This invention relates to materials handling apparatus. More particularly although not exclusively it discloses an improved pallet fot the transport or storage of goods.

Existing materials handing pallets are typically constructed from hardwood cross-beams and slats which are nailed together. Such devices however are subject to a number of disadvantages. They are relatively expensive due to the continually increasing cost of structural grade timber and the labour intensive procedure for assembling them. Their service life is also limited due to deterioration of the timber when exposed to weather, overloading or impact forces during transport. Further there is a safety risk due to the tendency of nailed timber constructions to splinter cr come apart when the wooden componen _t s deteriorate or are overloaded.

I ^t is therefore an object of this invention to ameliora _t e ^t he aforementioned disadvantages and accordingly a _p alle _t for materials storage or transport is disclosed which com ^p rises a load carrying platform for said materials and a chassis thereunder which is adapted to distribu _t e _t he wei ^g ht of said materials over a support surface whereby- said chassis includes a plurality of downwardly ex _t endin _g legs arranged across the underside area of said platform to define ^p arallel spaced apart channels between said load carr _y in _g ^p latform and the support surface to receive a pair of l ⁱ fting forks or the like and said platform and chassis being formed as one piece from a mouldable ma _t erial.

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Preferably said mouldable material comprises a carbon rubber having a specific gravity of about 1.2 to 1.3 which may be obtained from discarded vehicle tyres or ot\'her industrial waste products. The processes which may be used for the reclamation of the rubber and the moulding into the one piece platform and chassis comprising the pallet are well known to a person skilled in the art and thus will not be described in detail. In accordance with one known process the scrap rubber may be first reduced to crumb and then depolymerised by heating with a depolymerisation catalyst. The subsequent moulding operation may use a platen steam press to heat and press the reclaimed rubber and a binder into a compression mould at temperatures of about 150-200 " C and pressures of about 6000 pascals. Futher details of rubber reclaiming and moulding techniques which may be used to perform this invention can be found in publications such as The Encyclopedia Of Chemical Technology, 2nded. Vol 17 by The Polytechnic Board Of Brooklyn.

It is also preferable that reinforcing means be incorporated into the platform and/or chassis to provide the necessary rigidity under load. This may comprise conventional Y16 steel reinforcing mesh or equivalent as currently used in building applications. It is envisaged that such reinforcing mesh would best be incorporated into the mass of the platform during the moulding operation.

The currently preferred for of this invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings in which:

Figures 1 to 3 show perspective views of a pallet according to this concept from top, bottom and side.

Figures 4 and 5 show plan and cross-sectional side vie. s of the pallet of figure 1,

Figures 6, 7 and 8 show a second embodiment of the invention in plan view, end view and isometric view respectively

Referring first to figures 1 to 3 the pallet shown is moulded from carbon rubber and may comprise a platform 1 and a series of support legs 2 extending down from the underside thereof. While with the embodiment shown the upper face 2A of this platform is flat other surface configurations may be used within the scope of this invention to adapt the pallet for specific types of goods. The legs are arranged in spaced apart rows as best shown in figure 2 so as to define parallel channels 3 to receive the forks (not shown) of a lifting machine. In this example of the invention the legs in each row are interconnected and braced by means of arches 4 which extend about 3/4 of the distance up to the underside of Che platform 1. Such a configuration has been found to roviαe the necessary support strength for the platform while at the same time minimising the weight of material required to form the pallet. As mentioned earlier the pallet is preferably moulded as one piece from new or scrap carbon rubber obtained for example from vehicle tyres using known recycling techniques. In order to increase rigidity of the pallet reinforcing members in the form of Y16 steel grid or fabric (see figure 5) may be incorporated

-A- into the body of the platform during the moulding process. Other types of reinforcing means however may also be used within the scope of this invention.

As best shown in figures 4 to 6 the pallet is preferably square in plan view with the height being about 10% of the width. There are preferably four rows of legs 2 which form three parallel channels 3 of equal width. Each row of legs in breadth is approximately 5% to 6% of the pallet width and runs frpm the front edge to the rear. The platform 1 in thickness may also be about 2-3% of the pallet width. As best shown in figures 1 and 5 the adjacent legs in each row are preferably linked by the reinforcing arches 4 having a radius of about 6% of the pallet width.\' Such a configuration has been found to produce a readily mouldable shape which enhances trie rigidity and load bearing strength of the legs.

A second form of pallet according to this invention is sho n in figures 6 to 8. Here the pallet is square in plan view with its height being about 10% of its width. The load carrying platform 6 has a plane upper surface 7 as with the first embodiment although this also can be modified to suit different applications. There are four elongated ribs or legs 8 which run the length of the pallet and extend downwardly from the platform to join with a lower base member 9. These define a series of three internal parallel channels 10 to receive the forks

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of a lifting machine. As with the previous embodiment the pallet is preferably moulded as one piece from reclaimed rubber and may incorporate steel reinforcing mesh in the platform 6 and/or lower base member 9.

It will thus be appreciated that this invention at least in the form of the embodiments described provides a novel and useful form of materials handling pallet. Indeed, it has been found through extensive testing that pallets according to this invention have a service life of at least t ice that of conventional timber pallets due to their resistance to moisture and rot. Such pallets also have a high impact absorption ability which increases their durability and provides a measure of protection for the goods stacked on them. Further their novel construction adapted to use reclaimed rubber provides a substantial cost and environmental advantage over hardwood timber pallets that consume a material which at least in the foreseeable future is not replaceable. It is to be under ^¬ stood however that the examples disclosed are only the currently preferred form of this invention and a wide variety of modifications may be made which would be apparent to a person skilled in the art. For example the shape and configuration of the pallet may be changed according to application or design preference. Also, while i is currently preferred to mould the pallet from recycled rubber products other mouldable new or used materials may also be used within the scope of this invention.

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