Method for Enhancing the Racking (Bending) Strength of Low Cost Plastic Pallets

Abstract

An apparatus for enhancing the racking strength of a pallet is provided. The apparatus comprises an add-on runner for attaching to the pallet. The add-on runner comprises a rail and a first and a second support member. The rail comprises a middle attachment section, a first cantilevered end section, and a second cantilevered end section. The middle attachment section is adapted to accept a middle foot of a pallet. The first cantilevered end section includes a first end foot attachment section adapted to accept a first end foot of the pallet. The second cantilevered end section includes a second end foot attachment section adapted to accept a second end foot of the pallet. The first support member extends upwards from the first cantilevered end section towards a deck of the pallet. A second support member extends upwards from the second cantilevered end section towards the deck of the pallet.

1 . An apparatus for enhancing the racking strength of a pallet, the apparatus comprising:
 an add-on runner adapted to be attached to the pallet, the add-on runner comprising:   a rail, the rail comprising:
 a middle attachment section adapted to accept a middle foot of the pallet; 
 a first cantilevered end section including a first end foot attachment section adapted to accept a first end foot of the pallet; 
 a second cantilevered end section including a second end foot attachment section adapted to accept a second end foot of the pallet; 
   a first support member extending upwards from the first cantilevered end section towards a deck of the pallet; and   a second support member extending upwards from the second cantilevered end section towards the deck of the pallet.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first support member and the second support member are frusto-conical in shape. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first support member and the second support members are integral to the first and second a second cantilevered end sections, respectively. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first support member and the second support member are attached to the first and second a second cantilevered end sections, respectively. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the first support member and the second support member are attached to the first and the second cantilevered end sections by a bolt. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the first support member and the second support member are attached to the first and the second cantilevered end sections by a screw. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the first support member and the second support member are attached to the first and the second cantilevered end sections by snapping on. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the first support member and the second support member are attached to the first and the second cantilevered end sections by an adhesive. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first support member and the second support member abut the first end foot of the pallet and the second end foot of the pallet, respectively. 
   
   
       10 . An apparatus for enhancing the racking strength of a pallet, the apparatus comprising:
 a first support member extending upwards from a first cantilevered end section of a rail towards a deck of the pallet; and   a second support member extending upwards from a second cantilevered end section of the rail towards the deck of the pallet.   
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first support member and the second support member are frusto-conical in shape. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first support member and the second support members are integral to the first and second a second cantilevered end sections, respectively. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first support member and the second support member are attached to the first and second a second cantilevered end sections, respectively. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the first support member and the second support member are attached to the first and the second cantilevered end sections by a bolt. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the first support member and the second support member are attached to the first and the second cantilevered end sections by a screw. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the first support member and the second support member are attached to the first and the second cantilevered end sections by snapping on. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the first support member and the second support member are attached to the first and the second cantilevered end sections by an adhesive. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first support member and the second support member abut a first end foot of the pallet and a second end foot of the pallet, respectively. 
   
   
       19 . A method for enhancing the racking strength of a pallet, the method comprising:
 modifying an add-on runner to redistribute the weight of a load on the pallet to a pallet rack;   attaching a plurality of the modified add-on runners to the pallet.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein modifying the add-on runner to redistribute the weight of the load on the pallet to the pallet rack comprises:
 attaching a first support member extending upwards from a first cantilevered end section of the add-on runner towards a deck of the pallet; and   attaching a second support member extending upwards from a second cantilevered end section of the add-on runner towards the deck of the pallet.