초록 ▼

A pallet is provided which includes spaced upper and lower decks. A plurality of receiving areas are formed in one of the upper and lower decks, where each receiving area includes at least one latch member extending therefrom. A plurality of corresponding supports extend from the other of the upper

A pallet is provided which includes spaced upper and lower decks. A plurality of receiving areas are formed in one of the upper and lower decks, where each receiving area includes at least one latch member extending therefrom. A plurality of corresponding supports extend from the other of the upper and lower decks, where each support includes at least one latch receiver extending therefrom, each latch receiver having a plurality of spring arms. The latch receiver is adapted to receive the latch member such that engagement of the receiving areas and corresponding supports securely joins the upper and lower decks in an assembled configuration.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A pallet, comprising:a first deck including a plurality of first mating areas, each first mating area including at least one latch member; and a second deck including a plurality of second mating areas, each second mating area including at least one generally U-shaped latch receiver, wherein the

1. A pallet, comprising:a first deck including a plurality of first mating areas, each first mating area including at least one latch member; and a second deck including a plurality of second mating areas, each second mating area including at least one generally U-shaped latch receiver, wherein the latch receivers are arranged to receive the latch members such that engagement of the corresponding first and second mating areas joins the first and second decks in an assembled configuration. 2. The pallet according to claim 1, wherein the first mating areas include receiving areas and the second mating areas include supports extending from the second deck.3. The pallet according to claim 1, wherein each latch member is tapered and terminates in a generally horizontal shoulder portion.4. The pallet according to claim 3, wherein each latch receiver includes a pair of spaced apart spring arms connected by a bridge portion which is arranged to receive the shoulder portion of the latch member thereunder.5. The pallet according to claim 4, wherein the latch receivers are flexible, such that engagement of the first and second mating areas causes each latch member to contact the bridge portion of the corresponding latch receiver and deflect the latch receiver outwardly from its resting position, and passage of the shoulder portion past the bridge portion allows the latch receiver to return to its rest position and securely retain the latch member therewithin.6. The pallet according to claim 1, further including a guide member at least partially surrounding each latch receiver.7. The pallet according to claim 6, wherein each first mating area includes compartments which are sized to receive the individual guide members.8. The pallet according to claim 1, wherein the first mating areas include at least six spaced latch members and the second mating areas each include at least six spaced latch receivers.9. The pallet according to claim 1, wherein the first and second decks are constructed of a plastic material.10. The pallet according to claim 1, wherein the second deck includes a perimeter portion having a longitudinal rail and two transverse rails joined thereto which define six openings in the second deck.11. A pallet, comprising:a first deck including a plurality of first mating areas, each first mating area including a plurality of latch tabs; a second deck including a plurality of second mating areas, each second mating area including a plurality of latch receivers; and guide members provided in one of the plurality of first and second mating areas, wherein the latch receivers are arranged to receive the latch tabs to define a plurality of engaged latch assemblies such that engagement of the first and second mating areas securely joins the first and second decks in an assembled configuration, and each guide member is arranged to be spaced from and at least partially surround each engaged latch assembly to provide lateral stability for the assembled first and second decks. 12. The pallet according to claim 11, wherein the latch receivers each have a plurality of spring arms.13. The pallet according to claim 12, wherein the latch receivers include a receiving face connecting the spring arms.14. The pallet according to claim 11, wherein the latch receivers are generally U-shaped.15. The pallet according to claim 11, wherein the guide members are disposed within the second mating areas adjacent the latch receivers.16. The pallet according to claim 11, wherein the guide members are tapered with a lower end of each guide member being wider than an upper end thereof.17. The pallet according to claim 11, wherein the individual guide members are arranged to be received in corresponding compartments formed in each first mating area to provide lateral stability for the assembled first and second decks.18. In a pallet comprising spaced apart first and second decks, the first deck including a plurality of first mating areas arranged to engage a plurality of second mating areas provided on the second deck, a latch assembly for securely joining the first and second decks in an assembled configuration, the latch assembly comprising:a least one latch tab disposed within each first mating area; and at least one flexible latch receiver extending from each second mating area, the at least one latch receiver including a plurality of leaf springs, wherein engagement of the first and second mating areas causes the at least one latch receiver to engage the at least one latch tab thereby securing the upper and lower decks in the assembled configuration. 19. The latch assembly according to claim 18, wherein the at least one latch receiver includes a pair of spaced arms connected by a bridge portion, such that the at least one latch receiver is generally U-shaped.20. The latch assembly according to claim 18, further including a guide member at least partially surrounding each latch receiver.