Pallet cover

Abstract

A pallet cover includes a deck. A plurality of flanges extend upwardly from the deck and a plurality of legs extend downwardly from the deck. The pallet cover includes a plurality of adjustable corner members that allow the pallet cover to fit pallets of varying sizes. The adjustable corner members operate in an “accordion-like” fashion so that they can be reused on multiple pallets and still retain their original size.

1 . A pallet cover comprising:
 a deck;   a plurality of vertically extending legs; and   a plurality of adjustable corner members connecting the legs to the deck.   
   
   
       2 . The pallet cover as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of deck corner portions attach the vertically extending legs to the plurality of adjustable corner members. 
   
   
       3 . The pallet cover as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of vertically extending legs engage a pallet. 
   
   
       4 . The pallet cover as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of adjustable corner members provide a tension force to engage a plurality of vertically extending legs with a corresponding corner of a pallet. 
   
   
       5 . The pallet cover as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of adjustable corner members allow the plurality of vertically extending legs to extend to fit a corresponding corner on a first pallet. 
   
   
       6 . The pallet cover as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of vertically extending legs return to their original positions when removed from the first pallet and can extend again to fit a corresponding corner on a second pallet. 
   
   
       7 . The pallet cover as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the second pallet varies in size from the first pallet. 
   
   
       8 . The pallet cover as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of adjustable corner members allow the pallet cover to engage pallets having varying dimensions. 
   
   
       9 . The pallet cover as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of vertically extending legs permit a tool having parallel extending arms to engage openings in the pallet. 
   
   
       10 . The pallet cover as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the deck includes a plurality of deck openings. 
   
   
       11 . The pallet cover as recited in  claim 10 , wherein an attachment means extends through at least one of the of plurality of deck openings; and
 the attachment means surrounds a portion of a pallet to secure the pallet cover to the pallet.   
   
   
       12 . The pallet cover as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the deck includes a textured top surface. 
   
   
       13 . The pallet cover as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the textured top surface includes a plurality of vertically extending portions, an adhesive spray, or an adhesive strip. 
   
   
       14 . A pallet assembly comprising:
 a pallet including an upper surface;   a pallet cover including a deck;   the pallet cover located on the upper surface; and   the pallet cover including a plurality of flanges extending upwardly from a perimeter of the deck.   
   
   
       15 . The pallet cover as recited in  claim 14 , wherein each of the plurality of flanges has a corresponding flange on an opposing side of the deck. 
   
   
       16 . The pallet cover as recited in  claim 14 , wherein each of the plurality of flanges has a corresponding flange on an adjacent side of the deck. 
   
   
       17 . The pallet cover as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the deck has a lower portion to engage a pallet and an upper portion to engage a load. 
   
   
       18 . The pallet cover as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of vertical flanges extend along an edge of the deck from a first adjustable corner member to a second adjustable corner member. 
   
   
       19 . The pallet cover as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of vertical flanges include a plurality of bosses. 
   
   
       20 . The pallet cover as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of bosses engage a pallet wrapping material. 
   
   
       21 . The pallet cover as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the deck contains a plurality of drain holes. 
   
   
       22 . A pallet cover comprising:
 a deck;   a plurality of protrusions; and   a plurality of vertically extending legs, wherein at least one face of the plurality of vertically extending legs include the plurality of protrusions.   
   
   
       23 . The pallet cover as recited in  claim 20 , wherein the plurality of protrusions engage a pallet wrapping material. 
   
   
       24 . A method for attaching a pallet cover to a pallet comprising:
 selectively mating a vertically extending leg with a corresponding corner of a pallet.   
   
   
       25 . The method as recited in  claim 25 , further controlling an amount of deflection of the vertically extending leg by applying a force to the vertically extending leg.