Reinforced pallet

Abstract

A pallet assembly has a reinforcement structure, a top deck, and a bottom deck. The reinforcement structure is formed substantially of a first material. The top deck is formed substantially of a second material, and has a generally flat platform for receiving, storing, or transporting one or more goods. The top deck also has a top pedestal portion including an upper receiving track. The bottom deck is formed substantially of a third material. The bottom deck has a generally flat base. The bottom deck also has a bottom pedestal portion including a lower receiving track. Together the upper receiving track and the lower receiving track define a channel for receiving the reinforcement structure. The top deck and the bottom deck define a plurality of apertures.

1 . A pallet assembly, comprising:
 a reinforcement structure, formed substantially of a first material;   a top deck, formed substantially of a second material, comprising:   a generally flat platform for receiving, storing, or transporting one or more goods, and   a top pedestal portion including an upper receiving track; and   a bottom deck, formed substantially of a third material, comprising
 a generally flat base, and 
   a bottom pedestal portion including a lower receiving track;   wherein together the upper receiving track and the lower receiving track define a channel for receiving the reinforcement structure; and   wherein the top deck and the bottom deck define a plurality of apertures.   
     
     
         2 . The pallet assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the plurality of apertures are configured to receive a fork on a fork lift or pallet jack. 
     
     
         3 . The pallet assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second material and the third material are the same material. 
     
     
         4 . The pallet assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first material is a metal;   the second material is a first plastic; and   the third material is a second plastic.   
     
     
         5 . The pallet assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement structure forms a quadrilateral. 
     
     
         6 . The pallet assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement structure includes one or more cross braces. 
     
     
         7 . The pallet assembly of  claim 1 , wherein one or both of the top deck and the bottom deck cover at least a portion of the reinforcement structure. 
     
     
         8 . The pallet assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the top deck and the bottom deck collectively fully cover the reinforcement structure. 
     
     
         9 . The pallet assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the top deck and the bottom deck are configured to be aligned by one or more tongue-and-groove connections. 
     
     
         10 . The pallet assembly of  claim 9 , further comprising a locking channel formed by a flange of the top deck abutting a shoulder of the bottom deck, wherein the locking channel is configured to prevent the top deck from separating from the bottom deck. 
     
     
         11 . The pallet assembly of  claim 9 , wherein a first tongue-and-groove connection of the one or more tongue-and-groove connections is configured to prevent direct water ingress to the upper receiving track or the lower receiving track. 
     
     
         12 . The pallet assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 i) the top deck,   ii) the bottom deck, or   iii) a combination thereof   form a region.   
     
     
         13 . The pallet assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the region is formed outside of a perimeter of the reinforcement structure. 
     
     
         14 . The pallet assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the top deck is affixed to the bottom deck, encapsulating the reinforcement structure. 
     
     
         15 . The pallet assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the top deck and the bottom deck snap together to form the pallet assembly. 
     
     
         16 . The pallet assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first material is a metal, and the metal is corrosion susceptible. 
     
     
         17 . A top deck configured to be affixed to a bottom deck to encapsulate a reinforcement structure, thereby forming a pallet assembly, the top deck comprising:
 a generally flat platform for receiving, storing, or transporting one or more goods; and   a top pedestal portion including an upper receiving track, the upper receiving track configured to accept the reinforcement structure.   
     
     
         18 . The top deck of  claim 17 , further comprising a tongue, configured to connect to a groove of the bottom deck. 
     
     
         19 . The top deck of  claim 17 , wherein the top deck is formed substantially of plastic. 
     
     
         20 . A bottom deck configured to be affixed to a top deck to encapsulate a reinforcement structure, thereby forming a pallet assembly, the bottom deck comprising:
 A generally flat base, and   a bottom pedestal portion including a lower receiving track, the lower receiving track configured to accept the reinforcement structure.   
     
     
         21 . The bottom deck of  claim 20 , further comprising a groove, configured to connect to a tongue of the top deck. 
     
     
         22 . The bottom deck of  claim 21 , wherein the bottom deck is formed substantially of plastic.