Fiberboard pallet

Abstract

The present invention relates to pallets including improved structural supports suitable for use with various materials. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the pallet includes a load supporting deck comprised of deck members, and runners attached to the bottom of the load supporting deck, which are comprised of structural supports supporting, in two planes, a plank. The structural support of the present invention includes a supporting wall, which has a top support surface and a side surface, and a base support wall connected to the supporting wall and which extends beyond the width of the supporting wall and extends below the height of the supporting wall, such that the supporting wall and base support wall define a plank supporting edge for supporting a plank.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A pallet comprising: 
 a load supporting deck having a first side and a second side and including one or more first deck members;    one or more runners attached to the second side of the load supporting deck, wherein each of the runners comprise one or more structural supports and one or more planks attached to the one or more structural supports, such that at least one of the structural supports, in two planes, supports a plank.    
     
     
         2 . The pallet of  claim 1  further comprising a second deck having one or more second deck members, wherein the one or more second deck members are attached to, and supports, the one or more structural supports.  
     
     
         3 . The pallet of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more structural supports include two substantially orthogonal sections, the two sections defining an edge, the edge supporting the plank in the two planes.  
     
     
         4 . The pallet of  claim 3 , wherein the two sections include an horizontal section and a vertical section, the two planes being horizontal and vertical.  
     
     
         5 . The pallet of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more structural supports have a t-shaped profile.  
     
     
         6 . The pallet of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more structural supports have an inverted t-shaped profile.  
     
     
         7 . The pallet of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more structural supports have an l-shaped profile.  
     
     
         8 . The pallet of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more load supporting deck members are constructed of medium density fiberboard.  
     
     
         9 . The pallet of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more structural supports are constructed of high density polypropylene.  
     
     
         10 . The pallet of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more structural supports are constructed of polyethylene terephthalate.  
     
     
         11 . The pallet of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more structural supports are constructed of wood.  
     
     
         12 . A structural support of a pallet, the structural support comprising: 
 a first supporting wall, wherein the first supporting wall has a top support surface and a first side surface, and wherein the first supporting wall has a first width and a first height; and    a first base support wall connected to the first supporting wall, wherein the first support wall extends beyond the first width and the first base support wall extends below the first height, the first supporting wall and the first base support wall thereby defining a first plank supporting edge to support a first plank.    
     
     
         13 . The structural support of  claim 12 , wherein the structural support further comprises a second supporting wall, wherein the second supporting wall has a top surface and a side surface, and wherein the second supporting wall has a second width and a second height; and 
 wherein the first base support wall connects the first and second supporting walls, wherein the first base support wall extends beyond the first width and the second width and the first base support wall extends below the first height and the second height, the first supporting wall, the second supporting wall and the first base support wall thereby defining a first plank supporting edge to support a first plank.    
     
     
         14 . The structural support of  claim 13 , wherein the structural support further comprises a second base support wall connecting the first and second supporting walls, wherein the second base support wall extends beyond the first width and the second width and the second base support wall extends below the first height and the second height, the first supporting wall, the second supporting wall and the second base support wall thereby defining a second plank supporting edge to support a second plank.  
     
     
         15 . The structural support of  claim 12 , wherein the top support surface supports a deck member and the first side surface supports a plank.