Metal runners for pallet

Claim 1

In a system for conveying packages or the like along an associated conveyor having a pair of parallel laterally spaced apart flights of rollers, the combination comprising a pallet adapted for attachment to the bottom of an associated package for supporting the package thereon; and a pair of integral one-piece elongated runners respectively disposed on the bottom of said pallet substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart for respectively being received on the associated flights of rollers; each of said runners including a base plate having a bearing surface thereon, said bearing surface having a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart serrations formed therein and extending laterally thereof, an attachment flange integral with said base plate along the outer side edge thereof and extending upwardly therefrom substantially normal thereto for engagement with the adjacent outer side surface of said pallet to position said runner thereon, said attachment flange being longitudinally coextensive with said base plate and being provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart openings therein for receiving fasteners therethrough to attach said runner to the associated pallet, a guide member projecting outwardly from said base plate and extending longitudinally thereof adjacent to the inner side edge thereof, said guide member being substantially arcuate in transverse cross section and having the opposite ends thereof curved outwardly toward the inner side edge of said base plate to insure passage of said guide member along the corresponding side of the adjacent flight of rollers, and a pair of end flanges respectively integral with said base plate along the leading and trailing edges thereof and extending upwardly therefrom to form rounded leading and trailing ends thereof for facilitating smooth passage of said runner along the associated rollers, said end flanges being respectively disposed in use in engagement with the adjacent end surfaces of said pallet for longitudinally positioning said runner with respect to said pallet, said base plate being provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart openings therein disposed between said guide member and the inner side edge of said base plate for receiving associated fasteners therethrough to attach said base plate to said pallet, said bearing surfaces of said runners being respectively disposed in use in engagement with the associated flights of rollers for extending longitudinally thereof to facilitate rolling movement of said pallet therealong with said serrations enhancing the engagement between said bearing surface and the associated rollers, said guide members being respectively disposed in use along corresponding side edges of the associated flights of rollers for cooperation therewith and with each other positively to guide said pallet along the associated conveyor.