GB1109515A - Forklift trucks - Google Patents

Abstract

1,109,515. Masted lift trucks. CARBON CO. 1 July, 1966 [1 July, 1965], No. 27912/65. Heading B8H. [Also in Division B7] A method for converting the chassis of a land motor vehicle, e.g. a 15-cwt. van, having a front wheel drive to that of a forklift-truck, comprises reducing the length of the wheelbase, turning the sub-frame carrying the engine power pack and front wheel drive through 180 degrees about a vertical axis, repositioning the driver's seat and associated steering wheel and foot pedals to a position in the region of the rear wheels and locating securing means on the chassis for pivotally mounting a forklift. Fig. 1 shows the front sub-frame 1 turned as above stated and united by a body box frame 3, which is shorter than normal, to a rear subframe 2. The engine power-pack is shown at 4 and the steering tie rods at 7. The frame 1 is joined to the frame 3 by a transversely extending plate (not shown) and the frame 2 supports a bottom bearing 8, Fig. 3, of the shaft 9 for the steering wheel 10. A chain drive 12 connects the shaft 9 and the male spline shaft of the steering column pinion box. Fig. 2 shows the steering wheel 10, foot pedals 14, a driver's seat 15, a hand-brake 16 and a gear lever 17, the latter having a reverse lever 18 pivoted thereon and being coupled to the gear-box by a rod and ball joint connection. The body 19 comprises a housing 20 for the power pack and fuel storage tank and wing assemblies 21. The housing 20 has a control panel 22 and a headlamp 23 and the wing assemblies have side lights 24 and direction indicators 25. The control panel 22 has a heater switch 32, a wiper switch 33, an ignition switch 34, a lamp switch 35, a choke control 36 and a speedometer 37. The forklift comprises an outer frame 43 in which travels an inner frame 44. The frame 43 comprises side channels 46, Fig. 4, braced by members 47 and it is pivoted to the chassis at 48 and to an hydraulic tilt ram 29 extending between the frame 43 and a platform 28 carrying a control lever 26 and a lift control lever 27. The frame 44 comprises I-section side members 53 joined at-the top by a member 54. Rollers 58 at the top of the frame 43 facilitate movement of the frame 44. An 'hydraulic lift ram 41 connects the frames 43; 44. The forks 45 are hung for lateral adjustment on a transverse bar 60 slidably supported on the frame 44 and connected by cables 63 to the frame 43, the cables passing over pulleys -62 mounted at the top of the frame 44. The hydraulic system, Fig. 5 (not shown), comprises -an -oil reservoir and pump located in the housing 20 and connected to the rams 29, 41; a pressure gauge 38 is mounted on the panel 22. Water storage tanks 42 counterbalance the loads [to be lifted. The forks descend under their own weight. The vehicle wheels may be replaced with solid wheels and stronger shock absorbers may be fitted. The wheel-base length may be reduced by cutting the normal body box frame, and increased rigidity may be provided by extending tie members between -the front and rear sub-frames. The clutch and brakes of the vehicle are hydraulically operated from the rearranged position of the foot pedals by interchanging the hydraulic pipe connections. More than one tilting ram and lifting ram may be provided. The hydraulic system may be replaced by a pneumatic system. Movement of the frame 44 within the frame 43 may be facilitated by rollers at the lower end of the frame 44 and the upper end of the frame 43. The bar 60 may have rollers for engaging the frame 44. The ram 41 may be multi-stage. The hydraulic pump may be driven from the engine, e.g. from a sprocket attached to the outside face of the fan and dynamo drive pulley.