US3824933A

US3824933A - Load bearing pallet and interlock

Info

Publication number: US3824933A
Application number: US00288913A
Authority: US
Inventors: W Lind
Original assignee: JAW BAR PLASTICS CORP
Current assignee: JAW BAR PLASTICS CORP
Priority date: 1972-09-14
Filing date: 1972-09-14
Publication date: 1974-07-23
Anticipated expiration: 1991-07-23

Abstract

A load bearing pallet including two identical mold formed halves each having a load bearing surface and a plurality of relatively spaced supporting pads with an interlocking feature provided thereon and comprising a projection on the supporting pad extending thereacross and with an overhanging lip formed on one side thereof immediately over a draft opening, and with an opening immediately behind the projection formed for interference snap-lock and press fitted engagement therethrough of a like projection on a pallet half disposed in complimentary relation thereover.

Description

United States Patent [.191

Lind 1451 Jul 23, 1974 [54] LOAD BEARING PALLET AND INTERLOCK 3,592,145 7/1971 Petry 108/57 Inventor: Willard E. Lind c es Mich. 3,664,27l 5/1972 Wolder 108/58 [73] Assignee: Jaw-Bar Plastics Corporation, Primary Examiner-Paul R. Gilliam Birmingham, Mich. Attorney, Agent, or FirmDale Austin Winnie [22] Filed: Sept. 14, 1972 [57] ABSTRACT PP A load bearing pallet including two identical mold formed halves each having a load bearing surface and [52] US. 01. 108/51, 108/58 ,a plurality of relatively Spaced Supporting P with 51 1m. 01 B65d 19/18 imerlmking feature Provided thereon and Comprising 58 Field of Search 108/51-58 a P i the Supporting Pald emnding there" 1 across and with an overhanging lip formed on one side [56] References Cited thereof immediately over a draft opening, and with an UNITED STATES PATENTS opening immediately behind the projection formed for interference snap-lock and press fitted engagement g therethrough of a like projection on a pallet half dis- 3:307:504 3/1967 :532: n 108/58 posed in complimentary relation thereover. 3,404,642 10/1968 Belcher et al 108/58 X 4 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures I LOAD BEARING PALLET AND INTERLOCK BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Most load bearing pallets, which are used with fork lift trucks, are made of wood slats nailed to cross members, on each side, and are usually of unfinished lumber so roughly and crudely made that they are generally expendable after a relatively short period of time. Normally they are made so that fork lift entry is possible from only two opposite sides and since they are seldom painted or treated in any way they are prone to collect and retain moisture which results in mildew, rot and their ultimate deterioration.

Although efforts have been made to make pallets out of other more durable and longer lasting materials, the expense and/or added weight of the pallets have proven impractical on any large scale basis.

Aluminum and plastic materials have been tried, be cause of their relative light weight, but with these materials another problem has been that only single faced pallets can be made, due to the mold forming process from which they are derived. This, in turn means even further expense in fastening and retaining two complementary pallet halves together, if a two faced pallet is desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The present invention is directed to a two faced pallet' having four way entry, which is made of a light weight high impact resistant plastic material, and which is mold formed to include a particularly new and model means of interlocking'opposite and relatively identical pallet halves together without the use of separate and distinct fastener means.

The basic pallet form is of an open honey cone structure with supporting pads formed at and between its corners which include the pallet interlock feature. The interlock on each pad includes a projection extending across the pad which has an overhanging lip provided on the outermost end of one side, immediately over a relatively narrow draft opening beside the projection which enables the overhanging lip to be mold formed right on the cross projection.

There is, in turn, an opening provided immediately beside and behind the pad projection which is formed to receive in an interference and snap-lock fitted engagement therethrough a like pad projection of an identical pallet half complementarily disposed thereover for press fitted interlocking engagement therewith.

As a consequence, identical pallet halves, with like supporting pads, including complementarily disposed interlocking features are received one over the other, in back-to-back relation, and may be force fitted into a secure and positive engagement to provide a two faced light weight pallet which allows four way entry and one which will not warp or rot and is capable of steam cleaning as and when desired.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES FIG. 1 is a side edge view of one end of a pallet made in accord with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of one corner of the pallet.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a whole pallet includ-' ing the interlock feature of the present, invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken through one of the interlocking lugs or pads of the pallet shown in the previous drawing figures.

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of one of the interlocking parts, in and of itself.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the same interlocking part.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the interlocking part with certain features shown in dotted outline as they are therewith.

FIG. 8 is a front face elevational view of the interlocking part, again with certain features shown in dotted outline as they are therewithin.

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of two of the interlocking parts, as provided on like pallet halves and disposed relative to each other immediately prior to being press fitted into locking relationship with each other.

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the same two parts as shown in the immediately preceeding drawing DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT The first three drawing figures show a load bearing pallet 10 made up of two identical halves l2 and 14 which are joined and locked together by means of special locking lugs 16.

Each pallet half is made of a polyprope'n plastic such as polypropolene, polyethelene or polystyrene material in an open waffle pattern which includes transversely

crossed ribs

18 and 20 that are about A of an inch deep and with a wall thickness of about A of an inch in the ribs and the locking lubs 16.

The pallet halves are formed with a narrowing taper or draft downwardly from their face sides, to facilitate their mold form release, as is shown princiapply in FIG. 4, and to include three locking lugs 16 along each side edge, and one centrally, for a total of nine locking lugs in all.

As joined and locked together the pallet halves provide a two face pallet having four way entry, that is from any accessible side, by a fork lift truck or like pallet lifting and moving means. And, they are impact tested and approved, will not warp or rot, can be steam cleaned, are light weight (about 35 pounds) and have a static load bearing capacity of 14,000 pounds which enables their use in at least four high stacks.

Of particular note are the locking lugs 16 which will hereafter be described in further detail. Since each pallet half 12 and 14 is identical, the locking lugs are identical and identically located so that they are relatively aligned when one pallet half is turned over and placed on another pallet half.

The locking lugs include a generally square box sectioned form, about 3 inches deep, with

opposite side walls

22, 24 and 26, 28 including about a 5 draft. They also include a bottom wall 30 within which is provided two

openings

32 and 34, one on each side of a projection 36 that extends between the relatively

opposite side walls

26 and 28.

The larger of the two openings, which is identified as 32, is relatively behind the projection 36 and is formed on its outer side to include a chamfer of about 30 around three of its side edges and to have a straight, no draft, edge inclusive of the back wall 38 of the projection 36. It also includes on its inner side edge, opposite v the projection 36, a rib 40 which stands about .one-

fourth of an inch high and extends in parallel spaced relation to the projection on the inner side of the bot tom wall 30;

For reasons later more fully appreciated, the rib 40 has about a 15 camfer on each edge of its extreme end ity of relatively spaced members formed therewith inerand about a 2 draft along its side edge bordering the opening 32.

The projection 36, that is formed from the bottom wall 30, is not solid but inclusive of an opening 42 within its underside and admin hole 44 centrally of an inch apart from the bottom wall 30 and is formed to include a lip 46 near its outermost end which extends relative over the smaller bottom wall opening 34 on its other side. r

The back corners of the projection 36 and the front corners of the lip 46 each include about a 45 chamfer and the top or end wall of the projection includes about is of substantially the samewidth as the opening 32 relatively behind it, except for the lip 46. Accordingly when two locking lugs,-or pallet halves with locking r lugs, are disposed as shown in FIG. 9, their back walls 38 are relatively aligned against each other and the chamfered edge of their lips 46 lie on the chamfered edge of the opening 32.

thereof through its top wall. It extends a little under."/s

locking said halves together and relatively spacing said load bearing surfaces apart, said interlocking members comprising; a depending form under said load bearing surface and including a bottom wall providing a supporting pad, a projection on said supporting pad extending relatively thereacross near one side thereof and having an overhanging lipprovided on the outermost end of the outermost side thereof, an opening provided in said supporting pad next adjacent and relatively behind said projection near the other side thereof, and of a relatively like breadth and width thereto exclusive of said overhanging lip, and a rib rail formed on said bottom wall on the side edge of said opening opposite and in parallel spaced relation to said projection extending within said depending form, said lip and rib rail being formed for a yielding interference fit with a corresponding rib rail and lip, respectively, on a like depend- Since the shorter ends of both the projections 36 and the openings 32 are also chamfered there is a natural centering of the projections within the openings for rel-- ative alignment of the two pallet halves being joined together, andv since the side edge corners'of the projections are chamfered and the corners of the opening 32 are radiused, as shown, it follows that with a sufficient impact force, properly applied, the locking lug projections 36 may be forced through the openings 32, for the interlock shown in FIGS. 4 and 10, with the projection member lips 46 engaged over the ends of the ribs 40.

As previously mentioned, both the underside of the ing form received in complimentary relation and into pressed engagement therewith, said pallet halves being of molded plastic material and said supporting pads having a second opening formed therein immediately under said over hanging lip for mold form manufacturing ease and providing added elasticity in the interlocking use thereof, said first mentioned opening having the side edges therearound chamfered on the outer disposed side thereof and said projection being chamfered on the end thereof for complimentary alignment therebetween preceeding the pressed engagement of said projection therethrough, said lip and rib rail having a complimentary chamfer provided on the underside of said lip and on the extreme end wall of said rib rail for closer fitting interengagement therebetween.

2. The load bearing pallet of claim 1, said plastic material of said pallet halves and inclusive of said overhanging lip and rib rail being retained at a temperature of 80 to 1 10 for added pliability and lubricity condusive to the press fitted interengagement required there amount as the thickness, or standing height of the ribs 40, together with the thickness of the bottom wall 30,

so that there is a secure and tight interfit between the, lips 46 and ribs 40 and the assurance of a positive and r relatively fixed engagement between each pair of interengaged locking lugs.

In actual assembly the pallet material, and more parlips to provide for any necessarydrainageat each end,

in the final assembly, and, as mentioned, the locking projections 36 themselves are provided with drain holes 44 so that no accumulation of water will catch and stagnate aroundthe pallet interlocks.

In conclusion, although the interlocking system shown has been designed for use with load bearing palj between. v 3. A snap lock interference fitted connection for interlocking different plastic molded parts together, and comprising: two identical halves each having a load bearing surface and a plurality of relatively spaced members formed therewith interlocking said halves together and relatively spacing said load bearing surfaces apart, said interlocking members comprising a depending form under each of said plastic molded parts and I including a bottom wall providing a supporting pad, a

ticularly the locking lugs 16, are maintained at between a projection on said supporting pad extending relatively thereacross near one side thereof and having an overhanging lip provided on the outermost end of the outermost side thereof, an opening provided in said supporting pad next adjacent and relatively behind said projection near the other side thereof, and of a relatively like breadth and width thereto exclusive of said overhanging lip, and a rib rail formed on said bottom wall on the side edge of said opening opposite and in parallel spaced relation to said projection extending within said depending form, said lip and rib rail being formed for a yielding interference fit with a corresponding rib rail and lip, respectively on a like depending form received incomplimen'tary relation and into pressed engagetary chamfer provided on the underside of said lip and on the extreme end wall of said rib rail for closer fitting interengagement therebetween.

4. The snap lock interference fitted connection of claim 3, said plastic material of said molded parts and inclusive of said overhanging lip and rib rail being retained at a temperature of to 1 10 for added pliability and lubricity condusive to the press fitted interengagement required therebetween.

Claims

1. A load bearing pallet including two identical halves each having a load bearing surface and a plurality of relatively spaced members formed therewith inerlocking said halves together and relatively spacing said load bearing surfaces apart, said interlocking members comprising; a depending form under said load bearing surface and including a bottom wall providing a supporting pad, a projection on said supporting pad extending relatively thereacross near one side thereof and having an overhanging lip provided on the outermost end of the outermost side thereof, an opening provided in said supporting pad next adjacent and relatively behind said projection near the other side thereof, and of a relatively like breadth and width thereto exclusive of said overhanging lip, and a rib rail formed on said bottom wall on the side edge of said opening opposite and in parallel spaced relation to said projection extending within said depending form, said lip and rib rail being formed for a yIelding interference fit with a corresponding rib rail and lip, respectively, on a like depending form received in complimentary relation and into pressed engagement therewith, said pallet halves being of molded plastic material and said supporting pads having a second opening formed therein immediately under said over hanging lip for mold form manufacturing ease and providing added elasticity in the interlocking use thereof, said first mentioned opening having the side edges therearound chamfered on the outer disposed side thereof and said projection being chamfered on the end thereof for complimentary alignment therebetween preceeding the pressed engagement of said projection therethrough, said lip and rib rail having a complimentary chamfer provided on the underside of said lip and on the extreme end wall of said rib rail for closer fitting interengagement therebetween.

2. The load bearing pallet of claim 1, said plastic material of said pallet halves and inclusive of said overhanging lip and rib rail being retained at a temperature of 80* to 110* for added pliability and lubricity condusive to the press fitted interengagement required therebetween.

3. A snap lock interference fitted connection for interlocking different plastic molded parts together, and comprising: two identical halves each having a load bearing surface and a plurality of relatively spaced members formed therewith interlocking said halves together and relatively spacing said load bearing surfaces apart, said interlocking members comprising a depending form under each of said plastic molded parts and including a bottom wall providing a supporting pad, a projection on said supporting pad extending relatively thereacross near one side thereof and having an overhanging lip provided on the outermost end of the outermost side thereof, an opening provided in said supporting pad next adjacent and relatively behind said projection near the other side thereof, and of a relatively like breadth and width thereto exclusive of said overhanging lip, and a rib rail formed on said bottom wall on the side edge of said opening opposite and in parallel spaced relation to said projection extending within said depending form, said lip and rib rail being formed for a yielding interference fit with a corresponding rib rail and lip, respectively on a like depending form received in complimentary relation and into pressed engagement therewith, said supporting pads having a second opening formed therein immediately under said overhanging lip for mold form manufacturing ease and providing added elasticity in the interlocking use thereof, said first mentioned opening having the side edges therearound chamfered on the outer disposed side thereof and said projection being chamfered on the end thereof for complimentary alignment therebetween preceeding the pressed engagement of said projection therethrough, said lip and rib rail having a complimentary chamfer provided on the underside of said lip and on the extreme end wall of said rib rail for closer fitting interengagement therebetween.

4. The snap lock interference fitted connection of claim 3, said plastic material of said molded parts and inclusive of said overhanging lip and rib rail being retained at a temperature of 80* to 110* for added pliability and lubricity condusive to the press fitted interengagement required therebetween.