WO2016044891A1

WO2016044891A1 - Forklift vehicle-operable apparatus for carrying a load

Info

Publication number: WO2016044891A1
Application number: PCT/AU2015/050568
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert William Alistair Strang
Original assignee: Strang Lpp Nominees Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2014-09-22
Filing date: 2015-09-22
Publication date: 2016-03-31

Abstract

There is disclosed an apparatus operable by a forklift vehicle to carry a load, the apparatus comprising: at least one ground-engaging wheel; a boom supported over the wheel(s), so as to be pivotable about an axis, and having a distal end configured to be coupled to the tine(s) of the vehicle such that the apparatus is manoeuvrable by the vehicle; and load engaging means, supported from a proximal end of the boom, the load engaging means being, when the distal end is so coupled, movable from one of a raised condition and a lowered condition to the other of the raised and lowered conditions by raising of the tine(s) and thus upward pivoting of the boom about said axis, and movable from said other condition to said one condition by lowering of the tine(s) and thus downward pivoting of the boom about said axis.

Description

Forklift vehicle-operable apparatus for carrying a load

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus operable by a forklift vehicle to carry a load, an assembly comprising the vehicle and apparatus, and a method of moving a load using the assembly. The invention has particular, though by no means exclusive, application to loading of shipping containers with cargo, which cargo may comprise coils of sheet metal.

The content of the specification and drawings of Australian provisional patent application no. 2014903786 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Background

Enormous quantities of goods, including manufactured goods, are shipped around the world by land, sea and air in containers of various types. Standard shipping containers, as used on seagoing ships, for example, are commonly employed. The loading of cargo items into such containers and their subsequent unloading are major activities involving considerable expenditure of labour and money.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus operable by a forklift vehicle to carry a load, the apparatus comprising:

at least one ground-engaging wheel;

a boom supported over the wheel(s), so as to be pivotable about an axis, and having a distal end configured to be coupled to the tine(s) of the vehicle such that the apparatus is manoeuvrable by the vehicle; and

load engaging means, supported from a proximal end of the boom, the load engaging means being, when the distal end is so coupled, movable from one of a raised condition and a lowered condition to the other of the raised and lowered conditions by raising of the tine(s) and thus upward pivoting of the boom about said axis, and movable from said other condition to said one condition by lowering of the tine(s) and thus downward pivoting of the boom about said axis. Preferably, said axis is an axis of rotation of the wheel(s).

Preferably, the apparatus comprises plural said wheels which are coaxial.

Preferably, the apparatus includes at least one pocket arranged to receive a respective said tine, whereby the boom distal end is coupled to the tine(s). Preferably, the apparatus comprises two said pockets. Preferably, the load engaging means extends from said proximal end in a substantially opposite direction to said boom, whereby said one condition is said raised condition and said other condition is said lowered condition. Preferably, the boom is weighted sufficiently that it forces the tine(s) downwardly upon discontinuation of a lifting force applied thereto by the vehicle, whereby the boom is pivoted downwardly and the load engaging means is moved into its raised condition so as to lift said load if engaged therewith. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the apparatus includes a counterweight which is arranged at the boom distal end, such that the boom is so weighted, and is engageable by the tine(s) whereby the boom distal end is coupled to the tine(s). Preferably, the counterweight is configured with said pocket(s). In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the boom is heavy enough that a counterweight is unnecessary.

Preferably, the apparatus includes a coupling arrangement via which the boom distal end can be coupled to the tines, the coupling arrangement being configured to permit articulation between the boom and tines about an articulation axis which is perpendicular to the ground surface and/or about an articulation axis which is parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheels. The coupling arrangement may comprise a clevis connection permitting the rotation about a said articulation axis, e.g. axis which is parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheels. The coupling arrangement may comprise a member, such as a shaft, rotatable about a said articulation axis, e.g. the axis which is perpendicular to the ground surface. Preferably, said coupling arrangement is configured to effect direct coupling of the boom distal end to the counterweight.

Preferably, said boom extends rearwardly from its proximal end to its distal end whereby the wheel(s) is/are in front of the vehicle when the distal end is so coupled, though it is possible, without departure from the invention, that the boom could extend rearwardly from its proximal end to its distal end whereby the wheel(s) is/are behind the vehicle when the distal end is so coupled. Preferably, the load engaging means extends forwardly from said proximal end so as to be engageable with said load at a position which is forward of said axis, though it is possible, without departure from the invention, that the load engaging means could extend rearwardly from said proximal end so as to be engageable with said load at a position which is rearward of said axis.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the boom comprises a beam. It is possible, without departure from the invention, for the boom to comprise two or more parallel beams.

Preferably, the apparatus is configured such that the wheel(s) and load engaging means can be manoeuvred into the interior of a shipping container, without the vehicle entering the container, whereby the load can be placed in the container using the apparatus.

Preferably, the load engaging means comprises at least one load-engaging member a proximal end of which is connected (directly or indirectly) to the proximal end of the boom, such that the member is pivotable about said axis, and a distal end of which is engageable with a load so as to lift that load when moved into its raised condition. Preferably, the or each load-engaging member comprises an arm. The or each load- engaging member or arm may comprise, for example, a fork member or tine, or a stub member. In the apparatus according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention, the or each load-engaging member extends substantially perpendicular to said axis. Preferably, in the apparatus of said first embodiment, the or each load-engaging member is arranged such that receipt thereof by a said load can be effected by forward driving of the apparatus by the forklift vehicle; to that end, the or each load-engaging member preferably extends forwardly. Preferably, the apparatus of said first embodiment is configured such that the or each load engaging member projects substantially parallel to the ground surface when the load engaging means is in its lowered condition and projects diagonally upwardly when the load engaging means is in its raised condition. Preferably, in said first embodiment, the load-engaging means includes at least one stopper, the or each stopper being arranged proximal of a respective said load-engaging member distal end to preclude slippage of the load in receipt of that member in a direction from distal end of that member to the proximal end of that member when the load-engaging means engages the load in its raised condition. The stopper may be defined by a plate or flange arranged substantially perpendicular to that direction. In the apparatus of said first embodiment, said at least one load-engaging member may comprise plural said load-engaging members which are spaced apart. Those load-engaging members may be laterally or horizontally spaced apart. Those load-engaging members may consist of a pair of such members. Preferably at least one of those members is movable relative to the other member(s) such that the spacing between that member and the other member(s) is adjustable. Each of those members may be arranged to be received by a respective said load such that the load-engaging means is operable to engage the loads in its raised condition.

In the apparatus according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention, the or each load-engaging member is movable between a first position, in which it is not received by a said load, and a second position, in which it is received by that load such that it engages the load in said raised condition. Preferably, in the apparatus of said second embodiment, the or each load-engaging member is pivotable between its first and second positions. Preferably, the or each load-engaging member is so pivotable about an axis which is perpendicular to the axis about which said boom is pivotable. Preferably, the apparatus of said second embodiment is configured such that the or each load-engaging member extends forwardly in its first position and sideways in its second position. Preferably, the apparatus of said second embodiment comprises a plurality of said load-engaging members. Preferably, said plurality comprises a pair of said load-engaging members in which the members are laterally opposed such so as to be received by opposite sides of a said load when in their second positions. Said plurality may comprise, in addition to said pair ("the first pair") a further pair of said load-engaging members in which the members are laterally opposed such so as to be received by opposite sides of another said load when in their second positions ("the second pair"). Preferably, the members in said second pair are arranged at a higher or lower level than the members in said first pair such that positions at which those pairs are received by the respective loads are at different heights.

Preferably, the load engaging means is removably coupled to the proximal end of the boom. Preferably, the load engaging means is defined by an attachment or adaptor releasably coupled to the proximal end of the boom. Preferably, the load-engaging means, attachment or adaptor is interchangeable with at least one alternative said load-engaging means, attachment or adaptor which is configured to be releasably coupled to the proximal end of the boom.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system comprising:

an apparatus as defined above, in which the load engaging means is removably coupled to the proximal end of the boom; and

at least one alternative load engaging means interchangeable with said load engaging means removably coupled to the proximal end of the boom,

wherein the or each alternative load-engaging means is configured to be removably coupled to the proximal end of the boom. Preferably, in said system, each load engaging means is defined by an attachment or adaptor configured to be releasably coupled to the proximal end of the boom.

Preferably, in said system, each load engaging means comprises a coupling section arranged to engage a corresponding coupling section connected to the proximal end of the boom whereby that load engaging means is removably coupled to that proximal end. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a said load engaging means, adaptor or attachment configured to be removably coupled to the proximal end of the boom of an apparatus as defined above. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an assembly operable to carry a load, the assembly comprising an apparatus as defined above and said forklift vehicle, wherein the distal end of the boom is coupled to said tine(s) such that the apparatus is manoeuvrable by the vehicle and the load engaging means is movable from said one condition to said other condition by raising of the tine(s) and thus upward pivoting of the boom about said axis, and movable from said other condition to said one condition by lowering of the tine(s) and thus downward pivoting of the boom about said axis.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of moving a load, comprising raising or lowering the tine(s) in said assembly to move the load engaging means into said raised condition such that the load is lifted by the load engaging means and then driving the vehicle such that the apparatus is rolled along the ground and/or a floor surface via said wheel(s) to carry the load.

Preferably, the method includes, with the load engaging means in its lowered condition, driving the vehicle so as to roll the apparatus, via the wheel(s), along the ground to effect receipt of the load engaging means by the load, prior to lifting of the load by the load engaging means. Preferably, the vehicle is driven forwardly to effect said receipt. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said load is configured with an opening into which the load engaging means is received to engage the load. Preferably, the load comprises a coil, e.g. of strip or sheet metal, such as steel, in which said opening is defined by a central opening therethrough.

In the method according to one preferred embodiment, the apparatus in said assembly accords with said first embodiment. In the method according to another said embodiment, the apparatus in said assembly accords with said second embodiment, and the or each load-engaging member is moved from its first position, in which it is not received by said load, and its second position, in which it is received by that load such that it engages the load in said raised condition. Preferably, the movement of the or each load-engaging member from its first position to its second position is pivotal movement. Preferably, the pivotal movement is about an axis which is perpendicular to the axis about which said boom is pivotable. Preferably, the or each load-engaging member extends forwardly in its first position and sideways in its second position. Preferably, said load-engaging members comprise a pair of said load-engaging members in which the members are laterally opposed whereby they are received by opposite sides of said load when in their second positions.

Preferably, the method comprises moving the load into or out of a cargo container without the vehicle entering the cargo container. The load may be thus loaded in the container, e.g. for transport therein, or unloaded from the container. Preferably, the apparatus is manoeuvred through an opened end of the container by the vehicle to load or unload the load.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1A is a perspective view of a forklift vehicle-operable loading apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which a load engaging means of the apparatus is in a lowered condition;

Figure IB is a perspective view of the apparatus, in which the load engaging means is shown in a raised condition;

Figure 1C is a schematic side elevation view of the apparatus, showing the load engaging means in its lowered condition;

Figure ID is a schematic side elevation view of the apparatus, showing the load engaging means in its raised condition;

Figure IE is a schematic plan view of the apparatus; Figure 2A is a perspective view showing ground engaging wheels, the load engaging means and a rearwardly extending boom of the apparatus;

Figure 2B is a schematic plan view of the arrangement shown in Figure 2A;

Figure 2C is a view of section A- A marked in Figure 2B;

Figure 2D is a schematic side elevation view of the arrangement shown in

Figure 2A;

Figure 3A is a perspective view of a counterweight of the apparatus, via which a distal end of the boom is able to be coupled to the tines of the forklift vehicle;

Figure 3B is a perspective view showing a body section of the counterweight, from which details of a roof section of the counterweight, mountable atop the body section, are omitted;

Figure 3C is a schematic end elevation view of the counterweight;

Figure 3D is a schematic side elevation view of the counterweight;

Figure 3E is a schematic plan view of the counterweight body section;

Figure 3F is a view of section D-D marked in Figure 3E;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a removable lifting adaptor or attachment of the apparatus;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of an alternative lifting adaptor or attachment, which is interchangeable with the attachment shown in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the loading apparatus comprising the adaptor or attachment shown in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of an alternative lifting adaptor or attachment, which is interchangeable with the adaptors/attachments shown in Figures 4 and 5;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the loading apparatus comprising the adaptor or attachment shown in Figure 7;

Figures 9A to 9D are schematic views of the apparatus comprising yet another lifting adaptor or attachment with which the aforementioned attachments are interchangeable;

Figures 10A to 10c are schematic views showing successive stages in the operation of the apparatus shown in Figures 9A to 9D to engage a large coil; and - Si -

Figures 11A to l lC are schematic views showing successive stages in the operation of the apparatus shown in Figures 9A to 9D to engage a small coil.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Shown in Figures 1A to IE is an apparatus 1 operable by a forklift vehicle 100 to carry a load 50, which in the example shown comprises a coil of sheet or strip metal material configured with a central opening 55, the apparatus 1 being manoeuvrable so as to place the load 50 into a shipping container (such as a standard 20-foot or 40-foot shipping container), or to remove the load 50 from the container, without the vehicle 100 entering the container. The apparatus 1 comprises a boom 3, defined by a beam, secured at a forward end thereof to a chassis from which is supported a wheel assembly 5 comprising two coaxial pairs of ground-engaging wheels 5A, each pair being disposed at a respective lateral side of the boom 3. The wheels 5 A comprise inflated tyres and rims, and the wheel assembly includes an axle and hub arrangement 6 (see Figure 2C) via which the wheels 5A are supported from the chassis.

The apparatus 1 further comprises a load engaging means in the form of a support, comprising an arm 10, in the form of a generally cylindrical stub member or shaft, which projects forwardly from the end of the boom 3 so as to be receivable in the opening 55 to engage the load 50. Referring also to Figures 2A to 2D, the support further comprises a stopper 12 arranged rearward of the forward end of the arm 10 so as to abut a rear face of the load 50 when carried by the apparatus 1 (as will be described in further detail later), the stopper 12 comprising a backing plate 13 and reinforcing gussets 14 fixed to the arm 10. If appropriate, the apparatus 1 may be configured such that the axial position of the stopper 12 along the arm is adjustable, in accordance with the axial length of the load 50. The apparatus 1 further comprises a counterweight 20 via which the boom rear end is coupled to the tines of the vehicle 100. The counterweight 20, referring to Figures 3A to 3F, comprises a box-like body section 22, which includes a front wall 22A, a rear wall 22B, opposed lateral sidewalls 22C and a bottom wall 22D. Extending from the rear wall 22B to the front wall 22A are spaced apart parallel pockets 24, defined by lengths of channel section, each of which opens through the front and rear walls 22A, 22B, for receipt of respective tines of the forklift vehicle 100 therethrough. The counterweight 20 further includes a mast 26 secured at a base thereof to the lower wall 22D, and a roof section 27 which is configured to be mounted to the open top of the body section 22 and configured with a central opening such that a connector 28 arranged at an upper end of the mast 26 is received therethrough when the roof section 27 is so mounted. The interior of the body section 22 is to be filled, to an appropriate extent, with ballast (not shown). The rear end of the boom 3 is configured with a pair of laterally spaced apart lugs 16 receivable either side of the connector 28 and pivotably connectable to that connector 28 via a pin (not shown) which is received through a horizontal hole extending through the connector 28 and eyes, formed through the lugs 16, which align with that hole, whereby there is formed a clevis connection. The connector 28 is rotatably supported from the top of the mast 26 via a bearing (not shown). When the lugs 16 are secured, via the pin, to the connector 28, the interconnection thus formed is one which permits articulation between the counterweight 20 and boom 3 both about an axis which is perpendicular to the ground surface and about an axis which is parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheels 5 A.

When the apparatus 1 is not in use, it assumes a configuration corresponding to that shown in Figure IB (though in which typically the arm 10 is not engaging load 50). The vehicle 100, with the tines thereof in a lowered condition and spaced apart symmetrically about a centreline of the vehicle, is driven forwardly towards a rear end of the counterweight 20, whereby the tines are received into the pockets 24 so as to extend therein (or completely therethrough). Raising of the tines lifts the counterweight off the ground and thus raises the distal end of the boom 3, causing the boom 3 to pivot upwardly about the axis of rotation of the wheels 5a, whereby the arm 10 pivots downwardly about that axis, from a diagonally upwardly projecting orientation shown in Figure IB, towards an orientation, shown in Figures 1A and 1C, in which it projects substantially parallel to the ground surface, the latter orientation being reached when the tines near or reach the top of their stroke. Generally speaking, the counterweight 20 and boom 3 are sufficiently heavy that when the counterweight 20 is suspended clear of the ground by the tines, the resulting friction between the pockets 24 and the tines will be sufficient that the counterweight 20 remains engaged with the tines even when the vehicle 100 is reversing. However, the counterweight 20 may, if appropriate, be locked (other than by friction) with respect to the tines in a manner precluding the latter to be withdrawn from the former during reversing of the vehicle 100.

When the counterweight 20 is suspended clear of the ground surface, the vehicle 100, in the assembly defined by that vehicle and the apparatus 1 thus coupled to it, manoeuvres the apparatus 1 over the ground surface. Owing to the interconnection between the boom 3 and counterweight 20 being articulated about an axis perpendicular to the ground surface, steering of the apparatus 1 is effected, in a controlled manner, by steering of the vehicle 100.

With the tines, and thus the counterweight 20, raised, the arm 10 assumes the substantially level orientation shown in Figures 1A and 1C and can thus, by driving the vehicle 100 forwardly, be introduced into/through the opening 55. The counterweight 20 is sufficiently heavy that discontinuation of the force holding the tines in their raised condition results in the counterweight 20 and the boom 3 exerting, about the axis of rotation of the wheels 5A, a moment which exceeds the moment exerted by the support 10 and load 50 engaged therewith about that axis in the opposite rotational direction, the boom 3 thus operating as a lever which places the support 10 into a raised condition, causing it to lift the load 50, whereby it is suspended clear of the ground surface in a forwardly inclined orientation as shown in Figures IB and ID, slippage of the load 50 down the arm 10 being precluded by the stopper 12, which engages the rear radial face of the load 50. Advantageously, because the arm 10, in its raised condition, extends diagonally upwardly, a weight component of the load 50 retains the load 50 on the arm 10, precluding it from riding forwardly over the arm, to become dislodged therefrom, if the vehicle 100, travelling forwardly, suddenly brakes. The wheel assembly 5 has a width (i.e. the wheels have a track) sufficiently small that the load support (whether or not loaded with the load 50), the wheel assembly 5 and much of the length of the boom 3, can be manoeuvred through an opened end of a standard 20-foot or 40-foot shipping container on the ground surface. Accordingly, the assembly can be operated to engage and lift the load 50, in the manner described above, to forwardly manoeuvre the front end of the apparatus 1 and the load 50 into the shipping container, and, by raising of the tines, to land the load 50 on or over the floor of container whereupon the arm 10 reassumes its substantially level orientation and can thus be withdrawn from the opening 55 by reversing of the vehicle, whereby the apparatus can be fully withdrawn from the container interior. Also, the apparatus in the assembly, in an unloaded condition, can be forwardly manoeuvred by vehicle 100 such that the front end thereof is driven into the container whereby the arm 10 is received through the opening 55 of a load 50 stowed in the container, and the tines then lowered such that the load 50 is lifted by the arm 10, whereupon the apparatus 10 and the load 50 can be withdrawn from the container interior by reversing of the vehicle 10. The apparatus 1 can thus be operated, by the vehicle 100, to load and unload a shipping container.

The apparatus 1 includes, as shown in Figure 4, a removable attachment 30 which defines the load engaging means/support. The attachment comprises the arm 10 and stopper 12 (the latter comprising backing plate 13 and reinforcing gussets 14), and further comprises a female coupling section 31 which projects rearwardly from the arm 10 and stopper 12. The coupling section 31 comprises a tubular member which is open at its rear end so as to be able to receive therein a corresponding male coupling section 19, shown in Figure 2D, whereby the attachment 30 is mounted to the chassis. A hole 32 is formed through opposed walls of the female coupling section 31 and, when the attachment 30 is so mounted, align with a corresponding hole formed through the male coupling section 19 whereby the aligned holes can receive a pin (not shown) that locks the attachment 30 to the coupling section 19. The attachment 30 is interchangeable with any one of plural alternative attachments, as will now be described with reference to Figures 5 to 8 and 9A to 9D, with like reference numerals being used to denote like features. Referring firstly to Figure 5, a first alternative attachment 30' comprises a pair of arms 10 and mounts 35 from each of which a respective one of the arms 10 projects forwardly, each connector 35 defining a stopper having the same functionality as the stopper 12. The attachment 30' additionally comprises a mount 36, configured in the form of a plate or flange, which is attached to a forward end of the coupling section 31, the connection between that section and the mount 36 being reinforced by gussets 14. Each connector 35 comprises a flange 36, to which the distal end of a respective arm 10 is fixed, and channel portions 37 each of which is arranged at a respective one of upper and lower ends of the flange 36 and defines a groove which is open at each end thereof. The connecting members 35 are dimensioned such that each is sideways introducible over a respective lateral side of the mount 36 whereby upper and lower edges of that mount are received into the grooves defined by the upper and lower channel portions 37 respectively, the arms 10 thus being mounted to the mount 36 with the channel portions 37 engaging the upper and lower edges of the mount 36 to retain the respective arm 10 in a mounted condition at a respective lateral side of the attachment 30' . The engagement between the mount 36 and each connector member 35 is slidable whereby the position of each arm 10 is adjustable in a transverse direction, as is the spacing between the arms 10. Referring to Figure 6, when the attachment is mounted to the coupling section 19 and a locking pin 33 is in place as previously described, the thus-modified apparatus is operable to lift, transport and deploy simultaneously a pair of (side-by-side) coils 50. Figure 7 shows a second alternative attachment 30" which is identical to the attachment 30' except with respect to the supports of the attachment which engage the load. Specifically, each of the two supports comprises a tine 11 and a connector member 35' from a lower end of which the tine 11 projects, the connector member 35', like each connector member 35 in the attachment 30', being configured with opposed channel portions 37, via which it engages the mount 36 in exactly the same manner as the member 35 such that the respective tine 11 is slidably mounted to the mount 36, the transverse position of each of the tines 11 and also the spacing of those tines thus being adjustable. When the attachment 30" is mounted to the coupling section 19, as shown in Figure 8, and locking pin 33 is in place as previously described, the thus-modified apparatus 1" is operable to lift, from below, a load and to transport and deploy that load, which in this case may comprise plate, e.g. metal (such as steel) plate or other flat items. Figures 9A to 9D show a third alternative attachment 30" ' coupled to the coupling section 19 such that there is defined a third modified apparatus Γ". The attachment 30" ' comprises a transverse support member 38A and parallel axial support members 38B each of which projects forwardly from a respective one of opposite ends of the member 38 A. The attachment further comprises load-engaging arms, generally designated 60, which are mounted to distal end sections of the members 38B and pivotable about upright axes to engage/disengage a load, as will be described in further detail shortly. The arms 60 comprise a pair of first arms 60A, each of which is mounted to a distal end of a respective member 38B via a hinge such that it is pivotable about an axis which is perpendicular to an axis along which the arm 60A projects and which is perpendicular also to the axis of rotation of the wheels 5. The arms 60 further comprise a pair of second arms 60B, each of which is mounted to a distal end of a respective member 38B rearward of and at a lower level than the member 60A, via a hinge such that it is likewise pivotable, about an axis parallel to that about which the arm 60A is pivotable. The arms 60A are configured and arranged so as to be able to engage a large coil. The arms 60B are of lighter gauge and configured and arranged so as to be able to engage a small coil. As can be seen in Figures 9C and 9D, each of the arms 60 is pivotable between the first position, in which it projects forwardly (specifically, in a direction perpendicular to the wheel axis of rotation) and a second position, in which it projects laterally (specifically, in a direction parallel to the wheel axis of rotation).

With reference to Figures 10A to IOC, operation of the apparatus 1 " '/attachment 30" ' to engage, lift, carry and deploy a large coil 50A will now be described. Firstly, referring to Figure 10A, with the tines of the forklift vehicle 100, and thus the counterweight 20, raised, the arms 60, each of which is in its first position, assume substantially level orientations, and, by driving of the vehicle 100 forwardly, are positioned such that the arms 60A straddle the large coil 50A. Next, each arm 60A is rotated (e.g. manually) inwardly, about its hinge, such that the distal end thereof is received through a respective open end of the coil 55. Typically, the width of the coil 50A will be sufficient that it precludes, at this stage, each arm 60A from assuming its second position (so that the arm assumes a position in between its first and second positions). Forward driving of the vehicle 100 then causes the distal ends of the arms 60A to be urged against the interior circumferential face of the coil 50A bounding the bore 55, whereby the arms 60A are rotated into their second positions, as shown in Figure 10B. Discontinuation of the force holding the vehicle tines in their raised condition results in counterweight 20 and the boom 3 exerting, about the axis of rotation of the wheels 5A, a moment which exceeds the moment exerted by the load engaging means and load 50A, the latter being engaged by the former via the arms 60 A projecting into the bore 55, the boom 3 thus operating as a lever which places the arms 60A into a raised condition, causing them to lift the load 50A, whereby it is suspended clear of the ground surface in a forwardly inclined orientation, as shown in Figure IOC. The vehicle 100 can then be driven such that the assembly comprising the chassis, wheels 5, load engaging means and load 50 A is manoeuvred through an open end of a standard 20-foot or 40-foot shipping container on the ground surface (as previously described). Raising of the tines thence causes the load 50A to be landed on or over the floor of the container, whereupon the arms 60A resume a substantially level orientation (though remain in their second positons). Reversing of the vehicle then causes the arms 60A to be urged against the aforementioned interior circumferential face, such that they rotate towards their first positions and are withdrawn from the bore 55. Referring now to Figures 11A to 11C, operation of the apparatus 1 " '/attachment 30" ' to engage, lift, carry and deploy a small coil 50B is identical to that as described in respect of the coil 50A, though it is the pair of smaller arms 60B which is invoked to this end.

The attachment 30" ' is appropriate and advantageous where the each/coil 50 is to assume, when loaded in the container, an orientation in which the central axis of the bore 55 thereof is to extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shipping container.

It will, of course, be appreciated that the attachment 30' " could instead comprise only one of the two pairs of arms 60A and 60B, without departure from the invention. Moreover, it is conceivable that, without departure from the invention, the attachment 30" ' could be modified such that it comprises only one arm 60 whereby when that arm assumes its second position and projects into the bore 55, it serves as the sole support directly engaging the coil 50 to lift, carry and lower that coil.

It will also be appreciated that, where the attachment 30' or 30" is used (instead of the attachment 30 or 30" '), the assembly comprising the chassis, wheels 5, load engaging means and load 50 can likewise be manoeuvred through an open end of a standard 20-foot or 40-foot shipping container on the ground surface (as previously described)

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not by way of limitation. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention should not be limited by any of the above described exemplary embodiments.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

Claims

1. An apparatus operable by a forklift vehicle to carry a load, the apparatus comprising:

at least one ground-engaging wheel;

load engaging means, supported from a proximal end of the boom, the load engaging means being, when the distal end is so coupled, movable from one of a raised condition and a lowered condition to the other of the raised and lowered conditions by raising of the tine(s) and thus upward pivoting of the boom about said axis, and movable from said other condition to said one condition by lowering of the tine(s) and thus downward pivoting of the boom about said axis.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the axis is an axis of rotation of the wheel(s).

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, comprising plural said wheels which are coaxial.

4. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the load engaging means extends from said proximal end in a substantially opposite direction to said boom, whereby said one condition is said raised condition and said other condition is said lowered condition.

5. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, including at least one pocket arranged to receive a respective said tine, whereby the boom distal end can be coupled to the tine(s).

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, comprising two said pockets.

7. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the boom is weighted sufficiently that it forces the tine(s) downwardly upon discontinuation of a lifting force applied thereto by the vehicle, whereby the boom is pivoted downwardly and the load engaging means is moved into its raised condition so as to lift said load if engaged therewith.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, including a counterweight which is arranged at the boom distal end, such that the boom is so weighted, and is engageable by the tine(s) whereby the boom distal end is coupled to the tine(s).

9. An apparatus according to claim 7 as appended to claim 5 or 6, including a counterweight which is arranged at the boom distal end, such that the boom is so weighted, and is engageable by the tine(s) whereby the boom distal end is coupled to the tine(s), the counterweight being configured with said pocket(s).

10. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, including a coupling arrangement via which the boom distal end can be coupled to the tines, the coupling arrangement being configured to permit articulation between the boom and tines about an articulation axis which is perpendicular to the ground surface and/or about an articulation axis which is parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheels.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the coupling arrangement comprises a clevis connection permitting the rotation about said axis which is parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheels.

12. An apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the coupling arrangement comprises a member rotatable about said axis which is perpendicular to the ground surface.

13. An apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 12 as appended to claim 8 or 9, wherein said coupling arrangement is configured to effect direct coupling of the boom distal end to the counterweight.

14. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said boom extends rearwardly from its proximal end to its distal end whereby the wheel(s) is/are in front of the vehicle when the distal end is so coupled.

15. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the load engaging means extends forwardly from said proximal end so as to be engageable with said load at a position which is forward of said axis.

16. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, being configured such that the wheel(s) and load engaging means can be manoeuvred into the interior of a shipping container, without the vehicle entering the container, whereby the load can be placed in the container using the apparatus.

17. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the load engaging means comprises at least one load-engaging member a proximal end of which is connected to the proximal end of the boom, such that the member is pivotable about said axis, and a distal end of which is engageable with a said load so as to lift the load when moved into its raised condition.

18. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the or each load-engaging member or arm comprises a fork member, tine or stub member.

19. An apparatus according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the or each load engaging member extends substantially perpendicular to said axis.

20. An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the or each load-engaging member is arranged such that receipt thereof by a said load can be effected by forward driving of the apparatus by the forklift vehicle.

21. An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the or each load-engaging member extends forwardly.

22. An apparatus according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the or each load engaging member projects substantially parallel to the ground surface when the load engaging means is in its lowered condition and projects diagonally upwardly when the load engaging means is in its raised condition.

23. An apparatus according to any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein the load-engaging means includes at least one stopper, the or each stopper being arranged proximal of a respective said load-engaging member distal end to preclude slippage of the load in receipt of that member in a direction from distal end of that member to the proximal end of that member when the load-engaging means engages the load in its raised condition.

24. An apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the or each stopper is defined by a plate or flange arranged substantially perpendicular to that direction.

25. An apparatus according to any one of claims 20 to 24, wherein said at least one load-engaging member comprises plural said load-engaging members which are spaced apart.

26. An apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said load-engaging members are laterally or horizontally spaced apart.

27. An apparatus according to claim 25 or 26, wherein the load-engaging members comprise a pair of such members.

28. An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein at least one of the members in said pair is movable relative to the other member such that the spacing between that member and the other member is adjustable.

29. An apparatus according to any one of claims 25 to 28, wherein each load engaging member is arranged to be received by a respective said load such that the load-engaging means is operable to engage the loads in its raised condition.

30. An apparatus according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the or each load-engaging member is movable between a first position, in which it is not received by a said load, and a second position, in which it is received by that load such that it engages the load in said raised condition.

31. An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the or each load-engaging member is pivotable between its first and second positions.

32. An apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the or each load-engaging member is pivotable about an axis which is perpendicular to the axis about which said boom is pivotable.

33. An apparatus according to any one of claims 30 to 32, configured such that the or each load-engaging member extends forwardly in its first position and sideways in its second position.

34. An apparatus according to any one of claims 30 to 33, comprising a plurality of said load-engaging members.

35. An apparatus according to claim 34, wherein said plurality comprises a pair of said load-engaging members in which the members are laterally opposed such so as to be received by opposite sides of a said load when in their second positions.

36. An apparatus according to claim 35, comprising, in addition to said pair ("the first pair") a further pair of said load-engaging members in which the members are laterally opposed such so as to be received by opposite sides of another said load when in their second positions ("the second pair").

37. An apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the members in said second pair are arranged at a higher or lower level than the members in said first pair such that positions at which the pairs are received by the respective loads are at different heights.

38. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the load engaging means is removably coupled to the proximal end of the boom.

39. An apparatus according to claim 38, wherein the load engaging means is defined by an attachment or adaptor releasably coupled to the proximal end of the boom.

40. An apparatus according to claim 38 or 39, wherein the load-engaging means, attachment or adaptor is interchangeable with at least one alternative said load-engaging means, attachment or adaptor which is configured to be releasably coupled to the proximal end of the boom.

41. A system comprising:

an apparatus according to any one of claims 38 to 40;

wherein the or each alternative load-engaging means is configured to be removably coupled to the proximal end of the boom.

42. A system according to claim 41, wherein each load engaging means is defined by an attachment or adaptor configured to be releasably coupled to the proximal end of the boom.

43. A system according to claim 41 or 42, wherein each load engaging means comprises a coupling section arranged to engage a corresponding coupling section connected to the proximal end of the boom whereby that load engaging means is removably coupled to that proximal end.

44. A said load engaging means, adaptor or attachment configured to be removably coupled to the proximal end of the boom of an apparatus according to any one of claims 38 to 40. 44. An assembly operable to carry a load, the assembly comprising an apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 40 and said forklift vehicle, wherein the distal end of the boom is coupled to said tine(s) such that the apparatus is manoeuvrable by the vehicle and the load engaging means is movable from said one condition to said other condition by raising of the tine(s) and thus upward pivoting of the boom about said axis, and movable from said other condition to said one condition by lowering of the tine(s) and thus downward pivoting of the boom about said axis.

45. A method of moving a load, comprising raising or lowering the tine(s) in an assembly according to claim 44 to move the load engaging means into said raised condition such that the load is lifted by the load engaging means, and then driving the vehicle such that the apparatus is rolled along the ground via said wheel(s) to carry the load.

46. A method according to claim 45, including, with the load engaging means in its lowered condition, driving the vehicle so as to roll the apparatus, via the wheel(s), along the ground to effect receipt of the load engaging means by the load, prior to lifting of the load by the load engaging means.

47. A method according to claim 46, wherein the vehicle is driven forwardly to effect said receipt.

48. A method according to any one of claims 44 to 47, wherein said load is configured with an opening into which the load engaging means is received to engage the load.

49. A method according to claim 48, wherein the load comprises a coil in which said opening is defined by a central opening therethrough.

50. A method according to any one of claims 44 to 49, wherein the apparatus in said assembly accords with any one of claims 17 to 29.

51. A method according to any one of claims 44 to 49, wherein the apparatus in said assembly accords with any one of claims 30 to 37 and the or each load-engaging member is moved from its first position, in which it is not received by said load, and its second position, in which it is received by that load such that it engages the load in said raised condition.

52. A method according to claim 51, wherein the movement of the or each load-engaging member from its first position to its second position is pivotal movement.

53. A method according to claim 52, wherein the pivotal movement is about an axis which is perpendicular to the axis about which said boom is pivotable.

54. A method according to any one of claims 51 to 53, wherein the or each load-engaging member extends forwardly in its first position and sideways in its second position.

55. A method according to any one of claims 51 to 54, wherein said load-engaging members comprise a pair of said load-engaging members in which the members are laterally opposed whereby they are received by opposite sides of said load when in their second positions.