US2670865A - Load lifting and manipulating device for lift trucks - Google Patents

Description

March 2, 1954 A. c. MERRICK 2,670,865

LOAD LIFTING AND MANIPULATING DEVICE FOR LIFT TRUCKS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 6, 1950 /77 V87? 2570; M/aen 6. Mer'P/ck yfzf- orneys M rch 2, 4 A. c. MERRICK LOAD LIFTING AND MANIPULATING DEVICE FOR LIFT TRUCKS Filed July 6, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 /n van to)" V/aen 61/7 err/ck /7/'s wzrtor'nqgs March 2, 1954 A. c. MERRICK 2,670,865

LOAD LIFTING AND MANIPULATING DEVICE FOR LIFT TRUCKS Filed July 6, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 [77 V6)? (TO/' M/c/en 6. Nerf/ck Patented Mar. 2, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

a r 2,670,865 toshtrt risio ANDMAN PULATING DEVICE FOR LIFT TRUCKS Alden (iltjierrick, Albany, N. Y. iiiiifiritiii .iiilit; 1950, Serial No. 172362 is ohms. (o1, alt-3 5 s) This invention relates to iinprove'r'iie its' in in dustrial fork lift trucks and, lfibi pa ticularly, to a load lifting and manipulating device, or pairs of such devices, adapted to be carriedb'y the tines of the fork of such trucks, whereby to receive and transport loads thereon, and to dis-' charge loads therefrom, and the provision of such a device, or devices, as well as the eoinbina tion of such trucks therewith is principal object of the invention. w

Ever since the development of industrial fork lift trucks it has been" customary to cai'ry loads on various conventional types of pallets. Until recently, one of the mostpopular types of pallet has been the we1l-knownliardwood pallet in which cross boards are fastened tb'i the narrow edges of spaced ap'ar't stringers'oi' cleats to provide a raised platform, where tliefo'rk-or tines Of an industrial fork-lift truck 001116 readily be passed thereunder to p'i'o zzupt e pal The use of such lift trucks with hard lets has produced tre ir e'r'idousi sav ghandling of merchandise in indus warehouses, or when loading or on hicles, especially rn'otor trucks); tra s, freight cars, barges or boats; andio'the'r si'rn'ilar indi'istrial transportation equipment. However; it h generally been possible to eiitlnd thes 5a the shipment of good's in such v' hicles eca hard wood palletsaretoo'eiipehsi thereof in transit and in 'returni'n I the freight rate on such" pallets Q the sagas that on the goods which the v; and'the return freight is also excessive hsoatso such palletsoarry the sainehighratf a v H Another type of pallet, perhaps not so wo'1 known as the hard wood palleii isjth's expendable pallet consisting; of' a s heavy corrugated board to whicfibuilt rolled strips providinglegs of corrugated or other inexpensive materials a secure maintain the same in elevates positionso t at? the fork of an industrial lift truck" 62ml pass thereunder to'pickup the load and simultaneously as in the c I pallet. Such pallets are alsorelat" ely extortsive and unless properly handlii' often break down. in transit. V I n I A further type'of pallet"which*may soon come into widespread use comprises a oo struotioh constituting a fiat sheet -of inekpeiisive material not intended to be' held irrraised spaced" relation from' the'fioor" or grouhd suf face as" isthe" case" with the reoeomgit pesj pail f. shohfpant preferably" is made of cdi'ru'gtitd'paprboardi or other suitable material; through which is laced or otherwise secured, for example, strands of wire having one or more loops extending'froin the edges thereof in order that such a pallet when supporting a load thereon can be lifted to an inclined position by engaging such loops with the free ends of the tines of the fork of a lift truck. The pallet is then blocked in this position, the fork passed thereunder to lift the same with the load thereon" and carried to selected place to be unloaded. This type or pallet is' disclosed in a co-pending application of Lawrence F. McDonald and Charles J. Grace, Serial No. 85,815, filed April 6,, 1949, now aban' doned. A modified but more simplified and economical form of such a pallet is described in connection with the instant specification and which is particularly adaptable for usein conjunction with one form of the present invention herein disclosed. However, it should be understood that the present invention is designed to handle all forms of the foregoing types of pal-- lets, including baled or wirebound loads which can be lifted without the use of any pallets; and the provision of such a device to accomplish this purpose is a general object of this invention. Another general object of the invention is the provision of a device, or devices, which are simple but sturdy and durable of construction, which are economic of manufacture, readily and easily applied to the forks of industrial lift trucks, which will operate with relative freedom from wear and tear, and other mechanical difficulties, and which otherwise are well suited to the purposes for which they are intended. I More specifically, it is an object of the invention to produce a, load lifting and manipulating device" adapted to be carried by the fork of an industrial fork-lift truck which is equipped to receive, trans port and discharge loads therefrom, comprising a sleeve member having a load supporting portion adapted to overlie the fork, a ground enga ging portion, connected to the supporting portion, underlying the fork, and means adapted to' en'- gage lifting elements on a'load supporting pallet, temporarily to lift one end thereof from the" ground. surface while the other end thereof re mains in contact tlrierewith so that the raised end can be blocked in an elevated position, 'wheree by the fork of the truck can moveltli'e'" device beneath the raised end of the pallet until the ground-engaging portion thereof conta'cts'the ground and the load-supporting portion thereof receives thew'e'ight'of'theload, so thatthe"forl'z"- can pass along the sleeve and progressively trans:

3 fer the entire palleted load into position on the sleeve and fork.

Another object of the invention is to produce such a device having a laterally directed lug, or lugs, connected to the side, or sides, of the sleeve at its forward end in order to engage projecting lifting elements on a load supporting pallet.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a device in which the sleeve portion is provided with a transversely extending cut-out section adjacent the forward edge of the load supporting portion for the purpose of engaging lifting elements on the load itself or certain types of pallets.

Another object of the invention is the provision of such a device in which the sleeve is provided with a forwardly projecting member, or lug, which is adapted to raise various types of pallets such as those above described, including bales or wire-bound loads, including slatted crates etc., or any irregular projections on such loads by engaging the same to raise them to such position.

Another object of the invention is the provision of such a device which is adapted for use with an industrial fork lift truck having limit stops at the free ends of th tines of the fork, whereby to arrest the outward movement of the device and to maintain the same in position thereon, and in which such tines are preferably provided with intermediate limit stops intermediate their ends to engage and arrest inward movement of the sleeves, until a load is applied thereto, and a compression member cooperatively associating each tine and sleeve in order that the latter will be held in abutting relation with such intermediate limit stop and disengaged therefrom when a load is applied thereto.

Further objects of the invention are the provision of such a device in which the load supporting portion of the sleeve is inclined so that its rear end is higher than its front end and at a suitable angle to receive a tilted load substantially squarely thereon, said device having a tapered opening through the sleeve to accommodate the taper of a conventional fork of such a lift truck; in which the sleeve is provided with a spacer member secured to the inner sidewall thereof to decrease the size of the opening provided by the sleeve in order to compensate for forks of smaller cross-sectional area, and also thereby to limit tilting of the sleeve around the longitudinal axis of the fork; in which the sleeve is provided with an upstanding abutment member connected to the rear of the sleeve to abut the load and to limit the distance to which the sleeve can be moved under a load, and in which a link member is connected at one end of the sleeve, and adapted to be connected to such a truck at its other end, to limit movement of the sleeve outwardly toward the end of the fork.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of one form of such device embodied by the invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view, with a portion broken away, of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view, taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a fragmentary end portion of a fiat type of pallet provided with lifting elements particularly adapted for use in connection with the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 through 4;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the fork of a lift truck with each tine of the fork being provided with a device of the type above described, illustrating the manner in which a pallet, such as that shown in Fig. 5, is initially engaged by such devices when carried by the fork of such a truck;

Fig. '7 is a side elevational view, partly in section, and with parts broken away, of a modified form of the invention depicted in Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a rear elevational view, looking from left to right of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a plan view, partly in section and with parts broken away, of Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 is a side elevational view of a device such as that depicted in Figs. '7 through 9 mounted on the fork of a. lift truck, the latter being illustrated fragmentarily, and depicting an initial step in raising a load mounted upon a pallet, of the type disclosed in the co-pending application hereinbefore mentioned, showing the load blocked in an inclined position;

Fig. 11 is a View similar to Fig. 10, but somewhat enlarged, illustrating the device moved into position underneath the blocked palleted load;

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 11 illustrating the fork of the lift truck passing through the sleeve of the device progressively to shift the palleted load to position thereon;

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 12 illustrating the palleted load completely shifted into position onto the sleeve and fork; and

Fig. 14 shows the palleted load and sleeve being lifted vertically upwardly for transportation and subsequent unloading.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1 through 6 of the drawings, there is indicated generally at 20 a preferred form of load lifting and manipulating device embodied by the invention and adapted to be carried by the fork of an industrial lift truck. The device comprises a sleeve constituting a load supporting portion or plate 2| adapted to overlie the tine of a fork, a ground-engaging portion or plate 22 adapted to underlie the fork, and side plates 23 and 24 connecting both of the foregoing members. Preferably the side plates 23 and 24, and the groundengaging plate 22, are mad in a single piece which is U-shaped in cross-section and the load supporting plate 2! may be secured thereto as by welding. It will be observed that the plate 2| is higher at the rear end so that it is forwardly inclined in order more readily initially to engage a load in substantially flush position as will more fully appear hereinafter.

In order to accommodate the tines of a fork lift truck which are narrower in cross-section, removable inner plates 25 and 26 are provided between which and the outside walls 23 and 24 are secured spacer blocks 21 and 28 secured in position by means of bolts 29 and 30. It will be understood that the plates 25 and 26 are removably mounted within the sleeve portion of device :and that various .s'izes rot :blocks 52: and 28 can be :utilized ito iincrease {or zdeorease ;the diameter :of the :sleeve order ito accommodate a wide range ;of adifie'rently rsized tines ;comprising "the tfork of :such industrial lift tmck.

Latera'lly projecting from the forward end of the device are :one :or (more :lugs :or horns :29 and 30. :It will be observed that the surfaces thereof preferably are rounded, and rangularly dis.- posed to the :sleeve so :as to be inclined 'downwardly toward the 'w'alls 23 and '24 :as :indicated generally at 3i and 32. Preferably, these :lugs orhoins are welded into the position illustrated in the drawings.

Upwardly projecting from the inclined lplate 24 is a wall or limit istoplor-othei'z'suitable mem- 'ber 33 w-hich preferably-is disposed 'a't 'rightxangles =to the plate 21. Suitable openings may be provided at the bottom of the plate '33 to acc'ommodate a limit stop cable 35, or 'otherzsuitable chain or linkage arrangement secured to the "plate 33 at one end, the other end of said linkage arrangement being adapted "to b'e secured 150 a' portion of the lift truck 36 as indicated "at 3:! (Fig.6). A pair of such devices is there shown "mounted on the -tines 38 of such an industrial lift truck. In FigJ5, there is shown a platform-or groundengaging pallet 39 to which is secured 'at opposite ends thereof, aligned loops 4'0 and 1M. Pr'ef- -erab1y, such loops may constitute any strong flexible material, even in the form of "tough fibers, or'strips o'f heavy=papernow available-' o'n {the market forsuch purposes. 7

'of *such loops are secured '*to the pallet I 39 'by means of, for example, staples.

In order to raise such a pallet having a load thereon to an inclined "position, -'a pair of de- =vices such as that shown at -;a'fter having been mounted on the tines 38, are moved to the ex- 'treme ends thereof, being limited by the length "of the cables-or 1inks35, So that thehorns or lugs 29 and '30 maysimultaneously engage'the loops 4i) and 4|, respectively,-by a slight pivotal movement of the truck. The particular type pall'et 3'9"herein disclosed has been designed especially for use with this typeof deviceybut the device can also be used -to'=pickuphard wood fpallets, or expendable types of pallets, such *as those'hereinbefore described.

Referring now to Figs. "7 through 9, there is illustrated generally 'atg50 another'iorm (if the device shown in "Figs. 1 through 4 which has a wider rangeof appf ation in'tha't it is adapted to pick up loads mounted on pallets-of"-the type described in the above-mentioned 'co-ipending application, as well as baled or Wiredtypeso'f loads, and also loads carried on conventional hard WQQd or expendable pallets. Such a device also preferably constitutes an inclined load supportingportion or plate 5 l side walls-indicated'gen- I erally'at" 52 and 5 3;andagroundee gh ing por- 'tion or plate 54. In'the constructionillustrated thetop 'plate 5 and'bot'tom paws; each have extending side wall plates' 55, '56, 51"and{58"whic'h are so constructed and arranged that *they respectively form channels 'withthe plates 5 I and =53, being U -'shaped in cross section zand adapted interfittingly to engage each: other. 1 'Ihe 1egs 55 and '5l .of "each =1U-shape'd memberifprovide the side wall 52 'andx'are securedximposition byz-holts ?5.'9,xand the legs :56 and :58 constituting rthe-isid'e wall 53. of each ueshaped member :aressecured to ether -by bolt to. 2911 trimmer side The ends 42 and in the illust ation shows these is also disclosed :a spac r block 16 I which ,ma he :of any suitable diameter in order to accommodate a sdifid tmfi size of itine compr s n the 011: pita #1 e It will heiunderstoodathatisuoh snaoerablqcksna-n lbe d laced on 0118 91 rbothgsidesavithin thezsl ene portion icomprisin :th devic and that thermos be of varying thicknesses in iorder also to accommodate :a wide range :of :forks 10f zdifie ent icross- :sectional diameter.

Mounted within ithe :sleeve is :a compression {member preferably in the storm ;of is leaf :spring -6.2 :and {this preferably .-'is secured to the under- -surface of the load nuppOfit-ing portion 554, tor eexample, by rmeans of zrivets 63. The free end .of Ethe :spring bears against the *top :of the rtine 5.6.4 .of "the fork and :holdsflthe :device 550 iinlsnug inclined position :as shown aFlig. '7. The bote item .of the device comprising .,ground-:;en. :gaging portion 511 preferably ."is provided with :projecting members 65.1incorder "more firmly engage a ground sur'faceor :floor'to prevent slip,- .ping. There is also provided an upstanding member in the form of a platefiii projectingfrom the .load supporting :portion or plate 5i and this preferably is disposed rat substantially :right angles to :the latter. This "plate, like :the plate $3 described in connection with :the modifica- 'tion shown in Figs. 1I l7hrOug'h 4iS intended to abut the load when ithe d'evice is :put'iinto opera- :tion.

'Transversely extending along the outer marginal edge of the device:alongtheiload supporting portion '5! is alcut+outzportion or groove 68, whereby pallets having extending 'll'oop portions may be engaged to lift thezsame 4:130 an' incline'd position. Also, preferably :projecting from the ground-engaging portion fi lis an extension member or hook "69 adapted for the samepurpose. The plate 66 may have, for example, openings or holes'fil for the reception-of a chain or cable, the opposite end of which may be'attached to the lift truck for the purpose of limiting the outward-movement of the device inthemanner dis- :closed in connection with the cable 35 shown attached to the plate '33 in Fig. 1. However, such "an arrangement may be dispensed "with in the event it is-desired to alter the tineso'f the '-fork of the truck for accomplishing "the same purpose. In otherwords, the ends of-the tinesmay transversely bedrilled so that a long bolt'lll, with elements 1| may besecu-red to the-=end theredf, Or-the ends-of the tines oan be'rnanu'faeture'd with projections 12 such as that shown in Fig. '9 for {the reception of such -a bolt and spacer *members or other desirable laterally extending wings to prevent'the device 50 from falling on the ends of the'tines.

Itwill also be observed-thatth tines-disclosed in the drawings (see Figs-l2, 13an'd 1'4) are-provided with an abutment 'or-shoulder 13. Such a shoulder'maybe formed duringthe manufacture of the tines but it will 'be understood that conventional tines of this characterpwhich have already been manufactured, orthose-already in use, may be provided with abutments or limit stops by "securing a transversely extending piece of -meta1 thereto, either by welding "or bymachine screws, or by: providing an equivalent'shoulder in any other suitable manner. YI'h-etfunction of Ltsuch a shoulder, ;.or abutment, .is :to maintain the device in position on the router rend i101 :the

ime 1 de to do this, the r lower ncrtion of the device, or sleeve s tion thereof must. be

will abut the shoulder 13 and this is accomplished by means of the compression member or leaf spring 62.

Th operation of the device is illustrated in Figs. 10 through 14 in which an industrial fork lift truck, indicated generally at 14, is shown having mounted on the tines of the fork such a device as that indicated at 50. i In Fig. 10 it will be observed that the device is first moved to the end of the tine until it is in abutting relation with the abutment H, or to the end of a cable if such a linkage arrangement is used, with the leaf spring 62 urging the inner sleeve in abutting relation with th shoulder 13. In lifting a jpalleted load 15, laden on a pallet 16 of the type described in the above mentioned co-pending application, the extension member or hook 69 on the device first engages the wires or loops ll of such a pallet and upwardly tilts the palleted load at one end to the position shown. A block '18 is then placed under the upraised pallet. The fork of the truck is then lowered substantially to ground or surface contacting position and the truck is advanced in such a manner that the device 50 moves under the palleted load until the upraised member or plat 68 comes into contact with the load 15, whereupon the device 50 is held in such position. The truck continues to advance, the tines 64 of the fork moving forwardly through the opening in the device 50 forming the sleeve portion thereof as shown in Fig. 12. The forward motion of the truck is continued and it will be observed that the weight of the load 14 progressively is transferred to the load supporting portion of the device 50, thereby depressing the spring 62 which disengages the inner end of the ground-engaging portion 54 of the sleeve from the abutment or shoulder 13. As the truck continues to advance, the load 14 continues progressively to be transferred toward the truck and toward the rear or inner end of the fork. As the fork or tines continue to advance, the ends thereof engage the underside of the pallet, thereby raising the entire load from the ground or floor surface until the palleted load is shifted onto the load supporting portion of the device and fork of the truck in substantially abutting relation with the vertical mast or fork portions of the truck. Thereupon th entire load is caused to be raised vertically upwardly by the fork and the load transferred to any desired place for unloading. The unloading is accomplished by a reversal of the above described operational steps. 1

It will thus be seen that the objects hereinbefore set forth may readily and eiliciently be attained and since certain changes may be made in the above construction and different embodiments of the invention could be made without departing fromthe scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might ,be said to fall therebetween.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A load lifting and manipulating device normally adapted to be carried by the free end of the fork of an industrial fork-lift truck and co-' operatively associated therewith, whereby to pick up, transport and discharge loads, which comprises a slidable sleeve having a load supporting portion adapted to overlie said fork, a groundengaging portion, connected to said supporting portion, and adapted to underlie said fork, a laterally directed lug connected to one side of said sleeve at its forward end adapted to engage projecting lifting elements on a load supporting pallet temporarily to lift one end thereof from the ground while the other end thereof remains in contact therewith so that the raised end can be blocked in an elevated and inclined position, said devic being so constructed and arranged that the fork of said truck can move the same beneath the raised end of said pallet until the ground-engaging portion of the sleeve will contact the ground, and the load supporting portion thereof will receive the weight of the load, so that the fork can pass forwardly along the sleeve and progressively transfer the entire pal leted load into position on the sleeve and fork.

2. A load lifting and manipulating device normally adapted to be carried by the free end of the fork of an industrial fork-lift truck and cooperatively associated therewith, whereby to pick up, transport and discharge loads, which comprises a slidable sleeve having a load supporting portion adapted to overlie said fork, a ground-engaging portion, connected to said supporting portion, and adapted to underlie said fork, said ground-engaging portion comprising a member that is U-shaped in cross-section, the upstanding legs of which are connected to said load supporting portion, a spacer member secured to the inside of a leg of said U-shaped member to decrease the size of the opening provided by said sleeve, whereby the latter is adapted to accommodate forks of a fork-lift truck of smaller cross-sectional area and to limit tilting of said sleeve around the long axis of said fork, and laterally directed lugs connected to opposite sides of said sleeve at its forward end and adapted to engage projecting lifting elements on a load supporting pallet temporarily to lift one end thereof from the ground while the other end thereof remains in contact therewith so that the raised end can be blocked in an elevated and inclined position, said device being so constructed and arranged that the fork of said truck can move the same beneath the raised end of said pallet until the ground-engaging portion of the sleeve will contact the ground, and the load supporting portion thereof will receive the weight of the load, so that the fork can pass forwardly along the sleeve and progressively transfer the entire palleted load into position on the sleeve and fork.

3. A load lifting and manipulating device adapted to be carried by the fork of an industrial fork-lift truck and cooperatively associated therewith, whereby to receive, transport and discharge loads, which comprises a sleeve having a load supporting portion adapted to overlie said fork, a ground-engaging portion, connected to said supporting portion, and adapted to underlie said fork, means connected to the underside of said load supporting portion and adapted to engage the top of said fork to hold the sleeve in upwardly spaced relation thereto and to maintain the bottom of the sleeve, at its rear end, in contact with the underside of the fork, and further adapted to hold the bottom rear edge of said sleeve in locked relation to an abutment on the bottom of said fork, whereby said first named $9 means, whenddepressed, vvill eause said bottom rear edge of said sleeve to become disengaged ir-om said abutment, and means adapted to en- 'projectmg lifting elements on a load supporting pallet temp'orarily to one end thereof fir-om "the ground while the o'ther end thereof remains *in contacttherewith so'that the raised end can'loe blocked in an elevated and inclined position, said device being so constructed and arranged that the fork of said truck can move the same beneath the raised end of said pallet until the ground-engaging portion of the sleeve *will conta'ct the ground, and "the load supporting surface thereof will receive the weight of the load, so that the fork can passalong the sleeve and progressively trans'fefthe entire palleted load into position on the sleeve and fork.

- 1. device as described in claim 3, and further icharacterized :in that said first mentioned A :meansoonstitutes alleaf spring.

"5. A device according toclaim3, and further :characterized in that said sleeve comprises two (generally U-"shaped members having their legs in overlapped relation and secured together to provide the sides o'fsaid sleeve, with the base 'of :one of said members providing said load supporting portion,:and the base of'theother-of said members providing the ground-engaging portion.

6. .ndevice as defined in claim 3, and further mharac'terized in that said ground-engaging por- *tiono'f said sleeve is provided with a plurality of "downwardly projecting ground-engaging fricitional elements to maintain said sleeve firmly in position as said load progressively is being transferred thereto and :onto said fork.

"7. -A'iload lifting and manipulating device re- :movably and slidably to be mounted on the fork of 'an industrial iforklift 'truck and cooperatively associated therewith, whereby to receive, transport and discharge loads, which comprises a sleeve having a iloadr-supporting portion adapted to overlie said fork, a ground-engaging portion, connected to said supporting-portion, andadapted to underlie said fork, and means, including :a sleeve end portion :having a cut-out section extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of said sleeve adjacent the forward :edge of the load'supporting portion of said sleeve, adapted to engage projecting lifting elements on a load supportingpalletitemporarily to lift on endthereof from the ground while the other end thereof :remains :in contact "therewith so that the raised end can be'blocked in an elevated and inclined position, said device being so constructed and arranged that the fork of said truck can move the same beneath :the raised end of said pallet until the ground-"engaging portion of the sleeve will contact the ground, :andthe load supporting portion thereof will receive the weight of the load, so that the fork can -pass alongthe sleeve and progressively transfer the entire palleted loadrinto position on the sleeve and fork.

8. .A load lifting and manipulating device removably and slidably to be mounted on :the fork iof an industrial fork -lift -truok and cooperatively associated therewith, whereby "to receive, trans port and discharge loads, which comprises a sleeve having a load supporting portion adapted to overlie said fork, a ground-engaging portion, connect-ed'to said. supporting portion, and adapted to underlie said fork, and means, including :a fixed outwardly projecting lug extending from .the forward edge ofsaid sleeve, :adaptedto engage projecting lifting elements .on a load supviporting :pallet temporarily t liftnone end thereof saevropos from the ground -Whi1e the other -:end thereof remains in contact therewith so that the'zrais'ed end can be blocked in an elevated and inclined position, said device being so constructed and arranged that the fork of 'saidtruck can 'move the same beneath the raised end of said pallet until the ground-engaging portion of "the sleeve will contact the ground, and the load supporting portion thereof will receive the weight of the load, so that the fork can pass along'the sleeve and progressively transfer the entire pallted loadv into position on the sleeve and-fork.

9. The combination of an 'industrial fork-lift truck with a lo'adlifting and'manipula'ting device mounted on the tine of the fork of said truck and relatively movable with respect 'to the longi- 'tudinal axis thereof and cooperatively connected thereto to pick up and transport'loads thereon, said device comprising a s'lidable-sleeve having a load supporting portion overlying each tine, "a ground-engaging portion, connected to said=supporting portion, underlying the tine, and hated means on the sleeve adapted to engage prdie'ting lifting elements on a load supporting pallet temporarily to lift one end thereof from the ground while the other end thereof remains in contact therewith so that the raised'end can be blocked in an elevated and inclined position, said device being so constructed and arranged with respect to the fork of said truck thatthe for-k'can move the same beneath the raised end of said pallet until the ground-engaging portion 'o'f the sleeve will contact the ground,'and the'loadsupporting surface thereof will receive the weight of the load, so that the fork canp'ass forwardly along the sleeve and progressively transfer *the entire palleted load into position on the sleeve and fork.

'10. A device according to claim 9, and further characterized in that said means in'cludes a lifting hook forwardly extending from said sleeve whereby to engage said projecting lifting elements on load supporting pallets.

'11. A device-according to claim 9, and further characterized in that the tines of the fork are provided at their free ends with limit stop mem bers adapted to engage and arrest "the outward "movement of "said sleeves and maintain them in mounted positionon said tines.

12. A device according to claim 9, and further characterized in that said tines are provided with limit stops intermediate their ends and adapted to engage and arrest inward "movement of said sleeve until a load is appliedthereto, and a compression member cooperatively associating each tine and sleeve, whereby said sleeve is held in abutting relation withsaidrlimitstop, and disengaged therefrom when thereto.

13. A load lifting and manipulating device removably and slida-bly mounted upon the free end of the fork of an industrial fork-lift truck and to be cooperatively associated therewith, whereby to pick up, transport and discharge loads, which comprises a slida'ble sleeve member "having'a load supporting portion adapted 'to overlie said fork, a ground-engaging portion, connected to said supporting portion, and adapted to underlie said fork, "and fixed means directly connected to and laterally projecting from said sleeve adapted to engage projecting lifting elements on a load supporting 'pallettemporarily to "lift one end thereof from thefground while th other end thereof remainsin contaet'therewith'so that the raised end can be blocked in an elevated "and "insaid load is applied clined position, said device being so constructed and arranged with respect to the fork of said ,truck that the fork can move the same beneath to pick up transport and discharge loads, which comprises a slidable sleeve member having a load supporting portion adapted to overlie said fork, a ground-engaging portion connected to said supporting portion, and adapted to underlie said fork, said load supporting portion being inclined so that its rear end is higher than the front end and at an angle to receive a tilted load substantially flush thereon, said sleeve having a tapered opening therethrough t accommodate the taper of a fork, and fixed means directly connected to and outwardly projecting from said sleeve adapted to engage projecting elements on a load supporting pallet temporarily to lift one end thereof from the ground while the other end thereof remains in contact therewith so that the raised end can be blocked in an elevated and inclined position, said device being so constructed .and arranged that the fork of said truck can move the same beneath the raised end of said pallet until the ground-engaging portion of the sleeve will contact the ground, and the load Supporting surface thereof will receive the weight of the load, so that the fork can pass forwardly along the sleeve and progressively transfer the entire palleted load into position on the sleeve and fork.

-15. A load lifting and manipulating device adapted normally to be carried by the free end -of the fork of an industrial fork-lift truck and cooperatively associated therewith, whereby to vpick up transport and discharge loads, which comprises a slidable sleeve having a load supporting portion adapted to overlie said fork, a

ground-engaging portion, connected to said supporting portion, and adapted to underlie said fork, side plates connecting said portions to hold them in spaced relation and to provide a passage therebetween for said fork, a spacer member removably secured to the inside of at least one of said plates to decrease the size of the opening provided by said sleeve, whereby said sleeve is adapted to accommodate forks of smaller cross-sectional area and to limit tilting of said sleeve around the longitudinal axis of said fork, and fixed means directly connected to and outwardly projecting from said sleeve adapted to engage projecting lifting elements on a load supporting pallet temporarily to lift one end thereof from the ground while the other end thereof remains in contact therewith so that the raised end can be blocked in an elevated and inclined position, said device being so constructed and arranged that the fork of said truck can move the same beneath the raised end of said pallet until the ground-engaging portion of the sleeve will contact the ground, and the load supporting portion thereof will receive the weight of the load, so that the fork can pass forwardly along the sleeve and progressively transfer the 12 entire palleted load into position on the sleeve and fork.

16. A load lifting and manipulating device adapted normally to be carried by the free end of the fork of an industrial fork-lift truck and cooperatively associated therewith, whereby to pick up transport and discharge loads, which comprises a slidable sleeve having a rearwardly inclined load supporting portion adapted to overlie said fork, a ground-engaging portion, connected to said supporting portion, and adapted to underlie said fork, an upstanding abutment member integral with the rear of said inclined load supporting portion and normal thereto, adapted to abut said load and to limit the distance to which said sleeve can be moved underneath a load prior to lifting such load, and fixed means directly connected to and outwardly projecting from said sleeve adapted to engage projecting lifting elements on a load supporting pallet temporarily to lift one end thereof from the ground while the other end thereof remains in contact therewith so that the raised end can be blocked in an elevated and inclined position, said device being so constructed and arranged that the fork of said truck can move the same beneath the raised end of said pallet until the ground-engaging portion of the sleeve will contact the ground, and the load supporting surface thereof will receive the weight of the load, so that the fork can pass forwardly along the sleeve and progressively transfer the entire palleted load into position on the sleeve and fork.

17. A load lifting and manipulating device adapted normally to be carried by the free end of the fork of an industrial fork-lift truck and cooperatively associated therewith, whereby to pick up transport and discharge loads, which comprises a slidable sleeve having a load supporting portion adapted to overlie said fork, a ground-engaging portion, connected to said supporting portion, and adapted to underlie said fork, said ground-engaging portion comprising a U-shaped member, the upstanding legs of which are rearwardly inclined and connected to said load supporting portion which is similarly inclined, and means directly connected to and outwardly projecting from said sleeve adapted to engage projecting lifting elements on a load supporting pallet temporarily to lift one end thereof from the ground while the other end thereof remains in contact therewith so that the raised end can be blocked in an elevated and inclined position, said device being so'constructed and arranged that the fork of said truck can move the same beneath the raised end of said pallet until the ground-engaging portion of the sleeve will contact the ground, and the load supporting surface thereof will receive the weight of the load, so that the fork can pass forwardly along the sleeve and progressively transfer the entire palleted load into position on the sleeve and fork.

18. A load lifting and manipulating device adapted normally to be carried by the free end of the fork of an industrial fork-lift truck and cooperatively associated therewith, whereby to pick up transport and discharge loads, which comprises a slidable sleeve having a load supporting portion adapted to overlie said fork, a ground-engaging portion, connected to said supporting portion, and adapted to underlie said fork, a link member connected at one end to said sleeve and adapted to be connected to said truck 13 at its other end, said link being of a length adapted to cause said sleeve to be limited in its movement outwardly toward the end of said fork and to maintain the same in position thereon, and fixed means directly connected to and outwardly projecting from said sleeve adapted to engage projecting lifting elements on a load supporting pallet temporarily to lift one end thereof from the ground while the other end thereof remains in contact therewith so that the raised end can be blocked in an elevated and inclined position, said device being so constructed and arranged that the fork of said truck can move the same beneath the raised end of said pallet until the ground-engaging portion of the sleeve will contact the ground, and the load supporting surface thereof will receive the weight of the load, so that the fork can pass forwardly along the sleeve and progressively transfer the entire palleted load into position on the sleeve and fork.

ALDEN C. MERRICK.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,709,737 Perry Apr. 16, 1929 1,924,885 Schreck Aug. 29, 1933 2,362,991 Dahl Nov. 21, 1944 2,517,938 Stevenson Aug. 8, 1950 2,536,883 McDonald et a1. Jan. 2, 1951 2,560,206 Beatty July 10, 19 1 2,570,726 Smith Oct. 9, 1951 2,572,945 Quesnoit Oct. 30, 1951 2,616,578 Dunham Nov. 4, 1952

Images