FORK-LIFT ATTACHMENT

Abstract: An attachment (1) for a fork-lift having at least one tine, said attachment (1) comprising at least one channel (2, 3) adapted to receive at least one said tine, lifting means provided to support articles intended to be lifted and adapted to receive one more accessories (24, 27, 30), and connecting means (11) adapted to secure said attachment (1) to the fork-lift.

Description: FORK-LIFT ATTACHMENT The present invention concerns improvements to fork-lifts and the like. In particular, this invention relates to an attachment for enabling fork-lifts to handle drums, machinery and other articles which are not readily accommodated on the tines of a fork-lift. In Australia and many other countries there are regulations governing the use of fork-lifts and the type of articles which may be handled. These regulations are principally intended to protect the safety of fork-lift operators and personnel who work in the proximity of fork- lifts. However, these regulations also make it illegal to use presently-existing fork-lift assemblies to lift many articles, especially articles of irregular shape. For example, if it is desired to handle a large drum it is not practical (or permissible) to balance the drum on the tines of the fork-lift, because there is a substantial danger that the drum will roll or topple off. In the past, it has been proposed to replace the fork-lift tines by a single jib from which a chain depended, and to fix the chain to the drum or other article. This type of arrangement is prohibited by the safety regulations, because of the likelihood that the forklift will tip over during handling, due to a shift in the centre of gravity. SUB S T IT UTE S HEET In addition, because the single jib arrangement referred to above required removal of the fork-lift tines before fitting the jib, the procedure was time-consuming and included the further danger that the tines of the fork-lift may not be replaced correctly. The present invention seeks to overcome or substantially alleviate the problems referred to above by providing an attachment for a fork-lift having at least one lifting tine, said attachment comprising: at least one channel adapted to receive at least one said tine; lifting means provided to support articles intended to be lifted; and connecting means adapted to secure said attachment to said fork-lift. Preferably, the attachment of the invention is designed to be used with a forklift having a pair of spaced lifting tines and the attachment has a pair of channels, each of which is adapted to receive one tine. For the sake of convenience, the invention will be described hereunder with reference to this configuration, hut it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. In an especially preferred embodiment, the channels are designed so that the fork-lift tines may enter the channels from one end of the channels or the other. In this way, the attachment of the invention may be connected to the fork-lift from one side or the other. Preferably, the lifting means include a main plate having at least one lug. The or each lug may be integral with or rigidly attached to the main plate. Beneficially, each lug has an aperture so that hooks, chains or the like may be inserted into or passed through the aperture to secure articles to the attachment. When the attachment has one lug, it is preferred that the lug is located centrally on the main plate. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention the attachment has two lugs, each lug is being located at one of the outer extremities of the attachment. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the attachment has three lugs, one lug is located at each of the outer extremities of the attachment and one lug is located centrally. The central lug can be used to lift or handle relatively small or light articles while the outer pair of lugs is useful in the handling of heavy loads. Since heavy loads can be secured to the attachment at these two spaced points, they may be lifted in a controlled manner. Thus, there will be less likelihood that the load will swing from side to side, or strike the fork-lift during lifting or transport. The main plate may be adapted to receive at least one accessory. Preferably, the or each accessory is capable of rapid connection to and detachment from the main plate by any suitable means. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention the main plate is adapted to receive a jib. Preferably, the jib is rigidly attached to the main plate at one end thereof by any suitable means and is provided with a lug at the other end thereof. The lug may have an aperture so that hooks, chains or the like may be inserted into or passed through the aperture to secure articles to the attachment. In an especially preferred embodiment of the present invention, the jib is located centrally on the main plate and is particularly useful when articles intended to be lifted need be distanced from the fork-lift. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the main plate is adapted to receive a clamping plate. The clamping plate may be rigidly attached to the main plate by any suitable means. Preferably, the clamping plate is provided with an aperture so that hooks, chains or the like may be inserted into or passed through the aperture to secure articles to the attachment. Typically, the clamping plate is provided with two or more apertures and is particularly useful when a large number of articles is intended to be lifted. In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention a sling hook is rigidly attached to the main plate so that hooks, chains or the like may be inserted into or passed through the hook to secure articles to the attachment. Preferably, the sling hook is located under the or each channel. The sling hook is particularly useful when a hanging support needs be provided for articles intended to be lifted. Furthermore, the main plate may be adapted to directly receive chains or the like. Preferably the apertures are precut in the main plate so that chains or the like may be passed through to secure articles to the attachment. This arrangement may be particularly suitable for use where the lifting distance is limited. The connecting means may comprise any suitable means capable of connecting the attachment to the fork-lift in an acceptable manner. Preferably, the connecting means include a bar affixed to the lifting means at one end thereof. The bar may have a coupling at the other end thereof for connection to the fork-lift. More preferably, the bar is mounted on the attachment in the centre thereof and is adapted to be coupled to the grille on the front of the fork-lift. In this way the attachment may be secured stably to the fork-lift. The bar may be rigid or telescopic. The bar is preferably pivotably mounted on the attachment. It was mentioned above that the channels may be designed so that the fork-lift tines may enter from either end. When the connecting bar is pivotably mounted on the attachment, it may be connected to the fork-lift from either side of the attachment. The coupling may consist of any suitably secure arrangement, but it is preferred that the coupling provides rapid connection to and detachment from the fork-lift. It should be appreciated that when one or more accessories are affixed to the attachment of the present invention, lifting of the or each channel from the or - - each tine may occur. Therefore, stabilising means may be provided to prevent lifting of the or each channel from the or each tine during operation of the fork-lift. Preferably, the stabilising means comprise a pin transversely spanning the or each channel. Typically, the pin is located under the or each tine when in place in the channel. It will be appreciated that the attachment of the invention has a number of advantages over the prior art. The attachment of the invention is capable of handling irregular articles or non-standard pallets with safety and of maintaining the standard and safe centre of gravity of any fork-lift. Almost any irregularly-shaped article may be handled by the use of hooks and/or chains attached to the lug or lugs. Installation of the attachment is simple and fast and there is no need to remove or alter existing fork-lift parts. Consequently the danger that parts will be re-installed incorrectly is eliminated. The fork-lift retains it manoeuvrability; there is no protruding jib to change the fork-lift's original shape or working configuration. Heavy loads on the attachment tend to increase the stability of the attachment/fork-lift combination rather than the reverse. The attachment does not require any significant maintenance and represents a practical and simple solution to the problems experienced previously. By way of example only certain preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an attachment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the connecting means of the present invention having a telescopic bar. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the attachment of Fig. 1 having a jib accessory. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a clamping plate accessory of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a sling hook accessory of the present invention. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the attachment of one preferred embodiment of the present invention having a main plate adapted to directly receive a chain. The attachment, indicated generally at 1, has a pair of channels 2 and 3 welded or otherwise fixed to main plate 4. Each channel 2 and 3 is symmetrical and open at each end thereof. Depending from main plate 4 are three lugs, 5, 6 and 7 containing apertures 8, 9 and 10 respectively. Connecting means 11 consist of bar 12, pivotably mounted on axle 13, and coupling 14 having coupling block 15 adapted to receive L-bolt 16 secured by clip 17. Chain 18 prevents loss of clip 17 and is attached to mount 19 in which coupling block 15 is pivotably secured. In one preferred embodiment (see Fig. 2), telescopic bar 12 includes inner member 12a and outer member 12b. Members 12a and 12b are engaged by way of L-bolt 22 inserted through one of apertures 23 and secured by a clip (not shown). Chain 36 prevents loss of L-bolt 22 and is attached to outer member 12b. When it is desired to lift or handle an irregularly-shaped article, the tines of a fork-lift are inserted in channels 2 and 3 (from either end) and bar 12 is swivelled around axle 13 so that coupling block 15 is adjacent the fork-lift grille (not shown). Clip 17 is removed from L-bolt 16 which in turn is freed from coupling block 15. Arms 20 and 21 are then inserted through the fork-lift grill and locked therein by reinsertion of L-bolt 16 which is then secured by clip 17. The whole operation may take 30 seconds or less. Depending on the configuration of the load to be lifted, chains or other suitable supports are secured around the load and are passed through or hooked onto one or more apertures 8, 9 and 10. As indicated above, relatively light or small loads can be adequately handled by annexing the loads to middle lug 6 via aperture 9. The location of lug 6 in the middle of attachment 1 and between channels 2 and 3 maintains an even weight distribution when the load is lifted. In the case of large or heavy loads, the load will be secured to both outer lugs 5 and 7 via apertures 8 and 10, respectively, so that the load may be lifted safely and without swivelling. As indicated above, main plate 4 is adapted to receive one or more accessories. Referring now to Fig. 3, jib 24 is rigidly attached to main plate 4 in the middle of attachment 1. Jib 24 is provided with lug 25 having aperture 26. Depending on the configuration of the load to be lifted, hooks, chains or the like are passed through one or more apertures 8, 9, 10 and 26. Jib 24 is particularly useful when articles intended to be lifted need be distanced from the fork-lift. When a relatively large number of items is required to be handled at least one clamping plate 27 (see Fig. 4) is rigidly attached to main plate 4. Clamping plate 27 is provided with two apertures 28 and 29 so that hooks, chains or the like are passed therethrough. Referring now to Fig 5, sling hook 30 is rigidly attached to main plate 4 below channel 3 so that hooks, chains or the like are passed there through to secure articles to the attachment. Sling hook 30 is particularly useful when hanging support needs be provided. Referring further to Fig. 6, main plate 4 is provided with apertures 31, 32 and 33 to directly receive chains or the like. This arrangement is particularly suitable for use where the lifting distance is limited. Referring again to Fig. 3, pins 34 and 35 transversely span channels 2 and 3 respectively so as to prevent lifting of channels 2 and 3 from the tines. Pins 34 and 35 are located under the tines when in place in channels 2 and 3. Other embodiments of the invention and modifications thereof will be apparent to one skilled in the art and are within the scope of this invention.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. An attachment for a fork-lift having at least one lifting tine, said attachment comprising: at least one channel adapted to receive at least one said tine; lifting means provided to support articles intended to be lifted; and connection means adapted to secure said attachment to said fork-lift. 2. The attachment as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the or each channel is open at each end thereof. 3. The attachment as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein said lifting means comprise a main plate having at least one lug, said lug being integral with or rigidly attached to said main plate. 4. The attachment as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the or each lug is provided with an aperture. 5. The attachment as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4. wherein said main plate is adapted to receive at least one accessory. 6. The attachment as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the or each accessory is a jib. 7. The attachment as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the or each accessory is a clamping plate. 8. The attachment as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the or each accessory is a sling hook. 9. The attachment as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the or each accessory is a chain. 10. The attachment as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein said connecting means include a bar affixed to said lifting means at one end thereof, said bar having a coupling at the other end thereof for connection to the fork-lift. 11. The attachment as claimed in Claim 10, wherein said bar is telescopic. 12. The attachment as claimed in Claim 10 or 11, wherein said bar is pivotably affixed to said lifting means. 13. The attachment as claimed in any one of Claims 10 to 12, wherein said coupling is capable of rapid connection to and detachment from the fork-lift. 14. The attachment as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 13, wherein stabilising means are provided to prevent lifting of the or each channel from the or each tine. 15. The attachment as claimed in Claim 14, wherein said stabilising means comprise a pin transversely spanning the or each channel. 16. An attachment for a fork-lift as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.

Inventors: SCOTTO CARL ALBERT, SCOTTO, CARL, ALBERT
Applicants: PANAMA ENG PTY LTD, PANAMA ENGINEERING PTY LIMITED
Application year: 1991
Main classification: B66F9
IPC codes: B66F9