A load handling device is disclosed for lifting and moving storage containers stacked in a grid framework structure having first and second sets of parallel rails or tracks. The load handling device includes: a body mounted on first and second sets of wheels arranged to engage with the tracks. A direction-change assembly is arranged to raise or lower the first set of wheels and or lower or raise the second set of wheels with respect to the body to engage and disengage the wheels with the tracks. The direction-change assembly includes a linkage-set having a series of members arranged between a traveller and a fixed brace, wherein the traveller is arranged to move under an applied force to cause the wheels to raise or lower.

A drive belt assembly for a load handling device includes a drive belt; a drive wheel; and one or more driven wheels. A first tensioning arm, having a fixed end above an elbow and a rotatable distal end pivotally attached at the elbow, is horizontally displaceable relative to the drive wheel and driven wheels. A second tensioning arm is provided wherein the drive belt is routed around the first and second tensioning arms, and the first and second tensioning arms are arranged to put pressure on the drive belt to tension the drive belt.

A pallet sled includes an upper frame including spaced-apart arms adapted to receive feet of a pallet therebetween. A lower frame supports the upper frame. A plurality of pivotable arms connect the lower frame to the upper frame. A handle is pivotably connected to the lower frame and the upper frame, such that pivoting the handle selectively raises and lowers the upper frame relative to the lower frame.

A modular fork assembly for a pallet truck includes a discrete elongate body, a discrete load wheel module, and a discrete fork tip that may be detachably connected by the same or different types of interlocking mechanisms that are adapted to inhibit sheer forces. The load wheel module includes a frame and a load wheel assembly that includes a load wheel that is operatively connected to the frame.

A pallet jack includes a base and a pair of tines extending from the base. The pair of tines including a first tine and a second tine. A load wheel supports an outer end of each of the pair of tines. Each load wheel is configured to move toward and away from the respective tine to raise the tine off a floor on which the load wheel is supported. The first tine including a support surface configured to selectively be a lowermost surface of the tine to facilitate lateral displacement of the first tine.

A pallet sled includes an upper frame including spaced-apart arms adapted to receive feet of a pallet therebetween. A lower frame supports the upper frame. A plurality of pivotable arms connect the lower frame to the upper frame. A handle is pivotably connected to the lower frame and the upper frame, such that pivoting the handle selectively raises and lowers the upper frame relative to the lower frame.

A pallet jack includes a base and a pair of tines extending from the base. The pair of tines including a first tine and a second tine. A load wheel supports an outer end of each of the pair of tines. Each load wheel is configured to move toward and away from the respective tine to raise the tine off a floor on which the load wheel is supported. The first tine including a support surface configured to selectively be a lowermost surface of the tine to facilitate lateral displacement of the first tine.

The present invention relates to a hand-operated device for lifting and moving pallets. The device comprises a framework including a first and a second fork (1, 2) projecting forwardly from the framework, each fork having a top surface (6) adapted to be in contact with the pallet, a handle (7) connected to the framework for applying manual force to the framework, support members (8a-d) connected to the framework for supporting the framework from the ground, and a first leg (3) having an upper end operatively connected to the handle and a lower end connected to the first fork to form a first frame element (10), and a second leg (4) having an upper end operatively connected to the handle and a lower end connected to the second fork to form a second frame element (12). Each of the first and second frame elements is arranged pivotable about an axis in parallel with the longitudinal axis (L.sub.1, L.sub.2) of the respective fork such that the framework is allowed to pivot between a first position for transporting the pallet and a second position for positioning the forks under the pallet, and the forks and support members are designed such that the vertical distance (h.sub.1, h.sub.2) between the highest point of the top surface of the forks and the lowest point of the corresponding support members is shorter in the second position than in the first position, and by that the fork and the support member of each frame element form a lever for lifting and lowering the pallet.

A pallet sled includes a lower frame and a plurality of wheels supporting the lower frame. An upper frame is configured to support a pallet thereon. A ratchet is configured to lift the upper frame relative to the lower frame. A handle is configured to operate the ratchet to lift the upper frame relative to the lower frame. The handle may be pivotable relative to the lower frame. The ratchet may include a gear and a pawl. The ratchet may also be configured to selectively lower the upper frame. As another option, one or more of the handle, the upper frame or the plurality of wheels are reconfigurable between an extended position and a retracted position.

A pallet sled includes a pair of tines extending forward from a base. A load wheel supports each of the pair of tines. The load wheels are each configured to move away from the respective tine to lift the respective tine upward relative to a support surface on which the load wheel is supported. A processor on the pallet sled records usage of the sled, such as lift cycles, location over time, battery condition, lift height, weight lifted, distance traveled, and the like. A communication circuit may be configured to send data from the pallet sled to a remote server. An identification reader may be configured to read an identification tag of an object supported on the pair of tines, such as an rfid tag on a pallet.