palette

Abstract

To improve the durability of the pallets. [Solution] The pallet has an upper deck section 10, a lower deck section, and a plurality of girder sections 50 connecting the upper deck section 10 and the lower deck section. Between the girder sections 50, two first fork insertion holes 61 are formed, extending in a first direction which is a direction along one side of the upper deck section 10 and the lower deck section. The upper deck section 10 has upper ribs 20 that connect the girder sections 50 above the first fork insertion holes 61. The upper ribs 20 include a first upper rib 21 extending in the first direction, and the upper deck section 10 at an intermediate position in the first direction of the first fork insertion holes 61 does not have an upper rib 20 formed therein, and an opening 17 that penetrates in the vertical direction is formed. At the end of the first upper rib 21 on the side of the opening 17, an inclined section 23 is formed that slopes upward from the lower surface side of the upper deck section 10 toward the opening 17.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pallet.

Background Art

[0002] Pallets used to move articles and the like with a forklift are known. Patent Document 1 describes a pallet in which a plurality of ribs are disposed between a front surface portion and a back surface portion to connect the front surface portion and the back surface portion. Fork insertion holes are formed in a grid pattern between adjacent ribs. And, a lattice-shaped crossbar is formed above the portion where the fork insertion holes intersect vertically and horizontally.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, when inserting a fork into the fork insertion hole, the tip of the fork may tilt upward. When the tip of the fork tilts upward, the claw formed at the tip of the fork may get caught on the lattice-shaped crossbar inside the fork insertion hole. As a result, the durability of the pallet will decrease.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a pallet having a rectangular upper deck portion in plan view, a rectangular lower deck portion in plan view arranged at a vertical distance from the upper deck portion, and a plurality of girder portions connecting the upper deck portion and the lower deck portion, wherein two first fork insertion holes are formed between the girder portions, extending in a first direction which is a direction along one side of the upper deck portion and the lower deck portion, an upper rib is formed on the upper deck portion that connects the girder portions above the first fork insertion holes, the upper rib comprises a first upper rib extending in the first direction, the upper deck portion at an intermediate position in the first direction of the first fork insertion holes does not have the upper rib formed and has an opening that penetrates in the vertical direction, and the end of the first upper rib on the opening side has an inclined portion that slopes upward from the lower surface side of the upper deck portion toward the opening.

[0006] The upper deck section of the pallet has an upper rib that connects the beam sections above the first fork insertion hole, and an opening that penetrates vertically. When inserting a fork into the fork insertion hole, if the tip of the fork is tilted upward, the fork tines may enter the opening. As a result, the fork tines may catch on the upper rib on the far side of the opening and push against the upper rib.

[0007] In this regard, the first upper rib, which extends in the first direction, the direction in which the first fork insertion hole extends, has an inclined portion formed at its end on the opening side, which slopes upward from the underside of the upper deck toward the opening. Therefore, when inserting a fork into the first fork insertion hole, the tip of the fork is more easily guided downward along the inclined portion. Even if the tip of the fork is tilted upward, it is less likely to get caught on the end of the first upper rib. This improves the durability of the pallet.

[0008] In the above configuration, it is preferable that the vertical dimension of the inclined portion is at least half the vertical dimension of the first upper rib on which the inclined portion is formed. With the above configuration, the pallet is more easily guided downwards along the inclined surface. The durability of the pallet is further improved.

[0009] In the above configuration, the girder section comprises corner girders connecting each corner of the upper deck section to each corner of the lower deck section, intermediate girders connecting the intermediate parts of each side of the upper deck section to the intermediate parts of each side of the lower deck section, and a central girder connecting the central part of the upper deck section to the central part of the lower deck section. The lower deck section comprises a lower corner girder located below the corner girders, a lower intermediate girder located below the intermediate girders, a lower central girder located below the central girder, a lower outer connecting crossbar connecting the lower corner girder section to the lower intermediate girder section, and a lower inner connecting crossbar connecting the lower intermediate girder section to the lower central girder section. Between the girder sections, two second fork insertion holes are further formed, extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Preferably, the lower outer connecting crossbar and the lower inner connecting crossbar are formed in the first fork insertion hole, while the lower outer connecting crossbar and the lower inner connecting crossbar are not formed in the second fork insertion hole.

[0010] According to the above configuration, the pallet's usability is improved because it has a first fork insertion hole and a second fork insertion hole that intersect each other. Furthermore, since the second fork insertion hole does not have a lower outer connecting rib and a lower inner connecting rib, it is possible to insert large forks. On the other hand, since the first fork insertion hole has a lower outer connecting rib and a lower inner connecting rib, the pallet's strength is improved. This allows for a balance between strength and usability.

[0011] In the above configuration, it is preferable that the opening is formed in the portion of the lower deck where the lower internal connecting crossbar is formed. According to the above configuration, the pallet can be easily molded as a single unit by injection molding.

[0012] In the above configuration, the upper deck portion comprises an upper part of the corner girder located above the corner girder, an upper part of the intermediate girder located above the intermediate girder, an upper part of the central girder located above the central girder, an upper outer connecting crossbar connecting the upper part of the corner girder and the upper part of the intermediate girder, and an upper inner connecting crossbar connecting the upper part of the intermediate girder and the upper part of the central girder. Preferably, the ends of the upper outer connecting crossbar and the upper inner connecting crossbar in the second fork insertion hole on the first fork insertion hole side are formed with inclined surfaces that slope upward from the lower surface of the upper deck portion toward the first fork insertion hole.

[0013] With the above configuration, when inserting the forks into the second fork insertion holes, the fork tips are less likely to get caught on the ends of the upper outer connecting bars and upper inner connecting bars. In addition, the fork tips are more easily guided downwards along the inclined surface. The durability of the pallet is improved.

[0014] In the above configuration, it is preferable that the upper outer connecting rib portion has a projection that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the upper deck portion and extends upward along the side edge of the upper deck portion, and that a plurality of reinforcing ribs are provided on the outside of the projection and on the inside of the outer edge of the upper outer connecting rib portion.

[0015] With the above configuration, when an item is placed on the upper surface of the upper deck, the movement of the item is restricted by the protrusions. This can suppress displacement of items placed on the pallet. Furthermore, when multiple pallets are stacked, displacement between pallets can be suppressed. The strength of the protrusions is improved by the reinforcing ribs formed on the outside of the protrusions. This effectively suppresses displacement of items and displacement between pallets.

[0016] In the above configuration, a plurality of first upper ribs are formed, and among the plurality of first upper ribs formed on the upper part of one of the two parallel first fork insertion holes, it is preferable that the spacing between adjacent first upper ribs is narrower on the side further from the other first fork insertion hole than on the side closer to the other first fork insertion hole.

[0017] When two fork insertion holes are arranged side by side, loads are more likely to be applied to the portion located outside than the portion located inside the pallet above the fork insertion holes. According to the above configuration, in the plurality of first upper ribs formed above the first fork insertion hole, the interval at the portion located outside the pallet is narrower than the interval at the portion located inside. Since the first upper ribs are formed more densely at the portion located outside the pallet, the strength at the portion located outside is improved.

[0018] In the above configuration, it is preferable that the vertical dimension of the upper deck portion is different between the first fork insertion hole and the second fork insertion hole. According to the above configuration, the pallet can be lightened, and the strength can be improved to suppress deformation.

Effect of the Invention

[0019] According to the present invention, the catching of the pallet on the structure inside the fork insertion hole is suppressed, and the durability of the pallet is improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view of the pallet of the present embodiment seen from above. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view of the pallet seen from below. [Figure 3] It is a sectional perspective view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is a top view of the upper deck portion. [Figure 5] It is a partially enlarged bottom view of the pallet. [Figure 6] It is a sectional perspective view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 1. [Figure 7] It is a partially enlarged sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 1. [Figure 8] It is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 1. [Figure 9] It is a partially enlarged sectional view taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 1. [Figure 10] This is a diagram illustrating the protrusions. [Figure 11] This is a perspective view of the lower deck section from below. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0021] The present invention will now be described in relation to a pallet P. The pallet P in this embodiment is a one-piece molded pallet made of synthetic resin. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the pallet P has an upper deck section 10 and a lower deck section 30 that are square in plan view, and a plurality of beam sections 50. The lower deck section 30 is spaced vertically apart from the upper deck section 10. The beam sections 50 connect the upper deck section 10 and the lower deck section 30. In the following, the vertical orientation of the pallet P is defined with the lower deck section 30 facing downwards. The direction along one side of the pallet P is defined as the first direction, and the direction perpendicular to the first direction is defined as the second direction.

[0022] Multiple fork insertion holes 60 are formed between the upper deck section 10 and the lower deck section 30, and between the girder section 50. The pallet P of this embodiment is a four-way entry pallet equipped with four fork insertion holes 60, consisting of two first fork insertion holes 61 extending in a first direction and two second fork insertion holes 62 extending in a second direction. The two first fork insertion holes 61 extend parallel to each other. The second fork insertion holes 62 extend parallel to each other.

[0023] <Regarding the girder section 50> As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the girder section 50 has four corner girders 51, four intermediate girders 52, and one central girder 53. The corner girders 51 connect each corner of the upper deck section 10 to each corner of the lower deck section 30. The intermediate girders 52 connect the middle of each side of the upper deck section 10 to the middle of each side of the lower deck section 30. The central girder 53 connects the central part of the upper deck section 10 to the central part of the lower deck section 30.

[0024] The corner beam 51 is a cylindrical body enclosed by a first inner wall 51a and a first outer wall 51c extending in a first direction, and a second inner wall 51b and a second outer wall 51d extending in a second direction. Multiple ribs 51e are formed inside the corner beam 51 for reinforcement.

[0025] The intermediate girder 52 is a cylindrical body enclosed by two first side walls 52a extending in a first direction and two second side walls 52b extending in a second direction. Multiple ribs 52c are formed inside the intermediate girder 52 to reinforce it.

[0026] The central girder 53 is a cylindrical body enclosed by two first side walls 53a extending in a first direction and two second side walls 53b extending in a second direction. Multiple ribs 53c are formed inside the central girder 53 for reinforcement.

[0027] In the two corner girders 51 and intermediate girder 52 aligned in the first direction, the first inner wall 51a of each corner girder 51 and the first inner side wall 52a of the intermediate girder 52 are located on the same virtual straight line extending in the first direction. In addition, the first outer wall 51c of each corner girder 51 and the first outer side wall 52a of the intermediate girder 52 are located on the same virtual straight line extending in the first direction and are also positioned along the outer edge of the pallet P. In the two intermediate girder 52 and central girder 53 aligned in the first direction, the first side wall 52a of each intermediate girder 52 and the first side wall 53a of the central girder 53 are located on the same virtual straight line extending in the first direction.

[0028] In the two corner girders 51 and intermediate girder 52 aligned in the second direction, the second inner wall 51b of each corner girder 51 and the inner second side wall 52b of the intermediate girder 52 are located on the same virtual straight line extending in the second direction. Also, the second outer wall 51d of each corner girder 51 and the outer second side wall 52b of the intermediate girder 52 are located on the same virtual straight line extending in the second direction, and are also positioned along the outer edge of the pallet P. In the two intermediate girder 52 and central girder 53 aligned in the second direction, the second side wall 52b of each intermediate girder 52 and the second side wall 53b of the central girder 53 are located on the same virtual straight line extending in the second direction.

[0029] <Regarding the upper deck section 10> As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 4, the upper deck section 10 has four upper sections 11 for corner girders, four upper sections 12 for intermediate girders, one upper section 13 for a central girder, eight upper outer connecting ribs 14, four upper inner connecting ribs 15, and four upper crossing ribs 16.

[0030] As shown in Figure 4, the upper part 11 of the corner beam is located at the four corners of the pallet P, above each of the corner beams 51. The upper part 11 of the corner beam is a cylindrical body enclosed by a first inner wall 11a and a first outer wall 11c extending in the first direction, and a second inner wall 11b and a second outer wall 11d extending in the second direction. Multiple ribs 11e are formed inside the upper part 11 of the corner beam to reinforce it.

[0031] The first inner wall 11a, first outer wall 11c, second inner wall 11b, and second outer wall 11d of the upper part 11 of the corner beam are integrally formed so as to be flush with the first inner wall 51a, first outer wall 51c, second inner wall 51b, and second outer wall 51d of the corner beam 51, respectively.

[0032] The upper part 12 of the intermediate girder is located in the middle of each side of the pallet P, and above each of the intermediate girders 52. The upper part 12 of the intermediate girder is a cylindrical body enclosed by two first side walls 12a extending in a first direction and two second side walls 12b extending in a second direction. Multiple ribs 12c are formed inside the upper part 12 of the intermediate girder to reinforce it.

[0033] The first side wall 12a and the second side wall 12b of the upper part 12 of the intermediate girder are integrally formed so as to be flush with the first side wall 52a and the second side wall 52b of the intermediate girder 52, respectively. The upper part 13 of the central girder is located in the center of the pallet P and above the central girder 53. The upper part 13 of the central girder is a cylindrical body enclosed by two first side walls 13a extending in a first direction and two second side walls 13b extending in a second direction. Multiple ribs 13c are formed inside the upper part 13 of the central girder to reinforce it.

[0034] The first side wall 13a and the second side wall 13b of the upper part 13 of the central girder are integrally formed so as to be flush with the first side wall 53a and the second side wall 53b of the central girder 53, respectively. From the above, similar to the positional relationship of the girder section 50, the first inner wall 11a of each of the upper corner girder sections 11 and the first inner side wall 12a of the upper intermediate girder section 12, which are aligned in the first direction, are located on the same virtual straight line extending in the first direction. Also, the first side wall 12a of each of the upper intermediate girder sections 12 and the first side wall 13a of the upper central girder section 13, which are aligned in the first direction, are located on the same virtual straight line extending in the first direction.

[0035] In the upper sections 11 of the two corner girders and the upper section 12 of the intermediate girder, which are aligned in the second direction, the second inner wall 11b of each corner girder upper section 11 and the second inner side wall 12b of the upper section 12 of the intermediate girder are located on the same virtual straight line extending in the second direction. Similarly, in the upper sections 12 of the two intermediate girder and the upper section 13 of the central girder, which are aligned in the second direction, the second side wall 12b of each intermediate girder upper section 12 and the second side wall 13b of the upper section 13 of the central girder are located on the same virtual straight line extending in the second direction.

[0036] As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 4, the upper outer connecting brace 14 connects the upper part 11 of the corner girder and the upper part 12 of the intermediate girder. The upper inner connecting brace 15 connects the upper part 12 of the intermediate girder and the upper part 13 of the central girder. The upper intersecting brace 16 is located above the point where the fork insertion holes 61 and 62 intersect.

[0037] As shown in Figure 4, in the upper deck section 10, a plurality of upper ribs 20 are formed at the locations where the first fork insertion hole 61 and the second fork insertion hole 62 are formed. The upper ribs 20 include a first upper rib 21 extending in the first direction and a second upper rib 22 extending in the second direction. The upper outer connecting rib section 14, the upper inner connecting rib section 15, and the upper crossing rib section 16 are formed by the first upper rib 21 and the second upper rib 22.

[0038] As shown in Figures 4, 5, and 8, a first upper rib 21 is formed at the boundary between the upper outer connecting rib section 14 and the upper intersecting rib section 16, which are aligned in the second direction. This first upper rib 21 is integrally formed on the same straight line as the first inner wall 11a of the upper corner girder section 11 and the first side wall 12a of the upper intermediate girder section 12, which extend in the first direction. Therefore, in the upper corner girder section 11 and the upper intermediate girder section 12, which are aligned in the first direction, the first inner wall 11a and the first side wall 12a function as the first upper rib 21.

[0039] Furthermore, a first upper rib 21 is formed at the boundary between the upper internal connecting rib section 15 and the upper intersecting rib section 16, which are aligned in the second direction. This first upper rib 21 is integrally formed on the same straight line as the first side wall 12a of the upper intermediate girder section 12 and the first side wall 13a of the upper central girder section 13, which extend in the first direction. Therefore, in the upper intermediate girder section 12 and the upper central girder section 13, which are aligned in the first direction, the first side wall 12a and the first side wall 13a function as the first upper rib 21.

[0040] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, in the pallet P of this embodiment, three first upper ribs 21 are provided above the first fork insertion hole 61, between the first inner wall 11a of the upper corner girder 11 and the first side wall 12a of the upper intermediate girder 12, which are aligned in the second direction. Furthermore, at the boundary between the upper outer connecting rib 14 and the upper crossing rib 16, which are aligned in the second direction, a first upper rib 21 is formed that is on the same line as the first inner wall 11a of the upper corner girder 11 and the first side wall 12a of the upper intermediate girder 12. In addition, at the boundary between the upper inner connecting rib 15 and the upper crossing rib 16, which are aligned in the second direction, a first upper rib 21 is formed that is on the same line as the first side wall 12a of the upper intermediate girder 12 and the first side wall 13a of the upper central girder 13. In other words, five first upper ribs 21 are formed in the first fork insertion hole 61 of the pallet P of this embodiment.

[0041] As shown in Figure 5, the spacing between the five first upper ribs 21 formed in the first fork insertion hole 61 is narrower on the outside of the pallet P than on the inside. Specifically, the spacing between each of the five first upper ribs 21 formed in one of the two first fork insertion holes 61 is narrower on the side further from the other first fork insertion hole 61 than on the side closer to the other first fork insertion hole 61. In the pallet P of this embodiment, of the four spacings formed between the five first upper ribs 21, the spacing closer to the upper part 13 of the central girder is the widest, while the other three spacings are equivalent.

[0042] As shown in Figures 2, 6, and 8, the vertical dimensions of the upper deck section 10 vary depending on the location. As shown in Figures 6 and 8, at the position formed above the first fork insertion hole 61, the vertical dimension L1 of the upper deck section 10 (first upper rib 21 and second upper rib 22) is relatively small. In other words, at the upper outer connecting rib section 14, upper crossing rib section 16, and upper inner connecting rib section 15, which are aligned in the first direction, the vertical dimension L1 of the upper deck section 10 (first upper rib 21 and second upper rib 22) is relatively small.

[0043] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 8, in the upper outer connecting rib section 14 and upper inner connecting rib section 15, which are aligned in the second direction, the upper deck section 10 (first upper rib 21 and second upper rib 22) has a relatively large vertical dimension L2.

[0044] In the pallet P of this embodiment, the vertical dimension L1 of the first upper rib 21 and the second upper rib 22 are all the same. Also, the vertical dimension L2 of the first upper rib 21 and the second upper rib 22 are all the same.

[0045] The upper outer connecting rib section 14 and the upper inner connecting rib section 15, which have a relatively small vertical dimension L1, are formed in positions corresponding to the lower outer connecting rib section 34 and the lower inner connecting rib section 35 of the lower deck section 30, which will be described later.

[0046] Furthermore, the vertical dimensions of the lower deck section 30 are all the same. The vertical dimensions of the lower deck section 30 correspond to the vertical dimensions of the first lower rib 41 and the second lower rib 42 that form the lower outer connecting rib section 34 and the lower inner connecting rib section 35, which will be explained later. The vertical dimension L1 of the upper deck section 10 is larger than the vertical dimension of the lower deck section 30. This is because the effect on the bending strength of the pallet P is greater in the upper deck section 10 than in the lower deck section 30.

[0047] The vertical dimension L2 of the upper deck section 10 is preferably 1 / 2 or more of the thickness of the pallet P, and more preferably 3 / 5 or more. The dimension of the first fork insertion hole 61 in the second direction is smaller than the dimension of the second fork insertion hole 62 in the first direction. Therefore, even if the vertical dimension L1 of the upper deck portion 10 is relatively small at the position formed above the first fork insertion hole 61, a decrease in the strength of the pallet P can be suppressed.

[0048] As shown in Figure 4, an upper opening 17 is formed in the upper internal connecting rib portion 15 of the upper deck portion 10 at an intermediate position in the first direction of the first fork insertion hole 61, and the opening 17 penetrates vertically. The upper opening 17 is an area where the upper rib 20 is not formed. The portion of the upper internal connecting rib portion 15 other than the upper opening 17 constitutes an upper rib forming region 15a formed by the first upper rib 21 and the second upper rib 22.

[0049] The upper opening 17 is formed in the upper internal connecting rib 15 located above the first fork insertion hole 61, which is one of the four upper internal connecting ribs 15 of the upper deck section 10. The upper opening 17 corresponds to the positions where the lower rib forming regions 35a and 35b of the lower internal connecting rib 35 are formed in the lower deck section 30, which will be described later (see Figures 2, 4, and 11).

[0050] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, an inclined portion 23 is formed at the end of the first upper rib 21 on the side of the upper opening 17, sloping upward from the lower surface of the upper deck portion 10 toward the upper opening 17. The inclined portion 23 is formed on the three first upper ribs 21 above the first fork insertion hole 61, between the upper corner girder portion 11 and the upper intermediate girder portion 12 aligned in the second direction, and between the upper intermediate girder portion 12 and the upper central girder portion 13 aligned in the second direction.

[0051] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, an inclined portion 23 is also formed at the outer edge end of the first upper rib 21, which slopes upward from the lower surface of the upper deck portion 10 toward the outer edge of the pallet P.

[0052] As shown in Figure 7, the lower end of the inclined portion 23 is located on the lower surface of the first upper rib 21. The upper end of the inclined portion 23 is located near the upper surface of the first upper rib 21. The vertical dimension H2 of the inclined portion 23 is more than half of the vertical dimension H1 of the first upper rib 21 on which the inclined portion 23 is formed.

[0053] The inclined portion 23 is formed over the entire area between adjacent second upper ribs 22. The three inclined portions 23, which are aligned in the second direction, are all the same size and shape. As shown in Figures 5 and 9, an inclined surface 24 is formed on the lower end of the upper outer connecting rib 14 and upper inner connecting rib 15 on the first fork insertion hole 61 side of the second fork insertion hole 62, which is chamfered. As a result, an inclined surface 24 is formed on the first upper rib 21, which is located at the boundary between the upper outer connecting rib 14 and the upper crossing rib 16 aligned in the second direction, and is on the same line as the first inner wall 11a of the upper corner girder 11 and the first side wall 12a of the upper intermediate girder 12. In addition, an inclined surface 24 is formed on the first upper rib 21, which is located at the boundary between the upper inner connecting rib 15 and the upper crossing rib 16 aligned in the second direction, and is on the same line as the first side wall 12a of the upper intermediate girder 12 and the first side wall 13a of the upper central girder 13.

[0054] As shown in Figure 10, the first upper rib 21 and the second upper rib 22 formed on the outer edges of the eight upper outer connecting ribs 14 have projections 18 that protrude upward from the upper surface of the upper deck section 10. The projections 18 are formed along the side of the pallet P and extend across the entire width of the upper outer connecting rib 14.

[0055] Multiple reinforcing ribs 19 are provided on the outside of the protrusion 18. In the pallet P of this embodiment, five reinforcing ribs 19 are formed on one protrusion 18. The reinforcing ribs 19 are formed in a triangular shape when viewed from the side. The reinforcing ribs 19 are formed on the inside of the outer edge of the upper outer connecting rib portion 14.

[0056] <Regarding the lower deck section 30> As shown in Figure 11, the lower deck section 30 has four corner girder lower sections 31, four intermediate girder lower sections 32, one central girder lower section 33, four lower outer connecting crossbars 34, and two lower inner connecting crossbars 35.

[0057] The lower corner beams 31 are located at the four corners of the pallet P, below each of the corner beams 51. The lower corner beams 31 are cylindrical bodies enclosed by a first inner wall 31a and a first outer wall 31c extending in a first direction, and a second inner wall 31b and a second outer wall 31d extending in a second direction. Multiple ribs 31e are formed inside the lower corner beams 31 to reinforce them.

[0058] The first inner wall 31a, first outer wall 31c, second inner wall 31b, and second outer wall 31d of the lower part of the corner beam 31 are integrally formed so as to be flush with the first inner wall 51a, first outer wall 51c, second inner wall 51b, and second outer wall 51d of the corner beam 51, respectively.

[0059] The lower part 32 of the intermediate girder is located in the middle of each side of the pallet P, and is situated below each of the intermediate girders 52. The lower part 32 of the intermediate girder is a cylindrical body enclosed by two first side walls 32a extending in a first direction and two second side walls 32b extending in a second direction. Multiple ribs 32c are formed inside the lower part 32 of the intermediate girder to reinforce it.

[0060] The first side wall 32a and the second side wall 32b of the lower part 32 of the intermediate girder are integrally formed so as to be flush with the first side wall 52a and the second side wall 52b of the intermediate girder 52, respectively. The lower central girder 33 is located in the center of the pallet P, below the central girder 53. The lower central girder 33 is a cylindrical body enclosed by two first side walls 33a extending in a first direction and two second side walls 33b extending in a second direction. Multiple ribs 33c are formed inside the lower central girder 33 to reinforce it.

[0061] The first side wall 33a and the second side wall 33b of the lower part 33 of the central girder are integrally formed so as to be flush with the first side wall 53a and the second side wall 53b of the central girder 53, respectively. From the above, similar to the positional relationship of the girder section 50, the first inner wall 31a of each of the two corner girder lower sections 31 and the first inner side wall 32a of the intermediate girder lower section 32, which are aligned in the first direction, are located on the same virtual straight line extending in the first direction. Also, the first side wall 32a of each of the two intermediate girder lower sections 32 and the first side wall 33a of the central girder lower section 33, which are aligned in the first direction, are located on the same virtual straight line extending in the first direction.

[0062] In the two lower sections 31 corner girders and the lower section 32 intermediate girder, aligned in the second direction, the second inner wall 31b of each lower section 31 corner girder and the second inner side wall 32b of the lower section 32 intermediate girder are located on the same virtual straight line extending in the second direction. Similarly, in the two lower sections 32 intermediate girder and the lower section 33 central girder, aligned in the second direction, the second side wall 32b of each lower section 32 intermediate girder and the second side wall 33b of the lower section 33 central girder are located on the same virtual straight line extending in the second direction.

[0063] As shown in Figures 2 and 11, the lower outer connecting rib section 34 connects the lower corner girders 31 and the lower intermediate girders 32, which are aligned in the second direction. The lower inner connecting rib section 35 connects the lower intermediate girders 32 and the lower central girders 33, which are aligned in the second direction.

[0064] As shown in Figure 11, in the lower deck portion 30, a plurality of lower ribs 40 are formed at the location where the first fork insertion hole 61 is formed. The lower ribs 40 include a first lower rib 41 extending in a first direction and a second lower rib 42 extending in a second direction. The lower outer connecting rib portion 34 and the lower inner connecting rib portion 35 are formed by the first lower rib 41 and the second lower rib 42.

[0065] The lower rib 40 is not formed at the location where the second fork insertion hole 62 is formed. In other words, in the lower deck section 30, the lower outer connecting rib section 34 and the lower inner connecting rib section 35 are formed at the first fork insertion hole 61, but the lower outer connecting rib section 34 and the lower inner connecting rib section 35 are not formed at the second fork insertion hole 62. The lower outer connecting rib section 34 and the lower inner connecting rib section 35 are formed at locations corresponding to areas where the vertical dimension L1 of the upper deck section 10 (first upper rib 21 and second upper rib 22) is relatively small.

[0066] The lower internal connecting rib section 35 comprises two lower rib forming regions 35a and 35b formed by a first lower rib 41 and a second lower rib 42. The lower rib forming regions 35a and 35b are formed at the ends of the lower internal connecting rib section 35 on the side of the second fork insertion hole 62. Between the lower rib forming regions 35a and 35b, there is a lower opening 36 that penetrates vertically and where the first lower rib 41 and the second lower rib 42 are not formed. The lower opening 36 corresponds to the position where the upper rib forming region 15a is formed in the upper deck section 10 (see Figures 4 and 11).

[0067] Of the lower ribs 40 that constitute the lower outer connecting crossbar 34, the lower ribs 40 located on the outer edge side of the pallet P are located inward from the outer edge of the pallet P. In other words, they are located inward from the first outer wall 31c and the second outer wall 31d of the lower corner girder 31, and from the outer first side wall 32a and the outer second side wall 32b of the lower intermediate girder 32.

[0068] <Regarding the action of Palette P> The pallet P of this embodiment has an upper deck section 10, a lower deck section 30, and a plurality of beam sections 50. Between the plurality of beam sections 50, there are first fork insertion holes 61 extending in a first direction and second fork insertion holes 62 extending in a second direction. The pallet P is a four-way entry pallet equipped with mutually orthogonal first fork insertion holes 61 and second fork insertion holes 62. For example, the upper surface of the upper deck section 10, which is square in plan view, serves as a surface for placing articles to be moved, transported, etc. by a forklift. When moving articles, etc., with the articles placed on the upper surface of the upper deck section 10, the forks of the forklift can be inserted into either the first fork insertion holes 61 or the second fork insertion holes 62 and the article can be lifted.

[0069] A projection 18 is formed on the upper surface of the upper deck section 10, extending upward. The projection 18 is formed along the side edge of the pallet P, extending across the entire width of the upper outer connecting rail section 14. The movement of articles placed on the upper surface of the upper deck section 10 is restricted by the projection 18. The projection 18 suppresses displacement of the placed articles.

[0070] In the lower deck section 30, among the lower ribs 40 that constitute the lower outer connecting rib section 34, the lower rib 40 located on the outer edge side of the pallet P is located inward from the outer edge of the pallet P. Also, the lower outer connecting rib section 34 and the lower inner connecting rib section 35 are not formed at the location where the second fork insertion hole 62 is formed. When multiple pallets P are stacked and stored, the protrusions 18 of the lower pallet P are located outside the lower rib 40 on the outer edge side of the lower outer connecting rib section 34 of the upper pallet P. The protrusions 18 act to suppress displacement of the stacked pallets P.

[0071] The protrusion 18 is reinforced by a reinforcing rib 19 formed on the outside of the protrusion 18 and on the inside of the outer edge of the upper outer connecting rib portion 14. By the way, when inserting a fork into the fork insertion hole 60 of the pallet P, the tip of the fork may tilt upward. When the tip of the fork tilts upward, the tines of the fork tip will hit the upper rib 20 formed in the fork insertion hole 60. In particular, if an upper opening 17 is formed, the tines of the fork will enter the upper opening 17. As a result, they may hit the upper rib 20 on the far side of the upper opening 17 and get caught on the upper rib 20.

[0072] In this regard, in the first fork insertion hole 61 of the pallet P in this embodiment, an inclined portion 23 is formed at the end of the first upper rib 21 on the upper opening 17 side, which slopes upward from the lower surface side of the upper deck portion 10 toward the upper opening 17. In addition, an inclined portion 23 is formed at the end of the first upper rib 21 on the outer edge side of the pallet P, which slopes upward from the lower surface side of the upper deck portion 10 toward the outer edge of the pallet P.

[0073] The inclined portion 23 prevents the tip of the fork from catching on the end of the first upper rib 21 when the tip of the fork is tilted upward. In addition, the tip of the fork inserted into the first fork insertion hole 61 is more easily guided downward along the inclined portion 23 by the end of the first upper rib 21 which extends in the same direction as the first fork insertion hole 61. The fork guided along the inclined portion 23 is smoothly inserted into the first fork insertion hole 61.

[0074] In the second fork insertion hole 62, an inclined surface 24 is formed on the end of the upper outer connecting rib 14 and upper inner connecting rib 15 of the upper deck section 10 on the side facing the first fork insertion hole 61. The inclined surface 24 is formed on the first upper rib 21 at the boundary between the upper outer connecting rib 14 and the upper crossing rib 16, and on the first upper rib 21 at the boundary between the upper inner connecting rib 15 and the upper crossing rib 16. In other words, the inclined surface 24 extends in a direction perpendicular to the second fork insertion hole 62 and is formed to be inclined in a direction along the second fork insertion hole 62.

[0075] The inclined surface 24 prevents the tip of the fork inserted into the second fork insertion hole 62 from catching on the first upper rib 21 at the boundary between the upper outer connecting rib 14 and the upper crossing rib 16 when the tip of the fork is tilted upward. Similarly, it prevents the tip from catching on the first upper rib 21 at the boundary between the upper inner connecting rib 15 and the upper crossing rib 16. In addition, the tip of the fork inserted into the second fork insertion hole 62 is more easily guided downward along the inclined surface 24 by the first upper rib 21 at the boundary between the upper outer connecting rib 14 and the upper crossing rib 16. Similarly, the tip is more easily guided downward along the inclined surface 24 by the first upper rib 21 at the boundary between the upper inner connecting rib 15 and the upper crossing rib 16. The fork, guided along the inclined surface 24, is smoothly inserted into the second fork insertion hole 62.

[0076] Multiple first upper ribs 21 are formed above the two first fork insertion holes 61. Of the multiple first upper ribs 21 formed above one of the first fork insertion holes 61, the spacing between adjacent first upper ribs 21 is narrower on the side further from the other first fork insertion hole 61 than on the side closer to the other first fork insertion hole 61. In other words, the spacing between adjacent first upper ribs 21 is denser on the outside of the pallet P than on the inside.

[0077] When inserting forks into the fork insertion holes 60 to lift the pallet P, it is more stable if the forks are positioned closer to the outside of the pallet P within the fork insertion holes 60. Therefore, the design tends to position the forks on the upper outside of the fork insertion holes 60. In this respect, the first upper ribs 21 are more densely formed on the outside of the pallet P, reinforcing the area where the tips of the forks make contact. The first upper ribs 21 improve the strength and durability of the pallet P.

[0078] In the upper outer connecting rib section 14 and upper inner connecting rib section 15, where the first fork insertion hole 61 is formed, the vertical dimension L1 of the upper deck section 10 (first upper rib 21 and second upper rib 22) is relatively small. In the lower deck section 30, corresponding to the area where the vertical dimension L1 of the upper deck section 10 is relatively small, the lower outer connecting rib section 34 and lower inner connecting rib section 35 are formed. The pallet P is reinforced by the lower outer connecting rib section 34 and lower inner connecting rib section 35.

[0079] On the other hand, the lower outer connecting rib 34 and the lower inner connecting rib 35 are not formed at the location where the second fork insertion hole 62 is formed. At the upper deck portion 10 corresponding to the location where the lower outer connecting rib 34 and the lower inner connecting rib 35 are not formed, the vertical dimension L2 of the upper deck portion 10 (first upper rib 21 and second upper rib 22) is relatively large. The first upper rib 21 and the second upper rib 22 reinforce the pallet P and suppress its deformation.

[0080] According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) In the pallet P of this embodiment, a first upper rib 21 extending in a first direction is formed above the first fork insertion hole 61, and an upper opening 17 penetrating in the vertical direction is formed at an intermediate position in the first direction of the first fork insertion hole 61. At the end of the first upper rib 21 on the upper opening 17 side, an inclined portion 23 is formed that slopes upward from the lower surface of the upper deck portion 10 toward the upper opening 17.

[0081] Therefore, even if the pallet P bends in a shape that widens the upper opening 17, the tip of the fork inserted into the first fork insertion hole 61 is less likely to come into contact with the end of the first upper rib 21. In addition, the tip of the fork is more easily guided downward along the inclined portion 23. This suppresses snagging on the end of the first upper rib 21, improving the durability of the pallet P.

[0082] (2) The vertical dimension H1 of the inclined portion 23 is more than half the vertical dimension H1 of the first upper rib 21 on which the inclined portion 23 is formed. Therefore, even if the deflection of the pallet P is greater, the tip of the fork is less likely to come into contact with the first upper rib 21. Also, the tip of the fork is more easily guided along the inclined portion 23. The durability of the pallet P is further improved.

[0083] (3) The inclined portion 23 formed at the end on the side of the upper opening 17 and the inclined portion 23 formed at the end on the outer edge side of the pallet P are all the same size and shape. Therefore, the fork can be inserted into the first fork insertion hole 61 more smoothly.

[0084] (4) An inclined surface 24 is formed on the first upper rib 21 at the boundary between the upper outer connecting rib 14 and the upper crossing rib 16 in the second fork insertion hole 62, and on the first upper rib 21 at the boundary between the upper inner connecting rib 15 and the upper crossing rib 16. The inclined surface 24 is inclined upward from the lower surface of the upper deck portion 10 toward the first fork insertion hole 61.

[0085] Therefore, when inserting a fork into the second fork insertion hole 62, the tip of the fork is more easily guided along the inclined surface 24. The fork guided along the inclined surface 24 is smoothly inserted into the second fork insertion hole 62. In addition, because the inclined surface 24 is formed, even if the tip of the fork comes into contact with the first upper rib 21, it is prevented from getting caught on the first upper rib 21. The durability of the pallet P is improved.

[0086] (5) Multiple first upper ribs 21 are formed. Of the multiple first upper ribs 21 formed on the upper part of one of the two first fork insertion holes 61, the spacing between adjacent first upper ribs 21 is narrower on the side further from the other first fork insertion hole 61 than on the side closer to the other first fork insertion hole 61.

[0087] When two fork insertion holes are arranged side by side, the load is more easily applied to the portion of the fork insertion hole located on the outside of the pallet than to the portion located on the inside. In this respect, in the pallet P of this embodiment, the first upper rib 21 is formed more densely in the portion located on the outside of the pallet P, thereby improving the strength of the first fork insertion hole 61 in the outer portion. The durability of the pallet P is improved.

[0088] (6) The upper outer connecting rib 14 has a projection 18 that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the upper deck section 10 and extends upward along the side edge of the upper deck section 10. Therefore, when an item is placed on the upper surface of the upper deck section 10, the protrusions 18 can restrict the movement and displacement of the item. In addition, when multiple pallets P are stacked, displacement between the pallets P can be suppressed.

[0089] (7) Polygonal cylindrical sleeves made of paper or corrugated plastic may be used to contain the goods. Even when the sleeve is placed on the pallet P, the protrusions 18 prevent the sleeve from sticking out of the pallet P.

[0090] (8) On the outside of the protrusion 18, and on the inside of the outer edge of the upper outer connecting rib portion 14, a plurality of reinforcing ribs 19 are formed. The reinforcing ribs 19 improve the strength of the protrusions 18, thereby effectively suppressing displacement of items and displacement between pallets P.

[0091] (9) The pallet P of this embodiment is a four-way insertion pallet having two first fork insertion holes 61 extending in a first direction and two second fork insertion holes 62 extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Since forks can be inserted from any side of the pallet P, convenience is improved.

[0092] (10) The first fork insertion hole 61 has a lower outer connecting bar 34 and a lower inner connecting bar 35 formed therein, while the second fork insertion hole 62 does not have a lower outer connecting bar 34 and a lower inner connecting bar 35 formed therein.

[0093] Therefore, the lower outer connecting crossbar 34 and the lower inner connecting crossbar 35 improve the strength of the pallet P. (11) The upper opening 17 is formed in the lower deck section 30 in the portion corresponding to the lower rib forming regions 35a and 35b of the lower internal connecting rib section 35. The lower opening 36 is formed in the upper deck section 10 in the portion corresponding to the upper rib forming region 15a of the upper internal connecting rib section 15.

[0094] When the pallet P is integrally molded by injection molding, the mold that forms the lower rib formation regions 35a and 35b can be removed from the upper opening 17. Also, the mold that forms the upper rib formation region 15a can be removed from the lower opening 36. This makes mold removal during integral molding easy. Molding can be done with a mold that can be removed from both the top and bottom, which suppresses the complexity of the mold structure when injection molding the pallet P. Mold failure is also less likely, and integral molding is easier.

[0095] (12) In the upper outer connecting rib section 14, upper intersecting rib section 16, and upper inner connecting rib section 15 (first fork insertion hole 61) arranged in the first direction, the upper deck section 10 (first upper rib 21 and second upper rib 22) has a relatively small vertical dimension L1. Therefore, the pallet P can be made lighter.

[0096] (13) In the first fork insertion hole 61, the lower deck portion 30 has a lower outer connecting crossbar portion 34 and a lower inner connecting crossbar portion 35. Therefore, the strength of the pallet P can be improved and deformation can be suppressed. It is possible to achieve both weight reduction and deformation suppression of the pallet P.

[0097] (14) The lower deck portion 30 at the position where the second fork insertion hole 62 is formed does not have a lower outer connecting rib portion 34 and a lower inner connecting rib portion 35. The vertical dimension L1 of the upper deck portion 10 (first upper rib 21 and second upper rib 22) at the position corresponding to this position is relatively large. The first upper rib 21 and the second upper rib 22 can improve the strength of the pallet P and suppress deformation.

[0098] (15) The vertical dimension of the lower deck section 30 is smaller than the vertical dimension L1 of the upper deck section 10. Therefore, the pallet P can be made lighter. The above embodiment can be modified as follows. Note that the above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and applied to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0099] • In the above embodiment, the pallet P is a four-way entry pallet, but it may also be a two-way entry pallet. The shape of the pallet P is not limited to that of the above embodiment. The upper deck portion 10 and the lower deck portion 30 may be rectangular in plan view, rather than being square in plan view.

[0100] The structure of the pallet P is not limited to that of the above embodiment. The vertical dimension H2 of the inclined portion 23 of the first upper rib 21 may be less than half of the vertical dimension H1 of the first upper rib 21 on which the inclined portion 23 is formed.

[0101] • The inclined surface 24 does not necessarily have to be formed. The spacing between adjacent first upper ribs 21 may be equal. In pallet P, the first fork insertion hole 61 has a lower outer connecting bar 34 and a lower inner connecting bar 35, while the second fork insertion hole 62 does not have a lower outer connecting bar 34 or a lower inner connecting bar 35. However, it is not limited to this, and the lower outer connecting bar 34 and the lower inner connecting bar 35 may be formed in either the first fork insertion hole 61 or the second fork insertion hole 62.

[0102] • The protrusion 18 does not necessarily have to be formed. Also, the protrusion 18 may be formed only at the position of the first fork insertion hole 61, and the protrusion 18 may not be formed at the position of the second fork insertion hole 62.

[0103] The protrusions 18 are not necessarily formed on the first upper rib 21 or the second upper rib 22 of the upper outer connecting rib section 14. For example, they may be formed on the first outer wall 11c or the second outer wall 11d of the upper part of the corner girder 11. They may also be formed on the first side wall 12a or the second side wall 12b formed on the outer edge of the upper part of the intermediate girder 12.

[0104] The protrusion 18 does not necessarily have to be formed over the entire width of the upper outer connecting rib 14. The protrusions 18 may be formed along the entire outer edge of the pallet P. • Reinforcing ribs 19 do not need to be formed.

[0105] The shape and number of reinforcing ribs 19 are not limited to those of the above embodiment. The reinforcing rib 19 may extend beyond the outer edge of the upper outer connecting rib portion 14. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0106] H1...Vertical dimension of the first upper rib H2…Dimension in the vertical direction of the inclined section L1, L2... Vertical dimensions of the upper deck section P...Palette 10…Upper deck section 11…Upper part of corner beam 12… Upper part of the intermediate digit 13…Upper part of the central beam 14...Upper outer connecting bar 15…Upper internal connecting rail 16…Upper crossing section 17… Upper opening (opening) 18...Protrusion 19…Reinforcement ribs 20…Upper rib 21…First upper rib 22…Second upper rib 23…Slope part 24…Slope surface 30...Lower deck section 31...Lower part of corner beam 32...Lower part of the intermediate digit 33... Lower part of the central girder 34…Lower outer connecting piece 35...Lower internal connecting crossbar 50…digit part 51... Corner beam 52...Intermediate digit 53... Center digit 60... Fork insertion hole 61...First fork insertion hole 62...Second fork insertion hole

Claims

1. A pallet having an upper deck section that is rectangular in plan view, a lower deck section that is rectangular in plan view and is spaced vertically apart from the upper deck section, and a plurality of beam sections that connect the upper deck section and the lower deck section, Between the girder sections, two first fork insertion holes are formed, extending in a first direction which is along one side of the upper deck section and the lower deck section. The upper deck portion has an upper rib formed above the first fork insertion hole that connects the girders. The upper rib comprises a first upper rib extending in the first direction, The upper deck portion at the intermediate position in the first direction of the first fork insertion hole does not have the upper rib formed thereon, and an opening is formed that penetrates in the vertical direction. A pallet characterized in that the end of the first upper rib on the opening side has an inclined portion formed thereon that slopes upward from the lower surface of the upper deck towards the opening.

2. The pallet according to claim 1, characterized in that the vertical dimension of the inclined portion is more than half of the vertical dimension of the first upper rib on which the inclined portion is formed.

3. The girder section comprises corner girders connecting each corner of the upper deck section to each corner of the lower deck section, intermediate girders connecting the middle of each side of the upper deck section to the middle of each side of the lower deck section, and a central girder connecting the central part of the upper deck section to the central part of the lower deck section. The lower deck section comprises a lower part of the corner girder located below the corner girder, a lower part of the intermediate girder located below the intermediate girder, a lower part of the central girder located below the central girder, a lower outer connecting crossbar connecting the lower part of the corner girder and the lower part of the intermediate girder, and a lower inner connecting crossbar connecting the lower part of the intermediate girder and the lower part of the central girder. Between the girder sections, two second fork insertion holes are further formed, extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The pallet according to claim 2, characterized in that the first fork insertion hole has the lower outer connecting bar and the lower inner connecting bar formed therein, and the second fork insertion hole does not have the lower outer connecting bar and the lower inner connecting bar formed therein.

4. The pallet according to claim 3, characterized in that the opening is formed in the portion of the lower deck where the lower internal connecting crossbar is formed.

5. The upper deck section comprises a corner girder upper section located above the corner girder, an intermediate girder upper section located above the intermediate girder, a central girder upper section located above the central girder, an upper outer connecting crossbar connecting the corner girder upper section and the intermediate girder upper section, and an upper inner connecting crossbar connecting the intermediate girder upper section and the central girder upper section. The pallet according to claim 4, characterized in that the ends of the upper outer connecting bar and the upper inner connecting bar in the second fork insertion hole on the first fork insertion hole side are formed with inclined surfaces that slope upward from the lower surface of the upper deck toward the first fork insertion hole.

6. The upper outer connecting rib portion has a projection that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the upper deck portion and extends upward along the side edge of the upper deck portion. The pallet according to claim 5, characterized in that a plurality of reinforcing ribs are provided on the outside of the aforementioned protrusion.

7. Multiple first upper ribs are formed, The pallet according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, of the multiple first upper ribs formed on the upper part of one of the two parallel first fork insertion holes, the spacing between adjacent first upper ribs is narrower on the side farther from the other first fork insertion hole than on the side closer to the other first fork insertion hole.

8. The pallet according to claim 3, characterized in that the vertical dimensions of the upper deck portion differ between the first fork insertion hole and the second fork insertion hole.

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