Latchable Ramp Pallet 004

Abstract

An apparatus and methods are described for an improved pallet for the transportation and storage of goods. The pallet disclosed herein has four walls that are at least 4 inches tall that may be lowered to allow the efficient removal of goods off of the pallet. The wall may be used as a ramp to slide the goods off of the pallet. The walls may be locked in an upright position to ensure the goods are secured onto the pallet during transport or storage. When the goods are needed, one or more of the walls may be unlocked and lowered so that the goods do not have to be lifted over the wall to unload the goods from the pallet. The wall may also be in the lowered position to allow goods to be loaded onto to the pallet without having to lift them up and over the wall. The pallet also consists of nine feet that are at least 4 inches high, which minimizes the risk of forks missing the pallet opening when the forks are inserted to move the pallet.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to the field of cargo carrying pallets and, more specifically, pallets to be use with forklift vehicles.BACKGROUND[0002]The use of pallets for organizing and transporting goods is an essential part of the shipping and commerce industries. Shipping logistics allow for goods that are manufactured anywhere in the world to be shipped and sold to customers locally. The present shipping models allows costs associated with transporting goods to be low enough to allow manufacturers to profit from shipping goods to any location.[0003]A critical element of the current shipping model is the current pallet design and methods of use. Pallets are the foundation piece upon which the shipping model is built. Typically, pallets are loaded with goods and several pallets can be efficiently loaded on to containers. The containers can then be loaded on to container ships, which can hold up to 20,000 twenty-foot containers. The use of pallets to organize...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is an improved pallet design that improves efficiency and safety for workers who load and unload goods on pallets. The pallet has four lockable walls that serve as a ramp for easier loading and unloading of goods, with reduced risk of injury to workers. The walls can be locked in an upright position to secure the goods onto the pallet during transport or storage. The pallet also has nine feet that are each at least 4 inches high, allowing for easier access and movement by forklifts. Additionally, the present invention interlocks with other pallets to further secure the movement of multiple pallets at a time.

Problems solved by technology

One problem with this design is that, during transport, the goods may slip off of the pallet, causing damage to the goods or injury to personnel near the falling goods.

If the goods on a pallet, slipped off and fell onto nearby personnel, the injuries that may be caused could be devastating.

While this design aids in preventing goods from slipping off of the pallet, it creates a new problem.

Serious injury can result when goods are loaded or unloaded from a pallet, especially a pallet with enclosing walls.

The risk of injury increases depending upon how heavy the goods are or how fatigued the worker is from the repetitive act of lifting goods.

The repetitive motion of removing heavy items from a pallet can cause injuries to a person's back, legs, arms, or torso, particularly when it is necessary to lift the last of goods the over the wall of the pallet.

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