Pallet jack power assembly
AssigneePower Handling, Incorporated
InventorGreg Newell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pallet jack power assembly upgrades a manually powered pallet jack to provide a motor-driven drive wheel. In one example, the manually powered pallet jack includes left and right steering wheels separated by a narrow distance. A frame of the pallet jack power assembly may be adapted for attachment to the pallet jack. The frame supports a drive axle, which in turn supports a drive wheel. Attachment of the frame of the pallet jack power assembly locates the drive wheel between the left and right steering wheels. The drive axle and a steering axle, supporting the left and right steering wheels of the pallet jack, may be located in a same vertical plane. A biasing device, such as a spring, may be used to provide a downward force on the drive wheel, thereby increasing friction between the drive wheel and the floor.
Claims13
A pallet jack power assembly, attached to a pallet jack having left and right steering wheels, the pallet jack power assembly comprising:
- a frame, adapted for attachment to the pallet jack;
- a drive wheel supported by a drive axle, wherein attachment of the frame to the pallet jack locates:
- the drive axle in a same vertical plane as a steering axle supporting the left and right steering wheels;
- the drive wheel entirely below the steering axle;
- the drive wheel between the left and right steering wheels of the pallet jack;
- and
- a motor, to power a power train to rotate the drive wheel.
A pallet jack power assembly, attached to a pallet jack having left and right steering wheels, the pallet jack power assembly comprising:
- a frame, adapted for attachment to the pallet jack;
- a drive wheel supported by a drive axle, wherein the frame locates a center of the drive axle directly below a center of a jacking cylinder of the pallet jack upon attachment of the pallet jack power assembly to the pallet jack;
- a drive wheel arm to which the drive axle is attached, the drive wheel arm being moveable with respect to the frame against a biasing member;
- and
- a motor, to power a power train to rotate the drive wheel.
A system, comprising:
- a pallet jack having a fork operated by a lift mechanism and having left and right steering wheels supported by a steering axle;
- a pallet jack power assembly, including:
- a drive wheel, supported by a drive axle, the drive wheel located between left and right steering wheels of the pallet jack, the drive wheel having a diameter less than a radius of the left and right steering wheels, the drive axle in a same vertical plane as the steering axle;
- a drive wheel arm to support the drive axle, the drive wheel arm being pivotably attached to a frame of the pallet jack power assembly;
- a biasing member, interposed between the frame and the drive wheel arm, and biasing the drive wheel arm away from the frame;
- and
- a power train, to provide power to the drive wheel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.