EXTENDABLE SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR FORKLIFT ON THE REAR OF A TRUCK

Abstract

Extendable support system for forklift on the rear of a truck. It comprises an extendable structure (1) and two adjustable structures (2, 2', 2'') mounted in parallel on the extendable structure, which can adopt a folded or retracted position under a rear part of the truck, and an extended position protruding from the rear of the truck (V) to support the forklift (C) on the two adjustable structures (2, 2', 2'') for transport along with the truck. Each adjustable structure (2) comprises an extendable configuration formed by at least a first profile (7, 7', 7'') and at least a second profile (8, 8', 8''); where an end section of the first profile (7, 7', 7'') is coupled to the fixed lug (10) by means of an articulated connection (9). The second profile (8, 8', 8'') includes a stop (12) on which the forklift truck stops, resting on the second profile itself (8, 8', 8'').

Description

EXTENDABLE SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR FORKLIFT IN THE PART BACK OF A TRUCK Object of the invention The present invention relates to an extendable support system for a forklift on the rear of a truck, where the forklift can be transported suspended and externally supported on an extendable structure mounted on the rear of the truck by means of two parallel telescopic couplings. These telescopic couplings include two longitudinal profiles joined at one end to a transverse profile acting as a front bumper to prevent vehicles from crashing into the truck. The forklift is intended for use in loading and unloading the goods transported by the truck. The extendable support system comprises two adjustable structures upon which the forklift rests when the extendable structure is in its deployed position, protruding from the rear of the truck. Each adjustable structure is fixed to the respective longitudinal profile of the extendable structure. The adjustable structure includes a second movable profile with a stop; this second profile can be moved parallel to the longitudinal profile of the extendable structure to adjust to the dimensions of the forklift and thus secure it efficiently, stably, and immovably during transport. Technical problem to be solved and background of the invention Currently, extendable structures mounted on the rear of trucks are known, such that an extendable structure is mounted on the rear of the truck by means of two parallel telescopic couplings, such that said telescopic couplings include two longitudinal profiles joined at one of their ends to a transverse profile as a front defense to prevent the undermining of a vehicle if it were to collide with the rear of said truck. The set of said longitudinal profiles and the transverse profile can adopt a retracted or folded position under the chassis of the truck, and an extended position that protrudes from the rear of said truck, so that in this extended position a forklift can rest on the two longitudinal profiles to be able to transport it together with the truck. The forklift, supported on an extendable structure, is secured with tensionless side chains, which are attached at their ends to the truck chassis and also to the forklift itself; all this to try to ensure its stability and securement during transport with the truck. However, during transport with the forklift truck mounted on the extendable structure, its attachment presents some deficiencies in that the forklift can have small longitudinal displacements backwards, so that in this situation the chains can become taut with these small displacements, and then to unhook them obviously complicates the situation, precisely because the chains have been taut with this displacement, which makes it extremely difficult to unhook the aforementioned chains in order to lower the forklift. Description of the invention In order to achieve the objectives and avoid the drawbacks in the previous sections, the invention proposes an extendable support system for a forklift on the rear of a truck, comprising on one side an extendable structure and on the other side an adjustable device that includes two adjustable structures mounted in parallel on the extendable structure, which can adopt a folded or retracted position under a rear part of the truck, and an extended position that protrudes from the rear of the truck to support the forklift for transport along with the truck. Each of the adjustable structures comprises an extendable configuration formed by at least a first profile and at least a second profile that is coupled in parallel along the first profile; where an end section of the first profile is coupled to at least one fixed lug by means of an articulated connection. The second profile includes a stop that rises above a seating surface of said second profile that is configured for the support of the forklift; wherein each adjustable structure comprises locking means for immobilizing the second profile along the first profile. With this arrangement described, the two adjustable structures are configured to provide support to the forklift truck that rests on the seating surfaces of the second profiles with longitudinal retention on the stops along the second profiles. The locking means for immobilizing the second profile along its coupling on the first profile comprise opposing lateral alignments of first and second holes located along the first and second profiles; wherein said locking means are complemented by at least a second transverse element configured to be inserted through at least one opposing first and second hole of the first and second profiles. In a first embodiment of the adjustable structure, the first and second holes are located in pairs of opposite side walls of the first and second profiles, which have an inverted configuration, the two parallel branches of which constitute the opposite side walls; where the first profile is coupled between a pair of lugs by means of the articulated connection. Following on from what was said in the preceding paragraph, the second profile includes a lower reinforcement formed by a first section and a second inclined front section that is arranged in correspondence with an extreme portion of the second profile; where said first section is configured to rest on a seating surface. In a second embodiment of the invention, each adjustable structure comprises a first plate-shaped profile and two second plate-shaped profiles that are coupled to both opposite sides of the first profile by means of the second transverse elements that pass through the opposing holes of the two profiles; wherein the adjustable structure includes an additional piece that is fitted between two end sections of the second profiles; and wherein the first profile is coupled between a pair of lugs by means of the articulated connection. In a third embodiment of the invention, each adjustable structure comprises two first profiles and a second profile; where the two first profiles are coupled to both sides of the second profile by means of the second transverse elements that pass through the opposing holes of both profiles; where a lug is coupled between the first profiles by means of the articulated connection; and where an additional piece is fitted between two end sections of the two second profiles. The second profiles of the second and third embodiment of the adjustable structures include seat feet adjacent to inclined end edges integrated into those same second profiles. The top of the adjustable structure of the three embodiments of the invention includes a front inclined plane that is configured to facilitate support on the two adjustable structures when the extendable structure is in a deployed position behind the rear of the truck. The extendable support system comprises the extendable structure which includes two parallel longitudinal profiles and a transverse profile attached to one end of the two longitudinal profiles; where this extendable structure is telescopically coupled onto two support tubes of a truck chassis by means of the longitudinal profiles guided within the said chassis support tubes. In turn, the extendable structure can adopt a folded position under a rear part of the truck chassis, and an extended position that protrudes from the rear of said truck to provide support to the forklift for its transport with the truck. The adjustable structures are mounted on the two longitudinal profiles of the extendable structure; where the fixed lugs of the adjustable structures are attached to said longitudinal profiles, in end sections adjacent to the confluence of the longitudinal profiles and the transverse profile of the extendable structure. The first section of the lower reinforcement, attached to the second profile of the first embodiment of the adjustable structure, rests on the longitudinal profile of the extendable structure in the deployed position of said extendable structure. The seat feet of the second profiles of the second and third embodiments of the adjustable structure rest on the longitudinal profile of the extendable structure in the deployed position of said extendable structure. The second inclined front section of the lower reinforcement, attached to the outer profile of the first embodiment of the adjustable structure, contacts a front edge of each support tube of the truck chassis during the final folding of the extendable structure when it moves to retract under the rear of the truck chassis. The inclined extreme edges of the second profiles of the second and third embodiments of the adjustable structure contact a front edge of each support tube of the truck chassis during the final folding of the extendable structure when it moves to retract under the rear of the truck chassis. The forklift is supported on the two adjustable structures when the extendable structure is in the deployed position; where the forklift is wedged between a front stop of the truck chassis and the stops of the adjustable structures, on which a crossmember of a forklift chassis is in contact; and where said crossmember rests on the second profiles of the two adjustable structures. To facilitate a better understanding of this descriptive report and forming an integral part thereof, a series of figures are included which, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, represent the object of the invention. Brief description of the figures Figure 1.- Shows a perspective view of an extendable truck structure on which two adjustable structures are mounted in parallel, configured to support a forklift truck on both of them. Figure 2.- Shows an elevation view of the respective adjustable structure mounted on the extendable structure which is in a folded position tucked under a rear part of the truck chassis. Figure 3.- Shows another view similar to the previous one, where the extendable structure is in a deployed position behind the rear of the truck. Figure 4.- Shows an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of the adjustable structure. Figure 5.- Shows a perspective view of the first embodiment of the assembled adjustable structure. Figure 6.- Shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the adjustable structure. Figure 7.- Shows an elevation view in a third embodiment of the adjustable structure. Description of an example of embodiment of the invention Considering the numbering adopted in figures 1 to 5, the extendable support system for forklift C on the rear of a truck V comprises an extendable structure 1, on which two adjustable structures 2, 2, 2 are mounted in parallel and configured to support the forklift C. The extendable structure 1 comprises two parallel longitudinal tubular profiles 3 and a transverse profile 4 attached to one end of the two longitudinal profiles 3; wherein this extendable structure 1 is telescopically coupled onto two support tubes 5a of a chassis 5 of the truck V by means of the longitudinal profiles 3 fitted and guided within the said support tubes 5a of the chassis 5. The extendable structure 1 can adopt a folded position tucked under a rear part of the chassis 5 of the truck V, and an extended position protruding from the rear of said truck V, so that in this extended position the forklift C can be supported on the extendable structure 1 by resting on the two adjustable structures 2, 2, 2 that are mounted along a part of the two longitudinal profiles 3 of the extendable structure 1; all this to be able to transport the forklift C together with the truck V. The extendable structure 1 can be moved manually or by means of a motor, such as a linear actuator 6, as shown in Figures 2 and 3; where said linear actuator 6 is mounted on a part of the chassis 5 of truck V; and where the linear actuator 6 is configured to move the extendable structure 1 from the folded position to the unfolded position and vice versa. The linear actuator 6 can be, for example, a hydraulic cylinder. Each of the adjustable structures 2, 2, 2 is coupled to an end section of the respective longitudinal profile 3 of the extendable structure 1, corresponding to the joining zone of said longitudinal profile 3 with the transverse profile 4. In turn, in a first embodiment of the invention as shown in Figures 4 and 5, each adjustable structure 2 comprises a telescopic configuration formed by a first inner profile 7 with an inverted U-shaped section and a second outer seat profile 8 mounted and guided on the first profile 7; where an end section of the first profile 7 is coupled to the longitudinal profile 3 of the extendable structure 1 by means of an articulated connection 9, either directly or by means of a pair of fixed lugs 10 attached to the longitudinal profile 3 of the extendable structure 1 as shown in the figures. The second profile 8 also has a U-shaped configuration, and includes a lower reinforcement 11 comprising a first section 11a through which the second profile 8 rests on the longitudinal profile 3 of the extendable structure 1, and a second inclined front section 11b arranged in correspondence with an extreme portion of the second profile 8. This second inclined front section 11b is configured to contact a front edge 13 of each support tube 5a of the chassis 5 of the truck V, thus facilitating the end of the folding of the extendable structure 1 when it is moved to be collected under the rear of the chassis 5 of the truck V. It should be noted that the joint of the lower reinforcement 11 delimits a tubular space delimited between the inverted U-shaped configuration of the second profile 8 and the lower reinforcement 11 itself. The second profile 8 also includes a stop 12 that rises above a seating surface of said second profile 8 on which the forklift C rests when the extendable structure 1 is positioned externally behind the truck V in its deployed position. This stop 12 serves to brake and restrain the forklift C when it is supported on the two adjustable structures 2 mounted on the extendable structure 2, thus ensuring that the forklift C does not move backwards during its transport with the truck C. Thanks to the telescopic coupling between the first profile 7 and the second profile 8 of the adjustable structure 2, it is possible to adjust the stop 12 to a distance A according to the length of the forklift C to keep its locking and holding completely stable. Said distance A, as shown in Figure 3 in elevation, is a horizontal distance measured between said stop 12 and a front stop 14 that protrudes from the rear of the chassis 5 of the truck V, such that an upper part of the forklift C is in contact with said front stop 14 of the chassis 5, and a crossbar C1 of a chassis of the forklift C is in contact with the stop 12 of each of the two adjustable structures 2; wherein in the first embodiment of the adjustable structure 2, said crossbar C1 of the forklift C rests on the second profile 8. Thus, to fix the relative position between the two profiles 7, 8 of the first embodiment of the adjustable structure 2 in order to achieve the distance A required to accommodate the forklift C between the stop 12 and the front stop 14 of the chassis 5 of the truck V, opposing lateral alignments of first holes 17 and second holes 18 are provided, located in pairs of opposite side walls of said inverted U-shaped profiles 7, 8, so that once the approximate measurement of distance A has been calculated, the second profile 8 is locked onto the first profile 7 by means of at least one second transverse element 16 that is inserted through the respective opposing holes 17, 18 of both profiles 7, 8. This second transverse element 16 can be a pin or a screw, for example. In one embodiment of the invention, in the articulated connection 9 that links the first profile 7 with the fixed lugs 10 attached to each longitudinal profile 3 of the extendable structure 1, a first transverse element 15 participates, which is inserted through the pair of the first holes 17 of the two opposite side walls of the first profile 7 and through another pair of holes 10a of the fixed lugs 10. Said first transverse element 15 can be a pin or a screw, for example. On the other hand, to raise the forklift C onto the extendable structure 1, supporting it on the two adjustable structures 2, in a first phase the two horizontal sections of a pair of forks of said forklift C are inserted into some front recesses 19 of the chassis 5 of the truck V from behind it, with the forklift C stopping against the front rear part of the truck V and more specifically on the front stop 14. In this first phase, the extendable structure 1 is arranged in the folded position below the chassis 5 of the truck V. In a second phase, the mobility of the forklift C's tines is activated, so that, as its horizontal sections are held within the front recesses 19 of the chassis 5, the forklift C is then raised until it is positioned above the extendable structure 1, supporting the entire cantilevered weight of the forklift C on the chassis 5 of the truck V. In a third phase, the mobility of the extendable structure 1 is activated to place it in the deployed position protruding from behind the truck, so that once this is reached, the second profile 8 is adjusted with respect to the first profile 7 of the adjustable structure 2 according to the length A in accordance with the length of the forklift C. In a fourth phase, the mobility of the forklift C's tines is reactivated, allowing it to descend until it rests on the two adjustable structures 2. In this phase, the crossmember C1 of the forklift C's chassis rests on the second profiles 8 of the two adjustable structures 2, while the crossmember C1 is in contact with the stops 12 of these adjustable structures 2, making contact with them. Finally, two side chains are placed to attach the forklift C to the chassis 5 of the truck C as additional safety measures, although the main restraint is achieved by the two stops 12, as the side chains are not under tension. On the other hand, if it were necessary to further adjust the clamping and tightening of the forklift C against the front stop 14 of the chassis of the truck V, the linear actuator 6 could be activated to slightly displace the assembly of the extendable structure 1 and the two adjustable structures 2 towards the inside of the chassis 5 of the truck V as if the extendable structure 1 were to be folded, whereby the two stops 12 of the adjustable structures 2 would push on the crossbar C1 of the chassis of the forklift C. Figure 6 shows a second embodiment of the adjustable structure 2, and Figure 7 shows a third embodiment of the adjustable structure 2; where these two adjustable structures 2, 2 are coupled and fixed to the longitudinal profiles 3 of the extensible structure 1 in the same way as the first structures 2, that is, through the two lugs 10 and the first transverse element 15 that passes through the holes 10a of the lugs 10 and through the respective first hole 17 of the first profile 7, 7. Thus, each adjustable structure 2 of the second embodiment comprises a first profile 7 and two second profiles 8 coupled to both sides of the first profile 7 by means of the second transverse elements 16 that pass through the opposing holes 17, 18 of both profiles 7, 8. In this second embodiment of the invention, an additional piece 20 is included that is fitted between two end sections of the second profiles 8. Likewise, each adjustable structure 2 of the third embodiment of the invention comprises two first profiles 7 and a second profile 8; where the two first profiles 7 are coupled to both sides of the second profile 8 by means of the second transverse elements 16 that pass through the facing holes 17, 18 of both profiles 7, 8. The first profiles 7, 7 of the second and third embodiment of the adjustable structures 2, 2 comprise a plate configuration, as do the second profiles 8, 8 of those same structures 2, 2. In the second and third embodiments of the adjustable structure (2, 2), the second profiles 8, 8 include seat feet 21 and inclined end edges 22. The seat feet 21 are equivalent to the first sections 11a of the lower reinforcements 11 of the first embodiment that rest on the longitudinal profiles 3 of the extendable structure 1, while the inclined end edges 22 are equivalent to the second inclined front sections 11b of the first embodiment of the invention, which are arranged in correspondence with extreme portions of the second profiles 8. On the other hand, each stop 12 of the adjustable structure 2, 2, 2 includes a front inclined plane 12a that facilitates the support of the forklift C on the pair of adjustable structures 8, 8, 8, so that in the fourth phase of assembly of the forklift C during its descent, the crossbar C1 of the forklift C may come into contact with said front inclined plane 12a of the stop 12.

Claims

1. - Adjustable device for supporting a forklift truck, characterized in that it comprises two adjustable structures (2, 2, 2), each of which comprises an extendable configuration formed by at least a first profile (7, 7, 7) and at least a second profile (8, 8, 8) that is coupled in parallel along the first profile (7, 7, 7); wherein an end section of the first profile (7, 7, 7) is coupled to at least one fixed lug (10) by means of an articulated connection (9); wherein the second profile (8, 8, 8) includes a stop (12) that rises above a seating surface of said second profile (8, 8, 8) that is configured for supporting the forklift truck (C); and where each adjustable structure (2, 2, 2) comprises locking means for immobilizing the second profile (8, 8, 8) along the first profile (7, 7, 7); where the two adjustable structures (2, 2,2) are configured to provide support to the forklift (C) resting on the seating surfaces of the second profiles (8, 8, 8) with longitudinal retention on the stops (12) along the second profiles (8, 8, 8). 2.- Adjustable device for supporting a forklift, according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking means for immobilizing the second profile (8, 8, 8) along its coupling on the first profile (7, 7, 7) comprise opposing lateral alignments of first and second holes (17, 18) located along the first and second profiles; wherein said locking means are complemented by at least a second transverse element (16) configured to be inserted through at least one first hole (17) and at least one second hole (18) facing each other in the first and second profiles (7, 7, 7) and the second profile (8, 8, 8).8) . 3.- Adjustable device for supporting a forklift, according to claim 2, characterized in that the first and second holes (17, 18) are located in pairs of opposite side walls of the first and second profiles (7, 8) having an inverted U-shaped configuration, the two parallel arms of which constitute the opposite side walls; wherein the first profile (7) is coupled between a pair of lugs (10) by means of the articulated connection (9). 4.- Adjustable device for supporting a forklift, according to claim 3,characterized in that the second profile (8) includes a lower reinforcement (11) formed by a first section (11a) and a second inclined front section (11b) arranged in correspondence with an extreme portion of the second profile (8); wherein said first section (11a) is configured to rest on a seating surface.

5. Adjustable device for supporting a forklift, according to claim 2, characterized in that each adjustable structure (2) comprises a first plate-shaped profile (7) and two second plate-shaped profiles (8) that are coupled to both opposite sides of the first profile (7) by means of second transverse elements (16) that pass through the opposing holes (17, 18) of other profiles (7,8); where the adjustable structure (2) includes an additional piece (20) that is fitted between two end sections of the second profiles (8); and where the first profile (7) is coupled between a pair of lugs (10) by means of the articulated connection (9). 6.- Adjustable device for supporting a forklift, according to claim 2, characterized in that each adjustable structure (2) comprises two first profiles (7) and a second profile (8); where the two first profiles (7) are coupled to both sides of the second profile (8) by means of the second transverse elements (16) that pass through the opposing holes (17, 18) of the two profiles (7, 8); where a lug (10) is coupled between the first profiles (7) by means of the articulated connection (9); and where an additional piece (20) is fitted between two end sections of the two second profiles (8).

7. Adjustable device for supporting a forklift truck,according to any one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the second profiles (8, 8) include seat feet (21) adjacent to inclined end edges (22) integrated into said second profiles (8, 8).

8. Adjustable device for supporting a forklift, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stop (12) of the adjustable structure (2, 2, 2) includes a front inclined plane (12a).

9. Extendable support system for a forklift on the rear of a truck, according to any one of the preceding claims.where the support system comprises an extendable structure (1) including two parallel longitudinal profiles (3) and a transverse profile (4) attached to the ends of the two longitudinal profiles (3); where this extendable structure (1) is telescopically coupled onto two support tubes (5a) of a truck chassis (5) (V) by means of the longitudinal profiles (3) guided within said support tubes (5a) of the chassis (5); and where the extendable structure (1) can adopt a folded position under a rear portion of the truck chassis (5) (V), and an extended position protruding from the rear portion of said truck (V) to support the forklift (C); characterized in that the respective adjustable structures (2, 2, 2) are mounted on the two longitudinal profiles (3) of the extendable structure; where the fixed lugs (10) of the adjustable structures (2) are attached to said longitudinal profiles (3),in extreme sections adjacent to the confluence of the longitudinal profiles (3) and the transverse profile (4) of the extendable structure (1). 10.- Extendable support system for a forklift on the rear of a truck, according to claims 4 and 9, characterized in that the first section (11a) of the lower reinforcement (11) attached to the second profile (8) rests on the longitudinal profile (3) of the extendable structure (1) in the extended position of the extendable structure (1). 11.- Extendable support system for a forklift on the rear of a truck, according to claims 7 and 9, characterized in that the seat feet (21) of the second profiles (8, 8) rest on the longitudinal profile (3) of the extendable structure (1) in the extended position of the extendable structure (1).

12. Extendable support system for a forklift on the rear of a truck,according to claims 4 and 9, characterized in that the second inclined front section (11b) of the lower reinforcement (11) attached to the second profile (8) contacts a front edge (13) of each support tube (5a) of the truck chassis (V) during the final folding of the extendable structure (1) when it moves to retract under the rear of the chassis (5) of the truck (V). 13.- Extendable support system for a forklift on the rear of a truck, according to any one of claims 7 and 9, characterized in that the inclined end edges (22) of the second profiles (8, 8),contact a front edge (13) of each support tube (5a) of the truck chassis (V) during the final folding of the extendable structure (1) when it moves to retract under the rear of the chassis (5) of the truck (V). 14.- Extendable support system for a forklift on the rear of a truck, according to any one of claims 4 to 6 above, characterized in that the forklift (C) is supported on the two adjustable structures (2, 2, 2) when the extendable structure (1) is in the deployed position; wherein the forklift (C) is fitted between a front stop (14) of the chassis (5) of the truck (V) and the stops (12) of the adjustable structures (2, 2, 2), on which a crossbar (C1) of a chassis of the forklift (C) is in contact; and where said crossbar (C1) rests on the second profiles (8, 8, 8) of the two adjustable structures (2, 2, 2).

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