Configurable pallet

Abstract

This disclosure provides a configurable pallet or load-bearing platform, such as a pallet, for supporting goods. The load-bearing platform may include one or more plastic bases having two or more protrusions connected by one or more bridge pieces. The two or more protrusions are spaced apart one or more distances. The load-bearing platform further includes a cardboard base having openings spaced apart an amount wherein the openings are configured to receive the two or more protrusions of the plastic base. A load distribution member may be included and configured to contact at least a portion of the plastic base. The load distribution member may support at least a portion of the goods and distributes at least a portion of the weight of the goods to at least a portion of the plastic base. The size of the cardboard base, as well as other components of the load-bearing platform, in certain implementations, may be customized on demand.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A load-bearing platform for supporting goods, the load-bearing platform comprising:
 a base portion having a plurality of openings;   a first plastic base, wherein the first plastic base includes at least two protrusions mechanically connected, and configured to extend through a respective opening in the base portion;   a second plastic base, wherein the second plastic base includes at least two protrusions mechanically connected, and configured to extend through a respective opening in the base portion;   a first one or more bridge pieces configured to mechanically connect the at least two protrusions of the first plastic base, wherein at least a portion of the first one or more bridge pieces of the first plastic base is positioned above at least a portion of the base portion;   a second one or more bridge pieces configured to mechanically connect the at least two protrusions of the second plastic base, wherein at least a portion of the second one or more bridge pieces of the second plastic base is positioned above at least a portion of the base portion; and   a load distribution member positioned at least partially on a top surface of the base portion, the load distribution member at least partially distributing the weight of the goods across the base portion and the first plastic base and the second plastic base.   
     
     
         2 . The load-bearing platform of  claim 1 , wherein the load distribution member is formed at least partially of cardboard. 
     
     
         3 . The load-bearing platform of  claim 1 , wherein the base portion includes at least four peripheral walls. 
     
     
         4 . The load-bearing platform of  claim 3 , wherein the base portion may be positioned in a flat horizontal position, and at least one peripheral wall is folded from the flat horizontal position to the vertical position. 
     
     
         5 . The load-bearing platform of  claim 4 , wherein the base portion includes a first set of cut lines or indentations for removing pieces to create the plurality of openings and a second set of cut lines or indentations to facilitate folding up the at least one peripheral wall to form at least one folded peripheral wall. 
     
     
         6 . The load-bearing platform of  claim 5 , wherein at least one of the first plastic base and the second plastic base includes a side wall extending upward from a side edge of the bridge piece, wherein the side wall is covered by the at least one folded peripheral wall of the base portion. 
     
     
         7 . The load-bearing platform of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the bridge piece of the first plastic base is affixed to the base portion with an adhesive. 
     
     
         8 . The load-bearing platform of  claim 1 , wherein the first plastic base and the second plastic base are shaped such that the at least one protrusion of the first plastic base can stack within a protrusion of the second plastic base. 
     
     
         9 . The load-bearing platform of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of plastic bases with two or more protrusions, wherein the protrusions are legs for providing a space between the base portion and a ground surface to support the load-bearing platform, the space allowing a forklift to insert a fork underneath the base portion. 
     
     
         10 . The load-bearing platform of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two protrusions of the first plastic base includes a textured surface configured to contact the ground surface. 
     
     
         11 . The load-bearing platform of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two protrusions includes a plurality of protrusions and at least one protrusion of the plurality of protrusions has a first size and at least one other protrusion of the plurality of protrusions has a second size that is different from the first size. 
     
     
         12 . A method for making a configurable pallet for supporting goods, the method comprising:
 providing a first plastic base having two or more protrusions spaced apart by a first distance;   providing a second plastic base having two or more protrusions spaced apart by a second distance;   providing a base having a plurality of openings configured to receive the protrusions of the first and second plastic bases and at least one peripheral wall configured to be positioned in an upward position; and   inserting the two or more protrusions of the first and second plastic bases into the plurality of openings of the base.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising providing a cardboard member sized to cover at least a portion of the base to support at least a portion of the goods. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first distance and the second distance are equivalent. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein providing the base further comprises forming the at least one peripheral wall with a side tab foldable into the peripheral wall that is adjacent the first plastic base when the protrusions of the first plastic bases are positioned into the base. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein providing the first plastic base further includes providing the first plastic base with a side wall extending upward from a side edge of the first plastic base, wherein the side wall is covered by the at least one peripheral wall of the base in the upward position. 
     
     
         17 . A configurable pallet configured to support goods, the configurable pallet comprising:
 a base having a plurality of openings;   two or more plastic bases including at least one protrusion, the at least one protrusion of the two or more plastic bases inserted into the plurality of openings; and   a top member positioned at least partially on top of the two or more plastic bases and a portion of the base, the top member supporting at least a portion of the goods placed thereon.   
     
     
         18 . The configurable pallet of  claim 17 , further comprising a sleeve configured to be supported by at least a portion of the base, the sleeve being configured to at least partially surround the goods placed on the configurable pallet. 
     
     
         19 . The configurable pallet of  claim 18 , further comprising a lid configured to fit over a top opening in the sleeve. 
     
     
         20 . The configurable pallet of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one protrusion is a plurality of protrusions and at least one protrusion of the plurality of protrusions has a first size and at least one other protrusion has a second size that is different from the first size.