US 2004/0168946 A1Published application

Reusable windshield pallet

AssigneeSafelite Glass Corporation

InventorsChris Angeletti, Steve Brown, Steve Micheli, Jeff Wester, Mark Clay, Terrell Bunn, Rich Glover, Joe Rotolo, Mark Barnes, Daniel F. Dufresne, Al Hoag, Doug Yaw, Dino Lanno

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Abstract

A fully collapsible pallet is provided with easily adjustable rear stops, lower rear stops, and side restraints. A telescoping member is provided to allow shipment of partial pallets of windshields. Extensions allow the pallet to be used with windshields of various heights. The pallet is stackable in a folded condition as well as a loaded condition, even when extensions are used. A latch is provided to prevent leaning of the pallet even when the load is not centered in the pallet.

Claims54

Dependent claims

A pallet for shipping multiple vehicle windshields comprising:

a base structure comprising first second third and fourth upright members, each upright member being positioned at a corner of a substantially rectangular configuration and joined by connecting members to form a substantially rigid substantially rectangular area within said base structure;
a front support bar removably attached between said first and second upright members, said front support bar having a front stop positioned thereon and adapted to support a rear surface of a windshield positioned within said base structure;
a rear support bar removably attached between said third and fourth upright members, said rear support bar having at least one stop that projects into the rectangular space defined by said first, second, third and fourth upright members to support a front surface of a windshield positioned within said base structure;
at least one lower support extending between the connecting member joining said first and second upright members and said connecting member joining said third and fourth upright members, said at least one lower support providing a lower supporting surface for a lower edge of the windshields positioned within said base structure;
Whereby, a plurality of windshields with dunnage placed therebetween can be positioned within said rectangular area of said base with a lower edge of the plurality of windshields supported by said lower support and so that a rear surface of a first windshield is supported by said front stop on said front support bar, and the front surface of last of said plurality of windshields is supported by said stop mounted on said rear support bar to secure the windshields within the pallet.

2 more elements

A pallet for shipping vehicle windshields comprising:

a base having four bars arranged to form the sides of a substantially rectangular configuration having a first, a second, a third and a fourth corner;
and
a first, a second, a third and a fourth rigid member joined to and extending upwardly from the first, second, third and fourth corners, respectively, each rigid member comprising an upper end, such that the upper ends of the first, second, third and fourth rigid members and the first, second, third and fourth corner define a first area of a protective envelope;
and
a means for adapting the pallet to secure a variety of differently sized windshields within the protective envelope based upon the size and/or number of windshields to be shipped.

2 more elements

A shipping pallet for shipping vehicle windshields comprising:

a base having four bars arranged to form a generally rectangular configuration having a first, a second, a third and a fourth corner;
a first, a second, a third and a fourth rigid member joined to and extending upwardly from the first, second, third and fourth corner, respectively, each rigid member comprising an upper end, such that the upper ends of the first, second, third and fourth rigid members and the first, second, third and fourth corner define a protective envelope;
and
a first, a second, a third and a fourth extension engageable with the first, second, third and fourth rigid member, respectively, each having an upper end and each having a lower end formed to cooperatively engage the upper end of the first, second, third and fourth rigid member respectively, such that when the first, second, third and fourth extension are engaged with the first, second, third and fourth rigid member, respectively, the upper end of the first, second, third and fourth extension and the first, second, third and fourth corner define an extended protective envelope.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/759,944Filed 16 Jan 2004
Priority: 27 Jan 2003
Published: 2 Sep 2004
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

B65D 19/44
Details or accessories: elements or devices for locating articles on platforms
B65G 49/062
For fragile sheets, e.g. glass: easels, stands or shelves, e.g. castor-shelves, supporting means on vehicles
B65D 85/48
For articles particularly sensitive to damage by shock or pressure: for glass sheets
B65D 2585/6882
Engines, motors, machines and vehicle parts: vehicle parts