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
  • B66F9/18—Load gripping or retaining means
  • B66F9/184—Roll clamps
• • 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
  • B66F9/125—Platforms; Forks; Other load supporting or gripping members rotatable about a longitudinal axis
• • 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
• • 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
  • B66F9/144—Movements of forks relative to each other - independent
• • 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
• • 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
  • B66F9/149—Whole unit including fork support rotates
• • 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
  • B66F9/18—Load gripping or retaining means

Definitions

• the present invention relates to load handling for a loader, such as a forklift truck for example. More precisely the invention relates to a load handling device especially suitable for handling and moving substantially elongated loads, such as paper rolls for example, in horizontal orientation, to a loader equipped with such a load handling device, and to such a method.
• the most typical standardized transportation means are cargo containers, such as defined in ISO 668 standard for example.
• Container transportation and shipping is one of the most used modes of transportation.
• the transportation of the above-mentioned elongate cylindrical products with cargo containers is also quite common.
• the items will generally need to be transported in horizontal orientation.
• the transportation equipment does not allow loading of the horizontally oriented elongate products from above or from sides of the cargo container, the loading typically needs to be carried out via the end area of the cargo container and in the length direction of the elongate products, such as is the case typically with standardized cargo containers.
• the loading equipment consists of forklift truck or similar loading device.
• the loading is done with a wheel loader, a telescopic handler, or other similar machines.
• the loading machine type and model in cargo container loading is restricted by the inner dimensions of the cargo container and the dimensions of the doorway of the container. Also, the load bearing capacity of the floor surface of the container often restricts the weight of the loading machine. Generally, the heavier the load, the bigger is the required loading machine.
• Pallets generally used in load handling are not always suitable or usable when handling the large diameter elongate products.
• One reason for this is that the pallets use up the loading space available inside the container.
• the elongate products loaded may not allow loads on pallets on top of them due to the damage caused to the products by this.
• the diameters of some elongate products can be so great, that they do not fit to be loaded side-by-side inside the container, but needs to be loaded partially or completely overlappingly in vertical direction inside the container.
• the load handling device comprises a single lift pole which carries the whole product.
• the diameter of the lift pole must be significantly smaller than the hole in the product to allow this way of load handling.
• This load handling method is only possible if the product to be lifted allows this type of lifting without damage, or that the possibly caused damage is acceptable. For example, in paper rolls there is often a wrapping completely covering the roll, which wrapping in some cases may not be removed or pierced during transportation for load protection or hygienic reasons. In these cases, it is not possible to use the center hole of a paper roll for load handling purposes during transportation. Also, if the hole available for lifting has a small diameter in relation to the weight of the product, the size or diameter of the lift pole needs to be restricted, which increases the possibility that the load handling device does not have sufficient capacity for lifting the load.
• the common restricting factor in the above-discussed methods is that the bigger the weight of the product to be handled, the greater capacity is required from the load handling device used in the lifting.
• Greater required capacity of the loader such as a forklift truck for example, typically used in lifting also means generally bigger physical size of the suitable loader. In practice this typically means that the width of the loader increases.
• the larger width of the loader means that the center line of the loader inside the cargo container will be further away from the center line of the individual circular product loaded to, or unloaded from, the cargo container when there are plurality of products on the width of the cargo space. In this situation the load handling of large diameter cylindrical products is possible only when the load handling device or the loader has a function allowing sufficient lateral movement of the load bearing forks or lift poles from the center line of the forklift truck.
• the present invention provides a solution for overcoming at least partially this problem.
• the forks or lift poles of a loader can be turned or rotated on a cross-sectional plane in relation to the length direction of the forks, wherein the center of rotation is located substantially at the horizontal plane of the forks or below that plane. This allows the proper positioning of the forks in relation to the cylindrical product to be lifted and within the space available, and the rotating simultaneously moves the forks in lateral direction. This way the additional lateral movement of the forks in loading and unloading of these kinds of products inside restricted space, such as inside a cargo container for example, can be minimized.
• the load handling device of the invention comprises a frame structure and at least two substantially horizontally extending forks for contacting and supporting a load, which frame structure is configured to be connectable to a frame of a loader, wherein the position of the forks is adjustable by rotating in relation to the frame structure on a cross-sectional plane relative to the length direction of the forks, and the center of rotation of all the forks is located in vertical direction always substantially at the horizontal plane of the forks or below that plane when both of the forks are on the same horizontal plane.
• each of the two forks is connected at the edge areas of a separate plate member extending in a transversal plane in relation to the length direction of the fork, which plate member is connected to the frame structure of the frame structure of the load handling device pivotably at the center of rotation of the forks.
• the distance between the forks is adjustable. This way the distance between the forks can be adjusted to correspond different diameter products more properly.
• each of the forks are individually rotatable on the cross-sectional plane relative to the length direction of the forks in relation to their fixing point and/or in relation to the said center of rotation of the forks.
• the inclination of the surface of the fork setting against a load to be lifted can be adjusted by rotating the fork in relation to its longitudinal center axis, or by turning each of the forks independently in relation to the center of rotation of the forks. This turning of each of the forks independently in relation to the center of rotation of the forks also adjusts the distance between the forks.
• the cross-section of the forks is rectangular, circular, partially circular, triangular, or comprises a surface matching the corresponding diameter or shape of the load to be handled.
• Other suitable cross-sections of the forks are also possible.
• the load handling device comprises a rack and pinion mechanism, one or more hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders or motors, one or more electric actuators, and/or other actuators for rotating the forks on the cross-sectional plane in relation to the center of rotation of the forks.
• the load handling device can also further comprise a linkage mechanism, a gear mechanism, a chain mechanism and/or a belt mechanism for rotating the forks on the cross-sectional plane in relation to the center of rotation of the forks. Other suitable mechanisms for rotating the forks are also possible.
• the present invention also provides a loader comprising a frame, wherein the loader comprises a load handling device of the invention.
• the loader comprises a device for vertically moving the load handling device in relation to the frame of the loader.
• this device is arranged between the frame of the loader and the load handling device.
• the loader comprises a device for moving the load handling device in lateral direction in relation to the frame of the loader.
• this device is arranged between the frame of the loader and the load handling device, or between the device for vertically moving the load handling device and the load handling device.
• the loader comprises device for rotating the load handling device in relation to the frame of the loader on a cross- sectional plane in relation to the length direction of the forks.
• the loader is a forklift truck, a wheel loader, a telescopic handler, or other similar movable machine used in loading and unloading of loads.
• the present invention also provides a method for handling loads with a loader, in which method elongate loads are loaded in a cargo container in horizontal orientation with a load handling device of the loader, which load handling device comprises a frame structure and at least two substantially horizontally extending forks for contacting and supporting a load, and wherein the horizontal dimension of the elongate loads is greater than half of the width of the cargo container, wherein the position of the forks is adjusted by rotating in relation to the frame structure on a cross-sectional plane relative to the length direction of the forks and to the elongate load before and/or during contacting the outer surface of the load with the forks, wherein the center of rotation of the forks is located in vertical direction always at the horizontal plane of the forks or below that plane when both of the forks are on the same horizontal plane.
• FIGS. 1A-1 D show schematically an embodiment of a load handling device of the invention
• FIGS. 2A and 2B show schematically the embodiment of figures 1A-1 C in practice
• FIGs 3B illustrate schematically the advantages obtained with the loading device of the invention in relation to prior art solution illustrated in Figure 3A, and
• FIG. 1A-1 D The embodiment of a load handling device 1 shown in figures 1A-1 D comprises a frame piece 2, via which frame piece the load handling device is connected to a loader (not shown).
• a plate member 3 In the frame piece 2 is connected a plate member 3 rotatably via rotation center 4. From the edge areas of the plate member 3 extend two forks 5, 5’ perpendicularly in relation to the surface of the plate member.
• the rotation center 4 is located a distance from plane on which both of the forks 5, 5’ are located, as can be best seen from figure 1 C.
• the fork 5 is rotated at its lowermost position and the fork 5’ is at its uppermost position in relation to the frame piece 2.
• the forks 5, 5’ are positioned at their center position in relation to the frame piece 2, i.e. the forks
• Figure 1 D also illustrates most clearly the position the of the rotation center 4 in relation to the plane A of the forks 5, 5’, which in this embodiment is clearly below the plane A.
• the rotation of the forks 5, 5’ together with the plate member 3 also moves a load 6 supported by the forks in lateral direction due to the location of the forks in relation to the location of the rotation center 4.
• the load 6, which in this embodiment is a paper roll can be laterally moved inside the restricted cargo space of a cargo container 7, for example, as can be seen figures 2A and 2B, in addition to the more suitable positioning of the forks 5, 5’ in relation to the load.
• Turning of the plate member 3, and with it the forks 5, 5’, in relation to the frame piece 2 in this embodiment can be implemented with hydraulic cylinders (not shown), for example.
• Alternative turning solutions such as a rack and pinion mechanism, one or more pneumatic cylinders or motors, one or more electric actuators, or other actuators can also be used.
• a linkage mechanism, a gear mechanism, a chain mechanism and/or a belt mechanism may also be included in the turning solution.
• FIGs 3A and 3B schematically illustrate the problems with prior art load handling devices and the advantages of the load handling device of the invention in similar situations of loading and unloading of the cargo space of a cargo container 7.
• FIG 3A is shown prior art load handling device
• figure 3B is shown the load handling device of the invention.
• the walls of the cargo container 7 present obstacles for proper positioning of the lower elongate load 6 as well as later for the higher load
• the proper positioning of the higher elongate load 6 also easily causes damaging of the lower elongate load 6 with a fork.
• the forks of the load handling device can be turned to be in optimal position for fitting the loads 6 inside the walls of the cargo container 7, and to prevent the forks damaging the other load. Further, this turning or rotating of the forks also minimize the need for lateral movement of the load handling device between the two loading positions, when the forks are turned to the opposite extreme positions.
• FIGS 4A and 4B show schematically an embodiment of a loader 10 equipped with the load handling device 1 of previous figures.
• the loader 10 is in this embodiment of a forklift truck.
• the load handling device 1 is connected to the loader 10 via a mast 11 , which allows the vertical movement of the load handling device in relation to the frame of the loader 10.
• a fork carriage 12 located between the mast 11 and the load handling device 1 , which fork carriage may or may not allow lateral movement of the load handling device in relation to the frame of the loader 10, depending on the type of the fork carriage.
• load 6 container can be loaded into and unloaded from a cargo container without laterally moving the loader 10 itself. Additional lateral movement of the load handling device 1 and the load 6 may be obtained with the fork carriage 12 where necessary and possible. Laterally moving the loader 10 itself is often impossible inside the cargo space of a cargo container due to the large size of the loader required for moving these kinds of heavy loads 6.
• the loader 10 of the invention may also be a wheel loader, a telescopic handler, or other movable loader suitable of handling such elongated loads.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Transportation (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Geology (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Forklifts And Lifting Vehicles (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=78135009

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Family Cites Families (5)

• 2020
  • 2020-11-06 FI FI20206112A patent/FI130588B/sv active
• 2021
  • 2021-10-04 EP EP21790943.1A patent/EP4240686A1/en active Pending
  • 2021-10-04 WO PCT/FI2021/050652 patent/WO2022096776A1/en unknown

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