ADJUSTABLE PALLET CAGE

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention relates generally to pallet cages. More particularly, this invention relates to an adjustable pallet cage configured to receive and support two or more sizes of pallets.

BACKGROUND

Standard wooden pallets have been used for decades to support goods arranged thereon. The wooden pallets provides a platform for the goods to be arranged in an organized and modular manner. The wooden pallets can then be efficiently arranged for storage and warehousing. These wooden pallets are configured such that the forks of a forklift may engage the pallet and the forklift may selectively move the wooden pallet. However, standard wooden pallets suffer from several disadvantages. One such disadvantage is that the wooden pallet does not have walls or a way to prevent goods from falling off of the pallet. Another such disadvantage is that cranes are unable to lift wooden pallets standing alone. There are no useful connection points located on the wooden pallet and, because the goods are stacked atop the pallet, the wooden pallet becomes unstable once lifted into the air by a crane.

Pallet cages have been used in the prior art to support standard wooden pallets. These pallet cages support and enclose the wooden pallet and the contents stacked thereon. Forklifts, cranes, and other machines can then safely lift the pallet cage and wooden pallet contained therein. These pallet cages are often used in connection with cargo ships where large volumes of pallets are loaded onto the cargo ship from the dock and vice versa. However, pallets are now offered in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials. Regarding materials, pallets may be roto molded plastic, injection molded plastic, wooden, or aluminum to name a few examples. The size and shape of the pallet may depend on the industry of goods being shipped or on the country the goods are shipped from. For instance, drums are typically shipped using pallets that are 48 inches in width and 48 inches in length. However, the US military uses pallets that are 48 inches in width and 40 inches in length. Furthermore, while the standard pallet used in North America is 48 inches in width and 40 inches in length, the standard pallet used in Australia is roughly 44 inches in width and 44 inches in length. Thus, a shipping dock often needs to have several sizes of pallet cages on hand to service the various sizes of pallets being used.

Accordingly, a need exists for an improved pallet cages that are operable with pallets of various sizes.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The current disclosure provides an enhancement to conventional systems, at least in part by introducing a novel adjustable pallet cage and method of operation thereof.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In one particular and exemplary embodiment, an adjustable pallet cage is provided herein for securing a pallet for transport.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an adjustable pallet cage, including: a chassis including a vertical support structure; the vertical support structure including a crossmember arranged to bisect a width of the adjustable pallet cage; a first cage end slidably coupled with a first side of the chassis; and a second cage end slidably coupled with a second side of the chassis; wherein the width of the adjustable pallet cage is adjustable between a collapsed position and an expanded position.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an adjustable pallet cage, wherein: the vertical support structure includes: at least a pair of vertical posts; the crossmember connecting the pair of vertical posts; and a lifting point arranged at a substantial center of the crossmember.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an adjustable pallet cage, wherein: the lifting point includes a looped member.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an adjustable pallet cage, wherein: the chassis includes a coupling post extending substantially orthogonal from the vertical support structure.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an adjustable pallet cage, wherein: each of the first cage end and the second cage end includes a coupling post configured to slide relative to the coupling post of the chassis.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an adjustable pallet cage, further including: a pin; wherein each of the coupling post of the chassis and the coupling post of the first and second cage ends includes a plurality of holes defined therein; and wherein the plurality of holes are configured to receive the pin; wherein the pin extending through the plurality of holes fixes the chassis relative to the first cage end and the second cage end.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an adjustable pallet cage, wherein: the plurality of holes of each one of the coupling post of the chassis, the first cage end, and the second cage end include equidistant spacing.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an adjustable pallet cage, wherein: the coupling post of the chassis is telescopically arranged in the coupling post of at least one of the first cage end or the second cage end.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an adjustable pallet cage, wherein: each of the first cage end and the second cage end includes: at least a pair of vertical posts; and the crossmember connecting the pair of vertical posts.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an adjustable pallet cage, further including: a primary fork receiver coupled with a bottom surface of at least one of the chassis, the first cage end, or the second cage end; wherein the primary fork receiver is configured to receive at least a portion of a fork associated with a forklift.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an adjustable pallet cage, further including: a removable pallet support extending a depth associated with at least one of the chassis, the first cage end, or the second cage end; wherein the removable pallet support is configured to be slidably received through the primary fork receiver and to support a bottom surface of a pallet secured in the adjustable pallet cage.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an adjustable pallet cage, further including: a secondary fork receiver coupled with a side surface of at least one of the first cage end or the second cage end; and a removable pallet support; wherein the secondary fork receiver is configured to receive the removable pallet support.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an adjustable pallet cage, wherein: one or more of the chassis, the first cage end, or the second cage end includes a plurality of vertical posts or a pair of coupling posts; and at least one of the chassis, the first cage end, or the second cage end includes at least one secondary support connecting at least one of the pair of vertical posts or the pair of coupling posts.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an adjustable pallet cage, further including: at least one wire grate panel coupled to the at least one secondary support.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method of securing a pallet in an adjustable pallet cage, the adjustable pallet cage including a chassis with a crossmember bisecting a width of the adjustable pallet cage, a first cage end and a second cage end both slidably coupled with the chassis, the method including: lifting the adjustable pallet cage by the crossmember; placing the adjustable pallet cage around the pallet; and sliding a position of at least one of the first cage end or the second cage end toward the pallet.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method, wherein: placing the adjustable pallet cage around the pallet further includes lowering the adjustable pallet cage by the crossmember.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method, further including: subsequent to placing the adjustable pallet cage around the pallet, sliding a removable pallet support in a primary fork receiver of at least one of the chassis, the first cage end, or the second cage end.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method, wherein: the chassis and at least one of the first cage end or the second cage end include a coupling post provided with a plurality of holes; and sliding the position of at least one of the first cage end or the second cage end toward the pallet further includes inserting a pin through at least a corresponding pair of the plurality of holes.

Numerous objects, features, and advantages of the embodiments set forth herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading of the following disclosure when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an adjustable pallet cage in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the adjustable pallet cage of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the adjustable pallet cage of FIG. 1 wherein the adjustable pallet cage is in a collapsed position.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the adjustable pallet cage of FIG. 1 wherein the adjustable pallet cage is in an expanded position.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the adjustable pallet cage of FIG. 1 wherein the adjustable pallet cage includes wire grate panels.

FIG. 5B is a front view of the adjustable pallet cage of FIG. 1 wherein the adjustable pallet cage includes wire grate panels.

FIG. 5C is a side view of the adjustable pallet cage of FIG. 1 wherein the adjustable pallet cage includes wire grate panels.

FIG. 6A is a side view of a chassis of the adjustable pallet cage of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6B is a front view of a chassis of the adjustable pallet cage of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a cage end of the adjustable pallet cage of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7B is a top view of a cage end of the adjustable pallet cage of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7C is a front view of a cage end of the adjustable pallet cage of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7D is a side view of a cage end of the adjustable pallet cage of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8A is a front view of a removable pallet support of the adjustable pallet cage of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8B is a side view of a removable pallet support of the adjustable pallet cage of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1-8B, various embodiments may now be described of an adjustable pallet cage and a method for securely transporting a pallet.

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more drawings of which are set forth therein. Each drawing is provided by way of explanation of the present disclosure and is not a limitation. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment.

Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Other objects, features, and aspects of the present disclosure are disclosed in, or are obvious from, the following detailed description. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present disclosure.

The words “connected,” “attached,” “joined,” “mounted,” “fastened,” and the like should be interpreted to mean any manner of joining two objects including, but not limited to, the use of any fasteners such as screws, nuts and bolts, bolts, pin and clevis, and the like allowing for a stationary, translatable, or pivotable relationship; welding of any kind such as traditional MIG welding, TIG welding, friction welding, brazing, soldering, ultrasonic welding, torch welding, inductive welding, and the like; using any resin, glue, epoxy, and the like; being integrally formed as a single part together; any mechanical fit such as a friction fit, interference fit, slidable fit, rotatable fit, pivotable fit, and the like; any combination thereof; and the like.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, any part of the apparatus of the present disclosure may be made of any appropriate or suitable material including, but not limited to, metal, alloy, polymer, polymer mixture, wood, composite, or any combination thereof. Furthermore, any part of the apparatus of the present disclosure may be made using any applicable manufacturing method, such as, but not limited to 3D printing, injection molding, or the like.

To the extent that the term “includes” or “including” is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as that term is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “or” is employed (e.g., A or B) it is intended to mean “A or B or both.” When the applicants intend to indicate “only A or B but not both” then the term “only A or B but not both” will be employed. Thus, use of the term “or” herein is the inclusive, and not the exclusive use. See, Bryan A. Gamer, A Dictionary of Modem Legal Usage 624 (2d. Ed. 1995). Also, to the extent that the terms “in” or “into” are used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to additionally mean “on” or “onto.” Furthermore, to the extent the term “connect” is used in the specification or claims, it is intended to mean not only “directly connected to,” but also “indirectly connected to” such as connected through another component or multiple components.

Referring now to the figures, and specifically FIGS. 1-8B, an exemplary embodiment of an adjustable pallet cage is shown and generally referred to as number 100. The adjustable pallet cage 100 may be configured to support one or more pallets therein.

The adjustable pallet cage 100 may include a chassis 110. The chassis 110 may provide strength and support to the adjustable pallet cage 100 and interconnect the components thereof. The chassis 110 may include a vertical support structure 112. The vertical support structure 112 may include a plurality of vertical posts 114 and a crossmember 116 connecting the plurality of vertical posts 114. The crossmember 116 may include a lifting point 118 generally located at a substantial center of the crossmember 116. In accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure, the lifting point 118 may be a looped member, such as a screw type looped member or a weld-on type looped member to name a few examples. The looped member may be configured to receive a hook associated with a crane such that the crane, via the hook, may engage and lift the pallet cage 100.

In some aspects, the vertical support structure 112 and the crossmember 116 may be arranged to substantially bisect a width associated with the adjustable pallet cage 100 such that the crossmember 116 falls equally between the cage ends of the adjustable pallet cage 100. The arrangement of the crossmember 116 bisecting the width of the adjustable pallet cage 100 may apply where each cage end of the adjustable pallet cage 100 are extended an equal distance from the chassis 110. Those of skill in the art may recognize that where the cage ends of the adjustable pallet cage 100 are at unequal locations from the chassis 110, the crossmember 116 may not equally bisect the width of the adjustable pallet cage 100.

The chassis 110 may further include a plurality of coupling posts 120. Each of the plurality of coupling posts 120 may also be referred to individually herein as a coupling post 120. Each vertical post 114 may include an upper coupling post 120A and a lower coupling post 120B. Each coupling post 120 may extend generally orthogonally from the associated vertical post 114 in both a first direction 130 and a second direction 132. In an exemplary aspect, the sliding of the cage ends 140 relative to the chassis 110 along with first and second directions 130, 132 provides a change in the width of the adjustable pallet cage 100. Those of skill in the art will appreciate the width dimension in this exemplary aspect is exemplary and may represent a different dimension of the adjustable pallet cage 100. Each coupling post 120 may include a plurality of holes 122 defined therein.

The adjustable pallet cage 100 may further include a plurality of cage ends 140. Each of the plurality of cage ends 140 may also be referred to individually herein as a cage end 140. The plurality of cage ends 140 may include a first cage end 140A and a second cage end 140B positioned opposite the first cage end 140A. The first and second cage ends 140A, 140B may each be slidably coupled to the chassis 110.

Each cage end 140 may include an end portion 142 and a plurality of coupling posts 144 extending from the end portion 142. Each of the plurality of coupling posts 144 may also be referred to herein as coupling post 144. The end portion 142 may include a plurality of vertical posts 146, an upper crossmember 148A, and a lower crossmember 148B. The plurality of vertical posts 146 and upper and lower crossmembers 148A, 148B may be fixed together such that they generally form a rectangle. The plurality of coupling posts 144 may include upper coupling posts 144A and lower coupling posts 144B. The upper coupling posts 144A may be located closer to the upper crossmember 148A than the lower crossmember 148B. The lower coupling posts 144B may be located closer to the lower crossmember 148B than upper crossmember 148A. Each of the plurality of coupling posts 144 may include a plurality of holes 150 defined therein.

Each coupling post 144 of the first and second cage ends 140A, 140B may be tubular such that each includes a hollow interior. Each coupling post 144 of the first and second cage ends 140A, 140B may be configured to receive a portion of an associated coupling post 120 of the chassis 110. Each of the coupling post 120 of the chassis 110 may alternatively be configured to receive a portion of an associated one of the coupling post 144 of the first and second cage ends 140A, 140B. In this manner, where one coupling post is slidably received within a corresponding other coupling post, the coupling posts are telescopically arranged. The coupling post 120 of the chassis 110 may be configured to translate relative the coupling post 144 of the first and second cage ends 140A, 140B. One or more of the holes 122 of the coupling post 120 of the chassis 110 may align with one or more holes 150 of the coupling post 144 of the cage end 140. To substantially fix the coupling post 120 of the chassis 110 relative to the coupling post 144 of the cage end 140, a pin 152 (e.g., a clevis pin) may be coupled to the coupling posts 120, 144. The pin 152 may extend through a hole 150 of the coupling post 144 of the cage end 140 and a hole 122 of the coupling post 120 of the chassis 110. To substantially fix the chassis 110 relative the cage end 140, a pin 152 may be coupled to each of the four instances where the coupling post 144 of the cage end 140 and coupling post 120 of the chassis 110 are connected.

Both the plurality of holes 122 and the plurality of holes 150 may have equidistant spacing such that sliding the coupling post 120 relative to the coupling post 144 will present an arrangement of the plurality of holes 122 and the plurality of holes 150 at consistent and evenly spaced extensions of each of the cage end 140 from the chassis 110.

The chassis 110 may further include secondary supports 160. The secondary supports 160 of the chassis 110 may be coupled to the coupling posts 120 and/or the vertical posts 114. The cage end 140 may further include secondary supports 170. The secondary supports 170 of the cage end 140 may be coupled the end portion 142 and/or the coupling posts 144. The secondary supports 160, 170 may be configured to prevent items supported by the adjustable pallet cage 100 from falling out of the adjustable support cage 100. In accordance with certain aspects of the disclosure, the adjustable support cage 100 may include a plurality of transparent panels 186 coupled to the secondary supports 160, 170. In accordance with other aspects of the disclosure, the adjustable support cage 100 may include a plurality of wire grate 188 panels coupled to the secondary supports 160, 170. The transparent panels 186 and/or wire grate panels 188 may be configured to prevent items supported by the adjustable pallet cage 100 from fallout out of the adjustable support cage 100.

Each of the first and second cage ends 140A, 140B may include a pair of primary fork receivers 180. Each of the pair of primary fork receivers 180 may be coupled to an associated coupling post 144 of the cage end 140. The primary fork receivers 180 may be configured to receive a fork of an associated forklift therethrough such that the forklift may lift the adjustable support cage 100. In certain exemplary use cases, a pallet may be received within the adjustable pallet cage 100. A forklift may engage the primary fork receivers 180 such that the forks of the forklift provided support to the adjustable support cage 100 and the pallet contained therein. In certain optional embodiments, the adjustable pallet cage 100 may include a pair of removable pallet supports 182. The removable pallet supports 182 may be configured to be received within the primary fork receivers 180. Where the removable pallet supports 182 are not received within the primary fork receivers 180, the adjustable pallet cage 100 may include a substantially open bottom bounded by the lower coupling post 120B, the lower coupling posts 144B, and the lower crossmember 148B. This open bottom arrangement allows for the adjustable pallet cage 100 to be arranged vertically over a pallet and then lowered to directly surround the pallet, upon which the removable pallet supports 182 may be inserted into the primary fork receivers 180.

In some aspects, the chassis 110 may include one or more of the primary fork receivers 180 to provide a substantially central location for insertion of one or more of the removable pallet supports 182.

The primary fork receivers 180 may include one or more holes defined therethrough, with such holes being similar in construction, shape, and size of the plurality of holes 150. The removable pallet supports 182 may also include a corresponding hole arranged at a location of the removable pallet supports 182 configured to engaged with the primary fork receivers 180 when the removable pallet supports 182 is inserted into the primary fork receivers 180. When the removable pallet supports 182 are received in the primary fork receivers 180, the hole in the removable pallet supports 182 and the hole in the primary fork receivers 180 may be in close proximity and may be aligned such that the pin 152 may be inserted through the holes and fix the removable pallet supports 182 relative to the primary fork receivers 180. Those of skill in the art may appreciate that the pin 152 may be inserted through the holes in either the primary fork receivers 180 or the removable pallet supports 182 when the removable pallet supports 182 is not received in the primary fork receivers 180, which may prevent insertion of the removable pallet supports 182 into the primary fork receivers 180. In a similar manner, the secondary fork receivers 184 may also include a hole through a portion thereof and configured to receive the pin 152. Where the pin 152 is inserted through the holes of the secondary fork receivers 184 and the removable pallet supports 182 when the removable pallet supports 182 are received in the secondary fork receivers 184, relative movement of the removable pallet supports 182 to the secondary fork receivers 184 may be fixed.

In certain exemplary use cases, a forklift or other work machine may lift the adjustable pallet cage 100 via the lifting point 118. The operator may first remove the pallet supports 182 such that a bottom of the pallet cage 100 is substantially open. The forklift may lift the adjustable pallet cage 100 via the lifting point 118 and place the adjustable pallet cage 100 around a pallet. The removable pallet supports 182 may then be placed in the primary fork receivers 180 such that when the forklift lifts the adjustable pallet cage 100 via the lifting point 118, the removable pallet supports 182 support the pallet such that the pallet is lifted along with the adjustable pallet cage 100. Thus, the adjustable pallet cage 100 may be operably connected to a pallet without lifting or otherwise manipulating the pallet.

Each of the first and second cage ends 140A, 140B may include a pair of secondary fork receivers 184. Each of the pair of secondary fork receivers 184 may be coupled to the end portion 142 of the cage end 140. The secondary fork receivers 184 may be configured to receive the removable pallet supports 182 when the removable pallet supports 182 are not received within the primary fork receivers 180.

The adjustable pallet cage 100 may be selectively moveable between a collapsed position, an expanded position, and an intermediate position. In the collapsed position, substantially all of the coupling posts 120 of the chassis 110 are received within corresponding coupling posts 144 of the cage end 140 such that the coupling posts 144 of the cage end 140 abut or are adjacent to the vertical posts 114 of the chassis 110. The adjustable pallet cage 100 is shown in the collapsed position in FIG. 3. In the expanded position, the cage end 140 may be positioned apart from the vertical posts 114 of the chassis 110. In certain optional embodiments, the expanded position may refer to a position where the cage ends 140 are as far from the vertical posts 114 while still engaging the pins 152 through the coupling posts 120, 144. The adjustable pallet cage 100 is shown in the expanded position in FIG. 4. A width of the adjustable pallet cage 100 may be greater when the adjustable pallet cage 100 is in the expanded position than when the adjustable pallet cage 100 is in the collapsed position. The intermediate position may refer to a position between the collapsed position and the expanded position. It will be apparent to one of skill in the art that one cage end 140 may be placed in a collapsed position while the other cage end 140 is placed in an expanded position. While this is possible, it is preferable for the cage ends 140 to be placed in the same position for balancing and stability purposes.

The adjustable pallet cage 100 may have several advantages over the prior art. Once such advantage may be that the adjustable pallet cage 100 may be configured to receive and support pallets of various sizes, shapes, and materials. Another advantage may be that the adjustable pallet cage 100 is configured to be operably coupled to an existing pallet without moving or otherwise manipulating the pallet. This may be preferable in situations where moving the pallet without a cage surrounding it would cause safety concerns. Once the adjustable pallet cage 100 is operably coupled to the existing pallet, the adjustable pallet cage 100 and pallet therein may then be lifted via the lifting point 118 and/or the primary fork receivers 180.

Thus, it is seen that the apparatus and methods of the present disclosure readily achieve the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those inherent therein. While certain preferred embodiments of the disclosure have been illustrated and described for present purposes, numerous changes in the arrangement and construction of parts and steps may be made by those skilled in the art, which changes are encompassed within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Each disclosed feature or embodiment may be combined with any of the other disclosed features or embodiments.

Though the method is described herein with respect to a particular sequence of steps, it is understood that the steps may be performed and executed in any order, including concurrently with one or more other steps, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Conditional language used herein, such as, such as, among others, “can,” “might,” “may,” “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or states. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or states are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without author input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or states are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

As used herein, the phrase “one or more of,” when used with a list of items, means that different combinations of one or more of the items may be used and only one of each item in the list may be needed. For example, “one or more of” item A, item B, and item C may include, for example, without limitation, item A or item A and item B. This example also may include item A, item B, and item C, or item Band item C.

Thus, it is seen that the apparatus and methods of the present disclosure readily achieve the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those inherent therein. While certain preferred embodiments of the disclosure have been illustrated and described for present purposes, numerous changes in the arrangement and construction of parts and steps may be made by those skilled in the art, which changes are encompassed within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Each disclosed feature or aspect may be combined with any of the other disclosed features or aspects.