Metal working – Method of mechanical manufacture – Structural member making
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-14
2001-05-22
Hughes, S. Thomas (Department: 3726)
Metal working
Method of mechanical manufacture
Structural member making
C029S401100, C280S781000, C296S193040, C187S222000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06233827
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method of enhancing an existing forklift or rigging truck to increase lift capacity.
2. Description of the Related Art
Forklifts or rigging trucks are commonly known in the art for allowing the lifting and moving of loads. Prior art rigging trucks include a vehicle connected to a mast which supports a carriage. The mast is pivotally connected to the vehicle and the carriage is telescopingly connected to the mast. The carriage generally comprises fork lift arms and a load support extending generally parallel to the mast. In the prior art, the carriage is chain driven in the telescoping manner, and the carriage is pivoted with respect to the vehicle by hydraulics located at the base of the vehicle.
An improved design has been developed by the same assignee of the invention which includes the tilting hydraulics moved to an upper location on the vehicle and above the occupant to improve lift capacity. Furthermore, the chains of the prior art have been replaced by a hydraulic cylinder to telescope the carriage on the mast. A cage is provided over the occupant to support the tilting hydraulics.
It is constantly desirous to increase lift capacity of rigging trucks. Larger rigging trucks have been used in order to obtain larger lift capacity. However, size and expense requirements limit the available lifting capacity. Therefore, it is desirable to maximize the capacity of existing rigging trucks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is a method of enhancing the capacity of a rigging truck. The method includes the step of providing a rigging truck having a vehicle body of a predetermined body length extending between a rear end and a lift end, two sets of wheels supporting the vehicle body separated by a predetermined wheel length, and a mast connected to the lift end and supporting a carriage for lifting loads. The method further includes the steps of cutting the vehicle body of the rigging truck between the rear end and the lift end to produce a rear cut end and a lift cut end, providing a structural insert, and attaching the structural insert between the rear cut end and the lift cut end providing an extended vehicle body having an enhanced body length greater than the predetermined body length producing an enhanced rigging truck.
The invention also includes providing the rigging truck with counterweights of a predetermined weight connected at the rear end, and an operator seat on an upper portion of the rigging truck. The method includes the steps of connecting additional counterweights at the rear end of the enhanced rigging truck to provide an enhanced weight greater than the predetermined weight, attaching a structural cage on the upper portion of the vehicle body and over the operator seat, connecting a hydraulic cylinder between the structural cage and the mast over the occupant seat to allow tilting of the mast with respect to the rigging truck, and connecting a hydraulic cylinder between the mast and the carriage to allow raising and lowering of the carriage with respect to the mast and the vehicle body.
One advantage associated with the invention is the ability to enhance the capabilities and capacity of a rigging truck. Another advantage associated with the inventive method is the ability to utilize existing rigging trucks to create enhanced rigging trucks. Yet another advantage associated with the inventive method is the ability to increase the load capacity of an existing rigging truck from approximately 15,000 pounds to approximately 30,000 pounds.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3497095 (1970-02-01), Couberly
patent: 3754315 (1973-08-01), Heitman
patent: 4231144 (1980-11-01), Bernacchia, Jr.
patent: 4599780 (1986-07-01), Rohrbacher
patent: 4654946 (1987-04-01), Phillips
patent: 4781260 (1988-11-01), Morita et al.
patent: 4834424 (1989-05-01), Link
patent: 004316600 (1994-11-01), None
Moody Vic
Oliver Raymond D.
Bristol Manufacturing, Inc.
Clark Hill PLC
Cozart Jermie E.
Hughes S. Thomas
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