Pallet assembly

Abstract

A pallet assembly combines a structurally simple, although relatively expensive, heavy-duty, high quality pallet with an expendable, inexpensive, light-weight, and extraordinarily simple shipper skid. The heavy-duty pallet is made of solid hardwood lumber or other durable material such as plastic and is designed for long lasting service. The expendable shipper skid is made of a light-weight hardwood, plastic or corrugated fiberboard. The pallet assembly is entered by a forklift from one direction and the shipper skid and a load thereon is arranged to be lifted from the pallet assembly by a forklift entering from a direction displaced 90.degree. from said first mentioned direction. Notches in the intermediate as well as the end runners of the heavy-duty pallet allow the tines of the forklift to pass through the entire pallet assembly when the expendable shipper skid is to be lifted. Only the inexpensive expendable shipper skid is shipped with the load. This avoids risking damage to or on return of the more expensive heavy-duty pallet.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.