Anti-scratch and anti-slip device for lifting loads, preferably through use of a forklift

Abstract

An innovative anti-scratch and anti-slip device for lifting loads with the fork of a lift, for example with a forklift, includes three different, overlapping layers. In particular, a first magnetic layer is adapted to be removably applied to the fork; a second, external layer covers the first layer and is made of a rubber material that comes in direct contact with the load, the rubber material providing a seal and not scratching the load; and a third layer that is interposed in an intermediate position between the first and the second layers to stiffen the device.

Claims

1. A device for a metallic fork of a lift, comprising: a first magnetic layer comprising a mixture of ferrite and rubber and adapted to magnetically dispose the device (1) on the fork of the lift; a second rubber layer disposed on the first layer (2), such that the rubber of said second layer, when a load is lifted with said fork, touches directly the load without scratching the load, the rubber further limiting a slipping of the load, the second rubber layer having planar upper and lower surfaces; and an intermediate layer (3) interposed between the first and the second layers that stiffens the device as a whole and limits inflexions thereof, the first layer and the intermediate layer having substantially a same outer perimeter, wherein the intermediate layer (3) has a thickness from 1 mm to 4 mm, and wherein the first layer has a thickness from 1 mm to 3 mm.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second layer is configured as a strip that is internally full, such to prevent a tubular shape of the second layer.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate layer (3) is a metallic layer.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the intermediate layer (3) is made of iron or steel.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first layer (2) is configured to exert a magnetic force of at least 700 N.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the first layer (2) is configured to exert a magnetic force from 700 N to 1500 N.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second layer (4) includes a plurality of beads on its outer surface that improve anti-slip seal.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is strip-shaped such to substantially trace a shape of the fork on which the device is applied the device includes a L-shaped folding on lateral sides of the strip.

9. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a press arranged on the device such to enable grasping the load laterally when the device is applied to the fork.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the device is L-shaped and comprises an apex, to which the press is connected.

11. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a tang that facilitates detachment of the device from the fork to which the device is applied.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein a rear end portion of the device lacks the intermediate layer.

13. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a weight sensor that is integrated in the device such to enable weighing a lifted object while positioned on the fork.

14. A mobile surface of a lift, preferably a fork, for lifting a load, comprising: a device comprising, a first magnetic layer comprising a mixture of ferrite and rubber and adapted to magnetically dispose the device on the fork of the lift; a second rubber layer disposed on the first layer, such that the rubber of the second layer, when a load is lifted with the fork, touches directly the load without scratching the load, the rubber further limiting a slipping of the load, the second rubber layer having planar upper and lower surfaces; and an intermediate layer interposed between the first and the second layers, the second layer stiffening the device as a whole and limiting inflexions thereof, the first layer and the intermediate layer having substantially a same outer perimeter, wherein the intermediate layer has a thickness from 1 mm to 4 mm, and wherein the first layer has a thickness from 1 mm to 3 mm.

15. A method of lifting a load with a fork of a lift, the method comprising: applying at least one strip on a surface of the fork, with which the load is lifted, the strip comprising, a first magnetic layer comprising a mixture of ferrite and rubber and adapted to be magnetically applied to the fork in a removable manner, a second rubber layer, disposed on the first layer such a way the rubber, when the load is lifted with the fork, touches the load directly without scratching the load, the rubber further limiting a slipping of the load, the second rubber layer having planar upper and lower surfaces, and an intermediate metallic layer, interposed between the first and the second layers, the intermediate layer stiffening the strip as a whole and limiting inflexions thereof, the first layer and the intermediate layer having substantially a same outer perimeter, wherein the intermediate layer has a thickness from 1 mm to 4 mm, and wherein the first layer has a thickness from 1 mm to 3 mm.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Additional features and advantages of a device according to the invention will become clearer from the description that follows of one of its embodiments, made to illustrate but not limit the invention, and having reference to the enclosed drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 shows an exploded axonometric view of a device according to the invention, wherein the three layers (2, 3, 4) are represented as separated;

(3) FIG. 2 shows an axonometric view of the device 1;

(4) FIG. 3 shows one of its applications to the fork of a lift;

(5) FIG. 4 shows the device 1 applied to the fork;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a weight sensor applied to the device 1;

(7) FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 show a second configuration of the invention;

(8) FIGS. 8 to 10 show another device according to the invention;

(9) FIGS. 11 to 13 show another device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

(10) With reference to FIG. 1, there is described a device according to the invention, in particular, a protective and anti-slip device 1 for lifting loads with lifting forks, for example the forks of a forklift.

(11) In particular, FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of three constituent parts (2, 3, 4) of device 1, overlapped one over the other.

(12) Still with reference to FIG. 1, a first layer 2, or inferior layer 2, is composed entirely or in part of a magnetic material such that, due to the magnetic attraction that it generates, it adheres to the metal of the fork on which it is applied.

(13) Such layer can, for example, be obtained with a mixture of ferrite and rubber.

(14) A second layer 4, or superior layer 4, is arranged on the first layer 2 and comes in direct contact with the load without damaging it (for example, without scratching it) and above all, provides a good friction coefficient that prevents slipping of the load.

(15) To that end, rubber materials are particularly suitable. Rubber is particularly suitable because it is soft and at the same time has a high friction coefficient. Therefore, the lifted load, leaning directly on the rubber, is not scratched and is subject to a sufficient friction coefficient to prevent the slipping thereof.

(16) Among the various examples of rubber materials, mention nitrile rubber may be mentioned, which allows contact even with food substances. Other rubbers may be styrene rubber, which has a service temperature up to 70 C. and is suitable for industrial plates; polybutadiene rubber, which has anti-abrasive properties; ethylene-propylene rubber, which is resistant to atmospheric and chemical agents; fluorinated rubber, which is resistant to flames; or SBR rubber (Styrene Butadiene Rubber).

(17) Although rubber is the preferred material for the present purposes, other materials with similar characteristics can be used, without moving apart from the scope of the invention.

(18) For example, wood has both a good friction coefficient and superficial softness such not to scratch metal. Multi-layer wood or chestnut oak can therefore be used.

(19) Plastic materials may also be used.

(20) A third layer 3, or intermediate layer 3, is interposed between the inferior layer 2 and the superior layer 4 such to provide sufficient rigidity to the entire device 1, thus avoiding undesired inflexions due to the action of the overlying load, which can cause an irregular adherence.

(21) To that aim, the third layer 3 is preferably made of metal, for example iron, and has a thickness that varies from 1 mm to 4 mm, and is preferably 2 mm. These ranges have been mentioned as preferred, particularly when iron is used, but can vary other metals or alloys are use. For example, an intermediate layer of steel, though more expensive, can allow lowering significantly the above mentioned thickness values.

(22) Other materials of sufficient rigidity may include a high-resistance rigid plastic layer.

(23) The presence of the intermediate layer 3 is particularly important and relevant, above all in the case of heavy loads. In fact, the inflexion of the device 1, and therefore the inflexion of the magnetic layer 2, causes, in addition to a partial detachment due to said inflexion, a change of polarity with a consequent variation of the generated magnetic field. As a consequence, the force F of magnetic adhesion of the device to the forks is also altered, which decreases drastically. In this case, the geometry of the magnetic layer must be kept unaltered as much as possible in order to avoid unexpected drops in sealing. To that aim, the intermediate layer 3 provides an adequate overall rigidity that limits the inflexion of the device.

(24) Moreover, the overlaying metallic layer directs the entire magnetic field downward, causing a greater adherence on the fork to which it is applied.

(25) The presence of the magnet, above all, makes such strips easily applicable at any point of the fork and drawn and successfully applied to the forks every time that is necessary as well as removable at the end of use.

(26) The magnet must be dimensioned to exert a force that is sufficient for avoiding the detachment of the strip during its operative phase. In this case, magnets can be selected that are capable of exerting forces at least equal or superior to 700 N, and preferably, in a range between 700 N and 1500 N.

(27) Such a range allows achieving an adequate seal, optimizing at the same time the dimensions of the magnet.

(28) FIG. 2 shows the device 1 in assembled condition, wherein the three layers have been overlapped and connected between them according to the sequence of FIG. 1. An adhesive material that can be used for coupling the layers may be, for example, common seal glue.

(29) The layer 2 covers the layer 3, having substantially the same shape and the same area.

(30) FIG. 2 highlights an appendix or tang 5, which facilitates the detachment of the device 1 from the fork. Through such an appendix the user can grasp the device and lift it progressively, causing the detachment of the device from the fork.

(31) Although FIG. 2 highlights a solution wherein the tang is applied to the first magnetic layer 2, the same may be connected to any of the described layers.

(32) Preferably, but not necessarily, the layers are cut in the shape of strips that substantially trace the shape of the fork, such that their application on the fork provides a uniform shape.

(33) FIG. 3 shows an example of use, in particular the application of the device 1 on a fork 10 through a magnetic force of attraction F, which is established between the metal of the fork and the magnet that constitutes the layer 2. FIG. 4 shows the device applied to the fork and therefore ready for use.

(34) FIG. 6 illustrates a second configuration of a device according to the invention, which is identical to the first configuration but to which a press 6 is added. The press 6 can have different geometrical forms, such as semi-circumferential (that is, C-shaped) or V-shaped. As shown in FIG. 6, such a constructive solution is particularly functional in the case of forks that also move also in relation to each other since they can move apart or come close. The use of an adequately shaped press thus enables grasping objects of particular shapes laterally.

(35) Accordingly, FIG. 6 shows the lateral grasping of a cylinder 100 shown with in dashed lines. Other objects of particular shapes can also be grasped with presses of the same shape.

(36) The grasping surface of the press can be covered with an anti-scratch material, such as rubber.

(37) In order to optimize operation, the section of FIG. 7 shows that, in the case of presses rigidly connected to the device 1, the device 1 is preferably made in the shape of an L. In this manner, the thrust S acting on the device 1, due to the grasping action between the forks, will not cause the slipping of the device with respect to the surface on which it is applied, since the appendix 7 of the L shape causes a contrast against the surface of the fork. In this manner, it will be possible to avoid an over-dimensioning of the magnetic layer 2.

(38) The rigid connection of the press to the device 1 can be achieved in different ways, for example by including one or more L-shaped brackets, welded on one side to the press and on the other side to the metallic intermediate layer.

(39) FIG. 8 shows an additional configuration of the invention, identical to the preceding one, except that instead of the tang 5 there is a strip with its final end 101 lacking the metallic intermediate layer.

(40) This causes, as shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and in better detail in FIG. 10, a terminal part 101 to be flexible such to be grasped manually and detached on the part of fork to which it becomes applied. Moreover, such a portion can easily follow the L-shaped curved profile of the fork on which it is applied (see FIGS. 8 and 9, for example).

(41) In all the above described configurations, and in particular in the configuration of FIGS. 8 to 10, rises 102 in the rubber of the superior layer of the bubbles are highlighted. These provide a better anti-slip seal of the overlaying load.

(42) In all the configurations of the invention, both the superior layer in rubber and the magnetic inferior layer can be produced with a vulcanization process, arranging the rubber on the metal of the intermediate layer, which is placed in a mold. Alternatively, the rubber may be injected on the metal, still placed within a mold.

(43) FIGS. 11-13 show a further variant of the invention wherein the strip includes an L-shaped folding 7 on both sides, identical to the one of FIG. 6. In this case, such a folding 7 not only further limits the lateral movements of the strip but also, and above all, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, protects the load from direct contact against the angles of the fork in the case of load 300 that is concave or convex.

(44) In all the above described configurations, as shown in FIG. 5, it is also possible to provide the device 1 with a weight sensor 20, of a type that is known in the art.

(45) The weight sensor is therefore capable of measuring the weight of the object arranged on the device 1, thus eliminating the additional inconvenience of having to first weigh the object at a weighing station and only then lift with the forks of the lift.

(46) Although the invention is preferably applicable to metallic forks of a lift, it is clear that the same may be equally applied to any lifting surface, such as a loading platform, movable vertically and/or laterally, or to fixed support surfaces such as the deck of a truck or a metallic container. Another application example can comprise applying such strips to the vices of a lift fork for the movement of paper reels. Such vices open, close and rotate in order to grasp and manage paper reels in the industry of paper processing.

(47) The lengths of the strips generally extend for the entire length of the fork and may vary within a range from 1 m to 2 m and more.

(48) Nevertheless, the application of shorter strips or the application in succession of short strips along the fork is possible.

(49) Accordingly, in the embodiments described in FIGS. 1-5, the layer of rubber has a thickness within a range varying from 4 mm to 10 mm.

(50) The metallic layer has preferably a thickness of about 2 mm and the magnetic layer has preferably a thickness of about 1.7 mm.

(51) Accordingly, the device has generally an overall thickness within a range from 7 mm to 13 mm, more preferably from 9 mm to 11 mm.

(52) The rubber layer and also the other layers are internally full, such that those layer do not have tubular shapes with longitudinal cavities therein.