Adjustable pallet cage

Abstract

A pallet cage, comprising a chassis, a first cage end, and a second cage end. The chassis may include a vertical support structure. The first and second cage ends may be slidably coupled to the chassis. The first cage end may be coupled to the chassis opposite the second cage end. The pallet cage is selectively movable between a collapsed position and an expanded position. A width of the adjustable pallet cage is greater in the expanded position than when in the collapsed position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An adjustable pallet cage, comprising:
 a chassis including a vertical support structure;
 the vertical support structure comprising a crossmember arranged to bisect a width of the adjustable pallet cage; 
   a first cage end slidably coupled with a first side of the chassis; and   a second cage end slidably coupled with a second side of the chassis;   wherein the width of the adjustable pallet cage is adjustable between a collapsed position and an expanded position.   
     
     
         2 . The adjustable pallet cage of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the vertical support structure comprises:
 at least a pair of vertical posts; 
 the crossmember connecting the pair of vertical posts; and 
 a lifting point arranged at a substantial center of the crossmember. 
   
     
     
         3 . The adjustable pallet cage of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the lifting point comprises a looped member.   
     
     
         4 . The adjustable pallet cage of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the chassis comprises a coupling post extending substantially orthogonal from the vertical support structure.   
     
     
         5 . The adjustable pallet cage of  claim 4 , wherein:
 each of the first cage end and the second cage end comprises a coupling post configured to slide relative to the coupling post of the chassis.   
     
     
         6 . The adjustable pallet cage of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a pin;   wherein each of the coupling post of the chassis and the coupling post of the first and second cage ends comprises a plurality of holes defined therein; and   wherein the plurality of holes are configured to receive the pin;   wherein the pin extending through the plurality of holes fixes the chassis relative to the first cage end and the second cage end.   
     
     
         7 . The adjustable pallet cage of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the plurality of holes of each one of the coupling post of the chassis, the first cage end, and the second cage end comprise equidistant spacing.   
     
     
         8 . The adjustable pallet cage of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the coupling post of the chassis is telescopically arranged in the coupling post of at least one of the first cage end or the second cage end.   
     
     
         9 . The adjustable pallet cage of  claim 1 , wherein:
 each of the first cage end and the second cage end comprises:
 at least a pair of vertical posts; and 
 the crossmember connecting the pair of vertical posts. 
   
     
     
         10 . The adjustable pallet cage of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a primary fork receiver coupled with a bottom surface of at least one of the chassis, the first cage end, or the second cage end;   wherein the primary fork receiver is configured to receive at least a portion of a fork associated with a forklift.   
     
     
         11 . The adjustable pallet cage of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a removable pallet support extending a depth associated with at least one of the chassis, the first cage end, or the second cage end;   wherein the removable pallet support is configured to be slidably received through the primary fork receiver and to support a bottom surface of a pallet secured in the adjustable pallet cage.   
     
     
         12 . The adjustable pallet cage of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a secondary fork receiver coupled with a side surface of at least one of the first cage end or the second cage end; and   a removable pallet support;   wherein the secondary fork receiver is configured to receive the removable pallet support.   
     
     
         13 . The adjustable pallet cage of  claim 1 , wherein:
 one or more of the chassis, the first cage end, or the second cage end comprises a plurality of vertical posts or a pair of coupling posts; and   at least one of the chassis, the first cage end, or the second cage end comprises at least one secondary support connecting at least one of the pair of vertical posts or the pair of coupling posts.   
     
     
         14 . The adjustable pallet cage of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 at least one wire grate panel coupled to the at least one secondary support.   
     
     
         15 . A method of securing a pallet in an adjustable pallet cage, the adjustable pallet cage comprising a chassis with a crossmember bisecting a width of the adjustable pallet cage, a first cage end and a second cage end both slidably coupled with the chassis, the method comprising:
 lifting the adjustable pallet cage by the crossmember;   placing the adjustable pallet cage around the pallet; and   sliding a position of at least one of the first cage end or the second cage end toward the pallet.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein:
 placing the adjustable pallet cage around the pallet further comprises lowering the adjustable pallet cage by the crossmember.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 subsequent to placing the adjustable pallet cage around the pallet, sliding a removable pallet support in a primary fork receiver of at least one of the chassis, the first cage end, or the second cage end.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the chassis and at least one of the first cage end or the second cage end comprise a coupling post provided with a plurality of holes; and   sliding the position of at least one of the first cage end or the second cage end toward the pallet further comprises inserting a pin through at least a corresponding pair of the plurality of holes.