Pallet for distribution of loads during cargo handling
The pallet structure with integrated pallet lifts addresses the challenge of deformation and load distribution, ensuring stable and efficient handling and transport of commercial products.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- US · United States
- Patent Type
- Applications(United States)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- JERNEJ SKRBINSEK
- Filing Date
- 2024-01-18
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-30
AI Technical Summary
Handling of commercial products on standard pallets is time-consuming and prone to deformation, leading to horizontal loads that increase with cargo height, necessitating additional fastening and unloading procedures.
A pallet structure with integrated pallet lifts that allow vertical movement, compensating for deformations and ensuring even load distribution, featuring structure brackets, trolley wheel guides, and load-bearing elements to stabilize cargo during handling.
Facilitates efficient cargo handling by reducing deformation-induced horizontal loads, enabling stable stacking and unloading without ramps, and enhancing transport stability through galvanized surfaces and protective sleeves.
Smart Images
Figure US20260217415A1-D00000_ABST
Abstract
Description
DESCRIPTION OF INVENTIONField of Technology
[0001] Pallet, pallet structure, pallet lift, standard pallet, display racks, trolley, metal pallet, distribution of loads, cargo handling.Technical Problem
[0002] Handling of commercial products is a challenging and time-consuming procedure. In order to deliver products from the manufacturing plan, these products have to be appropriately packaged, stored and prepared for transport. When preparing the products for transport, many products are stacked on appropriate, usually standardised pallets. During transport, the products have to be fastened appropriately.
[0003] After delivery, the pallets have to be unloaded and the products have to be moved from the store warehouse and placed on shelves. All these procedures are time-consuming, which results in higher price of the product in the store.
[0004] The pallet deforms when lifted, which leads to horizontal loads on the cargo. These loads increase with the height of the cargo on the pallet. Due to horizontal loads, the cargo has to be bound together as much as possible depending on the horizontal loads during cargo handling.STATE OF THE ART
[0005] Different pallets for handling of commercial goods are used in practice. The pallets are made of different materials, e.g. wood, plastics or metal.
[0006] The handling of commercial goods with known pallets is time-consuming and expensive. The goods need to be stacked on pallets and fastened appropriately. The cargo has to be fastened appropriately to ensure its stability at horizontal loads or during handling. When pallets are delivered to the delivery point, commercial goods need to be unloaded from the pallets and placed on store shelves.DESCRIPTION OF NEW INVENTION
[0007] The subject of the invention is the pallet for distribution of loads during cargo handling which solves the technical problem of even distribution of loads during pallet handling.
[0008] The pallet for load distribution during cargo handling comprises at least the pallet structure and at least one pallet lift, whereby the pallet lifts are mounted on the pallet structure and vertical movement between the pallet structure and pallet lifts is ensured in relation to the pallet.
[0009] The pallet lift is constructed of at least two components. One of the components of the pallet lift is positioned on the structure brackets during production, after which another component of the pallet lift is added from the other side and the components of the pallet lift are permanently joined, preferably by welding, which, however, does not limit the essence of the invention, whereby the pallet lift and the structure brackets are not fixed together, and vertical movement between the pallet structure and the pallet lift is ensured.
[0010] The pallet lift comprises the pallet structure brackets in such a way that the corresponding holes in the pallet lift are larger than the cross sections of structure brackets. When lifting the pallet, a lifting device, preferably a forklift, first lifts the pallet lifts by a structurally determined height or tolerance. When the pallet lift is lifted, preferable by a few millimetres, the bottom part of the pallet lift rests on the pallet structure, after which the entire pallet for load distribution during cargo handling is lifted, including the cargo if placed on the pallet, whereby the upper parts of the pallet lifts are lifted above the pallet structure.
[0011] The pallet lifts compensate for deformations produced on the pallet structure during lifting of heavy cargo. When loading heavy cargo, the pallet structure is slightly bent. If pallet lifts were not used, this would lead to horizontal loads on the cargo and horizontal movements between individual cargo elements which would increase with the increasing height of the cargo.
[0012] The pallet structure comprises also the structure brackets, at least two trolley wheel guides, the intermediate pallet guide, at least one trolley position stop and at least two trolley wheel position stops.
[0013] The pallet for distribution of loads during cargo handling also comprises load-bearing elements for pallet rest and pallet rests. Pallet rests are constructed on the pallet structure, whereas the load-bearing elements of the pallet rest can be constructed on the pallet lifts or pallet structure. During storage, the pallets for distribution of loads during cargo handling are stacked on top of each other, whereby the pallets are stacked in such a way that the pallet rests of the upper pallet are fitted on the load-bearing elements of the pallet rests of the lower pallet. The pallet rests and the load-bearing elements of pallet rests contribute to positioning of pallets when stacked on top of each other.
[0014] The pallet for distribution of loads during cargo handling can be used for handling trolleys, preferably for loading several trolleys, preferably four trolleys. The floor area of the pallet for distribution of loads during cargo handling is preferably the sum of floor areas of trolleys, preferably of four trolleys.
[0015] When loading trolleys, the pallet for distribution of loads during cargo handling is placed on the floor, therefore, a ramp is not required for loading trolleys on the pallet for distribution of loads during cargo handling. The bottom of the pallet for distribution of loads during cargo handling or the sheet metal on the bottom of the trolley wheel guide is raised from the ground on which the pallet for distribution of loads during cargo handling is placed by only the thickness of the sheet metal used.
[0016] For logistical reasons, standard-sized pallets for distribution of loads during cargo handling are used, and the dimensions of the cargo are usually adapted to the dimensions of the pallet for distribution of loads during cargo handling; preferably the floor area of the pallet for distribution of loads during cargo handling is 1200×800 millimetres, whereas the pallet for distribution of loads during cargo handling is preferably adapted for loading four trolleys with a floor area of 600×400 millimetres.
[0017] The pallet structure is composed of one or more supporting mesh structures. The supporting mesh structure comprises the structure brackets constructed as thin metal bars or metal wire in such a way that the structure brackets are inseparably joined together, preferably by welding.
[0018] The supporting mesh structures are joined with sheet metal constructed in the form of trolley wheel guides. The sheet metal in the middle of the pallet structure is wider than on the edges of pallet structure because it provides space for two parallel trolley wheel guides and an additional space for intermediate pallet guide. The trolley wheel guides and the intermediate pallet guide are preferably constructed of sheet metal of the same material and thickness.
[0019] In the middle of the pallet for distribution of loads during cargo handling, viewed from one front end of the pallet structure to the other front end of the pallet structure, a trolley position stop is installed in the middle of the trolley wheel guide, which stops the trolley when its front edge reaches the midpoint of the length of the pallet for distribution of loads during cargo handling. The trolley position stop is installed on at least one of the two trolley wheel guides on which the trolley moves during loading on the pallet for distribution of loads during cargo handling, whereas preferably one trolley position stop is used for one trolley, which is preferably constructed in such a way that it is intended for two trolleys loaded from the opposite front ends of the pallet for distribution of loads during cargo handling.
[0020] After the production of the pallet for distribution of loads during cargo handling or pallet structure and pallet lift, all the external surfaces are surface treated, preferably galvanised, in order to prevent corrosion of material and thus extend the lifespan of the pallet for distribution of loads during cargo handling.
[0021] Loaded pallet for distribution of loads during cargo handling is moved with a forklift. When grabbed from the front, the are no obstacles for the forks entering the pallet for distribution of loads during cargo handling. When the pallet for distribution of loads during cargo handling is grabbed from the side, forks have to be lifted from the ground by at least the height of the side trolley guide.
[0022] Prior to being loaded on the pallet for distribution of loads during cargo handling, the trolleys are protected with sleeves, preferably made of cardboard. Cardboard sleeves protect the goods from weather conditions, dust and other impacts that could damage the goods. Cardboard sleeves also dampen vibrations during transport. A cover is placed on top of the trolleys, which is tightened with the pallet for distribution of loads during cargo handling, thus ensuring the stability of the cargo during transport.
[0023] The essence of the invention is further explained below with the description of two embodiments and attached figures, whereby the figures are part of this patent application and show the following:
[0024] FIG. 1 shows the pallet for distribution of loads during cargo handling 1, the pallet structure 2, the pallet lift 3, the structure bracket 4, the trolley wheel guide 5, the intermediate pallet guide 6, the trolley position stop 7, the trolley wheel position stop 8, the load-bearing element of the pallet rest 9, the pallet rest 10.
[0025] FIG. 2 shows the pallet structure 2, the structure bracket 4, the trolley wheel guide 5, the intermediate pallet guide 6, the trolley position stop 7, the trolley wheel position stop 8, the pallet rest 10.
[0026] FIG. 3 shoes the pallet lift 3, the load-bearing element of the pallet rest 9, the hole in the pallet lift 11.FIRST EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
[0027] The pallet for load distribution during cargo handling 1 comprises the pallet structure 2 and two pallet lifts 3, whereby the pallet lifts 3 are mounted on the pallet structure 2 and vertical movement between the pallet structure 2 and pallet lifts 3 is ensured in relation to the pallet for load distribution during cargo handling 1.
[0028] The pallet lift 3 is constructed of two components. One of the components of the pallet lift 3 is positioned on the structure brackets 4 during production, after which another component of the pallet lift 3 is added from the other side and the components of the pallet lift 3 are permanently joined by welding. The pallet lift 3 and the structure brackets 4 are not fixed together, and vertical movement between the pallet structure 2 and the pallet lift 3 is ensured.
[0029] The pallet lifts 3 are constructed as ladders or mesh with connected longitudinal or cross profiles with rectangular cross sections.
[0030] The pallet lift 3 comprises the structure brackets 4 in such a way that the corresponding holes in the pallet lift 11 are larger than the cross sections of structure brackets 4. When lifting the pallet for load distribution during cargo handling 1, a lifting device first lifts the pallet lifts 3 by a structurally determined height. When the pallet lift 3 is lifted by four millimetres, the bottom part of the pallet lift 3 rests on the pallet structure 2, after which the entire pallet for load distribution during cargo handling 1 is lifted, including the cargo, whereby the upper parts of the pallet lifts 3 are lifted above the pallet structure 2.
[0031] The pallet lifts 3 compensate for deformations produced on the pallet structure 2 during lifting of heavy cargo. When loading heavy cargo, the pallet structure 2 is slightly bent. If pallet lifts 3 were not used, this would lead to horizontal loads on the cargo and horizontal movements between individual cargo elements which would increase with the increasing height of the cargo.
[0032] The pallet structure also comprises the structure brackets 4, four trolley wheel guides 5, the intermediate pallet guide 6, the trolley position stop 7 and four trolley wheel position stop 8, the load-bearing elements for pallet rest 9 and pallet rests 10. The pallet rests 10 are constructed on the pallet structure 2, whereas the load-bearing elements of the pallet rest 9 are constructed on the pallet lifts 3.
[0033] The pallet for distribution of loads during cargo handling 1 can be used for handling four trolleys. The floor area of the pallet for distribution of loads during cargo handling 1 is the sum of floor areas of four trolleys.
[0034] The floor area of the pallet for distribution of loads during cargo handling 1 is 1200×800 millimetres, and is adapted for loading four trolleys with a floor area of 600×400 millimetres.
[0035] The pallet structure 2 is composed of two supporting mesh structures. The supporting mesh structure comprises the structure brackets 4 constructed as thin metal bars in such a way that the structure brackets 4 are inseparably joined together by welding.
[0036] The supporting mesh structures are joined with sheet metal constructed in the form of trolley wheel guides 5. The sheet metal in the middle of the pallet structure 2 is wider than on the edges of pallet structure 2 because it provides space for two parallel trolley wheel guides 5 and an additional space for intermediate pallet guide 6. The trolley wheel guides 5 and the intermediate pallet guide 6 are constructed of sheet metal with a thickness of two millimetres.
[0037] In the middle of the pallet for distribution of loads during cargo handling 1, viewed from one front end of the pallet structure 2 to the other front end of the pallet structure 2, the trolley position stop 7 is installed in the middle of the trolley wheel guide. The trolley wheel position stops 8 are installed on both trolley wheel guides 5.
[0038] After the production of the pallet for distribution of loads during cargo handling 1 or pallet structure 2 and pallet lift 3, all the external surfaces are galvanised.SECOND EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
[0039] The pallet for load distribution during cargo handling 1 comprises the pallet structure 2 and two pallet lifts 3, whereby the pallet lifts 3 are mounted on the pallet structure 2 and vertical movement between the pallet structure 2 and pallet lifts 3 is ensured in relation to the pallet for load distribution during cargo handling 1.
[0040] The pallet lift 3 is constructed of two components. One of the components of the pallet lift 3 is positioned on the structure brackets 4 during production, after which another component of the pallet lift 3 is added from the other side and the components of the pallet lift 3 are permanently joined by welding. The pallet lift 3 and the structure brackets 4 are not fixed together, and vertical movement between the pallet structure 2 and the pallet lift 3 is ensured.
[0041] The pallet lifts 3 are constructed as surface elements, whereby at least the upper or lower surface of the pallet lift 3 is made of sheet metal.
[0042] The pallet lift 3 comprises the structure brackets 4 in such a way that the corresponding holes in the pallet lift 11 are larger than the cross sections of structure brackets 4. It is self-evident that the above described invention can be also used in other particular form not changing the substance of the invention.
Claims
1. The pallet for load distribution during cargo handling, characterised in that it comprises the pallet structure (2) and at least one pallet lift (3), whereby the pallet lifts (3) are mounted on the pallet structure (2) and vertical movement between the pallet structure (2) and pallet lifts (3) is ensured in relation to the pallet.
2. The pallet according to claim 1, characterised in that the pallet lift (3) is constructed of at least two components, whereby one of the components of the pallet lift (3) is positioned on the structure brackets (4) during production, after which another component of the pallet lift (3) is added from the other side and the components of the pallet lift (3) are permanently joined, whereby the pallet lift (3) and the structure brackets (4) are not fixed together, and vertical movement between the pallet structure (2) and the pallet lift (3) is ensured.
3. The pallet according to any claims 1 to 2, characterised in that the pallet lift (3) comprises the structure brackets (4) in such a way that the corresponding holes in the pallet lift (3) are larger than the corresponding cross sections of structure brackets (4).
4. The pallet according to any claims 1 to 3, characterised in that a lifting device first lifts the pallet lifts (3) by a structurally determined height, after which the bottom part of the pallet lift (3) rests on the pallet structure (2), after which the entire pallet for load distribution during cargo handling (1) is lifted, including the cargo, whereby the upper parts of the pallet lifts (3) are lifted above the pallet structure (2).
5. The pallet according to any claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the pallet structure (2) comprises the structure brackets (4), at least two trolley wheel guides (5), the intermediate pallet guide (6), at least one trolley position stop (7) and at least two trolley wheel position stops (8).
6. The pallet according to any claims 1 to 5, characterised in that it comprises the load-bearing elements for pallet rest (9) and pallet rests (10).
7. The pallet according to any claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the pallet rests (10) are constructed on the pallet structure (2).
8. The pallet according to any claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the load-bearing elements of the pallet rest (9) are constructed on the pallet lifts (3).
9. The pallet according to any claims 1 to 8, characterised in that during storage, the pallets for distribution of loads during cargo handling (1) are stacked on top of each other, whereby the pallets are stacked in such a way that the pallet rests (10) of the upper pallet are fitted on the load-bearing elements of the pallet rests (9) of the lower pallet.
10. The pallet according to any claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the pallet structure (2) is composed of one or more supporting mesh structures, whereby the supporting mesh structures comprise the structure brackets (4).
11. The pallet according to any claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the structure brackets (4) are constructed as thin metal bars.
12. The pallet according to any claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the structure brackets (4) are constructed as metal wire.
13. The pallet according to any claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the structure brackets (4) are inseparably joined together.
14. The pallet according to any claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the supporting mesh structures are joined with sheet metal constructed in the form of trolley wheel guides (5).
15. The pallet according to any claims 1 to 14, characterised in that the sheet metal in the middle of the pallet structure (2) is wider than on the edges of pallet structure (2) because it provides space for two parallel trolley wheel guides (5) and for intermediate pallet guide (6).
16. The pallet according to any claims 1 to 15, characterised in that the trolley wheel guides (5) and the intermediate pallet guide (6) are made of sheet metal.
17. The pallet according to any claims 1 to 16, characterised in that the middle of the pallet for distribution of loads during cargo handling (1), viewed from one front end of the pallet structure (2) to the other front end of the pallet structure (2), the trolley position stop (7) is installed in the middle of the trolley wheel guide (5).
18. The pallet according to any claims 1 to 17, characterised in that the trolley position stop (8) is installed on at least one of the two trolley wheel guides (5).
19. The pallet according to any claims 1 to 18, characterised in that all the external surfaces of the pallet structure (2) and pallet lifts (3) are surface treated.
20. The pallet according to any claims 1 to 19, characterised in that all the external surfaces of the pallet structure (2) and pallet lifts (3) are galvanised.