Pallet system
AssigneeClemson University Research Foundation
InventorsRupert Andrew Hurley, Judson T. Valentine, Matthew J. Whitlock, Jason Szymanski, Kyle D. Dunno
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Pallet systems are described that can be formed of corrugated paperboard without the necessity of any attachment materials such adhesives, staples, or the like. Individual stringers of a pallet matrix are interwoven together, with stringer notches interlocking with notches of crossing stringers from both above and below any one stringer. Systems can be easily and quickly assembled and, should the need arise, can be quickly repaired, for instance by replacement of one or more individual runners. Systems can also exhibit extremely high strength, and can withstand greater than about 20,000 pounds of static compression at less than about ⅜ inch deflection.
Claims20
A pallet system comprising eight support stringers in a four by four matrix, four of the eight stringers having an A pattern and four of the eight stringers having a B pattern, the four by four matrix including four support stringers aligned in an A-B-B-A pattern and four support stringers aligned in a B-A-A-B pattern, wherein each support stringer is interlocked with four other support stringers along the length of each support stringer, thereby defining four joints along the length of each support stringer, a first support stringer interlocking with a second support stringer from either an upper side or a lower side of the first support stringer, the first support stringer interlocking with a third support stringer from the other of the upper side or the lower side of the first support stringer, the upper side of the first support stringer and the lower side of the first support stringer being opposed to one another, the eight support stringers thereby being interwoven with one another, each support stringer including a first terminus and a second opposite terminus, the first and second opposite termini extending beyond all joints along the length of each support stringer;
- wherein the termini of each support stringer define the perimeter of said pallet system.
A method of forming a pallet system comprising:
- interlocking a first support stringer with a second support stringer from either an upper side or a lower side of the first support stringer to form a first joint;
- interlocking the first support stringer with a third support stringer from the other of the upper side or the lower side of the first support stringer to form a second joint, the upper side of the first support stringer and the lower side of the first support stringer being opposed to one another;
- interlocking additional support stringers with one another and with the first, second, and third support stringers to form a four by four matrix of interwoven support stringers that are interlocked at a series of joints said joints provided along the longitudinal length of each support stringer, each support stringer defining either an A pattern or a B pattern, the four by four matrix including four of the support stringers aligned in an A-B-B-A pattern and four of the support stringers aligned in a B-A-A-B pattern, each support stringer including a first terminus and a second terminus, wherein the first and second termini of each support stringer extend beyond all joints of that stringer;
- wherein the termini of each support stringer define the perimeter of said pallet system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.