Metal skid

Abstract

A skid having a platform with a top, a bottom, a first side, a first elongated tube extending along the length of the first side, a second side, a second elongated tube extending along the length of the second side, a front end, a rear end, and one or more channels in the top positioned longitudinally in the platform, thereby creating a first top panel and a second top panel, wherein the platform is formed from a single sheet of material, e.g., metal or a composite. Two fork pocket are secured to the top of the platform traverse to the channels, thereby defining front and rear channel portions. A front end cap is secured to the top of the platform at the front end, and a center piece is secured to the top of the platform at a predefined fixed distance between the front end cap and the first fork pocket. A plurality of corrugations are formed optionally on the first fork pocket and the second fork pocket, and are formed optionally on the first top panel and the second top panel. Two or more rear end caps are secured to the top of the platform at the rear end. A method for making the skid uses a single flat sheet of material to form the platform, or alternatively, to form two or more portions of the platform that are joined along one or more seams. A method for recycling the skid receives the skid and either reuses, refurbishes, or recycles its component parts depending on the skid's condition.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A skid for storing and transporting a multi-wheeled vehicle, comprising: 
 a platform having a top, a bottom, a first side, a first elongated tube extending along the length of said first side, a second side, a second elongated tube extending along the length of said second side, a front end, a rear end, and one or more channels longitudinally positioned in said platform, thereby creating a first top panel and a second top panel;    a first fork pocket secured to said top of said platform traverse to said channels at a predefined fixed distance from said front end;    a second fork pocket secured to said top of said platform traverse to said channels at a predefined fixed distance from said first fork pocket, thereby defining one or more rear channel portions; and    a front end cap secured to said top of said platform at said front end;    wherein said platform is formed from a single sheet of material.    
     
     
         2 . The skid according to    claim 1   , wherein said platform is formed from a single sheet of metal.  
     
     
         3 . The skid according to    claim 1   , wherein said platform is formed from a single sheet of composite material.  
     
     
         4 . The skid according to    claim 1   , wherein said platform has a single channel longitudinally centered in said platform.  
     
     
         5 . The skid according to    claim 1   , wherein said platform has two channels longitudinally positioned in said platform.  
     
     
         6 . The skid according to    claim 1   , wherein said platform is formed from two sheets of material, each said sheet forming one half of said platform along a longitudinal axis and joined at a seam.  
     
     
         7 . The skid according to    claim 1   , further comprising a center piece rigidly secured to said top of said platform at a predefined fixed distance between said front end cap and said first fork pocket, thereby defining one or more front channel portions.  
     
     
         8 . The skid according to    claim 7   , further comprising a means for securing the multi-wheeled vehicle to said platform.  
     
     
         9 . The skid according to    claim 8   , wherein said means for securing comprises said center piece having one or more apertures.  
     
     
         10 . The skid according to    claim 1   , wherein a plurality of corrugations are formed on said first top panel and said second top panel.  
     
     
         11 . The skid according to    claim 1   , wherein a plurality of corrugations are formed on said first fork pocket and said second fork pocket.  
     
     
         12 . The skid according to    claim 1   , wherein said front end cap covers said front end of said platform.  
     
     
         13 . The skid according to    claim 1   , further comprising: 
 two or more rear end caps secured to said top of said platform at said second end.    
     
     
         14 . The skid according to    claim 13   , wherein each said rear end cap extends over and covers a portion of said rear end of said platform.  
     
     
         15 . The skid according to    claim 1   , wherein the skid is made of metal and said first fork pocket, said second fork pocket, and said front end cap are welded to said top of said platform.  
     
     
         16 . The skid according to    claim 1   , wherein the skid is made of metal and said first rear end cap and said second rear end cap are welded to said top of said platform.  
     
     
         17 . The skid according to    claim 1   , wherein said platform is roll-formed.  
     
     
         18 . The skid according to    claim 1   , wherein said front cap has a plurality of fork apertures.  
     
     
         19 . A method for manufacturing a metal skid for storing and transporting a multi-wheeled vehicle, comprising the steps of: 
 a. forming a platform from a single sheet of material, said single sheet of material having a first edge and a second edge, resulting in said platform having a first side, a first elongated tube extending the length of said first side, a second side, a second elongated tube extending the length of said second side, a front end, a rear end, and one or more channels positioned longitudinally in said platform, thereby creating a first top panel and a second top panel;    b. securing said first edge of said single sheet of material to form said first elongated tube;    c. securing said second edge of said single sheet of material to form said second elongated tube;    d. securing a first fork pocket to said top of said platform traverse to said channels at a predefined fixed distance from said front end;    e. securing a second fork pocket to said top of said platform traverse to said channels at a predefined fixed distance from said first fork pocket, thereby defining one or more rear channel portions; and    f. securing a front end cap to said top of said platform at said front end.    
     
     
         20 . The method according to    claim 19   , further comprising the step of: 
 g. securing a center piece to said top of said platform at a predefined fixed distance between said front end cap and said first fork pocket, thereby defining one or more front channel portions.    
     
     
         21 . The method according to    claim 20   , wherein said center piece comprises a means for securing the multi-wheeled vehicle to said platform.  
     
     
         22 . The method according to    claim 21   , wherein said means for securing comprises said center piece having one or more apertures.  
     
     
         23 . The method according to    claim 19   , further comprising the step of: 
 g. forming a plurality of corrugations on said first top panel and said second top panel.    
     
     
         24 . The method according to    claim 19   , further comprising the steps of: 
 g. forming one or more first corrugations on said first fork pocket; and    h. forming one or more corrugations on said second fork pocket.    
     
     
         25 . The method according to    claim 19   , wherein the skid is made of metal and said securing of said steps (b) and (c) is by welding.  
     
     
         26 . The method according to    claim 19   , wherein the skid is made of metal and said first fork pocket, said second fork pocket, and said front end cap are welded to said top of said platform.  
     
     
         27 . The method according to    claim 19   , further comprising: 
 g. securing two or more rear end caps to said top of said platform at said second end.    
     
     
         28 . The method according to    claim 27   , wherein each said rear end cap extends over and covers a portion of said rear end of said platform.  
     
     
         29 . The method according to    claim 19   , wherein said step (a) comprises forming said platform from two sheets of material, each said sheet of material forming one half of said platform along a longitudinal axis and joined at a seam.  
     
     
         30 . A process for recycling a skid for storing and transporting a multi-wheeled vehicle, comprising: 
 a. receiving from a product provider a skid for storing and transporting a multi-wheeled vehicle, said skid comprising: 
 a platform having a top, a bottom, a first side, a first elongated tube extending along the length of said first side, a second side, a second elongated tube extending along the length of said second side, a front end, a rear end, and one or more channels longitudinally positioned in said platform, thereby creating a first top panel and a second top panel;  
 a first fork pocket secured to said top of said platform traverse to said channels at a predefined fixed distance from said front end;  
 a second fork pocket secured to said top of said platform traverse to said channels at a predefined fixed distance from said first fork pocket, thereby defining one or more rear channel portions; and  
 a front end cap secured to said top of said platform at said front end;  
 wherein said platform is formed from a single sheet of material;  
   b. inspecting said skid for damage and needed repair;    c. reusing said skid if said skid is reusable;    d. refurbishing said skid if said skid is refurbishable; and    e. recycling one or more components of said skid if said skid is not reusable or refurbishable.    
     
     
         31 . The process for recycling a skid according to    claim 30   , further comprising: 
 f. providing said skid to a product provider.    
     
     
         32 . The process for recycling a skid according to    claim 30   , further comprising: 
 f. providing instructions to said product provider for returning said skid for reuse, refurbishing, or recycling.