Thermoformed load bearing pallet

Abstract

The loadable and readily moveable thermo-plastically constructed pallets of the present invention utilize three directionally longitudinally extending beams extending integrally downwardly from a horizontal and topically loadable panel. Respective beams at the lower-side are provided with a plurality of transversely alignable cutaways, including two medial-cutaways and two flanking-cutaways, the latter being adapted to rest rack wise upon a range of spaced apart rails. Also extending integrally downwards from such horizontal panel are a plurality of serpentine pallet-strengthening ribs, each rib being integrally attached to a pair of said beams.

What is claimed, is as follows: 
     
         1 . Pallet continuously molded throughout including a substantially rectangular horizontal panel provided with an upper-surface for supporting a topical load and an underlying lower-surface, and further comprising:
 A. extending integrally downwardly from said panel lower-surface, three directionally transversely separated and directionally longitudinally extending beams, each beam being provided with a directionally longitudinally extending lower-extremity that collectively define a lower-plane adapted to downwardly abut an underlying horizontal substrate, and the lower-side of each leg including two flanking-cutaways that flank two medial-cutaways; and   B. extending integrally downwardly from said panel lower-surface, a plurality of directionally transversely extending pallet-strengthening ribs, each such rib being integrally connected to two such beams, lower-ends of such ribs lying in elevation above said beams lower-extremities.   
     
     
         2 . The pallet structure of  claim 1  wherein the panel upper-surface has indentations corresponding to the locations of said downwardly extending beams and pallet-strengthening ribs. 
     
     
         3 . The pallet structure of  claim 2  wherein the said collectively directionally transversely alignable medial-cutaways provide dual-transverse admissions of a suitable lifting means; wherein the said directionally transverse separations of the legs provides dual-longitudinal admissions of a such lifting means; and wherein the said collectively transversely directionally allignable flanking-cutaways provide pallet rack ability upon a dual-bars rack. 
     
     
         4 . The pallet structure of  claim 3  wherein said horizontal panel is provided there around with four upstanding shoulders, two extending directionally longitudinal in parallel said beams and the intervening two extending directionally transversely of said beams. 
     
     
         5 . The pallet structure of  claim 4  wherein, for such directionally transversely alignable flanking-cutaways, are directionally longitudinally sufficient to accommodate various dimensions of dual-bars racks to accommodate rack spacings within the range of about 32-inches to 42-inches. 
     
     
         6 . The pallet structure of  claim 5  further having:
 a. nestability for serially stacked pallets; 
 b. slots for accommodating strapping and/or banding for securing topical loads (e.g. 20 ); 
 c. aptly positioned openings to enable easy manipulation of non-loaded pallets (e.g. 40 ); 
 d. stretch wrap anchor abutment points (e.g. 80 ); and 
 e. strategic drain holes (e.g.  70 ). 
 
     
     
         7 . The pallet of  claim 1  constructed throughout of thermoplastic resinous material; wherein the panel has a circumference of about 200-inches and the pallet weighs only about 20 pounds, yet able to support a 2-tons uniform load when the legs' lower-extremities rest upon a horizontal substrate, and a 1-ton uniform load when supported rack wise at transversely aligned beams inward-cutaways. 
     
     
         8 . The pallet of  claim 6  constructed throughout of high-density polyethylene;
 wherein the panel has a circumference of substantially 200-inches and the pallet weighs only about 20-pounds, yet able to support a uniform 2-tons load when the legs' lower-extremities rest upon a floor and at least a uniform 1-ton load when supported rack wise upon transversely aligned beams inward-cutaways.