EP0060245B1 - Carriage assembly with shiftable forks - Google Patents
Carriage assembly with shiftable forks Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0060245B1 EP0060245B1 EP81901011A EP81901011A EP0060245B1 EP 0060245 B1 EP0060245 B1 EP 0060245B1 EP 81901011 A EP81901011 A EP 81901011A EP 81901011 A EP81901011 A EP 81901011A EP 0060245 B1 EP0060245 B1 EP 0060245B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- lower bar
- bar
- tine
- generally
- leg
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
- B66F—HOISTING, LIFTING, HAULING OR PUSHING, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. DEVICES WHICH APPLY A LIFTING OR PUSHING FORCE DIRECTLY TO THE SURFACE OF A LOAD
- B66F9/00—Devices for lifting or lowering bulky or heavy goods for loading or unloading purposes
- B66F9/06—Devices for lifting or lowering bulky or heavy goods for loading or unloading purposes movable, with their loads, on wheels or the like, e.g. fork-lift trucks
- B66F9/075—Constructional features or details
- B66F9/12—Platforms; Forks; Other load supporting or gripping members
- B66F9/14—Platforms; Forks; Other load supporting or gripping members laterally movable, e.g. swingable, for slewing or transverse movements
- B66F9/142—Movements of forks either individually or relative to each other
- B66F9/143—Movements of forks relative to each other - symmetric
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
- B66F—HOISTING, LIFTING, HAULING OR PUSHING, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. DEVICES WHICH APPLY A LIFTING OR PUSHING FORCE DIRECTLY TO THE SURFACE OF A LOAD
- B66F9/00—Devices for lifting or lowering bulky or heavy goods for loading or unloading purposes
- B66F9/06—Devices for lifting or lowering bulky or heavy goods for loading or unloading purposes movable, with their loads, on wheels or the like, e.g. fork-lift trucks
- B66F9/075—Constructional features or details
- B66F9/12—Platforms; Forks; Other load supporting or gripping members
- B66F9/14—Platforms; Forks; Other load supporting or gripping members laterally movable, e.g. swingable, for slewing or transverse movements
- B66F9/147—Whole unit including fork support moves relative to mast
- B66F9/148—Whole unit including fork support moves sideways
Definitions
- This invention relates generally to a carriage assembly having a laterally shiftable fork structure and more particularly to a side shift carriage assembly mounted to a mast structure of a lift truck which comprises an apparatus in accordance with the pre-characterizing part of claim 1.
- carriage assemblies which have a side shifter, that is, a frame which shifts laterally relative to the mast assembly and carries the forks with it, it is particularly important to have clear forward and downward vision for the lift truck operator, since this allows the operator to visually follow lateral movement and downward tilting of the forks and associated load.
- a side shifter that is, a frame which shifts laterally relative to the mast assembly and carries the forks with it
- US-A-2 788 148 again illustrates not a side shift carriage assembly, but a side shift fork arrangement, wherein the forks are themselves individually laterally moveable on a carriage which is vertically moveable on the mast.
- the lower end of each fork is mounted on a laterally orientated tubular guide member which accepts vertical and horizontal loads, while the upper ends of the forks are provided with rollers which permit only horizontal forces to be transmitted to the carriage which is itself laterally fixed.
- the present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.
- a load lifting apparatus has a mast assembly and a carriage assembly.
- the carriage assembly has an upper member and a lower member and is mounted to and translatable along the mast assembly.
- a side shifter having upper and lower bars, is mounted to and laterally translatable along the upper and lower members.
- a generally "L" shaped tine has a generally vertical leg and a generally horizontal leg. Means are provided for mounting a top end portion of the vertical leg to transfer substantially only horizontal forces to the upper bar. Means are also provided for mounting the bottom end portion of the vertical leg to transfer vertical forces to the lower bar. Further means are provided for maintaining the lower bar from moving laterally away from the lower member, said means being free from interference with relative longitudinal movement between the lower bar and lower member.
- a structure as set out above has the advantage that all vertical forces are taken up by the lower portion of the carriage assembly.
- the upper portion of the carriage assembly can be relatively small. This allows relatively free forward and downward view for an operator of a lift truck which has such a carriage assembly.
- the ability of the assembly to lift a load is improved since the effective lever arm, from the load on the tines to the lower portion of the carriage assembly, is shorter than the effective lever arm in prior art structures (from the load to the ' upper portion of the carriage assembly). Further, side shifting is provided.
- a close fit can be maintained between the lower member and the lower bar and apparatus can be provided which keeps the tine from rotating away frdm the side shifter and which can be easily removed to replace or repair damaged tines, or to mount tines of specialized shapes and/or sizes.
- FIG 1 illustrates a load lifting apparatus or lift truck 10 having a generally vertically oriented mast structure 12 having a frontward facing or fore portion 14.
- a carriage assembly 16 is mounted to the mast structure 12 for movement vertically up and down along the fore portion 14 thereof.
- the carriage assembly 16 includes a roller bracket 17, seen best in Figures 4 and 5, which rolls within movable uprights 18 on rollers 19a and 19b.
- An upper generally horizontal member 20 and a lower generally horizontal member 22 are each connected to the roller bracket 17.
- a chain assembly 23 pulls the carriage assembly 16 upwardly along the movable uprights 18 as they are raised by cylinders 25.
- At least one generally “L” shaped tine 34, and generally a pair of such tines 34, 36, is mounted on the side shifter 24.
- the tines 34, 36 are preferably shifted laterally on the side shifter 24 by cylinders 37a and 37b, respectively.
- the tines 34 and 36 are substantially identical. Generally, the tines 34 and 36 each have a generally vertical leg 38 having a top portion 40 and a bottom portion 42. The tines 34 and 36 also have a generally horizontal leg 44. The generally vertical leg 38 and the generally horizontal leg 44 are joined together at an apex 46. The generally vertical leg 38 is positioned generally parallel to the mast structure 12 with the apex 46 aligned downwardly and joining the bottom portion 42 and the horizontal leg 44. The generally horizontal leg 44 is positioned to extend generally perpendicularly away from the fore portion 14.
- means 52 are provided for mounting the top end portion 40 of the vertical leg 38 to transfer substantially only horizontal forces to the upper bar 26 of the side shifter 24.
- the means 52 includes a plate 54 attached to extend downwardly from the upper, generally horizontal member 20, preferably to the height of the upper bar 26. Since only horizontal forces are taken up by the upper member 20, it need not be bulky or extend far vertically. Thus, forward vision past the upper member 20 is relatively unobstructed.
- An extension 56 of the vertical leg 38 of the tine 36 extends upwardly therefrom adjacent the mast structure 12.
- Appropriate bearing plates 60 and 62 are positioned respectively between the plate 54 and the member 58 and between the member 58 and the extension 56.
- the bearing plates 60, 62 are a plastic material such as UHMW polyethylene.
- Means 64 is additionally provided for mounting the bottom end portion 42 of the vertical leg 38 to transfer vertical forces which are exerted downwardly upon the horizontal tine 44 to the lower bar 28 of the side shifter 24. Such forces are then transferred, in a manner which will shortly be apparent, to the lower member 22, and from there, via the roller bracket 18, to the mast structure 12.
- a pair of arms 66 are carried by the tines 34 and 36 and extend toward the mast structure 12.
- the arms 66 are positioned and of a construction sufficient to extend to a position above a top 67 of the lower bar 28.
- An appropriate bearing plate 68 preferably of a plastic material, is attached to a bottom 69 of each of the arms 66 and provides sliding contact between the lower bar 28 and the bracket 66.
- Means 71 is provided for maintaining the lower bar 28 from moving laterally ( Figure 2) away from the lower member 22, while allowing relative longitudinal movement between lower bar 28 and lower member 22.
- a generally horizontal channel 70 is provided which extends longitudinally along the lower bar 28.
- the channel 70 is formed by an "L" shaped bar 72 and the lower bar 28, the "L” shaped bar 72 being attached to the lower bar 28.
- the channel 70 opens upwardly.
- a pair of brackets 74 are connected to the roller bracket 18 and have a finger 76 which extends downwardly into the channel 70.
- Means 78 is provided for laterally adjusting the position of the fingers 76 within the channel 70.
- the means 78 includes a plurality of bolts 80 which fit within laterally extending slots 82 in the brackets 18. To adjust the lateral positions of the fingers 76, one simply backs off the bolts 80 and slides the brackets 74 leftwardly or rightwardly as desired up to the limits of movement provided by the slots 82. Thereafter, the bolts 80 are simply tightened in place. This assures snug positioning of the side shifter 24 adjacent the lower member 22. Play is thus reduced while side shifting can take place. The. side shifter 24 is also prevented from coming off.
- Retaining means 84 is provided for retaining the bottom portion 42 of the generally vertical leg 38 of the tine 36 adjacent the lower bar 28.
- the particular retaining means 84 illustrated includes a structure 86 attached by a retainer, such as a bolt 88; to the tine 36 adjacent its apex 46, and more particularly attached to the bottom portion 42 of the vertical leg 38 of the tine 36.
- a ridge 89 which extends downwardly from a bottom 90 of the lower bar 28, the ridge 89 having one side 91 which faces away from the tine 36.
- the structure 86 is connected to the tine 36 in such a manner that it extends upwardly past the ridge 89 to adjacent the one side 91 of the ridge 89 and the bottom 90 of the lower bar 28.
- the structure 86 can be removed by removing the bolt 88 whereby the tine 36 can be readily removed.
- a first bearing structure 92 is attached to and extends along either the lower bar 28 or the lower member 22 and is in sliding contact with the other thereof.
- the first bearing structure 92 is positioned to transfer forces downwardly from the lower bar 28 to the lower member 22.
- vertical forces which are transferred from the tines 34 and 36 to the lower bar 28 are further transferred via the "L" shaped member 72 to the lower member 22, which is located below the "L” shaped member 72.
- the first bearing structure 92 is a longitudinally extending bar, preferably of an organic polymeric material such as ultra high molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene, with the bar having an "L" shaped cross-section with a horizontal leg 93 of the "L” being held between a top surface 94 of the lower member 22 and the "L" shaped member 72 (which is attached to the lower bar 28 and which, as has previously been mentioned, serves to define the horizontal channel 70).
- UHMW ultra high molecular weight
- the first bearing structure 92 is attached to the lower member 22 and is in sliding contact with the lower bar 28.
- the lower member 22 is shorter than the lower bar 28.
- a second bearing structure 96 is attached to and extends along a respective one of the lower bar 28 and the lower member 22 and is in sliding contact with a respective other thereof.
- the second bearing structure 96 is positioned to transfer forces upwardly from the lower bar 28 to the lower member 22.
- the second bearing structure 96 is attached to the lower member 22. That member is somewhat shorter than is the lower bar 28.
- the second bearing structure 96 is of the same shape as the first bearing structure 92 and of the same material thereof.
- the bearing plates 60, 62 and 68 are also generally of the same material.
- a member 98 which may be attached to or may be integral with the lower bar 28, extends therefrom to below the lower member 22.
- the second bearing structure 96 is attached with a generally horizontal leg 99 thereof in sliding contact between the member 98 and a bottom 100 of the lower member 22.
- a generally vertical leg 101 of the first bearing structure 92 and a generally vertical leg 103 of the second bearing structure 96 are vertically oriented between the lower member 22 and the lower bar 88 and are preferably in sliding contact with the lower member 28 and attached to the lower member 22.
- shim means 102 which serves for providing tight sliding contact between the second bearing structure 96 and the bottom 100 of the bar 98.
- an "L" shaped member 104 generally of metal, is positioned with a longer leg 106 thereof between the lower member 22 and the horizontal leg 99 of the second bearing structure 96.
- the "L" shaped member 104 having a longer leg 106 of a proper thickness to assure good contacting relation between the bar 98 and the horizontal leg of the second bearing structure 96 can be selected at assembly.
- the shim means 102 could be positioned between the first bearing structure 92 and the top surface 94 of the lower member 22.
- the horizontal leg 93 of the first bearing structure 92 serves to transfer forces downwardly from the lower bar 28 to the lower member 22 and the horizontal leg 99 of the second bearing structure 96 serves to transfer forces upwardly from the lower bar 28 to the lower member 22.
- the vertical legs 101, 103 of the first bearing structure 92 and the second bearing structure 96 serve as means 108 for providing sliding contact between the lower bar 28 and the lower member 22 for transferring forces generally horizontally inwardly from the lower bar 28 to the lower member 22.
- An apparatus as described above is particularly useful with a fork lift truck wherein loads may be shifted sidewardly relative to a mast assembly and wherein the forks may be shifted sidewardly independently.
- An apparatus in accordance with the present invention has the advantage that the operator has relatively clear forward and downward vision so that he can observe placement of loads laterally of the mast assembly and the picking up of loads in front of the lift truck.
- the tines or forks of the lift truck can be relatively easily removed as by simply removing the bolt 88, yet all downward forces exerted by the tine are taken up by the bottom portion of the carriage and mast assembly.
- the overall weight of the device can be reduced, since the bottom portion of the carriage is nearer the position on the forks, where loads are borne than is the upper portion of the carriage. As a result, it is not required to be as strong (and heavy) as are the upper portions of prior art carriages. Adjustments are provided so that a close fitting construction is maintained, even if manufacturing tolerances are relatively large.
Abstract
Description
- This invention relates generally to a carriage assembly having a laterally shiftable fork structure and more particularly to a side shift carriage assembly mounted to a mast structure of a lift truck which comprises an apparatus in accordance with the pre-characterizing part of claim 1.
- In the construction of vehicles, as for example a lift truck as shown in U.S.-A-3,999,675 which issued December 28, 1976, to James E. Forrey et al, and which is in accordance with the pre-characterizing part of claim 1 both vertical and horizontal force components from the fork, are commonly taken up by the top portion of the carriage assembly. Thus, it is required that the top portion of the carriage assembly be relatively large and heavy to carry the vertical force components. Because of the size and location of the top portion of the carriage assembly, forward downward vision of the operator of the lift truck can be somewhat restricted. Because of the weight of the top portion, the cost of the structure is somewhat high.
- In carriage assemblies which have a side shifter, that is, a frame which shifts laterally relative to the mast assembly and carries the forks with it, it is particularly important to have clear forward and downward vision for the lift truck operator, since this allows the operator to visually follow lateral movement and downward tilting of the forks and associated load.
- While some structures exist wherein the top portion of a carriage assembly does not accept any vertical forces, but only horizontal forces resulting from the moment created by a load held by the forks of such an assembly, such structures have not been utilized with a carriage assembly which includes a side shifter. United States Patent 3,381,834, issued May 7, 1968, to C. B. Gibson, illustrates a lift truck wherein there is no vertical load accepting ability in the upper portion of the carriage assembly and where the entire vertical load upon the forks is taken up by a structure beneath the forks. Such an assembly is not readily adaptable for use with side shifting carriage assemblies.
- US-A-2 788 148 again illustrates not a side shift carriage assembly, but a side shift fork arrangement, wherein the forks are themselves individually laterally moveable on a carriage which is vertically moveable on the mast. The lower end of each fork is mounted on a laterally orientated tubular guide member which accepts vertical and horizontal loads, while the upper ends of the forks are provided with rollers which permit only horizontal forces to be transmitted to the carriage which is itself laterally fixed.
- The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.
- Accordingly the invention is further defined by the features of the characterizing part of claim 1.
- In one embodiment of the present invention, a load lifting apparatus has a mast assembly and a carriage assembly. The carriage assembly has an upper member and a lower member and is mounted to and translatable along the mast assembly. A side shifter, having upper and lower bars, is mounted to and laterally translatable along the upper and lower members. A generally "L" shaped tine has a generally vertical leg and a generally horizontal leg. Means are provided for mounting a top end portion of the vertical leg to transfer substantially only horizontal forces to the upper bar. Means are also provided for mounting the bottom end portion of the vertical leg to transfer vertical forces to the lower bar. Further means are provided for maintaining the lower bar from moving laterally away from the lower member, said means being free from interference with relative longitudinal movement between the lower bar and lower member.
- A structure as set out above has the advantage that all vertical forces are taken up by the lower portion of the carriage assembly. As a result, the upper portion of the carriage assembly can be relatively small. This allows relatively free forward and downward view for an operator of a lift truck which has such a carriage assembly. Also, the ability of the assembly to lift a load is improved since the effective lever arm, from the load on the tines to the lower portion of the carriage assembly, is shorter than the effective lever arm in prior art structures (from the load to the 'upper portion of the carriage assembly). Further, side shifting is provided. Also, a close fit can be maintained between the lower member and the lower bar and apparatus can be provided which keeps the tine from rotating away frdm the side shifter and which can be easily removed to replace or repair damaged tines, or to mount tines of specialized shapes and/or sizes.
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- Figure 1 illustrates, in perspective view one embodiment of the present invention as mounted to a conventional .lift truck;
- Figure 2 illustrates, in side sectional partial view, the embodiment of Fig. 1 in further detail;
- Figure 3A illustrates, in partial perspective view, taken looking downwardly and rightwardly from in front and to the left of the truck, a detail in the structure of the embodiment of Figure 1;
- Figure 3B illustrates, in partial perspective exploded view, a portion of the structure shown in Figure 3A;
- Figure 4 illustrates a view taken along the line IV-IV of Figure 2; and
- Figure 5 illustrates a view taken along the line V-V of Figure 2.
- Figure 1 illustrates a load lifting apparatus or
lift truck 10 having a generally verticallyoriented mast structure 12 having a frontward facing orfore portion 14. Acarriage assembly 16 is mounted to themast structure 12 for movement vertically up and down along thefore portion 14 thereof. Thecarriage assembly 16 includes aroller bracket 17, seen best in Figures 4 and 5, which rolls withinmovable uprights 18 onrollers horizontal member 20 and a lower generallyhorizontal member 22 are each connected to theroller bracket 17. Achain assembly 23 pulls thecarriage assembly 16 upwardly along themovable uprights 18 as they are raised bycylinders 25. - A
side shifter 24, having an upper generallyhorizontal bar 26 and a lower generallyhorizontal bar 28 connected by a pair of generallyvertical side bars side shifter 24 is laterally translatable under the impetus of acylinder 33, along the upper andlower members upper bar 26 being adjacent theupper member 20. - At least one generally "L" shaped
tine 34, and generally a pair ofsuch tines side shifter 24. Thetines side shifter 24 bycylinders - The
tines tines vertical leg 38 having atop portion 40 and abottom portion 42. Thetines horizontal leg 44. The generallyvertical leg 38 and the generallyhorizontal leg 44 are joined together at anapex 46. The generallyvertical leg 38 is positioned generally parallel to themast structure 12 with theapex 46 aligned downwardly and joining thebottom portion 42 and thehorizontal leg 44. The generallyhorizontal leg 44 is positioned to extend generally perpendicularly away from thefore portion 14. - In accordance with the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, means 52 are provided for mounting the
top end portion 40 of thevertical leg 38 to transfer substantially only horizontal forces to theupper bar 26 of theside shifter 24. Briefly, themeans 52 includes aplate 54 attached to extend downwardly from the upper, generallyhorizontal member 20, preferably to the height of theupper bar 26. Since only horizontal forces are taken up by theupper member 20, it need not be bulky or extend far vertically. Thus, forward vision past theupper member 20 is relatively unobstructed. - An
extension 56 of thevertical leg 38 of thetine 36 extends upwardly therefrom adjacent themast structure 12. Amember 58, carried by theupper bar 26 of theside shifter 24, extends downwardly therefrom to a position outboard of theextension 56.Appropriate bearing plates plate 54 and themember 58 and between themember 58 and theextension 56. Preferably thebearing plates - If a force is exerted downwardly upon the generally
horizontal leg 44 of thetine 36, this creates a moment which tends to rotate theextension 56 into bearing contact with thebearing plate 62. Downward forces exerted upon thehorizontal leg 44 are not, however, translatable therefrom to theside shifter 24 or to theupper member 20 which is attached to theroller bracket 18. -
Means 64 is additionally provided for mounting thebottom end portion 42 of thevertical leg 38 to transfer vertical forces which are exerted downwardly upon thehorizontal tine 44 to thelower bar 28 of theside shifter 24. Such forces are then transferred, in a manner which will shortly be apparent, to thelower member 22, and from there, via theroller bracket 18, to themast structure 12. In the embodiment as illustrated, a pair ofarms 66 are carried by thetines mast structure 12. Thearms 66 are positioned and of a construction sufficient to extend to a position above atop 67 of thelower bar 28. An appropriate bearing plate 68, preferably of a plastic material, is attached to a bottom 69 of each of thearms 66 and provides sliding contact between thelower bar 28 and thebracket 66. -
Means 71 is provided for maintaining thelower bar 28 from moving laterally (Figure 2) away from thelower member 22, while allowing relative longitudinal movement betweenlower bar 28 andlower member 22. A generallyhorizontal channel 70 is provided which extends longitudinally along thelower bar 28. In the particular embodiment as illustrated in the drawings, thechannel 70 is formed by an "L" shapedbar 72 and thelower bar 28, the "L" shapedbar 72 being attached to thelower bar 28. Generally, thechannel 70 opens upwardly. A pair ofbrackets 74 are connected to theroller bracket 18 and have afinger 76 which extends downwardly into thechannel 70. -
Means 78 is provided for laterally adjusting the position of thefingers 76 within thechannel 70. In the particular embodiment illustrated, themeans 78 includes a plurality ofbolts 80 which fit within laterally extendingslots 82 in thebrackets 18. To adjust the lateral positions of thefingers 76, one simply backs off thebolts 80 and slides thebrackets 74 leftwardly or rightwardly as desired up to the limits of movement provided by theslots 82. Thereafter, thebolts 80 are simply tightened in place. This assures snug positioning of theside shifter 24 adjacent thelower member 22. Play is thus reduced while side shifting can take place. The.side shifter 24 is also prevented from coming off. - Retaining means 84 is provided for retaining the
bottom portion 42 of the generallyvertical leg 38 of thetine 36 adjacent thelower bar 28. The particular retaining means 84 illustrated includes astructure 86 attached by a retainer, such as abolt 88; to thetine 36 adjacent itsapex 46, and more particularly attached to thebottom portion 42 of thevertical leg 38 of thetine 36. Also part of the retaining means 84 is aridge 89 which extends downwardly from a bottom 90 of thelower bar 28, theridge 89 having one side 91 which faces away from thetine 36. Thestructure 86 is connected to thetine 36 in such a manner that it extends upwardly past theridge 89 to adjacent the one side 91 of theridge 89 and the bottom 90 of thelower bar 28. Thestructure 86 can be removed by removing thebolt 88 whereby thetine 36 can be readily removed. - A
first bearing structure 92 is attached to and extends along either thelower bar 28 or thelower member 22 and is in sliding contact with the other thereof. Thefirst bearing structure 92 is positioned to transfer forces downwardly from thelower bar 28 to thelower member 22. Thus, vertical forces which are transferred from thetines lower bar 28 are further transferred via the "L" shapedmember 72 to thelower member 22, which is located below the "L" shapedmember 72. - In the particular embodiment illustrated, the
first bearing structure 92 is a longitudinally extending bar, preferably of an organic polymeric material such as ultra high molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene, with the bar having an "L" shaped cross-section with a horizontal leg 93 of the "L" being held between a top surface 94 of thelower member 22 and the "L" shaped member 72 (which is attached to thelower bar 28 and which, as has previously been mentioned, serves to define the horizontal channel 70). Preferably, thefirst bearing structure 92 is attached to thelower member 22 and is in sliding contact with thelower bar 28. Thelower member 22 is shorter than thelower bar 28. - A
second bearing structure 96 is attached to and extends along a respective one of thelower bar 28 and thelower member 22 and is in sliding contact with a respective other thereof. Thesecond bearing structure 96 is positioned to transfer forces upwardly from thelower bar 28 to thelower member 22. In the particular embodiment illustrated thesecond bearing structure 96 is attached to thelower member 22. That member is somewhat shorter than is thelower bar 28. Generally thesecond bearing structure 96 is of the same shape as thefirst bearing structure 92 and of the same material thereof. The bearingplates member 98, which may be attached to or may be integral with thelower bar 28, extends therefrom to below thelower member 22. Thesecond bearing structure 96 is attached with a generallyhorizontal leg 99 thereof in sliding contact between themember 98 and abottom 100 of thelower member 22. A generallyvertical leg 101 of thefirst bearing structure 92 and a generallyvertical leg 103 of thesecond bearing structure 96 are vertically oriented between thelower member 22 and thelower bar 88 and are preferably in sliding contact with thelower member 28 and attached to thelower member 22. - Adverting particularly to Figures 3A and 3B, there is illustrated therein shim means 102 which serves for providing tight sliding contact between the
second bearing structure 96 and thebottom 100 of thebar 98. Briefly, an "L" shapedmember 104, generally of metal, is positioned with alonger leg 106 thereof between thelower member 22 and thehorizontal leg 99 of thesecond bearing structure 96. The "L" shapedmember 104 having alonger leg 106 of a proper thickness to assure good contacting relation between thebar 98 and the horizontal leg of thesecond bearing structure 96 can be selected at assembly. Alternatively, the shim means 102 could be positioned between thefirst bearing structure 92 and the top surface 94 of thelower member 22. - The horizontal leg 93 of the
first bearing structure 92 serves to transfer forces downwardly from thelower bar 28 to thelower member 22 and thehorizontal leg 99 of thesecond bearing structure 96 serves to transfer forces upwardly from thelower bar 28 to thelower member 22. Meanwhile, thevertical legs first bearing structure 92 and thesecond bearing structure 96, serve asmeans 108 for providing sliding contact between thelower bar 28 and thelower member 22 for transferring forces generally horizontally inwardly from thelower bar 28 to thelower member 22. - An apparatus as described above is particularly useful with a fork lift truck wherein loads may be shifted sidewardly relative to a mast assembly and wherein the forks may be shifted sidewardly independently.
- In use, vertical forces exerted on the
tines lower bar 28. Theupper member 20 only takes up horizontal forces and, hence, need not be heavy or bulky, or extend far vertically. This provides reasonably unobstructed forward vision past theupper member 20. - An apparatus in accordance with the present invention has the advantage that the operator has relatively clear forward and downward vision so that he can observe placement of loads laterally of the mast assembly and the picking up of loads in front of the lift truck. The tines or forks of the lift truck can be relatively easily removed as by simply removing the
bolt 88, yet all downward forces exerted by the tine are taken up by the bottom portion of the carriage and mast assembly. The overall weight of the device can be reduced, since the bottom portion of the carriage is nearer the position on the forks, where loads are borne than is the upper portion of the carriage. As a result, it is not required to be as strong (and heavy) as are the upper portions of prior art carriages. Adjustments are provided so that a close fitting construction is maintained, even if manufacturing tolerances are relatively large. - Other aspects, objects and advantages of the invention can be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims.
Claims (10)
means (52) for mounting said top end portion (40) of said vertical leg (38) for transferring substantially only horizontal forces from said tine (36) to said upper bar (26) and from said upper bar (26) to said upper generally horizontal member (20); means (64) for mounting said bottom end portion (42) of said leg (38) for transferring vertical forces from said tine (36) to said lower bar (28);
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US1980/001265 WO1982000997A1 (en) | 1980-09-22 | 1980-09-22 | Carriage assembly with shiftable forks |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0060245A1 EP0060245A1 (en) | 1982-09-22 |
EP0060245A4 EP0060245A4 (en) | 1983-03-15 |
EP0060245B1 true EP0060245B1 (en) | 1986-03-19 |
Family
ID=22154560
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP81901011A Expired EP0060245B1 (en) | 1980-09-22 | 1980-09-22 | Carriage assembly with shiftable forks |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0060245B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JPS5771197U (en) |
DE (1) | DE3071512D1 (en) |
NO (1) | NO150756C (en) |
WO (1) | WO1982000997A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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JPS5980558U (en) * | 1982-11-20 | 1984-05-31 | キヤタピラ−三菱株式会社 | sliding fork |
DE69028093T2 (en) * | 1989-12-04 | 1997-03-20 | Fmc Corp | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE FORK OF A CONVEYOR VEHICLE |
US5476932A (en) * | 1994-08-26 | 1995-12-19 | Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. | Process for producing N4-acyl-5'-deoxy-5-fluorocytidine derivatives |
ITPC20040010U1 (en) * | 2004-04-28 | 2004-07-28 | Lift Tek Elecar Srl | TRANSLATOR IN PARTICULAR FOR LIFTS WITH QUICK-MOUNTING TRANSLATING PLATE AND CLEARANCE ADJUSTMENT |
US8403618B2 (en) | 2004-11-30 | 2013-03-26 | Cascade Corporation | Lift truck load handler |
US7909563B2 (en) | 2004-11-30 | 2011-03-22 | Cascade Corporation | Fork positioner |
GB2479327B (en) * | 2009-02-09 | 2014-02-12 | Illinois Tool Works | Reduced load offset loss integrated lift truck attachment |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US2663443A (en) * | 1951-04-18 | 1953-12-22 | Baker Raulang Co | Carrier for industrial elevating trucks |
US2788148A (en) * | 1953-08-07 | 1957-04-09 | Baker Raulang Co | Load carrying industrial truck |
US3381834A (en) * | 1967-01-04 | 1968-05-07 | Raymond Corp | Lift truck |
FR2068171A5 (en) * | 1969-11-28 | 1971-08-20 | Luchaire Sa | |
US3974927A (en) * | 1974-07-15 | 1976-08-17 | Little Giant Products, Inc. | Side shifter assembly for lift trucks |
US3999675A (en) * | 1975-11-28 | 1976-12-28 | Towmotor Corporation | Carriage assembly of a vehicle |
DE3071001D1 (en) * | 1980-01-07 | 1985-09-26 | Towmotor Corp | Side shift fork adjustable carriage |
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1980
- 1980-09-22 WO PCT/US1980/001265 patent/WO1982000997A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1980-09-22 DE DE8181901011T patent/DE3071512D1/en not_active Expired
- 1980-09-22 EP EP81901011A patent/EP0060245B1/en not_active Expired
-
1981
- 1981-06-18 NO NO812077A patent/NO150756C/en unknown
- 1981-09-09 JP JP1981133174U patent/JPS5771197U/ja active Pending
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0060245A4 (en) | 1983-03-15 |
JPS5771197U (en) | 1982-04-30 |
NO812077L (en) | 1982-03-23 |
DE3071512D1 (en) | 1986-04-24 |
WO1982000997A1 (en) | 1982-04-01 |
NO150756B (en) | 1984-09-03 |
NO150756C (en) | 1984-12-12 |
EP0060245A1 (en) | 1982-09-22 |
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