Pallet made of plastic having reinforcing elements

Abstract

A pallet includes a cover plate configured to accommodate articles, and at least two runners arranged underneath the cover plate, each runner including a runner standing surface, wherein each runner standing surface is subdivided centrally of each runner transversely thereto at a dividing plane and into at least two separate runner elements including a first runner element and a second runner element which, in the mounted position, combine to form the runner standing surface, and wherein each runner element includes an elongated reinforcing element which is held at a first end remote from the dividing plane by a stop in the first runner element and is held at a second end by the second runner element.

Claims

1. A pallet comprising a plastic material, comprising: a cover plate configured to accommodate articles; and at least two runners arranged underneath the cover plate, each runner including a runner standing surface; wherein each runner standing surface is subdivided centrally of each runner transversely thereto at a dividing plane and into at least two separate runner elements including a first runner element and a second runner element, which, in the mounted position, combine to form the runner standing surface, and wherein each runner element includes an elongated reinforcing element which is held at a first end remote from the dividing plane by a stop in the first runner element and is held at a second end by the second runner element, and wherein the channels in the first and the second runner elements are offset with respect to one another transverse to the runner and the reinforcing element is held in the first runner element by an end face of the second runner element in the dividing plane.

2. The pallet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reinforcing element is received in a channel of the runner element.

3. The pallet as claimed in claim 2, wherein the channel is open toward the dividing plane of the runners.

4. The pallet as claimed in claim 1, wherein each reinforcing element comprises a strip having a square or rectangular cross-section, wherein the channel for receiving the reinforcing element has a complementary cross-section, and wherein the reinforcing element comprises fibre-reinforced plastic material or metal.

5. The pallet as claimed in claim 4, wherein the at least one mechanical fastener comprises a bayonet bolt.

6. The pallet as claimed in claim 1, wherein each reinforcing element is fixed by a plug-in fit and/or by holding members protruding into the channel.

7. The pallet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the runner elements are each releasably connected to the cover plate of the pallet at a first end via the runner support members by a form-fitting plug-in connection and/or a clip-like latching connection, and wherein the runner elements are each connected at a second end opposite the first end to a support foot by a latching lock or at least one separate mechanical fastener.

8. The pallet as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the mounted position of first and second runner elements of each of the runners, the first end of each first and second runner element are received in complementary cut-outs on an underside of a corresponding support foot such that the underside of the runner standing surface and the corresponding support foot are flush with one another.

9. The pallet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover plate with a support foot is one piece, and wherein each runner element is one piece.

10. The pallet of claim 9, wherein the cover with the support foot and each runner element comprises an injection molded plastic.

11. The pallet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pallet comprises a substructure of a load carrier which includes a side wall structure with circumferentially arranged side walls, wherein at least one of the side walls is configured to fold with respect to a supporting frame member.

12. The pallet as claimed in claim 11, wherein the cover plate of the pallet comprises the base part of the load carrier, and wherein side walls of the load carrier are configured to pivot with respect to side edge of the cover plate.

13. A load carrier, comprising: a base part; and a side wall structure; wherein the load carrier includes a base part that includes runner standing surfaces according to claim 1.

14. The pallet of claim 1, wherein the pallet includes three runners.

15. A pallet comprising a plastic material, comprising: a cover plate configured to accommodate articles; and at least two runners arranged underneath the cover plate, each runner including a runner standing surface; wherein each runner standing surface is subdivided centrally of each runner transversely thereto at a dividing plane and into at least two separate runner elements including a first runner element and a second runner element, which, in the mounted position, combine to form the runner standing surface, and wherein each runner element includes an elongated reinforcing element which is held at a first end remote from the dividing plane by a step in the first runner element and is held at a second end by the second runner element; and wherein the runners are arranged in parallel and at a spaced interval with respect to one another and in each case in parallel with a pallet edge, wherein on the end of each runner a runner support member is angled away from the runner standing surface of the runner in the direction of the cover plate and forms in each case a support foot arranged on the corner side of the pallet, wherein the runner standing surface of each runner is arranged by the runner support members and support feet, arranged therebetween, at a spaced interval with respect to the cover plate and is releasably connected thereto, wherein the first and second runner elements are releasably connected to the cover plate and in the position mounted on the cover plate form in each case one of the runners of the pallet, and wherein each runner element is L-shaped and the runner support member is angled at a right-angle from the runner standing surface of the runner element.

16. A pallet comprising a plastic material, comprising: a cover plate configured to accommodate articles; and at least two runners arranged underneath the cover plate, each runner including a runner standing surface; wherein each runner standing surface is subdivided centrally of each runner transversely thereto at a dividing plane and into at least two separate runner elements including a first runner element and a second runner element, which, in the mounted position, combine to form the runner standing surface, and wherein each runner element includes an elongated reinforcing element which is held at a first end remote from the dividing plane by a stop in the first runner element and is held at a second end by the second runner element; and wherein ends of the first and second runner elements which are opposite one another when the runner is in the mounted position include mutually vertically offset, complementary, annular receiving flanges for the at least one separate mechanical fastener, which, in the mounted position, are arranged lying one on top of the other such that the undersides of the runner standing surfaces of the runner elements are flush, and wherein the first and second runner elements are configured to each be releasably locked to a support foot by the at least one separate mechanical fastener.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Exemplified embodiments of the invention will be described hereinafter purely schematically with the aid of the drawings.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an inventive embodiment of a pallet (viewed from above);

(3) FIG. 2 shows a perspective partial view of the pallet as seen in a view from the bottom;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a view of the pallet shown in FIG. 2 but in the functional position of individual structural elements, in this case without stiffening elements;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a view of the pallet in the functional position similar to FIG. 3 but with insertable reinforcing elements;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the pallet in an embodiment as a base part of a large container or bulk container; and

(7) FIG. 6 shows a view of the embodiment of FIG. 6 [sic] but in the functional position and in the inverted position, i.e. with the arrangement of the base part at the top.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(8) FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the pallet in accordance with the invention in a view from above, wherein the pallet 1 has a cover plate 2 with a planar support surface which is used for transporting goods and products. Furthermore, in the illustrated exemplified embodiment the pallet 1 comprises three runners 4, in this case formed identically to one another, which are arranged in parallel with one another and in parallel with a side edge and thus as a result of the rectangular ground plot in parallel with the two opposite side edges 6. In the illustrated exemplified embodiment, the side edges 6 are the edges of the narrow side of the pallet.

(9) Purely by way of example only, this is a so-called half pallet which is widely available on the market and—again only by way of example—has here for the purpose of illustration a pallet size of 800×600 mm. Of course, the invention can also be applied to any other standard sizes, e.g. 1200×1000 mm and the like.

(10) As is apparent from FIG. 2, the pallet has in particular three support feet 8 which are arranged centrally, i.e. along a central longitudinal axis of the pallet and by means of which the spaced interval between the lower part of the runners 4 and the pallet deck, i.e. the cover plate 2 of the pallet 1, is fixed. The runner 4 has at its two opposite ends in each case a runner support member 10 which is angled, in particular angled at a right-angle, formed in the manner of support feet and arranged on the longitudinal edges 9 of the pallet 1 at a spaced interval with respect to one another and in series with one another. These runner support members 10 also determine the spaced interval between the lower part of the runner 4 and the underside of the cover plate 2 of the pallet 1. As is clearly apparent from FIG. 2, the runner 4 has an elongated, strip-like runner standing surface 12 which has an underside located at the top in FIG. 2 by reason of the reversed view, with which normally in the correct rotational orientation the pallet is supported on the floor surface. In this case, the underside has not been designated by a reference sign.

(11) As is clearly evident in FIG. 1, the two runner support members 10 of each runner 4 which are arranged on the narrow side define, with the centrally arranged support foot 8, between one another an engagement opening which is used for driving in forks of typical lifting apparatuses, e.g. forklift trucks or lift trucks or manual lift trucks. As a result, the forks can be introduced from the narrow side accordingly.

(12) However, corresponding engagement openings are also provided on the longitudinal edges 9 of the pallet, wherein, in the illustrated exemplified embodiment, the runners 4 define between one another two engagement openings for lifting apparatuses. In the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, each runner 4 is subdivided into two runner elements 4a and 4b in an advantageous manner centrally of the runner standing surface along a transversely directed separation plane 14, as is most clearly apparent from FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. Each of these runner elements can have an L-shaped structure, namely consisting of half a length of the runner standing surface and the angled runner support member 10 such that the runner support member is integrated in the runner element, which is not compulsory within the scope of the invention. Located at the free end of the runner support member 10 is a protrusion 15 which can be fitted preferably in a form-fitting manner into a complementary cut-out on the underside of the cover plate 2 and in an expedient manner, but not compulsorily so, can be releasably fastened by means of a suitable, in particular clip-like latching connection, which is the subject matter of German patent application 10 2017 121 18 13 included herein and therefore does not have to be described in greater detail.

(13) As is apparent from FIG. 3, each runner element can be attached for this purpose in an oblique manner to the underside of the cover plate so that the protrusion 15 can engage into the corresponding cut-outs 16. Each runner is then pivoted in the direction of the corresponding central support foot 8 and expediently engages at this location with its runner standing surface into a corresponding complementary cut-out 18 of the central support foot 8. In the case of latches, as the runner element 4a and 4b pivots in the direction of the cut-outs 18 the latching lug formed by the protrusion 15 snaps automatically into a corresponding latching-mimic of the underside of the cover plate in the region of the cut-out 16 and so the free end of each runner support member 10 can be latched with the underside of the cover plate 2.

(14) The pivoted-in position is shown for the front runner in FIG. 3. In this case, at the free ends of the runner elements, flange-like, annular cut-outs 20a and 20b, which are vertically offset with respect to one another and are formed opposite the runner support members, lie coaxially on one another, thus producing an overall flush underside of the runner standing surface 12 of each runner 4 (cf. FIG. 4, foremost runner). In this position, in which the free ends of both runner elements 4a, 4b are arranged oppositely and expediently abutting one another, the flange-like receivers 20a, 20b lie on one another in the coaxial direction and so a suitable mechanical fastening means can be introduced which extends through a corresponding opening in the support foot 8 and can be releasably fastened by means of a corresponding fastening-mimic in the region of the top deck or the runner, not illustrated. As shown in FIG. 3, a suitable fastening means is a bolt 22 which is provided with a bayonet lock 24, illustrated in this case as a bayonet threaded portion. The bolt 22 has, at the other end, a radially expanded bolt head. Such bayonet bolts are known and do not have to be described in greater detail. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the bayonet bolt 22 is inserted from the underside, wherein, however, it is also expedient to have an inverted arrangement in that the bolt can be introduced from the top side of the cover plate 2 into a corresponding receiver and then the bayonet-mimic on the bolt cooperates with a corresponding bayonet-mimic e.g. in the annular flange 20b of the runner element which, in the view from above shown in FIG. 3, lies coaxially on the annular receiving flange 20a. In both cases, both runner elements are releasably locked by means of a bolt to the top deck, in this case in the region of the central support foot.

(15) It can be seen that in the event of damage to a runner element, it can be readily replaced quickly and easily with an undamaged new runner element. Only the bayonet lock has to be opened, the bolt taken out and the corresponding runner element then pivoted upwards as shown in the view in FIGS. 3 and 4 so that the free end of the runner support member is also unlocked from the top deck and the damaged runner element can be removed and replaced by a new one.

(16) It is understood that the protrusion 15 with the latching mechanism is formed in each case such that it can be fitted in a flush manner into the cut-out 16 on the underside of the cover plate and thus terminates in a flush manner with the outer side and the underside of the cover plate. This is very clearly apparent from FIG. 1.

(17) It is to be noted that the design in accordance with the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, FIG. 3 merely serves to demonstrate, for the specific exemplified embodiment having L-shaped runner elements which at the same time form corner-side support feet 10, the arrangement or fastening thereof on/to the cover plate and the cooperation of the half-runner elements 4a and 4b.

(18) The design of the invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 relates to the embedding or the integration of additional separate reinforcing elements 40a and 40b in the runner elements 4a and 4b. These reinforcing elements are formed preferably in the manner of strips and have preferably a rectangular or square cross-section, as is clear from FIG. 4.

(19) It is to be noted that each runner element which, according to the inventive design, can also be formed without corner-side runner support members 10, has a reinforcing strip 40a, 40b which, as it were, is integrated in the runner standing surface and moreover preferably in each channel 42a and 42b of each runner element 4a and 4b. For the purpose of receiving the reinforcing elements 40a, 40b and each runner element 4a and 4b, each runner element preferably has channels 42a, 42b provided therein, into which the reinforcing strips 40a, 40b can each be inserted from the centre, i.e. the dividing plane 14. In this respect, the channels 40a and 40b are preferably open towards the dividing plane 14, facilitating the insertion of the reinforcing strips 40a and 40b into the respective channels 42a and 42b which are formed in particular having a complementary cross-section to the strips.

(20) In an expedient manner, the channels 42a and 42b are delimited at their end remote from the dividing plane 14 by means of stops which limit the insertion of the reinforcing elements 40a and 40b and prevent same from falling out. In an advantageous manner, the stops are formed in this case by means of the end-side ends of the runner elements 4a, 4b, in FIG. 4 e.g. by means of the end sides of the corner support feet 10 and so as a result the reinforcing strips are easily prevented from falling out towards the outside. On the opposite side of the channels, i.e. the side directed towards the dividing plane 14, no corresponding stops are required, but instead after the mounted position has been achieved, as illustrated e.g. in FIG. 2, it is apparent that the inserted reinforcing elements within strips are delimited by the opposite end walls of the opposite runner element, here in the case of FIG. 4 the end-side surface 44a of the runner element 4a serves to delimit or act as a stop for the reinforcing element 40b. The same applies for the other reinforcing element 40a.

(21) Since, in the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 and also in the case of FIG. 2, the two reinforcing elements of the two runner elements are laterally offset with respect to one another, the reinforcing element 40a is similarly prevented from falling out by means of the end face of the runner element 42b illustrated in FIG. 4 only by one edge. That is to say that, in the folded-open position of the runner elements 4a, 4b apparent from FIG. 4, the reinforcing strips can easily be inserted comfortably and quickly into the corresponding channels or receivers and arrive at the end stop at the remote end of the dividing plane 14. If the runner elements are then folded downwards onto the central support foot element 8, then the reinforcing elements 40a, 40b received in the runner elements are correspondingly held automatically by the opposite runner elements, in this case by the end faces 44a, 44b thereof.

(22) However, the offset arrangement of the reinforcing elements 40a, 40 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 is in no way compulsory and instead the reinforcing elements can also be oriented with one another in a direct longitudinal orientation, i.e. along a common axis. In this case, which is not illustrated in the figures, the reinforcing strips inserted into the channels would be prevented from falling out by virtue of the fact that the end sides of the reinforcing elements 40a, 40b come to lie against each other on the dividing plane.

(23) By reason of this formation, the reinforcing elements are held very easily in the two runner elements and only at the end remote from the dividing plane are corresponding stops required which, however, can be formed by means of corresponding end walls, such as e.g. the end walls of support feet, whereas at the opposite end, i.e. in the region of the dividing plane, no additional measures are required.

(24) If necessary, but certainly preferably, the holding of the reinforcing elements within the receivers or channels can be further reinforced by virtue of the fact that a very narrowly dimensioned plug-in fit is formed between the channel and the reinforcing strip. Alternatively, the walls of the channels can also have inwardly protruding, resiliently flexible holding tongues or ribs provided thereon which deform slightly in an elastic manner during insertion of the reinforcing strips and give rise to restoring forces which then ensure that the strips are held in a fixed manner and above all also in a fold-free manner within the channels. These measures are not illustrated in the figures.

(25) It is to be noted that this design of the receiving and holding of reinforcing strips is not restricted to the described specific configuration of L-shaped runner elements, but instead, of course, can also be applied to runner elements without any support foot elements which form e.g. merely the runner standing surface and are divided accordingly. Although herein a central division is definitively described, it is at the discretion of the person skilled in the art to provide in this case also more than one dividing plane, e.g. two dividing planes, and so then three runner elements would be present which would be provided accordingly with three channels, thus making it also possible to produce the design of the invention.

(26) FIG. 5 shows the use of the pallet 1 as a base part of a large container 28, wherein the side walls 30 of the large container are connected preferably in a foldable manner to the corresponding sides of the cover plate 2 and thus as it were the pallet. That is to say that the particular embodiment of the pallet having the replaceable runner elements can also be used correspondingly and similarly for large containers. These large containers are generally known and have a pallet-shaped base lower part, on which the side walls 30 are arranged and in particular mostly in a foldable manner. In the illustrated exemplified embodiment, the side walls are preferably arranged on and articulated in particular in a foldable manner to frame members 31 of the base part formed as a pallet 1. The frame members 31 are arranged preferably on the circumference of the pallet. In the illustrated exemplified embodiment, the frame members 31 form part of the pallet, but this is not compulsory. They could also be connected separately to the base part of the pallet 1 by means of a latching or plug-in connection, but protrude upwards from the base part on the edge side circumferentially. From the base part to the upper edge of the side walls 30, the height of such large containers measures in the range of 80 to 110 cm and so a large-volume storage space for accommodating in particular bulky goods is possible. These large containers have pallet-like standard dimensions.

(27) FIG. 6 shows the large container with the base upwards so that the runners 4 are visible. In the illustrated exemplified embodiment, the base part of the pallet 1 corresponds to the exemplified embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4. The base part of the large container forms as it were the pallet 1 with the lower part in the form of runners and so the pallet illustrated with the aid of FIGS. 1 to 4 can be inserted and used accordingly as a base part of a large container.

(28) As is apparent from FIGS. 5 and 6, in this exemplified embodiment the large container is fitted only with two runners 4 but this is shown by way of example only. If necessary, a central runner or further runners can also be provided, depending upon the size of the large container.