FR2863262A1 - Lifting device e.g. power lift truck, lifting and transporting support, has platform body with flat and inclined parts made from single metallic sheet, where inclined part acts as access ramp, and reception unit receiving fork arm of truck - Google Patents

Abstract

The support (1) has a platform body (2) and a reception unit (3) receiving a fork arm (4) of a lifting device e.g. power lift truck. The body has a flat part (2a) and an inclined part (2b) acting as an access ramp of the device. The unit has deck spacers extending under the part (2a) and partially under the part (2b) to allow the passage of the arm. The parts are made from a single metallic sheet.

Description

SUPPORT FOR FORKLIFT

  The present invention relates generally to the field of handling palletized loads.

  Large companies have truck loading docks, which allow motorized forklifts to be moved directly into trucks or trailers to load or unload palletized products.

  However, many small businesses receive and ship products on pallets, without having loading docks, or mobile ramps or elevation tables.

  Under these circumstances, pallet loading and unloading operations are done manually; therefore, they are long, expensive and even dangerous for the staff, especially if the pallets are stacked.

  US 4027771 proposes, to solve these technical problems, a pallet truck that can be moved by forklift. The forks of the pallet truck allow the insertion of the fork arms of a forklift truck. The pallet truck carrying a pallet load can thus be moved from the ground level to a higher level, for example in a truck; conversely, the pallet truck can be lowered from a truck at ground level using a forklift.

  Such a pallet truck is difficult to maneuver and complicated construction.

  On the other hand, smaller companies have often invested in bulky, bulky or high-lift ramps.

  The present invention overcomes the disadvantages presented by the loading and unloading means of existing pallets.

  The object of the present invention is to provide a means of transport and lifting of a hoist such as a pallet truck or forklift, this means being of simple construction and easy handling. Such a means 2863262 2 allows the movement and lifting of a hoist, including an electric pallet truck or a small forklift, from one level of work to another, for example from the ground level at the rear of a truck and vice versa, thus facilitating the loading and unloading of pallets in a truck.

  For these purposes, the invention relates to a lifting machine support comprising a plate and means for receiving the fork arms of a forklift characterized in that said plate comprises: a first planar portion; - a second inclined part.

  According to various embodiments, the support has the following characters, if necessary combined: the flat portion and the inclined portion form a single piece. The support is thus of economical manufacture, the plate can be obtained by folding a sheet, for example steel or aluminum alloy, the type of material and the sheet thickness being chosen by those skilled in the art in particular depending on the weight of the pallet truck or fork truck to be supported and other parameters such as aggressive atmosphere; the tray is of generally rectangular shape when viewed in plan, its length being twice its width, the inclined portion of the tray being slightly longer or substantially the same length as the flat part. It is thus possible to place pallet trucks or forklifts, machines which, in their industrial version, have a small ground clearance, a high weight at one end and a low weight at the other end, and a longitudinal clutter Student. The realization of a long support with a low slope and a low slope break between the flat part and the inclined ramp ensures that all the wheels or rollers of the pallet truck are supported on said plate; The receiving means of the forks of a forklift truck comprise rails and cross members forming the framework and extending under the flat portion of the support and only partly under the inclined ramp. The frame of the support thus has a maximum mechanical strength at the flat portion of the plate, which supports the heaviest load (the motor of a carriage).

  By the term support means here a raised platform which overhangs two parallel sleeves for the passage of the fork arms of a handling device such as a motorized forklift. Said plate is intended to support wheeled or wheeled hoisting devices, which are to be raised above the ground level or to descend at ground level (displacement in a vertical plane), without significant displacement in the horizontal plane.

  The inclined ramp facilitates the loading on said support of a wheeled hoist or wheel, including a pallet truck or a small forklift. Once the pallet truck loaded on the support, the assembly can be manipulated using a forklift, to move said pallet truck from ground level to a truck, for example, where said pallet truck is unloaded from said support, down its inclined part.

  Other features and advantages will appear in the following description of a support according to the invention, given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 schematically represents a support according to FIG. invention, seen from the side, the forklift fork being in lateral (transverse) setting position; Figure 2 schematically shows a support according to the invention, seen from the side, the fork of the lift truck being in rear (longitudinal) catch position; Figure 3 schematically shows a support according to the invention, seen from above, the fork of the lift truck being in lateral (transverse) position; FIG. 4 schematically represents a support according to the invention, seen from above, the fork of the lift truck being in a rearward (longitudinal) catch position; Figure 5 schematically shows a support according to the invention, presented in use.

  As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the support 1 comprises: a plate 2, comprising a flat portion 2a and an inclined portion or ramp 2b, and receiving means 3 of the fork arms 4 of a forklift.

  Said receiving means 3 are provided both on the short side of said plate 2, for a rearward (longitudinal) grip of said support 1 (FIG 2, FIG 4), as on the long side of said plate 2, for a lateral grip (FIG. transverse) of said support 1 (Fig. 1, Fig. 3). These receiving means comprise spacers placed below said plate 2 so as to allow the passage of the fork arms of a forklift.

  The inclined portion 2b is provided at its free end which touches the ground, a bevelled edge 2c which facilitates the raising or lowering on the support 1 of heavy lifting equipment with wheels or wheels 5, such as an electric pallet truck or a small forklift, to be placed in trucks to facilitate unloading.

  The plate 2 is provided with a safety edge 6, surrounding it on three sides, intended to prevent the pallet truck 5 from moving off the plate 2 when it is mounted on the support 1, and / or to block the sliding of the pallet truck 5 during the displacement of the support 1 loaded with said pallet truck 5 from one level of work to another.

  The plate 2 of the support 1 consists of a single piece, preferably a metal sheet whose thickness must be sufficient for said support 1 to support the weight of an object capable of being displaced on said support 1 to 1. using a forklift.

  A characteristic of the support 1 is represented by the inclination 7 of the ramp 2b with respect to the ground. This is calculated so as to maintain a residual ground clearance for elevating devices having only a very low ground clearance (approximately 30 mm). Another factor taken into account is the thickness of said sheet constituting the plate 2. It has been calculated that for a sheet thickness of about 10 mm, the inclination 7 of the ramp 2b is between 1.5 and 10. .

  Example of use of the support 1 for forklift i) an electric pallet truck 5 is mounted on the support 1: the fork 4 of said pallet truck 5 are positioned on the inclined portion 2b, while the center of gravity of said pallet truck 5 is placed on the flat part 2a of the plate 2; ii) the support 1 is then gripped by a forklift using the arms of its fork 4, the engagement being preferably in the rear position (FIG 2); the lateral socket of the support 1 is preferably used for storing said support; iii) the support 1 is moved, by means of said forklift, mainly in a vertical plane, from the ground level to a higher level, especially at the rear of a truck or a trailer; iv) once the desired height level is reached, the pallet truck 5 is moved in a horizontal plane, leaving the plate 2 of said support 1 and accessing a space provided, in particular in a truck or a trailer, where it is used to bring loaded pallets, possibly stacked, to a location, for example at the rear of the truck, in which these pallets can be taken by the forklift which was used to mount the support unit 1 / pallet truck 5 in the truck. When loading pallets, possibly stacked, the pallet truck 5 will bring the pallets from the possible access area for the forklift to the desired location in the truck or trailer; v) the support 1 is lowered, if necessary, at ground level by means of said forklift truck; Vi) once the truck is unloaded or loaded, the empty support 1 is reassembled at the level of the truck with the aid of the forklift truck, the pallet truck 5 is mounted thereon, then the support assembly 1 and the pallet truck 5 are lowered again. at ground level.

  The support 1 described has several advantages: - of simple construction, it has a reduced manufacturing cost; it is easy to handle and requires no special training; it is suitable for any forklift truck of corresponding capacity.

  Most companies have a conventional pallet truck and forklift. The support which has just been described makes it possible, without modifying the structure of the pallet truck or lift truck, to facilitate the loading and unloading of pallets, possibly stacked, from or to a truck or a trailer.

  If necessary, the support 1 may be left permanently in the truck or trailer, for example housed under the truck, in a box provided for this purpose. The support 1 being modest in height and compact, such a box can be set up without greatly changing the chassis of a truck. When the deliverer loads or unloads his palletized goods, possibly stacked, it will then first down the carrier 1 of the truck before following the procedure described above.

  The support 1 can also advantageously be moved inside the truck or trailer by the pallet truck it was carrying, so as not to hinder the movements of loading and unloading. Step v described above is not necessary in all cases: the support 1 can be put on the side, in the truck or trailer, during loading / unloading pallets.

Claims (1)

7 CLAIMS   1. Forklift support comprising a plate (2) and means (3) for receiving the fork arms (4) of a forklift, characterized in that said plate (2) comprises: - a first flat part (2a) - a second inclined part (2b).   2. Support according to claim 1, wherein the flat portion (2a) and the inclined portion (2b) form a single piece.   3. Support according to claim 2, wherein said part is a metal sheet.   4. Support according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the inclination of the inclined portion (2b) is between substantially 1.5 and 10.   5. Support according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the thickness of said metal sheet is about 10 mm for an inclination of the inclined portion (2b) between substantially 1.5 and 10.   6. Support according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the receiving means of the fork arms (4) of a forklift comprise frame rails and cross members extending under the flat portion (2a ) of the support 1 and only partially under the inclined part (2b).   7. Support according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the plate (2) is of generally rectangular shape when viewed in plan, its length being substantially twice its width, the inclined portion (2b) of the tray (2) being slightly longer or substantially the same length as the flat portion (2a).