Abstract:
The present invention is a device that easily attaches a forklift hitch to a forklift beam. The device is removable from the forklift beam and does not require alteration to the forklift beam. The invention includes a cam, a cam assembly, a lock assembly, and a tensioner.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to the field of transportation devices. Specifically, the present invention is a device designed to attach a mobile trailer or cart to a forklift vehicle. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The standard method of transporting small to medium-sized trailers is with the use of a vehicle such as an automobile or truck. The vehicle generally has a standard steel trailer hitch secured to its rear portion. The trailer generally contains a device capable of receiving the trailer hitch and securing it, such that a motorized vehicle may pull the trailer to its destination. 
         [0003]    Due to the fact that larger trailers are generally heavier, they typically require a motorized vehicle using this method to transport the trailer. However, for smaller trailers, such as those that transport jet skis or other small loads, the use of a motorized vehicle may not be necessary. 
         [0004]    Trailers, dollies, and carts are frequently employed in warehouses to transport boxes and containers of equipment and goods. One machine that is commonly used in warehouses to move boxes and crates is a forklift vehicle. It is therefore highly desirable to invent a device that could attach the cart, or trailer to the forklift vehicle. This would increase the versatility of forklift vehicles and reduce the amount of equipment needed in a warehouse. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,390,489 issued to Friesen discloses a hitch that attaches a trailer or cart to a forklift. The patent discloses that the forklift beam is attached to the disclosed forklift hitch by drilling a hole into the forklift beam and through the center of the forklift hitch such that a pin fits through the forklift beam and the forklift hitch thereby removably securing the device to the forklift. However, it is desirable to provide additional stability to the device attached to the hitch and often requires that the forklift beam be retrofitted by drilling a hole through the forklift beam for the attachment to the forklift hitch. 
         [0006]    As such, it is desirable to be able to couple a forklift hitch to a forklift beam without having to retrofit the existing beam. The present invention allows a user to secure a forklift hitch to a forklift beam without altering the original forklift beam. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention is a device for attaching a forklift hitch to a forklift beam. A forklift is comprised of two parallel beams that are raised and lowered in unison to raise and lower a crate or package supported by the two parallel beams. These two parallel beams form a single lifting platform. The forklift hitch is secured to one of these two beams using the device. One feature of the present invention is that it is removable from the single beam of the forklift without altering the forklift beam. 
         [0008]    The forklift hitch attachment comprises a cam assembly with a first end and a second end; a cam; a lock assembly having an open position and a closed position; a forklift hitch with a cam opening and a shaft; and a tensioner. The cam is rotably coupled to the first end of the cam assembly and to the forklift hitch. The lock assembly is rotably coupled to the second end of the cam assembly. The tensioner is coupled to the lock assembly and to the forklift hitch. When the lock assembly is in the open position, the tensioner is movable and the cam moves in and out of the cam opening allowing a forklift beam to be inserted into the shaft on the forklift hitch. When the lock assembly is rotated to a closed position, the tensioner is taut and the cam assembly and the cam rotate wherein the cam engages the forklift beam through the cam opening such that the cam secures the forklift beam to the forklift hitch. 
         [0009]    The primary object of this invention is to provide a device that will secure a forklift hitch to a forklift beam. 
         [0010]    A further object of this invention is to provide a device that will secure a forklift hitch to a forklift beam with simplicity and ease of effort. 
         [0011]    A still further object of the invention is to provide a device that will secure a forklift hitch to a forklift beam with out modification to the forklift. 
         [0012]    The novel features that are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its structure and its operation together with the additional object and advantages thereof will best be understood from the following description of the preferred embodiment of the dual seal dry snorkel when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words and phrases in the specification and claims be given the ordinary and accustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable art or arts. If any other meaning is intended, the specification will specifically state that a special meaning is being applied to a word or phrase. Likewise, the use of the words “function” or “means” in the Description of Preferred Embodiments is not intended to indicate a desire to invoke the special provision of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6 to define the invention. To the contrary, if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6 are sought to be invoked to define the invention(s), the claims will specifically state the phrases “means for” or “step for” and a function, without also reciting in such phrases any structure, material, or act in support of the function. 
         [0013]    Moreover, even if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6 are invoked to define the inventions, it is intended that the inventions not be limited only to the specific structure, material or acts that are described in the preferred embodiments, but in addition, include any and all structures, materials or acts that perform the claimed function, along with any and all known or later developed equivalent structures, materials, or acts for performing the claimed function. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  shows a front end view of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  shows a rear end view of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  shows a first side view of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  shows a second side view of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  shows a cross section of the first side view of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  shows a bottom view of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  shows a top view of the preferred embodiment of the invention with the lock assembly in an open position. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  shows a top view of the preferred embodiment of the invention with the lock assembly rotating to a closed position. 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  shows a top view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention with the lock assembly in an open position and the forklift beam inserted into the shaft of the forklift hitch. 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  shows a top view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention with the lock assembly rotating into a closed position and the cam engaging the forklift beam that is located in the shaft of the forklift hitch. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]      FIG. 1  shows the preferred embodiment of the forklift hitch attachment device  100 . Specifically, the forklift hitch attachment device  100  is comprised of a cam  200 , a lock assembly  300 , a cam assembly  400 , a tensioner  500 , a forklift hitch coupler  600 , and a cam opening  700 . These elements combined together create the preferred embodiment of the forklift hitch attachment device  100 . 
         [0026]    Preferably, the cam assembly  400  has a first end  401  and a second end  402  and is an elongated piece that is comprised of a top plate  403  and a bottom plate  404  that are parallel and are coupled together on each end. In the preferred embodiment, the cam assembly  400  is made of metal. As shown in  FIG. 1 , at the first end  401  of the cam assembly  400 , the cam  200  is partially inserted between the top plate  403  and the bottom plate  404 , and a cam assembly fastener  405  is inserted through the top plate  403 , bottom plate  404 , and cam  200  such that the cam  200  and cam assembly  400  are coupled together and can rotate about an axis of the cam  200 . The top plate  403  and the bottom plate  404  of the cam assembly  400  are coupled together at the second end  402  of the cam assembly  400  with a pin  406  as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0027]    Also coupled to the second end  402  of the cam assembly  400  is the lock assembly  300 . Preferably, as seen in  FIGS. 3 and 7 , the lock assembly  300  is a U-shaped piece of metal that rotates around a fastener  305  that couples the lock assembly  300  to the cam assembly  400 . In the preferred embodiment, the fastener  305  is a nut and bolt that is inserted into a hole  306  on the lock assembly  300  and a hole  411  on the cam assembly  400 . Additionally, it is preferred that the lock assembly  300  includes a ring handle  315  that allows the user to safely operate the device without increased risk of injury to the hand. The ring handle  315  is coupled to the lock assembly  300  with an S-hook  316 . 
         [0028]    In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the cam  200  is able to be partially inserted into the shaft  810  of the forklift hitch  800  through the cam opening  700  as shown in  FIG. 1 . When the forklift beam  820 , as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , is inserted into the shaft  810  of the forklift hitch  800 , the cam  200  engages the forklift beam  820  through the cam opening  700 . It is preferred that the cam  200  is a gripping cam  200  that has teeth on one edge such that the teeth aid in securing the forklift beam  820  inside the shaft  810  of the forklift hitch  800 . Further, it is preferred that the gripping cam  200  is made of a material that is harder than the forklift beam  820  so that when force is applied to the gripping cam  200  the friction created between the gripping cam  200  and the forklift beam  820  holds the forklift beam  820  in place. 
         [0029]    Further, a tensioner  500  is coupled to the lock assembly  300  and to a pin  350  that attaches to the forklift hitch  800 . It is preferred that the tensioner  500  is a spring  500  as shown in all of the FIGS. As the lock assembly  300  is rotated to a closed position, as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 11 , the cam  200  also rotates and engages the forklift beam  820  through the cam opening  700  as shown in  FIG. 11 . The tensioner  500  then becomes taut and provides constant force to the cam  200  such that, as stated above, the cam  200  secures the forklift beam  820  inside of the shaft  810  of the forklift hitch  800 . When the lock assembly  300  is then rotated back into the open position, the cam  200  disengages from the forklift beam  820  and the tensioner  500  is movable. 
         [0030]    In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the cam assembly  400  includes an over center stop  420 . The over center stop  420  is located near the second end  402  of the cam assembly  400 . When the lock assembly  300  is rotated into the closed position, the over center stop  420  prevents the lock assembly  300  from over rotating by providing an impediment to the lock assembly&#39;s  300  continued motion. The over center stop  420  is preferably a piece of metal that is an integral part of the cam assembly  400 . 
         [0031]    To allow for slight variances in the dimensions of forklift beams  820 , it is preferred that the forklift hitch attachment  100  include an adjustment device  900  such as a screw. In the preferred embodiment, the adjustment device  900  is inserted through a hole in the cam assembly  400  and comes in contact with the cam  200 . The adjustment device  900  can be tightened or released to increase or lessen the pressure that the cam  200  exerts depending on the dimensions of the forklift beam  820 . The adjustment device  900  is tuned once the lock assembly  300  is in the closed position. 
         [0032]    The preferred embodiment of the invention is described in the Description of Preferred Embodiments. While these descriptions directly describe the one embodiment, it is understood that those skilled in the art may conceive modifications and/or variations to the specific embodiments shown and described herein. Any such modifications or variations that fall within the purview of this description are intended to be included therein as well. Unless specifically noted, it is the intention of the inventor that the words and phrases in the specification and claims be given the ordinary and accustomed meanings to those of ordinary skill in the applicable art(s). The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment and best mode of the invention known to the applicant at the time of filing the application has been presented and is intended for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and many modifications and variations are possible in the light of the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application and to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.