US 7,360,493 B2Granted

Modular pallet and method

Assignee21st Century Plastics Corporation

InventorsMichael J. Hummel, John P. Conner, Gregory D. Dobie, Craig G. Wright

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Abstract

A pallet is formed of two or more sections formed of plastic materials. The sections are adjustably fixed together using elongated connectors dimensioned to fit closely in channels with each of the connectors extending between a channel of one section and a channel of an adjoining section. The sections and the connectors are adjustably secured together by mechanical fasteners. Spaced apertures are provided through each of the channels and similarly spaced apertures are provided through each of the connectors whereby the dimensions of the pallet are adjustable. Pallets are provided that can be nested in an inverted orientation without increasing the thickness of the inverted pair greater than the thickness of a single pallet.

Claims8

Dependent claims

A pallet, comprising:

a plurality of sections, each section being formed of a single molded polymeric piece having upper, lower and side surfaces;
channels formed through at least one of the side surfaces of each section and extending into the section;
said channels of a first one of said sections being adapted to be aligned with a said at least one channel of a second one of said sections;
a plurality of integral supporting legs extending downwardly from the lower surfaces;
the upper surfaces being formed by a lattice structure of integrally molded intersecting members having an inverted U-shaped cross-section, said channels being formed in said intersecting members;
and
a plurality of elongated connectors dimensioned to fit closely in said channels of said first one of said sections, each of the connectors extending between a selected one of said channels of said first one of said sections and a selected one of said channels of said second section.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.