Pallet Guard Terminator for Obstructed-Side Securement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pallet guard configurations are inefficient when partially obstructed, as they require full enclosure, leading to increased space usage and potential loosening of guard sections, which compromises protection and stability.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of pallet guard terminators, which are thinner and adjustable, allowing for secure attachment to obstructed sides of pallets using complementary mating structures, hooks, and resilient components to prevent loosening, enabling flexible configuration and reduced footprint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a full pallet guard assembly is used to surround the entire periphery of a pallet arrangement, then the pallet guard provides complete protection and secures the pallet, but it increases the space footprint and creates unnecessary clearance when pallet sides are obstructed by walls or other pallets
Solution Approach 1:
The pallet guard assembly is divided into modular sections including corner sections with cavities and wall panels, allowing selective placement of guard portions only where needed around the pallet periphery, rather than requiring complete enclosure
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of providing complete peripheral enclosure, the invention applies partial action by placing pallet guard sections only on exposed sides of the pallet arrangement, omitting guards on sides obstructed by walls or other pallets, thereby reducing space footprint while maintaining adequate protection
2Area of stationary object
If pallet guard sections are removed from obstructed sides to reduce space footprint, then the space requirements are reduced, but the remaining pallet guard sections become loosened and fail to protect persons and equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The corner section merges two functions into a single component: it provides the structural connection between adjacent wall panels while simultaneously acting as a securing mechanism through its cavity that receives and retains the corner portion of the pallet guard assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The cavity in the corner section acts as an intermediary securing mechanism that receives the corner portion of the pallet guard assembly, providing a positive mechanical connection that prevents loosening of the guard sections while allowing flexible configuration
3Reliability
If a connecting piece is used to enclose a corner of a pallet to secure the pallet guard, then the pallet guard is secured to the pallet, but the connecting piece is available in only one orientation and spaces the pallet away from the wall surface at greater distance
Solution Approach 1:
The corner section is designed with a cavity that can receive wall panels from multiple orientations, making it a universal connector that adapts to different configurations of pallet arrangements, whether against walls or in open spaces, eliminating the limitation of single-orientation connecting pieces
Data Source
AI summary
A terminator for a pallet guard assembly is composed of a thin panel portion that can enclose a portion of a pallet directly adjacent another structure without spacing the pallet substantially from the structure. The pallet may be enclosed on one or more sides by a pallet guard assembly, with the terminator permitting an open or free side that can be placed directly adjacent a structure while maintaining the pallet guard assembly in position around the pallet. The pallet guard terminator may be constructed to have multiple orientations to permit attachment to the pallet guard assembly members having different orientations. The pallet guard terminator may be constructed to have a single orientation to interfit with specific members of a pallet guard assembly.