Order picker pallet

Abstract

A pallet is disclosed for use with an order picker truck equipped with a pair of tines and a pallet clamp between the tines. The pallet has a deck with upper and lower surfaces, first and second tine channels on the lower surface, first and second tine clamps, and an actuator means in communication with the tine clamps. The actuator means is movable between an open and closed position by the order picker truck pallet clamp, whereby moving the actuator to the closed position moves the tine clamps to the clamping position. A spring in communication with the tine clamps urges the clamps towards their retracted position.

1 . A pallet for use with an order picker truck equipped with a pair of tines and a pallet clamp between the tines, said pallet comprising: 
 a) a deck having upper and lower surfaces;    b) first and second tine channels on said lower surface;    c) first and second tine clamps, each of said clamps having retracted and clamping positions; and    d) an actuator means in communication with said tine clamps, said actuator means being movable between an open and closed position by said pallet clamp, whereby moving said actuator to said closed position moves said tine clamps to said clamping position.    
   
   
       2 . The pallet of  claim 1 , wherein said upper surface is a non-skid surface.  
   
   
       3 . The pallet of  claim 1 , further including at least one spring in communication with said tine clamps to urge said clamps towards said retracted position.  
   
   
       4 . The pallet clamp of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second tines clamps are in communication with said actuator through linkages.  
   
   
       5 . The pallet clamp of  claim 4 , wherein said linkages are elongated rods.  
   
   
       6 . The pallet of  claim 1 , wherein each of said tine clamps comprises a bracket that is pivotably attachable to said pallet deck, a roller rotatably attachable to said bracket.  
   
   
       7 . The pallet of  claim 1 , wherein said actuating means comprises first and second L-shaped arms pivotably mounted to said deck lower surface, each having a linkage connecting end and a pallet clamp engaging end.  
   
   
       8 . The pallet of  claim 1 , wherein said deck further includes tine clamp stops corresponding to the tine retracted and clamping positions.  
   
   
       9 . The pallet of  claim 1 , wherein said deck is made from aluminum.  
   
   
       10 . A pallet for use with an order picker truck equipped with a pair of tines and a pallet clamp between the tines, said pallet comprising: 
 a) a deck having upper and lower surfaces;    b) first and second tine channels on said lower surface;    c) first and second tine clamps, each of said clamps having retracted and clamping positions;    d) an actuator means in communication with said tine clamps, said actuator means being movable between an open and closed position by said pallet clamp, whereby moving said actuator to said closed position moves said tine clamps to said clamping position; and    e) at least one spring in communication with said tine clamps to urge said clamps towards said retracted position.    
   
   
       11 . The pallet clamp of  claim 10 , wherein said first and second tines clamps are in communication with said actuator through linkages.  
   
   
       12 . The pallet clamp of  claim 11 , wherein said linkages are elongated rods.  
   
   
       13 . The pallet of  claim 10 , wherein each of said tine clamps comprises a bracket that is pivotably attachable to said pallet deck, a roller rotatably attachable to said bracket.  
   
   
       14 . The pallet of  claim 10 , wherein said actuating means comprises first and second L-shaped arms pivotably mounted to said deck lower surface, each having a linkage connecting end and a pallet clamp engaging end.  
   
   
       15 . The pallet of  claim 10 , wherein said deck further includes tine clamp stops corresponding to the tine retracted and clamping positions.  
   
   
       16 . The pallet of  claim 10 , wherein said deck is made from aluminum diamond plate.  
   
   
       17 . A pallet for use with an order picker truck equipped with a pair of tines and a pallet clamp between the tines, said pallet comprising: 
 a) a deck having upper and lower surfaces;    b) first and second tine channels on said lower surface;    c) first and second tine clamps, each including a roller for engaging the order picker tines and each of said clamps having retracted and clamping positions;    d) an actuator means in communication with said tine clamps, said actuator means being movable between an open and closed position by said pallet clamp, whereby moving said actuator to said closed position moves said tine clamps to said clamping position; and    e) at least one spring in communication with said tine clamps to urge said clamps towards said retracted position.    
   
   
       18 . The pallet of  claim 17 , wherein said actuating means comprises first and second L-shaped arms pivotably mounted to said deck lower surface, each having a linkage connecting end and a pallet clamp engaging end.  
   
   
       19 . The pallet clamp of  claim 17 , wherein said first and second tines clamps are in communication with said actuator through linkages.  
   
   
       20 . The pallet of  claim 19 , wherein said linkages are cables.