Abstract For preventing sidewise slippage of very heavy loads being supported on the load-bearing surface of a flexible pallet, upward projections from the surface are provided. The projections are suitably sized, disposed so as to compensate for downward movement of the load-bearing surface caused by flexing of the pallet, as occurs with plastic pallets, and additionally provide lateral resistance to sidewise slippage of the load. The projections are preferably molded integrally with the surface and may be shaped as stripwise ledges and ramps, rows of isolated knobs, studs, or pyramids, for example, or serrated strips. The projections may be covered with a friction-enhancing covering, particularly if integrally molded, or may be elastomeric and capable of forming a retaining wall for the load that can be useful for a pallet loaded beyond its elastic strain limit.
A flexure compensating device for a flexible pallet supporting a very heavy load and having a load-supporting surface with marginal zones thereon, comprising projections providing both vertical compensation for downward deformation of said pallet and lateral resistance to sidewise movement of said heavy load, said projections being: A. disposed along said marginal zones and tending to cause tilting of said load toward the center of said pallet in absence of said downward deformation and substantially vertical alignment in presence of said downward deformation of said pallet; and B. in the form of a plurality of sidewardly disposed ledges and edge-adjoined ramps which:
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
A flexure compensating device for a flexible pallet supporting a very heavy load and having a load-supporting surface with marginal zones thereon, comprising projections providing both vertical compensation for downward deformation of said pallet and lateral resistance to sidewise movement of said heavy load, said projections being: A. disposed along said marginal zones and tending to cause tilting of said load toward the center of said pallet in absence of said downward deformation and substantially vertical alignment in presence of said downward deformation of said pallet; and B. in the form of a plurality of sidewardly disposed ledges and edge-adjoined ramps which:
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
incline inwardly and downwardly to meet said load-supporting surface; and 2. are parallel and adjoining in each of said marginal zones, said ramps having a sufficiently steep slope that each of said ramps can engage an outward edge of said very heavy load and offer lateral resistance to sidewise sliding of said load, at least partially by forcing said outward edge to move uphill during said downward deformation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
incline inwardly and downwardly to meet said load-supporting surface; and 2. are parallel and adjoining in each of said marginal zones, said ramps having a sufficiently steep slope that each of said ramps can engage an outward edge of said very heavy load and offer lateral resistance to sidewise sliding of said load, at least partially by forcing said outward edge to move uphill during said downward deformation.