Forklift fork grabber mechansim for securing attachments to forklift forks

Abstract

A forklift fork grabber mechanism is provided for clamping forks to a load by applying tensile or compressive force between a forklift attachment and the forks using a binder, bolts, motor, latch, or other means.

Claims

1. A forklift fork grabber for securing attachments to a forklift comprising: a fork attachment base comprising two fork tubes for receiving forks, each of the fork tubes defining an aperture on an interior surface of the fork tube which faces an opposing fork tube for facilitating engagement between a fork and the forklift fork grabber; two fulcrum mounts, each of the two fulcrum mounts affixed to an interior surface of a fork tube of said fork tubes; a binder for applying tensile force with ratcheting of a handle; two levers, each lever hingedly affixed at a midpoint to a fulcrum mount of said fulcrum mounts, each lever hingedly affixed at a proximal end to the binder; and wherein each lever is adapted to apply tensile force at a distal end through said aperture to the fork inserted into a fork tube of said fork tubes when the binder is ratcheted such that the fork becomes frictionally bound to the fork attachment base.

2. The forklift fork grabber of claim 1, further comprising a tapered engagement protrusion affixed to a distal end of a lever of said two levers.

3. The forklift fork grabber of claim 1, wherein each of the fulcrum mounts is welded to said interior surface of the fork attachment base.

4. A forklift fork grabber for securing attachments to a forklift comprising: a fork attachment base comprising two fork tubes for receiving forks, each of the fork tubes defining an aperture on an interior surface facing the opposing fork tube of the fork tube for facilitating engagement between a fork of said forks and a hydraulically-actuated cylinder; and the hydraulically-actuated cylinder for applying tensile force to the forks.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is an elevational frontal-side perspective view of a forklift fork grabber for securing attachments to forklift forks in accordance with the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a forklift fork grabber for securing attachments to forklift forks in accordance with the present invention;

(4) FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a forklift fork grabber for securing attachments to forklift forks in accordance with the present invention;

(5) FIG. 4 is an elevational frontal-side perspective view of a forklift fork grabber for securing attachments to forklift forks in accordance with the present invention;

(6) FIG. 5A is a top perspective view of a forklift fork grabber for securing attachments to forklift forks in accordance with the present invention;

(7) FIG. 5B is a top perspective view of a forklift fork grabber for securing attachments to forklift forks in accordance with the present invention;

(8) FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a forklift fork grabber for securing attachments to forklift forks in accordance with the present invention; and

(9) FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a method of securing attachments to forklift forks in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(10) Reference throughout this specification to one embodiment, an embodiment, or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases in one embodiment, in an embodiment, and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

(11) Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

(12) Provision of a forklift fork grabbing mechanism is an object of the present invention which can be designed and built in many configurations such as; single or multiple forks clamped with one mechanical device, varying widths or depths, a varying quantity or positions such as forward or back, integrated or added to the attachment. The disclosed apparatus can work at multiple angles ranging from and not limited to 0 degrees to 90 degrees, and a combined variation of all in one design. It can be made of multiple materials including but not limited to metals, alloys, wood, plastics, fiberglass, and composites. The binding mechanism may be comprised of many industrial components currently offered in the industry including, binders, ratchets levers, handles and such. It can use a combination of levers and devices to push or pull clamping the fork to the sides of the fork attachment and or fork tubes. The mechanism may be adjustable allowing for different widths of forks to be clamped in the attachment.

(13) FIG. 1 is an elevational frontal-side perspective view of a forklift fork grabber for securing attachments to forklift forks in accordance with the present invention.

(14) The fork attachment base 110 is accessed by a forklift for inserting or removing a plurality of forks and lifting a load disposed upon or affixed to the fork attachment base 110. Additionally, the fork attachment base 110 may comprise one or more tiers for retaining the forks at different elevations. In this manner, variously sized and dimensioned forks may be used to lift a load.

(15) The fork attachment base 110 comprises multiple members, junctions, and organizational spacing configured to receive and retain two forks as known to those of skill in the art and may be manufactured from a rigid material, including, without limitation, steel, aluminum, magnesium, titanium, metal alloys, polymers, wood, carbon-fiber, carbon fiber, fiberglass, resins, plastics, composites, and other structural materials known in the art.

(16) The fork attachment base 110 comprises two fork tubes 108 for receiving the forks 102 on a forklift. The fork attachment base 110 forms a generally rectangle or quadrilateral from an upper perspective view.

(17) The fork attachment base 110 may include one or more load bearing members that extends horizontally between fork tubes 108.

(18) Each of the components of the apparatus 100 may be welded or bolted together, overlay one another, or may be fastened through various fasteners at a junction. In many embodiments, the components are affixed at right angles (i.e. 90 degree angles) to one another.

(19) In one embodiment, a pair of forks 102 position on opposite fork tubes 108. The forks align in parallel within the fork tubes 108. Furthermore, the multiple load bearing members 108 can be positioned at different elevations on the rack 100, forming multiple tiers of load bearing members 108 to support the forks.

(20) Various components of the apparatus 100 may be comprised of structural components including, without limitation to, rod, bar, angle, square tube, rectangular tube, round tube, channel, pipe, I-beams, plate, and other structural components known in the art including bolts, nuts and other fasteners in some embodiments.

(21) The apparatus 100 comprises a binder 104 disposed and hingedly affixed between two levers affixed at midpoints to a mounting base affixed to an interior surface of a fork tube 108. This binder 104 may be ratcheted with a handle to apply tensile force (or release tensile force) to a fork 102 vis--vis a lever.

(22) FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a forklift fork grabber 200 for securing attachments to forklift forks in accordance with the present invention. The apparatus 200 is shown in the closed position in FIG. 2 in which tensile force is being applied to the forks 102.

(23) As shown, distal ends of the levers 206 may comprise or be affixed to engagement protrusions 208 which insert through an aperture on the interior surface of the fork tube 108. These engagement protrusions 208, or alternatively the distal ends of the lever 206 in the absence of the engagement protrusions 208, are adapted to apply tensile force to a fork 102 when the binder 104 is ratcheted.

(24) FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a forklift fork grabber for securing attachments to forklift forks 300 in accordance with the present invention. The apparatus 300 is shown in the open position in FIG. 3 in which tensile force is not being applied to the forks 102.

(25) The levers 206 are hingedly affixed to a mounting bracket at a midpoint and also hingedly affixed to the binder 104 at a proximal end.

(26) FIG. 4 is an elevational frontal-side perspective view of a forklift fork grabber 400 for securing attachments to forklift forks in accordance with the present invention.

(27) The fork tubes 108 define apertures which may be cut, drilled or otherwise defined in the fork tube 108. These apertures allow force to be applied by a lever 206 to a fork 102 in the fork tube 108, which force binds the fork 102 to an interior recess of the fork tube 108 frictionally, preventing the fork attachment base 110 and a corresponding load from slipping of the forks 102.

(28) FIG. 5A is a top perspective view of a forklift fork grabber 500 for securing attachments to forklift forks in accordance with the present invention.

(29) In alternative embodiments, bolts 502 may insert through threaded holes and engagement a fork 102. The bolts 502 may be used in place of the binder 104 to bind the forks 102 to the fork tubes 108.

(30) FIG. 5B is a top perspective view of a forklift fork grabber 550 for securing attachments to forklift forks in accordance with the present invention. As shown, the bolts 502 may comprise or consist of T-bolts.

(31) FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a forklift fork grabber 600 for securing attachments to forklift forks in accordance with the present invention.

(32) The apparatus 600 comprises a hydraulic cylinder 602 which may adapted to apply force through the fork tubes 108 to the forks 102. The hydraulic cylinder 602 may be sized and dimensioned to fit between fork tubes 108 in the fork attachment base 110.

(33) FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a method of securing attachments to forklift forks in accordance with the present invention.

(34) In is an object of the present invention to provide a method of securing a load to a fork by applying pressure to the fork within the fork tube through an aperture in the force tube, which may be cut, drilled, or otherwise defined.

(35) The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.