US2530704A - Apparatus for handling loads - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 21, 1950 J. H. KEMP, JR

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING LOADS Original Filed Dec. 10. 1946 INVENTOR. doH/v H. K'i'jp JQ- BY Mg a ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 21, 1950 U N ITED STAT ES T O F F! C E 2,530,704 APPARATUS FOR HANDLiNG-LoAii's John-H. Kemp, Jr., San Ga'rlos, "Calif. Original application December 10, 1946; Serial No.

1155175. Divided and this'application September 7, 1948,"Serial-No. 47,991

v This is a division of my parent application, SerialNo. 715, 75, filed December, 10, 1'946,'now Patent No. 2,45 ,226, granted October 1 2, '1948.

In the parent application I have described load-handling apparatus for transferring a load 'of parcel goods from a'lifting fork directly onto a deck or pallet, or fOr transferring such loads from "one "deck {to another, without havingto in- "dividuallyhandle the parcels of the load, which apparatus includes "means for guiding the loadcarryingtines ofthe fork into engagement with grooves i'nthe'l'oad receiving deck. In the present divisional application the claims are directed to a modified guide means for such apparatus.

The broad object'of my invention'istofacilitate the handling of loads of'pa'rcel goods, and more particularly to improvements in such handling by meansof a fork truckfo'r conveying loads'of say 'atonor-mor'e about'a'local areayas on a dock or within a warehouse.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will beset forth in the following descriptionof myinvention. It is to be understood that I do not limit myself to this disclosure of species of my invention as I may adopt variant embodiments thereof within the scope of the claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure '-1 is a diagrammatic sectional vie 'of apparatusembodying my invention showing tines of a fork engaged'between ribs of a load-carrying deck or pallet; and

Figure 2 is a similar view showing the fork supporting the load above the deck.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the fork of a truck supporting the load above the deck; and

Figure 4 is a plan view showing portions of the fork and deck and illustrating the position of these parts prior to insertion of the fork tines into the grooves of the deck.

In terms of broad inclusion my apparatus for handling a load comprises a deck having spaced ribs for supporting the load and providing parallel grooves between the ribs; and a lifting fork having load-carrying tines dimensioned and spaced for reception in the grooves, whereby the i 'In greater detail, and referring to the drawings, my apparatus comprises a load-carrying deck having'a serie's'ofspaced ribs 3 providing parallel grooves 5 therebetween, which ribs support the load of parcels 4. These parcels may be boxes, cartons, bags or other conventional containers for the goods being handled. It is desirable to handle parcels of this kind in a group weighing a ton or more, and such loads are contemplated in. my apparatus. Ribs 3 may be of any suitable material such as metal or wood, spaced say three inches apart, and may either be fastened to a fixed platform or formed as part of a portable platform or pallet. If the latter, the pallet is .preferablyof conventional pallet size, say 3" X 5. A corrugated type of pallet such as disclosed in parent application is preferred.

My apparatus also comprises a lifting fork 6 having parallel load-carrying tines l dimensioned and spaced for reception in the grooves 5 between ribs 3. These tines ar'e preferably flatmetal bars and are adapted to support the load independently of the deck or pallet. 'Iines about 2%; inches wide and'spac'ed to mesh with the ribs 3 are satisfactory; Figure 1 shows the load sup- .portedon'ribs 3 and-Figure 2 shows the load sup- 'portedpn the fork above the deck. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the tines of fork t are joined at the base ends and project outwardly with their upper surfaces lying substantially in a common plane. The plurality of closely spaced tines thus provide ample supporting surface for the parcels making up the load. This feature together with th interengagability of the tines with ribs 3 makes it possible to insert the tines endwise and lift a load from the deck. And, What is equally important, makes it possible to lower a loaded fork onto the deck and withdraw the tines endwise to leave the load resting on ribs 3. When using a portable pallet it is also understood that both pallet and load may be simultaneously lifted by engaging the fork under the pallet in the conventional manner.

With reference to Figure 3, fork 6 is preferably supported on a vehicular mount or truck l0 indicated by dotted lines, which truck is preferably of a type which is self-powered and steerable by an operator. In the structure illustrated the fork is provided with upstanding arms 8 fastened to a crossbar H on the front of the truck. Suitable elevator means is also provided on the truck for raising and lowering the fork while maintaining the t'nes substantially horizontal. A chain l2 driven by sprockets I3 is shown connected to crossbar H, but any other type of elevator mechanism may be employed An important feature of my invention is that indicator means are provided for establishing alignment of the load-carrying tines I with the grooves 5 between ribs 3. Since the fork is used either to deposit a load onto the deck or to remove a load from the deck, it will be seen that the operator on the truck ID has the problem of registering the fork tines with the deck grooves 5 under both of those conditions. In the case where the load is being deposited on the deck, the problem arises because the load 4 hides the underlying parts and makes it impossible for the operator to see either the load carrying tines 1 or the grooves 5 when a loaded fork is being lowered onto the deck. The aligning means in my present construction preferably comprises coacting indicators on both the deck and fork, including an indicator tine 2| along one side of the fork and so spaced from an adjacent load carrying tine l as to be in the view of the operator when the tines 'l are hidden by the load. The deck has an indicator groove 20 likewise spaced laterally from an adjacent groove 5 for receiving the tine 2|. By this arrangement the operator can lower the loaded fork down onto the deck and by engaging visible indicator tine 2| with its groove 20, is able to establish registration of the invisible load carrying tines 1 with their respective grooves. Once the weight of the load has been transferred to the ribs 3 the fork may be withdrawn by merely backing up the truck.

In order to facilitate the operation in the case Where the load-carrying tines are inserted endwise in the grooves to remove a load from the deck, the indicator tine 2| is preferably made longer than the load-carrying tines 1 so that the projecting end of tine 2| is adapted for insertion into its groove 2t prior to insertion of the other tines. Prior insertion of indicator tine 2| thus automatically aligns the other tines 1 with their respective grooves. To further facilitate insertion of indicator time 2! the cooperating groove 20 preferably has an outwardly flared opening provided by the tapered ends 22 of the ribs which form the indicator groove. This flared opening functions as a guide to direct the tine 2| into engagement with the groove 20. After the loadcarrying tines have been fully inserted the load is lifted from the deck by elevating the fork.

I claim:

1. In load-handling apparatus, the combination with a deck having parallel grooves, of a lifting fork having load-carrying tines dimensioned and spaced for reception in said grooves, whereby the load may be deposited on or lifted from the deck when said tines are located in said grooves, a vehicular mount for the fork, operating mechanism for effecting vertical movement of the fork, and indicator means on the fork and deck independent of said tines and grooves for aligning the load-carrying tines with their respective grooves, said means including a tine on the fork located alongside the load-carrying tines and projecting beyond the ends thereof.

2. In load-handling apparatus, the combination with a deck having parallel grooves, of a lifting fork having load-carrying tines dimensioned and spaced for reception in said grooves, whereby the load may be deposited on or lifted from the deck when said tines are located in said grooves, a vehicular mount for the fork, operating mechanism for effecting vertical movement of the fork, and indicator means on the fork and deck independent of said tines and grooves for aligning the loadwarrying tines with their respective grooves, said means including a groove in the deck spaced laterally from one of said grooves and a cooperating tine equally spaced for one of the load-carrying tines.

3. In load-handling apparatus, the combination with a deck having parallel grooves, of a lifting fork having tines dimensioned and spaced for reception in the grooves, whereby the load may be deposited on or lifted from the deck when the tines are located inthe grooves, a vehicular mount for the fork, and operating mechanism for effecting vertical movement of the fork, one of the grooves having a, flared opening at an end thereof for guiding a tine therein.

JOHN H. KEMP, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,001,253 Kittleson May 14, 1935 2,412,184 Ulinski Dec. 3, 1946 2,468,326 Gleason Apr. 26,- 1.949

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