Mobile Pallet with Removable Wheels for Forklift-Free Store Display
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional pallets are often too large and unsightly, making them difficult to move into and out of stores, freezers, and aisles, and are heavy, requiring forklifts for transportation, which limits their use in displaying goods.
Innovation Solution
A smaller, mobile platform with removable wheels and guides that allows for easy movement and forklift access, incorporating individual product displays or stacking trays that can be stacked and displayed without removal, and a coverable assembly for secure transportation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional pallets are used for transporting and storing goods, then goods can be securely transported, but the pallets are too large and unsightly to move easily into and out of stores, freezers, and aisles
Solution Approach 1:
The pallet is divided into a base and separate display components (stacking trays or individual displays). The base provides the structural platform, while the display components can be configured in various arrangements. This segmentation allows the pallet to maintain its transport function while enabling flexible, space-efficient display configurations that can navigate through store doorways, freezers, and aisles more easily.
2Ease of operation
If traditional pallets are used for transporting goods, then goods can be securely transported, but the pallets are heavy and require forklifts for transportation, making manual movement difficult or impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The pallet base is equipped with removable wheels or casters that can be attached when manual movement is needed and removed when forklift transport is used. This dynamic configuration allows the pallet to transition between being a static heavy platform and a mobile unit that can be easily pushed or pulled through store environments, eliminating the need for forklifts in many situations.
3Strength
If items are kept on the pallet while on display, then the pallet provides structural support, but the pallets can be unsightly and their size prevents easy movement into and out of stores
Solution Approach 1:
The display function is extracted from the pallet base and implemented through separate stacking trays or individual display units that sit on the base. This allows the pallet base to maintain its structural support role while the display components can be designed to be more aesthetically pleasing and space-efficient. The separated display components can also be more easily maneuvered through narrow spaces and doorways.
4Ease of operation
If a forklift is used to move the pallet, then heavy pallets can be transported, but the forklift requires access space that may not be available in all store locations
Solution Approach 1:
The pallet is designed with removable wheels or casters that transform it from a static platform requiring forklift access into a mobile unit that can be manually pushed or pulled. This dynamic capability eliminates the need for forklifts in many store locations, allowing the pallet to be maneuvered into tight spaces, narrow aisles, and areas where forklift access is not feasible.
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly (10) is disclosed having a pallet or mobile platform (20), restraining blocks (90), a pallet tray (70) and a cover (60) for supporting, transporting, and displaying goods. The goods, preferably in displays or stacking trays (70) are supported on the pallet's base (21). The pallet (20) includes removable wheels or casters (36) and two parallel rails or guides (33) projecting from the bottom surface (26) and a perimeter wall (22,23) projecting from the upper surface (25). To the extent a forklift is used, the guides (33) provide a side-exposed space or opening between the wheels (36) permitting insertion of the forklift tines. The cover (60) and pallet tray (70) include side openings (63,73) to align with the space or openings below the pallet (20) base (21) and between the guides (33) so that forklifts and their tines may be used with the covered assembly (10).