Assembled plastic pallet

Abstract

The present invention discloses an assembled plastic pallet manufactured by assembling plastic extrusion-molded parts and injection-molded parts. The assembled plastic pallet of the present invention is composed of multiple support beams, at least two or more plates, and first and second reinforcing plates. The support beam has an "I"-shaped cross section and includes an upper flange, a lower flange, and a web connecting the upper and lower flanges. A plurality of through holes are formed in the web and are spaced apart from each other along the width direction. Plates are fixed to each of the upper and lower flanges. The first reinforcing plate is disposed on one side of the web, and has a plurality of snap fits formed on a surface opposite the one side of the web so as to pass through some of the through holes, and a plurality of connecting holes formed on a surface opposite the one side of the web so as to align with some of the through holes. The second reinforcing plate is positioned on the other side of the web so as to face the first reinforcing plate, and a plurality of snap fits are formed on the surface facing the other side of the web so as to pass through the remaining through holes and be elastically connected to each of the connecting holes of the first reinforcing plate, and a plurality of connecting holes are formed on the surface facing the other side of the web so as to be elastically connected to each of the snap fits of the first reinforcing plate.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pallet, and more particularly to an assembled plastic pallet manufactured by assembling plastic extrusion molded parts and injection molded parts. [Background technology]

[0002] Pallets are used to load, store, and transport cargo in fixed quantities. Pallets are made from a wide variety of materials, including wood, plastic, metal, and paper. Pallets are also standardized to improve logistics efficiency.

[0003] While wooden pallets can be easily manufactured to a wide variety of sizes, they are prone to breakage and rot in humid environments. Furthermore, felling wood pallets disrupts the environment, necessitating quarantine measures to eradicate pests that infest the wood, making them difficult to recycle. Metal pallets are often used for handling heavy loads due to their strength, but they are prone to corrosion from humidity, limiting their use in various environments.

[0004] Plastic pallets are lightweight and durable because they do not spoil, but they require molds because they are made by plastic injection molding. However, molds for plastic injection molding are expensive, which increases the manufacturing cost of pallets. Furthermore, it is difficult to produce a wide variety of sizes of plastic pallets due to the time and cost required to make the molds.

[0005] The recent diversification of products has been remarkable, and as a result, the need for plastic pallets that do not conform to standard specifications is constantly increasing. There is also a market demand for plastic pallets that are easy to assemble and disassemble in order to reduce logistics costs.

[0006] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2109526 discloses a knockdown plastic pallet that is easy to assemble and disassemble. The plastic pallet disclosed in this patent is composed of a plate on which cargo is loaded, a beam frame that supports the loaded cargo, and a connecting member for connecting the plate and the beam frame. It also includes a locking panel to prevent the connected plate and beam frame from being separated, and an unlocking pin to facilitate disassembly. The beam frame has an "I"-shaped cross section, and multiple connecting member fitting holes are formed along the length on the upper and lower surfaces.

[0007] The knockdown plastic pallets in the above patent documents have a large number of components, such as beam frames, plates, connecting members, locking panels, and unlocking pins, which increases mold costs and leads to high overall manufacturing costs. Furthermore, components such as connecting members, locking panels, and unlocking pins require a minimum operating length to fasten and unlock the beam frames and plates. Therefore, although standardized products can be produced, there are many limitations in producing and assembling small or various-sized pallets required in industrial sites.

[0008] In addition, the plates connected to the lower and upper surfaces of the beam frame have exposed ends on both sides, which means that if they are subjected to external impact, the gap between the beam frame and the plates is likely to widen.Furthermore, since the beam frame is thin and long, when the forks of a forklift are inserted into the pallet to transport it, if the forks hit the beam frame and apply impact, the beam frame or the plates are likely to be damaged. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Korean Patent No. 2109526 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a new knockdown plastic pallet that can solve the above problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a knockdown plastic pallet. The knockdown plastic pallet according to the present invention has an "I"-shaped cross section and includes an upper flange, a lower flange, and a web connecting the upper flange and the lower flange, the web having a plurality of through holes formed therein, a plurality of support beams arranged at intervals along the width direction, at least two or more plates fixed to the upper flange and the lower flange, respectively, and a plurality of snap fits arranged on one side of the web to reinforce the web, the snap fits passing through some of the plurality of through holes, the plurality of through holes being formed on a surface facing the one side of the web. The reinforcing plate includes a first reinforcing plate having a plurality of connecting holes formed on a surface facing one side of the web so as to be aligned with some of the through holes, and a second reinforcing plate disposed on the other side of the web so as to face the first reinforcing plate, having a plurality of snap fits formed on a surface facing the other side of the web so as to pass through the remaining through holes of the plurality of through holes and be elastically connected to each of the plurality of connecting holes of the first reinforcing plate, and having a plurality of connecting holes formed on a surface facing the other side of the web so as to be elastically connected to each of the plurality of snap fits of the first reinforcing plate.

[0012] In the knockdown plastic pallet according to the present invention, two of the plurality of support beams, which are arranged on both peripheral edges, each further include an upper cover plate portion and a lower cover plate portion extending from the upper flange and the lower flange, respectively, so as to cover both ends of at least two or more plates. Furthermore, either one of the first or second reinforcing plates further includes a cover plate portion formed on one peripheral edge portion so as to cover the ends of each of the plurality of support beams. This prevents damage to the ends of the plates and the support beams due to impact.

[0013] The first and second reinforcing plates of the knockdown plastic pallet according to the present invention are fitted between the upper and lower flanges to support the lower surface of the upper flange and the upper surface of the lower flange, respectively. Therefore, the rigidity of the support beam is structurally reinforced by the first and second reinforcing plates, preventing damage to the pallet due to overloading or external impact. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The knockdown plastic pallet according to the present invention can be manufactured by extruding each of the support beams and plates using one or two dies. This allows for the use of a minimum number of dies compared to the number of components, thereby reducing die costs and production costs, thereby improving productivity. Furthermore, the support beams and plates can be extruded and then cut to unit lengths to easily manufacture pallets of various specifications. This allows for low-cost, high-mix, low-volume production of pallets of various specifications required in industrial sites. Furthermore, the rigidity of the support beams is structurally reinforced by the first and second reinforcing plates, preventing damage to the pallet due to overloading or external impact, thereby improving the durability and reliability of the pallet. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an assembly type plastic pallet according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a state in which the plastic pallet according to the present invention has been removed. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a support beam disposed on the periphery of one side of a plastic pallet according to the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a support beam disposed on the periphery of the other side of the plastic pallet according to the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a support beam placed in the middle of a plastic pallet according to the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a plate of a plastic pallet according to the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the first and second reinforcing plates of the plastic pallet according to the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the knockdown plastic pallet according to the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing first and second reinforcing plates of a plastic pallet according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Other objects, particular advantages, and novel features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The size and shape of components shown in the drawings referred to in describing the present invention may be somewhat exaggerated or simplified for clarity and ease of explanation. Furthermore, terms specifically defined in consideration of the configuration and operation of the present invention may vary depending on the intentions or practices of users and operators of the present invention. These terms should be interpreted as meanings and concepts consistent with the technical idea of ​​the present invention in light of the overall content of this specification.

[0017] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the knockdown plastic pallet according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] First, referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a knockdown plastic pallet 10 according to the present invention includes a plurality of support beams 20 (20-1, 20-2, 20-3) arranged along the width direction. The support beams 20 are formed from elongated members manufactured by extrusion molding using plastic, such as polypropylene (PP), and cut to unit lengths. At least three support beams 20 are arranged at intervals from one another. The spacing between the support beams 20 is maintained so as to form fork holes large enough to receive the forks of a forklift. The support beams 20-1 and 20-2 are a pair of side support beams arranged on both peripheries in the width direction. The support beam 20-3 is a center support beam arranged in the middle between the side support beams.

[0019] 4 to 6, each of the support beams 20: 20-1, 20-2, 20-3 has an "I"-shaped cross section and includes an upper flange 22, a lower flange 24, and a web 26 that vertically connects the upper flange 22 and the lower flange 24. A plurality of through holes 28 are formed in the web 26. A plurality of fixing holes 30 are formed in each of the upper flange 22 and the lower flange 24. A pair of fork holes 32, into which the forks of a forklift can be inserted, are formed spaced apart from each other in the web 26. In some embodiments, the fork holes 32 may be eliminated.

[0020] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, each of the two support beams 20-1, 20-2 arranged on both sides of the peripheral edge of the support beam 20 further includes an upper cover body plate portion 34 extending upward from the outer end of the upper flange 22 and a lower cover body plate portion 36 extending downward from the outer end of the lower flange 24.

[0021] 1 to 3 and 7, the knockdown plastic pallet 10 according to the present invention comprises at least two plates 40: 40-1, 40-2 coupled to each of the upper flange 22 and the lower flange 24. The plates 40 are made of elongated members manufactured by extrusion molding using a plastic material such as polypropylene and cut to the required unit length. The plates 40 are arranged on each of the upper flange 22 and the lower flange 24 at intervals along the longitudinal direction perpendicular to the width direction.

[0022] Each of the plates 40 has a first end 42, a second end 44, an upper surface 46, and a lower surface 48. Each of the plates 40 is composed of a plurality of square pipe portions 50 (50a, 50b, 50c) each having a hollow, and connecting plate portions 52 (52a, 52b) connecting two adjacent square pipe portions 50. A plurality of fixing holes 54 are formed in the square pipe portions 50 so as to align with the fixing holes 30 of the support beam 20.

[0023] Among the plates 40, a plurality of plates 40-1 arranged on the upper flange 22 constitute a top deck 60 or upper plates. A plurality of plates 40-2 arranged on the lower flange 24 constitute a bottom deck 62 or lower plates. Although FIG. 1 shows that each of the top and lower decks 60, 62 is composed of five plates 40, this is merely an example, and the number of plates 40 can be increased or decreased as needed. In some embodiments, each of the top and lower decks 60, 62 may be composed of a plastic panel or a plastic board instead of the plates 40.

[0024] 1 to 3, the knockdown plastic pallet 10 according to the present invention includes a plurality of fastening members 70 for connecting the plates 40 to the upper flange 22 and the lower flange 24, respectively. Each of the fastening members 70 may be configured as a screw 72, nail, staple, bolt, or the like, which is connected to the fixing hole 30 of the upper flange 22 and the lower flange 24 via the fixing hole 54 of the plate 40. The fastening members 70 may also be configured as fasteners such as snap fits or clips. The snap fits may be formed integrally with the plates 40.

[0025] 1 to 3 and 8, the knockdown plastic pallet 10 according to the present invention comprises a first reinforcing plate 80 and a second reinforcing plate 90 for reinforcing each web 26 of the support beam 20. The first and second reinforcing plates 80, 90 are each a square-shaped plate material manufactured by injection molding using a plastic material such as polypropylene, and are made of substantially the same parts and are arranged on both side surfaces of the web 26 so as to correspond to each other.

[0026] The first reinforcing plate 80 is disposed on one surface of the web 26. A plurality of snap fits 82 are formed on the surface opposite the one surface of the web 26 so as to pass through some of the through holes 28. A plurality of connecting holes 84 are formed on the surface opposite the one surface of the web 26 so as to be aligned with some of the through holes 28. The snap fits 82 and the connecting holes 84 are each formed along a diagonal direction of the first reinforcing plate 80.

[0027] The second reinforcing plate 90 is disposed on the other surface of the web 26 so as to face the first reinforcing plate 80. A plurality of snap fits 92 are formed on the surface of the web 26 facing the other surface so as to pass through the remaining through holes of the through holes 28 and be elastically coupled to each of the coupling holes 84 of the first reinforcing plate 80. A plurality of coupling holes 94 are formed on the surface of the web 26 facing the other surface so as to be elastically coupled to each of the snap fits 82 of the first reinforcing plate 80.

[0028] The first and second reinforcing plates 80, 90 are fitted between the upper flange 22 and the lower flange 24 so as to support the lower surface of the upper flange 22 and the upper surface of the lower flange 24. In this way, the upper flange 22 and the lower flange 24 are supported by the upper and lower surfaces of the first and second reinforcing plates 80, 90, respectively, thereby reinforcing the rigidity of the support beam 20 and preventing distortion of the upper flange 22 and the lower flange 24.

[0029] The assembly process of the knockdown plastic pallet according to the present invention having the above-described configuration will be described below.

[0030] 1 to 3, the snap fits 82 of the first reinforcing plate 80 are fitted into some of the through holes 28, and the first reinforcing plate 80 is placed on one side of the web 26. On the other side of the web 26, the snap fits 92 of the second reinforcing plate 90 are joined to the joining holes 84 of the first reinforcing plate 80 via the remaining through holes 28, and the snap fits 82 of the first reinforcing plate 80 are joined to the joining holes 94 of the second reinforcing plate 90.

[0031] In this way, the first and second reinforcing plates 80, 90 attached to both sides of the web 26 structurally reinforce the rigidity of the support beam 20, improving the reliability of the pallet 10. Furthermore, the first and second reinforcing plates 80, 90 of the same configuration can be easily assembled by engaging the snap fits 82, 92, improving productivity. The first and second reinforcing plates 80, 90 can be easily removed by removing the snap fits 82, 92 from the connecting holes 84, 94, respectively.

[0032] 1 to 3 and 8, after the support beam 20 and the first and second reinforcing plates 80, 90 are assembled, the support beam 20 is positioned at equal intervals along the width direction, and then the plate 40 is positioned at equal intervals along the length direction on the upper flange 22. At this time, the upper cover plate portions 34 of the support beam 20, which are positioned on both peripheral edges, are positioned so as to cover the first and second ends 42, 44 of the plate 40. The screws 72 are fastened to the fastening holes 30 of the upper flange 22 through the fastening holes 54 of the square tube portion 50. If the screws 72 are self-tapping or self-drilling screws, the support beam 20 and the plate 40 can be easily joined by fastening the self-tapping screws together, even if the fastening holes 30, 54 are not pre-formed in the upper flange 22 and the square tube portion 50. Furthermore, even when the plate 40 is joined to the upper flange 22 using nails, staples, or the like, there is no need to pre-form the fixing holes 30, 54. Therefore, the support beam 20 and the plate 40 can be easily assembled.

[0033] Continuing to pull, the plates 40 are joined to the upper flange 22, and then the support beam 20 is turned upside down with the lower flange 24 facing upward. The plates 40 are arranged on the lower flange 24 at equal intervals along the longitudinal direction. At this time, the lower cover plate portions 36 of the support beam 20, which are arranged on the peripheral edges on both sides, are positioned so as to cover the first and second ends 42, 44 of the plates 40. Once the screws 72 are fixed into the fixing holes 30 of the lower flange 24 via the fixing holes 54 of the square tube portion 50, the assembly of the pallet 10 is complete.

[0034] In this way, the knockdown plastic pallet 10 of the present invention can improve productivity through the simple process of assembling the support beam 20 and the first and second reinforcing plates 80, 90, and assembling the plates 40 to the upper flange 22 and lower flange 24 of the support beam 20. In addition, the support beam 20 and the plates 40 can be manufactured by extrusion molding and then cut to the required unit length for use, allowing for a variety of pallet 10 specifications to be easily manufactured.

[0035] Figures 9 and 10 show another embodiment of the knockdown plastic pallet according to the present invention. With reference to Figures 9 and 10, the same components as those of the knockdown plastic pallet 10A of this embodiment and the knockdown plastic pallet 10 described above are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The knockdown plastic pallet 10A of this embodiment differs from the knockdown plastic pallet 10 described above in the first reinforcing plate 80A used to reinforce the rigidity of the support beam 20.

[0036] The first reinforcing plate 80A of the knockdown plastic pallet 10A in another embodiment includes a cover plate portion 86 extending from the peripheral edge on one side so as to cover each end of the support beams 20. The cover plate portion 86 is formed on the peripheral edge on one side of the first reinforcing plate 80A so as to be perpendicular to the first reinforcing plate 80A. In some embodiments, the cover plate portion 86 may be formed on the peripheral edge on one side of the second reinforcing plate 90.

[0037] In another embodiment of the knockdown plastic pallet 10A, the cover plate 86 shields and protects the ends of the support beams 20 from exposure to the outside. This prevents the ends of the support beams 20 from being damaged by external impact. The cover plate 86 also prevents the gap between the support beams 20 and the plate 40 from widening, thereby maintaining the appearance of the pallet 10A and improving reliability.

[0038] The embodiments described above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments. Various modifications, variations, or substitutions can be made by those skilled in the art within the technical spirit of the present invention and the scope of the claims, and such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. a plurality of support beams each having an "I"-shaped cross section, each having an upper flange, a lower flange, and a web connecting the upper flange and the lower flange, the web having a plurality of through holes formed therein, the support beams being spaced apart from one another along the width direction; At least two plates fixed to the upper flange and the lower flange, respectively; a first reinforcing plate that is disposed on one surface of the web to reinforce the web, that has a plurality of snap fits formed on a surface facing the one surface of the web so as to pass through some of the plurality of through holes, and that has a plurality of coupling holes formed on a surface facing the one surface of the web so as to be aligned with some of the plurality of through holes; a second reinforcing plate disposed on the other surface of the web so as to face the first reinforcing plate, and having a plurality of snap fits formed on the surface facing the other surface of the web so as to pass through the remaining through holes of the plurality of through holes and be elastically coupled to each of the plurality of coupling holes of the first reinforcing plate, and a plurality of coupling holes formed on the surface facing the other surface of the web so as to be elastically coupled to each of the plurality of snap fits of the first reinforcing plate; Including, An assembled plastic pallet, wherein each of the plurality of support beams is made of a long member manufactured by extrusion molding using plastic as a material and cut to a unit length.

2. 2. The assembled plastic pallet according to claim 1, wherein each of the two support beams arranged on both sides of the peripheral edge of the plurality of support beams further comprises an upper cover plate portion and a lower cover plate portion extending from the upper flange and the lower flange, respectively, so as to be able to block each of the ends on both sides of the at least two or more plates.

3. 2. The assembly type plastic pallet according to claim 1, wherein one of the first and second reinforcing plates further comprises a cover plate portion formed on the peripheral edge portion of one side so as to cover the ends of each of the plurality of support beams.

4. 2. The knockdown plastic pallet according to claim 1, wherein the first and second reinforcing plates are fitted between the upper flange and the lower flange so as to support the lower surface of the upper flange and the upper surface of the lower flange, respectively.

5. 2. The knockdown plastic pallet according to claim 1, further comprising fastening members that penetrate the at least two or more plates and connect the at least two or more plates to the upper flange and the lower flange, respectively.

6. An assembly type plastic pallet according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least two plates are arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction perpendicular to the width direction on each of the upper flange and the lower flange, and are made of long members manufactured by extrusion molding using plastic as the material and cut to unit lengths.

7. The at least two plates are composed of a plurality of hollow square tube sections and a plurality of connecting plate sections connecting two adjacent square tube sections among the plurality of square tube sections, and each of the plurality of square tube sections is connected to the upper flange and the lower flange, respectively, by fastening a plurality of screws.An assembled plastic pallet as described in claim 6.

8. 6. The knockdown plastic pallet according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second reinforcing plates is made of a rectangular plate material manufactured by injection molding using plastic as a material.

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