GB2498366A

GB2498366A - Pallet truck transport bracket

Info

Publication number: GB2498366A
Application number: GB1200432.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Michael Thompson; Richard John Wright
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-01-11
Filing date: 2012-01-11
Publication date: 2013-07-17
Also published as: GB201200432D0

Abstract

An apparatus to secure a pallet truck onto or into the back of a lorry or van for transportation by utilising the lifting action of the pallet truck itself. A Bracket incorporates a bottom metal plate E underneath the load bed of a vehicle F connected through the bed F to a top metal plate A. When lifted from its 'resting place' fits across the lifting tines of a pallet truck. When the pallet truck is jacked up the top plate A pulls on rods B connected to it which pass through the load bed F at positions C and connect also to the bottom plate E. This becomes in contact with the underside of the load bed F and continuing to jack up the pallet truck tensions the rods B and results in the pallet truck being pulled down onto the bed of the vehicle by its own lifting force, which holds it in position for transportation.

Description

Pallet Truck Transøort Bracket.

Description:-

The inventors have recognised a potential danger that a pallet truck being transported on or in the back of a lorry or box van may become loose and fall off or out of the vehicle into pedestrians or traffic.

Another potential danger is that a pallet truck should become mobile in the event of an accident ie becoming a heavy missile that could cause serious injury to the driver or a passenger should it smash through the van or lorry cab carrying it and possibly into another motorist or passer by, should it leave the lorry in this eventuality.

This invention reduces these possibilities by providing a safe and easy to use, strong, cheap and effective way of securing a pallet truck onto the back of a load carrying vehicle by utilising the lifting action of the pallet truck itself.

The invention comprises of a lift up' bracket that when not in use sits as flush as possible into or onto the load bed (floor) of a lorry or van hence cannot be tripped over and allows any form of lifting or loading equipment to run over it without impediment The bracket incorporates a strong, bottom metal plate underneath the load bed (floor) of a vehicle.

This is connected through' the load bed to another strong, top metal plate which when lifted from its parking place' (which is intended to be flush into or onto the load bed), fits across the lifting tines of a pallet truck. le the tines of the pallet truck are slid underneath the plate. The pallet truck is then jacked up which lifts the top plate and pulls on a rod or rods connected to it which pass through the strong wooden or metal load bed of the vehicle and are connected to the bottom plate underneath the load bed. When the bottom plate is lifted by the rods it becomes in contact with the underside of the load bed and by continuing to jack up the pallet truck each rod becomes tensioned and the pallet truck is pulled down onto the load bed of the vehicle by its own lifting force, holding it securely and safely in position for transportation.

Two or more rods are preferable to one as when the devise is not in use the parking position of the devise is dictated by the rods. With one central rod the devise would have to be turned into its parking position or recess and may not always be placed correctly. In the interests of safety this would represent a risk that someone may trip over the devise or it may become damaged during loading or unloading of a vehicle rendering it useless.

Two rods, one at each end of the devise with the possibility of a centre one too, provides for a strong unit that automatically' drops into position when not in use, is unlikely to become distorted by the forces exerted on it and therefore has no risk attached to long term use of it. See diagram.

With the two tines of a pallet truck placed through the two gaps between three rods there is very little chance of the tines slipping out of position when they are lifted to secure the pallet truck onto the back of a lorry hence this is the preferred arrangement for construction of the inventors. Whilst a manufacturer may wish to vary the dimensions, construction and visual design of this invention, its unique concept will remain. - -

Pallet Truck Transport Bracket Description.

It was considered that a plate or bracket could be made to be fixed into or under the bed of the lorry to accept a detachable rod or rods but the inventors feel that this would not be as safe, due to inconsistant fixing' of a plate or bracket into the wooden bed of a lorry and the necessity for moving and removable parts to connect the rod or rods to the plate or bracket which will inevitably wear or become clogged. In addition there is the possibility of parts being lost hence resulting in the device not being utilised at all The dimensions of this device are unimportant so far as the components need to be strong enough to withstand the stated use without distortion and large enough to accommodate the width of pallet truck tines. It is anticipated that this device will be made as one size fits all'.

The pallet truck is easily removed from its safe place for transportation by simply releasing its own lifting force and moving the tines from under the bracket. This allows the rods of the bracket to slide downwards through their holes in the vehicle load bed (floor) which can be allowed ample clearance and the top plate of the bracket to drop into its safe parking place flush with the floor of the lorry whilst the pallet truck is put into use and the bracket is not.

The name, purpose and a warning or reminder to use it could be engraved or etched onto the visible upper, top plate part of the invention to help ensure its use and the safety of others.

A number of these devices could be fitted in various positions to any one vehicle load bed (floor) to allow a pallet truck to be safely transported regardless of load position.

The device is designed to be affordable whist offering a practical and convenient solution to the transportation of pallet trucks on or inside vans and lorries, in addition to the obvious health and safety benefits by avoiding injury to lorry and van drivers and other road users to include pedestrians.

This invention Is the property of:-Ian Michael Thompson. 7 Priors Court, Priors Marston, Southam, CV47 7RH and Richard John Wright. The Ranch House, Chesterton Road, Harbury, Leamington Spa. CV33 9W Key to Drawing Fig 1:-A. Top Strong Metal Plate.

B. Rod(s) connecting Top Plate to Bottom Plate.

C. Clearance Hole in Lorry Load Bed (Floor).

D. Shallow recess machined into Lorry Load Bed for Top Plate to sit into when the Bracket is not in use.

E. Bottom strong Metal Plate F. Lorry Load Bed (Floor) G. Direction of lift on Top Plate by Pallet Truck when Pallet Truck tines are underneath the Top Plate (Rods connected to it lift Bottom Plate until it comes into contact with underside of Load Bed, Rods then become tensioned and Pallet truck is held securely by its own lifting force).

H. Direction of Pallet Truck tines under Top Plate. *