Protecting pallet blocks

Abstract

The present invention provides a block protector assembly including a protector contoured to conform to a block of pallet where the pallet includes a plurality of blocks, and an attachment mechanism coupled to the protector, where the attachment mechanism is configured to secure the protector to the block of the pallet, where the protector includes a rigid material. The present invention also provides a method including determining a contour of a block of a pallet, fabricating a protector to follow the contour of the block, and securing the protector to the block. In addition, the present invention provides a protector configured to prevent damage to a block of a pallet, where the protector includes a first side contoured to a first side of the block, a second side contoured to a second side of the block, and a third side contoured to a third side of the block.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A block protector assembly comprising:
 a protector contoured to conform to a block of a pallet wherein the pallet comprises a plurality of blocks; and   an attachment mechanism coupled to the protector,
 wherein the attachment mechanism is configured to secure the protector to the block of the pallet, 
 wherein the protector comprises a rigid material. 
   
     
     
         2 . The block protector assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment mechanism is configured to secure the protector to the block by a friction fit. 
     
     
         3 . The block protector assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the protector comprises at least one protruding flange that is configured to extend past the block of the pallet such that the protruding flange is configured to cover a deck of the pallet. 
     
     
         4 . The block protector assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment mechanism comprises one or more indentation tabs configured to secure the protector to the block of the pallet. 
     
     
         5 . The block protector assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment mechanism comprises one or more prongs. 
     
     
         6 . The block protector assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the rigid material is selected from the group consisting of a metal, a plastic, a rubber, and a composite. 
     
     
         7 . The block protector assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least one side of the protector is curved. 
     
     
         8 . A method comprising:
 determining a contour of a block of a pallet;   fabricating a protector to follow the contour of the block; and   securing the protector to the block.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the securing comprises securing the protector to the block by a friction fit. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the fabricating comprises:
 extending a protruding flange such that the protector is configured to extend past the block of the pallet such that the protruding flange is configured to cover a deck of the pallet.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the securing comprises:
 securing one or more prongs of the protector to the block of the pallet, thereby securing the protector to the block.   
     
     
         12 . A protector for preventing damage to a block of a pallet, wherein the protector comprises:
 a first side of the protector contoured to a first side of the block;   a second side of the protector contoured to a second side of the block; and   a third side of the protector contoured to a third side of the block.   
     
     
         13 . The protector of  claim 12  wherein:
 the second side of the protector comprises a curved surface such that at least one dimension across the protector is smaller than a corresponding dimension across the block of the pallet. 
 
     
     
         14 . The protector of  claim 12  wherein:
 the third side of the protector comprises a curved surface such that at least one dimension across the protector is smaller than a corresponding dimension across the block of the pallet. 
 
     
     
         15 . The protector of  claim 12  further comprising:
 a fourth side of the protector wherein the fourth side comprises one or more prongs configured to be secured to a fourth side of the block of the pallet thereby being configured to secure the protector to the block. 
 
     
     
         16 . The protector of  claim 15 , wherein one or more dimensions of the one or more prongs is at least 20 mm in length. 
     
     
         17 . The protector of  claim 12  further comprising:
 one or more indentation tabs configured to secure the protector to the block of the pallet. 
 
     
     
         18 . The protector of  claim 12 , wherein the protector comprises an inner surface wherein the inner surface is rough. 
     
     
         19 . The protector of  claim 12  further comprising:
 at least one protruding flange that is configured to extend past the block of the pallet such that the protruding flange is configured to cover a deck of the pallet. 
 
     
     
         20 . The protector of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the sides of the protector is curved.