Lift truck upright
The innovative upright design with an inclined connecting element improves the operator's view and maintains tilting performance by positioning it higher than the coupling regions, addressing the view obstruction and interference issues of conventional designs.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- L T E ELEVATOR TRUCK EQUIP
- Filing Date
- 2024-06-05
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-12
Smart Images
Figure 2026519242000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to the upright of a lift truck.
Background Art
[0002] Generally, these uprights have a fixed structure, which comprises two vertical profiles and connecting elements for fixing the profiles to each other to make the structure more stable.
[0003] The connecting elements of the prior art are elements having a profile that crosses the fixed structure or has a C-shaped profile.
[0004] In particular, as shown in FIG. 1, the connecting element of the prior art with a C-shaped profile faces the driver's seat and extends substantially parallel to the horizontal at the upper part of the upright.
[0005] During use, both during the operation of the truck and during the movement of the load to be lifted, this connecting element can narrow the field of view of the operator driving the lift truck, especially when it is located in the upper region of the upright.
[0006] Furthermore, during tilting, the connecting element of the prior art limits the amount of movement of the angle of the upright towards the driver's seat of the truck.
[0007] In fact, the tilting angle is limited by the contact between the connecting element and the driver's seat.
[0008] For the purpose of improving the field of view of the operator driving the lift truck, a solution shown in Patent Document JP2001253697 is known, in which the connecting element is arranged inclined with respect to the vertical profile of the upright and is directed downward along the line of sight of the operator.
[0009] However, in this solution, during the tilting of the upright towards the driver's seat, interference occurs between the connecting element and the driver's seat of the lift truck, and thus the performance of the truck is adversely affected. [Overview of the project]
[0010] Therefore, in the field of uprights for lift trucks, there is a need to develop innovative solutions that improve the driver's field of view without negatively impacting the performance level of the uprights.
[0011] In connection with this, the applicant has developed an upright whose features are described in independent claim 1. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0012] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following non-limiting description of preferred embodiments of the lift truck upright shown in the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] This is a schematic side view of the upright of a lift truck according to a prior art embodiment. [Figure 2-3] This is a schematic side view of the upright of the lift truck according to the present invention. [Figure 4-5] These are a front view and a side view of the upright chair according to the present invention, respectively. [Figure 6-7] The details of the upright according to the present invention are outlined below. [Figure 8-9] These are a front view and a side view, respectively, schematically illustrating a modified embodiment of the upright chair according to the present invention. [Figure 10-11] These are schematic cross-sectional views of modified embodiments of the upright in Figures 8 and 9, respectively, in a close-fitting configuration and a drawer configuration. [Figure 12-13] Figures 8 and 9 are schematic perspective views of detailed modified embodiments of the upright.
[0013] It should be noted that the drawings are schematic and therefore do not represent the actual dimensions of the system. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0014] Referring to the attached drawings, the numeral 1 indicates the entire upright of the lift track having a main deployment along the vertical direction Y.
[0015] The upright 1 comprises a unit 2 for picking up goods, preferably a pair of forks.
[0016] The upright 1 comprises a fixed part 3 and a movable part 4, preferably a movable telescopic part 4, relative to the fixed part 3 for carrying out the movement of the pickup unit 2 along the vertical direction Y.
[0017] The fixed part 3 comprises a first profile 11 and a second profile 12 arranged parallel to each other.
[0018] The first profile 11 and the second profile 12 have a main deployment along the vertical direction Y.
[0019] According to the present invention, each of the first profile 11 and the second profile 12 has at least a rear wall 13 and an outer side wall 14.
[0020] The rear wall 13 of each of the first profile 11 and the second profile 12 is designed to face the driver's seat of the lift track.
[0021] The outer side wall 14 of each of the first profile 11 and the second profile 12 is a free wall facing the external environment.
[0022] According to one aspect of the present invention, each of the first profile 11 and the second profile 12 has a front wall 16.
[0023] The front wall 16 of each of the first profile 11 and the second profile 12 faces the pickup unit 2.
[0024] According to one aspect of the present invention, each of the first profile 11 and the second profile 12 has an inner side wall 17.
[0025] The inner side walls 17 of the first profile 11 and the second profile 12 face the movable part 4.
[0026] According to one aspect of the present invention, the movable part 4 comprises at least one pair of profiles that are movable relative to first and second profiles 11, 12, which are arranged parallel to each other and are not shown in the accompanying drawings.
[0027] It should be noted that the present invention applies to both uprights 1 having a single pair of movable profiles, so-called duplex uprights, and uprights 1 having two pairs of profiles that are movable relative to each other, so-called triplex uprights.
[0028] According to the present invention, the fixing portion 3 comprises at least one element 5 for connecting the first profile 11 and the second profile 12, which is positioned in close proximity to the free upper end 15 of the upright 1.
[0029] The connecting element 5 has a C-shaped profile and comprises a main body 50, a first arm 51, and a second arm 52.
[0030] The main body 50 is positioned facing the rear wall 13 of the first profile 11 and the second profile 12.
[0031] The first arm 51 and the second arm 52 are parallel to each other and extend laterally from each part of the main body 50 relative to the main body 50.
[0032] More specifically, considering the first arm 51, it has a first end 51A connected to the first profile 11 and a second end 51B directly connected to the main body 50, and the first arm 51 extends laterally relative to the main body 50, starting from the second end 51B.
[0033] Considering the second arm 52, it has a first end 52A connected to the second profile 12 and a second end 52B directly connected to the main body 50, and the second arm 52 extends laterally relative to the main body 50, starting from the second end 52B.
[0034] The main body 50 extends between the second end 51B of the first arm 51 and the second end 52B of the second arm 52.
[0035] The main body 50 is, for example, a rod.
[0036] Advantageously, the connecting element 5 makes it possible to reinforce upright 1 at a structural level.
[0037] The first arm 51 and the second arm 52 are connected to the first profile 11 and the second profile 12, respectively, at their respective coupling regions (61, 62).
[0038] According to one embodiment, the coupling region 61 of the first arm 51 is located on the outer side wall 14 of the first profile 11, and the coupling region 62 of the second arm 52 is located on the outer side wall 14 of the second profile 12.
[0039] In other words, the first arm 51 and the second arm 52 are upright connected to the free walls of the first profile 11 and the second profile 12, which face the external environment.
[0040] Each free wall of the first profile 11 and the second profile 12 has a plate-like body 74 equipped with a through eyelet 75.
[0041] As shown in Figure 5, the eyelet 75 has an unfolding axis perpendicular to the vertical axis Y.
[0042] The plate-like body 74 is positioned close to the joint between the first and second arms 51 and 52 and the first and second profiles 11 and 12.
[0043] In technical terms, the plate-like body 74 equipped with an eyelet 75 is an eyebolt.
[0044] According to the present invention, the upright 1 is characterized in that the first arm 51 and the second arm 52 are arranged with respect to the first profile 11 and the second profile 12 as follows: - The deployment direction D of the first arm 51 and the second arm 52 defines an acute angle "θ" with the vertical direction Y of the deployment of the first profile 11 and the second profile 12. - The main body 50 is positioned higher than the coupling region 61 between the first arm 51 and the first profile 11 and the coupling region 62 between the second arm 52 and the second profile 12.
[0045] In other words, the deployment direction D of the first arm 51 and the second arm 52 is inclined at an acute angle "θ" with respect to the vertical direction Y of the deployment of the first profile 11 and the second profile 12.
[0046] Preferably, the acute angle "θ" is between 55° and 85°.
[0047] More preferably, the acute angle "θ" is equal to 75°.
[0048] This inclination causes the main body 50 of the connecting element 5 to be positioned at a higher height than the coupling region 61 between the first arm 51 and the first profile 11 and the coupling region 62 between the second arm 52 and the second profile 12.
[0049] More specifically, considering the first arm 51, the first end 51A is positioned at a lower height than the second end 51B. Similarly, the first end 52A of the second arm 52 is positioned at a lower height than the second end 52B. Therefore, the connecting element 5 extending between the second end 51B of the first arm 51 and the second end 52B of the second arm 52 is positioned at a higher height than the coupling region 61 between the first arm 51 and the first profile 11, and the coupling region 62 between the second arm 52 and the second profile 12, respectively.
[0050] Advantageously, this arrangement of the connecting element 5 makes it possible to improve the driver's field of view of the lift truck, and the upright 1 is designed for that lift truck. In practice, when in use, the connecting element 5 of the upright 1 is positioned to allow the lift truck driver to have a wider field of view, as shown in Figure 2.
[0051] Advantageously, this arrangement of the connecting element 5 ensures that the tilt performance of the upright 1 is not affected during use. In practice, as shown in Figure 3, the connecting element 5 allows the upright 1 for the lift truck to tilt toward the driver's seat of the lift truck.
[0052] In Figure 3, it should be noted that the extending connecting element 5, as described, increases the angle of inclination of the upright 1 toward the driver's seat. That is, contact between the upright 1 and the driver's seat occurs at a larger inclination angle than in the conventional solution.
[0053] According to one aspect of the present invention, the connecting element 5 defines a window 53 whose range is defined by a first arm 51, a second arm 52, and a main body 50.
[0054] Window 53 is inclined by the acute angle "θ" with respect to a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction Y.
[0055] Window 53 allows the operator to view through the window.
[0056] In other words, window 53 is part of the operator's field of view.
[0057] According to one aspect of the present invention, the upright 1 comprises at least one element 9 for adjusting the movable part 4 relative to the fixed part 3.
[0058] The adjustment element 9 of the movable part 4 is positioned on at least one of the first profile 11 and the second profile 12.
[0059] In particular, the adjustment element 9 makes it possible to adjust the position of the movable part 4 inside the fixed part 3.
[0060] In particular, considering a preferred embodiment in which the movable part 4 is an extendable part, the adjustment element 9 makes it possible to center the movable part 4 inside the fixed part 3.
[0061] According to a preferred embodiment, the coupling regions 61 and 62 of the first arm 51 and the second arm 52 are positioned at a lower height relative to the adjustment element 9.
[0062] In other words, the adjustment element 9 of the movable part 4 is positioned above the connecting regions 61 and 62.
[0063] Advantageously, this arrangement makes adjustment element 9 accessible.
[0064] According to a preferred embodiment, the upright 1 comprises a first support element 71 and a second support element 72 of the connecting element 5.
[0065] The first and second support elements 71 and 72 are directly connected to the first profile 11 and the second profile 12, respectively, at the portion of the outer side wall 14.
[0066] The first arm 51 and the second arm 52 are connected to the first profile 11 by the first support element 71 and to the second profile 12 by the second support element 72.
[0067] More specifically, according to this preferred embodiment, the connections between the first and second arms 51, 52 and the first profile 11 of the coupling region 61 and the second profile 12 of the coupling region 62 are defined as follows: the first and second support elements 71, 72 are directly connected to the first and second profiles 11, 12, respectively, and the first and second arms 51, 52 are directly connected to the first and second support elements 71, 72, respectively.
[0068] For example, the first support element 71 is welded to the outer side wall 14 of the first profile 11, and the first arm 51 of the connecting element 5 is welded to the first support element 71. Similarly, the second support element 72 is welded to the outer side wall 14 of the second profile 12, and the second arm 52 of the connecting element 5 is welded to the second support element 72.
[0069] Each plate-shaped body 74 or eyebolt equipped with an eyelet 75 is welded to the respective first support element 71 and second support element 72.
[0070] According to a preferred embodiment, the first support element 71 comprises a first bracket 81, and the second support element 72 comprises a second bracket 82.
[0071] The first bracket 81 and the second bracket 82 are configured to support the connecting element 5.
[0072] The first support element 71 and the second support element 72 support the connecting element 5.
[0073] Preferably, the first bracket 81 and the second bracket 82 are positioned facing the rear walls 13 of the first profile 11 and the second profile 12, respectively.
[0074] In other words, the brackets (81, 82) are intended to face the driver's seat of the lift truck.
[0075] According to this preferred embodiment, each support element 71, 72 may have a main portion 73, preferably a plate, directly connected to the respective profiles 11, 12, and each first and second bracket 81, 82 has a support portion 83 and a connecting portion 84 for connecting the support portion 83 to the main portion 73.
[0076] Preferably, the support portion 83 has a main extension along a direction inclined with respect to each profile 11, 12 such that the portions of the brackets 81, 82, which are positioned at a lower height, are at a shorter distance from the rear wall 13 of each profile 11, 12.
[0077] In particular, the support portions 83 of the brackets 81 and 82 are preferably positioned facing the rear walls 13 of the first and second profiles 11 and 12 such that the projection of the support portions 83 onto the respective rear walls 13 remains entirely within the surface of the respective rear walls 13.
[0078] Preferably, the connecting portion 84 extends such that it has a portion facing the rear wall 13 of the profiles 11 and 12 and another portion facing the outer side wall 14 of the profiles 11 and 12.
[0079] Advantageously, support elements 71 and 72 contribute to the structural robustness of upright 1.
[0080] Advantageously, the support elements 71 and 72 in the described embodiment allow the window defined between the first profile 11 and the second profile 12 to remain open, so as not to obstruct the view inside the window.
[0081] According to one aspect of the present invention, the first and second brackets 81 and 82 are in close proximity to the main body 50 and directly connected to the main body 50 of the connecting element 5, and the first arm 51 and the second arm 52 extend from the corresponding portion of the main body 50, respectively.
[0082] In other words, the first bracket 81 and the second bracket 82 are connected to the connecting element 5 at the portions of the main body 50 that are close to the first arm 51 and the second arm 52, respectively, and in particular at their respective second ends 51B and 52B.
[0083] Preferably, the first support element 71 and the second support element 72 are configured to allow access to the adjustment element 9.
[0084] For example, in an embodiment where the main portion 73 of each support element 71, 72 is a plate, the main portion 73 has a hole 91, and the adjustment element 9 is accessible through the hole 91.
[0085] Figures 8 to 13 show modified embodiments of upright 1, the distinguishing feature from the embodiments in Figures 2 to 7 being the shape of connecting element 5, while the remaining features described remain unchanged.
[0086] According to this modified embodiment, the connecting element 5 has a body 50 with a rounded surface, as clearly shown in Figures 10 and 11.
[0087] As shown in Figure 11, during the extension operation of the upright 1, the main body 50 comes into contact with one or more flexible conduits 76 of the pressurized hydraulic circuit, and the rounded surface of this deformation prevents wear of the conduit due to sliding.
[0088] The main body 50 in this modified embodiment has a hollow cross-section.
[0089] Advantageously, the hollow cross-section makes it possible to reduce the weight of the main body 50.
[0090] More specifically, the cross-section is square, with rounded edges.
[0091] The first arm 51 and the second arm 52 are connected to the respective ends of the main body 50.
[0092] According to this modified embodiment, the first arm 51 and the second arm 52 are each provided with male elements 77 at their respective second ends 51B and 52B, which can be inserted into the hollow end of the main body 50.
[0093] Advantageously, the first arm 51 and the second arm 52 are two identical mechanical parts, one of which can be connected to one end of the main body 50 and the other to the other end of the main body 50.
[0094] Advantageously, it is possible to change the length of the main body 50 without changing the shape of the first arm 51 and the second arm 52.
[0095] In this modified version, the first arm 51 and the second arm 52 have through holes 78 near their respective first ends 51A and 52A.
[0096] The hole 78 has an extension axis perpendicular to the extension direction D of the respective first arm 51 and second arm 52.
[0097] Advantageously, according to this modified embodiment, the holes 78 in the first arm 51 and the second arm 52 define the eye bolts of the upright 1, avoiding the presence of the plate-like body 74 with eyelets 75 in the embodiments shown in Figures 2 to 7. The present invention also relates to a lift truck 100 comprising a driver's seat 101 and an upright 1 having one or more technical features shown in the present invention.
[0098] The rear wall 13 of the first profile 11 and the rear wall 13 of the second profile 12 of upright 1 face the driver's seat 101 such that the connecting element 5 faces the driver's seat 101.
[0099] Preferably, the inclination of the upright 1 has a displacement of up to an angle "β" of 14°. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]
[0100]
Patent Document 1
Claims
1. An upright of a lift truck having a main extension along the vertical direction (Y), the upright comprising a unit (2) for picking up cargo, The upright (1) comprises a fixed part (3) and at least one movable part (4) relative to the fixed part (3), The fixing portion (3) has a main extension along the vertical direction (Y) and comprises a first profile (11) and a second profile (12) arranged parallel to each other. The first profile (11) and the second profile (12) each have at least a rear wall (13) and an outer side wall (14), The rear wall (13) of each of the first profile (11) and the second profile (12) is designed to face the driver's seat of the lift truck. The outer side walls (14) of each of the first profile (11) and the second profile (12) are free walls facing the external environment. The fixing portion (3) comprises at least one element (5) for connecting the first profile (11) and the second profile (12), which is positioned close to the free upper end (15) of the upright (1). The connecting element (5) has a C-shaped profile and comprises a body (50) positioned facing the rear wall (13) of the first profile (11) and the second profile (12), and a first arm (51) and a second arm (52) that are parallel to each other and extend laterally from each part of the body (50) relative to the body (50). The first arm (51) and the second arm (52) are connected to the first profile (11) and the second profile (12) respectively in their respective coupling regions (61, 62). An upright, wherein the first arm (51) and the second arm (52) are positioned relative to the first profile (11) and the second profile (12) such that the deployment direction (D) of the first arm (51) and the deployment direction (D) of the second arm (52) define an acute angle "θ" with the vertical direction (Y) of the deployment of the first profile (11) and the vertical direction (Y) of the deployment of the second profile (12), and the body (50) is positioned at a height higher than the coupling region (61) between the first arm (51) and the first profile (11) and the coupling region (62) between the second arm (52) and the second profile (12).
2. The upright according to claim 1, wherein the connecting element (5) defines a window (53) whose range is defined by the first arm (51), the second arm (52), and the main body (50), and the window (53) is inclined by the acute angle "θ" with respect to the vertical direction (Y).
3. The upright according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the acute angle "θ" is between 55° and 85°, preferably 75°.
4. The upright according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the coupling regions (61, 62) of the first arm (51) and the second arm (52) are respectively located on the outer side walls (14) of the first profile (11) and the second profile (12).
5. The upright according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a first support element (71) and a second support element (72) directly connected to the first profile (11) and the second profile (12), respectively, at a portion of the outer side wall (14), wherein the first arm (51) and the second arm (52) are connected to the first profile (11) and the second profile (12) by the first support element (71) and the second support element (72), respectively.
6. The upright according to claim 5, wherein the first support element (71) comprises a first bracket (81), the second support element (72) comprises a second bracket (82), and the first bracket (81) and the second bracket (82) are configured to support the connecting element (5).
7. The upright according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the first bracket (81) and the second bracket (82) are positioned facing the rear wall (13) of the first profile (11) and the second profile (12), respectively.
8. The upright according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the first bracket (81) and the second bracket (82) are directly connected to the body (50) of the connecting element (5) in close proximity to the portion of the body (50), and the first arm (51) and the second arm (52) extend from the portion of the body, respectively.
9. The upright according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising at least one element (9) positioned on one of the first profile (11) and the second profile (12) for adjusting the movable portion (4) relative to the fixed portion (3), wherein the coupling regions (61, 62) of the first arm (51) and the second arm (52) are positioned at a lower height than the adjustment element (9) of the movable portion (4).
10. The upright according to claim 9 and any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the first support element (71) and the second support element (72) are configured to allow access to the adjustment element (9).
11. The upright according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the body (50) of the connecting element (5) has a rounded surface.
12. The upright according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the main body (50) has a hollow cross-section.
13. The upright according to claim 12, wherein the first arm (51) and the second arm (52) each have a second end (51B, 52B) each provided with a male element (77) that can be inserted into the respective hollow end of the main body (50).
14. The upright according to claim 13, wherein the first arm (51) and the second arm (52) each have a through hole (78) adjacent to their respective first ends (51A, 52A) and having an unfolding axis parallel to the vertical direction (Y).
15. The upright according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the first arm (51) and the second arm (52) are the same mechanical part.
16. A lift truck comprising a driver's seat (101) and an upright (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the rear wall (13) of the first profile (11) and the rear wall (13) of the second profile (12) of the upright (1) face the driver's seat (101) such that the connecting element (5) faces the driver's seat (101).
17. The lift truck according to claim 16, wherein the inclination of the upright (1) has a maximum movement of angle "β" of 14°.