ANTICRUSH DEVICE FOR FORK-LIFT TRUCKS OR ARTICULATED LOADERS

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for improve protection of drivers against getting trapped during tipping over of the fork-lift truck or articulated loader (1) with safety frame (3) whilst coming off his chair by means of a telescopic anti-crush-device (2), which can be extended from the fork-lift truck (1) or the safety frame (3), and in which the ends of the extending telescopic rod element (9) are fitted with rolling elements (24).

Description: ANTICRUSH DEVICE FOR FORK-LIFTTRUCKS OR ARTICULATED LOADERS The present invention relates to a device for improved radical protection of drivers against getting trapped during tipping over of the fork-lift truck or articulated loader with safety frame whilst coming off his chair, the so called anti-crush-device, by which the mentioned fork- lift truck or articulated loader contains at least two sideways, approximately squared on the longitudinal axis (driving direction) of the fork-lift truck or articulated loader very fast extending (shooting out) mounted suppqrt legs, which are one-sidedly released at a pre-set tipping angle and are locked and stay in extended position. A somewhat similar device is known in the Dutch patent titled: "Anti-Crush-Device for open safety frames of for example fork-lift trucks", number 101 44 96, applied on February 25 th , 2000 of the same holder/inventor Jansen, Christiaan, Johan, in Gaanderen (Netherlands) • The quoted patent document concerns a first development in the field of protecting a driver against getting trapped during tipping of by-example a fork-lift truck, weighing tons . Here it concerns a anti-crush-device for open safety frames of for example fork-lift trucks, in which at an angle of approximately 30 degrees a very rapidly extending movable rod of the anti-crush-device moves or shoots out and by means of a special locking construction stays locked in the extended position. The concerning anti-crush-device is mounted in or near one of the rear transverse beams of the safety frame. The aforementioned embodiment of the anti-crush-device has disadvantages, being that the jumped off driver can still be hit by the rapidly extending telescopic rods. Statistics show that most tipping-over accidents occur as a result of too high driving speeds in curves. The most fatal injuries occur as a result of the drivers' attempt to jump off the tipping fork-lift truck as a reflex (towards the tipping side of the truck) and is deadly hit by the upper side of the safety frame. In order to minimize the risk even more that the driver, after jumping or falling out and lying on the ground is still hit by the rapidly extending anti-crush rod element of the still moving tipping fork-lift truck, according to the present invention is provided with an improved implementation and the positioning of the anti-crush-device on fork-lift trucks or articulated loaders is further developed in a very inventive and surprising way, so that the aforementioned disadvantages are eliminated, being the aim of the present invention. For this the embodiment, being the anti-crush-device according to the invention is inventively further developed in such a way characterized in that the mentioned anti- crush-device the two in opposite direction rapidly extending bars as telescopic rod elements in tubular bodies, the so called telescopic anti-crush-device, which are movable in at least one direction and dependent on operating conditions and/or construction of the fork-lift truck or articulated loader can be build-in approximately squared (right angled) on the longitudinal axis of the open safety frame, the raising mast or in or on the actual fork- lift truck, in which the protruding end of the mentioned telescopic rod element can be supplied with a rolling element for rolling over the ground in the moving direction of the mentioned fork-lift truck or articulated loader. The advantage is a very safe and advanced anti-crush- device for fork-lift trucks or articulated loaders. Furthermore, due to the presence of wheel elements, the load on the telescopic rod elements are considerably less when tipping over and falling down while still moving. Consequently the construction can be lighter and there is less risk for bending or buckling. Furthermore the device according to the invention is further developed in such a way, that the mentioned telescopic anti-crush-device is mounted on the front at the top of the safety frame, for the reason that when driving forward and tipping off the fork-lift truck or articulated loader the extended telescopic rod element moves away from the fallen driver and that the mentioned telescopic anti- crush-device is mounted on top of the raising mast. The advantages are, that while driving forward and tipping over of the fork-lift truck or articulated loader the telescopic extended rod element moves away from the fallen driver. Then the device according to the invention is further developed in such a way that two of the mentioned telescopic anti-crush-devices are mounted on the front and rear upper side of the safety frame, in which by means of electronic activation of a driving direction switch both the front and rear telescopic anti-crush-system can be activated. The advantage of this is, that a maximum protection is given at driving forward or backwards during a tipping over accident. Furthermore, the device according to the invention is developed in such a way, that the mentioned telescopic anti-crush-device is mounted at the bottom of the mentioned safety frame and, independent from the safety frame, on top of the counter weight of the fork-lift truck or the articulated loader and that the mentioned telescopic anti- crush-device at the bottom of the safety frame is positioned in front of the steering column. The advantage of this is, when placed in the roof edge of the safety frame, there is even less risk that the jumped off driver is still hit by the telescopic rod element. Besides, a hardly or considerably less lateral load is exerted if the telescopic anti-crush-device is placed on the counter weight of the truck. Because of this less radical adjustments of the safety frame are necessary, because existing safety frames are mostly insufficiently designed for lateral loads. Also, the so called platform concepts, by which the safety frame together with the drivers' platform as a whole is mounted to the fork-lift truck by means of silent-blocs, are less suitable for application of the anti-crush-device in or on the safety frame. In addition, one has a larger free space underneath the tipped fork-lift truck at an equal telescopic length. Then the device according to the invention is further developed in such a way, that of the mentioned anti-crush- device the telescopic rod elements in the tubular bodies are constructed working towards both sides as a telescopic bar and that the mentioned telescopic rod elements in the tubular bodies are held in rest position by means of two pawls driven by two solenoids. The advantage of this is, that by two compression spring clamped and fixed telescopic rod elements in a tubular body or outer tube is kept in rest position by two pawls connected with solenoids. When the fork-lift truck or articulated loader threatens to tip towards one side, the by an "electronic level" driven solenoid releases the concerning pawl in the correct direction for the telescopic rod element. In this case a single telescopic element will be sufficient, which can be advantageous with regard to its construction and can reduce its costs . Furthermore the device according to the invention is further developed in such a way, that a specially constructed telescopic anti-crush-device is mounted in front of the rear shaft of the fork-lift truck or articulated loader. The advantage of this is, that when the fork-lift truck threatens to tip over, a by an "electronic level" driven solenoid releases a hingeable telescopic rod element with on the end a rolling element and furthermore a chain prevents further tipping over of the fork-lift truck or articulated loader and that this variant humanly prevents any danger of getting trapped. Then the device according to the invention is further developed in such a way that another specially constructed anti-crush-device the telescopic rod elements in tubular bodies are, when tipping, releasable simultaneously in both opposite directions. The advantage of this is that a cost reduction is feasible, whilst the upwards protruding part in the shape of a telescopic rod element does not lead to problems after the tipping accident. The preferred construction of the invention will be described by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Fig. 1 shows a side view in oblique perspective of a fork-lift truck with a telescopic anti-crush- device according to the invention mounted on the top front side of the safety frame; Fig. 2 shows a side view in oblique perspective of a fork-lift truck with a telescopic anti-crush- device according to the invention mounted on the top of the raising mast; Fig. 3 shows a ditto view in oblique perspective with anti-crush-device mounted on the front and rear at the top of the safety frame; Fig. 4 shows a ditto view in oblique perspective with the anti-crush-device mounted at the bottom of the safety frame, respectively on the counter weight of the fork-lift truck with that schematically in rear view the mentioned fork- lift truck with extended telescopic rod element; Fig. 5 shows a ditto view in oblique perspective with the anti-crush-device mounted underneath the safety frame in front of the steering column; Fig. 6 shows a ditto view in oblique perspective with the anti-crush-device by which specifically the extending telescopic rod elements are supplied with rolling elements near the ends; Fig. 7 shows a longitudinal section of the anti-crush- device, by which the telescopic rod element in tubular body is constructed as a telescopic bar working towards both directions, in which here tipping to the right is indicated; Fig. 8 shows in several views and cross-sections indicated anti-crush-device, in which the mentioned device is placed in front of the rear shaft of the fork-lift truck; and Fig. 9 shows schematically a rear view of an embodiment of the anti-crush-device according to the invention in which the telescopic rod elements in tubular bodies are simultaneously releasable in both opposite directions when tipping over. Figures 1 up to 6 and 8 show in side view in oblique perspective a fork-lift truck 1 with a telescopic anti- crush-device 2 mounted on several locations on the fork- lift truck 1 with safety frame 3, in which in figure 3 a twosome telescopic anti-crush-devices 2 and 4 are mounted. Further, the anti-crush-device in figure -8 is indicated with a 5 in connection with a different construction. This is also the case in figure 9, in which the anti-crush- device 6 is provided with telescopic rod elements 7 in a tubular body 8, which, when tipping, simultaneously release in both opposite directions A and B. Here, the central release mechanism with solenoid switch is indicated with 9. Possibly a cost reduction is feasible, while the upwards extruding part or the telescopic rod element 7 in direction B does not cause any disadvantage after a tipping accident. The working of the telescopic anti-crush-device 2 can in principle be constructed as described in the Dutch patent document number 101 44 96, titled "Anti-crush-device for open safety frames of for example fork-lift trucks", also from applicant and inventor Jansen, Christiaan, Johan from Gaanderen, The Netherlands. Furthermore in figure 7 concerning a longitudinal section of the anti-crush-device is shown, in which the telescopic rod element 9 in tubular body 10 is constructed as a telescopic bar working in both directions, in which in this case the tipping towards the right is indicated. A telescopic rod element 9 in a tubular body 10 is fixed and clamped by two compression springs 11 and 12, which is kept in rest position by the pawls 13 and 14 connected to the solenoids 15 and 16. When the fork-lift truck threatens to tip to the right (rear view) the solenoid 16, driven by an "electronic level" releases through pawl 14 the telescopic rod element 9. This is shot out by the expanding compression spring 11, that pushes off against the not activating pawl 14 and is locked by pawl 13, etc. In figure 1 the telescopic anti-crush-device 2 is located at the top of the safety frame 3, so that by driving forward and tipping of the fork-lift truck the expanded rod element (not indicated) moves away from the driver, who lies on the floor. In figure 2 the telescopic anti-crush-device is located on top of the raising mast 17 with the same argumentation as in figure 1. In figure 3 in side view in oblique projection of the fork-lift truck the telescopic anti-crush-devices 2 and 4 are mounted on the front and rear at the top of the safety frame, in which the preferable electronic activation of the front or rear telescopic anti-crush-devices 2 and 4 are specified by the driving direction switch 8. This provides a maximum protection against tipping over accidents when driving forwards or backwards . Figure 4 also shows in oblique projection the telescopic anti-crush-device at the bottom of the safety frame numbered with a 19 and then mounted on the contra weight and indicated with 20 with that schematically in rear view the mentioned fork-lift truck 1 tipped over with expanded telescopic rod element 21. Because of this less danger exists that the jumping off driver is still hit by the anti-crush-device 2, when mounted on the roof edge. Besides, if the mechanism like here is located on or nearby the counter weight, is there less or hardly any lateral load on the safety frame 3. Through this less radical adjustments are necessary on the safety frame 3, because the existing safety frames are mostly insufficiently designed for lateral loads. Also the so called platform concepts in which the safety frame is mounted together with the drivers' platform as one whole by means of silent blocs to the fork-lift truck 1, are less suitable for mounting the anti-crush-device 2 in or on the safety frame 3. In addition, by mounting this way, a larger free space is created for the jumping off driver. In figure 5 the anti-crush-device 2 is located at the bottom of the safety frame 3 of the fork-lift truck 1 and in front of the steering column 23. Here the same argumentation counts as for figure 4 and with that is noted that most accidents occur whilst driving forward. Figure 6 shows how one can fix the roller elements 24 on the ends of the telescopic rod elements 25, which enables a lighter construction of the mentioned elements. Finally it has to be emphasized, that the above description constitutes a number of preferred embodiments of the present invention and that further variations and modifications are possible without departing the scope of this patent description.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Device for improved radical protection of drivers against getting trapped during tipping over of the fork- lift truck or articulated loader (1) with safety frame (3) whilst coming off his chair, the so called anti-crush- device (2) , by which the mentioned fork-lift truck or articulated loader (1) contains at least two sideways, approximately squared on the longitudinal axis (driving direction) of the fork-lift truck or articulated loader very fast extending (shooting out) mounted support legs, which are one-sidedly released at a pre-set tipping angle and are locked and stay in extended position, characterized in that, the mentioned anti-crush-device (2) the two in opposite direction rapidly extending bars (9, 25) as telescopic rod elements in tubular bodies, the so called telescopic anti-crush-device (2) , which are movable in at least one direction and dependent on operating conditions and/or construction of the fork-lift truck or articulated loader (1) can be build-in approximately squared (right angled) on the longitudinal axis of the open safety frame (3) , the raising mast (17) or in or on the actual fork-lift truck (1) , in which the protruding end of the mentioned telescopic rod element (9, 25) can be supplied with a rolling element (24) for rolling over the ground in the moving direction of the mentioned fork-lift truck or articulated loader (1) . 2. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, the mentioned telescopic anti-crush-device (2) is mounted on the front at the top of the safety frame (3) , for the reason that when driving forward and tipping of the fork- lift truck or articulated loader (1) the extended telescopic rod element moves away from the fallen driver. 3. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, the mentioned telescopic anti-crush-device (2) is mounted on top of the raising mast (17) . 4. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, two of the mentioned telescopic anti-crush-devices (2, 4) are mounted on the front and rear upper side of the safety frame (3) , in which by means of electronic activation of a driving direction switch (18) the front or rear telescopic anti-crush-system is activated. 5. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, the mentioned telescopic anti-crush-device (2) is mounted at the bottom (19) of the mentioned safety frame (3) and, independent from the safety frame, on top (20) of the counter weight (22) of the fork-lift truck or the articulated loader (1) . 6. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, the mentioned telescopic anti-crush-device (2) at the bottom of the safety frame (3) is positioned in front of the steering column (23) . 7. Device as claimed in aforementioned claims, characterized in that, of the mentioned anti-crush-device (2) the telescopic rod elements (9) in the tubular bodies (10) are constructed working towards both sides as a telescopic bar. 8. Device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that, the mentioned telescopic rod elements in the tubular bodies are held in rest position by means of two pawls (13, 14) driven by two solenoids (15, 16) . 9. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, a special constructed telescopic anti-crush-device (5) is mounted in front of the rear shaft of the fork-lift truck or articulated loader (1) . 10. Device as claimed in claims 1 up to 6, characterized in that, another special constructed anti-crush-device (6) the telescopic rod elements (7) in tubular bodies (8) are, when tipping, releasable simultaneously in both opposite directions.

Inventors: JANSEN CHRISTIAAN JOHAN, JANSEN, CHRISTIAAN, JOHAN
Applicants: JANSEN CHRISTIAAN JOHAN, JANSEN, CHRISTIAAN, JOHAN
Application year: 2001
Main classification: B66F9
IPC codes: B60R21, B66F9, B66F17