JP7525895B2 - palette - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to pallets used for transporting goods, etc.

Pallets used for transporting goods, etc. generally comprise multiple pillars, an upper deck section and a lower deck section that connect the upper and lower ends of the multiple pillars, and have a fork insertion section between the pillars where the forks of a forklift or the like can be inserted. The upper deck section also comprises a top plate and reinforcing ribs that protrude downward from the top plate and connect the pillars, and there is a technique for thickening the portion of the top plate of the upper deck section that connects to the pillars in order to reinforce the area near the entrance of the fork insertion section (see, for example, Patent Document 1, etc.).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-45132

In order to improve the ease of inserting a fork into the fork insertion section, it is possible to shorten the vertical width of the reinforcing rib at the entrance of the fork insertion section. However, in this case, there is a concern that the strength of the area near the entrance of the fork insertion section may decrease. Although the area near the entrance of the fork insertion section can be reinforced to some extent by adopting the technology of Patent Document 1, there is still a concern that the strength of the area near the entrance of the fork insertion section may not be ensured if a configuration that shortens the vertical width of the reinforcing rib is adopted.

The present invention was made to solve the problems exemplified above, and its purpose is to provide a pallet that can effectively increase the strength near the entrance of the fork insertion part.

Below, we will explain each of the means suitable for achieving the above objectives. In addition, we will add the specific effects of the corresponding means as necessary.

Means 1. A plurality of columns;
A deck portion connecting the plurality of columns,
The pillar portion includes a first pillar portion provided in a range including a corner portion of the pallet, and a second pillar portion provided between a pair of the first pillar portions aligned in a direction along a predetermined side edge portion of the pallet and spaced apart from the pair of first pillar portions in a range including a part of the predetermined side edge portion,
A fork insertion portion into which a fork of a transportation means having a fork can be inserted is formed between the first pillar portion and the second pillar portion,
The deck section includes at least an upper deck section that connects upper ends of the plurality of column sections and a lower deck section that connects lower ends of the plurality of column sections,
Each deck section includes a plate section that constitutes a placement surface on which an article is placed or a ground contact surface that comes into contact with the installation location of the pallet, a plurality of inter-column ribs that protrude from the plate section toward the center of the height direction of the pallet and connect the columns, and a plurality of intersecting ribs that protrude from the plate section toward the center of the height direction of the pallet and extend in a direction intersecting the inter-column ribs while being connected to the inter-column ribs,
The inter-column rib provided at the entrance of the fork insertion portion is configured as an inter-column low rib having a shorter protruding length than the other inter-column general ribs,
Among the cross ribs, the portion provided from the inter-column low rib to the inter-column general rib is configured as an inclined rib whose protruding length gradually increases from the entrance of the fork insertion portion toward the back side,
The inter-column low rib and the inclined rib form an inclined portion,
The deck section is provided with a cross rib including a cross continuous rib adjacent to the inclined section and connected to the inter-column general rib connected to the inclined rib so as to be continuous with a predetermined inclined rib, and a continuous rib connected to the inter-column general rib so as to cross the inter-column continuous rib and connected to the inter-column general rib which is a portion of the inter-column rib other than the inclined rib, and the inter-column section;
The area of the plate portion where the cross rib and the inclined portion are provided is a thick-walled area that is thicker than the area located on the back side of the fork insertion portion than the area where the cross rib is provided ,
The surface of the cross rib on the center side of the height direction of the pallet is flush with the surfaces of the inter-column general rib and the intersecting general rib on the center side of the height direction of the pallet,
A pallet characterized in that , among the cross ribs, the continuous rib is configured to be thicker than the intersecting continuous ribs .

According to the first aspect, by providing an inclined portion at the upper edge (and lower edge) of the entrance of the fork insertion portion, it is possible to minimize interference with the fork when inserting the fork of a forklift or handlift as a means of transportation into or removing it from the fork insertion portion, thereby improving workability, etc.

In addition, the area of the plate where the inclined portion is provided is made the thick portion. As a result, the area where the inclined portion and the thick portion cooperate to prevent deformation is provided continuously from the first pillar portion to the second pillar portion at the entrance of the fork insertion portion. Therefore, deformation near the entrance of the fork insertion portion, particularly partial deformation in the inclined portion (the area between the first pillar portion and the second pillar portion), can be effectively suppressed. Furthermore, the plate portion is made the thick portion in the area where the cross rib that is connected to the pillar portion and connected to the general rib between the pillar portions so as to be continuous with the predetermined inclined rib is provided. As a result, an area where the cross rib and the thick portion cooperate to prevent deformation is provided adjacent to the area where the inclined portion and the thick portion cooperate to prevent deformation, and deformation near the entrance of the fork insertion portion, particularly the overall deformation of the inclined portion, and the relative deformation between the deck portion and the pillar portion can be effectively suppressed. Therefore, the strength and rigidity near the entrance of the fork insertion part can be effectively increased, and damage to the upper edge (and lower edge) of the entrance of the fork insertion part can be prevented. Furthermore, deformation of the area between the pillars (deck part) can be prevented, which stabilizes the shape of the pallet and improves the performance of transporting and storing goods. In addition, the range of the plate part that is made into a thick part is limited, which can reduce the weight of the pallet compared to when the entire plate part is made into a thick part.

In addition, in a pallet having a lower deck, by providing an inclined portion at the entrance of the fork insertion portion of the lower deck, when the fork of the hand lift is inserted into the fork insertion portion, the caster of the hand lift can easily ride up onto the lower deck. Therefore, it is possible to improve the workability when transporting the pallet using a hand lift. Furthermore, by providing an inclined portion on the upper deck, even if the pallet is turned upside down, a inclined portion is provided at the lower edge of the entrance of the fork insertion portion, so that it is possible to improve the convenience of the pallet when using a hand lift. In addition, it is preferable that the end of the intersecting continuous rib opposite to the end connected to the inter-column general rib connected to the inclined rib is also connected to the inter-column general rib, and even if it is not the inter-column general rib, it is preferable that it is connected to a rib connecting the column and the intersecting general rib.
In addition, by maximizing the vertical width of the cross rib, the cross rib can be provided to prevent deformation near the entrance of the fork insertion section without being an obstacle to inserting the fork into the fork insertion section. In addition, by making the continuous rib relatively thick, the connection with the column section can be made stronger while more effectively preventing deformation near the entrance of the fork insertion section from bending in the vertical direction. Furthermore, for example, the increase in the weight of the pallet can be suppressed compared to when the intersecting continuous ribs are also made thick.

Means 2. A plurality of columns;
A deck portion connecting the plurality of columns,
The pillar portion includes a first pillar portion provided in a range including a corner portion of the pallet, and a second pillar portion provided between a pair of the first pillar portions aligned in a direction along a predetermined side edge portion of the pallet and spaced apart from the pair of first pillar portions in a range including a part of the predetermined side edge portion,
A fork insertion portion into which a fork of a transportation means having a fork can be inserted is formed between the first pillar portion and the second pillar portion,
The deck section includes at least an upper deck section that connects upper ends of the plurality of column sections and a lower deck section that connects lower ends of the plurality of column sections,
Each deck section includes a plurality of inter-column ribs connecting the columns, a plurality of inter-column ribs extending in a direction intersecting the inter-column ribs while being connected to the inter-column ribs, and a plate section connected to the inter-column ribs and the lower edge or upper edge of the inter-column ribs, and includes an inclined section at each inlet of the fork insertion section to increase the vertical width of the fork insertion section,
The plate portion includes a general plate portion that constitutes a placement surface on which an article is placed in an area located on the back side of the fork insertion portion relative to the inclined portion, or a contact surface that contacts the installation location of the pallet, and an inclined plate portion that defines the vertical width of the fork insertion portion at the inclined portion and extends from the entrance of the fork insertion portion toward the center of the height direction of the pallet toward the back side,
The inter-column rib includes an inter-column general rib protruding from the general plate portion toward the center of the height direction of the pallet, and an inter-column low rib protruding from the inclined plate portion toward the side away from the center of the height direction of the pallet, and the protruding length from the inclined plate portion is shorter than the protruding length of the inter-column general rib from the general plate portion,
The cross rib includes a cross general rib protruding from the general plate portion toward the center of the height direction of the pallet, and a slanted rib protruding from the inclined plate portion toward the side away from the center of the height direction of the pallet, and the protruding length gradually increases from the entrance of the fork insertion portion toward the back side,
The inclined portion is constituted by the inclined plate portion, the inter-column low rib, and the inclined rib,
The deck section is provided with a cross rib adjacent to the inclined section, the cross rib being composed of an intersecting continuous rib connected to the inclined plate section and the inter-column section general rib connected to the inclined rib so as to be continuous with a predetermined inclined rib, and a continuous rib connected to the intersecting continuous rib and connected to the intersecting general rib and the column section,
A pallet characterized in that the area of the general plate portion in which the cross rib is provided and the inclined plate portion are thick sections which are thicker than the area of the general plate portion which is located further back from the fork insertion portion than the area of the general plate portion in which the cross rib is provided.

Means 2 has the same effect as means 1. In addition, the inclined plate portion can further increase the strength of the inclined portion, particularly the portion that constitutes the inside of the inlet of the fork insertion portion.
Means 3. The surface of the cross rib on the center side of the height direction of the pallet is flush with the surfaces of the inter-column general rib and the intersecting general rib on the center side of the height direction of the pallet,
The pallet according to the second aspect, characterized in that, among the cross ribs, the continuous rib is configured to be thicker than the intersecting continuous ribs.
According to the third aspect, the cross rib is maximized in width so that it is not an obstacle when inserting the fork into the fork insertion section, and the effect of suppressing deformation near the entrance of the fork insertion section by providing the cross rib is further enhanced. In addition, by making the continuous rib relatively thick, the connection with the pillar section can be made stronger while more effectively suppressing deformation of the vicinity of the entrance of the fork insertion section by bending in the vertical direction. Furthermore, for example, the increase in the weight of the pallet can be suppressed compared to when the intersecting continuous ribs are also made thick.

Means 4 : The inter-column low rib includes a first inter-column low rib provided along the inlet end of the fork insertion portion, a first inter-column low rib between the first inter-column low rib and the inter-column general rib, and a second inter-column low rib provided at a distance from the inter-column general rib,
The second inter-column low rib is connected to the inclined rib extending between the first inter-column low rib and the general inter-column rib, and is configured to have a shorter protruding length than the general inter-column rib and a longer protruding length than the first inter-column low rib,
The column portion is
An inward wall portion that forms an inner surface of the fork insertion portion and is connected to the deck portion;
A pallet described in any one of means 1 to 3, characterized in that it is provided with a column inner rib that is connected to the inward wall portion so as to be continuous with the continuous rib of the cross rib and the second low rib between the column portions.

According to the fourth aspect, the inter-pillar low rib includes not only the first inter-pillar low rib provided along the inlet end of the fork insertion part, but also the second inter-pillar low rib that crosses and connects to the inclined rib, thereby further increasing the strength and rigidity of the inclined part. Furthermore, the inner rib of the pillar part can increase the strength and rigidity of the inward wall part, etc., and can further suppress the relative deformation between the deck part (near the inlet of the fork insertion part) and the pillar part.

Means 5 : The pallet according to Means 4 , characterized in that the inner column rib is provided on both the first column and the second column.

According to the fifth aspect, the effect of suppressing the relative deformation between the deck portion (near the entrance of the fork insertion portion) and the pillar portion can be more reliably achieved.

Means 6 : The column portion includes a peripheral wall portion constituting an outer peripheral surface of the column portion, an upper wall portion constituting the mounting surface, and a lower wall portion constituting the ground contact surface,
The peripheral wall portion includes an outward wall portion that constitutes an outer peripheral surface of the pallet, and the inward wall portion,
The column includes a column internal reinforcing rib connected to the inward wall portion so as to be continuous with the inter-column general rib adjacent to the inclined portion and connected to the inclined rib, and a column internal connecting rib connecting between the column internal reinforcing rib and the outward wall portion,
A pallet as described in means 4 or 5, characterized in that, with respect to at least the first column portion of the first and second column portions, the area of the upper wall portion and the lower wall portion that is adjacent to the inclined portion across the inward wall portion and that is partitioned by the inward wall portion, the outward wall portion, the column internal reinforcing rib, and the column internal connecting rib is an inner column thick-walled portion that is thicker than the area located behind the column internal reinforcing rib and to the rear of the fork insertion portion.

According to the sixth aspect, the portion of the upper wall (and the lower wall) adjacent to the inclined portion across the inward wall is made into the thick-walled portion inside the pillar. As a result, adjacent to the region where the inclined portion and the thick-walled portion cooperate to prevent deformation, a region where the inward wall, the outward wall, the reinforcing rib inside the pillar, the connecting rib inside the pillar, and the thick-walled portion inside the pillar (and further the inner rib of the pillar that is continuous with the second low rib between the pillars via the inward wall) cooperate to prevent deformation is provided, and the effect of suppressing the relative deformation between the deck portion (near the entrance of the fork insertion portion) and the pillar is more prominent.

Means 7 : A pallet according to any one of means 4 to 6 , characterized in that the column inner rib is a full-height rib extending over the entire height of the column.

According to the seventh aspect, the strength and rigidity of the ribs inside the pillar portion can be increased, and as a result, the relative deformation between the deck portion (near the entrance of the fork insertion portion) and the pillar portion can be further suppressed.

FIG. FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view including a partial cross section of the pallet. FIG. 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the pallet (upper component). FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a portion J in FIG. 4 . 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view including a partial cross section of the upper component (upper deck portion) as viewed from the underside. FIG. FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged perspective view including a partial cross section of a pallet in another embodiment.

An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the pallet 1 has a generally rectangular shape in plan view. The pallet 1 also has a pair of end posts 2 as first posts provided along a pair of opposing side edges of the pallet 1, a middle post 3 as a second post that is spaced apart from the pair of end posts 2 and is provided parallel to the pair of end posts 2 so as to pass through the center of the pallet 1, has the same length as the end posts 2 (its width is shorter than the end posts 2), an upper deck 4 that connects the upper ends of each end post 2 and the middle post 3, and a lower deck 5 that connects the lower ends of each end post 2 and the middle post 3. Between each end post 2 and the middle post 3, a fork insertion portion 6 is formed into which a fork of a forklift, handlift, or the like as a means of transportation can be inserted. In this embodiment, the pallet 1 is a two-way insertion type pallet in which a fork can be inserted from two of the four sides that constitute the outer periphery of the pallet 1.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in this embodiment, the upper surfaces of the end column section 2, the intermediate column section 3, and the upper deck section 4 form a "mounting surface 7" on which items can be placed. Furthermore, the lower surfaces of the end column section 2, the intermediate column section 3, and the lower deck section 5 form a "ground surface 8" that comes into contact with the location where the pallet 1 is to be installed (the installation surface such as the floor). The mounting surface 7 and the ground surface 8 extend parallel to each other.

The pallet 1 also comprises an upper component 9 including the upper half of the end column 2 and the middle column 3 and the upper deck 4, and a lower component 10 including the lower half of the end column 2 and the middle column 3 and the lower deck 5. The upper component 9 and the lower component 10 are each integrally formed from polypropylene. The lower edges of the end column 2 and the middle column 3 of the upper component 9 and the upper edges of the end column 2 and the middle column 3 of the lower component 10 are welded (for example, by heat welding or vibration welding) to integrate the upper component 9 and the lower component 10, thereby forming the pallet 1.

In addition, the upper component 9 and the lower component 10 of this embodiment are configured to be the same shape and size. Therefore, when the pallet 1 is placed on a mounting surface, the upper side is the upper component 9 and the lower side is the lower component 10. Furthermore, the upper component 9 and the lower component 10 are each shaped symmetrically about a virtual straight line that passes through the center and the center of a specified side portion when viewed from above and below.

2 to 5, the upper deck section 4 comprises a top plate section 11 constituting the mounting surface 7, a plurality of inter-column ribs 12 that protrude downward from the top plate section 11 and connect the columns 2 and 3, and a plurality of cross ribs 13 that protrude downward from the top plate section 11 and extend while being connected to the inter-column ribs 12 in a direction approximately perpendicular to the inter-column ribs 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the lower deck section 5 comprises a base plate section 14 constituting the ground contact surface 8, a plurality of inter-column ribs 12 that protrude upward from the base plate section 14 and connect the columns 2 and 3, and a plurality of cross ribs 13 that protrude upward from the base plate section 14 and extend while being connected to the inter-column ribs 12 in a direction approximately perpendicular to the inter-column ribs 12. The upper deck section 4 and the lower deck section 5 are symmetrical from top to bottom and have similar configurations. For convenience, the top plate section 11 and the base plate section 14 are described using different reference numbers, while the other components such as the inter-column ribs 12 and the cross ribs 13 are described using the same reference numbers.

As shown in FIG. 3, etc., the inter-column ribs 12 extend approximately parallel to the side edge of the pallet 1 where the fork insertion portion 6 is formed. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3, etc., the top plate portion 11 and the base plate portion 14 are provided with circular drainage holes 15 spaced apart from the inter-column ribs 12 and the cross ribs 13 in the center of each area defined by the inter-column ribs 12 and the cross ribs 13.

As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the end column 2 and the intermediate column 3 each have a peripheral wall 21 that constitutes their outer periphery, an upper wall 22 that constitutes the placement surface 7, and a lower wall 23 that constitutes the ground contact surface 8. The peripheral wall 21 has an outward wall 24 that constitutes the outer periphery of the pallet 1, and an inward wall 25 that constitutes the inner surface of the fork insertion section 6 and is connected to the upper deck section 4 and the lower deck section 5. The boundary between the inward wall 25 and the outward wall 24 is R-shaped so that the width of the fork insertion section 6 near the entrance of the fork insertion section 6 gradually increases from the back side of the fork insertion section 6 toward the entrance (end) side.

Now, as shown in Figures 2 and 5, among the inter-column ribs 12 of the upper deck section 4 (and the lower deck section 5), the inter-column ribs 12 provided at each entrance of each fork insertion section 6 are configured as inter-column low ribs 32 that protrude from the top plate section 11 (or base plate section 14) shorter than the inter-column general ribs 31 that are the other inter-column ribs 12. In this embodiment, the inter-column low ribs 32 include a first inter-column low rib 33 provided along the entrance end of the fork insertion section 6, a first inter-column low rib 33 between the first inter-column low rib 33 and the inter-column general rib 31, and a second inter-column low rib 34 provided at a distance from the inter-column general rib 31.

Furthermore, among the intersecting ribs 13 of the upper deck section 4 (and the lower deck section 5), the section extending from the first inter-column low rib 33 to the inter-column general rib 31 is configured as an inclined rib 35 whose protruding length gradually increases from the entrance of the fork insertion section 6 toward the rear. In addition, the inter-column second low rib 34 is connected to the inclined rib 35 at an intersection, and is configured to protrude less from the top plate section 11 (or base plate section 14) than the inter-column general rib 31, and to protrude more from the top plate section 11 (or base plate section 14) than the inter-column first low rib 33. The lower sides of the first inter-column low rib 33 and the second inter-column low rib 34 of the upper deck section 4 (the upper sides of the first inter-column low rib 33 and the second inter-column low rib 34 of the lower deck section 5) are inclined so as to be flush with the lower sides of the inclined rib 35 (the upper sides of the lower deck section 5) connected to the first inter-column low rib 33 and the second inter-column low rib 34. In this embodiment, the inclined section 36 is formed by the first inter-column low rib 33, the second inter-column low rib 34, and the inclined rib 35.

3, etc., in this embodiment, with respect to the formation range of the inclined portion 36 (the range between the inter-column general rib 31 to which the inclined rib 35 is connected and the inter-column first low rib 33), the formation pitch of the cross rib 13 (the portion provided corresponding to the inclined portion 36, so the inclined rib 35) is about 1/2 in the width direction of the entrance of the fork insertion portion 6. Furthermore, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, etc., the upper deck portion 4 (and the lower deck portion 5) has a cross rib 38 consisting of a cross continuous rib 39 connected to the inter-column general rib 31 connected to the inclined rib 35 so as to be continuous with a predetermined inclined rib 35 (in this embodiment, the inclined rib 35 closest to the columns 2 and 3), a cross general rib 37 connected to the cross continuous rib 39 and which is a portion of the cross rib 13 other than the inclined rib 35, and a continuous rib 40 connected to the end column portion 2 or the intermediate column portion 3. Furthermore, the end of the intersecting continuous rib 39 opposite the end connected to the inter-column general rib 31 connected to the inclined rib 35 is also connected to the inter-column general rib 31.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the upper deck section 4, the lower surface of the cross rib 38 is flush with the lower surface of the inter-column general rib 31 and the intersecting general rib 37, and in the lower deck section 5, the upper surface of the cross rib 38 is flush with the upper surface of the inter-column general rib 31 and the intersecting general rib 37. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, among the cross ribs 38, the continuous rib 40 is configured to be thicker than the intersecting continuous rib 39. Note that, as shown in FIG. 4, the intersecting continuous rib 39, the inter-column second low rib 34, and the intra-column rib 51 are the same thickness, the inclined rib 35 is thicker than these, and the continuous rib 40 is thicker than the inclined rib 35, the inter-column general rib 31 is thicker than the continuous rib 40, and the inter-column first low rib 33 is thicker than the inter-column general rib 31.

As shown in FIG. 4, the area of the top plate 11 (or base plate 14 in the case of the lower deck 5) of the upper deck 4 (and the lower deck 5) where the cross ribs 38 and the inclined portions 36 are provided is a thick portion 41 (the area marked with a small dotted pattern in FIG. 4) that is thicker than the area located on the back side of the fork insertion portion 6 than the area where the cross ribs 38 are provided. Furthermore, in this embodiment, at each entrance of the fork insertion portion 6 of each upper deck 4 (and the lower deck 5), the area of the top plate 11 (base plate 14) sandwiched between the areas where the cross ribs 38 are provided along the width direction of the entrance of the fork insertion portion 6 (extension direction of the inclined portions 36) is also a thick portion 41.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the end column section 2 and the intermediate column section 3 each have a column inner rib 51 that is connected to the inward wall section 25 so as to be continuous with the continuous rib 40 of the cross rib 38 and the second low rib 34 between the column sections. The column inner rib 51 is a full-height rib that extends over the entire height of the column sections 2 and 3 (it extends continuously in the height direction of the column sections 2 and 3, including the welded portion between the upper component section 9 and the lower component section 10, and is connected to the upper wall section 22 and the lower wall section 23).

As shown in FIG. 4 etc., each of the end column 2 and the intermediate column 3 has an internal column reinforcing rib 52 connected to the inward wall 25 so as to be continuous with the inter-column general rib 31 connected to the inclined rib 35 adjacent to the inclined portion 36, and an internal column connecting rib 53 connecting between the internal column reinforcing rib 52 and the outward wall 24. In this embodiment, in the horizontal cross section of the pallet 1, the end of the internal column reinforcing rib 52 of the end column 2 opposite the end connected to the inward wall 25 is connected to the outward wall 24, and the end of the internal column reinforcing rib 52 of the intermediate column 3 opposite the end connected to the inward wall 25 is also connected to the inward wall 25, and is continuous with the inter-column general rib 31 via the inward wall 25.

Furthermore, the area of the upper wall portion 22 (and the lower wall portion 23) of the end column portion 2 and the intermediate column portion 3 that is adjacent to the inclined portion 36 across the inward wall portion 25 and that is partitioned by the inward wall portion 25, the outward wall portion 24, and the column inner reinforcing rib 52 is defined as a column inner thick-walled portion 54 (the portion with a diagonally crossed hatched pattern in Figure 4) that is thicker than the other areas of the upper wall portion 22 (and the lower wall portion 23), i.e., the area that is located further back from the fork insertion portion 6 than the column inner reinforcing rib 52. In addition, in this embodiment, for the end column 2, among the regions in the column thick section 54 separated by the column connecting ribs 53, the region located at the corner of the pallet 1 (the portion with both the diagonally crossed hatched pattern and the large dot pattern in FIG. 4) is made thicker than the other regions and has the same thickness as the thick section 41 of the top plate 11 (base plate 14).

As described above in detail, according to this embodiment, the inclined portion 36 is provided at the upper and lower edges of the entrance of the fork insertion portion 6, so that interference with the fork when inserting or removing the fork of a forklift or handlift into the fork insertion portion 6 can be minimized, and workability can be improved. In addition, the inclined portion 36 is provided at the entrance of the fork insertion portion 6 of the lower deck portion 5, so that the casters of the handlift can easily climb up onto the lower deck portion 5 when inserting the fork of the handlift into the fork insertion portion 6. Therefore, workability can be improved when transporting the pallet 1 using a handlift. Furthermore, the inclined portion 36 is also provided on the upper deck portion 4, so that the inclined portion 36 is provided at the lower edge of the entrance of the fork insertion portion 6 even if the pallet 1 is turned upside down, and the convenience of the pallet 1 when using a handlift can be improved.

In addition, the area of the top plate 11 (base plate 14) where the inclined portion 36 is provided is the thick portion 41. As a result, the area where the inclined portion 36 and the thick portion 41 cooperate to prevent deformation is provided continuously from the end post 2 to the intermediate post 3 at the entrance of the fork insertion portion 6. Therefore, deformation near the entrance of the fork insertion portion 6, particularly partial deformation in the inclined portion 36 (the area between the end post 2 and the intermediate post 3), can be effectively suppressed. Furthermore, the top plate 11 (base plate 14) is also made into the thick portion 41 in the area where the cross rib 38 is provided, which is connected to the inter-post general rib 31 so as to be continuous with a predetermined inclined rib 35 (in this example, the inclined rib 35 closest to the end post 2 or the intermediate post 3) and is also connected to the end post 2 or the intermediate post 3. As a result, a region where the cross rib 38 and the thick portion 41 cooperate to prevent deformation is provided adjacent to the region where the inclined portion 36 and the thick portion 41 cooperate to prevent deformation, and deformation near the entrance of the fork insertion portion 6, particularly the overall deformation of the inclined portion 36, and relative deformation between the deck portion 4, 5 and the end post portion 2 or the intermediate post portion 3 can be effectively suppressed. Therefore, the strength and rigidity near the entrance of the fork insertion portion 6 can be effectively increased, and damage to the upper and lower edges of the entrance of the fork insertion portion 6 can be suppressed. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the deformation of the pallet 1 due to deformation of the portion between the end post portion 2 and the intermediate post portion 3 (deck portion 4, 5), and the shape of the pallet 1 can be stabilized, and the performance of transporting and storing goods can be improved. In addition, the area of the top plate 11 (base plate 14) that is the thick portion 41 is limited, and the weight of the pallet 1 can be reduced, for example, compared to when the entire top plate 11 (base plate 14) is the thick portion 41. The cross rib 38 is also connected to the inter-column general rib 31 at the end opposite to the end of the inter-column general rib 39 that is connected to the inclined rib 35, and the end of the continuous rib 40 opposite to the end of the continuous rib 40 that is connected to the end column 2 or the intermediate column 3 is also connected to the inter-column general rib 37. This makes it possible to further increase the strength and rigidity of the area where the cross rib 38 is formed.

In addition, the inter-column rib 12 (inter-column low rib 32) constituting the inclined portion 36 is provided not only with the first inter-column low rib 33 provided along the inlet end of the fork insertion portion 6, but also with the second inter-column low rib 34 intersecting and connected to the inclined rib 35, thereby further increasing the strength and rigidity of the inclined portion 36. Furthermore, the inner column rib 51 can increase the strength and rigidity of the inward wall portion 25, etc., and can further suppress relative deformation between the deck portion 4, 5 (near the inlet of the fork insertion portion 6) and the end column portion 2 and the intermediate column portion 3. In addition, since the inner column rib 51 is provided on both the end column portion 2 and the intermediate column portion 3, the effect of suppressing relative deformation between the deck portion 4, 5 (near the inlet of the fork insertion portion 6) and the end column portion 2 and the intermediate column portion 3 is more reliably achieved. In addition, the inner column rib 51 is a full-height rib extending over the entire height of the end column portion 2 and the intermediate column portion 3. This increases the strength and rigidity of the column inner rib 51, and as a result, the relative deformation between the deck sections 4, 5 (near the entrance of the fork insertion section 6) and the end column section 2 and the middle column section 3 can be further suppressed.

In addition, the portion of the upper wall 22 (and the lower wall 23) of the columns 2 and 3 adjacent to the inclined portion 36 across the inward wall 25 is the thick-walled portion 54 inside the column. As a result, adjacent to the area where the inclined portion 36 and the thick-walled portion 41 cooperate to prevent deformation, the inward wall 25, the outward wall 24, the column inner reinforcing rib 52, the column inner connecting rib 53, and the column inner thick-walled portion 54 (and the column inner rib 51 that is continuous with the second low rib 34 between the columns via the inward wall 25) cooperate to prevent deformation, and the effect of suppressing relative deformation between the deck portions 4 and 5 (near the entrance of the fork insertion portion 6) and the columns 2 and 3 is more pronounced.

In addition, the surface of the cross rib 38 facing the center of the height of the pallet 1 is flush with the surfaces of the inter-column general rib 31 and the intersecting general rib 37 facing the center of the height of the pallet 1. This allows the cross rib 38 to be as long as possible, without being an obstacle when inserting the fork into the fork insertion portion, and the cross rib 38 has the effect of preventing deformation near the entrance of the fork insertion portion 6.

Furthermore, among the cross ribs 38, the continuous ribs 40 are configured to be thicker than the intersecting continuous ribs 39. In this way, by making the continuous ribs 40 relatively thick, it is possible to more effectively prevent deformation due to bending in the vertical direction near the entrance of the fork insertion portion 6 while strengthening the connection with the end post portion 2 or the intermediate post portion 3. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent an increase in the weight of the pallet 1 compared to, for example, when the intersecting continuous ribs 39 are also made thick.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be implemented as follows. Of course, other applications and modifications not exemplified below are also possible.

(a) In the above embodiment, the upper component 9 and the lower component 10 are configured to have the same shape and the same size, but the upper component 9 and the lower component 10 may be configured to have different shapes, etc. For example, the pallet may be embodied in a pallet (single-sided type pallet) in which the lower deck 5 has openings such as caster openings that allow casters attached to the underside of the forks of the hand lift to be grounded. Furthermore, for example, the lower deck 5 may be omitted, and the pallet may be embodied in a pallet that is integrally formed as a whole. Note that in a pallet in which the lower deck 5 is omitted or an opening is formed in the lower deck 5, the drainage holes 15 in the top plate 11 (and the base plate 14) may be omitted.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the pallet is a two-way insertion type having a pair of end posts 2 and a middle post 3, but it is also possible to embody a four-way insertion type pallet that has four corner posts as first posts provided at the four corners of the pallet, a middle post as a second post provided in the middle of a pair of corner posts lined up along the side of the pallet, and a central post provided in the center of the pallet, allowing forks to be inserted from the four side surfaces that make up the outer periphery of the pallet. In addition, in the above embodiment, the pallet 1 is made of polypropylene, but it may be made of other resin materials such as polyethylene, PET, polyamide, etc.

(b) In the above embodiment, the thick-walled portion 41 is not only the area of the top plate portion 11 (or base plate portion 14 in the case of the lower deck portion 5) of the upper deck portion 4 (and the lower deck portion 5) where the pair of cross ribs 38 and the inclined portion 36 are provided, but also the area sandwiched between the areas where the pair of cross ribs 38 are provided. However, the thick-walled portion 41 may be only the area of the top plate portion 11 (or base plate portion 14 in the case of the lower deck portion 5) of the upper deck portion 4 (and the lower deck portion 5) where the cross ribs 38 and the inclined portion 36 are provided. In that case, the weight of the pallet 1 can be reduced.

The end of the inter-column continuous rib 39 opposite to the end connected to the inter-column general rib 31 connected to the inclined rib 35 may be connected to a rib other than the inter-column rib 12. Furthermore, the inter-column first low rib 33 and the inter-column second low rib 34 are provided as the inter-column low ribs 32 constituting the inclined portion 36, but the inter-column second low rib 34 may be omitted, or another inter-column low rib 32 having a longer protruding length than the inter-column second low rib 34 and a shorter protruding length than the inter-column general rib 31 may be added between the inter-column second low rib 34 and the inter-column general rib 31.

(c) In the above embodiment, the areas of the upper wall portion 22 and lower wall portion 23 of the column portions 2, 3, which are partitioned by the inward wall portion 25, the outward wall portion 24, and the column internal reinforcing rib 52, are designated as the column internal thick-walled portion 54, and in particular, with regard to the end column portion 2, among the areas partitioned by the column internal connecting rib 53, the area located at the corner portion of the pallet 1 is configured to be thicker than the other areas and is made the same thickness as the thick-walled portion 41 of the top plate portion 11 (base plate portion 14), however, this is not particularly limited to such a configuration and can be modified as appropriate. However, among the regions divided by the inward wall 25, the outward wall 24, the column inner reinforcing rib 52, and the column inner connecting rib 53, the region adjacent to the inclined portion 36 via the inward wall 25 is preferably made the column inner thick portion 54, since this has a high effect of effectively suppressing relative deformation between the deck portions 4, 5 (near the entrance of the fork insertion portion 6) and the columns 2, 3. Furthermore, the pallet 1 may be transported and stored in a state where only both sides of the ground surface 8 (the lower surface of the end column 2) are supported, and in this case, there is a concern that a relatively large stress may act near the connecting portion between the deck portions 4, 5 and the end column 2. Therefore, it is preferable to provide at least the end column 2 with a structure (such as the column inner thick portion 54) for reinforcing the portion adjacent to the inclined portion 36.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the column inner rib 51 is a full-height rib, but it may be a rib that is not continuous over the entire height of the end column section 2 or the intermediate column section 3. Also, in the above embodiment, the column inner rib 51 is provided on both the end column section 2 and the intermediate column section 3, but it may be provided on at least one of them, or the column inner rib 51 may be omitted. Note that, in the horizontal cross section of the pallet 1, the end of the column inner rib 51 opposite the end connected to the inward wall section 25 may be connected to another rib.

(d) The pallet may also be configured as shown in Fig. 6. That is, the pallet 61 in Fig. 6 also includes a pair of end posts (not shown), an intermediate post 63, an upper deck 64, and a lower deck 65, and a fork insertion portion 66 is formed between each end post and the intermediate post 63. Each deck 64, 65 includes a plurality of inter-post ribs 67 connecting the end posts and the intermediate post 63, a plurality of cross ribs 68 extending while being connected to the inter-post ribs 67 in a direction intersecting the inter-post ribs 67, and a plate portion 69 connected to the lower edge or upper edge of the inter-post ribs 67 and the cross ribs 68, and includes an inclined portion 70 that widens the vertical width of the fork insertion portion 66 at each inlet of the fork insertion portion 66. In this embodiment, the upper deck section 64 and the lower deck section 65 are symmetrical and have the same configuration, and for convenience, the configurations of the upper deck section 64 and the lower deck section 65 will be described using the same reference numerals.

The plate portion 69 of the upper deck portion 64 in this embodiment includes a general plate portion 72 that constitutes a loading surface 71 on which an item is placed in a range located on the back side of the fork insertion portion 66 (toward the center of the pallet 61) from the inclined portion 70, and an inclined plate portion 73 that defines the vertical width of the fork insertion portion 66 at the inclined portion 70 and extends from the entrance of the fork insertion portion 66 to the back side at an incline toward the center of the height direction of the pallet 61 (downward). The plate portion 69 of the lower deck portion 65 includes a general plate portion 72 that constitutes a grounding surface 74 that contacts the installation location of the pallet 61 in a range located on the back side of the fork insertion portion 66 (toward the center of the pallet 61) from the inclined portion 70, and an inclined plate portion 73 that defines the vertical width of the fork insertion portion 66 at the inclined portion 70 and extends from the entrance of the fork insertion portion 66 to the back side at an incline toward the center of the height direction of the pallet 61 (upward).

Furthermore, the inter-column rib 67 comprises an inter-column general rib 75 which protrudes from the general plate portion 72 toward the heightwise center of the pallet 61 (downward in the case of the upper deck portion 64, upward in the case of the lower deck portion 65), and an inter-column low rib 76 which protrudes from the inclined plate portion 73 toward the side away from the heightwise center of the pallet 61 (upward in the case of the upper deck portion 64, downward in the case of the lower deck portion 65), and whose protruding length from the inclined plate portion 73 is shorter than the protruding length of the inter-column general rib 75 from the general plate portion 72. In addition, the intersecting ribs 68 include intersecting general ribs 77 that protrude from the general plate portion 72 toward the center of the height of the pallet 61 (downward for the upper deck portion 64, upward for the lower deck portion 65), and inclined ribs 78 that protrude from the inclined plate portion 73 toward the side away from the center of the height of the pallet 61 (upward for the upper deck portion 64, downward for the lower deck portion 65), and whose protruding length gradually increases from the entrance of the fork insertion portion 66 toward the back side.

The inclined plate portion 73 and the inclined rib 78 are connected to the surface of the inter-column general rib 75 on the inlet side of the fork insertion portion 66, and in particular, the surface of the inclined plate portion 73 on the central side of the height direction of the pallet 61 (the lower surface if it is the upper deck portion 64, and the upper surface if it is the lower deck portion 65) is continuous with the edge of the inter-column general rib 75 on the central side of the height direction of the pallet 61 (the lower edge if it is the upper deck portion 64, and the upper edge if it is the lower deck portion 65) (the end of the inclined plate portion 73 connected to the inter-column general rib 75 is at the same height as the edge of the inter-column general rib 75 on the central side of the height direction of the pallet 61). This configuration prevents the tip of the fork or the caster of the hand lift from being guided to the inclined portion 70 and then hitting the inter-column general rib 75 and being prevented from moving.

The inclined plate portion 73 is provided with drainage holes 79 in each area (including areas partially defined by the inter-column low ribs 76 and the inclined ribs 78) defined by the inter-column general ribs 75, the end columns, and the intermediate columns 63. In the upper deck portion 64, the upper edges of the inclined plate portion 73 and the inclined ribs 78 are flush with the upper surface of the general plate portion 72, and together with the upper surface of the general plate portion 72, they form the placement surface 71. In addition, in the lower deck portion 65, the lower edges of the inclined plate portion 73 and the inclined ribs 78 are flush with the lower surface of the general plate portion 72, and together with the lower surface of the general plate portion 72, they form the ground contact surface 74. In this embodiment, the inclined plate portion 73, the inter-column low ribs 76, and the inclined ribs 78 form the inclined portion 70.

The deck sections 64 and 65 are provided with a cross rib 81, which is adjacent to each inclined section 70, a cross continuous rib 82 connected to the inclined plate section 73 and the inter-column general rib 75 connected to the inclined rib 78 so as to be continuous with a predetermined inclined rib 78 (closest to the corresponding end column section or intermediate column section 63, and not continuous with the cross general rib 77), and a continuous rib 83 connected to the cross continuous rib 82 and connected to the cross general rib 77 and the end column section or intermediate column section 63. The range of the general plate section 72 where the cross rib 81 is provided and the inclined plate section 73 are thicker than the range of the general plate section 72 where the cross rib 81 is provided and the range located on the back side of the fork insertion section 66. In this embodiment, a pair of cross ribs 81 are provided corresponding to both ends of each inclined portion 70, and the area of the general plate portion 72 sandwiched between the pair of cross ribs 81 is also made into a thick portion 84, but it is sufficient that at least the area of the general plate portion 72 where the cross ribs 81 are provided and the inclined plate portion 73 are made into a thick portion 84.

Even when the above-mentioned configuration is adopted, the effect of efficiently increasing the strength near the entrance of the fork insertion portion 66 is achieved, as in the main embodiment. In addition, the inclined plate portion 73 can further increase the strength of the inclined portion 70, particularly the portion that constitutes the inside of the entrance of the fork insertion portion 66. In this embodiment, the inter-column low rib 76 includes an inter-column first low rib 76a provided along the entrance end of the fork insertion portion 66, an inter-column first low rib 76a between the inter-column first low rib 76a and the inter-column general rib 75, and an inter-column second low rib 76b provided at a distance from the inter-column general rib 75, which has a shorter protruding length than the inter-column general rib 75 and a longer protruding length than the inter-column first low rib 76a. In addition, the surface of the cross rib 81 facing the center of the height of the pallet 61 is flush with the surfaces of the inter-column general rib 75 and the inter-column second low rib 76b of the pallet 61, and the continuous rib 83 is configured to be thicker than the inter-column continuous rib 82. Furthermore, although not shown, the end column section and the intermediate column section 63 are provided with an inner column rib that is connected to the peripheral wall section 85 (inward wall section 86) so as to be continuous with the continuous rib 83 of the cross rib 81 and the inter-column second low rib 76b, respectively. The inner configuration of the other end column sections and the intermediate column section 63 is also similar to that of the main embodiment.

1...pallet, 2...end column section, 3...middle column section, 4...upper deck section, 5...lower deck section, 6...fork insertion section, 7...support surface, 8...ground surface, 9...upper structural section, 10...lower structural section, 11...top plate section, 12...rib between columns, 13...cross rib, 14...base plate section, 21...peripheral wall section, 24...outer wall section, 25...inner wall section, 31...general rib between columns, 32...low rib between columns, 33...first low rib between columns, 34...second low rib between columns, 35...inclined rib, 36...inclined section, 38...cross rib, 39...intersecting continuous rib, 40...continuous rib, 41...thick section, 51...rib inside column, 52...reinforcing rib inside column, 53...connecting rib inside column, 54...thick section inside column.

Claims (7)

A plurality of columns;
A deck portion connecting the plurality of columns,
The pillar portion includes a first pillar portion provided in a range including a corner portion of the pallet, and a second pillar portion provided between a pair of the first pillar portions aligned in a direction along a predetermined side edge portion of the pallet and spaced apart from the pair of first pillar portions in a range including a part of the predetermined side edge portion,
A fork insertion portion into which a fork of a transportation means having a fork can be inserted is formed between the first pillar portion and the second pillar portion,
The deck section includes at least an upper deck section that connects upper ends of the plurality of column sections and a lower deck section that connects lower ends of the plurality of column sections,
Each deck section includes a plate section that constitutes a placement surface on which an article is placed or a ground contact surface that comes into contact with the installation location of the pallet, a plurality of inter-column ribs that protrude from the plate section toward the center of the height direction of the pallet and connect the columns, and a plurality of intersecting ribs that protrude from the plate section toward the center of the height direction of the pallet and extend in a direction intersecting the inter-column ribs while being connected to the inter-column ribs,
The inter-column rib provided at the entrance of the fork insertion portion is configured as an inter-column low rib having a shorter protruding length than the other inter-column general ribs,
Among the cross ribs, the portion provided from the inter-column low rib to the inter-column general rib is configured as an inclined rib whose protruding length gradually increases from the entrance of the fork insertion portion toward the back side,
The inter-column low rib and the inclined rib form an inclined portion,
The deck section is provided with a cross rib including a cross continuous rib adjacent to the inclined section and connected to the inter-column general rib connected to the inclined rib so as to be continuous with a predetermined inclined rib, and a continuous rib connected to the inter-column general rib so as to cross the inter-column continuous rib and connected to the inter-column general rib which is a portion of the inter-column rib other than the inclined rib, and the inter-column section;
The area of the plate portion where the cross rib and the inclined portion are provided is a thick-walled portion that is thicker than the area located on the back side of the fork insertion portion than the area where the cross rib is provided ,
The surface of the cross rib on the center side of the height direction of the pallet is flush with the surfaces of the inter-column general rib and the intersecting general rib on the center side of the height direction of the pallet,
A pallet characterized in that , among the cross ribs, the continuous rib is configured to be thicker than the intersecting continuous ribs . A plurality of columns;
A deck portion connecting the plurality of columns,
The pillar portion includes a first pillar portion provided in a range including a corner portion of the pallet, and a second pillar portion provided between a pair of the first pillar portions aligned in a direction along a predetermined side edge portion of the pallet and spaced apart from the pair of first pillar portions in a range including a part of the predetermined side edge portion,
A fork insertion portion into which a fork of a transportation means having a fork can be inserted is formed between the first pillar portion and the second pillar portion,
The deck section includes at least an upper deck section that connects upper ends of the plurality of column sections and a lower deck section that connects lower ends of the plurality of column sections,
Each deck section includes a plurality of inter-column ribs connecting the columns, a plurality of inter-column ribs extending in a direction intersecting the inter-column ribs while being connected to the inter-column ribs, and a plate section connected to the inter-column ribs and the lower edge or upper edge of the inter-column ribs, and includes an inclined section at each inlet of the fork insertion section to increase the vertical width of the fork insertion section,
The plate portion includes a general plate portion that constitutes a placement surface on which an article is placed in an area located on the back side of the fork insertion portion relative to the inclined portion, or a contact surface that contacts the installation location of the pallet, and an inclined plate portion that defines the vertical width of the fork insertion portion at the inclined portion and extends from the entrance of the fork insertion portion toward the center of the height direction of the pallet toward the back side,
The inter-column rib includes an inter-column general rib protruding from the general plate portion toward the center of the height direction of the pallet, and an inter-column low rib protruding from the inclined plate portion toward the side away from the center of the height direction of the pallet, and the protruding length from the inclined plate portion is shorter than the protruding length of the inter-column general rib from the general plate portion,
The cross rib includes a cross general rib protruding from the general plate portion toward the center of the height direction of the pallet, and a slanted rib protruding from the inclined plate portion toward the side away from the center of the height direction of the pallet, and the protruding length gradually increases from the entrance of the fork insertion portion toward the back side,
The inclined portion is constituted by the inclined plate portion, the inter-column low rib, and the inclined rib,
The deck section is provided with a cross rib adjacent to the inclined section, the cross rib being composed of an intersecting continuous rib connected to the inclined plate section and the inter-column section general rib connected to the inclined rib so as to be continuous with a predetermined inclined rib, and a continuous rib connected to the intersecting continuous rib and connected to the intersecting general rib and the column section,
A pallet characterized in that the area of the general plate portion in which the cross rib is provided and the inclined plate portion are thick sections which are thicker than the area of the general plate portion which is located further back from the fork insertion portion than the area of the general plate portion in which the cross rib is provided. The surface of the cross rib on the center side of the height direction of the pallet is flush with the surfaces of the inter-column general rib and the intersecting general rib on the center side of the height direction of the pallet,
3. A pallet according to claim 2, wherein among said cross ribs, said continuous ribs are configured to be thicker than said intersecting continuous ribs. The inter-column low rib includes a first inter-column low rib provided along the inlet end of the fork insertion portion, a first inter-column low rib between the first inter-column low rib and the inter-column general rib, and a second inter-column low rib provided at a distance from the inter-column general rib,
The second inter-column low rib is connected to the inclined rib extending between the first inter-column low rib and the general inter-column rib, and is configured to have a shorter protruding length than the general inter-column rib and a longer protruding length than the first inter-column low rib,
The column portion is
An inward wall portion that forms an inner surface of the fork insertion portion and is connected to the deck portion;
A pallet as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it is provided with a column inner rib that is connected to the inward wall portion so as to be continuous with the continuous rib of the cross rib and the second low rib between the column portions. 5. The pallet according to claim 4 , wherein the inner post rib is provided on both the first post and the second post. The pillar portion includes a peripheral wall portion constituting an outer circumferential surface of the pillar portion, an upper wall portion constituting the mounting surface, and a lower wall portion constituting the ground contact surface,
The peripheral wall portion includes an outward wall portion that constitutes an outer peripheral surface of the pallet, and the inward wall portion,
The column includes a column internal reinforcing rib connected to the inward wall portion so as to be continuous with the inter-column general rib adjacent to the inclined portion and connected to the inclined rib, and a column internal connecting rib connecting between the column internal reinforcing rib and the outward wall portion,
A pallet as described in claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, with respect to at least the first column portion of the first and second column portions, the area of the upper wall portion and the lower wall portion that is adjacent to the inclined portion across the inward wall portion and that is partitioned by the inward wall portion, the outward wall portion, the column internal reinforcing rib, and the column internal connecting rib is an inner column thick portion that is thicker than the area located behind the column internal reinforcing rib and to the rear of the fork insertion portion. 7. A pallet according to claim 4 , wherein the column inner rib is a full-height rib extending over the entire height of the column.

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