Lifting mast of a forklift truck

Abstract

Lifting frame of a forklift truck comprising a fixed section (2) and a movable section (3) in relation to the fixed section (2), comprising a load-handling device (4) and a drive means (5) to move the load-handling device (4) along a vertical direction for lifting and lowering and vice versa; the drive means (5) comprise at least a hydraulic cylinder (6) and a chain (7) which is carried by a corresponding rotary element (8) which rotates about its own axis of rotation (8a); A support bracket (11) of the rotary element (8) is arranged on the top of the hydraulic cylinder (6) and comprises a bottom section (12) connected to the hydraulic cylinder (6), a first lateral section (13) and a second lateral section (14) which are facing each other and arranged parallel to each other and together with the bottom section (12) form a “U”-shaped structure; the rotating element (8) is connected to the first lateral section (13) and to the second lateral section (14) of the support bracket (11); the first lateral section (13) and the second lateral section (14) each have a head surface (13a, 14a), a front surface (13b, 14b) and a back surface (13c, 14c), as well as a first lateral surface (13d, 14d) and a second lateral surface (13e, 14e) which each connect the front surface (13b, 14b) with the back surface (13c, 14c); characterized by the fact that the front surface (13b, 14b) of the first lateral section (13) and of the second lateral section (14) each have a first surface (15) adjacent to the first lateral surface (13d, 14d) and a middle surface (16); the middle surfaces (16) of the first lateral section (13) and of the second lateral section (14) are parallel to each other and the first surfaces (15) are inclined with respect to the middle surface (16) such that their respective directions of extension converge with each other.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a lifting frame of a forklift truck.

[0002] As is well known, visibility is a very important factor for the forklift driver when using a lifting mast.

[0003] One of the parts of the mast that requires the most attention in terms of improving visibility is the window defined by the mast profiles of the mast, which is obscured by the presence of some typical components, such as the fork carriage slide and the lifting components of this slide.

[0004] The design of these components therefore has an impact on creating a better field of vision for the forklift driver.

[0005] In this context, the need was felt to develop a lifting frame, the features of which are set out in independent patent claim 1.

[0006] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following description of a preferred embodiment, by no means exclusive, of a forklift mast, as shown in the accompanying drawings. - Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a lifting frame of a forklift truck according to the invention in a sectional view; - Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 in enlarged view and in schematic perspective view details of the Fig. 1.

[0007] The reference number 1 designates a lifting frame of a forklift truck, which comprises a fixed section 2 and a section 3 movable with respect to the fixed section 2.

[0008] The movable section 3 comprises a load-carrying member 4 and drive means 5 for moving the load-carrying member 4 along a vertical direction for lifting and lowering and vice versa.

[0009] The load-handling device 4 comprises a fork carriage.

[0010] As in Fig. 2, the drive means 5 comprise at least one hydraulic cylinder 6 and a chain 7 for lifting the load-carrying member 4.

[0011] A rotating member 8, which rotates around its own axis 8a, carries the chain 7.

[0012] In the illustrated embodiment, the drive means 5 comprise a single hydraulic cylinder 6.

[0013] Alternatively, the drive means 5 comprise a pair of hydraulic cylinders 6. The rotary member 8 comprises a roller 9 coupled to a pin 10.

[0014] A support bracket 11 of the rotary member 8 is arranged on the upper side of the hydraulic cylinder 6 and comprises a bottom section 12 which is connected to the hydraulic cylinder 6, a first lateral section 13 and a second lateral section 14 which are arranged facing each other and parallel to each other and together with the bottom section 12 form a "U"-shaped structure.

[0015] The rotary member 8 is connected to the first lateral portion 13 and the second lateral portion 14 of the support bracket 11. In particular, the pin 10 is coupled to the first lateral portion 13 and the second lateral portion 14 of the support bracket 11. Each first lateral portion 13 and each second lateral portion 14 has a head surface (13a, 14a), a front surface (13b, 14b), and a rear surface (13c, 14c), as well as a first lateral surface (13d, 14d) and a second lateral surface (13e, 14e), each connecting the front surface (13b, 14b) to the rear surface (13c, 14c).

[0016] The front surface (13b, 14b) of the first lateral portion 13 and the second lateral portion 14 each have a first surface 15 adjacent to the first lateral surface (13d, 14d) and a central surface 16.

[0017] The central surfaces 16 of the first lateral portion 13 and the second lateral portion 14 are parallel to each other and the first surfaces 15 are inclined with respect to the central surface 16 such that their respective extension directions converge with each other.

[0018] The first surfaces 15 face the part of the mast 1 intended for connection to the forklift truck.

[0019] Advantageously, the presence of the first surfaces 15, which are inclined with respect to the central surface 16, extends the field of vision of the forklift driver in the viewing window of the mast 1 compared to the previously known solutions.

[0020] Each first surface 15 forms an obtuse angle with the middle surface 16.

[0021] The obtuse angle ranges from 115° to 150°. Preferably, the obtuse angle, which defines the inclination of the first surface 15 with respect to the central surface 16, is 135°.

[0022] The front surface (13b, 14b) of the first lateral portion 13 and the second lateral portion 14 each have a corresponding second surface 17 adjacent to the second lateral surface (13e, 14e).

[0023] The second surfaces 17 are inclined with respect to the corresponding central surface 16 such that their respective extension directions converge with each other.

[0024] The second surfaces 17 face the load-carrying element 4 of the lifting mast 1.

[0025] Every second surface 17 forms an obtuse angle with the corresponding middle surface 16.

[0026] The obtuse angle ranges from 115° to 150°. Preferably, the obtuse angle, which defines the inclination of the second surface 17 with respect to the central surface 16, is 135°.

[0027] Each central surface 16 of the front surface (13b, 14b) of the first lateral portion 13 and the second lateral portion 14 is arranged between the first surface 15 and the second surface 17. The rotary member 8 is designed to support one or more lines 18 for conveying hydraulic fluid.

[0028] A pair of plate-shaped elements 19 are coupled to the support bracket 11 at the first lateral portion 13 and the second lateral portion 14. The plate-shaped elements 19 each have a surface 20 facing the lines 18 carried by the rotary member 8 and comprising a layer of polymer material.

[0029] At least one idle cylinder 21, which is designed to rotate about a corresponding axis of rotation 21a, is coupled above each plate-shaped element 19.

Claims

[1] Lifting frame of a forklift truck, comprising a fixed section (2) and a section (3) movable with respect to the fixed section (2), which comprises a load-carrying member (4) and drive means (5) for moving the load-carrying member (4) along a vertical direction for lifting and lowering and vice versa; the drive means (5) comprise at least one hydraulic cylinder (6) and a chain (7) carried by a corresponding rotary member (8) rotating about its own axis of rotation (8a); a support bracket (11) of the rotary member (8) is arranged on the upper side of the hydraulic cylinder (6) and comprises a bottom section (12) connected to the hydraulic cylinder (6), a first lateral section (13) and a second lateral section (14) facing each other and arranged parallel to each other and forming a "U"-shaped structure together with the bottom section (12); the rotating member (8) is connected to the first lateral portion (13) and to the second lateral portion (14) of the support bracket (11); the first lateral portion (13) and the second lateral portion (14) each have a head surface (13a, 14a), a front surface (13b, 14b) and a rear surface (13c, 14c), as well as a first lateral surface (13d, 14d) and a second lateral surface (13e, 14e), each connecting the front surface (13b, 14b) to the rear surface (13c, 14c); characterized by , that the front surface (13b, 14b) of the first lateral portion (13) and the second lateral portion (14) each have a first surface (15) adjacent to the first lateral surface (13d, 14d) and a central surface (16); the central surfaces (16) of the first lateral portion (13) and the second lateral portion (14) are parallel to one another and the first surfaces (15) are inclined with respect to the central surface (16) such that their respective extension directions converge with one another. [2] Lifting frame according to the preceding claim, characterized by in that the front surface (13b, 14b) of the first lateral portion (13) and of the second lateral portion (14) each have a corresponding second surface (17) which is adjacent to the second lateral surface (13e, 14e), and in that each central surface (16) is arranged between the first surface (15) and the second surface (17); the second surfaces (17) are inclined with respect to the corresponding central surface (16) such that their respective extension directions converge with each other. [3] Lifting frame according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat each first surface (15) forms an obtuse angle with the middle surface (16). [4] Lifting frame according to the preceding claim, characterized by that the obtuse angle lies in a range of 115° to 150° and is preferably equal to 135°. [5] Lifting frame according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that every second surface (17) forms an obtuse angle with the central surface (16). [6] Lifting frame according to the preceding claim, characterized by that the obtuse angle lies in a range of 115° to 150° and is preferably equal to 135°. [7] Lifting frame according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the rotary member (8) is designed to carry one or more lines (18) for conveying hydraulic fluid. [8] Lifting frame according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that it comprises a pair of plate-shaped elements (19) coupled to the support bracket (11) at the first lateral portion (13) and the second lateral portion (14); the plate-shaped elements (19) each have a surface (20), each of which comprises a layer of polymer material, which are opposite one another and face the lines (18) carried by the rotary member (8). [9] Lifting frame according to the preceding claim, characterized by in that it comprises at least one idle cylinder (21) designed to rotate about a corresponding axis of rotation (21a) and which is coupled above each plate-shaped element (19). [10] Lifting frame according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that it comprises a single hydraulic cylinder (6). [11] Lifting frame according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that it comprises a pair of hydraulic cylinders (6).

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