Latchable Ramp Pallet 004

Abstract

An apparatus and methods are described for an improved pallet for the transportation and storage of goods. The pallet disclosed herein has four walls that are at least 4 inches tall that may be lowered to allow the efficient removal of goods off of the pallet. The wall may be used as a ramp to slide the goods off of the pallet. The walls may be locked in an upright position to ensure the goods are secured onto the pallet during transport or storage. When the goods are needed, one or more of the walls may be unlocked and lowered so that the goods do not have to be lifted over the wall to unload the goods from the pallet. The wall may also be in the lowered position to allow goods to be loaded onto to the pallet without having to lift them up and over the wall. The pallet also consists of nine feet that are at least 4 inches high, which minimizes the risk of forks missing the pallet opening when the forks are inserted to move the pallet.

1 . A pallet device comprising:
 a lowerable wall at least about 4 inches high; and   a latch at each end of each wall that attaches to its neighboring wall to maintain the wall's upright position.   
     
     
         2 . The pallet device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least 9 pallet feet that are equal in height and are at least about 4 inches tall. 
     
     
         3 . The pallet device of  claim 1 , further comprising interlockable barrier walls to securely stack or move more than one pallet. 
     
     
         4 . A method of loading items from the device disclosed in  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 disengaging a latch at each end of a wall of the device;   lowering at least one wall to create a ramp;   sliding an item on to the pallet using the ramp;   raising the wall; and   engaging the lock to secure the wall's upright position.   
     
     
         5 . A method of unloading items from the device disclosed in  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 disengaging a latch at each end of a wall of the device;   lowering at least one wall to create a ramp;   sliding an item off of the pallet using the ramp;   raising the wall; and   engaging the lock to secure the wall's upright position.   
     
     
         6 . The method disclosed in  claim 4 , wherein the item is a box. 
     
     
         7 . The method disclosed in  claim 4 , wherein the item is a bin. 
     
     
         8 . The method disclosed in  claim 4 , wherein the item is a tote. 
     
     
         9 . The method disclosed in  claim 4 , wherein the item is a good for sale in commerce. 
     
     
         10 . The method disclosed in  claim 5 , wherein the item is a box. 
     
     
         11 . The method disclosed in  claim 5 , wherein the item is a bin. 
     
     
         12 . The method disclosed in  claim 5 , wherein the item is a tote. 
     
     
         13 . The method disclosed in  claim 5 , wherein the item is a good for sale in commerce.