Horizontally supported planar surfaces – Industrial platform – Stacking
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-13
2001-08-14
Cuomo, Peter M. (Department: 3636)
Horizontally supported planar surfaces
Industrial platform
Stacking
C211S059400, C206S510000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06273006
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to pallets, and in particular to a pallet assembly for transporting ice.
Pallets are used extensively for the transportation and warehousing of industrial and commercial products. The industrial or commercial products are placed on the pallets and can be easily moved with a forklift or other pallet mover in warehouses, factories, vehicles, etc.
Heretofore, pallets have typically been constructed of wood or plastic. Pallets made of wood typically include several cross planks comprising the top surface, several cross planks comprising the bottom surface and several vertically positioned planks between the top surface and the bottom surface. The forks of the forklift or other pallet mover are placed within openings defined by the top surface, bottom surface and the vertical planks to move the wood pallets. However, the planks of the wooden pallets can sometimes crack or break, thus comprising the rigidity of the pallets. Furthermore, when ice is placed on wooden pallets, condensation from the ice can accelerate the decomposition of the wood, thereby shortening the life of the wooden pallet. Pallets made of plastic typically include a one-piece plastic pallet that has a plurality of feet supporting a top surface of the pallet above the ground. The forks of the forklift or other pallet mover are placed under the top surface of the plastic pallet to move the pallet. However, plastic pallets sometimes have less rigidity than wooden pallets and can deflect once lifted by the forks when heavy objects are placed on the plastic pallets. If the plastic pallets deflect to such an extent that a crease is created in the pallet, the plastic pallet can become practically useless for transporting products.
Accordingly, an apparatus is desired solving the aforementioned disadvantages and having the aforementioned advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the present invention is to provide a pallet assembly including a main base pallet and at least one small pallet. The main base pallet includes alignment ribs and alignment recesses. The at least one small pallet is configured for removable placement in the alignment recesses of the main base pallet to be maintained in position by the alignment ribs of the main base pallet. The at least one small pallet includes a handle adapted for carrying the at least one small pallet and for laterally supporting objects resting on the at least one small pallet.
In another aspect of the present invention, a pallet assembly is provided, the pallet assembly including a first base pallet, a second base pallet and a plurality of small pallets. The first and second base pallets have a substantially identical configuration and include alignment ribs and handle recesses. The plurality of small pallets are configured for removable placement on the first base pallet to be located in position by the alignment ribs of the first base pallet. Each of the small pallets includes a handle. The handles of the small pallets are configured for placement in the handle recesses of the second base pallet to maintain the second base pallet above the first base pallet and the small pallets.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method of stacking pallets including providing a first base pallet having alignment ribs and handle recesses, locating a plurality of small pallets within the alignment ribs of the first base pallet, providing a second base pallet including alignment ribs and handle recesses with the second base pallet having a substantially identical configuration as the first base pallet, inverting the second base pallet and engaging the second base pallet with the small pallets by inserting the handles of the small pallets into the handle recesses of the second base pallet.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method of transporting ice including providing a main base pallet including alignment ribs and alignment recesses, locating a plurality of small pallets in the alignment recesses of the main base panel; maintaining the plurality of small pallets in position with the alignment ribs of the main base pallet and placing bags of ice on the small pallets.
The principal objects of the present invention include providing a pallet assembly that can easily be used to transport ice and other objects. The pallet assembly includes small pallets that can individually be used to transport ice and other objects. The small pallets can also be placed on a main base pallet in order to transport many small pallets. The small pallets can further include a pivoting handle which allows empty small pallets to be easily transported and stored. Use of the small pallets on the large base pallet provides that the base pallet can be easily moved without deflection of the base pallet. The pallet assembly can be easily and quickly assembled. The pallet assembly also provides simple construction and assembly without tools. The pallet assembly is efficient in use, economical to manufacture, capable of a long operable life, and particularly adapted for the proposed use.
These and other features, advantages and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims and appended drawings.
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Haring Marc P.
Reutter Robert J.
Anderson Jerry A.
Cuomo Peter M.
Price Heneveld Cooper DeWitt & Litton
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