U-Shaped Spacer Element for Transport Pallet Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport pallets, particularly half-pallets, are prone to damage during rough transport operations due to inadequate spacer elements that require time-consuming and damaging disassembly for repairs, compromising stability and ease of handling.
Innovation Solution
A spacer element with a stamped and bent design, featuring a U-shaped cross-section with stiffening ribs and angled tabs with spikes for secure engagement with pallet boards, providing a rigid and stable connection while allowing easy disassembly for repairs using a lever tool.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If riveted spacer plates are used to maintain distance between pallet boards, then the spacer structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the connection stability is insufficient and repair is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the connection mechanism from friction-based riveted joints to geometry-based interlocking joints. The L-shaped connection element creates a mechanical lock between the bottom board and cross board, transforming the connection from dependent on rivet tightness to dependent on geometric fit, thereby significantly improving connection stability while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer element is divided into distinct functional segments: the distance-maintaining body and the L-shaped connection elements. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally - the body maintains distance while the L-shaped elements provide secure mechanical connection, resolving the contradiction between simple construction and stable connection.
2Ease of operation
If narrow spacer plates are used to allow lift truck access under half-pallets, then the clear space for handling is improved, but the connection stability and durability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from flat spacer plates to three-dimensional L-shaped connection elements. This dimensional change allows the spacer to maintain narrow profile for lift truck access while the L-shaped geometry provides multi-directional mechanical interlocking, simultaneously achieving handling ease and connection stability.
3Ease of repair
If frequent repairs are performed on damaged pallets, then the pallet can continue to be used, but the disassembly and reassembly process causes damage to cross boards and floor boards
Solution Approach 1:
The L-shaped connection element is designed to be extractable from the pallet structure without removing or damaging the wooden boards. The connection element can be completely removed and replaced while the bottom board and cross board remain intact, eliminating the harmful effect of board damage during repair operations.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~8
AI summary
The present invention relates to transport pallets and a spacer element for a transport pallet (1; 101; 201) for arrangement between the ends of a bottom board (5) and a cross board (6) or between the ends of the bottom board (105) and a longitudinal board (103a) of a transport pallet (1; 101; 201), wherein the spacer element (7) has a U-shaped form with a web (9) extending in the spacing direction, as well as an upper leg (10) and a lower leg (11) extending transversely thereto, which provide a support for the bottom board (5; 105), for the cross board (6) or for the longitudinal board (103a) of the transport pallet (1; 101;201) forming, wherein at least one upper tab (16) is provided parallel to the upper leg (10) and at least one lower tab (16) is provided parallel to the lower leg (11), the tab foot (17) of the upper tab (16) and lower tab (16) is firmly connected to the web (9) and the tab head (18) has fastening means.