Lift truck uprights

Abstract

1. A lift truck upright having a main extension along a vertical direction and comprising a unit (2) for picking up loads, the upright (1) comprising a fixed part (3) and at least one telescopic part (4) movable relative to the fixed part (3), the fixed part (3) comprising a pair of first profiles (5) arranged parallel to each other, each first profile (5) having in particular a J-shaped cross section, and the telescopic part (4) comprising at least a pair of second profiles (6) arranged parallel to each other, each second profile (6) having an I-shaped cross section.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an upright for a lift truck. [Background technology]

[0002] Solutions for uprights for lift trucks made up of the respective profiles are described and illustrated in patent documents US3394778A, JPS58220098A, JPS60248599A, CN201240808Y. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In the technical field of uprights for lift trucks, a need is felt to develop innovative solutions that improve the driver's field of vision without adversely affecting the structural characteristics that the uprights have to deal with.

[0004] In this connection, the Applicant has developed an upright, the features of which are set out in independent claim 1. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0005] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following non-limiting description of a preferred embodiment of a lift truck upright as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic side view of an upright of a lift truck according to the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a lift truck upright showing the profile of the upright. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a detail of FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a further enlarged detail of FIG. 1, showing diagrammatically the roller means interposed between the profiles of the uprights; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Reference number 1 denotes the upright of the lift truck, which has its main extension along the vertical direction.

[0007] The upright 1 is provided with a unit 2 for picking up luggage, which preferably comprises a pair of forks.

[0008] The upright 1 comprises a fixed part 3 and an extendable part 4 which is movable relative to the fixed part 3 and which is used to effect movement of the pick-up unit 2 along the vertical direction.

[0009] The fixing part 3 has a pair of first profiles 5 arranged parallel to one another, in particular each first profile 5 having a J-shaped cross section.

[0010] The telescopic section 4 comprises at least a pair of second profiles 6 arranged parallel to each other, each second profile 6 having an I-shaped cross section.

[0011] It should be noted that the present invention applies both to uprights 1 comprising a single pair of second profiles 6 movable relative to the first profile 5, so-called duplex uprights, and to uprights 1 comprising a pair of second profiles 6 and a third profile 13 movable relative to each other, so-called triplex uprights.

[0012] Each cross-section, in particular J-shaped, of the first profile 5 of the fastening part 3 comprises a core 7 having a main longitudinal extension and a first flange 8 and a second flange 9 extending transversely to the core 7.

[0013] The term "J" is used to indicate a shape in which the longitudinal extension of the core 7 is greater than the extension of the first flange 8 and the second flange 9, and the extension of the first flange 8 is greater than the extension of the second flange 9.

[0014] The first flange 8 and the second flange 9 of the first profile 5 are arranged parallel to and spaced apart from each other and define a compartment 19 configured to accommodate at least a portion of each second profile 6 of the telescopic section 4.

[0015] Each of the first flanges 8 and second flanges 9 has a respective first end 8a, 9a arranged along the same side of the respective first profile 5 and a respective second end 8b, 9b arranged along the same side of the respective first profile 5.

[0016] According to the invention, the first end 8 a of the first flange 8 and the first end 9 a of the second flange 9 have surfaces that are inclined with respect to the main longitudinal development of the core 7 .

[0017] The surface of the first end 8a of the first flange 8 is inclined at an angle "α" between 2° and 20°, preferably 5°.

[0018] The second end 8 b of the first flange 8 has a surface that is inclined with respect to the main longitudinal development of the core 7 .

[0019] The inclined surface of the first end 9a of the second flange 9 is inclined at an angle "β" between 2° and 20°, preferably 12°.

[0020] Advantageously, the beveled surface of the first end 8a of the first flange 8 and the beveled surface of the first end 9a of the second flange 9 improves the visibility of the lift truck operator.

[0021] The second end 9 b of the second flange 9 has a curved portion configured to surround at least a portion of the lifting cylinder 33 .

[0022] The curved portion has a radius of curvature between 20 and 100 mm.

[0023] Advantageously, the curved portion is configured to surround a portion of the lift cylinder and to improve visibility for the lift truck operator.

[0024] The lifting cylinders, indicated diagrammatically with the reference number 33, are configured to move the telescopic cross sections, i.e. the pair of second profiles 6 and the pair of third profiles 13, depending on whether the uprights are of the duplex or triplex type.

[0025] With respect to the cross-section of the first profile 5 , in particular of the “J”, the second flange 9 has a longitudinal length that is greater than the longitudinal length of the first flange 8 .

[0026] The first flange 8 has a greater thickness at the junction of the first end 8 a with the core 7 .

[0027] Advantageously, this increase makes it possible to increase the stiffness of the first profile on the side that supports the fork.

[0028] At the junction of the first end 8a and the core 7, the first profile 5 has a radius of curvature between 5 and 20 mm.

[0029] Each second profile 6 of the telescopic section 4 comprises a body 10 interposed between a first flange 11 and a second flange 12 at the centerline of the first flange 10 and the second flange 12 so as to define an I-shaped cross section.

[0030] With respect to the I-shaped cross section, the first flange 11 and the second flange 12 extend along the main longitudinal direction and each have a first end 11a, 12a arranged along the same side of the respective second profile 6 and a second end 11b, 12b arranged along the same side of the respective second profile 6.

[0031] The first end 11a of the first flange 11 and the second end 12b of the second flange 12 have surfaces that are inclined and parallel to each other.

[0032] The second end 11b of the first flange 11 and the first end 12a of the second flange 12 have surfaces that are inclined and parallel to each other.

[0033] The term inclined is used to mean relative to the main longitudinal extension of the body 10 .

[0034] The first end 11a of the first flange 11 and the first end 12a of the second flange 12 of each second profile 6 are inserted into the compartment 19 of the respective first profile 5 so as to define a chamber configured to at least partially accommodate the roller means 30 of the second profile 6.

[0035] It should be noted that, according to an embodiment not shown, when the telescopic section 4 has a single pair of second profiles 6, they have compartments for accommodating the respective roller means of the pick-up unit 2, opposite the chambers for accommodating the roller means defined by the first profile 5.

[0036] As will be explained below, according to the embodiment shown, the second profile 6 defines a chamber which accommodates roller means 31 of the further profile of the telescopic part 4 .

[0037] The core 7 of each first profile 5 comprises a first portion 7a having an inclined surface parallel to the inclined surface of the first end 11a of the first flange 11 of the second profile 6, and a second portion 7b having an inclined surface parallel to the inclined surface of the first end 12a of the second flange 12 of the second profile 6.

[0038] The inclined surfaces of the portions 7a, 7b of the core 7 of each first profile 5 face the first end 11a of the first flange 11 of the second profile 6 and the first end 12a of the second flange 12 of the second profile 6, respectively.

[0039] Advantageously, the presence of the inclined parallel surfaces of the first profile 5 and the second profile 6 makes it possible to minimize the dimensions of the upright and maximize its inertia.

[0040] According to the embodiment shown, the telescopic part 4 comprises a pair of third profiles 13 arranged parallel to one another, each third profile 13 having an I-shaped cross section.

[0041] The third profile 13 is movable relative to the second profile 6 and the first profile 5 .

[0042] Each third profile 13 of the telescopic section 4 comprises a body 14 interposed between a first flange 15 and a second flange 16 at the centerline of the first flange 15 and the second flange 16 so as to define an I-shaped cross section.

[0043] The second flange 16 of the third profile 13 is arranged, in particular at a first end 16a of the second flange 16, in at least a part of a compartment 20 delimited by the first flange 11 and the second flange 12 of the second profile 6 arranged on opposite sides of the chamber accommodating the roller means defined in the first profile 5, and defines a chamber configured to accommodate the roller means 31 of the third profile 13.

[0044] The first flange 15 and the second flange 16 extend along the main longitudinal direction and each have a first end 15a, 16a located along the same side of the respective third profile 13 and a second end 15b, 16b located along the same side of the respective third profile 13.

[0045] The first end 15a of the first flange 15 and the second end 16b of the second flange 16 have surfaces that are inclined and parallel to each other.

[0046] The second end 15b of the first flange 15 and the first end 16a of the second flange 16 have surfaces that are inclined and parallel to each other.

[0047] The term inclined is used to mean relative to the main longitudinal extension of the body 14 .

[0048] The central body 10 of each second profile 6 comprises at least one portion 10 a having an inclined surface parallel to the inclined surface of the first end 16 a of the second flange 16 of the third profile 13 .

[0049] The inclined surface of the portion 10 a of the body 10 of each second profile 6 faces the first end 16 a of the second flange 16 of the third profile 13 .

[0050] The central body 14 of the third profile 13 comprises at least one portion 14 a with an inclined surface parallel to the inclined surface of the second end 11 b of the first flange 11 of the second profile 6 .

[0051] The inclined surface of the portion 14 a of the body 14 of each third profile 13 faces the second end 11 b of the first flange 11 of the second profile 6 .

[0052] The third profile 13 is positioned relative to the respective second profile 6 such that the first flange 11 of the second profile 6 is positioned in at least a portion of the compartment 20 bounded by the first flange 15 and the second flange 16 of the third profile 13.

[0053] In this way, the first flange 15 of the third profile 13 is aligned with the first flange 8 of the first profile 5 .

[0054] In other words, the first flange 11 of the second profile 6 faces the first flange 8 of the first profile 5 and the first flange 15 of the third profile 13 .

[0055] The second end 8 b of the first flange 8 of the first profile 5 has an inclined surface that is parallel to the inclined surface of the first end 15 a of the first flange 15 of the third profile 13 .

[0056] The third profile 13 of the telescopic section 4 supports the pick-up unit 2, and in the compartment 21 of the third profile 13 defined by the second end 15b of the first flange 15 and the second end 16b of the second flange 16, respective roller means 32 for moving the gripping unit 2 are arranged.

[0057] The present invention also relates to a lift truck 17 comprising a driver's seat 18 and an upright 1 arranged in front of the driver's seat 18 so that the second flanges 9, 12 of the first profile 5 and the second profile 6 are directed towards the driver's seat 18. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0058] [Patent Document 1] US3394778A [Patent Document 2] JPS58220098A [Patent Document 3] JPS60248599A [Patent Document 4] CN201240808Y

Claims

1. A lift truck upright having a main extension along a vertical direction and equipped with a unit (2) for picking up loads, The upright (1) comprises a fixed part (3) and at least one telescopic part (4) movable relative to the fixed part (3); The fixing part (3) comprises a pair of first profiles (5) arranged parallel to each other, Each cross section of the first profile (5) of the fastening part (3) comprises a core (7) extending mainly along a longitudinal direction, a first flange (8) arranged facing the gripping unit (3), and a second flange (9) extending transversely to the core (7), the first flange (8) has a longer longitudinal extension transverse to the longitudinal extension of the core (7) than the second flange (9); Each of the first flanges (8) and second flanges (9) is provided with a first end (8a, 9a) and a second end (8b, 9b) located along the same side of the respective first profile (5); the first ends (8a, 9a) of the first flange (8) and the second flange (9) are arranged on the outward facing side of the upright (1); the first flange (8) and the second flange (9) are arranged parallel to and spaced apart from each other and together with the core (7) define a compartment (19) configured to accommodate at least a portion of the telescopic portion (4); With respect to the cross section of the first profile (5) of the cross section (3) of the fastening part: the first end (8a) of the first flange (8) and the first end (9a) of the second flange (9) each have a surface inclined with respect to the longitudinal development of the core (7); the inclined surface of the first end (8a) of the first flange (8) is inclined by an angle "α" between 2° and 20°, preferably 5°; The inclined surface of the first end (9a) of the second flange (9) is inclined at an angle "β" between 2° and 20°, preferably 12°.

2. 2. An upright according to claim 1, wherein the second end (9b) of the second flange (9) has a curved portion configured to surround at least a part of a lifting cylinder (33).

3. 3. An upright according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second end (8b) of the first flange (8) has a surface inclined at an angle of between 2° and 20°, preferably 5°, relative to the longitudinal extension of the core (7).

4. 4. An upright according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first flange (8) has a greater thickness at the junction of the first end (8a) and the core (7), and preferably, at the junction of the first end (8a) and the core (7), the first profile (5) has a radius of curvature of between 6 and 10 mm.

5. The telescopic section (4) comprises at least a pair of second profiles (6) arranged parallel to each other, each second profile (6) having an I-shaped cross section; 5. An upright according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least a part of the I-shaped profile is inserted into the compartment (19) of the respective first profile (5) so as to define a chamber configured to at least partially accommodate the roller means (30) of the second profile (6).

6. Each second profile (6) of the telescopic section (4) comprises a body (10) interposed between a first flange (11) and a second flange (12) at the centerline of the first flange (11) and the second flange (12) so as to define an I-shaped cross section; the first flange (11) and the second flange (12) extend along a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the body (10), each having a first end (11a, 12a) and a second end (11b, 12b) disposed along the same side of a respective second profile (6); the first end (11a) of the first flange (11) and the second end (12b) of the second flange (12) have surfaces that are inclined and parallel to each other; 6. An upright according to claim 5, wherein the second end (11b) of the first flange (11) and the first end (12a) of the second flange (12) have surfaces that are inclined and parallel to each other.

7. the core (7) of each first profile (5) comprises a first portion (7a) having an inclined surface parallel to the inclined surface of the first end (11a) of the first flange (11) of the second profile (6), and a second portion (7b) having an inclined surface parallel to the inclined surface of the first end (12a) of the second flange (12) of the second profile (6); 7. An upright according to claim 6, wherein the inclined surfaces of the portions (7a, 7b) of the core (7) of each first profile (5) face the first end (11a) of the first flange (11) of the second profile (6) and the first end (12a) of the second flange (12) of the second profile (6), respectively.

8. 7. An upright according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the central body (10) of each second profile (6) comprises at least one portion (10a) having an inclined surface parallel to the inclined surface of the first end (16a) of the second flange (16) of the third profile (13), and the inclined surface of the portion (10a) of the body (10) of each second profile (6) faces the first end (16a) of the second flange (16) of the third profile (13).

9. The telescopic section (4) comprises a pair of third profiles (13) arranged parallel to each other, each of the third profiles (13) having an I-shaped cross section; Each third profile (13) of the telescopic section (4) comprises a body (14) interposed between the first flange (15) and the second flange (16) at the centerline position of the first flange (15) and the second flange (16); the first flange (15) and the second flange (16) extend along a main longitudinal direction and each have a first end (15a, 16a) and a second end (15b, 16b) arranged along the same side of a respective third profile (13); the first end (15a) of the first flange (15) and the second end (16b) of the second flange (16) have surfaces that are inclined and parallel to each other; 9. An upright according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the second end (15b) of the first flange (15) and the first end (16a) of the second flange (16) have surfaces that are inclined and parallel to each other.

10. the central body (14) of the second profile (6) has a portion (14a) with an inclined surface (14a) parallel to the inclined surface of the first end (16a) of the second flange (16) of the third profile (13); the central body (14) of the third profile (13) comprises at least one portion (13a) with an inclined surface parallel to the inclined surface of the second end (11b) of the first flange (11) of the second profile (6); 10. An upright according to claim 9, wherein the inclined surface of the portion (14a) of the body (14) of each third profile (13) faces the second end (11b) of the first flange (11) of the second profile (6).

11. 11. An upright according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the first end (8a) of the first flange (8) of the first profile (5) has an inclined surface that is parallel to the inclined surface of the first end (15a) of the first flange (15) of the third profile (13).

12. 12. An upright according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the first flange (15) of the third profile (13) is aligned with the first flange (8) of the first profile (5), and the first flange (11) of the second profile (6) faces the first flange (8) of the first profile (5) and the first flange (15) of the third profile (13).

13. 13. A lift truck comprising: a driver's seat (18); and an upright (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, arranged in front of the driver's seat (18), wherein the second flanges (9, 12) of the first profile (5) and the second profile (6) are directed toward the driver's seat (18).

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