Pallet cover system

Abstract

A system and method for a pallet cover system for covering and securing a load to a pallet, the pallet cover system comprising a cover sized to fit about and over a load on a pallet, a plurality of adjustable rods securable to the cover in a spaced apart arrangement, each of the plurality of adjustable rods being extendable between a first length and a second length so as to provide for a customizable coverage of the load by the cover, a plurality of clamp blocks securable to the pallet and to the plurality of adjustable rods, each of the plurality of clamp blocks having a first orifice formed in a top surface thereof and configured to interfit with a respective one of the plurality of adjustable rods, and at least one securing strap disposed along an exterior of the cover.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pallet cover system for covering and securing a load to a pallet, the pallet cover system comprising:
 a cover sized to fit about and over a load on a pallet;   a plurality of adjustable rods securable to the cover in a spaced apart arrangement, each of the plurality of adjustable rods being extendable between a first length and a second length so as to provide for a customizable coverage of the load by the cover;   a plurality of clamp blocks securable to the pallet and to the plurality of adjustable rods, each of the plurality of clamp blocks having a first orifice formed in a top surface thereof and configured to interfit with a respective one of the plurality of adjustable rods; and   at least one securing strap disposed along an exterior of the cover to apply a pressure to the cover and secure it to load.   
     
     
         2 . The pallet cover system of  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of clamp blocks comprises a recess formed therein configured to mate with a top surface plank of the pallet so as to secure the clamp block to the pallet. 
     
     
         3 . The pallet cover system of  claim 2  wherein each of the plurality of clamp blocks includes a wedge formed on a bottom surface thereof, the wedge being angled downwardly from a front edge of a bottom flange of the clamp block to a back edge of the bottom flange such that the wedge is wider at the back edge than at the front edge, the wedge interacting with a bottom surface plank of the pallet to further secure the clamp block to the pallet. 
     
     
         4 . The pallet cover system of  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of clamp blocks further comprises a second orifice formed in a side surface thereof, the second orifice extending from the side surface to the first orifice and being oriented perpendicular to the first orifice; and
 wherein each of the plurality of adjustable rods comprises a pin configured to interfit with the second orifice of a respective one of the plurality of clamp blocks to lock the adjustable rod within the clamp block. 
 
     
     
         5 . The pallet cover system of  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of adjustable rods comprises a plurality of sections that collectively form a telescoping rod extendable between at least the first length and the second length, each of the plurality of sections having a different diameter such that a respective section is positionable within another respective section. 
     
     
         6 . The pallet cover system of  claim 5  wherein each of the plurality of sections of a respective adjustable rod comprises:
 a spring pin formed adjacent a bottom edge of the section; and 
 a pin hole formed adjacent a top edge of the section; 
 wherein the spring pin of a respective section interacts with the pin hole of an adjacent section to secure the sections relative to one another. 
 
     
     
         7 . The pallet cover system of  claim 1  wherein the cover comprises a zipper extending from a bottom of the cover to a top of the cover, the zipper enabling the cover to be added to and removed from the load. 
     
     
         8 . The pallet cover system of  claim 7  further comprising a security seal coupled to the zipper and a respective one of the at least one securing strap, the security seal preventing actuation of the zipper when coupled to both the zipper and the at least one securing strap. 
     
     
         9 . The pallet cover system of  claim 1  further comprising an envelope box formed on an outer surface of the cover, the envelope box constructed to store documents therein related to shipment of the load. 
     
     
         10 . The pallet cover system of  claim 1  further comprising a pallet banner positionable over a portion of an outer surface of the cover, the pallet banner comprising a hook positioned at each corner thereof;
 wherein an adjacent pair of the plurality of adjustable rods comprises a hook hole formed at both the top and bottom of the rod, each hook hole configured to receive a respective hook of the pallet banner therein, such that the pallet banner is coupleable between the adjacent pair of adjustable rods. 
 
     
     
         11 . The pallet cover system of  claim 1  wherein the cover comprises a plurality of sleeves formed thereon configured to receive the plurality of adjustable rods, the plurality of sleeves formed on an inside surface of the cover. 
     
     
         12 . A pallet cover system for covering a stack of items on a pallet, the pallet cover system comprising:
 a reusable cover positionable over a stack of items on a pallet, the reusable cover comprising:
 a fastening mechanism that provides for placement of the reusable cover over the stack of items and for closure of the reusable cover; and 
 a plurality of sleeves formed on a surface thereof extending generally along a height of the reusable cover; 
   a plurality of adjustable rods positioned about a perimeter of the reusable cover, with each adjustable rods being received within a respective sleeve of the cover to secure the adjustable rod relative to the cover; and   a plurality of clamp blocks securable to the pallet and to the plurality of adjustable rods, each of the plurality of clamp blocks having a first orifice formed in a top surface thereof configured to interfit with a respective one of the plurality of adjustable rods;   wherein the reusable cover is secured about the stack of items and to the pallet via the plurality of adjustable rods and the plurality of clamp blocks, such that the stack of items is held in place on the pallet.   
     
     
         13 . The pallet cover system of  claim 12  wherein each of the plurality of clamp blocks include a recess formed therein and configured to interfit with a top surface plank of the pallet. 
     
     
         14 . The pallet cover system of  claim 12  wherein each of the plurality of clamp blocks has a second orifice formed therein that is oriented perpendicular to the first orifice, the second orifice being formed in a side surface of the clamp block and extending from the side surface to the first orifice; and
 wherein each of the plurality of adjustable rods comprises a spring pin configured to interfit with the second orifice of a respective one of plurality of clamp blocks. 
 
     
     
         15 . The pallet cover system of  claim 12  wherein each of the plurality of adjustable rods comprises a telescopic rod having an adjustable height, each respective telescopic rod comprising a plurality of sections that each includes:
 a spring pin formed adjacent a bottom edge of the section; and 
 a pin hole formed adjacent a top edge of the section; 
 wherein the spring pin of a respective section interacts with the pin hole of an adjacent section to secure the sections relative to one another. 
 
     
     
         16 . The pallet cover system of  claim 12  further comprising at least one strap disposed along the outer perimeter of the reusable cover, the at least one strap providing tension about the cover and the plurality of adjustable rods. 
     
     
         17 . A method of covering and securing a stack of items on a pallet, the method comprising:
 coupling a plurality of clamp blocks to the pallet at a number of spaced apart locations on the pallet;   mating a plurality of adjustable rods with the plurality of clamp blocks, with each adjustable rod being inserted into a first orifice formed in a top surface of a respective clamp block;   attaching a cover to the plurality of adjustable rods such that the cover is positioned over the stack of items on the pallet;   closing the cover via a zipper included thereon; and   positioning and tightening one or more securing straps about an outer perimeter of the cover and about the plurality of adjustable rods.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising adjusting a height of each of the plurality of adjustable rods to a height approximate that of the stack of items, wherein adjusting the height comprises positioning and securing each of a plurality of sections of a respective adjustable rod relative to one another to set the height. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein attaching the cover to the plurality of adjustable rods comprises inserting the plurality of adjustable rods into a plurality of sleeves formed on the cover. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  wherein mating the plurality of adjustable rods with the plurality of clamp blocks further comprises interfitting a pin of each adjustable rod into a second orifice formed in a side surface of each of the plurality of clamp blocks.