US 4,395,189 A · Dual mast lift truck for unbalanced loads and the like

Abstract

A conventional lift truck is provided with a dual mast arrangement for handling heavy, unbalanced loads, and other awkward objects. Two masts are individually connected with the truck frame in a side-by-side relationship, and each mast includes a fork which is movable up and down its respective mast. The masts are powered by separate motors, and a controller operates the two motors. The controller is capable of independently moving each fork to individually elevate the forks into abutment with the load, and then raise the load slightly into a position in which the load is balanced on the forks. The controller includes a coupler which translates the forks in unison at substantially the same rate and in the same direction, such that the forks are raised simultaneously to lift the load balanced thereon to a transport position, and are lowered together to set the load down in place.

Claims18

Dependent claims

In a conventional lift truck having a frame with front and rear ends, and means for propelling said truck, the improvement of a dual mast arrangement for handling unbalanced loads and the like, comprising:

first and second lift masts connected with the front end of said truck frame in a side-by-side relationship;
each lift mast having a fork slideably connected therewith for translating up and down its respective mast;
said forks extending generally outwardly from said masts in a generally parallel relationship;
means for independently moving said forks along their respective masts, whereby each fork is individually elevated into abutment with a load, and raised slightly to a position wherein the load is balanced on said forks;
and
coupling means for selectively interlocking said forks and moving the same in unison, substantially simultaneously at the same rate and in the same direction, by manipulation of a single control, whereby said forks are raised together to lift the load balanced thereon to a transport position, and are lowered together to set the load down in place.

3 more elements

In a lift truck having a frame with front and rear ends, and means for propelling said truck, the improvement of a dual mast arrangement for handling unbalanced loads and the like, comprising:

first and second lift masts pivotally connected with the front end of said truck frame in a side-by-side relationship;
each lift mast having a movable fork connected therewith, and extending outwardly therefrom in a generally parallel relationship, means for translating said fork up and down its respective mast, and means for pivotally mounting said masts on said truck frame;
means for independently pivoting said masts;
and
coupling means selectively interlocking said masts and pivoting the same in unison, substantially simultaneously at the same rate and in the same direction, by manipulation of a single control, whereby said masts are pivoted rearwardly to lift the load balanced thereon to a transport position, and are tilted forwardly to set the load down in place.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Dual mast lift truck for unbalanced loads and the like

Life of this patent

Dual mast lift truck for unbalanced loads and the like

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18