Pallet with skids connected by self-aligning detachable joint

Abstract

A pallet with a deck element supported above skids by a number of spacers employs a self-aligning detachable joint to interconnect at least one of spacers with an adjacent region of either the skid or the deck element. The self-aligning detachable joint is made up from complementary parts of a snap-fit inter connection integrally formed with the spacer and the adjacent region of either the skid or the deck element, and an alignment pin extending from the adjacent region into a complementary channel formed in the spacer. The snap-fit interconnection is configured to separate non-destructively under excess separating force. The alignment pin and complementary channel allow separation of the snap-fit joint while maintaining alignment of the parts of the joint. This allows simple reengagement of the snap-fit interconnection to return the pallet to its normal operational configuration.

1 . A pallet for supporting a load above an underlying surface, the pallet being transportable by use of a pallet lifter, the pallet comprising: 
 (a) a deck element providing a generally rectangular load-bearing surface having a length and a width;    (b) at least one skid for engaging the underlying surface, said skid extending along a majority of one of said length and said width; and    (c) for each skid, at least two spacers for supporting said deck element above said skid so as to allow insertion of a pallet lifter under said deck element, each of said spacers being interconnected with both said skid and said deck element,    wherein at least one of said spacers of each skid is interconnected to an adjacent region of one of said skid and said deck element at a self-aligning detachable joint made up from:    (i) a first part of a snap-fit connection integrally formed with said spacer;    (ii) a second part of a snap-fit connection integrally formed with said adjacent region, said first and second parts being complementary parts configured for snap-fit interconnection, said first and second parts being further configured to separate non-destructively under application of a separating force in excess of a given value; and    (iii) an alignment pin extending from said adjacent region into a complementary channel formed in said spacer, said alignment pin and said complementary channel being configured such that, on separation of said first and second parts, said alignment pin slides within said complementary channel to allow separation of said first and second parts while maintaining alignment of said first and second parts such that, on removal of said separating force, said first and second parts remain correctly aligned for reengagement of the snap-fit interconnection.    
   
   
       2 . The pallet of  claim 1 , wherein said spacers are integrally formed with said skid, said self-aligning detachable joint being formed between at least one of said spacers and said deck element.  
   
   
       3 . The pallet of  claim 1 , wherein said spacers are integrally formed with said deck element, said self-aligning detachable joint being formed between at least one of said spacers and said skid.  
   
   
       4 . The pallet of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one skid is implemented as two skids.  
   
   
       5 . The pallet of  claim 1 , wherein, for each skid, said at least two spacers are implemented as three spacers.  
   
   
       6 . The pallet of  claim 5 , wherein all three of said spacers for each skid are implemented with said self-aligning detachable joint.  
   
   
       7 . The pallet of  claim 5 , wherein two of said three spacers for each skid are implemented with said self-aligning detachable joint, and wherein the third of said spacers rigidly interconnects between said skid and said deck element so as to withstand a separating force between said skid and said deck element in excess of said given value.  
   
   
       8 . The pallet of  claim 1 , wherein said alignment pin is configured to be separable from the remaining elements of the pallet for individual replacement.  
   
   
       9 . The pallet of  claim 1 , wherein said deck element is formed primarily from a first material and said alignment pin is formed primarily from a second material, said second material being harder than said first material.  
   
   
       10 . The pallet of  claim 1 , wherein said alignment pin is formed primarily from reinforced polymer material.  
   
   
       11 . The pallet of  claim 1 , wherein said alignment pin is formed primarily from glass-fiber reinforced polyamide.  
   
   
       12 . The pallet of  claim 1 , wherein said alignment pin is formed primarily from a metallic material.  
   
   
       13 . The pallet of  claim 1 , wherein said alignment pin is formed primarily from steel.  
   
   
       14 . The pallet of  claim 1 , wherein said self-aligning detachable joint is configured such that said alignment pin is separately insertable into and removable from said complementary channel through an externally accessible opening after assembly of said snap-fit interconnection.