Pallet positioning bar

Abstract

A pallet positioning bar adapted to reposition a loaded pallet, the pallet positioning bar having a main body with a face member, a pair of fork members and a lifting flange connected to the face member at or near the top, wherein the fork members are adapted to be manually inserted into the loaded pallet with the main body flush against one side of the pallet, such that the fork tips of a forklift or handtruck can be abutted against the face member beneath the lifting flange, then lifted to raise and tilt the pallet positioning bar and the loaded pallet, enabling the loaded pallet to be repositioned by pushing against the face member.

1 . A pallet positioning bar comprising:
 an elongated main body, said main body comprising a face member;   a pair of fork members extending from said main body, said fork members having a length between approximately 12 and 18 inches and comprising curved or slanted ends;   a lifting flange member connected to said main body at or near the top of said face member, said lifting flange member extending no greater than approximately 2 inches on the opposite side of said face member from said fork members.   
     
     
         2 . The pallet positioning bar of  claim 1 , further comprising a footer flange member connected to said main body at or near the bottom of said face member, said footer flange member extending on the same side of said face member as said lifting flange member. 
     
     
         3 . The pallet positioning bar of  claim 1 , wherein said lifting flange member is a single elongated member. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The pallet positioning bar of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle member connected to said main body. 
     
     
         6 . The pallet positioning bar of  claim 2 , further comprising a handle member connected to said main body. 
     
     
         7 . The pallet positioning bar of  claim 1 , wherein said fork members each comprise an upper surface member and a runner member. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The pallet positioning bar of  claim 7 , wherein said fork members are L-shaped in transverse cross-section. 
     
     
         10 . The pallet positioning bar of  claim 2 , wherein said fork members each comprise an upper surface member and a runner member. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A pallet positioning bar comprising:
 an elongated main body; said main body comprising a face member and a lifting flange member connected generally perpendicularly to said main body at or near the top of said face member, said lifting flange member extending no more than approximately 2 inches rearward from said main body;   a pair of fork members connected to said main body, said fork members extending forward approximately 12 and 18 inches from said main body, said fork members comprising curved or slanted ends;   wherein with said fork members extending generally horizontally, said face member extends generally vertically and said lifting flange member extends generally horizontally.   
     
     
         13 . The pallet positioning bar of  claim 12 , further comprising a footer flange member connected to said main body at or near the bottom of said face member, said footer flange member extending rearward from said main body. 
     
     
         14 . The pallet positioning bar of  claim 12 , wherein said lifting flange member is a single elongated member. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The pallet positioning bar of  claim 12 , further comprising a handle member connected to said main body. 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The pallet positioning bar of  claim 12 , wherein said lifting flange is approximately 3 inches above the bottom of said face member. 
     
     
         20 . The pallet positioning bar of  claim 13 , wherein said lifting flange is approximately 3 inches above the bottom of said face member. 
     
     
         21 . A method of repositioning a pallet resting on a ground surface comprising the steps of:
 providing a pallet positioning bar comprising an elongated main body, said main body comprising a face member; a pair of fork members extending from said main body, said fork members having curved or slanted ends; and a lifting flange member connected to said main body at or near the top of said face member, said lifting flange member extending on the opposite side of said face member from said fork members;   manually inserting said fork members of said pallet positioning bar into said pallet;   providing a forklift or handtruck having fork tips;   advancing the fork tips against said face member of said elongated main body and beneath said lifting flange member;   raising said fork tips a short distance such that said pallet is tilted and said pallet positioning bar is tilted with said curved or slanted ends of said fork members remaining in contact with said ground surface;   sliding said pallet and said curved or slanted ends of said fork members along said ground surface until the desired repositioning location is reached;   lowering said fork tips such that said pallet rests on said ground surface;   backing said fork tips away from said face member; and   manually removing said pallet positioning bar from said pallet.