Collapsible Pallet Box with Tenon Joint Locking Mechanism
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional planter boxes are not detachable, reusable, or equipped with structural features for easy transportation, and they often damage plants during removal, lacking protection from frost, birds, and pests, and do not provide adequate soil aeration throughout a plant's growth stages.
Innovation Solution
A detachable and collapsible pallet box with tenon joint locking mechanisms, PVC pipe attachment blocks for additional features like seed holders and netting, and vertical grooves to prevent root tangling, allowing for partial panel removal and easy transportation using pallet jacks or hand trucks, while providing aeration and protection from weather elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional planter boxes are made as single integrated units, then they provide structural stability, but they cannot be disassembled or detached for transportation and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The planter box is divided into multiple detachable panels (front panel, rear panel, two side panels) connected to a pallet base through locking mechanisms. Each panel can be independently removed or detached, allowing the structure to transition from a complete enclosed box to a partially open or fully disassembled state for transportation and storage purposes
2Ease of operation
If conventional planter boxes are made as solid enclosed structures, then they provide protection, but they lack structural features for easy transportation using pallet jacks or hand trucks
Solution Approach 1:
The pallet base is designed with dual functionality: it serves as both the structural foundation supporting the planter panels and as a transportation platform with integrated fork pockets and hand truck features. This allows the same structure to be used for both plant containment and mechanical handling/transportation without requiring separate components
3Ease of operation
If conventional planter boxes use fixed panels, then they maintain structural integrity, but they cannot be partially opened to access plants without removing entire panels
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanisms allow panels to transition between locked (closed) and unlocked (open) states. The front panel can be selectively unlocked and removed while rear and side panels remain locked in place, enabling dynamic reconfiguration of the planter box to provide access to plants without compromising the structural integrity of the remaining panels
Data Source
AI summary
A planter box configured for housing plantings is disclosed. The pallet box assembly includes a pallet base, two side panels, a front panel, and a rear panel, which are collapsible and reusable. Pallet base has tenon joint parts with locking mechanisms that extend out. Pallet base has an opening extending therethrough for ease of handling by pallet jack or hand truck. The side panels include grooves. Front and rear panels include tenon joint part with locking mechanism. The side panels are identical and interchangeable, the front panel is identical and interchangeable with the rear panel. Each locking mechanism includes a winged bolt threadedly inserted and engaged into the tenon joint part, and a wing which is rotated by about 45 to 135 degrees to engageably and securely attach the corresponding tenon joint part in the corresponding groove, so that the pallet box assembly is securely installed.