Patent · US Expired

Reinforced plastic pallets and methods of fabrication

US5868080A · kind A · utility

131Cited by
25References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 18, 1996
Grant dateFeb 9, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 18, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S108/901
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A reinforced plastic pallet construction and assembly method are presented wherein multiple reinforcing bars are employed, at least some of the reinforcing bars having an exposed surface at a top surface, underneath surface or bottom surface of the pallet. In addition to functioning as a reinforcing member, the exposed surfaces of the reinforcing bars comprise an anti-skid surface for maintaining positioning of payload on the pallet or facilitating transport of the pallet, e.g., via a forklift or automated transport system. Various techniques for retaining the reinforcing bars within channels formed in the plastic pallet body are described. The reinforcing bars preferably comprise composite structural members of fiberglass reinforced plastic fabricated from a pultrusion process.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.