Pallet with telescoped leg assembly

[0001] The present invention relates to pallets. More specifically, the present invention relates to a pallet having an upper and a lower platform, with a plurality of telescopic leg assemblies extending between the platforms.

[0002] Pallets carried by forklifts have been in wide use for many years to minimize the costs of handling articles or articles that can be stacked or otherwise fixed on pallets, thereby enabling the simultaneous conveying of large quantities of articles or articles, and move in a mechanized way to minimize labor costs. Historically, pallets transported by forklifts are constructed of wood and have a plurality of parallel stringers, to which nails are nailed or otherwise fixed one or more structural elements forming a pallet platform. The pallet platform may consist of many wooden strips or solid wooden panels, such as plywood panels, to provide a generally flat support surface on which the articles or articles are respectively arranged or stacked. Parallel stringers lift the platform supporting the products above the ground surface and in this way allow you to insert the forks of the forklift truck into the spaces created between the side members. This enables the forklift to lift and move the pallet with all its products as a unit or packaging. Typically, the pallet remains with articles or articles until the articles are removed from the pallet for further handling, for use or for distribution. This enables the forklift to lift and move the pallet with all its products as a unit or packaging. Typically, the pallet remains with articles or articles until the articles are removed from the pallet for further handling, for use or for distribution. This enables the forklift to lift and move the pallet with all its products as a unit or packaging. Typically, the pallet remains with articles or articles until the articles are removed from the pallet for further handling, for use or for distribution.

[0003] Although pallets are usually cheap, they are expensive enough and are repeatedly used to transport products before they are sufficiently worn or damaged, so that they need to be replaced. Although wood has historically been a cheap commodity, thus enabling the production of wood pallets at low cost, recently the cost of wood for products such as pallets has increased significantly, causing pallet manufacturers to look for other sources of materials.

[0004] Pallets were constructed from extruded or molded metal such as steel or aluminum. The pallets were also constructed of molded or extruded plastics, including new plastic or plastic that was recycled or recovered from waste.

[0005] Plastic pallets are often difficult to manufacture and assemble due to the complexity and / or abundance of the parts. In addition, plastic pallets are often subject to excessive wear or damage, especially at the connection points or at the support pillars, which are most susceptible to contact with forks of a forklift or similar elements.

[⁰⁰⁰6] To^kumen^t US 6029583 (Le Trudet) discloses ^pand^le^t^ with attached upper and lower elements, with poor side load resistance. WO 2005/118412 (PPAL) discloses a palette with connectors, the inner part of which comprises claws formed on spring struts.

[0007] It is desirable to provide a pallet construction where the pallet is easy to manufacture and assemble while providing desired stability and durability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] According to the present invention, a pallet is provided according to claim 1. In at least one aspect, the present invention provides a pallet comprising a first and a second platform having at least two post assemblies extending between the first and second platforms to maintain the first. and a second bridge, at a distance from each other. Each post assembly includes an outer post member comprising a substantially empty tubular body extending axially from the base connected to the first platform to the free end and an inner post member comprising a body extending axially from the base connected to the second platform to the free end. The free end of the body of the inner post member is adapted to be inserted into the body of the outer post member,

[0009] In another aspect of the invention, a groove is provided around at least a portion of the circumference of the base of the inner post member. The groove is adapted to receive and hold radially at least a portion of the perimeter of the free end of the outer post member.

In one embodiment of the invention, the body of the outer post member has an inner surface with at least one set of humps thereon, wherein each hump has a flat cooperating surface facing the base of the post member and the body of the inner post member has an outer surface of located on it with at least one set of humps, each hump having a flat cooperating surface facing the base of the post. The body of the inner post member and the body of the outer post member are positioned relative to each other such that the flat cooperating surfaces of the outer post member engage with flat counter surfaces of the inner post member,

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011]

Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a pallet that is the first embodiment of the present invention.

<td>Fig. 2</td><td>is</td><td>view</td><td>isometric with</td><td>mountains, unfolded,</td>

<td>pallets</td><td>from Fig</td><td>1.</td><td></td><td></td>

<td>Fig. 3</td><td>is</td><td>view</td><td>isometric with</td><td>bottom, unfolded,</td>

<td>pallets</td><td>from Fig</td><td>1.</td><td></td><td></td>

<td>Fig. 4</td><td>is</td><td>view</td><td>isometric with</td><td>alternative mountain</td>

the upper platform according to the present invention.

Fig. 5 is an isometric view from the bottom of the pictorial outer element of the post.

Fig. 6 is an isometric view of a top-view inner post element.

Fig. 6A is an isometric view from above of an alternative illustrative inner post member.

Fig. 6B is an isometric view from above of another alternative illustrative inner post element.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 in Fig. 1, with the upper and lower platforms located before assembly.

Figs. 7A and 7B are partial sections similar to Fig. 7, showing alternative exemplary -garb configurations.

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 in Fig. 1, with the upper and lower platforms positioned prior to assembly.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 in Fig. 1, with the upper and lower platforms assembled together.

Fig. 10 is an exploded view of a portion with humps of the inner post member of Fig. 6.

Figures 11A-11D are partial cross-sections depicting alternative post assembly operations.

Figures 12 and 13 are partial isometric views of an alternative post assembly including an exemplary disassembly tool.

Fig. 14 is an isometric view from above of an alternative illustrative inner post member.

Fig. 15 is a cross sectional view of an alternative post assembly.

Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view of another alternative post assembly in a partially connected position.

Fig. 17 is a cross sectional view of the post assembly of Fig. 16 in a fully connected position.

Fig. 18 is a cross sectional view of another alternative post assembly in an initially connected position.

Fig. 19 is a cross sectional view of the post assembly of Fig. 18 in a compressed connected position.

Fig. 20 is a cross sectional view of another alternative post assembly in a partially connected position.

Fig. 21 is a cross sectional view of the post assembly of Fig. 20 in a fully connected position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0012] Although the invention is illustrated in the drawing and described herein in relation to specific embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the details shown. Rather, various modifications may be made in detail, within the scope and in the scope of the equivalents of the patent claims, and without departing from the invention.

[0013] With reference to Figs. 1-3 and 5-10, a palette 10, which is the first embodiment of the present invention, will be described. The pallet 10 generally comprises a top platform 12 connected to the bottom platform 30 by a plurality of post assemblies 50. The post assemblies 50 retain the upper deck 12 and bottom deck 30 in such a spatial relationship that holes are formed between each side edge of the pallet 10 between the post assemblies 50 11, in which the forks enter. The present embodiment includes nine post assemblies 50, but may include more or fewer post assemblies 50.

[0014] With reference to Figures 2 and 3, the upper deck 12 of the present embodiment comprises a generally flat surface 14 supported by a connected rib structure 15. The upper deck 12 may be a solid surface, but usually a rib structure 15 is preferred because it reduces she weight and material cost. The surface 14 preferably comprises a plurality of through holes 13 to facilitate the passage of water.

pollutants and similar items through the top deck 12 pallets. In the alternative upper platform 12 ', shown in Fig. 4, the plurality of projections 17 protrude vertically from the surface 14' and are configured to engage with racks or the like on the pallet. The alternative upper platform 12 'also includes a plurality of sockets 19, adapted to receive legs or protrusions of the stand, or the like, placed on the pallet. As shown in Fig. 4, the sockets 19 may be adapted to the corner outer post members 16A such that the leg or protrusion partly enters the pallet post assembly 50. The seats 19 may be arranged differently if it is desired to keep the post assemblies 50 generally closed, as will be described hereinafter.

The bottom platform 30 preferably comprises a first series of boards 33 connected to a second row of boards 35 extending perpendicular thereto, forming a grid structure 34. Although the structure shown in the drawing is preferred, the lower platform 30 may comprise more or fewer boards, or alternatively, be a flat structure similar to the upper deck 12. The boards 33, 35 again preferably comprise a rib structure 37, but are not limited to such a configuration. In a preferred embodiment, the boards 33 and 35 are formed as interconnected as a uniform grid structure 34, but may alternatively be formed as individual components, then combined.

[0016] Each post assembly 500 consists of an external post member and an inner post member adapted to enter telescopically into the outer post member. In the present embodiments, the outer post members 16A-16D are shown integral with the upper deck 12, while the inner post members 36A-36D are shown integral with the lower platform 30. Alternative configurations are within the scope of the invention. For example, the configuration may be inverted such that each of the outer bar elements extends to the bottom platform 30, while each of the inner bar elements extends from the upper deck 12. In an alternative embodiment, the configuration may be combined so that some of the outer post members extend from the top deck 12 and are adapted to the inner post members extending from the bottom deck 30, while the other external post members extend from the bottom deck 30 and are adapted to the inner post members extending from the top 12. The upper and lower platforms 12, 30 are preferably integrally formed with the post elements. Various molding techniques may be used, e.g. without limitation, injection molding or injection molding with gas assist. In addition, platforms 12 and 30 and post assemblies can be manufactured from any suitable material including plastics, reinforced plastics, and various other natural or synthetic materials.

[0017] In the pallet 10 embodiment, the upper platform 12 comprises four outer post members 16A, each extending from a respective corner of the upper deck 12, two outer post members 16B extending from opposite transverse sides of the upper deck 12, two outer members 16A the post elements 16C, extending from the remaining opposite transversal sides of the upper deck 12 and the central outer post member 16D. Each outer post member 16A-16D has a similar general construction, with a peripheral wall 21 extending between the base 23, fixed to the surface 14, and free end 25, see Figures 2 and 5. All outer post members 16A-16D can have the same shape or they may have different shapes as in the embodiments shown in the drawings. With reference to Figures 2 and 3, each outer post element 16A has a generally square shape with opposite rounded corners 27 and opposite conical corners 24. The conical corners 24 are preferably at an angle of approximately 45 ° and are configured to be aligned with openings 11 in which the forks enter to give the orifice the shape of a funnel. The external post members 16B and 16C are generally rectangular constructions with rounded internal corners 27 and conical outside corners 24. Again, the conical corners 24 fit into the openings 11 into which the forks enter to give the orifice the shape of a funnel. The middle outer member of the post 16D has a generally rectangular shape with rounded corners 27. The middle member 16D is spaced from the openings 11 and generally does not require conical corners.

The inner post members 36A-36D generally correspond to respective outer post members 16A-16D and comprise a peripheral wall 41 extending between the base 43, attached to the lattice structure 34, and the free end 25, see Figures 2 and 5. All external post members 16A-16D may have the same shape or may have different shapes as in the embodiments shown in the drawings. With reference to

Figures 2 and 3, each inner 3BA bar element corresponds to the external 1BA bar elements and each has a generally square shape with opposite rounded corners and opposite conical corners 44. The inner sucking elements 33B and 3 3B correspond to the external post members 1BB and 1BC and are generally rectangular constructions with rounded internal corners and conical outer corners 44. The central inner post member 3BD corresponds to the external post members 1BD and has a generally rectangular shape with rounded corners.

[0019] Referring to Figures 5-10, the elements of the post assemblies 50 will be described in more detail with reference to the outer post member 1BA and the inner post member 3BA. The remaining 1BB-1BD external bar elements and other internal 3BB-3BD bar elements have similar elements, which are numbered similarly to Figures 2 and 3. The reference to Figures 2 and 3 shows the number and position of such elements on other external 1BB1BD bar elements and other internal 3BB-3BD post elements.

[0020] With reference to Figures B and 8, a groove 4B is provided around the circumference of the base of each inner post member 3BA-3BD. The groove 4B is adapted to insert the free end 25 of the respective outer post member 1BA-1BD when the inner post member 3BA-3BD extends into the corresponding outer post member 1BA-1BD, as shown in Figures 7 and 8. Although the groove 4B can extend completely or partly around the base 45 of the inner post element, in the present embodiment the groove 4B is interrupted by a bridge 47, adjacent to each recess 40 of the inner post, which will be described hereinafter. The external bar elements 1BA-1BD include corresponding cuts 20 along the free ends of the outer bar element, that the notches 20 receive the respective bridges 47. When the post assembly 50 is fully assembled, as shown in Fig. 9, the free end of the post member 28 extends into the groove 46 and is axially and radially limited therein by the bottom platform structure 34. The walls 21 and 41 of the outer and inner pillars are preferably dimensioned axially such that the free end 45 of the inner post element contacts and thus supports the upper platform structure 12 when the free end 25 of the post member enters the groove 46. In an alternative, the wall 41 the inner post member may be shorter such that the inner post member 36A-36D terminates inside the outer post member 16A-16D without touching the structure 12 of the upper platform. In another alternative embodiment,

[0021] When the free end 25 of the post member is radially limited within the groove 46 and the walls 21 and 41 of the outer and inner post members abut against each other, see Fig. 8, the post assembly 50 effectively forms a double-walled post. Since the ends of each outer post member 16A-16D are radially limited by the upper and lower jetties 12 and 30, each lateral force directed to the post assembly 50 will be transmitted through both post members 16A-16D and 36A-36D, and both the upper platform structure 12 as and a structure of the lower platform 34. This design makes each post assembly 50 more resistant to transverse shear stresses, which can result, for example, from contact with the forks of a forklift. Additionally, entering the bridges 47 into the respective notches 20 makes each post assembly 50 more resistant to torsion or similar action. The mutual position of the outer and inner post members 16A-16D and 36A-36D is as such maintained securely and the risk that the bar elements are accidentally displaced as a result of relative movement or similar operation is reduced.

An additional advantage of the telescopic post assemblies 50 is shown in Fig. 9. When the inner post member 36A-36D is inside the outer post member 16A-16D and the free end 25 of the outer post member engages in the groove 46, the post assembly 50 is effectively sealed against dirt such as dirt and rubbish. The post assembly 50 may be additionally sealed, e.g. for use in hygienic applications, by using a gasket or the like (not shown) within the groove 46.

[0023] To prevent axial separation of the upper and lower platforms 12 and 30, the post units 50 are provided with connectors to connect the units together. Referring to Figs. 5-10, where a corner post assembly 50 is described, the inner post member 36A of the present invention includes a pair of vertical recesses 40 along its circumferential wall 41. Each recess 40 includes a series of outwardly extending humps 42. As In Fig. 7, the humps 42 have conical surfaces towards the free end 45 and flat surfaces towards the base 43. The humps 42 are adapted to engage with humps 22 directed inwards, respectively arranged along the interior wall 21 of the outer post member. The lobes 22 have conical surfaces towards the free end 25 and flat surfaces, towards the base 23. Accordingly, when the upper platform 12 is located on the lower platform 30 and the inner columnar element 36A extends into the outer post member 16A, they slip over each other. shown in Fig. 9, they engage with the flat ones thus preventing the post bars 16A and 36A.

conical hump surfaces With full assembly, such as planar hump surfaces 22 hump surfaces 42 and axial separation of elements [0024] Although the flat surfaces of humps 22 and 42 in the present embodiment are substantially at right angles to the axis of bar elements 16, 36, the angle may be greater than or less than 90 °. For example, Fig. 7A shows the planar surfaces of the projections 22 ', 42', shown in the drawing, extending at an angle θ with respect to the associated wall 21 ', 41', which is larger than 90 °. If the angle θ is, for example, 91 ° or more, a force sufficient to tear the telescopic legs will not be so destructive to the humps 22 ', 42', because they will have a greater tendency to slip from each other, though not freely. Conversely, Fig. 7B shows the planar surfaces of the projections 22 '', 42 '' shown in the drawing, extending at an angle θ '' with respect to the associated wall 21 '', 41 '', which is less than 90 °. For example, the angle θ '' of 89 ° can additionally lock the humps 22 "and 42" with each other, making it difficult to separate the post elements 16, 36 if desired. The useful angles and the degree of distortion can be adjusted based on the mechanical properties and material configuration of the bar elements 16, 36 and associated humps. 'and 42' 'with each other, making it difficult to separate the post elements 16, 36 if desired. The useful angles and the degree of distortion can be adjusted based on the mechanical properties and material configuration of the bar elements 16, 36 and associated humps. 'and 42' 'with each other, making it difficult to separate the post elements 16, 36 if desired. The useful angles and the degree of distortion can be adjusted based on the mechanical properties and material configuration of the bar elements 16, 36 and associated humps.

[0025] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, each of the inner post members 36B and 36C has two recesses 40 along each long wall, with respective humps 42 in each recess 40, for a total of four humps 42 on each inner bar element. 36B, 36C. The external post members 16B and 16C have respective humps 22 extending inwardly adapted to match the respective humps 42, such that each outer post member 16B, 16C has four sets of humps 22. The middle inner bar member 36D has two recesses 40 along each of its four sides, with respective humps 42 in each recess 40, giving a total of eight humps 42 on the central inner bar 36D. The middle outer bar element 16D has the appropriate humps 22,

[0026] In order to prevent the walls 41 of the inner post member from bending, and thus increasing the risk of accidental disengagement of the humps 43 and 22, vertical ribs 55 are preferably provided inside the inner post members 36A-36D. The vertical ribs 55, preferably extend between the opposite recesses 40, but may be located at additional locations as shown in the drawing. The vertical ribs in the inner columnar elements 36A have a reduced height to facilitate placement of the rack legs or the like in the post, as described above with reference to Fig. 4, which is not visible in the figures.

In order to facilitate mutual sliding between the humps 22 and 42, and to minimize the risk of damaging them, each of the humps 42 of the inner pillar, according to the present embodiment, comprises a contoured edge 51, as shown in Fig. 10. Each profiled edge 51 is arcuate so that the lateral edges 53 of each hump 42 are recessed.

The contoured edge 51 minimizes the contact during the sliding, but does not minimize the effective holding force of the humps 22 and 42, based on the contact of flat surfaces.

[0028] With reference to Figures 6A and 6B, they show that the bars may have alternative configurations. For example, in the exemplary inner bar element 36A-A shown in Fig. 6A, the peripheral wall 41-A has a curved or arcuate shape between the corners 44-A. Garments 42-A instead of being placed on a flat surface and having a curved edge are located along the surface of the curved wall 41-A, and have a contour that corresponds to the outline of the wall 41-A. The external post member (not shown in the drawing) has an inner shape that complements the curved shape of the inner post member 6A-A.

[0029] In the exemplary inner bar element 36A-B shown in Fig. 6B, the humps 42-B are located in the corners 44-B of the peripheral wall 41-B. The vertical channel 40-B or the like is preferably located between each set of corners 44-B. The vertical channels 40-B are shaped to allow slight compression of the walls 41-B when the inner post member 36A-B is connected to an outer post (not shown). During joining, the 41-B walls return to their uncompressed state and the 42-B corner humps engage the corresponding corner humps of the outer bar element. Other configurations of the post sets, e.g. the shape of the wall and the arrangement of the projections, are within the scope of the invention.

[0030] A variable configuration of humps, also shaped to facilitate sliding between the humps, is shown in Figures 11A-11D. In the present embodiment, the humps 22a-22d on the outer pillar member 16A 'have different axial widths and the humps 42a-42d on the inner pillar member 36A' have different axial widths and a variable axial distribution therebetween. The humps 22a-22d have respectively axial widths a, b, c, d, which reduce the widest outer displacement of the free end from the hump 22a, at the closest to the bar element towards the narrowest hump 22d, located farthest from the free end 25 Correspondingly, the humps of the outer bar element . 42a-d are soonituded raises disposed relative to each other such that the axial distribution of x, y, z, respectively, between adjacent humps, increases from the narrowest space x between humps 42a and 42b to the widest space between humps 42c and 42d. When the post members 16A 'and 36A' are brought together, as shown in Fig. 11B, the conical surfaces of the tabs 22a and 42a move along and bend the walls 21 and 41 outward to allow the humps to slip one after the other. With reference to Fig. 11C, because the hump 22a has a width "a" which is larger than each of the spaces x, y, z, the flat surface of the hump 22a slides along the flat surfaces of the humps 42a-42d without entering any of the spaces xz between them. As shown in Fig. 11D, each hump 22a-22d matches only one suitable space between the humps 42a-42. Humps as such,^.they move relative to each other.

[0031] Although it is generally preferred that the hooks 22, 42 be securely locked together to block the bar elements 16, 36 together, it may be desirable to separate the bar elements

16, 36, for example to repair the pallet by replacing the upper or lower section. With reference to Figures 12 and 13, an exemplary method of disassembling the post elements 16 and 36 will be described with minimal damage. The disconnecting through hole 70 (only one is shown in the drawing) is made by each bridge 47^v and aligned with each recess 40^v the post element 36A^V. The through hole 70 is adapted to insert a separation tool 74.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 13, the separation tool 74 is adapted to engage each of the humps 42^v an inner post member and opposing humps of the outer post member (not shown). Preferably at least one of the humps 42^v an inner post member or opposing humps of the outer post member (not shown) includes curved recesses 72 on the outer edges of the humps to guide the separation tool 74. When the tool 74 is moved through the opening 70 and between the humps, the wedge action deforms the wall of the bar elements sufficiently to allow to separate the humps. It should be noted that the separation tool 74 may have a conical shape with recesses 72 having a suitable shallowing to facilitate the straight passage of the tool 74 through the opening 70 and between the humps. To completely disassemble the pallet 10, it is preferable to simultaneously combine a plurality of tools 74 with the majority, and even with all the post assemblies 50 of the pallet 10, to divide the pallet 10. The tool 74 can be manufactured from a variety of materials,

[0033] With reference to Fig. 14, an inner post member 36 'is described, which is an alternative embodiment of the invention. Internal bar element

The groove 46 is adapted to insert the free end of the outer post member 16 as in the previous embodiment. Although four lamellar elements 80 are shown, more or less may be used. In addition, humps 42 or similar elements are not required on each of the lamellar elements 80.

[0034] With reference to Fig. 15, an alternative connector assembly is described. In this embodiment, the post assembly 50 "comprises an external post member 16A" adapted to engage and attach to the platform structure 34 &amp; quot; of the lower platform 30 &amp; quot ;. The groove 46 "is located around the base 43" of the inner post member 36A ". A plurality of through holes 49 are provided in the 46 "groove. The free end 25 of the outer bar element includes a plurality of tapered tab members 27 adapted to pass through respective through holes 49. Each plate member 27 has an outer projection 28 adapted to engage with the platform portion 34 '' after inserting the conical tab member 27 into the port 49. The combination of the projections 28 with the platform member 34 '' connects the inner post member 16A 'with the lower platform 30' ', thus connecting the upper and lower platforms 12' 'and 30' 'together. To further reinforce the connection, the inner post member 36A 'may have tapered tile elements 37 at its free end 45', adapted to pass through the through holes 29 in the upper platform structure 12. Similarly, the plate members 37 include protrusions 38 adapted to engage with the part the upper platform 12 "after placing the conical plate element 37 into the through hole 29. When the conical plate members 27, 37 pass through the through holes 29, 49 the remainder of each free end 25", 45 "comes into contact with the corresponding opposite platform 30" .

[0035] An alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figures 16 and 17. The palette 10 '' '' is substantially the same as the palette 10 shown in Figures 1-3 and similar elements are equally numbered. The 10 '' palette is adapted to dropping supplies from the air or similar activities. For this reason, each post assembly 50 '' comprises inside compression material 60. The inner post members 36A-36D are telescopically mounted inside the outer post elements 16A-16D and the compression material 60 is located between the top deck 12 and the bottom platform 30. Compression material 60 is adapted to support the platforms 12 and 30 in the initial position shown in Fig. 16, wherein the inner post member 36A-36D does not completely enter the outer post member 16A-16D. The grooves 46 '' 'are preferably deeper than in the embodiment shown in Figures 1-3, so that the free ends of the outer post member can enter and be radially limited in the grooves 46 in their initial position. The humps 22 and humps 42 are partially hooked together and prevent the axial separation of the upper and lower deck 12 and 30.

[0036] In the initial position, the pallet 10 '' 'is ready for loading. The compression material 60 is preferably selected such that it remains in the initial position even when loading the pallet 10 '' '. After loading the 10 '' pallet, it can be transported by plane or similarly, from where it can be dropped. When the pallet 10 '' lands, the compressed material 60 absorbs the impact portion when the upper platform 12 moves towards the bottom platform 30, to the position shown in Fig. 17. The bars 22 and 42 are free to continue to engage and the free end 25 of the outer element It can move freely further to the 46 '' groove. The compressed material 60 allows the pallet 10 '' to absorb a portion of the impact while maintaining a useful shape. The compressed material 60 may be solid or liquid. As an example, the compressed material is 6 ohms. be a lbbo spring, a urethane foam block, or any other material selected with the desired compressibility.

[0037] Referring to Figures 18 and 19, a palette 10 "'' 'is shown, which is another alternative embodiment of the present invention. The 10 "'pallet is again substantially the same as the one shown in Figures 1-3 and the like

The 10 '' '' elements are just the same, it is numbered with the assurance of use.

A palette of continuous shock absorption during

For this reason, each post assembly 50 '' '' contains inside compression material 60. The internal post members 36A '' '' '- 36D' '' 'are telescopically embedded inside

16A '

'16D' of the external bar elements, the compression material 60 is located between the upper deck 12 and the bottom deck 30. The compression material 60 is adapted to support the platforms 12 and 30 in the initial position shown in Fig. 16, where the inner bar element 36A '' '' -36D '' '' does not enter completely into the external bar element 16A '' '' - 16D '' ''. The compression material 60 is preferably selected such that it remains in the initial position even when the pallet 10 "'is loaded. The grooves 46 "'are preferably deeper than in the embodiment shown in Figures 1-3, such that the free ends of the outer post member can enter and be radially limited in the grooves 46 in their initial position.

[0038] In the present embodiment, the humps 22 "'' 'are arranged axially with respect to each other and the humps 42"' 'are similarly arranged axially with respect to each other. In the starting position shown in Fig. 18, the humps 22 '' '' engage with the humps 42 '' '' and thus prevent axial separation of the upper and lower platforms 12 and 30. However, the axial arrangement of the humps 22 '' '', 42 ' '' 'makes it possible to move the outer columnar elements 16A' '' '- 16D' '' 'with respect to the inner columnar elements 36A' '' '- 36D' '' ', thus allowing the upper platform 12 to move relative to the lower platform 30, against the strength of the compressed material 60. If the 10 '' '' palette as such it is transported and encounters heavy travel, the upper deck 12 and the lower platform 30 can move relative to each other, the compression material 60 absorbs the force caused by the heavy travel and thus reduces the force acting on the elements located on the pallet 10 "'' ' . As in the previous embodiment, the compressed material 60 may be solid or liquid and may be selected from a variety of materials.

[0039] Although the platforms of the various embodiments are preferably continuous in the vicinity of the post assemblies so that garbage and intrinsically-like post assembly are prevented, in some applications the through holes are necessary or desirable. For example, in a post assembly 50^vlshown in Figures 20 and 21, various through holes 90 and 92 are made in deck surfaces 14^vand and 34^vand, respectively, the upper and lower jetties 12 ^ and 30^vi. Through holes 90, 92 may be made, for example, to simplify hump formation 22.42 or to facilitate placement of damping material 95 within the post assembly 50^vAfter assembling the post assembly 50, it is often desirable to clog the through holes 90 and 92. In the present embodiment, some of the through holes 90A and 92 are plugged by the self expanding sealing foam 91. Alternatively, the through hole 90B may be clogged with a cap 93 or the like. an element that can be fixed by means of interference fit, gluing, binding or any other given method. A closed post assembly 50 prevents junk or similar items from entering.

[0040] Although co-exemplary examples of the invention have been shown and described herein, it is to be understood that such embodiments of the invention are shown only by way of example. Various variations, variations and substitutions will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Daniel E. Kelly

Proxy:

77P29106PL00

EP 1 829 787 B1