Horizontally supported planar surfaces – Industrial platform
Patent
1995-03-15
1996-04-16
Cuomo, Peter M.
Horizontally supported planar surfaces
Industrial platform
B65D 1900
Patent
active
055072364
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to pallets and especially though not exclusively to metal pallets. In particular, the invention relates to pallets that are formed of interfitting sections that are secured together to form the assembled pallet.
DISCUSSION OF PRIOR ART
Pallets are used in very large numbers in the freight industry especially in the container freight industry. The majority of pallets are manufactured from timber. Whilst such pallets are cheap and fairly reliable, they do deteriorate through use. Environmental concerns have placed restrictions on the widespread use of timber and thus pallet manufacturers have looked to other materials.
Metal pallets, especially steel pallets, have been in existence for many years. However, these pallets tend to be too heavy and expensive. Pallets made of plastics or fibre reinforced plastics have tended to be expensive and somewhat brittle.
When pallets are used in the food industry the issue of hygiene becomes paramount. It is very important that pallets can be easily cleaned. It is also very important that the pallet construction does not define nooks and crannies where food or liquids can collect resulting in active breeding sites for bacteria.
The present invention is concerned with producing a pallet in a material other than timber that addresses some of the problems discussed above. There is a need for a pallet that is not made of wood, which is comparatively light yet fulfils the load criterion dictated by the industry. The pallet should also be versatile in use, durable and hygienic.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided a pallet fabricated in steel from a base panel, a load bearing panel and a top panel, the panels interfitting so that the load bearing panel is sandwiched between the top and base panels, the base panel having an upstanding peripheral side portion that terminates in an inwardly projecting upper flange, the top panel having a downwardly extending peripheral side portion that extends over and in contact with the side portion of the base panel with the underside of the top panel abutting the upper flange of the base panel, and means to secure and seal the overlapping side portions to define a sealed enclosure, the pallet having downwardly projecting legs which facilitate at least two way tyne entry.
Preferably the load bearing panel is corrugated with the corrugations in abutment with the top and base panels. The abutting surfaces Of the panels are preferably adhesively secured together.
In a preferred embodiment the abutting portions are coated with adhesive to secure the top panel to the base panel.
In the preferred embodiments the pallet has legs that can define either two way or four way unobstructed tyne access.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pallet in accordance with one embodiment of the invention,
FIG. 2 is an underside perspective view of the pallet facilitating two way tyne entry,
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the pallet shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,
FIG. 4 is an underside perspective view of another form of pallet facilitating four way tyne entry,
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the pallet shown in FIG. 4,
FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6--6 of FIG. 3,
FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 7--7 of FIG. 1, and
FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 8--8 of FIG. 4.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In a first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, 6 and 7, a pallet 10 allowing two way tyne entry comprise three major sections, namely a base panel 20, a bearing panel 30 and a top panel 40. The base, bearing and top panels interfit together to form the assembled pallet 10. In a preferred embodiment all the components are manufactured from steel. It is envisaged that the components could be made of mild steel, galvanised steel or stainless stee
REFERENCES:
patent: 3405666 (1968-10-01), Miller
patent: 3719157 (1973-03-01), Arcochia
patent: 5425521 (1995-06-01), Locke
Anderson Gerald A.
Cuomo Peter M.
Sixty Fifth Calejero Pty. Ltd.
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