Dolly Pallet Assembly Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The shipping industry faces inefficiencies in transporting items due to the need for large loading areas and additional labor for loading and unloading pallets, as well as limitations in maneuvering bulk handling equipment at destinations, leading to increased time and cost.
Innovation Solution
A dolly pallet assembly that allows a wheeled dolly to be loaded onto and locked to a pallet, enabling the pallet and dolly to be moved as a unit, with the dolly able to be moved independently at a destination, reducing the need for bulk handling equipment and simplifying the transportation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If items are transported on a pallet using bulk handling equipment, then the items can be moved from one location to another, but a large loading area is required and additional labor is needed for loading and unloading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pallet and dolly into a single integrated assembly where the dolly is locked to the pallet, allowing them to be moved together as one unit. This merging eliminates the need for separate loading and unloading operations, as the dolly with items can be rolled directly onto the pallet and the entire assembly moved by forklift, reducing labor requirements and operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The dolly serves as an intermediary device between the items and the pallet. Instead of directly loading items onto the pallet or using bulk handling equipment for every movement, the dolly acts as a mediator that can be easily maneuvered into position and then locked to the pallet, simplifying the transfer process and reducing the need for large loading areas.
2Productivity
If bulk handling equipment is used to move pallets to transportation units and then to final destinations, then items can be transported, but the equipment may not be available or the destination may not have room to maneuver
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the transportation process into two distinct phases: first, the pallet and dolly are moved together as a unit using bulk handling equipment to the destination area; second, the dolly is unlocked and separated from the pallet, allowing it to be independently maneuvered to the final location. This segmentation allows the use of bulk handling equipment for long-distance transport while maintaining flexibility for final delivery in areas where such equipment cannot operate.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static configuration (items fixed on pallet) to a dynamic configuration where the dolly can be locked to the pallet for transport and then unlocked for independent maneuvering. This dynamic adaptability allows the same assembly to serve different functions at different stages of the transportation process, enhancing versatility and maneuverability at destinations.
3Ease of operation
If items are unloaded one at a time from the pallet when bulk handling equipment is unavailable, then items can be delivered to the final location, but time and labor costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By keeping the dolly locked to the pallet during transport and then unlocking it at the destination, the system allows the entire load to remain on the dolly for efficient maneuvering to the final location. This eliminates the need to unload items one at a time from the pallet, as the dolly can be rolled directly to the destination with all items secured, significantly reducing unloading time while maintaining delivery flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A dolly pallet assembly including a pallet having a pallet body defining a bottom surface and at least two channels therein. Each channel includes side walls and a channel bottom surface spaced a first height relative to the pallet body bottom surface. An entry into each channel is defined in the body and includes a ramped surface which slopes from a second height relative to the pallet body bottom surface at the entry to a third height relative to the pallet body bottom surface adjacent the channel bottom surface, wherein the second height is less than the first and third heights. The dolly includes a support platform with a plurality of wheel assemblies and at least one locking member, wherein the dolly is positionable relative to the pallet with the wheels received in respective channels and the locking member selectively engageable to lock the dolly relative to the pallet.