JP4618663B2 - forklift - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a forklift that loads a load with a plurality of forks.

  In a general forklift, a mast is erected on a vehicle body, and a plurality of forks for handling cargo is attached to a carriage that moves up and down along the mast in the vertical direction of the vehicle body. When unloading the pallet and the load loaded on the pallet, the forklift moves the fork forward toward the pallet, inserts the fork into the insertion port of the pallet, and lifts the fork together with the carriage. Lift the pallet and unload the pallet and load. In addition, when loading a pallet and a load loaded on the pallet, the forklift lowers the fork together with the carriage so that the pallet lifted by the fork is placed at a predetermined position, and the fork is moved backward to move away from the pallet. By pulling out the fork from the insertion port of the pallet, the pallet and the load are loaded.

  FIG. 8 is a view for explaining a loading state of a pallet and a load by a conventional forklift. In FIG. 8, W1 and W2 are loads, P1 and P2 are pallets, and G is a floor. 50a and 50b are a pair of forks provided in the forklift, and are inserted into the insertion ports Pa of the pallets P1 and P2. When the pallet P1 and the load W1 are loaded on the floor G with high horizontal accuracy, when the forks 50a and 50b that lift the pallet P1 and the load W1 are lowered to a predetermined height, the pallet P1 as shown in FIG. Is placed on the floor G. At this time, the forks 50a and 50b are separated from the upper plate Pb and the lower plate Pc of the pallet P1. In this state, when the forks 50a, 50b are retracted from the pallet P1, the forks 50a, 50b are pulled out from the insertion port Pa, and the pallet P1 and the load W1 are placed on the floor G.

  When so-called stacking is performed in which the pallet P2 and the load W2 are further loaded on the load W1 loaded as described above, the fork in which the pallet P2 and the load W2 are lifted above the load W1 loaded earlier. After positioning 50a and 50b, the forks 50a and 50b are lowered to a predetermined height. At this time, if the height of the load W1 loaded first is uneven, as shown in FIG. 8B, the pallet P2 to be stacked is loaded in a state of being inclined on the load W1 loaded first. The fork 50a contacts the lower plate Pc of the pallet P2, and the fork 50b contacts the upper plate Pb of the pallet P2. In this state, when the forks 50a, 50b are retracted so as to be pulled out from the insertion port Pa, the pallet P2 on which the forks 50a, 50b are stacked is caused by the frictional force between the forks 50a, 50b and the upper plate Pb and the lower plate Pc. Dragging may cause the load W2 on the pallet P2 to collapse and fall to the floor G. In particular, in an unmanned forklift, the operator cannot confirm the contact state between the forks 50a and 50b and the pallet P2, and thus the collapse of the load is noticeable as described above. Further, when the load W2 on the pallet P2 is light, the forks 50a and 50b are easy to drag the pallet P2, so that the collapse of the load is remarkably generated as described above. Such load collapse due to pallet drag is caused by tilting the pallet with respect to the fork when the pallet is placed at a predetermined position, so the pallet and load are stacked on a load with uneven height. The pallet and load are placed on a floor or a receiving stand that has unevenness and has low level accuracy, or the pallet with the upper and lower plates curved and the load loaded on it. May also occur when loading a pallet and a load while the vehicle body is tilted because the horizontal accuracy of the ground contact surface of the forklift is low.

  In order to prevent dragging of the pallet by the fork, conventionally, as described in Patent Document 1 below, a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the pallet has been provided at the tip of the pair of forks. If the pallet is not detected by the sensor when the fork is retracted by a predetermined distance in order to pull out the fork from the pallet, it is determined that there is no cargo dragging and the fork continues to be retracted, and the pallet is detected by the sensor. The fork was stopped from retreating because it was judged that there was cargo dragging. Further, as described in Patent Document 2 below, when each fork can be removed from the pallet after placing the pallet in a predetermined position, that is, when the fork being lowered is separated from the upper plate of the pallet by a predetermined distance. Each fork was provided with a removal sensor for detecting Then, it calculates the descending distance of the fork after receiving the signal from the removal sensor that first detected when the fork left, and until receiving the signal from the removal sensor that last detected when the fork left. If the descending distance is shorter than the allowable lowering distance set in advance, the fork is pulled out from the pallet, and if longer than the allowable lowering distance, a warning is issued without pulling out the fork from the pallet.

JP 2003-81595 A JP 2003-267695 A

  However, in the forklifts such as Patent Documents 1 and 2, when it is detected that the fork is dragging the pallet or there is a possibility that the pallet may be dragged, the fork is prevented from being pulled out from the pallet. Although collapse can be prevented, there is a problem that the loading operation is interrupted and the pallet and the load cannot be loaded at a predetermined position.

  The present invention solves the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a forklift capable of reliably loading a pallet and a load at a predetermined position without causing collapse of the load. There is to do.

In the present invention, in a forklift comprising a mast erected on a vehicle body, a carriage that moves up and down the vehicle body along the mast, and a plurality of forks that are inserted into an insertion port of a pallet and handle a load. When the fork inserted into the insertion port of the pallet is lowered even after the pallet is placed, the fork is pushed against the lower plate of the pallet so that the fork is raised with respect to the carriage. A plurality of slide mechanisms attached to the carriage such that each of the forks is freely movable in the vertical direction independently of the carriage, and each of the plurality of forks is moved independently of the carriage. A fixing mechanism that fixes the same fork to the same height, and the fixing mechanism is fixed to the forks and protrudes in the vertical direction. A plate provided with a screw, a block fixed to the carriage so as to face each plate, and a V-shaped groove for engaging the boss, and an extendable rod extend and contract in the vertical direction. And a cylinder fixed to the carriage, and by extending the rod of the cylinder, the plates are pushed by the rod, the bosses are engaged with the V-shaped grooves, and the forks are By fixing the cylinder so that it does not move independently with respect to the carriage, and contracting the rod of the cylinder, the rod is separated from the plates, and the boss is not pressed against the V-shaped groove. The fork can be freely moved in the vertical direction independently of the carriage.

  By doing as described above, when the pallet picked up by the fork is placed at a predetermined position, even if the pallet is inclined with respect to the fork and the fork and the pallet come into contact with each other, each fork is free to move independently. Therefore, when the fork is pulled out from the pallet, the frictional force between the fork and the pallet becomes small, and the fork can be pulled out without dragging the pallet. Therefore, it is possible to reliably place the pallet and the load at a predetermined position without causing collapse of the load loaded on the pallet.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the slide mechanism includes a linear motion bearing including a guide rail fixed to the carriage in parallel with the vertical direction and a carrier moving along the guide rail, and a bracket fixed to the carrier. The fork receiving shaft is inserted into a bearing hole provided in the fork in parallel with the width direction of the fork and is held by the bracket. In this way, when the pallet is placed at a predetermined position, even if the pallet is inclined with respect to the fork and the fork and the pallet come into contact with each other, each fork can be surely moved smoothly in the vertical direction. Can do.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, a fixing mechanism for fixing each of the plurality of forks to the same height so as not to move independently of the carriage is provided. In this way, when loading the pallet and the load with the fork, each fork is fixed with a fixing mechanism, so that each fork is accurately inserted into the insertion port of the pallet, and the pallet and the load are stable. It is possible to lift the pallet and maintain high pallet mating accuracy. In addition, when transporting pallets and loads picked up by forks, each fork is fixed by a fixing mechanism. The load can be transported.

  Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the fixing mechanism is fixed to each fork and provided with a boss protruding in the vertical direction, and fixed to the carriage so as to face each plate, and engages the boss. The block is formed with a V-shaped groove and a cylinder fixed to the carriage so that an extendable rod can be expanded and contracted in the vertical direction. Press to engage the boss with the V-shaped groove and secure each fork against movement independent of the carriage. By doing this, when unloading the pallet and the load with the fork or transporting the unloaded pallet and the load, the cylinder rod is extended to hold the boss in the V-shaped groove with a predetermined pressure. It is possible to fix the fork by attaching it. In addition, when loading the pallet and load with a fork, the boss can be detached from the V-shaped groove by contracting the rod of the cylinder, so that each fork can move vertically and swing in the width direction. It becomes possible.

  According to the present invention, when the pallet is placed at a predetermined position by the fork, even if the pallet is inclined with respect to the fork and the fork and the pallet come into contact with each other, each fork moves freely in the vertical direction. Therefore, when the fork is pulled out from the pallet, the contact force between the fork and the pallet is reduced, the fork can be pulled out without dragging the pallet, and the load on the pallet is not collapsed. Can be securely loaded at a predetermined position.

  1 to 5 are views showing a forklift according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side view showing the entire forklift. 2 and 3 are side views in which the attachment portion of the fork included in the forklift is enlarged, FIG. 4 is a front view in which the attachment portion is enlarged, and FIG. 5 is a plan view in which the attachment portion is enlarged.

  A forklift 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an unmanned reach-type forklift that receives a signal from an external management device and handles cargo and pallets. Reference numeral 2 denotes a vehicle body of the forklift 1, and 3 denotes a straddle leg extending so as to protrude from the front of the vehicle body 2 (direction F of the arrow). A road wheel 4 is attached to the front end of the straddle leg 3, and a drive tire 5 is attached to the rear part of the vehicle body 1. The road wheel 4 and the drive tire 5 support the load of the vehicle body 2 and roll the vehicle body 2 by rolling. The drive tire 5 turns to change the direction of the traveling direction of the vehicle body 2. Inside the straddle leg 3, two inner masts 6a, 6b and two outer masts 7a, 7b are erected (shown in FIGS. 4 and 5). These masts 6 a, 6 b, 7 a, 7 b can advance and retreat (reach) along the straddle leg 3 in the longitudinal direction F, B of the vehicle body 2. The inner masts 6a and 6b can be moved up and down in the vertical directions U and D of the vehicle body 2 along the outer masts 7a and 7b.

  Reference numeral 8 denotes a carriage fixed in front of the inner masts 6a and 6b. The carriage 8 moves up and down in the vertical directions U and D along the outer masts 7a and 7b together with the inner masts 6a and 6b. In front of the carriage 8, a pair of left and right forks 9a, 9b each having an L shape is attached via slide mechanisms 10a, 10b. The forks 9a and 9b are inserted into the insertion port of the pallet and are used for loading and unloading work, and together with the masts 6a, 6b, 7a and 7b, move forward and backward in the forward and backward directions F and B. Then, it moves up and down in the vertical directions U and D together with the inner masts 6 a and 6 b and the carriage 8.

  2 to 5, the slide mechanisms 10a and 10b include linear motion bearings 13a and 13b including guide rails 11a and 11b and carriers 12a and 12b, brackets 14a and 14b, and fork receiving shafts 15a and 15b. It is composed of The guide rails 11a and 11b of the linear motion bearings 13a and 13b are fixed to the carriage 8 in parallel with the vertical directions U and D, and the carriers 12a and 12b are free in the vertical directions U and D along the guide rails 11a and 11b. Move to. Note that slide ends (not shown) are attached to the upper and lower ends of the guide rails 11a and 11b to prevent the carriers 12a and 12b from falling off the guide rails 11a and 11b. The brackets 14 a and 14 b are fixed to the carriers 12 a and 12 b, and holding holes 14 c and 14 d are formed in parallel to the left and right directions L and R of the vehicle body 2 at portions protruding in the F direction side. The fork receiving shafts 15a and 15b are provided with holding holes 14c and 14d of the brackets 14a and 14b, and pipes 16a and 16b on the rear surfaces (surfaces on the B direction side) of the forks 9a and 9b, and the width directions L and R of the forks 9a and 9b. The bearing holes 16c and 16d (the hollow portions of the pipes 16a and 16b) provided by welding in parallel are inserted, for example, as shown by arrows on the left side of FIG. As described above, the forks 9a and 9b are not provided with the bearing holes 16c and 16d by using the pipes 16a and 16b, and the forks 9a and 9b themselves are formed with through holes in the width directions L and R so that the bearing holes are formed. It may be provided. The inserted fork receiving shafts 15a and 15b are supported by brackets 14a and 14b so as not to come off and support the forks 9a and 9b by attaching stoppers (not shown) to both ends.

  The forks 9a and 9b are attached to the carriage 8 so as to be freely movable in the vertical directions U and D independently by the slide mechanisms 10a and 10b as described above. Further, the diameters of the holding holes 14c and 14d are slightly larger than the diameters of the fork receiving shafts 15a and 15b to such an extent that the fork receiving shafts 15a and 15b can be inserted. It is larger than the diameter of the fork receiving shafts 15a and 15b so that a gap S of a predetermined size is formed between the shafts 15a and 15b. For this reason, the forks 9a and 9b move independently of the forks 9a and 9b in the width directions L and R as indicated by arrows in FIG. 4 by moving the fork bearing shafts 15a and 15b in the bearing holes 16c and 16d. Swing.

  Reference numeral 20 denotes a fixing mechanism for fixing the forks 9a and 9b. The fixing mechanism 20 includes plates 21a and 21b, blocks 22a and 22b, and a cylinder 23. The plates 21a and 21b are fixed to the upper ends of the forks 9a and 9b, and bosses 21c and 21d protruding in the D direction are provided on the lower surface. The blocks 22a and 22b are fixed to the carriage 8 so as to face the plates 21a and 21b, and V-shaped grooves 22c and 22d for engaging the bosses 21c and 21d are formed on the upper surface. The cylinder 23 includes a rod 23a that can be expanded and contracted by hydraulic pressure or air, and is fixed to the carriage 8 via the mounting plate 24 above the plates 21c and 21b so that the rod 23a expands and contracts in the D and U directions. . A bar 25 for pressing the plates 21a and 21b in the D direction is fixed to the tip of the rod 23a of the cylinder 23.

  In the fixing mechanism 20 as described above, when the rod 23a of the cylinder 23 is extended in the D direction from the state shown in FIG. 2, the rod 23a moves the plates 21a and 21b in the D direction via the bar 25 as shown in FIG. The bosses 21c and 21d are pressed and engaged with the V-shaped grooves 22c and 22d with a predetermined pressure. As a result, each of the forks 9a and 9b does not move in the U and D directions independently of the carriage 7 and does not swing in the R and L directions, so that the guide rails 11a and 11b having the same height can be Fixed in the lower position. When the rod 23a of the cylinder 23 is contracted in the U direction from such a fixed state, the bar 25 is separated from the plates 21a and 21b, and the bosses 21c and 21d cannot be pressed against the V-shaped grooves 22c and 22d. As a result, the bosses 21c and 21d can be detached from the V-shaped grooves 22c and 22d, and the forks 9a and 9b can freely move in the U and D directions independently and can swing in the R and L directions. become. 2 shows a state in which the bosses 21c and 21d are detached from the V-shaped grooves 22c and 22d in order to make the structure easy to understand. However, the fork 9a is usually in a state in which the rod 23a of the cylinder 23 is contracted. The bosses 21c and 21d are engaged with the V-shaped grooves 22c and 22d by the weight of 9b, and the forks 9a and 9b are positioned at the lowest positions of the guide rails 11a and 11b.

  6 and 7 are views for explaining the pallet and load loading state of the forklift 1. Here, a case will be described as an example where the heights of the loaded cargoes are uneven when performing so-called stacking, in which pallets and loads are further placed on the previously loaded cargoes. In each figure, P1 is a pallet previously loaded on the floor G with high horizontal accuracy, W1 is a load loaded on the pallet P1, P2 is a pallet stacked on the load W1, and W2 is loaded on the pallet P2. It is a rare load. 9a and 9b are the above-mentioned pair of forks.

  In order to stack the pallet P2 and the load W2 on the pallet P1 and the load W1 previously loaded on the floor G, the forklift 1 first extends the rod 23a of the cylinder 23 described above, and each fork 9a, 9b is fixed at the same height so as not to move independently of the carriage 7. The forklift 1 inserts the forks 9a and 9b into the insertion port Pa of the pallet P2 placed at a predetermined position, lifts the forks 9a and 9b to lift the pallet P2, and loads the pallet P2 and the load W2. take. After that, the forklift 1 travels with the pallet P2 and the load W2 placed on the forks 9a and 9b, transports the pallet P2 and the load W2 to the front of the pallet P1 and the load W1, and stops. To do. Then, the forklift 1 raises the forks 9a, 9b to a predetermined height higher than the previously loaded load W1, and then advances the forks 9a, 9b, as shown in FIG. The pallet P2 and the load W2 on 9b are positioned above the load W1 loaded first.

  Subsequently, the forklift 1 contracts the rod 23a of the cylinder 23 so that the forks 9a and 9b can be independently moved freely in the U and D directions and can be swung in the R and L directions. Then, the forklift 1 lowers the forks 9a and 9b to place the pallet P2 on the load W1 loaded first. At this time, since the height of the load W1 loaded first is uneven, as shown in FIG. 6B, the pallet P2 is placed in an inclined state on the load W1 loaded first. At this time, the fork 9a contacts the lower plate Pc of the pallet P2, and the fork 9b contacts the upper plate Pb of the pallet P2.

  When the forklift 1 further lowers the forks 9a and 9b from the state shown in FIG. 6B, the fork 9a is pushed by the lower plate Pc of the pallet P2 as shown in FIG. While rising in the U direction and swinging in the L direction, the pallet P2 is tilted and becomes substantially parallel to the pallet P2. Further, the fork 9b descends in the direction D, and is separated from the upper plate Pb of the pallet P2 and contacts the lower plate Pc. At this time, the fork 9a is located higher than the fork 9b. Thereafter, when the forklift 1 further lowers the forks 9a and 9b from the state shown in FIG. 7C, the fork 9a pushes against the lower plate Pc of the pallet P2 as shown in FIG. 7D. Then, it further rises in the U direction. Further, the fork 9b is pushed by the lower plate Pc of the pallet P2 and lifts in the U direction and swings in the L direction, and becomes substantially parallel to the pallet P2 following the inclination of the pallet P2. At this time, the fork 9a is at a higher position than the fork 9b.

  Then, the forklift 1 stops the lowering of the forks 9a and 9b in the state shown in FIG. 7D, then retracts the forks 9a and 9b, and pulls the forks 9a and 9b from the insertion port Pa of the pallet P2. Go. At this time, the forks 9a and 9b are in contact with the lower plate Pc of the pallet P2. However, since the forks 9a and 9b can move freely in the U direction, the frictional force between the forks 9a and 9b and the pallet P2 is small. Thus, the forks 9a and 9b are pulled out from the insertion port Pa without dragging the pallet P2. When the forks 9a and 9b are pulled out, the pallet P2 and the load W2 are stacked on the previously loaded load W1 without causing collapse of the load.

  According to the above, when the pallet P2 picked up by the forks 9a and 9b is placed on the load W1 having uneven height, the pallet P2 is inclined with respect to the forks 9a and 9b, and the forks 9a and 9b Even if the pallet P2 comes into contact, the forks 9a and 9b freely move in the vertical directions U and D independently. Therefore, when the forks 9a and 9b are pulled out from the pallet P2, the forks 9a and 9b and the pallet P2 Thus, the forks 9a and 9b can be pulled out without dragging the pallet P2. Therefore, the pallet P2 and the load W2 can be reliably placed on the load W1 without causing collapse of the load W2 loaded on the pallet P2.

  Further, by attaching the forks 9a, 9b to the carriage 8 via the slide mechanisms 10a, 10b, the pallet P2 is inclined with respect to the forks 9a, 9b when the pallet P2 is placed on the load W1. Even if the forks 9a, 9b and the pallet P2 come into contact with each other, the forks 9a, 9b can be reliably moved smoothly in the U direction.

  Further, a clearance S is provided between the fork bearing shafts 15a and 15b and the bearing holes 16c and 16d so that the fork can swing in the R and L directions, so that the pallet P2 is placed on the load W1. Sometimes, even if the pallet P2 is inclined with respect to the forks 9a and 9b and the forks 9a and 9b and the pallet P2 come into contact with each other, the forks 9a and 9b swing in the L direction and follow the inclination of the pallet P2. Therefore, when the forks 9a, 9b are pulled out from the pallet P2, the forks 9a, 9b can be pulled out without the corners of the forks 9a, 9b being hooked on the pallet P2.

  Furthermore, when the pallet P2 and the load W2 are picked up by the forks 9a and 9b, the forks 9a and 9b are fixed by the fixing mechanism 20 so that the forks 9a and 9b can be inserted into the insertion port Pa of the pallet P2 with high accuracy. Therefore, the pallet P2 and the load W2 can be lifted stably, and it is possible to maintain the high accuracy of the pallet P2 joint. In addition, when the pallet P2 and the load W2 picked up by the forks 9a and 9b are transported, the forks 9a and 9b are fixed by the fixing mechanism 20, so that even if vibration occurs due to running of the forklift 1, the forks 9a , 9b can be suppressed and the pallet P2 and the load W2 can be stably conveyed.

  In the embodiment described above, an example is given in which the forks 9a and 9b can be freely moved in the vertical directions U and D independently by the slide mechanisms 10a and 10b using the linear motion bearings 13a and 13b. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In addition to this, as the slide mechanism, for example, a bracket having a long hole formed in the vertical direction is fixed to the carriage 8, and the fork receiving shaft is inserted into the long hole and the bearing holes 16c and 16d provided in the forks 9a and 9b. Even if the forks 9a and 9b are independently movable freely in the vertical directions U and D while the forks receiving shafts 15a and 15b are guided through the long holes through the holes 15a and 15b. Good. That is, the slide mechanism may be a mechanism that can attach each of the plurality of forks to the carriage so that it can be freely moved in the vertical direction independently.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the case where each fork 9a, 9b was fixed so that it may not move in the lowest position of the guide rails 11a, 11b with the fixing mechanism 20 which uses the cylinder 23 as a drive source is mentioned as an example, The present invention is not limited to this. In addition to this, as a fixing mechanism, for example, an actuator using a motor or the like as a drive source is provided, and the forks 9a, 9b are pushed up to the uppermost position of the guide rails 11a, 11b by the actuator and fixed so as not to move. There may be. In other words, the fixing mechanism may be a mechanism that can fix each of the plurality of forks to the same height so as not to move independently of the carriage.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the pallet P2 and the load W2 are stacked on the load W1 having uneven heights by the forklift 1 is taken as an example. When loading pallets and loads on low-precision floors or loading platforms, when placing pallets with deformed upper and lower plates and loads loaded on them in place, or forklift connection Even in the case where the pallet and the load are loaded with the horizontal accuracy of the ground being low and the vehicle body tilted, according to the forklift 1 of the present invention, when the pallet is placed at a predetermined position, the forks 9a and 9b Even if the pallet is inclined and the forks 9a, 9b and the pallet come into contact with each other, the pallet and the load can be reliably placed at predetermined positions without causing the load collapse on the pallet.

  Furthermore, although the example which applied this invention to the unmanned reach type forklift 1 provided with the two forks 9a and 9b is given in the above-mentioned embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. It can be applied to forklifts equipped with forks, manned forklifts on which operators board, and non-reach forklifts.

It is a side view showing the whole forklift concerning the present invention. It is the side view to which the attachment part of the fork of the forklift was expanded. It is the side view to which the attachment part of the fork of the forklift was expanded. It is the front view which expanded the attachment part of the fork of the forklift. It is the top view to which the attachment part of the fork of the forklift was expanded. It is a figure for demonstrating the loading state of the forklift. It is a figure for demonstrating the loading state of the forklift. It is a figure for demonstrating the loading state of the conventional forklift.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Forklift 2 Car body 6a, 6b Inner mast 7a, 7b Outer mast 8 Carriage 9a, 9b Fork 10a, 10b Slide mechanism 11a, 11b Guide rail 12a, 12b Carrier 13a, 13b Linear motion bearing 14a, 14b Bracket 15a, 15b Fork receiving shaft 16c, 16d Bearing hole 20 Fixing mechanism 21a, 21b Plate 21c, 21d Boss 22a, 22b Block 22c, 22d V-shaped groove 23 Cylinder 23a Rod P1, P2 Palette Pa Insertion slot R, L Width direction S Gap U, D Vertical direction W1, W2 cargo

Claims (2)

In a forklift comprising a mast erected on a vehicle body, a carriage that moves up and down the vehicle body along the mast, and a plurality of forks that are inserted into a pallet insertion port and handle cargo.
When the fork inserted into the insertion port of the pallet is lowered after the pallet is placed, the fork is pushed against the lower plate of the pallet so that the fork is raised with respect to the carriage. A plurality of slide mechanisms for attaching each of the forks to the carriage so as to be freely movable in the vertical direction independently of the carriage ;
A fixing mechanism for fixing each of the plurality of forks to the same height so as not to move independently with respect to the carriage;
The fixing mechanism is
A plate fixed to each fork and provided with a boss protruding in the vertical direction;
A block fixed to the carriage so as to face each of the plates and having a V-shaped groove for engaging the boss;
A cylinder that is fixed to the carriage so that an extendable rod extends and contracts in the vertical direction;
By extending the rod of the cylinder, pushing the plates with the rod, engaging the bosses with the V-shaped grooves, and fixing the forks so that they do not move independently with respect to the carriage; By contracting the rods of the cylinders, the rods are separated from the plates, and the bosses are not pressed against the V-shaped grooves, so that the forks can be freely moved independently of the carriage. A forklift characterized by being movable in the direction . The forklift according to claim 1,
The slide mechanism is
A linear motion bearing comprising a guide rail fixed to the carriage in parallel with the vertical direction and a carrier moving along the guide rail;
A bracket fixed to the carrier;
A forklift comprising: a fork receiving shaft that is inserted into a bearing hole provided in the fork in parallel with the width direction of the fork and held by the bracket.

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