Pallet

Abstract

A pallet provides reinforced columns and a more resilient periphery of the upper deck. The pallet includes an upper portion having an upper deck and a lower portion, which may include runners. A plurality of outer column portions have peripheral walls extending from the upper portion to the lower portion. A plurality of inner column portions are received within the outer column portions.

1 ) A pallet comprising:
 an upper portion having an upper deck;   a lower portion; and   a plurality of columns formed between the upper deck and the lower portion, each of the plurality of columns including an inner column portion formed integrally with one of the upper portion and the lower portion and an outer column portion formed integrally with the other of the upper portion and the lower portion, the inner column portions received within the outer column portions.   
     
     
         2 ) The pallet of  claim 1  wherein the inner column portions each include a plurality of projections offset inwardly from a periphery of the inner column portion to form a shoulder around the periphery of an upper edge of the inner column portion. 
     
     
         3 ) The pallet of  claim 2  wherein the plurality of projections are spaced apart to provide a channel, the pallet further including at least one reinforcement member received in the channel. 
     
     
         4 ) The pallet of  claim 3  wherein the plurality of outer column portions include channels therethrough, the reinforcement member received in the channels. 
     
     
         5 ) The pallet of  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of outer column portions includes a plurality of tabs received in openings adjacent the inner column portions. 
     
     
         6 ) The pallet of  claim 5  further including a shoulder portion adjacent each inner column portion, wherein the openings are formed in the shoulder portions. 
     
     
         7 ) The pallet of  claim 6  wherein the inner column portions are formed integrally with the lower portion and wherein the outer column portions are formed integrally with the upper portion. 
     
     
         8 ) The pallet of  claim 1  wherein the inner column portions are formed integrally with the lower portion and wherein the outer column portions are formed integrally with the upper portion. 
     
     
         9 ) The pallet of  claim 8  wherein the lower portion includes a plurality of runners, wherein the columns extend from intersections of the plurality of runners. 
     
     
         10 ) The pallet of  claim 1  wherein the upper deck includes a plurality of ribs, the upper deck including a peripheral portion in which the plurality of ribs are arranged in a honeycomb pattern. 
     
     
         11 ) The pallet of  claim 1  wherein the outer column portions each include a peripheral wall having a plurality of ribs along an interior surface of the peripheral wall. 
     
     
         12 ) The pallet of  claim 11  further including a plurality of latches formed within the outer column portions, wherein the plurality of latches snap fit to connect to the inner column portions. 
     
     
         13 ) A pallet comprising:
 an upper portion having an upper deck;   a lower portion;   a plurality of outer column portions having peripheral walls with outer channels therethrough, the outer column portions extending from the upper portion to the lower portion;   a plurality of inner column portions each including a plurality of projections on an outer edge of the inner column portion, the plurality of projections spaced apart to provide inner channels, each inner column portion received within one of the outer column portions; and   at least one reinforcement member received in the inner channels and the outer channels.   
     
     
         14 ) The pallet of  claim 13  wherein each of the plurality of outer column portions includes a plurality of tabs received in openings adjacent the inner column portions. 
     
     
         15 ) The pallet of  claim 14  further including a shoulder portion adjacent each inner column portion, wherein the openings are formed in the shoulder portions. 
     
     
         16 ) The pallet of  claim 15  wherein the inner column portions are formed integrally with the lower portion and wherein the outer column portions are formed integrally with the upper portion. 
     
     
         17 ) A pallet comprising:
 a deck, wherein the deck includes a panel portion and a plurality of ribs extending downward from an underside of the panel portion, the deck including a central portion and a peripheral portion, wherein the plurality of ribs in the peripheral portion have a honeycomb pattern; and   a plurality of columns extending downward from the upper deck.   
     
     
         18 ) The pallet of  claim 17  wherein the plurality of ribs in the central portion do not have a honeycomb portion.