Pallet Tine Support Elements for Universal Forklift Engagement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
High profile pallets with narrow elongated decks pose a design issue as they cannot be universally engaged and moved with standard warehouse material handling equipment, often requiring modifications or unsafe handling practices, leading to potential damage and safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
The design of improved pallets with a support deck, sidewalls, and tine contacting surfaces that allow engagement with both standard and narrow tines from all four sides, using chamfered edges and tine support elements to facilitate safe and efficient lifting without the need for adapters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If high profile pallet design is used to increase deck height, then storage capacity and stability are improved, but compatibility with standard material handling equipment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pallet is segmented into distinct functional zones: the high profile deck structure for storage stability, and the lowered cavity region for equipment engagement. This segmentation allows the pallet to simultaneously achieve high storage capacity while maintaining compatibility with standard material handling equipment through the cavity space.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention resolves the height-compatibility contradiction by transitioning to a different dimensional solution: creating a cavity space beneath the deck that extends downward. This allows the overall deck height to remain high for storage stability while providing the necessary low-point engagement area for standard equipment tines.
2Productivity
If narrow high profile design is used to optimize space, then storage efficiency is improved, but ease of operation with standard equipment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cavity structure is pre-formed as an integral part of the pallet design, with predetermined geometry and positioning. This preliminary action ensures that standard material handling equipment can immediately engage the pallet without requiring operator judgment or adjustment, eliminating the need for gauging insertion depth and preventing improper engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The cavity acts as an intermediary structure that mediates between the narrow high profile deck and the standard material handling equipment. It provides a standardized engagement interface that translates the non-standard pallet geometry into a form compatible with conventional equipment, making operation as easy as with traditional pallets.
3Productivity
If lateral engagement is attempted without proper depth guidance, then handling speed is improved, but pallet damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cavity structure is pre-formed with predetermined geometry and positioning, providing automatic depth guidance as equipment tines engage the pallet laterally. This preliminary action eliminates the need for operator judgment regarding insertion depth, allowing fast handling while preventing over-insertion or insufficient engagement that could cause pallet damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The cavity structure serves as a protective buffer zone that accommodates the engagement process. The predefined cavity dimensions provide a cushioning effect that prevents excessive force transmission to the pallet deck and contents, protecting against damage even during high-speed handling operations where precision may be reduced.
Data Source
AI summary
An improved pallet comprising: a support deck with an upper load contacting surface and a lower ground facing surface; a first and second sidewall, each with ground contacting legs and each connected to two elongate sides of the support deck; a pallet cavity formed below said lower ground facing surface of the support deck and between said first and second sidewalls; and a support element with a tine contacting surface protruding vertically down from the lower ground facing surface of the support deck partially into the pallet cavity but not below the ground contacting legs of the first and second sidewalls.