A PALLET

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a pallet. In particular, the invention relates to a modular plastic pallet used for the transportation of goods and therefore will be described in this context. However, it would be appreciated that the pallet may be used for other applications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Pallets are used throughout the world for the efficient and effective movement of goods. Organizations using standard pallets for loading and unloading can have much lower costs for handling and storage, and hence their popularity. Approximately one billion pallets are made each year and about two billion pallets are in use across the United States alone with most of these pallets being made from wood.

[0003] Pallets enable transportation equipment to lift and move the pallets which often carry heavy loads. A popular type of transportation equipment used to carry pallets are forklift trucks. The tines of the forklift are located within openings of the pallets to allow the pallets to be lifted and moved.

[0004] Unfortunately, wooden pallets are prone to damage largely through the misuse of forklift operators. Forklift tines are frequently hit the sides of the pallet damaging stringers or deck boards. Forklift tines are often not placed far enough into the pallet causing an uneven force to be imparted on the pallet when lifting the pallet causing the nails to become dislodged or deck boards to break. Pallets are also regularly dropped from a height again causing damage to the pallet. Broken pallets are not easily repaired and often must be replaced.

[0005] Different materials, such as plastic and metal, have been used to produce pallets to address the issues of damage. The use of these alternate materials has been achieved with limited success. This is largely due to both the weight and cost of the pallet.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is an object of the invention to overcome and/or alleviate one or more of the above disadvantages and/or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In one form, although not necessarily the only or broadest form, the invention resides in a pallet including: a multiplicity of structural elements that form a base and a platform, the base having at least two openings; each structural element having at least one complementary engagement portion; wherein each structural element is joined to at least one other structural element using their respective complementary engagement portions.

[0008] Normally at least one of the structural elements has at least two complementary engagement portions, wherein the at least one structural element is joined to at least two other structural elements using their respective complementary engagement portions.

[0009] Preferably each structural member has at least two complementary engagement portions, wherein each structural element is joined to at least two other structural elements using their respective complementary engagement portions.

[0010] A complementary engagement portion on one structural element may be engaged with a complementary engagement portion on another structural element by sliding, tilting, pivoting and/or rotating one structural element relative to another structural element. [0011] A complementary engagement portion on one structural element maybe engaged with a complementary engagement portion on another structural element with one complementary engagement portion being male and the other complementary engagement portion being female.

[0012] One or more pins may be located through two adjacent structural elements to prevent sliding, tilting, pivoting and/or rotating of one structural element relative to another structural element.

[0013] The base may have four openings, six openings or eight openings. Preferably the base has eight openings.

[0014] The base is typically formed from two side structural elements. The base may also include two end structural elements. The base may also include a central structural element. The central structural element may be located between and parallel to the two side structural elements.

[0015] The platform may be formed from one or more deck structural elements. Typically, the platform is formed from a plurality of deck structural elements.

Normally there are at least three, four, five or six deck structural elements. Preferably there are three deck structural elements.

[0016] A deck structural element may be joined to an adjacent deck structural element using respective complementary engagement portions.

[0017] A deck structural element may be joined to a side structural element using respective complementary engagement portions.

[0018] A deck structural element may be joined to an end structural element using respective complementary engagement portions.

[0019] A deck structural element may be joined to a central structural element using respective complementary engagement portions. [0020] A side structural element may be joined to an end structural element using respective complementary engagement portions.

[0021] A central structural element may be joined to an end structural element using respective complementary engagement portions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0023] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a modular pallet according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0024] Figure 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the modular pallet of Figure 1.

[0025] Figure 3A to 3J show sequential perspective views of the modular pallet being assembled from structural elements as shown in Figure 2 to constructed as shown in Figure 1.

[0026] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a modular pallet according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0027] Figure 5 shows an exploded perspective view of the modular pallet of Figure 1.

[0028] Figure 6A to 6E show sequential perspective views of the modular pallet being assembled from structural elements as shown in Figure 2 to constructed as shown in Figure 1.

[0029] Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a modular pallet according to a first embodiment of the invention; [0030] Figure 8 shows an exploded perspective view of the modular pallet of Figure 1.

[0031] Figure 9A to 9F show sequential perspective views of the modular pallet being assembled from structural elements as shown in Figure 2 to constructed as shown in Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0032] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a pallet 10 constructed from a series of plastic injection-molded, modular structural elements 100. The pallet 10 includes a platform 11 attached to a base 12, with the base having eight external openings 13 for location of forklift tines.

[0033] Figure 2 shows the structural elements 100 that are used to construct the pallet 10 in more detail. The structural elements 100 include three deck structural elements 110, two side structural elements 120, two end structural elements 130 and a central structural element 140. The three deck structural elements 110 are used to produce the platform 11. The two side structural elements 120, two end structural elements 130 and a central structural element 140 are used to produce the base 12.

[0034] Each deck structural element 110 is formed from an elongate deck body 111. A first deck complementary engagement portion 112 is located on an underside of the deck body 111. The first deck complementary engagement portion 112 is used to attach the deck structural element 110 to the central structural element 140. The first complementary engagement portion 112 is formed from two L-shaped tongues (not shown) formed on an underside of the deck body 111 adjacent the middle of the deck body 111. A gap (not shown) is located between the underside of the deck body 111 and the tongues.

[0035] A second deck complementary engagement portion 113 is located adjacent each end of the deck body 111. The second deck complementary engagement portion 113 is used to attach the deck structural element 110 to the side structural element 120. The second deck complementary engagement portion 113 is formed from a deck groove 114 that extends laterally across the deck body 111.

[0036] A U-shaped spacer 115 is located on each side of the deck body 111 adjacent the middle of the deck body 111. One of the U-shaped spacers 115 is sized to fit within the other U-shaped spacer 115. The U-shaped spacers 115 assist in locating adjacent deck structural elements 110 in the correct location when located adjacent each other.

[0037] Each side structural element 120 includes a side element body 121 that has two side openings 122. A series of three first side complementary engagement portions 123 are located adjacent an upper corner of the side element body 121. Each first side complementary engagement portion 123 is used to attach the side structural element 120 to a deck structural element 110. The first side complementary engagement portion 123 is in the form of an aperture 124 located below a beam 125.

[0038] A second side complementary engagement portion 126 is located adjacent each end of the side element body 121 . The second side complementary engagement portion 126 is used to attach the side structural element 120 to an end structural element 130. The second side complementary engagement portion 126 is formed from a U-shaped recess 127 having a tapered side wall 128 and end wall 129. At one end of the side element body 121 , the U-shaped recess faces upwardly whilst at the opposite end the U-shaped recess faces downwardly.

[0039] Each end structural element 130 includes an end element body 131 that has two end openings 132. A first end complementary engagement portion 133 is located adjacent the middle of the end element body 131. The first end complementary engagement portion 133 is used to attach the end structural element 130 to the central structural element 140. The first end complementary engagement portion 133 is in the form of an internal hole 134 having a series of L-shaped channels 135 extending along the internal hole 134.

[0040] A second end complementary engagement portion 136 is located adjacent each end of the end element body 131. The second end complementary engagement portion 136 is used to attach the end structural element 130 to a side structural element 120. The second end complementary engagement portion 136 is formed from a projection 137 having a tapered side wall 138 and end wall 139. At one end of the side element body, the projection faces downwardly whilst at the opposite end the projection faces upwardly.

[0041] The central structural element 140 includes a central element body 141 that has two central openings 142. A series of first central complementary engagement portions 143 are located adjacent a top of the central element body 141. Each first central complementary engagement portion 143 is used to attach the central structural elements 140 to a deck structural element 110. The first central complementary engagement portion 143 is in the form of a pair of elevated cross-members 144 having a space 145 located under each of them.

[0042] A second central complementary engagement portion 146 is located adjacent each end of the central element body 141. The second central complementary engagement portion 146 is used to attach the central structural element 140 to an end structural element 130. The second central complementary engagement portion 146 is formed from a cylindrical protrusion 147 having a series of spaced apart tabs 148 located around the upper periphery of the cylindrical protrusion 147.

[0043] Figure 3A to 3J show how the pallet 10 is created from the structural elements 100. Figure 3A shows a first deck structural element 110 positioned on the central structural member 140. In this position, the first deck complementary engagement portion 112, in the form of tongues, is positioned adjacent one of the first central complementary engagement portions 143, in the form of a cross-member 144 having a space 145 located below the cross-member 144. The tongues (not shown) are located below the crossmember 144 when the deck body 111 is slid toward the cross member 144. The tongues become located within the space 145 to attach the deck structural element 110 to the central structural element 140 as shown in Figure 3B.

[0044] The above process is repeated to attach the second deck structural element 110 to the central structural element 140, as shown in Figure 3C and Figure 3D, and to attach the third deck structural element 110 to the central member 140, as shown in Figure 3E and Figure 3F. It should be noted that the U-shaped spacer of the second deck structural element 110 fits within the U-shaped spacer 115 of the first deck structural element 110 and U-shaped spacer of the third deck structural element 110 fits within the U-shaped spacer 115 of the second deck structural element 110. This further connects the deck structural elements 110 together.

[0045] The next step is to connect the side structural elements 120 to the deck structural elements 110. This process is completed by moving each side element body 121 toward ends of the deck bodies 111 whilst the side element bodies 121 are in a titled position. This enables second deck complementary engagement portions 113, in the form of a deck groove 114 to be located within the respective first side complementary engagement portions 123, in the form of an aperture 124 located below a beam 125 as shown in Figure 3G.

[0046] Once each side structural element 120 is in this position, the respective side structural bodies 121 can then be pivoted to cause the beams 125 to engage with respective deck grooves in a shiplap type locking arrangement as shown in Figure 3H.

[0047] The next step is to attach the end structural elements 130 to the central structural element 140 and side structural elements 120. To achieve this, the first end complementary engagement portion 133, in the form of an internal hole 134 having a series of L-shaped channels 135, is positioned so it is aligned with the second central complementary engagement portion 146, in the form of a cylindrical protrusion 147 having a series of spaced apart tabs 148 located around the upper periphery of the cylindrical protrusion 147. The tabs 148 are located within the L-shaped channels 147 by moving the respective end structural bodies 130 toward the central element body 141. The tabs 147 located within the L-shaped channels 147 are moved toward the end of the internal hole as the end element body 131 is pushed further toward the central element body 141 . At this point, the end structural body can be rotated thereby locking the end structural elements 130 to central structural elements 140 similar to a typical bayonet fitting arrangement as shown in Figure 3I.

[0048] As the end structural bodies 131 are rotated, this also causes the second end complementary engagement portions 136, in the form of a projection 137 to engage with second side complementary engagement portions 126, in the form of U-shaped recesses 127. As both the projections 137 and the recesses 127 and have tapered side walls 128 and 138 and end walls 129 and 139 that engage each other as the end structural body 131 is rotated with respect to the side structural body 121 , this cause the side structural elements 120, ends structural elements 130 and central structural element 140 to all be tensioned. Hence the base 12 of the pallet 10 is tensioned increase the strength of pallet 10.

[0049] Once tensioned, pins 150 are located through respected thread holes 151 that extend through the end structural elements 130 and the side structural elements 120 to hold fast the end structural elements 130 with respect to the side structural elements 120 as shown in Figure 3J. This completes the assembly of the pallet 10.

[0050] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a pallet 20 constructed from a series of plastic injection-molded, modular structural elements. Like numerals have been used to describe like components. As with the first embodiment of the pallet 10, this pallet 20 includes a platform 21 attached to a base 22, with the base have eight external openings 23 for location of forklift tines.

[0051] Figure 5 shows the structural elements 200 that are used to construct the pallet 20 in more detail. As also with the first embodiment of the pallet 10, the structural elements 200 include three deck structural elements 210, two side structural elements 220, two end structural elements 230 and a central structural element 240. The three deck structural elements 210 are used to produce the platform 21. The two side structural elements 220, two end structural elements 230 and a central structural element 240 are used to produce the base 22.

[0052] Each deck structural element 210 is formed from an elongate deck body 211. A first deck complementary engagement portion 212 is located on an underside of the deck body 211. The first deck complementary engagement portion 212 is used to attach the deck structural element 210 to the central structural element 240. The first complementary engagement portion 212 is formed from a C-shaped section 216 formed within the underside of the deck body 211 adjacent the middle of the deck body 211.

[0053] A second deck complementary engagement portion 213 is located adjacent each end of the deck body 211 . The second deck complementary engagement portion 213 is used to attach the deck structural element 210 to the side structural element 220. The second deck complementary engagement portion 213 is formed from a tapered side wall 214 at the ends of the deck body 213.

[0054] A series of valleys 218 and ridges 219 are located on the sides of the deck body 211 . The ridges 218 are sized to fit within the valleys 218. The ridges 218 and valleys

219 assist in locating adjacent deck structural elements 210 in the correct location when adjacent each other.

[0055] Each side structural element 220 includes a side element body 221 that has two side openings 222. A series of three first side complementary engagement portions 223 are located adjacent a top of the side element body 221 . Each first side complementary engagement portion 223 is used to attach the side structural element

220 to a deck structural element 210. Each first side complementary engagement portion 223 is in the form of a cavity 224 that has tapered walls 225.

[0056] A second side complementary engagement portion 226 is located adjacent each end of the side element body 221 . The second side complementary engagement portion 226 is used to attach the side structural element 220 to an end structural element 230. The second side complementary engagement portion 226 is formed from a U-shaped recess 227 having a tapered side wall 228 and end wall 229. At one end of the side element body 221 , the U-shaped recess faces upwardly whilst at the opposite end the U-shaped recess faces downwardly.

[0057] Each end structural element 230 includes an end element body 231 that has two end openings 232. A first end complementary engagement portion 233 is located adjacent the middle of the end element body. The first end complementary engagement portion 233 is used to attach the end structural element 230 to the central structural element 240. The first end complementary engagement portion 233 is in the form of an internal hole 234 having a series of L-shaped channels 235 extending along the internal hole 234.

[0058] A second end complementary engagement portion 236 is located adjacent each end of the end element body 231 . The second end complementary engagement portion 236 is used to attach the end structural element 230 to a side structural element 220. The second end complementary engagement portion 236 is formed from a projection 237 having a tapered side wall 238 and end wall 239. At one end of the side element body 221 , the projection faces downwardly whilst at the opposite end the projection faces upwardly.

[0059] The central structural element 240 includes a central element body 241 that has two central openings 242. A first central complementary engagement portion 243 is located adjacent a top of the end element body 243. The first central complementary engagement portion 243 is used to attach the central structural element 240 to deck structural elements 210. The first end complementary engagement portion 243 is in the form of a raised elongate spine 244 providing two hollows 245 that extend the length of the spine 244.

[0060] A second central complementary engagement portion 246 is located adjacent each end of the central element body 241. The second central complementary engagement portion 246 is used to attach the central structural element 240 to an end structural element 230. The second central complementary engagement portion 246 is formed from a cylindrical protrusion 247 having a series of spaced apart tabs 248 located around the upper periphery of the cylindrical protrusion 247.

[0061] Figure 6A to 6E show how a pallet 20 is created from the structural elements 200. Figure 6A shows the first deck structural elements 210 being positioned on the central structural member 240. In this position, the first deck complementary engagement portion 212, in the C-shaped section 216, is positioned on the first central complementary engagement portion 243, in the form of a spine 244 having two hollows 245 that extend either side of the spine 244. The C-shaped section 216 is located within the hollows 245 located below the spine 244 by sliding the deck body 211 along the central element body 241 to connect the deck structural element 210 to the central structural element 240.

[0062] The above process is repeated to attach the second deck structural element 210 to the central structural element 240 as shown in Figure 6B, and to attach the third deck structural element 210 to the central member 240, as shown in Figure 6C. It should be noted as respective deck structural elements 210 are slid together the ridges 219 on one deck structural element 210 engage the valleys 218 on the adjacent deck structural member 210 and the valleys 218 on one deck structural element engage the ridges 219 on the adjacent deck structural element 210. This further connects the deck structural elements 210 together.

[0063] The next step is to connect the side structural elements 120 to the deck structural elements 110. This process is completed by moving each side structural body 221 toward ends of the deck bodies 211. This enables second deck complementary engagement portions 213, in the form of tapered side walls 214, to be located within respective first side complementary engagement portions 223, in the form of cavities 224 with tapered walls 225 as shown Figure 6D. The tapering on the walls of the cavities and the ends of the deck bodies 211 form dovetail joints preventing upward removal of the deck bodies 211 from the cavities 225.

[0064] The next step is to attach the end structural elements 230 to the central structural element 240 and side structural elements 220. To achieve this, the first end complementary engagement portion 233, in the form of an internal hole 234 having a series of L-shaped channels 235, is positioned so it is aligned with the second central complementary engagement portion 246, in the form of a cylindrical protrusion 247 having a series of spaced apart tabs 248 located around the upper periphery of the cylindrical protrusion 247. The tabs 248 are located within the L-shaped channels 247 by moving the respective end structural bodies 230 toward the central element body 241. The tabs 247 located within the L-shaped channels 247 are moved toward the end of the internal hole as the end element body 231 is pushed further toward the central element body 241 . At this point, the end structural body can be rotated thereby locking the end structural elements 230 to central structural elements 240 similar to a typical bayonet fitting as shown in Figure 6E.

[0065] As the end structural bodies 231 are rotated, this also causes the second end complementary engagement portions 236, in the form of a projection 237 to engage with second side complementary engagement portions 226, in the form of U-shaped recesses 227. As both the projections 226 and the recesses 227 have a tapered side wall and tapered end wall that engages each other as the end structural body 231 is rotated with respect to the side structural body 221 , this cause the side structural elements 220, ends structural elements 230 and central structural element 240 to all be tensioned. Hence the base 22 of the pallet 20 is tensioned increase the strength of the pallet 20.

[0066] Once tensioned, pins 250 are located through respected thread holes 251 that extend through the end structural elements 230 and the side structural elements 220 to hold fast the end structural elements 230 with respect to the side structural elements 220 as shown in Figure 6E. This completes the assembly of the pallet 20.

[0067] Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a pallet 20 constructed from a series of plastic injection-molded, modular structural elements. Like numerals have been used to describe like components. As with the first and second embodiment of the pallet 10 and 20, this pallet 30 includes a platform 31 attached to a base 32, with the base have eight external openings 33 for location of forklift tines.

[0068] Figure 8 shows the structural elements 300 that are used to construct the pallet 30 in more detail. As also with the first embodiment of the pallet 10, the structural elements 300 include three deck structural elements 310, two side structural elements 320, two end structural elements 330 and a central structural element 340. The three deck structural elements 310 are used to produce the platform 31. The two side structural elements 320, two end structural elements 330 and a central structural element 340 are used to produce the base 32.

[0069] Each deck structural element 310 is formed from an elongate deck body 311. A first deck complementary engagement portion 312 is located on an underside of the deck body 311. The first deck complementary engagement portion 312 is used to attach the deck structural element 310 to the central structural element 340. The first complementary engagement portion 312 is formed from a C-shaped section 316 formed within the underside of the deck body 311 adjacent the middle of the deck body 311.

[0070] A second deck complementary engagement portion 313 is located adjacent each end of the deck body 311 . The second deck complementary engagement portion 313 is used to attach the deck structural element 310 to the side structural element 320. The second deck complementary engagement portion 313 is formed from a lip 314 located at each of the end of the deck body 313.

[0071] A U-shaped spacer 315 is located on each side of the deck body 311 adjacent the middle of the deck body 311 . One of the U-shaped spacers 315 is sized to fit within the other U-shaped spacer 315. The U-shaped spacers 315 assist in locating adjacent deck structural elements 310 in the correct location when located adjacent each other. A locating hole 316 extends through each of the U-shaped spacers.

[0072] Each side structural element 320 includes a side element body 321 that has two side openings 322. A series of three first side complementary engagement portions 223 are located adjacent a top of the side element body 321. Each first side complementary engagement portion 323 is used to attach the side structural element 320 to a deck structural element 310. Each first side complementary engagement portion 323 is in the form of a cavity 324 that has slotted walls 325.

[0073] A second side complementary engagement portion 326 is located adjacent each end of the side element body 321 . The second side complementary engagement portion 326 is used to attach the side structural element 320 to an end structural element 330. The second side complementary engagement portion 326 is formed from a U-shaped recess 327 having a tapered side wall 328 and end wall 329. At one end of the side element body 321 , the U-shaped recess faces upwardly whilst at the opposite end the U-shaped recess faces downwardly.

[0074] Each end structural element 330 includes an end element body 331 that has two end openings 332. A first end complementary engagement portion 333 is located adjacent the middle of the end element body. The first end complementary engagement portion 333 is used to attach the end structural element 330 to the central structural element 240. The first end complementary engagement portion 333 is in the form of an internal hole 334 having a series of L-shaped channels 335 extending along the internal hole 334.

[0075] A second end complementary engagement portion 336 is located adjacent each end of the end element body 331 . The second end complementary engagement portion 336 is used to attach the end structural element 330 to a side structural element 320. The second end complementary engagement portion 336 is formed from a projection 337 having a tapered side wall 338 and end wall 339. At one end of the side element body 321 , the projection faces downwardly whilst at the opposite end the projection faces upwardly.

[0076] The central structural element 340 includes a central element body 341 that has two central openings 342. A first central complementary engagement portion 343 is located adjacent a top of the end element body 343. The first central complementary engagement portion 343 is used to attach the central structural element 340 to deck structural elements 310. The first end complementary engagement portion 343 is in the form of a raised elongate spine 344 providing two hollows 345 that extend the length of the spine 344. A series of fastening holes 349 are located along the length of the spine 344.

[0077] A second central complementary engagement portion 346 is located adjacent each end of the central element body 341. The second central complementary engagement portion 346 is used to attach the central structural element 340 to an end structural element 330. The second central complementary engagement portion 346 is formed from a cylindrical protrusion 347 having a series of spaced apart tabs 348 located around the upper periphery of the cylindrical protrusion 347.

[0078] Figure 9A to 9E show how a pallet 20 is created from the structural elements 200. Figure 9A shows the first deck structural elements 210 being positioned on the central structural member 240. In this position, the first deck complementary engagement portion 212, in the C-shaped section 216, is positioned on the first central complementary engagement portion 243, in the form of a spine 244 having two hollows 245 that extend either side of the spine 244. The C-shaped section 216 is located within the hollows 245 located below the spine 244 by sliding the deck body 211 along the central element body 241 to connect the deck structural element 210 to the central structural element 240.

[0079] The above process is repeated to attach the second deck structural element 310 to the central structural element 340, as shown in Figure 9B, and to attach the third deck structural element 310 to the central structural element 340, as shown in Figure 9C. It should be noted that the U-shaped spacer 315 of the second deck structural element 310 fits within the U-shaped spacer 315 of the first deck structural element 310 and U-shaped spacer 315 of the third deck structural element 310 fits within the U-shaped spacer 315 of the second deck structural element 315. This further connects the deck structural elements together. Fasteners 360 are then located through the locating holes 316 and fastened to the fastening holes 349 to further connect the deck structural elements 310 to the central structural element 340 as shown in Figure 9D.

[0080] The next step is to connect the side structural elements 320 to the deck structural elements 310. This is completed by moving each side structural body 321 toward ends of the deck bodies 311. This enables second deck complementary engagement portions 313, in the form of the lips 314, to be located within respective first side complementary engagement portions 323, in the form of cavities 324 with slotted walls 325 as shown Figure 9E. The slotted walls 325 of the cavities 325 and the lips 314 on the ends of the deck bodies 311 engage to prevent upward removal of the deck bodies 311 from the cavities 325.

[0081] The next step is to attach the end structural elements 330 to the central structural element 340 and side structural elements 320. To achieve this, the first end complementary engagement portion 333, in the form of an internal hole 334 having a series of L-shaped channels 335, is positioned so it is aligned with the second central complementary engagement portion 346, in the form of a cylindrical protrusion 347 having a series of spaced apart tabs 348 located around the upper periphery of the cylindrical protrusion 347. The tabs 348 are located within the L-shaped channels 347 by moving the respective end structural bodies 330 toward the central element body 341. The tabs 347 located within the L-shaped channels 347 are moved toward the end of the internal hole as the end element body 331 is pushed further toward the central element body 341 . At this point, the end structural body can be rotated thereby locking the end structural elements 330 to central structural elements 340 similar to a typical bayonet fitting as shown in Figure 9F.

[0082] As the end structural bodies 331 are rotated, this also causes the second end complementary engagement portions 336, in the form of a projection 337 to engage with second side complementary engagement portions 326, in the form of U-shaped recesses 327. As both the projections 326 and the recesses 327 have a tapered side wall and tapered end wall that engages each other as the end structural body 331 is rotated with respect to the side structural body 321 , this cause the side structural elements 320, ends structural elements 330 and central structural element 340 to all be tensioned. Hence the base 32 of the pallet 30 is tensioned increase the strength of pallet 30.

[0083] Once tensioned, pins 350 are located through respected thread holes 351 that extend through the end structural elements 230 and the side structural elements 320 to hold fast the end structural elements 330 with respect to the side structural elements 320 as shown in Figure 9F. This completes the assembly of the pallet 30.

[0084] The pallet 10, 20, 30 described above are resistance to damage. In the rare event that one of the structural elements 100 are damaged, the pallet 10, 20, 30 can be quickly and easily disassembled to replace the broken structural element and then reassemble the pallet 10, 20, 30. The structural elements 100 are locked together using mechanical means to prevent detachment from each other making the pallet 10, 20, 30 very strong. Further, as the structural elements can be mass produced, the pallets 10, 20, 30 can be produced at a commercial rate.

[0085] The above description of various embodiments of the present invention is provided for purposes of description to one of ordinary skill in the related art. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to a single disclosed embodiment. As mentioned above, numerous alternatives and variations to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art of the above teaching. Accordingly, while some alternative embodiments have been discussed specifically, other embodiments will be apparent or relatively easily developed by those of ordinary skill in the art. The invention is intended to embrace all alternatives, modifications, and variations of the present invention that have been discussed herein, and other embodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the above-described invention.

[0086] In this specification, the terms ‘comprises’, ‘comprising’, ‘includes’, ‘including’, or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a method, system, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include those elements solely but may well include other elements not listed.