Horizontally supported planar surfaces – Industrial platform
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-27
2001-07-17
Cuomo, Peter M. (Department: 3636)
Horizontally supported planar surfaces
Industrial platform
C206S597000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06260487
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates a pallet skirt for encircling a pallet. More particularly, the present invention relates to an elongate member which wraps around a pallet used for carrying merchandise, etc., so that the elongate member improves the appearance of the pallet and decreases the risk of accidental injuries caused by the pallet.
2. State of the Art
Pallets have been used for decades to hold and transport merchandise. Typically a pallet includes a generally planar upper surface upon which merchandise is stacked, and a support frame disposed beneath the planar upper surface. The support structure is typically formed to provide openings into which the prongs of a fork lift can slide. The fork lift is thus able to engage the pallet and carry the pallet and its load to a desired location.
For many years pallets were used for storage and transport, but not for commercial display. When the product on the pallet was needed, it was removed from the pallet and placed on shelves, etc. While transferring the product was time consuming, a more pleasing commercial impression was provided.
The rapid increase in the popularity of “discount” and “warehouse” stores has brought a major increase in the use of pallets. Because pallets can hold a substantial amount of product and can be moved rapidly, many discount and warehouse stores have turned to using simply using a pallet as the base of a display. The pallet full of product can be brought into the store and left at the end of an aisle without the considerable amount of time consumed in transferring the product onto shelves, etc.
The use of pallets as part of a display has two major drawbacks. First, pallets are generally formed from low grade pieces of wood and often endure considerable abuse during transport. Thus, the pallet is generally not aesthetically pleasing and can be quite an eyesore.
Second, as mentioned above, the pallets typically have openings designed for receiving the prongs of a forklift. Unfortunately, the human foot is slightly thinner than the prong of a forklift. If is not uncommon for customers and even store employees to accidentally catch their foot on the pallet while walking past. In most cases, this is merely an irritant and results in a sore toe. A fall caused by accidentally catching the pallet, however, can cause serious injuries and presents significant liability concerns for the stores.
To alleviate some of the aesthetics concerns, some companies have prepared special displays in which part of the display covers at least a portion of the pallet to provide a more attractive image. Such displays, however, must be specially prepared and generally relate to the product originally loaded on the pallet. If another product is later loaded onto the pallet, the display is unlikely to be consistent with the product. Also, such displays are often designed for use on a particular size of pallet.
In light of these concerns, there is a need for an improve apparatus and method for use with pallets. Such an apparatus and method should improve the aesthetics associated with use of the pallet. Such an apparatus and method should also minimize the risks associated with use of the pallet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which covers a pallet to improve the aesthetics associated with the display of products on a pallet.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for improving the aesthetics associated with the display of products on a pallet.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which covers portions of a pallet to minimize accidents caused by people catching their feet in the openings of a pallet.
It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide a method for minimize accidents caused by people catching their feet in the openings of a pallet.
The above and other objects of the invention are realized in specific illustrated embodiments of a pallet skirt including generally an elongate piece of material, and an attachment mechanism for securing the elongate piece of material to the pallet. The elongate piece of material may be secured to the pallet and wrapped around the pallet to cover the perimeter of the pallet and thereby keep it from being visible to consumers, etc.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the elongate piece of material is formed from a flexible piece of material which can be wrapped around the perimeter of the pallet. When provided with an adjustable fastening mechanism, the elongate piece of flexible material may be used with pallets having differing peripheral dimensions. In accordance with a presently preferred embodiment, the elongate flexible material is formed from a plastic-like material which provides a small amount of resiliency so that the flexible material tends to tighten slightly against the pallet after it has been secured.
It accordance with another aspect of the invention, an adjustable fastening mechanism can be used to hold the end of the elongate material to a central portion of the elongate material to facilitate use on pallets of a number of different sizes. The presently preferred attachment means is hook and loop fastener, such as VELCRO, but other adjustable fastening mechanisms may be used.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5944370 (1999-08-01), Ravet et al.
patent: 5972464 (1999-10-01), Pezzuco
patent: 6050419 (2000-04-01), Flanagan et al.
Cuomo Peter M.
Fisher Michael J.
Morriss Bateman O'Bryant & Compagni, P.C.
LandOfFree
Pallet skirt does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Pallet skirt, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Pallet skirt will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2484084