Plastic pallet assembly

A generally rectangular pallet deck for use in combination with a second pallet deck or a pallet base and a plurality of separate connectors, the pallet deck having a first side, an opposed second side, a first end and an opposed second end and being interconnected to the second pallet deck or base by the separate connectors, the pallet deck further comprising:

• a substantially planar outer surface with perimeter reinforcement means;
• an inner surface with a reinforcement structure projecting outwardly therefrom;
• openings for receiving the separate connectors;
• and,
• a plurality of integral, internal connectors for cooperating with the connected second pallet deck or pallet base, the internal connectors further including a protective force absorbing oval sleeve with inwardly projecting webs and an internal, central receiving core, the core including an opening at the distal end thereof.

A plastic pallet having a generally rectangular pallet base, a generally rectangular pallet deck, and a plurality of connectors interconnecting the base and the deck,

• the pallet base including a pair of substantially parallel side members, a pair of substantially parallel end members that are substantially perpendicular to the side members and connected to the side members, at least one cross member disposed between and connected to one of either the side members or the end members, an inner surface with inner reinforcement elements projecting therefrom and, an opposed outer surface, and
• the pallet deck including a first side, an opposed second side, a first end and an opposed second end, a substantially planar outer surface with perimeter reinforcement means, and an inner surface inner reinforcement elements projecting therefrom, comprising:
• at least one internal connector having a first element integral with the inner surface of the base cooperating with a second element integral with the inner surface of the deck;
• and, at least four separate connectors, each positioned at a corner of the pallet and disposed between the base and the deck and further cooperating with openings in each of the deck and the base.

A connector for use in interconnecting two members to form a pallet, comprising:

• a central hollow core member having slots extending from opposite ends to produce a plurality of flexible tangs at opposite ends of the core member,
• a plurality of radial spokes extending from the periphery of the core member between the tangs,
• a non-circular sleeve surrounding the core member and being integral with outer ends of the spokes, and
• an inwardly-directed integral force-absorbing flange between the tangs.