Unitizing frame for a pallet

A unitizing frame for a four-way entry pallet, the pallet having an upper surface and including a pair of stringers extending along the sides of the pallet, the stringers having aligned cutout portions in the lower surfaces thereof to provide the four-way entry, and said pallet having an open area across its lateral dimension between the stringers, the unitizing frame comprising:

• a pair of like panels having a width substantially equal to the lateral dimension of the pallet, said panels including side members extending the length of the panel;
• means for unassistedly supporting said panels vertically on said pallet without obstructing the open area, said supporting means including a pair of bars each having a length substantially equal to the length of the stringers and a plurality of planar members including an upper plate at each end of each bar integral with each said bar and extending inwardly over the upper surface of the pallet, a side of each upper plate being substantially flush with an end of the pallet, and at least a pair of lower plates integral with each said bar and extending inwardly of said pallet in individual frictional contact with a portion of the lower surfaces of the stringers above the cut-out portions and means on said upper plates for stably, but removably, engaging the lower ends of said side members, said engaging means including means for preventing accidental disengagement of said lower ends of said side members, and said pair of panels interlocking said bars on said pallet;
• and
• at least one pair of rod members for disengagingly interlocking each side member of one of said pair of panels to the opposing side member of the other of said panels when said panels are held vertically on said pallet by said pallet support means.