Patent ID: 6860704
Filing Date: 2005-03-01
Classification: B61D,B66F

Abstract:
1. As an accessory to a fork lift truck, a rail car lid lifter for lifting and removing and replacing the removable lid of a rail car, said lid fitted with a lid handle enclosing an open-sided space, by engaging the lifter with the truck and using the lifting and moving capabilities of the truck, comprising: a base configured as a pallet adapted for fork truck handling, said base having a lower surface for ground contact and an upper surface for mounting; said fork truck accessory comprising apertures extending through said base for the introduction in use of the forks of said fork truck; a frame mounted to said base, said frame comprising a structure interconnecting said base and a boom, said boom comprising an elongated structure extending from a proximal end mounted to the frame and having generally at the distal end at least one fitting for engaging the lid handle and said boom having upper and lower suraces generally parallel to the lower surface of said base and said surfaces spaced at said distal end to fit within said open sided space of said lid handle, wherein the assembly of said boom, frame and base freely stands upon the ground on the lower surface of said base when not in use wherein there is a limit stop comprising a protuberance on said upper surface between the distal end of the boom and the frame whereby an engaged lid handle cannot inadvertently slide toward the frame beyond said stop.