Plastic pallet assembly
OwnerMaurice J. Pigott, Brandon L. Pigott +2inventors
InventorsMaurice J. Pigott, Brandon L. Pigott, Peter S. Pigott, Schuyler F. Pigott
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A plastic pallet (10) is disclosed that comprises a generally rectangular pallet base (20), a generally rectangular pallet deck (100) and plurality of connectors (11) interconnecting the base and the deck. The base (20) includes a pair of side members (31), a pair of end members (32) and a pair of cross members (33,34). The deck (110,210) is generally rectangular and has a planar outer surface (122,222) and an inner surface (121,221) with a reinforcement structure projecting outwardly therefrom.
Claims14
A pallet base for use in combination with a second pallet base or a pallet deck and a plurality of connectors, the pallet base having an outer perimeter, an inner surface and an outer surface and being interconnected to the second pallet base or deck by the connectors, comprising:
- a pair of substantially parallel side members and a pair of substantially parallel end members that are substantially perpendicular to said side members, both said side and said end members having a plurality of openings therein for receiving the connectors, and being hooked-shaped in cross-section, and including a substantially horizontal first portion forming the outer perimeter, a ramp portion, a substantially horizontal second portion and a vertical portion, the outer surface of said ramp portion, said horizontal second portion and said vertical portion being concave;
- a first cross member disposed between and connected to said end members and a second cross member disposed between and connected to said side members, both said first and second cross members having a plurality of openings therein for receiving the connectors, and being U-shaped in cross section, and including a substantially horizontal second portion having two sides with a ramp portion and a substantially horizontal first portion integral with each of said two sides of said horizontal second portion, the outer surface of said ramp portions and said horizontal second portion being concave;
- a second cross member disposed between said side members and connected to said side members,
- said inner surface having a plurality of spaced apart transverse inner ribs, projecting therefrom;
- and,
- said opposed outer surface having a plurality of spaced apart transverse outer ribs projecting therefrom.
A generally rectangular pallet deck having an outer perimeter a first side, an opposed second side, a first end and an opposed second end for use in combination with a second pallet deck or a pallet base and a plurality of connectors, the pallet deck being interconnected to the second pallet deck or base by the connectors, comprising:
- a substantially planar outer surface with perimeter reinforcement means,
- said perimeter reinforcement means including a substantially vertical perimeter wall forming the outer perimeter and two adjacent inclined perimeter walls joined at an apex, the outer surface of said inclined perimeter walls being concave,
- one said inclined perimeter wall having a drain therein;
- an inner surface with a reinforcement structure projecting outwardly therefrom,
- said reinforcement structure including a plurality of cells formed by a plurality of parallel end walls and a plurality of side walls;
- a first row of openings adjacent the first side of the deck for receiving the connectors;
- a second row of openings adjacent the second side of the deck for receiving the connectors;
- and,
- an intermediate row of openings parallel to and disposed between said first row and said second row of openings.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.