Recycable plastic pallet

Abstract

A pallet ( 10 ) comprises a plurality of members ( 12 ) made from plastics material. The members ( 12 ) are divided into a set of planks ( 12 A) and a set of beams ( 12 B). The planks ( 12 A) are arranged into two groups, the first group ( 12 A 1 ) which lie on one side of the pallet ( 10 ) and the second group ( 12 A 2 ) which lie on an opposite side of the pallet ( 10 ) with the beams ( 12 B) lying therebetween. The planks ( 12 A 1 ) and ( 12 A 2 ) are arranged in parallel planes and extend in the same direction to each other, and transversely of the beams ( 12 B). Pins ( 16 ) are driven through holes ( 14 A) and ( 14 B) formed in the planks ( 12 A) and the beams ( 12 B) respectively for coupling the planks ( 12 A) to the beams ( 12 B) to form pallet ( 10 ).

1 . A pallet including: 
 a plurality of plastics material members, a first set of said members extending in a first direction and across a second set of said members; and,    a plurality of mechanical fasteners coupling said first set of members to said second set of members.    
     
     
         2 . A pallet according to  claim 1  wherein said first set of members comprises a first group of members and a second group of members and wherein said second set of members is disposed between said first and second group of members.  
     
     
         3 . A pallet according to  claim 2  wherein said first and second group of members extend perpendicular to said second set of members.  
     
     
         4 . A pallet according to  claim 2  wherein said first and second group of members lie in respective first and second parallel planes, said first and second group of members are spaced by said second set of members.  
     
     
         5 . A pallet according to  claim 1  wherein each member of said first set of members is of a first common first shape and configuration, and each member of said second set of members is of a common second shape and configuration different to said first shape and configuration.  
     
     
         6 . A pallet according to  claim 1  wherein each member of said first set of members has a first planar surface.  
     
     
         7 . A pallet according to  claim 1  wherein each member of said first set of members has a second opposite surface formed with a plurality of parallel grooves extending in a direction of the length of said members.  
     
     
         8 . A pallet according to  claim 1  wherein each member of said second members has a generally I-shaped transverse cross-section, comprising first and second parallel spaced apart flanges and a web extending centrally between said first and second flanges.  
     
     
         9 . A pallet according to  claim 1  wherein each of said members is provided with a plurality of transversely extending holes.  
     
     
         10 . A pallet according to  claim 9  wherein each fastener comprises a single component which extends through respective registering holes in said first set of members and said second set of members to couple said members together.  
     
     
         11 . A pallet according to  claim 10  wherein each fastener includes a head, a shank extending from said head and, a tail at an opposite end of said shank, said holes, head and tail relatively configured so that said head is unable to pass through said holes, and said tail passes through said holes in a first direction but not in a second opposite direction.  
     
     
         12 . A pallet according to  claim 9  wherein said holes are formed adjacent each longitudinal edge of each member of said set of members, with the holes along a first longitudinal edge staggered relative to the holes along a second longitudinal edge.  
     
     
         13 . A pallet according to  claim 12  wherein said mechanical fasteners are made of plastics material.  
     
     
         14 . A pallet including: 
 a plurality of plastics material members, a first set of said members extending in a first direction and across a second set of said members, each of said members being provided with at least one transversely extending hole; and,    a plurality of fasteners coupling said first set of members to said second set of members, each fastener including a head, a shank extending from said head, and a tail at an opposite end of said shank,    wherein said holes, head and tail are relatively configured so that said head is unable to pass through said holes, and said tail is able to pass through said holes in a first direction, but not in a second opposite direction.    
     
     
         15 . A pallet according to  claim 14  wherein each of said members is provided with a plurality of transversely extending holes formed adjacent each longitudinal edge of each respective member, with the holes along a first longitudinal edge staggered relative to the holes along a second longitudinal edge.  
     
     
         16 . A pallet according to  claim 15  wherein each fastener comprises a single component which extends through respective registering holes in said first set of members and said second set of members to couple said members together.  
     
     
         17 . A pallet according to  claim 14  wherein said first set of members comprises a first group of members and a second group of members and wherein said second set of members is disposed between said first and second group of members.  
     
     
         18 . A pallet according to  claim 17  wherein said first and second group of members extend perpendicular to said second set of members.  
     
     
         19 . A pallet according to  claim 18  wherein said first and second group of members lie in respective first and second parallel planes, said first and second group of members are spaced by said second set of members.  
     
     
         20 . A pallet according to  claim 14  wherein each member of said first set of members is of a first common first shape and configuration, and each member of said second set of members is of a common second shape and configuration different to said first shape and configuration.  
     
     
         21 . A pallet according to  claim 20  wherein each member of said first set of members has a first planar surface.  
     
     
         22 . A pallet according to  claim 21  wherein each member of said first set of members has a second opposite surface formed with a plurality of parallel grooves extending in a direction of the length of said members.  
     
     
         23 . A pallet according to  claim 14  wherein each member of said second members has a generally I-shaped transverse cross-section, comprising first and second parallel spaced apart flanges and a web extending centrally between said first and second flanges.  
     
     
         24 . A pallet according to  claim 14  wherein said fasteners are made of plastics material.