Adjustable forklift load backrest

An adjustable forklift load backrest has a first lateral support, a second lateral support and a central connector. The lateral supports are adjustably engaged with the central connector opposite each other. The width of the load backrest can be adjusted by moving the lateral supports closer together or farther away from each other. The lateral supports are affixed to the central connector by bolts traversing through bolt holes on the support arms and slotted openings on the connecting arms of the central connector.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to forklifts. More specifically, the present invention is an adjustable load backrest for forklifts that is universally mountable on all varying models of forklifts

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Forklifts are one of the most common types of equipment used for lifting and transporting heavy and/or bulky materials. The forklifts find particular use in manufacturing and warehousing operations involving large amounts of materials that cannot be efficiently lifted and transported by hand. Forklifts are available in many variations and are divided into multiple classes based on mechanism of operation. Because forklifts routinely lift and transport large, bulky, and heavy materials, it is of the utmost importance that the materials are stabilized during lifting and transportation. As a result, all forklifts are outfitted with a load backrest that is bolted to the forklift carriage. The carriage moves vertically along the forklift mast rails when lifting and lowering the forks. As any loads lifted by the forks are exposed to the mast rails, the load backrest prevents the loads from becoming unstable and falling backwards onto the mast rails. A common problem encountered when manufacturing or replacing the load backrest component of forklifts is the widely varying dimensions of the carriage component. This is due to the fact that there is no set of standards regarding the dimensions of forklifts. When replacing load backrests, manufacturers are required to create many variations of the load backrest component in order to accommodate the widely varying dimensions of individual forklift models. As a result, manufacturers face increased costs in purchasing and shipping the individualized load backrests. The process also results in logistical time delays. Finally, manufacturers are required to allocate warehouse space for storing the individualized load backrests. The present invention seeks to address the aforementioned issues and provide a practical and convenient solution.

The present invention is a load backrest that is adjustable with regards to size. The load backrest is universally mountable on all models of forklifts In its preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a load backrest featuring a three piece design. The load backrest comprises a first support, a second support, and a central connector. The first support and second support are nested within the central connector and may slide along the central connector. By sliding the first support and second support along the central connector, a user may increase and decrease the size of the load backrest. The first support and second support are locked in place on the central connector by tightening bolts through elongated and slotted holes on the first support and second support. Alternatively, the three pieces of the load backrest may be permanently welded together following adjustment. The load backrest is mounted to the carriage by bolting the first support and second support to the left side and right side of the carriage. The first support and second support feature additional elongated and slotted openings that are designed to accommodate for varying bolt spacing arrangements across individual models of forklifts.

The object of the present invention is to provide a universally mountable load backrest that addresses a number of issues faced by forklift manufacturers. The present invention eliminates the need for manufacturers to purchase and store varying load backrests for individual models of forklifts. As such, manufacturers may universally utilize the present invention when replacing load backrests. This increases manufacturer efficiency while reducing incurred costs brought upon by the multiple types of load backrests.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The present invention is to be described in detail and is provided in a manner that establishes a thorough understanding of the present invention. There may be aspects of the present invention that may be practiced without the implementation of some features as they are described. It should be understood that some details have not been described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure focus of the invention.

The present invention is an adjustable load backrest that is universally mountable to all forklifts The present invention is adjustable in order to accommodate the widely varying dimensions across individual models of forklifts. Referring toFIGS. 1-2, in its preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a first lateral support1, a second lateral support2, and a central connector3, having a generally planar form. The first lateral support1and the second lateral support2are positioned opposite each other about the central connector3and removably attached to the central connector3, and the total width of the present invention is able to be adjusted by affixing the first lateral support1and the second lateral support2in a desired lateral location relative to the central connector3. The first lateral support1and the second lateral support2are moved closer or further away from each other in order to adjust the width of the present invention. The first lateral support1and the second lateral support2are each mounted to opposing sides of a forklift as known in the art and industry.

The first lateral support1is attached to the central connector3, and the second lateral support2is attached to the central connector3opposite the first lateral support1. In order for the present invention to be adjustable, the first lateral support1and the second lateral support2are adjustably engaged with the central connector3. More particularly, the first lateral support1is adjustably engaged to the central connector3by the connecting bracket12of the first lateral support1and the second lateral support2is adjustably engaged with the central connector3by the connecting bracket12of the second lateral support2, wherein the first lateral support1and the second lateral support2can be adjusted closer to or further away from each other about the central connector3.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, this means that the first lateral support1and the second lateral support2are removably attached to the central connector3in a desired position by bolts traversing through the lateral supports and the central connector3. It is contemplated, however, that alternate means of adjustment may be comprised in alternate embodiments. For example, latches, hooks, collars or alternate fastening means may be used to secure the first lateral support1and the second lateral support2to the central connector3, or the upper and lower connecting arms of the central connector3may comprise central openings within which the upper and lower support arms of the first lateral support1and the second lateral support2are inserted or nested. Additionally, it should be noted that in an alternate embodiment, the central connector3is not comprised and the first lateral support1and the second lateral support2are adjustably engaged to each other.

Referring toFIG. 3, the first lateral support1and the second lateral support2are identical, and each comprises a vertical arm11and a connecting bracket12. The connecting bracket12is positioned adjacent to the vertical arm11and is connected to the vertical arm11, forming a flag shape with the connecting bracket12positioned at the top of the vertical arm11.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the connecting bracket12comprises an upper support arm13, a lower support arm14and at least one crossbar15. The upper support arm13and the lower support arm14are oriented parallel to each other, and the upper support arm13and the lower support arm14are perpendicularly connected to the vertical arm11.

Each of the at least one crossbar15is connected between the upper connecting arm31and the lower connecting arm32. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the at least one crossbar15is oriented perpendicular to the upper connecting arm31and the lower connecting arm32. The at least one crossbar15is present in order to block loads from sliding through the upper support arm13and the lower support arm14while the present invention is in use on a forklift However, fewer crossbars is better in order to not obstruct the forklift operator's vision.

The upper support arm13comprises a first bolt hole131. The lower support arm14comprises a second bolt hole141. The first bolt hole131and the second bolt hole141are positioned opposite the vertical arm11along the upper support arm13and the lower support arm14, respectively. Additional bolt holes may be comprised as desired for additional support.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the central connector3is I-shaped and comprises an upper connecting arm31, a lower connecting arm32and a second lower slotted opening322. The upper connecting arm31and the lower connecting arm32are oriented parallel to each other. The second lower slotted opening322is perpendicularly connected between the upper connecting arm31and the lower connecting arm32.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the upper connecting arm31comprises a first upper slotted opening311and a second upper slotted opening312, which are traversed vertically through the upper connecting arm31and positioned symmetrically about the second lower slotted opening322. Similarly, the lower connecting arm32comprises a first lower slotted opening321and a second lower slotted opening322, which are traversed vertically through the lower connecting arm32and positioned symmetrically about the second lower slotted opening322. In alternate embodiments, alternate arrangements of openings may be comprised, such as, but not limited to, more or fewer openings, or alternate shapes of openings such as circular or slotted.

The upper support arm13of the first lateral support1is removably secured to the upper connecting arm31of the central connector3by one of a plurality of bolts traversing through one of or both of the first upper slotted opening311and the second upper slotted opening312of the central connector3and the first bolt hole131of the upper support arm13. In a similar fashion, the lower support arm14of the first lateral support1is removably secured to the lower connecting arm32of the central connector3by another of the plurality of bolts. The upper support arm13of the second lateral support2is removably secured to the upper connecting arm31of the central connector3opposite the upper support arm13of the first lateral support1by another of the plurality of bolts. The lower support arm14of the first lateral support1is removably secured to the upper connecting arm31of the central connector3opposite the lower support arm14of the first lateral support1by another of the plurality of bolts. At each of these attachment locations, the bolt is tightened against the surface around the opening in order to hold the components in place by friction.

The vertical arm11comprises a first carriage mounting opening111and a second carriage mounting opening112. The vertical arm11is removably attached to a forklift by a first mounting bolt113traversing through the first carriage mounting opening111and a second mounting bolt114traversing through the second carriage mounting opening112. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first carriage mounting opening111and the second carriage mounting opening112are slotted and elongated openings in order to accommodate various different bolt hole spacing of different forklift models. In one embodiment of the present invention, the first carriage mounting opening111and the second carriage mounting opening112traverse laterally through the vertical arm11. In another embodiment, the first carriage mounting opening111and the second carriage mounting opening112traverse longitudinally through the vertical arm11. These said embodiments are for accommodating different mounting configurations where the carriage mounting locations on the forklift are oriented differently. In the embodiment where the first carriage mounting opening111and the second carriage mounting opening112are oriented longitudinally, an additional piece of material is needed to be added to the vertical arm in order to provide structural support for the openings.

The object of the present invention is to eliminate the need for forklift manufacturers to purchase and store multiple variants of load backrests for individual models of forklifts The present invention is adjustable and universally mountable to all forklift models. By providing a universal solution for replacing load backrests, the present invention increases manufacturer efficiency while reducing incurred costs for replacing the load backrests.