Title of Invention	INDUSTRIAL PALLET
Abstract	The present invention relates to industrial pallets used for materials / goods transportation and storage in various industrial areas, more particularly this invention talks about the metal pallet, wherein thin metal sheet is used in the form of corrugation profile.

Full Text

FORM 2 THE PATENTS ACT, 1970 [39 OF 1970] COMPLETE SPECIFICATION [SEE SECTION 10 & RULE 13] TITLE Industrial Pallet 2 APPLICANT NAME MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA LTD. ADDRESS 1, GATEWAY BUILDING, APOLLO BUNDER, MUMBAI 400001 NATIONALITY INDIA The following specification particularly describes the nature of the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:- 1 Field of the Invention The present invention relates to pallets used for materials / goods transportation and storage in various industrial areas, more particularly this invention talks about the metal pallet, wherein thin metal sheet is used in the form of corrugation profile. Further the pallet designed from corrugated sheet metal profile has least number of sub-components, low weight because of it's unique construction, hence results in increased service life, load carrying capacity, durability, operational flexibility with minimum maintenance. Background of the Invention The "Industrial pallets" used for the transportation, material handling, loading / unloading, also for the storage of materials / goods are mainly made of wooden pieces, which are nailed together to form a platform like structure in its upper and lower side and having recesses for receiving lifting forks of a pallet truck, tractor, forklift or like vehicles equipped with lifting forks either in two opposite sides or all in 4 sides to facilitate as '2-way' or '4-way' pallet. Because of low mechanical strength, tendency to absorb water, non-availability of wooden material, these wooden pallets have limited applications. Also these wooden pallets are too heavy for given load carrying capacity, having high initial investment and maintenance cost, not durable (user friendly) because of breakage wooden planks (pieces), heavy weight, nailing joints at corners and more co-efficient of friction results in more dragging / pulling force while loading / unloading the components. Therefore In current scenario most of the industrial pallet manufacturers are shifting to other alternatives to wood. To changeover from these wooden pallets, which are not environment friendly and having various problems as mentioned above, few pallet manufactures have introduced industrial pallets with different materials like steel, sheet metal, plastic, fiber, corrugated paper, corrugated metal sheet etc. The corrugated metal sheet pallets becomes popular because of their high strengths, low cost, long life, low initial investment and maintenance cost advantages for 2 given load carrying capacity. Therefore some of the industrial pallet users and manufactures are switching over to this sheet metal corrugated pallets. The patents available in the area of metal sheet corrugated pallets are explained below in view of their construction, functions and limitations :- Pallet according to US patent 4326467 wherein, sheet metal corrugation is provided in 'U' or trapezoidal or box type pattern, slots are provided on top platform for assembling side beam-ends and not having supporting beam at center. Hence this pallet design will have more deflection at the center thereby results in distortion and reduction in load carrying capacity for a given metal sheet thickness. Any small error while assembling the side beam ends in the slots provided on the top platform can result in non-uniform side beam load distribution. Also the box or trapezoidal corrugation design will cause high stress concentration at the sharp corners which will minimize pallet life and increase maintenance. Pallet design according to US patent 4424752 wherein, no central support's, cross ties (toppling arresters) are provided. Also the recesses for inserting lifting forks are provided in between side beams, which are parallel to metal sheet corrugation pattern. Hence this pallet design will have more deflection at platform center area resulting distortion and reduction in load carrying capacity for given metal sheet thickness. Also in case of uneven material loading / distribution there is possibility of pallet tilting, which can results in severe damage / accidents. Further in case of fork insertion in transverse direction (parallel to corrugation profile), reduces load carrying capacity and can cause the accident because of excess loading. Pallet design according to WO 9219905 wherein, like US patent 4424752 no central support is provided and recesses for lifting forks insertion are from side beams because of which the load carrying capacity will be minimum for given metal sheet thickness and further increases the possibility of accidents in case of lifting forks inserted from transverse direction i.e. parallel to platform, sheet metal corrugation profile. 3 US 4326467 US 4424752 WO 9219905 Current Invention Single Sided Pallet, Single Sided Pallet, Single Sided Pallet, Both Single & Double causes warehouse causes warehouse causes warehouse Sided Pallet eliminates storage & handling storage & handling storage & handling warehouse storage & problems problems problems handling problems, improves operational flexibility No Central Support No Central Support No Central Support Central Support(s) causes deflection at the causes deflection at the causes deflection at the provided at the center, center. center. center. which avoids deflection & increases load carrying capacity. No Crossties or support No Crossties or support Crossties or support Crossties or support members, reduces members, reduces members (Cross-stays) members are provided pallet rigidity pallet rigidity & absence are provided in between between side beams & of toppling arrester side beams, which are Central support, which acting as a toppling improves pallet rigidity & arrester also act as a toppling arrester Two way pallet, allows Four way pallet, Four way pallet, Two way pallet, allows lifting in only longitudinal increases possibility of increases possibility of lifting in only longitudinal direction accidents as load accidents as load direction carrying capacity differs carrying capacity differs for longitudinal & for longitudinal & transverse direction transverse direction lifting fork insertion. lifting fork insertion. Pallet having U or Pallet having Pallet having Pallet having semi- Trapezoidal or Box type Corrugated Metal sheet Corrugated Metal sheet circular or sinusoidal Metal sheet Metal sheet Corrugation Corrugation, causes stress concentration at the edges No channel in U or like No channel in U or like No channel in U or like Channel in U or like profile is provided at the profile is provided at the profile is provided at the profile is provided at the front & rear end of the front & rear end of the front & rear end of the front & rear end of the platform to avoid platform to avoid platform to avoid platform to avoid handling damages both handling damages both handling damages both handling damages both to the pallet & operator to the pallet & operator to the pallet & operator to the pallet & operator Sharp edges at the side Sharp edges at the side Sharp edges at the side Side beam & Central beam front & rear ends beam front & rear ends beam front & rear ends support front & rear ends are sealed with suitable plate, which avoids sharp edges & improves aesthetics So it is the requirement of industrial pallet design which will have unique corrugation profile, support beam(s) to increase load carrying capacity for given metal sheet thickness, cross ties from both the side of support beam(s) to increase rigidity and eliminate risk of pallet tilting when partially loaded. Apart from this, 2-way pallet design will eliminate the possibility of fork insertion in transverse direction, which will helps in avoiding severe damage / accidents. In addition to above requirement there is need of double sided pallet which will increases operation flexibility during stacking and eliminate various warehouse storage and handling problems. Summary of the Invention It is an objective of the present invention to provide sheet metal corrugated pallet design with minimum metal sheet thickness for a given load carrying capacity of the "Industrial Pallet". It is another object of the present invention to provide pallet design comprising less number of sub-components with semicircular or sinusoidalar corrugation profile, thereby providing strong, durable pallet, which is light in weight for a given load carrying capacity. It is another object of the present invention to provide low cost, longer life with least maintenance, industrial pallet design for given load carrying capacity. Finally it is an object of this invention to provide double sided, 2-way corrugated sheet metal pallet, which is flexible enough, eliminates various warehouse / storage problems and reduces possibility of severe accidents. Brief description of the drawings Figure 1 shows an elevated view of single sided sheet metal corrugated pallet of the present invention, viewed from Front, Side and Top. Figure 2 show an elevated view of single sided sheet metal corrugated pallet of this invention viewed from Front and Bottom. Figure 3 shows the section view at X-X for joint details of single sided pallet as illustrated in figure 1 and 2. 5 Figure 4 shows an elevated view of the double sided pallet as another embodiments, Figure 5 shows the section at Y-Y for joining details of double sided pallet as illustrated in figure 4. Figure 6 shows the section view at Z-Z for the cross ties details (subcomponent of single sided pallet as illustrated in figure 1, 2). Figure 7 shows the details of thin channel provided at the front and rear end of metal sheet (1, 32 & 35) Detailed description of the preferred embodiments The single sided pallet according to present invention shown in figure 1 and 2 comprises metal sheet (1) with substantially semi-circular / sinusoidal or like corrugation pattern (2). The metal sheet (1) forms a platform (3) acting as a material / goods carriage media and supported on box shaped or more correctly 'U' shape beams (4) on either side, which are integral with the parent platform structure (3) and extent perpendicularly relative to metal sheet corrugation (2). Channel with 'IT or similar profile (18) is provided at both the extreme ends of platform (3) and parallel to their corrugation profile (2). Additional support beam(s) (5) is provided preferably at the center of the side beams (4) throughout the depth of platform (3) and at right angle to corrugation profile (2). Adequate number of cross ties (6) are provided on either side of support beam(s) (5), which connects the side beams (4), support beam(s) (5) and platform (3). The recessed (7) being form due to the construction of cross ties (6) results in access for insertion of lifting fork of pallet trucks, forklifts, tractor or like vehicles from two opposite sides of platform (3) Thin metal sheet (1) with semi-circular / sinusoidal or like corrugation pattern (2) is used to form a platform (3) and integral side beams (4), gives an added strength, load carrying capacity for given metal sheet thickness. Side beams (4), which are extensions of platform (3), are form by bending corrugated platform (3) at about 90° at three edges (8, 9 and 10) from both the end of platform (3). The pallet load carrying capacity, metal sheet thickness and material 6 handling equipment's (lifting forks) decide distance between these bending edges (8, 9 and 10). Inner free ends (11) of side beams (4) are partially extended towards bottom of platform (3) and fixed to one side of cross ties (12) with proper male and female alignment of there corrugation pattern (2). A thin channel of substantially 'U' or similar shape is fixed parallel to corrugation pattern (2) at the front and rear the front and rear lips (21 and 22) of platform (3) to protect platform (3) against hetting of lifting forks and to avoid sharp edges. Support beam(s) (5) is separate piece form from the same design of metal sheet corrugation (2) and is folded at 4 edges (22, 23, 24 and 25) in a "HAT" shaped profile. This support beam(s) is fixed to the bottom side of platform (3) and preferably located at the center of side beam (4). The assembly of support beam(s) (5) and platform (3) is made with proper alignment of male and female part of their metal sheet corrugation (2). The bottom of support beam(s) (5) is preferably 'U' shaped with upper flanges (14) extends towards both side beam (4) to facilitate welding or alike joints in between platform (3) and support beam(s) (5). The provision of this support beam(s) (5) reduces the platform deflection at center and improves load carrying capacity of the pallet. Cross ties (6) are made out of corrugated metal sheet with atleast two corrugation profile. These cross ties are fixed at the bottom side of platform (3) preferably at the corners and center and either side of support beam(s) (5). The cross ties (6) connects support beam(s) (5) and side beam (4) there by generating openings (7) for inserting lifting forks. One end (13) of cross ties (6) is fixed to the vertical face of support beam(s) (5), whereas the other end (12) is fix to the vertical face of side beam free end (10) and bottom of platform (3). The flange (15) of cross ties (6) extends towards the external wall (28) of side beam (4), thereby facilitate welding joint between platform (3) and cross ties (6). The cross ties enhance the pallet rigidity and also acts as a toppling arrestors, thereby preventing pallet lifting when partially loaded. The cross ties (6) are bended at its both the ends (26, 27) parallel to the corrugation as shown in figure 6 to avoid sharp edges and protect cross ties (6) against hetting of lifting forks. 7 Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in figure 4 and 5, wherein a double sided pallet is illustrated with semi-circular / sinusoidal or similar type corrugation pattern (2). The metal sheet (32) forms a platform (33), which act as a material / goods carriage media and supported on box shaped or more correctly 'IT shaped beams (34) on either side, which are integral part of platform (33) and extends perpendicularly relative to metal sheet corrugation (2). Another metal sheet (35) with similar constructions is fixed to the metal sheet (32) from bottom side and in opposite direction to facilitate double sided pallet. Thin channel with substantially 'U' or similar profile (18) as shown in figure 7, is provided at the extreme ends (21 and 22) of platform (3 & 33) and parallel to their corrugation profile (2). Adequate numbers of support members' (31) are provided in between metal sheet (32 and 35) to provide additional support and rigidity. This metal sheets (32 and 35) with semi-circular / sinusoidal or like corrugation pattern (2) is used to form platform (33) and integral beam (34) on either side. These side beams (34) are the extension of platform (33) and formed by bending corrugated platform (33) at about 90° at three edges (36, 37 and 38). Distance between these bending edges (36,37, and 38) is decided based on the pallet load carrying capacity, metal sheet (33 and 35) thickness and material handling equipment / attachments (lifting forks). Inner free ends (39) of side beams (34) are preferably extended towards the bottom side of platform (33) and fixed to the upper and lower side (40) of support member (31) with proper male and female alignment of their corrugation pattern (2). Referring to figure 7 a thin channel (18) of substantially 'IT or similar shape are fixed, parallel to corrugation pattern (2) at the front and rear lips (21 and 22) of platform (33) to protect it against hitting of lifting forks and to avoid sharp edges. The support member's (31) are separate pieces formed from the similar design of corrugation profile (2) and are preferably in 'C or similar shape. These support members may be provided at various places in between metal sheet (32 and 35) to facilitate support beam(s) (41) and assembly of metal sheet (32 and 35). Each upper and lower flange (42) of this support member's (31) are fixed to the respective platform (33) of metal sheet (32 and 35), with proper male and 8 female alignment of corrugation profile (2), thereby by forms support beam(s) and recesses (7). The support member (36) provided nearby side beam (34), wherein inner upper and lower portion is fixed to the inner free end (39) of respective metal sheet (32 and 35) Hollow ends (29) of side beams (4 and 34) and support beam(s) (5 and 41) can be sealed with a suitable plate (not shown), which will act as a gusset plate, improves rigidity at all ends (29) and also improve the aesthetics of both double and single sided pallet. Thus according to the present invention a sheet metal single sided and double sided pallet is designed, which inspite of its low weight, minimum number of sub-components has extraordinary goods / material carrying capacity for given metal sheet thickness, additional strength and rigidity, long service life and which can be manufactured in a simple and rational way. The double-sided pallet improves operational flexibility and eliminates various warehouse problems. As various changes could be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 9 We claim :- 1. An Industrial Single sided sheet metal pallet comprising :- - Metal sheet (1), - Side beam (4), - Support beam(s) (5) and - Adequate number of cross ties (6), 2. An Industrial Single sided sheet metal pallet as set forth in claim one wherein, - Said metal sheet (1) is thin metal sheet with preferably semi-circular / sinusoidal or similar corrugation pattern (2), - Said beam (4) are integral part of parent platform (3) and formed by bending said metal sheet (1) at 3 different places to have box or "U" or similar structure, - Inner free end (11) of said side beam (4) partially extended towards bottom side of said platform (3) and fixed with said cross ties, - Said support beam(s) (5) is separate piece and formed from the similar design of said metal sheet corrugation (2) in "HAT" or similar pattern, - Said support beam is located at the bottom of said platform and preferably at the center of said side beam (4), - Said cross ties (6) are separate pieces and formed from the similar design of said metal sheet corrugation (2) with at least 2 corrugation profile, - Said adequate number of cross ties (6) are located at the bottom of said platform (3) in between said support beam(s) and side beam and placed parallel to said corrugation profile (2), - Said side beams, support beam(s) extends perpendicularly relative to said metal sheet corrugation profile and assembled with said platform and cross ties with proper alignments of their male and female corrugation profile by means of welding or alike joint in between. 10 3. Said cross ties (6) of single sided sheet metal pallet as set forth in claim one and two are bended at their extreme ends (26, 27), parallel to said corrugation profile (2). 4. An industrial Double sided sheet metal pallet comprising :- - Metal sheet (32 and 34), - Side beam (34) and - Adequate number of support members (31), 5. An industrial Double sided sheet metal pallet as set forth in claim three wherein, - Said metal sheet (32 and 35) are thin metal sheet preferable with semicircular / sinusoidal or similar corrugation pattern (2). - Said beam (4) are integral part of parent platform (33) and formed by bending said metal sheet (32 and 35) at 3 different places to have box or "U" or similar structure, - Said adequate number of support members (31) preferable in 'C or similar profile are provided in between said metal sheet (32 and 34), - Upper and lower part of said support members provided at side beam (34) is fixed to the said inner free end (38), - Said inner end (38) of said side beam (34) partially extended towards bottom side of said platform (33), - Said support members (31) preferably provided at the center of said side beam (34) and in between said metal sheet (32 and 35) forms box or similar type of support beam(s) (41), - Said side. beams and support members extends perpendicularly relative to said metal sheet corrugation (2) and assembled along with said platform (33) with proper alignments of their male and female corrugation profile by means of welding or alike joint in between. 11 6. An industrial sheet metal Single and Double sided pallet as set forth in any of above claim, in which a thin channel (18) of substantially "U" or similar profile is provided at the front and rear lips (21 and 22) of said platform (3 and 33), parallel to it's corrugation profile (2). 7. An industrial sheet metal single and double sided pallet as set forth in any of above claim, in which open ends (29) of said side beam (4 and 34) and said central support (5 and 41) can be closed with a suitable plate. 8 An industrial sheet metal single and double sided pallet as set forth in any of the above claim wherein the corrugated sheet is in semi-circular / sinusoidal pattern. 0 Dated this 26™ day of JULY 2005 TO THE CONTROLLER OF PATENTS THE PATENT OFFICE, MUMBAI 12 ABSTRACT The present invention relates to Industrial pallets used for materials / goods transportation and storage in various industrial areas, more particularly this invention talks about the metal pallet, wherein thin metal sheet is used in the form of corrugation profile. Dated this 26m day of JULY 2005 TO THE CONTROLLER OF PATENTS THE PATENT OFFICE, MUMBAI

Documents:

885-MUM-2005-ABSTRACT(25-10-2011).pdf

885-mum-2005-abstract(26-7-2005).pdf

885-MUM-2005-ABSTRACT-301214.pdf

885-mum-2005-claims(26-7-2005).pdf

885-MUM-2005-CLAIMS(AMENDED)-(25-10-2011).pdf

885-MUM-2005-CLAIMS(AMENDED)-(29-1-2015).pdf

885-MUM-2005-Claims-020215.pdf

885-MUM-2005-Claims-301214.pdf

885-mum-2005-correspondence(13-4-2009).pdf

885-MUM-2005-CORRESPONDENCE(13-6-2014).pdf

885-MUM-2005-CORRESPONDENCE(21-7-2014).pdf

885-MUM-2005-Correspondence-020215.pdf

885-MUM-2005-CORRESPONDENCE-10-02-2015.pdf

885-mum-2005-description(complete)-(26-7-2005).pdf

885-MUM-2005-DRAWING(25-10-2011).pdf

885-mum-2005-drawing(26-7-2005).pdf

885-MUM-2005-DRAWING-301214.pdf

885-MUM-2005-FORM 1-10-02-2015.pdf

885-MUM-2005-FORM 13(21-7-2014).pdf

885-mum-2005-form 18(13-4-2009).pdf

885-mum-2005-form 18(22-10-2007).pdf

885-mum-2005-form 2(26-7-2005).pdf

885-MUM-2005-FORM 2(TITLE PAGE)-(25-10-2011).pdf

885-mum-2005-form 2(title page)-(26-7-2005).pdf

885-MUM-2005-FORM 2(TITLE PAGE)-301214.pdf

885-mum-2005-form 26(26-7-2005).pdf

885-mum-2005-form 3(26-7-2005).pdf

885-mum-2005-form-1.pdf

885-mum-2005-form-2.doc

885-mum-2005-form-2.pdf

885-mum-2005-form-26.pdf

885-mum-2005-form-3.pdf

885-mum-2005-form-5.pdf

885-MUM-2005-GENERAL POWER OF ATTORNEY-301214.pdf

885-MUM-2005-MARKED COPY(29-1-2015).pdf

885-MUM-2005-MARKED COPY-301214.pdf

885-MUM-2005-OTHER DOCUMENT-290115.pdf

885-MUM-2005-OTHERS-020215.pdf

885-MUM-2005-OTHERS-301214.pdf

885-MUM-2005-REPLY TO EXAMINATION REPORT(25-10-2011).pdf

885-MUM-2005-REPLY TO HEARING(29-1-2015).pdf

885-MUM-2005-SPECIFICATION AMENDED-301214.pdf

885-MUM-2005-SPECIFICATION(AMENDED)-(25-10-2011).pdf

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e_Form13_for-amendments_v0.pdf

f_Petition_rule137.pdf