Skid support for portable structures

Abstract

A pallet-type skid support for portable structures such as for washstands and commodes. It is made from polymeric material that is abrasion resistant and resistant to moisture and rot, in contrast to wooden pallets. It includes runners that are separably attached to the platform. The platform and runners are conveniently manufactured by the rotational molding process. Indicators of runner wear may be provided.

1 . A support to mount a portable structure above the surface of the ground, said support comprising: 
 a platform having a top surface, a bottom surface, four peripheral outer sidewalls, and four inside sidewalls, said outer sidewalls being integral with said top and bottom surfaces, thereby spacing them apart, said inner sidewalls being parallel to and spaced apart from respective sidewalls, integral with said top and bottom surfaces, thereby forming a peripheral chamber bounded by said sidewalls and the top and bottom surfaces;    a groove in said bottom surface parallel to at least one parallel pair of said outer sidewalls;    a pair of runners, each runner comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, a pair of sidewalls and a pair of end closures, said surfaces, sidewalls and end closures forming a prismatic body enclosing a chamber, and a mounting pad at each end to engage said portable structure;    a tongue on the top surface of said runner so disposed and arranged as to fit into a respective groove in the bottom surface of the platform;    said runners having a pair of sockets opening onto the bottom surface of the runner, said sockets being tapered, with a central opening;    a wear shoe for each said socket, said wear shoe being tapered to fit into said socket with a flange to bear against the bottom surface of the runner, and a thickness sufficient to space the wear surface from the bottom surface of the runner;    a bolt which includes a head, a shank and a thread for each insert, said bolt being passed through said insert with its head bearing against the wear shoe and its thread threaded into said platform, thereby attaching the wear shoe to the runner and the runner to the platform;    the top and bottom surfaces and sidewalls of the platform being integral and continuous with one another, created by the rotational moulding process;    the top and bottom surfaces and sidewalls of the runners being integral and continuous with one another, created by the rotational moulding process.    
   
   
       2 . A support according to  claim 1  in which the top surface of the platform includes a recess to receive a container, and a stand on which a person can stand.  
   
   
       3 . A support according to  claim 1  in which the top surface of the platform includes a recess to receive a container, an open region, and a grating to overlay the open region on which a person can stand, but through which dirt can fall.  
   
   
       4 . A support according to  claim 1  in which the color of the shoe contrasts with the color of the runner to provide evidence of wear.  
   
   
       5 . A support according to  claim 2  in which said bottom surface of said platform in the region directly beneath said stand is closer to the stand than the remainder of the bottom surface.