Upright of an industrial vehicle for moving goods

Abstract

Described is an upright of an industrial vehicle for moving goods which comprises a fixed section (3) and at least one telescopic section (4), movable relative to the fixed section (3), for supporting an element (2) for picking up a load; a first operating unit (38) for moving the load comprises at least one pair of profiles (6, 17) of the telescopic section (4) for supporting the picking up unit (2) and a single telescopic cylinder (7) for moving the picking up unit (2) or a second operating unit (39) for moving the load comprises at least one pair of profiles (6, 17) of the telescopic section (4) for supporting the picking up unit (2) and a pair of telescopic cylinders (7) for moving the picking up unit (2); the first operating unit (38) is interchangeable with the second operating unit (39), and vice versa.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] UPRIGHT OF AN INDUSTRIAL VEHICLE FOR MOVING GOODS Technical field

[0003] This invention relates to an upright of an industrial vehicle for moving goods, for example a lift truck.

[0004] Background art

[0005] A variety of upright models are currently available on the market which differ in terms of the number of pairs of profiles or sliding members, for example referred to as "duplex", "triplex" or "quadruplex", and in terms of the number and positioning of telescopic cylinders designed for moving the fork-carrying carriage.

[0006] More specifically, with reference to the number of telescopic cylinders designed for moving the fork-carrying carriage, the main models of upright are divided into a single cylinder, a single telescopic cylinder positioned at the centre line of the upright, and a double cylinder, a pair of telescopic cylinders positioned alongside each other.

[0007] Each upright model is usually designed with specific components with a view to maximising performance and optimising the dimensions of the packed sliding members.

[0008] However, this approach results in critical issues both for the manufacturer, who must manage the flow of a considerable quantity of components within the company, and therefore the management of a considerable quantity of identification codes of the components, and for the customer who, if interested in having several models of the upright, must necessarily purchase each model that will be intended to be installed on a respective industrial vehicle.

[0009] Aim of the invention

[0010] In this context, the need has been felt of making an upright which can pass from one model to another by interchanging a part of its components, as described in independent claim 1 . Advantageously, in order to allow the interchangeability from one model to another it is necessary to standardise a multiplicity of components amongst the various models, thus making the upright modular.

[0011] Brief description of the drawings

[0012] The technical features of the invention are clearly described in the claims below and further advantages are more apparent from the non-limiting description which follows of a preferred, non-limiting embodiment of an upright of an industrial vehicle for moving goods as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013] - Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of an upright, with two sliding members, of an industrial vehicle for moving goods according to the invention;

[0014] - Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of an upright, with three sliding members, of an industrial vehicle for moving goods according to the invention;

[0015] - Figures 3 to 7 are scaled-up details of some components illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.

[0016] Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

[0017] The numeral 1 denotes an upright of an industrial vehicle for moving goods having a main extension along a vertical direction.

[0018] The upright 1 comprises a unit 2 for picking up a load.

[0019] The picking up unit 2 comprises a carriage for supporting means for picking up a load, such as, for example, a pair of forks.

[0020] The upright 1 comprises a fixed section 3 and at least one telescopic section 4, movable relative to the fixed section 3, for supporting the picking up unit 2.

[0021] The telescopic section comprises a single telescopic cylinder 7 for moving the picking up unit 2 or a pair of telescopic cylinders 7 for moving the picking up unit 2.

[0022] A first operating unit 38 for moving the load comprises at least one pair of profiles 6, 17 of the telescopic section 4 for supporting the picking up unit 2 and the single telescopic cylinder 7 for moving the picking up unit 2. Alternatively, a second operating unit 39 for moving the load is defined by at least one pair of profiles 6, 17 of the telescopic section 4 for supporting the picking up unit 2 and by the pair of telescopic cylinders 7 for moving the picking up unit 2.

[0023] According to this invention, the first operating unit 38 is interchangeable with the second operating unit 39, and vice versa.

[0024] The fixed section 3 comprises a pair of first profiles 5, positioned parallel to each other, and the telescopic section 4 comprises a single pair of second profiles 6, positioned parallel to each other, and movable relative to the first profiles 5.

[0025] According to a first embodiment, illustrated in Figure 1 , the pair of first profiles 5 of the fixed section 3 has a transversal dimension for receiving the pair of second profiles 6 of the first operating unit 38 or the pair of second profiles 6 of the second operating unit 39.

[0026] In other words, the fixed section 3 is configured for housing a telescopic section 4 comprising a single telescopic cylinder 7 for moving the picking up unit 2 or a telescopic section 4 comprising a pair of telescopic cylinders 7 for moving the picking up unit 2.

[0027] According to this embodiment, the telescopic section 4 comprises a single pair of second profiles 6.

[0028] In particular, the first profiles 5 of the fixed section 3 are configured for coupling with the second profiles 6 of the telescopic section 4 comprising a single telescopic cylinder 7 or with the second profiles 6 of the telescopic section 4 comprising a pair of telescopic cylinders 7.

[0029] The second profiles 6 of the telescopic section 4 are connected to each other by a first crosspiece 8, positioned at the top of the second profiles 6, a second crosspiece 9, positioned at the base of the second profiles 6, and a third crosspiece 10 interposed between the first crosspiece 8 and the second crosspiece 9. According to this embodiment, the fixed section 3 comprises at least a first crosspiece 11 , positioned at the top of the first profiles 5, which defines a compartment 14 having a transversal dimension, relative to the vertical direction of extension of the upright 1 , configured to house the first crosspiece 8 of the first operating unit 38 or the first crosspiece 8 of the second operating unit 39.

[0030] In other words, the first crosspiece 11 of the first profiles 5 defines a compartment 14 having a transversal dimension, relative to the vertical direction of extension of the upright 1 , configured to house the first crosspiece 8 of the telescopic section 4 comprising a single telescopic cylinder 7 or of the telescopic section 4 comprising a pair of telescopic cylinders 7.

[0031] The fixed section 3 comprises at least one second crosspiece 12, positioned at the base of the first profiles 5, which defines a compartment 15 having a transversal dimension configured to house the second crosspiece 9 of the first operating unit 38 or the second crosspiece 9 of the second operating unit 39.

[0032] In other words, the second crosspiece 12 defines a compartment 15 having a transversal dimension configured to house the second crosspiece 9 of the telescopic section 4 comprising a single telescopic cylinder 7 or of the telescopic section 4 comprising a pair of telescopic cylinders 7.

[0033] The fixed section 3 comprises at least a third crosspiece 13, interposed between the first crosspiece 11 and the second crosspiece 12 of the first profiles 5, which defines a compartment 16 having a transversal dimension configured to house the third crosspiece 10 of the first operating unit 38 or the third crosspiece 10 of the second operating unit 39.

[0034] In other words, the third crosspiece 13 defines a compartment 16 having a transversal dimension configured to house the third crosspiece 10 of the telescopic section 4 comprising a single telescopic cylinder 7 or the third crosspiece 10 of the telescopic section 4 comprising a pair of telescopic cylinders 7. According to the embodiment of Figure 2, the telescopic section 4 comprises a pair of second profiles 6 and a pair of third profiles 17 which are movable relative to the second profiles 6.

[0035] The pair of second profiles 6 of the telescopic section 4 has a transversal dimension configured to house the pair of third profiles 17 of the first operating unit 38 or the pair of third profiles 17 of the second operating unit 39.

[0036] In other words, the pair of second profiles 6 of the telescopic section 4 is configured for coupling to the pair of third profiles 17 of the telescopic section 4 comprising a single telescopic cylinder 7 for moving the picking up unit 2 or of the telescopic section 4 comprising a pair of telescopic cylinders 7 for moving the picking up unit 2.

[0037] The telescopic section 4 comprises a first crosspiece 18, positioned at the top of the third profiles 17, a second crosspiece 19, positioned at the base of the third profiles 17, and a third crosspiece 20 interposed between the first crosspiece 18 and the second crosspiece 19.

[0038] The telescopic section 4 comprises at least a first crosspiece 8, positioned at the top of the second profiles 6, which defines a compartment 21 having a transversal dimension, relative to the vertical direction of extension of the upright 1 , configured to house the first crosspiece 18 of the first operating unit 38 or of the second operating unit 39.

[0039] In other words, the compartment 21 has a transversal dimension configured to house the pair of third profiles 17 of the telescopic section 4 comprising a single telescopic cylinder 7 or of the telescopic section 4 comprising a pair of telescopic cylinders 7.

[0040] The telescopic section 4 comprises at least one second crosspiece 9, positioned at the base of the second profiles 6, which defines a compartment 22 having a transversal dimension configured to house the second crosspiece 19 of the first operating unit 38 or of the second operating unit 39.

[0041] In other words, the compartment 22 has a transversal dimension configured to house the second crosspiece 19 of the pair of third profiles 17 of the telescopic section 4 comprising a single telescopic cylinder 7 or of the telescopic section 4 comprising a pair of telescopic cylinders 7.

[0042] Advantageously, it is possible to change from one model to another without affecting the transversal dimensions of the upright 1 .

[0043] As mentioned in the introduction, in order to be able to pass from one model to another the upright 1 according to this invention has shared components for the various models.

[0044] The upright 1 comprises a main hydraulic circuit 36 designed for moving the telescopic section 4 relative to the fixed section 3 along the vertical direction, upwards and downwards.

[0045] The primary hydraulic circuit 36 comprises a plurality of pipes 37 for distributing the hydraulic fluid to a pair of telescopic lifting cylinders 26.

[0046] The main hydraulic circuit 36 is configured to connect with the telescopic section 4 of the first operating unit 38 or with the telescopic section 4 of the second operating unit 39.

[0047] With reference to the fixed section 3 having a single pair of second profiles 6, the same main hydraulic circuit 36 is configured to serve both the telescopic section 4 comprising a single telescopic cylinder 7 for moving the picking up unit 2 or the telescopic section 4 comprising a pair of telescopic cylinders 7 for moving the picking up unit 2 (Figure 3).

[0048] With reference to the telescopic section 4 having a single pair of second profiles 6 and a pair of third profiles 17, the same main hydraulic circuit 36 is configured to serve the telescopic section 4 comprising a single telescopic cylinder 7 for moving the picking up unit 2 or the telescopic section 4 comprising a pair of telescopic cylinders 7 for moving the picking up unit 2 (Figure 4).

[0049] The upright 1 comprises an auxiliary hydraulic circuit 24, designed for the operation of a plurality of accessory user devices, comprising a plurality of pipes 25 for distributing the hydraulic fluid defining respective branches of the auxiliary hydraulic circuit 24. With reference to the telescopic section 4 having a single pair of second profiles 6, the same auxiliary hydraulic circuit 24 is configured to serve the telescopic section 4 comprising a single telescopic cylinder 7 for moving the picking up unit 2 or the telescopic section 4 comprising a pair of telescopic cylinders 7 for moving the picking up unit 2 (Figure 3).

[0050] With reference to the telescopic section 4 having a single pair of second profiles 6 and a pair of third profiles 17, the same auxiliary hydraulic circuit 24 is configured to serve the telescopic section 4 comprising a single telescopic cylinder 7 for moving the picking up unit 2 or the telescopic section 4 comprising a pair of telescopic cylinders 7 for moving the picking up unit 2 (Figure 4).

[0051] The auxiliary hydraulic circuit 24 is configured to connect with the telescopic section 4 of the first operating unit 38 or with the telescopic section 4 of the second operating unit 39.

[0052] With reference to the fixed section 3 of the upright 1 , it comprises a pair of cylinders 26 for lifting the second pair of profiles 6.

[0053] The lifting cylinders 26 are configured to move the second pair of sliding members 6 of the telescopic section 4 of the first operating unit 38 or the second pair of sliding members 6 of the telescopic section 4 of the second operating unit 39.

[0054] The lifting cylinders 26 are configured for moving the second pair of sliding members 6 of the telescopic section 4 comprising a single telescopic cylinder 7 or the second pair of sliding members 6 of the telescopic section 4 comprising a pair of telescopic cylinders 7.

[0055] If the telescopic section 4 comprises a pair of second profiles 6 and a pair of third profiles 17, the fixed section 3 comprises a pair of chains 27 for lifting the telescopic section 4 relative to the fixed section 3 each supported by a supporting unit 28, rotating about a respective axis of rotation 28a, and each is equipped with respective tie rods 29.

[0056] The pair of lifting chains 27, the respective supporting units 28 and the respective tie rods 29 are the same for lifting the telescopic section 4 of the first operating unit 38 and the telescopic section 4 of the second operating unit 39.

[0057] The pair of lifting chains 27, the respective supporting units 28 and the respective tie rods 29 are the same for lifting the telescopic section 4 comprising a single telescopic cylinder 7 and for lifting the telescopic section 4 comprising a pair of telescopic cylinders 7.

[0058] The single telescopic cylinder 7 of the telescopic section 4 is the same both for the telescopic section 4 having a single pair of second profiles 6 and for the telescopic section 4 having a pair of second profiles 6 and a pair of third profiles 17.

[0059] With reference to the telescopic section 4 having a single telescopic section 7, the telescopic section 4 comprises a single chain 30 for lifting the picking up unit 2 supported by a supporting unit 31 rotating about a respective axis of rotation 31 a and equipped with respective tie rods 32, Figure 5.

[0060] The lifting chain 30, the supporting unit 31 and the tie rods 32 are the same both for the telescopic section 4 with a single pair of second profiles 6 and for the telescopic section 4 with a pair of second profiles 6 and a pair of third profiles 17.

[0061] With reference to the upright 1 having a pair of telescopic cylinders 7, they are the same both for the telescopic section 4 having a single pair of second profiles 6 and for the telescopic section 4 having a pair of second profiles 6 and a pair of third profiles 17.

[0062] With reference to the telescopic section 4 having a pair of telescopic cylinders 7, the telescopic section 4 comprises a pair of chains 33 for lifting the picking up unit 2, each of which is supported by a respective supporting element 34, rotating about a respective axis of rotation 34a, and equipped with respective tie rods 35, Figure 6.

[0063] The lifting chains 33, the supporting units 34 and the tie rods 35 are the same both for the telescopic section 4 having a single pair of second profiles 6 and for the telescopic section 4 having a pair of second profiles 6 and a pair of third profiles 17.

[0064] This invention also relates to an industrial vehicle for moving goods comprising the upright according to this invention. Preferably, the industrial vehicle is a lift truck.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An upright of an industrial vehicle for moving goods having a main extension along a vertical direction and comprising a fixed section (3) and at least one telescopic section (4), movable relative to the fixed section (3), for supporting an element (2) for picking up a load; the telescopic section comprises a single telescopic cylinder (7) for moving the picking up unit (2) or a pair of telescopic cylinders (7) for moving the picking up unit (2);- a first operating unit (38) for moving the load comprising at least one pair of profiles (6, 17) of the telescopic section (4) for supporting the picking up unit (2) and the single telescopic cylinder (7) for moving the picking up unit (2) or- a second operating unit (39) for moving the load is defined by at least one pair of profiles (6, 17) of the telescopic section (4) for supporting the picking up unit (2) and the pair of telescopic cylinders (7) for moving the picking up unit (2); and characterised in that the first operating unit (38) is interchangeable with the second operating unit (39), and vice versa.

2. The upright according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the fixed section (3) comprises a pair of first profiles (5), positioned parallel to each other, and the telescopic section (4) comprises at least a pair of second profiles (6), positioned parallel to each other, movable relative to the first profiles (5); the pair of first profiles (5) of the fixed section (3) has a transversal dimension configured to receive the pair of second profiles (6) of the first operating unit (38) or the pair of second profiles (6) of the second operating unit (39).

3. The upright according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the telescopic section (4) comprises a first crosspiece (8), positioned at the topof the second profiles (6), and the fixed section (3) comprises a first crosspiece (11 ), positioned at the top of the first profiles (5); the first crosspiece (11 ) of the first profiles (5) defines a compartment (14) having a transversal dimension, relative to the vertical direction of extension of the upright (1 ), configured to house the first crosspiece (8) of the first operating unit (38) or the first crosspiece (8) of the second operating unit (39).

4. The upright according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the telescopic section (4) comprises a second crosspiece (9), positioned at the base of the second profiles (6), and the fixed section (3) comprises at least a second crosspiece (12) positioned at the base of the first profiles (5); the second crosspiece (12) defines a compartment (15) having a transversal dimension configured to house the second crosspiece (9) of the first operating unit (38) or the second crosspiece (9) of the second operating unit (39).

5. The upright according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the telescopic section (4) comprises a third crosspiece (10) interposed between the first crosspiece (8) and the second crosspiece (9) and the fixed section (3) comprises at least a third crosspiece (13), interposed between the first crosspiece (11 ) and the second crosspiece (12) of the first profiles (5); the third crosspiece (13) defines a compartment (16) having a transversal dimension configured to house the third crosspiece (10) of the first operating unit (38) or the third crosspiece (10) of the second operating unit (39).

6. The upright according to claim 1 , characterised in that the fixed section (3) comprises a pair of first profiles (5), positioned parallel with each other, and the telescopic section (4) comprises a pair of second profiles (6), movable relative to the fixed section (3), and a pair of third profiles (17) movable relative to the second profiles (6); the pair of second profiles (6) of the telescopic section (4) has atransversal dimension for housing the pair of third profiles (17) of the first operating unit (38) or the pair of third profiles (17) of the second operating unit (39).

7. The upright according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the telescopic section (4) comprises a first crosspiece (18), positioned at the top of the third profiles (17), and a first crosspiece (8), positioned at the top of the second profiles (6); the first crosspiece (8) of the second profiles (6) defines a compartment (21 ) having a transversal dimension, relative to the vertical direction of extension of the upright (1 ), configured to house the first crosspiece (18) of the first operating unit (38) or the first crosspiece (18) of the second operating unit (39).

8. The upright according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the telescopic section (4) comprises a second crosspiece (19), positioned at the base of the third profiles (17), and a second crosspiece (9), positioned at the base of the second profiles (6); the second crosspiece (9) defines a compartment (22) having a transversal dimension configured to house the second crosspiece (19) of the first operating unit (38) or the second crosspiece (19) of the second operating unit (39).

9. The upright according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises a primary hydraulic circuit (36) designed for moving the telescopic section (4) relative to the fixed section (3) along the vertical direction, comprising a plurality of pipes (37) for distributing the hydraulic fluid to a pair of telescopic lifting cylinders (26); the main hydraulic circuit (36) is configured to connect with the telescopic section (4) of the first operating unit (38) or with the telescopic section (4) of the second operating unit (39).

10. The upright according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises an auxiliary hydraulic circuit (24), designed for the operation of a plurality of accessory user devices,comprising a plurality of pipes (25) for distributing the hydraulic fluid defining respective branches of the auxiliary hydraulic circuit (24); the auxiliary hydraulic circuit (24) is configured to connect with the telescopic section (4) of the first operating unit (38) or with the telescopic section (4) of the second operating unit (39).11 . The upright according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that the fixed section (3) comprises a pair of cylinders (26) for lifting the second pair of profiles (6); the lifting cylinders (26) are configured to move the second pair of sliding members (6) of the telescopic section (4) of the first operating unit (38) or the second pair of sliding members (6) of the telescopic section (4) of the second operating unit (39).

12. The upright according to claim 1 or according to any one of claims 6 to 11 , characterised in that, if the telescopic section (4) comprises a pair of second profiles (6) and a pair of third profiles (17), the fixed section (3) comprises a pair of chains (27) for lifting the telescopic section (4) relative to the fixed section (3) each supported by a respective supporting unit (28) rotating about a respective axis of rotation (28a) and each of which is equipped with respective tie rods (29); the lifting chains (27), the respective supporting units (28) and the respective tie rods (29) are the same for lifting both the telescopic section (4) of the first operating unit (38) and the second operating unit (39).

13. The upright according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the telescopic cylinder (7) of the telescopic section (4) is the same both for the telescopic section (4) having a single pair of second profiles (6) and for the telescopic section (4) having a pair of second profiles (6) and a pair of third profiles (17).

14. The upright according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the telescopic section (4) comprises a single chain (30) for lifting the picking up unit (2) supported by a supporting unit (31 ) rotating about a respective axis of rotation (31 a) and equipped with respective tie rods (32); the lifting chain (30), the supporting unit (31 ) and the tie rods (32) are the same bothfor the telescopic section (4) with a single pair of second profiles (6) and for the telescopic section (4) with a pair of second profiles (6) and a pair of third profiles (17).

15. The upright according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the pair of telescopic cylinders (7) of the telescopic section (4) is the same both for the telescopic section (7) having a single pair of second profiles (6) and for the telescopic section (4) having a pair of second profiles (6) and a pair of third profiles (17).

16. The upright according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the telescopic section (4) comprises a pair of chains (33) for lifting the picking up unit (2) each of which is supported by a supporting unit (34) rotating about a respective axis of rotation (34a) and equipped with respective tie rods (35); the lifting chains (33), the supporting units (34) and the tie rods (35) are the same both for the telescopic section (4) having a single pair of second profiles (6) and for the telescopic section (7) having a pair of second profiles (6) and a pair of third profiles (17).

17. An industrial vehicle for moving goods, preferably a lift truck, comprising an upright according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

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