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 defining a support surface upon which associated items are placed;   a first bumper connected to at least one of the deck boards along a first peripheral edge of the first deck subassembly, the first bumper including a section extending above the support surface;   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 section extends generally normal to the support surface. 
   
   
       3 . The pallet of  claim 1 , wherein the section comprises a rolled section located at a top surface of the first bumper. 
   
   
       4 . The pallet of  claim 1 , wherein the section extends generally along a longitudinal axis of the first bumper. 
   
   
       5 . The pallet of  claim 1 , wherein the first bumper includes a tab received under a respective deck board of the plurality of deck boards and the section is offset from the tab. 
   
   
       6 . The pallet of  claim 1 , wherein the first bumper is oriented generally perpendicular to the plurality of deck boards that define the support surface. 
   
   
       7 . 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 subassembly 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. 
   
   
       8 . A metal pallet comprising:
 a first deck including a plurality of corrugated members defining a loading surface;   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, the bumper system including a bumper having a section extending above the loading surface.   
   
   
       9 . The pallet of  claim 8 , wherein the bumper includes a plurality of tabs, at least some of the tabs being configured to fit between adjacent corrugations. 
   
   
       10 . The pallet of  claim 8 , wherein the bumper includes a leg and a flange, the tabs extend generally perpendicularly from the leg and the flange extends generally perpendicularly from the leg. 
   
   
       11 . The pallet of  claim 10 , wherein the tabs are located adjacent an upper edge of the leg and the flange is located adjacent a lower edge of the flange. 
   
   
       12 . The pallet of  claim 11 , wherein the section is rolled and formed near the upper edge of the leg. 
   
   
       13 . The pallet of  claim 11 , wherein the vertical leg transitions into the section, which transitions into at least one of the tabs. 
   
   
       14 . A metal pallet comprising:
 an upper deck assembly including a plurality of upper deck boards defining a loading surface and a plurality of upper deck support boards attached to and located below the upper deck boards, the upper deck support boards being oriented generally perpendicular to the upper deck boards;   a bumper system connected with the upper deck assembly, the bumper system including a first bumper having a section that protrudes upwardly above the loading surface from a periphery of the upper deck assembly; and   a plurality of risers connected to the upper deck assembly for spacing the upper deck assembly above an associated surface upon which the pallet rests.   
   
   
       15 . The pallet of  claim 14 , wherein the first bumper is welded to the riser and further comprising a lower deck assembly spaced from the upper deck subassembly and connected to the plurality of risers, a lower surface of each of the bumpers being spaced from the lower deck assembly so that the forks of a conventional fork lift can fit between the lower surface of each of the bumpers and the lower deck assembly. 
   
   
       16 . The pallet of  claim 14 , wherein the first bumper includes a plurality of tabs, a leg and a flange, the tabs extend generally perpendicularly from the leg and the flange extends generally perpendicularly from the leg. 
   
   
       17 . The pallet of  claim 16 , wherein the tabs contact a lower surface of at least one of the upper deck boards, and the flange contacts a lower surface of at least one of the upper deck support boards. 
   
   
       18 . The pallet of  claim 17 , wherein the tabs are located adjacent an upper edge of the leg and the flange is located adjacent a lower edge of the leg. 
   
   
       19 . The pallet of  claim 17 , wherein the section is rolled and formed near the upper edge of the leg. 
   
   
       20 . The pallet of  claim 16 , wherein the section extends generally normal to the contact surface.