Customizable integration system for pallet

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11377262-B2
Application number	US-201816186079-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 9, 2018
Priority date	Nov 9, 2018
Publication date	Jul 5, 2022
Grant date	Jul 5, 2022

Abstract

A pallet assembly is provided and includes one of a bushing, a utility panel assembly and tooling features. The bushing is securably insertable into bushing openings defined in bottom and top pallet assembly panels and pallet assembly sidewalls. The bushing is selected from a group including multiple bushings having bores of various sizes and one or more apertures of varying sizes that are communicative with the bores. The utility panel assembly is supportively disposable on the bottom pallet assembly panel and includes a utility panel having multiple connectors. The tooling features supportively connect the pallet assembly sidewalls to a transport cart.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A pallet assembly, comprising:
a bottom pallet assembly panel;
a top pallet assembly panel;
pallet assembly sidewalls;
rails that support opposite edges of at least the pallet assembly sidewalls with the bottom pallet assembly panel, the top pallet assembly panel and the pallet assembly sidewalls defining an interior;
multiple bushings having bores of various sizes and one or more apertures of varying sizes that are communicative with the bores, wherein one or more individual bushings may be selected from the group of multiple bushings and each individual bushing is securably insertable into bushing openings defined in the bottom pallet assembly panel, in the top pallet assembly panel and in each of the pallet assembly sidewalls; and
a utility panel assembly, which is supportively disposable on the bottom pallet assembly panel and which comprises a utility panel having multiple connectors,
wherein the multiple bushings comprise:
a first bushing comprising a base, which is configured to sit flush or nearly flush with each of the bottom and top pallet assembly panels and the pallet assembly sidewalls, and a center body comprising an axial end and sidewalls extending from the base to the axial end, the base and the sidewalls defining a bore and the axial end defining multiple apertures that each have substantially smaller diameters than the bore; and
a second bushing comprising a base, which is configured to sit flush or nearly flush with each of the bottom and top pallet assembly panels and the pallet assembly sidewalls, and a center body comprising an axial end and sidewalls extending from the base to the axial end, the base and the sidewalls defining a bore and the axial end defining a single aperture that has substantially similar diameter as the bore.

2. The pallet assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising:
lifting hoists, each of which comprises a curved lug element respectively compatible with and insertable into one or more of the multiple bushings; and
mounting feet, each comprising an articulated padded foot element, which are respectively compatible with one or more of the multiple bushings.

3. The pallet assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the utility panel assembly further comprises:
a base attachable to the bottom pallet assembly panel;
a frame defining an access opening; and
a body supportive of the utility panel and the frame.

4. The pallet assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the multiple connectors comprise one or more of fluid, gas and electrical connectors.

5. The pallet assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising a transport cart and tooling features for supportively connecting the pallet assembly sidewalls to the transport cart, wherein the tooling features supportively connect opposite pallet assembly sidewalls to the transport cart.

6. The pallet assembly according to claim 5 , wherein the tooling features permit pallet assembly rotation about a rotational axis extending through the tooling features and each comprise:
plate elements attachable to the sidewalls; and
rotational elements that extend outwardly from the plate elements to define the rotational axis A.

7. A pallet assembly, comprising:
bottom and top panels;
sidewalls configured to support the top panel above the bottom panel;
rails that support opposite edges of each of the sidewalls, with the bottom and top panels and the sidewalls defining an interior;
multiple bushings having bores of various sizes and one or more apertures of varying sizes that are communicative with the bores, wherein one or more individual bushings may be selected from the group of multiple bushings and each individual bushing is securably insertable into bushing openings defined in the bottom and top panels and in each of the sidewalls; and
a utility panel assembly, which is supportively disposable on the bottom panel and which comprises a utility panel having multiple connectors,
wherein the multiple bushings comprise:
a first bushing comprising a base, which is configured to sit flush or nearly flush with each of the bottom and top panels and the sidewalls, and a center body comprising an axial end and sidewalls extending from the base to the axial end, the base and the sidewalls defining a bore and the axial end defining multiple apertures that each have substantially smaller diameters than the bore; and
a second bushing comprising a base, which is configured to sit flush or nearly flush with each of the bottom and top panels and the sidewalls, and a center body comprising an axial end and sidewalls extending from the base to the axial end, the base and the sidewalls defining a bore and the axial end defining a single aperture that has substantially similar diameter as the bore.

8. The pallet assembly according to claim 7 , further comprising:
lifting hoists, each of which comprises a curved lug element respectively compatible with and insertable into one or more of the multiple bushings; and
mounting feet, each comprising an articulated padded foot element, which are respectively compatible with one or more of the multiple bushings.

9. The pallet assembly according to claim 7 , wherein the utility panel assembly further comprises:
a base attachable to the bottom panel;
a frame defining an access opening; and
a body supportive of the utility panel and the frame.

10. The pallet assembly according to claim 7 , wherein the multiple connectors comprise one or more of fluid, gas and electrical connectors.

11. The pallet assembly according to claim 7 , further comprising a transport cart and tooling features for supportively connecting the pallet assembly sidewalls to the transport cart, wherein the tooling features supportively connect opposite sidewalls to the transport cart.

12. The pallet assembly according to claim 11 , wherein the tooling features permit pallet assembly rotation about a rotational axis extending through the tooling features and each comprise:
plate elements attachable to the sidewalls; and
rotational elements that extend outwardly from the plate elements to define the rotational axis A.

13. A pallet assembly, comprising:
bottom and top panels;
sidewalls configured to support the top panel above the bottom panel;
rails that support opposite edges of each of the sidewalls, with the bottom and top panels and the sidewalls defining an interior;
multiple bushings having bores of various sizes and one or more apertures of varying sizes that are communicative with the bores, wherein one or more individual bushings may be selected from the group of multiple bushings and each individual bushing is securably insertable into bushing openings defined in the bottom and top panels and in each of the sidewalls; and
a utility panel assembly, which is supportively disposable on the bottom panel and which comprises a utility panel having one or more fluid, gas or electrical connectors,
wherein the multiple bushings comprise:
a first bushing comprising a base, which is configured to sit flush or nearly flush with each of the bottom and top panels and the sidewalls, and a center body comprising an axial end and sidewalls extending from the base to the axial end, the base and the sidewalls defining a bore and the axial end defining multiple apertures that each have substantially smaller diameters than the bore; and
a second bushing comprising a base, which is configured to sit flush or nearly flush with each of the bottom and top panels and the sidewalls, and a center body comprising an axial end and sidewalls extending from the base to the axial end, the base and the sidewalls defining a bore and the axial

Assignees

• Hamilton Sundstrand Corp

Inventors

• Corallo Roger

Classifications

• B64G5/00 Primary

  Ground equipment for vehicles, e.g. starting towers, fuelling arrangements (B64G3/00 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B64G1/22

  Parts of, or equipment specially adapted for fitting in or to, cosmonautic vehicles · CPC title

• B65D25/42

  Integral or attached nozzles or spouts · CPC title

• B65D25/005

  Side walls formed with an aperture or a movable portion arranged to allow removal or insertion of contents (B65D5/16, B65D7/40 take precedence) · CPC title

• B65D19/38

  Details or accessories · CPC title