Support apparatus

Abstract

A pallet support apparatus comprising two parallel opposed substantially horizontal rails ( 12 ) spaced to receive opposed side edge portions of a pallet moved in a substantially horizontal plane between the rails. The apparatus includes one or more clamping members ( 30 ) movable to a locking position to engage the upper surface of a pallet supported by the rails, and a stop ( 48 ) on or adjacent at least one of the rails near an end of the support remote from that normally used for loading the pallet.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A pallet support apparatus comprising: 
 two parallel opposed substantially horizontal rails ( 12 ) spaced to receive opposed side edge portions of a pallet moved in a substantially horizontal plane between the rails;    one or more clamping members ( 30 ) movable to a locking position to engage the upper surface of a pallet supported by the rails, and    a stop ( 48 ) on or adjacent at least one of the rails near an end of the support remote from that normally used for loading the pallet.    
     
     
         2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the stop ( 48 ) includes an elongate plate having a substantially vertical portion ( 49 ) and a transverse portion ( 50 ), the transverse portion being substantially perpendicular to the vertical portion and extending towards the loading end of the support.  
     
     
         3 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the stop ( 48 ) includes an elongate plate having a substantially vertical portion ( 49 ) and a transverse portion ( 50 ), the transverse portion being substantially perpendicular to the vertical portion and extending towards the loading end of the support and wherein the width of the stop ( 48 ) is substantially equal to that of the rail ( 12 ) or the stop is approximately equal in width to a pallet.  
     
     
         4 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , further including one or more gate members ( 21 ) located near the loading end of the support, the gate member being movable between a locking position where it protrudes into the path of the pallet at or near the loading end of the support and a release position where it is clear of the path.  
     
     
         5 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , further including one or more gate members ( 21 ) located near the loading end of the support, the gate member being movable between a locking position where it protrudes into the path of the pallet at or near the loading end of the support and a release position where it is clear of the path, wherein the gate member ( 21 ) is movable by means of a pivot fitted near the loading end of the support.  
     
     
         6 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , further including one or more gate members ( 21 ) located near the loading end of the support, the gate member being movable between a locking position where it protrudes into the path of the pallet at or near the loading end of the support and a release position where it is clear of the path, wherein a pair of said gate members ( 21 ) is provided, one of the pair being located near a respective one of the opposed rails ( 12 ), the gate member including an angled bracket having a first portion and a second portion substantially perpendicular to the first, the second portion extending into the path of the pallet when the gate member is in its locking position.  
     
     
         7 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , further including one or more gate members ( 21 ) located near the loading end of the support, the gate member being movable between a locking position where it protrudes into the path of the pallet at or near the loading end of the support and a release position where it is clear of the path, wherein the gate member ( 21 ) extends substantially along the entire height of the support.  
     
     
         8 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , further including one or more gate members ( 21 ) located near the loading end of the support, the gate member being movable between a locking position where it protrudes into the path of the pallet at or near the loading end of the support and a release position where it is clear of the path, wherein the gate member ( 21 ) is fitted with a locking mechanism, such as a biased shoot bolt ( 22 ), that can engage the support.  
     
     
         9 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the clamping member ( 30 ) includes an arm ( 36 ) that can be moved to the locking position about a pivot ( 34 ).  
     
     
         10 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the clamping member ( 30 ) includes an arm ( 36 ) that can be moved to the locking position about a pivot ( 34 ) and wherein the arm ( 36 ) includes a clamp ( 38 ,  40 ,  42 ) that can be adjusted to contact the upper surface of the pallet.  
     
     
         11 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein clamping members ( 30 ) are located parallel with the rails ( 12 ).  
     
     
         12 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein sides of the support include one or more apertures ( 10 A) or slots for receiving a member, such as a pin or strap, inserted through a corresponding aperture or slot in the side of the pallet to further help secure the pallet on the support.  
     
     
         13 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , further including a shelf ( 52 ) movably mounted on the rails ( 12 ), the shelf adapted for supporting the pallet and being movable between a loading/unloading position where it protrudes at least partially beyond the loading end of the support and a storage position where it does not substantially protrude beyond the loading end.  
     
     
         14 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , further including a shelf ( 52 ) movably mounted on the rails ( 12 ), the shelf adapted for supporting the pallet and being movable between a loading/unloading position where it protrudes at least partially beyond the loading end of the support and a storage position where it does not substantially protrude beyond the loading end, the apparatus including a further pair of rails ( 54 ) located spaced above and substantially parallel with the horizontal rails ( 12 ), in use the pallet being supported between the horizontal and further rails.  
     
     
         15 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , further including a shelf ( 52 ) movably mounted on the rails ( 12 ), the shelf adapted for supporting the pallet and being movable between a loading/unloading position where it protrudes at least partially beyond the loading end of the support and a storage position where it does not substantially protrude beyond the loading end, wherein sides of the shelf ( 52 ) include low friction devices, such as a wheel ( 58 ), to assist sliding the shelf along the rails ( 12 ).  
     
     
         16 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , further including a shelf ( 52 ) movably mounted on the rails ( 12 ), the shelf adapted for supporting the pallet and being movable between a loading/unloading position where it protrudes at least partially beyond the loading end of the support and a storage position where it does not substantially protrude beyond the loading end, wherein sides of the shelf ( 52 ) include low friction devices, such as a wheel ( 58 ), to assist sliding the shelf along the rails ( 12 ), and wherein the wheel ( 58 ) is sized so as to contact the horizontal rail ( 12 ) and the corresponding upper rail ( 54 ).  
     
     
         17 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , further including a shelf ( 52 ) movably mounted on the rails ( 12 ), the shelf adapted for supporting the pallet and being movable between a loading/unloading position where it protrudes at least partially beyond the loading end of the support and a storage position where it does not substantially protrude beyond the loading end, the apparatus including a low friction device, such as a wheel ( 64 ), located on the support beyond the loading end of the horizontal rails and substantially at the same level as the horizontal rail(s) to help support the shelf ( 52 ) when it is in its loading/unloading position.  
     
     
         18 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , further including a shelf ( 52 ) movably mounted on the rails ( 12 ), the shelf adapted for supporting the pallet and being movable between a loading/unloading position where it protrudes at least partially beyond the loading end of the support and a storage position where it does not substantially protrude beyond the loading end, the apparatus further including a rear shelf stop ( 60 ) fitted on the sides of the support at or near the end of the support remote from the loading end.  
     
     
         19 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , further including a shelf ( 52 ) movably mounted on the rails ( 12 ), the shelf adapted for supporting the pallet and being movable between a loading/unloading position where it protrudes at least partially beyond the loading end of the support and a storage position where it does not substantially protrude beyond the loading end, the apparatus further including a front shelf stop ( 62 ) fitted to at least one side of the support at or near the loading end, the sides of the shelf ( 52 ) including a corresponding member that can engage with the front shelf stop to limit movement of the shelf.  
     
     
         20 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , further including a shelf ( 52 ) movably mounted on the rails ( 12 ), the shelf adapted for supporting the pallet and being movable between a loading/unloading position where it protrudes at least partially beyond the loading end of the support and a storage position where it does not substantially protrude beyond the loading end, wherein the front of the shelf ( 52 ) is fitted with one or more impact-resistant member, such as rubber vibration suppression bumpers ( 29 ), intended to reduce or eliminate damage caused by contact with parts of the support.  
     
     
         21 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , further including a shelf ( 52 ) movably mounted on the rails ( 12 ), the shelf adapted for supporting the pallet and being movable between a loading/unloading position where it protrudes at least partially beyond the loading end of the support and a storage position where it does not substantially protrude beyond the loading end, the apparatus further including a secondary lock mechanism ( 68 ) fitted near the loading end of the support, the lock mechanism including a locking member ( 70 ) that can releasably engage the shelf ( 52 ).  
     
     
         22 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , further including a shelf ( 52 ) movably mounted on the rails ( 12 ), the shelf adapted for supporting the pallet and being movable between a loading/unloading position where it protrudes at least partially beyond the loading end of the support and a storage position where it does not substantially protrude beyond the loading end, the apparatus further including a secondary lock mechanism ( 68 ) fitted near the loading end of the support, the lock mechanism including a locking member ( 70 ) that can releasably engage the shelf ( 52 ), wherein lock mechanism ( 68 ) operates under gravity to lock the shelf and requires user intervention to unlock the shelf.  
     
     
         23 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , further including a shelf ( 52 ) movably mounted on the rails ( 12 ), the shelf adapted for supporting the pallet and being movable between a loading/unloading position where it protrudes at least partially beyond the loading end of the support and a storage position where it does not substantially protrude beyond the loading end, the apparatus further including a secondary lock mechanism ( 68 ) fitted near the loading end of the support, the lock mechanism including a locking member ( 70 ) that can releasably engage the shelf ( 52 ), wherein the shelf ( 52 ) includes one or more projections ( 76 ,  78 ) for engaging with the locking member ( 70 ).  
     
     
         24 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , further including a shelf ( 52 ) movably mounted on the rails ( 12 ), the shelf adapted for supporting the pallet and being movable between a loading/unloading position where it protrudes at least partially beyond the loading end of the support and a storage position where it does not substantially protrude beyond the loading end, the apparatus further including a secondary lock mechanism ( 68 ) fitted near the loading end of the support, the lock mechanism including a locking member ( 70 ) that can releasably engage the shelf ( 52 ), wherein the shelf ( 52 ) includes one or more projections ( 76 ,  78 ) for engaging with the locking member ( 70 ), wherein the locking member ( 70 ) includes a pivotable elongate member having a notch ( 74 ) or cut out section for engaging a said projection ( 76 ).  
     
     
         25 . A pallet system including a pallet support apparatus according to  claim 1  and one or more pallets.  
     
     
         26 . A support apparatus comprising: 
 two parallel opposed substantially horizontal lower rails ( 12 );    two parallel opposed substantially horizontal upper rails ( 54 ) located above and spaced apart from the corresponding lower rails;    a shelf ( 52 ) having opposed side edge portions slidably mounted on the lower rails, the shelf being moveable in a substantially horizontal plane between the upper and lower rails between a loading position where it protrudes at least partially beyond an end of the support and a storage position where it does not substantially protrude beyond the end of the support;    one or more rail stop ( 60 ,  62 ) on or adjacent one or more respective said rail;    the shelf including a first stop ( 59 ) at or near one of its ends so that in use the movement of the shelf is limited by engagement of the rail stop with the first stop,    the shelf further including a second stop ( 58 ) disposed between the lower and the upper rails when the shelf is in its storage position, thereby limiting vertical displacement of the shelf.    
     
     
         27 . Apparatus according to  claim 26 , including a pair of corresponding first ( 59 ) and second stops ( 58 ) located on the opposing side edges of the shelf ( 52 ).