Metal pallet

Abstract

A metal pallet includes a first deck subassembly, first and second bumpers, and a plurality of risers. The first deck subassembly includes a plurality of deck boards. The first bumper connects to at least one of the deck boards along a first peripheral edge of the first deck subassembly. The second bumper connects to at least one of the deck boards along a second peripheral edge of the first deck subassembly. The first peripheral edge is oriented approximately normal to the second peripheral edge. The plurality of risers connects to the first deck subassembly for spacing the first deck subassembly above an associated surface upon which the pallet rests. A second deck subassembly can also be employed.

1 . A metal pallet comprising: 
 a first deck subassembly including a plurality of deck boards;    a first bumper connected to at least one of the deck boards along a first peripheral edge of the first deck subassembly;    a second bumper connected to at least one of the deck boards along a second peripheral edge of the first deck subassembly, the first peripheral edge being oriented approximately normal to the second peripheral edge; and,    a plurality of risers connected to the first deck subassembly for spacing the first deck subassembly above an associated surface upon which the pallet rests.    
   
   
       2 . The pallet of  claim 1 , wherein the first bumper attaches to at least one of the plurality of risers and the second bumper attaches to at least one of the plurality of risers.  
   
   
       3 . The pallet of  claim 1 , wherein the first bumper has a different configuration than the second bumper.  
   
   
       4 . The pallet of  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the first and second bumpers comprises a composite structure comprising a metal portion and an elastic portion.  
   
   
       5 . The pallet of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of risers consists of a one-piece stamped piece of metal.  
   
   
       6 . The pallet of  claim 1 , further comprising a second deck subassembly spaced from the first deck subassembly and connected to the plurality of risers, a lower surface of each of the bumpers being spaced from the second deck assembly so that the forks of a conventional fork lift can fit between the lower surface of each of the bumpers and the second deck subassembly.  
   
   
       7 . A metal pallet comprising: 
 a first deck subassembly;    a second deck subassembly comprising a first member that includes a tongue and a second member that includes a slot that receives the tongue, the first member being disposed at an orientation other than parallel to the second member; and    a riser connecting the first deck subassembly to the second deck subassembly, wherein the first deck subassembly is spaced from the second deck subassembly a distance sufficient to define an opening which allows forks of an associated conventional fork lift to fit between the first deck subassembly and the second deck subassembly.    
   
   
       8 . The pallet of  claim 7 , wherein the first member is disposed substantially perpendicular to the second member.  
   
   
       9 . The pallet of  claim 7 , wherein the second deck subassembly includes a third member attached to the first member, the third member being oriented substantially parallel to the second member, the third member connecting to the first member adjacent a first end of the first member and the second member connecting to the first member adjacent a second end, which is opposite the first end, of the first member.  
   
   
       10 . The pallet of  claim 7 , further comprising a first bumper connected to a first edge of the first deck subassembly.  
   
   
       11 . The pallet of  claim 10 , further comprising a second bumper connected to a second edge of the first deck subassembly, the second edge being oriented approximately normal to the first edge.  
   
   
       12 . The pallet of  claim 10 , wherein the first bumper includes a tab which is welded to a deck board of the first deck assembly.  
   
   
       13 . The pallet of  claim 7 , wherein the first deck subassembly includes a component including a substantially flat load contact area surface and at least one corrugation for strengthening a deck board of the first deck assembly.  
   
   
       14 . A metal pallet comprising: 
 a first deck;    a second deck spaced from the first deck along a first dimension;    a riser connecting the first deck to the second deck to form a polygonal structure; and    a bumper system connected to a peripheral edge of the polygonal structure, the bumper system being positioned to allow for entry of forks of an associated fork lift device between the first deck and the second deck on all sides of the polygonal structure and to allow for selective contact of the associated device with the bumper system when the forks of the associated device are disposed between the decks.    
   
   
       15 . The pallet of  claim 14 , wherein the first deck defines a loading surface and the bumper system includes a bumper having a section extending above the loading surface.  
   
   
       16 . The pallet of  claim 14 , wherein the bumper system includes a rigid member attached to the first deck and resilient member attached to the rigid member.  
   
   
       17 . The pallet of  claim 14 , wherein a component of the bumper system is welded to the riser.  
   
   
       18 . The pallet of  claim 14 , wherein a component of the bumper system includes a box-like configuration in a cross section taken normal to a greatest dimension of the component.  
   
   
       19 . The pallet of  claim 14 , wherein the first deck includes a plurality of corrugated members, and a component of the bumper system includes a plurality of tabs, at least some of the tabs being configured to fit between adjacent corrugations.  
   
   
       20 . The pallet of  claim 14 , wherein the bumper system includes a section that protrudes from a periphery of the polygonal structure.  
   
   
       21 . The pallet of  claim 14 , wherein the bumper system includes a metal sheet which is thicker than a thickness of a metal sheet comprising the first deck.