Nestable pallet hand hole

Abstract

A nestable pallet having a deck portion with an upper top surface layer and lower bottom surface layer separated a first distance from the upper top surface includes one or more hand holes extending through the upper top surface layer to the lower bottom surface layer to form an aperture therethrough. A recess in the lower portion of the deck enables a user of the hand hole to grip the hand hole when the pallet is nested or stacked on another similar or like pallet. The pallet is formed form a molded plastic and includes a plurality of legs that extend downward from the deck.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present invention claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 764,166, filed Feb. 27, 2025, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof.FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] N / AFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention is generally directed to a nestable or stackable pallet having a hand hole configured for user manipulation when stacked on another pallet, and more particularly, to a nestable pallet having a hand hole having a recess in a bottom portion of the deck to provide a hand grip area usable when the pallet is nested on another pallet.DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

[0004] Nestable pallets that are handled manually tend to include features that allow an operator to grasp the pallet for manipulation. The nestable pallets are typically molded plastic having a plurality of integrally formed legs and an upper deck having a support surface. A plurality of ribs and / or channels or other similar structures can be formed in the upper deck.

[0005] The features that allow the operator to grasp the pallet are often referred to as “hand holes.” These hand holes are typically apertures that run completely through the thickness of the pallet deck. A number of hand holes are typically provided at various locations about the deck of the pallet.

[0006] Issues arise when two or more pallets are stacked on top of each other. Often, nestable pallets are stacked deck-to-deck to maximize spatial efficiency during storage or transport when empty. Such stacking eliminates the space between the decks of the pallets—including at the location of the hand holes—which inhibits the ability to grasp a pallet via a hand hole. There is no area for a user to completely grasp the hand hole in such situations.

[0007] The present invention provides a nestable pallet with improved hand hole structures that enable a user to grasp the top pallet to facilitate manipulation thereof.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention improves the issues with prior pallets by creating space adjacent or below a hand hole for an operator's hand to grasp between pallets when stacked together. In this regard, the present invention is generally directed to a nestable pallet hand hole for a plastic pallet that is typically stacked on like pallets when not supporting items that includes a recessed portion to provide a hand grip that creates a hand grasping area between the stacked pallets.

[0009] In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a nestable pallet is provided that comprises a deck having an upper top surface layer and a lower bottom surface layer separated a first distance from the top surface layer and a plurality of feet extending downward from the deck. The deck includes a first hand hole extending through the top surface layer of the deck to the bottom surface layer of the deck creating an aperture therethrough wherein a lower portion of the first hand hole has a first recess to enable a user to grasp the first hand hole when stacked on another pallet.

[0010] The first hand hole can have an elongated ovoid shape that forms an elongated ovoid opening or aperture on the top surface layer of the deck. Other similar or suitable shapes that allow a user to insert their hand can also be used.

[0011] The recess can extend along a first side of the elongated ovoid shape of the first hand hole to create an area for the user to grasp the hand hole along the first side. Additionally, the recess can extend along a second side of the elongated ovoid shape of the first hand hole opposite the first side of the elongated ovoid shape of the first hand hole. In this instance, the user can grasp either side of the hand hole.

[0012] The first hand hole can include a first lower grip portion along a first side of the hand hole. The grip portion can be at a second distance from the top surface than is less than the first distance. This places the grip portion between the top surface layer and the bottom surface layer and provides for room to place the user's fingers when the pallet is stacked on or nested with another pallet. Additionally, the first hand hole can include a second lower grip portion along a second side of the first hand hole opposite the first side at the second distance.

[0013] Both the first lower grip portion and the second lower grip portion can form a finger well on the side of the grip portion away from the opening formed by the hand hole. The finger wells provide room for the user's fingers to grasp the grip portion. The lower grip portion can be formed to have a generally U-shaped cross-sectional shape.

[0014] The pallet can include a second hand hole spaced from the first hand hole. Similar to the first hand hole, the second hand hole can extend through the top surface of the deck to the bottom surface of the deck creating an aperture therethrough and include a lower portion having a second recess to enable a user to grasp the second hand hole when stacked on another pallet. Moreover, the pallet can include a plurality of similar hand holes having recessed portions spaced at strategic locations around the deck of the pallet for manually maneuvering the pallet.

[0015] The pallet and its essential components can be formed from a molded plastic. Moreover, the pallet can include plurality of ribs extending between the upper top surface layer of the deck and the lower bottom surface layer of the deck. The pallet can also include other features typically associated with such pallets, such as channels, drain holes, etc.

[0016] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a nestable pallet is provided comprising a deck having an upper top surface layer and a lower bottom surface layer separated a first distance from the upper top surface layer where the lower bottom surface layer is configured to lay adjacent an upper top surface layer of a like pallet when nested thereon. The pallet includes a first hand hole extending from the upper top surface layer of the deck to the lower bottom surface layer of the deck to form a first aperture therethrough. A a first lower recess portion in the deck is aligned with the first hand hold to enable a user to grasp the first hand hole when nested on the like pallet. The first hand hole can have an ovoid shape or other similar shape for enabling a user to grasp the hand hole.

[0017] The first hand hole can include a first grip portion in the first lower recess portion. The first grip portion of the first hand hole can be along a first side of the ovoid shape. A second grip portion can be provided along a second side of the ovoid shape. First and second finger wells can be formed by the first and second grip portions, respectively, of the first hand hole.

[0018] The pallet can include a second hand hole extending from the upper top surface layer of the deck to the lower bottom surface layer of the deck to form a second aperture therethrough. The pallet can include a second lower recess portion in the deck aligned with the second hand hold to enable a user to grasp the second hand hole when nested on the like pallet. In fact, the pallet can include a plurality of similar hand holes and recessed portions spaced about the deck of the pallet.

[0019] The pallet can include a plurality of legs extending downward from the deck. In one instance, the pallet can include three rows of three legs each.

[0020] Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the following Figures.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of two pallets nested one on top of the other having a plurality of legs and a plurality of hand holes;

[0023] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of two nested pallets showing prior hand holes which provided no space for a user's fingers to grasp the top pallet's hand hole;

[0024] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of two nested pallets showing hand holes having a lower recess portion that allows a user's finger to grasp the top pallet's hand hole in accordance with the present invention;

[0025] FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of a pallet with hand holes having lower recesses allowing a user to grasp the pallet in accordance with the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 5 is a side-by-side top view and bottom view of a hand hole in accordance with the present invention;

[0027] FIG. 6 is a partial perspective bottom view of a hand hole in a pallet in accordance with the present invention;

[0028] FIG. 7 is a partial perspective bottom cross-sectional view of the hand hole in a pallet through a width of the hand hole in accordance with the present invention; and,

[0029] FIG. 8 is a partial perspective bottom cross-sectional view of the hand hole in a pallet through a length of the hand hole in accordance with the present invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

[0031] FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of two like, known nestable pallets 10 stacked one on top of the other (i.e., deck-to-deck). Each pallet 10 includes a generally rectangular deck 12 having a plurality of legs 14 extending downward from the deck 12. In the present instance, the pallets 10 include three rows of three legs 14 each. The deck 12 includes a top surface layer 16 and a bottom surface layer 18 spaced a first distance from the top surface layer 16. The legs 14 are generally hollow and extend through the surface layers 16, 18 of the deck 12 to form openings in the top surface layer 16 of the deck 12.

[0032] In addition to the legs 14, the pallets 10 also include hand holes 20 that extend through both layers 16, 18 of the deck 12. FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of one known hand hole 20 having a generally elongated ovoid shape. The hand hole 20 includes a vertical side wall 22 that generally extends from the top surface layer 16 of the deck 12 to the bottom surface layer 18 around the entire hand hole 20. As evident in this cross-sectional view, the bottom of the hand hole 20 in the top pallet 10 aligns with and is generally adjacent to the top of the hand hole of the bottom pallet 10, leaving no room for a user's fingers to grasp the hand hole 20 when it is in this stacked arrangement.

[0033] The present invention overcomes the problems associated with the known pallet hand holes 20. As shown in FIGS. 3-8, the present invention provides a hand hole 24 that allows for a user to fully grasp the hand hole 24 when a top pallet 26 is stacked on another lower pallet 26. The pallet 26 includes a lower recess, or recessed portion, 28 proximate each hand hole 24, that extends out beyond a boundary of the top aperture formed by the hand hole 24 on both lengthwise sides of the aperture (while having the recess extend beyond both sides of the aperture is preferred, in the invention's most basic form, it is only necessary for the recess to extend beyond one side of the aperture at the top of the hand hole 24). That is, the recess 28 in the bottom portion of the deck 12 is wider than the aperture at the top of the hand hole 24 as evident in FIGS. 3-8. This allows for the provision of hand grip portions 30 between the top surface layer 16 and the bottom surface layer 18 of the pallet 26. The hand grip portions 30 extend a second distance from the top surface layer 16 of the pallet 26 that is less than the first distance between the top surface layer 16 and the bottom surface layer 18. The recess portions 28 provide room for a user's fingers to grab the hand hole 24 when it is stacked on another pallet (either the prior known pallets 10 or other like pallets 26 having the present invention).

[0034] As illustrated by the stacked pallets 26 in FIG. 3, the hand hole 24 includes an interior side wall 32 that extends downward from the top surface layer 16 of the pallet 26 the second distance to the hand grip portion 30 on a first side of the hand hole 24 as well as the hand grip portion 30 on the second side of the hand hole 24. The hand grip portions 30 have a generally U-shaped cross-section forming a first finger well 34 area on a first side 36 of the hand hole 24 in the recessed portion 28, and a similar finger well 34 on a second side 38 of the hand hole 24. On the far side of the finger wells 34, a lower side wall portion 40 extends downward to the bottom surface layer 18 of the pallet 26 along each side 36, 38. Each end of the hand hole 24 includes an arcuate side wall section 42 that extends from the top surface layer 16 to the bottom surface layer 18 at the ends of the hand hole 24.

[0035] The pallets 26 are formed from molded plastic. Other similar or suitable materials can also be used. While shown as being in one piece, components of the pallets, or other additional structures can be welded, snap-fitted or otherwise connected to each other. The pallets 26 can include ribs 44, drainage channels, openings 46 and other relevant structures (e.g., metal reinforcements) used in plastic pallets. In particular, ribs 44 are used to separate the top surface layer 16 and the bottom surface layer 18 of the deck 12 in the pallet 26. Similarly, the legs 14 can include ribs, openings and other relevant structures associated with supporting the pallet deck 12.

[0036] FIG. 7 provides a cross-sectional view of a portion of the pallet 26 across the width of a hand hole 24. As is evident, the lower side wall sections 40 on either side 36, 38 of the hand hole 24, are spaced farther apart from each other than the side walls 32 that extend from the top surface layer 16 to the bottom of the grip portions 30 (i.e., the side wall sections 40 are wider than the side walls 32). Additionally, each of the side wall sections 40 extend outward beyond the respective side walls 32 to provide sufficient room for the finger wells 34.

[0037] FIG. 8 provides a cross-sectional view of a portion of the pallet 26 along the length of the hand hole 26. This shows the complete length of one side 36 of the hand hole 24 and the grip portion 30 on that side 36.

[0038] Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be protected otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims

1. A nestable pallet comprising:a deck having an upper top surface layer and a lower bottom surface layer separated a first distance from the top surface layer;a plurality of feet extending downward from the deck; and,a first hand hole extending through the top surface layer of the deck to the bottom surface layer of the deck creating an aperture therethrough wherein a lower portion of the first hand hole has a first recess to enable a user to grasp the first hand hole when stacked on another pallet.

2. The nestable pallet of claim 1 wherein the first hand hole has an elongated ovoid shape.

3. The nestable pallet of claim 2 wherein the recess extends along a first side of the elongated ovoid shape of the first hand hole.

4. The nestable pallet of claim 3 wherein the recess extends along a second side of the elongated ovoid shape of the first hand hole opposite the first side of the elongated ovoid shape of the first hand hole.

5. The nestable pallet of claim 1 wherein the first hand hole includes a first lower grip portion along a first side of the first hand hole a second distance from the top surface wherein the second distance is less than the first distance.

6. The nestable pallet of claim 5 wherein the first hand hole includes a second lower grip portion along a second side of the first hand hole opposite the first side at the second distance.

7. The nestable pallet of claim 5 wherein the first lower grip portion forms a first finger well.

8. The nestable pallet of claim 5 wherein the first lower grip portion has a generally U-shaped cross-sectional shape.

9. The nestable pallet of claim 1 further comprising a second hand hole spaced from the first hand hole, the second hand hole extending through the top surface of the deck to the bottom surface of the deck creating an aperture therethrough wherein a lower portion of the second hand hole has a second recess to enable a user to grasp the second hand hole when stacked on another pallet.

10. The nestable pallet of claim 1 wherein the pallet is formed from a molded plastic.

11. The nestable pallet of claim 10 further comprising a plurality of ribs extending between the upper top surface layer of the deck and the lower bottom surface layer of the deck.

12. A nestable pallet comprising:a deck having an upper top surface layer and a lower bottom surface layer separated a first distance from the upper top surface layer wherein the lower bottom surface layer is configured to lay adjacent an upper top surface layer of a like pallet when nested thereon;a first hand hole extending from the upper top surface layer of the deck to the lower bottom surface layer of the deck to form a first aperture therethrough;a first lower recess portion in the deck aligned with the first hand hold to enable a user to grasp the first hand hole when nested on the like pallet.

13. The nestable pallet of claim 12 wherein the first hand hole includes a first grip portion in the first lower recess portion.

14. The nestable pallet of claim 13 wherein the first hand hole has a generally ovoid shape.

15. The nestable pallet of claim 14 wherein the first grip portion of the first hand hole is along a first side of the ovoid shape.

16. The nestable pallet of claim 15 wherein the first hand hole includes a second grip portion along a second side of the ovoid shape.

17. The nestable pallet of claim 13 further including a first finger well formed by the first grip portion of the first hand hole.

18. The nestable pallet of claim 12 further comprising:a second hand hole extending from the upper top surface layer of the deck to the lower bottom surface layer of the deck to form a second aperture therethrough;a second lower recess portion in the deck aligned with the second hand hold to enable a user to grasp the first hand hole when nested on the like pallet.

19. The nestable pallet of claim 12 wherein the pallet includes a plurality of legs extending downward from the deck.

20. The nestable pallet of claim 19 wherein the pallet is formed from a molded plastic.

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