Pallet storage system

Abstract

A pallet storage system including a pallet ( 100 ) having a base ( 102 ) with upstanding rear ( 104 A) and side walls ( 104 B, 104 C). At least one of the side walls includes at least one engaging formation ( 108 ). The storage system further includes a pallet support frame ( 200 ) having a ( 202 ) base with upstanding rear ( 204 A) and side walls ( 204 B, 204 C). At least one of the side walls includes at least one engaging formation ( 208 ). The system further includes at least one moveable member ( 212 ) configured to contact the side walls of the pallet, when the pallet is inserted into the pallet support frame, to guide the at least one engaging formation of the pallet to engage with the corresponding at least one engaging formation of the pallet support frame.

1 . A pallet storage system including:
 a pallet having a base with upstanding rear and side walls, at least one of the walls including at least one engaging formation; and   a pallet support frame having a base with upstanding rear and side walls, at least one of the walls including at least one engaging formation,   the system further including at least one moveable member configured to contact the side walls of the pallet, when the pallet is inserted into the pallet support frame, to guide the at least one engaging formation of the pallet to engage with the corresponding at least one engaging formation of the pallet support frame.   
   
   
       2 . A storage system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one engaging formation is located on a rear wall of the pallet and the at least one engaging formation of the frame is located on the rear wall of the frame. 
   
   
       3 . A storage system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one engaging formation on the rear wall of the pallet includes a protrusion and the at least one engaging formation on the rear wall of the pallet support frame includes an aperture. 
   
   
       4 . A storage system according to  claim 1 , wherein the moveable member includes a resilient member that is fixed to an inner surface of the respective side wall of the pallet support frame. 
   
   
       5 . A storage system according to  claim 4 , wherein the resilient member is formed so as to include a portion that extends inwards from its respective side wall. 
   
   
       6 . A storage system according to  claim 5 , wherein the resilient member is so formed by being bent. 
   
   
       7 . A storage system according to  claim 6 , where, in use, at least the bent portion of the resilient member contacts an outer surface of a said side wall of the pallet. 
   
   
       8 . A storage system according to  claim 4 , wherein one end of the resilient member is fixed to an inner surface of the side wall of the pallet support frame, with another end of the resilient member not being fixed to the side wall of the pallet support frame. 
   
   
       9 . A storage system according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one side wall of the pallet includes a further engaging formation and at least one corresponding said side wall of the pallet support frame includes a corresponding further engaging formation. 
   
   
       10 . A storage system according to  claim 9 , wherein the further engaging formation of the pallet includes a member having a rear surface and an upper surface and the further engaging formation of the pallet support frame includes a member having a rear surface and an upper surface, in use, the respective rear and upper surfaces of the further engaging formations contacting each other, thereby limiting or preventing vertical and horizontal relative movement of the pallet and the pallet support frame. 
   
   
       11 . A storage system according to  claim 10 , wherein the rear surfaces of the further engaging formations of the pallet and the pallet support frame are angled downward with respect to upper surfaces of the pallet/pallet support frame. 
   
   
       12 . A storage system according to  claim 1 , wherein the pallet includes at least one foot and the base of the pallet support frame includes a space or at least one slot for allowing the at least one foot of the pallet to protrude through the pallet support frame base. 
   
   
       13 . A storage system according to  claim 12 , wherein the space or at least one slot is in a central portion of the base of the pallet support frame so that, in use, part of the pallet base rests upon side portions of the base of the pallet support frame. 
   
   
       14 . A storage system according to  claim 1 , wherein the pallet includes a set of pads for assisting with sliding the pallet onto the support frame. 
   
   
       15 . A storage system according to  claim 14 , wherein each of the pads comprises a portion of vibration-reducing material, such as rubber, that is sandwiched between the base of the pallet and a portion of low-friction material, such as plastic. 
   
   
       16 . A storage system according to  claim 1 , wherein the pallet support frame includes at least one formation configured to allow the frame to be fixed to an outer frame or rack. 
   
   
       17 . A storage system including at least one pallet storage system according to  claim 1  and an outer rack or frame releaseably fixed to the at least one pallet storage system.