Lift truck upright

Abstract

Described is an upright of a lift truck which comprises a fixed section (2) and a section (3) movable relative to the fixed section (2) along a vertical direction (Y), and a unit (4) for gripping a load connected to the movable section (3), the gripping unit (4) comprises a structure (10) for supporting a load which comprises a first crosspiece (15) and a second crosspiece (16) which extend along the vertical direction (Y) between the upper element (11) and the lower element (12) and have, respectively, a first insert (17) and a second insert (18); the first insert (17) and the second insert (18) have a respective tapered profile (19, 20) defining at least part of a respective viewing window (F1; F3); the first insert (17) and the second insert (18) each have at least one housing seat (21, 22) for receiving at least a portion of a respective pipe (5) for distributing a hydraulic fluid, which extends parallel to the transversal direction (X).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] LIFT TRUCK UPRIGHT

[0003] Technical field

[0004] This invention relates to an upright of a lift truck.

[0005] Background art

[0006] These uprights generally have a fixed structure which comprises two vertical profiles, a section movable relative to the fixed section along a vertical direction, and a unit for gripping a load connected to the movable section.

[0007] The gripping unit generally comprises a structure for supporting a load, for example configured to support a pair of lifting forks.

[0008] The upright also comprises a plurality of pipes for distributing a hydraulic fluid which may belong to the primary hydraulic circuit, used for moving the movable section relative to the fixed section, or to the auxiliary hydraulic circuit, used for the operation of certain users such as, for example, translating devices, translating-positioning devices, rotary grippers, etc.

[0009] In particular, the distribution pipes belonging to the auxiliary hydraulic circuit are partly fixed to the supporting structure. In use, both during driving of the truck and during movement of the loads to be lifted, this supporting structure, in particular if located in the upper zone of the upright, and the passage of the distribution pipes of the auxiliary hydraulic circuit, may result in a reduction of the field of vision of the operator driving the lift truck.

[0010] Aim of the invention

[0011] In the technical sector of uprights for lift trucks the need is therefore felt of making innovative solutions which improve the field of vision of the driver without adversely affecting the performance levels of the upright.

[0012] In this context, the Applicant has developed an upright the features of which are set out in independent claim 1 . Brief description of the drawings

[0013] Further features and advantages of the invention are more apparent from the non-limiting description which follows of a preferred embodiment of an upright of a lift truck as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0014] - Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an upright of a lift truck according to the invention;

[0015] - Figure 2 illustrates the upright of Figure 1 with a supporting structure, exploded for greater clarity, according to the invention;

[0016] - Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of a supporting structure of an upright of a lift truck according to the invention;

[0017] - Figures 4 and 5 are schematic front and rear views of the supporting structure of Figure 3.

[0018] Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

[0019] With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 denotes in its entirety an upright of a lift truck.

[0020] The upright 1 comprises a fixed section 2 and a section 3, which is movable relative to the fixed section along a vertical direction Y, and a unit 4 for gripping a load connected to the movable section 3.

[0021] The gripping unit 4 comprises a structure 10, illustrated in Figure 3, for supporting a load.

[0022] The supporting structure 10 is configured to support a pair of forks or to support other accessory devices which allow the gripping of a load.

[0023] The supporting structure 10 comprises an upper element 11 and a lower element 12, which have a main longitudinal direction of extension along a transversal direction X relative to the vertical direction Y.

[0024] The supporting structure 10 comprises a first side bar 13 and a second side bar 14, which extend along the vertical direction Y and connect the upper element 11 and the lower element 12, at a respective first end 11 A, 12A and a respective second end 11 B, 12B of the upper element 11 and the lower element 12.

[0025] The supporting structure 10 comprises a first crosspiece 15 and a second crosspiece 16 which extend along the vertical direction Y between the upper element 11 and the lower element 12 and have, respectively, a first insert 17 and a second insert 18.

[0026] The first insert 17 and the second insert 18 extend along the vertical direction Y starting from the upper element 11 to the lower element 12. Each insert 17, 18 is a single piece.

[0027] The first insert 17 and the second insert 18 are in the form of a bar.

[0028] The supporting structure 10 has a first viewing window F1 defined by at least part of the upper element 11 , of the first side bar 13, of the first insert 17 and of the lower element 12.

[0029] The supporting structure 10 has a second viewing window F2 defined by at least part of the upper element 11 , of the first insert 17, of the second insert 18 and of the lower element 12.

[0030] The supporting structure 10 has a third viewing window F3 defined by at least part of the upper element 11 , of the second side bar 14, of the second insert 18 and of the lower element 12.

[0031] The first insert 17 and the second insert 18 have a respective tapered profile 19, 20.

[0032] The tapered profile 19 of the first insert 17 defines at least part of the first viewing window F1 .

[0033] The tapered profile 20 of the second insert 18 defines at least part of the third viewing window F3.

[0034] Advantageously, the tapered profiles 19, 20 of the viewing windows F1 , F3 allow the visibility of the driver of the upright to be increased.

[0035] Advantageously, the tapered profile allows the quantity of material of the inserts to be reduced by widening the cross section of the viewing windows.

[0036] The upright comprises a plurality of pipes 5 for distributing a hydraulic fluid. According to this embodiment, the plurality of distribution pipes 5 is part of the auxiliary hydraulic circuit.

[0037] The auxiliary hydraulic circuit is designed for a movement of the gripping unit 4.

[0038] The first insert 17 and the second insert 18 each have at least one housing seat 21 , 22 for receiving at least one portion of a respective distribution pipe 5, which extends parallel to the transversal direction X. The housing seats 21 , 22 face the gripping unit 4.

[0039] Advantageously, the housing seats 21 , 22 define a passage for the distribution pipes 5 in such a way that they occupy obligatory positions relative to the supporting structure 10 and do not obstruct the view of the driver of the upright.

[0040] Advantageously, therefore, the housing seats 21 , 22 positioned in the first insert 17 and in the second insert 18 contribute to improving the field of vision available to the driver.

[0041] Advantageously, the housing seats 21 , 22 result in a reduction of the components usually used for locking the distribution pipes 5.

[0042] In effect, the housing seats 21 , 22 avoid the need to introduce clamps for fixing the distribution pipes 5 to the supporting structure 10.

[0043] According to an embodiment, the housing seats 21 , 22 are configured for housing, in addition to the distribution pipes 5, also parts of electrical wiring.

[0044] As illustrated in Figure 4, the tapered profile 19 of the first insert 17 preferably comprises a first stretch 19A which extends along the vertical direction Y and at least a second connecting stretch 19B between the first stretch 19A and the upper element 11 and at least a third connecting stretch 19C between the first stretch 19A and the lower element 12.

[0045] As illustrated in Figure 4, the tapered profile 20 of the second insert 18 preferably comprises a first stretch 20A which extends along the vertical direction Y and at least a second connecting stretch 20B between the first stretch 20A and the upper element 11 and at least a third connecting stretch 20C between the first stretch 20A and the lower element 12.

[0046] According to an embodiment, the tapered profile 19 of the first insert 17 comprises a plurality of connecting stretches 19B between the first stretch 19A and the upper element 11 and a plurality of connecting stretches 19C between the first stretch and the lower element 12.

[0047] According to an embodiment, the tapered profile 20 of the second insert 18 comprises a plurality of connecting stretches 20B between the first stretch 20A and the upper element 11 and a plurality of connecting stretches 20C between the first stretch 20A and the lower element 12.

[0048] The first stretch 19A, 20A of the first insert 17 and of the second insert 18 is a rectilinear stretch.

[0049] The second connecting stretch 19B, 20B of the first insert 17 and of the second insert 18 and the third connecting stretch 19C, 20C of the first insert 17 and of the second insert 18 are inclined relative to the vertical direction Y.

[0050] Preferably, the second connecting stretch 19B, 20B of the first insert 17 and of the second insert 18 and the third connecting stretch 19C, 20C of the first insert 17 and of the second insert 18 have converging directions of extension.

[0051] In other words, each second stretch 19B, 20B is convergent with the third stretch 19C, 20C.

[0052] In the first insert 17, the second inclined stretch 19B forms with the first rectilinear stretch 19A an obtuse angle and, similarly, the third inclined stretch 19C forms with the first rectilinear stretch 19A an obtuse angle.

[0053] In the second insert 18, the second inclined stretch 20B forms with the first rectilinear stretch 20A an obtuse angle and, similarly, the third inclined stretch 20C forms with the first rectilinear stretch 20A an obtuse angle.

[0054] The first insert 17 and the second insert 18 have a respective rectilinear profile 23, 24, parallel to the respective tapered profile 19, 20, which extends along the vertical direction Y.

[0055] In particular, each straight profile 23, 24 of the first insert 17 and of the second insert 18 is parallel to the first stretch 19A, 20A of the respective tapered profile 19, 20.

[0056] The second viewing window F2 is defined at least partly by the rectilinear profile 23, 24 of the first insert 17 and the second insert 18.

[0057] With reference to Figure 4, the first viewing window F1 is defined by:

[0058] - a rectilinear profile 13A of the first side bar 13 which extends along the vertical direction Y,

[0059] - a rectilinear stretch 11 C of the upper element 11 which extends along the transversal direction X,

[0060] - the tapered profile 19 of the insert 17,

[0061] - a straight stretch 12C of the lower element 12 which extends along the transversal direction X.

[0062] In particular, the connecting stretch 19B of the insert 17 extends between the rectilinear stretch 11 C of the upper element 11 and between the first stretch 19A of the insert 17 itself.

[0063] Similarly, the connecting stretch 19C of the insert 17 extends between the stretch 12C of the lower element 12 and between the stretch 19A of the insert 17 itself.

[0064] The stretch 11 C of the upper element 11 is positioned parallel to the stretch 12C of the lower element 12 and the stretches 11 C, 12C are positioned perpendicularly to the profile 13A of the bar 13.

[0065] The profile 13A of the bar 13 is positioned parallel to the stretch 19A of the tapered profile 19 of the insert 17.

[0066] According to an embodiment, the third viewing window F3 is defined by:

[0067] - a rectilinear profile 14A of the first side bar 14 which extends along the vertical direction Y,

[0068] - a rectilinear stretch 11 E of the upper element 11 which extends along the transversal direction X,

[0069] - the tapered profile 20 of the insert 18,

[0070] - a rectilinear stretch 12E of the lower element 12 which extends along the transversal direction X. In particular, the connecting stretch 20B of the insert 18 extends between the stretch 11 E of the upper element 11 and between the stretch 20A of the insert 18 itself.

[0071] Similarly, the connecting stretch 20C of the insert 18 extends between the stretch 12E of the lower element 12 and between the stretch 20A of the insert 18 itself.

[0072] The stretch 11 E of the upper element is parallel to the stretch 12E of the lower element.

[0073] The stretches 11 E and 12E are positioned perpendicularly to the profile 14A of the bar 14.

[0074] The profile 14A of the bar 14 is positioned parallel to the stretch 20A of the tapered profile 20 of the insert 18.

[0075] According to an embodiment, the first viewing window F1 and the third viewing window F3 have a hexagonal shape.

[0076] Advantageously, the hexagonal shape of the viewing windows F1 , F3 increases the visibility of the driver of the upright, increasing the available field of vision.

[0077] According to an embodiment, the second viewing window F2 is defined by:

[0078] - a rectilinear stretch 11 D of the upper element 11 which extends along the transversal direction X,

[0079] - the rectilinear profile 23 of the insert 17,

[0080] - the rectilinear profile 24 of the insert 18,

[0081] - a rectilinear section 12D of the lower element 12 which extends along the transversal direction X.

[0082] The rectilinear profile 23 of the insert 17 and the rectilinear profile 24 of the insert 18 extend along the vertical direction between the stretches 11 D and 12D.

[0083] The rectilinear profile 23 is therefore parallel to the rectilinear profile 24 and the stretch 11 D of the upper element 11 is parallel to the stretch 12D of the lower rectilinear element 12.

[0084] Preferably, the rectilinear profile 23 and the rectilinear profile 24 are joined at the top to the stretch 11 D and at the bottom to the stretch 12D. According to an embodiment, the second viewing window F2 has a preferably octagonal shape.

[0085] According to an embodiment, the housing seat 21 of the first insert 17 puts in communication the first viewing window F1 and the second viewing window F2 and the housing seat 22 of the second insert 18 puts in communication the second viewing window F2 and the third viewing window F3.

[0086] As shown in Figure 4, the first viewing window F1 is symmetrical to the third viewing window F3 relative to an axis of symmetry A parallel to the vertical direction Y.

[0087] The first viewing window F1 is specular to the third viewing window F3 relative to the axis of symmetry A.

[0088] According to an embodiment, the first insert 17 and the second insert 18 each have a pair of housing seats 21 , 22.

[0089] At least one housing seat 21 , 22 of the pair is positioned proximal to the upper element 11 and at least one housing seat 21 , 22 is positioned proximal to the lower element 12.

[0090] According to an embodiment, the first insert 17 and the second insert 18 each have a pair of housing seats 21 , 22 close to the upper element 11 and a pair of housing seats 21 , 22 close to the lower element 12.

[0091] According to an embodiment, illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, each first crosspiece 15 and second crosspiece 16 comprises respective rolling elements 35, 36 constrained to the movable section 3 for achieving a translation along the vertical direction Y of the gripping unit 4.

[0092] Each rolling element 35, 36 is positioned in the first crosspiece 15 and in the second crosspiece 16 on the opposite side relative to the first insert 17 and the second insert 18.

[0093] According to a preferred embodiment, illustrated in Figure 5, each first crosspiece 15 and second crosspiece 16 comprises a respective pair of rolling elements 35, 36, positioned at a first end 15A, 16A of the first crosspiece 15 and of the second crosspiece 16 and at a second end 15B, 16B of the first crosspiece 15 and of the second crosspiece 16.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An upright of a lift truck comprising a fixed section (2) and a section (3) which is movable relative to the fixed section (2) along a vertical direction (Y), and a unit (4) for gripping a load connected to the movable section (3), the upright comprises a plurality of pipes (5) for distributing a hydraulic fluid, the gripping unit (4) comprises a structure (10) for supporting a load which comprises:- an upper element (11 ) and a lower element (12), which have a main longitudinal direction of extension along a transversal direction (X) relative to the vertical direction (Y),- a first side bar (13) and a second side bar (14), which extend along the vertical direction (Y) and connect the upper element (11 ) and the lower element (12), at a respective first end (11A, 12A) and a respective second end (11 B, 12B) of the upper element (11 ) and the lower element (12),- a first crosspiece (15) and a second crosspiece (16) which extend along the vertical direction (Y) between the upper element (11 ) and the lower element (12) each of which comprises respective rolling elements (35, 36) connected to the movable section (3) for achieving a translation along the vertical direction (Y) of the gripping unit (4); the first crosspiece (15) and the second crosspiece (16) support respectively a first insert (17) and a second insert (18) which extend along the vertical direction (Y) from the upper element (11 ) to the lower element (12);- a first viewing window (F1 ) is defined by at least part of the upper element (11 ), of the first side bar (13), of the first insert (17) and of the lower element (12);- a second viewing window (F2) is defined by at least part of the upper element (11 ), of the first insert (17), of the second insert (18) and of the lower element (12);- a third viewing window (F3) is defined by at least part of the upperelement (11 ), of the second side bar (14), of the second insert (18) and the lower element (12); the upright being characterised in that the first insert (17) and the second insert (18) have a respective tapered profile (19, 20) defining, respectively, at least part of the first viewing window (F1 ) and at least part of the third viewing window (F3), and in that the first insert (17) and the second insert (18) each have at least one housing seat (21 , 22) for receiving at least one portion of a respective distribution pipe (5), which extends parallel to the transversal direction (X); the housing seats (21 , 22) face the gripping unit (4).

2. The upright according to claim 1 , characterised in that each tapered profile (19, 20) of the first insert (17) and of the second insert (18) comprises a first stretch (19A, 20A) extending along the vertical direction (Y) and at least a second connecting stretch (19B, 20B) between the first stretch (19A, 20A) and the upper element (11 ) and at least a third connecting stretch (19C, 20C) between the first stretch (19A, 20A) and the lower element (12).

3. The upright according to claim 2, characterised in that the first stretch (19A, 20A) of the first insert (17) and of the second insert (18) is a rectilinear stretch, the second connecting stretch (19B, 20B) of the first insert (17) and of the second insert (18) and the third connecting stretch (19C, 20C) of the first insert (17) and of the second insert (18) are inclined relative to the vertical direction (Y).

4. The upright according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the first insert (17) and the second insert (18) have a respective rectilinear profile (23, 24), parallel to the respective tapered profile (19, 20), which extends along the vertical direction (Y) and which defines at least part of the second viewing window (F2).

5. The upright according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first viewing window (F1 ) and the third viewing window (F3)have a hexagonal shape.

6. The upright according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the housing seat (21 ) of the first insert (17) puts in communication the first viewing window (F1 ) and the second viewing window (F2) and the housing seat (22) of the second insert (18) puts in communication the second viewing window (F2) and the third viewing window (F3).

7. The upright according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first viewing window (F1 ) is symmetrical to the third viewing window (F3) relative to an axis of symmetry (A) parallel to the vertical direction (Y).

8. The upright according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first insert (17) and the second insert (18) each have a pair of housing seats (21 , 22), wherein one housing seat (21 , 22) is positioned proximal to the upper element (11 ) and one housing seat (21 , 22) is positioned proximal to the lower element (12).

9. The upright according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the plurality of distribution pipes (5) are part of an auxiliary hydraulic circuit designed for a movement of the gripping unit (4).

10. The upright according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each rolling element (35, 36) is positioned in the first crosspiece (15) and in the second crosspiece (16) on the opposite side relative to the first insert (17) and the second insert (18).

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