Patent US4384531A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4384531A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pallet, spacer-support therefor and method of assembly
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1981-04-16
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Granted: 1983-05-24
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Expires: 2001-04-16
Abstract
Abstract A load bearing pallet and a spacer-support therefor includes top and bottom decks and an elongate, unitary tubular support body with tapered, sharpened tines projecting from the opposed ends of the body. The tines are designed to be compressively embedded in the top and bottom decks of the pallet to secure the same together. The elongate spacer-support is constructed by die stamping it of flat metal and then rolling it with an open butt seam. A modified form of the invention contemplates the utilization of crossing straps interconnecting the individual slats of the bottom deck and a further modification contemplates a binder or reinforcing strip interconnecting the usual slat members of the top deck. A still further modification includes the provision of projecting barbs or prongs on the tines for improved holding properties. The method of assembly includes embedding not only the tines, but portions of the ends of the tubular members as well into deck members.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas E. Spurgeon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 20:19
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16B; F16B15/00; F16B15/0007; B; B65; B65D; B65D19/00; B65D19/0004; B65D19/0006; B65D19/0008; B65D19/002; B65D19/0024; B65D19/0026; B65D19/0053; B65D19/0077; B65D19/0089; B65D19/0093; B65D19/0095; F16B5/00; B65D2519/00; B65D2519/00004; B65D2519/00009; B65D2519/00014; B65D2519/00029; B65D2519/00049; B65D2519/00064; B65D2519/00084; B65D2519/00094; B65D2519/00258; B65D2519/00283; B65D2519/00288; B65D2519/00293; B65D2519/00298; B65D2519/00313; B65D2519/00323; B65D2519/00328; B65D2519/00333; B65D2519/00368; B65D2519/00373; B65D2519/00398; B65D2519/00432; B65D2519/00547; B65D2519/00552; B65D2519/00557; B65D2519/00567; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49833
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A load bearing pallet, comprising: (A) a top deck having top and bottom surfaces; (B) a bottom deck including a plurality of identical slats each having top and bottom surfaces; (C) spacer-supports each having an elongate, unitary tubular body with at least one sharpened tine projecting from each of the opposed ends thereof for penetration of and engagement with the slats of said bottom deck and said top deck; (D) said tines passing through said top and bottom decks and having their ends bent back upon themselves on the top surface of said top deck and the bottom surface of said bottom deck; and (E) the opposed ends of said tubular body at least partially penetrating the bottom surface of said top deck and the top surface of said bottom deck.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
A load bearing pallet, comprising: (A) a top deck having top and bottom surfaces; (B) a bottom deck including a plurality of identical slats each having top and bottom surfaces; (C) spacer-supports each having an elongate, unitary tubular body with at least one sharpened tine projecting from each of the opposed ends thereof for penetration of and engagement with the slats of said bottom deck and said top deck; (D) said tines passing through said top and bottom decks and having their ends bent back upon themselves on the top surface of said top deck and the bottom surface of said bottom deck; and (E) the opposed ends of said tubular body at least partially penetrating the bottom surface of said top deck and the top surface of said bottom deck.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The pallet of claim 1 wherein said top deck includes a plurality of identical slats; said tines engaging and penetrating at least some of the slats of said top deck.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The load bearing pallet of claim 2 wherein a metal reinforcing strip is disposed on the bottom surface of said slats of said top deck between one end of said spacer-support and said bottom surface; said reinforcing strips being secured thereto by said spacer-supports.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The load bearing pallet of claim 2 wherein the longitudinal axes of said slats of said top deck are disposed at right angles to the longitudinal axes of said slats of said top deck.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The load bearing pallet of claim 1 wherein each of said tines have at least one barb projecting therefrom.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The load bearing pallet of claim 1 wherein a pair of reinforcing straps interconnect said slats of said bottom deck and are disposed in a crossing configuration; said reinforcing straps being secured thereto by said spacer-supports.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
132 words
A method of constructing a load bearing pallet comprising the steps of: (A) providing a plurality of elongate slats for the top and bottom decks of the pallet in spaced relationship; (B) interposing a plurality of unitary spacer-supports each having at least one sharpened tine projecting from its opposed ends between said slats of the top and bottom decks; and (C) applying compressive force to the outer surfaces of said slats to force said tines into and through said slats so that the distal ends of said tines project beyond the exposed surfaces of said top and bottom decks and are bent back upon themselves and embedded in said decks, and wherein sufficient force is applied to force at least a portion of the opposed ends of said spacer-supports into said slats.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
132 words
A method of constructing a load bearing pallet comprising the steps of: (A) providing a plurality of elongate slats for the top and bottom decks of the pallet in spaced relationship; (B) interposing a plurality of unitary spacer-supports each having at least one sharpened tine projecting from its opposed ends between said slats of the top and bottom decks; and (C) applying compressive force to the outer surfaces of said slats to force said tines into and through said slats so that the distal ends of said tines project beyond the exposed surfaces of said top and bottom decks and are bent back upon themselves and embedded in said decks, and wherein sufficient force is applied to force at least a portion of the opposed ends of said spacer-supports into said slats.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-05-23 | 1986-11-22 | 1987-05-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-05-23 | 1990-11-22 | 1991-05-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-05-23 | 1994-11-22 | 1995-05-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |