Patent ID: 6158947
Filing Date: 2000-12-12
Classification: B60P

Abstract:
A device for enabling a vehicle to pick up and place on the ground loads having at least one of first and second types of gripping arrangements at front sides thereof, the device comprising:a handling structure including an end portion and a remaining part, the end portion extending between a free end and an attached end, the free end being selectively rotatable coupled to the first type gripping arrangement so that the first type gripping arrangement is suspended therefrom, wherein the first type gripping arrangement extends from the load at least a predetermined height above the ground and wherein the attached end is attached at an angle to the remaining part;a mounting arrangement tiltably mounting the handling structure on a chassis of the vehicle;a driving arrangement driving the handling structure between a transportation position and a lowered position for picking up and placing loads, wherein when in the transportation position, the remaining part is disposed along the chassis and the end portion extends away from the remaining part and forward of the remaining part with the free end above the attached end, and wherein, when in the lowered position, the end portion is rearward of the remaining part and behind the vehicle with the attached end being above the free end, the free end being at the predetermined height above the ground;when the device is to be coupled to a load having the second type gripping arrangement which extends from the load at a height less than the predetermined height, the device further comprising:a connecting arrangement having a first end and a second end, the first end being selectively rotatable coupled to the free end, the second end being selectively rotatable coupled to the second type gripping arrangement; anda controlling arrangement coupled to the attached end and selectively coupled to the second type gripping arrangement for controlling a distance between the attached end and the second type gripping arrangement.