Forklift Push Rail and Skid Plate for Precise Pallet Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for moving palletized loads using timbers or straight bars are unsafe, require significant manual effort, obstruct the forklift operator's view, and can damage loads and carriers due to the lack of clear visibility and control during positioning.
Innovation Solution
A forklift-mounted pushing device with push rails, a push bar, and a skid plate that allows a single operator to safely position and move heavy objects onto a carrier, providing improved control and visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If timbers or straight bars are manually placed and positioned to push the load, then the load can be moved to the desired position, but the forklift operator's view is obstructed by the forklift mast making it difficult to see the position of workers and the load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for manual timber placement by extracting the pushing function from human operators and integrating it directly into the forklift system through a dedicated pushing device with push bars and push plates, eliminating the obstruction problem while maintaining load positioning capability
Solution Approach 2:
The pushing device merges the forklift's pushing capability with dedicated push bars and push plates, combining the lifting function with the pushing function into a single integrated system that eliminates the need for separate manual positioning aids
2Force
If a great amount of pressure is applied to move the heavy load along the carrier, then the load can be positioned, but the timbers or straight bars can move during positioning creating an unsafe situation
Solution Approach 1:
The pushing device is pre-positioned on the forklift with push bars and push plates in place before load positioning begins, ensuring stable force application from the start and eliminating the risk of timbers moving during the positioning process
Solution Approach 2:
The push bars and push plates serve as intermediaries between the forklift and the load, providing stable force transmission and eliminating direct contact between the forklift forks and the load, which prevents load damage and ensures safe operation
3Productivity
If timbers or straight bars are used to push the load, then the load can be moved, but the load and the carrier can be damaged as the load is pushed
Solution Approach 1:
The push plates are designed as intermediaries between the forklift and the load, distributing force evenly across the load surface and preventing concentrated pressure points that could damage the load or carrier, while maintaining efficient load movement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The push plates are designed with specific local properties including appropriate surface area and material characteristics to distribute force evenly, preventing damage to the load and carrier while maintaining the productivity needed for efficient load positioning
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a pushing device to be mounted on a forklift for pushing an object onto a carrier. The pushing device can include a pair of push rails, a push bar, and a skid plate. Each of the push rails can an aperture for removably accepting a fork of the forklift. The push bar can be disposed on an opposite side of the pushing device of the aperture and can be for contacting and pushing the object. The skid plate can be disposed on a bottom side of the pushing device. The skid plate can provide an interface between the pushing device and the carrier as the object is pushed onto the carrier. A method for using a pushing device to be mounted on a forklift for pushing an object onto a carrier is also provided.