PALLET

The present invention relates to a profile for metal pallets with assemblage components. Metal pallets for storing and transporting goods are known. For some time they have been placed alongside traditional wooden pallets, and indeed are often preferred to them in various sectors of use, for a series of services such as price, feasibility with automated equipment, compliance with international standards, hygiene, sterilization, recyclability, etc. However, the currently known metal pallets are not completely satisfactory neither in terms of capacity/weight ratio, nor in terms of overall dimensions. In particular, the latter is a critical factor during the transport phase of the unloaded pallet from the manufacturer to the user and, precisely to overcome this drawback, modular pallets have already been proposed at the time of the first use. Despite this, the known modular pallets are still expensive to manufacture, as they are made up of components of different configurations, and are also particularly complex to assemble because, having to be assembled at the time of use, they require specific equipment.

Furthermore, known pallets, even modular ones, generally have standardized dimensions (800 mm x 1200 mm, 1200 mm x 1200mm, etc. or 48 inches x 48 inches for the US market) and for this reason the various manufacturers are able to produce only pallets with those dimensions and cannot meet specific needs of particular users, who would sometimes prefer to have pallets with customized dimensions. US 2003/0189153 describes a pallet with plinths presenting gashes and with a loading bed. In particular, some components are made with a particular ribbed profile while other components, such as for example the reinforcing elements of the pallet, are made with a different type of profile; this makes the construction of this type of pallet particularly laborious, as well as expensive. WO201 5/025210 describes a metal pallet that can be assembled with at least two bases each presenting at least one gash and with a loading platform. In particular, this metal pallet is made of a plurality of components which are all obtained from a single type of basic metal profile, which has a symmetric shape with respect to the longitudinal centerline and presents:

- at least one longitudinal rib with a rectangular section and constant height developing on the same side with respect to a base plane, and

- two external lateral wings having edge folded inward and at least in part coplanar to the tops of said rib. The solution described in WO2015/025210 is particularly satisfactory, however it has proven to be further perfectible in terms of increasing the load bearing capacity of the pallet for the same thickness of sheet metal used to make its components, in terms of ease of assembly of its components, in terms of in terms of duration, and in general in terms of performance. The object of the invention is to propose a section bar for a metal pallet which allows to overcome the drawbacks of traditional solutions.

Another object of the invention is to propose a section bar which has an alternative and/or improvement cross section, both in construction and functional terms, with respect to the traditional ones. Another object of the invention is to propose a section bar, from which a plurality of components can be obtained to be assembled together to obtain a metal pallet.

Another object of the invention is to propose a section bar which can be folded transversely quickly and easily. Another object of the invention is to propose a section bar, with which obtain modular components that can be assembled to obtain a metal pallet, which has a capacity/weight ratio and a rigidity and structural stability superior to traditional metal pallets. Another object of the invention is to propose a section bar which can be manufactured simply, quickly and at a low cost.

Another object of the invention is to propose a section bar for making modular components which have a particularly small footprint before assembling them to form a pallet.

Another object of the invention is to propose a section bar for realizing the modular components of an assembled metal pallet which are easily and stably stackable.

Another object of the invention is to propose a section bar for realizing the assemblage components of a metal pallet which presents a remarkable versatility both in terms of dimensions and conformation.

Another object of the invention is to propose a section bar for realizing the components of a pallet that can be assembled by the user in a simple and fast way, without the use of particular equipment Another object of the invention is to propose a section bar for realizing the components of a long-lasting pallet that does not practically require any maintenance.

Another object of the invention is to propose a section for realizing the components of a pallet which, in addition to constituting a support base for goods in general, can also constitute a lateral containment for them and that is to say they can constitute what in specific jargon is called "cage".

According to the invention, all these objects and others which will result from the following description are achieved with a metal pallet profile with assemblage components according to claim 1 , with a complex of components obtainable with said profile bar according to claim 7 and with a pallet obtained by assembling said complex according to claim 16.

The present invention is hereinafter further clarified in some of its preferred embodiments shown purely by way of example and not of limitation with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a metal pallet consisting of a plurality of modular components obtained with a section bar according to the invention,

Figure 2 shows a perspective view and in an assembled configuration of the pallet of fig. 1 ,

Figures 3a-3n show in cross section various alternative embodiments of the section bar according to the invention, from which all the components of the assembled metal pallet can be obtained,

Figure 4 shows a perspective view, before folding it, of a first component of the metal pallet of fig. 1 ,

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of an enlargement of one end of the first component of fig. 4,

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the first component of fig. 4 after the folds of the sections which form it are folded, Figure 7 shows an enlargement of one end of the first component of fig. 6,

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a second component of the metal pallet of fig. 1 in the double version,

Figure 9 shows the enlarged detail enclosed by the circular line of fig. 8, Figure 10 shows a partial perspective view of the detail of the coupling of a first component with a third component,

Figure 11 shows a perspective view of the same detail of fig. 10 but with the folded section of the third component sectioned according to a horizontal plane,

Figure 12 shows the enlarged detail enclosed by the circular line of fig. 11 , Figure 13 shows a perspective view of the same detail of fig. 10 but with both components sectioned according to a horizontal plane,

Figure 14 shows the enlarged detail enclosed by the circular line of fig. 13, Figure 15 shows an upside down perspective view of a fourth component of the metal pallet of fig. 1 , and Figure 16 shows a perspective view of the enlarged and straight portion of the end of the fourth component of fig. 15. As can be seen from the figures, the metal pallet 2 substantially comprises four different types of modular components 4,6,8 and 10, which are obtained with pieces of a single type of section bar 12. Conveniently, these pieces are cut to size, according to the dimensions that the pallet must have, and they are intended to be folded and assembled together quickly and easily, preferably by the user at the time of the first use of the pallet.

Suitably, the methods of folding the pieces in order to obtain each modular component as well as the methods of coupling the different modular components so as to obtain the pallet 2, are similar to those described in WO201 5/025210, the content of which is fully recalled here and embedded for reference.

In particular, the section bar 12 is common to all four components 4,6,8 and 10 of the pallet 2, as well as to any other components (described below) to be applied to the pallet to define a lateral containment and/or to constitute that which in the specific jargon of the sector is called "cage". Advantageously, the section bar 12 is obtained starting from a substantially flat strip of metal sheet having the desired thickness, preferably between 0.4 and 0.6 mm.

The sheet is preferably galvanized and is presenting a non-slip surface treatment; in an advantageous embodiment this processing is obtained by passing the continuous sheet metal strip, which is carried out by a reel, between rollers, at least one of which is affected on its surface by small ridges, which create in the surface of the tape intended to constitute the external surface of the component of the pallet has a certain roughness, which on one side does not remove the galvanizing of the tape itself and on the other side makes the upper surface of the pallet non-slip. Furthermore, the sheet can also be micro- perforated and/or corrugated.

Suitably, the section bar 12 is symmetrical with respect to the central longitudinal plane M and comprises: - a central portion 14, which at least partially lies on a base plane 16;

- two raised portions 18 which protrude with respect to the base plane 16 and are separated from each other by the central portion 14,

- two external portions 20, each of which develops laterally starting from the corresponding raised portion 18. Conveniently, the central portion 14 can comprise a central and lower band, which lies on the base plane 16 and is identified with the reference number 22,

Each raised portion 18 comprises an upper band 22' which is interposed between two connecting bands 24 and 26, respectively an external band 24 connecting with the external portion 20 and an internal band 26 connecting with the central portion 14.

In particular, each external portion 20 comprises:

- a base band 28, which is substantially coplanar, at least in part, to the lower band 22 of the central portion 14 and lies, like this, on the base plane 16, - a wing 30 folded inwardly so that its terminal flap 32 is, at least in part, superimposed on the upper band 22' of the corresponding raised portion 18, to which it is fixed in a traditional way, for example by clinching 33.

In particular, each external connecting band 24 band connects the upper end 22' of the raised portion 18 to the base band 28 of the external portion 20, while each of the internal connecting band 26 connects the upper end 22' of the raised portion 18 to the central portion 14 and in particular to the lower band 22 of the latter.

Conveniently, the base bands 28 of the external portions 20 and the lower band 22 of the central portion 14 are coplanar with each other and define at the base plane 16 a stable lower support surface of the pallet 2. Basically, the base plane 16 of the section bar 12 comprises the lower band 22 of the central portion 14, and the base bands 28 of the external portions 20.

Conveniently, the upper bands 22' of the raised portions 18 are coplanar with each other and are also parallel to the base plane 16 and in particular, they are parallel to the base bands 28 of the external portions 20 and to the lower band 22 of the central portion 14.

Conveniently, each folded wing 30 comprises a section which is folded upwards and inwards to form thus an inclined plane. Moreover, advantageously, as said, the terminal flap 32 of each wing 30 is folded so as to be substantially superimposed, parallel and in contact with the upper band 22' of the corresponding raised portion 18.

Each external connecting band 24 defines with the corresponding base band 28 and with the corresponding folded wing 30 a tubular cavity 34 with longitudinal development. The two tubular cavities 34 of the section bar 12 thus defined help to give the profile itself a high flexural and torsional rigidity, to the advantage of the performance of the pallet that can be obtained.

Advantageously, in some embodiments of the section bar 12 (see fig. 3a, 3c, 3e, 3g, 3i, 3k, 3m, 3n), between each wing 30 - which is folded upwards and inwards - and the respective base band 28 it is provided with an external band 48, which is folded upwards - preferably about 90° - with respect to said base band 28. In other embodiments (see Fig. 3b, 3d, 3f, 3h, 3j) each wing 30 departs directly from the respective base band 28, thus defining with it the latter an acute angle. In any case, in all the embodiments of the pallet according to the invention, the presence of the inclined section of the wing 30, folded simultaneously upwards and inwards, allows to define - in correspondence with the lower delimitation section gaps formed in the base of the pallet - an inclined plane of invitation, which makes it easier to insert the prongs of a fork lift of a pallet truck into the gaps themselves. It is in fact well known that this introduction requires the wheels present in said prongs of the fork of the pallet truck to climb over this lower section.

The external connecting band 24 of each raised portion 18 can be substantially perpendicular to the adjacent base band 28 of the external portion 20, or it can define with said base band 28 an angle slightly greater than 90°.

Preferably, the internal connecting band 26 of each raised portion 18 develops from the upper band 22' of the latter towards the lower band 22 of the central portion 14, simultaneously returning inwards and downwards according to a straight (cf. fig.3a - 3f, 3k, 3m, 3n) or curved (see fig. 3g - 3i, 3j) profile.

Advantageously, in this way, the internal connecting bands 26 define with the central portion 14 a flared shape which facilitates the coupling between the various components and/or parts of components during the assembly of the pallet. In particular, in certain embodiments the internal connecting band 26 is inclined, starting from the upper band 22' downwards and inwards, until it joins the lower band 22 of the central portion 14, the lower band 22 which has a substantially flat development (in whole or in part). In essence, this defines an isosceles trapezoid profile (without the major base) in which the lower band 22 of the central portion 14 defines the minor base of the trapeze, while the two internal connecting bands 26 of the raised portions 18 define the two inclined sides of said trapeze.

In certain embodiments, the internal connecting band 26 of each raised portion 18 of the section bar 12 is curved downwards, starting from the upper band 22', and inwardly, until it joins, in correspondence with the lower band 22 of the central portion 14, with internal connecting band 26 of the other raised portion 18. Preferably, the internal connecting band 26 is curved with a constant radius and the two internal connecting band 26, which constitute one the extension of the other, define as a whole, a parabolic or semi-elliptical semicircular longitudinal cavity.

Conveniently, in a variant not shown, the internal connecting bands 26 can have curved development downwards and inwards, to then join in a lower band 22 with a substantially flat development.

Conveniently, in a further variant not shown, the internal connecting bands 26 can have a straight development inclined downwards and inwards, until they join in correspondence with a lower longitudinal line, and thus define an angled profile between said connecting bands. Conveniently, in a further variant not shown, the internal connecting bands 26 and external connecting band 24 can be parallel to each other and, advantageously, perpendicular to the base plane 16.

At the base band 28 of each external portion 20, at least one rib 38 is obtained, protruding inside the corresponding tubular cavity 34 defined in said external portion 20.

In particular, each rib 38 develops inside the tubular cavity 34 upwards and towards the folded wing 30, for a height such as to be spaced (i.e. not to be in contact) from the internal surface of the wing itself and more precisely for a height advantageously equal to the height of the bands 24, 26, 48 in correspondence with openings made in the section bar 12 to allow the interlocking or snap engagement with a section of the section bar arranged orthogonally, as will be better seen below.

The ribs 38 develop longitudinally substantially continuously throughout the longitudinal development of the section bar 12 and are interrupted exclusively at the folding openings 40, which are suitably obtained along the longitudinal development of the section bar 12, as will be better described below.

The ribs 38 act as stiffening elements, both flexural and torsional, of the section bar 12, thus improving the capacity of the pallet 2 formed with the assembly of the modular components 4,6,8 and 10, obtained with sections of said section bar 12. In in this way a substantial stiffening of the section bar 12 is obtained, without substantially increasing its weight.

Preferably, each rib 38 can be defined by two sides 42 and by an upper connecting section 44 of these.

Advantageously, the two sides 42 are parallel to each other and develop upwards (i.e. away from the base plane 16) in a direction substantially perpendicular to the remaining part of the base band 28; suitably, the upper connecting section 44 is parallel to the base band 28 (and therefore to the base plane 16).

Advantageously, the upper connecting section 44 can have a substantially flat development (see fig. 3a, 3b, 3e, 3f, 3g, 3h, 3k, 3m, 3n), or it can have at least one rib 46 (see fig. 3c, 3d, 3i, 3j) which develops downwards (i.e. towards the base band 28 and therefore towards the base plane 16). As mentioned, the height of the ribs 38 is substantially equal to or less than that of the wing 30 at the engagement openings, better defined below.

Conveniently, in a variant not shown, each rib 38 could be defined only by two inclined sides 42 which join together at the top.

Advantageously, as shown in figures 3e, 3f, the central portion 14 of the section bar 12 can comprise at least one further stiffening rib 50 which protrudes upwards from the lower band 22 of said portion; in particular, this rib 50 protrudes from the base plane 16 towards the plane coplanar to the upper bands 22' of the raised portions 18 and can have a height such that its top is substantially coplanar to the upper bands 22' of the raised portions 18 (see fig. 3f) or can have a lower height (see fig. 3e), preferably corresponding to the height of the ribs 38.

Conveniently, depending on the modular component 4,6,8 or 10 to be obtained, the sections of section bar 12 have a plurality of openings. In particular, there are basically two main types of openings: - a first type of openings 40 (see fig. 5), which can be defined as folding openings, and have the function of allowing 90° bending of adjacent sections of the various components in order to make the components themselves take on an overall C or U shape, and - a second type of openings 52 (see fig. 16), which can be defined as engagement openings, and have the function of allowing the interlocking or snap engagement between the various components of the pallet in order to constitute a stable reciprocal constraint between the latter.

In particular, the folding openings 40 formed in the section bar 12 are shaped in such a way as to allow the adjacent sections of each section of the section bar 12 to be folded 90° to each other along a line transversal to the longitudinal axis of the profile and lying substantially in correspondence with the base plane 16 of the profile itself.

Suitably, as shown in fig. 5, the folding openings 40 present in the wings 30 of the external portions 20 (and possibly also the external bands 48, if provided), the external connecting bands 24 and internal connecting bands 26, as well as the upper band 22’ of the raised portions 18. In substantially, the folding openings 40 affect all the portions of the cross section of the section bar 12 which protrude with respect to the base plane 16, and therefore do not affect the base bands 28 and the lower band 22 of the central portion 14.

Preferably, the folding openings 40 are shaped so as to offer a contrast when exceeding the 90° value of that angle.

Conveniently, at the folding openings 40, areas 54 without ribs 38 are also provided, i.e. zones, in which said ribs have been removed. Again in correspondence with the folding openings 40 defined on the folded wings 30 and/or on the external bands 48 and/or on the external connecting band 24 and/or 26, protruding edges 56 can be advantageously provided (with respect to the base plane 16), of a height equal to or less than that of the protruding edges provided at the ribs 38. The engagement openings 52 are instead shaped to allow the interlocking engagement between two distinct sections of section bar 12. Conveniently, as shown in fig. 16, the engagement openings 52 concern the folded wings 30 of the external portions 20 (and possibly also the external bands 48, if provided), the external connecting bands 24 and internal connecting bands 26, as well as the upper band 22' of the raised portions 18. In essence, the engagement openings 52 affect all the sections and areas of the cross section of the section bar 12 which protrude with respect to the base plane 16, and therefore do not affect the base bands 28 and the lower band 22 of the central portion 14.

Conveniently, in correspondence with the engagement openings 52, the internal and external connecting band 24 of the section bar 12 are partially cut/removed so as to define a height bank (defined with respect to the base plane 16, and in particular with respect to the central portion 14 and to the base bands 28) substantially equal to the height of the ribs 38. Also conveniently, always at the engagement openings 52, the folded wings 30 are suitably sheared/removed so as to leave an external band 48 and/or an external side 58 of a height substantially equal to the height of the ribs 38.

Conveniently, in correspondence with the engagement openings 52, the section bar 12 has the lower band 22 of the central portion 14 and the base bands 28 with the ribs 38, as well as any internal 60 and external 58 sides, which protrude from the base plane 16 to an extent substantially equal to the height of the ribs 38.

Conveniently, the engagement openings 52 are provided so as to fit two sections of section bar 12 together when they are arranged orthogonally to each other.

Conveniently, the engagement openings 52 formed in the section of section bar 12 which forms the fourth component 10 shown in fig. 15, 16 are configured (in particular in terms of shape, dimensions and mutual positioning) so that the central portion 14 and the external portions 20 of another section of section bar (for example the section that forms the first component 4 shown in fig. 7). In particular, the ribs 38 and any sides 58 and/or 60 provided at the engagement openings 52 of the fourth component 10 go to rest on the lower band 22 and the base bands 28 of the first component 4.

Conveniently, furthermore, the raised portions 18 and the folded wings 30 of the section bar 12, defined between said engagement openings 52 of the fourth components 10 (arranged lower in the pallet 2 illustrated in figs. 1 and 2) are inserted into depressed areas 62 defined between the raised portions 18 of the section bar 12 which form the first components 4 and, similarly, the raised portions 18 and the folded wings 30 of the section bar 12, defined between said engagement openings 52 of the fourth component 10 upside down (arranged at the top in the pallet 2 illustrated in figs 1 and 2 ) and of the third components 8 upside down, are inserted into the depressed areas 62 defined by the raised portions of the sections which form the second upside down components 6.

Preferably, in correspondence with the areas of mutual contact between different sections of the same section of section bar 12 folded to form a component of the pallet or between sections of different components, tabs of various shapes and positions are provided, intended to cooperate to carry out an interlocking or snap engagement between said parts.

A preferred production technique for the section bar 12 according to the invention provides that a first series of openings (intended to define the folding openings 40), located in the areas where the profile is bent at 90°, based on the specific shape of the component to be obtained, and a second series of openings (intended to define the engagement openings 52), located in correspondence with the areas where the snap or click engagement with other components is foreseen.

The flat strip thus cut is then subjected to profiling to be transformed into the section bar 12, with the two raised portions 18, which develop from the base plane 16 of the profile, coinciding with the plane of the sheet metal strip, with the external portions 20, which also develop from the base plane 16 and are folded with their band, which will form the wing 30, towards the inside of the profile until they are brought into contact with the upper bands 22' of the raised portions 18.

Conveniently, the section bar 12 thus obtained can then be subjected to further molding to bring certain tabs, possibly obtained in certain components in the previous flat blanking steps, out of their initial laying plane and therefore make them suitable for irreversible snap engagement with other components. Finally, the molded continuous profile is subjected to shearing which, with a single operation, separates each piece of the desired length from the continuous section bar and at the same time gives the ends of each piece the suitable shape for the subsequent engagement of the component obtained from that piece with others components. After all the pieces that form the different components of a pallet have been cut to size, they can be subjected to a final molding to bring certain parts of them to assume a configuration useful for subsequent assembly and different from that obtained with profiling.

In particular, on the sharp cutting edges of the fourth components 10, which remain rectilinear for their assembly with the other components 4 and 6 and could be dangerous for the risks of cutting injuries for the operators involved in the handling and assembly of the components to form the pallets and/or for the operators assigned to the use of the assembled pallets, a 90° folding operation is advantageously provided for molding the edges themselves with the formation of flaps 63, which significantly reduce the risk of injury.

The sections of section bar 12 thus obtained are ready for their bending and for their assembly, which, moreover, preferably do not take place at the place of production, but at the place of use, where they are shipped in rectilinear condition, with considerable ease, given the very small footprint that they entail. At the place of use, the sections of the section bar are kept stacked in this condition of minimum bulk until the pallet has to be formed.

To this end, the solution illustrated in fig. 3k is a variant of the embodiment shown in fig. 3a but would also be applicable to other embodiments, both of the type expressly illustrated here and of the type not expressly illustrated but in any case falling within the inventive concept now defined. This variant provides that the inclined portion of the folded wing 30 of each external portion 20 does not reach the height of the upper band 22' of the corresponding raised portion 18, but stops at a lower height and therefore continues parallel to the base plane 16, to then form the terminal flap 32 of the wing 30 itself, after having formed a step 32'. This makes it possible to overlap several profiles 12 together to form a stack which, thanks to the interlocking constraint between the overlapping sections of section bar 12, ensures satisfactory stability of the stack combined with its reduced height dimensions This step 32' can also be obtained with a different folding of the strip forming the section bar 12 and which before being fixed with its longitudinal flap 32 to the upper band 22' of each raised portion 18 is folded approximately at 90° towards the bottom and then 180° upwards to form a further socket 64, which adheres externally to the corresponding external connecting band 24 and contributes to increase the torsional and flexural rigidity of the section bar 12 and the pieces of this used for the formation of the pallet 2.

This further socket 64 can stop before reaching the respective base band 28 of the section bar 12, as illustrated in fig. 3m, or it can reach up to said band 28, as illustrated in figure 3n. When it is necessary to assemble the components 4,6,8,10 to form the pallet 2, the various pieces, which are not used in a non-rectilinear configuration, i.e. the first component 4, the second component 6 and the third component 8, are folded in the various sections at 90° to each other, so that they assume their final C or U configuration, in order to then be assembled together in ways substantially corresponding to what is described in WO201 5/025210.

As said, from the same section bar 12 according to the invention a series of segments are obtained defining the various components 4,6,8 and 10 which, suitably engaged together, form pallet 2.

More specifically, the pallet 2 according to invention uses:

- first components 4 intended to constitute the lower base of each socket 64, the two end closures of the base itself and the end sections of its upper base;

- upside-down U-shaped second components 6 intended to constitute, alone or with identical second components 6, depending on the type of pallet, the upper base of each socket 64 and to help form its two external uprights. In the case of pallets using two second components 6 for each socket 64, each of these second components 6 also contributes to forming an intermediate internal part of the base upright of the socket 64. Also in the case of pallets using two second components 6 for each socket 64, these two second components can also advantageously be obtained from a single section of section bar 12 of adequate length, which is first folded transversely in half upwards, so that its two substantially equal sections are brought to be mating; subsequently each section is bent transversely by 90° in the opposite direction at a distance from the central bending line equal to the height of the central upright to be obtained, and then again by 90° downwards at a distance from the previous bending line such as to highlight the two upper bases of the second component 6; fig. 8 shows the set of two second components 6 obtained starting from a single section of section bar 12 worked in the manner described above and disposed upside down with respect to the assembly condition to form the pallet 2 of fig. 1 and 2;

- third components 8 "U" shaped upside down and intended to constitute, with other third identical components, the transverse connections between the sockets 64 and to define with their central part a portion of the platform 66 of the pallet 2, as well as to contribute, with their folded end sections 65, to forming the external uprights and possibly the intermediate upright of the two sockets 64;

- fourth straight-shaped components 10, intended to constitute with other identical elements the remaining portion of the platform 66 not formed by the central part of the third components 8, as well as to also constitute any lower crosspieces connecting the sockets 64.

While the first components 4 and the second components 6 are always present in each pallet 2, the presence of the third components 8 and/or the fourth components 10 is linked to the type of pallet and the use for which it is intended; therefore, the object of the present invention is both pallets in which the platform 66 is made with third components 8 and fourth components 10, but also pallets in which the platform 66 is made only with third components 8 or only with fourth components 10. Suitably, while the fourth component 10, when used, is in any case straight, and therefore consists of a straight section of section bar 12, the first three components 4,6,8 are obtained starting from a section of section bar 12, cut to size and then folded at folding openings 40 around transversal axes passing through the base plane 16. The first component 4 is illustrated in fig. 4 before its folding and in fig.

6 in fully folded condition; more precisely, the first component 4 is substantially C-shaped with the various sections forming it folded on themselves in correspondence with folding openings 40 made in the appropriate positions.

In particular, the first component 4 comprises: - a central section 68 defining the horizontal part, which in the assembled pallet faces the C-opening of the component itself,

- two first sections 70, each of which extends from one end of the central section 68 and is folded/foldable by 90° upwards with respect to said central section, - two second sections 72, each of which develops from a corresponding first section 70 and is folded 90° inwards with respect to said first section 70, so as to be substantially parallel to the central section 68,

- two third sections 74, each of which develops from a corresponding second section 72 and is folded/foldable by 90° downwards (and therefore towards the central section 68) with respect to said central section, so as to be substantially parallel to the first section 70.

In essence, as shown in fig. 6, once the section bar 12 has been folded, the first component 4 of the pallet 2 has a central section 68, two first vertical and external sections 70, two second upper horizontal sections 72 and two third vertical and internal sections 74.

Furthermore, in the first component 4, the third sections 74 are configured so that their free ends engage in the central section 68 of the same first component. Advantageously, in correspondence with the first sections 70 of the first component 4, the folded wings 30 of the section bar 12 have been suitably deformed, and in particular have been flattened inwards, so as to define an abutment surfaces 76 for counter-abutment surfaces 78 present in the wings 30 of the folded end sections 65 of the third component 8 (see fig. 14). The second components 6 and the third components 8 are defined as inverted U and have a central section and two extremity sections folded at 90° with respect to the central section.

Furthermore, the first component 4 has, at the extremity areas of the central section 68, openings 80 for the snap engagement of corresponding tabs 81 provided at each extremal section of the second components 6 and/or at the free end of each third section 74 of the first component itself.

Advantageously, moreover, the first component 4 has, in correspondence with the extremal areas of the central section 68, further openings 82 for the interlocking engagement of appendices constituting the extension of the ribs 38 beyond the ends of the second components 6 and/or of each third section 74 of the first component itself.

Conveniently, while the tabs 81 and the corresponding openings 80 for their attachment are defined in correspondence in the upper bands 22' of the section bar 12, the openings 82 for the interlocking/insertion of the ribs 38 are obtained on the folded wings 30 of the section bar 12.

It can be recognized that the engagement of the extensions of the ribs 38 in the corresponding openings 82 constitutes an effective interlocking engagement which makes the bond already obtained with the tabs 81 even more effective in order to stabilize the various components of the obtained pallet.

Advantageously, with sections of the section bar 12 according to the invention, suitable components can also be obtained to define a superior structure, such as that described and illustrated in figures 34 to 48 of WO201 5/025210, which is suitable for defining a cage for containing the goods positioned on the loading platform of the pallet itself.

Advantageously, suitable sections for packing such as those described and illustrated in figures 49 to 52 of WO2015/025210 can also be obtained with sections of the section bar 12 according to the invention. In addition to the advantages obtainable with the profile according to

WO201 5/025210, which are also present in the profile according to the present invention and in the pallet obtainable with it, the present invention also allows to obtain further important advantages, and in particular:

- the presence, the configuration and the position of the ribs 38 with respect to the engagement openings and their direct interaction during coupling between different components of the pallet ensure a remarkable stability of the mutual bond between these components and a consequent structural stability and non-deformability of the pallet; - the possibility of using the ribs 38 not only as stiffening elements of the profile but also as interlocking elements during the assembly of the components allows the ribs to be used not only as stiffening elements but also as connecting elements between different parts of the same component as well as between parts of different components, that is, with functions generally not provided for these elements;

- the creation of the flaps 63 at the cut end edges of the sections of the section bar, and in particular of those intended to preserve the straight configuration in the assembled pallet, eliminates practically any danger both for the operators who will have to assemble the various components to form the pallets, and for operators who will have to use the pallet;

- the folding of the cut end flaps 63 of the section pieces constitutes an operation which is carried out with the same blanking mold in the same intervention phase as this and therefore does not entail neither additional costs nor additional times; it is therefore a much more advantageous alternative than the technique used in the past and consisting in removing the cutting burrs from the sections of profile or in protecting them with external protection elements;

- the steps 32' obtained in the upper part of the profile allow to obtain sections of profile which are not only easily stackable, but which once stacked ensure satisfactory stability of the piles with these formed;

- the possibility of forming the steps 32' during the profiling process also allows sockets 64 to be obtained to further stiffen the profile and the pallets obtainable with it, even if using sheets of limited thickness; - the possibility of using galvanized sheet metal, which may be eventually made rough during the same profiling process, allows to obtain further characterizations of the profile and of the pallet obtained with this, without practically involving further working phases.