High visibility load clamp with asymmetrical gussets
AssigneeRightline Equipment, Inc.
InventorsJim D. Hamlik, Joel D. Hamlik
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An asymmetrical gusseted clamp assembly configured to be coupled to a lift truck and comprising a frame, two clamp jaws and two actuators. The clamp jaws each have gussets of different size to allow the two actuators to be separated vertically by a central gap, which is defined on the sides by two frame vertical beams. The central gap is of significant width so that the operator of the lift truck has a useable widow through which to view. As the configuration of the asymmetrical gusseted clamp assembly changes from open to closed, at no time is a majority of the view through the central gap obscured by the clamp jaws.
Claims14
A asymmetrical gusseted clamp assembly comprising:
- a frame with two frame vertical beams, a first guide channel and a second guide channel positioned near a top of the frame, a third guide channel and a fourth guide channel positioned near a bottom of the frame;
- a first actuator coupled the frame below the first guide channel and second guide channel;
- a second actuator coupled to the frame above the third guide channel and the fourth guide channel,
- a gap between the first actuator and the second actuator;
- a first clamp jaw with a first clamp arm coupled to a first clamp arm bracket, the first clamp arm bracket coupled to a first large gusset bracket and a first small gusset bracket, the first large gusset bracket coupled to a first lower sliding beam, the first small gusset bracket coupled to a first upper sliding beam;
- wherein the second actuator is coupled to the first large gusset bracket;
- and
- wherein the first upper sliding beam slidingly inserted in the first guide channel and the first lower sliding beam slidingly inserted in the third channel guide.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.