Transport pallet for creating modular configurable structures

Abstract

A pallet configured to be coupled to another pallet to form a modular structure. The pallet includes a top surface and a bottom surface including a longitudinal center axis. First and second cross-bar elements are coupled to and extend outward from the bottom surface. The first cross-bar element is positioned parallel to and at a first distance from the center axis, and the second cross-bar element positioned parallel to and at a second distance from the center axis different than the first distance.

1 . A pallet configured to be coupled to another pallet to form a modular structure, the pallet comprising:
 a top surface;   a bottom surface parallel and adjacent to the top surface, the bottom surface including a longitudinal center axis;   a first cross-bar element coupled to and extending outward from the bottom surface, the first cross-bar element positioned parallel to and at a first distance from the center axis, the first cross-bar element including a pinhole configured to receive a bolt; and   a second cross-bar element coupled to and extending outward from the bottom surface, the second cross-bar element positioned parallel to and at a second distance from the center axis, different than the first distance, the second cross-bar element including a pinhole configured to receive a bolt.   
     
     
         2 . The pallet of  claim 1 , wherein the first cross-bar element and the second cross-bar element are aluminum spars. 
     
     
         3 . The pallet of  claim 1 , wherein the first cross-bar element and the second cross-bar element are each L-shaped, including a first section and a second section perpendicular to the first section. 
     
     
         4 . The pallet of  claim 3 , wherein the first section includes a welding surface welded to the bottom surface. 
     
     
         5 . The pallet of  claim 3 , wherein the second section is about 6 inches long. 
     
     
         6 . The pallet of  claim 3 , wherein the first distance and the second distance differ by at least a width of the second section. 
     
     
         7 . The pallet of  claim 1 , wherein the top surface is substantially flat. 
     
     
         8 . The pallet of  claim 1 , wherein the top surface includes a corrugated metal covering. 
     
     
         9 . The pallet of  claim 1 , wherein the top surface includes multiple pieces coupled together side-by-side with gaps between the multiple pieces. 
     
     
         10 . The pallet of  claim 1  and further comprising insulation between the top surface and the bottom surface. 
     
     
         11 . The pallet of  claim 10 , wherein the insulation includes at least one of fiberglass and Kevlar. 
     
     
         12 . The pallet of  claim 1 , wherein the top surface and the bottom surface include a window hole extending there through. 
     
     
         13 . A pallet system comprising:
 a first pallet including a bottom surface with a first cross-bar element coupled to and extending outward from the bottom surface and a second cross-bar element coupled to and extending outward from the bottom surface; and   a second pallet including a bottom surface with a first cross-bar element coupled to and extending outward from the bottom surface and a second cross-bar element coupled to and extending outward from the bottom surface,   when the first pallet and the second pallet are stacked, the first cross-bar element of the first pallet is aligned adjacent to the second cross-bar element of the second pallet, and the second cross-bar element of the first pallet is aligned adjacent to the first cross-bar element of the second pallet.   
     
     
         14 . The pallet structure of  claim 13 , wherein each of the first cross-bar elements and the second cross-bar elements include pinholes configured to receive bolts when the first cross-bar elements are aligned with the second cross-bar elements to couple together the first pallet and the second pallet. 
     
     
         15 . The pallet structure of  claim 13  and further comprising a connector configured to couple together the first cross-bar elements when a first edge of the first pallet is aligned adjacent to a second edge of the second pallet. 
     
     
         16 . The pallet structure of  claim 15 , wherein each of the first cross-bar elements includes a pinhole configured to receive bolts and the connector includes pinholes configured to receive bolts, wherein the connector is configured to couple together the first cross-bar elements through alignment of the pinholes of the connector with the pinhole of each of the first cross-bar elements and insertion of the bolts through the aligned pinholes. 
     
     
         17 . The pallet structure of  claim 15 , wherein the connector is configured to couple together the first cross-bar elements to create an angle between the first edge and the second edge of one of about 180 degrees, about 150 degrees, about 125 degrees, about 120 degrees, about 90 degrees, about 60 degrees, and about 45 degrees. 
     
     
         18 . The pallet structure of  claim 15 , wherein the connector is a gusset plate. 
     
     
         19 . The pallet structure of  claim 13  and further comprising a connector configured to couple together a top surface of the first pallet with a top surface of the second pallet when a first edge of the first pallet is aligned adjacent to a second edge of the second pallet, wherein the connector is a hinge structure. 
     
     
         20 . A method for creating a modular pallet structure, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a first pallet including a first side edge, a bottom surface with a longitudinal center axis, a first cross-bar element coupled to and extending outward from the bottom surface, the first cross-bar element positioned parallel to and at a first distance from the center axis, and a second cross-bar element coupled to and extending outward from the bottom surface, the second cross-bar element positioned parallel to and at a second distance from the center axis, different than the first distance;   providing a second pallet including a second side edge, a bottom surface with a longitudinal center axis, a first cross-bar element coupled to and extending outward from the bottom surface, the first cross-bar element positioned parallel to and at the first distance from the center axis, and a second cross-bar element coupled to and extending outward from the bottom surface, the second cross-bar element positioned parallel to and at the second distance from the center axis;   aligning the first side edge with the second side edge; and   coupling together the first cross-bar element of the first pallet with the first cross-bar element of the second pallet with a connector and a bolt.