GB2511881A

GB2511881A - Latch Pin used with interchangeable carriage on compac lifter

Info

Publication number: GB2511881A
Application number: GB1315815.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Winter
Original assignee: PACKLINE Ltd
Current assignee: PACKLINE Ltd
Priority date: 2013-03-15
Filing date: 2013-09-05
Publication date: 2014-09-17
Also published as: GB2513475B; GB201315815D0; GB201313183D0; GB201304730D0; GB2513475A; GB201404631D0

Abstract

A stacker truck has a lifting attachment 8 which has a location block 6, and one or slots (7,fig.2). The location block 6 is engagable with, and latchable to, a carriage 2, using one or more latch pins 5, which engage with the one or more slots 7, in a manner such that a degree of movement between the block 6 and carriage 2 is retained after latching. The one or more slots 7 may be of a length which permit the latch pins 5 to travel within the bounds of the slots 7, to provide the degree movement between the block 6 and carriage 2. The block 6 may be slid substantially vertically from above, into the carriage 2 prior to latching. The carriage 2 may be moveably carried on a column 1 of the stacker truck. The play in the connection between the location block 6 and the carriage 2 may provide prior warning to a user that the lifting attachment has snagged an iten, in order to prevent tipping of the stacker track.

Description

Latch Pin for use with interchangeable carria2e on Comøac Lifter

Introduction & Background to the invention

The Compac Ultra is a manual stacker truck with electric lift and is propelled manually by a pedestrian. The stacker truck has a carriage 2 which has a lifting attachment 8 inserted into it to support a load. The lifting attachment in its own right is already known in the field. The lifting attachment 8 can come in many forms depending on the load being lifted. Once inserted into the carriage 2 the carriage 2 moves up and down the lifting column ito lift and lower a load. The lifting attachment 8 has a location block 6 mounted to the back of it so that it can slide into the carriage 2. The location block 6 can be different lengths and have different mounting positions for the attachment 8 depending on the needs of the user. As the lifting attachment 8 is slid into the carriage 2 it is not permanently fixed. This means that the user can easily swap the lifting attachment 8 for another lifting attachment 8 to carry out different tasks. The main problem with an interchangeable carriage 2 design is that the lifting attachmentS can slide out of the carriage 2 if it is not retained. If permanently retained the lifting attachment S has no way of moving. If the lifting attachment 8 is then lowered or driven into an object, the lifter, to which the lifting attachment 8 is attached, runs the risk of tipping and potentially overturning the lifter, causing damage to the equipment and potentially injuring personnel as shown in Figure 3.

The invention incorporates the use of a latch pinS into the lifter's carriage 2 which engages with a slot 7 incorporated into the location block 6 once inserted into the carriage 2. This application, using a latch pin 5 together with the lifter's carriage 2, creates additional safety leeway in case of inadvertently hitting an object with the lifting attachment 8. The location block has slots 7, 9, 10 and or Ii as shown in Figure 2 and 5, allowing for the latch pin or pins to be engaged and the location block to slide a given distance before tipping the lifter.

This provides an early warning to the operators that the lifting attachment 8 has collided with an obstacle, hence potentially rendering the lifter potentially unstable. The maximum distance that the lifting attachment 8 may travel within the carriage 2 is decided by the length of slot 7,9 10 and ii. This distance shall be no more than 80mm to ensure that the lifting attachment S is still safely within the carriage 2.

Introduction to the drawings

Figure 1 shows the standard latch pin 5 used with the lifter's interchangeablecarriage 2.

Figure 2 shows the location block 6 that slides into the carriage 2 which can be inserted into the carriage 2 either way round, and can be of different lengths with different fixing hole positions as required.

Figure 3 shows a lifter where the carriage 2 has no latch pin 5, and where the fixed attachment could topple the lifter.

Figure 4 shows a lifter where the latch pin 5 is incorporated into the lifter's carriage 2 (the invention), and where the lifting attachment S can be lowered onto an obstacle without destabilising the lifter itself.

Figure 5 shows the location block 6 with four different positions for the location block slot 7, 9, 10 and 11. There can be, but not limited to, four latch pins and two different orientations for the fitting of the lifting attachment 8 into the carriage 2, depending on the needs of the user.

Key to Drawings 1 Column 2 Carriage and subsequently Interchangeable Carriage with Safety Latch Pin 3 Bolts to bolt Carriage together 4 Bolts to bolt carriage to Column Plate Safety Latch Pin 6 Location Block 7 Location Block Slot S Lifting Attachment 9 Alternative or additional Location Block Slot Alternative or additional Location Block Slot 11 Alternative or additional Location Block Slot a

Detailed description of the invention

Packline's Compac lifter lifts and lowers loads using a range of different lifting attachments 8. The lifting attachment 8 is slotted into the lifter's carriage 2. The carriage 2 moves up and down the lifter's lifting column I as shown in Figure 1.

When the lifter's operator is lowering the load there is a danger that the load could be lowered inadvertently onto an obstacle as shown in Figure 3.

If the attachment was fixed to the carriage 2, there is a risk that the lifter could topple over on contact with the obstacle as shown in Figure 3.

This is prevented by use of a standard latch pin 5 incorporated into the lifter's carriage 2 as shown in Figure 1. The latch pin 5 allows the attachment to travel a predetermined distance to give the operator time to realise the hazard and take corrective action as shown in Figure 4.

The location block 6 slides into the carriage 2 either way round, and has the slot 7 that allows for the travel when the latch pin 5 is engaged as shown in Figure 2. The slots 7, 9,10,1! are located on the raised edge of the location block 6 to ensure that they line up with the latch pin once engaged.

Figure 2 shows just two slots 7 and 9 on the location block 6 but they are not limited to just two slots 7 and 9. Slots 7 and 9 can be mirrored on the opposing side of the location block 6 so that it can be inserted into the carriage 2 either way round or have multiple latch pins for additional security.

The invention is the application of a latch pin 5 and slots 7, 9, 10 and 11 in the location block 6 being used with the lifter's lifting carriage 2 to prevent the lifter becoming unstable where the lifting attachment 8 unexpectedly hits an object as shown in Figure 3.

Possible Modifications & Variations The Compac Ultra Stacker Truck is a device used for materials handling primarily within, but not restricted to, the Food and Pharmaceutical manufacturing industries.

The Compac Ultra is a manual stacker truck with electric lift and is propelled manually by a pedestrian. This stacker truck has a carriage 2 which runs up and down the length of the column 1.

In this instance, the carriage 2 design is made up from a number of parts and bolted together 3 and 4 but it is not restricted to this design. In this instance the carriage is bolted to the column plate 4 which is driven up and down the column. The column plate is not shown as this is not part of the invention. The column plate is part of the lifting column which allows the carriage 2 and lifting attachment 8 to be manoeuvred up and down the column.

The carriage 2 design and location block 6 (the block that slides into the carriage) are designed to ensure that every location block 6, which can be fitted to any lifting attachment 8, no matter what length, can be inserted into the carriage 2. This gives the user the opportunity to only invest in one lifter and use multiple lifting attachments 8 to carry out various tasks as required. This provides the user with great versatility.

The retaining slots 7, 9 10 and 11 are also incorporated into every location block to ensure that this safety feature can also be used for any lifting attachment 8. There is a minimum of, but not limited to, one slot 7 on each location block so that the attachment can be used in either orientation whilst still retaining the latch pin 5 feature. Multiple latch pins 5 can be used if required.

There may be different embodiments of the carriage 2 where the latch pin 5 can be located on the opposing sides and therefore utilise slot 10 or 11.

Advantages of the invention The invention incorporates the use of a latch pin S into the lifter's carriage 2. This application, using a latch pin 5 together with the lifter carriage 2, creates additional safety leeway on the lifter's attachmentS in case of inadvertently hitting an object with the attachment as shown in Figure 3.

The application allows the operator time to take corrective action if they collide with an obstacle unexpectedly.

The invention is a key health and safety advantage for the Compac Ultra lifter.

The invention makes the lifter more stable and less likely to topple over in the event of a collision as shown in Figure 4.

Claims

Claims A safety feature for a manual propulsion stacker truck with electric motor driven lift comprising: 1. A carriage with a safety pin that engages into a slot on a location block, which is attached to the back of lifting attachment 8, to lift a load to stop the attachment fully sliding out of the carriage 2, if the lifting attachment comes into contact with an obstacle.
2. As in claim one, where the location block 6 has a least one slot to engage with the safety latch pin 5.
3. As in claim two, where the location block 6 is then allowed to travel a predetermined distance so that the location block 6 stays within the support of the carriage due to the latch pin 5 being retained within the slot?, 9 10 or 11.
4. The invention incorporates the use of a latch pin 5 fitted into the lifter's carriage 2.
5. This application, using a latch pin 5 together with the lifter's carriage 2, creates additional safety leeway on the lifting attachment 8 in case of inadvertently hitting an object with the lifting attachment 8.
6. The invention is the application of a latch pinS being used with the lifter's central lifting carriage 2 to prevent the lifter becoming unstable where the lifting attachment 8 unexpectedly hits an object.
7. The application allows the operator time to take corrective action if they collide with an obstacle unexpectedly.
8. The invention incorporates slots 7, 9, 10, 11 in the raised edge of the location block as see in Figure 2.
9. The location block slots 7,9 10, 11 and latch pin 5 arrangement could be incorporated into other carriages and not just carriage 2.
10. Carriage 2 in this instance is designed in parts and bolted together, however the invention does not restrict the design of the carriage 2 to this construction. For example it could be moulded as a single piece to include the correct profile for the location block 6 and fitting position for the latch pin 5.