A sled includes a deck having a top surface and a cradle section configured to hold a shipping vessel. The cradle section includes a length that extends from a back of the deck towards a front of the deck. First and second wedges extend at least the length of the cradle section and each include at least an outer facing surface and an upper facing surface. The outer facing surface of the first wedge defines a first side of the cradle section and the outer facing surface of the second wedge defines a second side of the cradle section. The upper facing surfaces of each of the first wedge and the second wedge is oriented at an angle relative to the top surface of the deck such that each upper facing surface of each wedge slopes downwardly from an outer edge to an opposing inner edge.

A method of using simple blocks and wedges, designed to temporarily support a pallet, to create access for a pallet jack underneath the pallet, to enable a properly supported and balanced movement of the load resting on the pallet. The method utilizes two wedges, triangular in shape (each having an angled surface, a bottom surface and a hook), two blocks, rectangular in shape (each having two side walls and a hook), and a commercially-available pallet jack (manually or mechanically operated). The method enables the end-user to provide a temporary, balanced support of a pallet during the gradual increase or decrease in elevation of the pallet. This adjustment of the pallet's elevation, creates access for a pallet jack in the middle of the pallet, that was previously unavailable.

A system for a pallet truck load wheel mechanism comprises a logic device and first and second sensor arrangements. The first and second sensor arrangements include first and second sensing fields that define first and second edges of an operability window, respectively. The logic device has an operable state indicating that the load wheel mechanism can raise a pallet lifting device and an inoperable state indicating that the load wheel mechanism should not raise the pallet lifting device. The logic device is initialized in the operable state and is configured to change to the inoperable state in response to each time the first sensor arrangement detects an edge of a board intersecting, the first edge of the operability window and to change to the operable state in response to each time the second sensor arrangement detects an edge of a board intersecting the second edge of the operability window.

A pallet truck has a pressed and non-welded fork structure. The fork structure includes an elongate body portion and an outboard end portion integrally formed with the body portion. The body portion has a top wall and opposing sidewalls integrally formed with the top wall. The outboard end portion projects from the body portion and includes a tip sidewall defining a tip region for guiding entry of a fork assembly beneath a pallet.

A transport apparatus includes a body; a fork having one portion supported by the body and another portion protruded from the body; a lifting unit; a control unit; a primary rotatable member mounted at a front end portion of the fork; an auxiliary rotatable member mounted at a rotatable-member-attaching position of the fork closer to a front end portion or a rear end portion of the fork compared to the primary rotatable member; and a step detection unit, disposed at a detection-unit-attaching position of the fork closer to the front end portion or closer to the rear end portion of the fork compared to the auxiliary rotatable member, and the step detection unit configured to detect a step member of a carriage base. The control unit lowers the fork using the lifting unit in response to a detection of the step member by the step detection unit.

A framed structure, such as a material cart, used for material-handling purposes includes an elongated frame having two opposite ends and two opposite sides. In addition, a first set of mounts are adapted to accept the forks of a forklift truck directed endwise therein and are arranged in such a relationship to the elongated frame so that the first pair of mounts are adapted to accept the forks of a forklift truck directed therein from a side of the elongated frame. Furthermore, a second set of mounts are adapted to accept the forks of a forklift truck directed endwise therein and are arranged in such a relationship to the elongated frame so that the second set of mounts are adapted to accept the forks of a forklift truck directed therein from an end of the elongated frame.

A load wheel assembly for a pallet truck includes a first load arm that rotates about an axis of rotation, and a load wheel rotationally coupled to an end of the first load arm opposite from the axis of rotation. The load wheel supports a fork at an elevation above the load wheel. Additionally, the load wheel assembly includes a second load arm pivotally coupled to the first load arm at the axis of rotation and forming a load arm angle, and an adjustment mechanism further coupling the second load arm to the first load arm. The adjustment mechanism varies the load arm angle formed between the first load arm and the second load arm to adjust the elevation of the fork above the load wheel.

A sled includes a deck having a top surface and a cradle section configured to hold a shipping vessel. The cradle section includes a length that extends from a back of the deck towards a front of the deck. First and second wedges extend at least the length of the cradle section and each include at least an outer facing surface and an upper facing surface. The outer facing surface of the first wedge defines a first side of the cradle section and the outer facing surface of the second wedge defines a second side of the cradle section. The upper facing surfaces of each of the first wedge and the second wedge is oriented at an angle relative to the top surface of the deck such that each upper facing surface of each wedge slopes downwardly from an outer edge to an opposing inner edge.

A load wheel assembly for a pallet truck includes a first load arm that rotates about an axis of rotation, and a load wheel rotationally coupled to an end of the first load arm opposite from the axis of rotation. The load wheel supports a fork at an elevation above the load wheel. Additionally, the load wheel assembly includes a second load arm pivotally coupled to the first load arm at the axis of rotation and forming a load arm angle, and an adjustment mechanism further coupling the second load arm to the first load arm. The adjustment mechanism varies the load arm angle formed between the first load arm and the second load arm to adjust the elevation of the fork above the load wheel.

A loading frame includes a rectangular u-shaped frame with an opening at one side, forks extendable and retractable between the closed side and the open side of the U-shaped frame, loading frame wheels on one arm of the U-shaped frame, and a truck interface on the other arm of the U-shaped frame. The loading frame wheels and truck interface support travel of the frame in a direction other than the direction of travel of the forks between the open and closed sides of the U-shaped frame.