CA2138713A1 - Foldable lightweight pallet carrier - Google Patents
Foldable lightweight pallet carrierInfo
- Publication number
- CA2138713A1 CA2138713A1 CA 2138713 CA2138713A CA2138713A1 CA 2138713 A1 CA2138713 A1 CA 2138713A1 CA 2138713 CA2138713 CA 2138713 CA 2138713 A CA2138713 A CA 2138713A CA 2138713 A1 CA2138713 A1 CA 2138713A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- forks
- fork
- head frame
- frame
- relative
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
- B62B3/00—Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor
- B62B3/04—Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor involving means for grappling or securing in place objects to be carried; Loading or unloading equipment
- B62B3/06—Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor involving means for grappling or securing in place objects to be carried; Loading or unloading equipment for simply clearing the load from the ground
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
- B62B5/00—Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
- B62B5/06—Hand moving equipment, e.g. handle bars
- B62B5/063—Hand moving equipment, e.g. handle bars for low-lift hand trucks
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Handcart (AREA)
Abstract
A hand pallet truck of the type comprising a head frame and a pair of forks projecting forwardly therefrom is modified by providing a hinge portionof the forks which can fold upwardly from the operating position to a storage position latched to the frame. The folded truck can thus be readily be transported and stored so that it can be made available for use at different locations, for example by storage within the cab of a truck. The hinged forks include a stub fork portion at the frame projecting slightly outwardly from the frame for receiving a portion of the pallet. The link bar which operates the wheels of the fork is also hinged but can only pivot in the lowered position of the forks and frame. A locking arrangement locks the hinged forks in the operating position.
Description
FOLDABLE LIGHTWEIGHT PALLET CARRIER
This invention relates to a hand pallet truck for lifting and transportin~ a pallet.
FIELD OF TI~E INVENTION
Hand pallet trucks are well known of the type for liin~ and transportin~ pallets and including a head frame and a pair of forks extending forwardly from the head frame for en~a~ing under the pallet. Hand trucks of this type often include a manually moveable handle which is useable to effect steering of a ground wheel on the head frame, to apply a pullin~ force to the truck and to apply a steerin~ action to the truck by swivelin~ the ~round wheel on the head frame about a vertical steering axis. In addition the handle can be pumped to actuate a hydraulic pump generating hydraulic pressure in a lift cylinder which drives the ground wheel vertically downwardly relative to the head frame to lift the head frame. A linkage bar arran~ement extends from the head frame to each of a pair of ground wheels on the respective fork so that simultaneously liftin~ movement of the head frame causes downward drivin~
movement of the fork wheel to lift the fork under the pallet. This type of arrangement is well known and widely used for transportin~ pallets in a warehouse situation or in loadin~ of transportation vehicles.
Such a pallet truck is hi~hly mobile and can be moved from place to place but it is difficult to store or to transport in a relatively small container in view of its awkward shape includin~ the vertical head frame, the horizontal forks and the vertical handle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVE~`ITION
It remains therefore a significant desirability to provide a hand pallet truck of this general type which can be readily transported in a relatively small container or area by a foldin~ action. Such an arrangement would allow a pallet truck of this type to be transported on a transportation vehicle so it is readily available for use at the unloadin~ station.
It is one object of the present invention, therefore, to provide an improved hand pallet truck of the above general type which can be folded.
Accordin~ to the invention, therefore, it is provided a hand pallet truck comprising a head frame, a pair of parallel forks mounted on the head frame such that in an operatin~ position the forks extend horizontally forwardlyfrom the head frame in transversely spaced relationship to en~a~e under a pallet, first wheel means mounted on the head frame for supportin~ the head frame from the ~round for movement across the ~round, second and third wheel means each mounted on a respective one of the forks for supportin~ the repective fork for movement across the ~round, first mountin~ means mountin~
the first wheel means on the head frame for vertical movement relative to the head frame to raise and lower the head frame relative to the ~round, second and third mountin~ means mountin~ the second and third wheel means on the respective fork for vertical movement relative thereto to raise and lower the forks, said vertical movement Iyin~ between a maximum lowered position for sliding of the forks under a pallet and a maximum raised position for tranportin~
the pallet, the first mountin~ means bein~ adapted to allow steerin~ movement of the first wheel means about a vertical axis relative to the head, a manual actuatin~ handle connected to the first wheel means for effectin~ said steerin~
213~713 movement and for applying manual force to the truck for movement thereof across the ground, a hydraulic pump, means movable to actuate the pump to generate a hydraulic pressure, a hydraulic lift cylinder connected to said pump for effecting said vertical movement In response to said hydraulic pressure, and actuating means interconnecting the first mounting means and the second and third mounting means such that vertical movement of the first wheel means relative to the head frame causes vertical movement of the first and second wheel means relative to the respective fork, each of said forks having a hinge connection therein such that an outer portion of each fork can pivot about a horizontal axis transverse to the fork relative to the head frame from the horizontal operating position to a substantially vertical storage position.
One embodiment of the invention will now be described in the accompanying drawings in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a slide elevational view of a hand pallet truck according to the present invention, showing the truck and forks in the raised, pallet lifting position Figure 2, is a side elevational view similar to that of Figure 1 showing the truck and forks in the lowered position for sliding under a pallet and showing in phantom the forks in a folded position.
Figure 3 is a top plan view of the pallet truck of Figure 1.
3a Figure 4 is a cross sectional view taken along the lines 4-4 of Figure 3 showing the forks ion the folded position and showing the construction on an enlarged scale.
Figure 5 is a cross sectional view along the lines 5-5 of Figure 3 again showTng the elements on an enlarged scale.
Figure 6 is an artists Interpretation of what the lift will look like.
Figure "A"1 is an enlarged view of handle design.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The hand pallet truck of the present invention comprises a head frame 10 on which is mounted a handle and wheel assembly 12 includin~ a handle 13 and a pair of ground wheels 14. On the head frame 10 is mounted a pair of forks 15 which project forwardly from the head from but in an operatin~
position of the. forks. The forks are ~enerally horizontal and spaced transversely on either side of the head frame.
In ~eneral terms, the handle and wheel assembly can swivel relative to the head frame about a vertical steeriny axis 16 so as to move the truck by pulling of the handle by an operator to apply longitudinal force to movement of the truck and also by rotation of the handle about the axis 16 by the operator to effect steering of the truck. The handle and wheel assembly can also move vertically relative to the head frame from a retracted position shown in Fi~ure 2 in which the head frame is thus lowered to a position closely adjacent the ~round to an extended position shown in Figure 1 in which the head frame is raised from the ~round.
Each of the forks 15 includes a respective one of a pair of ~round wheels or rollers 17 arran~ed adjacent a forward end of the respective fork so the truck is carried in the raised position shown in Figure 1 on the grounds wheels 14 and the rollers 17. In general terms the rollers 17 are raised and lowered simultaneously with the raTsing and lowering of the ground wheels 14 so that in the retracted position shown in Fi~ure 2 the rollers 17 are retractedto positions Iyin~ substantially wholly within the respective forks and in the extended position shown in Fi~ure 1 the ground roller 17 is moved to a position below the respective fork to support the fork at a position spaced from the ~round. Each of the forks 15 includes a separate subsidiary ~round roller 18 located at the forward end of the fork so that when the ground roller 17 is in the retracted position, the fork can be moved across the ground on the roller 18.
This general arrangement and layout of the pallet truck is conventional and well known to one skilled in the art.
The wheel assembly comprises a base member 19 on which is mounted a pivot support 20 for the handle 13 allowing the handle to pivot about a transverse pivot pin 21 in the direction of arrows 22. The handle 13 includes a top manually graspable handle loop 23 which allows the operator to grasp the handle and pull it downwards in the direction of the arrow 22 to a lowered position 13A at which position a pulling force can be applied to the truck. The handle can also be pivoted to the vertical position whereat a pushing force can be applied to the handle to move the truck forwardly.
Within the support 20 is provided a hydraulic pump cylinder 24 which is operated by the handle 13 in the lowered position 13A by a pumping action of the handle in the direction of the arrows 22A and 22B. A pumping action of the handle 13 therefore generates a hydraulic pressure which is applied to a cylinder 26 to cause a lifting action of the frame 10 relative to the wheel assembly. The cylinder 26 is mounted on the base 19 with the support 20.
On the other side of the base 19 is carried a vertical shaft 27 which extends vertically downwardly therefrom to a transverse axle 28 carrying the wheels 14. The axial 28 is thus horizontal and mounted in a collar 29 attached to the lower end of the vertical shaft 27. The cylinder 26 carries apiston rod 30 which extends vertically upwardly from the upper end of the cylinder 26. The piston rod 30 is mounted in bearin~s 31 carried in a forward part of the frame 10. The bearin~s 31 are arranged around the axis 16 so as to allow rotation of the piston rod 30 relative to the axis 16. The base 19 can thus swivel about the axis 16 on the bearin~s 31 to cause rotation of the whole of the wheel and handle assembly about the axis 16. The piston 30 carries a piston head 32 slidable within the cylinder 26 so that the supply of hydraulic pressure from the pump 24 to the cylinder 26 pushes the piston head 32 upwardly within the cylinder to extend the piston rod from the retracted position shown in Figure 2 to the extended position shown in Figure 1 thus moving the wheel assembly downwardly relative to the frame 10.
The frame 10 comprises a front portion 35 and a rearwardly extending beam 36. The beam 36 is positioned at the top of the front portion 35 midway thereacross and extends therefrom to a position to receive the bearings 31 at the top of the wheel assembly.
The front portion 35 is an inverted U-shape with a top cross beam 37 and a pair of dependin~ le~s 38 and 39 leaving a central open space 40A of rectangular shape as visible in Figure 5. At the bottom of the le~s 38 and 39, the forks 15 are attached as described in more detail hereinafter. The front frame portion 35 is fabricated from folded aluminum sheet of a suitable thickness to provide the required stren~th whilè defining minimum wei~ht for the structure. The beam 36 is welded to the rear face of the cross-beam 37 at the mid point thereof.
A transverse pivot rod 40 is mounted in bearings 41 on the 213~713 outside walls of the legs 38 and 39 so as to extend horizontally through the legs and across the open space 40A between the legs. The pivot rod 40 carries a pair of pivot arms 42 and 43 which extend from the pivot rod 40 rearwardly to the vertical shaft 27. A cross beam 44 interconnects the rearward end of the arms 42 and 43 and connects to the shaft 27 by bearings 46. The bearings 46 cooperate with the bearing 31 and life coaxially on the axis 16. The bearings 31 and 46 thus mount the wheel assembly for rotation about the axis 16. The arms 42 and 43 can of course however pivot upwardly and downwardly on the transverse pivot rod 40 to allow the vertical movement of the wheel assembly as will be apparent from comparisons of Figures 1 and 2. Thus in Figure 1 the arms 42 life in a substantially horizontal plane rather than in Figure 2 the arms pivot in a clockwise direction as arrow indicates which generally causes rotation of the rod 40 in the clockwise direction.
The ground rollers 17 each are mounted on a pair of side plates 50, 51 pivotally mounted on a transverse pivot pin 52 extending across the respective fork. The pivot pin 52 is arranged as close as possible to the top wall of the fork. A transfers pull pin 53 is connected across the plates 50 and 51 at a position downwardly of the pivot pin 52 and it is attached to a link rod 54 extending along the fork see Figure 3.
The mechanism for actuating the link rod 54 is shown in less detail In Figure 4 and comprises for each link rod, a verticle rod 55 connected to a pivot 213~713 base rod 56 which by pivotal movement of the pivot rod 40 in the counter clockwise direction effected by downward movement of the wheel assembly causes clockwise rotation of the verticle rod 55 acting to pull the link rod 54 and to pivot the support plates 50/51 of the roller 17 In the clockwise direction moving the roller to the extended position. In symmetrical manner, movement of the rod 40 in the clockwise direction In to position shown In Figure 2 acts to push the link 54 to retract the roller 17. The forks 15 are formed in two portTons including a stub fork portion 60 and a forward fork portion 61 which are interconnected by a transverse hinge arrangement 62. The stub fork portion Is welded to the bottom of the respective leg 38, 39 as best shown in Figures 4 and 5. The cross section of the fork is substantially constant along the length of the fork including the portion 60 and 61 and comprises a top wall 63, a pair of side walls 64 and 65 and inturned bottom flanges 66 and 67 leavlng an open area 68 therebetween. The forks are formed by folding alumlnum sheet into the required shape and by providing transverse stiffening elements across the forks as required to hold the forks in the required cross sectional shape to maintain the structural stability of the fork along the full length. The transverse elements include end plates 68 and 69 respectively of the fork portions. As shown in Figure 3, the hinges 62 are arranged In a common transverse horizontal axis at right ankles to the forks. This allows each for portion 61 to move from the extended position parallel to the fork portion 60 to a raised or folded position 213~7I3 shown in Figures 2 and 4 in which the fork portion 61 is substantially at rlght angles to the for portion 60.
The folding action Is effected manually simply by lifting the fork portions 61 to rotate about the hlnges 62 to the ralsed posltion. The stub fork portion 60 includes a portion 73 of the top wall 63 therefor which pro]ects forwardly from the frame 35 and acts as a support for the under surface of a pallet to be received on the forks. The portion of the pallet is thus carried on the stub fork portion at the frame to prevent all of the force therefrom being applied to the hinge 62. This forwardly extending portion 73 can have a length of the order of two inches which minimizes the width of the structure in the folding condition as shown in Figure 2 but provided sufficient length to receive a portion of the pallet.
The movement of the fork portion 61 can only be effected in the lowered position of the frame and forks as shown in Figure 2. In order to effect this pivotal movement, the link 54 also includes a hinge coupling 74 at a position therealong. In the lowered position of the frame and forks as shown in Figure 2, the hinge coupling 74is moved to a position (best shown in Figure 4) which is closely adjacent the hinge 62 at a position slightly beyond the position 62.
The link 54 thus includes a link portion 54A between the verticle rod 55 and the hinge 74 which has a length so that in the lowered position the hinge 74 takes up exactly the required position to allow the pivotal action. In the raised position, however, the hinge 74 is pulled inwardly into the stub fork portion and this prevents pivotal movement of the forks. The link 54 passes through guide opening 75 in the end plats 68 and 69 so that it is held in position and prevents pivotal movement about the hinge 62 due to the necessity to bend the link 54 to allow the pivotal action when in the raised position.
The forks are also locked in the operating position in both in the raised and lowered positions of the frame and forks by a lockin~ bar 80 which includes a transverse ~raspin~ element 81 and a pair of legs 82 and 83 extending therefrom throu~h a rear wall 85 of the stub fork portion, throu~h the front wall 68 of the stub fork portion, through the rear wall 69 of the outer fork portion and into the outer fork portion to lock the outer fork portion in the aligned position with the stub fork portion. The legs 82 and 83 pass throu~h corresponding shaped wholes in the walls and the legs are arran~ed at the bottom flanges 66 and 67 of the fork to be spaced from the hinge 62 by the maximum extent. Movement of the forks into the folded position can therefor only be achieved when the lock bars 80 have been pulled rearwardly from the rear wall of the stub shaft portion to an unlocked positioned removed from the forward fork portion. When the forks are moved to the operatin~ position, the lock bar can be moved back into place and this holds the forks in the operatin~
position even when in the lowered position of the frame and forks when the hin~e 74 is properly ali~ned to allow the pivotal action to the stora~e position.
A palr of spring latches 90 and 9i are provlded on the frame 35 to engage the respective fork and hold In the folded position as best shown In Figure 2. The spring latch is preferably provided to hold legs 15 In an upright state. The latches can be released by si~ple manual manipulation to allow the forks to pivot back from the folded-posltion to the operating posltlon.
21~8713 In the folded position the forks tilt slightly backwardly towards the handle 23 to provide the minimum dimensions of the device in the folded position. In this position the device can be readily stored and can be readily carried. The manufacturer of the device from aluminum sheet material provides a minimum weight for the structure allowing it to be readily carried by the operator to a storage position and returned from the storage position, erected and used for transporting pallets. Preferably the device is designed for a wei~ht limit of the order of 1,000 or 2,000 pounds so that the total weight of the truck can be maintained at a minimum.
The right an~le shape of the frame 35 including the vertical legs 38 and 39 ensures that the forks fold up a~ainst the top of the le~s 38 and 39 at the cross bar 37.
Since various modifications can be made in my invention as hereinabove described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without departing from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanyin~ specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.
This invention relates to a hand pallet truck for lifting and transportin~ a pallet.
FIELD OF TI~E INVENTION
Hand pallet trucks are well known of the type for liin~ and transportin~ pallets and including a head frame and a pair of forks extending forwardly from the head frame for en~a~ing under the pallet. Hand trucks of this type often include a manually moveable handle which is useable to effect steering of a ground wheel on the head frame, to apply a pullin~ force to the truck and to apply a steerin~ action to the truck by swivelin~ the ~round wheel on the head frame about a vertical steering axis. In addition the handle can be pumped to actuate a hydraulic pump generating hydraulic pressure in a lift cylinder which drives the ground wheel vertically downwardly relative to the head frame to lift the head frame. A linkage bar arran~ement extends from the head frame to each of a pair of ground wheels on the respective fork so that simultaneously liftin~ movement of the head frame causes downward drivin~
movement of the fork wheel to lift the fork under the pallet. This type of arrangement is well known and widely used for transportin~ pallets in a warehouse situation or in loadin~ of transportation vehicles.
Such a pallet truck is hi~hly mobile and can be moved from place to place but it is difficult to store or to transport in a relatively small container in view of its awkward shape includin~ the vertical head frame, the horizontal forks and the vertical handle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVE~`ITION
It remains therefore a significant desirability to provide a hand pallet truck of this general type which can be readily transported in a relatively small container or area by a foldin~ action. Such an arrangement would allow a pallet truck of this type to be transported on a transportation vehicle so it is readily available for use at the unloadin~ station.
It is one object of the present invention, therefore, to provide an improved hand pallet truck of the above general type which can be folded.
Accordin~ to the invention, therefore, it is provided a hand pallet truck comprising a head frame, a pair of parallel forks mounted on the head frame such that in an operatin~ position the forks extend horizontally forwardlyfrom the head frame in transversely spaced relationship to en~a~e under a pallet, first wheel means mounted on the head frame for supportin~ the head frame from the ~round for movement across the ~round, second and third wheel means each mounted on a respective one of the forks for supportin~ the repective fork for movement across the ~round, first mountin~ means mountin~
the first wheel means on the head frame for vertical movement relative to the head frame to raise and lower the head frame relative to the ~round, second and third mountin~ means mountin~ the second and third wheel means on the respective fork for vertical movement relative thereto to raise and lower the forks, said vertical movement Iyin~ between a maximum lowered position for sliding of the forks under a pallet and a maximum raised position for tranportin~
the pallet, the first mountin~ means bein~ adapted to allow steerin~ movement of the first wheel means about a vertical axis relative to the head, a manual actuatin~ handle connected to the first wheel means for effectin~ said steerin~
213~713 movement and for applying manual force to the truck for movement thereof across the ground, a hydraulic pump, means movable to actuate the pump to generate a hydraulic pressure, a hydraulic lift cylinder connected to said pump for effecting said vertical movement In response to said hydraulic pressure, and actuating means interconnecting the first mounting means and the second and third mounting means such that vertical movement of the first wheel means relative to the head frame causes vertical movement of the first and second wheel means relative to the respective fork, each of said forks having a hinge connection therein such that an outer portion of each fork can pivot about a horizontal axis transverse to the fork relative to the head frame from the horizontal operating position to a substantially vertical storage position.
One embodiment of the invention will now be described in the accompanying drawings in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a slide elevational view of a hand pallet truck according to the present invention, showing the truck and forks in the raised, pallet lifting position Figure 2, is a side elevational view similar to that of Figure 1 showing the truck and forks in the lowered position for sliding under a pallet and showing in phantom the forks in a folded position.
Figure 3 is a top plan view of the pallet truck of Figure 1.
3a Figure 4 is a cross sectional view taken along the lines 4-4 of Figure 3 showing the forks ion the folded position and showing the construction on an enlarged scale.
Figure 5 is a cross sectional view along the lines 5-5 of Figure 3 again showTng the elements on an enlarged scale.
Figure 6 is an artists Interpretation of what the lift will look like.
Figure "A"1 is an enlarged view of handle design.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The hand pallet truck of the present invention comprises a head frame 10 on which is mounted a handle and wheel assembly 12 includin~ a handle 13 and a pair of ground wheels 14. On the head frame 10 is mounted a pair of forks 15 which project forwardly from the head from but in an operatin~
position of the. forks. The forks are ~enerally horizontal and spaced transversely on either side of the head frame.
In ~eneral terms, the handle and wheel assembly can swivel relative to the head frame about a vertical steeriny axis 16 so as to move the truck by pulling of the handle by an operator to apply longitudinal force to movement of the truck and also by rotation of the handle about the axis 16 by the operator to effect steering of the truck. The handle and wheel assembly can also move vertically relative to the head frame from a retracted position shown in Fi~ure 2 in which the head frame is thus lowered to a position closely adjacent the ~round to an extended position shown in Figure 1 in which the head frame is raised from the ~round.
Each of the forks 15 includes a respective one of a pair of ~round wheels or rollers 17 arran~ed adjacent a forward end of the respective fork so the truck is carried in the raised position shown in Figure 1 on the grounds wheels 14 and the rollers 17. In general terms the rollers 17 are raised and lowered simultaneously with the raTsing and lowering of the ground wheels 14 so that in the retracted position shown in Fi~ure 2 the rollers 17 are retractedto positions Iyin~ substantially wholly within the respective forks and in the extended position shown in Fi~ure 1 the ground roller 17 is moved to a position below the respective fork to support the fork at a position spaced from the ~round. Each of the forks 15 includes a separate subsidiary ~round roller 18 located at the forward end of the fork so that when the ground roller 17 is in the retracted position, the fork can be moved across the ground on the roller 18.
This general arrangement and layout of the pallet truck is conventional and well known to one skilled in the art.
The wheel assembly comprises a base member 19 on which is mounted a pivot support 20 for the handle 13 allowing the handle to pivot about a transverse pivot pin 21 in the direction of arrows 22. The handle 13 includes a top manually graspable handle loop 23 which allows the operator to grasp the handle and pull it downwards in the direction of the arrow 22 to a lowered position 13A at which position a pulling force can be applied to the truck. The handle can also be pivoted to the vertical position whereat a pushing force can be applied to the handle to move the truck forwardly.
Within the support 20 is provided a hydraulic pump cylinder 24 which is operated by the handle 13 in the lowered position 13A by a pumping action of the handle in the direction of the arrows 22A and 22B. A pumping action of the handle 13 therefore generates a hydraulic pressure which is applied to a cylinder 26 to cause a lifting action of the frame 10 relative to the wheel assembly. The cylinder 26 is mounted on the base 19 with the support 20.
On the other side of the base 19 is carried a vertical shaft 27 which extends vertically downwardly therefrom to a transverse axle 28 carrying the wheels 14. The axial 28 is thus horizontal and mounted in a collar 29 attached to the lower end of the vertical shaft 27. The cylinder 26 carries apiston rod 30 which extends vertically upwardly from the upper end of the cylinder 26. The piston rod 30 is mounted in bearin~s 31 carried in a forward part of the frame 10. The bearin~s 31 are arranged around the axis 16 so as to allow rotation of the piston rod 30 relative to the axis 16. The base 19 can thus swivel about the axis 16 on the bearin~s 31 to cause rotation of the whole of the wheel and handle assembly about the axis 16. The piston 30 carries a piston head 32 slidable within the cylinder 26 so that the supply of hydraulic pressure from the pump 24 to the cylinder 26 pushes the piston head 32 upwardly within the cylinder to extend the piston rod from the retracted position shown in Figure 2 to the extended position shown in Figure 1 thus moving the wheel assembly downwardly relative to the frame 10.
The frame 10 comprises a front portion 35 and a rearwardly extending beam 36. The beam 36 is positioned at the top of the front portion 35 midway thereacross and extends therefrom to a position to receive the bearings 31 at the top of the wheel assembly.
The front portion 35 is an inverted U-shape with a top cross beam 37 and a pair of dependin~ le~s 38 and 39 leaving a central open space 40A of rectangular shape as visible in Figure 5. At the bottom of the le~s 38 and 39, the forks 15 are attached as described in more detail hereinafter. The front frame portion 35 is fabricated from folded aluminum sheet of a suitable thickness to provide the required stren~th whilè defining minimum wei~ht for the structure. The beam 36 is welded to the rear face of the cross-beam 37 at the mid point thereof.
A transverse pivot rod 40 is mounted in bearings 41 on the 213~713 outside walls of the legs 38 and 39 so as to extend horizontally through the legs and across the open space 40A between the legs. The pivot rod 40 carries a pair of pivot arms 42 and 43 which extend from the pivot rod 40 rearwardly to the vertical shaft 27. A cross beam 44 interconnects the rearward end of the arms 42 and 43 and connects to the shaft 27 by bearings 46. The bearings 46 cooperate with the bearing 31 and life coaxially on the axis 16. The bearings 31 and 46 thus mount the wheel assembly for rotation about the axis 16. The arms 42 and 43 can of course however pivot upwardly and downwardly on the transverse pivot rod 40 to allow the vertical movement of the wheel assembly as will be apparent from comparisons of Figures 1 and 2. Thus in Figure 1 the arms 42 life in a substantially horizontal plane rather than in Figure 2 the arms pivot in a clockwise direction as arrow indicates which generally causes rotation of the rod 40 in the clockwise direction.
The ground rollers 17 each are mounted on a pair of side plates 50, 51 pivotally mounted on a transverse pivot pin 52 extending across the respective fork. The pivot pin 52 is arranged as close as possible to the top wall of the fork. A transfers pull pin 53 is connected across the plates 50 and 51 at a position downwardly of the pivot pin 52 and it is attached to a link rod 54 extending along the fork see Figure 3.
The mechanism for actuating the link rod 54 is shown in less detail In Figure 4 and comprises for each link rod, a verticle rod 55 connected to a pivot 213~713 base rod 56 which by pivotal movement of the pivot rod 40 in the counter clockwise direction effected by downward movement of the wheel assembly causes clockwise rotation of the verticle rod 55 acting to pull the link rod 54 and to pivot the support plates 50/51 of the roller 17 In the clockwise direction moving the roller to the extended position. In symmetrical manner, movement of the rod 40 in the clockwise direction In to position shown In Figure 2 acts to push the link 54 to retract the roller 17. The forks 15 are formed in two portTons including a stub fork portion 60 and a forward fork portion 61 which are interconnected by a transverse hinge arrangement 62. The stub fork portion Is welded to the bottom of the respective leg 38, 39 as best shown in Figures 4 and 5. The cross section of the fork is substantially constant along the length of the fork including the portion 60 and 61 and comprises a top wall 63, a pair of side walls 64 and 65 and inturned bottom flanges 66 and 67 leavlng an open area 68 therebetween. The forks are formed by folding alumlnum sheet into the required shape and by providing transverse stiffening elements across the forks as required to hold the forks in the required cross sectional shape to maintain the structural stability of the fork along the full length. The transverse elements include end plates 68 and 69 respectively of the fork portions. As shown in Figure 3, the hinges 62 are arranged In a common transverse horizontal axis at right ankles to the forks. This allows each for portion 61 to move from the extended position parallel to the fork portion 60 to a raised or folded position 213~7I3 shown in Figures 2 and 4 in which the fork portion 61 is substantially at rlght angles to the for portion 60.
The folding action Is effected manually simply by lifting the fork portions 61 to rotate about the hlnges 62 to the ralsed posltion. The stub fork portion 60 includes a portion 73 of the top wall 63 therefor which pro]ects forwardly from the frame 35 and acts as a support for the under surface of a pallet to be received on the forks. The portion of the pallet is thus carried on the stub fork portion at the frame to prevent all of the force therefrom being applied to the hinge 62. This forwardly extending portion 73 can have a length of the order of two inches which minimizes the width of the structure in the folding condition as shown in Figure 2 but provided sufficient length to receive a portion of the pallet.
The movement of the fork portion 61 can only be effected in the lowered position of the frame and forks as shown in Figure 2. In order to effect this pivotal movement, the link 54 also includes a hinge coupling 74 at a position therealong. In the lowered position of the frame and forks as shown in Figure 2, the hinge coupling 74is moved to a position (best shown in Figure 4) which is closely adjacent the hinge 62 at a position slightly beyond the position 62.
The link 54 thus includes a link portion 54A between the verticle rod 55 and the hinge 74 which has a length so that in the lowered position the hinge 74 takes up exactly the required position to allow the pivotal action. In the raised position, however, the hinge 74 is pulled inwardly into the stub fork portion and this prevents pivotal movement of the forks. The link 54 passes through guide opening 75 in the end plats 68 and 69 so that it is held in position and prevents pivotal movement about the hinge 62 due to the necessity to bend the link 54 to allow the pivotal action when in the raised position.
The forks are also locked in the operating position in both in the raised and lowered positions of the frame and forks by a lockin~ bar 80 which includes a transverse ~raspin~ element 81 and a pair of legs 82 and 83 extending therefrom throu~h a rear wall 85 of the stub fork portion, throu~h the front wall 68 of the stub fork portion, through the rear wall 69 of the outer fork portion and into the outer fork portion to lock the outer fork portion in the aligned position with the stub fork portion. The legs 82 and 83 pass throu~h corresponding shaped wholes in the walls and the legs are arran~ed at the bottom flanges 66 and 67 of the fork to be spaced from the hinge 62 by the maximum extent. Movement of the forks into the folded position can therefor only be achieved when the lock bars 80 have been pulled rearwardly from the rear wall of the stub shaft portion to an unlocked positioned removed from the forward fork portion. When the forks are moved to the operatin~ position, the lock bar can be moved back into place and this holds the forks in the operatin~
position even when in the lowered position of the frame and forks when the hin~e 74 is properly ali~ned to allow the pivotal action to the stora~e position.
A palr of spring latches 90 and 9i are provlded on the frame 35 to engage the respective fork and hold In the folded position as best shown In Figure 2. The spring latch is preferably provided to hold legs 15 In an upright state. The latches can be released by si~ple manual manipulation to allow the forks to pivot back from the folded-posltion to the operating posltlon.
21~8713 In the folded position the forks tilt slightly backwardly towards the handle 23 to provide the minimum dimensions of the device in the folded position. In this position the device can be readily stored and can be readily carried. The manufacturer of the device from aluminum sheet material provides a minimum weight for the structure allowing it to be readily carried by the operator to a storage position and returned from the storage position, erected and used for transporting pallets. Preferably the device is designed for a wei~ht limit of the order of 1,000 or 2,000 pounds so that the total weight of the truck can be maintained at a minimum.
The right an~le shape of the frame 35 including the vertical legs 38 and 39 ensures that the forks fold up a~ainst the top of the le~s 38 and 39 at the cross bar 37.
Since various modifications can be made in my invention as hereinabove described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without departing from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanyin~ specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.
Claims (12)
1. A hand pallet truck comprising a head frame, a pair of parallel forks mounted on the head frame such that in an operating position the forks extend horizontally forwardly from the head frame in transversely spaced relationship to engage under a pallet, first wheel means mounted on the head frame for supporting the head frame from the ground for movement across the ground, second and third wheel means each mounted on a respective one of the forks for supporting the repective fork for movement across the ground, first mounting means mounting the first wheel means on the head frame for vertical movement relative to the head frame to raise and lower the head frame relative to the ground, second and third mounting means mounting the second and third wheel means on the respective fork for vertical movement relative thereto to raise and lower the forks, said vertical movement lying between a maximum lowered position for sliding of the forks under a pallet and a maximum raised position for tranporting the pallet, the first mounting means being adapted to allow steering movement of the first wheel means about a vertical axis relative to the head, a manual actuating handle connected to the first wheel means for effecting said steering movement and for applying manual force to the truck for movement thereof across the ground, a hydraulic pump, means movable to actuate the pump to generate a hydraulic pressure, a hydraulic lift cylinder connected to said pump for effecting said vertical movement in response to said hydraulic pressure, and actuating means interconnecting the first mounting means and the second and third mounting means such that vertical movement of the first wheel means relative to the head frame causes vertical movement of the first and second wheel means relative to the respective fork, each of said forks having a hinge connection therein such that an outer portion of each fork can pivot about a horizontal axis transverse to the forks relative to the head frame from the horizontal operatingposition to a substantially vertical storage position.
2. The truck according to Claim 1 wherein the hinge connection of each fork is arranged adjacent to but spaced from the head frame so as to define an outer portion and a stub portion of each fork, the stubportion projecting forwardly from the head frame and fixed relative thereto.
3. The truck according to Claim 1 including means for locking the forks in the horizontal operating position relative to the head frame.
4. The truck according to Claim 2 including means for locking the outer portion of the fork relative to the respective stub portion in the horizontal operating position thereof.
5. The truck according to Claim 3 where the locking means for each fork comprises a lock bar slideable longitudinally of the respective fork from a first position retracted from the outer portion to a second position inserted into the outer portion.
6. The truck according to Claim 1 including means for latching the forks in the vertical storage position thereof.
7. The truck according to Claim 1 wherein the head frame comprises a pair of vertical frame members each arranged at a rearward end of a respective one of the forks and extending vertically upwardly therefrom such that in the vertical storage position of the forks, each fork extends generally parallel to the frame member.
8. The truck according to Claim 7 including latching means mounted on each of the frame members for engaging a respective one of the forks in the vertical storage position thereof.
9. The truck according to Claim 1 wherein the actuating means comprises, for each fork, an actuating bar extending longitudinally of the fork on the underside thereof and means for moving the actuating bar longitudinally of the fork, each of the actuating bars having a hinge coupling therein allowingan outer portion of the actuating bar to pivot about a horizontal axis transverse to the forks to move from the operating position to the vertical storage position of the respective fork.
10. The truck according to Claim 9 wherein the hinge coupling of each actuating bar is arranged at a position thereon such that the pivotal movement of the fork to the vertical storage position is prevented except when the fork and the head frame is in the maximum lowered position thereof .
11. The truck according to Claim 1 wherein the head frame and the forks are manufactured substantially wholly from aluminum.
12. The truck according to Claim 1 wherein the truck has a total weight less than 100 lbs.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2138713 CA2138713A1 (en) | 1994-12-21 | 1994-12-21 | Foldable lightweight pallet carrier |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2138713 CA2138713A1 (en) | 1994-12-21 | 1994-12-21 | Foldable lightweight pallet carrier |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2138713A1 true CA2138713A1 (en) | 1996-06-22 |
Family
ID=4154900
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2138713 Abandoned CA2138713A1 (en) | 1994-12-21 | 1994-12-21 | Foldable lightweight pallet carrier |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2138713A1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2015000615A1 (en) | 2013-07-05 | 2015-01-08 | Pallea Ab | A hand-operated and rolling device for lifting and moving pallets with lifting effect by wheel camber change |
| CN109131487A (en) * | 2018-09-19 | 2019-01-04 | 国网山东省电力公司五莲县供电公司 | Cabinet body positioning apparatus |
| CN111717851A (en) * | 2019-03-20 | 2020-09-29 | 株式会社理光 | Traveling device |
| CN113493173A (en) * | 2020-03-19 | 2021-10-12 | 株式会社理光 | Conveying device |
-
1994
- 1994-12-21 CA CA 2138713 patent/CA2138713A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2015000615A1 (en) | 2013-07-05 | 2015-01-08 | Pallea Ab | A hand-operated and rolling device for lifting and moving pallets with lifting effect by wheel camber change |
| US9783217B2 (en) | 2013-07-05 | 2017-10-10 | Pallea Ab | Hand-operated and rolling device for lifting and moving pallets with lifting effect by wheel camber change |
| CN109131487A (en) * | 2018-09-19 | 2019-01-04 | 国网山东省电力公司五莲县供电公司 | Cabinet body positioning apparatus |
| CN109131487B (en) * | 2018-09-19 | 2023-11-03 | 国网山东省电力公司五莲县供电公司 | Cabinet positioning device |
| CN111717851A (en) * | 2019-03-20 | 2020-09-29 | 株式会社理光 | Traveling device |
| US11597639B2 (en) | 2019-03-20 | 2023-03-07 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Transport apparatus |
| CN113493173A (en) * | 2020-03-19 | 2021-10-12 | 株式会社理光 | Conveying device |
| CN113493173B (en) * | 2020-03-19 | 2022-12-09 | 株式会社理光 | Conveying device |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US5403024A (en) | Foldable lightweight pallet carrier | |
| CA2354036C (en) | Can-lift | |
| US6637706B2 (en) | Fuel tank cradle device for forklift trucks | |
| US5927745A (en) | Foldable utility cart | |
| US4326731A (en) | Folding cart | |
| US5788452A (en) | Forklift vehicle | |
| US20100140887A1 (en) | Vehicle loadable cart | |
| US20200223465A1 (en) | Collapsible locomotion platform and cart | |
| US20070114765A1 (en) | Foldable wheelbarrow and hand cart | |
| US20020030351A1 (en) | Versatile hand truck | |
| US20090202328A1 (en) | Low profile hook hoist | |
| EP0245104A2 (en) | Drop-floor trailer | |
| US4509894A (en) | Loading and unloading apparatus for a vehicle | |
| US6206477B1 (en) | Yard waste handling apparatus | |
| CA1267111A (en) | Combination trailer and forklift | |
| US9783217B2 (en) | Hand-operated and rolling device for lifting and moving pallets with lifting effect by wheel camber change | |
| CA2138713A1 (en) | Foldable lightweight pallet carrier | |
| US5004263A (en) | Utility cart | |
| EP1218282B1 (en) | Lift-truck | |
| CN216185261U (en) | Foldable cart | |
| US3517838A (en) | Power loader for vehicles with transfer plate | |
| GB2279624A (en) | A collapsible trailer | |
| US4355942A (en) | Loading and unloading apparatus for vehicles | |
| US6019431A (en) | Yard waste handling apparatus | |
| JP2670907B2 (en) | Trailer front part lifting device |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |