GB2084113A

GB2084113A - Rack-feeding truck

Info

Publication number: GB2084113A
Application number: GB8125914A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Jungheinrich Unternehmensverwaltung KG
Current assignee: Jungheinrich AG
Priority date: 1980-09-15
Filing date: 1981-08-25
Publication date: 1982-04-07
Also published as: GB2084113B; DE3034766C2; DE3034766A1

Abstract

The rack-feeding truck comprises a travel drive subassembly including, e.g., a battery 4 and an electric motor. The truck also comprises a lifting frame 6, a lifting drive 7, steering and control units, at least one steerable drive wheel 3 and load wheels 11,which are provided at that end of the truck at which loads can be handled even outside the contour of the vehicle by a load- handling device 12. A supporting surface 10 adapted to support the load is provided adjacent to the lifting frame. The load-handling device comprises a telescopic rod, which is spaced above the frame members by a distance which exceeds the height of a load to be picked up and is adapted to move a load carrier forwardly beyond the load wheels, and the supporting surface is adapted to support the load in such a position that the stability of the vehicle is improved by the action exterted by the load in the area between the supporting load wheels of the vehicle. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Rack-feeding truck This invention relates to a rack-feeding truck comprising a travel drive subassembly including, e.g., a battery and an electric motor, a lifting frame, a lifting drive, steering and control units, at least one steerable drive wheel and load wheels, which are provided at that end of the truck at which loads can be handled even outside the contour of the vehicle by a load-handling device.

Such rack-feeding trucks, particularly so-called high-level rack feeders, which may be designed for use as two- or three-side feeders, are required to operate at a high handling and positioning speeds of the load-handling device. Besides, the vehicle must be as light as possible and must be highly manoeuvrable but should be stable and adjacent to the lifting frame should be rigid for proper positioning. A high stability and precise operation should been sured also for so-called diagonal handling and for large lifting heights. The term diagonal handling describes an operation in which the load is raised or lowered while the truck is travelling so that the center of gravity, which is influenced by the load, is changed during travel.

It is known to arrange the lifting frame of such rack-feeding trucks before or adjacent to the loadwheels. For instance, U.S. Patent Specification 2,220450 describes a lifting frame which is pivoted on the axis of the load wheels so that it can be swung rearwardly while the truck is travelling so that it can then at least pick up a load.

It is known from German Utility Model 1,967,172 to provide a rack-feeding truck having a lifting frame which is reciprocably mounted between frame beams and to mount the load wheels at the forward end of said frame beams. In this arrangement, the lifting frame which has picked up a load can be returned to the intermediate region between the at least one steerable drive wheel and the load wheels although in that arrangement part of the loadhandling device protrude beyond the load wheels.

Even if this is not the case, the load-handling device consists of load-carrying beams, which exert a torque on the lifting frame. In that known embodiment the lifting frame can also be selectively adjusted so that it is moved adjacent to the load wheels.

Particularly so-called high-level rack feeders having a stationary lifting frame comprise counterbalancing means; the load which is handled by the protruding load-handling device outside the wheel base is manipulated by counterweights, which ensure stability either by the application of additional loads, which adversely affect the performance of the truck, particularly as regards the power balance, or by the use of clumsy vehicles, which have a chassis that is so heavy that the load can be safely handled also in front of the load wheels.

Germany Early Disclosure 2,658,696 discloses a modular rack-feeding truck having a counterweight.

In that modular truck the frame is open towards the rear and the rear frame ends are so designed that a frame end portion comprising a counterweight can be arranged in different positions. The lifting frame is disposed in front of the load wheels. That known truck is modular because the frame end member is provided with the counter-weight is connected by releasable joints.

German Patent Publication 1,163,160 discloses a truck which comprises a plurality of subassemblies so that for trackless industrial trucks to be manufactured in series the chassis and the wheels, the travel drive unit and the load-carrying elements to be moved are so designed that the carrying and form-determining parts of the chassis and of the frame of the truck can be used to build a truck of one of various types. For this purpose the truck comprises a plurality of replaceable units, which are arranged one behind the other and connected to support each other. But at least one of these units consists of a chassis section carrying the travel drive and a chassis section carrying the lifting drive, and an intermediate carrying unit or a front end unit may also be provided. The chassis section carrying the travel drive comprises wheels, which may be steerable, and a travel drive motor.In a rack-feeding truck, the chassis section carrying the lifting drive carries also the lifting frame, and the chassis section carrying the travel drive carries also the battery for the travel and lifting drives and the driver's seat.

It is apparent that the known rack-feeding trucks are subdivided also from the aspect of manufacturing technology so that the lifting frame is combined with the load wheels or included in the same subassembly as the load wheels.

German Patent . . . . (German Patent Application P 30 456.2-22) discloses a high-level rack-feeding truck in which the lifting frame is provided at the front end and the load-handling device can deposit a load also in a load-supporting area behind the lifting frame disposed at the front end of the truck. In that truck the lifting frame is also disposed near the load wheels so that a load-handling device which carries loads and is moved along the lifting frame will apply a load outside the axis of symmetry of the truck whereby the manoeuvrability will be adversely affected, particularly in dependence on the level of the load-handling device.The movement of loads by a portallike lifting frame to a load-supporting area takes time and requires that the truck has a design which involves a loading that requires a very stable chassis, particularly as the lifting frame is arranged near the load wheels.

It is an object of the invention so to improve a rack-feeding truck of the kind described first hereinbefore that the essential parts of the truck are combined in a unit and the load can be handled in front of the lifting frame whereas the known arrangements of the lifting frame do not render the vehicle top heavy.In accordance with the invention that object is accomplished in that the lifting frame is fixed and is spaced behind the load wheels and the area between the load wheels and the lifting frame is free from other functional parts of the vehicle and has a length which equals the width or a multiple of the width of the load having defined dimensions or of a unit area of a rack section, a load-supporting surface is provided in said area and adapted to support the load, the load-handling device comprises es actuating elements for picking up andlor depositing loads also outside the area defined by the lifting frame and the load wheels, and a load-receiving or load-handling surface is provided, which is adapted to receive the load and to move the load to such a position that the stability of the truck is improved in that the load exerts and action on the truck in the area between the supporting wheels of the truck.

Because the lifting frame is set back from the load wheels, there is a load-receiving or load-handling surface which is adapted to receive the load and to move it to a position in which the stability of the truck is improved by the action exerted by the load in the area between the supporting wheels of the truck.

To accomplish that object, the load-handling device comprises in known manner double shears, a side fork, a telescopic fork, or a C-shaped structure.

In accordance with a special feature of the invention; a rack-feeding truck consisting of modules connected at interfaces, as has been described hereinbefore for known designs, can be improved in that interfaces are provided on that side of the lifting frame which faces the load wheels, a vertically movable slide plate is provided and constitutes one of said interfaces, as has been described hereinbefore for known designs, can be improved in that interfaces are provided on that side of the lifting frame which faces the load wheels, a vertically movable slide plate is provided on that side and consitutes one of said interfaces, connecting means aligned with said slide plate are provided in the frame of the vehicle; and constitute another one of said interfaces one unit is provided with at least one steerable drive wheel, the travel drive means, the lifting frame, the battery and, if desired, a control platform, whereas another other unit adapted to be connected to said one interface consists of frame beams, two load wheels carried by the frame beams, and a load-handling device, which is particularly telescopically extensible, is adapted to be connected to said other interface. In that case the two interfaces for the load-handling device and the vehicle frame, respectively, are so arranged that one unit comprises all subassemblies required for a vehicle and a lifting frame whereas the other units comprise only those means which are required for the intended operation of the rack-feeding truck and depend on the size of the loads, and the means for handling them.In accordance with a desirable feature, connecting means at the interface consist of screwthreaded bolts, which connect adjoining plates of the units.

In a truck in which the load wheels are connected by frame beams to the interface, particularly the vehicle frame, the slide plate is preferably provided with a telescopic fork, which is vertically movable and comprises laterally extensible load forks.

The frame beams are desirably secured to the connecting means in the vehicle frame below the slide plate and two frame beams extend to the load wheels. In accordance with another desirable feature, a single frame beam is detachably secured only to one side of the vehicle frame. This permits a handling of loads only on one side. It is particularly desirable to provide a load-handling device which is laterally extensible beyond the frame beams.

As regards the above-mentioned frame beams secured to the chassis, a desirable feature resides in that they consist least on one side of downwardly open frame channels and the dimensions of the web and legs of said frame channel exceed the corresponding dimensions of a load to be picked up. Fors this reason the load-handling device can handle a load within the frame beams on the sides of the truck and in front thereof over the ground close to the truck.

If the load wheels are fixedly mounted on frame beams, another desirable feature resides in that the slide plate is provided with a load-handling device carried by a telescopic rod, which is spaced above the frame beams by a distance which exceeds the height of a load to be picked up, and in that the telescopic rod is adapted to move the load-handling device to a position in front of the load wheels.

Within the scope of the invention, supports for receiving a load in front of the lifting frame may be disposed between frame beams on which the load wheels are mounted.

The invention will now be described with reference to illustrative embodiments shown on the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation showing a rack-feeding truck, Figure 2 a diagrammatic view showing an attachment unit differing from that of Figure 1, Figure 3 an end view related to Figure 2, Figure 4 a diagrammatic side elevation corresponding to Figure 2 and showing a different embodiment of the invention;; Figure 5 a side elevation corresponding to Figure 2 and showing another embodiment of the attachment unit, Figure 6 a diagrammatic end view related to FigureS, Figure 7a diagrammatic side elevation showing an attachment unit, Figure 8 a diagrammatic end view showing that unit, Figure 9 a perspective view showing another embodiment of the invention and Figure 10 a perspective view showing a still further embodiment of the invention.

The rack-feeding truck comprises a truck body 1, which includes a driver's seat 2. At least one steerable drive wheel 3 is provided in known manner under the driver's seat 2. The body 1 accommodates not only the drive motors but also the power source and an energy supply consisting, e.g., of a battery 4.

Said parts are accommodated in a vehicle frame, which comprises, e.g., lower beams 5, which carry a lifting frame 6, that is included in the vehicle frame.

The lifting frame accommodates lifting drive means 7, which consist, e.g., of a hydraulic cylinder-piston device. In that case suitable tanks for hydraulic oil are mounted on the vehicle frame 5, e.g., beside the battery 4. The lifting frame includes chain drives and the like means for lifting and lowering a slide plate 8.

In the embodiment shown, the vehicle frame 5 has an interface at the slide plate 8 and another interface at a connecting plate 9, which is vertically aligned with the slide plate 8. It is pointed out that that section of the rack-feeding truck which has been described thus far includes all functional parts, except for the load-handling device and the load wheels, and also includes connecting means for means for operating the load-handling device and for control means provided thereon. The loadhandling device itself and other parts of the chassis may be mechanically connected by screw-threaded bolts. Functional connections for drive means or operating means are established by suitable interengaging coupling means.

In accordance with Figure 1, a frame section 10 connected to the connecting plate 9 consists, e.g., of two frame side beams or a quadrangular frame, and load wheels 11 are provided on the front end of said frame section 10, one on each side thereof. This is also apparent from Figure 3. The at least one frame section 10 has as far as to the load wheels 11 a length which is at least as large as the width of the load to be handled, particularly at least as large as a multiple of a dimension of a rack section area, so that one such load or a plurality of such loads for one rack section can be deposited on the frame section 10 between the lifting frame 6 and the load wheels 11. A load-handling device 12 for handling the load is mounted on the slide plate 8, which is also disposed in the interfacial plane.The load-handling device is vertically movably mounted on the lifting frame and associated with the frame section 10, which is provided with the load wheels 11. The load-handling device is only vertically movably mounted on the lifting frame 6 and comprises a telescopic fork, a C-shaped hook or a fork which is extensible in the longitudinal or transverse direction of the truck. For this reason, loads can be picked up from the ground or deposited on the ground outside a base area which is defined by the frame section 10, the lifting frame 6 and the load wheels 11. Load can also be picked up and handled between the frame beams 10.

It is essential that the lifting frame 6 is set back from the load wheels 11 at least by a distance which equals the width of the load so that the load can be deposited on a supporting surface carried by the frame beams 10.

With reference to Figure 1, the slide plate 8 has associated with it a mating mounting plate 13 and a cooperating connecting plate 14 is associated with the connecting plate 9.

Figure 2 shows the parts 13 and 14 and it is apparent that the frame beams 10 are provided with an angle beam 15 at that end which is remote from the lifting frame 6. The angle beam 15 is angled upwardly and the load wheels 11 are disposed under that flange of the angle beam which extends in the direction of travel. The vertical flange 16 of the angle beam defines a receiving space 17, in which a load 20 is supported by a load carrier 18, which is provided with the mounting plate 13 and consists, e.g., of a fork provided with support pads 19. The underside of the load 20 may be provided with ribs 21, which are known from pallets, so that the load can be supported on a low level.

Figure 3 shows that there are two frame beams 10 and 10'. The distance 22 between the frame beams is so selected that in case of a smaller distance between the frame beams of the load-handling device the load can be deposited also between the load wheels 11, '. A deposition on one side will be permitted if suitable load supports are provided, such as have been described in German Patent (German Patent Application 3,016,157) and in German Patent (German Patent Application 3,017,456).

A lateral movement will be facilitated if, as is shown in Figure 4, there is only one frame beam 10, which carries an axle 23 for both load wheels 11, 11'.

In that case a substructure 24 may be provided, which extends from the mounting plate 13 and comprises elements 25, 26 of a telescopic fork, which is laterally extensible. In that case the load 20 can be handled on one side. That design is open on one side.

Figure 5 and 6 show the mounting plate 13 and the connecting plate 14. As has been described hereinbefore, a sub-structure 24 of a load carrier for carrying the load 20 is connected to the mounting plate 13, which is connected to the slide plate. Two downwardly open frame channels 27 are secured to the connecting plate 14, which belongs to the chassis.

The frame channels 27 have a web 28, which extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the truck, and two vertical flanges 29,30, one of which is provided with the connecting plate 14 whereas a load wheel 11 is provided on the underside of the other flange. As is apparent from Figure 6, two frame channels 27, 27' are provided on opposite sides so that the load 20 can be laterally reciprocated between the frame channels as well as forwardly beyond the load wheels 11,11'. The nature of the movabilitywill depend on the sub-structure 24, which may carry a load-handling device, which may consist of a lateral telescopic fork or of a forwardly extensible telescopic fork so that the vertical movement along the lifting frame can be performed by the mounting plate 13.

Figure 7 shows an embodiment comprising a mounting plate 13, a connecting place 14, load wheels 11 carried by frame beams 10 and supporting surfaces 31 which are disposed between said plates and said load wheels and can support a load 20, which can be vertically moved along the lifting frame by means of a mounting plate 13, which is mounted on the slide plate. The load-handling device generally designated 32 is secured to the mounting plate and may consist of a laterally extensible fork or another load carrier. In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, base guides for telescopically extensible carrier frame members 34,34' are mounted on the mounting plate 13, for instance on suitable side beams 33,33'. By means of these carrier frame members 34, 34' the load-handling device suspended from the carrier frame members 34,34' by means of at least one rod 35 can be extended forwardly byeond the load wheels 11 or between the load wheels 11 and can be deposited on the ground, if desired. This is a special arrangement.

Figure 8 is an end view illustrating a double-sided arrangement having carrier frame members 34,34'.

The same reference characters are employed.

Figure 9 shows a truck having a lifting frame 6 and a vertically movable side plate 8 to which a central telescopic rod 37 of a load-handling device 36 is detachably connected. The load-handling device 36 comprises also a C-shaped hook 38, which has a forked arm 39, which is movably forwardly, laterally and rearwardly. The telescopic rod 37 can be extended for a length which exceeds the distance from the lifting frame to the load wheels 11,11' so that there is a supporting area 40 for a load 41 between said parts. The interfaces are not shown in Figure 9 but are preferably disposed as described hereinbefore. Figure 9 shows a design comprising a lifting frame set back from the load wheels 11, 11' at least by the width of the load.

Figure 10 is a side elevation which is similar to Figure 9. A load carrier 43 which is movable by double shears 42 is mounted on the slide plate 8 of the lifting frame 6 and is pivoted on a vertical pivot 44 and laterally movable along a guide 45 in a frame, which can be moved to a position over or in front of the load wheels 11,11'.

Claims

1. A rack-feeding truck comprising a travel drive subassembly including, e.g., a battery and an electric motor, a lifting frame, a lifting drive, steering and control units, at least one steerable drive wheel and load wheels, which are provided at that end of the truck at which loads can be handled even outside the contour of the vehicle by a load-handling device, wherein a supporting surface adapted to support the load is provided adjacent to the lifting frame, characterized in that the load-handling device comprises a telescopic rod, which is spaced above the frame members by a distance which exceeds the height of the load to be picked up and is adapted to move a load carrier forwardly beyonf the load wheels, and the supporting surface is adapted to support the load in such a position that the stability of the vehicle is improved by the action exerted by the load in the area between the supporting load wheels of the vehicle.

2. A rack-feeding truck according to claim 1, which constitutes a modular system and has interfaces between modules, characterized in that interfaces are provided on that side of the lifting frame which faces the load wheels, a vertically movable slide plate is provided on that side and constitutes one of said interfaces, connecting means aligned with said slide plate are provided in the frame of the vehicle and constitute another one of said interfaces is provided with at least one steerable drive wheel, the travel drive means, the lifting frame, the battery and, if desired, a control platform, whereas another unit adapted to be connected to said one interface consists of frame beams, two load wheels carried by the frame beams, and a load-handling device, which is particularly telescopically extensible, is adapted to be connected to said other interface.

3. A rack-feeding truck according to claim 2, characterized in that frame beams are secured to the connecting means in the vehicle frame below the slide plate and two frame beams extend to the load wheels.

4. A rack-feeding truck according to claim 3, characterized in that the load carrier is adapted to be laterally extended beyond the frame beams.

5. A rack-feeding truck according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that supports for supporting a load in front of the lifting frame are provided between frame beams on which the load wheels are mounted.

6. A rack-feeding truck substantially as herein described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.

New claims or amendments to claims filed on 6 Nov.

1982.

Superseded claims 1,2,5.

New or amended claims:- 1, 2, 5.

1. A rack-feeding truck comprising a travel drive subassembly including, e.g., a battery and an electric motor, a lifting frame, a lifting drive, steering and control units, at least one steerable drive wheel and load wheels which are provided at that end of the truck at which loads can be handled even outside the contour of the vehicle by a load-handling device, wherein a supporting surface adapted to support the load is adjacent to the lifting frame, characterized in that the lifting frame is fixed and is spaced behind the load wheels and the area between the load wheels and the lifting frame is free from other functional parts of the vehicle, the load-handling device comprises a telescopic rod, which is spaced above the frame members and is adapted to move a load carrier forwardly beyond the load wheels, and the supporting surface is adapted to support the load in such a position that the stability of the vehicle is improved by the action exerted by the load in the area between the supporting load wheels of the vehicle.

2. A rack-feeding truck according to claim 1, which constitutes a modular system and has interfaces between modules, characterized in that interfaces are provided on that side of the lifting frame which faces the load wheels, a vertically movable slide plate is provided on that side and constitutes one of said interfaces, connecting means aligned with said slide plate are provided in the frame of the vehicle and constitute another one of said interfaces, one unit is provided with at least one steerabie drive wheel, the travel drive means, the lifting frame, the battery and, if desired, a control platform, whereas another unit adapted to be connected to said one interface consists of frame beams, two bawd wheels carried by the frame beams, and a load-handling device, which is particularly telescopically extensible.

5. A rack-feeding truck substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1, Figures 2 and 3, Figure 4, Figures 5 and 6, Figures 7 and 8, Figure 9 or Figure 10 of the accompanying drawings.