Abstract
The invention relates to a plastic pallet (1) with an upper part (2) provided with female foot parts (4, 4′) and skids (3, 3′) provided with male foot parts (5, 5′). The male foot parts (5, 5′), together with the female foot parts (4, 4′), form feet (21, 21′), with the foot parts (4, 4′) of the upper part and the foot parts (5, 5′) of the skids (3 3′) being fastened to one another by means of snap connections (6). Each male foot part (5, 5′) includes at least two snap hooks (8), which are arranged with mirror symmetry in pairs and which each have a hook head (9) with undercut (91), a snap arm (8′) and a rear side (10), the undercuts (9′) of the hook heads (9) facing away from one another and the rear sides (10) of the snap hooks (8) facing towards one another. Each female foot part (4, 4′) includes at least one latch element (7), into which the hook heads (9) are engaged, forming a snap connection (6) in each case. The female foot parts (4, 4′) are integrally connected to the upper part (2). Each female foot part (4, 4′) includes at least one securing element (12), each with at least one free end (13), the securing element (12) being integrally connected to the female foot part (4, 4′), and the securing element (12) protruding into an intermediate space (24) between the rear sides (10) of the snap hooks (8) so that the snap hooks (8) remain in the engaged position.
Claims
1. A plastic pallet with an upper part provided with outer and middle female foot parts and with skids provided with outer and middle male foot parts, wherein the male foot parts of the skids can be pushed into the female foot parts of the upper part, wherein in the assembled state of the plastic pallet, the male foot parts together with the female foot parts form feet, wherein the foot parts of the upper part and the foot parts of the skids can be fastened to one another by means of snap connections, wherein each male foot part comprises at least two snap hooks which are arranged with mirror symmetry in pairs and which each have a hook head with undercut, a snap arm and a rear side, wherein the undercuts of the hook heads face away from one another and the rear sides of the snap hooks face one another, wherein each female foot part comprises at least one latch element into which the hook heads are engaged in the assembled state thereby forming a snap connection in each case, and wherein an intermediate space is arranged between the rear sides of the snap hooks, wherein the female foot parts are integrally connected to the upper part, wherein each female foot part comprises at least one securing element having at least one free end in each case, wherein the securing element is integrally connected to the female foot part, and wherein the securing element protrudes into the intermediate space between the rear sides of the snap hooks so that the snap hooks remain in the engaged position.
2. The plastic pallet according to claim 1, wherein the respective free end of the at least one securing element is tapered towards the center.
3. The plastic pallet according to claim 1, wherein the respective free end of the at least one securing element is symmetrically pointed.
4. The plastic pallet according to claim 1, wherein the respective free end of the at least one securing element has an arrow-shaped cross-section.
5. The plastic pallet according to claim 1, wherein the last portion of the rear side of the snap hook leading to the tip is beveled or rounded.
6. The plastic pallet according to claim 1, wherein the female foot parts of the upper part have an outer wall with ribs and the male foot parts of the skids have an inner wall with ribs.
7. The plastic pallet according to claim 6, wherein the outer wall of the female foot parts encloses the male foot parts in each case and extends over the entire height of the outer male foot parts so that in the assembled state of the plastic pallet, the outer male foot parts of the skids are completely pushed into the outer female foot parts of the upper part.
8. The plastic pallet according to claim 6, wherein the ribs serve as spacers between the inner wall and the outer wall.
9. The plastic pallet according to claim 1, wherein the male foot parts of a single skid can be pushed separately from the male foot parts of the other skids into the female foot parts of the upper part.
10. The plastic pallet according to claim 1, wherein the plastic pallet has three skids.
11. The plastic pallet according to claim 2, wherein the respective free end of the at least one securing element is symmetrically pointed.
12. The plastic pallet according to claim 7, wherein the ribs serve as spacers between the inner wall and the outer wall.
13. The plastic pallet according to claim 2, wherein the respective free end of the at least one securing element has an arrow-shaped cross-section.
14. The plastic pallet according to claim 3, wherein the respective free end of the at least one securing element has an arrow-shaped cross-section.
15. The plastic pallet according to claim 2, wherein the last portion of the rear side of the snap hook leading to the tip is beveled or rounded.
16. The plastic pallet according to claim 3, wherein the last portion of the rear side of the snap hook leading to the tip is beveled or rounded.
17. The plastic pallet according to claim 4, wherein the last portion of the rear side of the snap hook leading to the tip is beveled or rounded.
18. The plastic pallet according to claim 2, wherein the female foot parts of the upper part have an outer wall with ribs and the male foot parts of the skids have an inner wall with ribs.
19. The plastic pallet according to claim 3, wherein the female foot parts of the upper part have an outer wall with ribs and the male foot parts of the skids have an inner wall with ribs.
20. The plastic pallet according to claim 4, wherein the female foot parts of the upper part have an outer wall with ribs and the male foot parts of the skids have an inner wall with ribs.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] In the figures:
[0035] FIG. 1A shows a plastic pallet with upper part and three skids in perspective view obliquely from above with separate view of the upper part and skid;
[0036] FIG. 1B shows a perspective view of a plastic pallet according to the invention in the assembled state in a view obliquely from above of the upper side of the pallet;
[0037] FIG. 2A shows a plastic pallet in a view from below of the lower side of the pallet;
[0038] FIG. 2B shows a detailed view from below of the lower side of a foot according to section IIb of FIG. 2A;
[0039] FIG. 3 shows a side view of a plastic pallet according to the invention in the assembled state of the longitudinal side of the pallet;
[0040] FIG. 4A shows a cross-section through the axis along the line A-A of FIGS. 2A and 3, respectively;
[0041] FIG. 4B shows a detailed view of the cross-section of the foot IVb of FIG. 4A along the line B-B of FIG. 2B;
[0042] FIG. 5A shows a detailed view of the cross-section of the female foot part of FIG. 4B along the line C-C of FIG. 7;
[0043] FIG. 5B shows a detailed view of the cross-section of the male foot part of FIG. 4B;
[0044] FIG. 6 shows a detailed view of the perspective illustration obliquely from below of the lower side of a female foot part of the upper side of the pallet;
[0045] FIG. 7 shows a detailed perspective view from below of the lower side of a female foot part of the upper side of the pallet; and
[0046] FIG. 8 shows a perspective illustration of the cross-section of the foot of FIG. 5A along the line B-B of FIG. 2B obliquely from below of the lower side of the pallet in the assembled state.
[0047] In each of the figures, the same reference signs are used for the same elements, and explanations of a particular reference sign apply to all of the figures unless expressly stated otherwise.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0048] FIG. 1A shows the upper part 2 and an outer skid 3 of the plastic pallet 1 according to the invention. The skid 3 is shown in the separated and unassembled state. The upper part 2 has outer female foot parts 4, four are shown here, and middle female foot parts 4′, one of which is visible here. Skid 3 is provided with two outer male foot parts 5 and one middle male foot part 5′. The male foot parts 5, 5′ have snap hooks with hook heads 9. The outer male foot parts 5 of the outer skid 3 have two pairs of snap hooks with four hook heads 9, and the middle male foot part 5′ of the outer skid 3 has one pair of snap hooks with two hook heads. The male foot parts 5, 5′ have an inner wall 15 with ribs 17 which serve as spacers between the inner wall 15 and the outer wall 14 of the female foot parts 4, 4′ and as guides when assembling the skids to the upper part of the pallet. The male foot parts 5, 5′ are connected to each other by connecting pieces 18 and form the skids 3.
[0049] FIG. 1B shows the plastic pallet 1 according to the invention in the mounted, assembled state, in which the three skids 3, 3′ (here only the connecting pieces 18 of one skid 3 are visible) are inserted into the upper part 2. In this case, the skids 3, 3′ are inserted into the female foot parts 4, 4′ via the male foot parts 5, 5′ (shown in FIG. 4A) so that the male foot parts 5, 5′ assembled to the female feet 4, 4′ form feet 21, 21′ (shown in FIG. 4A), and so that the female foot parts 4, 4′ of the upper part and the male foot parts 5, 5′ of the skids can be fastened to one another by means of a snap connection 6 (not visible). The snap connection is formed by the snap hook (8, not visible, shown in FIG. 4A) and the latch element (7, not visible, shown in FIG. 4A). The plastic pallet 1 has six outer female foot parts 4 and six outer male foot parts 5 which are arranged along the two short transverse sides of the pallet and which together form the six outer feet 21 (shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 4A).
[0050] FIG. 2A shows the lower side of the assembled plastic pallet 1 with a view of the lower side of the two outer skids 3 and the middle skid 3′, and of the lower side of the upper part 2 with the cross struts 22. The two outer skids 3 each have two outer male foot parts 5 and one middle male foot part 5′ and, together with the in each case two outer female foot parts 4 and one middle female foot part 4′, form in each case two outer feet 21 and one middle foot 21. The middle skid 3′ has two outer male foot parts 5 and one middle male foot part 5′ and, together with the two outer female foot parts 4 and the middle female foot part 4′, forms two outer feet 21 and one middle foot 21′. Also shown is the lower side of the snap hooks 8 and the connecting pieces 18 of the skids 3, 3′. The lower side of the outer wall 14 of the outer female foot part together with the lower side of the male foot part 5, 5′ and the skids 3, 3′ form a support surface. Furthermore, the cross struts 22 of the upper part 2 are visible, which serve as reinforcement of the upper part to increase the load-bearing capacity of the pallet.
[0051] FIG. 2B shows the detail IIb from FIG. 2A and the lower side of a foot 21 in enlargement. The lower side of the outer wall 14 of the outer female foot part 4 is shown, which, together with the lower side of the outer male foot part 5 and the connecting piece 18 of the skid 3, forms a support surface. Also shown are the inner wall 15 of the male foot part 5 and the view from below of the snap hooks 8 and the securing elements 12 with their two free ends 13. Between a pair of snap hooks 8 there are two free ends 13 of the securing element 12.
[0052] FIG. 3 shows a side view of a longitudinal side of the plastic pallet 1 with the upper part 2 and the skids 3. Two outer female foot parts 4, of which the outer wall 14 is visible, a middle female foot part 4′ as well as two outer male foot parts 5 and a middle male foot part 5′ are shown. The male foot parts are connected to each other by a connecting piece 18.
[0053] FIG. 4A shows a cross-section through the axis along line A-A of FIG. 2A and FIG. 3 through the snap connections of the outer female foot parts 4 and the outer male foot parts 5, which together form feet 21. In particular, snap hooks 8 with hook head 9 and the associated latch elements 7 are shown, which engage with each other when the upper part 2 is assembled to the skids and lock the upper part 2 with the skids 3, 3′. Also shown are the securing elements 12.
[0054] FIG. 4B shows the detail IVb of FIG. 4A and a detailed view of the cross-section of the outer foot 21 along the line B-B of FIG. 2B. The two snap hooks 8 of the outer male foot part 5 of the skid 3 are disclosed, the snap hooks 8 being arranged with mirror symmetry in pairs and each having a snap arm 8′, a hook head 9 with undercut 9′ and a rear side 10. An intermediate space 24 is arranged between the rear sides 10 of the snap hooks 8. The undercuts 9′ of the hook heads 9 face away from one another and the rear sides 10 of the snap arms 8 face each other. Each hook head 9 of the snap hooks 8 is engaged in a latch element 7, each hook head 9 engaging in a recess 23 of the latch element 7 and forming a snap connection 6 with the latch element 7, thus locking the female foot part 4 of the upper part 2 to the male foot part 5 of the skid 3. Also shown is a securing element 12 with symmetrically pointed free end 13. In the example shown, the securing element 12 with free end 13 has an arrow-shaped cross-section. The free end 13 is tapered towards the center. In addition, the last portion 11 of the rear side 10 of the snap hook 8 is beveled in the region of the hook head 9 leading to the tip. This bevel 11 causes that the tip of the hook head 9 is weakened at the end of the snap hook 8 and, when assembling the skids 3 to the upper part 2, slides continuously along the beveled side of the symmetrically pointed free end 13 of the securing element 12 into the engaged state. Also shown is an outer wall 14 of the outer female foot part 4, which encloses the outer male foot part 5 and its inner wall 15. In addition, the ribs 16 of the outer female foot part 4 and the ribs 17 of the outer male foot part 5 are visible. Because of the outer wall 14 and the inner wall 15, the foot 21 has a double wall, which has the effect of reinforcing the feet. Damage to the feet due to impacts from a forklift truck or because of falling down is thus largely avoided.
[0055] FIG. 5A shows a cross-section along the line C-C of FIG. 7 through an outer female foot part 4 of an upper part 2 in the unassembled state. The outer wall 14 extends over the entire height of the outer female foot part 4, preferably around substantially the entire foot. By entire height it is understood that the outer wall of the outer female foot part extends from the upper side of the pallet to the lower side of the skid which can be placed onto a support surface. The female foot part 4 comprises ribs 16 which are slidable into the ribs of the male foot part (shown in FIG. 5B) when the upper part 2 and skids (not shown) are assembled. Also visible are the two longitudinal sides of the latch element 7 with recesses 23 into which the snap hooks (shown in FIG. 5B) engage. The securing element 12 with a free end 13 tapering towards the center has an arrow-shaped cross-section. The free end 13 is symmetrically pointed.
[0056] FIG. 5B shows a cross-section through an outer male foot part 5 of an outer skid 3 in the unassembled state. The male foot part 5 has inner walls 15 which can be pushed completely into the outer female foot part 4 (shown in FIG. 5A) when assembling the skids 3 to the upper part (shown in FIG. 5A). The ribs 17 of the male foot part 5 extend over the entire height of the male foot part 5. The male foot part 5 has two snap hooks 8, the snap hooks 8 being arranged with mirror symmetry in pairs and each having a snap arm 8′, a hook head 9 with undercut 9′ and a rear side 10. The undercuts 9′ of the hook heads 9 face away from one another and the rear sides 10 of the snap hooks 8 face each other. An intermediate space 24 is arranged between the rear sides 10 of the snap hooks 8.
[0057] FIG. 6 shows a detailed view of the perspective illustration from obliquely below of the lower side of an outer female foot part 4 of the upper part 2 of a plastic pallet in the unassembled state. The outer female foot part 4 has an outer wall 14 which extends over the entire height in the outer region of the foot part 4. The outer region of the foot part 4 is understood to be the entire region which encloses the foot part 4, with the exception of a recess 19 which serves to receive the connecting pieces of the skids in the assembled state. The outer female foot part 4 has a plurality of ribs 16 extending substantially over the entire height of the foot part. The ribs have different cross-sections, for example a T-shaped, angular or rectangular cross-section. The female foot part 4 has two latch elements 7, each with two recesses 23 for receiving snap hooks (shown in FIG. 4B). The latch elements 7 each have an elongated shape with the recesses 23 being arranged on the two longitudinal sides of the elongated latch elements 7. Each latch element 7 has one securing element 12 in the center of the elongated shape, each having two free ends 13 which serve to hold the snap hooks (not shown) in the engaged state when the pallet is assembled. In this preferred embodiment, two free ends 13 are used to hold the wide hook head (not shown) in the engaged position of an assembled pallet. The upper part 2 has cross struts 22 on the lower side for reinforcing the upper part 2 of the pallet.
[0058] FIG. 7 shows a detailed view from below of the lower side of an outer female foot part 4 of the upper part 2 of a plastic pallet with an outer wall 14, ribs 16, two latch elements 7 of elongated shape each with one securing element 12. Each of the two securing elements 12 has two free ends 13. Also visible are the cross struts 22 of the upper part 2.
[0059] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the cross-section of a foot 21 of FIG. 5A along the line B-B of FIG. 2B from obliquely below of the lower side of the upper part 2 of the pallet in the assembled state. The foot 21 shows the outer female foot part 4 with outer wall 14, rib 16, the latch element 7 with two recesses 23 and the securing element 12 with free end 13, as well as the outer male foot part 5 with inner wall 15, snap hooks 8 arranged in pairs with snap arm 8′, rear side 10 and hook head 9. An intermediate space 24 is arranged between the rear sides 10 of the snap hooks 8. Also visible are the cross struts 22 of the upper part 2.
[0060] FIGS. 1-8 show a possible embodiment of the invention, wherein this embodiment has three longitudinal skids and the outer feet are arranged along the short transverse side of the plastic pallet. Within the meaning of the invention, other embodiments with more than three skids in various arrangements are also conceivable. For example, a plastic pallet with five or six skids is possible, each skid having two outer male foot parts and a middle male foot part. For example, a pallet of this type is possible with five skids, of which three skids extend in one direction and only two skids extend in the transverse direction along the sides of the pallet. Or, a pallet with six skids is possible, with the skids being arranged as three transverse skids and three longitudinal skids so that the forklift truck can transport the pallet from both the longitudinal side and the transverse side. Also conceivable is a plastic pallet with three transverse skids, in which case the outer feet are arranged along the long longitudinal side. In addition, each foot can have any number of snap connections in various arrangements.
[0061] Also possible is an arrangement of a plurality of securing elements with one or more free ends between a pair of snap hooks to increase the security of the snap connection.
[0062] Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described and shown, the invention is not restricted thereto, but may also be embodied in other ways within the scope of the subject-matter defined in the following claims.
