WO2006006860A2

WO2006006860A2 - System for coupling fork-lift truck and truck

Info

Publication number: WO2006006860A2
Application number: PCT/NL2005/000506
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Van Dalen; Gerrit Reitsma; Cornelis Mollema
Original assignee: Moffett-Kooi B.V.
Priority date: 2004-07-14
Filing date: 2005-07-14
Publication date: 2006-01-19
Also published as: NL1026659C2; WO2006006860A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for selectively coupling a fork-lift truck and a truck with a loading space. The fork-lift truck herein comprises a frame (2) having thereon a mast (3) and forks (6) movable along the mast (3) for supporting a load. The system herein comprises engaging (11, 14) means for coupling the fork-lift truck and the truck, and aligning (15, 20, 21) means for orienting the fork-lift truck relative to at least the engaging means (11, 14) during movement of the fork-lift truck from, toward or into the truck and prior to energizing of the engaging means (11, 14).

Description

SYSTEM FOR COUPLING FORK-LIFT TRUCK AND TRUCK

The present invention relates to a system for selectively coupling a fork-lift truck and a truck with a loading space. The fork-lift truck comprises forks movable along the mast for supporting and transporting a load.

Such trucks, and also fork-lift trucks, are generally known. Examples are known here of combinations of trucks and fork-lift trucks which are intended for mutual coupling of these two components for transport to a destination, such as the so-called "Kooi-aap®" of the present inventors themselves. Such a fork-lift truck is then traditionally intended to be able to travel along with the truck outside the loading space in a situation where it is coupled to the truck. Systems are also known wherein a fork-lift truck is also transported substantially in the interior of the loading space of a truck. The present invention relates to this latter type. The present invention relates in particular to ways of being able to displace a fork-lift truck with a load on the forks thereof to the interior of the loading space and of there also being able to manouevre with this load in the loading space without first setting down the load.

The known systems generally have as problems: complexity, cost, safety and so on. Nor is the intended purpose generally achieved of being able to displace a fork-lift truck in the loading space with a load on the forks. In solutions where such possibilities are created the fork-lift truck often takes a rather light form and a high degree of skill and experience is required of the user in bringing about a coupling between the truck and the fork-lift truck before the fork-lift truck can be displaced into the loading space.

The present invention has for its object to obviate or at least considerably alleviate the above stated problems of the known art, for which purpose a system is provided as according to claim 1. The engaging means serve to effect a coupling between the fork-lift truck and the truck, wherein the aligning means are provided to bring about alignment of the fork-lift truck relative to the truck when the fork-lift truck moves in the direction of the truck. It is precisely with this movement of the fork-lift truck in the direction of the truck (or away from or into it) that it is possible to achieve that the engaging means can be brought into an active position to bring about with certainty successful coupling of the fork-lift truck and the truck. In all other cases, such as in the known art, great reliance is placed on the skill of the driver of the fork-lift truck and it is desirable to alleviate the responsibilities and skills of this driver. In a preferred embodiment it is recommended that the engaging means and the aligning means do not in any case act on those parts of the forks of the fork-lift truck which are required to be able to continue supporting the load, and also when the fork- lift truck is displaced into the loading space the fork- lift truck can be taken into the loading space with the load on the forks.

It is noted that the present invention relates not only to such a system but also to a fork-lift truck which is provided with mating means for co-action with at least the engaging means of the system, and preferably also mating means for the aligning means. The present invention further relates to a truck equipped with a system according to the present invention. The present invention likewise relates to a method for displacing a fork-lift truck with a load on the forks into a loading space of a truck.

The various dependent claims 2-19 define non- limitative preferred embodiments of systems according to the present invention which can also be realized in conjunction with individually the fork-lift truck and/or the truck and/or the method.

In a possible embodiment, the aligning means can define a path for the displacement of the fork-lift truck from or toward the truck. The engaging means for coupling the fork-lift truck and the truck are herein oriented by the aligning means for the purpose of the intended coupling. Fewer demands thus have to be made of the driving skills of the driver of the fork-lift truck. In another preferred embodiment, the aligning means can comprise at least one guide for guiding the movement of the fork-lift truck from, toward or into the truck. Such a guide can serve particularly to define the route or the above stated path to be taken by the fork-lift truck. The guide can have diverse preferred embodiments. The guide can for instance have a form which diverges away from or converges toward the truck and which can act on the outer edges of the mast or a space in the interior of the mast of the fork-lift truck, so as to ensure with certainty an enforceable positioning of the engaging means, which can then be energized with certainty and successfully.

In a further preferred embodiment it is thus the intention that the aligning means generally correspond with the mast. The aligning means can even act on the mast, but for the engaging means use can preferably be made of the relative movement of the forks up and downward relative to the mast, so that a reliable coupling can be realized as soon as this is made possible by the aligning means, wherein a guide as embodiment of the aligning means can correspond with the mast and can even be oriented thereon so as to bring about a situation of the engaging means such that energizing thereof can take place with certainty and successfully. It can herein be possible to orient the guide on the inner or the outer side of the mast, although these are not the sole options since an orientation relative to the top side of the mast or even relative to the frame of the fork-lift truck are also possibilities. By orienting the guide on the mast the movement of the whole fork-lift truck can be influenced in sufficient measure and the desired positioning of the engaging means can finally be effected such that a certain coupling can be provided. An embodiment of the invention thus has the feature that the aligning means extend between an edge of the truck at an entrance thereto and the fork-lift truck in a situation where the fork-lift truck approaches the truck. The direction of travel of the fork-lift truck toward the truck can thus be taken into account, in which movement or displacement the alignment has to take place to enable effective and efficient energizing of the engaging means without this requiring considerable effort or skill of a user of the fork-lift truck. The aligning means can herein comprise an element which can be mounted on the truck and which is substantially stationary during use and over which the fork-lift truck can be driven in order to move into the loading space. This results in an elegant and simple configuration for full realization of the intended objectives. The fork- lift truck can drive with a load on its forks into the loading space of the truck over the aligning means, which then thus also serve to allow the fork-lift truck to drive into the loading space when the frame is brought to a height suitable for this purpose. The element can preferably be folded away in the situation where it is not in use, so that when the truck is travelling such an element does not protrude from the edge of the loading space thereof. This could result in a hazardous situation for bystanders, which is thus effectively prevented. Additionally or alternatively, the element can also be rendered inoperative in other manner, for instance by sliding it away or the like.

The aligning means can preferably be mounted on the truck and the mast of the fork-lift truck comprises an opening for alignment thereof relative to the aligning means. The aligning means extending between the edge of the loading space of the truck and the fork-lift truck and the opening in the mast form in combination an elegant and simple manner of aligning the fork-lift truck, in particular the mast thereof, relative to the truck. In a specific embodiment, the opening can be formed by a rod construction in the mast, this contributing toward the strength thereof. In an alternative or additional embodiment, guides can also or further be provided as guide means, which can then act on the sides of the mast.

In an embodiment of the invention the forks of the fork-lift truck can further be telescopic or extendable forks which can be used actively in lifting of . the frame and also in displacing of the frame in horizontal direction thereof relative to the truck in order to displace the fork-lift truck into the truck in efficient manner, for instance with the method according to an embodiment of the invention. In such an embodiment the engaging means can act close to the outer end of the second part of the forks which is directed toward the mast and which is reciprocally displaceable in horizontal direction relative to the first part. Guided movement of the frame is thus realized in efficient manner without reducing the capability of the fork-lift truck to hold the load on the forks as it mounts the truck, in particular the loading space thereof. The use of such extendable forks minimizes the number of modifications to a truck necessary to get the fork-lift truck into the loading space. A fork-lift truck will usually comprise a frame with forward extending legs, i.e. in the same direction as that of the forks. The extendable forks are preferably so long in an extended position thereof that the legs can be moved in upward direction along and beyond the aligning and engaging means. The aligning and engaging means do not therefore form an obstacle when the fork-lift truck mounts the truck. An appropriate sequence of movements must be made for this purpose, but this results in the ability of the fork-lift truck to enter the loading space of the truck with a load on the forks.

In a possible embodiment the engaging means and the aligning means are an integrally formed device, although the invention is not limited thereto, and the engaging means and the aligning means can be formed individually. The great advantage of an integrally formed device is that the device can be released from and arranged in its entirety on a truck selected at random. The combination of the integrally formed device can thus belong to a correspondingly formed fork-lift truck for use in combination with a truck selected at random when the integrally formed device is mounted thereon. The invention will be further elucidated hereinbelow on the basis of several non-limitative examples and embodiments as shown in the figures, in which the same or similar components are designated with the same reference numerals, and in which: fig. 1 and fig. 2 show an embodiment of a fork-lift truck according to the present invention in diverse positions of use thereof; fig. 3 and fig. 4 show an embodiment of a system according to the present invention in diverse positions of use; fig. 5-7 show the principle according to which a fork-lift truck mounts a loading floor of a loading space of a truck; and fig. 8 and fig. 9 show an alternative embodiment of an integrally formed device as embodiment of a system according to the present invention.

Fig. 1 and fig. 2 show an embodiment of a fork-lift truck 1 according to the present invention. This comprises a frame 2 on which is mounted a mast 3. Frame 2 with mast 3 thereon is displaceable over wheels 4 under frame 2 and on legs 5. A supporting surface is thus formed which suffices for transporting cargo or load. Such a cargo or load is not shown, but can be carried on forks 6. Forks 6 are of the extendable type. In the embodiment shown here the forks 6 are telescopically extendable. Forks 6 are mounted on mast 3 for height-adjustable movement of the cargo or load. A comparison of fig. 1 with fig. 2 makes clear that forks 6 are extendable. Each of the forks 6 is thus assembled from a first part 8, which is stationary in horizontal direction relative to frame 2 and mast 3, and a second part 7 which is displaceable in the same direction. The whole fork-lift truck 1 is controlled with a control (not shown) for hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical components thereof. Fork-lift truck 1 is herein provided with a steering wheel 9 having thereon operating means, such as buttons and so on, for the desired operation of fork-lift truck 1. Such controllable functions are the displacing of the whole fork-lift truck over a ground surface, the up and downward movement of forks 6 along mast 3 and the extending of the second parts 7 of forks 6 relative to the fixed parts 8. Also shown in fig. 1 and fig. 2 is that a block 10 is arranged on the second extendable parts 7 of forks 6, which block 10 forms a connection between forks 6. Arranged on block 10 are downward oriented pins 11 which form mating means for at least the engaging means of a system according to the present invention which is further described hereinbelow. The downward oriented pins 11 serve specifically as mating means for the engaging means. Also provided on mast 3 is a rod construction with which the strength of mast 3 is increased. Rod construction 12 serves specifically as mating means for the aligning means of the system according to the present invention, and defines an opening for this purpose.

Fig. 3 shows schematically a system 13 according to the present invention. System 13 comprises two holders

14 for receiving therein the pins 11 shown in fig. 1 and fig. 2. Holders 14 therefore form, in combination with pins 11, engaging means in the sense of the present invention. System 13 also comprises a plate 15 as embodiment of aligning means. In one embodiment this plate 15 can be the upper surface of a beam or U- profile, to the extent the upper surface thereof is suitable as a plate form to allow the rear wheel to travel thereover. In the embodiment shown here, the holders 14 and plate 15 are mounted separately on an edge 16 of a loading floor 17 of a track 18, of which only a part is therefore shown.

Holders 14 and plate 15 are mounted individually at or on edge 16 using conventional means, such as screw plates etc. It is therefore possible to release plate 15 and holders 14 from loading floor 17 of truck 8 and mount them on another truck. Depending on the chosen mounting means, which are not shown here, disassembly of system 13 can be made easier or less easy. An embodiment of the mounting means which is the easiest possible to disassemble is preferably chosen so as to enable easy transfer of the system 13 to another truck.

The operation of system 13 is as follows. As shown in fig. 4, a fork-lift truck 1 can drive to the edge 16 of loading space 17 of truck 18 with the forks 6 in a position displaced upward along mast 3 and with the second parts 7 of forks 6 in a position thereof retracted toward mast 3. As already described above, an opening 19 or passage is formed in the rod construction 12. When fork-lift truck 1 has approached sufficiently closely to truck 18, and a first rough alignment has been realized by the user or operator of fork-lift truck 1, plate 15 will extend through opening 19. The user can herein drive on until the upward running rods 20 of rod construction 12 come up against a stop 21. The fork-lift truck cannot move further and the second parts 7 of forks 6 with the pins 11 on the side directed to the mast are substantially, but not necessarily wholly retracted toward mast 3, and in any case to a position well defined beforehand. In the shown situation the pins 11 lie directly above holders 14. The movement of fork- lift truck 1 indicated with arrow A is thus to bring about the positioning shown in fig. 4 of the fork-lift truck 1 and truck 18 relative to each other in all relevant directions (laterally, in the direction of travel and otherwise) . Forks 6 can then be moved downward in the direction of arrow B, wherein pins 11 also move downward in the direction of arrow B and are aligned relative to holders 14 which serve to receive pins 11.

It is noted that pins 11 diverge in upward direction and that holders 14 have an internal form corresponding with pins 11. If contrary to expectation there still remains a small measure of incorrect alignment between pins 11 and holders 14, this measure of incorrect alignment is remedied using the shape of pins 11 and the internal form of holders 14. The opening 19 between rods 20 is as wide as or slightly wider than the free end of plate 15, and plate 15 can diverge slightly in the direction of loading floor 17 of the truck as far as the stops 21 so as to ensure a correct alignment of in any case the mast, and herein also fork-lift truck 1.

When the position shown in fig. 4 has been reached, forks 6 are moved downward along mast 3 in the direction of arrow B so that pins 11 drop into holders 14 on the basis of the above described configuration or design of the two. An engagement or engaging means is or are thus provided for coupling the fork-lift truck and the truck. Plate 15 serves as aligning means together with the opening 19 between rods 20 of rod construction 12. When engagement has thus been established between the fork- lift truck and truck 18, the fork-lift truck moves backwards, wherein the second parts 7 of forks 6 remain stationary on loading floor 17 and wherein these extendable second parts 7 slide out relative to mast 3. Extension of the second parts can herein take place with an actuable drive which can then also serve to cause the fork-lift truck to move backwards. When plate 15 subsequently moves clear of the opening 19 between rods 20, forks 6 can be pushed downward along mast 3, wherein mast 3 is in fact pulled upward along plate 15. In an embodiment with the forward protruding legs 5 as shown in fig. 1 and fig. 2, the extendable second parts 7 of forks 6 must be moved forward so far relative to mast 3 that these legs with wheels 4 thereon can also pass along the edge 16 of loading floor 17 of truck 18, as shown in fig. 5, when forks 6 are moved wholly downward along mast 3. Legs 5, and in particular wheels 4, are herein brought to the level of loading floor 17 of truck 18. By then moving the second parts 7 of forks 6 back in the direction of mast 3, the frame 2 of fork-lift truck 1 is carried onto loading floor 17 of truck 18. A rear wheel 22, which is shown in fig. 5, of fork-lift truck 1 can herein travel over plate 15 so as to carry fork-lift truck 1 wholly into the interior of the truck on loading floor 17. It is noted that a user can herein stand on a platform 23 which can fold down, as can be seen by comparing fig. 5 and fig. 6. The user can herein properly operate the control buttons on steering wheel 9. It is possible here to take further additional measures for a better control.

For additional convenience of operation the steering wheel 9 can thus be pivotable in the direction of arrow C, so that a user can remain standing on the ground and still use the control buttons on steering wheel 9.

It is also noted that in fig. 5, 6 and 7 use is made of a slightly different embodiment of a system according to the present invention than in fig. 3 and 4. The aligning means formed by plate 15 and the engaging means formed by holder 14 are components of an integrally formed device 24. This further comprises a base 25 which can be mounted on the loading floor in random conventional manner. Base 25 comprises a hinge 26 on which holders 14 and plate 15 are together mounted. It is thus possible, as shown in fig. 7, to fold holders 14 and plate 15 upward on hinge 26 when fork-lift truck 1 has been placed "on board" the truck on loading floor 17. The truck can then be driven away without inconvenient or even dangerous protruding parts thereon, and with fork-lift truck 1 on loading floor 17.

It is also noted that it is possible in this configuration for the fork-lift truck 1 to move onto loading floor 17 of truck 18 with a load on in any case the extendable second parts 7 of forks 6. A simple mechanism is provided for this purpose and the system is highly efficient, useful and practicable.

It is also noted that an alternative embodiment of such a system is shown in fig. 8 and fig. 9 which is formed by way of preferred embodiment as an integral device 27. Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of such a device 27 as embodiment of a system according to the invention in isolation, i.e. without (parts of) the truck or the fork-lift truck. This also has a base 25 of two parts which can be fixed individually to loading floor 17 of a truck. A set of holders 14 is also provided as embodiment of engaging means, although a difference can be discerned in the aligning means. Although a plate 15 is provided for driving in the rear wheel 22 of fork-lift truck 1, the aligning means are formed by guides 28 with a form converging in the direction of bases 25, wherein guides 28 taper toward stops 21. During use the sides of mast 3 will thus be carried along guides 28 to the stops 21 so as to align the fork-lift truck, and to subsequently enable the engagement between the fork-lift truck and the truck to be brought about by means of holders 14. In such an embodiment it is possible to avoid a separate rod construction being necessary, such as rod construction 12 as shown in fig. 1 and fig. 2, and an opening does not need to be provided in the mast.

Device 27 also comprises a transverse connection 29 between the beams 30, on the free end of which the guides 28 are formed. In a folded-down position of beams 20 the transverse connection 29 comes to lie on or at the edge 16 of loading floor 17 of truck 18.

It is noted that it is also very useful and advantageous in terms of safety when the stops 21 also fulfil a function when fork-lift truck 1 is taken out of the truck. This is to prevent the fork-lift truck being able to travel in rearward direction over plate 15 and a user does not stop in good time, with all the undesirable consequences this would entail. When the fork-lift truck travels backwards with rear wheel 22 over plate 15, frame 2 then moves against the rear side of the stops 21 in fig. 8. It is thus possible to prevent fork-lift truck 1 from travelling on too far. In the positioning of stops 21 the alignment between holders 14 and pins 11 is again also taken into account here, so that pins 11 can be placed almost directly into holders 14 when frame 2 of fork-lift truck 1 comes up against the (rear side of the) stops 21.

It will be apparent that diverse additional and alternative embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit and range of the scope of protection of the invention according to the present claims, although such additional and alternative embodiments are not explicitly shown or described here.

Plates or blocks or other embodiments at random can thus be implemented instead of pins 11 to form the engaging means.

Claims

1. System for selectively coupling a fork-lift truck and a truck with a loading space, wherein the fork-lift truck comprises: a frame having thereon a mast and forks movable along the mast for supporting a load, and wherein the system comprises:

- engaging means for coupling the fork-lift truck and the truck; and - aligning means for orienting the fork-lift truck relative to at least the engaging means during movement of the fork-lift truck from, to or in the truck and prior to energizing of the engaging means.

2. System as claimed in claim 1, wherein the engaging means and the aligning means act on parts of the fork-lift truck other than parts of the fork lying distally relative to the mast.

3. System as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the aligning means define a path for the displacement of the fork-lift truck from or toward the truck, wherein the engaging means for coupling the fork-lift truck and the truck are oriented by the aligning means for the purpose of the coupling.

4. System as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the aligning means comprise at least one guide for guiding the movement of the fork-lift truck from, toward or into the truck.

5. System as claimed in claim 4, wherein the aligning means at least one guide which diverges away from or converges toward the truck.

6. System as claimed in at least one of the foregoing claims, wherein the aligning means comprise at least one guide corresponding with the mast.

7. System as claimed in claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein the guide is oriented on the inner or the outer side of the mast of the fork-lift truck.

8. System as claimed in at least one of the foregoing claims, wherein the aligning means extend between an edge of the loading space at an entrance thereto and the fork-lift truck in a situation where the fork-lift truck approaches the truck.

9. System as claimed in claim 8, wherein the aligning means comprise an element which can be mounted on the truck and which is substantially stationary during use and over which the fork-lift truck can be driven in order to move into the loading space.

10. System as claimed in claim 9, wherein at least the element can be folded away or otherwise taken out of operation in the situation where it is not in use.

11. System as claimed in claim 8, 9 or 10, wherein the aligning means can be mounted on the truck, and the mast of the fork-lift truck comprises an opening for alignment thereof relative to the aligning means.

12. System as claimed in claim 11, wherein the opening is formed by a rod construction in the mast.

13. System as claimed in at least one of the claims 8-12, wherein the aligning means comprise guides (28) which in a situation of use act on the sides of the mast of the fork-lift truck.

14. System as claimed in at least one of the foregoing claims, wherein the forks of the fork-lift truck are each in two parts and extendable, wherein a first part is stationary in the lengthwise direction thereof relative to the mast and a second part can be selectively moved reciprocally relative to the mast in lengthwise direction thereof along the first part.

15. System as claimed in claim 14, wherein the engaging means act close to the outer end of the second part directed toward the mast.

16. System as claimed in claim 15, wherein the fork-lift truck comprises a frame with forward extending legs, and the forks are so long in an extended position thereof that the legs can be moved in upward direction along and beyond the aligning and engaging means.

17. System as claimed in at least one of the foregoing claims, wherein the engaging means and the aligning means form an integrally formed device.

18. System as claimed in claim 17, wherein the device is releasable and can be arranged on a truck selected at random.

19. Fork-lift truck with a displaceable frame, a mast on the frame and forks movable along the mast, further comprising mating means for the engaging means and for the engaging means of the system as claimed in at least one of the foregoing claims.

20. Fork-lift truck as claimed in claim 19, further comprising means for controlling the fork-lift truck, in particular the forks and the drive motor thereof, in a situation coupled to the engaging means and without a user being situated on the fork-lift truck, such as a remote control or a steering wheel with control elements which can be folded into an operable position.

21. Truck, comprising: a mobile frame; a loading space arranged on the frame; and a system as claimed in at least one of the foregoing claims 1-18.

22. Method for displacing a fork-lift truck, having a frame, a mast, and forks movable along the mast, into a loading space of a truck from outside, comprising of: - carrying the forks upward along the mast; - aligning the fork-lift truck relative to the truck using aligning means which extend from the edge of the loading space;

- effecting a coupling between the truck and the fork- lift truck when a desired position of the fork-lift truck is reached relative to the truck with the load in the loading space thereof;

- extending the forks;

- raising the frame along the aligning means and the edge by moving the forks downward along the mast;

- retracting the forks;

- uncoupling the truck and the fork-lift truck; and

- displacing the fork-lift truck into the loading space.

23. Method as claimed in claim 22, wherein displacement of the fork-lift truck into the loading space comprises of: moving the fork-lift truck over the aligning means.