AU785116B2 - A lifting apparatus - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2 r COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: GALVIN ENGINEERING PTY LTD Geoffrey William Galvin AHEARN FOX Patent Trade Mark Attorneys GPO Box 1149 Brisbane Queensland 4001 A LIFTING APPARATUS The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: A LIFTING APPARATUS This invention relates to a lifting apparatus.

This invention has particular, but not exclusive application, to apparatus for lifting gas cylinders on and off vehicles, such as forklift trucks, and wherein reference will be made to same.

Most forklift trucks include an elevator consisting of a pair of tines that are capable of movement up and down a mast that is mounted on the front of a motor driven vehicle equipped with an overhead guard in which the driver may sit. Typically the forklift trucks are powered by petrol, diesel or liquid petroleum gas which may be supplied in a portable gas cylinder that is mounted on a rear bonnet of the vehicle, behind the cabin. Typically the rear bonnet conceals a counterweight.

The gas cylinders are quite heavy and wherein the replacement of an empty cylinder with a full cylinder can be very S" dangerous. To avoid accidents occurring the loading and S unloading of gas cylinders should be performed by two persons lifting together. As a consequence, a person who was previously involved with some other task must abandon the task they were involved in temporarily in order to help replace the gas cylinder. Such disruptions are time consuming and are generally inconvenient. It will also be appreciated that help in the form of an assistant may not always be available when it is necessary to replace an empty gas cylinder.

In order to overcome this problem, some forklift trucks are provided with lifting apparatus for lifting a generally vertically orientated gas cylinder on to the rear of the forklift truck and wherein the lifting apparatus may be operated by a single operator. Typically the lifting apparatus includes a bracket mounted on the counterweight that is adapted to hold a gas cylinder. The bracket, when trailing behind the vehicle, is capable of pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis between a first position, wherein the gas cylinder is supported in a generally vertical attitude, and a second position, wherein the gas cylinder is supported in a generally horizontal attitude, adjacent the upper surface of the counterweight. The bracket, when in the second position, is capable of rotation about a generally horizontal axis such that the gas cylinder, which previously hung over the rear of the vehicle, may rest on an upper surface of the counterweight. However, it has been observed that gas cylinders mounted on the rear most portion of the counterweight often obstruct the driver's view.

This invention aims to provide a gas cylinder lifting apparatus which overcomes some of the deficiencies of the prior art.

With the forgoing in view, this invention in one aspect resides broadly A lifting apparatus for lifting a gas cylinder on to an elevated part of a vehicle, said elevated part having an end portion, said lifting apparatus including: a bracket that is capable of holding a gas cylinder; 2Q a conveyor that is mounted above the elevated part, said conveyor having at least one rail or guide member; a mounting that is connected to both said bracket and said conveyor, said mounting being capable of pivotal movement S about a generally horizontal first axis between a first position wherein the gas cylinder is supported in a generally vertical attitude and a second position wherein the gas cylinder is located in a generally horizontal position adjacent the end portion, said mounting being capable of further pivotal movement about a generally horizontal second axis between said second position and a third position located generally above the elevated part, said mounting when in the third position being capable of movement along said rail or guide member between said third position and a fourth position above the elevated part and remote from the end portion.

The bracket may consist of a frame that at least partially surrounds or encapsulates the gas cylinder. For example, the -3frame may include a centrally located support and an outwardly extending wall on which the base of the gas cylinder may rest.

The bracket may further include one or more arms that extend outwardly from the support in a lateral direction which in use at least partially surround the body of the gas cylinder.

The mounting may comprise two hinge like connections that are capable of rotational movement about respective orthogonal axes. The hinges may include various types of mechanical hinges and/or flexible hinges. Alternatively, instead of a pair of hinges, the mounting may comprise a ball and socket like connection.

The conveyer may include one or more rails or guide members along which the mounting may move. To assist the movement of the mounting, the mounting may be provided with wheels or rollers that are adapted to engage the rails or guide members.

Alternatively, the conveyer may include a carriage that is capable of movement along one or more rails or guide 2Q members.

o To prevent unwanted movement of the conveyer, there may o* be provided a lock for selectively maintaining the conveyor in either the second or third positions referred to above. For example, the lock may include a retractable pin, such as a spring loaded pin, that is adapted to engage an aligned aperture formed in an adjacent component of the assembly and/or the vehicle.

In another aspect, this invention relates to a forklift truck including: .0 a bracket that is capable of holding a gas cylinder; S a conveyor that is mounted above an elevated part of the S. forklift, said conveyor having at least one rail or guide member; a mounting that is connected to both said bracket and said conveyor, said mounting being capable of pivotal movement about a generally horizontal first axis between a first position wherein the gas cylinder is supported in a generally vertical attitude and a second position wherein the gas cylinder is located in a generally horizontal position adjacent an end portion of said elevated part, said mounting being capable of further pivotal movement about a generally horizontal second axis between said second position and a third position located generally above said elevated part, said mounting when in the third position being capable of movement along said rail or guide member between said third position and a fourth position above said elevated part and remote from said end portion.

Preferably, the forklift truck includes a counterweight behind which a motor used to drive the forklift truck is concealed and wherein the conveyer is mounted on an upper surface of the counterweight.

In order that this invention may be more easily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein: FIG. 1 is a side view of a forklift truck; 2Q FIG. 2 is a plan view of the forklift truck illustrated o in figure 1; *o FIG. 3 is a plan view of a gas cylinder lifting apparatus that is constructed in accordance with the present invention; "i FIG. 4 is a side view of the gas cylinder lifting apparatus illustrated in figure 3; FIG. 5 is a side view of the gas cylinder lifting :apparatus illustrated in figure 3; FIG. 6 is an end view of the gas cylinder lifting apparatus illustrated in figure 3; FIG. 7 is an end view of the gas cylinder lifting apparatus illustrated in figure 3; FIG. 8 is a plan view of a gas cylinder support bracket constructed in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 9 is a side view of the gas cylinder support bracket illustrated in figure 8; FIG. 10 is an end view of the gas cylinder support bracket illustrated in figure 8; FIG. 11 is an end view of a closure member for the gas cylinder support bracket illustrated in figure 8; FIG. 12 is a side view of a mounting member constructed in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 13 is a plan view of the mounting member illustrated in figure 12; FIG. 14 is an end view of the mounting member illustrated in figure 12; FIG. 15 is a plan view of a trolley constructed in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 16 is an end view of the trolley illustrated in figure FIG. 17 is a side view of trolley illustrated in figure FIG. 18 is a side view end view and a plan view of a spring; S"FIG. 19 is a plan view of a mounting plate constructed in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 20 is an end view of the mounting plate illustrated in figure 19; 0 FIG. 21 is a side view of the mounting plate illustrated in figure 19; FIG. 22 is a side view of a spring loaded pin; FIG. 23 is a side view of a mounting bracket for the spring loaded pin illustrated in figure 22, and FIG. 24 is an end view of the mounting bracket for the spring loaded pin illustrated in figure 22.

Figures 1 and 2 show a forklift truck 10 that includes a pair of tines 11 that are capable of movement up and down a mast 12 that is mounted on the front of a motor driven vehicle 13 equipped with an overhead guard or cabin 14 in which a driver may sit. The forklift truck 10 is powered by liquid petroleum gas supplied from a portable gas cylinder, not shown, that in use is mounted on the rearwardly located counterweight Figures 3 to 7 show a typical gas cylinder 16 which includes a cylindrically shaped body portion 17 that rests on a cylindrically shaped base 18. The valve assembly and fittings for connecting the gas cylinder to a supply line of the forklift truck 10 are concealed behind a generally cylindrically shaped shield 19.

Figures 3 to 7 show a lifting apparatus 20 that includes a bracket 21 that is capable of holding a gas cylinder 16. The bracket 21 includes a centrally located, elongate, support member 22 of generally box like construction. The support member 22 includes a base wall 23 that extends outwardly from a lower end of said support member 22 on which the base 18 of the gas S cylinder may rest.

S- The bracket 21 also includes two generally shaped arm members 24 that extend laterally in both directions away from the :i'15 support member 22. The support member 22, base wall 23 and the two arm members 24 form a cradle that is capable of holding the gas cylinder 16.

e To prevent the gas bottle 16 from becoming unintentionally dislodged from the bracket 21, each arm member 24 includes a "U" shaped closure member 25 that is hingedly connected to the arm member 24 at one end 26 and is adapted to releasably engage the other end 27 of the arm member 24 using a latching member 28.

i The upper end 29 of the support member 22 includes an aperture 30 formed in a flange 31 that extends outwardly therefrom.

The support member 22 further includes a pair of opposing lugs 70 that extend outwardly from the underside of the support arm 22 in a direction opposite to that of the flange 23. The lugs 70 each include an aperture 71 formed therein.

The lugs 70 provide support for a spring loaded pin 72 that has an enlarged, circular shaped, handle 73 associated with one end and a tapered end portion 74 associated with the other end.

The pin 72 slidably extends through the aligned apertures 71.

-7- The lifting apparatus 20 also includes a mounting 32 comprising a rectangularly shaped, elongate, mounting arm 33 of generally box like construction. The ends of the mounting arm are closed and wherein there is provided an aperture 99 formed in end plate 100.

The mounting arm 33 includes a flange 33a that extends outwardly from one end 35 of said mounting arm 33. The flange 33a includes a pin 34 having a threaded end portion that is adapted to threadably engage a nut 36. In use, the pin 34 extends through the aperture 30 formed in the bracket 21 which is retained in position by the nut 36. The bracket 21 is capable of rotational movement relative to the mounting arm 33 about an axis 37 of the pin 34.

The opposite end 38 of the mounting arm 33 includes a pair of opposing lugs 39 that extend outwardly from the mounting arm 33 in a direction opposite to that of the pin 34. The lugs 39 S" each include a mounting aperture 40 formed therein.

The lugs 39 provide support for a spring loaded pin 45 that has an enlarged, circular shaped, handle 46 associated with one end and a tapered end portion 47 associated with the other end.

The pin 45 slidably extends through the aligned apertures The mounting arm 33 is also provided with a pair of opposed mounting lugs 41 that extend outwardly from the mounting arm 33 i in a direction opposite to that of the pin 34. Each lug 41 includes an aperture 42 formed therein.

The mounting arm 33 also includes a flange 43 that extends in a generally forward direction away from the mounting arm 33.

The flange 43 includes an aperture 44 formed therein.

The lifting apparatus 20 also includes a pneumatic strut 49 consisting of a piston 50 that is capable of reciprocal movement within a cylinder 51. The closed end of the cylinder 51 is pivotally connected to the flange 43 by a fastener that extends through the aperture 44. The piston 50 is pivotally connected to the flange 95, of the bracket 21, by a fastener that extends -8through the aperture 94.

The lifting apparatus 20 also includes a conveyor consisting of a trolley 56 having a generally rectangularly shaped, plate like, base 57. The base 57 has an elongate notch 58 cut out of one edge 59. The top side of the base 57 includes a generally rectangularly shaped flange 60 that extends outwardly from one side portion 61. The flange 60 includes a notch 62 formed therein.

The top side of the base 57 also includes an upstanding flange 63 located at the opposite side to the flange 60. The flange 63 includes an aperture 64 formed therein.

The top side of the base 57 also includes a centrally located, upstanding abutment 65 in the shape of a rectangular prism.

The underside of the base 57 includes a rear axle 66 and a :s'15 front axle 66a that are attached thereto and which extend S" outwardly therefrom on both sides of said base. A wheel 67 is rotatably mounted on each end of each axle 66 and 66a.

The ends of the front axle 66a extend through respective apertures 42 formed in lugs 41 of the mounting arm 33 and wherein the mounting arm 33 is free to pivot relative to the trolley 56 about axis 66b.

There are also provided two torsion springs 90 that are S wrapped about an intermediate portion of the axle 66a and wherein one free end of each spring engages a side portion of the mounting arm 33. The other free end of each spring engages the underside of the base plate 57.

The lifting apparatus also includes a base 68 consisting of a substantially square shaped, base plate 69 having four mounting apertures 75 formed in respective corners of said base plate and two mounting apertures 75a located between each end. The base plate 69 also includes two opposing rails 76 that extend along the length of the base plate. Each rail 76 includes a top wall 77 and a side wall 78.

The rear end of each rail 76 is closed by a plate like abutment 79.

The forward end of each rail 76 includes an aperture 89 formed in the top wall 77.

The wheels 67 of the trolley 56 are locatable between the top walls 77 and the base plate 69 and wherein movement of the trolley across the surface of said base plate is guided by said rails.

The base plate 69 further includes two spring loaded pin assemblies 80 and 81. Each pin assembly includes a shaped member 82 consisting of two opposing flanges 83 separated by an intermediate member 84. The flanges 83 each include an aperture formed therein through which a spring loaded pin 86, having an enlarged handle 87 and a tapered end 88, slidably extends.

.:"The base plate 69 is secured to the counterweight 15 such that the rear edge 91 is located adjacent the overhead guard 14.

o The base plate is secured to the counterweight 15 using a plurality of threaded fasteners that extend through respective ee o mounting apertures 75 and eeee In use, gas may be supplied to the engine of the forklift truck 10 from a gas cylinder 16 that is supported in an operative position adjacent the overhead guard 14 by the bracket 21, and which is secured thereto by the two closure members An empty gas cylinder may be removed by firstly withdrawing the end 88, of the pin 86 belonging to pin assembly 81, from it's operative location within the notch 62. This will release the trolley 56 thereby enabling the user with the aid of the wheels 67 to roll said trolley which is currently in the forward position (see figure and the gas cylinder that is supported thereon, in the general direction of the rear of the forklift truck The trolley 56 is prevented from rolling off the base plate 69 by the engagement of the wheels mounted on axle 66a with the abutments 79. The trolley 56 may be secured in this rear position, as illustrated in figure 5, by the location of the end 88, of the pin 86 belonging to the pin assembly 80, within the notch 62.

The user in turn may withdraw the end portion 47 of the pin from engagement with the aperture 64. This is achieved by pulling the handle 46. The withdrawal of the end portion 47 from within the aperture 64 will release the mounting arm 33 thereby enabling the user to rotate it about the axis 42a from it's present position to the position illustrated in figure 5 wherein the gas cylinder is hanging over the edge of the counterweight The user may then withdraw the end portion 74 of the pin 72 from within aperture 99. This will release the mounting arm 33 thereby enabling the user to rotate it about axis 37 from it's current position to the position illustrated in figure 6.

The now vertically orientated gas cylinder may be removed from the bracket 21 by disengaging the latching members enabling the closure members to be moved aside such that they do not obstruct the removal of the gas cylinder.

A full gas cylinder may be mounted on the counterweight of the forklift truck 10, as shown in figure 4 by generally following the reverse of the procedure described above.

It will be appreciated that the lifting apparatus described S above enables a person to locate a gas cylinder on the counterweight of a forklift truck without the assistance of others and wherein the location of the gas cylinder on the counterweight does not obscure the person's vision out of the rear window of the forklift truck.

It will of course be realised that while the foregoing description has been given by way of example of this invention, all other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein defined in the appended claims.

Claims (6)

1. A lifting apparatus for lifting a gas cylinder on to an elevated part of a vehicle, said elevated part having an end portion, said lifting apparatus including: a bracket that is capable of holding a gas cylinder; a conveyor that is mounted above the elevated part, said conveyor having at least one rail or guide member; a mounting that is connected to both said bracket and said conveyor, said mounting being capable of pivotal movement about a generally horizontal first axis between a first position wherein the gas cylinder is supported in a generally vertical attitude and a second position wherein the gas cylinder is located in a generally horizontal position adjacent the end portion, said mounting being capable of further pivotal movement about a generally horizontal second axis between said second position and a third position located generally above the elevated part, said mounting when in the third position being capable of movement along said rail or guide member between said third position and a fourth position above the elevated part and remote from the end portion.

2. A lifting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mounting includes two hinge like connections that are capable of pivotal movement about said respective first and second axes, said axes being generally orthogonal.

3. A lifting apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein there is provided a lock for selectively maintaining said mounting in either said second or said third positions.

4. A lifting apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vehicle is a forklift.

A lifting apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. -12-

6. A forklift truck including: a bracket that is capable of holding a gas cylinder; a conveyor that is mounted above an elevated part of the forklift, said conveyor having at least one rail or guide member; a mounting that is connected to both said bracket and said conveyor, said mounting being capable of pivotal movement about a generally horizontal first axis between a first position wherein the gas cylinder is supported in a generally vertical attitude and a second position wherein the gas cylinder is located in a generally horizontal position adjacent an end portion of said elevated part, said mounting being capable of further pivotal movement about a generally horizontal second axis between said second position and a third position located generally above said elevated part, said mounting when in the third position being capable of movement along said rail or guide member between said third position and a fourth position above said elevated part and 2.0 remote from said end portion. o o oo oooo *o* Page 13 is blank