Patent ID: 6109859
Filing Date: 2000-08-29
Classification: B66F,E02F

Abstract:
An apparatus for grasping odd-shaped objects to relocate the same, comprising:(a) an elongated upright main frame having opposite upper and lower ends, said main frame having means for attaching said main frame to a material handling vehicle for maneuvering said main frame between different heights and locations by operation of the material handling vehicle;(b) a support member mounted to said main frame adjacent to said lower end thereof and being adapted for engaging an edge of an object, said support member extending outwardly from said lower end of said main frame through a first distance;(c) an arm member having spaced apart inner and outer ends and at said inner end being pivotally mounted to said main frame at a location spaced above said support member and closer to said upper end than to said lower end of said main frame so as to undergo pivotal movement relative to said main frame, said arm member extending outwardly from said main frame to said outer end of said arm member through a second distance substantially greater than said first distance of said support member;(d) a tine mounting member mounted to said outer end of said arm member by a pivotal connection therewith so as to undergo pivotal movement relative to and independently of said arm member;(e) at least one tine having inner and outer ends and a substantially curved configuration, said tine being mounted at said inner end to said tine mounting member at a location spaced outwardly from said outer end of said arm member and disposed adjacent to and extending outwardly from a first side of said pivotal connection of said tine mounting member to said arm member, said tine extending outwardly and downwardly from said tine mounting member to said outer end of said tine and being movable with said tine mounting member such that said tine can be positioned at a location spaced forwardly from said support member so as to enable said support member and said outer end of said tine together to grasp and support an object located therebetween for relocating the object upon maneuvering of said apparatus by operation of the material handling vehicle without said support member having to extend sufficiently under the object to alone support the object without assistance from said tine;(f) means for respectively pivotally moving said arm member and said tine mounting member therewith relative to said main frame and said support member mounted thereto and for pivotally moving said tine mounting member and said tine therewith relative to said arm member and said main frame and said support member mounted thereto through respective first and second arcuate paths toward and away from said main frame and said support member mounted thereto such that said support member and said outer end of said tine together may be brought into engagement with and thereby together grasp and support the object at spaced rearward and forward locations thereon for relocating the object upon maneuvering of said apparatus by operation of the material handling vehicle, said pivotally moving means being located between said main frame and said pivotal connection of said tine mounting member to said arm member and disposed adjacent to a second side of said pivotal connection of said tine mounting member to said arm member being substantially opposite from said first side of said pivotal connection where said tine is located.