Material or article handling – Opposed shelf-type elevator and transporter
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-06
2001-02-13
Olszewski, Robert P. (Department: 3652)
Material or article handling
Opposed shelf-type elevator and transporter
C414S498000, C414S509000, C414S664000, C414S917000, C254S01000C, C254S00800R, C280S047340
Reexamination Certificate
active
06186728
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a lift truck and more particularly, relates to a lift truck to be used with containers in a warehouse environment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Increasingly, in order to achieve greater efficiency, retail outlets are receiving certain types of goods packaged loose in a container. The idea is that these goods, which are not suitable for conventional display on a rack or a shelf, may be displayed in the container in which they are shipped. The idea is to minimize the amount of handling such goods have to undergo and thereby reduce overhead.
In the art, various types of lift dollies and the like have been proposed. However, none of these are suitable for the new class of container in which the goods are shipped.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a lift truck which is suitable for moving and lifting bulk containers of a type having a lip extending outwardly from a top marginal edge of the container, and which lip has an aperture formed therein.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lift truck suitable for use with a container having a rectangular body with a pair of side walls, each of the side walls having an outwardly extending flange with at least one aperture formed in each of the flanges, the lift truck comprising a lower frame mounted on wheels, the lower frame having first and second longitudinally extending lower frame members, a lower transverse frame structure extending between the first and second longitudinally extending lower frame members, an upper frame, the upper frame having first and second longitudinally extending upper frame members, an upper transversely extending upper frame structure extending between the first and second longitudinally extending upper frame members, a plurality of linking arms extending between the first lower frame member and the first upper frame member and between the second lower frame member and the second upper frame member, each of the linking arms being pivotably connected to both upper and lower frame members, a handle pivotably connected to the lower frame member, with linking members extending between the handle and the upper frame, the arrangement being such that in a first lowered position, the linking arms permit the upper frame to lie adjacent the lower frame while in a second position, the upper frame member is spaced from the lower frame member by the linking arms and supported thereby, the linking arms being angled with respect to the vertical when in the second position, each of the first and second longitudinally extending upper frame members having an upwardly extending pin member formed thereon, the upwardly extending pin member being located proximate a distal end of each of the longitudinally extending upper frame members.
The lift truck according to the present invention, as aforementioned, has both an upper transverse frame structure and a lower transverse frame structure. Preferably, both the upper and lower transverse frame structures are adjustable in overall length to thereby adjust the width of the lift truck to accommodate different standard size containers.
Although many different methods may be utilized for adjusting the width, a simple and inexpensive method would comprise using a telescoping arrangement wherein various preset widths may be arrived at using pins fitting within apertures to lock the transverse frame members together.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2477871 (1949-08-01), Grogan et al.
patent: 2822944 (1958-02-01), Blomgren
patent: 3290051 (1966-12-01), O'Brien et al.
patent: 3547288 (1970-12-01), Butler
patent: 5449266 (1995-09-01), Evans
patent: 5879122 (1999-03-01), Voelzke
Fincham Eric
O'Connor Gerald J.
Olszewski Robert P.
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