Forklift cargo handling device

Abstract

The present invention provides a forklift cargo holding device that allows for easy release of cargo from a forklift, enables the cargo to be grounded without applying excessive force, and further suppresses vibrations and shocks applied to the cargo while the forklift is in motion. [Solution] The system includes a holding member 10 formed to be connectable to the upper surface of the cargo handling object 1 and having a fork insertion portion 11a into which the forks 2a of the forklift 2 can be inserted, and a pressing mechanism 20 that presses the forks 2a inserted into the fork insertion portion 11a from below with air pressure to press the forks 2a against the fork insertion portion 11a. By releasing the air pressure, the forks 2a can be easily released from the holding member 10, and no excessive reaction force is generated on the cargo handling object 1 from the ground surface. Furthermore, the air pressure can suppress vibrations and shocks while the forklift 2 is in motion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cargo holding device for a forklift for holding a cargo made of, for example, construction materials made of concrete when moving the cargo with a forklift.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, for example, at a construction site or the like, when installing a cargo made of a heavy material such as a concrete material, the cargo is lifted by a large crane and lifted and lowered to the target location. However, in a narrow place where a large crane cannot enter or work, or in construction conditions with airspace restrictions, it has been difficult to transport and install the cargo by the crane.

[0003] Therefore, as a device for transporting and installing a cargo without being restricted like a crane, a transport device using a forklift is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] This transport device suspends a plate-shaped cargo from a frame attached to the forks of a forklift with a plurality of connecting members, transports the cargo to the installation location with the forklift, and suspends and lowers the cargo to the installation location while adjusting the inclination of the cargo with a plurality of jacks provided on the frame.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, in the conventional example using the forklift, multiple connecting members are connected to multiple points on the top surface of the cargo, which makes the process of releasing the cargo connected to each connecting member complicated and makes it difficult to efficiently set up the cargo.

[0007] Furthermore, in the conventional example described above, the cargo is suspended from the forks by multiple connecting members that are hinged to the cargo. As a result, vibrations and shocks during travel, or acceleration and deceleration of the forklift or inclines of the road surface, cause the connecting members to swing, making it impossible to transport the cargo stably at all times.

[0008] Furthermore, when lowering cargo, if the lifting points of the cargo do not touch the ground simultaneously, excessive reaction force from the connecting members is applied to the parts that touch the ground first. This necessitates adjusting the tilt of the cargo using multiple jacks, which complicates the adjustment process.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its objective is to provide a forklift cargo holding device that can easily release cargo from a forklift, transport cargo stably at all times while the forklift is in motion, and furthermore, can bring the cargo to the ground without applying excessive force to it. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a forklift cargo handling device for holding cargo on the forks of a forklift, comprising: a holding member formed to be connectable to the upper surface of the cargo and having a fork insertion portion into which the forklift forks can be inserted; and a pressing means that presses the forks inserted into the fork insertion portion from below with air pressure to press the forks into the fork insertion portion.

[0011] As a result, the forks are held in place by the holding member by applying air pressure to the forks within the fork insertion section via the pressing mechanism, and the forks are released from the holding member when the air pressure is released. When the air pressure is released by the pressing mechanism, space is secured for the forks to move downward within the fork insertion section, so that no excessive reaction force is generated from the ground surface on the part of the load that is in contact with the ground. In addition, since the forks are pressed from below by air pressure, vibrations and shocks applied to the load are suppressed while the forklift is in motion. At the same time, since the load is held by the forks by the holding member, the load does not swing while the forklift is in motion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to easily release cargo from a forklift and to place the cargo on the ground without applying excessive force, thus enabling efficient cargo installation work by forklift. Furthermore, since vibrations and shocks applied to the cargo while the forklift is in motion can be suppressed, the cargo can be transported without being damaged by vibrations or shocks. In addition, since the cargo suspended from the forks does not swing while the forklift is in motion, the cargo can be transported stably at all times. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] Plan view of a forklift cargo handling device showing a first embodiment of the present invention [Figure 2] Front view of a cargo handling device for forklifts. [Figure 3] Side view of a cargo handling device for forklifts. [Figure 4] Perspective view showing the process of attaching the retaining member to the cargo. [Figure 5] Plan view showing the process of inserting the fork into the holding member. [Figure 6] Front view showing the state of attachment of the holding member to the cargo. [Figure 7]Enlarged front view of the main part showing the attachment state of the holding member to the load-carrying object [Figure 8] Side view of a transport vehicle showing the transport process of the load-carrying object [Figure 9] Side view of a forklift showing the installation process of the load-carrying object [Figure 10] Side view of a forklift showing the installation process of the load-carrying object [Figure 11] Side view of a forklift showing the installation process of the load-carrying object [Figure 12] Side view of a forklift showing the installation process of the load-carrying object [Figure 13] Side view of a forklift showing the installation process of the load-carrying object [Figure 14] Side view of a forklift showing the installation process of the load-carrying object [Figure 15] Side view of a forklift showing the installation process of the load-carrying object [Figure 16] Perspective view showing a modified example of the holding member [Figure 17] Front view of the holding member showing the first embodiment of the present invention [Figure 18] Plan view of the holding member [Figure 19] Side view of the holding member [Figure 20] Plan view of the holding member showing the state where the connecting member is moved

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Figs. 1 to 15 show the first embodiment of the present invention, and show a load-carrying object holding device for a forklift for holding a load-carrying object such as a building material made of concrete on the forks of the forklift when moving the load-carrying object with the forklift.

[0015] The cargo handling device 1 shown in the figure is made of a plate-shaped concrete material, manufactured in advance at a factory or similar facility, transported to the site, and installed by a forklift 2. The cargo handling device 1 is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate with one side longer than the other, and four inserts 1a, to which cargo handling device holding devices can be connected, are embedded in its upper surface. In this case, the inserts 1a are positioned in circular recesses 1b formed in the cargo handling device 1.

[0016] The cargo handling device of this embodiment comprises a holding member 10 into which the forks 2a of a forklift 2 are inserted, and a pressing mechanism 20 which serves as a pressing means for pressing the forks 2a inserted into the holding member 10 from below using pneumatic pressure, and the holding member 10 is detachably connected to the upper surface of the cargo 1.

[0017] The holding member 10 consists of a pair of beam-shaped members 11 into which the forks 2a of the forklift 2 engage, and a pair of connecting members 12 connected to the upper surface of the cargo 1. Each connecting member 12 is joined to the lower surface of each beam-shaped member 11 by welding or the like.

[0018] Each beam-like member 11 is made of an H-shaped steel extending in the longitudinal direction of the cargo handling object 1, and is arranged at intervals from each other in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cargo handling object 1. The beam-like member 11 is provided with a fork insertion section 11a into which a fork 2a is inserted, and the fork insertion sections 11a are provided at two locations in the longitudinal direction of the beam-like member 12, at intervals from each other equal to the distance between each fork 2a. The fork insertion section 11a consists of an opening that penetrates the beam-like member 11 in the front-rear direction, and a pair of side plates 11b are arranged on both sides of the opening in the width direction.

[0019] Furthermore, the retaining member 10 is provided with a height adjustment plate 14, which is a height adjustment means that allows adjustment of the height position of the retaining member 10 relative to the fork 2a inserted into the fork insertion section 11a. The height adjustment plate 14 is made of a disc-shaped steel material and is positioned in the upper part of the fork insertion section 11a. A bolt 14a that penetrates the upper surface of the beam-shaped member 12 is joined to the height adjustment plate 14, and the bolt 14a is screwed into a nut 14b joined to the upper surface of the beam-shaped member 12. As a result, the height adjustment plate 14 contacts the fork 2a inserted into the fork insertion section 11a from above, and its height position (contact position with the fork 2a) can be changed by rotating the bolt 14a.

[0020] The connecting members 12 are made of channel steel extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cargo handling object 1, and are arranged at intervals from each other in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cargo handling object 1. Holes 12a are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the connecting members 12, through which bolts 13 for connecting to the cargo handling object 1 are inserted, and each hole 12a is positioned to correspond to each insert 1a of the cargo handling object 1.

[0021] The pressing mechanism 20 includes a pair of air tubes 21 positioned in the fork insertion portion 11a of the holding member 10, and an air compressor 22 that supplies air to each air tube 21.

[0022] Each air tube 21 is made of a flexible, hollow member that can be expanded and contracted, and is formed to extend across the fork insertion portion 11a of each beam-shaped member 12. A reinforcing plate 21a is provided on the upper side of the air tube 21, extending along the longitudinal direction of the air tube 21, and the reinforcing plate 21a is positioned together with the air tube 21 within the fork insertion portion 11a.

[0023] An air compressor 22 is connected to one end of each air tube 21 via an air circulation pipe 22a, and the air circulation pipe 22a branches out and connects to each air tube 21. For the air compressor 22, a small one that can use the power supply of the forklift 2 is used, and if it has a tank, air can be supplied quickly. In addition, an on-off valve 22b for air discharge is connected to the air circulation pipe 22a, and by opening the on-off valve 25, the air in each air tube 21 is discharged to the outside. In this case, it is also possible to use a solenoid valve for the on-off valve 25 and configure it to be operated from inside the forklift 2 together with the air compressor 22.

[0024] In the cargo handling device configured as described above, the holding member 10 is attached to the cargo handling object 1 in advance, as shown in Figures 4 and 6. At that time, as shown in Figure 7, the holding member 10 is connected to the cargo handling object 1 by screwing bolts 13, which pass through each connecting member 12 of the holding member 10, into the insert 1a of the cargo handling object 1. In this case, a clearance is secured between the connecting member 12 and the upper surface of the cargo handling object 1 by placing a raising ring 15, which has a thickness dimension greater than the depth dimension of the recess 1b, between the bottom surface of the recess 1b of the cargo handling object 1 and the connecting member 12.

[0025] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 5 and 7, the forks 2a of the forklift 2 are inserted into the fork insertion portion 11a of the holding member 10, and the air tube 21 and reinforcing plate 21a of the pressing mechanism 20 are arranged inside the fork insertion portion 11a. At this time, air is supplied to the air tube 21 by the air compressor 22, and by inflating the air tube 21, the air tube 21 is pressed against the forks 2a via the reinforcing plate 21a. As a result, the forks 2a are pressed from below by the air tube 21, and the forks 2a are held between the reinforcing plate 21a and the height adjustment plate 14.

[0026] Here, the process of transporting the cargo 1 to the site and installing it in the designated location using a forklift 2 will be explained with reference to Figures 8 to 15.

[0027] First, as shown in Figure 8, the cargo 1 with the holding member 10 attached is loaded onto the transport vehicle 3 and brought to the site, and the forks 2a of the forklift 2 are inserted into the holding member 10 as shown in Figures 9 and 10. Next, as described above, the forks 2a are held in place by the holding member 10 by inflating the air tube 21 inside the fork insertion section 11a. At this time, since the air tubes 21 inside each fork insertion section 11a are in communication with each other via the air circulation pipe 22a, the pressure of the air tubes 21 is applied evenly to the forks 2a in each fork insertion section 11a.

[0028] Furthermore, the height adjustment plates 14 of each fork insertion portion 11a of the holding member 10 change the height position of the four support points of each fork 2a relative to the holding member 10, thereby adjusting the tilt of the cargo 1 supported by each fork 2a as needed.

[0029] Next, as shown in Figure 11, the forks 2a inserted into the holding member 10 are raised to load the cargo 1 from the transport vehicle 3 onto the forklift 2, and as shown in Figure 12, the forklift 2 is moved to the installation location. At this time, the forks 2a are pressed into the fork insertion part 11a by the pressing mechanism 20, so the forks 2a are held in place by the holding member 10. Therefore, even if the forklift 2 experiences sudden acceleration or deceleration, road inclines, or vibrations and shocks during travel, the cargo 1 will not shift position or fall off the forks 2a. In addition, since the forks 2a are pressed by the pressing mechanism 20 due to the air pressure of the air tube 21, vibrations and shocks are absorbed by the air tube 21.

[0030] Next, the cargo handling object 1 is transported to the installation site by forklift 2, and then the forks 2a are lowered to install the cargo handling object 1 at the installation site as shown in Figure 13. At this time, since the holding member 10 attached to the upper surface of the cargo handling object 1 is supported by the forks 2a, sufficient height can be secured from the ground surface of the cargo handling object 1 (upper surface of the main beam) to the fork insertion part 11a, and the cargo handling object 1 can be placed directly on the ground surface as shown in Figure 14.

[0031] Furthermore, when lowering the cargo 1 to the installation location, the air inside the air tube 21 is released, causing the air tube 21 to contract and release the forks 2a from being held by the air tube 21. As a result, even if the entire underside of the cargo 1 does not touch the ground simultaneously due to a relative incline between the cargo 1 and the installation location, the air tube 21 inside each fork insertion section 11a is contracted, so the descent of the forks 2a inside each fork insertion section 11a is not hindered by the air tube 21. This ensures that there is space for the forks 2a to move downward inside each fork insertion section 11a, so that no excessive reaction force from the ground is generated on the parts that have already touched the ground before the entire underside of the cargo 1 touches the ground.

[0032] After this, as shown in Figure 15, the forklift 2 is reversed and the forks 2a are pulled out from the holding member 10, thereby completing the installation of the cargo handling equipment 1. The holding member 10 is removed from the cargo handling equipment 1 after installation and used for newly delivered cargo handling equipment 1.

[0033] As described above, the forklift cargo handling device of this embodiment includes a holding member 10 that is connectable to the upper surface of the cargo 1 and has a fork insertion portion 11a into which the forks 2a of the forklift 2 can be inserted, and a pressing mechanism 20 that presses the forks 2a inserted into the fork insertion portion 11a from below with air pressure to press the forks 2a against the fork insertion portion 11a. As a result, the forks 2a can be held in place by the holding member 10 by the pressing mechanism 20, and displacement or detachment of the cargo 1 relative to the forks 2a can be reliably prevented. This prevents the cargo suspended from the forks from swinging while the forklift is in motion, as in the conventional example, and allows the cargo 1 to be transported stably at all times.

[0034] In this process, the forks 2a are pressed by the air pressure of the pressing mechanism 20. By applying air pressure, the forks 2a can be easily held in the holding member 10, and by releasing the air pressure, the forks 2a can be easily released from the holding member 10, allowing the forklift 2 to efficiently perform the installation work of the cargo 1.

[0035] Furthermore, by releasing the air pressure applied by the pressing mechanism 20, space can be secured for the forks 2a to move downward within each fork insertion section 11a. This prevents excessive reaction force from the ground from being generated at the point where the load 1 touches the ground, and has the advantage of simplifying the structure compared to conventional examples that use multiple jacks to adjust the tilt of the load.

[0036] Furthermore, since the forks 2a are pressed from below by air pressure, vibrations and shocks applied to the cargo 1 while the forklift 2 is in motion can be suppressed, and the cargo 1 can be transported by the forklift 2 without causing damage to the cargo 1 due to vibrations or shocks.

[0037] Furthermore, the pressing mechanism 20 includes an air tube 21 positioned in the fork insertion section 11a and an air compressor 22 connected to the air tube 21. The air compressor 22 supplies air to the air tube 21 to inflate it, and the air compressor 22 discharges air from the air tube 21 to deflate it. As such, the pressing mechanism 20 can be constructed without using a complex structure, which is extremely advantageous for practical application.

[0038] Furthermore, since the fork insertion section 11a is equipped with a height adjustment plate 14 that allows adjustment of the height position of the holding member 10 relative to the forks 2a inserted into the fork insertion section 11a, the tilt of the cargo 1 supported by each fork 2a can be adjusted as needed by adjusting the height position of the four support points of each fork 2a relative to the holding member 10, for example, when there is a large change in the slope at the installation site or when the forklift 2 is tilted due to steps or unevenness in the road surface.

[0039] Furthermore, since height adjustment plates 14 are provided at two locations each on the front and rear, corresponding to the left and right forks 2a, the tilt of the cargo 1 can be adjusted in any direction (front, back, left, or right), allowing it to accommodate a variety of tilts.

[0040] In the above embodiment, an air tube 21 was used in the pressing mechanism 20, but the pressing mechanism may also be configured using a piston and a cylinder as means of applying air pressure.

[0041] Furthermore, although the above embodiment shows a holding member 10 with two beam-shaped members 11 spaced apart from each other, as shown in the modified example in Figure 16, the holding member 10 may be provided with only one beam-shaped member 11.

[0042] Figures 17 to 20 show a second embodiment of the present invention, and components equivalent to those in the previous embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0043] In this embodiment, instead of the connecting member 12, the holding member 10 is provided with a pair of connecting members 16 that can move in the longitudinal direction of the beam-shaped member 11.

[0044] The connecting member 16, as in the above embodiment, is made of channel steel extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cargo handling object 1, and is arranged at intervals from each other in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cargo handling object 1. Multiple holes 16a are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the connecting member 16 for inserting bolts 13 for connecting to the cargo handling object 1, and each hole 16a is arranged at intervals from each other at multiple locations in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cargo handling object 1.

[0045] Furthermore, the connecting member 16 is provided with a plurality of side plates 16b arranged on both sides in the width direction of the beam-shaped member 11, and an upper plate 16c is provided at the upper end of each side plate 16b, positioned above the beam-shaped member 11. As a result, the beam-shaped member 11 is surrounded by each side plate 16b and the upper plate 16c, and the connecting member 16 is movably engaged with the beam-shaped member 11 together with each side plate 16b and the upper plate 16c. In addition, a bolt 16d for fixing the connecting member 16 to the beam-shaped member 11 is provided on the upper plate 16c, and the connecting member 16 is fixed to the beam-shaped member 11 by tightening the bolt 16d against the beam-shaped member 11, and the connecting member 16 becomes movable relative to the beam-shaped member 11 by loosening the bolt 16d.

[0046] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 20, the connecting member 16 of the holding member 10 can be moved along the longitudinal direction of the beam-shaped member 11, thereby adjusting the spacing L of each connecting member 16 according to the position of each insert 1a in the longitudinal direction of the cargo handling object 1. This makes it possible to attach the holding member 10 to multiple types of cargo handling objects 1 in which the positions of each insert 1a in the longitudinal direction of the cargo handling object 1 differ.

[0047] Furthermore, since the connecting member 16 has multiple holes 16a for inserting bolts, spaced apart at multiple locations perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cargo handling object 1, the holding member 10 can be attached to multiple types of cargo handling objects 1, each with a different position of insert 1a perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cargo handling object 1.

[0048] Although the embodiments described above show plate-shaped concrete materials used as cargo handling equipment, for example, in construction materials, the present invention can also be applied to cargo handling equipment of other shapes, materials, and uses.

[0049] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments are examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1...Cargo handling equipment 1, 2...Forklift, 2a...Fork, 10...Holding member, 111...Beam-shaped member, 11a...Fork insertion part, 12...Connecting member, 14...Height adjustment plate, 16...Connecting member.

Claims

1. In a forklift cargo handling device for holding cargo on the forks of a forklift, A holding member formed to be connectable to the upper surface of the cargo handling object and having a fork insertion portion into which the forks of a forklift can be inserted, The system includes a pressing mechanism that presses the fork inserted into the fork insertion section from below using pneumatic pressure, thereby pressing the fork into contact with the fork insertion section. A cargo handling device for forklifts, characterized by the following features.

2. The pressing means comprises an air tube positioned in the fork insertion section and an air supply means connected to the air tube. The air supply means is configured to inflate the air tube by supplying air to it and to deflate the air tube by releasing air from it. The forklift cargo handling device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a forklift cargo holding device.

3. The fork insertion section is equipped with height adjustment means that can adjust the height position of the retaining member relative to the fork inserted into the fork. The forklift cargo handling device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a forklift cargo holding device.

4. The height adjustment means is provided at two locations each at the front and rear, corresponding to the left and right forks. The forklift cargo handling device according to claim 3.

5. The holding member is formed from a beam-shaped member having the fork insertion portion and extending in the width direction of the fork, and a pair of width-direction connecting members formed to be connectable to the upper surface of the cargo and extending in the front-rear direction of the fork. The forklift cargo handling device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a forklift cargo holding device.

6. Each of the aforementioned connecting members is provided on the beam-shaped member so as to be movable in the width direction of the fork. The forklift cargo handling device according to claim 5, characterized in that it is a forklift cargo holding device.

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