Quarter-Pallet Mobile Platform With Forklift Guide Rails
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 require forklifts due to their size and weight, limiting their use in displaying and transporting goods effectively.
Innovation Solution
A smaller, mobile platform with removable wheels and guides that allows for easy movement and forklift insertion, featuring a quarter-sized footprint with perimeter walls for tray support and a coverable design for secure transportation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If traditional pallets are used for transporting goods, then goods can be transported and stored, but the pallets are too large to move into and out of stores through doorways and into freezers
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the traditional full-sized pallet into a quarter-pallet configuration, creating a smaller mobile platform that maintains the essential pallet functions while reducing dimensions to fit through store doorways, freezers, and aisles. The quarter-pallet design segments the loading area into manageable sections that can be maneuvered in confined spaces.
2Weight of moving object
If traditional pallets are used for transporting goods, then goods can be transported, but the pallets are too heavy to move without a forklift
Solution Approach 1:
The quarter-pallet design inherently reduces weight by using only one-quarter of the traditional pallet footprint. Additionally, the removable wheel assembly allows the platform to be segmented into separate components, enabling manual handling of lighter sections when needed while maintaining full load capacity when wheels are attached.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile platform incorporates removable wheels that can be attached or detached based on operational needs. When wheels are attached, the platform can be rolled easily; when detached, the reduced weight allows for manual lifting and positioning, providing dynamic adaptability to different handling requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional pallets are used for displaying goods, then goods can be transported to stores, but the pallets are unsightly and cannot be used for direct display
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile platform is designed to serve multiple functions: it can be used for transportation (with wheels attached), for direct product display (with perimeter walls and tray support), and for storage. The removable wheels allow the platform to transition from a transport device to a display fixture, eliminating the need for separate display equipment and allowing direct placement on sales floors.
4Force
If forklifts are used to move traditional pallets, then heavy loads can be transported, but the forklift tines can damage the pallet structure
Solution Approach 1:
The parallel guide rails serve as intermediary protective elements between the forklift tines and the wheel assembly. The guides direct the forklift tines along a safe path and prevent them from contacting the wheels, which are vulnerable to damage from forklift insertion. This intermediary structure preserves both the lifting capability and the structural integrity of the mobile platform.
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).