Lifting platform for forklifts

Abstract

Lifting bridge (1) for a forklift, said bridge (1) comprising two uprights (2) suitable for forming the piers of the bridge (1) and a frame (10) suitable for defining at least two fork tunnels (15), and two lifting systems (11) for the frame (10) arranged on either side of the fork tunnels (15) of the frame (10), characterized in that each tunnel (15), defined by a top face (16), a bottom face (18) and two side faces (17), is open on the bottom face (18). Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Lifting bridge for forklift handling equipment

[0001] The present invention relates to a lifting bridge for forklift handling equipment.

[0002] For the maintenance of forklifts, it is known to use lifting bridges which allow, by raising the machine, access underneath the machine.

[0003] Various bridges have been proposed, such as those described in documents US6505815, GB2146616 and EP2236452.

[0004] To achieve this lifting, it is known to engage the forks. This method allows for positioning on the bridge and rapid lifting of the machine. However, access to the machine's mechanical components located in the forks is complicated.

[0005] One object of the invention is to further improve lifting bridges, in particular to further facilitate maintenance interventions on the whole machine including at the level of the forks.

[0006] To this end, the invention relates to a lifting bridge for handling equipment with forks, said bridge comprising two uprights suitable for forming the piers of the bridge and a chassis suitable for delimiting at least two fork tunnels, and two chassis lifting systems arranged on either side of the fork tunnels of the chassis, characterized in that each tunnel, delimited by a top face, a bottom face and two side faces, is open on the bottom face side.

[0007] By "open on the underside face" means that the underside face is permanently open in all bridge configurations to provide access from below the tunnel into the tunnel.

[0008] Thanks to the tunnels which are open on the underside, the bridge according to the invention allows access below the forks, allowing in particular access to the various mechanical elements of the forks, in particular to the rods.

[0009] In addition, the use of two chassis lifting systems arranged on either side of the chassis fork tunnels allows for a free space under the machine when it is raised, facilitating the mobility of an operator under the machine for maintenance operations.

[0010] Each lifting system is configured to move the chassis between a low position and a high position.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, each tunnel extends along a fork insertion axis, each tunnel has a longitudinal axis, and is open on the side bottom face along the entire length of the bottom face along the longitudinal axis of the tunnel.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, each tunnel is delimited by two jaws, at least one of the jaws being mounted movable relative to the chassis in the direction of a coming together and a moving apart of said jaws in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement up and down of the chassis.

[0013] Such movable, mounted jaws allow, during the insertion or extraction of the forks, for a tunnel whose faces are not in contact with a fork, and, during lifting, for a tunnel in which at least one of its faces, in particular at least one lateral face, is in contact with a fork. Thus, the insertion or extraction of the forks in the tunnels is simplified, while ensuring proper positioning of the forks in the tunnels during the lifting of the machine. In the close position of the jaws corresponding to the closed position of the jaws, the underside of the tunnel remains at least partially open to allow access to the inside of the tunnel.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, one of the two jaws is movable relative to the chassis, the other of the two jaws being fixed.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one of the two jaws is removably mounted on the chassis so as to allow the tunnel to be adapted according to the dimensions of the forks. Preferably, the jaw that is removably mounted is a fixed jaw relative to the chassis when said jaw is mounted on the chassis.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one of the two jaws used to delimit a tunnel comprises two claws spaced apart from each other, the other of the two jaws comprising one claw, said claw extending opposite with the space formed between the two claws of the other jaw.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the chassis comprises a fork reception area, said reception area comprising the tunnels, in that the bridge comprises an additional lifting system, independent of the two chassis lifting systems, this additional lifting system comprising a pusher operating from above the reception area to allow the forks received in the reception area to be clamped between a support point of the pusher and the underside of the tunnels. This configuration ensures that the machine remains horizontal regardless of the thickness of the forks.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the additional lifting system includes an actuator for moving the pusher relative to the chassis.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, said actuator is a cylinder mounted between the chassis and the pusher.

[0020] The additional lifting system is configured to allow, in the limited state of displacement of the pusher actuated in the direction of the exercise of a support force, a displacement of the chassis relative to the two uprights in the direction of a lifting of the chassis.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, the pusher is mounted movably on the chassis along a direction parallel to the direction of movement up and down of the chassis.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, the chassis includes a forklift receiving position, said receiving position comprising tunnels, and the bridge includes a support means movably mounted on the chassis, the support means being active from above the receiving position. This design allows the support means to come into contact with the forks when said forks are received in the receiving position.

[0023] Preferably, the additional lifting system is arranged on the chassis between the tunnels and the support means.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, each lifting system includes an actuator, such as a jack, housed in a bridge upright. Brief description of the drawings

[0025] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0026] [Fig-1] represents a view of a bridge according to the invention, the bridge frame being in a low position,

[0027] [Fig.2] represents a perspective view of the bridge of [Fig. 1], with the chassis in a raised position,

[0028] [Fig.3] represents a partial perspective view of the bridge of [Fig. 1] at the chassis level,

[0029] [Fig.4] represents a partial perspective view, partially in cross-section in plane IV of the bridge of [Fig.1] at the level of the chassis,

[0030] [Fig.5] represents a view from below the bridge of [Fig.1],

[0031] [Fig.6] represents a perspective view of part of the elements mounted on the chassis of the bridge of [Fig.1],

[0032] [Fig.7] represents a first step for mounting a device on the bridge of the [Fig.1],

[0033] [Fig.8] represents, in partial front view, the step of the [Fig.7],

[0034] [Fig.9] is a view similar to that of [Fig.8] representing another step for mounting a device on the deck of [Fig.1],

[0035] [Fig. 10]] represents, in three views similar to that of [Fig.8], another step for mounting a device on the deck of [Fig.1],

[0036] [Fig.11]] represents, in partial side view, the step of the [Fig.10],

[0037] [Fig. 12]] represents a partial side view similar to that of [Fig. 11] representing another step for mounting a device on the deck of [Fig. 1], and

[0038] [Fig. 13]] represents, in two views, another step for mounting a machine on the bridge of the [Fig.1].

[0039] In the following description, identical elements or elements with identical functions bear the same reference numeral. For the sake of brevity, they are not described opposite each figure; only the differences between the embodiments are described.

[0040] In the figures, the actual proportions have not always been respected, for the sake of clarity.

[0041] Figures 1 to 13 show an example of a bridge 1 for a forklift handling device E according to the invention.

[0042] The bridge 1 comprises two lateral uprights 2 forming piers of the bridge 1. The uprights 2 extend substantially vertically and are, in this example, fixed to the ground by means of a plate 3.

[0043] One of the uprights 2 may include a control console 4 for the bridge 1.

[0044] In this example, the two amounts 2 are connected to each other at the level of a upper end by a hood 5.

[0045] The two uprights 2 form slides 6 in which lateral ends of a frame 10 are positioned. The slides 6 can allow the frame 10 to be guided in movement along a substantially vertical direction D.

[0046] As illustrated in [Fig. 2], the bridge 1 comprises two lifting systems 11, in this example jacks, arranged on either side of the frame 10. The lifting systems 11 allow the frame 10 to be moved between a raised position and a lowered position. In the example in [Fig. 2], each lifting system 11 is positioned in a slide 6 of a post 2.

[0047] The bridge 1 also includes a fork reception area F partially formed by fork tunnels 15 F, in this example two fork tunnels 15 F. Each tunnel 15 is delimited by a top face 16, a bottom face 18, and two side faces 17. Each tunnel 15 extends longitudinally from one end towards an opposite end, said ends being open. One of the ends forms an entry end for a fork F into the tunnel 15. The longitudinal axis of each tunnel 15 is shown in XX' in the figures. This longitudinal axis XX' corresponds to the insertion axis of a fork F in the tunnel 15.

[0048] As particularly illustrated in figures 3 to 6, each tunnel 15 can be formed by a heel jaw 20, fixedly mounted on the chassis 10, and a movable jaw 21, movablely mounted on the chassis 10 along a direction M perpendicular to the direction of movement D in the up and down movement of the chassis 10. Alternatively, both jaws could have been movable.

[0049] The two heel jaws 20 can be formed by a single heel 22 mounted removably on the chassis 10.

[0050] In this example, each heel jaw 20 comprises two claws 23 forming a space 24 between them.

[0051] Still in this example, each movable jaw 21 includes a single claw 25, in particular unique, opposite the space 24 along the direction M. Thus, when a movable jaw 21 moves along the direction M to approach a heel jaw 20, the claw 25 moves in the direction of the space 24, without inserting itself between the claws 23.

[0052] As illustrated, the movable jaws 21 can be moved relative to the frame 10 by means of an actuator 27, for example a two-rod cylinder.

[0053] As mentioned above, the tunnels 15 extend from one end towards the opposite end along a longitudinal axis XX'.

[0054] The tunnel entrances 15 are substantially in continuity with a front facade 28 of the chassis 10.

[0055] The bridge 1 also includes an additional lifting system 30 comprising a pusher 31 mounted movable relative to the frame 10 in a direction parallel to the upward and downward movement direction D of the frame 10. For the upward and downward movement of the pusher 31, the additional lifting system 30 includes an actuator such as a cylinder, which will be described below. This actuator extends between the frame 10 and the pusher 31.

[0056] The pusher 31 is active by pressing on the top of forks F received in the receiving location to allow a vise grip of the forks F between a support point of the pusher 31 and the underside face 18 of the tunnels 15.

[0057] This pusher 31 has a lower contact surface 33 with the fork, the shape of which is concave. This shape allows for a point and regular contact on the top of the forks of the machine.

[0058] The bridge 1 may include a support means 35 for the forks, mounted movable relative to the chassis 10 and configured to come into contact with an upper face of forks F received in the receiving position so as to prevent a tilting of the device E. This support means 35 can have a shape similar to the pusher 31.

[0059] Along the longitudinal axis XX', the pusher 31 can be at a distance DI from the tunnel entrance 15 of between 300 and 365 mm.

[0060] Along the longitudinal axis XX', the support means 35 can be at a distance D2 from the tunnel entrance 15 of between 740 and 810 mm, said distance D2 being preferably greater than Dl.

[0061] The pusher 31 and the support means 35 are each moved relative to the chassis 10 by means of jacks 34.

[0062] The bridge 1 may also include, mounted on the front face 28 of the chassis 10, a detection device 36 for the presence of a vehicle E, for example a tilting system.

[0063] In the following description, an example of lifting a forklift E with the bridge 1 is described.

[0064] In a first step, illustrated in figures 7 and 6, the forks F of a machine E are inserted into the tunnels 15 of the bridge 1 until the machine E comes into contact with the detection device 36. Of course, at this stage, the chassis 10 is in a low position relative to the uprights 2.

[0065] In addition, the forks F are not in contact with the jaws 20 and 21, facilitating the positioning of the device E.

[0066] The pusher 31 and the support means 35 are in a high position so as to provide a free space between them and the forks F.

[0067] In a further step, illustrated in [Fig.9], the movable jaws 21 are moved so as to approach the heel jaws 20 until they come into contact with the forks F.

[0068] After this step, an empty space V is present between the underside face 18 of the tunnels 15 and the forks F, as illustrated in [Fig.9] and view a) of [Fig.10].

[0069] In [Fig. 10], for reasons of clarity, only one of the cylinders 34 of the pusher 31 is shown.

[0070] In a further step, illustrated in Figures 10 and 11, the cylinders 34 of the pusher 31 are supplied so as to move the pusher 31 downwards relative to the frame 10 until it comes into contact with a face of the top of the forks F, as illustrated in view b) of [Fig. 10].

[0071] Once the pusher 31 is in contact with the forks F, the cylinders 34 of the pusher 31 continue to be supplied, causing an upward movement of the chassis 10 relative to the ground S. Indeed, at this stage the machine E is still resting on its wheels, it can therefore neither lower nor tip over despite the force exerted by the pusher 31, which causes the chassis 10 to move upwards.

[0072] The supply of the cylinders 34 of the pusher 31, and therefore the upward movement of the chassis 10, takes place until the underside face 18 of each tunnel 15 comes into contact with an underside face of the forks F, which fills the empty space V, as illustrated in view c) of [Fig. 10].

[0073] The forks F are thus clamped between a support point of the pusher 31 and the underside face 18 of the tunnels 15, ensuring that the device E remains horizontal during the lifting process.

[0074] In a further step, illustrated in [Fig. 12], the support means 35 is moved downwards relative to the chassis 10 so as to create a second point of support for the tipping forces of the machine E.

[0075] In a further step, illustrated in [Fig.13], the jacks 11 are activated so as to raise the chassis 10 and, with it, the machine E relative to the ground S.

[0076] Once raised, the underside of the forks F is fully accessible thanks in particular to the opening 50 of the tunnel 15 over the entire length of the underside face 18.

Claims

Demands

1. Lifting bridge (1) for handling equipment (E) with forks (F), said bridge (1) comprising two uprights (2) suitable for forming the piers of the bridge (1) and a chassis (10) suitable for delimiting at least two tunnels (15) of forks (F), and two lifting systems (11) of the chassis (10) arranged on either side of the tunnels (15) of forks (F) of the chassis (10), characterized in that each tunnel (15), delimited by a top face (16), a bottom face (18) and two side faces (17), is open on the bottom face (18).

2. Lifting bridge (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that each tunnel (15) has a longitudinal axis (XX'), and is open on the underside face (18) along the entire length of the underside face (18) along the longitudinal axis (XX') of the tunnel (15).

3. Lifting bridge (1) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that each tunnel (15) is delimited by two jaws (20; 21), at least one of the jaws (20; 21) being mounted movable relative to the chassis (10) in the direction of a coming together and a moving apart of said jaws (20; 21) along a direction (M) perpendicular to the direction of movement in up and down of the chassis (10).

4. Lifting bridge (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that one of the two jaws (20; 21) is movable relative to the chassis (10), the other of the two jaws (20; 21) being fixed.

5. Lifting bridge (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that at least one of the two jaws (20; 21) is mounted removably on the chassis (10) so as to allow adaptation of the tunnel (15) according to the dimensions of the forks (F).

6. Lifting bridge (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that at least one of the two jaws (20; 21) serving to delimit a tunnel (15) comprises two claws (23) spaced apart from each other, in that the other of the two jaws (20; 21) comprises a claw (25), said claw (25) extending opposite the space (24) formed between the two claws (23) of the other jaw (20; 21).

7. Lifting bridge (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame (10) comprises a receiving location of the forks (F), said receiving location including the tunnels (15), in that the bridge (1) includes an additional lifting system (30), independent of the two lifting systems (11) of the chassis (10), this additional lifting system (30) including a pusher (31) active from above the receiving location to allow a vise grip of forks (F) received in the receiving location between a support point of the pusher (31) and the underside face (18) of the tunnels (15).

8. Lifting bridge (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the additional lifting system (30) includes an actuator for moving the pusher (31) relative to the chassis (10).

9. Lifting bridge (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said actuator (34) is a cylinder mounted between the chassis (10) and the pusher (31).

10. Lifting bridge (1) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the pusher (31) is movably mounted on the chassis (10) in a direction parallel to the direction of upward and downward movement of the chassis (10).

11. Lifting bridge (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chassis (10) includes a receiving location for the forks (F), said receiving location including the tunnels (15), in that the bridge (1) includes a support means (35) movably mounted on the chassis (10), the support means (35) being active from above the receiving location.

12. Lifting bridge (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each lifting system (11) includes an actuator, such as a jack, housed in a post (2) of the bridge (1).

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