Counterbalanced forklift

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a counterbalance forklift truck with a vehicle frame and a counterweight and an internal combustion engine designed as a LPG engine, wherein a LPG cylinder console for receiving and fastening a LPG cylinder is arranged vertically above the counterweight.

[0002] In counterbalance forklift trucks with an internal combustion engine designed as a LPG engine, it is known to arrange one or more LPG cylinders vertically above the counterweight as fuel storage.

[0003] If the LPG cylinder(s) are empty, the empty LPG cylinder(s) must be replaced with full LPG cylinder(s). To do this, an operator must remove the empty LPG cylinder from the LPG cylinder console and thus unload it. The operator can then load the LPG cylinder console with a full LPG cylinder. Depending on the size of the industrial truck, it may happen that the operator places the LPG cylinder on the counterweight and / or slides it on the counterweight when unloading and / or loading the LPG cylinder console in order to be able to unload the LPG cylinder console from the LPG cylinder more easily or load it with the LPG cylinder. However, this can lead to damage to the counterweight, for example if the counterweight becomes scratched when unloading and loading the LPG cylinder and thus when changing the LPG cylinder.

[0004] DE 10 2004 032 169 A1 discloses a generic counterbalance forklift truck with the features of the preamble of patent claim 1. A LPG cylinder holder comprises a linear guide consisting of several slides, a pivot bearing, and a double-shell-shaped cylinder holder. The double-shell-shaped cylinder holder can be pushed backward using the linear guide to change the LPG cylinder and pivoted downward using the pivot bearing.

[0005] DE 195 31 750 A1 discloses a counterbalance forklift truck in which the LPG cylinder is accommodated and secured in a LPG cylinder console formed by a plate, side support frames of the plate, and strap or clamp devices on the side support frames. The plate of the LPG cylinder console is designed as a movable plate that can be displaced in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle by means of a linear guide on a fixed plate attached to the counterweight.

[0006] JP 2001-063981 A1 discloses a propellant gas cylinder console in which a propellant gas cylinder is accommodated. The propellant gas cylinder console is guided in guide rails by means of bolts such that the propellant gas cylinder console, together with the propellant gas cylinder contained therein, can be pivoted backward and simultaneously downward for changing the propellant gas cylinder.

[0007] JP H10-53033 A discloses a counterbalance forklift truck with an LPG cylinder console in which a LPG cylinder is accommodated. The LPG cylinder console can be pivoted about an inclined axis to pivot the LPG cylinder sideways and downwards for changing the LPG cylinder.

[0008] JP 2001-163593 A discloses the arrangement of a LPG cylinder console on the rear upper area of ​​the driver's overhead guard in a counterbalance forklift truck, which can be used to avoid obstruction of the view of a LPG cylinder arranged on the counterweight.

[0009] The present invention is based on the object of providing an industrial truck of the type mentioned above in which the counterweight is easily protected from damage when changing the propellant gas cylinder.

[0010] This object is achieved according to the invention in that a storage device is arranged in the vehicle longitudinal direction adjacent to the propellant gas bottle console above the counterweight, said storage device extending in the direction of the vehicle rear and provided with a storage recess, which enables storage of the propellant gas bottle, wherein the storage device is formed by two storage rails arranged at a distance in the vehicle transverse direction and extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction, wherein the storage rails are designed as the storage recess in the vehicle longitudinal direction between the propellant gas bottle console and end stops.

[0011] According to the invention, a storage device is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, adjacent to and thus adjacent to the LPG cylinder console above the counterweight, said storage device extending towards the rear of the vehicle and enabling the LPG cylinder to be stored during loading and unloading. The storage device thus enables an operator, when changing an empty LPG cylinder, to roll or pull the empty LPG cylinder from the LPG cylinder console onto the storage device and then to lift it up from the storage device in an ergonomically favorable manner. A full LPG cylinder can accordingly be placed by an operator on the storage device in an ergonomically favorable manner and then rolled or pushed from the storage device into the LPG cylinder console.The storage device effectively prevents damage to the counterweight, such as scratches, during loading and unloading of the LPG cylinders. Furthermore, the storage device enables simplified and ergonomic handling of the LPG cylinders during loading and unloading of the LPG cylinder console, thus simplifying and ergonomic cylinder replacement.

[0012] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the storage device is attached to the LPG cylinder console. The storage device is thus structurally integrated into the LPG cylinder console. This enables a simple and cost-effective design and easy installation of the LPG cylinder console equipped with the storage device on the counterbalance forklift.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the LPG cylinder console is arranged between two vertical support columns of a driver's workstation frame, which are arranged at a distance from one another in the transverse direction of the vehicle. By installing the LPG cylinder console between two vertical support columns of the driver's workstation frame, which are arranged at a distance from one another in the transverse direction of the vehicle, the LPG cylinder cannot be removed laterally to one side of the vehicle, but only backwards towards the rear of the vehicle. The storage device simply prevents the counterweight from being damaged by the LPG cylinders during their replacement and leads to simple and ergonomic handling of the LPG cylinders during their replacement.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the storage device has vertically upward-pointing end stops at an end region opposite the propellant gas cylinder console. The end stops simply prevent an empty propellant gas cylinder from rolling from the storage device onto the counterweight when being rolled out or pulled out of the propellant gas cylinder console. Furthermore, the end stops facilitate the placement of a full propellant gas cylinder on the storage device and prevent the full propellant gas cylinder from rolling from the storage device onto the counterweight after being placed on the storage device.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the end stops are formed by an upwardly angled end section of the storage device. This allows for simple and cost-effective manufacture of the end stops on the storage device.

[0016] According to the invention, the storage device is formed by two storage rails arranged at a distance in the transverse direction of the vehicle and extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Two such storage rails enable a simple and cost-effective construction of the storage device. The storage rails are preferably designed as sliding rails on which the propellant gas cylinders can be easily rolled, pushed, or pulled.

[0017] Particularly advantageously, according to the invention, the storage rails are designed as a storage recess in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle between the LPG cylinder console and the end stops. This enables particularly simple and ergonomic handling of the LPG cylinders when changing them, since an empty LPG cylinder rests securely in the storage recess of the storage rails when rolling out of the LPG cylinder console, and a full LPG cylinder rests securely in the storage recess of the storage rails after being placed on the storage rails.

[0018] According to an advantageous development of the invention, a support plate for receiving and securing an additional LPG cylinder can be attached to the storage rails in the area of ​​the storage trough. This makes it very easy to carry a second LPG cylinder as a fuel storage device during operation of the industrial truck.

[0019] The storage rails are advantageously provided with mounting holes, in particular each with an elongated hole, into which fastening screws securing the support plate can be received. This allows the support plate, on which a second propellant gas cylinder can be placed and secured, to be attached to the two storage rails in a simple and cost-effective manner.

[0020] Further advantages and details of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the schematic figures. Figure 1 shows a counterbalance forklift truck according to the invention in a side view, Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the counterbalance forklift truck from the rear and Figure 3 shows a further development of the Figure 2 .

[0021] In the Figure 1 a counterbalance forklift truck 1 according to the invention is shown in a side view.

[0022] The counterbalance forklift 1 has a vehicle body 2 comprising a vehicle frame 3. An equipment compartment 5 is provided beneath a driver's workstation frame 4, for example, a driver's overhead guard frame. A driver's workstation 6 with a driver's seat 7 is formed within the driver's workstation frame 4.

[0023] In the front area facing the load, the counterbalance forklift truck 1 is equipped with two drive wheels 8 and in the rear area facing away from the load, with steered wheels 9. A lifting frame 10 is arranged on the front area of ​​the industrial truck 1 facing the load, on which a load-handling device 11 designed as a load fork is arranged for upward and downward movement. In the area facing away from the load, the industrial truck 1 is equipped with a counterweight 12, which forms the rear of the vehicle.

[0024] The driver's workstation frame 4 has two front vertical support columns 4a arranged at a distance in the transverse direction of the vehicle and two rear vertical support columns 4b arranged at a distance in the transverse direction of the vehicle, which support a driver's overhead guard 4c. Furthermore, two central vertical support columns 4d arranged at a distance in the transverse direction of the vehicle can be provided. A rear wall 4e is arranged behind the driver's seat 7 in the lower region of the two support columns 4d.

[0025] The counterbalance forklift 1 is equipped with an internal combustion engine drive system, wherein an internal combustion engine 13 designed as a LPG engine is arranged in the unit compartment 4.

[0026] Arranged vertically above the counterweight 12 is a propellant gas cylinder bracket 20, on which a propellant gas cylinder 21 can be accommodated and secured. The propellant gas cylinder 21 forms the fuel storage for the combustion engine 13.

[0027] The LPG cylinder console 20 comprises - as in connection with the Figure 2 As can be seen, a support plate 22 on which the propellant gas cylinder 21 can be placed. Appropriate fastening means 23 are provided for attaching the propellant gas cylinder 21 to the propellant gas cylinder bracket 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the fastening means 23 are formed by two tensioning straps 24.

[0028] In the counterbalance forklift truck 1 according to the invention, the LPG cylinder console 20 is arranged between the two rear vertical support columns 4b of the driver's workstation frame 4, so that the LPG cylinder 21 is arranged between the two support columns 4b.

[0029] As further in connection with the Figure 2 As can be seen, in the vehicle longitudinal direction L, adjacent to and adjacent to the propellant gas cylinder console 20 on the upper side of the counterweight 12 and thus above the counterweight 12, there is arranged a storage device 25 extending in the direction of the rear of the vehicle, which storage device enables the propellant gas cylinder 21 to be deposited during its loading and unloading.

[0030] In the illustrated embodiment, the storage device 25 is attached to the propellant gas cylinder console 20, so that the storage device 25 is structurally integrated into the propellant gas cylinder console 20.

[0031] The storage device 25 has vertically upward-pointing end stops 26 at an end region opposite the propellant gas cylinder console 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the end stops 26 are formed by an upwardly angled end section of the storage device 25.

[0032] As from the Figure 2As can be seen, in the illustrated embodiment, the storage device 25 is formed by two storage rails 25a, 25b which are arranged at a distance in the vehicle transverse direction Q and extend in the vehicle longitudinal direction L, which extend from the propellant gas bottle console 20 towards the rear of the vehicle and are arranged above the counterweight 12. The two storage rails 25a, 25b are fastened by their front end region to the propellant gas bottle console 20 and extend cantilevered rearward from the propellant gas bottle console 20 over the counterweight 12 towards the rear of the vehicle.

[0033] In the rear area, the two storage rails 25a, 25b are connected to each other by a cross member 25.

[0034] In the illustrated embodiment, the storage rails 25a, 25b each have a horizontal section 30 in the front area, which is followed by a section 31 running diagonally downwards. Section 31 is followed by a section 32 running diagonally upwards. Sections 31 and 32 form a storage recess for the propellant gas cylinder 21. Section 32 is followed by a section 33 running diagonally downwards, which, with its upwardly angled end section, forms the corresponding end stop 26.

[0035] If the counterbalance forklift 1 has the Figure 1 and 2If an empty propellant gas cylinder 21 has to be exchanged for a full propellant gas bottle 21, an operator can roll or pull the empty propellant gas cylinder 21 from the propellant gas cylinder console 20 on the two storage rails 25a, 25b, which function as sliding rails for the propellant gas cylinder 21, towards the rear of the vehicle and then lift it from the storage rails 25a, 25b in an ergonomically favorable manner. The propellant gas cylinder 21 comes to rest in the storage recess formed by the sections 31, 32. The end stops 26 prevent the empty propellant gas cylinder 21 from rolling onto the counterweight 12 and damaging it. The operator can then place a full propellant gas cylinder 21 in an ergonomically favorable manner on the two storage rails 25a, 25b. The full propellant gas cylinder 21 is then placed in the storage recess formed by sections 31 and 32.The end stops 26 prevent the full propellant gas cylinder 21 from rolling onto the counterweight 12 and damaging it. The operator can then roll or slide the full propellant gas cylinder 21 onto the two storage rails 25a, 25b, which function as sliding rails for the propellant gas cylinder 21, into the propellant gas cylinder console 20. With the storage device 25 formed by the two storage rails 25a, 25b, which is arranged above the counterweight 12, the counterweight 12 can be easily and safely protected from damage, such as scratching of the counterweight 12, during the loading and unloading of the propellant gas cylinders 21. Furthermore, the storage device 25 enables simplified and ergonomic handling of the propellant gas cylinders 21 during the loading and unloading of the propellant gas cylinder console 20.

[0036] In the Figure 3 a further development of the invention is shown.

[0037] In the Figure 3A support plate 40 for receiving and securing a further propellant gas cylinder 21b is attached to the two storage rails 25a, 25b in the area of ​​the storage recess formed by the sections 31, 32, so that two propellant gas cylinders 21, 21b are present as fuel storage for the internal combustion engine 13. The propellant gas cylinder 21b is arranged behind the propellant gas cylinder 21 in the vehicle's longitudinal direction L.

[0038] For attaching the propellant gas cylinder 21b to the support plate 40, corresponding fastening means (not shown in detail) are provided. The fastening means can be formed by two tensioning straps.

[0039] For this purpose, the storage rails 25a, 25b are preferably provided with fastening holes 41, in particular one elongated hole each, ( Figure 2 ) in which fastening screws (not shown in detail) that fix the support plate 40 can be accommodated.

Claims

1. Counterbalanced forklift truck (1) with a vehicle frame (3) and a counterweight (12) and a combustion engine (13) designed as an LPG engine, wherein an LPG cylinder bracket (20) is arranged vertically above the counterweight (12) for receiving and fixing an LPG cylinder (21), characterized in that a storage device (25), provided with a storage recess, is arranged extending in the direction of the rear of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (L) adjacently with respect to the LPG cylinder bracket (20) above the counterweight (12), which storage device allows the LPG cylinder (21) to be deposited, wherein the storage device (25) is formed from two storage rails (25a, 25b) arranged spaced apart in the transverse direction of the vehicle (Q) and extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (L), wherein the storage rails (25a, 25b) are formed as the storage recess in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (L) between the LPG cylinder bracket (20) and end stops (26).

2. Counterbalanced forklift truck according to Claim 1, characterized in that the storage device (25) is fastened to the LPG cylinder bracket (20).

3. Counterbalanced forklift truck according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the LPG cylinder bracket (20) is arranged between two vertical support columns (4b) of a driver's workplace frame (4) arranged spaced apart in the transverse direction of the vehicle (Q).

4. Counterbalanced forklift truck according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the storage device (25) has the vertically upwardly pointing end stops (26) on an end region lying opposite the LPG cylinder bracket (20).

5. Counterbalanced forklift truck according to Claim 4, characterized in that the end stops (26) are formed from an upwardly angled-away end portion of the storage device (25).

6. Counterbalanced forklift truck according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a support plate (40) for receiving and fixing a further LPG cylinder (21b) can be fastened to the storage rails (25a, 25b) in the area of the storage recess.

7. Counterbalanced forklift truck according to Claim 6, characterized in that the storage rails (25a, 25b) are provided with fastening holes (41), in particular in each case a slot, in which fixing screws fixing the support plate (40) can be received.