Roll cage transporter

Abstract

A roll cage transporter 10 comprises a pallet truck and a roll cage adapter system. A first fork 108 comprises a first roll cage wheel track, the first roll cage wheel track (214a, see fig.6) having a

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device that aids the handling and transportation of roll cages. The present invention also relates to a kit for the provision of such a device and to a method of operation of such a device. Background Roll cages are used in various industries. A roll cage typically has a rigid flat base that has four (typically) castor wheels attached. Castor wheels contain a swivel joint enabling the axis of rotation of the wheel to change and therefore to allow the rolling direction of the wheel to change. Roll cages typically have walls attached to and extending upwardly from the base and may also contain doors / gates for loading and unloading. These walls are typically constructed from wire mesh, leading to the impression of a cage, hence the name “roll cage”. Roll cages are designed to securely hold and move items within a facility or between locations. Roll cages have various different formats depending on their intended use and may feature shelves or compartments for efficient organisation and easy access to goods. Whilst roll cages are characteristically tall and thin to aid with manoeuvrability and storage, their high centre of mass results in a relatively unstable storage and transportation solution. Roll cages are used for example in warehouses, manufacturing facilities and retail environments. Typically, they are suited to very flat and smooth floors, their castor wheels usually having a relatively small diameter. The manoeuvring of loaded roll cages is typically done manually. However, in particular over uneven floors, this leads to potential safety hazards. To address these challenges, some systems and mechanisms have been developed to aid the transportation of roll cages. Previous approaches have involved using powered tugs that attach to a side or to an edge of the roll cage, helping the user pull the system. See hUps.V / ww.mastermover.corwIndustnes / hgMHQas^cs-W^ [accessed 4 December 2023], Whilst this does help workers with moving heavy loads, the present inventors have realised that there are several remaining problems. For example, the attachment of a powered tug does not change the fact that the roll cage wheels continue to support the roll cage. The roll cage, whilst easier to move due to the powered tug, may still be unstable over rough ground, leading to the risk of the roll cage falling over and leading to damage to the transported products in the roll cage and to the potential for injuries. Summary of the Invention The present inventors have realised that further improvements to roll cage transporters are possible. In particular, the inventors have realised that it would be advantageous to provide a roll cage transporter that avoids contact between the roll cage castor wheels and the ground completely. The present invention has been devised in light of the above considerations. Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a roll cage transporter comprising a pallet truck and a roll cage adapter system, wherein the pallet truck comprises: a support wheel; a lifting mechanism configured to provide lift relative to the support wheel, wherein the roll cage transporter comprises: a first fork comprising a first roll cage wheel track, the first roll cage wheel track having an open end for receiving and guiding a first roll cage wheel; a second fork comprising a second roll cage wheel track, the second roll cage wheel track having an open end for receiving and guiding a second roll cage wheel, wherein the lifting mechanism is configured to lift the first and second forks, and wherein each roll cage wheel track has a respective roll cage wheel locking station for capturing and holding a respective roll cage wheel against movement, so that a roll cage is capable of being received on the roll cage adapter system, rolled along the roll cage wheel tracks to be held at the roll cage wheel locking stations, lifted by lifting the forks of the pallet truck and transported by moving the pallet truck. In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method fortransporting a roll cage including the steps: providing a roll cage; providing a roll cage transporter according to the first aspect; rolling the roll cage onto and along the roll cage wheel tracks; capturing and holding at least two of the roll cage wheels at the respective roll cage wheel locking stations; and lifting the forks of the pallet truck and transporting the roll cage by moving the pallet truck. In a third aspect, the invention provides a kit for adapting a pallet truck to form a roll cage transporter, the kit comprising a roll cage adapter system, wherein the pallet truck to be adapted by the kit comprises: a support wheel; first and second forks; a lifting mechanism configured to lift the forks relative to the support wheel, wherein the roll cage adapter system is attachable to the forks of the pallet truck, the roll cage adapter system further comprising: a first roll cage wheel track attachable to the first fork, the first roll cage wheel track having an open end for receiving and guiding a first roll cage wheel; a second roll cage wheel track attachable to the second fork, the second roll cage wheel track having an open end for receiving and guiding a second roll cage wheel, wherein each roll cage wheel track has a respective roll cage wheel locking station for capturing and holding a respective roll cage wheel against movement, so that a roll cage is capable of being received on the roll cage adapter system, rolled along the roll cage wheel tracks to be held at the roll cage wheel locking stations, lifted by lifting the forks of the pallet truck and transported by moving the pallet truck. In a fourth aspect, the invention provides a kit for adapting a pallet truck to form a roll cage transporter, the kit comprising a roll cage adapter system, wherein the pallet truck to be adapted by the kit comprises: a support wheel; a lifting mechanism configured to provide lift relative to the support wheel, wherein the roll cage adapter system is attachable to the pallet truck, the roll cage adapter system further comprising: a first fork comprising a first roll cage wheel track, the first roll cage wheel track having an open end for receiving and guiding a first roll cage wheel; a second fork comprising a second roll cage wheel track, the second roll cage wheel track having an open end for receiving and guiding a second roll cage wheel, wherein the lifting mechanism is configured to lift the first and second forks, and wherein each roll cage wheel track has a respective roll cage wheel locking station for capturing and holding a respective roll cage wheel against movement, so that a roll cage is capable of being received on the roll cage adapter system, rolled along the roll cage wheel tracks to be held at the roll cage wheel locking stations, lifted by lifting the forks of the pallet truck and transported by moving the pallet truck. As will be understood, it is intended that the product of using the kit of the third and fourth aspect will typically be a roll cage transporter according to the first aspect. Optional features of the invention are now set out, these being applicable single or in any combination with any aspect of the invention, unless the context demands otherwise. In some embodiments of the roll cage transporter, the distance separating the roll cage wheel locking stations of the first and second roll cage wheel track may be configured to match the spacing between the first and second roll cage wheels. Roll cages come in a variety of standard sizes, some examples of the sizes the spacing of the roll cage wheel locking stations may be adapted to are: 840 x 740 mm, 860 x 620 mm, 655 x 420mm. The first and second roll cage wheel tracks may each have an attaching flange, for attachment to the first and second forks. The roll cage wheel tracks may be attached by welds or bolts to the fork, for example through the attaching flange. In some embodiments the first roll cage wheel track may be integrally formed with the first fork and the second roll cage wheel track may be integrally formed with second fork. In this case, the roll cage adapter system may be bolted or welded to the pallet truck A-frame. The first and second roll cage wheel tracks may comprise a channel-like structure with two raised side walls. This may also be referred to here as a gutter structure. The side walls restrict the lateral movement of the roll cage castor wheels and guide the wheels along the roll cage wheel track. The first and second roll cage wheel tracks may comprise a lead-in ramp provided at each open end. This is to help with rolling the roll cage from the ground onto the roll cage wheel tracks. The roll cage wheel locking station may comprise a recess in the roll cage wheel track, such that when the wheels reach the recess they fall into the recess, restricting the movement of the wheel and hence the roll cage. The recess may be provided in the form of an aperture through the roll cage wheel track. The roll cage may be configured such that the longest dimension of the recess is no longer than, and optionally is less than, the roll cage wheel diameter. In this way, the wheel may not entirely fall through the recess but at least part of the wheel circumference may be supported on the recess edge. The roll cage transporter may be loaded such that the first and second roll cage wheel tracks and the first and second forks bear the load of the roll cage. In some embodiments, only the roll cage wheel track will bear the roll cage load. The roll cage transporter may be used to transport pallets, including the steps: providing a pallet; providing a roll cage transporter according to the first aspect; positioning the first and second forks into the pallet; lifting the forks of the pallet truck and transporting the pallet by moving the pallet truck. It will be understood here that this is a typical use of a pallet truck. The additional advantage provided in some embodiments of the pallet truck is that, even with the roll cage wheel tracks attached to the pallet truck forks, the forks and the tracks may be inserted into a pallet (for example by carefully considering the size and shape of the roll cage wheel tracks in relation to the side of the apertures and the location of spacers in the pallet). The invention includes any combination of the aspects and optional features described except where such a combination is clearly impermissible or expressly avoided. Summary of the Figures Embodiments and experiments illustrating the principles of the invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a roll cage transporter from the side in a loading configuration, the roll cage transporter is carrying a roll cage and displaying the handle in its highest and lowest position. Figure 2 shows the roll cage transporter of Figure 1 in a lifted configuration. Figure 3 shows a schematic plan view of the roll cage transporter of Figure 1 from above but without the roll cage. Figure 4 shows a schematic plan view of the roll cage transporter of Figure 1 from above carrying a trolley but not in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Figure 5 shows a schematic plan view of the roll cage transporter of Figure 1 from above carrying a Euro pallet. Figure 6 shows a schematic plan view of a roll cage transporter from above. Figure 7 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the roll cage transporter of Figure 6 carrying a roll cage in its lifted configuration. Figure 8 shows a schematic front view of the roll cage transporter of Figure 6 but without a roll cage. Figure 9 shows a schematic plan view of the roll cage transporter of Figure 6 from above carrying a roll cage with dimensions 840 x 740 mm. Figure 10 shows a schematic plan view of the roll cage transporter of Figure 6 from above carrying a roll cage with dimensions 860 x 620 mm. Figure 11 shows a schematic plan view of the roll cage transporter of Figure 6 from above carrying a roll cage with dimensions 655 x 420 mm. Figure 12 shows a schematic top view of a roll cage transporter, configured with lead-in ramps at the open end of the first and second roll cage wheel track. Figure 13 shows a cross-sectional view of the first and second roll cage wheel tracks attached to the first and second forks according to Figure 12. Figure 14 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the roll cage transporter of Figure 12 from the side. The roll cage transporter is in its lifted configuration and is carrying a roll cage. Figure 15 shows a schematic plan view of a roll cage transporter from below. Figure 16 shows a schematic plan view of the roll cage transporter of Figure 15 from above. Figure 17 shows a schematic side view of the roll cage transporter of Figure 15. Figure 18 shows an orthogonal view from above of the roll cage transporter of Figure 15. Figure 19 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a roll cage transporter from the side. The roll cage transporter is carrying a roll cage. Figure 20 shows a schematic orthogonal view from above of the roll cage transporter in Figure 19. Figure 21 shows a schematic front cross-sectional view of the roll cage transporter in Figure 19. Figure 22 shows a schematic cross-sectional side view of the roll cage transporter in Figure 19. Figure 23 shows a schematic orthogonal view from below of the roll cage transporter in Figure 19. Figure 24 shows a schematic orthogonal view from above of an embodiment of a roll cage adapter system before it is attached to the pallet truck A-frame. Figure 25 shows a rotated schematic orthogonal view from above of the roll cage adapter system in Figure 24. Figure 26 shows a schematic orthogonal view from below of the roll cage adapter system in Figure 24. Figure 27 shows a rotated schematic orthogonal view from below of the roll cage adapter system in Figure 24. Detailed Description of the Invention Aspects and embodiments of the present invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures. Further aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The contents of any documents mentioned in this text are incorporated herein by reference. Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a roll cage transporter 100 from the side in a loading configuration. The loading configuration can be considered to be the position of the pallet truck at which the forks 108 are closest to the ground. This configuration is used when rolling the roll cage 102 onto the wheel tracks. The roll cage transporter 100 is shown with its handle in a vertical position 104a and in a horizontal position 104b, schematically for reference. The handle is configured such that it can be moved anywhere between these two positions. It will be understood that this drawing (and others in the set of drawings) is schematic and the roll cage transporter has only one handle that can be positioned between the movement extremes indicates as 104a and 104b respectively. The handle of the roll cage transporter, being essentially the same as the handle of the pallet truck which is adapted to form the roll cage transporter, may include controls such as levers or buttons for controlling features of the apparatus, such as power for driving support wheel 110. The handle is also pivotable about a vertical axis (upwards in the plane of the drawing) and the handle is connected to the support wheel 110 so that pivoting of the handle causes corresponding pivoting of the support wheel to enable steering of the roll cage transporter. Figure 2 shows the roll cage transporter 10 of Figure 1 in the lifted configuration. Here the forks 108 are raised relative to the support wheel 110 and the fork rollers 106. The forks are lifted such that the roll cage wheels do not contact the ground, and hence the weight of the roll cage is supported ultimately by the support wheels and rollers. Using the larger, more robust support wheel to move the roll cage instead of the roll cage castors means the roll cage can be more safely and securely transported over surfaces with steps, bumps or gradients. Figure 3 shows a schematic plan view from above of the roll cage transporter in Figure 1. The first 114a and second 114b roll cage wheel tracks are attached to the first 108a and second 108b forks respectively. In this embodiment, the roll cage transporter has four wheel locking stations 112a, 112b, 112c and 112d. These may be used to capture two castor wheels or all four castor wheels of a roll cage rolled onto the tracks 114a, 114b. In the present embodiment, the spacing of the wheel locking stations has been selected so that all four wheels of a milk cage carrier can be captured by the wheel locking stations of the roll cage transporter. In this embodiment, each roll cage wheel locking station is an aperture cut out from the track, sized to be slightly smaller than the castor wheel diameter of a roll cage, in order that the wheel can be held in the aperture. Figures 4 and 5 show a trolley 116 and a Euro pallet 118 respectively, carried by the roll cage transporter 100 of Figure 1. As will be understood, the roll cage transporter can be used to carry pallets as well as roll cages. The first 108a and second 108b forks and the first 114a and second 114b roll cage wheel tracks are sized and positioned such that they fit into the gaps of a Euro pallet, the gaps being formed between vertical spacer blocks 119, best seen in Figure 5. The pallets can be slid onto the forks and then lifted by the lifting mechanism; they can then be transported by the roll cage transporter 100. Figure 4 shows a trolley positioned on the roll cage transporter such that its wheels are positioned outside the first 108a and second forks 108b. In this case, when the forks are lifted, the base of the roll cage is only in contact with the forks. Figure 4 is not an embodiment of the invention because the roll cage being carried is not secured by the wheel locking stations and so should the roll cage transporter encounter rough or steep ground, the trolley is likely to slip or fall off from the roll cage transporter. Figure 4 is therefore an illustration of how a roll cage may previously have been considered to be transportable using a conventional pallet truck, but not providing the advantages of the present invention. Figure 6 shows a schematic plan view of a further roll cage transporter 200. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3 except that the underlying pallet truck has a different format in terms of fork length and fork spacing. Accordingly, similar features that have already been described in relation to earlier drawings are not necessarily labelled or described again. Furthermore, in this embodiment, each roll cage wheel track 214a, 214b has only one respective roll cage wheel locking station. There is one wheel locking station 212a on the first roll cage wheel track 214a and a second wheel locking station 212b on the second roll cage wheel track 214b. The roll cage wheel tracks, as in the previous embodiments, are attached to the first 208a and second 208b forks. As will be explained later, they may alternatively be formed integrally with the respective forks. Here the roll cage wheel tracks are strengthened by a reinforcing member 220 extending between them and at the end of the roll cage wheel tracks distal from the open end. In the embodiment of Figure 6 the reinforcing member 220 takes the form of a 5mm thick plate. The inclusion of the reinforcing member reduces the flexing of the roll cage wheel tracks when a roll cage is being loaded and carried. However, it will be recognised that a potential drawback of including the reinforcing member 220 is that this will reduce the capability of the roll cage transporter to be used to lift and transport pallets. Figure 7 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the roll cage transporter of Figure 6 carrying a roll cage 202, with the roll cage transporter in its lifted configuration. In this embodiment, only the front two wheels of the roll cage are locked by the roll cage wheel locking stations 222. Figure 8 shows a schematic front view of the roll cage transporter of Figure 6 with the forks in the lowered position for the loading configuration. No roll cage is shown, in order to show various features of the roll cage transporter more clearly. The cross-section of the first 214a and second 214b roll cage wheel track can be seen here. Each roll cage wheel track comprises a gutter structure in which each track has a raised wall on each side. This structure works to constrain the lateral movement of the roll cage castor wheels as the roll cage is manoeuvred onto the roll cage transporter, thus guiding the wheels towards the wheel locking stations. Figures 9 to 11 display the compatibility of the roll cage transporter of Figure 6 with several exemplary roll cages of different dimensions. Suitable roll cage transporters can be built and configured to accommodate roll cages of any size. Figure 9 shows a schematic plan view of the roll cage transporter of Figure 6 carrying a roll cage 228 with plan view dimensions 840 x 740 mm. Figure 10 shows a schematic plan view of the roll cage transporter of Figure 6 carrying a roll cage 230 with plan view dimensions 860 x 620 mm. Figure 11 shows a schematic plan view of the roll cage transporter of Figure 6 carrying a roll cage 232 with plan view dimensions 655 x 420 mm. It can be understood from the figures that at least two roll cage wheels are captured by the roll cage locking stations. In Figures 9 and 10 the back wheels of the roll cage are resting outboard from the roll cage transporter forks. If a roll cage is loaded in this way, the first and second forks directly bear against at least part of the roll cage. In contrast, in Figure 11, all of the roll cage wheels are positioned in the first and second roll cage wheel tracks, so the roll cage wheel tracks directly bear the load of the roll cage. The roll cage transporter can be used in any such configuration. Figure 12 shows another embodiment of a roll cage transporter with four roll cage wheel locking stations (312a, 312b, 312c and 312d) on the roll cage wheel tracks. The first 314a and second 314b roll cage wheel tracks each incorporate a first 324a and second 324b lead-in ramp extending from the open end. Here the lead-in ramp comprises a 2 inch metal protrusion that extends from the roll cage wheel track. The lead-in ramp forms a shallow angle with the roll cage wheel track channel and is angled such that the end of the lead-in ramp is closer to the ground than the remainder of the wheel track when the roll cage transporter is in the loading configuration. The lead-in ramp allows easier movement of the roll cage from the ground to the roll cage wheel tracks. Figure 13 provides a cross-sectional view of first 314a and second 314b roll cage wheel tracks attached to first 308a and second 308b forks respectively, according to an embodiment. The gutter structure of the roll cage wheel tracks is exemplified here, the two upright walls serve to guide the wheel cage castor wheel, thereby restricting lateral movement of the roll cage. The first 326a and second 326b attaching flanges contact the first and second forks. The method of attachment may be welding or bolting the roll cage wheel tracks to the forks. The attaching flange may bear against the fork top surface as displayed in Figure 13 or may bear against and be attached to the fork inner surface. Preferably, in the region where the attaching flange contacts the top surface of the fork, the top surface of the fork is milled or otherwise machined to a suitable depth in order that, with the roll cage wheel track attached, the modified fork presents a flat and smooth surface. A smooth and flat fork surface is beneficial for the insertion of the forks into pallets and their subsequent removal from the pallets, in order to prevent snagging. Alternatively, as described in more detail below, Figures 24 to 27 show an embodiment of the invention wherein the first roll cage wheel track is integrally formed with the first fork and the second roll cage wheel track is integrally formed with second fork. The roll cage wheel tracks and the forks may for example be formed from the same piece sheet metal, removing the need for the attachment methods mentioned with reference to Figure 13. Figure 14 shows a schematic view of the roll cage transporter of Figure 12 from the side. The roll cage transporter is in its lifted configuration and is carrying a roll cage. Four wheels of the roll cage are captured in the roll wheel locking stations. The process for loading the roll cage is as follows: the roll cage wheels are lined up with the roll cage wheel tracks, the roll cage is then rolled up the lead-in ramps and rolled along the roll cage wheel tracks until at least two roll cage wheels are captured. The forks are then lifted such that the roll cage castor wheels are no longer in contact with the grounds. The pallet truck and roll cage can then be moved to the desired location. Figures 15 to 18 show a schematic view of a further roll cage transporter from below, from above, from the side and from an orthogonal perspective respectively. The roll cage transporter 300 in this embodiment has relatively wide roll cage wheel tracks 314a and 314b, to provide a greater degree of freedom of movement when loading a roll cage onto the roll cage transporter. Figure 19 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a roll cage transporter 400 from the side. The roll cage transporter is carrying a roll cage 402 and is in the transportation configuration. As can be seen from Figure 19, the support rollers 406 are extended from the forks to lift the forks and the associated roll cage wheel tracks and the roll cage. In this embodiment, only two roll cage wheels are captured, wherein the other two roll cage wheels are positioned outside of the forks. This is better illustrated in Figure 20 providing an orthogonal view from above of the roll cage transporter. The base of the roll cage is at least partly supported on the forks of the pallet truck in this embodiment. Supporting a roll cage in this way allows for compatibility with larger roll cages as well as for roll cages with alternative wheel spacings. Figure 21 shows a front view of the roll cage transporter of Figure 19. Figure 22 shows a side view of the roll cage transporter of Figure 19. Figure 23 shows a schematic orthogonal view from below of the roll cage transporter of Figure 19. Figures 24 to 27 show schematic orthogonal views of an embodiment of the roll cage adapter system before it is installed on a pallet truck. The top of the roll cage adapter system is clear from Figures 24 and 25; the top of the forks 508a and 508b are configured so that they can be mechanically attached to the pallet A-frame such that they adequately protect the lifting mechanism and provide a flat surface for loading. The roll cage wheel tracks are better exemplified in Figures 26 and 27, in which the underside of the roll cage adapter system can be seen. The channel-like geometry of the roll cage wheel tracks 514a and 514b is shown here. In this embodiment the of the forks 508a and 508b and the roll cage wheel tracks 514a and 514b are integrally formed. The roll cage wheel locking stations 506a and 506b in this embodiment take the form of openings in the roll cage wheel track. The adapter in these figures could be bolted and / or welded to the pallet truck. The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or in the following claims, or in the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for obtaining the disclosed results, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof. While the invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments described above, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art when given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are considered to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For the avoidance of any doubt, any theoretical explanations provided herein are provided for the purposes of improving the understanding of a reader. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations. Any section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described. Throughout this specification, including the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” and “include”, and variations such as “comprises”, “comprising”, and “including” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and / or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and / or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by the use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The term “about” in relation to a numerical value is optional and means for example + / -10%. 13 09 24

Claims

1. A roll cage transporter comprising a pallet truck and a roll cage adapter system, wherein the pallet truck comprises:a support wheel;a lifting mechanism configured to provide lift relative to the support wheel, wherein the roll cage transporter comprises:a first fork comprising a first roll cage wheel track, the first roll cage wheel track having an open end and a gutter structure for receiving and guiding a first roll cage wheel;a second fork comprising a second roll cage wheel track, the second roll cage wheel track having an open end and a gutter structure for receiving and guiding a second roll cage wheel, wherein the first and second roll cage wheel tracks are integrally formed with, bolted to, or welded to, the first fork and second forks respectively; andwherein the lifting mechanism is configured to lift the first and second forks, and wherein each roll cage wheel track has a respective roll cage wheel locking station for capturing and holding a respective roll cage wheel against movement, so that a roll cage is capable of being received on the roll cage adapter system, rolled along the roll cage wheel tracks to be held at the roll cage wheel locking stations, lifted by lifting the forks of the pallet truck and transported by moving the pallet truck.

2. The roll cage transporter according to claim 1 wherein the distance separating the roll cage wheel locking stations of the first and second roll cage wheel track is configured to match the spacing between the first and second roll cage wheels.

3. The roll cage transporter according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the first and second roll cage wheel tracks each have an attaching flange, for attachment to the first and second forks.

4. The roll cage transporter according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the first and second roll cage wheel tracks each comprise a lead-in ramp provided at the open end.

5. The roll cage transporter according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein each roll cage wheel locking station comprises a recess in the roll cage wheel track.

6. The roll cage transporter according to claim 5 wherein the longest dimension of the recess is no longer than the roll cage wheel diameter.

7. The roll cage transporter according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the first and second forks directly bear against at least part of the roll cage.13 09 248. A kit for adapting a pallet truck to form a roll cage transporter, the kit comprising a roll cage adapter system, wherein the pallet truck to be adapted by the kit comprises:a support wheel;first and second forks;a lifting mechanism configured to lift the forks relative to the support wheel, wherein the roll cage adapter system is attachable to the forks of the pallet truck, the roll cage adapter system further comprising:a first roll cage wheel track attachable to the first fork, the first roll cage wheel track having an open end and a gutter structure for receiving and guiding a first roll cage wheel;a second roll cage wheel track attachable to the second fork, the second roll cage wheel track having an open end and a gutter structure for receiving and guiding a second roll cage wheel, wherein the first and second roll cage wheel tracks are configured to be bolted to, or welded to the first fork and second forks respectively; and wherein each roll cage wheel track has a respective roll cage wheel locking station for capturing and holding a respective roll cage wheel against movement, so that a roll cage is capable of being received on the roll cage adapter system, rolled along the roll cage wheel tracks to be held at the roll cage wheel locking stations, lifted by lifting the forks of the pallet truck and transported by moving the pallet truck.

9. A kit for adapting a pallet truck to form a roll cage transporter, the kit comprising a roll cage adapter system,wherein the pallet truck to be adapted by the kit comprises:a support wheel;a lifting mechanism configured to provide lift relative to the support wheel, wherein the roll cage adapter system is attachable to the pallet truck, the roll cage adapter system further comprising:a first fork comprising a first roll cage wheel track, the first roll cage wheel track having an open end and a gutter structure for receiving and guiding a first roll cage wheel;a second fork comprising a second roll cage wheel track, the second roll cage wheel track having an open end and a gutter structure for receiving and guiding a second roll cage wheel, wherein the first and second roll cage wheel tracks are integrally formed with, bolted to, or welded to the first fork and second forks respectively; and wherein the lifting mechanism is configured to lift the first and second forks, and wherein each roll cage wheel track has a respective roll cage wheel locking station for capturing and holding a respective roll cage wheel against movement, so that a roll cage is capable of being received on the roll cage adapter system, rolled along the roll cage wheel tracks to be held at the roll cage wheel locking stations, lifted by lifting the forks of the pallet truck and transported by moving the pallet truck.

10. A method fortransporting a roll cage including the steps:providing a roll cage;providing a roll cage transporter according to any one of claims 1 to 7;rolling the roll cage onto and along the roll cage wheel tracks;capturing and holding at least two of the roll cage wheels at the respective roll cage wheel locking stations; andlifting the forks of the pallet truck and transporting the roll cage by moving the pallet truck.

11. A method for transporting a pallet including the steps:providing a pallet;providing a roll cage transporter according to any one of claims 1 to 7;positioning the first and second forks, and the first and second roll cage wheel tracks into the pallet; andlifting the forks of the pallet truck and transporting the pallet by moving the pallet truck.CM

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