Pallet having crowned cross rail

Abstract

A molded plastic pallet, connects opposing sides of the pallet bottom, has a cross rail that has a crowned surface. Thus, should the wheels of a pallet jack rest on the surface of the rail as the jack's fork prongs are inserted under the pallet, they will be urged to roll off the rail, to avoid damage to the pallet which could occur when the jack lifts the pallet.

1 . A pallet, comprising: 
 a cross rail configured to run along a portion of the floor or other surface to connect opposite sides of the pallet, wherein the cross rail has a crowned top surface.    
   
   
       2 . A pallet in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the crowned top surface comprises a curved surface.  
   
   
       3 . A pallet in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the curved surface has a maximum height between the edges of the cross rail.  
   
   
       4 . A pallet in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the crowned top surface comprises at least one surface angled relative to a horizontal.  
   
   
       5 . A pallet in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the crowned top surface comprises two surfaces angled relative to a horizontal, wherein an apex of the surfaces lies midway between the edges of the cross rail.  
   
   
       6 . A pallet in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the crowned top surface comprises a plurality of surfaces angled relative to a horizontal.  
   
   
       7 . A pallet in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the cross rail has at least one vertical edge.  
   
   
       8 . A pallet in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a second, non-crowned cross rail positioned as an outer pallet rail, wherein the crowned cross rail is an inner cross rail.  
   
   
       9 . A pallet in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the inner cross rail has at least one vertical edge that is about the same height of the outer cross rail.  
   
   
       10 . A pallet in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the crowned cross rail includes at least one recessed lower surface.  
   
   
       11 . A pallet in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the cross rail comprises a plastic cross rail.  
   
   
       12 . A pallet in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the cross rail comprises a plastic cross rail having a metal reinforcing beam.  
   
   
       13 . A pallet in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein a frame, base or deck portion of the pallet comprises a plastic.  
   
   
       14 . A pallet in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein a frame, base, or deck portion of the pallet comprises a polyethylene or a polypropylene material.