Detachable pallet

Abstract

The invention relates to a detachable pallet which comprises a plurality of slides and a plurality of cross-members, wherein the slides comprise anchoring elements, both rigid stops and flexible stops, which contribute to attaching the cross-members to the slides, all in cooperation with tongues and grooves provided in the sides of the cross-members, which are inserted into one another creating a solid, robust joint and a complete load surface. The pallet can also have a tie rod joined to the bottom of the slides, securing same and providing greater robustness to the assembly, allowing it to be used on roller lines.

Claims

1. A DETACHABLE PALLET comprising: a plurality of skids (1) and a plurality of crossbars (2), wherein a. each of the plurality of skids (1) includes: an upper part and a lower part that are connected to define cut-outs (10) that extend transversely through the skid, where each cut-out is closed on a bottom side by a plank (12) and is configured to receive a fork of a forklift truck; a plurality of anchoring elements disposed on the upper part of the skid (1), where the anchoring elements include a plurality of rigid stops (8) and at least one flexible stops (9), where each of the rigid stops (8) includes a bottom recess (12) formed therein that has an opening and where the at least one flexible stop (9) includes a deformable element that is configured to deflect away from the opening; and b. the plurality of crossbars includes a pair of outer crossbars (6) and plurality of inner crossbars (3), and where each crossbar has anchoring recesses (13) formed on longitudinal sides thereof such that each recess (13) includes a projection disposed therein configured to complementarily engage the bottom recess (12) of the rigid stop (8) or the deformable element of the flexible stop (9), and where each of the inner crossbars (3) has a tongue portion and a groove portion disposed on each longitudinal side thereof such that the tongue portion on one longitudinal side is laterally disposed opposite the groove portion on an other longitudinal side, and where each of the outer crossbars (6) has a tongue portion and a groove portion (5) only on one longitudinal side that is disposed adjacent one of the inner crossbars (3) when installed on the skid (1) so as to define an inner side (19) of the outer crossbar (6), and where the tongue portion of one crossbar complementarily engages the groove portion of the adjacent crossbar, and where each inner crossbar includes a pair of tabs disposed on longitudinally opposite sides of thereof, and where each outer crossbar includes a plurality of tabs disposed on a longitudinal side thereof opposite the inner side (19).

2. The DETACHABLE PALLET according to claim 1, wherein the rigid stops (8) are configured with an inverted L shape.

3. The DETACHABLE PALLET according to claim 1, wherein a distal end of the deformable element of the at least one flexible stops (9) is configured as an arrowhead (17).

4. The DETACHABLE PALLET according to claim 1, further comprising rods (11) joined to the lower part of each of the plurality of the skids.

5. The DETACHABLE PALLET according to claim 1, wherein the upper part and the lower part of each skid is formed as a discrete element.

6. The DETACHABLE PALLET according to claim 1, wherein the outer crossbars (6) have smooth edges (7) on the longitudinal side opposite the inner side (19).

7. The DETACHABLE PALLET according to claim 1, wherein the rigid stops (8) and the at least one flexible stop (9) each transversely extend across the upper part are longitudinally aligned along the upper part.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a pallet showing the skids (1) and the crossbars (2), where the inner crossbars (3) with their side tabs (4) and the tongue and groove joint (5) on their greater sides can be seen.

(2) The outer crossbars (6) do not have a tongue and groove joint on their outer side and have smooth edges (7).

(3) The skids comprise a body on the upper part of which are the anchoring elements, showing the rigid stops (8) and the flexible stops (9).

(4) The body of the skid presents recesses (10) suitable for inserting therein the ends of a forklift in order to facilitate the transport and handling thereof. These recesses are closed on the bottom by a plank (12) that increases the sturdiness of the assembly and allows using same on a roller line.

(5) FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of another possible embodiment, where the central part thereof has two opposing flexible stops (9), so that this is a C-type embodiment, with two groups of crossbars in opposite directions with respect to each other.

(6) This figure shows a bottom rod (11) in a position for connection to the structure of the pallet, specifically at the lower part of the skids. This optional rid increases the sturdiness of the assembly and facilitates the use of the pallets on roller lines.

(7) FIG. 3 shows an example of a skid showing more clearly the rigid stops (8) which each have a bottom recess (12), and the flexible stops (9), in this case with an arrow or half-arrow shape, showing on the upper part of said flexible stop a deformable element, in this case an arrowhead (17) that can yield under the pressure exerted by the crossbar and subsequently return to its position.

(8) FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a skid, in this case made from two parts, an upper and a lower part, with two flexible stops (9) opposite each other at the upper central part and a plurality of rigid stops (8) in each of the two longitudinal halves of the skid, arranged in opposite orientations in each half. This figure also shows the inner ribs of the skid.

(9) FIG. 5 shows an outer crossbar (6) seen from the inner side (19), showing the anchoring recesses (13), the tongue and groove joint (5) on the inner greater side, the tabs, in this case front tabs (14), the smooth edges (7) and the recesses (15) that reduce the weight of the crossbar.

(10) FIG. 6 shows an outer crossbar (6) from the side of the outer side (18) showing the front tabs (14), the smooth edges (7) and the anchoring recesses (13) of the outer side.

(11) FIG. 7 shows an inner crossbar (3) with the side tabs (16), the anchoring recesses (13) and the tongue and groove joint.

(12) FIG. 8 shows an assembled pallet of the type in which each skid piece is formed from two parts that are joined permanently, the essential advantage thereof being in the manufacturing stage. This pallet also has rods on its bottom part. It can be seen that the crossbars are in close contact with each other at their sides, generating a complete load surface.

(13) FIG. 9 shows a pallet mounted in another possible embodiment. It can be seen that the crossbars are in close contact with each other at their sides, generating a complete load surface.

DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

(14) An embodiment is described below for illustration purposes only and in no way limiting the invention, since as indicated in the description part, there are various possible embodiments and the present patent provides technical solutions applicable to other arrangements that are not described.

(15) The detachable pallet comprises a plurality of skids (1), specifically three, and a plurality of crossbars (2), specifically six, of which four are inner crossbars (3) and two are outer crossbars (6), although these numbers may be different in other embodiments.

(16) The skids comprise on their upper part a number of anchoring elements, specifically six rigid stops (8) and one flexible stop (9), although the total number of each type can be different in other embodiments.

(17) The rigid stops comprise an inverted L shape that generates a bottom recess (12) suitable to house in it the anchoring recesses of a crossbar, holding said crossbar in place.

(18) The flexible stops (9) have an arrowhead cross section and a deformable arrowhead end (17) such that in the assembly operation the crossbar pushes vertically down on the arrowhead (17) of the flexible stop (9), making the arrowhead yield to allow the crossbar to pass and when the arrowhead finds the corresponding anchoring recess (13) it returns to its original position, entering the anchoring recess and holding the crossbar in place.

(19) In the embodiment described herein the pallet is assembled as described below.

(20) The skids (1) are placed in parallel at the correct distance from each other facing in the same direction.

(21) The first crossbar installed, an outer crossbar (7), is placed meeting against the rigid stops (8) of the end of the skids, inserting said rigid stops in the anchoring recesses (13) of the outer side (18) of the outer crossbar.

(22) With the rigid stops inserted in the anchoring recesses (13) of the outer side, the crossbar will rest on the skids.

(23) The inner side of this outer crossbar is in contact with the next rigid stops at the part where the latter do not have a lower recess.

(24) The next crossbar, in this case an inner crossbar, is inserted in these rigid stops, anchoring the crossbar to the rigid stops and left in close contact with the outer crossbar thereby holding it by means of the complementary tongue and groove joints (5) of the two crossbars at their adjacent sides.

(25) This operation is repeated such that each crossbar installed helps hold the previously installed crossbar.

(26) Finally, another outer crossbar is fitted which has a tongue and groove joint on its inner side helping to secure the previously installed crossbar, while its outer side pushes against the arrowheads (17) of the flexible stops of this end of each skid, such that they yield and allow the crossbar to slide until the arrowheads, in a forced position, coincide with the attachment recesses (13) of the outer side of the outer crossbar being fitted, and return to their natural position entering said anchoring recesses and securing the crossbar and all the others by closing the assembly.

(27) In this way a complete loading surface is obtained without separations between the crossbars.

(28) Each skid is crossed by two recesses (10) with a size suitable for inserting therein the extensions of transport and stacking machinery such as forklift trucks.

(29) These recesses are closed on their bottom by a plank (12) that increases the sturdiness of the skid and allows using same on a roller line.

(30) The skids are hollow to reduce their weight and have inner ribs to increase their sturdiness.

(31) The outer (6) and inner (3) crossbars are hollow and form a complete surface, although a weft may be present to reduce the weight of the assembly.

(32) This surface is limited by peripheral tabs, which can be front tabs (14) and side tabs (16). These tabs allow securing the load to prevent it from sliding.

(33) There is no structural difference between the crossbars and these may be interchangeable. However, for utility, handling and safety reasons, the outer crossbars (6) have smooth edges (7).

(34) The pallet can also incorporate on its bottom a series of rods (11) joined by shapes on the base of the skids that contribute to the sturdiness of the assembly while facilitate its use on a roller line or on other irregular surfaces, preventing snagging.