Interlocking Pallet with Wheels and Breaking System

Abstract

A pallet with wheels and breaking system, that can be interlocked with other pallets. The pallet has five sets of wheels that can be locked or unlocked using the fork rubber or pressing a switch. The wheel breaking system includes a fork breaking rod, wheel transfer gear wheel, wheel transfer rod, wheel braking pin, wheel transfer gear wheel bearing, wheel rotating bearing, and wheel breaking pin springs. The pallet has locking rings around the perimeter, allowing the pallet to interlock with other pallets by pressing a switch. The locking ring locking system includes a locking ring transfer gear wheel, locking ring transfer rod guide, locking ring transfer rod, locking ring ball engaging rod, locking ring ball guide, locking ring ball pusher, and locking ring ball. The pallet further includes corner bumpers, load stabilizers, wheel insets, and shelf rack bars that can be extended for additional support and shelving units.

Claims

1. A pallet, comprising: a wheel inset; a fork rubber; a locking ring; a lock/unlock wheel switch; a lock/unlock locking ring switch; a wheel; a corner bumper; a shelf rack bar; and a load stabilizer; wherein there are five said wheel insets on the top surface of said pallet, and said fork rubber is on all four sides of said pallet, and said locking rings are around the perimeter of the entire said pallet, and two said lock/unlock wheel switches on all four sides of said pallet, and two said lock/unlock locking ring switches on all four sides of said pallet, and five sets of said wheel on the bottom of said pallet, and four said corner bumpers on all four corners of said pallet, and four said shelf rack bars on all four sides of the top perimeter of said pallet, and two said load stabilizers on each side of said pallet.

2. A pallet according to claim 1, further comprising a locking ring ball inside said locking ring.

3. A pallet according to claim 1, further comprising a fork breaking rod in the interior of said fork rubber; wherein said fork breaking rod moves inward when said fork rubber is squeezed by forklift forks.

4. A pallet according to claim 1, further comprising a holding plate in the front center of said fork rubber; wherein said holding plate holds said fork rubber in place allowing said fork rubber to be replaced when worn.

5. A pallet according to claim 1, further comprising a wheel transfer rod, and a wheel transfer gear wheel behind said lock/unlock wheel switch; wherein said fork breaking rod moves inward moving said wheel transfer rod left and right rotating said wheel transfer gear wheel when said lock/unlock wheel switch is pressed.

6. A pallet according to claim 1, further comprising a locking ring transfer gear wheel, a locking ring transfer rod, and a gear wheel connector behind said lock/unlock locking ring switch; wherein said locking ring transfer gear wheel rotates, sliding said locking ring transfer rod left and right, and turning said gear wheel connector when said lock/unlock locking ring switch is pressed.

7. A pallet according to claim 1, further comprising a corner bumper shock behind said corner bumper; wherein said corner bumper shock absorbs the impact said corner bumper encounters.

8. A pallet according to claim 1, further comprising a shelf rack bar inset on the top perimeter of said pallet, wherein said shelf rack bar lays into said shelf rack bar inset when not in use.

9. A pallet according to claim 1, further comprising a load stabilizer spring and a load stabilizer pin behind said load stabilizer.

10. A pallet according to claim 1, further comprising a wheel connector that connects the set of said wheels.

11. A pallet according to claim 5, further comprising a wheel breaking pin inside said wheel transfer gear wheel.

12. A pallet, comprising: a wheel transfer gear wheel bearing; a transfer gear wheel shaft; a wheel breaking housing bolt; a wheel rotating bearing; a wheel breaking pin spring; a wheel breaking housing; and a wheel spoke; wherein said wheel transfer gear wheel bearing aids said wheel transfer gear wheel to rotate smoothly and said wheel breaking pin to smoothly screw up and down; and wherein said transfer gear wheel shaft stabilizes said wheel transfer gear wheel and said wheel transfer gear wheel bearing.

13. A pallet according to claim 12, wherein said wheel breaking pin screws down parting said wheel breaking pin spring, pushing them outward in between said wheel spoke, locking said wheel when said lock/unlock wheel switch is pressed to the lock position.

14. A pallet according to claim 12, wherein said wheel breaking pin screws up and said wheel breaking pin releases from in between said wheel spoke, unlocking said wheel when said lock/unlock wheel switch is pressed to the unlock position.

15. A pallet according to claim 12, wherein said wheel breaking housing bolt connects said pallet to said wheel rotating bearing; wherein said wheel rotating bearing allows said wheel breaking housing and said wheel to rotate three hundred and sixty degrees.

16. A pallet, comprising: a transfer rod guide gear wheel; a locking ring transfer rod guide; a locking ring ball guide; a locking ring ball engaging rod; and a locking ring ball pusher; wherein said gear wheel connector rotates said transfer rod guide gear wheel.

17. A pallet according to claim 16, wherein said transfer rod guide gear wheel rotates, triggering said locking ring transfer rod guide to slide left and right, and said locking ring ball guide and said locking ring ball engaging rod to slide simultaneously to the left.

18. A pallet according to claim 16, wherein said locking ring ball engaging rod pushes said locking ring ball pusher into said locking ring ball, interlocking the said locking rings of two said pallets together when said lock/unlock locking ring switch is pressed to the lock position.

19. A pallet according to claim 16, wherein said locking ring ball engaging rod pulls back said locking ring ball pusher, releasing said locking ring ball, unlocking said locking rings of two said pallets from each other when the lock/unlock locking ring switch is pressed to the unlock position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1is a isometric top view of the pallet (B1) showing the wheel inset (A1), fork rubber (A2), holding plate (A2.2), locking ring (A3), lock/unlock wheel switch (A4), lock/unlock locking ring switch (A4.1), corner bumper (A6), load stabilizer (A11), and the shelf rack bar (C1).

[0012] FIG. 2is an underside view of the pallet (B1) showing the wheel (A5), fork rubber (A2), locking ring (A3), and corner bumper (A6).

[0013] FIG. 3is an isometric underside view of the pallet (B1) showing the fork rubber (A2), holding plate (A2.2), locking ring (A3), lock/unlock wheel switch (A4), lock/unlock locking ring switch (A4.1), wheel (A5), corner bumper (A6), and load stabilizer (A11).

[0014] FIG. 4is an enlarged view of the fork rubber (A2) with the fork breaking rod (A2.1).

[0015] FIG. 5is an internal side view of the pallet (B1) showing the wheel inset (A1), fork rubber (A2), fork breaking rod (A2.1), locking ring (A3), locking ring ball (A3.1), lock/unlock wheel switch (A4), lock/unlock locking ring switch (A4.1), wheel (A5), corner bumper (A6), corner bumper shock (A6.1), wheel transfer rod (A8), locking ring transfer rod (A8.1), wheel transfer gear wheel (A9), locking ring transfer gear wheel (A9.1), transfer rod guide gear wheel (A9.2), gear wheel connector (A9.3), wheel breaking pin (A10), wheel transfer gear wheel bearings (A10.1), wheel transfer gear wheel shaft (A10.2), wheel breaking housing bearings bolts (A10.3), wheel rotating bearing (10.4), and the wheel breaking housing (A10.5).

[0016] FIG. 6is an enlarged view of the lock/unlock wheel switch (A4), and the lock/unlock locking ring switch (A4.1).

[0017] FIG. 7is an internal top view of the pallet (B1) showing the corner bumper (A6), corner bumper shock (A6.1), transfer rod guide gear wheel (A9.2), locking ring transfer rod guide (A8.2), locking ring ball guide (A7.1), locking ring ball engaging rod (A7), locking ring ball pusher (A7.2), locking ring ball (A3.1), and locking ring (A3).

[0018] FIG. 7Ais an enlarged internal top view of the corner bumper (A6) and corner bumper shock (A6.1).

[0019] FIG. 8is an enlarged peripheral view of the locking ring (A3), and locking ring ball (A3.1) on the perimeter of the pallet (B1).

[0020] FIG. 9is an isometric top view of the pallet (B1), wheel inset (A1), fork rubber (A2), holding plate (A2.2), locking ring (A3), lock/unlock wheel switch (A4), lock/unlock locking ring switch (A4.1), corner bumper (A6), load stabilizer (A11), an extended shelf rack bar (C1), and shelf rack bar inset (C2).

[0021] FIG. 10is an enlarged internal side view of the corner of the pallet showing the locking ring (A3), locking ring ball (A3.1) corner bumper (A6), corner bumper shock (A6.1), load stabilizer (A11), load stabilizer spring (A11.1), load stabilizer pin (A11.2), an extended shelf rack bar (C1), and shelf rack bar inset (C2).

[0022] FIG. 11is a top view of two pallets (B1) interlocked together by the locking rings (A3), and locking ring balls (A3.1). The wheel inset (A1) and corner bumper (A6) are also shown.

[0023] FIG. 12is a internal top view of the pallet (B1) showing the wheel inset (A1), lock/unlock locking ring switch (A4.1), locking ring transfer rod (A8.1), and locking ring transfer gear wheel (A9.1).

[0024] FIG. 13is an enlarged top view of the wheel transfer gear wheel (A9), wheel breaking pin (A10), and the wheel transfer rods (A8).

[0025] FIG. 13AThere is an enlarged internal side view of the wheel transfer gear wheel (A9), wheel transfer rod (A8), wheel breaking pin (A10), wheel transfer gear wheel bearing (A10.1), wheel breaking housing bearings bolts (A10.3), and the wheel transfer gear wheel shaft (A10.2).

[0026] FIG. 14is an enlarged internal front view of the wheel breaking pin (A10), wheel transfer gear wheel shaft (A10.2), wheel breaking housing bearings bolt (A10.3), wheel rotating bearing (A10.4), wheel breaking housing (A10.5), wheel breaking pin springs (A10.6), wheel connector (A10.7), and the wheel (A5).

[0027] FIG. 14Ais an enlarged view of the wheel (A5), wheel spokes (A5.1), and wheel connector (A10.7).

[0028] FIG. 15is an enlarged isometric side view of the wheel (A5), wheel spokes (A5.1), wheel breaking pin (A10), wheel breaking housing (A10.5), wheel breaking pin springs (A10.6), and the wheel connector (A10.7) 77

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Referring to FIG. 1, the mainframe of the pallet (B1) is made out of aluminum or plastic. There are five wheel insets (A1) on the top surface of the pallet. When pallets are stacked, the wheel insets (A1) prevent the pallet wheels from setting directly on the top surface of the pallet underneath, preventing the pallets from moving when stacked. There are five sets of wheels (A5) underneath the pallet, best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. Each set of wheels (A5) are connected by the wheel connector (A10.7), best seen in FIG. 14. Each wheel has wheel spokes (A5.1), best seen in FIG. 14A.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 3, the fork rubber (A2) is centered on all four sides of the pallet. The fork rubber (A2) is a rubber inset that allows the forklift forks to squeeze into the rubber, unlocking the pallet wheels (A5). The fork rubber (A2) can be squeezed from any side of the pallet to unlock the wheels (A5), it will also unlock the wheels of any interlocked pallets. This allows the forklift to be able to push or pull the pallet. The pallet can also be lifted by inserting the forklift forks into the fork rubber (A2) and lifting. There is an enlarged view of the fork rubber (A2), best seen in FIG. 4. When the fork rubber is squeezed, the fork breaking rod (A2.1) moves inward, moving the wheel transfer rod (A8), right and left, best seen in FIG. 5, rotating the wheel transfer gear wheel (A9) which pulls up the wheel breaking pin (A10). The transfer gear wheel bearing (A10.1) aids the wheel transfer gear wheel (A9) to rotate smoothly when pulling up the wheel breaking pin (A10). This entire motion is stabilized by the wheel transfer gear wheel shaft (A10.2). As the wheel breaking pin (A10) pulls up, best seen in FIG. 14, through the wheel breaking housing (A10.5), it releases the wheel breaking pin spring (A10.6) from inside the wheel spokes (A5.1), best seen in FIG. 14A, which unlocks the wheel (A5) allowing the pallet to be pushed or pulled. The wheel rotating bearing (A10.4), best seen in FIG. 14, allows the pallet wheel (A5) to move three hundred and sixty degrees. The wheel rotating bearing (A10.4) is connected to the pallet by the wheel breaking housing bearing bolt (A10.3).

[0031] Referring back to FIG. 5, when the forklift forks release the fork rubber (A2) the fork breaking rod (A2.1) moves outward into its original position, moving the wheel transfer rod (A8) left and right, rotating the wheel transfer gear wheel (A9) which turns the wheel breaking pin (A10) downward. The transfer gear wheel bearing (A10.1) aids the wheel transfer gear wheel (A9) to rotate smoothly when turning the wheel breaking pin (A10) downward. This entire motion is stabilized by the wheel transfer gear wheel shaft (A10.2). As the wheel breaking pin (A10) turns downward, best seen in FIG. 15, through the wheel breaking housing (A10.5), it pushes the wheel breaking pin springs (A10.6) outward into the wheel spokes (A5.1), locking the wheel (A5) and stooping the pallet from moving.

[0032] Referring back to FIG. 1, there is a holding plate (A2.2) that mounts in front of the fork rubber (A2) on all four sides of the pallet. The holding plate (A2.2) holds the fork rubber (A2) in place and is able to be removed when fork rubber (A2) wears and needs to be replaced. There are two switches on each side of each corner of the pallet, the lock/unlock wheel switch (A4) and the lock/unlock locking ring switch (A4.1). When either switch is pressed in the lock or unlock position, it activates its corresponding switches around the pallet. It will also activate the corresponding switches of any interlocked pallets. Referring to the two switches on each side of each corner of the pallet, best seen in FIG. 6, the lock/unlock wheel switch (A4) locks or unlocks the pallet wheels manually. When the lock/unlock wheel switch (A4) is pushed into the unlock position it moves the wheel transfer rod (A8) right and left, best seen in FIG. 13, rotating the wheel transfer gear wheel (A9) which pulls up the wheel breaking pin (A10). The transfer gear wheel bearing (A10.1), best seen in FIG. 13A, aids the wheel transfer gear wheel (A9) to rotate smoothly when pulling up the wheel breaking pin (A10). This entire motion is stabilized by the wheel transfer gear wheel shaft (A10.2). As the wheel breaking pin (A10) pulls up, best seen in FIG. 14, through the wheel breaking housing (A10.5), it releases the wheel breaking pin spring (A10.6) from inside the wheel spokes (A5.1), best seen in FIG. 14A, which unlocks the wheel (A5) allowing the pallet to be pushed or pulled.

[0033] Referring back to FIG. 6, when the lock/unlock wheel switch (A4) is pushed into the lock position it moves the wheel transfer rod (A8) left and right, best seen in FIG. 13, rotating the wheel transfer gear wheel (A9) which turns the wheel breaking pin (A10) downward. The transfer gear wheel bearing (A10.1), best seen in FIG. 13A, aids the wheel transfer gear wheel (A9) to rotate smoothly when turning the wheel breaking pin (A10) downward. This entire motion is stabilized by the wheel transfer gear wheel shaft (A10.2). As the wheel breaking pin (A10) turns downward, best seen in FIG. 15, through the wheel breaking housing (A10.5), it pushes the wheel breaking pin springs (A10.6) outward into the wheel spokes (A5.1), locking the wheel (A5) and stooping the pallet from moving.

[0034] Referring back to FIG. 6, the lock/unlock locking ring switch (A4.1) locks and unlocks the locking rings (A3), best seen in FIG. 11, allowing two pallets to interlock together. When interlocking two pallets, the two pallets are pushed together, sliding the locking rings (A3) into each other's grooves. When the lock/unlock locking ring switch (A4.1), best seen in FIG. 5, is pushed to the lock position it rotates the locking ring transfer gear wheel (A9.1), sliding the locking ring transfer rod (A8.1) left and right, turning the gear wheel connector (A9.3) and rotating the transfer rod guide gear wheel (A9.2). When the transfer rod guide gear wheel (A9.2) rotates, best seen in FIG. 7, sliding the locking ring transfer rod guide (A8.2) left and right, triggering the locking ring ball guide (A7.1) and the locking ring ball engaging rod (A7) to slide left simultaneously. The locking ring ball engaging rod (A7) pushes the locking ring ball pusher (A7.2) into the locking ring ball (A3.1). The locking ring ball (A3.1) protrudes out, best seen in FIG. 10, and into the next locking ring (A3), interlocking two pallets together. There is a locking ring ball (A3.1) in every third locking ring (A3) around the perimeter of the pallet. Pallets can be interlocked from all four sides.

[0035] Referring back to FIG. 6, when the lock/unlock locking ring switch (A4.1) is pushed to the unlock position it rotates the locking ring transfer gear wheel (A9.1), best seen in FIG. 5, sliding the locking ring transfer rod (A8.1) right and left, turning the gear wheel connector (A9.3) and rotating the transfer rod guide gear wheel (A9.2). When the transfer rod guide gear wheel (A9.2) rotates, best seen in FIG. 7, sliding the locking ring transfer rod guide (A8.2) right and left, triggering the locking ring ball guide (A7.1) and the locking ring ball engaging rod (A7) to slide right simultaneously. The locking ring ball engaging rod (A7) pulls back the locking ring ball pusher (A7.2) releasing the locking ring ball (A3.1), and unlocking the locking rings (A3) of two interlocked pallets.

[0036] Referring back to FIG. 1, there is a corner bumper (A6) on each side of the pallet that protects the locking rings (A3) from damage. The corner bumper (A6) has a corner bumper shock (A6.1), best seen in FIG. 7A, that absorbs the impact. The corner bumper shock (A6.1) also allows the corner bumper (A6) to push in when two pallets are pushed together to interlock, best seen in FIG. 11.

[0037] Referring back to FIG. 1, there are two load stabilizers (A11) on each side of the pallet. The load stabilizer (A11) extends, best seen in FIG. 10, by being pulled up and over the load stabilizer pin (A11.2). The load stabilizer spring (A11.1) keeps the extended load stabilizer (A11) in position. The load stabilizer (A11) makes up the difference in space between the pallet and walls of the shipping vehicle. It helps prevent the pallet from shifting when in a moving shipping vehicle. When the load stabilizer (A11) is no longer needed, it is pulled up and back over the load stabilizer pin (A11.2).

[0038] Referring back to FIG. 1, there are four shelf rack bars (C1) on the top perimeter of the pallet. The shelf rack bars (C1) can be extended, best seen in FIG. 9, to provide additional support for the items and goods that are loaded onto the pallet. When not in use, the shelf rack bar (C1) lays flush within the shelf rack bar inset (C2) around the top perimeter of the pallet, as seen in FIG. 1.

[0039] Fulfillment centers, distribution centers, warehouses, storage facilities, shipment preparation centers, processing facilities and other like facilities are purposed for receiving, storing and distributing items and goods. These items and goods are packed onto pallets preparing to be shipped and transported to their desired destination. Once the pallets are loaded they can be pushed together by hand, pallet jack, or forklift and interlocked by pressing the lock/unlock locking ring switch (A4.1). The pallet wheels makes the pallet able to move in any direction. The pallets have a corner bumper (A6) with a corner bumper shock (A6.1) that absorbs any corner impact the pallet may encounter while at the facilities and/or during the loading and unloading into shipping vehicles.

[0040] The fulfillment centers, distribution centers, warehouses, storage facilities, shipment preparation centers, processing facilities and other like facilities are equipped with loading docks, loading bays, or other similar provisions. Shipping vehicles including trucks, vans, trailers, aircraft, ships, railway cars and other like terms are backed up to the loading dock or loading bay for the purpose of loading multiple pallets into the vehicle. Depending on the size of the shipping vehicle, the load stabilizers (A11) can be pulled out on the perimeter of the interlocked pallets to create a snug fit in the shipping vehicle if necessary. Once the shipping vehicle is ready to be loaded the forklift driver inserts the forklift forks into the fork rubber (A2) of the pallet and squeezes the fork rubber (A2), unlocking the breaks on all the interlocked pallets, enabling the forklift driver to push the loaded interlocked pallets into the shipping vehicle all at once versus picking up one pallet at a time and putting it into the shipping vehicle.

[0041] When the fulfillment centers, distribution centers, warehouses, storage facilities, shipment preparation centers, processing facilities and other like facilities receive inbound shipments, the shipping vehicles including trucks, vans, trailers, aircraft, ships, railway cars and other like terms are backed up to the loading dock or loading bay for the purpose of unloading multiple pallets into the facility. When unloading the shipping vehicle, the forklift driver will insert the forklift forks into the fork rubber (A2) of the front pallet and squeeze the fork rubber (A2), unlocking the breaks on all the interlocked pallets, enabling the forklift driver to pull the loaded interlocked pallets out of the shipping vehicle all at once. If the entire truck of interlocked pallets is not destined for the same location, the forklift driver can pull the interlocked pallets out of the shipping vehicle as far as needed, unlock them at that point by pressing the lock/unlock locking ring switch (A4.1), and then taking the needed interlocked pallets into the facility leaving the other loaded pallets in the shipping vehicle.

[0042] The shelf rack bars (C1) on the pallet can be used for additional stabilization for the items and goods packed on the pallet and/or to create a shelving unit in fulfillment centers, distribution centers, warehouses, storage facilities, shipment preparation centers, processing facilities and other like facilities. When pallets are loaded with the shelf rack bars (C1) extended, they provide additional support for the items and goods that are loaded onto the pallet. The shelf rack bars (C1) can be used as post for wrapping plastic, ropes, straps or other materials around the load on the pallet, additionally securing the load.

[0043] Once the load is secured and the pallets are interlocked if need be, the forklift driver inserts the forklift forks into the fork rubber (A2) of the pallet and squeezes the fork rubber (A2), unlocking the breaks on all the interlocked pallets, enabling the forklift driver to push the loaded interlocked pallets into the shipping vehicle at the loading dock or loading bay. When the fulfillment centers, distribution centers, warehouses, storage facilities, shipment preparation centers, processing facilities and other like facilities receive inbound shipments where the pallets have the shelf rack bars (C1) extended, the forklift driver can unload the shipping vehicle the same way. The forklift driver will insert the forklift forks into the fork rubber (A2) of the front pallet and squeeze the fork rubber (A2), unlocking the breaks on all the interlocked pallets, enabling the forklift driver to pull the loaded interlocked pallets out of the shipping vehicle all at once. The pallets with the shelf rack bars (C1) extended can also be used as a shelving unit. Pallets with the shelf rack bars (C1) extended can have another pallet stacked on top of it, creating a second shelf for storage.

[0044] Fulfillment centers, distribution centers, warehouses, storage facilities, shipment preparation centers, processing facilities and other like facilities can easily store empty pallets by stacking them on top of each other. When stacked the pallet wheels (A5) sit into the wheel insets (A1) on top of each pallet, preventing the pallets from moving.