Latchable Ramp Pallet 004

Abstract

An apparatus and methods are described for an improved pallet for the transportation and storage of goods. The pallet disclosed herein has four walls that are at least 4 inches tall that may be lowered to allow the efficient removal of goods off of the pallet. The wall may be used as a ramp to slide the goods off of the pallet. The walls may be locked in an upright position to ensure the goods are secured onto the pallet during transport or storage. When the goods are needed, one or more of the walls may be unlocked and lowered so that the goods do not have to be lifted over the wall to unload the goods from the pallet. The wall may also be in the lowered position to allow goods to be loaded onto to the pallet without having to lift them up and over the wall. The pallet also consists of nine feet that are at least 4 inches high, which minimizes the risk of forks missing the pallet opening when the forks are inserted to move the pallet.

Claims

1. A pallet device comprising: a lowerable wall at least about 4 inches high; and a latch at each end of each wall that attaches to its neighboring wall to maintain the wall's upright position.

2. The pallet device of claim 1, further comprising at least 9 pallet feet that are equal in height and are at least about 4 inches tall.

3. The pallet device of claim 1, further comprising interlockable barrier walls to securely stack or move more than one pallet.

4. A method of loading items from the device disclosed in claim 1, the method comprising: disengaging a latch at each end of a wall of the device; lowering at least one wall to create a ramp; sliding an item on to the pallet using the ramp; raising the wall; and engaging the lock to secure the wall's upright position.

5. A method of unloading items from the device disclosed in claim 1, the method comprising: disengaging a latch at each end of a wall of the device; lowering at least one wall to create a ramp; sliding an item off of the pallet using the ramp; raising the wall; and engaging the lock to secure the wall's upright position.

6. The method disclosed in claim 4, wherein the item is a box.

7. The method disclosed in claim 4, wherein the item is a bin.

8. The method disclosed in claim 4, wherein the item is a tote.

9. The method disclosed in claim 4, wherein the item is a good for sale in commerce.

10. The method disclosed in claim 5, wherein the item is a box.

11. The method disclosed in claim 5, wherein the item is a bin.

12. The method disclosed in claim 5, wherein the item is a tote.

13. The method disclosed in claim 5, wherein the item is a good for sale in commerce.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG. 1 discloses a perspective view of the present invention wherein all four walls are in an upright and locked position.

[0020] FIG. 2 discloses a perspective view of the present invention wherein all four walls are in a lowered, unlocked and ramped position.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention wherein all four walls are in a lowered, ramp position and boxes are loaded onto the pallet using the ramp.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the present invention wherein all four walls are in an upright and locked position and boxes are stored on the pallet.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the present invention wherein all four walls are in a lowered, ramped position and boxes are slid off of the pallet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] The following terms as used herein are defined as follows:

[0025] “About” means plus or minus 10% of the value stated.

[0026] A “pallet” means a platform upon which goods are loaded for transport or storage, which can be lifted and moved by inserting the forks of a forklift into the pallet's opening. Typically, a standard size pallet is about 4 feet in length, about 4 feet in width and about 4 inches tall.

[0027] A “forklift” means a vehicle with a pronged device for lifting and moving heavy items. For purposes of this disclosure, a forklift may include vehicles such as, a pallet jack, a front loader, a jacking device, or any other vehicle with a pronged attachment for moving pallets.

[0028] A “container” means an intermodal container or shipping container used for freight transport. Containers are typically 20 feet or 40 feet long, 8 feet wide and 8½ to 9½ feet tall.

[0029] In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are outlined to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the invention can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the invention.

[0030] Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

[0031] In one embodiment of the present invention, a pallet is disclosed comprising a lowerable wall, which is at least about 4 inches high, and has at least two latches at each end of the wall to lock the wall in its upright position. In preferred embodiments, the present invention comprises a pallet with four lowerable walls, each wall having a lock at each end to secure the wall to its neighboring walls. The walls prevent goods loaded onto the pallet from accidentally slipping off, which can cause damage to the goods or injury to personnel in an area where pallets are utilized.

[0032] The type of latch securing the walls in their upright position may be, for example, but is not limited to, a cam latch, a compression latch, a slam latch, a draw latch or a sliding latch. The latch is used to maintain the wall's upright position by attaching it to its neighboring walls.

[0033] When goods are loaded on to a pallet, the goods may be contained in totes, boxes or bins, depending upon the size and shape of the goods. The totes, boxes or bins are stacked on top of each other to securely position goods in a stable configuration. The totes, boxes or bins can be very heavy if there are a large quantity of goods placed in each tote, box or bin. Repetitive lifting of these heavy totes, boxes or bins can result in injury to personnel who load or unload pallets. A pallet with a wall surrounding the platform creates an additional hurdle for workers to overcome when loading or unloading a pallet.

[0034] In another embodiment of the present invention, the pallet device further comprises at least 9 pallet feet that are equal in height and are about 4 inches tall. The larger pallet opening makes it easier to insert forks and move the pallet, thereby minimizing the risk of missing the opening and hitting the pallet with forks and accidentally causing the goods loaded onto the pallet to slide off. If, for example, the pallet was located on a high shelf, goods sliding off of the pallet and falling on to nearby personnel could cause serious injury.

[0035] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the pallet further comprises interlockable barrier walls to securely stack or move more than one pallet at a time. The interlockable barrier walls fit into pallets stacked above and below the platform to create a more stable column of goods for transport.

[0036] A method of unloading items from the device disclosed herein. The method comprising unlocking and lowering at least one wall to create a ramp, sliding an item off of the pallet using the ramp, raising the wall and engaging the lock to secure the wall's upright position.

[0037] A method of loading items from the device is also disclosed herein. The method comprising unlocking and lowering at least one wall to create a ramp, sliding an item on to the pallet using the ramp, raising the wall and engaging the lock to secure the wall's upright position.

[0038] In one embodiment, the pallet may be comprised entirely of high density polyethylene. In other embodiments, the pallet is comprised of other plastics, metal or wood.

[0039] Although the invention has been disclosed in terms of specific embodiments herein, in light of these teachings, one of ordinary skill in the art may generate additional embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit or the scope of the claimed invention. It is understood that the examples and descriptions disclosed herein are merely to facilitate understanding of the invention and should not be construed to limit the scope thereof.

[0040] It is well known to a person of ordinary skill in the art how these technologies function.