Forklift accessory

Abstract

The present invention relates to an accessory (2) for a forklift (1) comprising two sleeves (20), each sleeve being tubular for insertion into a fork arm (3) of the forklift, each sleeve comprising at least one jaw (22) such that at least two jaws from two different sleeves form at least one pair, this pair of jaws being able to cooperate when the two sleeves approach each other. Fig 1

Description

Title of the invention: Forklift accessory

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of forklift accessories previous art

[0002] Forklift trucks are commonly used lifting and handling devices. These trucks are vehicles equipped with a lifting system comprising at least one fork mounted to move vertically. Preferably, two forks are present. This fork or these forks are arranged, preferably, to fit into the openings of the pallets on which the materials are arranged for transport. The forklift truck is mainly used for transporting products from production or storage lines to other production or storage locations, and for loading and unloading trucks, railcars, ships, and other means of transport.

[0003] Nevertheless, the forklift has a flexibility of use which makes other uses possible.

[0004] Indeed, the forks are also used as anchor points for suspending heavy loads. For this purpose, said loads can be attached to a chain, or a strap, which is itself wrapped around the forks to suspend said load.

[0005] The drawback of this "method" is that it is not very safe or effective because it does not prevent the occurrence of a pendulum effect. This pendulum effect is dangerous and limits accuracy.

[0006] It would be possible to design a specific vehicle for this purpose, but such a vehicle, with only one use, would not be profitable.

[0007] There is therefore a need to find a solution to enable the safe use of a forklift for transporting all types of objects other than pallets. Summary of the invention

[0008] The present invention seeks to resolve the disadvantages of the prior art by providing an accessory enabling a forklift to carry various loads more safely for forklift drivers and their environment while limiting the risks of breakage / damage to transported equipment / products.

[0009] To this end, the present invention relates to a forklift accessory comprising two sleeves, each sleeve being tubular for insertion into a fork arm of the forklift, each sleeve comprising at least one jaw so that at least two jaws of two different sleeves form at least one pair, this pair of jaws being able to cooperate when the two sleeves approach each other.

[0010] This accessory is advantageous in that the jaws allow it to grip objects such as beams or machines that normal forks are unable to do.

[0011] According to one example, each jaw comprises two parallel or diverging arms.

[0012] According to an example, the two arms of a jaw are made of materials or attached to the sleeve.

[0013] According to one example, the two arms of a jaw are distinct or form a single piece.

[0014] According to one example, each sleeve includes at least one hook for hanging an object.

[0015] According to one example, each sleeve includes locking means for locking the position of the sleeve relative to the fork.

[0016] According to one example, the chews are made to be joined together by a telescopic guidance system.

[0017] According to one example, the telescopic guidance system includes retraction means. Description of the drawings

[0018] Other features and advantages will become clear from the description given below, by way of example and in no way limiting, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

[0019] - [Fig.1] represents a forklift fork.

[0020] - Figures 2 and 3 represent an accessory for a forklift fork.

[0021] - Figures 4 and 5 represent jaw arm shapes of an accessory for a forklift fork according to the invention.

[0022] - Figures 6 and 12 show variants of sleeve arm placement different from an accessory according to the invention.

[0023] - [Fig. 7] represents closed sleeve jaws of an accessory according to the invention.

[0024] - Figure 8 represents a sleeve of an accessory according to the invention equipped with means locking mechanism.

[0025] - Figure 9 represents a sleeve of an accessory according to the invention equipped with hook.

[0026] - Figure 10 represents an accessory according to the invention equipped with a system of guidance.

[0027] - [Fig. 1 1] represents an accessory according to the invention equipped with a system of reception. Detailed description

[0028] Figure 1 shows a fork 3 of a forklift 1, said fork 3 comprising fork arms. Figures 2 and 3 show an accessory 2 for this fork. This accessory 2 comprises sleeves 20. Each sleeve 20 comprises a tubular part 21 with a circular, oval, or parallelepiped cross-section. Each sleeve 20 is arranged to fit into one of the arms of the fork 3 of the forklift 1. Each sleeve 20 comprises an upper face and a lower face, the lower face being opposite the lower face and the upper face being the face opposite the lower face.

[0029] According to the invention, each sleeve 20 comprises at least one jaw 22. Each jaw 22 comprises two arms 220. These two arms 220 extend so that their ends extend parallel or divergently as seen in Figures 4 and 5. The jaws 22 of two sleeves 20 are arranged to form at least one pair, each pair therefore comprising one jaw of a sleeve 20. The jaws 22 of a pair face each other or are offset, preferably by a distance equal to the thickness of the arms as seen in [Fig. 6].

[0030] In one embodiment, the two arms 220 of the jaw 22 belong to the same part which is attached to said sleeve 20. This part can be a profile or a tubular part.

[0031] In a second embodiment, the jaw 22 is formed by two separate parts extending from the sleeve 20. These arms 220 are attached to said sleeve 20. These two parts are profiles or a tubular part.

[0032] In a third embodiment, the arms 220 forming the jaw are made of material with the sleeve 20. The arms are profiles or tubular parts.

[0033] In embodiments, the jaw 22 is formed by two identical, symmetrical arms 220, or by two arms 220, identical or not, symmetrical or not. The jaws 22 are then made of the same material as the sleeve 20 or attached to said sleeve 20.

[0034] In embodiments with arms 220 attached to the sleeve 20, these are welded or screwed or bolted to the sleeve.

[0035] The jaws 22 are paired to grip an object. Each sleeve 20 is mounted on one of the fork tines 3 of the forklift 1. These fork tines are able to move laterally, either closer together or further apart. When the two fork tines move closer together, the jaws 22 of a pair also move closer together. This coming together of the jaws 22 allows them to form a gripper that can grip objects. The arms 220 of two jaws 22 form, when they come together, a space into which an object can be inserted to be transported as seen in [Fig.7].

[0036] It is then understood that the jaws 22 can be associated in threes. In this case, the jaws of the same group of three are positioned in a staggered arrangement, also called alternating.

[0037] In a preferred version, the accessory 2 comprises at least two pairs of jaws 22. The presence of at least two pairs allows for a better grip, particularly for large objects such as beams. Indeed, having two pairs of jaws 22 allows said jaws to be better distributed on the sleeve 22.

[0038] In an alternative version, the accessory 2 comprises a single group of three jaws 22 as seen in [Fig. 12]. In this case, the spacing between the jaws is greater than the spacing between the three jaws in a group in the case of an accessory comprising several groups of three jaws.

[0039] In one embodiment, each sleeve 20 is equipped with locking means 222 for securely fixing the sleeve 20 to the fork leg as shown in [Fig. 8]. These locking means 222 include, for example, at least one screw. This screw is used to press against the fork and lock the sleeve in position.

[0040] In one embodiment, the accessory 2 comprises at least one hook or lug 224 as shown in [Fig. 9]. This hook or lug 224 extends from one of the sleeves 20. More specifically, this hook or lug 224 extends downwards once the sleeve is in place on the fork arm, i.e., from the underside. This hook or lug 224 allows objects such as big bags to be suspended, or objects to be suspended by means of a chain.

[0041] Preferably, each sleeve 20 includes at least one hook 224. These hooks are aligned. This allows each hook 224 to be used to suspend an object or both hooks to be used to suspend a single object while ensuring better balance. Indeed, by suspending an object using two hooks 224 located on two sleeves, the force exerted by said object is distributed over the two sleeves and therefore over the two forklift arms, making transport easier as it does not have to compensate for an imbalance.

[0042] In a variant shown in [Fig. 11], each sleeve 20 further comprises receiving means 26. These receiving means are used to support an object during transport. These receiving means are arranged on the upper face of the sleeve. These receiving means comprise at least one wing 260, preferably two, defining a zone 262 called the receiving zone. This wing extends over the upper face, perpendicular to the sleeve. This wing is made of the same material as the sleeve or attached to it. In the case of two wings, these can be joined together and be a U-shaped profile attached to the sleeve.

[0043] In one embodiment, the sleeves are connected by a guide system 24 as shown in [Fig. 10]. The guide system 24 secures the two sleeves and ensures their alignment. The guide system 24 is either telescopic or articulated. It is understood that the guide system comprises at least two articulated (visible in A) or telescopic (visible in B) portions 240, such as tubes or rails. The guide system 24 is thus capable of articulating or sliding to accommodate the approach (visible in C) or separation of the fork arms on which the sleeves are mounted.

[0044] Optionally, the sliding tubes or rails are equipped with return means such as springs or cylinders. These return means are tensioned when the sleeves are spread apart. The return means are then released when the fork arms move closer together. These return means provide additional force to close the jaws and grip the object to be lifted.

[0045] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated example but is susceptible to various variants and modifications which will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0046] Thus, it is conceivable that, in the case of jaws formed by arms attached to the sleeve, the sleeve may be arranged to allow the jaws to be positioned in different ways as needed. It is then understood that the sleeve includes predefined positions to which the arms are fixed. In the case of arms fixed by screwing, each sleeve then includes at least one series of aligned holes allowing the arms to be screwed into different positions.

Claims

Demands

1. Accessory (2) for forklift (1) comprising two sleeves (20), each sleeve being tubular for insertion into a fork arm (3) of the forklift, each sleeve comprising at least one jaw (22) such that at least two jaws of two different sleeves form at least one pair, this pair of jaws being able to cooperate when the two sleeves approach each other.

2. Accessory according to claim 1, in which each jaw (22) comprises two parallel or diverging arms (220).

3. Accessory according to claim 2, wherein the two arms (220) of a jaw (22) are made of or attached to the sleeve.

4. Accessory according to claims 2 or 3, wherein the two arms (220) of a jaw (22) are separate or form a single piece.

5. Accessory according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each sleeve (20) includes at least one hook (224) for suspending an object.

6. Accessory according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each sleeve (20) includes locking means (222) for locking the position of the sleeve relative to the fork.

7. Accessory according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeves are made to be joined together by a telescopic guide system (24).

8. Accessory according to the preceding claim, wherein the telescopic guidance system (24) includes retraction means.

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