Reusable windshield pallet

{
  "publication_number": "US2008142391A1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A1",
  "title": "Reusable windshield pallet",
  "abstract": "A fully collapsible pallet is provided with easily adjustable rear stops, lower rear stops, and side restraints. A telescoping member is provided to allow shipment of partial pallets of windshields. Extensions allow the pallet to be used with windshields of various heights. The pallet is stackable in a folded condition as well as a loaded condition, even when extensions are used. A latch is provided to prevent leaning of the pallet even when the load is not centered in the pallet.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A re-useable shipping pallet comprising: a base; a first, a second, a third and a fourth post extending from the base and foldable toward the base, each post comprising, an upper section and a lower section, and wherein the first and second post comprise, a latch and pin mechanism for maintaining the upper sections of the first and second post in fixed relationship with the lower sections of the first and second post, respectively.",
    "2. The pallet of claim 1, wherein the latch and pin mechanism of the first and second lower sections comprise, a pin rigidly protruding from the lower section of the first post and the second post, and a latch rotatably attached to the upper section of the first post and the second post.",
    "3. A re-useable shipping pallet for shipping windshields comprising, a base in a substantially horizontal plane configured to support one or more windshields of varying sizes, a telescoping member, having an upper section, extending in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the base and adjustable to maintain the upper section at any of a plurality of heights above the base depending on the size of the windshield, and a strap engageable with the pallet for retaining the windshields on the pallet.",
    "4. A re-useable shipping pallet for shipping windshields comprising, a base configured to support one or more windshields of varying curvature, means for mounting a plurality of stops to the base, and a plurality of stops pivotably mounted above the base and having a pivot axis, each of the plurality of stops having an effective radius, each effective radius different from the effective radius of another of the plurality of stops, the effective radius being selectable depending on the curvature of the windshield.",
    "5. The pallet of claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of stops is mounted at a common pivot axis.",
    "6. The pallet of claim 5, wherein the means for mounting comprises, a first and a second post extending from the base, and a cross bar, connectable to the first and second post at a plurality of locations, wherein the plurality of stops are pivotably mounted to the cross bar."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "This is application is a divisional application of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/759,944, which claimed priority to provisional application Ser. No. 60/442,719, filed on Jan. 27, 2003.\n\nThis invention relates generally to collapsible pallet racks and more particularly to a collapsible and stackable pallet for shipping and storing breakable material. Partially collapsible or foldable steel pallets are known for use in place of wood pallets in shipping heavy and awkward articles such as automobile windshields. Steel pallets are very durable, allowing for prolonged use. Moreover, partially collapsible pallets allow for reduced shipping volume, decreasing the cost of relocating empty pallets for reuse. Accordingly, it is known generally to use partially collapsible steel pallets to ship breakable goods, such as automobile windshields. The shipment of breakable goods present unique challenges in the design of reusable pallets. For example, if a pane of glass is not properly secured within the pallet, unacceptable levels of breakage occur in shipment. Accordingly, it is known to use dunnage when shipping windshields. “Dunnage” is simply packing material which is added to the pallet so as to make the shipped material more secure. Of course, the addition of dunnage to the pallet takes time, and increases the potential for breakage when improperly performed. Moreover, the need for dunnage increases the cost of shipping. All of these problems are exacerbated when a partial pallet (a pallet that is not completely filled) is to be shipped.",
  "cpc": [
    "B65D 19/44",
    "B65D 2585/6882",
    "B65D 85/48",
    "B65G 49/062",
    "Y02W 30/80"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B65D 19/44",
    "B65D 85/48",
    "B65D 85/68",
    "B65G 49/06"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "SAFELITE GLASS CORP"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "ANGELETTI CHRIS",
    "BROWN STEVE",
    "MICHELI STEVE",
    "WESTER JEFF",
    "CLAY MARK",
    "YAW DOUG",
    "LANNO DINO",
    "BUNN TERRELL",
    "GLOVER RICH",
    "ROTOLO JOE",
    "BARNES MARK",
    "DUFRESNE DANIEL F",
    "HOAG AL"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2007-09-18",
  "publication_date": "2008-06-19",
  "priority_date": "2003-01-27",
  "application_number": "US-85728107-A",
  "family_id": "32912211",
  "citations": [
    "US2003164318A1",
    "US2946453A",
    "US2953253A",
    "US3147860A",
    "US3596755A",
    "US3809234A",
    "US3955676A",
    "US3961709A",
    "US3995738A",
    "US4002452A",
    "US4010848A",
    "US4010849A",
    "US4033597A",
    "US4086263A",
    "US4093251A",
    "US4186841A",
    "US4465413A",
    "US4512473A",
    "US4778064A",
    "US4899880A",
    "US5145073A",
    "US5154310A",
    "US5465883A",
    "US5603419A",
    "US5641076A",
    "US5676066A",
    "US5711429A",
    "US5755339A",
    "US5860539A",
    "US5884778A",
    "US6247601B1",
    "US6979037B2"
  ]
}