Modular ecological shipping pallet

Abstract

A shipping pallet typically consists of slats and runners arranged to provide a top surface and open access underneath for a fork lift type device and is used to store and/or transport a variety of products. The modular ecological shipping pallet of the present invention offers significant advantage over present state of the art in the field. It is stronger, lighter, stiffer and more rigid, more economical, and ecologically sound. The present invention features a combination of design elements than utilize the most effective geometric shapes to increase strength and reduce weight. It allows manufacture from a multitude of potential materials and even allows combinations of different materials within the same component so as to enhance desirable features. With the above stated improvements in the art, the present invention satisfies a need in the marketplace and materially effects world commerce and preservation of the ecology.

In view of the above, I claim:  
     
         1 ) A modular ecological shipping pallet featuring several basic components from which a variety of configurations may be constructed to meet specific needs of an end user. 
 a) The shipping pallet of  claim 1  wherein assembly is made from a plurality of basic components in the way described so as to optimize load-carrying capability while minimizing weight.    b) The shipping pallet of  claim 1  wherein by the design herein described assembly can be made without the need of assisting tools.    c) The shipping pallet of  claim 1  wherein the techniques described herein are utilized to provide a structure where strength, rigidity and stiffness are enhanced from application of a unit load to the assembly.    
     
     
         2 ) A modular shipping pallet utilizing longitudinal arch or circular or semi-circular sections such as to increase load carrying capacity for any given assembly weight.  
     
     
         3 ) The shipping pallet of  claim 2  wherein the longitudinal arch or circular or semi-circular sections are arranged such as to allow tangential flexibility so as to permit assembly of the structure without the need for tools while still maintaining longitudinal rigidity and assembly stiffness.  
     
     
         4 ) The shipping pallet of  claim 3  wherein the longitudinal arch or circular or semi-circular sections are arranged such as to enhance planar rigidity and stiffness. 
 a) The shipping pallet of  claim 3  wherein the longitudinal arch or circular or semi-circular sections are arranged such as to enhance cross-plane rigidity and stiffness.  
 b) The shipping pallet of  claim 3  wherein the longitudinal arch or circular or semi-circular sections are arranged such as to enhance tangential rigidity and stiffness.  
 
     
     
         5 ) The shipping pallet of  claim 1  where the planar load carrying surface is manufactured so a to provide a non-slip surface.  
     
     
         6 ) The shipping pallet of  claim 2  where the planar load carrying surface is manufactured so a to provide a non-slip surface.  
     
     
         7 ) The shipping pallet of  claim 3  where the planar load carrying surface is manufactured so a to provide a non-slip surface.  
     
     
         8 ) A modular shipping pallet featuring arch or circular or semi-circular structural elements to increase strength, stiffness and rigidity, and load carrying capacity while minimizing weight of the product.  
     
     
         9 ) The shipping pallet of  claim 8  where the planar load carrying surface is manufactured so a to provide a non-slip surface.