CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of US Utility Patent Application 12/206,559, filed on 08-SEP-2008, and incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to pallets, and more particularly to a multi configurable pallet system that supports a load and is configured to be transported by a fork lift device. DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

Pallets are often used in the storage and transport of a wide variety of products. Pallets maintain a load at a certain distance above the ground and can be easily lifted and moved by a forklift, pallet jack, or other fork-based lifting device, herein collectively referred to as a fork lift device. A palletized load may be delivered conveniently and efficiently to the end user. Typically, wooden pallets have been the mainstay of the material handling business. However, wooden pallets are relatively heavy and the fabrication requires expensive hand labor. Furthermore, the inherent difficulties in maintaining wood surfaces in a sanitary condition make wooden pallets undesirable in food and canned goods industries. Plastic pallets are employed to overcome many of the draw backs of wooden pallets.

One prior art device, taught in U.S. Pat. No.3, 814,031 to Fowler on June 4, 1974 discloses a molded hollow unitary plastic pallet comprising an upper and a lower surface with legs disposed on the lower surface. Reinforcement of the pallet is achieved by means of holes through the pallet surfaces and by means of reinforcement grooves disposed on the legs on the lower surface of the pallet. Such a pallet is incapable of carrying heavy loads and cannot be adapted to be lifted or transported by a fork lift.

Several prior arts are known to provide pallets with double decks. For example, U.S. Pat. No.4,013, 021 to Steinlein on March 22, 1977 discloses a double deck plastic pallet in which a top deck bears upon a lower deck by means of supporting legs. This arrangement has a complex design and the payload may slip from the surface of the pallet.

U.S. Pat. No.5, 197,396 to Breezer on March 30, 1993 provides a pallet having a twin sheet thermoformed upper deck reinforced with a tubular metal substrate. Molded plastic octagonal posts having supporting walls are positioned beneath a reinforced portion of the top deck. A lower deck is spaced from the upper deck by the posts and receives the posts in recessed pockets. Such a pallet system includes additional T- shaped metallic nuts for reinforcement and requires sealing for protecting the interior of the pallet from corrosion.

Another prior art device, taught in U.S. Pat. No.6,718, 888 to Muirhead on April 30, 2004 discloses a pallet comprising a thermoformed pallet shell having a first shell half formed from a first sheet and a second shell half formed from a second sheet. A support structure formed from a third sheet disposed between and instantly fused to the first shell half and the second shell half. The construction of this pallet structure is complicated and costly.

Therefore, there is a need for a lighter, easy-to-use and economical pallet system. Such a pallet system would be free from complex metallic parts and require only simple configuration steps, thereby avoiding sealing of the pallet to protect the metallic parts from being corroded. Moreover, such a pallet system would be adapted for transporting a load by a fork lift device and would include grids in regular framework for strength. Such a device would further having anti-slippage features. The present invention accomplishes these objectives. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present device is a multi configurable pallet system for supporting a load and transporting by a fork lift device. The multi configurable pallet system includes a rigid rectangular upper deck and a rigid rectangular lower deck. Each deck has a plurality of grids that forms a regular framework. Each grid has at least one diagonal brace therein and terminates at a corner thereof. The diagonal braces of four such adjacent grids form a diamond pattern. Each diamond pattern of the lower deck has a capped upper surface so as not to trap water, for example. Each deck is preferably raised at a central portion to resist against each deck sagging when the load is applied thereon.

The multi configurable pallet system further includes a plurality of riser posts projecting from the lower deck, each situated to accept the fork lift device therebetween from any side of the pallet. Each riser post includes at least one reinforced area for reinforcing the riser post against damage from a fork lift device. Each riser post may further include a rigid reinforcement deck that spans the distance between the riser post and at least one other riser post. Each deck may be further embedded with a plurality of elongated reinforcement bars. The upper deck includes a top surface plane and the lower deck includes a bottom surface plane. The peripheral edge of the upper deck preferably has a lip raised above the top surface plane. The multi configurable pallet system further includes a rigid base having a plurality of elongated riser snaps adapted to engage a lateral flange of each riser post. The rigid base includes a plurality of apertures at each of the riser snaps such that an object may be inserted therein to release the riser snaps from the lateral flange of each riser post to release the rigid base therefrom. The multi configurable pallet system further includes a plurality of elevated frictional protrusions. As such, the pallet system stably supports a load that is transported by a fork lift device. The peripheral edge of each deck, the at least four of riser posts, and a base form a substantially continuous edge surface.

The present invention facilitates quick detachment of the base from the pallet for storage purposes or in applications where the base is unnecessary. Further, use and configuration of such a pallet system is relatively simple, and does not require sealing of the pallet to protect the metallic parts from corroding. Moreover, such a pallet system is adapted for facilitating the lifting and transporting of the load by a fork lift device, from any side thereof, and includes anti-slippage means for the load. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention, illustrating a pallet supporting a load and transported by a fork lift device; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention, illustrating a top side of an upper deck of the pallet system, and further illustrating riser posts thereof; FIG. 3 is an enlarged top plan view, taken generally along lines 3 - 3 of FIG. 2, illustrating a regular frame work of the invention; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the invention, illustrating a lower deck of the pallet system and the riser posts thereof;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the invention, illustrating a rigid base; FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the invention, illustrating a bottom side of the pallet system; FIG.7 is a schematic diagram of the invention, illustrating an object utilized to accomplish disengagement of riser snaps of the base from the riser posts; and FIG. 8 is a cut-away view of the invention, illustrating the upper deck and the lower deck of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. The following explanation provides specific details for a thorough understanding of and enabling description for these embodiments. One skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well-known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words "comprise," "comprising," and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to." Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number respectively. Additionally, the words "herein," "above," "below" and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. When the claims use the word "or" in reference to a list of two or more items, that word covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list and any combination of the items in the list.

The present device (FIG. 1) illustrates a multi configurable pallet system 10 for supporting a load 15 and for transporting by a fork lift device 12. The multi configurable pallet system 10 includes a rigid rectangular upper deck 20 and a rigid rectangular lower deck 30 (FIG. 2). Each deck 20, 30 has a plurality of grids 40 that form a regular framework 50 (FIG. 3). Each grid 40 has at least one diagonal brace 60 therein and terminates at a corner 70 thereof. The diagonal braces 60 of four such adjacent grids 40 form a diamond pattern 80 for strength. The diamond pattern 80 of each deck 20, 30 is mutually offset, and each diamond pattern 80 of the lower deck 30 preferably has a capped upper surface 90 (FIG. 1). As such, water or other liquid is not able to be captured by either deck 20,30 when the pallet system 10 is upright. Each deck 20, 30 is preferably raised at a central portion 170 thereof to resist against each deck 20, 30 sagging when the load 15 is applied thereon. The pallet system 10 may be made from materials polypropylene, polyethylene or the like. The multi configurable pallet system 10 further includes a plurality of riser posts 100 projecting downwardly from the lower deck 30 (FIG. 4). The plurality of riser post 100 is configured to accept the fork lift device 12 therebetween from any side of the pallet system 10. Each riser post 100 preferably includes at least one reinforced area 160 for reinforcing the riser post 100 against from a fork lift device 12 (FIGS. 1 and 4). Each riser post 100 may further include a rigid reinforcement deck 240 that spans the distance between the riser post 100 and at least one other riser post 100 (FIG. 4). At least one riser posts 100 has a peripheral edge 250 co-aligned with a peripheral edge 200 of each deck 20, 30.

Each deck 20, 30 may be further embedded with a plurality of elongated reinforcement bars 190 (FIG. 1). Each deck 20, 30 preferably has a common peripheral edge 200. The upper deck 20 includes a top surface plane 210 and the lower deck 30 includes a bottom surface plane 220. The peripheral edge 200 of the upper deck may include a lip 230 raised above the top surface plane 220 (FIG. 7). As such, the load 15 is inhibited from slipping off of the top deck 20. The multi configurable pallet system 10 may further include a plurality of elevated frictional protrusions 140 (FIG. 7). Each elevated frictional protrusion 140 is preferably formed at an intersection of four of the diagonal braces 60 and four of the grids 40 (FIG. 3).

The multi configurable pallet system 10 further includes a rigid base 110 having a plurality of elongated riser snaps 120 adapted to engage a lateral flange 105 of each riser post 100 (FIG. 5). The rigid base 110 includes a plurality of apertures 130 at each of the riser snaps 120 such that an object 14 may be inserted therein to release the riser snaps 120 from the lateral flange 105 of each riser post 100 to release the rigid base 110 therefrom (FIG. 7). The rigid base 110 includes inclined ramps 180 between each riser post 100 (FIG. 1).

The peripheral edge 200 of each deck 20, 30, the at least four of riser posts 100, and the base 110 form a substantially continuous surface 260 (FIG. 6). As such, the force applied to the upper deck 20 by a load 15 is transferred through the deck 20, 30, each of the at least four riser posts 100 and the rigid base 110 to a support surface 18 (FIG. 2).

While a particular form of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the pallet system 10 may be manufactured in various shapes and sizes in order to support various load 15 shapes and weights. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the appended claims.

The teachings provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described herein. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. All of the above patents and applications and other references, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the various references described above to provide yet further embodiments of the invention.

These and other changes can be made to the invention in light of the above Detailed Description. While the above description details certain embodiments of the invention and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the invention can be practiced in many ways. Details of the system may vary considerably in its implementation details, while still being encompassed by the invention disclosed herein.

Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Description section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention.

The above detailed description of the embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed above or to the particular field of usage mentioned in this disclosure. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Also, the teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments.

All of the above patents and applications and other references, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the various references described above to provide yet further embodiments of the invention.

Changes can be made to the invention in light of the above "Detailed Description." While the above description details certain embodiments of the invention and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the invention can be practiced in many ways. Therefore, implementation details may vary considerably while still being encompassed by the invention disclosed herein. As noted above, particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated.

In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Description section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention under the claims.

While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventor contemplates the various aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the invention.