[0001] This invention concerns a forklift truck.
[0002] In particular, the forklift truck is of the self-propelling type with forks, particularly
used for the movement of loads in the road haulage industry.
[0003] Said forklift truck is preferably fitted with caterpillar tracks and comprises a
tractor unit with a frame and rear driving and control apparatus that can be worked
by a driver. The forklift truck is also fitted with a device for the handling of loads,
comprising in its turn a mostly vertical portal connected to the frame, a first slide
with a load support fork and a second slide; both slides are connected to the portal.
Finally, the forklift truck comprises first and second actuator devices that can perform
the sliding along a first direction of the first slide, substantially vertical, to
allow the raising and lowering of the loads, and along a second, substantially horizontal,
direction of the second slide.
[0005] The forklift trucks used in the road haulage industry are usually housed in compartments
specially arranged inside the trailer of the vehicles.
[0006] In traditional versions, the forklift trucks and, consequently, the compartments
arranged to contain them, are particularly large. Because of their bulk, commonly
used forklift trucks have the disadvantage of reducing the payload of the trailers
of the vehicles.
[0007] The purpose of this invention is therefore to provide a forklift truck that can overcome
the disadvantages of commonly used models. In particular, the purpose of this invention
is to provide a forklift truck that has reduced overall dimensions, to allow for easy
manoeuvring of the truck, as it often operates in tight spaces, and that is also stable
when there is a load on the support fork, and, finally, that keeps the costs of handling
loads down.
[0008] According to this invention a forklift truck is further provided according to what
is claimed in claim 1 and, preferably, in any one of the later claims directly or
indirectly dependent on claim 1.
[0009] This invention will now be described in relation to the attached drawings, which
illustrate a number of non-limiting examples of actuation:
- figure 1 is a perspective rear view of a first manner of use of a forklift truck built
in accordance with this invention; in this view, the portal is in the operational
position at the front edge of the tractor unit and the fork is in a lowered position;
- figure 2 is a side view of the forklift truck in figure 1;
- figure 3 shows a detail of the forklift truck in figure 1;
- figure 4 is a plan of the forklift truck in figure 1; in this view, the portal is
bent back onto the tractor unit;
- figure 5 is a side view of the forklift truck in figure 4 with the portal bent back
onto the tractor unit;
- figure 6 is a perspective front view of the forklift truck in figure 4 with the portal
bent back on the tractor unit;
- figure 7 is a rear perspective view of a second manner of use of a forklift truck
not made in accordance with this invention; in this view, too, the portal is in the
operating position at the front edge of the tractor unit and the fork is in the lowered
position; and
- figure 8 is a worm's eye view of the forklift truck in figure 7.
[0010] In the attached figures, number 1 indicates a forklift truck in its entirety.
[0011] Forklift 1 comprises a tractor unit 2 and a load lifting and handling device 3 (not
shown).
[0012] Device 3 comprises in its turn a fork 4 that can lift the load (not shown). Tractor
unit 2 comprises a pair of caterpillar trucks, indicated with 5 and 6 respectively,
on which a frame 7 is fitted. Frame 7 has a compartment 8 connected to it near the
rear end that houses the engine unit fitted with a fuel tank, an oil tank, an electronic
control unit (partially shown in figures 3 and 6) and a control panel 9 comprising
several levers 10 through which an operator can give the forklift 1 the commands necessary
for its operation and the movement of fork 4. Frame 7 has a front edge 11.
[0013] The load lifting and handling device 3 comprising, in its turn, a portal 12 standing
vertically on which a slide 13 slides on which fork 4 is fitted.
[0014] Fork 4 comprises two teeth 4* supported by the slide 13 comprising, in its turn,
a front plate 14. According to what is shown in figures from 1 to 6, the two teeth
4* are hinged to the front plate 14. In particular, the two teeth 4* swivel around
an axis A1 of shared rotation, between an operating position for the raising and handling
of the load in which the teeth 4* are arranged at right angles to the front plate
14 and a bent position in which the teeth 4* are arranged in contact with a front
surface of the front plate 14. In the bent position, the teeth 4* are coplanar to
the front plate 14 (as shown in figure 6). Between the operating position and the
bent position, the teeth 4* perform a rotation of about 90°.
[0015] The portal 12 comprises two struts 15 that are substantially vertical and parallel
to each other. Each strut 15 defines a respective guide internally in which slide
13 slides.
[0016] Portal 12 is finished off by two side appendages 16 fixed to two lateral struts 15
and several crossbeams 17 to strengthen said portal. The crossbeams 17 are also used
to support a hydraulic actuator 18 (of a common type and not described in detail),
that acts on slide 13 to command its translation in a vertical direction along the
axis Y between an extreme upper position and an extreme lower position.
[0017] In other words, the hydraulic actuator 18 is fitted with a mobile stem that can move
the fork 4 from a lower material loading position shown in figures 1 and 2 to a position
of maximum extension of its stem, and vice versa.
[0018] The two side appendages 16 define a slide 16*, support the portal 12 and slide in
the respective guides 19 of the frame 7, that extend horizontally and are parallel
to each other. The two guides 19 are arranged to allow a movement of the slide 16*
(and consequently of the portal 12) along the horizontal direction X. The movement
in the horizontal direction is commanded by hydraulic actuator 20 that at a front
end is directly connected to a lower crossbeam 17* of the portal 12, while at a rear
end it is directly connected to frame 7 and is housed inside the compartment 8.
[0019] The stem of the hydraulic actuator 20 acts directly on the lower crossbeam 17* of
the portal 12 to command its translation in a horizontal direction along the x axis,
between an extreme advanced position and an extreme retracted position.
[0020] As known, forklift trucks 1 that allow a translation both in a vertical direction
Y and in a horizontal direction X have the advantage of optimising the positioning
of the load on the frame 7, as far as the stability and the bulk of the load itself
are concerned.
[0021] Finally, the fork lift 1 comprises a further hydraulic actuator 21 that is arranged
in such a way as to allow closure movement of the portal 12. As better shown in figures
2 and 3, the lower crossbeam 17* comprises the pair of protruding rear appendages
22 that are hinged on the slide 16*. In detail, each pair of rear appendages 22 is
paired with a side appendage 16 and swivels around an axis A2 of shared rotation,
between an operational position, in which the portal 12 is substantially at right
angles to the slide 16*, and a bent position, where the portal 12 is arranged in coplanar
fashion to the slide 16* (as shown in figure 6). Between the operating position and
the bent position, the portal 12 performs a rotation of about 90°.
[0022] In addition to appendices 16, the slide 16* comprises side arms with the number 23,
in their turn connected at one of their ends to a rear element 24. The rear element
24 comprises a side wall 25 in which a gap is included to allow the said rear element
24, and consequently the entire slide 16*, to slide in the guide 19 without interfering
with the hydraulic actuator 20.
[0023] The hydraulic actuator 21 is connected at a front end to the lower crossbeam 17*
and at its rear end to a side of the rear element 24. In this way, even when the portal
12 is completely bent, the hydraulic actuator 21 is alongside the hydraulic actuator
20, without overlapping, in such a way as to optimise the overall bulk.
[0024] When the portal 12 is in the operating position in which it is arranged at a right
angle to the slide 16*, the stem 21A of the hydraulic actuator 21 is in a position
that is completely outside with respect to the cylinder 21B of said hydraulic actuator
21. When, on the other hand, portal 12 is bent on the slide 16*, the portion of stem
21A outside the cylinder 21B is minimum. The action of hydraulic actuator 21 allows
the portal 12 to be arranged selectively, in the operating position and in the bent
position.
[0025] It is important to point out that in the completely bent position portal 12 does
not interfere in the slightest with compartment 8, that is housed in an area behind
the frame 7.
[0026] It is clear for experts in the field that, without leaving the field of this invention,
it is possible to build the forklift 1 referred to in this invention with load lifting
and handling devices 3 that are different from those that were described above. For
example, the raising and handling device 3 could comprise a shelf rather than the
fork 4.
[0027] Furthermore, although the tractor unit 11 may be fitted with wheels (not shown),
the most advantageous solution is represented by the adoption of the tracks 5, 6 which
allow for a great distribution of the strains on the ground and a better balance,
to avoid the fork lift 1 tipping forward when the portal 12 is in the full forward
position. Furthermore, depending on a favourite variant, tracks 5 and 6 are adjustable
in such a way as to vary the width from a minimum width to a maximum width, where
the minimum width is preferably 130 cm and the maximum width is preferably 170 cm.
[0028] Figures 7 and 8 show an improvement of the forklift truck shown in figures from 1
to 6, not built according to the specifications of this invention.
[0029] In figures 7 and 8, the corresponding parts of the different forms of actuation are
marked wherever possible with the same reference numbers used in the figures from
1 to 6.
[0030] The form of actuation shown in figures 7 and 8 differ from each other only in the
fact that the hydraulic actuator 20 shown in figures from 1 to 6 has been replaced
by actuator devices 26 that comprises a system 27 with rack with gear reducer (of
a common type and not described in detail), that commands the horizontal movement
to allow for the translation of the portal 12 in a horizontal direction along the
X axis from the full forward position to the fully retracted position.
[0031] According to a preferred variant, when the portal 12 is bent on the slide 16* and
the teeth 4* of the fork 4 are bent into contact with the front plate 14, the forklift
1 has an overall height of about 69 cm.
[0032] In the completely bent configuration, the forklift 1 is very compact. The reduction
of the overall dimensions of the forklift 1 is obtained by making the portal 12 mobile
and capable of positioning itself in a coplanar fashion with frame 7 and positioning
the compartment 8 at one of its rear ends of the frame 7 in such a way that it does
not interfere with the movement of the portal 12.
[0033] The forklift 1 described up to this point therefore has the advantage of being easily
inserted inside a compartment of reduced dimensions inside the trailer of a vehicle,
without compromising the payload of the trailer itself.
1. Forklift truck (1) for the movement of loads, in particular in the road haulage sector;
the forklift truck (1) comprises:
- a tractor unit (2) fitted with a frame (7) and driving and control devices (9, 10)
that can be operated by a driver;
- a device (3) for the handling of loads comprising in its turn of a portal (12) that
is mainly vertical and connected to said frame (7); a first slide (13) fitted with
support devices (4, 4*) for the loads and a second slide (16*), in which both slides
(13, 16*) are connected to the said (12) portal; first actuator devices (18) suitable
for performing the sliding along a first direction (Y) substantially vertical of the
first slide (13) to allow the raising and the lowering of the loads along the first
direction (Y); second actuator devices (20) for implementing the sliding of the second
slide (16*) along a second direction (X) substantially horizontal; and third actuator
devices (21) that allow the rotation of the portal (12) from a work position where
the portal (12) is substantially vertical and at right angles to the frame (7) to
a bent position where the portal (12) is coplanar with the frame (7), and vice versa;
the forklift truck is
characterised by the fact that the portal (12) is finished off by two side appendages (16) fixed to
two lateral struts (15) and several crossbeams (17) to strengthen said portal; wherein
said several crossbeams (17) support said first actuator devices (18) and wherein
said second actuator devices (20) are directly connected at a front end to a lower
crossbeam (17*) of the portal (12), while at a rear end to the frame (7) ; the second
slide (16*) comprises side arms (23), in their turn connected at one of their ends
to a rear element (24) which comprises a side wall (25) in which a gap is included
to allow said rear element (24), and consequently the entire second slide (16*), to
slide without interfering with said second actuator devices (20), said third actuator
devices (21) are connected at a front end to the lower crossbeam (17*) and at its
rear end to a side of the rear element (24) such that even when the portal (12) is
completely bent, said third actuator devices (21) are alongside said second actuator
devices (20), without overlapping, in such a way as to optimise the overall bulk.
2. Forklift truck according to claim 1, wherein the said third actuator devices (21)
comprise a hydraulic actuator (21).
3. Forklift truck according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the portal (12) is hinged to the
second slide (16*) and swivels around a first rotation axis (A2) between the work
position where the portal (12) is substantially vertical and at right angles to the
frame (7) and the bent position where the portal (12) is coplanar to the frame (7),
and vice versa.
4. Forklift truck according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the load support
devices (4, 4*) swivel around a second axis (A1) of rotation between a work position
where the load support devices (4, 4*) are arranged substantially at a right angle
to the portal (12) and a rest position where the means (4, 4*) of support of the loads
are coplanar with the portal (12), and vice versa.
5. Forklift truck according any preceding claims, wherein the portal (12) comprises a
number of rear protruding appendages (22) connected to a lower crossbeam (17*) and
hinged to the second slide (16*).
6. Forklift truck according to claims 3 and 5, in which each appendage (22) swivels around
a first shared axis (A2) of rotation to allow a rotation of around 90° of the portal
(12), from a work position in which the portal (12) is substantially vertical and
at right angles to the frame (7) to a bent position where the portal (12) is coplanar
to the frame (7), and vice versa.
7. Forklift truck according to one of the preceding claims, in which the second slide
(16*) comprises a number of appendages (16) coupled to the portal (12) and wherein
the side arms (23) slide inside respective guides (19) of the frame (7).
8. Forklift truck according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the frame (7) is
connected at one of its rear ends to a compartment (8) made in such a manner as to
house within it the engine unit fitted with a fuel tank, an electronic control unit
and a control panel (9) comprising several levers (10) for the command of the forklift
(1) truck itself.
1. Gabelstapler (1) für die Verbringung von Lasten, insbesondere im Sektor des Güterkraftverkehrs,
wobei der Gabelstapler (1) aufweist:
- eine Transporteinheit (2) ausgerüstet mit einem Rahmen (7) und Antriebs- und Steuervorrichtungen
(9, 10), die durch einen Fahrer bedient werden können;
- eine Vorrichtung (3) zum Handhaben von Lasten aufweisend in ihrer Kehre eines Portals
(12), das im Wesentlichen vertikal ist und mit dem Rahmen (7) verbunden ist; eine
erste Gleitschiene (13) ausgerüstet mit Stützvorrichtungen (4, 4*) für die Lasten
und eine zweite Gleitschiene (16*), wobei beide Gleitschienen (13, 16*) mit dem Portal
(12) verbunden sind; erste Aktuator-Vorrichtungen (18), die geeignet sind, das Gleiten
der ersten Gleitschiene (13) entlang einer ersten Richtung (Y) im Wesentlichen vertikal
auszuüben, um das Anheben und Absenken der Lasten entlang der ersten Richtung (Y)
zu erlauben; zweite Aktuator-Vorrichtungen (20), um das Gleiten der zweiten Gleitschiene
(16*) entlang einer zweiten Richtung (X) im Wesentlichen horizontal zu verwirklichen;
und dritte Aktuator-Vorrichtungen (21), die die Rotation des Portals (12) von einer
Arbeitsposition, bei der das Portal (12) im Wesentlichen vertikal ist und rechtwinklig
zu dem Rahmen (7), zu einer angewinkelten Position, bei der das Portal (12) koplanar
mit dem Rahmen (7) ist, erlauben und umgekehrt;
der Gabelstapler (1) ist
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Portal (12) durch zwei Fortsätze (16) abgeschlossen ist, die an zwei laterale
Streben (15) und mehrere Querbalken (17) zum Verstärken des Portals befestigt sind;
wobei die mehreren Querbalken (17) die ersten Aktuator-Vorrichtungen (18) stützen
und wobei die zweiten Aktuator-Vorrichtungen (18) direkt mit einem vorderen Ende mit
einem unteren Querbalken (17*) des Portals (17) verbunden sind, hingegen an einem
hinteren Ende mit dem Rahmen (7); die zweiten Gleitschienen (16) weisen Seitenarme
(23) auf, die in ihrer Kehre an einem ihrer Enden mit einem hinteren Element (24)
verbunden sind, das eine Seitenwand (25) aufweist, in der eine Lücke umfasst ist,
um dem hinteren Element (24), und dementsprechend der gesamten zweiten Gleitschiene
(16*), zu erlauben, ohne sich mit den zweiten Aktuator-Vorrichtungen (20) zu beeinträchtigen,
zu gleiten,
die dritten Aktuator-Vorrichtungen (21) sind an einem vorderen Ende mit dem Querbalken
(17*) und an ihrem hinteren Ende mit einer Seite des hinteren Elements (24) verbunden,
derart dass selbst wenn das Portal (12) vollständig angewinkelt ist, die dritten Aktuator-Vorrichtungen
(21) längsseits zu den zweiten Aktuator-Vorrichtungen (20) sind, ohne zu überlappen,
auf eine derartige Weise, dass die Gesamtgröße optimiert ist.
2. Gabelstapler gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei die dritten Aktuator-Vorrichtungen (21) einen
hydraulischen Aktuator (21) umfassen.
3. Gabelstapler gemäß Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei das Portal (12) an die zweite Gleitschiene
(16*) angelenkt ist und um eine erste Rotationsachse (A2) zwischen der Arbeitsposition,
bei der das Portal (12) im Wesentlichen vertikal ist und rechtwinklig zu dem Rahmen
(7), und der angewinkelten Position, bei der das Portal (12) coplanar zu dem Rahmen
(7) ist, schwenkt, und umgekehrt.
4. Gabelstapler gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Laststützvorrichtungen
(4, 4*) um eine zweite Achse (A1) der Rotation zwischen einer Arbeitsposition, bei
die Laststützvorrichtungen (4, 4*) im Wesentlichen unter einem rechten Winkel zu dem
Portal (12) angeordnet sind, und einer Ruheposition, bei der die Mittel (4, 4*) der
Stützung der Lasten koplanar mit dem Portal (12) sind, schwenken und umgekehrt.
5. Gabelstapler gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Portal (12) eine
Anzahl von hinteren vorspringenden Fortsätzen (22) aufweist, die mit einem unteren
Querbalken (17*) verbunden sind und an die zweite Gleitschiene (16*) angelenkt sind.
6. Gabelstapler gemäß Anspruch 3 und 5, wobei jeder Fortsatz (22) um eine erste geteilte
Achse (A2) der Rotation schwenkt, um eine Rotation des Portals (12) um ungefähr 90°
von einer Arbeitsposition, bei der das Portal (12) im Wesentlichen vertikal ist und
unter einem rechten Winkel zu dem Rahmen (7), in eine angewinkelte Position, bei der
das Portal (12) koplanar zu dem Rahmen (7) ist, zu erlauben, und umgekehrt.
7. Gabelstapler gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die zweite Gleitschiene
(16*) eine Anzahl von Fortsätzen (16) aufweist, die mit dem Portal (12) gekoppelt
sind, und wobei die Seitenarme (23) innerhalb jeweiliger Führungen (19) des Rahmens
(7) gleiten.
8. Gabelstapler gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Rahmen (7) an einem
seiner hinteren Enden mit einer Kammer (8) verbunden ist, die auf eine solche Art
gefertigt ist, in ihr die Motoreinheit ausgerüstet mit einem Treibstofftank, eine
elektronische Steuereinheit und ein Steuerpult (9), welches mehrere Hebel (10) zum
Steuern des Gabelstaplers (1) selbst aufweist, unterzubringen.
1. Chariot élévateur à fourche (1) pour le mouvement de charges, en particulier dans
le secteur du transport routier ; le chariot élévateur à fourche (1) comprenant :
- une unité de traction (2) pourvue d'un châssis (7) et de dispositifs d'entraînement
et de commande (9, 10) qui peuvent être actionnés par un conducteur ;
- un dispositif (3) pour la manipulation de charges, comprenant à son tour un portique
(12) qui est principalement vertical et connecté audit châssis (7) ; un premier coulisseau
(13) pourvu de dispositifs de support (4, 4*) pour les charges et un deuxième coulisseau
(16*), les deux coulisseaux (13, 16*) étant connectés audit portique (12) ; des premiers
dispositifs d'actionnement (18) aptes à réaliser le coulissement le long d'une première
direction (Y) sensiblement verticale du premier coulisseau (13) pour permettre de
soulever et d'abaisser les charges de long de la première direction (Y) ; des deuxièmes
dispositifs d'actionnement (20) pour mettre en oeuvre le coulissement du deuxième
coulisseau (16*) le long d'une deuxième direction (X) sensiblement horizontale ; et
des troisièmes dispositifs d'actionnement (21) qui permettent la rotation du portique
(12) depuis une position de travail dans laquelle le portique (12) est sensiblement
vertical et à angle droit par rapport au châssis (7) dans une position repliée dans
laquelle le portique (12) est coplanaire avec le châssis (7), et vice versa ;
le chariot élévateur à fourche étant
caractérisé en ce que
le portique (12) est terminé par deux appendices latéraux (16) fixés à deux entretoises
latérales (15) et plusieurs traverses (17) pour renforcer ledit portique ; ladite
pluralité de traverses (17) supportant lesdits premiers dispositifs d'actionnement
(18), et lesdits deuxièmes dispositifs d'actionnement (20) étant connectés directement
au niveau d'une extrémité avant à une traverse inférieure (17*) du portique (12),
tandis qu'ils sont à une extrémité arrière du châssis (7) ;
le deuxième coulisseau (16*) comprend des bras latéraux (23) qui sont à leur tour
connectés à l'une de leurs extrémités à un élément arrière (24) qui comprend une paroi
latérale (25) dans laquelle est prévu un espace pour permettre le glissement dudit
élément arrière (24), et par conséquent de l'ensemble du deuxième coulisseau (16*),
sans gêner lesdits deuxièmes dispositifs d'actionnement (20),
lesdits troisièmes dispositifs d'actionnement (21) sont connectés à une extrémité
avant à la traverse inférieure (17*) et à leur extrémité arrière à un côté de l'élément
arrière (24) de telle sorte que même lorsque le portique (12) est complètement replié,
lesdits troisièmes dispositifs d'actionnement (21) soient disposés le long desdits
deuxièmes dispositifs d'actionnement (20), sans chevauchement, de manière à optimiser
l'encombrement global.
2. Chariot élévateur à fourche selon la revendication 1, dans lequel lesdits troisièmes
dispositifs d'actionnement (21) comprennent un actionneur hydraulique (21).
3. Chariot élévateur à fourche selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel le portique
(12) est articulé au deuxième coulisseau (16*) et pivote autour d'un premier axe de
rotation (A2) entre la position de travail dans laquelle le portique (12) est substantiellement
vertical et à angle droit par rapport au châssis (7) et la position repliée dans laquelle
le portique (12) est coplanaire avec le châssis (7), et vice versa.
4. Chariot élévateur à fourche selon l'une des revendications précédentes, dans lequel
les dispositifs de support de charge (4, 4*) pivotent autour d'un deuxième axe de
rotation (A1) entre une position de travail dans laquelle les dispositifs de support
de charge (4, 4*) sont disposés substantiellement à angle droit par rapport au portique
(12) et une position de repos dans laquelle les moyens (4, 4*) de support des charges
sont coplanaires avec le portique (12), et vice versa.
5. Chariot élévateur à fourche selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
dans lequel le portique (12) comprend un certain nombre d'appendices faisant saillie
vers l'arrière (22) connectés à une traverse inférieure (17*) et articulés au deuxième
coulisseau (16*).
6. Chariot élévateur à fourche selon les revendications 3 et 5, dans lequel chaque appendice
(22) pivote autour d'un premier axe de rotation partagé (A2) de manière à permettre
une rotation d'environ 90° du portique (12) depuis une position de travail dans laquelle
le portique (12) est sensiblement vertical et à angle droit par rapport au châssis
(7) dans une position repliée dans laquelle le portique (12) est coplanaire avec le
châssis (7), et vice versa.
7. Chariot élévateur à fourche selon l'une des revendications précédentes, dans lequel
le deuxième coulisseau (16*) comprend un certain nombre d'appendices (16) accouplés
au portique (12) et dans lequel les bras latéraux (23) coulissent à l'intérieur de
guides respectifs (19) du châssis (7) .
8. Chariot élévateur à fourche selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
dans lequel le châssis (7) est connecté à l'une de ses extrémités arrière à un compartiment
(8) fabriqué de manière à recevoir l'unité moteur comprenant un réservoir de carburant,
une unité de commande électronique et un tableau de commande (9) comprenant plusieurs
leviers (10) pour la commande du chariot élévateur à fourche (1) lui-même.