Adjustable pallet for transport

A pallet for transporting cargo, comprising:

• a rectangular base having fixed dimensions and having a base loading surface, a thickness defined perpendicular to the base loading surface, a first edge, an opposite second edge and a pair of opposite base edges extending between the first and second edges, the loading surface being capable of supporting cargo thereupon;
• an extension member adjustably attached to the base adjacent the first edge for selective extension from the base between a retracted position and an extended position, the extension member having an external loading surface and an extension thickness defined substantially perpendicular to the extension loading surface, the extension loading surface being substantially co-planar with the base loading surface in the retracted position and the extended position;
• and
• wherein the extension member is attached to the base by parallel opposing pairs of pivotable elongate connecting elements, the connecting elements each having a first end pivotally attached to the base adjacent one of the opposite base edges, the connecting elements each having a second end pivotally attached to the extension member, the connecting elements pivotal relative to both the base and the extension member about axes parallel to the first edge to move the extension member from the retracted position to the extended position.

A pallet for transporting cargo, comprising:

• a rectangular base having fixed dimensions and having a base loading surface, a thickness defined perpendicular to the base loading surface, a first edge, an opposite second edge and a pair of opposite base edges extending between the first and second edges, the loading surface being capable of supporting cargo thereupon;
• an extension member adjustably attached to the base adjacent the first edge for selective extension from the base between a retracted position and an extended position, the extension member having an extension loading surface and an extension thickness defined substantially perpendicular to the extension loading surface, the extension loading surface being substantially co-planar with the base loading surface in the retracted position and the extended position;
• wherein the extension member has a member end edge facing away from the base in the extended position of the extension member, and a cantilever member is adjustably mounted adjacent at least one of the second edge of the base and the extension member end edge for selective extension of the cantilever member from the member on which it is mounted between a retracted position and an extended position, and in which extended position it extends from the respective edge in the lengthwise direction of the pallet to limit the approach of foreign objects in a direction lengthwise of the pallet.

A method of positioning upon a cargo pallet a vehicle having a first and second pairs of coaxial wheels, comprising the steps of:

• providing a pallet base having a base loading surface, a first edge, an opposite second edge and a pair of opposing base edges extending transverse to the first and second edges, and an extension member having an extension loading surface, the extension member being adjustably attached to the base adjacent to the first edge for selective extension from the base between a retracted position and an extended position;
• positioning the vehicle on the pallet with the first pair of wheels upon the base loading surface;
• extending the extension member such that the extension loading surface is substantially co-planar with the base loading surface;
• positioning the second pair of wheels upon the extension loading surface;
• providing an extendable cantilever member on at least one of the base and the extension member for selective extension between a retracted position and an extended position from the base or the extension member on which it is mounted;
• and
• extending the cantilever member such that the base, extension member and cantilever member establish an overall pallet length that is at least as great as the length of the vehicle supported on said pallet.