LOAD REST

Abstract

A forklift includes a vehicle frame, wherein at least one load rest platform is movably arranged on the vehicle frame. The at least one load rest platform is movable between a storage position, in which no load can be deposited on the at least one load rest platform, and a working position, in which a load can be deposited on the at least one load rest platform. The at least one load rest platform is aligned essentially horizontally when moved to the working position, and the at least one load rest platform is movably arranged on an upper surface of the vehicle frame via at least one articulating joint. The at least one articulating joint connects the at least one load rest platform with a side face of the vehicle frame.

Claims

1. A forklift comprising a vehicle frame, wherein at least one load rest platform is movably arranged on said vehicle frame, wherein said at least one load rest platform is movable between a storage position in which no load can be deposited on said at least one load rest platform and a working position in which a load can be deposited on said at least one load rest platform, wherein said at least one load rest platform is aligned essentially horizontally when moved to said working position, characterized in that said at least one load rest platform is movably arranged on an upper surface of said vehicle frame via at least one articulating joint, wherein said at least one articulating joint connects said at least one load rest platform with a side face of said vehicle frame.

2. The forklift according to claim 1, wherein said at least one load rest platform is aligned essentially horizontally when moved to said storage position.

3. The forklift according to claim 1, wherein said at least one load rest platform moves along an arc when moved between said storage position and said working position.

4. The forklift according to claim 3, wherein said at least one load rest platform remains aligned essentially horizontally when moved between said storage position and said working position.

5. The forklift according to claim 1, wherein said arc has an apex in a vertical direction, wherein said at least one load rest platform is arranged below said apex in a vertical direction when moved to said working position.

6. The forklift according to claim 5, wherein said at least one load rest platform is also arranged below said apex in a vertical direction when moved to said storage position.

7. The forklift according to claim 1, wherein said vehicle frame comprises at least one longitudinal beam with an upper surface and at least one side face, wherein said at least one load rest platform is movably arranged on said upper surface of said at least one longitudinal beam via said articulating joint, wherein said articulating joint connects said at least one load rest platform with said at least one side face of said at least one longitudinal beam.

8. The forklift according to claim 7, wherein said articulating joint connects said at least one load rest platform with said at least one side face of said at least one longitudinal beam in an end region of said at least one longitudinal beam.

9. The forklift according to claim 7, wherein said articulating joint is mounted or connected to said at least one side face of said at least one longitudinal beam via a mounting plate.

10. The forklift according to claim 7, wherein said at least one load rest platform is aligned essentially parallel to and/or is substantially resting on said upper surface of said at least one longitudinal beam when moved to said storage position.

11. The forklift according to claim 7, wherein a front wheel of said forklift is arranged in an end region of said at least one longitudinal beam, wherein a connecting area of said articulating joint on said at least one side face of at said at least one longitudinal beam is in the region of said front wheel.

12. The forklift according to claim 7, wherein said articulating joint comprises at least one joint lever, wherein said at least one joint lever is pivotally arranged at said at least one side face of said at least one longitudinal beam around a first pivot axis and said at least one joint lever is pivotally arranged at said at least one load rest platform around a second pivot axis.

13. The forklift according to claim 12, wherein said second pivot axis is essentially parallel to said first pivot axis.

14. The forklift according to claim 12, wherein said at least one load rest platform comprises a projecting flange, wherein said at least one joint lever is pivotally arranged at said projecting flange.

15. The forklift according to claim 12, wherein said articulating joint comprises a first joint lever and a second joint lever, wherein said first pivot axes are spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction of said at least on side face of said at least one longitudinal beam and said second pivot axes are spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction of said at least one load rest platform.

16. The forklift according to claim 1, wherein said vehicle frame comprises a first longitudinal beam with a first upper surface and a first side face, and a second longitudinal beam with a second upper surface and second side face, wherein said forklift comprises a first load rest platform which is movably arranged on said first upper surface of said first longitudinal beam via a first articulating joint, wherein said first articulating joint connects said first load rest platform with said first side face of said first longitudinal beam, wherein said forklift comprises a second load rest platform which is movably arranged on said second upper surface of said second longitudinal beam via a second articulating joint, wherein said second articulating joint connects said second load rest platform with said second side face of said second longitudinal beam.

17. The forklift with a vehicle frame, wherein at least one load rest platform is movably arranged on said vehicle frame, wherein said at least one load rest platform is movable between a storage position in which no load can be deposited on said at least one load rest platform and a working position in which a load can be deposited on said at least one load rest platform, wherein said at least one load rest platform is aligned essentially horizontally when moved to said working position, characterized in that said at least one load rest platform is movably arranged on said vehicle frame via at least one articulating joint comprising at least one joint lever, wherein said at least one joint lever has a stop surface for abutting against a stop device.

18. The forklift according to claim 17, wherein said stop device is formed by said at least one load rest platform.

19. The forklift according to claim 17, wherein said at least one joint lever is of an angled design and comprises a first leg and a second leg, wherein said first leg and said second leg are arranged at an angle to each other.

20. The forklift according to claim 17, wherein a stop device is formed by said at least one load rest platform and in the working position and/or the storage position of said at least one load rest platform the stop device abuts against said stop surface of said at least one joint lever.

21. The forklift according to claim 20, wherein said at least one articulating joint comprises at least a first joint lever with a stop surface and at least a second joint lever with a stop surface, wherein in the working position and/or the storage position the stop device abuts against either one of said stop surfaces.

22. The forklift according to claim 17, wherein said at least one load rest platform is aligned essentially parallel to and/or substantially resting on said vehicle frame when moved to said storage position.

23. The forklift according to claim 1, wherein said forklift is a truck-mounted forklift.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Embodiments of the invention are shown in the figures, wherein:

[0039] FIG. 1 shows a forklift in a perspective view with two load rest platforms in their working positions,

[0040] FIG. 2 shows the forklift of FIG. 1 with the load rest platforms in their storage positions,

[0041] FIGS. 3 to 5 are side views on the forklift according to FIG. 1 with the load rest platforms moved to different positions,

[0042] FIGS. 6 to 8 are side views according to FIGS. 3 to 5, wherein a front wheel of the forklift is hidden,

[0043] FIGS. 9 to 12 are detailed side views on a load rest platform movably arranged on a longitudinal beam via an articulating joint, wherein the load rest platform is moved to different positions, and

[0044] FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration of a load rest platform movably arranged on a longitudinal beam via an articulating joint.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0045] FIG. 1 shows a forklift 1 in a perspective view. The forklift 1 comprises a vehicle frame 2. The vehicle frame 2 comprises a first longitudinal beam 5a and a second longitudinal beam 5b. In this embodiment the longitudinal beams 5a, 5b are each of a substantially I-shaped cross-section. On each of the front ends of the longitudinal beams 5a, 5b a steerable front wheel 6a, 6b is arranged. Two load rest platforms 3a, 3b are movably arranged on upper surfaces 21, 23 on each of the longitudinal beams 5a, 5b. The first load rest platform 3a is movably arranged on the upper surface 21 on the first longitudinal beam 5a via a first articulating joint 4a, wherein the first articulating joint 4a connects the first load rest platform 3a with a side face 23 of the first longitudinal beam 5a (see FIGS. 9 to 12). Similarly, the second load rest platform 3b is movably arranged on the upper surface 23 on the second longitudinal beam 5b via a second articulating joint 4b, wherein the second articulating joint 4b connects the second load rest platform 3b with a side face 24 of the second longitudinal beam 5b. In this example, the articulating joints 4a, 4b are mounted or connected to the side faces 22, 24 of longitudinal beams 5a, 5b via mounting plates 11 (also see FIGS. 9 to 12 in this regard). Connecting areas of the articulating joints 4a, 4b at side faces 22, 24 of the longitudinal beams 5a, 5b are in the regions of the front wheels 6a, 6b.

[0046] In this embodiment the longitudinal beams 5a, 5b are each of a substantially I-shaped cross-section, wherein the upper flange of the longitudinal beams 5a, 5b is of an offset or stepped shape, as can clearly be seen from the end-profile of the longitudinal beams 5a, 5b in FIGS. 1 and 2. This enables parts of the load rest platforms 3a, 3b, specifically the projecting flanges 9, to be arranged on or above the upper surfaces 21, 23 of the longitudinal beams 5a, 5b.

[0047] The load rest platforms 3a, 3b extend longitudinally and provide a storage or support surface for a load to be placed or rested on the load rest platforms 3a, 3b. A lifting system of the forklift 1 comprises a load implement in form of forks 10 by which a load can be lifted and deposited on the load rest platforms 3a, 3b or their storage surfaces respectively.

[0048] In the illustration shown in FIG. 1, both load rest platforms 3a, 3b are in their respective working positions in which a load can be deposited on the load rest platforms 3a, 3b. In the working position, the load rest platforms 3a, 3b are aligned essentially horizontally and the load rest platforms 3a, 3b are located above the front wheels 6a, 6b in a vertical direction. In this example, the load rest platforms 3a, 3b are slightly inclined towards the lifting system or forks 10 of the forklift 1 in order to prevent a load which is deposited on the load rest platforms 3a, 3b from tipping down or rolling off the load rest platforms 3a, 3b. Such a slight inclination which still allows to easily deposit a load on the load rest platforms 3a, 3b is still considered as essentially horizontally in the context of this disclosure.

[0049] FIG. 2 shows the forklift according to FIG. 1, wherein the load rest platforms 3a, 3b were moved to their respective storage positions by means of the articulating joints 4a, 4b. The articulating joints 4a, 4b are configured such that the movement of the load rest platforms 3a, 3b from the working position to the storage position is along an arc A (see FIG. 13), wherein the load rest platforms 3a, 3b remain aligned essentially horizontally at all times when moved between their working positions and their storage positions. In their storage positions, the load rest platforms 3a, 3b are aligned essentially horizontally. Through the movement along arc A (see FIG. 13), the load rest platforms 3a, 3b are displaced horizontally and vertically (but still aligned essentially horizontally) when they are moved from their working positions to their storage positions. The movement between the working position and the storage position (and vice versa) can be effected manually or by means of a drive (e.g. an electric drive or a hydraulic drive).

[0050] In the example shown, in their storage positions the load rest platforms 3a, 3b are aligned essentially parallel to the upper surfaces 21, 23 of the longitudinal beams 5a, 5b and substantially rest on the longitudinal beams 5a, 5b. In this way, the load rest platforms 3a, 3b take up minimal space and do neither obstruct the view of the forklift operator nor do they cover headlights of the forklift 1.

[0051] FIGS. 3 to 5 show side views of the forklift 1 according to FIG. 1, wherein the load rest platforms 3a, 3b are moved into different positions. In FIG. 3, the load rest platforms 3a, 3b are in their storage positions. In FIG. 5, the load rest platforms 3a, 3b are in their working positions. In FIG. 4, the load rest platforms 3a, 3b are in an intermediate position between their storage positions and their working positions.

[0052] FIGS. 6 to 8 show the illustrations according to FIGS. 3 to 5, wherein the front wheel 6a is hidden in order to allow a better view on the first load rest platform 3a and on the first articulating joint 4a which connects the first load rest platform 3a with the side face 22 of the first longitudinal beam 5a.

[0053] The following description refers to the first load rest platform 3a and the first articulating joint 4a only. However, the description is of course also applicable to the second load rest platform 3b and the second articulating joint 4b which connects the second load rest platform 3b with the side face 24 of the second longitudinal beam 5b.

[0054] As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 6, the first load rest platform 3a is aligned essentially parallel to the upper surface 21 of the first longitudinal beam 5a. In this example, the first load rest platform 3a also practically rests on the upper surface 21 of the longitudinal beam 5a in its storage position. When moved from the storage position to the working position (see FIGS. 5 and 8), the first load rest platform 3a is moved along an arc A (see FIG. 13), wherein arc A has an apex AA in a vertical direction (see the intermediate position of the first load rest platform 3a in FIGS. 4 and 7 in which the first load rest platform 3a is located higher in the vertical direction than in its storage position and in its working position). The first load rest platform 3a is arranged below the apex AA in a vertical direction when moved to its working position and the first load rest platform 3a is also arranged below the apex AA in a vertical direction when moved to its storage position. In this way, once the first load rest platform 3a is in one of its end positions (i.e. the working position or the storage position) it will safely remain there. The first load rest platform 3a would have to be lifted in the vertical direction up and along arc A beyond the apex AA in order to move it back to the other end position.

[0055] FIGS. 9 to 12 show detailed views of the first load rest platform 3a and of the first articulating joint 4a, wherein the first load rest platform 3a is moved into different positions. In FIG. 9, the first load rest platform 3a is in its storage position. In FIG. 12, the load rest platform 3a is in its working position. FIGS. 10 and 11 show two different intermediate positions of the first load rest platform 3a when moved from its storage position to its working position. In these figures, the outline of the first longitudinal beam 5a with its upper surface 21 and its side face 22 is schematically indicated with dashed lines.

[0056] The first load rest platform 3a is movably arranged on the first longitudinal beam 5a via the first articulating joint 4a, wherein the first articulating joint 4a connects the first load rest platform 3a with the first longitudinal beam 5a in an end region of the first longitudinal beam 5a. The first articulating joint 4a is mounted or connected to the first longitudinal beam 5a via a mounting plate 11.

[0057] The first articulating joint 4a comprises a first joint lever 7 and a second joint lever 8. The first joint lever 7 is pivotally arranged at the side face 22 of the first longitudinal beam 5a around a first pivot axis 71 and it is pivotally arranged at the first load rest platform 3a around a second pivot axis 72. The second pivot axis 72 is essentially parallel to the first pivot axis 71. Both the first pivot axis 71 and the second pivot axis 72 extend transverse to the longitudinal extent of the first longitudinal beam 5a.

[0058] Similarly, the second joint lever 8 is pivotally arranged at the side face 22 of first longitudinal beam 5a around a first pivot axis 81 and it is pivotally arranged at the first load rest platform 3a around a second pivot axis 82. The second pivot axis 82 is essentially parallel to the first pivot axis 81. Both the first pivot axis 81 and the second pivot axis 82 extend transverse to the longitudinal extent of the first longitudinal beam 5a.

[0059] The first pivot axes 71, 81 are spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction of the first longitudinal beam 5a and the second pivot axes 72, 82 are spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction of the first load rest platform 3a.

[0060] In this example the first load rest platform 3a comprises a projecting flange 9, wherein the two joint levers 7, 8 are pivotally arranged at the projecting flange 9. The projecting flange 9 projects essentially perpendicularly from an underside of the first load rest platform 3a and the second pivot axes 72, 82 extend through the projecting flange 9. The two joint levers 7, 8 are configured such that the distance between the first pivot axis 71 and the second pivot axis 72 of the first joint lever 7 is essentially the same as the distance between the first pivot axis 81 and the second pivot axis 82 of the second joint lever 8. As the distance between the underside of the first load rest platform 3a and the second pivot axis 72 of the first joint lever 7 is slightly greater than the distance between the underside of the first load rest platform 3a and the second pivot axis 82 of the second joint lever 8 the first load rest platform 3a is slightly inclined to the horizontal in its working position (see FIG. 12), such slight inclination still be considered as an essentially horizontally alignment of the first load rest platform 3a.

[0061] Each of the two joint levers 7, 8 is of an angled or L-shaped configuration and comprises a first leg 73, 83 and a second leg 74, 84, wherein the first leg 73, 83 and the second leg 74, 84 are arranged at an angle to each other. The bends or angles of the angular or L-shaped joint levers 7, 8 are oriented towards each other. In the region of the bends or angles the two joint levers 7, 8 have a stop surface 75, 85 for abutting against a stop device in order to limit the movement of the first load rest platform 3a. In the example shown, the stop device is formed by the first load rest platform 3a, or more specifically an underside of the first load rest platform 3a. Upon moving the first load rest platform 3a towards its storage position (see FIG. 9), the joint levers 7, 8 pivot clockwise around the first pivot axes 71, 81 until the stop surface 85 of the second joint lever 8 abuts against the underside of the first load rest platform 3a. In this way the stop surface 85 of the second joint lever 8 limits the movement of the first load rest platform 3a and defines the storage position of the first load rest platform 3a (see FIG. 9). In a similar way, on moving the first load rest platform 3a towards its working position (see FIG. 12) the joint levers 7, 8 pivot counterclockwise around the first pivot axes 71, 81 until the stop surface 75 of the first joint lever 7 abuts against the underside of the first load rest platform 3a. In this way the stop surface 75 of the first joint lever 7 limits the movement of the first load rest platform 3a and defines the working position of the first load rest platform 3a.

[0062] FIG. 13 shows a schematic illustration of a load rest platform 3a movably arranged on a longitudinal beam 5a via an articulating joint 4a. The storage position of the load rest platform 3a is shown in solid lines and the outline of the working position of the load rest platform 3a is shown in dashed lines.

[0063] The articulating joint 4a comprises a first joint lever 7 and a second joint lever 8. The first joint lever 7 is pivotally arranged at the side face 22 of the longitudinal beam 5a around a first pivot axis 71 and it is pivotally arranged at the load rest platform 3a around a second pivot axis 72. The second joint lever 8 is pivotally arranged at the side face 22 of the longitudinal beam 5a around a first pivot axis 81 and it is pivotally arranged at the load rest platform 3a around a second pivot axis 82. The first pivot axes 71, 81 are spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction of the longitudinal beam 5a and the second pivot axes 72, 82 are spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction of the load rest platform 3a.

[0064] The load rest platform 3a moves along an arc A when moved between its storage position and its working position, wherein the load rest platform 3a remains aligned essentially horizontally at all times when moved between the storage position and the working position. The arc A has an apex AA in a vertical direction, wherein the load rest platform 3a is arranged below the apex AA in a vertical direction when moved to its working position. In addition, the load rest platform 3a is also arranged below the apex AA in a vertical direction when moved to its storage position. The apex point AA thus corresponds to a dead point position, which may be passed during movement between the storage position of the load rest platform 3a and the working position of the load rest platform 3a and vice versa. This way, once the load rest platform 3a is in its working position, it will securely remain there. The load rest platform would have to be lifted upwards in the vertical direction and moved along the arc A beyond the apex or dead point position in order to move it back to the storage position.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0065] 1 forklift [0066] 2 vehicle frame [0067] 21, 23 upper surface [0068] 22, 24 side face [0069] 3a, 3b load rest platform [0070] 4a, 4b articulating joint [0071] 5a, 5b longitudinal beam [0072] 6a, 6b front wheel [0073] 7, 8 joint lever [0074] 71, 81 first pivot axis [0075] 72, 82 second pivot axis [0076] 73, 83 first leg [0077] 74, 84 second leg [0078] 75, 85 stop surface [0079] 9 projecting flange [0080] 10 fork [0081] 11 mounting plate [0082] A arc [0083] AA apex