초록 ▼

Shipping and storage containers, racks, and pallets including automatic interlocking mechanisms are provided. An embodiment of the automatically locking pallet includes a pallet frame including a forklift tine opening, a pallet platform, a locking component movable into and out of a locking arrangem

Shipping and storage containers, racks, and pallets including automatic interlocking mechanisms are provided. An embodiment of the automatically locking pallet includes a pallet frame including a forklift tine opening, a pallet platform, a locking component movable into and out of a locking arrangement with an interface fitting of a storage assembly when the automatically locking pallet and the storage assembly are stacked, and an actuator operatively connected to the locking component. The actuator may be activated by a forklift tine entering the forklift tine opening to move the locking component out of the locking arrangement.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. An automatic locking pallet, comprising: a pallet frame comprising a forklift tine opening; a pallet platform being supported by the pallet frame; a locking component comprising a locking bolt being integrated into the pallet frame for being movable into and out of a locking

What is claimed is: 1. An automatic locking pallet, comprising: a pallet frame comprising a forklift tine opening; a pallet platform being supported by the pallet frame; a locking component comprising a locking bolt being integrated into the pallet frame for being movable into and out of a locking arrangement for respectively engaging and disengaging a first interface fitting of a storage assembly when said automatically locking pallet and the storage assembly are stacked; and an actuator comprising a paddle being connected to a first pivot joint by an actuator shaft and a coupling shaft so that the first pivot joint being operatively connecting to said locking bolt of the locking component, and said actuator accessible for operation by a forklift tine entering the forklift tine opening for contacting the paddle causing subsequent movement of the actuator shaft and the coupling shaft, wherein the operation of the actuator moves the locking component out of the locking arrangement with the first interface fitting, wherein the forklift tine opening is a first forklift tine opening, wherein the pallet frame further comprises a second forklift tine opening arranged perpendicular to the first forklift tine opening, wherein the actuator is a first actuator facing the first forklift tine opening, wherein the pallet further comprises a second actuator facing the second forklift tine opening where the second actuator is substantially perpendicular to the first actuator, wherein the second actuator comprises a paddle, which is connected to a first pivot joint by an actuator shaft and a coupling shaft, so that the first pivot joint is operatively connected to the locking bolt of the locking component for operation by a forklift tine entering the second forklift tine opening, which contacts the paddle and causes subsequent movement of the actuator shaft and the coupling shaft, and wherein the-operation of the second actuator moves the locking component out of the locking arrangement with the first interface fitting. 2. The pallet of claim 1, further comprising a second interface fitting extending above the pallet frame, wherein the pallet frame comprises an opening disposed below the second interface fitting, the opening sized to receive the first interface fitting from below, wherein the locking component is movable into the opening for establishing the locking arrangement, and wherein the locking component is moveable out of the opening for vacating the locking arrangement. 3. The pallet of claim 1, further comprising an override comprising a hairpin for insertion into a locking bolt of the locking component for preventing movement of the locking bolt and for retaining the locking component out of the locking arrangement independent of an activation status of the actuator by said hairpin abutting against a stationary block and preventing a spring from translating said locking bolt toward an opening below said first interface fitting. 4. An automatic locking pallet, comprising: a pallet frame comprising a forklift tine opening; a pallet platform being supported by the pallet frame; first and second locking components each being integrated into the pallet frame for being movable into and out of a locking arrangement for engaging and disengaging, respectively, first and second interface fittings of a storage assembly when said automatic locking pallet and the storage assembly are stacked, wherein said first and second locking components each comprises a respective locking bolt; and an actuator comprising a paddle being connected to a first pivot joint by an actuator shaft and a coupling shaft so that the first pivot joint being operatively connecting to said respective locking bolt of the first and second locking components, and said actuator being accessible for operation by a forklift tine entering the forklift tine opening for contacting the paddle causing subsequent movement of the actuator shaft and the coupling shaft, wherein the operation of the actuator concomitantly moves the first and second locking components out of the locking arrangement with the first and second interface fittings, and wherein the locking arrangement is a separate locking arrangement, wherein the forklift tine opening is a first forklift tine opening, wherein the pallet frame further comprises a second forklift tine opening arranged perpendicular to the first forklift tine opening, wherein the pallet further comprises a second actuator facing the second forklift tine opening where the second actuator is substantially perpendicular to the first actuator, wherein the second actuator comprises a paddle, which is connected to a first pivot joint and a second pivot joint by an actuator shaft and a coupling shaft, so that the first pivot joint and the second pivot joint are operatively connected to the respective locking bolts of the first and second locking components and the second actuator is accessible for operation by a forklift tine entering the second forklift tine opening, which contacts the paddle and causes subsequent movement of the actuator shaft and the coupling shaft, and wherein the operation of the second actuator concomitantly moves the first and second locking components out of the locking arrangement with the first and second interface fittings. 5. The pallet of claim 4, wherein the first and second interface fittings extending above the pallet frame, wherein the pallet frame comprises first and second openings sized to receive from below objects of identical size and configurations as the first and second interface fittings, and wherein the first and second locking components are respectively movable into the first and second openings for establishing the locking arrangement, and the first and second locking components are movable out of the first and second openings for vacating the locking arrangement. 6. The pallet of claim 4, further comprising a first pivot joint for moving the first locking component into and out of the locking arrangement, a second pivot joint for moving the second locking component into and out of the locking arrangement; and a coupling shaft operatively connecting the first and second pivot joints. 7. The pallet of claim 6, wherein the first locking component comprises a first locking bolt, and wherein the second locking component comprises a second locking bolt. 8. The pallet of claim 4, further comprising an override system comprising a first hairpin for insertion into a first locking bolt of the first locking component and a second hairpin for insertion into a second locking bolt of the second locking component for preventing movement of the first locking bolt and the second locking bolt, and for retaining the first locking component and the second locking component out of the locking arrangement independent of an activation status of the actuator by said first hairpin abutting against a first stationary block and preventing a first spring from translating said first locking bolt toward an opening below said first interface fitting, and by said second hairpin abutting against a second stationary block and preventing a second spring from translating said second locking bolt toward an opening below said second interface fitting. 9. The pallet of claim 4, further comprising third and fourth locking components each being movable into and out of locking arrangement for respectively engaging and disengaging the first and second interface fittings of the storage, assembly when said automatic locking pallet and the storage assembly are stacked, wherein the actuator comprises a paddle, which is connected to a first pivot joint, a second pivot joint, a third pivot joint and a fourth pivot joint by an actuator shaft and coupling shafts, so that the first pivot joint, the second pivot joint, the third pivot joint and the fourth pivot joint are operatively connected to respective locking bolts of the first, second, third, and fourth locking components and said actuator being accessible for operation by a forklift tine entering the forklift tine opening, which contacts the paddle and causes subsequent movement of the actuator shaft and the coupling shafts, and wherein the operation of the actuator concomitantly moves the first, second, third, and fourth locking components out of the locking arrangement with respective interface fittings. 10. A plurality of stackable, automatic lockable pallets, comprising: a first pallet comprising: a first pallet frame, a first pallet platform being supported by the first pallet frame, and an interface fitting; and a second pallet comprising: a second pallet frame comprising a forklift tine opening, a second pallet platform being supported by the second pallet frame; a locking component comprising a locking bolt being integrated into the first pallet frame for being movable into and out of engagement with the interface fitting of the first pallet when the first pallet and the second pallet are stacked on one another, and an actuator comprising a paddle being connected to a first pivot joint by an actuator shaft and a coupling shaft so that the first pivot joint being operatively connecting to said locking bolt of the locking component, and said actuator being accessible for operation by a forklift tine entering the forklift tine opening for contacting the paddle causing subsequent movement of the actuator shaft and the coupling shaft, wherein the operation of the actuator moves the locking component out of engagement with the interface fitting, wherein the second pallet is stackable with the first pallet, wherein the forklift tine opening is a first forklift tine opening, which contacts the paddle and causes subsequent movement of the actuator shaft and the coupling shaft, wherein the second pallet frame further comprises a second forklift tine opening oriented perpendicular to the first forklift tine opening, wherein the actuator is a first actuator facing the first forklift tine opening, wherein the second pallet further comprises a second actuator facing the second forklift tine opening where the second pallet is substantially perpendicular to the first actuator, wherein the second actuator is operatively connected to the locking component for activation by a forklift tine entering the second forklift tine opening, and wherein the activation of the second actuator moves the locking component out of engagement with the interface fitting. 11. The pallets of claim 10, wherein the second pallet comprises an opening for receiving the interface fitting when the second pallet is stacked on the first pallet. 12. The pallets of claim 10, wherein the interface fitting comprises an eyelet, and wherein the locking component comprise a locking bolt movable into and out of the eyelet. 13. The pallets of claim 10, further comprising an override comprising a hairpin for insertion into a locking bolt of the locking component for preventing movement of the locking bolt and for retaining the locking component out of the locking arrangement independent of an activation status of the actuator by said hairpin abutting against a stationary block and preventing a spring from translating said locking bolt toward an opening below said first interface fitting. 14. A plurality of stackable, automatically lockable pallets, comprising: a first pallet comprising: a first pallet frame, a first pallet platform being supported by the first pallet frame, and first and second interface fittings; and a second pallet, comprising: a second pallet frame comprising a forklift tine opening, a second pallet platform being supported by the second pallet frame, first and second locking components being integrated into the first pallet frame and the second pallet frame for being movable into and out of engagement with the first and second interface fittings, respectively, when the first and second pallets are stacked, wherein said first and second locking components each comprises a respective locking bolt; and an actuator comprising a paddle being connected to a first pivot joint by an actuator shaft and a coupling shaft so that the first pivot joint being operatively connecting to said respective locking bolt of the first and second locking components, and said actuator being accessible for operation by a forklift tine entering the forklift tine opening for contacting the paddle causing subsequent movement of the actuator shaft and the coupling shaft, wherein said operation of the actuator concomitantly moves the first and second locking components out of engagement with the first and second interface fittings, respectively, when the first and second pallets are stacked, wherein the second pallet is stackable with the first pallet, wherein the forklift tine opening is a first forklift tine opening, wherein the second pallet frame further comprises a second forklift tine opening arranged perpendicular to the first forklift tine opening wherein the actuator is a first actuator facing the first forklift tine opening, wherein the second pallet further comprises a second actuator facing the second forklift tine opening where the second pallet is substantially perpendicular to the first actuator, wherein the second actuator comprises a paddle connected to a first pivot joint and a second pivot joint by an actuator shaft and a coupling shaft, so that the first pivot joint and the second pivot joint are operatively connected to said respective locking bolt of the first and second locking components where the second actuator is accessible for operation by a forklift tine entering the second forklift tine opening, which contacts the paddle and causes subsequent movement of the actuator shaft and the coupling shaft, and wherein the operation of the second actuator moves the first and second locking components out of engagement with the first and second interface fittings, respectively, when the first and second pallets are stacked. 15. The pallets of claim 14, wherein the first and second interface fittings extend above the first pallet frame, and wherein the second pallet comprises first and second openings for receiving the first and second interface fittings, respectively, when the second pallet is stacked on the first pallet. 16. The pallets of claim 14, wherein the first and second interface fittings comprise first and second eyelets, respectively, and wherein the first and second locking components comprise a first locking bolt and a second locking bolt movable into and out of engagement with the first and second eyelets, respectively. 17. The pallets of claim 16, further comprising: a first pivot joint for moving the first locking bolt into and out of engagement with the first eyelet; a second pivot joint for moving the second locking bolt into and out of engagement with the second eyelet; and a coupling shaft operatively connecting the first pivot joint and the second pivot joint. 18. The pallets of claim 14, further comprising an override system comprising a first hairpin for insertion into a first locking bolt of the first locking component and a second hairpin for insertion into a second locking bolt of the second locking component for preventing movement of the first locking bolt and the second locking bolt, and for retaining the first locking component and the second locking component out of engagement with the first and second interface fittings, independent of an activation status of the actuator by said first hairpin abutting against a first stationary block and preventing a first spring from translating said first locking bolt toward an opening below said first interface fitting, and by said second hairpin abutting against a second stationary block and preventing a second spring from translating said second locking bolt toward an opening below said second interface fitting. 19. The pallets of claim 14, wherein the first pallet further comprises third and fourth interface fittings, and wherein the second pallet further comprises third and fourth locking components movable into and out of engagement with the third and fourth interface fittings, respectively, when the first and second pallets are stacked on one another. 20. The pallets of claim 19, wherein the actuator is operatively connected to the first, second, third, and fourth locking components, wherein the actuator is arranged for activation by a forklift tine entering the forklift tine opening, and wherein activation of the actuator concomitantly moves the first, second, third, and fourth locking components out of engagement with the first, second, third, and fourth interface fittings, respectively, when the first and second pallets are stacked. 21. The pallets of claim 19, wherein the forklift tine opening is a first forklift tine opening, wherein the second pallet frame further comprises a second forklift tine opening arranged perpendicular to the first forklift tine opening, wherein the actuator is a first actuator facing the first forklift tine opening, wherein the second pallet further comprises a second actuator facing the second forklift tine opening and the second actuator is substantially perpendicular to the first actuator, and wherein the second actuator comprises a paddle connected to a first pivot joint, a second pivot joint, a third pivot joint and a fourth pivot joint by an actuator shaft and coupling shafts, so that the first pivot joint, the second pivot joint, the third pivot joint and the fourth pivot joint are operatively connected to respective locking bolts of the first, second, third, and fourth locking components, and said second actuator being accessible for operation by a forklift tine entering the second forklift tine opening, which contacts the paddle and causes subsequent movement of the actuator shaft and the coupling shafts, so that operation of the second actuator moves the first, second, third, and fourth locking components out of engagement with the first, second, third, and fourth interface fittings, respectively, when the first and second pallets are stacked. 22. A plurality of stackable, automatically lockable pallets, comprising: a first pallet, comprising: a first pallet frame comprising first, second, third, and fourth openings, a first pallet platform being supported by the first pallet frame, first, second, third, and fourth interface fittings, and first, second, third, and fourth locking components comprising, respectively, a first locking bolt, a second locking bolt, a third locking bolt, and a fourth locking bolt, being integrated into the first pallet frame and being connected to a first actuator for permitting concomitant movement of the first, second, third, and fourth locking components into and out of the first, second, third, and fourth openings, respectively, wherein said first actuator comprises a paddle connected to a first pivot joint, a second pivot joint, a third pivot joint and a fourth pivot joint by a first actuator shaft and first coupling shafts so that the first pivot joint, the second pivot joint, the third pivot joint, and the fourth pivot joint are operatively connected to the respective said first locking bolt, said second locking bolt, said third locking bolt, and said fourth locking bolt of the first, second, third, and fourth locking components; and a second pallet, comprising: a second pallet frame comprising fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth openings sized for receiving the first, second, third, and fourth interface fittings, respectively, a second pallet platform being supported by the second pallet frame, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth interface fittings being sized and configured for being received in the first, second, third, and fourth openings, respectively, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth locking components comprising, respectively, a fifth locking bolt, a sixth locking bolt, a seventh locking bolt, and an eighth locking bolt, being integrated into the second pallet frame and being connected to a second actuator for permitting concomitant movement of the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth locking components into and out of the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth openings, respectively, wherein said second actuator comprises a paddle connected to a fifth pivot joint, a sixth pivot joint, a seventh pivot joint and an eighth pivot joint by a second actuator shaft and second coupling shafts so that the fifth pivot joint, the sixth pivot joint, the seventh pivot joint, and the eighth pivot joint are operatively connected to respectively said fifth locking bolt, said sixth locking bolt, said seventh locking bolt, and said eighth locking bolt of the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth locking components, where the actuator is accessible for operation by a forklift tine entering the forklift tine opening, which contacts the paddle and causes subsequent movement of the actuator shaft and the second coupling shafts, wherein the operation of the second actuator concomitantly moves the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth locking components out of engagement with the first, second, third, and fourth interface fittings, respectively, when the first and second pallets are stacked, and wherein the second pallet is stackable with the first pallet, wherein the forklift tine opening is a first forklift tine opening, wherein the second pallet frame further comprises a second forklift tine opening arranged perpendicular to the first forklift tine opening, wherein the actuator is a first actuator facing the first forklift tine opening, wherein the second pallet further comprises a second actuator facing the second forklift tine opening, wherein the second actuator is oriented substantially perpendicular to the first actuator, and wherein the second actuator comprises a paddle connected to a fifth pivot joint, a sixth pivot joint, a seventh pivot joint and an eighth pivot joint by an actuator shaft and coupling shafts, so that the fifth pivot joint, the sixth pivot joint, the seventh pivot joint and the eighth pivot joint are operatively connected to respective locking bolts of the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth locking components, so that the second actuator is accessible for operation by a forklift tine entering the second forklift tine opening, which contacts the paddle and causes subsequent movement of the actuator shaft and the coupling shafts, where operation of the second actuator moves the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth locking components out of engagement with the first, second, third, and fourth interface fittings, respectively, when the first and second pallets are stacked. 23. The pallets of claim 22, further comprising an override system comprising a fifth hairpin, a sixth hairpin, a seventh hairpin and an eight hairpin for insertion, respectively, into each locking bolt of the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth locking components for preventing movement of said each lock bolt, and for retaining the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth locking components out of engagement with the first, second, third and fourth interface fittings, independent of an activation status of the actuator by each of said fifth hairpin, said sixth hairpin, said seventh hairpin, and said eighth hairpin abutting against each respective stationary block and preventing each respective spring from translating, respectively, said each locking bolt of the fifth, sixth, seventh and eight locking components toward a respective opening below said first, second, third and fourth interface fittings. 24. A storage assembly, comprising: a pallet comprising a pallet frame including a forklift tine opening, and a pallet platform being supported by the pallet frame; a structural support member extending above the pallet; a locking component comprising a locking bolt being integrated into the pallet frame for moving into and out of a locking arrangement; and an actuator comprising a paddle being connected to a first pivot joint by an actuator shaft and a coupling shaft so that the first pivot joint being operatively connecting to said locking bolt of the locking component where the actuator being accessible for operation by a forklift tine entering the forklift tine opening for contacting the paddle causing subsequent movement of the actuator shaft and the coupling shaft, wherein the operation of the actuator moves the locking component out of locking arrangement, wherein the pallet is an automatic locking pallet, wherein the forklift tine opening is a first forklift tine opening, wherein the pallet frame further comprises a second forklift tine opening oriented perpendicular to the first forklift tine opening, wherein the actuator is a first actuator facing the first forklift tine opening, wherein the pallet further comprises a second actuator facing the second forklift tine opening and the second actuator is substantially perpendicular to the first actuator, wherein the second actuator comprises a paddle connected to a first pivot joint by an actuator shaft and a coupling shaft so that the first pivot joint is operatively connected to the locking bolt of the locking component, and the second actuator is accessible for operation by a forklift tine entering the second forklift tine opening, which contacts the paddle and causes subsequent movement of the actuator shaft and the coupling shaft, and wherein the operation of the second actuator moves the locking component out of the locking arrangement. 25. The storage assembly of claim 24, further comprising an interface fitting on the structural support member. 26. The storage assembly of claim 24, wherein the pallet comprises an opening portion sized to receive an object of identical size and shape as the interface fitting. 27. The storage assembly of claim 26, wherein the locking component is movable into the opening portion to establish the locking arrangement and out of the opening portion to vacate the locking arrangement. 28. The storage assembly of claim 24, further comprising an override comprising a hairpin for insertion into a locking bolt of the locking component for preventing movement of the locking bolt and for retaining the locking component out of the locking arrangement independent of an activation status of the actuator by said hairpin abutting against a stationary block and preventing a spring from translating said locking bolt toward an opening below said first interface fitting. 29. The storage assembly of claim 24, wherein the structural support member is a first structural support member, wherein the storage assembly further comprises second, third, and fourth structural support members extending above the first pallet, and first, second, third, and fourth interface fittings on the first, second, third, and fourth structural support members, respectively, wherein the locking component is a first locking component, which comprises a first locking bolt, wherein the storage assembly further comprises second, third, and fourth locking components, which respectively comprise a second locking bolt, a third locking bolt, and a fourth locking bolt, movable into and out of locking engagement, wherein the actuator comprises a paddle connected to a first pivot joint, a second pivot joint, a third pivot joint and a fourth pivot joint by an actuator shaft and coupling shafts so that the first pivot joint, the second pivot joint, the third pivot joint and the fourth pivot joint are operatively connected to respective said first locking bolt, said second locking bolt, said third locking bolt, and said fourth locking bolt of the first, second, third, and fourth locking components, and the actuator being accessible for operation by a forklift tine entering the forklift tine opening, which contacts the paddle and causes subsequent movement of the actuator shaft and the coupling shafts, and wherein the operation of the actuator moves the operatively connected locking components out of locking engagement with the first, second, third, and fourth interface fittings. 30. The storage assembly of claim 24, wherein the structural support member comprises a plurality of walls supported by the pallet, and wherein the structural support member is oriented substantially transverse to the pallet platform to establish a compartment. 31. The storage assembly of claim 24, wherein the structural support member comprises a plurality of frame members supported by the pallet, and wherein the structural support member is oriented substantially transverse to the pallet for establishing a rack system with an open storage area. 32. The storage assembly of claim 24, wherein the structural support members are selected from at least one of frame members and walls, and wherein the structural support members are movable from an upright position to a collapsed position in which the structural support members lie substantially flat on the pallet platform while remaining connected to the pallet frame. 33. A plurality of stackable, automatically inter-lockable storage assemblies, comprising: a first storage assembly comprising a first pallet, a structural support member extending above the first pallet, and an interface fitting on the structural support member; and a second storage assembly comprising a second pallet including a forklift tine opening, a locking component comprising a locking bolt being integrated into the first pallet frame for being movable into and out of engagement with the interface filling when the first storage assembly and the second storage assembly are stacked on one another, and an actuator comprising a paddle being connected to a first pivot joint by an actuator shaft and a coupling shaft so that the first pivot joint being operatively connecting to the locking bolt of the locking component where the actuator being accessible for operation by a forklift tine entering the forklift tine opening for contacting the paddle causing subsequent movement of the actuator shaft and the coupling shaft, wherein the operation of the actuator moves the locking component out of engagement with the interface fitting, wherein the forklift tine opening is a first forklift tine opening, wherein the second pallet further comprises a second forklift tine opening oriented perpendicular to the first forklift tine opening, wherein the actuator is a first actuator facing the first forklift tine opening, wherein the second pallet further comprises a second actuator facing the second forklift tine opening where the second actuator is arranged substantially perpendicular to the first actuator, and wherein the second actuator comprises a paddle connected to a second pivot joint by an actuator shaft and a coupling shaft so that the second pivot joint is operatively connected to a respective locking bolt of the locking component, and the second actuator is accessible for operation by a forklift tine entering the second forklift tine opening, which contacts the paddle and causes subsequent movement of the actuator shaft and the coupling shaft so that the operation of the second actuator moves the operatively connected locking component out of engagement with the interface fitting. 34. The inter-lockable storage assemblies of claim 33, wherein the second pallet comprises an opening for receiving the interface fitting when the second storage assembly is stacked on the first storage assembly. 35. The inter-lockable storage assemblies of claim 33, wherein the interface fitting comprises an eyelet, and wherein the locking component comprise a locking bolt movable into and out of the eyelet. 36. The inter-lockable storage assemblies of claim 33, further comprising an override comprising a hairpin for insertion into a locking bolt of the locking component for preventing movement of the locking bolt and for retaining the locking component out of the locking arrangement independent of an activation status of the actuator by said hairpin abutting against a stationary block and preventing a spring from translating said locking bolt toward an opening below said first interface fitting. 37. The inter-lockable storage assemblies of claim 33, wherein the structural support member and the interface fitting of the first storage assembly are a first structural support member and a first interface fitting, respectively, wherein the first storage assembly further comprises second, third, and fourth structural support members extending above the first pallet, and second, third, and fourth interface fittings on the second, third, and fourth structural support members, respectively, wherein the locking component of the second storage assembly is a first locking component, wherein the second storage assembly further comprises second, third, and fourth locking components, which respectively comprise a second locking bolt, a third locking bolt, and a fourth locking bolt, movable into and out of engagement with the second, third, and fourth interface fittings of the first storage assembly when the first and second storage assemblies are stacked on one another, wherein the actuator comprises a paddle connected to a first pivot joint, a second pivot joint, a third pivot joint and a fourth pivot joint by an actuator shaft and coupling shafts so that the first pivot joint, the second pivot joint, the third pivot joint and the fourth pivot joint are operatively connected to the respective said locking bolt, said second locking bolt, said third locking bolt, and said fourth locking bolt of the first, second, third, and fourth locking components, and the actuator is accessible for operation by a forklift tine entering the forklift tine opening, which contacts the paddle and causes subsequent movement of the actuator shaft and the coupling shafts, and wherein the operation of the actuator moves the operatively connected locking components out of engagement with the respective interface fittings. 38. The inter-lockable storage assemblies of claim 33, wherein the structural member of the first storage assembly comprises a first plurality of walls supported by the first pallet to establish a first container including a first compartment. 39. The inter-lockable storage assemblies of claim 38, wherein the second storage assembly is a second container comprising a second plurality of walls supported by the second pallet to establish a second compartment. 40. The inter-lockable storage assemblies of claim 33, wherein the structural member of the first storage assembly comprises a first plurality of frame members supported by the first pallet to establish a first rack system including a first open storage area. 41. The inter-lockable storage assemblies of claim 40, wherein the second storage assembly is a second rack system comprising a second plurality of frame members supported by the second pallet to establish a second rack system including a second open storage area. 42. The inter-lockable storage assemblies of claim 33, wherein one of the first storage assembly and the second storage assembly comprises a container comprising a plurality of walls and a compartment, and wherein the other of the first storage assembly and the second storage assembly comprises a rack system comprising a plurality of frame members and an open storage area. 43. The inter-lockable storage assemblies of claim 33, further comprising a plurality of structural support members, wherein the structural support members are selected from at least one of frame members and walls, and wherein the structural support members are movable from an upright position to a collapsed position in which the structural support members are oriented substantially flat on the pallet platform while remaining connected to the pallet frame.