COLLISION PROTECTION

Abstract: The present invention relates to a protection means in the case of collision for vehicles provided with forklifts, such as forklift trucks. The means is characterised in that it comprises a front shield (1) to which are secured two parallel fork tunnels or box girders (4) into which the forks are intended to be inserted, said fork tunnels/box girders (4) being provided with locking means (6, 7, 15) to lock the shield and fork tunnels to the forks when a load is raised thereon, and to release when the load has been placed on the ground or floor.

Description: Collision protection Technical field: The present invention relates to a protection means in the case of collision for vehicles provided with forklifts, such as forklift trucks. Background art: When using forklift vehicles it is extremely important to protect persons and objects in the vicinity, as well as the truck itself, as a result of collisions. If the forks are unprotected there is considerable risk of damage in the event of a collision, particularly personal injury. Driving such vehicles should be made as safe as possible. However, at the same time a protection means is desired that is easy to fit on the forks of such a vehicle and that can be securely locked thereto, whereas it should be possible to fit and remove both quickly and simply. Great flexibility is also desired for adjustment to the requirements of various customers. Adjustment for different applications is desired, such as driving out to stores, within stores for self-service, transport of delicate goods, storage, etc. Such a truck must also be used for handling loads from either the long or short side. Description of the invention The invention aims at a solution of these and other associa ted problems and the protection means is characterised in that it comprises a front shield (front plate) to which are secured two parallel fork tunnels or box girders into which the forks are intended to be inserted, said fork tunnels / box girders being provided with locking means to lock the shield and forks when a load is raised on the forks, and to release when the load has been placed on the ground or floor. Such a protection means is extremely efficient and is easy to fit and remove. It can easily be altered between different widths and also enables the use of longer forks. The locking means according to the invention provides efficient locking of the fork when a load is in raised position. If necessary, lights, reflector strips, or the like may be added. Brief description of the drawings: The invention is exemplified in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 shows the protection means seen from the front, Figure 2 a section A-A in Figure 1, and Figure 3 the protection means seen from above. Description of embodiment: Figure 1 shows the protection means, seen from the front, with a central portion, the front plate (1), and two foldable portions (3), one purpose of which is to be deflected in the event of a collision. The central portion (1) of the shield consists of several plates (2), mutually displaceable and lockable (see bolts (11)) to allow adjustment to different widths. The side portions (3) are provided externally with rubber strips (10). Two fork tunnels (4) or box girders (see Figure 3), into which the forks can be inserted, are secured to the shield (front plate (1)). These girders are secured to a beam (5) by means of bolts or the like and are adjustable laterally to fit different fork widths. The beam is secured to the shield (1) by bolt means (12). Locking means (see Figure 2) consisting of a spring-loaded (9) link (6), (spring attached at (14)) and journalled around a pivot point (13) on the fork tunnel, are secured to the lower side of the fork tunnels / box girders (4). The outer end of this link (6) pushed down when the load on the fork is placed on the ground, whereupon the spring (9) is compressed. At the inner end of this link is a second link (7), carrying or connected to a locking means (15). When the outer link (6) and spring (9) are pressed in, the locking means is inoperative, but when the load is lifted the spring (9) presses the link (6) out and the locking means (15) securely locks the fork inserted in the fork tunnel (4), thereby firmly locking the load to the forklift truck or vehicle. When the load is to be placed on the ground / floor, the connection to the forklift truck is released and this can be driven away. The load often consists of a loading pallet with goods stacked on it, which is retained on the fork tunnels by various support means. The entire arrangement can be lifted by means of lifting stirrups (16). The locking device (15) consists of a locking cylinder, a pipe with vulcanised rubber, known as a link arm roller. The shield with its side portions (3) affords excellent protection against major damage in the event of collisions and makes the arrangement according to the invention flexible, as described above. The arrangement according to the invention can be varied in many ways within the scope of the following claims.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A protection means in the case of collision for vehicles provided with forklifts, such as forklift trucks, characterized in that it comprises a front shield (front plate 1) to which are secured two parallel fork tunnels or box girders (4) into which the forks are intended to be inserted, said fork tunnels /box girders (4) being provided with locking means (6, 7, 15) to lock the shield and fork tunnels to the forks when a load is raised thereon, and to release when the load has been placed on the ground or floor. 2. A protection means as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the shield comprises a central portion or front plate (1) and two foldable side portions (3). 3. A protection means as claimed in claim 1 - 2, characterized in that the shield is laterally adjustable, it being in the form of several mutually displaceable and lockable front plates (1). 4. A protection means as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking means comprise a spring- loaded (9) link (6), the outer end of which is designed to be pushed in together with the spring (9) when the load is placed on the ground. 5. A protection means as claimed claim 4, characterized in that the other end of the link (6) is connected to a locking device (15) for when the fork is withdrawn, intended to lock when the outer link and spring (9) are unloaded. 6. A protection means as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the locking device (15) is secured to a second link (7), connected to the first link (6) at its inner end. 7. A protection means as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring (9), when not compressed, is arranged to influence the locking device (15) to effect locking. 8. A protection means as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fork tunnels (4) are laterally adjustable.

Inventors: ANDERSSON HAAKAN, RIMSKOG MATS, ANDERSSON, HAAKAN, RIMSKOG, MATS
Applicants: ANDERSSON HAKAN, RIMSKOG MATS, ANDERSSON, HAAKAN, RIMSKOG, MATS
Application year: 1995
Main classification: B66F17
IPC codes: B66F9, B66F17