Pallet with load securing means

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pallet (100) provided with reusable pallet load securing means comprising substantially parallel sided sheets (40, 50) of flexible material mounted on the pallet to be movable between an inoperative and furled position and an operative and at least partially unfurled position and having fastening means at the free end thereof for connection to anchoring means on the sides of the pallet opposing the sides on which sheets are mounted.

Description

[0001] PALLET WITH LOAD SECURING MEANS

[0002] The present invention relates to improvements in means for securing a load on a pallet, in particular to a pallet provided with reusable pallet load securing means.

[0003] Background to the Invention

[0004] Pallets are flat transport structures for supporting goods while being lifted by machinery varying from fork lift trucks and hand-drawn pallet jacks to cranes.

[0005] Goods are often secured on a pallet by wrapping with single use plastic wrap film, resulting in a large amount of non-biodegradable waste.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a pallet with reusable pallet load securing means which overcomes the drawbacks of known solutions or at least provides a suitable alternative.

[0007] Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present invention addresses the problem of how to secure loads on a pallet without creating non-biodegradable waste.

[0009] This problem is solved by providing a pallet having load securing mechanisms on two adjacent sides, each load securing mechanism comprising a substantially parallel sided sheet of flexible material movable between a rolled-up position and an at least partially unrolled position, each sheet having fastening means at the free end thereof for connection to anchoring means provided on the opposing side of the pallet.

[0010] The present invention relates to a pallet provided with reusable pallet load securing means.

[0011] The invention is set out in the claims.

[0012] Accordingly, a first aspect of the present invention is a pallet provided with reusable pallet load securing means comprising:a first substantially parallel sided sheet of flexible material mounted on one side of the pallet to be movable between an inoperative and furled position and an operative and at least partially unfurled position and having first fastening means at the free end thereof;

[0013] first anchoring means provided on the side of the pallet opposing the side on which the first sheet is mounted;

[0014] a second substantially parallel sided sheet of flexible material mounted on a side of the pallet extending between the sides on which the first sheet and first anchoring means are mounted to be movable between an inoperative and furled position and an operative and at least partially unfurled position and having second fastening means at the free end thereof; and

[0015] second anchoring means on side of the pallet opposing the side on which the second sheet is mounted,

[0016] wherein the first fastening means is for connection to the first anchoring means and the second fastening means is for connection to the second anchoring means.

[0017] Advantageously, this allows goods to be secured on the pallet without the need for single use plastic wrap film and thus without creating non-biodegradable waste.

[0018] When viewed from above or below, the pallet is four-sided and may be square or rectangular. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the pallet is a standard pallet size suitable to pass through standard doorways, for example about 800mm x about 1,200mm.

[0019] The pallet may be made of plastic, metal, paper, recycled materials or a combination thereof and preferably comprises timber.

[0020] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the pallet comprises a timber base, a timber frame on top of the base and timber deck boards on top of the frame, wherein the reusable pallet load securing means is mounted to the frame.

[0021] In another preferred embodiment the frame is of metal construction.Preferably, the metal frame comprises two long sides and two short sides on which are mounted deck boards and depending from the long and short sides are six legs to which are secured base boards.

[0022] Ideally, orifices are provided between the depending legs, the orifices being of a size to accommodate the tines of a fork lift.

[0023] Advantageously, the sheets of flexible material are housed within the metal frame and extend through orifices formed in the long and short sides of the pallet.

[0024] Conveniently, the sheets of material are furled and unfurled by a crank handle which is foldable into an inoperative position.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, each anchoring means independently comprises a protrusion with a through hole and each fastening means is adapted to be mechanically attached to an anchoring means through the through hole thereof. In a particularly preferred embodiment, each anchoring means independently is a buckle hook, i.e., a substantially V-shaped metal plate, e.g., made of mild steel, fixed at both ends to the side of the pallet so as to create a through hole.

[0026] In some embodiments, each fastening means independently comprises at least one siderelease buckle, clasp, a ratchet type fastening mechanism or the like.

[0027] Preferably, a ratchet fastening mechanism is used on each sheet.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, each sheet of flexible material is independently made of, or comprises fibres selected from the group consisting of: polypropylene, steel wire, Vectran, aramid, Kevlar, polyester, nylon, Dynemma, cotton, linen or a mix of these or any other fibres, cotton being the least preferred fibre.

[0029] Preferably, the material is the same as truck curtain material or crib covering material and optionally an eco friendly material

[0030] In some embodiments, the first sheet of flexible material is in the range of from about 2500 mm to about 5000 mm long and in the range of from about 700 mm to about 900 mm wide, e.g., 4315 mm x 820 mm.Additionally, or alternatively, the second sheet of flexible material is in the range of from about 2500 mm to about 5000 mm long and in the range of from about 350 mm to about 450 mm wide, e.g., 4315 mm x 420 mm.

[0031] Preferably, each sheet of flexible material is independently manually movable between an inoperative and furled position and an operative and at least partially unfurled position.

[0032] Each parallel sided sheet of flexible material independently is preferably mounted to the pallet on a shaft attached to a mounting plate be movable between an inoperative and furled position and an operative and at least partially unfurled position, preferably wherein the furling and unfurling action is controlled by an actuator, particularly preferably by rotating a crank handle in communication with the shaft.

[0033] The skilled person will understand that where the same feature has been referenced in different aspects of the invention, this feature comprises the same parts and operates in the same way unless otherwise stated.

[0034] Brief Description of the drawings

[0035] Certain preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0036] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred pallet according to the invention with the flexible sheets of the reusable pallet load securing means shown in the unfurled position;

[0037] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the pallet of Figure 1 shown without the flexible sheets;

[0038] Figure 3 is another perspective view of the pallet shown in Figure 2;

[0039] Figure 4 is a perspective view from one side of a second embodiment of the pallet according to the invention;

[0040] Figure 5 is an end view of the second embodiment of the pallet;

[0041] Figure 6 is a perspective view from a second side of the second embodiment of the pallet; andFigure 7 is an underneath perspective view of the second embodiment of the pallet.

[0042] Detailed Description

[0043] In overview, a pallet is provided, the pallet comprising reusable pallet load securing means.

[0044] Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, where like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views.

[0045] It will be appreciated that the invention should not be construed to be limited to the examples, which are now described; rather, the invention is construed to include any and all applications provided herein and all equivalent variations within the skill of the ordinary artisan.

[0046] Referring to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, there is shown a pallet according to the invention, generally referred to herein by reference numeral 100 and comprising base boards 10, frame 20 and deck boards 30, all made of timber.

[0047] Pallet 100 shown in Figures 1 to 3 has two long sides, each about 1200 mm long and two short sides, each about 80mm long, and is about 201mm deep. This ensures the pallet is of a size suitable to pass through standard doorways.

[0048] Cover 40 is about 3650 mm long and about 875 mm wide and is mounted on a long side via mounting 41 on shaft 42 and held by clamp 43 to be movable between an inoperative and furled position and an operative and at least partially unfurled position.

[0049] Mounting 41 preferably comprises a long roll pressed plate about 1020 mm in length.

[0050] Shaft 42 is preferably a 16mm diameter round bar of about 1068mm length made of mild steel and placed inside a pocket (not shown) at one end of cover 40 and cover 40 may be rolled and unrolled around shaft 42 using crank handle 44.

[0051] Clamp 43 is preferably a 3mm thick mild stell plate about 932mm long and about 15mm high.

[0052] Deck boards 30 extend over frame 20 such that frame 20 is recessed within the envelope of pallet 100.Buckle hooks 45 are affixed to the long side opposing the long side on which mounting 41 is mounted.

[0053] Three straps 46, each provided with buckle 47, are stitched to the free end of cover 40 for attachment to buckle hooks 45.

[0054] Cover 50 is about 4300 mm long and about 475 mm wide and is mounted on a short side via mounting 51 on shaft 52 and held by clamp 53 to be movable between an inoperative and furled position and an operative and at least partially unfurled position.

[0055] Mounting 51 preferably comprises a long roll pressed plate about 620 mm in length.

[0056] Shaft 52 is preferably a 16mm diameter round bar of about 668mm length made of mild steel and placed inside a pocket (not shown) at one end of cover 51 and cover 51 may be rolled and unrolled around shaft 52 using crank handle 44.

[0057] Clamp 53 is preferably a 3mm thick mild stell plate about 532mm long and about 15mm high.

[0058] Buckle hooks 55 are affixed to the short side opposing the short side on which mounting 51 is mounted.

[0059] Two straps 56, each provided with a buckle (not shown), are stitched to the free end of cover 50 for attachment to buckle hooks 55.

[0060] In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, pallet 100 has three timber base boards 10 above frame 20, six timber deck boards 30 below frame 20 and frame 20 comprises three parallel timber stringers 21, wherein each stringer 21 is supported by three timber blocks 22 and stringers 21 are connected by perpendicular timbers 23.

[0061] Each outer timber base board 10 is preferably 800mm long, 19mm deep and 194mm wide and is spaced apart from the middle base board 10 by 334mm, the middle base board being 800mm long, 19mm deep and 144mm wide.

[0062] Each timber deck board 30 is preferably 800mm long is spaced apart from another deck board 30 by 47.2mm. The outer two deck boards are preferably 800mm long, 19mm deep and 194mm wide and the inner four 800mm long, 19mm deep and 144mm wide.Each parallel timber stringer 21 of frame 20 is preferably 1020mm long, 69mm deep and 94mm wide.

[0063] Each of the six outer timber blocks 22 is preferably 104mm long, 69mm deep and 69mm wide and each of the three inner timber blocks is preferably 144mm long, 69mm deep and 69mm wide.

[0064] Each perpendicular timber 23 is preferably 206.5mm long, 69mm deep and 94mm wide.

[0065] A second embodiment of a pallet according to the invention is shown in Figures 4 to 7 of the drawings. Referring to the drawings like parts with parts shown in Figures 1 to 3 are not discussed in detail. Pallet 200 comprises base boards 110 and deck boards 130 all made from timber. They are supported by an outer frame 120 which is of metal construction and an internal support timber frame 160.

[0066] Metal frame 120 comprise two long sides 121 and 122, two short sides 123 and 124 on which are mounted five deck boards 130. Depending from the long sides 121, 122 and short sides 123, 124 are six legs 125 to which are secured the base boards 110.

[0067] On long sides 121 and 122 between the depending legs 125 are orifices 126 for the receipt of tines A and B of a fork lift truck. Also on short sides 123 and 124 are orifices for the tines A and B. Because the outer frame 120 is of metal construction there is no damage caused by the contact from tines A and B.

[0068] Covers 140 are also housed without the metal frame 120 and are accessed through slots 149 formed on short side 123 and on long side 121. Covers 140 and 150 can be wound up using foldable handles 144 and 154. The handles can be folded under the deck boards 130 when not in use so as not to get caught or snagged in other material or loads.

[0069] The dimensions of the second embodiment are the same as the dimensions given for the first embodiment.

[0070] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein which are given by way of example only and that various modifications and additions are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

8CLAIMS:

1. A pallet provided with reusable pallet load securing means comprising a first substantially parallel sided sheet of flexible material mounted on one side of the pallet to be movable between an inoperative and furled position and an operative and at least partially unfurled position and having first fastening means at the free end thereof; first anchoring means provided on the side of the pallet opposing the side on which the first sheet is mounted; a second substantially parallel sided sheet of flexible material mounted on a side of the pallet extending between the sides on which the first sheet and first anchoring means are mounted to be movable between an inoperative and furled position and an operative and at least partially unfurled position and having second fastening means at the free end thereof; and second anchoring means on side of the pallet opposing the side on which the second sheet is mounted, wherein the first fastening means is for connection to the first anchoring means and the second fastening means is for connection to the second anchoring means.

2. The pallet as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein the pallet comprises a base, a frame on top of the base and deck boards on top of the frame, wherein the reusable pallet load securing means is mounted to the frame.

3. The pallet as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the base, frame and deck boards are made of timber.

4. The pallet as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the frame is of metal construction.

5. The pallet as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the flexible sheet is made of crib material or truck curtain material, and optionally eco friendly material.

6. The pallet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each anchoring means independently comprises a protrusion with a through hole and each fastening means is adapted to be mechanical attached to an anchoring means through the through hole thereof.

7. The pallet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each fastening means independently comprises at least one side-release buckle, clasp or the like.

8. The pallet as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each sheet of flexible material independently is mounted to the pallet on a shaft attached to a mounting plate be movable between an inoperative and furled position and an operative and at least partially unfurled position, wherein the furling and unfurling action is controlled by rotating a crank handle in communication with the shaft.

9. The pallet as claimed in Claim 4 in which the metal frame comprises two long sides and two short sides on which are mounted deck boards and depending from the long and short sides are six legs to which are secured base boards.

10. The pallet as claimed in Claim 9, in which orifices are provided between the depending legs, the orifices being of a size to accommodate the tines of a fork lift.

11. The pallet as claimed in Claim 4, in which the sheets of flexible material are housed within the metal frame and extend through orifices formed in the long and short sides of the pallet.

12. The pallet as claimed in Claim 8, in which the sheets of material are furled and unfurled by a crank handle which is foldable into an inoperative position.

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