Modular pallet device

Abstract

A modular pallet device includes a plurality of spaced-apart longitudinal first bars having a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart mounting grooves extending inwardly from top faces thereof, a plurality of spaced-apart longitudinal second bars connected to the first bars, and a plurality of interlocking units provided on and interlocking the first and second bars and including slots and projections. Each second bar has opposite first and second end portions. The first end portions of the second bars are respectively received in the mounting grooves of one of the first bars. The second end portions of the second bars are respectively received in the mounting grooves of the other one of the first bars.

1 . A modular pallet device comprising:
 a plurality of spaced-apart longitudinal first bars, said first bars having a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart mounting grooves extending inwardly from top faces of said first bars;   a plurality of spaced-apart longitudinal second bars connected to said first bars, each of said second bars having opposite first and second end portions, said first end portions of said second bars being respectively received in said mounting grooves of one of said first bars, said second end portions of said second bars being respectively received in said mounting grooves of the other one of said first bars; and   a plurality of interlocking units provided on and interlocking said first and second bars, said interlocking units including slots and projections.   
   
   
       2 . The modular pallet device of  claim 1 , wherein each of said mounting grooves of said first bars is bounded by two groove sidewalls and a groove bottom wall extending between said groove sidewalls, said slots being provided in said groove bottom walls of said first bars, said projections extending downwardly from said second bars to engage said slots. 
   
   
       3 . The modular pallet device of  claim 2 , wherein each of said first bars further has opposite longitudinal first and second faces that extend downwardly from said top face of a corresponding one of said first bars, said first faces of said first bars facing each other and extending between said second faces, each of said groove bottom walls having at least two of said slots, one of said two slots being proximate to said first face, the other one of said two slots being proximate to said second face and being spaced apart from said one of said two slots, at least one of said first and second end portions of said second bars having at least one of said projections selectively engaged to one of said two slots. 
   
   
       4 . The modular pallet device of  claim 2 , wherein each of said first and second end portions of said second bars includes a pair of said projections having downward legs that are respectively adjacent to said groove sidewalls and that have barbed ends projecting oppositely and respectively from said downward legs, each of said groove bottom walls of said first bars having a top surface, and at least one pair of said slots, each of said slots having a first slot portion extending downwardly from said top surface of a respective one of said groove bottom walls to receive a corresponding one of said downward legs, and a second slot portion extending sideward from said first slot portion and into one of said groove sidewalls to receive a corresponding one of said barbed ends. 
   
   
       5 . The modular pallet device of  claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of fastening units to fasten said first and second end portions of said second bars to said first bars, each of said groove bottom walls of said first bars having at least one of said slots, and at least one nut-receiving hole spaced apart from said one of said slots, said fastening units including a plurality of nuts embedded respectively in said nut-receiving holes of said groove bottom walls, and a plurality of screws respectively engaging said nuts and extending through said second bars. 
   
   
       6 . The modular pallet device of  claim 2 , wherein said first and second end portions of said second bars respectively include said projections, each of said projections having a rib that extends transversely of a corresponding one of said second bars, and two barbs that project oppositely and respectively from two sides of said rib, said two sides of said rib being opposite to each other in a longitudinal direction of a corresponding one of said second bars, each of said groove bottom walls of said first bars having a top surface and one of said slots, each of said slots having a rib-receiving portion that extends downwardly from said top surface of a respective one of said groove bottom walls to receive said rib and that is defined by two opposite slot sidewalls, said slot sidewalls being provided with barb-receiving portions to receive respectively said barbs. 
   
   
       7 . The modular pallet device of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of spaced-apart upright bars having bottom end portions mounted on said first bars, said first bars further having a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart indentations that extend downwardly from said top faces of said first bars, that receive respectively said bottom end portions of said upright bars, and that are spaced apart from said mounting grooves. 
   
   
       8 . The modular pallet device of  claim 7 , wherein said bottom end portions of said upright bars respectively have pairs of first barbed elements that project oppositely and respectively from said bottom end portions, each of said indentations being defined by two opposite indentation sidewalls respectively having apertures to receive respectively said first barbed elements of a corresponding one of said upright bars. 
   
   
       9 . The modular pallet device of  claim 7 , wherein each of said upright bars further has a plurality of vertically spaced-apart recesses, said modular pallet device further comprising a plurality of lateral transverse bars extending transversely of said upright bars and fitted respectively in said recesses. 
   
   
       10 . The modular pallet device of  claim 9 , wherein each of said lateral transverse bars has pairs of second barbed elements engaging said upright bars within said recesses. 
   
   
       11 . The modular pallet device of  claim 9 , further comprising a plurality of spaced-apart top bars mounted on top of said upright bars, and a plurality of upper transverse bars connected transversely to said top bars.