EP0846624A1 - Plastic pallet with elastic feet - Google Patents

Abstract

At least one large-size foot (2,3) is positioned in the middle of the main plate body (11) along at least two of whose opposite facing edges are several thin feet (4) consisting of a number of segments made of interconnected intermediate layers of flexurally elastic material. A flexurally elastic core goes through vertical passages or cavities in the segments and through vertical spaces between the segments. The core of the foot has a pin-shaped attachment fitting into a recess in the plate-body.

Description

Pallets for the transport and storage of goods are known. Such pallets are traditionally made of wood and in newer ones Time also made of plastic as well as wood using other Materials, namely steel and plastic for individuals Pallet parts, manufactured.

The pallets exist regardless of the material used from a pallet plate to hold the goods or the Loading, and pallet feet arranged thereon, which the Pallet plate at a distance from the floor (or another Floor space). This one created by the pallet feet There is a clearance between the pallet plate and the floor in so far as undesirable as a relatively large one Overall height of the pallets results in what happens when transporting empty pallets is a hindrance, but is necessary to move the pallets Purposes of transportation with forklift vehicles or pallet trucks to be able to drive under the lifting fork. The pallet feet are consequently also with the release of corresponding lateral Gaps arranged to go under the pallet with to enable a lifting fork.

In practice, pallet damage often occurs because accidentally when maneuvering forklift trucks and pallet trucks the feet of standing pallets arranged at the edge of the pallet be rammed. This can happen if the fork is retracted inaccurately pass under a pallet, but also comes frequently when maneuvering pallet trucks or forklift vehicles into the Alleys of pallet stores in front, especially when the pallet truck or the forklift vehicle transports a loaded pallet and the operator or driver do the above Ends of the lifting fork can not see because the view through it the loaded pallet is locked.

Such ramming very often leads to considerable damage, especially if a loaded pallet is rammed under the Weight of your load firmly and immovably on the floor sits. The ramming vehicle, especially if it is with itself loaded pallet has a significant impact Mass moment of inertia, so that such ramming impacts of considerable Stunts are accompanied even if the driving speed of the ramming truck or forklift truck extremely is low. As a result, the rammed feet often break standing pallets (with wooden pallets) or are smashed (with plastic pallets) or otherwise through Bending, crushing, etc. (for wooden pallets with plastic or Metal bracket feet) significantly damaged.

The relatively common damage to pallets in this way causes a large number of pallets to be unusable prematurely or is in need of repair, and the resulting Costs are huge.

While repairing damaged wooden pallets Cultivation of new feet is basically possible, but in proportion a very expensive repair at the total value of the pallet is a plastic pallet, the foot of which is through a Pile impact is smashed, always irreparably unusable. But plastic pallets in particular are coming up today Importance because they do not rot, insensitive to moisture and less sensitive to pollution or are cleanable and because they are particularly essential with a more pleasing appearance can be made, which at the presentation of palletized goods in supermarkets and the like is of considerable importance.

The invention is therefore based on the problem Damage to plastic pallets from rammed Remedy pallet feet and the failure rate of pallets by ramming the pallet feet considerably.

This object is achieved according to the invention by the in claim 1 specified and further developed in the subclaims Measures solved on a pallet made of plastic.

The solution according to the invention comprises two basic measures.

The first measure is a fundamental redesign the arrangement of the pallet feet. While conventional Plastic pallets along the pallet feet the pallet circumference are arranged, the invention proposes the arrangement of at least one pallet foot in the middle the range, which is also particularly large in order to to support a large part of the load weight on the floor. The pallet feet remaining on the pallet circumference are, if necessary reduced and reduced in number. The second measure is that the remaining on the pallet circumference reduced pallet feet elastic will.

These reduced elastic pallet feet on the pallet circumference no longer mainly serve to increase the loading weight supported on the ground, but mainly serve to support the pallet against tipping because of the weight mainly one or depending on the pallet size several large feet in the middle of the pallet becomes. The small and relatively thin pallet feet are at the edge of the pallet due to their elastic design can be deflected elastically in the event of ramming, so that the danger of breaking off or serious damage is reduced.

In addition, such elastic outer pallet feet also interchangeable, e.g. attachable to a plastic pallet can be arranged so that in the now much less likely case of serious damage with a handle can be replaced without an expensive repair to make necessary.

In this way, by applying the invention, the failure rate of pallets due to damage from ramming drastically reduced and a very significant cost reduction can be achieved.

It is also possible to use skids according to the invention train, as is the case with conventional wooden pallets is. Skid training is useful and sometimes necessary to put the pallets on conveyor belts or conveyors to be able to transport where only relative small pallet feet cause interference or difficulties could. For this purpose, the range of the invention through two opposite elastic pallet feet a runner joined together with both ends is attached to the two elastic pallet feet. At the Occurrence of a ram against one or the other elastic The entire foot can then be walked through Skid and the two associated elastic feet formed Compound move elastically deflecting. this has also the advantage that the rammed foot not only through its own elasticity but also with the help the opposite, connected to it by the skid Foot is elastically cushioned. With large pallets, for example Euro standard pallets, the skid can between two on opposite sides of the pallet arranged elastic feet is attached, in addition supported on a rigid central pallet foot which they guided displaceable by a certain distance is, for example in a guide groove, or via an in the rigid foot-guided guide piece, which also counteracts the skids Pulling away from the rigid foot secures.

The elastic pallet feet offer yet another Advantage. Because of the construction according to the invention they are not only flexible, but also show still have a certain elasticity. If improper Driving under the pallet with a pallet truck Skids through and then lifting the pallet base lifting fork and skids are spread apart, occurs first only an elastic deformation that when the handling error is noticed in time, no damage to the Unlike conventional pallets, pallet leaves which then generally have irreparable damage.

Fig. 1

in schematischer Draufsicht eine Palette nach der Erfindung,

Fig. 2

einen großen Palettenfuß im Querschnitt,

Fig. 3

einen elastischen Palettenfuß in Frontansicht,

Fig. 4

der Palettenfuß nach Fig. 2 im Querschnitt,

Fig. 5

einen Schnitt durch eine andere Ausführungsform eines elastischen Palettenfußes,

Fig. 6

einen Schnitt durch einen steckbaren elastischen Palettenfuß mit dem zugehörigen Randbereich der Palettenplatte,

Fig. 7

eine schematische Seitenansicht einer Palette nach der Erfindung mit Kufen, und

Fig. 8

ein Ausführungsbeispiel für eine mit Schiebespiel erfolgende Befestigung einer Kufe an einem starren Palettenfuß.

The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings using exemplary embodiments. In the drawings:

Fig. 1

a schematic plan view of a pallet according to the invention,

Fig. 2

a large pallet foot in cross section,

Fig. 3

an elastic pallet foot in front view,

Fig. 4

2 in cross section,

Fig. 5

2 shows a section through another embodiment of an elastic pallet foot,

Fig. 6

a section through a pluggable elastic pallet foot with the associated edge area of the pallet plate,

Fig. 7

is a schematic side view of a pallet according to the invention with runners, and

Fig. 8

an embodiment of a sliding game fixing a skid to a rigid pallet base.

All drawing figures are very schematic and serve only to explain the basic concept the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a plastic pallet 1 according to the invention in schematic top view.

The plastic pallet 1 shown in Fig. 1 has the Usual rectangular shape and consists of a plate body (Pallet plate) 11 and arranged thereon, the pallet plate supporting feet.

Specifically, it has three large lines along its central axis trained pallet feet 2 and 3, which can be seen in Fig. 2 in are shaped in the usual way as a hollow profile.

Along the two longitudinal edges of the pallet 1 are each smaller elastic pallet feet arranged along the Long edge of pallet a relatively large extension have, but only have a relatively small thickness.

The pallet shown in Fig. 1 is a Euro pallet. The The same construction principle can also apply to half pallets or quarter pallets with a correspondingly reduced number of pallet feet Find application.

In the following, the formation of the marginal thin Pallet feet using two exemplary design options described.

3 and 4 in front view and in cross section illustrated embodiment of such an elastic Pallet base 4 from a plurality of along the Foot height lined up, but somewhat spaced from each other Segments 41, 42, of which the upper segments 41 each are relatively short and the lower segment 42 is larger, and a core 43. The segments 41 and 42 consist of the same, relatively hard plastic like the rest of the range 1, and the core 43 consists of a relatively flexible plastic and penetrates openings of segments 41 and 42 and fills also the vertical small spaces 44 between the Segments 41 and 42. The core 43 also penetrates one deep opening in the pallet plate 11. The manufacture of the Foot 4 is due to the fact that the relatively soft elastic Plastic of the core in the correspondingly positioned Foot segments 41, 42 and the opening of the plate 11 are injected becomes. The material of the core 43 adheres firmly to the adjacent one Surfaces of the pallet plate 11 and the foot segments 41, 42, the liability still through appropriate profiling at the interfaces can be improved.

By building the foot 4 out of a series of segments, the over the soft acting as flexure Core 43 are interconnected, you get an elastic Pallet foot, which is capable of a pallet support against tipping, but deflect in the event of a ramming impact can, so the risk of damage to a Minimum is reduced.

The connection of the foot 4, namely the core 43 with the Pallet plate 11 through the in a deep plate opening 11a protruding core pin 43a can also be designed that the repair of a damaged foot by inserting it a new foot with the core pin 43a in the Opening 11a of the pallet plate 11 can take place. It is possible to replace the replaced foot by gluing the pin 43a in the opening 11a or by interlocking interlocking Profiling, for example by a barb-like Tooth profile in the opening 11a, firmly and permanently fix.

Fig. 5 shows in cross section another embodiment of the Construction of the foot 4 from segments 41, 42, the segments each have a hinge pin-like extension 41a, 42a, the in a cylindrical segment-shaped pan-like recess 41b of the segment above, leaving one Gap 41c engages, the gap and the vertical Space between the adjacent segments in each case filled by a layer 44 made of flexible plastic is.

In this embodiment too, the foot consists of flexurally elastic and thus joint-like connected Segments and is flexible in its construction to ramming to be able to withstand.

Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of an elastic pallet foot 4 from a plurality of strings lined up along the height of the foot rigid segments 41, 42 and a connecting these Core 43 made of relatively flexible plastic Similar to Fig. 4 (although of course for the construction of the elastic foot also the embodiment of FIG. 5 or any other embodiment according to the invention Construction principle can be chosen. This elastic foot according to Fig. 6, however, has an uppermost segment 44, which is transverse to Foot-level plug pin is formed and for this preferably as a plastic body designed tube is trained. This plug segment 44 is in one corresponding recess in the edge area of the pallet plate 11 inserted and locked there, which only is indicated, for example, by a detent 45 behind an edge 12 of an opening on the underside of the pallet plate 11 takes hold. Should the elastic foot be in use however, the catch can become damaged and unusable by pressing in the latch 45, if necessary with the help one tool, loosened and the pallet foot simple be replaced.

7 shows an embodiment of a pallet according to the invention with marginal elastic pallet feet 4, whereby 2 opposite elastic pallet feet 4 each a runner 5 are interconnected. Pallets with runners are necessary or useful in any case where pallets in the course of their handling regularly on conveyor belts or Transport lanes are carried where simple pallet feet not guarantee sufficient circulation or somehow snagging, jamming or otherwise giving rise to faults could. The runner 5 is at both ends elastic pallet feet 4 attached. Become one of the elastic Rammed pallet feet 4 in use, this foot can deflect nonetheless elastically, the runner 5 itself moves and the other foot 4 attached to it as well deflects elastically.

The runner 5 can, at least with larger pallets, also one running in the middle of the pallet plate 11 rigid pallet foot run and attached to it slidably be. An embodiment for such an attachment a runner 5 on a rigid pallet foot 2 is shown in Fig. 8 shown.

The runner 5 has a cranked central area 51, and this runs through a guide groove of the appropriate depth rigid pallet base 2. Screws 6 with large heads 61 penetrate a longitudinal slot in the central region with a shaft 62 51 of the skids and are in the rigid pallet base 2 screwed in. The skid is therefore on the rigid pallet foot 2 held, can not be bent away from it, but is free within a certain distance relative to the rigid pallet foot 2 can be moved lengthways. By appropriate dimensioning of the guide slot in the rigid pallet base, if the depth of which is slightly greater than the height of the runner 5, is the pallet load over the rigid foot 2 directly on the Supported floor or the base without the middle area the skid is loaded by the rigid foot 2.

Claims (13)

Plastic pallet for the transport and storage of goods, consisting of a plate body (11) and feet (2, 3, 4) arranged thereon,
characterized in that the feet comprise at least one large-sized foot (2, 3) arranged in a central region of the plate body (11) and several feet (4) arranged along at least two opposite edges of the plate body, the peripheral feet (4) each , seen transversely to the relevant plate body edge, have a relatively small thickness and consist of a plurality of segments (41, 42) which are connected to one another by intermediate layers consisting of relatively flexible material. Pallet according to claim 1, characterized in that the marginal feet (4) each from the segments mentioned (41, 42) and one from the relatively flexible Material existing core (43) consist of vertical openings or cutouts of the segments and also vertical gaps (41c) between the segments enforced. Pallet according to claim 2, characterized in that the Core (43) of the foot a cone-like, in a recess (11a) of the plate body (11) engaging projection (43a) having. Pallet according to claim 3, characterized in that the marginal feet (4) by inserting a new foot with the peg-like extension (43a) of the core (43) into the recess (11a) of the plate body (11) are interchangeable. Pallet according to claim 1, characterized in that each Segment (41, 42) of the marginal feet (4) one in the longitudinal direction of the relevant plate body edge Hinge pin-like approach (41a, 42a), which in a correspondingly shaped pan-like recess (41b) of the intervening adjacent segment leaving a gap, the gap (41c) between the two segments is filled by the relatively flexible material. Pallet according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that that the marginal feet each consist of a number upper segments (41) with a relatively low height and one exist lower end segment (42) with greater height. Pallet according to claim 1, characterized in that each the marginal feet (4) on a horizontally oriented pin-like socket pin (44) is arranged, which in a Appropriate receiving opening of the plate body (11) can be inserted is. Pallet according to claim 7, characterized in that the Plug pin (44) is designed as a tubular body. Pallet according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the plug pin (44) in the receiving opening of the plate body (11) is releasably lockable (45, 12). Pallet according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower ends of two opposite marginal ones Feet (4) with a skid (5) attached to each other are connected. Pallet according to claim 10, characterized in that the Skid (5) can be moved longitudinally on a certain distance rigid in the middle of the panel body width Foot (2, 3) is attached. Pallet according to claim 11, characterized in that the Skid (5) with its central area (51) in a guide groove the underside of the rigid pallet foot (2, 3) is guided and the groove slightly compared to the effective thickness of the runner has greater depth. Pallet according to claim 10, characterized in that the Skid (5) formed in one piece with the elastic feet (4) is.

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