Modular pallet

Abstract

A pallet has a base member with a top surface defining first and second spaced apart openings near an edge of the top surface. Hollow legs extend downwardly from the bottom surface of the pallet and define a passageway below the bottom surface. Each hollow leg is a wheel well wherein a wheel is fastened to the base member. Each wheel inside its associated hollow leg extends downwardly from the base member to an elevation below the associated leg so that the wheel is free to support and move the base member. An inverted U-shaped handle has its bottom ends removably inserted in the first and second openings. Flanges attached to the bottom end portions of first and second upright members rest on the top surface of the pallet when the upright members are inserted.

1 . A pallet, comprising: 
 a base member having top and bottom surfaces, said top surface defining first and second spaced apart openings near an edge of said top surface;    a plurality of hollow legs extending downwardly from said bottom surface and defining a passageway below said bottom surface;    a plurality of wheel means, one for each leg of said plurality of hollow legs, each said wheel means being fastened to said base member inside an associated hollow leg and extending downwardly from said base member to an elevation below said associated leg so that said wheel means is free to move said base member;    a handle having first and second upright members having bottom end portions removably inserted in said first and second spaced apart openings and a horizontal member connecting top portions of said first and second upright members; and    first and second flanges attached to said bottom end portions of said first and second upright members, said flanges resting on said top surface when said upright members are inserted in said first and second openings.    
   
   
       2 . A pallet, as set forth in  claim 1 , including a panel attached to said first and second upright members below said horizontal member.  
   
   
       3 . A pallet, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said top surface of said base member has third and fourth spaced apart openings near an opposed edge of said top surface.  
   
   
       4 . A pallet, as set forth in  claim 3 , including a bin having a sidewall.  
   
   
       5 . A pallet, as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein said bin has a bottom with two spaced apart downwardly extending protrusions removably inserted in said third and fourth openings of said base.  
   
   
       6 . A pallet, as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein said sidewall is closed and said first and second upright members are inside said closed sidewall.  
   
   
       7 . A pallet, as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein said sidewall is closed and said first and second upright members are inside said closed sidewall, and including first and second pegs removably inserted in said third and fourth openings of said base inside said closed sidewall.  
   
   
       8 . A pallet, as set forth in  claim 2 , including a first shelf positioned on said top surface having a plurality of legs.  
   
   
       9 . A pallet, as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein said legs are detachably attached to said first shelf.  
   
   
       10 . A pallet, as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein said top surface has a plurality of leg openings each adapted to removably receive a leg of said plurality of legs to removably attach said first shelf to said base member, at least two legs of said plurality of legs being positioned closer to a center of said top surface of said base member than said first and second openings of said top surface.  
   
   
       11 . A pallet, as set forth in  claim 10 , including a second shelf positioned atop said first shelf, said second shelf having a plurality of legs adapted to fit into a plurality of openings in a top surface of said first shelf to detachably attach said second shelf to said first shelf.  
   
   
       12 . A pallet, comprising: 
 a base member having top and bottom surfaces, said top surface defining first and second spaced apart openings near an edge of said top surface and defining third and fourth spaced apart openings near an opposed edge of said top surface;    a plurality of hollow legs extending downwardly from said bottom surface and defining a passageway below said bottom surface;    a plurality of wheel means, one for each leg of said plurality of hollow legs, each said wheel means being fastened to said base member inside an associated hollow leg and extending downwardly from said base member to an elevation below said associated leg so that said wheel means is free to move said base member; and    a bin having a sidewall and a bottom, said bottom having four spaced apart downwardly extending protrusions removably inserted in said first, second third and fourth openings of said base.