Patent Publication Number: US-2023159073-A1

Title: Tote mover

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/279,168, which was filed on Nov. 14, 2021 and is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     This disclosure relates to a tote mover for moving a stacked of totes. 
     Nestable totes fit within each other to reduce the volume needed to transport the totes when empty. However, as more totes are nested in a stack, the weight of the stack can become difficult for a single individual to transport. Therefore, there is a need for a tote mover to assist in moving a stack of nested totes. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one exemplary embodiment, a tote mover includes a base and a plurality of wheels supporting the base. A backrest is moveable relative to the base. A hook assembly is moveable relative to the backrest between a first rotational position and a second rotational position. 
     In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, the backrest is pivotably attached to the base. 
     In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, a hydraulic arm is attached to the base and the backrest for pivoting the backrest relative to the base. 
     In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, the hook assembly is moveable relative to the backrest between a first vertical position and a second different vertical position. 
     In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, the hook assembly is moveably along a track between the first vertical position and the second vertical position. 
     In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, the hook assembly includes a center hook located between two spaced-apart hooks. 
     In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, a distal end of the center hook extends in a first direction. Distal ends of the two spaced-apart hooks extend in a second opposite direction. 
     In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, the distal end of the center hook and the distal ends of each of the two spaced-apart hooks extend in a common plane parallel to the backrest. 
     In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, the backrest includes at least one rail pivotably attached to the base on a proximal end and at least one support located adjacent a distal end with the at least one support. The hook assembly is confirmed to maintain a stack of totes parallel to the at least one rail. 
     In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, the hook assembly is rotatable relative to an axis perpendicular to the backrest between a first position and a second position. 
     In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, the first rotational position and the second rotational position are positioned 180 degrees relative to each other. 
     In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, the center hook is aligned evenly spaced between a front pair of wheels of a plurality of wheels. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, a tote mover includes a base and a plurality of wheels supporting the base. A backrest is moveable relative to the base. A pair of tines are moveable relative to the backrest and the base. Each of the pair of tines is configured to move between a first length and a second length. Each of the pair of tines is configured to move between a first lateral spacing and a second lateral spacing. 
     In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, an operator platform is pivotably attached to a rearward portion of the base and supported by at least one wheel. 
     In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, each of the pair of tines are pivotably connected to a corresponding portion of the backrest. 
     In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, each of the pair of tines are telescopic between the first length and the second different length. 
     In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, the pair of tines are pivotably attached to the backrest and are moveable between an extended position and collapsed position adjacent the backrest. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, a method of operating a tote mover includes selecting a rotational position of a hook assembly relative to a backrest to engage one of a single stack of totes or a double stack of totes. A height of the hook assembly is varied to engage a lip on one of the single stack or totes or the double stack of totes. The backrest is tilted relative to a base on the tote mover. 
     In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, the selection of a rotational position of the hook assembly includes positioning a single hook upward when engaging the single stack of totes or positioning a spaced-apart pair of hooks upward when engaging the double stack of totes. 
     In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, varying a height of the hook assembly includes moving the hook assembly vertically relative to the backrest along a track. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a perspective view of an example tote mover according to a first embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a rear perspective view of the tote mover of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a side view of the tote mover of  FIG.  1    moving a stack of nestable totes. 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a rear perspective view of the tote mover of  FIG.  1    moving a stack of nestable totes. 
         FIG.  5    illustrates a hook assembly on the tote mover of  FIG.  1    in a first rotational position. 
         FIG.  6    illustrates the hook assembly on the tote mover of  FIG.  1    in an intermediate rotational position. 
         FIG.  7    illustrates the hook assembly on the tote mover of  FIG.  1    in a second rotational position. 
         FIG.  8    illustrates a perspective view of the tote mover of  FIG.  1    with the hook assembly in the second rotational position moving a pair of stacked nestable totes. 
         FIG.  9    illustrates a perspective view of a tote mover according to a second embodiment of the disclosure carrying a multitude of stacks of nestable totes. 
         FIG.  10    illustrates a side view of the tote mover of  FIG.  9    carrying the multitude of stacks of nestable totes. 
         FIG.  11    illustrates a pair of tines on the tote mover of  FIG.  9    in a retracted position. 
         FIG.  12    illustrates a pair of tines on the tote mover of  FIG.  9    in an extended position. 
         FIG.  13    illustrates the pair of tines on the tote mover of  FIG.  9    in an expanded width position. 
         FIG.  14    illustrates the pair of tines on the tote mover of  FIG.  9    in a reduced width position. 
         FIG.  15    illustrates a perspective view of the pair of forks on the tote mover of  FIG.  9    in a folded position. 
         FIG.  16    illustrates a perspective view of the pair of forks on the tote mover of  FIG.  9    folded downward. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG.  1    illustrates a tote mover  10  according to a first example embodiment. One feature of the tote mover  10  is to provide a compact, lightweight, and highly maneuverable piece of equipment that easily picks up and transports either a single stack ( FIGS.  3 - 4   ) or double stack ( FIG.  8   ) of nestable totes as will be described in more detail below. The overall footprint of the tote mover  10  is very small and the wheelbase is short which allows the tote mover  10  to fit within tight aisleways and easily make sharp turns. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , the tote mover  10  includes a base  12 , which houses a battery, motors, hydraulics, controls, and sensors. A pair of large rear wheels  14  are rotatably mounted to the housing and may be selectively driven by motors in the base  12 . A pair of smaller front wheels  16  are also rotatably mounted to the base  12 . A handle  18  extends upward and rearward from the base  12  and buttons/switches to provide control to the user for driving and/or lifting. 
     A backrest  20  is pivotably connected to a front of the base  12  and supported by a hydraulic arm  22  mounted to the rear of the base  12 . As controlled by the user and/or controls in the base  12 , the hydraulic arm  22  extends and retracts to tilt the backrest  20  between a substantially vertical position ( FIG.  2   ) and a position tipped rearward or back ( FIG.  3   ). In the illustrated example, the backrest  20  includes at least one support  20 A located adjacent a distal end of backrest  20  and spaced from vertical rails  20 B of the backrest  20 . The at least one support  20 A maintains an equal spacing with a hook assembly or hook  24  to allow a stack of totes  50  to remain parallel to the vertical rails  20 B during transport ( FIG.  3   ). 
     Furthermore, as shown in  FIG.  3   , when the backrest  20  is in the tipped rearward position, the supports  20 A are at least partially horizontally aligned over the base  12  between the pair of rear wheels  14  and the pair of front wheels  16 . In this disclosure, being horizontally aligned includes intersecting a plane perpendicular to a work surface supporting the tote mover  10 . 
     A hook  24  is mounted to the backrest  20  and is movable vertically on a track  26  formed on the backrest  20 , such as by electric motors or hydraulics. The hook  24  includes a single center hook  28  (extending downward in  FIG.  1   ) and a pair of spaced-apart hooks  30  (extending upward in  FIG.  1   ). The hook  24  can be positioned in two different orientations to pick either a single stack of totes  50  ( FIGS.  3 - 4   ) or a double stack of totes  50  ( FIG.  8   ) with the different orientations be rotated 180 degrees relative to each other. In the illustrated example, a distal end of the single center hook  28  extends in a first direction and distal ends of the spaced-apart hooks  30  extend in a second opposite direction. Also, the distal end of the single center hook  28  and the distal ends of the spaced-apart hooks  30  are located in a common plane that is parallel to the vertical rails  20 B of the backrest  20 . 
       FIG.  2    is a rear perspective view of the tote mover  10 . In  FIG.  2   , the arm  22  is extended, causing the backrest  20  to move to a substantially vertically position. 
       FIG.  3    shows the tote mover  10  lifting a stack of nestable totes  50 . As is common, each tote  50  includes a lip  52  protruding outward and then downward from an upper edge of the periphery of the side walls. As shown in  FIG.  3   , the hook  24  engages the bottom tote  50  to lift the stack of totes  50 . More particularly, the single center hook  28  would be received under and behind the lip  52  of the bottom tote  50 . The backrest  20  provides support for the tall stack of totes  50  during transportation. In the illustrated example, a center one of the supports  20 A is horizontally aligned with the single center hook  28  and the single center hook  28  engages a region on the lip  52  that forms a handle. 
     To lift the stack of totes  50 , the hook  24  would be moved downward in the track  26  ( FIG.  1   ) and the backrest  20  would be in the substantially vertical position. The hook  24  would be placed adjacent the wall of the bottom tote  50  below the lip  52 . The hook  24  is then raised, catching under the lip  52 . The backrest  20  then tilts backward by retracting the arm  22 . The stack of totes  50  are then supported on the hook  24  and rest against the backrest  20 . 
       FIG.  4    is a rear perspective view of the user and tote mover  10  of  FIG.  3   . Again, the base  12  may contain motor(s) driving the wheels  14  as controlled by the user. Optionally, the wheels  14  rotate freely so the user can push the tote mover  10 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  5 - 7   , the hook  24  may be rotated about an axis perpendicular to the backrest  20 . In this manner, the single center hook  28  can extend upward ( FIG.  5   ) or the pair of spaced-apart hooks  30  can extend upward ( FIG.  7   ) when the hook  24  is rotate 180 degrees about the axis. 
     Referring to  FIG.  8   , with the pair of spaced-apart hooks  30  extending upward, two adjacent stacks of totes  50  can be lifted and carried at the same time. In the illustrated example, each of the pair of spaced-apart hooks  30  are horizontally aligned with a corresponding one of the supports  20 A and the spaced-apart hooks  30  engages a region on the lip  52  that forms a handle. 
       FIG.  9    illustrates a tote mover  110  according to a second example embodiment including a base  112  containing the battery, motors, hydraulics, controls and any sensors, a rear platform  113 , and a pair of tines  134 . In the illustrated example, the tote mover  110  is a ride-on piece of equipment that provides electro-mechanical assistance to effortlessly pick up and transport multiple stacks of totes  50 . The tote mover  110  includes a larger footprint than the tote mover  10 , but is able to carry a greater number of totes  50  than the tote mover  10  by engaging a greater number of stacks of totes  50 . 
     The rear platform  113  is pivotably connected to a rearward portion of the base  112  to provide a platform on which the user can stand. Base wheels  114  are pivotably connected to the base  112 . Rear wheels  116  support the rear platform  113  on a floor surface. The base wheels  114  are driven by motors within the base  112  as controlled by the user. 
     One feature of the rear platform  113  is to provide a standing ride platform for the operator to have a safe and secure space to stand while driving the tote mover  110 . The raised platform also elevates the operator, offering a clear line of sight over the stack of totes  50 . Similar to the tote mover  10 , the powered systems on the tote mover  110  are controlled through buttons/switches mounted on the ergonomic handlebars  118 . 
     A pair of tines  134  extend forward of the base  112  and can be raised and lowered relative to the base  112  (such as via electric motors or hydraulics or manually-activated leverage). A backrest  120  extends vertically upward from a rear end of each of the tines  134  and is raised and lowered with the tines  134 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  10   , the tines  134  can lift several stacks of totes  50  by being positioned under the lips  52  of the bottom totes  50 . The tines  134  also engage a larger bottom edge portion of the lip  52  that the hook  24 . In one example, the tines  134  engage a lower edge of the lip  52  along the entire length of opposing sides of the tote  50 . By standing on the rear platform  116 , the user has visibility over the totes  50 . 
       FIGS.  11  and  12    show a first option for the tote mover  110 . As shown, the tines  134  each include a telescoping portion than can be extended ( FIG.  12   ) or retracted ( FIG.  11   ), as controlled by the user via hydraulics, motors or other actuators. 
       FIGS.  13  and  14    show a second option for the tote mover  110 . As shown, the tines  134  can be moved toward and away from one another. In this manner, the tines  134  can accommodate the totes  50  in either orientation of the totes  50  (e.g. width or length). Alternatively, the tines  134  can be adjusted to accommodate different size totes. The two positions may be programmed into the tote mover  110  controls, so that the user can simply select between the two positions. The tines  134  may be mounted on rails and may be moved by electric motors or hydraulics or other actuators. 
     The powered expansion/retraction system for the pair of fork tines  134  allows the pair of tines  134  to expand and retract in two directions—along the length and width. This creates varying lengths and lateral spacings for the pair of tines  134 . The expansion/retraction system allows the tote mover  110  to pick multiple stacks of totes  50  along the length of the unit, as well as being able to pick the rectangular-shaped totes  50  on the long side or short side. 
       FIGS.  15  and  16    show a third option for the tote mover  110 . As shown, the tines  134  can be folded upward against the backrest  120  for maneuverability and storage when not being used ( FIG.  15   ). The tines  134  can then be folded downward for use ( FIG.  16   ). 
     Although the different non-limiting examples are illustrated as having specific components, the examples of this disclosure are not limited to those particular combinations. It is possible to use some of the components or features from any of the non-limiting examples in combination with features or components from any of the other non-limiting examples. 
     It should be understood that like reference numerals identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several drawings. It should also be understood that although a particular component arrangement is disclosed and illustrated in these exemplary embodiments, other arrangements could also benefit from the teachings of this disclosure. 
     The foregoing description shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in any limiting sense. A worker of ordinary skill in the art would understand that certain modifications could come within the scope of this disclosure. For these reasons, the following claim should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this disclosure.