GB2455381A

GB2455381A - Towable vehicle maintenance apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2455381A
Application number: GB0814349A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Edward Sharpe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-12-04
Filing date: 2008-08-06
Publication date: 2009-06-10
Anticipated expiration: 2028-08-06
Also published as: GB2455297A; GB0723634D0; GB0814349D0; GB2455381B

Abstract

A mobile vehicle servicing apparatus consists of a towable chassis on which is mounted a pair of pivoted ramps 11, which may be hinged at their upper end. The apparatus is placed, and stabilised, on a hardstanding, with its wheels moved out of contact with the ground and a towing attachment removed. The vehicle 21 to be serviced is driven, or pulled up, onto the ramps 11 via detachable ramp extensions 19 and the ramps 11 are then raised to an essentially horizontal position, e.g. by the inflation of one or more airbags 24, or hydraulic actuators, so that access is provided to the underside of the vehicle. The apparatus of the invention is compact and light and robust enough to be towed by a small, or medium sized, tradesman's van and, consequently, can access confined locations which large, comprehensive, mobile, servicing vehicles / trainers cannot. The apparatus of the invention is ideal for servicing forklift trucks, farm machinery, etc. at their working locations.

Description

TOWABLE MAINTENANCE APPARATUS FOR FORKLIFT TRUCKS

AND THE LIKE

This specification relates to towable apparatus, which may be taken to particular locations and used to maintain vehicles / equipment at that location. It is specifically designed for servicing forklift trucks but its robust construction fits the apparatus of the invention for the maintenance of other wheeled items of equipment.

All vehicles need regular maintenance and it is usual to take vehicles, such as forklift trucks, to a garage, or depot for such servicing. Where such vehicles are used on large estates, or within industrial sites, and are not licensed for use on public roads, dedicated maintenance facilities are usually provided. Alternatively, a mobile maintenance team could come to the location and service the I all the forklift truck(s) there.

However, there are numerous instances where the number of such vehicles at a particular location is insufficient to justify its own dedicated maintenance facility or the cost of a special visit from the mobile maintenance team. If they are not licensed to go on the road, the only alternatives are for a DIY service on site or to transport the vehicle(s) to the garage for a service and then transport it(them) back again. An example of this type of situation might be a single forklift truck at a warehouse. If the truck is not serviced regularly, it might breakdown, with devastating consequences for the warehouse operation.

In order to appreciate fully the problem solved by the invention, it is necessary to understand the nature and operational modes of forklift trucks. Fig. 6 shows a diagrammatic representation of a standard (prior art) truck 21, with a lifting capacity of 2.5 Te. As shown, a correct toad 37 is placed on forks 22, with its centre of gravity 38 above the centre of forks 22.

Forks 22 are mounted 22A on mast 35; the mass of forks 22, 22A and mast 35 are to the right of line 41 through the axle of wheel 23A and so add to the overturning mass 38. A standard size truck 21 has a mass of 4.25 Te, with this weight acting through centre of gravity 32; this counterbalances a load of up to 2.5 Te on forks 22, so that the load 37 can be lifted, laden truck 21 moved and load 37 deposited safely. If too heavy a load 37 is placed on forks 22, truck 21 would overbalance about the vertical line 41. To ensure stability, the design criteria is effectively: (4.25 x distance 39) >> ((2.5 + mass of forks 22} x distance 40).

In practice, operators often handle wide loads 37A, i.e. with centres of gravity 38 further to the right (Fig. 6) and pile loads higher 37B (so that guards 36 have to be provided). Both these practices can reduce the safety margin as defined by the above formula. To improve safety margins, manufacturers move centre of gravity 32 as far to the left as possible. Making trucks 21 longer 42 is not an option, as they operate in the confines of warehouses, where space is always at an absolute premium. Thus, the heaviest items of truck 21 and additional ballast are located as near the back of the truck (left hand side, Fig. 6) as possible, i.e. to increase the length of distance 39 to its maximum. So, to function safely, fork lift trucks 21 have to be compact 42, very heavy (4.25 Te) and with the centre of gravity 32 as far to the left as possible (i.e. maximise 39). (Wheels 23 have solid tyres, with no springing and vehicle masses above 4.25 Te would exceed standard floor loadings, when carrying loads).

For comparison purposes, Sports Utility Vehides (SUVs or 4x4s) usually weigh 1.5-2.0 Te so that a forklift truck could be nearly three times as heavy as one of these.

German Patent No. 202006006 890 Ui and US Patent No. 4 901 980 teach mobile servicing stations in which the vehicle to be maintained is driven up ramps onto a scissors-type jack mounted on a trailer, whence the jack can raise the whole vehicle bodily for underbody maintenance. While scissors jacks are economical with space, their mode of operation causes the generation of stresses in the structure and operating members many times greater than that due to the simple weight of the load being lifted. Thus, they require massive members to operate them, e.g. the hinged, diagonal, lifting members, the high pressure, hydraulic piston(s) and cylinder(s) to operate the lifting members and the chassis structure, which provides the reaction elements to permit operation of the moving members of the jack.

Clearly, a scissors jacking arrangement, capable of lifting massive forklift trucks would be an extremely substantial item of equipment. The trailer, on which such a mobile jack would be mounted, together with its attendant stabilisers, would be so large and heavy that it would require a large lorry, or equivalent, to tow it. Such a massive lorry and trailer pair is almost a contradiction in terms for visiting small warehouses, often on congested sites, to service just a single forklift truck here and another there. The equipment would be very expensive to purchase and, to be an economical proposition, the hire I service charges for using it would be equally high -probably similar to those of the transport to garage option. Equivalent arguments apply US Patent No. 4 445 665 and UK Patent Application No. 2 169 871.

US Patent Nos. 4 238 114 and 5904 339 disclose apparatus in which the vehicle to be serviced is winched or driven up a ramp so that, at a certain point, the mass of the vehicle causes the apparatus to rotate to a second position, with the vehicle horizontal and in an elevated position. The Health and Safety implications of using either of these with a normal car or SUV would be considerable but to operate either with a 4.25 Te forklift truck appear to be in the cartoon film category. How strong and massive would the structures have to be to withstand the mechanical loading as the apparatus thumped' down into its second position and back into the first position to remove the truck? Making these apparatus' massive and strong enough, raises the weight I mobility compatibility argument outlined above.

Thus, there is a clear need for a small, relatively light, strong, mobile item of equipment, which can conveniently be taken to any industrial location to service forklift trucks at an economical cost.

According to the invention, there is provided mobile, forklift truck servicing apparatus comprising:.-i) means to transport the apparatus to a given location; ii) means for placing the apparatus firmly and stably on a hardstanding at the location; iii) means to deploy a ramp so that a forklift truck to be maintained may be positioned in line with and adjacent to the ramp; iv) means to move the forklift truck onto the ramp; v) means to raise all / part of the lower end of the ramp so that the structure forming that part of the ramp on which the forklift truck is located is lifted to an elevated position in an essentially horizontal attitude; vi) means to gain access to the forklift truck for the purposes of undertaking a maintenance operation(s) on said truck; vii) means to lower the raised portjn of the ramp to its original position when the maintenance operation(s) is(are) complete; viii) means to remove the forklift truck from the ramp; ix) means to restore the apparatus to its transportable mode; and x) means to transport the apparatus from the given location; characterised in that the apparatus is transportable to the given location, where it is prepared to accept a forklift truck to be maintained, so that, when the truck is placed on the apparatus, it is raisable to an elevated, essentially horizontal position for a maintenance operation(s) to be undertaken and thereafter lowered to its original position whence the truck is removed from the apparatus and the apparatus removed from the given location.

According to a first variation of the apparatus of the invention, the means of transportation includes wheels.

According to a second variation of the apparatus of the invention, the means of transportation includes a towing attachment.

According to a third variation of the apparatus of the invention, the means of transportation to the given location is towing by a suitable towing vehicle.

According to a fourth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the apparatus includes a chassis.

According to a fifth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the chassis includes means to enable it to stand stably on a hardstanding.

According to a sixth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the means to enable the chassis to stand stably on a hardstanding includes members fast with the underside of the chassis and extending longitudinally and I or transversely thereunder.

According to a seventh variation of the apparatus of the invention, the wheels are movably or removably attached to the chassis.

According to an eighth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the towing attachment is movably or removably attached to the chassis.

According to a ninth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the placing of the apparatus firmly and stably on the hardstanding includes means for removing the wheels or moving them to a position out of load-bearing contact with said hardstanding.

According to a tenth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the placing of the apparatus firmly and stably on the hardstanding indudes means for moving I removing the towing attachment or a part(s) of it to a position out of load-bearing contact with said hardstanding.

According to an eleventh variation of the apparatus of the invention, the means to deploy the ramp so that it extends down to the hardstanding includes provision of an extension piece(s).

According to a twelfth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the moving of the forklift truck to be maintained onto the ramp(s) includes means to align the truck's wheels with the ramp(s) and to drive the truck up onto the ramp(s).

According to a thirteenth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the means to pull the forklift truck to be maintained up onto the ramp(s) is a winch.

According to a fourteenth variation of the apparatus of the invention, means are provided to lock the wheels of the forklift truck to be maintained in position on the ramp(s).

According to a fifteenth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the ramp is mounted by a hinged means at its upper end According to a sixteenth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the means to raise all / part of the lower end of the ramp to an essentially horizontal position is by jacking.

According to a seventeenth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the means of jacking includes an air bag.

According to an eighteenth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the means of jacking includes hydraulic means.

According to a nineteenth variation of the apparatus of the invention, once the ramp is raised to an essentially horizontal position, it is lockable in. that position by a mechanical means.

According to a twentieth variation of the apparatus of the invention, the means to gain access to the forklift truck for the purposes of undertaking a maintenance operation(s). is provided on the apparatus, or parts of it, According to a twenty first variation of the apparatus of the invention, the means to lower the raised portion of the ramp to its original position is removal of the air from the air bag.

According to a twenty second variation of the apparatus of the invention, means to remove the forklift truck from the ramp(s) is driving down or using the winch.

According to a twenty third variation of the apparatus of the invention, the means to restore the apparatus to its transportable mode is moving I replacing the wheels to I in their original position, moving! replacing the towing attachment and storing the ramp extensions on the apparatus.

According to a twenty fourth variation of the apparatus of the invention, diagonal bracing is provided to give the necessary structural integrity to the apparatus.

According to the invention, there is provided a method of using a mobile apparatus to maintain a forklift truck at a given location comprising the steps of:-i) transporting the apparatus to the location; ii) placing the apparatus firmly and stably on a hardstanding at the location; iii) deploying a ramp so that a forklift truck to be maintained may be positioned in line with and adjacent to the ramp; iv) moving the forklift truck onto the ramp; v) raising all I part of the lower end of the ramp so that the structure forming that part of the ramp on which the forklift truck is located is lifted to an essentially horizontal position and securing it in that position; vi) using the apparatus, or parts of it, to gain access to the forklift truck for the purposes of undertaking a maintenance operation(s) on said truck; vii) lowering the raised portion of the ramp to its original position when the maintenance operation(s) is(are) complete; viii) removing the forklift truck from the ramp; ix) restoring the apparatus to its transportable mode; and x) transporting the apparatus from the given location; characterised in that the apparatus is transported to the given location, where it is prepared to accept a forklift truck, so that, when the truck is placed on the apparatus, it is raised to an elevated position in an essentially horizontal attitude for a maintenance operation(s) to be undertaken, including those needing access to the underside of the truck, and thereafter the truck is lowered to its original position and removed from the apparatus and the apparatus removed from the given location.

In a preferred application of the apparatus of the invention, a wheeled chassis is provided on which a pair or ramps is mounted such that one end of the pair is hingeably fixed at an elevated position above the chassis and the other end rests on the upper surface of the chassis. The chassis is towable and provided with wheels and a towing hitch both of which are either movable or removable so that the chassis may be placed directly in contact with a hardstanding, capable of supporting stably the chassis and a forklift truck to be maintained thereon. Extensions to the ramps may be provided to ensure that they are accessible from the level of the hardstanding. The forklift truck to be maintained is driven, or winched, up onto the angled ramps and parked in that position.

Then, the lower ends of the ramps are raised so that the ramps are essentially horizontal and access is provided between the ramps to the underside of the truck. In a preferred design, an air bag is used to raise the lower ends of the ramps and, when at the required height, mechanical locking means are provided to ensure that failure of the air bag would not endanger the Mechanic, who might be underneath the ramps. Ideally, the upper face of the chassis is a smooth, continuous surface on which the Mechanic can lie to perform the required maintenance operations.

When maintenance is complete, the mechanical locking is removed and the ramps lowered so that the truck may be removed and resume its normal functions. The wheels and towing hitch are restored to their normal positions and the apparatus of the invention towed away.

In preferred designs, the apparatus may be provided with ancillary equipment, e.g. batteries to power the means to move I remove the wheels and inflate the air bag. Alternatively, power for these functions may be taken from the location where the maintenance is performed.

For a clearer understanding of the iflvention and to show how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings in which:-Figure 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus of the invention shown ready for attachment to a towing vehicle for towing to / from a working location; Figure 2 is side elevation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, placed on a hardstanding at a working location ready for a forklift truck to be driven onto it; Figure 3 is a side elevation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, with a forklift truck driven onto it; Figure 4 is a side elevation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, with the forklift truck raised to an essentially horizontal position where it may be serviced; Figure 5 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, shown deployed for use; and Figure 6 is a diagrammatic side elevation of a forklift truck, carrying a load (Prior Art).

In the following description, the same reference numeral is used for the same parts in different Figures or for different parts fulfilling an identical function.

Referring to Fig. 1, the apparatus of the invention 1 consists of a chassis 2, having an upper surface 3 and a lower surface 18. A pair of road wheels 4 Es movably 7 located on arms 5 about mountings 6. A towing means 14,15. 16 is removably attached 13 to chassis 2 and consists of frame 14, ball hitch 16 and jockey wheel 15. Fast with the rear end of chassis 2 is vertical framework 8 to which a pair of ramps 11 are hingeably mounted 9 at their upper ends.

Framework 8 terminates at its upper end in a projection 10, which acts as a stop at the ends of ramps 11. At their lower ends, ramps 11 rest on chassis 2 and, when not in use, are secured to chassis 2 by a means not shown. Gusset plates 28 are shown to indicate that appropriate diagonal bracing is provided but not shown to avoid obscuring other detail. It will be apparent to the skilled man that the apparatus 1 of the invention will be subject to very substantial loadings, when in use (due to the 4.25 Te weight of a forklift truck), and its structural components need to be sufficiently robust to cany them safely.

To deploy the apparatus 1 of the invention, it is towed to a suitable area of hardstanding 17, e.g. a concrete floor inside, or outside, an industrial building. When in position, the towing vehicje (not shown) is detached 16 and driven away, leaving the right hand end of apparatus 1 supported on jockey wheel assembly 15 (Fig. 1). Towing bracket 14 is removed from chassis 2, via connection 13, and the right hand end of chassis lowered onto hardstanding 17. Wheels 4 are moved 7 so that the left hand end of chassis 2 is lowered onto hardstanding 17.

Hydraulic means (not shown), e.g. powered by batteries or a hand pump (neither shown), are used to swing arms 5 about rotatable mounting 6 until wheels 4 carry no load but merely rest on hardstanding 17 (Fig. 2). Clockwise arrow 7 shows the arc of movement of wheels 4 and brackets 5 about pivot 6.

The underside 18 of chassis 2 is adapted to sit stably on potentially, slightly uneven hardstandings 17. One means of doing this is to provide a number of parallel, longitudinal ribs (not shown). Transverse ribs (not shown) may also be provided, if required. The order of actions in which apparatus 1 is set down on hardstanding 17, i.e. removal of towing bracket 14 and moving of wheels 4, or vice versa, is not critical and depends on local conditions and operator preference. Once apparatus 1 is firmly set on hardstanding 17, ramp extensions 19 are fitted via connections 13. As shown, members 19 extend ramps 11 down to hardstanding 17. Connections 13 provide a firm union with chassis 2 appropriate to the structural integrity of the whole apparatus 1.

Referring to Fig. 3, the forklift truck 21 to be maintained is driven to the right hand end of apparatus 1 and its wheels 23 aligned with ramps 11. Forks 22 are raised to a height where they will not foul any part of apparatus 1 (as shown, Fig. 3) and locked in that position. Under most conditions, the engine and transmission (not shown) of truck 21 will be operational and so truck 1 is driven up ramps 11 to a position, such as shown in Fig. 3. Stops 10 are provided to prevent truck 21 being driven off the top end of ramps 11. When in the correct position, the brakes (not shown) are applied, the engine of truck 21 switched off and the driver alights.

Chocks 29 (Fig. 4) are fitted as a further safety measure.

One, or more, air bag(s) 24 is I are now inflated via the site compressed air (if available) or by a mains or battery driven pump or a foot pump (none shown). Airbag 24 bears on plate 12, which extends for the full width of apparatus 1, (as shown, Fig. 5). Because of the large area of plate 12, only a modest pressure is required in bag 24 to lift truck 21. Once ramp Ills essentially horizontal (Fig. 4), strut(s) 25 is(are) fitted, so that the pressure in bag 24 may be relieved. In a preferred design, strut(s) 25 is(are) hinged 26 to the underside of ramps 11 and, when deployed, feet 25A lock against stops, e.g. 27. Aftematively, strut(s) 25 may be separate items, unattached to apparatus 1. Though ramps 11 and 19 form a contiguous surface (Fig. 3), there is no connection between them so that ramp 11 can be freely raised (Fig. 4) and lowered (Fig. 2) afterwards.

Fig. 5 shows a plan view of the apparatus of the invention 1 deployed for use as in Figs. 2, 3 or 4. Road wheels 4 are shown in the transport mode (Fig. 1) for clarity only. The outline of truck 21 is shown dashed. There is a space between ramps 11 (through which the upper surface 3 of chassis 2 is visible). The size of apparatus 1 (length and width) and of plate 12 and location of strut(s) 25 are chosen to provide convenient access to the undersides of the forklift trucks 21 intended to be serviced. Upper surface 3 of chassis 2 is smooth so that the person undertaking the maintenance can lie on it in comfort and slide about over it to reach different parts of truck 21, e.g. engine, gearbox, etc. in order to undertake maintenance operations.

The skilled man will note that the line of action 31 (Fig. 4) of the air pressure in bag 24 acts at a distance 33 from centreline 30 through hinge 9. Centre of gravity 32 of truck 21 acts at a distance 34 from centreline 30. Distance 34 is a little over half distance 33 so that load 31 is somewhat more that half the weight of truck 21. Thus, the scantlings of members 2, 8, 11, 25, 28, etc. and rating of air bag 24 are all appropriate to these loadings due to the massive nature of forklift truck 21, so that the size and weight of apparatus 1 is minimised within the relevant safety considerations. This contrasts strongly with the loads on the scissors jack of German Patent DE 202006006 890 Ui and USP 4 901 980, where the loads in the diagonal members will be significantly greater than the weight of truck 21; the skilled man will appreciate how large these loadings actually are, particularly as the scissors commence lifting from their horizontal positions.

The skilled man will also appreciate that placing chassis 2, 18 directly onto hardstanding 17, i.e. the removal of wheels 4 and jockey wheel 15 from load-bearing contact with hardstanding 17, means that there is no need for the massive stabilisation legs, which are essential on most mobile working platforms. This is a further feature to minimise the weight, cost and size of the apparatus of the invention. Had it been necessary to provide stabilisation legs, the mass and size of the apparatus would both be much greater, adding significantly to the capital cost and requiring a much larger, more powerful lorry to tow it. Additionally, a larger apparatus 1 and towing lorry would make it more awkward to manoeuvre in the confined spaces where small industrial locations are often located. Again, reference to German Patent DE 20 2006 006 890 Ui and USP 4901 980 will show how inappropriate these arts would be for the current application.

The apparatus 1 of the invention has been specifically designed and developed to perform maintenance operations at a range of locations at an economic cost for the businesses at these locations. Ideally, the apparatus 1 is self-contained with its own power supplies but a connection(s) (not shown), to use mains electricity or an airline at the location, is provided. TOWABLE MAINTENANCE APPARATUS FOR FORKLIFT TRUCKS

AND THE LIKE

Chocks 29 (Fig. 4) are fitted as a further safety measure.

The apparatus 1 of the invention has been specifically designed and developed to perform maintenance operations at a range of locations at an economic cost for the businesses at these locations. Ideally, the apparatus 1 is self-contained with its own power supplies but a connection(s) (not shown), to use mains electricity or an airline at the location, is provided.

Claims

Claims:- 1 A mobile, forklift truck servicing apparatus comprising:-i) means to transport the apparatus to a given location; ii) means for placing the apparatus firmly and stably on a hardstanding at the location; iii) means to deploy a ramp so that a vehicle to be maintained may be positioned in line with and adjacent to the ramp; iv) means to move the forklift truck onto the ramp; v) means to raise all / part of the lower end of the ramp so that the structure forming that part of the ramp on which the vehicle is located is lifted to an elevated position in an essentially horizontal attitude; vi) means to gain access to the forklift truck for the purposes of undertaking a maintenance operation(s) on the vehicle; vii) means to lower the raised portion of the ramp to its onginal position when the maintenance operation(s) is(are) complete; viii) means to remove the forklift truck from the ramp; ix) means to restore the apparatus to its transportable mode; and x) means to transport the apparatus from the given location; characterised in that the apparatus is transportable to the given location, where it is prepared to accept a forklift truck to be maintained, so that, when the forklift truck is placed on the apparatus, it is raisable to an elevated, essentially horizontal position for a maintenance operation(s) to be undertaken and thereafter lowered to its original position whence the forklift truck is removed from the apparatus and the apparatus removed from the given location.

2 A mobile forklift truck servicing apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means of transportation includes wheels.

3 A mobile, forklift truck servicing apparatus, as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the means of transportation includes a towing attachment.

4 A mobile, forklift truck servicing apparatus, as claimed in claim 3, wherein the means of transportation to the given location is towing by a suitable towing vehicle.

A mobile, forklift truck servicing apparatus, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus includes a chassis.

6 A mobile, forklift truck servicing apparatus, as claimed in claim 5, wherein the chassis includes means to enable it to stand stably on a hardstanding.

7 A mobile, forklift truck servicing apparatus, as claimed in claim 6, wherein the means to enable the chassis to stand stably on a hardstanding includes members fast with the underside of the chassis and extending longitudinally and I or transversely thereunder.

8 A mobile, forklift truck servicing apparatus, as claimed in claim 2, wherein the wheels are movably or removably attached to the chassis.

9 A mobile, forklift truck servicing apparatus, as claimed in daim 3, wherein the towing attachment is movably or removably attached to the chassis.

A mobile, forklift truck servicing apparatus, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the placing of the apparatus firmly and stably on the hardstanding includes means for removing the wheels or moving them to a position out of load-bearing contact with said hardstanding.

11 A mobile, forklift truck servicing apparatus, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the placing of the apparatus firmly and stably on the hardstanding includes means for moving / removing the towing attachment or a part(s) of it to a position out of load-bearing contact with said hardstanding.

12 A mobile, forklift truck servicing apparatus, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means to deploy the ramp so that it extends down to the hardstanding includes provision of an extension piece(s).

13 A mobile, forklift truck servicing apparatus, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the moving of the forklift truck to be maintained onto the ramp(s) includes means to align the truck's wheels with the ramp(s) and to drive the truck up onto the ramp(s).

14 A mobile, forklift truck servicing apparatus, as claimed in claim 13, wherein the means to pull the forklift truck to be maintained up onto the ramp(s) is a winch.

A mobile, forklift truck servicing apparatus, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein means are provided to lock the wheels of the forklift truck to be maintained in position on the ramp(s).

16 A mobile, forklift truck servicing apparatus, as claimed in claims 14 or 15, wherein the ramp is mounted by a hinged means at its upper end 17 A mobile, forklift truck servicing apparatus, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means to raise all I part of the lower end of the ramp to an essentially horizontal position is by jacking.

18 A mobile, forklift truck servicing apparatus, as claimed in claim 17, wherein the means of jacking includes an air bag.

19 A mobile, forklift truck servicing apparatus, as claimed in claim 17, wherein the means of jacking includes hydraulic means.

A mobile, forklift truck servicing apparatus, as claimed in claims 17-19, wherein, once the ramp is raised to an essentially horizontal position, it is lockable in that position by a mechanical means.

21 A mobile, forklift truck servicing apparatus, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means to gain access to the forklift truck for the purposes of undertaking a maintenance operation(s). is provided on the apparatus, or parts of it, 22 A mobile vehicle servicing apparatus, as claimed in claim 18, wherein the means to lower the raised portion of the ramp to its original position is removal of the air from the air bag.

23 A mobile, forklift truck servicing apparatus, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein means to remove the forklift truck from the ramp(s) is driving down or using the winch.

24 A mobile, forklift truck servicing apparatus, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means to restore the apparatus to its transportable mode is moving / replacing the wheels to their original position and moving / replacing the towing attachment A mobile, forklift truck servicing apparatus, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein diagonal bracing is provided to give the necessary structural integrity to the apparatus.

26 A method of using a mobile apparatus to maintain a forklift truck at a given location comprising the steps of:-i) transporting the apparatus to the location; ii) placing the apparatus firmly and stably on a hardstanding at the location; iii) deploying a ramp so that a vehicle to be maintained may be positioned in line with and adjacent to the ramp; iv) moving the forklift truck onto the ramp; v) raising all I part of the lower end of the ramp so that the structure forming that part of the ramp on which the vehicle is located is lifted to an essentially horizontal position; vi) using the apparatus, or parts of it, to gain access to the forklift truck for the purposes of undertaking a maintenance operation(s) on said truck; vii) lowering the raised portion of the ramp to its original position when the maintenance operation(s) is(are) complete; viii) removing the forklift truck from the ramp; ix) restoring the apparatus to its transportable mode; and x) transporting the apparatus from the given location; characterised in that the apparatus is transported to the given location, where it is prepared to accept a forklift truck, so that, when the truck is placed on the apparatus, it is raised to an elevated position in an essentially horizontal attitude for a maintenance operation(s) to be undertaken, induding those needing access to the underside of the truck, and thereafter the truck is lowered to its original position and removed from the apparatus and the apparatus removed from the given location.

27 Apparatus for maintaining a forklift truck and method of using said apparatus as described in and by the above statement with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Claims:- 1 A mobile, forklift truck servicing apparatus comprising:-i) means to transport the apparatus to a given location; ii) means for placing the apparatus firmly and stably on a hardstanding at the location; iii) means to deploy a ramp so that a vehicle to be maintained may be positioned in line with and adjacent to the ramp; iv) means to move the forklift truck onto the ramp; v) means to raise all / part of the lower end of the ramp so that the structure forming that part of the ramp on which the vehicle is located is lifted to an elevated position in an essentially horizontal attitude; vi) means to gain access to the forklift truck for the purposes of undertaking a maintenance operation(s) on the vehicle; vii) means to lower the raised portion of the ramp to its onginal position when the maintenance operation(s) is(are) complete; viii) means to remove the forklift truck from the ramp; ix) means to restore the apparatus to its transportable mode; and x) means to transport the apparatus from the given location; characterised in that the apparatus is transportable to the given location, where it is prepared to accept a forklift truck to be maintained, so that, when the forklift truck is placed on the apparatus, it is raisable to an elevated, essentially horizontal position for a maintenance operation(s) to be undertaken and thereafter lowered to its original position whence the forklift truck is removed from the apparatus and the apparatus removed from the given location.

2 A mobile forklift truck servicing apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means of transportation includes wheels.

3 A mobile, forklift truck servicing apparatus, as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the means of transportation includes a towing attachment.

4 A mobile, forklift truck servicing apparatus, as claimed in claim 3, wherein the means of transportation to the given location is towing by a suitable towing vehicle.

A mobile, forklift truck servicing apparatus, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus includes a chassis.

6 A mobile, forklift truck servicing apparatus, as claimed in claim 5, wherein the chassis includes means to enable it to stand stably on a hardstanding.

7 A mobile, forklift truck servicing apparatus, as claimed in claim 6, wherein the means to enable the chassis to stand stably on a hardstanding includes members fast with the underside of the chassis and extending longitudinally and I or transversely thereunder.

8 A mobile, forklift truck servicing apparatus, as claimed in claim 2, wherein the wheels are movably or removably attached to the chassis.

9 A mobile, forklift truck servicing apparatus, as claimed in daim 3, wherein the towing attachment is movably or removably attached to the chassis.

A mobile, forklift truck servicing apparatus, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the placing of the apparatus firmly and stably on the hardstanding includes means for removing the wheels or moving them to a position out of load-bearing contact with said hardstanding.

11 A mobile, forklift truck servicing apparatus, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the placing of the apparatus firmly and stably on the hardstanding includes means for moving / removing the towing attachment or a part(s) of it to a position out of load-bearing contact with said hardstanding.

12 A mobile, forklift truck servicing apparatus, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means to deploy the ramp so that it extends down to the hardstanding includes provision of an extension piece(s).

13 A mobile, forklift truck servicing apparatus, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the moving of the forklift truck to be maintained onto the ramp(s) includes means to align the truck's wheels with the ramp(s) and to drive the truck up onto the ramp(s).

14 A mobile, forklift truck servicing apparatus, as claimed in claim 13, wherein the means to pull the forklift truck to be maintained up onto the ramp(s) is a winch.

A mobile, forklift truck servicing apparatus, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein means are provided to lock the wheels of the forklift truck to be maintained in position on the ramp(s).

16 A mobile, forklift truck servicing apparatus, as claimed in claims 14 or 15, wherein the ramp is mounted by a hinged means at its upper end 17 A mobile, forklift truck servicing apparatus, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means to raise all I part of the lower end of the ramp to an essentially horizontal position is by jacking.

18 A mobile, forklift truck servicing apparatus, as claimed in claim 17, wherein the means of jacking includes an air bag.

19 A mobile, forklift truck servicing apparatus, as claimed in claim 17, wherein the means of jacking includes hydraulic means.

A mobile, forklift truck servicing apparatus, as claimed in claims 17-19, wherein, once the ramp is raised to an essentially horizontal position, it is lockable in that position by a mechanical means.

21 A mobile, forklift truck servicing apparatus, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means to gain access to the forklift truck for the purposes of undertaking a maintenance operation(s). is provided on the apparatus, or parts of it, 22 A mobile vehicle servicing apparatus, as claimed in claim 18, wherein the means to lower the raised portion of the ramp to its original position is removal of the air from the air bag.

23 A mobile, forklift truck servicing apparatus, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein means to remove the forklift truck from the ramp(s) is driving down or using the winch.

24 A mobile, forklift truck servicing apparatus, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means to restore the apparatus to its transportable mode is moving / replacing the wheels to their original position and moving / replacing the towing attachment A mobile, forklift truck servicing apparatus, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein diagonal bracing is provided to give the necessary structural integrity to the apparatus.

26 A method of using a mobile apparatus to maintain a forklift truck at a given location comprising the steps of:-i) transporting the apparatus to the location; ii) placing the apparatus firmly and stably on a hardstanding at the location; iii) deploying a ramp so that a vehicle to be maintained may be positioned in line with and adjacent to the ramp; iv) moving the forklift truck onto the ramp; v) raising all I part of the lower end of the ramp so that the structure forming that part of the ramp on which the vehicle is located is lifted to an essentially horizontal position; vi) using the apparatus, or parts of it, to gain access to the forklift truck for the purposes of undertaking a maintenance operation(s) on said truck; vii) lowering the raised portion of the ramp to its original position when the maintenance operation(s) is(are) complete; viii) removing the forklift truck from the ramp; ix) restoring the apparatus to its transportable mode; and x) transporting the apparatus from the given location; characterised in that the apparatus is transported to the given location, where it is prepared to accept a forklift truck, so that, when the truck is placed on the apparatus, it is raised to an elevated position in an essentially horizontal attitude for a maintenance operation(s) to be undertaken, induding those needing access to the underside of the truck, and thereafter the truck is lowered to its original position and removed from the apparatus and the apparatus removed from the given location.

27 Apparatus for maintaining a forklift truck and method of using said apparatus as described in and by the above statement with reference to the accompanying drawings.