Load-carrying pallet

Claim 2

A pallet comprising a pair of end sections of similar construction comprising a vertically disposed end plate, a pair of flanges extending inwardly substantially perpendicularly from the upper end portion of the end plate in vertically spaced apart substantially parallel relation and a slideway in the form of a tubular section on the lower end portion of the end plate, a panel portion dimensioned to have a height corresponding to the spaced relationship between the flanges of each pair with the ends of the panels received between the flanges of each end section on opposite ends of the panel, a baseplate extending between the lower end of the end plates with an enlarged portion on the ends of the baseplate in engagement with the slideways, aligned openings through the end plates in the area between the flanges, a tie rod dimensioned to span the end plates with end portions projecting through the openings, abutments on the through-extending portions of the tie rods and means for effecting movement of the abutments in the direction toward and away from each other to increase or decrease respectively the pressure on the end plates, and in which the edge of the panel between the flanges of an end plate outermost of the panel is tapered inwardly from a point below the opening to the upper edge to provide a pivot point about which the end plate rocks in response to increased compression by the tie rod onto the end plates to place the panel under compression and the baseplate in tension.

Claim 3

A pallet as claimed in claim 1 in which the panel is a single panel dimensioned to have a length corresponding substantially to the length of the pallet with the ends of the panel engaged between the flanges of the respective end sections.

Claim 4

A pallet as claimeD in claim 1 in which the lower surface of the upper flanges taper toward the outer free end.

Claim 5

A pallet as claimed in claim 1 in which the tubular sections on the lower ends of each of the end plates are rectangular in cross section and in which the enlarged portions on the ends of the baseplate are of similar shape for engagement within the tubular sections in telescoping arrangement.

Claim 6

A pallet as claimed in claim 1 in which the enlarged end portions on the baseplate are separate elements attached to the baseplate.

Claim 7

A pallet as claimed in claim 1 in which the enlarged end portions on the baseplate are integral with the baseplate and formed by folding the edge portions of the baseplate.

Claim 8

A pallet as claimed in claim 1 in which the end plates include passages extending therethrough in the area immediately below the lower flange for passage of the forks of a lift truck into position to engage the underside of the panel.

Claim 9

A pallet comprising a pair of end sections of similar construction comprising a vertically disposed end plate, a pair of flanges extending inwardly substantially perpendicularly from the upper end portion of the end plate in vertically spaced apart substantially parallel relation and a slideway in the form of a tubular section on the lower end portion of the end plate, a panel portion dimensioned to have a height corresponding to the spaced relationship between the flanges of each pair with the ends of the panels received between the flanges of each end section of opposite ends of the panel, a baseplate extending between the lower end of the end plates with an enlarged portion on the ends of the baseplate in engagement with the slideways, and means for securing the elements in their assembled relationship to form the pallet in which the means for securing the elements in their assembled relation comprises aligned openings through the end plates in the area between the flanges, a tie rod dimensioned to span the end plates with threaded end portions projecting through the openings, and nut members threadably engaging the through-extending threaded end portions of the tie rods and in which the edge of the panel between the flanges of an end plate is tapered inwardly from a point below the opening to engage the end plate at a pivot point about which the end plate rocks in response to tightening of the nut members onto the through-extending portions of the rods to put the panel in compression and the baseplate in tension.

Claim 10

A pallet comprising a pair of end sections of similar construction comprising a vertically disposed end plate, a pair of flanges extending inwardly substantially perpendicularly from the upper end portion of the end plate in vertically spaced apart substantially parallel relation and a slideway in the form of a tubular section on the lower end portion of the end plate, a panel portion dimensioned to have a height corresponding to the spaced relationship between the flanges of each pair with the ends of the panels received between the flanges of each end section of opposite ends of the panel, a baseplate extending between the lower end of the end plates with an enlarged portion on the ends of the baseplate in engagement with the slideways, and means for securing the elements in their assembled relationship to form the pallet in which the means for securing the elements in their assembled relation comprises aligned openings through the end plates in the area between the flanges, a tie rod dimensioned to span the end plates with threaded end portions projecting through the openings, and nut members threadably engaging the through-extending threaded end portions of the tie rods and in which the edge of the panel between the flanges of an end plate is tapered inwardly from a point below the opening to engage the end plate at a pivot point about which the end plate rocks in response to tightening of the nut members onto the through-extending portions of the rods to put the panel in compression and the baseplate in tension.

Claim 11

A pallet as claimed in claim 8 in which the aligned openings are spaced a shorter distance from the upper flange than from the lower flange.

Claim 12

A pallet as claimed in claim 1 in which the end plates are tightened onto the panel to stress the panel into a prestressed arch.