylindrical head which comprises a groove arranged on the end portion of the threaded cylindrical head. The threaded cylindrical head and the tapped hole are configured to ensure, when screwed in, alignment of the groove with the conduit, the reinforcement bar placed in the conduit passing through the tapped hole and being housed in the groove on the threaded cylindrical head.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the pallet which is the subject of the invention, the second fixing means comprise a first snap-fastening member arranged on the stud and a second snap-fastening member arranged on the sole and complementary to the first snap-fastening member. The first snap-fastening member and the second snap-fastening member are configured to engage with each other in order to cooperate and keep the stud engaged with the sole, the first snap-fastening member and the second snap-fastening member being configured to be disengaged from each other by elastic deformation of one of said first and second snap-fastening members, preferably by means of a disengagement key, as will appear in the remainder of the description.By elastic deformation, it is understood that one of the latching members can deform to free itself from the other latching member and then return to its normal position once the two latching members are released from each other. Preferably, according to this aforementioned embodiment, the first latching member comprises two flexible branches which are parallel and each comprise on their external face and on their end portion, a bevel and a shoulder, the bevels and the shoulders of the two branches being oriented in opposition. The flexibility of the branches allows them to flex and allow them to return to their normal positions. In addition, the second latching member comprises two rigid tabs, at least the ends of which are arranged opposite each other with a spacing corresponding to a spacing between the two external faces of the two branches.The branches and the legs are configured so that when the first latching member and the second latching member are engaged, the end portions flex thanks to the bevels abutting the ends of the legs and come to be positioned respectively under the ends of the legs, the shoulders abutting under said ends of the legs.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment of the pallet according to the invention, the sole comprises as many blades as there are rows of studs, the blades being fixed respectively to the rows of studs by means of the second fixing means. This makes it possible to remove only the blade of the sole which has been damaged by wear or which allows access to the stud which needs to be replaced due to its damage. This also advantageously makes it possible to reduce the contact surface of the sole with the receiving surface of the pallet. A variant remains possible with a sole in a single piece fixed with all the rows of studs.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the pallet comprises three rows of studs. A different number of rows of studs remains conceivable within the scope of the invention.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the pallet that is the subject of the invention, the floor includes orifices configured to allow water to drain away. This prevents rainwater from stagnating on the floor. Variants remain possible, for example a floor including grooves on its upper face forming gutters allowing water to flow down the side of the pallet, or even a pallet with a basic floor, i.e. without orifices or gutters.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the pallet that is the subject of the invention, the floor comprises oblong openings configured to constitute gripping handles. Thus, the pallet is easily handled by an operator when no load is placed on the floor. Variants remain possible, for example a floor without oblong openings, gripping in this case being done directly at the level of the pads.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the pallet which is the subject of the invention, the floor comprises a rectangular upper face which comprises on its periphery and on each of its sides at least one rim extending outwards perpendicular to said upper face. The presence of these rims advantageously makes it possible to wedge the pallets together when they are stacked on top of each other, when empty.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the pallet according to the invention, at least the studs arranged on the periphery of the pallet comprise horizontal ridges. Preferably, all the studs comprise such horizontal ridges. The presence of these horizontal ridges makes it possible to grip a plastic film when the pallet loaded with goods is wrapped to hold the goods on the pallet and also protect them from the rain.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the pallet which is the subject of the invention, at least the studs arranged on the periphery of the pallet comprise vertical ridges. Preferably, all the studs comprise such vertical ridges. The presence of these vertical ridges advantageously makes it possible to stick labels while facilitating their removal, after delivery of the pallet and removal of the goods placed on it.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the pallet according to the invention, it comprises non-slip pads arranged on an upper face of the floor. This advantageously makes it possible to keep the goods placed on the floor static, without the risk of them slipping. According to a preferred embodiment of the pallet according to the invention, the floor, the rows of pads and the sole are made of a plastic material, preferably injection molded. Preferably, the plastic material used is a polyolefin, for example high-density polyethylene or polypropylene.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment of the pallet according to the invention, the at least two reinforcement bars each have a square section in a transverse section plane. Other reinforcement bar sections remain possible, for example a rectangular or circular section. Preferably, the reinforcement bars are made of metal, preferably steel.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment of the pallet which is the subject of the invention, the latter comprises plugs configured to close the ends of the conduits in which the reinforcement bars are housed. The presence of these plugs ensures that the reinforcement bars are held in position inside the floor. Brève description des figures

[0024] The characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description based on figures, among which: there [ Fig. 1 ] illustrates an overview of a preferred embodiment of the pallet according to the invention; the [ Fig. 2 ] illustrates an exploded view of the palette illustrated in [ Fig. 1 ] ; there [ Fig. 3 ] illustrates a three-dimensional view of a floor of the pallet, from the side of an upper face of this floor; the [ Fig. 4 ] illustrates a three-dimensional view of a floor of the pallet, from the side of a lower face of this floor; the [ Fig. 5 ] illustrates a three-dimensional view of a pad of the pallet, from the upper side of this pad; the [ Fig. 6 ] illustrates a three-dimensional view of a pad of the pallet, from the lower side of this pad; the [ Fig. 7 ] illustrates a three-dimensional view of a blade of a sole of the pallet, from the side of a lower face of this blade; the [ Fig. 8 ] illustrates a three-dimensional view of a blade of a sole of the pallet, from the side of an upper face of this blade; the [ Fig. 9 ] illustrates a three-dimensional view of a reinforcement bar and two plugs, of the pallet; the [ Fig. 10 ] illustrates a three-dimensional view of a skate of the pallet; the [ Fig. 11 ] illustrates a partial sectional view of the pallet, according to a longitudinal sectional plane of the pallet; the [ Fig. 12 ] illustrates a partial sectional view of the pallet, taken along a cross-sectional plane of the pallet; the [ Fig. 13 ] illustrates a three-dimensional view of a release key allowing the disengagement of a blade from the sole and a stud; the [ Fig. 14 ] illustrates a partial sectional view of the pallet, as in the [ Fig. 12 ], and shows the key to uncoupling the [ Fig. 13 ] in use for the disengagement of a blade from the sole and a stud. Description détaillée

[0025] In the remainder of the description, the same references are used to describe the same features on the pallet. In addition, terms such as "top", "bottom", "lower", "upper", which could be used, will be used in consideration of the normal position of use of the pallet, the sole resting on a receiving surface, for example a floor or a receiving surface of a storage structure.

[0026] In view of the [ Fig.1 ] and the [ Fig. 2 ], the pallet 1 comprises a floor 2 which is preferably rectangular in shape, thus defining a longitudinal direction DL and a transverse direction DT. The pallet 1 comprises nine pads 3 which are placed on an upper face 4 of the floor 2, with a uniform distribution. A pad 3 is also illustrated in isolation in [ Fig. 10 ]. The pallet 1 also comprises nine pads 5 arranged in three rows 6 and a sole 7 consisting of three blades 8 which extend respectively under the three rows 6 of pads 5. Preferably, the three rows 6 of pads 5 and the three blades 8 of the sole 7 are oriented in the longitudinal direction DL, an orientation in the transverse direction DT remaining conceivable. The pallet 1 also comprises three reinforcing bars 9 and six plugs 10, two plugs 10 being placed respectively at the two ends 9a, 9b of each reinforcing bar 9. Preferably, the reinforcing bars 9 are also oriented in the longitudinal direction DL. Preferably, these reinforcing bars 9 each have a square section in a transverse section plane, other section shapes being possible.Of course, this is a preferred embodiment, the number of pads 3, of studs 5 per row 6, of rows 6 of studs 5, of blades 8 on the sole 7, of reinforcement bars 9 and consequently of plugs 10, being able to vary according to the dimensions of the floor 2.

[0027] In view of the [ Fig. 3 ] and the [ Fig. 4 ], the floor 2 comprises a multitude of orifices 11 distributed over the entire surface of the floor 2 and passing through the thickness of the floor 2 so as to allow the evacuation of rainwater. This also makes it possible to lighten the floor 2 and to reduce the quantity of material for its manufacture. The floor 2 also comprises oblong openings 12 distributed over the entire surface of the floor 2 and passing through the thickness of the floor 2, these oblong openings 12 allowing the pallet 1 to be grasped with one hand when said pallet 1 is not loaded with goods. This also contributes to lightening the floor 2 and reducing the quantity of material for its manufacture. On the upper face 4 of the floor 2, small cavities 13 are of a shape and depth adapted to the shape and thickness of the pads 3, so that the pads 3 are wedged in the cavities and protrude slightly from the upper face 4 of the floor 2.The pads 3 are preferably glued by means of an adhesive in these cavities 13 and are preferably made of rubberized material, for example butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymers, also called NBR or nitrile rubber, in order to ensure grip preventing the goods placed on the upper face 4 of the floor 2 from skidding. The upper face 4 of the floor 2 also comprises edges 14 which extend perpendicular to said upper face 4 and which are arranged at the periphery 15 of the floor 2, on each of its four sides 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d. These edges 14 can participate in the wedging of the goods placed on the upper face 4 of the floor 2 and also in the wedging of the pallets 1 between them when they are stacked on top of each other, before their use. The floor 2 comprises a lower face 16 which has a multitude of reinforcing elements 17 improving the mechanical resistance and nine tapped holes 18 distributed uniformly.

[0028] In view of the [ Fig. 5 ] and the [ Fig. 6 ], each stud 5 comprises a body 19 whose shape is a rectangular parallelepiped and a threaded cylindrical head 20 which extends upwards relative to the body 19 and whose length, diameter and pitch of the thread are adapted to the depth, diameter and pitch of the tapping of the tapped hole 18 on the floor 2, so that the stud 5 can be fixed on the lower face 16 of the floor 2 by screwing. The thread on the threaded cylindrical head 20 and the thread on the tapped hole 18 are configured so that when the stud 5 is screwed onto the floor 2, the body 19 of rectangular parallelepiped shape is positioned in alignment with the rectangular periphery 21 arranged around the tapped hole 18 on the floor 2, as illustrated in the [ Fig. 1 ]. The pad 5 comprises two flexible branches 22, 23 which extend downwards under the body 19, parallel to each other. These flexible branches 22, 23 each comprise an external face 22a, 23a and an internal face 22b, 23b. These flexible branches 22, 23 comprise a width L1 which extends in the direction of the length of the body 19, as illustrated in the [ Fig. 6 ]. On the external faces 22a, 23a of the flexible branches 22, 23 are arranged, at the end portion 22c, 23c of said flexible branches 22, 23, bevels 24, 25 extending over the width of these flexible branches 22, 23, these bevels 24, 25 forming shoulders 26, 27. The flexibility of these flexible branches 22, 23 advantageously allows their elastic deformation, so that when a pinching force is exerted on said flexible branches 22, 23, these come closer to each other to reduce the spacing between the two internal faces 22b, 23b, then, when the pinching force ceases, said panels 22, 23 return to their normal position.

[0029] In view of the [ Fig. 7 ] and the [ Fig. 8 ], each blade 8 of the sole 7 comprises a lower face 28 which is preferably smooth and an upper face 29 which comprises reinforcing elements 30 improving the mechanical resistance. Holes 46 pass through the thickness of the blade 8 to allow the evacuation of rainwater. On the two longitudinal sides 8a, 8b of the blade 8, notches 47 are arranged and open onto the lower face 28 of said blade 8, these notches 47 being configured to receive the edges 14 present on an upper face 4 of a floor 2 of a pallet 1 arranged below, on which is placed the sole 7 of a pallet 1 arranged above, when said pallets 1 are empty. The blade 8 comprises three parts 31 intended to be assembled with the studs 5 of a row 6. On each part 31, two cavities 32, 33 are arranged on the lower face 28 and communicate with two respective slots 34, 35 arranged on the upper face 29.These slots 34, 35 extend in the longitudinal direction DL and are delimited on their external sides by two rigid tabs 36, 37 whose end parts 38, 39 are arranged opposite each other and extend in a plane parallel to the lower face 28 of the blade 8, as appears in more detail in the [. Fig. 12 ]. These slots 34, 35 are of dimensions adapted to allow the introduction therein of the flexible branches 22, 23 present on the pad 5. In addition, the spacing E1 between the external faces 22a, 23a of the flexible branches 22, 23 of the pad 5 is very slightly less than the spacing E2 between the ends 38a, 39a of the end parts 38, 39 of the rigid tabs 36, 37. Thus, the flexible branches 22, 23 on the pad 5 can be introduced respectively into the slots 34, 35. During this introduction, said external faces 22a, 23a are juxtaposed with said ends 38a, 39a, which allows the bevels 24, 25 on the flexible branches 22, 23 to come into contact with said ends 38a, 39a, the rigid legs 36, 37 thus exerting a force on the flexible branches 22, 23 similar to pinching, the internal faces 22b, 23b of said flexible branches then approaching each other.Once the bevels 24, 25 have passed below the end parts 38, 39 of the rigid legs 36, 37, this force on the flexible branches 22, 23 ceases and said flexible branches 22, 23 resume their normal position allowing the shoulders 26, 27 to be positioned on these flexible branches 22, 23, below the end parts 38, 39 of the rigid legs 36, 37, the stud 5 thus being snapped onto the part 31 of the blade 8, as shown in the [. Fig. 12 ]. The precision of the screwing between a tapped hole 18 on the floor 2 and a threaded cylindrical head 20 on a stud 5 ensures alignment of the flexible branches 22, 23 of all the studs 5 on a row 6, thus guaranteeing perfect snap-fastening of the studs 5 of a row 6 with the parts 31 of a blade 8.

[0030] In particular with regard to the [ Fig. 7 ], of the [ Fig. 13 ] and the [ Fig. 14 ], a detachment key 100 makes it possible to unclip a blade 8 from the sole 7, from the studs 5 of a row 6. The detachment key 100 comprises a body 101 from which extend in parallel two rigid branches 102, 103 which are dimensioned to be introduced respectively into the cavities 32, 33 on the lower face 28 of the blade 8. The rigid branches 102, 103 each comprise an internal face 102a, 103b, the spacing E3 between the two internal faces 102a, 103a being slightly less than the spacing E1 between the two external faces 22a, 23a of the flexible branches 22, 23 on the stud 5. The rigid branches 102, 103 have their beveled ends 104, 105 on the side of their internal faces 102a, 103a.An introduction of the rigid branches 102, 103 into the cavities 32, 33 on the lower face 28 of the blade 8 allows the beveled ends 104, 105 to come into contact with the respective ends 40, 41 of the flexible branches 22, 23, thus exerting a force making it possible to pinch the flexible branches 22, 23 until the bevels 24, 25 on these flexible branches 22, 23 are respectively disengaged from the ends 38a, 39a of the end portions 38, 39 of the rigid tabs 36, 37, thus allowing the flexible branches 22, 23 to be disengaged from the slots 34, 35, the blade 8 then being detached from the stud 5.

[0031] In view of the [ Fig. 1 ] to the [ Fig. 6 ], of the [ Fig. 9 ], of the [ Fig. 11 ] and the [ Fig. 12 ], the floor 2 comprises three conduits 42 which are oriented in the longitudinal direction DL, respectively above the three rows 6 of studs 5. Each conduit 42 passes through the three tapped holes 18 aligned in the longitudinal direction DL. The threaded cylindrical head 20 on a stud 5 comprises a groove 43 which opens onto one end 20a of said threaded cylindrical head 20, this groove 43 passing diagonally through the threaded cylindrical head 20, as shown in particular by [ Fig. 5 ] and the [ Fig. 6 ]. The tapped hole 18 and the threaded cylindrical head 20 are configured so that when the stud 5 is screwed onto the floor 2, the groove 43 is aligned with the conduit 42, which allows the introduction of a reinforcing bar 9 into the conduit 42 by passing it into the groove 43 on each stud 5 of the row 6. Once the reinforcing bar 9 is introduced into the conduit, two plugs 10 can be fitted respectively into the two ends 42a (only one is visible in the figures) of the conduit 42 to hold the reinforcing bar 9 in the conduit 42.

[0032] In view of the [ Fig. 1 ], of the [ Fig. 5 ] and the [ Fig. 6], the body 19 of the pad 5 comprises on its contour wall 44, at the level of these four rounded angles 44a, 44b, 44c, 44d, horizontal grooves 45, which allow the pads 5 arranged at the periphery of the pallet 1 to grip a stretched plastic film (not shown) which covers the floor 2 and the goods placed thereon. This contour wall 44 also comprises, on the parts arranged between these four rounded angles 44a, 44b, 44c, 44d, vertical grooves 49 which allow a label (not shown) to be stuck on one of the pads 5 arranged at the periphery of the pallet 1, the sticking thus being carried out by limiting the adhesion of this label on the surface of the contour wall 44 of the pad 5, which facilitates its removal once the pallet 1 has been delivered and reshipped for reuse.

[0033] The assembly of a pallet 1 is therefore carried out by first screwing the studs 5 onto the floor 2, said screwing allowing an alignment of the grooves 43 on the studs 5 with the conduits 42 in the longitudinal direction DL and, likewise, an alignment of the flexible branches 22, 23 of the studs 5 in said longitudinal direction DL. The blades 8 of the sole 7 can then be fixed by snap-fastening onto the studs 5 of the three rows 6, as explained previously. The reinforcement bars 9 can also be introduced into the respective conduits 42 by passing through the tapped holes 18 on the floor 2 and the grooves 43 on the studs 5. The plugs 10 can then close the ends 42a of the conduits 42. Of course, the assembly of the blades 8 of the sole 7 on the studs 5 could be carried out in several stages, row by row.The installation of a blade 8 on a row 6 of studs 5 blocks the rotation of these studs 5 with respect to the floor 2, thus avoiding any risk of unscrewing the studs 5 from the floor 2. Once the pallet 1 is mounted, a spacing 48 appears between the floor 2 and the sole 7 thanks to the presence of the studs 5, this spacing 48 allowing the introduction of a fork of a handling machine, in particular a forklift, a stacker or a pallet truck, for handling the pallet 1 loaded with goods.

[0034] The disassembly of the pallet 1 or of a part thereof only, is carried out by means of the decoupling key 100, by forcibly pushing the rigid branches 102, 103 into the cavities 32, 33, making it possible to release the flexible branches 22, 23 of a stud 5, from the rigid legs 36, 37 of a blade 8, as explained previously and, thus, to remove a blade 8 from a row 6 of studs 5 then to unscrew these studs 4, from the floor 2. This will make it possible for example to replace a blade 8 of the sole 7 or one of the studs 5 of a row 6, which may be damaged with use.

[0035] Preferably, the floor 2, the pads 5, the blades 8 of the sole 7 and the plugs 10 are made of a plastic material, by injection molding. Preferably the plastic material used is high density polyethylene or polypropylene, other polyolefins remaining conceivable. According to one embodiment, this plastic material will be loaded with an additive, for example talc, in order to increase the mechanical resistance. Preferably, this plastic material will be derived from recycling. Other materials, other than plastic, can also be considered within the scope of the invention. Preferably, the reinforcing bars 9 are made of metal, for example steel.

[0036] Other implementations of the pallet 1 could be envisaged within the framework of the invention, for example by modifying the number of studs 5 on a row 6 or the number of rows 6 of studs 5 and, therefore the number of blades 8 on the sole 7. A variant could also be envisaged with a sole 7 in a single piece rather than being composed of several blades 8. Of course, these examples of variants are not limiting.

Claims

1. Pallet (1) comprising a floor (2) intended to receive a load, at least two rows (6) of studs (5) and a sole (7) intended to come into contact with a receiving surface of the pallet (1), the at least two rows (6) of studs (5) being arranged between the floor (2) and the sole (7) to generate a spacing (48) capable of allowing the introduction of a fork of a handling machine, each stud (5) being removably fixed, on the one hand, with the floor (2) by means of first fixing means and, on the other hand, with the sole (7) by means of second fixing means, the first fixing means comprising a first assembly member arranged on the floor (2) and a second assembly member arranged on the stud (5) and complementary to the first assembly member, the floor (2) comprising at least two rectilinear conduits (42) extending from one side to the other of the floor (2) and the sole (7) and the sole (7) being arranged in a manner suitable for receiving a load, the at least two rows (6) of studs (5) being arranged between the floor (2) and the sole (7) to generate a spacing (48) capable of allowing the introduction of a fork of a handling machine, each stud (5) being removably fixed, on the one hand, with the floor (2) by means of first fixing means and, on the other hand, with the sole (7) by means of second fixing means, the first fixing means comprising a first assembly member arranged on the floor (2) and a second assembly member arranged on the stud (5) and complementary to the first assembly member, the floor (2) comprising at least two rectilinear conduits (42) extending from one side to the other of the floor (2) and the sole (7) being arranged in a manner suitable for receiving a load, the at least two rows (6) of studs (5) being arranged between the floor (2) and the sole (7) to generate a spacing (48) capable of allowing the introduction of a fork of a handling machine, the at least two rows (6) of studs (5) being arranged between the floor (2) and the sole (7 floor (2) respectively above the at least two rows (6) of pads (5),said pallet (1) comprising at least two reinforcement bars (9) configured to be inserted respectively into the at least two conduits (42), , characterized in that each first assembly member on the floor (2) consists of a tapped hole (18) through which one of the conduits (42) passes and the second assembly member on each stud (5) consists of a threaded cylindrical head (20) which comprises a groove (43) arranged on the end portion of the threaded cylindrical head (20), the threaded cylindrical head (20) and the tapped hole (18) being configured to ensure, when screwed in, alignment of the groove (43) with the conduit (42), the reinforcing bar (9) placed in the conduit (42) passing through the tapped hole (18) and being housed in the groove (43) on the threaded cylindrical head (20).

2. Pallet (1) according to claim 1, wherein the second fixing means comprise a first snap-fastening member arranged on the stud (5) and a second snap-fastening member arranged on the sole (7) and complementary to the first snap-fastening member, the first snap-fastening member and the second snap-fastening member being configured to engage with each other in order to cooperate and keep the stud (5) engaged with the sole (7), the first snap-fastening member and the second snap-fastening member being configured to be disengaged from each other by elastic deformation of one of said first and second snap-fastening members, in particular by means of a disengagement key (100).

3. Pallet (1) according to claim 2, wherein the first latching member comprises two flexible branches (22, 23) which are parallel and each comprise on their external face (22a, 23a) and on their end portion, a bevel (24, 25) and a shoulder (26, 27), the bevels (24, 25) and the shoulders (26, 27) of the two flexible branches (22, 23) being oriented in opposition and the second latching member comprises two rigid tabs (36, 37) of which at least the ends are arranged opposite each other with a spacing (E2) corresponding to a spacing (E1) between the two external faces (22a, 23a) of the two flexible branches (22, 23), the flexible branches (22, 23) and the rigid tabs (36, 37) being configured so that when the engagement of the first latching member and the second latching member, said end portions flex thanks to the bevels (24, 25) abutting on the ends of the rigid tabs (36,37) and are positioned respectively under the ends of the rigid legs (36, 37), the shoulders (26, 27) coming into abutment under said ends of the rigid legs (36, 37)., 4. Pallet (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the sole (7) comprises as many blades (8) as rows (6) of studs (5), the blades (8) being fixed respectively to the rows (6) of studs (5) by means of the second fixing means.

5. Pallet (1) according to claim 4, which comprises three rows (6) of studs (5).

6. Pallet (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the floor (2) comprises orifices (11) configured to allow the evacuation of water.

7. Pallet (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the floor (2) comprises oblong openings (12) configured to constitute gripping handles.

8. Pallet (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the floor (2) comprises a rectangular upper face (4) which comprises on its periphery and on each of its sides at least one rim (14) extending outwards perpendicular to said upper face (4).

9. Pallet (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least the studs (5) arranged on the periphery of the pallet (1) comprise horizontal grooves (45).

10. Pallet (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein at least the studs (5) arranged on the periphery of the pallet (1) comprise vertical grooves (49).

11. Pallet (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, which comprises non-slip pads (3) arranged on an upper face (4) of the floor (2).

12. Pallet (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, in which the floor (2), the pads (5) and the sole (7) are made of a plastic material, preferably a polyolefin.

13. Pallet (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, in which the at least two reinforcing bars (9) each have a square section in a transverse section plane.

14. Pallet (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, which comprises plugs (10) configured to close the ends (42a) of the conduits (42) in which the reinforcement bars (9) are housed.

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