GB2046686A - Transverse fork lift truck - Google Patents

Abstract

A transverse fork lift truck, having a U-shaped frame comprising side members 4, 5 which provide load supporting platforms between which an extensible and vertically adjustable load holding means 6 is disposed, the side members being joined by a web 3 extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, one side member having a driver's cab 1 adjacent its load-supporting platform, characterised in that the floor of the driver's cab is lower than the surface of the adjacent load-supporting platform and in that the driver's cab has a footwell 12 extending under said load-supporting platform. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Fork lift truck, particularly a transverse forklift truck The invention relates to a transverse fork lift truck, having a U-shaped frame comprising side members which provide load supporting platforms and between which an extensible and vertically adjustable load holding means such as a fork is disposed, the side members being joined by a web extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and provided with a driver's cab near one end of the vehicle and adjacent one of the load supporting platforms.

In the case of fork lift trucks and in particular in the case of transverse fork lift trucks, the provision of a driver's cab creates practical problems.

Conflicting conditions obtain which frequently result in ergonomically unfavourably dimensioned driver's cabs being used. In particular, difficulties are created in providing a driver's cab which is adequately dimensioned in the direction of the adjacent load supporting platform and thus in the direction of extension of the load holding means, since this driver's cab, if it becomes too large, reduces the area of this platform or increases the overall width of the vehicle, both of which are undesirable. There are already many and varied possible solutions, such as pivotable driver's cabs or the like, but these require increased cost and do not lead to satisfactory results.

The invention is based on the problem of providing a fork lift truck which is provided with an ergonomically adequately dimensioned driver's cab, without the useful area being restricted and without the width of the vehicle being increased.

This problem is resolved in that the floor of the driver's cab is lower than the surface of the side member adjacent to the driver's cab which serves as a load supporting platform and in that the driver's cab has an enlarged footwell extending in the direction of the side member.

This embodiment makes it possible to incorporate an otherwise unused space into the driver's cab, so that the driver's cab acquires ergonomically favourable dimensions without using any more of the load-supporting part of the vehicle.

It is ideal if at least one foot-operated actuating element is disposed in that area of the footwell of the driver's cab which is located within the side member. In consequence, the area of the floor on which the operator has to move when he or she rises from the seat is kept clear of actuating elements. Furthermore, an ergonomatically favourable leg posture is possible during driving.

In a further particularly advantageous development of the invention, it is envisaged that in per se known manner the driver's cab contains a seat and a steering wheel which -- viewed in plan, - lie on an axis turned through about 300 from the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, in the direction of the load holding means. This disposition of the seat and of the steering wheel has the advantage that the driver does not have to adopt an uncomfortable posture when he has to drive the fork lift truck in reverse. The angle of 300 makes it possible for the driver to look backwards without the need for any excessive twisting of the body. Furthermore, this oblique location of the seat has the advantage that the driver can very easily watch a load on the load holding means.

Nevertheless, the view in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is not adversely affected.

In a further development of the invention it is envisaged that, at least in the area located in front of the seat, the outer side of the driver's cab extends in respect of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and preferably parallel with the seatsteering wheel axis. As a result, the dimension of the driver's cab in a transverse direction can be somewhat reduced, above all in the end zone of the vehicle. It is expedient for the oblique side wall of the driver's cab to be set back in relation to the floor part of the U-shaped frame and to provide in this area steps which lead to the driver's cab.

These steps are then favourably located without increasing the external dimensions of the vehicle.

It is particularly expedient for the oblique side wall of the driver's cab to be constructed as a door.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become evident from the ensuing description of the examples of embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic side view of a transverse fork lift truck constructed according to the invention; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic plan view of the fork lift truck in Figure 1, and Figure 3 is a plan view of a transverse fork lift truck similar to that in Figure 3 and having an obliquely positioned seat.

Usually a transverse fork lift truck comprises a U-shaped frame consisting of a web 3 and two laterally-extending side members 4 and 5. The web extends along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle so that load holding means 6 which is disposed between the two side members 4 and 5, can be extended in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and into a truck, not shown in the drawings. Furthermore, the load holding means 6 is vertically displaceable and is guided by a lifting mast which is only schematically shown. The web 3 and the two side members 4 and 5 are provided with wheels 14 of which preferably two are driven and two are steerable.

Those portions of the upper faces of the two side members which are adjacent the load holding means, i.e., the fork tines, are constructed as load supporting platforms on which, during travel, loads, particularly elongated loads, can be placed.

The surfaces of the two side members 4 and 5 are therefore coplanar.

One end of the web 1 3 is provided with a driver's cab 1 which contains a seat 10 with a seat cushion 11, a steering wheel 8 and further operating controls, including a foot pedal 9. In the case of the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the seat 10, and cushion 11. the steering wheel 8 and the pedal 9 are so disposed that the driver sits transversely of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and faces in the direction of extension of the load holding means. The dimensions of the driver's cab are restricted in this direction, since as much as possible of the width of the side member 4 should desirably be used as a load supporting platform.In order nevertheless to provide an ergonomically favourably dimensioned driver's cab 1, the driver's cab 1 is provided with a widened foot space 12 which extends into the side member 4 which is opposite the driver's cab 1 and which, in the same way as the side member 5 and the web 3, is preferably constructed as a closed box profile from sheet metal. Disposed in the foot space which is widened out into the side member 4 are the foot operated control elements, such as the pedal 9 which is for actuating a hydraulic cylinder 1 4 located below the floor 2 of the driver's cab. The plate which forms the floor 2 of the driver's cab can be used for strengthening the web 3 in the region of the driver's cab and, together with the floor of the web 3, it may form a hollow box extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.In the case of the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the entire driver's cab is disposed in a relatively low position, and the seat cushion is only just above the wheel 13. This wheel 1 3 is protected by a wheel housing extending inside the driver's cab 1. Despite this wheel housing and the relatively narrow dimensions of the upper part of the driver's cab, the dimensions are ergonomically favourable in particular by virtue of the widened foot area 12 which makes it possible for the driver to operate comfortably and as far as possible without fatigue. It is expedient thereby for the steering wheel 8 to be so disposed that the steering column does not extend down to the floor in front of the seat, since then the leg room of the operator is not restricted by it.

In the case of the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the sitting position of the driver is set obliquely to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, which extends in the direction of the web 3 of the Ushaped frame. The sitting position of the driver is such that the driver sits in a position which has been rotated from the longitudinal axis through about 300 in the direction of the load holding means 6. This means that the connecting line between the steering wheel 8 and the seat 10, 11 has been rotated through an angle of about 300 from the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.At the same time, the driver's cab 1 is provided with a foot space 12 widened out into the side member 4 of the U-shaped frame, at least one operating pedal 9 being located in the widened foot space 1 2. This makes it possible to move the sitting position relatively close to the side member 4 despite the oblique attitude, without the freedom of movement of the driver being adversely affected.That wall 1 9 of the driver's cab which is adjacent the side member 4 and which extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and which delimits the area of the load supporting platform, carries on the inside an operating panel 1 5 which is equipped with the operating elements for retracting and extending as well as for raising and lowering the load holding means, and possibly also with an operating lever for adjusting the angle of inclination of a lifting mast. That side wall of the driver's cab 1 which is remote from the side member is set back in relation to the outer contour of the web 3 and is moreover in its front zone, angled off parallel with the connecting line between steering wheel 8 and seat 10, 1 This front angled-off zone is equipped as a door 1 6 provided with a handle 1 8. As a result of this construction, a space is left in the area within the external dimensions of the web 3 to accommodate steps 17 which make the driver's cab 1 more easily accessible.

If a iighter weight vehicle is provided in which the side members which point in the direction of extension of the load holding means are narrower than in the embodiments illustrated, then the widening of the foot space may be located entirely or partially alongside the side member. This widening of the foot space lies outside the possible load supporting areas, since expediently the height of the upper surface of the side members is not exceeded.

Claims (8)

1. A transverse fork lift truck, having a U shaped frame comprising side members which provide load supporting platforms between which an extensible and vertically adjustable load holding means is disposed, the side members being joined by a web extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, one side member having a driver's cab adjacent its load supporting platform, characterised in that the floor of the driver's cab is lower than the surface of the adjacent load-supporting platform and in that the driver's cab has a footwell extending under said load-supporting platform.

2. A fork lift truck according to Claim 1, characterised in that at least one foot-operated control is disposed in that area of the footwell which is under the load-supporting platform.

3. A fork lift truck according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the driver's cab contains a seat and a steering wheel which lie on an axis which has been rotated by about 300 from the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, in the direction of the load holding means.

4. A fork lift truck according to Claim 3, , characterised in that, at least in the area located in front of the seat, the outer wall of the driver's cab extends obliquely relative to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

5. A fork lift truck according to Claim 4, wherein the outer wall of the driver's cab extends parallel to the seat-steering wheel axis.

6. A fork lift truck according to Claim 4 or 5, characterised in that the oblique side wall of the driver's cab is set back in relation to the floor part of the U-shaped frame and in that steps leading to the driver's cab are provided in this area.

7. A fork lift truck according to Claim 4, 5 or 6, characterised in that the oblique side wall is constructed as a door.

8. A fork lift truck, substantially as herein described, with reference to Figures 1 and 2, or Figure 3, of the accompanying drawings.