초록 ▼

Apparatus for storing a mobile forklift truck on top of a raised platform such as a loading dock or the floor of a transport truck, and to an improved forklift truck for use in such apparatus. The apparatus includes a pair of stirrups mounted on top of the raised platform to receive the fork tines o

Apparatus for storing a mobile forklift truck on top of a raised platform such as a loading dock or the floor of a transport truck, and to an improved forklift truck for use in such apparatus. The apparatus includes a pair of stirrups mounted on top of the raised platform to receive the fork tines of the forklift truck, so that when the tines are lowered far enough, the forklift truck is lifted up until its drive wheel is level with the top of the raised platform. The apparatus also includes a collapsible support arm movable between an out-of-the-way position and an operative position level with the platform top, where the support arm engages the drive wheel of the forklift truck. The improved mobile forklift truck of this invention has a “ready condition” in which it can be brought into position for self-storage on the raised platform, in which condition forwardly extending wheels can move through a restricted “collapsing zone”having specified boundaries into out-of-the-way storage positions. Several embodiments of the improved forklift truck are disclosed, in each of which the upper boundary of the forward portion of the collapsing zone is low enough that the support wheels retracted into out-of-the-way storage positions do not strike any downhanging parts of the raised platform, and the rear boundary of the collapsing zone is far enough forward to avoid any protrusions that would interfere with freedom of movement of the operator behind the forklift truck.

대표청구항 ▼

In apparatus for storing a mobile forklift truck on top of a raised platform, such as a loading dock or the platform bed of a conventional motor truck, said forklift truck including a frame assembly comprising a horizontal base member with a vertical frame member mounted thereon, main support wheel

In apparatus for storing a mobile forklift truck on top of a raised platform, such as a loading dock or the platform bed of a conventional motor truck, said forklift truck including a frame assembly comprising a horizontal base member with a vertical frame member mounted thereon, main support wheel means and drive wheel means carried by said frame assembly to move the forklift truck about in use, a fork with a pair of generally horizontal tines mounted on said vertical frame member at the front end thereof, lifting means for raising and lowering said fork tines on said vertical frame member, and drive means for actuating said lifting means to raise and lower said fork selectively, said forklift truck being collapsible from an operative condition in which said main support wheel means projects forward beyond said vertical frame member to a storage condition in which said main support wheel means is located substantially entirely behind the forwardmost portion of said vertical frame member and said tine lifting means, the improvement which comprises: a pair of stirrups mounted on top of said raised platform adapted to receive said tines, each of said stirrups being spaced from the edge of said platform a distance that is less than the distance to which said tines extend beyond the forwardmost portion of said vertical frame member, said tine lifting means, and said main wheel support means when the forklift truck is in its said collapsed condition; and a collapsible support arm mounted on said raised platform movable betWeen an out-of-the-way position and an operative position in which it is substantially level with the top of said platform, whereby when said fork tines are positioned in said stirrups, said forklift truck is put into its said storage condition, said fork tines are lowered far enough with respect to said vertical frame member that said frame assembly with said drive wheel means is raised to the level of said platform top, and said collapsible support arm is moved into its operative position where it engages the rearmost wheel means carried by said frame assembly, actuating said drive wheel means in contact with one of said support arm and said raised platform will then cause the forklift truck to move forward upon the platform until said tines are fully inserted in their respective stirrups and said forklift truck is positioned entirely within said platform edge.