IE85019B1 - A tool with an adjustable mount - Google Patents

Description

A TOOL WITH AN ADJUSTABLE MOUNT The invention relates to a tool with an adjustable mount and more particularly to a tool attached to an adjustable mount for coupling the tool to an attachment device.

Tools, such as for example pallet forks or excavator buckets are typically connected to a vehicle via a mount provided on the tool and a coupler attached to relevant part of the vehicle, usually a movable arm. Such a mount typically has a pair of supports and a pair of spaced-apart pins extending between the supports for engaging hooks of the coupler.

These pins usually have a predetermined diameter and are positioned at a certain distance from each other to match a particular diameter of the hooks of the coupler and the distance between the hooks. Pins on known mounts are usually fixedly mounted on the supports. The problem associated with such mounts is that if the diameter and/or the distance between the pins do not match those of the books, it will not be possible to attach the tool to the vehicle.

The present invention seeks to alleviate the above problem.

Accordingly. the invention provides a tool attached to an adjustable mount for coupling the tool with an attachment device. the adjustable mount comprising a longitudinal axis and a pair of laterally spaced-apart support elements for supporting at least a first pin and a second longitudinally spaced-apart second pin for engaging spaced-apart hooks of an attachment device, each pin extending across the space defined between the support elements and each support element having at least first and second longitudinally spaced- apart seats, the flrst pin being mountable in the first seats and the second pin being mountable in the second seats, wherein at least each of the second seats comprises a plurality of positions for receiving the second pin, and wherein a fixing member is provided for securing the second pin at one of the plurality of positions in the second seat, the fixing member being fastenable to the support element via a fastening means, wherein each support element is in a form of a support plate, each support plate comprising a top edge and the lirst and the second seats. the fastening apertures being located proximal the top edge of the support plate in use and wherein the tool comprises a frame having a top plate with front and rear edges, the top plate having a longitudinal axis and a pair of laterally spaced longitudinal slots formed therein, each slot being suitably shaped for receiving the support plate of the adjustable mount. so that the top plate extends substantially across intermediate regions of the mounts between top and bottom edges of the mounts and wherein at least one connecting member is provided extending between each mount and the top plate rigidly interconnecting the top plate and the support plate.

In a preferred embodiment the distance between the first pin and the selected pre» determined position substantially matches a pre-determined distance between the hooks of an attachment device. ideally, the first and second pins are interchangeable.

Ideally, each fixing member has at least one first receiving seat for the pin, the first receiving seat being configured to restrict at least radial fluctuations of the pin in the selected position.

Ideally. each of the support elements comprises a plurality of fastening seats for the fixing member, the fastening seals being so located on the support element and so spaced from the receiving seat that when the fixing member is fastened to the support element at at least one of the plurality of fastening seats and engaged with the second pin via the receiving seat, the receiving seat is aligned with the selected position in the second seat and the second pin occupies the selected position.

Preferably. the first seat is in a fomi of a through-bore of a suitable diameter for accommodating the first pin with limited radial play and the second seat is in a form of a throughsslot. in one embodiment, but not limited thereto. the slot is sized and shaped to enable the second pin to travel along the slot. Many other configurations of the through- slot are possible within the scope of the invention.

In a most preferred embodiment, each support element is in a tom of a support plate. ideally. each support plate has a top edge and the first and second seats and the fastening seats are located proximal the top edge of the support plate in use.

Ideally. each fastening seat comprises a fastening bore.

Ideally. each fixing member comprises a fixing plate.

In a preferred embodiment, each receiving seat comprises a through-aperture.

Ideally, each of the first and second pins is prevented from fluctuations along its longitudinal axis when received in the respective first or second seats by a stop means. ln one embodiment. the stop means may comprise a nut-and-bolt pair threaded transversely through a matching bore in the pin at one free end thereof. and a roll pin received in a transverse channel at the other end of the pin.

In one embodiment. the fastening means may comprise at least one nut-and-bolt pair per each fixing plate and a corresponding engaging bore formed in each fixing plate for receiving the bolt. In a preferred embodiment. the fastening means comprise two nut- and~bolt pairs per fixing plate and two corresponding engaging bores for receiving the bolts, the engaging bores being alignable with a pair from the plurality of fastening bores of the support elements.

In one embodiment. the adjustment mount may have means for attaching the adjustable mount to the tool. In another embodiment, the support elements may be configured to be incorporated into the tool structure and function as structural or bearing elements of the tool.

In a most preferred embodiment, third and fourth seats similar to the first and second seats, respectively are formed at the top edges of the support elements sized for receiving third and fourth pins, which may have different diameters than those of the first and second pins. Where such third and fourth seats are provided in each support element, each fixing plate has at least one second receiving seat, similar to the first receiving seat, for receiving the fourth pin.

In a most preferred embodiment, storage seats are provided in the support elements remote from the first, second, third and fourth seats for holding the pins when they are not in use.

Attaching the tool to the mount utilises the steps of: - locating the first pin in the first seats and securing the pin in position via the stop means; - selecting fastening seats in accordance with the desired pre-determined distance between the first and second pins; - fastening the fixing members to the support elements at the selected fastening seats; - threading the second pin into the through apertures of the fixing members and the through-slots of the support elements and securing it to prevent axial play with the stop means; Alternatively, using the adjustment mount comprises the steps of: ~ threading the second pin into the through apertures of the fixing members and the through-slots of the support elements and securing it to prevent axial play with the stop } - engaging the through-apertures of the fixing members with corresponding ends of the second pin; ~ selecting fastening seats in accordance with the desired pre-determined distance between the first and second pins; - fastening the fixing members to the support elements at the selected fastening seats; Ideally, each support plate comprises a ledge or a projection at each lateral edge for the top plate to rest upon during the assembly of the tool.

Preferably, at least one intermediate rein plate extends between the support plates and is attached thereto. Preferably. the rein plate is manufactured from an intermediate portion of one of the support plates. Ideally, a pair of such intermediate rein plates are provided one rein plate being mounted proximal the lower edges of the support plates substantially parallel to the top plate. and the other rein plate being mounted proximal the lateral edges of the support plates remote from the front plate of the tool and parallel to the front plate.

The invention will now hereinafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of example only, one embodiment of an adjustable mount in accordance with the invention.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pallet fork having an adjustable mount according to the invention; l-”igure 1a is a top view of the pallet fork of Figure 1; Figure 1b is a front elevation of the pallet fork of Figure 1 Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the pallet fork of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front elevation of a support plate of the adjustable mount; Figure 3a is a perspective view of the support plate of Figure 3; Figure 3b is an enlarged view of the support plate of Figure 3 showing various positions for pins of the adjustable mount; Figure 4 is a front elevation of a pin fixing plate of the adjustable mount; Figure 4a is a perspective view of the pin fixing plate of Figure 4; Figures 5 and 6 are perspective views of 80mm and 65mm pins, respectively used in the adjustable mount according to the invention; Figures 7 and 7a are a front elevation and a perspective view, respectively, of a top plate of the pallet fork; Figures 8 and 8a are a front elevation and a perspective view, respectively, of an intermediate rein plate of the pallet fork: Figures 9 and 9a are a front elevation and a perspective view. respectively. of a front plate of the pallet fork; Figures 10 and 10a are a front elevation and a perspective view, respectively, of a stiffening plate of the pallet fork; A preferred embodiment of an adjustable mount according to the invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 10 and is indicated generally by reference The adjustable mount 1 will be described by example in an application to a It will be appreciated that numeral 1. pallet fork 2 of a vehicle, such as for example, a fork-lift truck. the adjustable mount is not in any way limited to the use with such a pallet fork and in fact may be utilized in any tool for connecting the tool to a vehicle via an attachment device.

In the present embodiment, the adjustable mount 1 forms an integral part of the pallet fork 2, but it will be appreciated that such an adjustable mount can be manufactured as a separate device installable on various tools.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, the adjustable mount 1 comprises a pair of spaced-apart support plates 3 having lower and upper edges 3a and 3b respectively and lateral edges 3c and 3d . Each support plate 3 is received in one of a pair of slots 4a formed in a top plate 4 so that the top plate 4 extends across intennediate areas of the support plates 3.

A front plate 6. which in use of the pallet fork faces away from the vehicle, is connected to a front edge 4a of the top plate 4 perpendicular thereto. The front plate 6 is secured in perpendicular relationship with the support plates 3 by a pair of stiffening plates 7, one at each side of the front plate 6. The support plates 3 are connected by a pair of intermediate rein plates 5. One rein plate 5 connects the support plates 3 proximal the lower edges 3a of the support plates 3 and the other rein plate connects the support plates 3 proximal the lateral edge 3d.

The adjustable mount 1 further comprises a pair of first and second pins 10 and 11 extending across the space between the support plates 3 and spaced-apart from each other along the upper edges 3b of the support plates 3. In use, the pins 10 and 11 engage with corresponding spaced-apart hooks (not shown) of an attachment device.

The distance between the pins 10 and 11 can be adjusted, as will be described below, in order to match a particular distance between the hooks of an attachment device.

Referring to Figure 2. in the present embodiment the end portions of one of the pins, for example the first pin 10. seat in corresponding first apertures 100 (see Figure 2) formed in the support plates 3 proximal the upper edges 3b of the support plates 3. The aperture 100 is shaped to restrict radial movement of the pin in the aperture.

An elongate first slot 110 is formed in each support plate 3 spaced apart from the first aperture along the upper edge 3b of the support plate for receiving an end portion of the second pin 11. The second pin 11 can be moved along the first slots 110 and thus the distance between the pins 10 and 11 can be adjusted. it will be appreciated that the first slots 110 need not necessarily be shaped to allow movement of the pins therealong.

Other configurations are possible as long as the slots provide a plurality of positions for the pin in which the pin is spaced from the other pin by a pre-determined distance.

The adjustable mount 1 further comprises a pair of fixing plates 8 each having at least one first receiving aperture 120 for accommodating an end portion of the second pin 11 and securing the second pin 11 in the first slots 110 of the support plates 3 at a desired pre determined distance from the first pin 10. The flrst receiving aperture 120 is suitably sized and shaped for receiving one end of the second pin 11 without substantial radial play of the second pin in the first receiving aperture 120. In the present embodiment. each fixing plate 8 has a pair of bolt-inserting holes 81 and each support plate has a plurality of bores A to F. Each fixing plate 8 is fastenable to the corresponding support plate 3 by aligning the bolt-inserting holes 81 with a pair of the plurality of bores A to F (see Figure 3) and securing the fixing plate8 in place with a pair of bolts 35 and a pair of nuts 36. When the fixing plate is secured to the support plate as described, desired predetermined distance between the centre of the lirst aperture 100 and the first receiving aperture 120 is achieved. it will be appreciated that other suitable fastening means can be provided to locate and secure the fixing plates at the adjustment positions.

In use, in order to adjust the distance between the pins 10 and 11. the bolt-inserting holes 81 of the fixing plate 8 are aligned with two of the plurality of the bores A to F thus locating the fixing plate 8 at one of the adjustment positions which corresponds with a particular distance between the centres of the first apertures 100 and first receiving apertures120.

The fixing plates 8 are fastened to the support plates 3 via two of the plurality of the bores A to F, for example as shown in Figure 1, at the bores C and E, by the bolts 35 and nuts 36. The second pin 11 is inserted to seat in the first receiving apertures 120 and the first slots 110 and secured from axial fluctuations by suitable means, such as for example a roll pin 40 at one end and a bolt-and-nut pair 45 at the other end. The pins 10 and 11 are thus spaced~apart by a desired predetermined distance. in order to re-adjust the distance between the pins 10 and 11 it is necessary to release the fixing plates 8 from the support plates 3. remove the pin 11 and re-fasten the fixing plates at another selected pair of bores from the plurality of bores A to F. The second pin 11 can then be threaded into the position in the first receiving apertures 120 and fist slots 110 and secured in the position as described above.

Alternatively, in order to adjust the distance between the pins 10 and 11, the second pin 11 is inserted to seat in the first slots 110. The first receiving apertures 120 of the fixing plates 8 then engage corresponding end portions of the second pin 11. The second pin can be secured from axial fluctuations as described above with a roll pin 40 a bolt-and-nut pair 45. The fixing plates 8 are fastened to the support plates 3 via two of the plurality of the bores A to F as described above.

The present embodiment of the adjustable mount 1 also provides a second aperture 130 fomied in each of the support plates 3 for receiving an end portion of one of a third and fourth pins 13 and 14 (only one pin 13 shown in Figure 6), for example the pin 13. The pins 13 and 14 have a diameter different from that of the first and second pins 10 and 11.

An elongate second slot 140 is formed in each support plate 3 for receiving an end portion of the other of the two pins 13 and 14, for example the pin 14. Each fixing plate 8 also has second and third receiving apertures 150 and 151, respectively for receiving an end portion of the fourth pin 14. The second apertures 130, second slots 140 and the second and third receiving apertures 150 and 151, respectively operate in the same manner as the first aperture 100. first slot 110 and first receiving aperture 120 and enable adjustment of the distance between the third and fourth pins 13 and 14 using the same plurality of bores A to F.

The present embodiment of the adjustable mount provides two positions for the second pins 11 in the tirst slots 110. Three positions are provided for the fourth pins 14 in the second slot 140 when using the second receiving aperture 150 of the fixing plate 8 and one position when using the third receiving aperture 151. The diameter of each of the first and second pins 10 and 11 may be, for example 80mm and the diameter of each of the third and fourth pins 13 and 14 may be, for example, 65mm, but the invention is not in any way limited to any particular diameter of the pins.

The positions, indicated in Figure 3b I and II for the 80mm pin 11 in the slots 110 and Ill to Vl for the 65mm pin 14 in the slots 140 which correspond with the position of the fixing plates 8 in relation to the bores A to F are summarized in Table 1.

Table 1 RECEIVING PIN I SLOT POSITION BORES APERTURE l A and C 11 I 110 120 II B and D III A and C VI B and D / 140 V C and E Vt D and F It will be appreciated that the above positions are exemplary and numerous variants may be suggested for positioning the pins of such an adjustable mount according to the invention.

The support plates 3 have first and second ledges 31 and 32, respectively. During the assembly of the adjustable mount 1. the top plate 4 is placed on the ledges 31 and 32 when the support plates 3 are inserted in the slots 4a in order to pre-position the top plate 4 and the supports plates 3 for subsequent assembly steps.

Each intermediate rein plate 5 has a tongue 5a at each lateral edge. Corresponding slots 37 and 39 are formed in the support plates 3 so that on assembly the tongues 5a interengage with the corresponding slots 37 and 38 to pre-secure the support plates 3 and the rein plates 5 together. Similarly. each of the stiffening plates 7 has a tongue 7a at a contact edge 72 for interengaging with corresponding slots 38 formed in the support plates 3. The rein plate 5 is obtained by cutting, stamping or punching from an intermediate portion of one of the support plates 3 thus saving materials and reducing production costs.

Upon pre-assembly, the front plate 6 is welded to the front edge 4b of the top plate 4.

Contact edges 71 and 72 of each of the stiffening plates 7 are welded to the front plate 6 and the corresponding support plate 3, respectively.

A pair of first and second storage apertures 60 and 65, respectively are formed distal from the upper edge 3b of each support plate 3 so that on assembly the apertures 60 and 65 are located by the underside of the top plate 4. Each of the first storage apertures 60 is sized to receive one of the first and second pins 10 and 11 and each of the second storage apertures 65 is sized to receive one of the third and fourth pins 13 and 14. In an assembled state of the pallet fork. the storage apertures 60 and 65 of one support plate 3 are aligned with the corresponding storage apertures 60 and 65 of the other support plate 3 to provide storage locations for the pins 10, 11 and 13, 14, respectively. When, for example, the first and second pins 10 and 11 are used for coupling with an attachment device of vehicle, the third and fourth pins 13 and 14 can be stored under the top plate 4 in the storage apertures 65. indeed, when the pallet fork 2 is not in use, all the pins 10, 11 and 13, 14 may be stored in their respective storage apertures 60 and 65. it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described above which are given by way of example only and that various modifications and alterations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (24)

CLAIMS:

1. A tool attached to an adjustable rriount for coupling the tool with an attachment device, the adjustable mount comprising a longitudinal axis and a pair of laterally spaced- apart support elements for supporting at least a first pin and a second longitudinally spaced-apart second pin for engaging spaced-apart hooks of an attachment device. each pin extending across the space defined between the support elements and each support element having at least first and second longitudinally spaced-apart seats, the first pin being mountable in the first seats and the second pin being mountable in the second seats, wherein at least each of the second seats comprises a plurality of positions for receiving the second pin, and wherein a fixing member is provided for securing the second pin at one of the plurality of positions in the second seat, the fixing member being fastenable to the support element via a fastening means, wherein each support element is in a form of a support plate, each support plate comprising a top edge and the first and the second seats. the fastening apertures being located proximal the top edge of the support plate in use and wherein the tool comprises a frame having a top plate with front and rear edges, the top plate having a longitudinal axis and a pair of laterally spaced longitudinal slots formed therein. each slot being suitably shaped for receiving the support plate of the adjustable mount, so that the top plate extends substantially across intermediate regions of the mounts between top and bottom edges of the mounts and wherein at least one connecting member is provided extending between each mount and the top plate rigidly interconnecting the top plate and the support plate.

2. A tool as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the distance between the first pin and the selected position in the second seat substantially matches a pre-determined distance between the hooks of an attachment device.

3. A tool as claimed in Claim 1 or in Claim 2, wherein the first and second pins are interchangeable.

4. A tool as claimed in any preceding claim, in which each fixing member has at least one first receiving seat for the pin, the first receiving seat being configured to restrict at least radial fluctuations of the pin in the selected position. 12

5. A tool as claimed in Claim 4, wherein each of the support elements comprises a plurality of fastening apertures for fastening the fixing member, the fastening apertures being located on the support element and spaced from the at least one first receiving seat so that when the fixing member is fastened to the support plate at least one of the plurality of fastening apertures and engaged with the second pin via the at least one receiving seat, the at least one receiving seat is aligned with the selected position in the second seat thereby causing the second pin to occupy the selected position.

6. A tool as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the tirst seat of the support element is in a fonn of a through-bore of a suitable diameter for accommodating the first pin with a limited radial play and the second seat is in a form of a through~slot.

7. A tool as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the through»slot is sized and shaped to enable the second pin to travel along the slot.

8. A tool as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each receiving seat comprises a through-aperture.

9. A tool as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each of the first and second pins is prevented from fluctuating along its longitudinal axis when received in the respective flrst or second seats by a stop means.

10. A tool as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the stop means comprises a nut-and-bolt pair threaded transversely through a matching bore in the pin at one free end thereof. and a roll pin received in a transverse channel at the other end of the pin.

11. A tool as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the adjustment mount comprises means for attaching the adjustable mount to the tool.

12. A tool as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the support elements are incorporated into the tool structure so as to operate as structural or bearing elements of the tool.

13. A tool as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein storage seats are provided in the support elements remote from the first, second. third and fourth seats for storing the pins when they are not in use.

14. An adjustable mount as claimed Claim 13, wherein each support plate comprises a third seat at the top edge adjacent the first seat, the third seat being sized for receiving a third pin, the support plate further comprising a fourth seat at the top edge adjacent the second seat, the fourth seat being sized for receiving a fourth pin.

15. A tool as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each fixing member comprises a fixing plate.

16. A tool as claimed in Claim 15, wherein the fastening means comprise at least one nut-and-bolt pair per each fixing plate and a corresponding engaging bore formed in each fixing plate for receiving the bolt.

17. A tool as claimed in Claim 16, wherein the fastening means comprise two nut-and~ bolt pairs per fixing plate and two corresponding engaging bores for receiving the bolts, the engaging bores being alignable with a pair from the plurality of fastening bores of the support elements.

18. A tool as claimed in any of Claims 15 to 17. wherein each fixing plate has at least one second receiving seat for receiving a fourth pin.

19. A tool as claimed in any one of the preceding claims. wherein a front plate is rigidly attached to the top plate about the front edge of the top plate and substantially perpendicular to the front plate and, wherein a pair of stiffening members is provided, each stiffening member being attached to the front plate about one end and to one of the support plates about the other end.

20. A tool as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each support plate comprises a projection at each lateral edge for supporting the top plate.

21. A tool as claimed in any one of the preceding claims. wherein at least one intermediate rein plate extends between the support plate and is attached thereto.

22. A tool as claimed in any of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rein plate is manufactured from an intermediate portion of one of the support plate.

23. A tool as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a pair of intennediate rein plates are provided, one rein plate being mounted proximal the lower edges of the support plates substantially parallel to the top plate, and the other rein plate being mounted proximal the lateral edges of the support plates remote from the front plate of the tool and parallel to the front plate.

24. A tool substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in the accompanying drawings.