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EP 1 007 465 B1 |
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EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
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Mention of the grant of the patent: |
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07.05.2003 Bulletin 2003/19 |
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Date of filing: 22.12.1997 |
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International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B66F 9/12 |
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International application number: |
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PCT/SE9702/199 |
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International publication number: |
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WO 9802/8221 (02.07.1998 Gazette 1998/26) |
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INDUSTRIAL TRUCK DEVICE
VORRICHTUNG FÜR EINEN TRANSPORTWAGEN
DISPOSITIF POUR VEHICULE INDUSTRIEL
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Designated Contracting States: |
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DE DK ES FI FR GB IT SE |
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Priority: |
20.12.1996 SE 9604713
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Date of publication of application: |
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14.06.2000 Bulletin 2000/24 |
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Proprietor: Teknikkusten AB |
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451 24 Uddevalla (SE) |
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Inventor: |
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- FALK, Ingemar
S-451 55 Uddevalla (SE)
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Representative: Cederbom, Hans Erik August et al |
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Cegumark AB,
Box 53047 400 14 Göteborg 400 14 Göteborg (SE) |
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References cited: :
DE-A- 3 500 691
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SE-B- 431 194
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Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European
patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to
the European patent
granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall
not be deemed to
have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent
Convention).
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[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle comprising lifting forks and a yoke which
may be tipped and which is provided with a load function and which may be detachable
connected to the forks of a lift truck or another vehicle which is provided with forks.
[0002] Such a vehicle is known from SE-A-431 194.
[0003] The use of vehicle equipped plastic vessels within the industry for collection of
secondary material and waste has increased considerably. Besides, demands for sorting
into different fractions will gain more penetration also out in industrial enterprises.
[0004] The wheel equipped vessels are easy to empty with a special equipped refuse collection
vehicle, like in residential districts. On the other hand, this handling is experienced
as circumstantial when the vessels must be rolled or be transported to a centrally
located larger container within a factory or an industrial area. The more sorting
of waste at the source gains acceptance, the longer the distance will also be to the
collecting centre. For example, a full size container which only shall contain waste
paper and not corrugated cardboard must have a much larger area of collecting than
a collection container for unsorted waste.
[0005] Today there is stationary equipment which may empty one vessel at a time at the location
of the container. However, then a person must manually roll up each vessel separately
and perform emptying by means of the equipment. Or that several vessels are loaded
manually on some form of cart which then is pulled out to the centrally located truck
container. All vessels must then be handled manually one by one at this.
[0006] Thus, there are good possibilities within the industry for solving the demand for
sorting waste at the source by means of wheel equipped plastic vessels, but the handling
has not found a rational solution.
[0007] Furthermore, there are commonly used fork-lift trucks as dominating logistics systems
when stationary installations may not be motivated.
[0008] Fork-lift trucks may not today handle the wheel equipped vessels, but must have truck
adapted metal containers. These containers are not adapted for sorting at the source,
and are considered as difficult to handle at the locations of collecting closest to
the individual working sites.
[0009] Nevertheless, in order to perform the secondary material/waste collection which is
needed at each working site within the industry different equipment aids have been
provided. So far, all known handling systems and equipment require that a person manually
moves each vessel to position for gripping for the equipment that shall fetch or empty
the vessel. The operating mode of the collecting vehicle will then be different from
the desired. The driver must park the vehicle and go out and do a manual labour, by
moving vessels during the time which the vehicle is waiting. This is not the optimum
from the viewpoint of logistics.
[0010] In order to somewhat reduce the element of manual labour, the truck vehicle may be
equipped with all sorts of special equipment for side displacement of the lifting
equipment. But the truck vehicle then will have a completely different and more demanding
work pattern than what is given priority to during design and driver education.
[0011] Furthermore, the equipment requires that the driver leaves his driver's seat and
performs a coupling of the equipment and the truck vehicle, in view of power supply
and control linkage.
[0012] The main object of the present invention is therefore primarily to try to solve the
problem with simple and still well functioning means for combining the advantages
of in itself previously known systems and thereby enabling rational fork-lift truck
handling of wheel equipped container vessels of primarily plastic material.
[0013] This object is achieved by means of a device according to the invention which is
substantially characterized in that the yoke is provided with a driving motor and
generators of lifting force which are separate from said vehicle, and that the yoke
has such a centre of gravity that it stays within the ordinary lift forks of the vehicle
both in empty as well as in filled condition.
[0014] Thereby, fork-lift trucks or other fork equipped work vehicles may fetch and use
the device according to the invention for complete handling of it without any need
for the driver to leave the designated normal driver's seat for this purpose.
[0015] The invention will be described as a preferred embodiment wherein is referred to
the accompanying drawings in which,
[0016] Fig 1 and 2 shows device in function for different tipping of vessels and containers.
[0017] A device 1 for a yoke 2 which may be tipped and which is provided with a load function,
and which may be detachable connected to the ordinary forks 3 of a truck vehicle 4
or any other transportable vehicle which is provided with fork-lift, has the yoke
2 arranged so that it is provided with its own motor 5, which is individual of the
vehicle 4. Also, the yoke 2 is provided with generators 6, 7 of lifting force and
that it has such a centre of gravity that it stays within the ordinary lift forks
3 of the vehicle both in empty as well as in filled condition. Thereby the yoke 2
is arranged thanks to its independent power supply and function as emptying equipment
for lifting and moving vessels 8 which are provided with handles to be tipped into
intended container 9 of the yoke 2 in question.
[0018] A smaller collecting container which contains the contents from a number of even
smaller vessels 8 provided with wheels 10, may thus be received to be carried by the
yoke 2 and form said collecting container 9.
[0019] The mentioned with the yoke 2 connected collecting container 9 is provided with handling
and lifting means 11 at the end which is facing away from the vehicle 4, in order
to lift and empty receiving vessels 8 into the collecting container 9 after gripping.
The yoke 2 is provided with its completely independent power supply by rechargeable
battery connection 5 and that the drive means of the yoke and the control means 6,
7 are arranged to be controlled via wireless remote control without external connection
to the referred vehicle 4.
[0020] The vehicle 4 preferably consists of a transportable lift truck which with the yoke
2 as a facility maintains the normal work function of the vehicle by driving along
the normal route for lifting 12 and sinking 13 respectively of the lift forks 3.
[0021] The lift yoke 2 is provided with a pivot bearing 14 at that end A which is distal
from the vehicle coupling side, for the referred collecting container 9.
[0022] Preferably, the mentioned pivot bearing 14 is located on an upright 15 in a raised
position with reference to the lift forks 3 and the connection member 16 of the vehicle
for the yoke 2 for this. The own separate preferably remotely controlled lift function
means of the yoke are performance locked via pressure limiters in lift jacks 6, 7,
preferably hydraulic operating cylinder pistons, so that overloading is avoided and/or
cautioned against.
[0023] Preferably, the yoke 2 is provided with means 16 with insert function for connection
with the forks 3 in the direction from its front so that the driver of the lift truck
4 may manoeuvre the yoke 2 from the driver's seat 17 for all goods handling when the
yoke 2 is used for lifting and moving vessels 8 which are provided with handles and
wheels for emptying into the collecting container 9 which may be carried by the yoke
for subsequent emptying out of it by tipping into a larger collecting container 18
intended to be transported away by car.
[0024] The collecting container 9 may be tipped for emptying at optional height by exploiting
the lifting function of the fork-lift truck 4 for reaching the height, and the tipping
function of the equipment in order to empty it into a larger central container 18
or cargo truck container. The tipping function is operated via remote control without
that the driver need to leave the truck 4.
[0025] The emptying function for e.g. plastic vessel 8 may be used without the driver having
to leave the truck 4. The truck, with the equipment on the forks 3 is driven towards
the vessel 8 which shall be emptied. The driver remotely controls the vessel emptying
function of the equipment and drives on to the next vessel when the vessel has been
returned to its original position. When a number of vessels are empty or when the
collecting container 9 is full, the truck 4 for example drives out to the central
large container and tips into it.
[0026] The invention is not limited to the above described and in the drawings shown embodiments
of the invention but may be varied within the scope of the claims without departing
from the inventive concept.
1. Vehicle comprising lifting forks (3) and a yoke (2) which may be tipped and which
is provided with a load function and which may be detachable connected to the forks
(3) of the vehicle (4), characterized
in that the yoke (2) is provided with a driving motor (5) and generators (6, 7) of lifting
force which are separate from said vehicle (4), the yoke is arranged to function by
its independent power supply as emptying equipment for lifting and moving vessels
(8) which are provided with handles to be tipped into a collecting container (9) of
the yoke (2) and which is carried thereby, the lift yoke (2) is provided with a pivot
bearing (14) at that end which is distal from the vehicle coupling side, for the referred
collecting container (9), that the pivot bearing (14) is located in a raised position
with reference to the lift forks (3) and the connection member (16) of the vehicle
for the yoke (2) for this, and that the yoke (2) has such a centre of gravity that
it stays within the lift forks (3) of the vehicle both in empty as well as in filled
condition.
2. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the collecting container (9) of the yoke is provided with handling and lifting means
(6, 7) at the end (A) which is facing away from the vehicle (4), in order to lift
and empty the receiving vessel (8) into the collecting container (9) after gripping.
3. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1-2,
characterized in that the yoke (2) is provided with its completely independent power supply by rechargeable
battery connection.
4. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1-3,
characterized in that the vehicle (4) consists of a transportable lift truck which with the yoke (2) as
a facility maintains the normal work function of the vehicle by driving along the
normal route for lifting (12) and sinking (13) of the lift forks (3).
5. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1-4,
characterized in that the drive means of the yoke and the control means (6, 7) are arranged to be controlled
via wireless remote control without external connection to the referred vehicle (4).
6. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1-5,
characterized in that the own separate preferably remotely controlled lift function means of the yoke are
performance locked via pressure limiters in lift jacks (6, 7), which preferably are
formed of hydraulic cylinder pistons, so that overloading is avoided and/or cautioned
against.
7. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1-6,
characterized in that the yoke (2) is provided with means (16) with insert function for connection with
the forks (3) in the direction from its front so that the driver of the lift truck
(4) may manoeuvre the yoke (2) from the driver's seat (17) for all goods handling
when the yoke (2) is used for lifting and moving vessels (8) which are provided with
handles and wheels for emptying into the collecting container (9) which may be carried
by the yoke for subsequent emptying out of it by tipping.
1. Fahrzeug mit Hubgabeln (3) und einem Bügel (2), der gekippt werden kann und der mit
einer Ladefunktion versehen ist und der abnehmbar mit den Gabeln (3) des Fahrzeugs
(4) verbunden sein kann,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass der Bügel (2) mit einem Antriebsmotor (5) und Generatoren (6, 7) für Hubkraft versehen
ist, die von dem Fahrzeug (4) getrennt sind, wobei der Bügel derart eingerichtet ist,
dass er durch seine unabhängige Energieversorgung als Entleerungseinrichtung zum Anheben
und Bewegen von Behältern (8) funktioniert, die mit Griffen versehen sind, um in einen
Sammelcontainer (9) des Bügels (2) hineingekippt zu werden, und der von diesem mitgeführt
wird, wobei der Hubbügel (2) mit einem Drehlager (14) an dem Ende, das sich distal
von der Fahrzeugkupplungsseite befindet, für den genannten Sammelcontainer (9) versehen
ist, dass das Drehlager (14) sich in einer erhöhten Stellung in Bezug auf die Hubgabeln
(3) und das Verbindungselement (16) des Fahrzeuges für den Bügel (2) dafür befindet,
und dass der Bügel (2) einen Schwerpunkt aufweist, der sowohl im leeren als auch im
gefüllten Zustand innerhalb der Hubgabeln (3) des Fahrzeugs bleibt.
2. Fahrzeug nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass der Sammelcontainer (9) des Bügels mit einem Greif- und Hebemittel (6, 7) an dem
Ende (A), das von dem Fahrzeug (4) weg weist, versehen ist, um den Aufnahmebehälter
(8) nach dem Greifen anzuheben und in den Sammelcontainer (9) hinein zu entleeren.
3. Fahrzeug nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 2,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass eine vollständig unabhängige Energieversorgung des Bügels (2) durch einen Anschluss
für wiederaufladbare Batterien vorgesehen ist.
4. Fahrzeug nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass das Fahrzeug (4) aus einem transportablen Gabelstapler besteht, der mit dem Bügel
(2) als eine Vorrichtung die normale Arbeitsfunktion des Fahrzeuges beibehält, indem
entlang der normalen Strecke zum Anheben (12) und Absenken (13) der Hubgabeln (3)
gefahren wird.
5. Fahrzeug nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass das Antriebsmittel des Bügels und das Steuermittel (6, 7) derart eingerichtet sind,
dass sie über eine drahtlose Fernsteuerung ohne externe Verbindung mit dem genannten
Fahrzeug (4) gesteuert werden können.
6. Fahrzeug nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass die Leistung der dem Bügel eigenen separaten, vorzugsweise ferngesteuerten Hubfunktionsmittel
über Druckbegrenzer in Hubpressen (6, 7), die vorzugsweise aus Hydraulikzylinderkolben
gebildet sind, gesperrt wird, so dass ein Überladen vermieden und/oder diesem vorgebeugt
wird.
7. Fahrzeug nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6,
dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass der Bügel (2) mit einem Mittel (16) mit einer Einsetzfunktion zur Verbindung mit
den Gabeln (3) in der Richtung von ihrer Vorderseite aus versehen ist, so dass der
Fahrer des Gabelstaplers (4) den Bügel (2) vom Fahrersitz (17) aus manövrieren kann,
um alle Waren zu handhaben, wenn der Bügel (2) zum Anheben und Bewegen von Behältern
(8) verwendet wird, die mit Griffen und Rädern versehen sind, um sie in den Sammelcontainer
(9) zu entleeren, der von dem Bügel mitgeführt werden kann, um ihn anschließend durch
Kippen zu entleeren.
1. Véhicule comportant des fourches de levage (3) et un étrier de support (2) qui peut
être basculé comprenant une fonction de charge, et qui peut être raccordé de façon
amovible aux fourches (3) du véhicule (4), caractérisé en ce que l'étrier de support (2) comprend un moteur d'actionnement (5) et des générateurs
(6, 7) de force de levage distincts du véhicule (4), en ce que l'étrier de support (2) est prévu pour fonctionner avec son alimentation indépendante
en tant qu'équipement de vidage pour lever et déplacer des conteneurs (8) comportant
des poignées pour être basculés dans un bac de collecte (9) par l'étrier de support
(2) et qui sont portés par celui-ci, en ce que l'étrier de support (2) comporte une articulation de pivotement (14) à l'extrémité
éloignée du côté de couplage au véhicule, pour le bac de collecte (9) concerné, en ce que cette articulation de pivotement (14) est placée dans une position d'élévation par
rapport aux fourches de levage (3) et à l'ensemble de raccordement (16) du véhicule
à l'étrier de support (2), et en ce que l'étrier de support (2) présente un centre de gravité tel qu'il reste à l'intérieur
des fourches de levage (3) aussi bien à l'état vides qu'à l'état chargées.
2. Véhicule selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le bac de collecte (9) de l'étrier de support (2) comporte des moyens de manutention
et de levage (6, 7) à l'extrémité (A) en regard du véhicule (4), de manière à lever
et vider le conteneur (8) à recevoir dans le bac de collecte (9) après préhension.
3. Véhicule selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 2, caractérisé en ce qu'il est prévu pour l'étrier de support (2) une alimentation complètement indépendante
par un raccordement à une batterie rechargeable.
4. Véhicule selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisé en ce que le véhicule (4) consiste en un chariot élévateur transportable qui, avec l'étrier
de support (2) comme équipement utile, maintient la fonction de travail normal du
véhicule se déplaçant le long d'une route normale pour lever (12) et abaisser (13)
les fourches de levage (3).
5. Véhicule selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisé en ce que les moyens d'actionnement de l'étrier de support et les moyens de commande (6, 7)
sont prévus pour être commandés par une télécommande sans fil et sans raccordement
externe au véhicule concerné (4).
6. Véhicule selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisé en ce que les moyens propres et distincts de la fonction de levage de l'étrier de support,
préférentiellement télécommandés, sont bridés en performance par des limiteurs de
pression dans les vérins (6, 7), qui sont préférentiellement constitués de vérins
hydrauliques, de façon à éviter et/ou à prévenir la surcharge.
7. Véhicule selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, caractérisé en ce que l'étrier de support (2) comporte des moyens (16) à fonction d'insertion pour se raccorder
avec les fourches (3) depuis l'avant, pour que le conducteur du chariot élévateur
(4) puisse manoeuvrer l'étrier de support (2) depuis le siège du conducteur (17) et
manipuler toutes les marchandises lorsque l'étrier de support (2) est utilisé pour
le levage et le déplacement des conteneurs (8) pourvus de poignées et de roues en
vue de leur vidage dans le bac de collecte (9), levage qui peut être effectué par
l'étrier de support (2) suivi d'un vidage par basculement.