FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to a pallet assembly for storage and loading of goods; and more particularly a pallet assembly with an improved interlocking structure and is readily configurable into desirable height.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Pallet is widely used for transporting and storage of items or loads in large volumes. Besides, pallet also allows easy movement of heavy and bulky items or loads in storage facilities and enables loading and unloading of items or loads in large quantities to be carried out with minimum workforce through the use of mechanical materials handling equipment such as pallet jack and forklift.

Pallet can be made from different material such as wood, aluminium, steel, fibre or plastic. Among others, wooden and plastic pallets are the most extensively used pallets in the current industry. Wooden pallet is normally assembled by using nails and may require regular maintenance in order to avoid protruding nails and splinters due to wear and tear so as to minimise injuries. In addition, wooden pallet is difficult to clean and since wood can absorb moisture easily, wooden pallet is susceptible to fungus, bacteria and bug infestation if without proper care and this may eventually cause safety concerns.

Although plastic pallet may prevent the aforementioned issue, the cost of producing a unitary or one piece synthetic plastics pallet provided with upper and lower decks is high and time consuming since additional welding machine is required to weld the separate upper and lower decks during production. Further, for a unitary or one piece plastic pallet that does not have lower deck, stacking of such loaded pallets may be difficult. Although modular pallet may solve this issue, it should be noted that modular pallet will need strong and sturdy interlocking structure so as to enable the assembled pallet to have ample strength to support different items or loads. Some of the existing modularly formed plastic pallets are costly, relatively complex in moulding, difficult to assemble and lack of sturdiness. Further, different industries and companies may require pallets with different heights. Conventional pallet has fixed height which cannot be extended and in order to produce pallet with different heights, additional moulding machines are required and thus increase the operating cost.

In view of these and other shortcomings, it is desirous to provide a pallet assembly with an improved interlocking structure which is sturdy and has ample strength to support different loads. Besides, it is another objective of the present invention to provide a pallet assembly which can be assembled into desired height in a simple and economic manner so as to meet the requirements of different industries such as food and beverages and pharmaceutical industries which require the loads being positioned at a sufficient distance above the floor. The pallet assembly according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention and its combination of elements or parts thereof will be described and/or exemplified in the detailed description.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a pallet assembly for storage and loading of goods. According to the present invention, the pallet assembly comprises an upper deck member, a lower deck member and a plurality of interlocking units.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the upper and lower deck members is having a load bearing surface, a bottom surface and a plurality of spaced apart supporting members positioned on the bottom surface of the deck member. Preferably, the supporting member of the upper and lower deck members is having at least one side wall integrally extended from the bottom surface of the deck member and formed a base provided with an edge.

In the preferred embodiment, each of the upper and lower deck members is provided with at least one passage extending upwardly from the base of each of the supporting members to the load bearing surface of the deck member. Preferably, an indentation is formed around the inner circumferential surface of each of the passages proximate the load bearing surface of the deck members. It should be noted that when the upper deck member is engaged with the corresponding lower deck member, the passage of the upper deck member is mutually aligned with the corresponding passage of the lower deck member so as to form a receiving hole to readily receive the insertion of the interlocking unit.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the interlocking units comprises a first member and a second member and each of the members is having a head section and a hollow body. It should be noted that the second member is first inserted into the receiving hole of the adjoined upper and lower deck members prior the insertion of the first member into the hollow body of the second member. In the preferred embodiment, a contractible retaining means is preferably integrally extended from the lower end of the hollow body of the second member of the interlocking unit and is configured to aptly clasp on the indentation of the passage of the deck member when the second member of the interlocking unit is inserted into the receiving hole of the adjoined upper and lower deck members. It should be noted that the first member of the interlocking unit of the preferred embodiment is configured to be inserted into the hollow body of the second member of the interlocking unit, thereby securely interlock the engagement of the deck members.

In the preferred embodiment, the hollow body of the first member of the interlocking unit is further provided with at least one male locking connector and the hollow body of the second member of the interlocking unit is further provided with a complementary formed female locking connector to matingly engage with the male locking connector of the first member of the interlocking unit when the first member of the interlocking unit is inserted into the hollow body of the second member of the interlocking unit.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first member of the interlocking unit is further provided with at least one ridge. Preferably, the ridge is positioned apart from the male locking connector of the first member of the interlocking unit. In the preferred embodiment, the second member of the interlocking unit is further provided with at least one groove corresponds to the ridge of the first member of the interlocking unit. It should be noted that when the first member of the interlocking unit is inserted into the hollow body of the second member of the interlocking unit, the ridge of the first member is slideably engaged with the complementary formed groove of the second member so as to guide the male locking connector to interlockably engage with the female locking connector.

Preferably, the pallet assembly of the present invention is further provided with a plurality of locking means. In the preferred embodiment, the side wall of the supporting member of the upper and lower deck members is further provided with at least one orifice and the hollow body of the first and second member of the interlocking unit is further provided with at least one complementary formed perforation. It should be noted that when the interlocking unit is completely inserted into the receiving hole of the adjoined upper and lower deck members, the orifice of the side wall of the deck members is mutually aligned with the corresponding perforation of the first and second members of the interlocking unit so as to readily receive the insertion of the locking means.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pallet assembly is provided with a plurality of extension members. It should be noted that the extension member is configured to be sandwiched between the supporting members of the corresponding upper and lower deck members. Preferably, each of the extension members is having an upper surface provided with a rim, at least one side wall, a bottom surface provided with a rim and a locking slot. In the preferred embodiment, the locking slot is preferably extended from the upper surface of the extension member to the bottom surface of the extension member and is configured to be mutually aligned with the corresponding passage of the upper and lower deck members so as to form a receiving channel to readily receive the insertion of the interlocking unit. Preferably, the extension member is further provided with at least one protruding sleeve integrally extended outwardly from the circumferential wall of the locking slot of the extension member. In the preferred embodiment, the inner circumferential surface of the passage proximate the base of the supporting member of each of the upper and lower deck members is further provided with at least one complementary formed dent to readily receive the protruding sleeve of the extension member when the extension member is sandwiched between the corresponding deck members during assembly.

Preferably, an inner perimeter of the rim of the upper and bottom surfaces of the extension member is further provided with at least one projection. In the preferred embodiment, the projection of the extension member is firmly placed against an inner side wall of the supporting members of the corresponding deck members when the rim of the extension member is in surface contact with the edge of the base of the supporting members of the corresponding deck members during assembly. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the side wall of the extension member is further provided with at least one aperture and the hollow body of the first and second members of the interlocking unit is further provided with at least one opening corresponds to the aperture of the extension member. It should be noted that the aperture of the extension member is configured to be mutually aligned with the corresponding opening of the first and second members of the interlocking unit so as to readily receive the insertion of the locking means during assembly, thereby further fortify the engagement between the deck members and the extension members. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pallet assembly comprises an upper deck member, a lower deck member and a plurality of interlocking units. In this preferred embodiment, each of the upper and lower deck members is having a load bearing surface, a bottom surface and a plurality of supporting members distributed on the bottom surface of the deck member. Each of the supporting members of the deck member of this preferred embodiment is having at least one side wall integrally extended from the bottom surface of the deck member and formed a base provided with an edge. In accordance with this preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the upper and lower deck members is provided with at least one passage extended upwardly from the base of the supporting member to the load bearing surface of the deck members. In this preferred embodiment, an indentation is formed around the inner circumferential surface of the passage proximate the load bearing surface of the upper and lower deck members. It should be noted that when the upper deck member is engaged with the corresponding lower deck member, the passage of the upper deck member is mutually aligned with the corresponding passage of the lower deck member so as to form a receiving hole to readily receive the insertion of the interlocking unit. In this preferred embodiment, each of the interlocking units comprises a first member and a second member. Each of the first and second members is having a head section and a body and each of the members of the interlocking unit is provided with a coupling means integrally extended from the lower end of the body of the first and second members. It should be noted that the coupling means of the first member is configured to matingly engage with the coupling means of the second member after the first and second members are inserted into the receiving of the adjoined upper and lower deck members so as to securely interlock the engagement between the deck members.

In this preferred embodiment, the pallet assembly is provided with a plurality of extension members. It will be appreciated that the extension member is configured to be sandwiched between the supporting members of the corresponding upper and lower deck members during assembly. Preferably, each of the extension members is having an upper surface provided with a rim, at least one side wali, a bottom surface provided with a rim and a locking slot. In this preferred embodiment, the locking slot is preferably extended from the upper surface of the extension member to the bottom surface of the extension member and is configured to be mutually aligned with the corresponding passage of the upper and lower deck members so as to form a receiving channel to readily receive the insertion of the interlocking unit.

Preferably, the extension member of this preferred embodiment is further provided with at least one protruding sleeve integrally extended outwardly from the circumferential wall of the locking slot of the extension member. In this preferred embodiment, the inner circumferential surface of the passage proximate the base of the supporting member of each of the upper and lower deck members is further provided with at least one complementary formed dent to readily receive the protruding sleeve of the extension member when the extension member is sandwiched between the corresponding deck members during assembly. Preferably, an inner perimeter of the rim of the upper and bottom surfaces of the extension member is further provided with at least one projection. In this preferred embodiment, the projection of the extension member is firmly placed against an inner side wall of the supporting members of the corresponding deck members when the rim of the extension member is in surface contact with the edge of the base of the supporting members of the corresponding deck members during assembly.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pallet assembly comprises an upper deck member, a lower deck member, a plurality of interlocking units and a plurality of locking means. In this preferred embodiment, each of the upper and lower deck members is having a load bearing surface, a bottom surface and a plurality of supporting members distributed on the bottom surface of the deck member. Each of the supporting members of the deck members of this present invention is having at least one side wall integrally extended from the bottom surface of the deck member and formed a base provided with an edge. In this preferred embodiment, the side wall of the supporting member of the upper and lower deck members is provided with at least one orifice.

In accordance with this preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the upper and lower deck members is provided with at least one passage extended δ upwardly from the base of the supporting member to the load bearing surface of the deck members. In this preferred embodiment, an indentation is formed around the inner circumferential surface of the passage proximate the load bearing surface of the upper and lower deck members. It should be noted that when the upper deck member is engaged with the corresponding lower deck member, the passage of the upper deck member is mutually aligned with the corresponding passage of the lower deck member so as to form a receiving hole to readily receive the insertion of the interlocking unit.

In this preferred embodiment, each of the interlocking units comprises a first member and a second member. Each of the first and second members is having a head section and a body. In this preferred embodiment, the body of each of the members of the interlocking unit is provided with at least one perforation corresponds to the orifice of the supporting member of the upper and lower deck members. It should be noted that the perforation of the first and second member of the interlocking unit is configured to be mutually aligned with the corresponding orifice of the upper and lower deck members after the interlocking unit is completely inserted into the receiving hole of the adjoined deck members so as to readily receive the insertion of the locking means.

In this preferred embodiment, the pallet assembly is provided with a plurality of extension members. It will be appreciated that the extension member is configured to be sandwiched between the supporting members of the upper and lower deck members during assembly. Preferably, each of the extension members is having an upper surface provided with a rim, at least one side wall, a bottom surface provided with a rim and a locking slot. In this preferred embodiment, the locking slot is preferably extended from the upper surface of the extension member to the bottom surface of the extension member and is configured to be mutually aligned with the corresponding passage of the upper and lower deck members so as to form a receiving channel to readily receive the insertion of the interlocking unit. If desired, the side wall of the extension member of this preferred embodiment can be further provided with at least one aperture and the body of the first and second members of the interlocking unit is further provided with at least one opening corresponds to the aperture of the extension member. It should be noted that the aperture of the extension member is configured to be mutually aligned with the corresponding opening of the first and second members of the interlocking unit so as to readily the insertion of the locking means, thereby further fortify the engagement between the deck members and the extension members. Preferably, the extension member of this preferred embodiment is further provided with at least one protruding sleeve integrally extended outwardly from the circumferential wall of the locking slot of the extension member. In this preferred embodiment, the inner circumferential surface of the passage proximate the base of the supporting member of each of the upper and lower deck members is further provided with at least one complementary formed dent to readily receive the protruding sleeve of the extension member when the extension member is sandwiched between the corresponding deck members during assembly.

Preferably, an inner perimeter of the rim of the upper and bottom surfaces of the extension member is further provided with at least one projection. In this preferred embodiment, the projection of the extension member is firmly placed against an inner side wall of the supporting members of the corresponding deck members when the rim of the extension member is in surface contact with the edge of the base of the supporting members of the corresponding deck members during assembly.

The present invention consists of several novel features and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described and illustrated in the accompanying description and drawings, it being understood that various changes in the details may be made without departing from the scope of the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a pallet assembly in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded bottom perspective view of deck members of the pallet assembly in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an assembled pallet assembly in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the pallet assembly in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 5a and 5b illustrate the front perspective views of different variants of interlocking unit of the pallet assembly in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6a illustrates a front perspective view of an interlocking unit of the pallet assembly provided with male and female locking connectors in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6b illustrates a front view of an interlocking unit of the pallet assembly provided with male and female locking connectors in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates an enlarged exploded perspective view of the pallet assembly provided with extension member in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of an assembled pallet assembly provided with the extension member in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 9a illustrates a top perspective view of an extension member of the pallet assembly in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9b illustrates a bottom perspective view of an extension member of the pallet assembly in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9c illustrates a top perspective view of an extension member of the pallet assembly provided with protruding sleeve and projection in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 9d illustrates a bottom perspective view of an extension member of the pallet assembly provided with protruding sleeve and projection in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9e illustrates a top perspective view of another variant of extension member of the pallet assembly in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9f illustrates a bottom perspective view of yet another variant of extension member of the pallet assembly in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a cross section of the assembled pallet assembly provided with extension member in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates an enlarged exploded view of a pallet assembly provided with locking means in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 12a, 12b and 12c illustrate the front perspective views of different variants of interlocking unit provided with perforation and opening in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 13a illustrates a top perspective view of an assembled pallet assembly provided with reinforcing members positioned at the perimeter of the deck members in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13b illustrates a bottom perspective view of an assembled pallet assembly provided with reinforcing members positioned at the centre portion of the deck members in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 illustrates an enlarged exploded view of a pallet assembly in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 illustrates a perspective view of an interlocking unit of the pallet assembly of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 illustrates an enlarged exploded view of a pallet assembly in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 17 illustrates a perspective view of an interlocking unit of the pallet assembly of FIG. 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to a pallet assembly for storage and loading of goods. More particularly, a pallet assembly with an improved interlocking structure and is readily configurable into desirable height. Hereinafter, this specification will describe the present invention according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, it is to be understood that limiting the description to the preferred embodiments of the invention is merely to facilitate discussion of the present invention and it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications and equivalents without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

The pallet assembly for storage and loading of goods according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in accordance to the accompanying drawings FIGS. 1 to 17, either individually or in any combination thereof.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, illustrate therein is a pallet assembly 1 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The pallet assembly 1 comprises an upper deck member 100, a lower deck member 300 and a plurality of interlocking units 400. Preferably, the upper deck member 100 and the lower deck member 300 are identically formed. In the preferred embodiment, each of the upper and lower deck members 100, 300 is having a load bearing surface 110, 310, a bottom surface 130, 330 and a plurality of spaced apart supporting members 150, 350 uniformly distributed on the bottom surface 130, 330 of the deck member 100, 300 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Preferably, the load bearing surface 110, 310 of the deck member 100, 300 of the present invention is a smooth surface so as to provide a level and intact surface for storage of relatively small items without the need of placing another material such as shelve or load protector pad. If desired, the load bearing surface 110, 310 of the deck member 100, 300 of the present invention can be in the form of perforation or meshes.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the supporting members 150, 350 of the deck member 100, 300 is having at least one side wall 151, 351 integrally extended from the bottom surface 30, 330 of the deck member 100, 300 and formed a base 153, 353 provided with an edge 153a, 353a. It should be noted that the base 153, 353 of the supporting member 150, 350 of the deck member 100, 300 can be made of solid surface or lattice frameworks. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the upper and lower deck members 100, 300 is provided with at least one passage 170, 370. Preferably, the passage 170, 370 is extended upwardly from the base 153, 353 of the supporting member 150, 350 to the load bearing surface 110, 310 of the deck members 100, 300. If desired, each or a number of the supporting members 150, 350 of the deck members 00, 300 can be provided with at least two passages 170, 370 extended upwardly from the base 153, 353 of the supporting member 150, 350 to the load bearing surface 110, 310 of the deck members 100, 300 as illustrated in FIGS. 13a and 13b. In the preferred embodiment, an indentation 171, 371 is formed around the inner circumferential surface of the passage 170, 370 proximate the load bearing surface 110, 310 of the upper and lower deck members 100, 300. It will be appreciated that when the base 153 of the supporting member 150 of the upper deck member 100 is in surface contact with the base 353 of the supporting member 350 of the lower deck member 300, the passage 170 of the upper deck member 100 is mutually aligned with the corresponding passage 370 of the lower deck member 300 so as to form a receiving hole to readily receive the insertion of the interlocking unit 400.

If desired, each of the passages 370 of the lower deck member 300 can be further provided with at least one appendage 375 integrally protruding outwardly from the circumferential wall of the passage 370 proximate the base 353 of the lower deck member 300 and each of the passages 170 proximate the base 153 of the corresponding upper deck member 100 is further provided with at least one recess (not shown) corresponds to the appendage 375 of the lower deck member 300 or vice versa as illustrated in FIG. 4. It will be appreciated that the appendage 375 of the upper deck member 300 is configured to be snug-fitted into the complementary recess (not shown) of the corresponding upper deck member 100 or vice versa during assembly, thereby further secure the engagement of the deck members 100, 300.

In the preferred embodiment, each of the interlocking units 400 comprises a first member 410 and a second member 430 as illustrated in FIG. 5a. Each of the first and second members 410, 430 is having a head section 411 , 431 and a hollow body 413, 433. The hollow body 413, 433 of the first and second members 410, 430 of the interlocking unit 400 is preferably integrally extended from the head section 411 , 431 of the members 410, 430 of the interlocking unit 400. Preferably, the diameter of the hollow body 433 of the second member 430 of the interlocking unit 400 is wider than the diameter of the hollow body 413 of the first member 410 of the interlocking unit 400 so as to suitably accommodate the hollow body 413 of the first member 410 when the hollow body 413 of the first member 410 is snap-fitted into the hollow body 433 of the second member 430. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second member 430 of the interlocking unit 400 is provided with a radially extending contractible retaining means 435 preferably positioned at the lower end of the hollow body 433 of the second member 430. It will be appreciated that the contractible retaining means 435 of the second member 430 of the interlocking unit 400 is configured to aptly clasp on the corresponding indentation 171, 371 of the deck member 170, 370 so as to interlock the deck members 100, 300. Preferably, the second member 430 of the interlocking unit 400 is first inserted into the receiving hole as defined bythe mutually aligned passages 170, 370 of the adjoined upper and lower deck members 100, 300 and subsequently followed bythe insertion of the first member 410 into the hollow body 413 of the second member 430 of the interlocking unit 400. It should be noted that the head section 411 of the first member 410 is configured to aptly sit on the contractible retaining means 435 of the second member 430 of the interlocking unit 400 so as to prevent the contractible retaining means 435 of the second member 430 from being dislodged from the corresponding indentation 171, 371 of the deck member 170, 370, thereby securely interlock the engagement between the deck members 100, 300.

It will be appreciated that the second member 430 of the interlocking unit 400 can be inserted through the receiving hole of the adjoined deck members 100, 300 either from the lower deck member 300 or from the upper deck member 100. Accordingly, if the second member 430 of the interlocking unit 400 is inserted through the receiving hole of the adjoined deck members 100, 300 from the lower deck member 300, the contractible retaining means 435 of the second member 430 of the interlocking unit 400 is aptly clasped on the indentation 171 of the passage 170 of the upper deck member 100. In the same manner, if the second member 430 of the interlocking unit 400 is inserted through the receiving hole of the deck members 100, 300 from the upper deck member 100, the contractible retaining means 435 of the second member 430 of the interlocking unit 400 is aptly clasped on the indentation 371 of the passage 370 of the lower deck member 300. By way of example but not limitation, the contractible retaining means 435 is preferably a contractible retaining flange or the like.

It will be further appreciated that the indentation 171, 371 of the passage 170, 370 of the upper and lower deck members 100, 300 is also configured to detain the head section 431 of the second member 430 of the interlocking unit 400 after the second member 430 is inserted through the receiving hole of the adjoined deck members 100, 300. Accordingly, the head section 431 of the second member 430 is held on the indentation 371 of the passage 370 of the lower deck member 300 if the second member 430 is inserted through the receiving hole of the adjoined deck members 100, 300 from the lower deck member 300. In the same manner, the head section 431 of the second member 430 is held on the indentation 171 of the passage 170 of the upper deck member 100 if the second member 430 of the interlocking unit 400 is inserted through the receiving hole of the adjoined deck members 100, 300 from the upper deck member 100.

Although the second member 430 of the interlocking unit 400 of the preferred embodiment is shown to have wider diameter so as to suitably accommodate the hollow body 413 of the first member 410 and is provided with a contractible retaining means 435 to aptly clasp on the indentation 171 or 371 of the passage 170 or 370 of the deck member 100 or 300, it should be noted that the hollow body 413 of the first member 410 can be configured to have wider diameter and is provided with a contractible retaining means instead. Accordingly, the contractible retaining means of the first member 410 is configured to aptly clasp on the corresponding indentation 171 or 371 of the passage 170 or 370 of the deck member 100 or 300 and the hollow body 433 of the second member 430 is configured to be snap-fitted into the hollow body 413 of the first member 410 in the same manner as described above and the description is not repeated here.

Referring to FIGS. 6a and 6b, the hollow body 413 of the first member 410 of the interlocking unit 400 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is further provided with at least one male locking connector 413b. Correspondingly, the hollow body 433 of the second member 430 of the interlocking unit 400 is further provided with at least one female locking connector 433b to matingly engage with the corresponding male locking connector 413b of the first member 410 of the interlocking unit 400 after the first member 410 of the interlocking unit 400 is snap-fitted into the hollow body 433 of the second member 433 of the interlocking unit 400. Preferably, the hollow body 413 of the first member 510 of the interlocking unit 400 is further provided with at least one ridge 413c and the hollow body 433 of the second member 430 of the interlocking unit 400 is further provided with at least one complementary formed groove 433c to suitably match and mate with the corresponding ridge 413c of the first member 410 of the interlocking unit 400 as illustrated in FIGS. 6a and 6b. Preferably, the ridge 413c is positioned apart from the male locking connector 413b of the first member 410 of the interlocking unit 400. It will be appreciated that the ridge 413c of the first member 410 is configured to slideably engage with the complementary formed groove 433c of the second member 430 so as to guide the male locking connector 413b of the first member 410 of the interlocking unit 400 to interlockably engage with the female interlocking connector 433b of the second member 430 of the interlocking unit 400 after the first member 410 of the interlocking unit 400 is inserted into the hollow body 433 of the second member 433 of the interlocking unit 400. By way of example but not limitation, the male locking connector 413b of the preferred embodiment is preferably a retractable locking tongue or the like and the corresponding female locking connector 433b is preferably a locking notch or the like.

It should be noted that although the first member 410 of the interlocking unit 400 of the present invention is preferably configured to have a shorter length as compared to the second member 430 of interlocking unit 400 as illustrated in FIG. 5a, the first and second members 410, 430 of the interlocking unit 400 of the present invention can also be configured to have equal length as illustrated in FIG. 5b, if desired.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pallet assembly 1 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is provided with a plurality of extension members 700. It will be appreciated that the extension member 700 is configured to be sandwiched between the supporting members 150, 350 of the corresponding upper and lower deck members 100, 300 during assembly so as to increase the overall height of the pallet assembly 1 as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, thereby increasing the distance between the goods retained on the load bearing surface 110 or 310 of the deck member 100 or 300 and the surface of floor.

In the preferred embodiment, each of the extension members 700 comprises an upper surface 710 provided with a rim 711, at least one side wall 730, a bottom surface 750 provided with a rim 751 and a locking slot 770 as illustrated in FIGS. 9a and 9b. It should be noted that the upper surface 710 and the bottom surface 750 of the extension member 700 can be made of solid surface or lattice frameworks. Preferably, the locking slot 770 is extended from the upper surface 710 of the extension member 700 to the bottom surface 750 of the extension member 700. It will be appreciated that the locking slot 770 of the extension member 700 is configured to be mutually aligned with the passages 170, 370 of the corresponding deck members 100, 300 when the upper surface 710 of the extension member 700 is in surface contact with the base 153 of the supporting member 150 of the upper deck member 100 and the bottom surface 750 of the extension member 700 is in surface contact with the base 353 of the supporting member 350 of the lower deck member 300 so as to form a receiving channel to readily receive the insertion of the interlocking unit 400, thereby securely interlock the engagement between the deck members 100, 300 and the extension members 700. It should be noted that the second member 430 of the interlocking unit 400 can be inserted through the receiving channel either from the lower deck member 300 or from the upper deck member 100. Accordingly, if the second member 430 of the interlocking unit 400 is inserted through the receiving channel of the adjoined deck members 100, 300 and extension member 700 from the lower deck member 300, the contractible retaining means 535 of the second member 430 of the interlocking unit 400 is aptly clasped on the indentation 171 of the passage 170 of the upper deck member 100. In the same manner, if the second member 430 of the interlocking unit 400 is inserted through the receiving channel of the adjoined deck members 100, 300 and extension member 700 from the upper deck member 100, the contractible retaining means 435 of the second member 430 of the interlocking unit 400 is aptly clasped on the indentation 371 of the passage 370 of the lower deck member 300. It should be noted that the interlocking unit 400 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention can be in any length deemed suitable to interlock the pallet assembly 1 provided with or without the extension member 700. As illustrated in FIGS. 9c to 9f, the extension member 700 of the preferred embodiment of the preferred invention is further provided with at least one protruding sleeve 771 integrally extended outwardly from the circumferential wall of the locking slot 770 of the extension member 700 and each of the upper and lower deck members 100, 300 is further provided with at least one dent 173, 373 corresponds to the protruding sleeve 771 of the extension member 700. Preferably, the complementary formed dent 173, 373 of the upper and lower deck members 100, 300 is formed around the inner circumferential surface of the passage 170, 370 proximate the base 153, 353 of the supporting member 150, 350 of the upper and lower deck members 100, 300 as illustrated in FIG. 10. It will be appreciated that when the extension member 700 is sandwiched between the corresponding deck members 100, 300 during assembly, the protruding sleeve 771 of the extension member 700 is snap-fitted into the corresponding dent 173, 373 of the deck members 100, 300 so as to strengthen the engagement between the deck members 100, 300 and the extension member 700. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the extension member 700 is further provided with at least one projection 712, 752 integrally extended from an inner perimeter of the rim 711, 751 of the upper and bottom surfaces 710, 750 of the extension member 700 as illustrated in FIGS.9c to 9f. In the preferred embodiment, the projection 712, 752 of the extension member 700 is configured to be firmly placed against an inner side wall of the supporting members 150, 350 of the deck members 100, 300 when the rim 711, 751 of the extension member 700 is in surface contact with the edge 153a, 353a of the base 153, 353 of the supporting member 150, 350 after the extension member 700 is sandwiched between the supporting member 150, 350 of the corresponding upper and lower deck members 100, 300 so as to prevent the extension member 700 from being dislodged during assembly.

It should be noted that in the embodiment of the base of the supporting member 150, 350 is made of lattice frameworks, the projection 712, 752 of the extension member 700 can be further provided with a plurality of notch 712a, 752a as illustrated in FIG. 9f. In this preferred embodiment, the notch 712a, 752a of the projection 712, 752 of the extension member 700 is configured to be fitted into the lattice frameworks of the supporting member 150, 350 of the deck member 100, 300 when the extension member 700 is sandwiched between the corresponding upper and lower deck members 100, 300.

In the preferred embodiment, the pallet assembly is further provided with a plurality of locking means 900 as illustrated in FIG. 11. Preferably, the side wall 151, 351 of the supporting member 150, 350 of the upper and lower deck members 100, 300 is further provided with at least one orifice 151a, 351a and the hollow body 413, 433 of the first and second members 410, 430 of the interlocking unit 400 is further provided with at least one perforation 413a, 433a corresponds to the orifice 151a, 351a of the side wall 151, 351 of supporting member 150, 350 of the deck members 100, 300 as illustrated in FIGS. 12a and 12b. It will be appreciated that the orifice 151a, 351a of the side wall 151, 351 of the supporting member 150, 350 of the deck members 100, 300 is configured to be mutually aligned with the corresponding perforations 413a, 433a of the first and second members 410, 430 of the interlocking unit 400 after the interlocking unit 400 is completely inserted into the receiving hole of the adjoined deck members 100, 300 so as to readily receive the insertion of the locking means 900, thereby further fortify the engagement between the upper deck member 100 and the lower deck member 300. By way of example but not limitation, the locking means 900 may be pins, bolts or the like. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the extension member 700 is further provided with at least one aperture 731 on the side wall 730 as illustrated in FIG. 11. It should be noted that in this preferred embodiment, the hollow body 413, 433 of the first and second member 410, 430 of the interlocking unit 400 is further provided with at least one complementary formed opening 413d, 433d as illustrated in FIG. 12c. It will be appreciated that when the interlocking unit 400 is completely inserted into the receiving channel as defined by the aligned passages 170, 370 of the deck members 100, 300 and the locking slot 770 of the extension member 700, the aperture 731 of the extension member 700 is mutually aligned with the opening 413d, 433d of the hollow body 413, 433 of the first and second members 410, 430 of the interlocking unit 400 so as to readily receive the insertion of the locking means 900, thereby further strengthen the engagement between the deck members 100, 300 and the extension members 700. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the deck members 00, 300 is further provided with at least one reinforcement member 800 so as to reinforce the strength of the deck members 100, 300 for supporting different loads. Preferably, the reinforcement member 800 is integrally moulded with the deck members 100, 300 and positioned proximate the perimeter of the deck members 100, 300 as illustrated in FIG. 3a. If desired, the reinforcement member 800 can be positioned at the centre portion of the deck member as illustrated in FIG. 13b. By way of example but not limitation, the reinforcement member 800 is preferably a metal bar, a steel bar or the like. Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, illustrated therein are the elements or parts of the pallet assembly 1 in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that some of these elements or parts have been described hereinabove. Thus, same reference numbers and figures of the previously described embodiments will be used in the following descriptions for the parts or elements of the pallet assembly 1 of this preferred embodiment.

In this preferred embodiment, the pallet assembly 1 comprises an upper deck member 100, a lower deck member 300 and a plurality of interlocking units 500. Preferably, the upper deck member 100 and the lower deck member 300 are identically formed. In this preferred embodiment, each of the upper and lower deck members 100, 300 is having a load bearing surface 110, 310, a bottom surface 130, 330 and a plurality of spaced apart supporting members 150, 350 uniformly distributed on the bottom surface 130, 330 of the deck member 100, 300. In this preferred embodiment, each of the supporting members 150, 350 of the deck member 100, 300 is having at least one side wall 151 , 351 integrally extended from the bottom surface 130, 330 of the deck member 100, 300 and formed a base 153, 353 provided with an edge 153a, 353a. It should be noted that the base 153, 353 of the supporting member 150, 350 of the deck member 100, 300 can be made of solid surface or lattice frameworks. In accordance with this preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the upper and lower deck members 100, 300 is provided with at least one passage 170, 370. Preferably, the passage 170, 370 is extended upwardly from the base 153, 353 of the supporting member 150, 350 to the load bearing surface 110, 310 of the deck members 100, 300. In this preferred embodiment, an indentation 171, 371 is formed around the inner circumferential surface of the passage 170, 370 proximate the load bearing surface 110, 310 of the upper and lower deck members 100, 300. It will be appreciated that when the base 153 of the supporting member 150 of the upper deck member 100 is in surface contact with the base 353 of the supporting member 350 of the corresponding lower deck member 300, the passage 170 of the upper deck member 100 is mutually aligned with the corresponding passage 370 of the lower deck member 300 so as to form a receiving hole to readily receive the insertion of the interlocking unit 500.

In this preferred embodiment, each of the interlocking units 500 comprises a first member 510 and a second member 530. Preferably, the first member 510 and the second member 530 are identically formed. Each of the first and second members 510, 530 is having a head section 511, 531 and a body 513, 533. The body 513, 533 of the members 510, 530 of the interlocking unit 500 is preferably integrally extended from the head section 511, 531 of the members 510, 530 of the interlocking unit 500. In this preferred embodiment, each of the members 510, 530 of the interlocking unit 500 is provided with a coupling means 515, 535 integrally extended from the lower end of the body 513, 533 of the first and second members 510, 530. It should be noted that the coupling means 515 of the first member 510 is configured to matingly engage with the coupling means 535 of the second member 530 after the first and second members 510, 530 are inserted into the receiving hole as defined by the mutually aligned passages 170, 370 of the adjoined upper and lower deck members 100, 300 in an opposite direction so as to securely interlock the engagement between the deck members 100, 300. It will be appreciated that the indentation 171, 371 of the passage 170, 370 of the upper and lower deck members 100, 300 is configured to detain the head sections 511 , 531 of the members 510, 530 of the interlocking unit 500 after the members 510, 530 are inserted through the receiving hole of the adjoining deck members. By way of example but not limitation, the coupling means is preferably a L- Shaped flange or hook-shaped flange or the like. In this preferred embodiment, the pallet assembly is provided with a plurality of extension members 700 as illustrated in FIGS. 9a to 9f. It will be appreciated that the extension member 700 is configured to be sandwiched between the supporting members 150, 350 of the upper and lower deck members 100, 300 during assembly so as to increase the overall height of the pallet assembly 1. In this preferred embodiment, each of the extension members 700 comprises an upper surface 710 provided with a rim 711 , at least one side wall 730, a bottom surface 750 provided with a rim 751 and a locking slot 770. It should be noted that the upper surface 710 and the bottom surface 750 of the extension member 700 can be made of solid surface or lattice frameworks. Preferably, the locking slot 770 is extended from the upper surface 710 of the extension member 700 to the bottom surface 750 of the extension member 700. It will be appreciated that the locking slot 770 of the extension member 700 is configured to be mutually aligned with the passages 170, 370 of the corresponding deck members 100, 300 when the upper surface 710 of the extension member 700 is in surface contact with the base 153 of the supporting member 150 of the upper deck member 100 and the bottom surface 750 of the extension member 700 is in surface contact with the base 353 of the supporting member 350 of the lower deck member 300 so as to form a receiving channel to readily receive the insertion of the interlocking unit 500.

It should be noted that the interlocking unit 500 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention can be in any length deemed suitable to interlock the pallet assembly 1 provided with or without the extension member 700. In this preferred embodiment, the extension member 700 is further provided with at least one protruding sleeve 771 integrally extended outwardly from the circumferential wall of the locking slot 770 of the extension member 700 and each of the upper and lower deck members 100, 300 is further provided with at least one dent 173, 373 corresponds to the protruding sleeve 771 of the extension member 700. Preferably, the complementary formed dent 73, 373 of the upper and lower deck members 100, 300 is formed around the inner circumferential surface of the passage 170, 370 proximate the base 153, 353 of the supporting member 150, 350 of the upper and lower deck members 100, 300. It will be appreciated that when the extension member 700 is sandwiched between the deck members 100, 300 during assembly, the protruding sleeve 771 of the extension member 700 is snap-fitted into the corresponding dent 173, 373 of the deck members 100, 300 so as to strengthen the engagement between the deck members 100, 300 and the extension member 700. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the extension member 700 is further provided with at least one projection 712, 752 integrally extended from an inner perimeter of the rim 711, 751 of the upper and bottom surfaces 710, 750 of the extension member 700 as illustrated in FIGS.9c to 9f. In this preferred embodiment, the projection 712, 752 of the extension member 700 is configured to be firmly placed against an inner side wall of the supporting members 150, 350 of the deck members 100, 300 when the rim 711, 751 of the extension member 700 is in surface contact with the edge 153a, 353a of the base 153, 353 of the supporting member 150, 350 after the extension member 700 is sandwiched between the supporting member 150, 350 of the corresponding upper and lower deck members 100, 300 so as to prevent the extension member 700 from being dislodged during assembly.

It should be noted that in the embodiment of the base of the supporting member 150, 350 is made of lattice frameworks, the projection 712, 752 of the extension member 700 can be further provided with a plurality of notch 712a, 752a as illustrated in FIG. 9f. In this preferred embodiment, the notch 712a, 752a of the projection 712, 752 of the extension member 700 is configured to be fitted into the lattice frameworks of the supporting member 150, 350 of the deck member 100, 300 when the extension member 700 is sandwiched between the corresponding upper and lower deck members 100, 300.

Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, illustrated therein are the elements or parts of the pallet assembly 1 in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that some of these elements or parts have been described hereinabove. Thus, same reference numbers and figures of the previously described embodiments will be used in the following descriptions for the parts or elements of the pallet assembly 1 of this preferred embodiment. In this preferred embodiment, the pallet assembly 1 comprises an upper deck member 100, a lower deck member 300, a plurality of interlocking units 600 and a plurality of locking means 900. Preferably, the upper deck member 100 and the lower deck member 300 are identically formed. In this preferred embodiment, each of the upper and lower deck members 100, 300 is having a load bearing surface 110, 310, a bottom surface 130, 330 and a plurality of spaced apart supporting members 150, 350 uniformly distributed on the bottom surface 130, 330 of the deck member 100, 300. In this preferred embodiment, each of the supporting members 150, 350 of the deck member 100, 300 is having at least one side wall 151, 351 integrally extended from the bottom surface 130, 330 of the deck member 100, 300 and formed a base 153, 353 provided with an edge 153a, 353a. It should be noted that the base 153, 353 of the supporting member 150, 350 of the deck member 100, 300 can be made of solid surface or lattice frameworks. In accordance with this preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the upper and lower deck members 100, 300 is provided with at least one passage 170, 370. Preferably, the passage 170, 370 is extended upwardly from the base 153, 353 of the supporting member 150, 350 to the load bearing surface 110, 310 of the deck members 100, 300. In this preferred embodiment, an indentation 171 , 371 is formed around the inner circumferential surface of the passage 170, 370 proximate the load bearing surface 110, 310 of the upper and lower deck members 100, 300. It will be appreciated that when the base 153 of the supporting member 150 of the upper deck member 100 is in surface contact with the base 353 of the supporting member 350 of the corresponding lower deck member 300, the passage 170 of the upper deck member 100 is mutually aligned with the corresponding passage 370 of the lower deck member 300 so as to form a receiving hole to readily receive the insertion of the interlocking unit 600. It should be noted that the side wall 151 , 351 of the supporting member 150, 350 of the upper and lower deck members 100, 300 of this preferred embodiment is provided with at least one orifice 151a, 351a. In this preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the interlocking units 600 comprises a first member 610 and a second member 630. Preferably, the first member 610 and the second member 630 are identically formed. Each of the first and second members 610, 630 is having a head section 611 , 631 and a body 613, 633. The body 613, 633 of each of the members 610, 630 of the interlocking unit 600 is preferably integrally extended from the head section 611, 631 of the member 610, 630 of the interlocking unit 600. in this preferred embodiment, the body 613, 633 of each of the members 610, 630 is provided with at least one perforation 613a, 633a corresponds to the orifice 151a, 351a of the supporting member 150, 350 of the upper and lower deck members 100, 300. Accordingly, the orifice 151a, 351a of the supporting member 150, 350 of the upper and lower deck members 100, 300 is mutually aligned with the corresponding perforation 613a, 633a of the first and second member 610, 630 of the interlocking unit 600 after the interlocking unit 600 is completely inserted into the receiving hole of the adjoined deck members 100, 300 so as to readily receive the insertion of the locking means 900. By way of example but not limitation, the locking means may be preferably pins, bolts or the like.

In this preferred embodiment, the pallet assembly is provided with a plurality of extension members 700 as illustrated in FIGS. 9a to 9f. It will be appreciated that the extension member 700 is configured to be sandwiched between the supporting members 150, 350 of the upper and lower deck members 100, 300 during assembly so as to increase the overall height of the pallet assembly 1. In this preferred embodiment, each of the extension members 700 comprises an upper surface 710 provided with a rim 711 , at least one side wall 730, a bottom surface 750 provided with a rim 751 and a locking slot 770. Preferably, the locking slot 770 is extended from the upper surface 710 of the extension member 700 to the bottom surface 750 of the extension member 700. It should be noted that the upper surface 710 and the bottom surface 750 of the extension member 700 can be made of solid surface or lattice frameworks. It will be appreciated that the locking slot 770 of the extension member 700 is configured to be mutually aligned with the passages 170, 370 of the corresponding deck members 100, 300 when the upper surface 710 of the extension member 700 is in surface contact with the base 153 of the supporting member 150 of the upper deck member 100 and the bottom surface 750 of the extension member 700 is in surface contact with the base 353 of the supporting member 350 of the lower deck member 300 so as to form a receiving channel to readily receive the insertion of the interlocking unit 600. It should be noted that the interlocking unit 600 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention can be in any length deemed suitable to interlock the pallet assembly 1 provided with or without the extension member 700. In this preferred embodiment, the extension member 700 is further provided with at least one aperture 731 on the side wall 730. It should be noted that the body 613, 633 of the first and second member 610, 630 of the interlocking unit 600 is further provided with at least one complementary formed opening 613d, 633d. It will be appreciated that when the interlocking unit 600 is completely inserted into the receiving channel as defined by the aligned passages 170, 370 of the deck members 100, 300 and the locking slot 770 of the extension member 700, the aperture 731 of the extension member 700 is mutually aligned with the opening 613d, 633d of the body 613, 633 of the first and second members 610, 630 of the interlocking unit 600 so as to readily receive the insertion of the locking means 900, thereby further fortify the engagement between the deck members 100, 300 and the extension members 700.

In this preferred embodiment, the extension member 700 is further provided with at least one protruding sleeve 771 integrally extended outwardly from the circumferential wall of the locking slot 770 of the extension member 700 and each of the upper and lower deck members 100, 300 is further provided with at least one dent 173, 373 corresponds to the protruding sleeve 771 of the extension member 700. Preferably, the complementary formed dent 173, 373 of the upper and lower deck members 100, 300 is formed around the inner circumferential surface of the passage 170, 370 proximate the base 153, 353 of the supporting member 150, 350 of the upper and lower deck members 100, 300. It will be appreciated that when the extension member 700 is sandwiched between the deck members 100, 300 during assembly, the protruding sleeve 771 of the extension member 700 is snap-fitted into the corresponding dent 173, 373 of the deck members 100, 300 so as to strengthen the engagement between the deck members 100, 300 and the extension member 700.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the extension member 700 is further provided with at least one projection 712, 752 integrally extended from an inner perimeter of the rim 711 , 751 of the upper and bottom surfaces 710, 750 of the extension member 700 as illustrated in FIGS. 9c to 9f. In the preferred embodiment, the projection 712, 752 of the extension member 700 is configured to be firmly placed against an inner side wall of the supporting members 150, 350 of the deck members 100, 300 when the rim 711, 751 of the extension member 700 is in surface contact with the edge 153a, 353a of the base 153, 353 of the supporting member 150, 350 after the extension member 700 is sandwiched between the corresponding members 150, 350 of the corresponding upper and lower deck members 100, 300 so as to prevent the extension member 700 from being dislodged during assembly. It should be noted that in the embodiment of the base of the supporting member 150, 350 is made of lattice frameworks, the projection 712, 752 of the extension member 700 can be further provided with a plurality of notch 712a, 752a as illustrated in FIG. 9f. In this preferred embodiment, the notch 712a, 752a of the projection 712, 752 of the extension member 700 is configured to be fitted into the lattice frameworks of the supporting member 150, 350 of the deck member 100, 300 when the extension member 700 is sandwiched between the upper and lower deck members 100, 300.

By way of example but not limitation, the component parts of the pallet assembly 1 of the preferred embodiments of the present invention such as the deck members 100, 300 and extension member 700 may be formed from polycarbonate or other synthetic polymer or plastic material.

It should be noted that configurations of various parts, elements and/or members used to carry out the above-mentioned embodiments are illustrative and exemplary only. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that those configurations, parts, elements and/or members used herein may be altered in a manner so as to obtain different effects or desired operating characteristics. Other combinations and/or modifications of the above-described configurations, arrangements, structures, applications, functions or components used in the practice of the present invention, in addition to those not specifically recited, may be varied or otherwise particularly adapted to specific environments and conditions, manufacturing specifications, design parameters or other operating requirements without departing from the general principles of the same. The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the principle and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would obvious to one skilled in the art intended to be included within the scope of following claims.