Supports: racks – Knockdown – Stacked similar units
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-21
2001-12-04
Gibson, Jr., Robert W (Department: 3634)
Supports: racks
Knockdown
Stacked similar units
C211S195000, C108S053100, C108S056100, C410S004000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06325224
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a pallet for storing and transporting goods. More specifically, the present invention relates to a pallet for storing and transporting vehicular cargo, with the pallet being stackable in either an extended position with the vehicular cargo loaded on the pallet or a retracted position in which multiple pallets may be stacked for shipping.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In order to transport a variety of large-sized cargo, it is conventional to load the goods on a pallet capable of supporting such consumer goods, with conventional pallets having a substantially planar support surface for receiving the item. Once the cargo is loaded onto the pallet, the pallet is transported via a loading vehicle (such as a forklift) to the desired means for long distance transportation, such as a truck, ship, train or plane. The conventional pallets that are used for shipping are typically wooden pallets, which are also known as skids. A problem with these skids is that the wood is subject to damage, and therefore the skids are not suitable for carrying cargo on more than a few trips. Additionally, the use of these skids also provides an environmental concern. More specifically, once these skids are no longer usable, they must be discarded and replaced. Since the skids have a short life span, users simply throw the skids away when they can no longer be used. Moreover, since the skids are commonly used for shipping, many landfills will not allow users to discard these wooden pallets to avoid overfilling the landfill.
In attempt to avoid the problems of these wooden pallets, other pallet designs, using a metal or other durable material, have been created for shipping. These pallets are designed to be reused, and the owner of the pallet often desires that the pallet be returned to the origination after use. A problem with these pallet designs is that these pallets are typically quite large and bulky in order to be capable of supporting cargo weighing several tons. As a result, it is difficult to return these pallets to their owners. Moreover, another problem typically arising with conventional pallet designs is that they cannot be secured to each other or stacked upon each other. This makes transportation of the stacks and their cargo difficult and less efficient.
While there are a plurality of patents that disclose various pallet designs (for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,307,985; U.S. Pat. No. 5,644,991; U.S. Pat. No. 5,983,806), none of these designs providing an adequate solution to the various problems at hand for efficiently transporting cargo and allowing the a prompt return of the pallet to its owner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a pallet that is able to transport heavy cargo such as vehicles, appliances and other consumers goods.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a pallet that has the strength to store heavy cargo such as vehicles appliances and other consumers goods.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a pallet that is lightweight to be easily transported when not loaded with cargo.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a pallet that is stackable with large and heavy cargo stored on the pallet.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a pallet that may transport cargo from an origination point to a destination.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a pallet that can be rearranged to allow easy return of multiple pallets from the destination to the origination point.
These and other objects of the invention are accomplished by a stackable transport pallet as described in the present invention. The stackable transport pallet includes a planar support member having a substantially cloverleaf shape. The planar support member includes four tubular components (a first and second wide frame member and a first and second narrow frame member) that are joined together to form the cloverleaf shape. A pair of lateral bumpers and a pair of longitudinal bumpers are additionally connected to the planar support member, such that the lateral and longitudinal bumpers will provide a distance between the planar support member and the ground surface, thereby providing a means by which a forklift can raise the planar support member.
The stackable transport pallet additionally includes a set of cargo braces that are operable to support and lock a vehicle or other item being stored on the stackable transport pallet. In addition, a set of leg assemblies are also attached to the planar support member to allow the pallet to be stackable. The leg assemblies are pivotable between an extended and a retracted position. In the extended position, cargo may be loaded on the planar support member. In contrast, when the leg assemblies are in the retracted position, the stackable transport pallets are easily stacked upon each other in large groups such that the stackable transport pallets are easily shipped to a desired destination.
These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention
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Burr & Forman LLP
Gibson, Jr. Robert W
Holland Christopher A.
Tubular Products Company, Inc.
Veal Robert J.
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