阅读说明：本技术 具有托盘延伸部的货物托盘 (Cargo pallet with pallet extensions ) 是由 D.M.李 F.J.勒罗斯 于 2018-04-13 设计创作，主要内容包括：公开了一种货物托盘。货物托盘包括托盘基部(38)和托盘衬垫(40)。托盘衬垫包括定位在托盘基部上的托盘衬垫基部(80)和固定地附接到托盘衬垫基部并从托盘衬垫基部向外突出的托盘延伸部(82)。托盘延伸部具有支承表面(102),该支承表面至少部分地向外延伸超过托盘基部的覆盖区。(A cargo pallet is disclosed of the kind , the cargo pallet comprising a pallet base (38) and a pallet liner (40), the pallet liner comprising a pallet liner base (80) positioned on the pallet base and a pallet extension (82) fixedly attached to the pallet liner base and projecting outwardly from the pallet liner base, the pallet extension having a bearing surface (102) extending at least partially outwardly beyond a footprint of the pallet base.)

1. a cargo pallet, comprising:

a tray base; and

a tray liner, comprising:

a tray liner base positioned on the tray base; and

a tray extension fixedly attached to and projecting outwardly from the tray liner base, the tray extension having a support surface extending at least partially outwardly beyond a footprint of the tray base.

2. The cargo pallet according to claim 1, wherein the pallet liner base is removably attached to the pallet base.

3. The cargo pallet according to claim 1, wherein the pallet base and the pallet liner are configured such that when the pallet liner base is positioned on the pallet base, the pallet liner base and the pallet extension at least partially define a space for receiving cargo.

4. A cargo pallet according to claim 1, wherein the pallet extension comprises an outer surface arranged to be substantially inclined relative to the pallet liner base.

5. The cargo pallet according to claim 4, wherein the cargo pallet is for loading onto a cargo hold after receiving cargo, and wherein the sloped outer surface of the pallet extension is shaped to substantially conform to a wall of the cargo hold.

6. The cargo pallet according to claim 4, wherein the pallet liner base is removably connected to the pallet base and further comprising a removable structural support interconnecting portions of the sloped outer surface of the pallet extension with portions of the pallet base.

7. The cargo pallet according to claim 6, wherein the structural support comprises a brace that is adjustable in an axial direction between the sloped outer surface of the pallet extension and the pallet base.

8. A cargo pallet according to claim 1, wherein the pallet liner is removably connected at opposite and spaced apart sides of the pallet base.

9. The cargo pallet according to claim 8, further comprising at least brackets configured to removably connect the pallet liner base to the pallet base, the brackets being attached to the pallet base, and the pallet liner base being slidably disposed between the brackets and the pallet base.

10. The cargo pallet according to claim 9, wherein the support surface is secured to and angled outwardly from a periphery of the pallet liner base.

11. Cargo pallet according to claim 10,

the opposite side of the tray base is the th opposite side,

the tray base includes second opposing sides spaced apart from each other, and

the side of the tray liner base is disposed substantially parallel to at least of the second opposing sides of the tray base.

12. The cargo pallet according to claim 11,

the th opposing side of the tray base includes a th plurality of openings, and the at least braces are attached to at least of the th plurality of openings.

13. Cargo pallet according to claim 12,

the second opposing side of the tray base includes a second plurality of openings, and

the cargo pallet also includes at least braces, the at least braces being connected to the pallet extension at ends and to at least of the second plurality of openings at an opposite end.

14. The cargo pallet according to claim 1, wherein the pallet extension is inclined at an angle in a range between about 30 ° and about 45 ° relative to the pallet liner base.

15. Cargo pallet according to claim 1,

the tray extension is an th tray extension, and

the tray liner includes a second tray extension protruding from the tray liner base, the second tray extension being spaced apart from the th tray extension and disposed opposite the th tray extension.

16. Cargo pallet according to claim 1,

the tray liner is the th tray liner, and

the cargo pallet includes a second pallet liner disposed opposite the th pallet liner.

17. The cargo pallet according to claim 16,

the tray extension is an th tray extension, the th tray extension is attached to the th tray pad, and

the cargo pallet includes a second pallet extension attached to the second pallet liner.

18. The cargo pallet according to claim 1, wherein the pallet extension comprises a platform having:

a support plate disposed substantially parallel to the tray liner base; and

side panels attached at end to the tray liner base and at an opposite end to the support panels, the side panels being generally inclined relative to the tray liner base.

19. The cargo pallet according to claim 18,

the support panel extends from the side panel to a support panel end disposed within the footprint of the tray liner base, and

the platform further includes a wall extending from the support plate end toward the tray cushion base, the wall including a seating member that abuts the tray cushion base.

20, a cargo pallet, comprising:

a tray base;

a tray liner base positioned on the tray base; and

a tray extension fixedly attached to and projecting outwardly from the tray pad base and comprising a bearing surface extending at least partially outwardly beyond a footprint of the tray base, wherein

The tray extension is attached to the outer periphery of the tray liner base,

the tray extension is disposed at an inclination with respect to the tray liner base without being connected to the tray base, the tray extension includes the support surface, and

the pallet liner base and the support surface at least partially define a space for receiving cargo.

21. The cargo pallet according to claim 20, further comprising at least brackets, said at least brackets configured to connect the pallet liner base to the pallet base, said brackets attached to the pallet base, and the pallet liner base sandwiched between said brackets and the pallet base.

22, cargo pallet, comprising:

a substantially rectangular tray base;

a generally rectangular tray liner base positioned on the tray base such that the tray liner base overlaps at least portions of the tray base;

a platform connected to the tray liner base only along sides of the tray liner base, and not to the tray base, the platform comprising:

a support plate disposed substantially parallel to the tray liner base;

side panels arranged substantially inclined with respect to the tray liner base, the side panels being connected at an end to the sides of the tray liner base and at an opposite end to the support panels, and

a wall extending from the support plate toward the tray cushion base, the wall including a seat member abutting the tray cushion base, wherein the support plate and the tray cushion base at least partially define a space for receiving cargo.

23. The cargo pallet according to claim 23,

the platform is the th platform,

the sides are the th side of the tray liner, and

the cargo pallet also includes a second platform connected to the pallet liner at a second side of the pallet liner disposed opposite the th side.

A cargo pallet of the type 24, , comprising:

a substantially rectangular tray base;

a platform connected to the tray base only along sides of the tray base, the platform comprising:

a platform base disposed on the tray base;

a support plate disposed substantially parallel to the tray base and spaced apart from the platform base;

a side panel disposed generally oblique to the tray base, the side panel connected to the platform base at an end and to the support panel at an opposite end, and

an end wall extending from the support panel to the pallet base, wherein the platform and the pallet base at least partially define a space for receiving cargo.

25. The cargo pallet according to claim 24,

the platform is the th platform,

the cargo pallet also includes a second platform disposed opposite the th platform, the second platform being connected to the pallet base.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to cargo pallets and more particularly to cargo pallets having a pallet extension the present disclosure also includes cargo pallets in which the pallet extension is in the form of a platform.

Background

Because of the high costs associated with transporting cargo by air, shippers attempt to arrange the cargo within the cargo compartment in order to utilize as much as possible of the volume of the cargo compartment of the aircraft.

However, during loading of packages into a ULD, the side walls and top wall of the ULD limit access (access) to the internal volume of the ULD-furthermore, the side walls and top wall of the ULD itself occupy a volume of , which makes it unusable for placing packages in the ULD some shippers use cargo pallets instead of ULDs-cargo pallets are typically square or rectangular flat structures on which packages can be stacked.

Shippers sometimes also employ modified cargo pallets having angled panels extending from both edges of the cargo pallet. The angled panels allow for additional space for stacking of the packages that make up the cargo. To ensure that the angled panels can support the weight of packages loaded onto the retrofitted pallet, support cables or other rods are typically used to connect the angled panels to the base of the pallet. However, these support cables or rods are prone to serious damage during loading or movement of the pallets, for example using a forklift truck or crane. The support cables or rods also limit access to the base of the pallet during placement of the package on the pallet, making it difficult to utilize all of the available space on the pallet.

The cargo pallet of the present disclosure represents an improvement over the prior art and solves or more of the problems set forth above and/or other problems of the prior art.

Disclosure of Invention

the present disclosure relates to cargo pallets that may include a pallet base the cargo pallet may also include a pallet liner that may include a pallet liner base that may be positioned on the pallet base the pallet liner may also include a pallet extension that may be fixedly attached to the pallet liner base.

In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to another cargo pallet, the cargo pallet may include a pallet base, the cargo pallet may further include a pallet liner positioned on the pallet base, further, the cargo pallet may include a pallet extension fixedly attached to the pallet liner.

In yet another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to another cargo pallet.

In another aspect, the disclosure is directed to another cargo pallet, the cargo pallet may include a generally rectangular pallet base, the cargo pallet may also include a platform connected to the pallet base only along the side of the pallet base, the platform may include a platform base disposed on the pallet base, the platform may also include a support panel disposed generally parallel to the pallet base and spaced apart from the platform base, the platform may also include a side panel that is generally inclined relative to the pallet base, the side panel may be connected to the platform base at the end and to the support panel at the other end, additionally, the platform may include an end wall that extends from the support panel to the pallet base.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure , illustrate exemplary disclosed embodiments of the disclosure and, together with the description , serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view of an exemplary cargo compartment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary disclosed cargo pallet;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the cargo pallet of FIG. 2, showing the pallet base and the pallet liner above the pallet base;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a corner portion of an exemplary disclosed pallet base of the cargo pallet of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary disclosed fastener illustrating the cargo pallet of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6A is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the exemplary cargo pallet of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6B is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating an exemplary stanchion and associated support structure that may be used with the cargo pallet of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6C is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating an assembly of the exemplary structural support or strut of FIG. 6B;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the exemplary cargo pallet of FIG. 2 loaded with a package;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of another exemplary disclosed cargo pallets;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of still another exemplary disclosed cargo pallets;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the exemplary disclosed cargo pallet of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11A is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the exemplary cargo pallet of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11B is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating an exemplary structural support or post that may be used with the cargo pallet of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of still another exemplary disclosed cargo pallets;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another exemplary disclosed cargo pallets;

FIG. 14 is another perspective view of the exemplary cargo pallet of FIG. 13, an

Fig. 15 is an enlarged view of an attachment mechanism for attaching the exemplary platform to the pallet base of the exemplary cargo pallet of fig. 13 and 14.

Detailed Description

It is also contemplated that in exemplary embodiments, the cargo compartment 10 may be disposed within a ship, on a vehicle capable of traveling on land, or in a cargo container, which may be transported by an aircraft, by a ship, and/or by a land-based vehicle.

The cargo compartment 10 may include a floor 14, a ceiling 16, side walls 18, and contoured side walls 20, which may define a cargo volume 22. the floor 14 may include a loading device 24. in exemplary embodiments, the loading device 24 may include rollers (not shown) that may assist in rolling ULDs or cargo pallets into the cargo volume 22. it is contemplated that the loading device may take the form of ramps, conveyors, rails, or other types of loading mechanisms to assist in moving cargo into the cargo volume 22. it is also contemplated that in exemplary embodiments, the floor 14 may not include a loading device 24.

The roof 16 may be disposed opposite the floor 14, the side walls 18 may extend from the roof 16 toward the floor 14 in exemplary embodiments as shown in FIG. 1, the cargo compartment 10 may have at least two side walls 18 disposed spaced apart from one another, the side walls 18 may have a planar or curved shape, the contoured side walls 20 may extend from the side walls 18 to the floor 14, in exemplary embodiments, the side walls 18 and contoured side walls 20 may have a generally curved shape corresponding to the shape of the aircraft cabin or cargo compartment when the cargo compartment 10 is disposed in the aircraft 12.

Fig. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary disclosed cargo pallet 30, as illustrated in fig. 2, a cargo pallet 30 may include a pallet base 38, a pallet liner 40, and one or more connectors 42, the pallet liner 40 may be positioned on the pallet base 38, positioning the pallet liner 40 on the pallet base 38 may include placing the pallet liner 40 on the pallet base 38, positioning the pallet liner 40 on the pallet base 38 may at least partially define a space for receiving cargo, for example, the pallet base 38 and the pallet liner 40 may define a space in which or more parcels may be disposed for loading in the cargo hold 10, positioning the pallet liner 40 on the pallet base 38 may increase the available space in which a shipper may stack parcels on the cargo pallet 30, as illustrated in fig. 2, the pallet liner 40 provides additional detailed structural support on at least two sides of the cargo pallet 30, such that parcels may be on top of each other without falling from the pallet 30 or dropping from the pallet 30 or removing a pallet liner 30 from below, and attaching the pallet liner 30 to the cargo pallet 30, after loading the pallet liner 30 with the cargo pallet liner 30 and the cargo pallet liner with the cargo pallet liner 30,

as shown in FIG. 2, tray liner 40 is detachable (or removable) from tray base 38 and may be positioned directly on the tray base As explained in more detail below, tray liner 40 includes an extension that extends beyond the footprint of tray base 38 and increases the surface available to support packaging and/or other materials that may be loaded onto cargo tray 30. tray liner 40 may be detachably (or removably) connected to tray base 38 via or more connectors 42, however, it is contemplated that in example embodiments, tray liner 40 may be fixedly attached to tray base 38 by, for example, riveting, welding, brazing, with an adhesive, or by other attachment means, it is also contemplated that in example embodiments, tray liner 40 may be positioned on tray base 38 without being fixedly or detachably connected to tray base 38.

The tray base 38 and tray liner 40 have been shown in fig. 2 as having a generally rectangular shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the tray base 38 and the base of the tray liner 40 may have the same general shape and size, with the base of the tray liner 40 fitting onto the tray base 38, with the outer portion of the tray base 38 extending slightly beyond the base of the tray liner 40. However, it is contemplated that the tray base 38 and tray liner 40 may have any shape. It is also contemplated that the shape of the tray liner 40 may be the same as or different than the shape of the tray base 38.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded perspective view of cargo pallet 30. connectors 42 are omitted from FIG. 3 to improve clarity As shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3, pallet base 38 may have a shape defined by sides 44,46,48, and 50, sides 44,46,48, and 50 may define the footprint of pallet base 38. sides 44 and 46 may be spaced apart from and disposed opposite each other. sides 48 and 50 may also be spaced apart from and disposed opposite each other. sides 48 and 50 may connect sides 44 and 46, respectively.

FIG. 4 illustrates an enlarged fragmentary view of a corner 56 formed by sides 44 and 48 of tray base 38. As illustrated in FIG. 4, each of sides 44,46,48, and 50 may include a rail 58. rails 58 may be disposed along each of sides 44,46,48, and 50. rails 58 may be generally U-shaped and may include a slot 60 extending along a length of rails 58. rails 58 may have a rail base 62 disposed closer to a lower surface 54 of tray base 38 than an upper surface 52 of tray base 38. rails 58 may include a tab 64 extending from rail base 62 toward upper surface 52. tabs 64 may be spaced from each other and may be disposed on opposite sides of rail base 62. each tab 64 may have a stem portion 66 and a lug 68. the stem portion 66 may extend outwardly from rail base 62 to a stem distal end 70. in the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIG. 4, stem portion 66 may be disposed generally perpendicular to rail base 62. the lugs 68 of stem portion 70 may extend toward each other to a stem portion 70. As illustrated in the exemplary embodiments shown, the exemplary embodiment, the stem portion 66 may be disposed at an acute angle relative to the angle of the disclosed in FIG. 4. the exemplary embodiment, the stem portion 66 may be disposed generally between the angled by the angle of the disclosed in the exemplary embodiment of the invention, 365, the exemplary embodiment, the angle of the disclosed in the invention.

The stem portion 66 and the lug 68 may form a generally inverted T-shaped slot 60. Thus, for example, the slot 60 may include a neck 72 and a slot base 74, and the slot base 74 may be wider than the neck 72. The slot base 74 may be disposed between the rail base 62 and the lug 68. The neck 72 may extend from the pocket base 74 through the thickness of each lug 68.

As also shown in FIG. 4, slots 60 may include openings 76, which may be spaced apart from one another, the spacing between openings 76 may be -wise or not -wise, each opening 76 may have a generally circular shape, although other shapes are also contemplated, openings 76 may extend through the thickness of lugs 68 and may connect with slot base 74. it is contemplated that slots 60 and openings 76 may facilitate the attachment of other members (not shown) to tray base 38 via or more fasteners, for example, a head (not shown) of a bolt (not shown) may be disposed in slot base 74 between rail base 62 and lugs 68 such that the bolt may protrude outward from slot 60 through openings 76. a nut (not shown) may engage the outwardly protruding bolt to attach other members to tray base 38. although only corners 56 are shown in FIG. 4, it is contemplated that corners 56 may also be disposed at the intersection of sides 44 and 50, sides 46 and 48, and sides 46 and 50, and 50 of tray base 38.

Returning to fig. 3, tray liner 40 may include tray liner base 80 and or more tray extensions 82 in the exemplary embodiments of as shown in fig. 3, tray liner base 80 may have a shape defined by sides 84,86,88, and 90 side 84,86,88, and 90 may define an outer perimeter 92 of tray liner base 80. side 84 and 86 may be spaced apart from and disposed opposite each other side 88 and 90 may also be spaced apart from and disposed opposite each other side 88 and 90 may connect side 84 and 86, respectively, in the exemplary embodiments of side 84 and 86 may be disposed substantially parallel to each other and side 88 and 90 may be disposed substantially parallel to each other in the exemplary embodiments of as shown in fig. 3, where tray liner base 80 may have a substantially rectangular shape, side 84 and 86 may be disposed substantially perpendicular to side 88 and 90, in the exemplary embodiments of further as shown in fig. 3, side 84,86,88, and 90 of tray liner base 80 may be disposed substantially parallel to side 88 and 90, and side 96 may be disposed substantially equal to upper surface 94 of tray liner base 38, and upper surface 96 of tray liner base 38, and lower surface 96 of tray liner base 38 may be disposed substantially equal to upper surface 96 of tray liner base 38, or lower surface 96 of tray liner 38, respectively, which may be disposed opposite tray liner base 38, in the exemplary embodiments of tray liner base 96, as shown in the exemplary embodiments of fig. 3.

Tray liner base 80 may include or more notches 98 as shown in the exemplary embodiment of fig. 3, notches 98 may be disposed along sides 84 and 86 of tray liner base 80. the spacing between notches 98 may or may not be -wise it is also contemplated that the number of notches 98 along sides 84 and 86 may be equal or unequal each notch 98 may extend from liner upper surface 94 toward liner lower surface 96 it is contemplated that the depth of notches 98 may be less than the thickness of tray liner 40. thus, for example, as shown in fig. 3, notch upper surface 100 may be disposed vertically offset from liner upper surface 94 and may be disposed between liner upper surface 94 and liner lower surface 96. it is contemplated that notches 98 may have a square, circular, semi-circular, elliptical, polygonal, or other shape.

As shown in the exemplary embodiment of fig. 3, tray extension 82 may project outwardly from outer periphery 92 of tray liner base 80. in some exemplary embodiments , tray extension 82 may be fixedly attached to tray liner base 80. as shown in the exemplary embodiment of fig. 3, tray extension 82 may be fixed to outer periphery 92 of tray liner base 80 at each of sides 88 and 90 of tray liner base 80. each tray extension 82 may include a support surface 102 that may support or more wraps. as shown in fig. 3, support surface 102 of tray extension 82 may be fixed to outer periphery 92 of tray liner base 80 at sides 88 and 90. tray extension 82 and support surface 102 may extend at least partially outwardly beyond the footprint of tray liner base 80 and also extend beyond the footprint of tray base 38. in the exemplary embodiments of shown in fig. 3, the footprint of tray liner base 80 may be defined by sides 84,86,88, and 90. also as shown in the exemplary embodiment of fig. 3, tray extension 82 and support surface may be angled with respect to tray liner base 80.

In exemplary embodiments, the tray extension 82 and the support surface 102 may be inclined at an angle in a range between about 30 and about 45 with respect to the tray liner base 80. the inclination of the tray extension 82 may be selected to generally conform to the shape of the walls of the cargo hold 10 into which cargo trays 30 may be loaded.

Although two tray extensions 82 are shown in FIG. 3 as being disposed opposite and spaced apart from one another, it is contemplated that in some example embodiments, the cargo tray 30 may have only tray extensions 82 extending outwardly from the sides 88 or of the tray liner base 80. it is also contemplated that in other example embodiments, the cargo tray 30 may have any number of tray extensions 82 extending outwardly from the outer perimeter 92 of the tray liner base 80.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary connector 42. connector 42 may include a bracket 104, bracket 104 may be connected to or more openings 76 by or more fasteners 106. bracket 104 may include a tray base portion 108 and a tray pad portion 110. both tray base portion 108 and tray pad portion 110 may be flat plate-like members. tray base portion 108 may be vertically offset relative to tray pad portion 110 along the thickness of bracket 104. tray pad portion 110 may be disposed within recess 98 of tray pad base 80. for example, as shown in FIG. 5, lower surface 112 of tray pad portion 110 may abut recess upper surface 100 such that pad tray base 80 of tray pad 40 is slidably disposed between bracket 104 and tray base 38.

The tray base portion 108 of the bracket 104 may include openings (not shown) through which the fasteners 106 may pass to connect the bracket 104 with the tray base 38 in the exemplary embodiments as shown in FIG. 5, the fasteners 106 may include bolts 114, the bolts 114 may pass through the openings 76 in the rails 58 of the tray base 38 and through the openings in the tray base portion 108 nuts 116 may be engaged with the bolts 114 to removably connect the bracket 104 to the rails 58 of the tray base 38 tightening the nuts 116 may help ensure that the tray liner base 80 of the tray liner 40 may be sandwiched between the bracket 104 and the tray base 38 it is contemplated that the tray liner 40 may be removably attached to the tray base 38 via any number of connectors 42.

Although a particular geometry of the connector 42 has been shown in FIG. 5 and described above, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments of the connector 42. the tray liner 40 may be removably attached to the tray base 38 in many different ways for example, in exemplary embodiments, the tray liner 40 may include openings (not shown) and the fasteners 106 may pass through the openings 76 in the tray base 38 and the openings in the tray liner 40 to attach the tray liner 40 to the tray base 38. many other types of connectors and/or clamping mechanisms may be used to removably connect the tray liner 40 to the tray base 38.

FIG. 6A illustrates a fragmented cross-sectional view along axis A-A (see FIG. 2) of an exemplary embodiment of a cargo pallet 30. for clarity, only the portion of the cross-section of the cargo pallet 30 is illustrated in FIG. 6A. as illustrated in FIG. 6A, a pallet liner base 80 may be positioned on the pallet base 38. a pallet extension 82 may be attached to the pallet liner base 80 and may extend outwardly from the pallet liner base 80. in exemplary embodiments as illustrated in FIG. 6A, the pallet extension 82 may be connected only to the pallet liner base 80 and not to any portion of the pallet base 38. also as illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6A, the pallet extension 82 and pallet liner base 80 may form a unitary unitized structure. the shapes and materials of the pallet liner base 80 and pallet extension 82 may be selected such that the pallet liner 40 may be capable of supporting the weight of a package loaded on the cargo pallet 30 without requiring any additional supporting components or structures.in exemplary embodiments, the pallet liner 40 may be made of a composite material of aluminum.

FIG. 6B illustrates a fragmentary cross-sectional view along axis A-A (see FIG. 2) of another exemplary embodiments of cargo pallet 30. for clarity, only a portion of the cross-section of cargo pallet 30 is shown in FIG. 6B As shown in FIG. 6B, pallet liner base 80 may be positioned on pallet base 38. pallet extension 82 may be attached to pallet liner base 80 and may extend outwardly from pallet liner base 80. pallet extension 82 may also be connected to pallet base 38 via or more structural supports or struts 120. for example, pallet extension 82 may be connected to rails 58 via or more struts 120 on or both of sides 48 and 50 of pallet base 38, which may connect a portion of an outer surface 124 of pallet extension 82 with an portion of pallet base 38.

As shown in FIG. 6B, outer surface 124 of tray extension 82 may be generally angled with respect to tray liner base 80. track 122 may be disposed on outer surface 124 of tray extension 82. track 122 may be generally parallel to sides 88 and/or 90 of tray liner base 80 and extend along the length of tray extension 82. track 122 may have a structure and function similar to that of track 58. for example, like track 58 , track 122 may be generally U-shaped and may include a slot 126 extending along the length of track 122. track 122 may have a rail base 128 disposed adjacent to outer surface 124. in some exemplary embodiments of , outer surface 124 of tray extension 82 may be shaped to generally conform to side wall 18 and/or contoured side wall 20 of cargo compartment 10. track 122 may also include a protrusion 130 extending outwardly from rail base 128 toward tray liner base 80. protrusions 130 may be spaced from each other and may be disposed on opposite sides of track 122. each protrusion 130 may have a stem portion 132 and a lug 134. the stem portion 132 may extend outwardly from rail base 128 to a stem portion 136. in some exemplary embodiments of the stem portion 132 may be disposed generally perpendicular to other stem portions 132, as shown in illustrative embodiments of the stem portion 128. the exemplary embodiments of FIG. the stem portion 132 may be disposed perpendicular to the stem portion 132, and may be disposed generally perpendicular to the stem portion 132, as shown in other exemplary embodiments of the exemplary embodiments of FIG. 6B. the exemplary embodiments.

Stem portion 132 and lugs 134 may form a generally T-shaped slot 126. thus, for example, slot 126 may include a neck 138 and a slot base 140, and slot base 74 may be wider than neck 138. slot base 140 may be disposed between rail base 128 and lugs 134. neck 138 may extend from slot base 140 through the thickness of each lug 134. like exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6A, tray extension 82 and tray liner base 80 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6B may form a unitary -part structure. in exemplary embodiments, tray liner 40 may be made of a metal composite of aluminum or steel.

FIG. 6C illustrates an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of an exemplary structural support or post 120, the structural support or post 120 being connected at end to the tray extension 82 and at an opposite end to the tray base 38. in some exemplary embodiments of , the post 120 may be connected to or more openings 76 in the track 58 of the tray base 38. As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6C, the post 120 may have a base portion 150 and an extension portion 152. the base portion 150 of the post 120 may be engaged with the track 58 of the tray base 38. the extension portion 152 of the post 120 may be engaged with the track 122 of the tray extension 82. the base portion 150 may include a head 154 and a shank 156. the head 154 may be wider than the shank 156. the head 154 of the base portion 150 may be received in the slot base 74 of the slot 60 in the track 58. the head 154 may be disposed between the track base 62 and the lug 68. the shank 156 may be passed through the neck 72 of the slot 60 and/or the opening 76 of the lug 68. the threaded portion 156 may include or a plurality of threaded portions 160. the threaded fastener 160 may be used to secure the threaded fastener 162 to secure the head fastener 162 and/or a threaded fastener 162 may be used in other exemplary embodiments to secure fastener to secure the head fastener 162 that may be used in addition to secure fastener that may be used to secure the threaded fastener 162, or to secure fastener 162 that may be used in embodiments of the threaded fastener 160, that may be used to secure fastener 160, 160 that may be used to secure fastener 60, 160 that may.

As also shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6C, extension portion 152 may include a head 170 and a handle 172. head 170 may be wider than handle 172. head 170 of extension portion 152 may be received in slot base 140 of slot 126 in track 122. head 170 may be disposed between track base 128 and lugs 134. handle 172 may pass through neck 138 of slot 126 in track 122. handle 172 may include apertures 174, apertures 174 may be threaded. apertures 174 may be engaged with at least threaded portions 158 of handle 156 of base portion 150. brace 120 may have an adjustable length in the axial direction of brace 120. for example, handle 172 may be rotated to adjust the height of brace 120 and ensure that head 170 is securely attached to slot 126 of track 122. in exemplary embodiments, handle 172 may have a flange 176 extending radially outward from an outer surface 178 of handle 172. flange 176 may abut lugs 134 of track 122 so that lugs 134 may be disposed between head 170 and flange 176. brace 120 may be configured to transfer at least the weight of a wrapped pallet liner 40 to a pallet portion to support the pallet load integrity extension 30 with the pallet load integrity support tray structure 180.

Although a particular geometry of brace 120 is shown in fig. 6B and 6C and described above, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments of brace 120 tray extension 82 of tray liner 40 may be connected to tray base 38 in many different ways for example, in exemplary embodiments, a unitary structural member may be fastened to rails 58 of tray base 38 on end and to rails 122 of tray extension 82 on the opposite end via or more fasteners, in another exemplary embodiments, a unitary structural member may be welded or brazed to tray base 38 and tray extension 82, many other types of structural support members may be placed between tray base 38 and tray extension 82 to provide additional structural support to tray extension 82.

Fig. 7 shows a cargo pallet 30 loaded with a package 180, as shown in fig. 7, the package 180 may be loaded such that the package 180 may be stacked on the liner upper surface 94 and the support surface 102 of the pallet extension 82, as also shown in fig. 7, the support surface 102 allows a surface available for loading packages to extend beyond the liner upper surface 94. for example, as shown in fig. 7, packages 182 and 184 may be supported on the support surface 102 instead of on the liner upper surface 94. additionally, packages 186 and 188, for example, may be at least partially supported by the support surface 102 of the pallet extension 82. in some exemplary embodiments of , a cargo net (not shown) may be placed over the packages 180,182,184,186 and 188. attachment features (not shown) that may be attachable to or more of the pallet base 38 and/or pallet extension 82 to securely attach the cargo net to the cargo pallet 30.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exploded perspective view of an exemplary cargo pallet 200. the cargo pallet 200 includes a pallet base 38, pallet pads 202 and 204, and connectors 42, which have been omitted from FIG. 8 for increased clarity, the pallet pads 202 and 204 may be positioned on the pallet base 38 positioning the pallet pads 202 and 204 on the pallet base 38 may include placing the pallet pads 202 and 204 on the pallet base 38 positioning the pallet pads 202 and 204 on the pallet base 38 may at least partially define a space for receiving cargo.

In exemplary embodiments, tray pads 202 and 204 may be removably (or removably) connected to tray base 38 via or more connectors 42 it is contemplated, however, that tray pads 202 and 204 may be fixedly attached to tray base 38 by, for example, riveting, welding, brazing, with an adhesive, or by other attachment means it is also contemplated that in exemplary embodiments, tray pads 202 and 204 may be positioned on tray base 38 without being fixedly or removably connected to tray base 38 tray pads 202 and 204 have been shown in FIG. 8 as having a generally rectangular shape.

As shown in FIG. 8, tray liner 202 may be positioned adjacent side 50 of tray base 38. tray liner 204 may be disposed opposite tray liner 202 and may be positioned adjacent side 48 of tray base 38. tray liners 202 and 204 may include tray liner bases 206 and 208, respectively.tray liner base 206 may be defined by sides 210,212,214, and 216. sides 210 and 212 may be spaced apart from and disposed opposite each other likewise, sides 214 and 216 may be spaced apart from and disposed opposite each other.

Tray liner base 208 can be defined by sides 220,222,224, and 226, sides 220 and 222 can be spaced apart from and disposed opposite each other, likewise, sides 224 and 226 can be spaced apart from and disposed opposite each other, sides 224 and 226 can each connect sides 220 and 222, in exemplary embodiments, sides 220 and 222 can be disposed substantially parallel to each other and sides 224 and 226 can be disposed substantially parallel to each other, in another exemplary embodiments as shown in fig. 8, wherein tray liner base 208 can have a substantially rectangular shape, sides 220 and 222 can be disposed substantially perpendicular to sides 224 and 226.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 8, the side 214 of the tray liner base 206 has been shown abutting the side 226 of the tray liner base 208. However, it is contemplated that sides 214 and 226 may be spaced apart from each other and may be separated by a gap (not shown). It is contemplated that the tray liner bases may have equal or unequal areas.

The pallet liner bases 206 and 208 may include or more notches 98 as shown in the exemplary embodiment of fig. 8, notches 98 may be disposed along the sides 210 and 212 of the pallet liner base 206. likewise, notches 98 may be disposed along the sides 220 and 222 of the pallet liner base 208. the spacing between notches 98 on or more of the sides 210,212,220 and 222 may be -wise or not -wise.

Tray liner 202 may include tray extension 232 likewise, tray liner 204 may include tray extension 234 tray extensions 232 and 234 may be fixedly attached to tray liner bases 206 and 208, respectively as shown in the exemplary embodiment of fig. 8, tray extensions 232 and 234 may be disposed opposite each other and may be spaced apart from each other tray extension 232 may be fixed to tray liner base 206 at side 216 of tray liner base 206 for example tray extension 232 may be fixed to tray liner base 206 likewise tray extension 234 may be fixed to tray liner base 208 at side 224 of tray liner base 208 tray extension 232 and 234 may include support surfaces 236 and 238, respectively, which may support or more wraps 180 as shown in fig. 8, support surfaces 236 and 238 of tray extensions 232 and 234 may be fixed to tray liner bases 206 and 208 at sides 216 and 224, respectively, tray extension 232 and support surface 236 may extend at least partially outwardly beyond the footprint of tray liner base 206 and also extend beyond the footprint area of tray liner base 206 and 208 as shown in fig. 8, tray extension 232 and support surface area may be defined by the footprint area of tray liner base extension 220, tray extension area 220, tray liner extension area 220, and coverage area of tray liner base 212, and base extension area may be defined by the area of tray liner base 216, and side liner base 212, and side liner base extension area of exemplary embodiment of tray liner base 216, and side pad area of tray extension area 224, may be defined by tray extension area of tray extension area 220, area of tray liner base 208, and side area 220, and base area, and base 212, and base area of tray liner, and base 208, and.

As also shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 8, tray extensions 232 and 234 and support surfaces 236 and 238, respectively, may be angled relative to tray liner bases 206 and 208, respectively, in exemplary embodiments, tray extension 232 and support surface 236 may be angled relative to tray liner base 206 at an angle in a range between about 30 and about 45, likewise, tray extension 234 and support surface 238 may be angled relative to tray liner base 208 at an angle in a range between about 30 and about 45, it is also contemplated that in embodiments, tray extensions 232 and 234 and support surfaces 236 and 238 may be substantially coplanar with tray liner bases 206 and 208, respectively, in yet still other exemplary embodiments, tray extension 232 and support surface 236 may be disposed substantially perpendicular to tray liner base 206, and/or tray extension 234 and support surface 238 may be disposed substantially perpendicular to tray liner base 208, in exemplary embodiments as shown in FIG. 8, tray extension 232 and support surface 234 and support surface 236 may be disposed substantially perpendicular to tray liner base 208, and support surface 234 and support surface 236 may be connected to tray liner base extension 234, or support base 38 via a rectangular rail track 232 and support surface 236 may be connected to tray liner base 38, although in other exemplary embodiments, tray extension 232 and track extension 232 may be connected to tray extension and support base 38, and tray extension 232 may be connected to tray extension 234, or track extension 234, and support base 38, and may be connected to tray liner base 38, for example, disc extension 234, disc extension 120, and disc extension 38, and disc extension 232 may be connected to tray liner base 38, although other exemplary embodiments, disc extension 120, and disc extension 134, may be connected to tray liner base.

Fig. 9 illustrates a perspective view of a cargo pallet 250, as illustrated in fig. 9, a cargo pallet 250 may include a pallet base 38, a pallet liner 252, and one or more connectors 42, the pallet liner 252 may be positioned on the pallet base 38 positioning the pallet liner 252 on the pallet base 38 may include placing the pallet liner 252 on the pallet base 38 positioning the pallet liner 252 on the pallet base 38 may at least partially define a space for receiving cargo.

In exemplary embodiments as shown in FIG. 9, tray pad 252 may be removably connected to tray base 38 via or more connectors 42 it is contemplated, however, that tray pad 252 may be fixedly attached to tray base 38 by, for example, riveting, welding, brazing, with an adhesive, or by any other attachment means it is also contemplated that tray pad 252 may be positioned on tray base 38 without being fixedly or removably connected to tray base 38 in exemplary embodiments tray base 38 and tray pad 252 have been shown in FIG. 9 as having a generally rectangular shape.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a cargo pallet 250 showing a pallet base 38 and a pallet liner 252. the connectors 42 are omitted from FIG. 10 to improve clarity the pallet liner 252 may include a pallet liner base 254 and or more pallet extensions, which may take the form of a platform 256. in the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIG. 10, the pallet liner base 254 may have a shape defined by sides 258,260,262 and 264. the sides 258,260,262 and 264 may define an outer perimeter 266 of the pallet liner base 254. the sides 258 and 260 may be spaced apart from each other and may be disposed opposite each other. the sides 262 and 264 may also be spaced apart from each other and may be disposed opposite each other. in the exemplary embodiments, the sides 258 and 260 may be disposed generally parallel to each other and the sides 262 and 264 may be disposed generally parallel to each other in the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIG. 10, wherein the pallet liner base 254 may have a generally rectangular shape, the sides 258 and 264 may be disposed generally parallel to each other and the sides 262 and 264 may be disposed generally parallel to each other, the upper surface of the pallet liner base 254 and the pallet liner base 254 may be disposed generally equal to the upper surface of the pallet liner base 254 and lower surface of the pallet liner base 254, the pallet liner base 254 and the pallet liner base 254, the pallet liner base 270 may be disposed generally equal to the upper surface of the exemplary embodiment illustrated in the upper surface of the pallet liner base 254 and the pallet liner base 254, 539 of the exemplary embodiment illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 10.

The tray liner base 254 may include or more notches 98. As shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 10, the notches 98 may be disposed along the sides 258 and 260 of the tray liner base 254. the notches 98 on the tray liner base 254 may have a similar shape, structure, distribution, and function as described above with respect to the notches 98 on the tray liner base 80. also as shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 10, a platform 256 may project outwardly from the outer periphery 266 of the tray liner base 254. the platform 256 may be fixedly attached to the tray liner base 254. as shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 10, the platform 256 may be fixed to the outer periphery 266 of the tray liner base 254 at each of the sides 262 and 264 of the tray liner base 254. the platform 256 may extend at least partially outwardly beyond the footprint of the tray liner base 254 and also beyond the footprint of the tray base 38. in the exemplary embodiments as shown in FIG. 10, the footprint of the tray liner base 254 may be defined by the sides 258,260, 264, and 262.

FIG. 11A illustrates a fragmentary cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of cargo pallet 250 along axis B-B (see FIG. 9). for clarity, only platforms 256 are shown in FIG. 11A. the pallet liner base 254 may be positioned on the pallet base 38. As shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 11A, platforms 256 may be attached only to the pallet liner base 254, and not to any portion of the pallet base 38. the platforms 256 may include side plates 272, support plates 274, walls 276, and seat members 278. the side plates 272 may be fixed to the pallet liner base 254, and may extend outwardly from the pallet liner base 254 to side wall ends 280, which may be disposed outboard of the perimeter 266 of the pallet liner base 254. the side plates 272 may include outer surfaces 282. the outer surfaces 282 of the side plates 272 and 272 may be generally inclined relative to the pallet liner base 254. in exemplary embodiments, the side plates 272 and outer surfaces 282 may be inclined at an angle in a range between about 30 and about 45 relative to the pallet liner base 254.

Support plate 274 may extend inwardly from side wall end 280 toward the center of tray liner base 254 support plate 274 may extend from side wall end 280 to support plate end 284, and support plate end 284 may be located within outer periphery 266 between sides 262 and 264 of tray liner base 254 in the exemplary embodiments shown in fig. 11A, however, it is contemplated that in exemplary embodiments support plate 274 may be angled relative to tray liner base 254 support plate 274 may include support surface 286 that may be used to support and stack packages 180 on platform 256, support surface 286 may help increase the amount of space on cargo tray 250 that may be used to stack packages 180.

The wall 276 may extend from the support plate end 284 toward the tray liner base 254, in exemplary embodiments as shown in fig. 11A, the wall 276 may be disposed generally perpendicular to the tray liner base 254, however, it is contemplated that in exemplary embodiments, the wall 276 may be inclined relative to the tray liner base 254, the seat member 278 may extend from the wall 276, the seat member 278 may be disposed generally parallel to the tray liner base 254, as shown in fig. 11A, the seat member 278 may abut the liner upper surface 268, in exemplary embodiments, the side plate 272, the support plate 274, the wall 276, and the seat member 278 may form a generally triangular shape, which may help distribute loads and stresses due to the weight of the package 180 stacked on the platform 256. as a result, an additional support structure connected between the platform 256 and the tray base 38 may not be required to carry the weight of the package 180 stacked on the platform 256. in another exemplary embodiment, the tray liner base 254, the side plate 272, the support plate 274, the wall 276, the seat member 276, and the seat member 276 may be a structure that may be removably attached to the tray liner base 256 via other structures or to support the tray liner base 256, the hinge 272 and seat member may be removably attached to each other structures that may also include fasteners or hinge structures that may be considered to support the tray liner base 256, or to support the tray liner base 256.

FIG. 11B illustrates a fragmentary cross-sectional view along axis B-B (see FIG. 9) of another exemplary embodiments of cargo pallet 250. for clarity, only platforms 256 are shown in FIG. 11B. as shown in FIG. 11B, pallet liner base 254 may be positioned on pallet base 38. platforms 256 may be secured to pallet liner base 254 and may extend outwardly from pallet liner base 254. platform 256 may be connected to pallet base 38 via or more struts 120. or more struts 120 may be configured to support the weight of packages 180 loaded on pallet liner 252 and platform 256. for example, platform 256 may be connected to track 58 via or more struts 120 on or both of sides 48 and 50 of pallet base 38. As shown in FIG. 11B, platform 256 may include track 122 disposed on an outer surface 282 of side plate 272. track 122 of platform 256 may have a similar functional and structural extension of track 58 as the pallet 82 discussed above with respect to FIGS. 6B and 6C.

The platform 256 of the tray liner 252 may be connected to the tray base 38 in a number of different ways, for example, in example embodiments, a monolithic structural member may be fastened to the rails 58 of the tray base 38 at ends and to the rails 122 of the platform 256 at opposite ends via or more fasteners in another example embodiments, a monolithic structural member may be welded or brazed to the rails 58 of the tray base 38 at ends and welded or brazed to the side plates 272 of the platform 256 at opposite ends.

FIG. 12 illustrates an exploded perspective view of an exemplary cargo pallet 300. the cargo pallet 300 includes a pallet base 38, pallet pads 302 and 304, and a connector 42, and for increased clarity, the connector 42 has been omitted from FIG. 12. the pallet pads 302 and 304 may be positioned on the pallet base 38. positioning the pallet pads 302 and 304 on the pallet base 38 may include placing the pallet pads 302 and 304 on the pallet base 38. positioning the pallet pads 302 and 304 on the pallet base 38 may at least partially define a space for receiving cargo.

In exemplary embodiments, tray pads 302 and 304 may be removably connected to tray base 38 via or more connectors 42, however, it is contemplated that tray pads 302 and 304 may be fixedly attached to tray base 38 by, for example, riveting, welding, brazing, with an adhesive, or by any other attachment means, it is also contemplated that tray pads 302 and 304 may be positioned on tray base 38 without being fixedly or removably connected to tray base 38 in exemplary embodiments tray pads 302 and 304 have been shown in FIG. 12 as having a generally rectangular shape.

As shown in FIG. 12, tray liner 302 may be positioned adjacent side 50 of tray base 38. tray liner 304 may be disposed opposite tray liner 302 and may be positioned adjacent side 48 of tray base 38. tray liners 302 and 304 may include tray liner bases 306 and 308, respectively.tray liner base 306 may be defined by sides 310,312,314, and 316. sides 310 and 312 may be spaced apart from and disposed opposite each other likewise, sides 314 and 316 may be spaced apart from and disposed opposite each other.

Tray cushion base 308 can be defined by sides 320,322,324, and 326, sides 320 and 322 can be spaced apart from and disposed opposite one another, likewise, sides 324 and 326 can be spaced apart from and disposed opposite one another, sides 324 and 326 can each connect sides 320 and 322, in exemplary embodiments sides 320 and 322 can be disposed substantially parallel to one another, and sides 324 and 326 can be disposed substantially parallel to one another, in another exemplary embodiments as shown in fig. 12, in which tray cushion base 308 has a substantially rectangular shape, sides 320 and 322 can be disposed substantially perpendicular to sides 224 and 226, it is contemplated that sides 314 and 326 can abut against or be spaced apart from one another, tray cushion bases 306 and 308 can have equal or unequal areas.

The pallet liner bases 306 and 308 may include or more notches 98 as shown in the exemplary embodiment of fig. 12, notches 98 may be disposed along the sides 310 and 312 of the pallet liner base 306. likewise, notches 98 may be disposed along the sides 320 and 322 of the pallet liner base 308. the spacing between notches 98 on or more of the sides 310,312,320 and 322 may be -wise or not -wise.

The tray liner 302 may include a platform 332. likewise, the tray liner 304 may include a platform 334. the platforms 332 and 334 may be fixedly attached to the tray liner bases 306 and 308, respectively. As shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 12, the platforms 332 and 334 may be disposed opposite one another and may be spaced apart from one another. for example, the platform 332 may be fixed to the tray liner base 306 at the side 316 of the tray liner base 306. likewise, the platform 334 may be fixed to the tray liner base 308 at the side 324 of the tray liner base 308. the platforms 332 and 334 may include bearing surfaces 336 and 338, respectively, which may support or more wraps 180. As shown in FIG. 12, the bearing surfaces 336 and 338 of the platforms 332 and 334 may be fixed to the tray liner bases 306 and 308, respectively at the sides 316 and 324. the platforms 332 and the bearing surfaces 336 may extend at least partially outward beyond the footprint of the tray liner base 306 and also extend beyond the footprint of the tray base 38. in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the footprint of the tray liner base 306 and the tray liner bases 312 may be defined by the outer footprint of the sides 312, 324. the footprint of the tray liner bases 320, 320 may also extend outward beyond the footprint of the tray liner bases 320, 2,320, 2,320, 2.

Each of the platforms 332 and 334 may have a shape, structure, and function similar to the platform 256 described above, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, the platform 332 may include side plates 342, support plates 344, walls 346, and seat members 348, which may have similar shapes, structures, and functions, respectively, as the side plates 272, support plates 274, walls 276, and seat members 278 of the platform 256. likewise, the platform 334 may include side plates 352, support plates 354, walls 356, and seat members 358, which may have similar shapes, structures, and functions, respectively, as the side plates 272, support plates 274, walls 276, and seat members 278, of the platform 256. the side plates 342 and 352 of the platforms 332 and 334 may be correspondingly inclined relative to the tray liner bases 306 and 308, respectively.

The disclosed cargo pallet may include a pallet extension that may increase the support surface for the cargo load and may include a shape that may fit within a cargo compartment in which , once loaded, would place the cargo pallet therein.

The disclosed pallets and their components may be standardized and easily stacked and stored or transported when not in use these components may be arranged together to form a pallet for a particular cargo hold and packaging application after a given load is shipped using the pallet, the components may be reused when assembled, or they may also be disassembled and stored or transported for later assembly and use.

Fig. 13 shows a perspective view of the cargo pallet 360. As shown in fig. 13, the cargo pallet 360 may include a pallet base 38 and platforms 362 and 364 disposed opposite and spaced apart from one another. The platforms 362 and 364 may be positioned on the tray base 38. Positioning the platforms 362 and 364 on the pallet base 38 may at least partially define a space for receiving cargo. For example, the pallet base 38 and the platforms 362 and 364 may define a space in which the package 180 may be disposed for loading in the cargo compartment 10. Positioning the platforms 362 and 364 on the pallet base 38 increases the space available for a shipper to stack the package 180 on the cargo pallet 360. Additionally, the platforms 362 and 364 may provide additional structural support on at least two sides of the cargo pallet 360 such that the packages 180 may be stacked on top of each other without the packages 180 falling off the cargo pallet 360 or being removed from the cargo pallet 360.

In exemplary embodiments as shown in FIG. 13, platforms 362 and 364 may be removably connected to tray base 38 via or more connectors 366 it is contemplated, however, that platforms 362 and 364 may be fixedly attached to tray base 38 by, for example, riveting, welding, brazing, with an adhesive, or by any other attachment means the platforms 362 and 364 have been shown in FIG. 13 as spanning the entire width of tray base 38 along sides 48 and 50 of tray base 38. it is contemplated, however, that platforms 362 and 364 may be longer or shorter than the width of tray base 38. it is also contemplated that platforms 362 and 364 may be disposed along sides 44 and 46 of tray base 38. in exemplary embodiments, platforms 362 or may be disposed along two or more of sides 44,46,48, and 50 of tray base 38. sides 44,46,48, and 50 may define an outer perimeter 384 of tray base 38.

As shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 13, platform 362 may include side plates 372, support plates 374, end walls 376, a platform base 378, and side walls 380. side plates 372 may be secured to platform base 378 and may extend outwardly from platform base 378 to side wall ends 382, which may be disposed outside of a perimeter 384 of tray base 38. side plates 372 may be generally angled with respect to tray base 38. in exemplary embodiments, side plates 372 may be angled with respect to tray base 38 in a range between approximately 30 and approximately 45.

Support plates 374 may be connected to side panels 372 and side wall ends 382, and may extend inwardly from side wall ends 382 toward a center of tray base 38 support plates 374 may extend from side wall ends 382 to support plate ends 386, which support plate ends 386 may be located within a perimeter 384, between sides 48 and 50 of tray base 38 in exemplary embodiments as shown in fig. 13, support plates 374 may be spaced apart from platform base 378 and may be disposed substantially parallel to platform base 378 and tray base 38, however, it is contemplated that in exemplary embodiments, support plates 374 may be angled relative to platform base 378 and/or tray base 38 support plates 374 may include support surfaces 388 that may be used to support and stack parcel 180 on platform 362, support surfaces 388 may help increase the amount of space available on cargo tray 360 to stack parcel 180.

End wall 376 may extend from support plate end 386 toward tray base 38, end wall 376 may be connected to support plate 374 and platform base 378. in exemplary embodiments as shown in FIG. 13, end wall 376 may be disposed generally perpendicular to tray base 38. however, it is contemplated that in exemplary embodiments, end wall 376 may be angled relative to support plate 374 and/or tray base 38. platform base 378 may extend from end wall 376 to side plate 372. platform base 378 may be disposed on tray base 38. side wall 380 may be disposed on opposite ends of platform 362 adjacent to sides 44 and 46 of tray base 38. for example, as shown in FIG. 13, side wall 380 may be attached to both ends of each of side plate 372, support plate 374, end wall 376, and platform base 378, thereby forming an enclosed structure for platform 362.

In the exemplary embodiments shown in FIG. 13, side plates 372, support plates 374, end walls 376, and platform base 378 may form a generally trapezoidal shape, which may help distribute loads and stresses due to the weight of packages 180 stacked on platform 362. As a result, additional support structure connected between platform 362 and tray base 38 may not be required to carry the weight of packages 180 stacked on platform 362. in exemplary embodiments, side plates 372, support plates 374, end walls 376, and platform base 378 may be fixedly or movably attached to each other via fasteners, rivets, hinges, by welding, by brazing, or by other attachment methods.

As further illustrated in of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 13, platform 364 may include side plate 392, support plate 394, end wall 396, platform base 398, and side wall 400, side plate 392 may be secured to platform base 398 and may extend outwardly from platform base 398 to side wall end 402, which may be disposed outboard of perimeter 384 of tray base 38. side plate 392 may be generally angled with respect to tray base 38. in exemplary embodiments, side plate 392 may be angled with respect to tray base 38 in a range between approximately 30 and approximately 45.

Support plates 394 may be connected to side walls 392 and side wall ends 400, and may extend inwardly from side wall ends 402 toward the center of tray base 38 support plates 394 may extend from side wall ends 402 to support plate ends 406, which support plate ends 406 may be located within perimeter 384, between sides 48 and 50 of tray base 38 in exemplary embodiments as shown in fig. 13, support plates 394 may be spaced apart from platform base 398 and may be disposed substantially parallel to platform base 398 and tray base 38, however, it is contemplated that in exemplary embodiments, support plates 394 may be angled relative to platform base 398 and/or tray base 38 support plates 394 may include support surfaces 408 that may be used to support and stack parcel 180 on platform 364 support surfaces 408 may help increase the amount of space available on cargo tray 360 to stack parcel 180.

End wall 396 may extend from support plate end 406 toward tray base 38, end wall 396 may be connected to support plate 394 and platform base 398, in exemplary embodiments as shown in fig. 13, end wall 396 may be disposed substantially perpendicular to tray base 38, it is contemplated, however, that in exemplary embodiments, end wall 396 may be inclined relative to platform base 398 and/or tray base 38, platform base 398 may extend from end wall 396 to side plate 392, platform base 398 may be disposed on tray base 38, side walls 400 may be disposed on two opposite ends of platform 364 adjacent sides 44 and 46 of tray base 38, for example, as shown in fig. 13, side walls 400 may be attached to both ends of each of side plate 392, support plate 394, end wall 396, and platform base 398, thereby forming an enclosed structure for platform 364.

In the exemplary embodiments shown in FIG. 13, side plate 392, support plate 394, end wall 396, and platform base 398 may form a generally trapezoidal shape, which may help distribute loads and stresses due to the weight of the packages 180 stacked on platform 364. As a result, additional support structure connected between platform 364 and tray base 38 may not be needed to carry the weight of the packages 180 stacked on platform 364. in exemplary embodiments, side plate 392, support plate 394, end wall 396, and platform base 398 may be fixedly or movably attached to each other via fasteners, rivets, hinges, by welding, by brazing, or by other attachment methods.

FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of a cargo pallet 360, as illustrated in FIG. 14, each of platforms 362 and 364 may include a cargo net retainer 410. cargo net retainer 410 may include end connectors 412 and straps 414. end connectors 412 may be removably attachable to protrusions (not shown) on side walls 380 and 400. in exemplary embodiments, or more fasteners may be used to attach end connectors 412 to side walls 380 and 400. end connectors 412 may be removable from walls 380 and 400. straps 414 may extend between end connectors 412 attached to side walls 380 of platform 362. likewise, straps 414 may extend between end connectors 412 attached to side walls 400 of platform 364. in exemplary embodiments, straps 414 may have variable or extendable lengths.

Fig. 15 shows an enlarged fragmentary view of a side wall 400 attached to tray base 38 via an exemplary disclosed connector 366, connector 366 may include a bracket 420 and of one or more of fasteners 424 and 426 bracket 420 may include a tray base portion 428 and a platform portion 430 in the exemplary embodiments as shown in fig. 15, both tray base 428 and platform portion 430 may be flat members that may be disposed generally perpendicular to each other to form a generally L-shaped bracket 420, tray base portion 428 may include an opening (not shown), fastener 424 may pass through opening 76 in track 58 of tray base 38 and through an opening in tray base portion 428 to attach tray base portion 428 of bracket 420 to tray base 38, platform portion 430 of bracket 420 may also include of one or more openings (not shown), fastener may pass through an opening in platform portion 426 of bracket 420 and through an opening (not shown) in side wall 400 of platform 420 to connect platform portion 430 of bracket 420 to side wall 400 to connect side wall 400 of bracket 420 to side wall 400, thus, connecting side wall 400 to tray base portion 58 to side wall 46, tray base portion 58, bracket 420 and side wall 46 may also be envisaged for attaching tray base portion 46 to side wall 46, tray base portion 46, bracket 420 and side wall 46.

In the exemplary embodiments illustrated in fig. 15, the cargo pallet 360 may further include a support beam 430, like the bracket 420 , the support beam 430 may include a base portion 432 and a platform portion 434 in the exemplary embodiments illustrated in fig. 15, both the base portion 432 and the platform portion 434 may be flat members that may be arranged generally perpendicular to each other, forming a generally L-shaped support beam 430, the base portion 434 may include openings (not shown) the fasteners 436 may pass through the openings 76 and/or slots 60 in the rails 58 on the sides 44 and/or 46 of the pallet base 38 and through the openings in the base portion 432 to attach the base portion 432 of the support beam 430 to the pallet base 38, in the exemplary embodiments, the support beam 430 may also be attached to the platform 364 via or more fasteners (not shown), it is contemplated that another support beam 430 may also be attached to the rails 58 on the sides 50 and may be connected to the platform 362 via fasteners and the support beam 420 and the support beam 430 may help to transfer the weight of the platform 362 and the support beam 364 to the platform 364. the loading platform 64 may also help distribute the weight of the loading pallet 38 by the loading base portion 362 and the loading platform portion 362.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed cargo pallet. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosed cargo pallet. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.