Intermodal container pallet

Abstract

A container pallet can be attached to a standard cargo container to facilitate movement, storage and retrieval of the cargo container by a fork lift truck. The container pallet comprises a rectangular base of rigid material for supporting a container comprising two opposing end members and two opposing side members. The container pallet further comprises at least one longitudinal member of rigid material that can be disposed in parallel to the side members between the two opposing end members. The container pallet further comprises a plurality of fork channels which are adapted to receive a respective fork-lift prong of the fork lift truck. The plurality of fork channels can be substantially parallel to each other and to the end members, and can be disposed between the side members. The container pallet and the container can have a length of twenty feet and greater.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An intermodal container pallet comprising: 
 a rectangular base of rigid material for supporting a container, said rectangular base comprising two opposing end members and two opposing side members, each end member attached substantially perpendicular to each side member to provide said intermodal container pallet having a length and a width;    a plurality of longitudinal members of rigid material, said plurality of longitudinal members being disposed parallel to each other and to said side members between said two opposing end members;    a plurality of fork channels adapted to receive a respective fork-lift prong, said plurality of fork channels being substantially parallel to each other and to said end members, and disposed between said side members; and    said pallet having a length greater than twenty feet.    
     
     
         2 . The intermodal container pallet as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said rectangular base further comprises a corner casting disposed at each corner of said rectangular base member formed by a side member and an end member, each corner casting having at least one opening that mates with a corresponding twistlock assembly.  
     
     
         3 . The intermodal container pallet as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each fork channel further comprises a fork slot adapted to mate with a respective fork-lift prong.  
     
     
         4 . The intermodal container pallet as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising a top that is shaped and arranged to mate with a bottom of said container.  
     
     
         5 . The intermodal container pallet as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising a bottom that is shaped and arranged to mate with a top of a docking assembly.  
     
     
         6 . The intermodal container pallet as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said docking assembly is shaped and arranged to mate with a bottom of an ISO container and is disposed of any of a flat-bed vehicle, a railroad car, a ship-board vessel, an aircraft platform, and a storage and retrieval system in a container yard.  
     
     
         7 . The intermodal container pallet as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said pallet has a length of any of substantially 30 feet, 40 feet, 45 feet, 48 feet, and 53 feet.  
     
     
         8 . The intermodal container pallet as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said container is an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certified container.  
     
     
         9 . An intermodal container pallet comprising: 
 a rectangular base of rigid material for supporting a container, said rectangular base comprising two opposing end members and two opposing side members, each end member attached substantially perpendicular to each side member to provide said pallet having a length and a width;    a plurality of longitudinal members of rigid material, said plurality of longitudinal members being disposed parallel to each other and to said side members between said two opposing end members;    at least four fork channels adapted to receive a respective fork-lift prong, said at least four fork channels being substantially parallel to each other and to said end members, and disposed between said side members; and    said pallet having a length greater than twenty feet.    
     
     
         10 . The intermodal container pallet as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said rectangular base further comprises a corner casting disposed at each corner of said rectangular base member formed by a side member and an end member, each corner casting having at least one opening that mates with a corresponding twistlock assembly.  
     
     
         11 . The intermodal container pallet as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein each fork channel further comprises a fork slot adapted to mate with a respective fork-lift prong.  
     
     
         12 . The intermodal container pallet as claimed in  claim 9 , comprising a top that is shaped and arranged to mate with a bottom of said container.  
     
     
         13 . The intermodal container pallet as claimed in  claim 9 , comprising a bottom that is shaped and arranged to mate with a top of a docking assembly.  
     
     
         14 . The intermodal container pallet as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein said docking assembly is shaped and arranged to mate with a bottom of an ISO container and is disposed of any of a flat-bed vehicle, a railroad car, a ship-board vessel, an aircraft platform, and a storage and retrieval system in a container yard.  
     
     
         15 . The intermodal container pallet as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said pallet has a length of any of substantially 30 feet, 40 feet, 45 feet, 48 feet, and 53 feet.  
     
     
         16 . The intermodal container pallet as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said container is an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certified container.  
     
     
         17 . An intermodal container comprising: 
 a container having a length and a width;    a pallet fixedly attached to a bottom of said container, said pallet having a corresponding length and a corresponding width and comprising: 
 a plurality of fork channels each adapted to receive a respective fork-lift prong, said plurality of fork channels being substantially parallel to each other and disposed lengthwise along the width of the pallet and container; and  
 said pallet and said container having a length greater than twenty feet.  
   
     
     
         18 . The intermodal container pallet as claimed in  claim 17 , the pallet further comprising: 
 a rectangular base of rigid material for supporting said container, said rectangular base comprising two opposing end members and two opposing side members, each end member attached substantially perpendicular to each side member;    a plurality of longitudinal members of rigid material, said plurality of longitudinal members being disposed parallel to each other and to said side members between said two opposing end members.    
     
     
         19 . The intermodal container as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein said pallet is integrally formed within said container.  
     
     
         20 . The intermodal container as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein said container further comprises a respective corner casting at each bottom corner of said container, each corner casting having at least one opening that mates with a corresponding twistlock assembly disposed at each top corner of said pallet.  
     
     
         21 . The intermodal container as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein said pallet comprises a corner casting at each bottom corner of said pallet comprising at least one opening that is shaped and arranged to mate with a corresponding twistlock assembly.  
     
     
         22 . The intermodal container as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein said container is an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certified container.