Abstract A pallet of great strength and durability is provided at small cost, which comprises an upper continuous, rigid sheet of plywood, chipboard, plastic or other suitable material, and a lower sheet or set of strips of like material. Identical cylindrical chipboard spacers of substantial diameters and uniform thickness, which are not subject to cracking or splitting, are interposed at regular intervals between the upper and lower sheets. The spacers oppose parallel wooden surfaces to the inner faces of the sheets. Metallic eyelets fit centrally through the respective spacers and through sheet portions in contact with each spacer, the eyelets being outturned at their ends and having the outturned end portions pressed into flush relation with the outer faces of the sheets. The prongs of a forklift can be inserted from either end or from either side of the pallet so that the center of mass of the pallet and any load carried by it may be disposed between the prongs of the forklift.
A pallet for use in the shipment and storage of merchandise comprising, in combination, a. upper and lower layers of sheeted material which is strongly resistant to bending both longitudinally and transversely, b. compression members in the form of circular spacers of substantial diameter and thickness interposed between said upper and lower layers, the spacers being composed of chipboard which is strongly resistant to cracking and splitting under pressure and which has high compressive strength, and c. tension members in the form of thin-walled metallic eyelets of comparatively small, uniform external diameter, each of which extends snugly through and fits within bores formed in the upper and lower layers of sheeted material and also extends centrally, snugly through, and fits within, an interposed spacer, each eyelet being continuously flanged at its ends and having its flanges countersunk by pressure into the outer faces of the upper and lower sheeted material, the spacers being separated substantially from one another both longitudinally and laterally of the pallet so that the prongs of a forklift can be inserted from either side or either end of the pallet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
184 words
A pallet for use in the shipment and storage of merchandise comprising, in combination, a. upper and lower layers of sheeted material which is strongly resistant to bending both longitudinally and transversely, b. compression members in the form of circular spacers of substantial diameter and thickness interposed between said upper and lower layers, the spacers being composed of chipboard which is strongly resistant to cracking and splitting under pressure and which has high compressive strength, and c. tension members in the form of thin-walled metallic eyelets of comparatively small, uniform external diameter, each of which extends snugly through and fits within bores formed in the upper and lower layers of sheeted material and also extends centrally, snugly through, and fits within, an interposed spacer, each eyelet being continuously flanged at its ends and having its flanges countersunk by pressure into the outer faces of the upper and lower sheeted material, the spacers being separated substantially from one another both longitudinally and laterally of the pallet so that the prongs of a forklift can be inserted from either side or either end of the pallet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A pallet as set forth in claim 1 in which the upper and lower layers consist of woody material and in which the outer faces of the pallet have plastic coated surfaces for the protection of stacked material.