Fork Arm Device for Palletless Goods Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lifting vehicle attachment devices face challenges in efficiently transporting goods without wooden pallets, particularly with bagged goods like cement, due to issues such as high construction and maintenance costs, risk of dirt contamination, and limited adaptability to various load types, as well as problems with sliding mats and complex surface profiles.
Innovation Solution
A fork arm device with pairs of fork arms, where middle forks are rigidly connected and outer forks can be adjusted to form a unit, equipped with conveying elements like link chains and sprockets, allowing for flexible positioning and secure transport of goods with minimal overall height, preventing slippage and accommodating various load types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If rollers are arranged in alternating zig-zag pattern with friction linings to transport goods, then goods can be moved without wooden pallets, but construction and maintenance costs increase considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, complex roller systems with disposable slipsheets (cardboard or plastic sheets) that are inexpensive and can be discarded after use. This eliminates the need for costly roller mechanisms with friction linings while maintaining the ability to transport goods without wooden pallets.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential function of palletless transport from the complex roller system by using simple slipsheets as the primary transport medium. The slipsheets are inserted between the goods and the platform, separating the goods from direct contact with the platform surface, thereby achieving palletless transport without requiring complex mechanical systems.
2Reliability
If endless conveyor belt with high friction coating is used to reduce sliding movements, then goods can be securely transported, but structural height and lifting height increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the bulky endless conveyor belt system with simple disposable slipsheets that provide sufficient friction for secure transport. The slipsheets are thin and flat, maintaining low structural height while preventing sliding through their frictional contact with goods and platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The slipsheets function as thin flexible films (cardboard or plastic) that conform to the platform surface and goods, providing secure attachment through friction without requiring the thickness and complexity of an endless conveyor belt system. This maintains low structural height while achieving reliable goods security.
3Reliability
If link chains with form-fit sliding bodies are used for conveying elements, then goods can be securely moved with minimal slippage, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex link chains with form-fit sliding bodies with simple disposable slipsheets that achieve secure goods transport through friction and proper insertion. The slipsheets eliminate the need for mechanical conveying elements while maintaining reliability through their simplicity and direct contact with goods.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables safe, efficient, and flexible operation with reduced overall height, ensuring reliable support and easy loading/unloading of goods, including Euro pallets and softer bagged goods, while maintaining stability and minimizing friction losses.
Implementation Method 1
the conveying element has link chains, between which form-fit sliding bodies are arranged and that the link chains are guided in the crossing area of the vertical and horizontal legs via sprockets
Implementation Method 2
pushing under stationary cargo by means of the wedge effect of the rollers
Data Source
Figure 1'
Figure 1~2
Figure 2'
AI summary
The invention relates to an add-on device (1') to be attached to a lifting vehicle, comprising a fork prong apparatus (2') that comprises: at least one, in particular two pairs (7') of fork prongs (3'), in particular in an angled shape having an approximately right angle, each pair of fork prongs having a middle fork prong (4') and an outer fork prong (5'), wherein the two middle fork prongs (4') are connected to each other substantially rigidly at a predetermined distance (6') and can be moved together and the outer fork prongs (5') are each to be moved to the respective corresponding middle fork prong (4') of the pair so that the fork prong pairs (7') are each to be used as a unit, and/or the outer fork prongs (5') are to be positioned at a distance (8') from the respective middle fork prongs (4') and/or all fork prongs (3') can be moved at predetermined distances (9') from each other, wherein at least one fork prong of each fork prong pair (7') has a conveying element (10'), which is provided in order to move goods to be transported by means of the fork prong apparatus (2'), wherein the goods can be pulled up onto the fork prongs (3') and/or pushed down off the fork prongs.