Collapsible pallet with reinforcing slats and method of using the same

A collapsible loading pallet for transporting a load by means of a lifting mechanism having a pair of laterally separated forks and for supporting the load in elevated relation to the ground when said pallet rests on the ground, said pallet comprising:

• a platform formed of flexible material and having an upper surface operative to receive the load when said platform is in an erect position, said platform permitting the folding of said pallet into a collapsed position;
• a plurality of support blocks affixed in laterally spaced apart relation on a lower surface of said platform, said blocks defining at least two parallel channels between said blocks for selectively receiving and engaging the separated forks when in said erect position, and said blocks resting approximately alongside one another when said pallet is in said collapsed position;
• a plurality of elongated reinforcing slats for reinforcing said pallet when in said erect position, said first slats having a length coextensive with said platform;
• first means for detachably coupling some of said slats to said platform, said first coupling means being aligned substantially transverse to said blocks;
• and
• second means for detachably coupling the remainder of said slats to said blocks, said second coupling means being aligned substantially transverse to said blocks,
• whereby upon removal of said slats from said first and second coupling means, said platform and said blocks may be collapsed such that said pallet is stored in a minimum of space.

In a collapsible loading pallet for supporting and transporting a load, a method for reinforcing said pallet comprising the steps of:

• providing a platform formed of flexible material and having an upper surface operative to receive the load;
• providing a plurality of support blocks affixed in laterally spaced apart relation on a lower surface of said platform;
• laterally extending said blocks with respect to each other such that said platform is substantially flat for receiving the load;
• detachably coupling slats to said platform substantially transverse to said blocks so as to make said platform and said pallet rigid;
• removing said slats from said platform after loaded use of said pallet, such that said pallet may be collapsed;
• and then
• folding said platform and said blocks such that said pallet may be collapsed and stored in a minimum of space.