Shipping system and method of use

Abstract

An improved shipping system includes a base pallet section. The system further includes an upper tier section, that moves between a position atop the base pallet section through a variety of positions, including positions that put the upper section out of the way of loading and unloading any load on the base section. Cartons may be atop both the base pallet section and the upper tier section, for shipments, with the upper tier section in the raised position. When emptied, the shipping system may be returned with its upper tier section moved down to a position atop the base pallet section, and the shipping system stacked upon a similar improved shipping system. Shipping efficiency is increased as much as twenty percent and perhaps more. All components are steel, and may also be plastic, wood and the like.

1 . An improved shipping system comprising:
 a base pallet section forming a load supporting deck;   an upper tier section having providing a second load supporting deck;   legs; and   pivot rods;   the pivot rods connected to the legs and pallet sections, and the pivot rods providing for pivoting the legs and upper tier section about the base pallet section, in a range of positions;   whereby through pivoting of the legs and upper tier section, the shipping system may be moved through configurations including a collapsed configuration and an upper-tier raised configuration, the collapsed configuration for stowing and the upper-tier raised configuration for outgoing shipping with one or more loads in place.   
     
     
         2 . The shipping system of  claim 1 , the pivot rods, legs and upper tier section providing movement of the upper tier section through the configurations including a collapsed configuration and an upper-tier raised configuration, the collapsed configuration for stowing and the upper-tier raised configuration for outgoing shipping with one or more loads in place. 
     
     
         3 . The shipping system of  claim 1 , the pivot rods, legs and upper tier section providing movement of the upper tier section through a folded back and load-ready position, for receiving a load on the base pallet section. 
     
     
         4 . The shipping system of  claim 3 , the pivot rods, legs and upper tier section providing movement of the upper tier section from the folded back and load-ready position to the upper tier raised position by movement around a load received on the base pallet section. 
     
     
         5 . The shipping system of  claim 1  where the upper tier section is capable of being moved into a range of positions including directly atop the base pallet section through a position out of the way of loading and unloading of the base pallet section. 
     
     
         6 . A shipping system as in  claim 1  in which the base pallet section is formed to allow a second improved shipping system to be nested on top of the first for ease of shipping when the first is in a collapsed position, and a third shipping system to be nested atop the second, and so forth. 
     
     
         7 . The shipping system of  claim 1  where the base pallet section is formed to allow a forklift to move the loaded pallet. 
     
     
         8 . The shipping system of  claim 7  where the base pallet section is formed to allow forklift access on all sides. 
     
     
         9 . The shipping system of  claim 1  where the shipping system is adapted to be moved while the pallet is loaded or unloaded. 
     
     
         10 . The shipping system of  claim 1  where two of the legs are detachable from the base pallet and two of the legs are permanently affixed to both pallets. 
     
     
         11 . The shipping system of  claim 10  where an overcenter latch, hinged midway, attaches one detachable leg to the upper tier, the connectors inhibiting twisting of the shipping system and forming a barrier to motion by the contents of the base pallet section. 
     
     
         12 . The shipping system of  claim 10  where the permanently affixed legs are attached to the upper tier inset off the corner to inhibit twisting of the shipping system and to form a barrier to motion by the contents of the base pallet section. 
     
     
         13 . The shipping system of  claim 10  where one of the permanently affixed legs is attached to the base pallet section by a pivotal stop, the pivotal stop at one end set in a slide surface in the base pallet section, a bumper set at the end of the slide surface, the pivotal stop, slide surface and bumper configured so as to limit the motion of the permanently affixed legs, limit twisting of the improved shipping system, and to form a barrier to motion by the contents of the base pallet section. 
     
     
         14 . The shipping system of  claim 1  where both faces of the upper tier section are arranged to be load bearing without damaging a load or the shipping system. 
     
     
         15 . The shipping system of  claim 1  having a cross beam in the plane of the upper tier section and supporting the upper tier section. 
     
     
         16 . The shipping system of  claim 1  where the base pallet section is gusseted to allow the upper tier section to be collapsed below the surface of the base pallet section. 
     
     
         17 . The shipping system of  claim 1  where the upper tier is detachable from the bottom tier. 
     
     
         18 . The shipping system of  claim 1  where horizontal rod supports are incorporated into the base pallet section to increase the strength of the base pallet section. 
     
     
         19 . An improved shipping unit comprising:
 a base pallet section formed so that one face of the base pallet section, the top face, is a load bearing surface and so that the other face of the base pallet section, the bottom face, is formed to have feet, to provide support for the load bearing face and to allow a forklift to move the pallet from any of its sides, and to allow a second improved shipping system to be nested directly atop the first for ease of shipping, a third atop the second, and so forth;   horizontal steel rod supports incorporated into the base pallet section;   a first pivot rod located on the base pallet section a first pair of legs, each substantially the same length as one side of the base pallet section, one end of each leg set onto opposite ends of the first pivot rod;   a second pivot rod, attached to the opposite ends of the first pair of legs, above the first pivot rod, attached to the bottom of, and inset from an edge of:   an upper tier section, substantially equal in size to the base pallet section, formed by rails and plates forming a load bearing surface, and corner and side gussets, the gussets lipped along the sides for contacting and holding the load, attached at the corners formed by the rails and plates, the upper tier section capable of being moved around the second pivot rod;   a third pivot rod set substantially parallel to the second pivot rod and along the opposite side of the upper tier section;   a second pair of legs, one end of each leg set onto opposite ends of the third pivot rod;   two stop pads, each at the end of one of the second pair of legs, the stop pads attached to form an el-shape at the end of the legs and a surface capable of taking a share of the weight of a pallet load;   an overcenter latch, attached at one end to one of the second pair of legs, hinged in the middle and attached at the other end to the upper tier;   a pivot stop, attached at one end to a pivot point set in one of the first pair of legs, at the other end placed in a slide surface set in the base pallet section;   a bumper set to block the pivotal stop and stop rotation of the first set of legs;   and an extended lower load retention lip;   whereby through pivoting of the legs and upper tier section, the shipping unit may be moved through configurations including a collapsed configuration for stacking and transport, a folded back and load ready position for receiving a load, and an upper-tier raised configuration for carrying two loads, the first pair of legs remaining attached to the base pallet and upper tier sections, the second pair of legs attached only to the upper tier section and restable against the base pallet section supporting the upper tier section, the overcenter latch and pivotal stop prohibiting the shipping unit from twisting and forming a barrier to motion by the contents of the base pallet section, and the formation of the base pallet allowing a second improved shipping unit to be nested on top of the first for ease of shipping when the first is in a collapsed position, and a third shipping unit to be nested atop the second and so forth.