EP1043267B1 - Lift truck for a transport vehicle like a trailer - Google Patents

Abstract

Wheels (25) are placed on clevis (4) able to rotate at end of arm (21) on transversal pivot (40), under action of actuator ( Actuator links clevis to arm so as to modify position of wheel relative to plane defined by arms. When pole (24) is folded, actuators (41, 28) allow folding of wheels (25, 26) above plane inferior to base (20) of frame (2), so as to reduce height of lifting truck (1).

Description

The present invention relates to a forklift capable of being transported by a transport vehicle of the type trailer truck or trailer being attached to the chassis thereof.

In the field of transport, loading and unloading a vehicle of the trailer or semi-trailer type are easily achieved when said vehicle is docked by means of a pallet puller, a forklift or the like. It's all right otherwise without a dock, which is very common when recipients of deliveries are in town for example.

Also, to overcome this disadvantage, it is common to equip a transport vehicle of a pallet puller which remains permanently on the tray of said vehicle to only move the goods on said tray, and / or a forklift truck enabling the merchandise of the said tray and to transfer it.

However, few transport vehicles are equipped with ramps to raise a forklift on the board, also it has been proposed external hanging devices for attaching a forklift to the rear of a vehicle.

Such fastening devices are described in the documents FR 2 298 454, US 429 357 and EP 0.643 009, they comprise two parallel slides secured to the chassis of the vehicle, and intended to house the fork of the forklift, the actuation of the fork in the direction of the descent to lift the said forklift, while clamping means make it possible to secure said lift truck to the chassis of said vehicle.

If these devices are of simple design and handling easy, they nonetheless present a major disadvantage, that of to violate the rules of the road, since a vehicle thus equipped exceeds the permitted overall length. In fact, users who do not wish to violate this code of the road, have, then, alternative to recutting the standard chassis of their vehicle, which inevitably results in a loss of useful area for loading.

We also know forklifts that can be folded to allow easy transport, it is for example the one proposed by the document FR 2,628,087. However the forklift described in this document is primarily designed so that the load does not never be in a cantilever position, so that, because of its particular design, its bulk when folded is as it is difficult to maneuver, it does not allow in all case an easy connection to the chassis of a transport vehicle.

To overcome this drawback, it has been proposed in the documents EP 0.250.018 and GB 2.014.946, forklifts comprising a mast on which can move a fork, and where said fork is foldable on said mast, itself foldable on the chassis of the trolley, such that said forklifts are suitable for be transported under the chassis of a transport vehicle of the type truck. More particularly, the forklift proposed in the EP 0.250.018 has hydraulic cylinders for folding said mast. This corresponds to the preamble of the claim independent 1.

However, the forklift proposed in the document EP 0.250.018 also has drawbacks, in particular because of its very rudimentary design. Indeed, after folding the fork and mast on the chassis, the set is placed transversely under the chassis of the transport vehicle, rolled on two rails suspended under the latter. Or the height of the trolley folded lift remains important, so that most transport vehicles are not capable of being equipped with such forklift.

The forklift of the document GB 2.014.946 makes it possible to remedy partially to this disadvantage, the mast is indeed attached to the chassis through a deformable parallelogram, in so that after hooking the mast horizontally under the vehicle transport, it is possible to position the chassis at the same level that said mast, thus retracting the directional wheel the other wheels remaining however protruding. By elsewhere the lift truck proposed in this document presents the disadvantage of a complex design that is likely to detract from its robustness, which limits its use.

The present invention aims to propose a forklift fit to be transported by a truck-type transport vehicle trailer or semi-trailer being attached under the chassis of the latter, and to overcome the various disadvantages mentioned above.

The forklift object of the present invention comprises a a chassis with a base supported by wheels or small caterpillars, at least one of which is directional, part of a mast along which can move, under the action of a motor assembly carried by said frame, a fork substantially perpendicular to said mast, said fork being foldable against said mast, which is foldable against said base to be housed and maintained under the chassis of a vehicle of transport of the type truck trailer or semi-trailer, said truck elevator is characterized in that it comprises means comprising a hydraulic cylinder independent and to move vertically said wheels or small caterpillars relative chassis, so that they can be retracted over from the bottom plane of the base of said chassis, the wheels each of which are mounted in a clevis adapted to pivot, through a transverse pivot, on the base of the chassis and under the action of a jack connecting said yoke to said frame of eccentrically relative to said pivot.

According to another advantageous characteristic of the forklift according to the invention, the fork comprises a sliding mounted element on the mast, at the base of which a joint bears two teeth, said hinge allowing said teeth to describe an angle of 90 ° to take two extreme positions, namely perpendicular element, and parallel to it.

According to another advantageous characteristic of the forklift according to the invention, its chassis comprises externally and laterally two angles intended, after the folding of the mast, to take place on parallel slides that includes lower and transversely the chassis of the vehicle.

According to a preferred embodiment of the lift truck according to the invention, the base of the chassis is U-shaped, that is to say it has two parallel arms connected by a crossbar, said arms each having a wheel, while said beam carries the motorization assembly and rests on a steerable wheel.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the lift truck according to the invention, the mast is secured to the cross member of the base of the chassis through a hinge allowing it to take two extreme positions, ie parallel to the arms of said base, and perpendicular to the plane defined said arms.

Such articulation still allows the lifting assembly of slide laterally relative to the chassis via in particular, a jack placed horizontally, this with a view to to facilitate the positioning of pallets on said vehicle of transport.

According to another additional characteristic of the forklift according to the invention, the cross member of the chassis base is constituted two sections sliding one into the other, or one against the other.

The forklift is thus of variable width, which makes it possible to reserve for him, under the chassis of the transport vehicle, a very small site, and when it is deployed, to increase its width and therefore its stability.

According to another additional characteristic of the forklift according to the invention, the mast slides along the crossbeam of the base of the chassis.

Advantageously, the chassis comprises means making it possible to block the mast in a vertical position after its recovery and its moving along the cross member of the base of said frame.

The advantages and characteristics of the forklift according to invention, will emerge more clearly from the description which follows and which refers to the attached drawing, which represents a mode of non-limiting embodiment.

• la figure 1 représente une vue schématique partielle en élévation de profil d'un chariot élévateur selon l'invention.
• la figure 2 représente une vue schématique partielle en plan du même chariot élévateur.
• la figure 3 représente une vue schématique partielle en élévation de profil du même chariot élévateur, montrant notamment d'autres parties de celui-ci.
• la figure 4 représente une vue schématique partielle en élévation de profil du même chariot élévateur dans une position repliée.
• la figure 5 représente une vue schématique partielle en élévation de derrière du même chariot élévateur en position repliée et rangé sous le châssis d'un véhicule de transport.

In the attached drawing:

• FIG. 1 represents a partial diagrammatic elevation view of a forklift truck according to the invention.
• Figure 2 shows a partial schematic plan view of the same forklift.
• FIG. 3 represents a partial schematic elevation view of the same lift truck, showing in particular other parts thereof.
• Figure 4 shows a partial schematic elevational view of the same lift truck in a folded position.
• Figure 5 shows a partial schematic rear elevational view of the same lift truck in the folded position and stored under the chassis of a transport vehicle.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, we can see a forklift 1 according to the invention. It comprises a frame 2 comprising a base 20 U-shaped, that is to say having two arms 21 connected by a crosses 22.

On a spacer 23, preferably of round tubular shape, parallel to the cross member 22 and extending between the arms 21, is articulated by its lower end a mast 24 likely to take two extreme positions, namely vertical, perpendicular to the plane defined by the arms 21, and represented in broken lines in FIG. 1, horizontal, in parallel audit plan.

Maneuvering the mast 24 from one position to another can be performed manually, however, provision is made for hydraulic, which further ensures a lock in position, this assistance consists of a jack 25, visible in FIG. and connecting the mast 24 to a portion of the frame 2.

On the other hand, a fork 3 can move along the mast 24 by via a conventional means known per se, not shown, of the chain type moved hydraulically. The fork 3 thus comprises a element 30 slidably mounted on the mast 24 and at the base of which two teeth 31 are pivotally mounted at an angle limited to 90 °, on a pivot 32, between a position parallel to the mast 24, shown in FIG. discontinuous lines in Figure 1, and a perpendicular position at the mast 24.

The chassis 2 is carried by three wheels, a wheel 25 at the end of each of the arms 21, and a wheel 26 integral with an arm 27 of maneuvering pivotally pivotable on the frame 20 according to a vertical axis. Note that instead of wheels can be planned small caterpillars. In addition, the wheel 26 or the caterpillar swivel can advantageously be operated from a station of driving comprising a seat and a steering wheel.

The forklift 1 as described above is usable from the same way as a conventional forklift, it allows to grasp a load through the teeth 31 of the fork 3, to lift and lowering this charge along the mast 24, and transferring it rolling the forklift 1 on its wheels 25 and 26 while the leader by the pivoting of the wheel 26.

The displacement of the fork 3 along the mast 24 and the feeding of the jack 25 are made by means of a motorization assembly 10, visible in FIG. 5, comprising a hydraulic pump driven by a thermal or electric engine, or by compressed air, visible.

In a variant, not shown, the cross member 22 consists of two sections mounted sliding one into the other, or one against the other, so that the two arms 21 can be removed or closer to each other. When the arms 21 are brought together, the trolley 1 is very narrow and it is possible to house it in a reduced space. Conversely, the spacing of the arms 21 and therefore the wheels 25, increases the stability of the forklift 1. Other on the other hand, so as to be able to center the mast 24 according to the variation of the width of the lift truck, it can be moved, by sliding along the crossbar 22, for example. In addition, forklift 1, or more exactly the crossbar 22 or one of two profiles that compose it, comprises locking means allowing, after separation of the arms 21 and straightening of the mast 24, the sliding of the latter on the crosspiece 22, then its maintenance in a vertical position, said locking means possibly constituting in parallel profiles to the cross member 22, between which can slide the mast 24 erected vertically.

If we now refer to Figures 3 and 4, we can see that the wheels 25, which are non-directional and of which only one is visible, are each mounted in a clevis 4 pivotable to the end of the arm 21 on a transverse pivot 40, under the action a jack 41 connecting the yoke 4 to the arm 21, so as to make vary the position of the wheel 25 with respect to the plane defined by the arm 21.

Furthermore, the wheel 26 is also connected to the frame 2 by via a jack 28 with an axis perpendicular to the plane defined by the arms 21, also making it possible to vary the position of the wheel 26 with respect to said plane.

Also, as can be seen in Figure 4, when the mast 24 is folded, the jacks 41 and 28 make it possible to retract the wheels 25 and 25 above the lower plane of the base 20 of the chassis 2, to reduce the height of the lift truck 1.

Note that in use of the forklift 1 to load or to unload, the actuation of the cylinders 41 and 28 makes it possible to vary his ground clearance. Thus Figures 3 and 4 represent the two extreme positions that wheels 25 and 26 can take, all intermediate positions being achievable.

In addition, the cylinders 41 and 28 are advantageously independent, in so that that allows by playing on the reentry of one with respect to the output of one or the other, and conversely, to move the forklift in a cant while keeping the load transported substantially horizontally.

If we now refer to Figure 5, we can see the trolley elevator 1 secured under the frame 50 of a transport vehicle 5.

The forklift 1 is folded as shown in FIG. 4, the maneuvering arm 27 being further oriented parallel to the crosses 22.

The chassis 50 of the vehicle 5 is equipped below and transversely of two parallel slides 51, intended for support the forklift 1 folded through two angles 29, also visible in Figure 2, that includes externally and longitudinally each arm 21.

It will be noted that locking means, not shown, make it possible to attaching the forklift 1 to the slides 51, these means of blocking are not necessarily particularly robust, since the sliding direction of the lift truck 1 in the slides 51 is perpendicular to the direction of movement of the vehicle 5.

The installation of the forklift 1 under the chassis can be assisted by various means. For example the slides 51 can be slidably movable on the frame 50 while remaining in solidarity with it so that they can form an oblique ramp allowing the carriage to be mounted elevator 1.

The forklift 1 according to the invention thus makes it possible to carry out all the manipulations of a conventional forklift, and advantageously it can be stored under the chassis of a vehicle of transport without violating the rules of the road.

Claims (8)

1. Lifting truck, including, on the one hand, a frame (2) having a base (20) carried by wheels (25, 26) or small caterpillars, at least one (26) of which is directional, on the other hand, a boom (24) along which can move, under the action of a motorisation unit (10) carried by said frame (2), a fork (3) substantially perpendicular to said boom (24), said fork (3) being foldable against said boom (24), which is foldable against said base (20) in order to be able to be accommodated and maintained under the frame (50) of a transport vehicle (5) of the trailer or semitrailer type, said lifting truck being characterised in that it includes means (26, 41, 4) comprising an independent hydraulic jack (41, 28), allowing to vertically move said wheels (25, 26) or small caterpillars with respect to said frame (2), so that they can be retracted above the lower plane of the base (20) of said frame (2), the non/directional wheels (25) being each mounted in a retaining plate (4) capable of swivelling, through a transverse pivot (40), on the base of the frame (2) and under the action of a jack (41) connecting said retaining plate (4) to said frame (2) in an eccentred way with respect to said pivot (40).
2. Lifting truck according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the fork (3) comprises an element (30) slideably mounted on the boom (24), at the base of which a joint (32) carries two teeth (31), said joint (32) allowing said teeth (31) to describe an angle of 90° in order to adopt two outermost positions, namely perpendicular to said element (30), and parallel to the latter..
3. Lifting truck according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that its frame (2) includes, outwards and laterally, two angle irons (29) aimed, after folding back of the boom (24), at being accommodated on parallel slides (51) the frame (50) of the vehicle (5) includes downwards and transversely.
4. Lifting truck according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the base (20) of the frame (2) is U-shaped, i.e. it has two parallel arms (21) connected by a cross-said cross-piece (22) carries the motorisation unit (10) and rests on a directional wheel or small caterpillar (25).
5. Lifting truck according to claim 4, characterised in that the boom (24) is made integral with the cross-piece (22) of the base (20) of the frame (2) through a joint enabling it to adopt two outermost positions, namely parallel to the arms (21) of said base (20), and perpendicular to the plane defined by said arms (21).
6. Lifting truck according to claim 4 or claim 5, characterised in that the cross-piece (22) of the base (20) of the frame (2) is comprised of two profile bars sliding in each other, or against each other.
7. Lifting truck according to claim 6, characterised in that the boom (24) slides alongside the cross-piece (22) of the base (20) of the frame (2).
8. Lifting truck according to claim 7, characterised in that the frame (2) includes means allowing to lock the boom (24) in vertical position after its straightening and its displacement alongside the cross-piece (22) of the base (20) of said frame (2).

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