GB2264471A

GB2264471A - Industrial reach truck battery container location.

Info

Publication number: GB2264471A
Application number: GB9226126A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul John Eckersley; Keith Francis Messer
Original assignee: Lansing Linde Ltd
Current assignee: Linde Material Handling UK Ltd
Priority date: 1992-02-19
Filing date: 1992-12-15
Publication date: 1993-09-01
Anticipated expiration: 2012-12-15
Also published as: GB9203545D0; GB9226126D0; GB2264471B

Abstract

The reach truck has a lift mast, movable along the straddle legs (11) by a conventional reach mechanism, and a battery (14) for operating the reach mechanism mounted in a container bridging the straddle legs and having end walls (17) which extend longitudinally of the straddle legs. The container is movable along the straddle legs between an open position and a stored position in which the battery is located beneath a cover (15) forming part of the body structure. For preventing movement of the battery container (13) transversely of the straddle legs (11) when in its stored position, track members (23) project downwardly from the cover means (15) internally of the end walls of the battery container and also serve to guide the battery container during its movement into its stored position. A standard DIN battery container can thus be used without the need for a mounting tray or feet on the container. <IMAGE>

Description

INDUSTRIAL REACH TRUCKS This invention relates to industrial reach trucks. More particularly the invention relates to the location of the battery container on an electrically operated industrial reach truck.

In a conventional industrial reach truck a load carriage is carried on a mast which is mounted for movement along straddle legs by the reach mechanism.

The battery is located in a DIN container supported on the straddle legs between the mast and the driver's position, and movable along the straddle legs by the reach mechanism when it is desired to check or remove the battery, for example, for recharging or replacement. In the stored position, the DIN container is located beneath a cover structure forming part of the body of the truck associated with the driver's position. The container and battery are moved from beneath the cover structure when the reach mechanism is actuated to move the container and battery into its open position.

The standard DIN container is a rectangular, open topped box structure which, in use, is mounted transversely of the reach movement and bridging the straddle legs of the truck. It is known to mount the container on the truck in two ways. First, the container is known to be located in a tray mounted on the straddle legs for driving connection with the reach mechanism. The container and battery are thereby both aligned transversely of the straddle legs and physically restrained from lateral movement by the upturned edges of the tray, and are carried by the tray during the required movement of the container between its stored and open positions. Alternatively, it is known to provide the container with downwardly projecting feet for location in apertures in a flat platform which takes the place of the tray.The platform is aesthetically more pleasing than the tray, but the provision of feet on the underside of the container makes the DIN container a special container and therefore more expensive.

An object of the invention is to provide for the mounting of a standard DIN container without employing a tray, for aesthetic reasons, and without the need for feet for reasons of cost. However, the invention is also applicable for use with other battery containers as well as standard DIN containers.

According to the invention there is provided an industrial reach truck having a body structure including the driver's position, straddle legs spaced apart and projecting laterally from the body structure, a lift mast movable along the straddle legs by a conventional reach mechanism, a battery for operating the reach mechanism mounted in a container supported on and bridging the straddle legs, drive means for moving the battery container along the straddle legs between a stored position and an open position, and means for locating the battery container when in its stored position beneath cover means mounted on the body structure, the end walls of the battery container extending longitudinally of the straddle legs, wherein guide means are provided below the cover means and disposed internally of the end walls of the battery container for making contact therewith, which guide means serve to guide the battery container during its movement into its stored position, and prevent movement of the battery container transversely of the straddle legs when in its stored position.

Preferably each end wall of the battery container has at least one aperture adjacent its upper edge for enabling the battery container to be lifted on and off the truck, the wall portion surrounding the aperture being reinforced. It is thereby arranged that said guide means engage the reinforced wall portion when the battery container is in its stored position.

In one embodiment of the invention the guide means comprise a track member associated with each of the end walls of the battery container, which track members have forwardly extending portions which converge longitudinally of the truck to provide a lead-in for the battery container to adjust its position transversely of the straddle legs as it is moved into its stored position.

At least the surface of each track member which engages the internal surface of the respective end wall of the battery container, is preferably formed of or is covered with a strip of hard plastics material, e.g.

nylon.

Alternatively, each track member is of hardened steel and has along at least a portion of its length and in its surface which engages the internal surface of the respective end of the battery container, a groove extending longitudinally of said surface of the track member and an insert contact member of hard plastics material mounted in the groove, which contact member is flush or protruding relative to the adjacent surface of the track member. Preferably in each track member the groove and the contact member therein extend substantially diagonally of the length of the portion of the track member containing the groove.

If desired, each track member may be formed by a plurality of rollers rotatably mounted and positioned along the desired guide path.

In another embodiment of the invention the guide means are pivotally mounted for movement with the battery container during movement of the battery container into its stored position, the pivotal movement of the guide means aligning the battery container, if necessary, transversely of the straddle legs.

Preferably the guide means comprise a pair of levers mounted for pivotal movement in opposite directions on engagement by the battery container, each lever moving between an inner position and an outer position in contact with the respective end wall of the battery container when the battery container is in its stored position. Each lever preferably has a downwardly projecting portion engaged by the back wall of the battery container during movement of the battery container into its stored position, whereby subsequent movement of the battery container pivots the levers into their respective outer positions.

The levers are preferably biased, e.g. by springs, towards their initial inner positions but when moved into their outer positions are maintained in those positions by the battery container remaining in its stored position. Subsequently, when the battery is moved into its open position, the levers are sprung back to their inner positions.

Preferably the battery container is supported on the straddle legs by a platform on which the battery container rests, a drive connection being provided between the platform and the drive means for moving the battery container between its stored and open positions.

The platform preferably provides front and back stop means between which the battery container is located when positioned on the platform, said stop means preventing relative movement of the battery container longitudinally of the straddle legs.

It is also preferred that the platform provides parallel sliding surfaces on which the battery container rests, thereby assisting any necessary adjustment of the battery container position transversely of the straddle legs during its movement from its open position into its stored position. The sliding surfaces are preferably formed of polished steel or a hard plastics material, e.g. nylon.

In another embodiment of the invention the platform has rolling surfaces on which the battery container rests, which rolling surfaces are adapted to assist movement of the battery container relative to the platform in a direction transversely of the straddle legs. Preferably the rolling surfaces are provided by rollers rotatably mounted beneath the platform, which rollers project upwardly through slots in the platform to make contact with the battery container resting thereon.

Preferably the conventional reach mechanism of the truck comprises the drive means for moving the battery container between its stored and open positions. Alternatively said drive means may be separately powered drive means.

By way of example, specific embodiments in accordance with the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of an industrial reach truck with a battery container which is guided into its stored position beneath cover means; Figure 2 is a section along line II-II in Figure 1 showing the guide means below the cover means; Figure 3 is a section, generally along line III-III in Figure 1, showing a plan view of the platform on which the battery container rests, with the platform in its open position and the battery container removed; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the battery container; Figure 5 is a section along line V-V in Figure 4 showing the battery container on the platform in its stored position; Figure 6 is a perspective view from below of the battery platform;; Figure 7 is a perspective view of another form of battery platform; Figure 8 illustrates an alternative track member; Figure 9 is a section along line IX-IX in Figure 8; Figure 10 is a similar section to Figure 2 of another industrial reach truck which is generally the same as the truck of Figure 1 but which has different guide means below the cover means; Figure 11 is a vertical, transverse section similar to Figure 5 illustrating the guide means of Figure 10 when the battery container is in its stored position; and Figure 12 is a detailed section of one of the pivotally mounted levers of the guide means of Figures 10 and 11.

Referring to Figures 1 to 6 of the drawings, an electrically operated industrial reach truck has a body structure 10 providing the driver's position and the truck controls. Straddle legs 11 extend laterally from the body structure. On the straddle legs, a lift mast 12 with a lifting carriage and forks (not shown) is mounted for movement along the straddle legs in both directions by a conventional reach mechanism 55 including a horizontally acting hydraulic jack 50 (Figure 3) operated from the driver's position. The straddle legs 11 provide inwardly facing channels 25 within which run the trolley wheels 26 of the reach mechanism 55 (Figure 5). At the front ends of the straddle legs, the channels 25 are cut back to allow the mounting of ground wheels 26.

Also mounted on the straddle legs, in this embodiment, is a standard DIN container 13 housing the battery 14 comprising the power source for the truck.

The container 13 is movable along the straddle legs 11 by a releasable drive connection with the reach mechanism 55 in the conventional manner, or by separately powered drive means, between a stored position beneath a cover 15, and an open position. In its open position, the battery 14 can be checked, or the container 13 and battery 14 can be removed from the truck for recharging or replacement of the battery.

Subsequently, the container 13 can be returned to its stored position beneath the cover 15.

In this embodiment, the upper portion 80 of the cover 15 is conveniently a plastics moulding, and at the base of the cover there is provided a structural part 81 extending forwardly of the body structure of the truck.

The standard DIN battery container 13, as shown in Figure 4, is a rectangular, open topped box structure capable of bridging the straddle legs 11 of the truck. The end walls 17 of the container which, in use, are its walls extending longitudinally of the straddle legs, project upwardly above the side walls 18 which extend transversely of the straddle legs. Each end wall 17 has either a central aperture or, as in this embodiment, two apertures 19 adjacent its top edge to enable the container and battery to be lifted off or onto the straddle legs, as appropriate, and the area surrounding each aperture 19 has increased thickness provided by an internally welded support plate 20 which provides reinforcement during lifting. When the end walls 17 have central apertures 19 there is only one reinforcement plate 20 on each end wall.

Supported on and bridging the straddle legs 11 is a generally flat platform 21 on which the battery container 13 rests. As in the case of the conventional mounting tray, the platform 21 can be locked into its driving connection with the reach mechanism 55 by means of two parallel bars or latches 51 which are mounted beneath the platform and extend transversely to the straddle legs 11. In this embodiment, both latches 51 are movable longitudinally in opposite directions by a pivotally mounted pawl 51 so that the latches engage (Figure 3) or disengage (Figure 5) with respective lugs 56 projecting upwardly from the reach mechanism. The platform 21 is thereby respectively locked and unlocked to the reach mechanism.A spring 54 urges the latches 51 outwardly into a position ahead of the lugs 56 of the reach mechanism, but normally, with the platform 21 in its stored position, the latches are held withdrawn by a vertical pin 57 mounted on the body structure 10 of the truck engaging a notch 53 in the pawl 52. In the unlocked condition, the reach mechanism 55 is able to be moved forward and back along the straddle legs during the operation of the truck, the platform 21 and the container 13 remaining in the stored position.

However, with the reach mechanism in its back position, releasing the pin 57 from the notch 53 allows the spring 54 to pivot the pawl so that the latches 51 engage with the lugs 56 of the reach mechanism.

Operation of the reach jack 50 will then cause the platform 21 with the container 13 thereon to be driven forwardly in unison with the reach mechanism 55 into its open position (Figure 3). Subsequently, by withdrawing the reach mechanism, the platform 21 and the battery container 13 are pushed back to the stored position (Figures 1 and 5), buffers on a part of the reach mechanism engaging either the platform or the container. Alternatively, as mentioned above, it may be desired to provide separate drive means for the platform 21 at least for moving the platform into its open position. For the return movement the separate drive means may be employed, or the platform 21 may be pushed by the reach mechanism 55, as before.

For supporting the platform 21 on the straddle legs 11 in a manner in which it can slide between its stored and open positions, oppositely disposed pairs of blocks 27 are mounted on the underside of the platform in sliding engagement with upwardly facing surfaces of the straddle legs. The blocks 27 are notched at 28 along their lower outside edges whereby each pair of blocks both sits on and is located inwardly of the channel 25 of the respective straddle leg. The straddle legs 11 are thereby adapted to support the platform 21 and the battery container 13 thereon, and to guide the platform during its movement between its stored and open positions.

The provision of the blocks 27 acts to space the platform 21 above the straddle legs 11, and the gap therebetween is concealed from the sides of the truck by the turned down ends 29 of the platform, and from the front of the truck by similarly turned down front end portions 30.

When in its stored position, the battery container 13 must be prevented from moving laterally relative to the platform 21, and has to be positively located on the straddle legs 11 so that the container and the battery therein are correctly balanced relative to the movement of the truck.

To prevent relative movement in the direction longitudinally of the straddle legs, the battery container 13 is located between front and back stop flanges 22 comprising upturned edge portions of the platform 21. In practice, the flanges 22 are not readily visible to an observer of the truck. The front flange is concealed by the mast 12 and the back flange is behind the battery container 13.

For preventing similar movement transversely of the straddle legs, the internal surfaces of the end walls 17 of the battery container 13 contact outwardly facing surfaces of track members 23 mounted on the underside of the structural part 81 of the cover 15.

The container is thus positively restrained against relative movement in all lateral directions. It is shown in Figure 5 and described in more detail below that protective strips on parallel portions 35 of the track members 23 contact the rear reinforcing plates 20 rather than the end walls 17 alone, thereby giving added resistance against buckling of the respective end wall, for example, during turning movement of the truck.

The track members 23 also serve to guide the battery container 13 into its stored position, and if necessary, to align the container transversely of the straddle legs, relative to the platform 21. For this purpose, the track members 23 have forwardly extending portions 34 which converge longitudinally of the straddle legs to provide a lead-in for the container.

Conveniently the track members 23 are lengths of angle screwed to the underside of the cover structure 15.

Mounted on the upper surface of the platform 21 are two parallel strips 24 of polished steel or of nylon or other hard plastics material extending, in this embodiment, longitudinally of the straddle legs and on which the container rests. The strips 24 provide sliding surfaces which assist lateral movement of the container relative to the platform.

Alternatively, the platform may be provided with corresponding slide strips extending transversely of the straddle legs.

To reduce possible damage to the track members 23 or the container 13 itself, the contact surfaces of the track members 23 are replaceable strips 36 of hard wearing plastics material, which in this embodiment is nylon, screwed to the track members. Furthermore, the depth of the track members 23 is such that the track members are disposed above the side walls 18 of the container 13, which, as explained above, in a standard DIN container, are lower than the end walls 17.

In operation, to check or replace the battery 14 in the battery container 13, the pawl holding pin 57 is released from the notch 53. This allows the pawl 52 to pivot and move the latches 51 outwardly into engagement with the respective lugs 56 of the reach mechanism 55.

The reach jack 50 is then operated to drive the reach mechanism and the platform 21 forwardly of the straddle legs 11 into its open position (Figure 3). The battery container 13 is thereby moved from beneath the cover 15. It is then possible to lift the battery container 13 off the platform 21 by chains applied to the apertures 19.

After checking or replacement of the battery, the battery container 13 and a battery 14 therein are placed onto the platform 21 between the flanges 22, and approximately positioned transversely of the straddle legs 11. The reach jack 50 is then operated to return the reach mechanism which pushes the platform 21 and the battery container 13 thereon into the stored position beneath the cover 15, the pawl 52 passing through a slot in the body structure for engagement of the pin 57 in the notch 53. During this return movement of the platform 21, the nylon covered converging portions 34 of the track members 23 centralize the container relatively to both the platform 21 and the straddle legs 11.With the container in its stored position the nylon strips 36 on the parallel portions 35 of the track members 23 make surface contact with the rear reinforcing plates 20 on the end walls 17 of the container (Figure 5). Any sideways adjustment of the position of the container 13 which is required, during its movement into its stored position, is assisted by the slide strips 24 on the platform 21 on which the container can slide relatively to the platform.

In the case of a battery container 13 having only one centrally positioned aperture 19 and reinforcing plate 20 at each end, the converging portions 34 are more sharply angled so that, as before, the nylon strips 36 on the parallel portions 35 make contact with the reinforcing plates when the battery container is in its stored position.

In Figure 7, there is shown another form of battery platform 21 in which a battery container (not shown) can be moved laterally off one end of the platform instead of lifted off the platform. For this purpose, the platform has slots extending longitudinally of the truck through which project the surfaces of a plurality of rollers 33. The rollers 33 are rotatably mounted between beams 31 positioned beneath the platform 21 within the depth created by the blocks 27.

With the platform 21 in its open position, a battery container 13 is pushed onto the platform from one end, the battery container moving across the platform by the rolling action of the rollers 33. The battery container then rests on the platform between the flanges 22 and approximately in the desired position transversely of the truck. The reach mechanism is operated to push the platform 21 and the battery container 13 thereon towards its stored position. As in the previous embodiment, the converging portions 34 of the track members 23 act to adjust the transverse position of the battery container until the parallel portions 35 make contact with the reinforcing plates 20. Movement of the battery container is assisted by the rollers 33.

It will be appreciated that in each embodiment described above the provision of the generally flat platform 21 on which the battery container 13 rests, is more aesthetically pleasing than the conventional mounting tray. Moreover, the track members 23 allow the use of a standard DIN container instead of a more expensive special container, e.g. a container with feet.

In another embodiment, each track member 23 may be formed by a plurality of rollers rotatably mounted on the underside of the cover structure 15 and positioned along the same path, the innermost roller constituting the positive location means for contact with the respective reinforcing plate 20 to prevent movement of the battery container 13 transversely of the straddle legs 11 when the battery container is in its stored position. In this case, the rollers are formed of, or at least the operative peripheral surface of each roller is covered with, a hard plastics material, e.g. nylon.

The hard plastics coating on the rollers, or on the continuous track members 23 of the embodiment described above, provides low frictional contact between the corners and surfaces of the battery container 13 and the track members. This is particularly important when the battery container first makes contact with one of the track members 23, as well as during the resultant lateral manoeuvring of the container on the platform 21. The low frictional contact serves to assist sliding and reduce any damage to the track members 23 and/or the battery container 13.

The track members 23, or corresponding rollers, may be formed of hardened steel or be moulded of suitable hard plastics material, e.g. nylon. Track members of hardened steel tend to polish the edges and surfaces of the battery container with which they make contact during repeated operations. On the other hand, track members of plastics material minimise damage and provide low frictional contact.

These factors are combined in a further embodiment illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, in which each track member 23 (only one of which is shown) provides a support member 40 of hardened steel and an insert contact member 41 formed of hard plastics material, e.g. nylon. The support member 40 is a length of angle which is attached, e.g. by screws, to the underside of the cover structure 15, and which has, in its surface 42 which makes contact with the battery container 13, a groove 43 extending longitudinally over at least the length of the converging portion 34 of the track member. Within the groove 43 is mounted the contact member 41 which is either flush or slightly protruding relative to the surface 42 of the support member 40. In the latter case a degree of compression of the contact member 41 is possible which may be an advantage.Conveniently, the contact member 41 is held in the groove by screws or adhesive.

For each track member 23, the combination of the hardened steel support member 40 and plastics contact member 41 effectively achieves both low frictional contact and hard wearing characteristics Moreover, in this embodiment, the groove 43 and the contact member 41 therein extend substantially diagonally of the converging portion 34 of the respective track member 23, i.e. at an angle to the horizontal. The contact member 41 thereby acts to wipe a continuously varying surface of the battery container and thus spreads the area of engagement, whilst maintaining the characteristics of low friction and resistance to wear.When the battery container 13 is in contact with the parallel portions 35 of the track members 23, the container is laterally aligned relative to the platform 21 and the truck, but if desired each contact member 41 may extend along the full length of the respective track member.

Figures 10 to 12 relate to a similar industrial reach truck as the previous embodiments, but which has different guide means for guiding the battery container 13 during its movement into its stored position, and for preventing movement of the battery container transversely of the straddle legs when in its stored position.

More particularly, the previous embodiments are concerned with fixed guide means, whereas this embodiment concerns guide means which move with the battery container during its movement into its stored position. Pivotally mounted on the underside of the structural part 81 of the cover 15 are oppositely acting horizontal levers in the form of plates 60, each of which has a downwardly directed flange 61 welded to its back edge for engagement by the back side wall 18 of the battery container 13. The outer edge 62 of each plate 60 engages against the inner surface of the respective end wall 17 of the battery container 13 at least when the battery container is in its stored position, and thereby the two plates together prevent movement of the battery container transversely of the straddle legs.In this embodiment, the inner surface of the end wall 17 of the battery container which is engaged by each plate 60 is defined by a reinforcing plate 20 at the location of the rear aperture of a pair of apertures 19, which provides reinforcement during lifting of the battery container onto or off the platform 21.

Conveniently, in this embodiment, springs 63 bias the plates 60 into their respective inner positions (Figure 2) when the battery container is moved by the reach mechanism of the truck into its open position.

Each spring 63 is attached at one end to the respective plate 60 and at its other end to an anchor member 64 screwed to the underside of the structural part 81. In another embodiment, the anchor member 64 for each spring 63 may be an abutment engaged by the respective end of the spring.

At the pivot position of each plate 60, a flanged support boss 65 is inserted into an aperture in the structural part 81 of the cover 15 and welded thereto.

The boss 65 has a threaded bore and the flange 67 of the boss acts to space the plate 60 beneath the structural part 81. A rebated support cap 68 inserted into a counterbored aperture in the plate 60 is attached to the boss 65 by a countersunk screw 70. The plate 60 is thereby able to pivot relatively to the cap 68 and boss 65 about the axis of the screw 70.

Adjacent the outer end of each plate 60, a spacer bar 71 is welded to the upper surface of the plate to prevent any tendency for the plate to lift when it is pivoted by the battery container 13. Instead of the spacer bar 71, there may be provided a roller mounted to rotate against the underside of the structural part 81.

In operation, when the reach mechanism of the truck is operated to move the battery container 13 from its open position to its stored position, the pivotally mounted levers or plates 60 are in their inner positions (Figure 2). During the rearward movement of the battery container, the back side wall 18 contacts the flanges 61 of the plates 60 and pivots both plates outwardly, in opposite directions, each plate pivoting about its respective vertical axis. With the battery container 13 out of alignment on the platform 21 in one direction or the other transversely of the straddle legs 11, the appropriate plate 60 will be pivoted into engagement with the inner surface of the respective end wall 17 of the battery container 13, either directly, if the reinforcing plates 20 are omitted, or as in this embodiment indirectly via the rear reinforcing plate 20. Further pivotal movement will then move the battery container laterally in the same direction until the battery container is aligned on the platform 21 (Figures 3 and 4). The levers or plates 60 then preclude the battery container from moving laterally in either direction transversely of the straddle legs.

One advantage of the movable guide means of this embodiment is that the movement of the lever 60 which moves in the same general direction in which the battery container 13 is to be shifted assists the required adjustment of the position of the battery container on the platform 21. There is also substantially no sliding movement between the same lever 60 and the end wall 17 of the battery container 13, and thereby wear of the battery container and/or the lever or track member does not occur or is at least minimised.

A further advantage is that a greater degree of adjustment of the battery container 13 on the platform 21 is possible than in the case of stationary track members.

In the embodiments described, the battery container 13 is a standard DIN container. However, the guide means of the invention may be employed with other battery containers which have end walls with which the guide means can make contact. For example, for a battery container having end walls 17 which are sufficiently thick, the reinforcing plates 20 may be omitted. The stationary track members or movable levers would then engage directly against the end walls 17 of the battery container.

Also, in each embodiment described above, the structural part 81 of the cover 15 is a sheet member from which the guide members are suspended. However, another form of structural support for mounting the guide means may be provided if desired. For example, the structural support could be struts or brackets extending forwardly from the body structure 10 of the truck.

Claims

1. An industrial reach truck having a body structure including the driver's position, straddle legs spaced apart and projecting laterally from the body structure, a lift mast movable along the straddle legs by a conventional reach mechanism, a battery for operating the reach mechanism mounted in a container supported on and bridging the straddle legs, drive means for moving the battery container along the straddle legs between a stored position and an open position, and means for locating the battery container when in its stored position beneath cover means mounted on the body structure, the end walls of the battery container extending longitudinally of the straddle legs, wherein guide means are provided below the cover means and disposed internally of the end walls of the battery container for making contact therewith, which guide means serve to guide the battery container during its movement into its stored position, and prevent movement of the battery container transversely of the straddle legs when in its stored position.

2. A truck as claimed in Claim 1, wherein each end wall of the battery container has at least one aperture adjacent its upper edge for enabling the battery container to be lifted on and off the truck, the wall portion surrounding the aperture being reinforced, and wherein said guide means engage the reinforced wall portion when the battery container is in its stored position.

3. A truck as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the guide means comprise a track member associated with each of the end walls of the battery container, which track members have forwardly extending portions which converge longitudinally of the truck to provide a lead-in for the battery container to adjust its position transversely of the straddle legs as it is moved into its stored position.

4. A truck as claimed in Claim 3, wherein at least the surface of each track member which engages the internal surface of the respective end wall of the battery container, is formed of or is covered with a strip of hard plastics material.

5. A truck as claimed in Claim 3, wherein each track member is a moulding of hard plastics material.

6. A truck as claimed in Claim 3, wherein each track member is formed of hardened steel.

7. A truck as claimed in Claim 6, wherein each track member of hardened steel has along at least a portion of its length and in its surface which engages the internal surface of the respective end of the battery container, a groove extending longitudinally of said surface of the track member and an insert contact member of hard plastics material mounted in the groove, which contact member is flush or protruding relative to the adjacent surface of the track member.

8. A truck as claimed in Claim 8, wherein in each track member the groove and the contact member therein extend substantially diagonally of the length of the portion of the track member containing the groove.

9. A truck as claimed in Claim 3, wherein each track member is formed by a plurality of rollers rotatably mounted and positioned along the desired guide path.

10. A truck as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the guide means are pivotally mounted for movement with the battery container during movement of the battery container into its stored position, the pivotal movement of the guide means aligning the battery container, if necessary, transversely of the straddle legs.

11. A truck as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the guide means comprise a pair of levers mounted for pivotal movement in opposite directions on engagement by the battery container, each lever moving between an inner position and an outer position in contact with the respective end wall of the battery container when the battery container is in its stored position.

12. A truck as claimed in Claim 11, wherein each lever has a downwardly projecting portion engaged by the back wall of the battery container during movement of the battery container into its stored position, whereby subsequent movement of the battery container pivots the levers into their respective outer positions.

13. A truck as claimed in Claim 11 or Claim 12, wherein the levers are biased towards their initial inner positions but when moved into their outer positions are maintained in those positions by the battery container remaining in its stored position.

14. A truck claimed in Claim 13, wherein the levers are biased by springs towards their initial positions.

15. A truck as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the battery container is supported on the straddle legs by a platform on which the battery container rests, a drive connection being provided between the platform and the drive means for moving the battery container between its stored and open positions.

16. A truck as claimed in Claim 15, wherein the platform provides front and back stop means between which the battery container is located when positioned on the platform, said stop means preventing relative movement of the battery container longitudinally of the straddle legs.

17. A truck as claimed in Claim 15 or Claim 16, wherein the platform provides parallel sliding surfaces on which the battery container rests, thereby assisting any necessary adjustment of the battery container position transversely of the straddle legs during its movement from its open position into its stored position.

18. A truck as claimed in Claim 17, wherein the sliding surfaces are formed of polished steel or a hard plastics material.

19. A truck as claimed in Claim 15 or Claim 16, wherein the platform has rolling surfaces on which the battery container rests, which rolling surfaces are adapted to assist movement of the battery container relative to the platform in a direction transversely of the straddle legs.

20. A truck as claimed in Claim 19, wherein the rolling surfaces are provided by rollers rotatably mounted beneath the platform, which rollers project upwardly through slots in the platform to make contact with the battery container resting thereon.

21. A truck as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the conventional reach mechanism of the truck comprises the drive means for moving the battery container between its stored and open positions.

22. An industrial reach truck substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.