Pallet

Abstract

A metal pallet including a deck member that forms an upper surface of the pallet and a sidewall disposed on each side of the pallet. Each sidewall is a unitary structure that is shaped to extend vertically from the bottom of the pallet and underneath the deck member to form a fluid gutter that enables standing fluids to be easily drained from the pallet. Bottom support beams are disposed on the bottom of the pallet on each end between the sidewalls. Each bottom support beam includes downwardly angled edges that enable the tines of a forklift or hand truck to easily roll into the pallet. A bumper is provided to protect the ends of the deck member and the sidewalls may include openings to allow four-way entry into the pallet.

1 . A metal pallet comprising: 
 a deck member that forms an upper surface of the pallet; and    a sidewall disposed on each side of the pallet, each sidewall being a unitary structure that is shaped to extend vertically from the bottom of the pallet and underneath the deck member to form a fluid gutter.    
   
   
       2 . The pallet of  claim 1  further comprising at least two bottom support beams, wherein one of the bottom support beams is disposed on each end of the pallet and extends between the sidewalls.  
   
   
       3 . The pallet of  claim 2  wherein each of the bottom support beams includes a downwardly angled edge on each side of the bottom support beam.  
   
   
       4 . The pallet of  claim 1  wherein the sidewalls are formed of extruded aluminum.  
   
   
       5 . The pallet of  claim 1  wherein the deck member is a grated deck formed by the intersection of a plural number of parallel rod members with a plural number of parallel flat bar members.  
   
   
       6 . The pallet of  claim 1  wherein a top surface of the deck member is substantially smooth.  
   
   
       7 . The pallet of  claim 1  wherein a top surface of the deck member is semi-smooth.  
   
   
       8 . The pallet of  claim 1  further comprising a bumper disposed on each end of the deck member.  
   
   
       9 . The pallet of  claim 1  wherein each sidewall includes openings to allow the tines of a forklift or handtruck to enter the pallet from the sides of the pallet.  
   
   
       10 . The pallet of  claim 9  further comprising vertical supports that provide load support for the deck member and are disposed alongside the openings in each sidewall of the pallet.  
   
   
       11 . A metal pallet comprising: 
 a deck member that forms an upper surface of the pallet; and    a sidewall disposed on each side of the pallet;    at least two bottom support beams, wherein one of the bottom support beams is disposed on each end of the pallet and extends between the sidewalls;    wherein each of the bottom support beams includes a downwardly angled edge on each side of the bottom support beam.    
   
   
       12 . A metal pallet comprising: 
 a deck member that forms an upper surface of the pallet;    a sidewall disposed on each side of the pallet, each sidewall being a unitary structure that is shaped to extend vertically from the bottom of the pallet and underneath the deck member to form a fluid gutter; and    at least two bottom support beams, wherein one of the bottom support beams is disposed on each end of the pallet and extends between the sidewalls;    wherein each of the bottom support beams includes a downwardly angled edge on each side of the bottom support beam.    
   
   
       13 . The pallet of  claim 12  wherein the deck member is a grated deck and wherein the grated deck is formed by the intersection of a plural number of parallel rod members with a plural number of parallel flat bar members; 
 wherein the flat bar members each have a top surface and an elongated thin edge and positioned such that the elongated thin edge defines the top surface of the flat bar members;    wherein the flat bar members each have a plurality of apertures spaced along the length of the flat bar members and extending through the flat bar members; and    wherein the rod members extend through the apertures in the flat bar members.