Abstract: Material handling of packed goods on pallets, roller cages within facilities is in huge volumes and consumes lot of operators' time and efforts. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an autonomous payload handling apparatus (APHA) that addresses the above material handling process by automating with an intelligent modular robotic platform. The APHA includes fork assemblies that slides alongside of the pallet for better balance over payload and maintains smooth navigation. The fork assemblies equipped with contact/vision sensors that enable APHA to determine whether there is any offset or any contact between surfaces of APHA and/or pallet. The fork assemblies capture sensor data of surrounding object(s) during navigation, size of payload, and pallet, etc. The captured sensor data enables the APHA to correct its offset and/or compute a mode of approach (e.g., navigating angle, deviating from obstacle(s), sliding through pallet/roller cages, and the like) to handle payload(s).

Abstract: Holders for wound cables. The holders include retention features to control the rate at which cable windings are unwound during cable deployment. In some examples, the cable holder includes a pair of spaced apart spools and the cable is wound in windings configured as figure-8's. In some examples, the retention features include flexibly resilient fingers positioned to contact the windings at one or more retention points positioned at a deployment end of the holder.

Abstract: A load wheel assembly for an elongate fork of a forked material-handling vehicle with a chassis employs a non-motorized forward load wheel, a non-motorized rear load wheel, and a non-motorized torque-coupling assembly connected between the forward load wheel and the rear load wheel for coupling torque between the forward load wheel and the rear load wheel to overcome obstacles on a surface, such as a floor.

Abstract: A materials handling vehicle including a load handling assembly having a mast assembly, and a fork carriage assembly including a fork support and at least one fork assembly, the at least one fork assembly including a first fork member, which is fixed to the fork support, and a second fork member. The vehicle includes a tilt assembly that tilts the fork support relative to the mast assembly such that a central axis of the at least one fork assembly is positionable in a plurality of different positions relative to a horizontal direction. The vehicle includes a fork extension/retraction assembly that moves the second fork member relative to the first fork member in a first direction that is parallel to the central axis such that the fork extension/retraction assembly selectively moves the second fork member toward or away from the fork support in the first direction.

Abstract: A cargo handling control unit of a forklift includes a traveling device including a traveling drive unit, forks loading cargos, and a cargo handling device having a lift cylinder. The cargo handling control unit includes at least a pair of one-dimensional laser distance sensors, each of which is configured to emit a one-dimensional laser beam and receives the laser beam reflected from an object, thereby detecting a distance between the object and the one-dimensional laser distance sensor, a picking start position determination unit determining a picking start position of the forks for the cargos, and a picking control unit being configured to control the traveling drive unit and the lift cylinder so as to load the cargos on the forks.

Abstract: A wheel assembly including a sensor for measuring wheel movement is provided comprising: a frame member; an axle fixed to the frame member; a wheel rotatably mounted to the axle and comprising wheel recess; a code ring located within the wheel recess for rotation with the wheel; and a sensor device coupled to the frame member and located adjacent to the code ring. The sensor device senses movement of the code ring and generates an output signal indicative of the wheel movement. A materials handling vehicle comprising the wheel assembly is also provided.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a forklift system. The system includes a vehicle body of a forklift; a fork configured to be vertically movable at one side of the vehicle body; a sensor unit; and a control unit. The sensor unit is configured to be disposed at a front end portion of the fork to detect an external object. The control unit is configured to control movement of the vehicle body or the position of the fork according to a detection signal generated by the sensor unit.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a forklift system. The system includes a vehicle body of a forklift; a fork configured to be vertically movable at one side of the vehicle body; a sensor unit; and a control unit. The sensor unit is configured to be disposed at a front end portion of the fork to detect an external object. The control unit is configured to control movement of the vehicle body or the position of the fork according to a detection signal generated by the sensor unit.

Abstract: A material handling vehicle with a rack sensor arranged on the one or more base legs is provided. The rack sensor is configured to detect a racking feature of a racking structure to provide an indication to an operator that the material handling vehicle is correctly positioned to transport a load to and from the racking structure.

Abstract: A lockable floating forklift tine system including a lift carriage having at least one cross bar to mount at least one forklift tine, the at least one cross bar having a number of abutment shoulders spaced there across and at least one forklift tine having a mounting portion to mount the at least one forklift tine relative to the at least one cross bar, the mounting portion having a locking member movable relative to the mounting portion between an engaged condition in which the locking member engages at least one of the abutment shoulders preventing lateral movement relative to the at least one cross bar and a free condition in which the locking member is free of the abutment shoulders allowing the forklift tine to be moved laterally along the at least one cross bar, the locking member biased into the engaged condition.

Abstract: Linear electric actuators are used for moving forks or tines of a forklift. The tines can be positioned to move horizontally, inward or outward, along a guide, according to actuation of the linear electric actuators. The loading area comprising the tines can be positioned to move vertically, upward or downward, along masts or uprights of the forklift. The actuators for the tines can be operated by a battery. When the tines are in the down position, the battery can be charged by a charging system that includes a part fixed to the forklift. However, when the forks are raised from the down position, vertically along the masts or uprights, the charging ceases, and the actuators can continue to operate from the battery.

Abstract: A fork positioning assembly configured for mounting to a lift truck, comprising a first fork positioner and a second fork positioner coupled to a fork frame. The first fork positioner a substantially mirror image of the second fork positioner. Each fork positioner comprises a tube with an interior cavity within which is positioned a piston and a carrier both coupled to a rod. The piston and carrier are both in sliding contact with the tube. Each fork positioner has a fork holder positioned external to the tube, the fork holder coupled to the carrier through the slot in the tube. The portion of the carrier coupled to the fork holder is between a first carrier bushing and a second carrier bushing.

Abstract: A system includes a detection device configured to transmit and receive one or more signals in a generally vertical direction above a vehicle. Additionally, the system may include a processing device configured to measure a time of flight associated with the transmission and receipt of the one or more signals in the generally vertical direction. A distance travelled by the one or more signals may be determined based, at least in part, on the measured time of flight, and the distance travelled may be compared with a threshold distance to determine an overhead clearance of the vehicle. In response to determining the overhead clearance, a vehicle system may be activated.

Abstract: An apparatus generally directed to a skid loader attachment, which includes at least, but is not limited to, a universal mounting structure, a pair of slide shaft support flanges secured to and protruding from a proximal end of the universal mounting structure, a slide shaft attached to and disposed between the pair of slide shaft support flanges, the slide shaft spaced apart from and in non-contact adjacency with the universal mounting structure, and a tine adjustment structure secured to and protruding from a distal end of the universal mounting structure.

Abstract: A work tool for a machine is provided including a laminated member having a plurality of layers of plates. Each plate is arranged in parallel to the other plates and has a face in contacting relation with an opposing face of an adjacent plate. Adjacent plates are secured together by welds along only a portion of an exterior surface of the laminated member. A plurality of pins hold together the plurality of layers of plates. Each pin is received in a respective opening that extends through each plate in the plurality of layers between opposing first and second surfaces of the laminated member.

Abstract: A truck gate for elevating objects to be manually urged from the truck gate onto a bed portion of a truck includes a pivoting base portion attached to truck gate lifting means (not depicted) for elevating the base portion from ground level to an elevated position that disposes the base portion into horizontal alignment with a bed of a truck. The truck gate further includes a plurality of gate fingers secured to the pivoting base portion such that a maximum number of objects can be disposed upon the gate fingers at ground level then elevated to a substantially horizontal position adjacent to and aligned with the bed of the truck.

Abstract: An equipment (1) for a lift truck or similar self-propelled work machines, comprising: a fixed frame (2) which can be mounted solidly constrained to an arm of said lift truck, a movable frame (3), to which a tool (41, 42) is fixed, and actuating means (5) for displacing said movable frame (3) with respect to said fixed frame (2). The fixed frame (2) comprises a straight upper guide (22, 23) and a straight lower guide (24, 25) which lie on parallel or coincident planes. The movable frame (3) comprises upper connecting means (31, 32) and lower connecting means (33, 34) slidably coupled respectively to the upper guide (22, 23) and to the lower guide (24, 25) and coplanar thereto, so as to enable translation of the tool (41, 42) with respect to the fixed frame (2).

Abstract: A pallet fork includes a structural frame, a fork bar, a swing bar, and a pair of fork tines. The fork tines can be fixed or swinging through the removal of the swing bar. The swing bar can be conveniently stored onboard the pallet fork when it is inoperative. The structural frame is arranged for enhanced visibility by an operator to the fork tines to improve productivity and operator comfort.

Abstract: An adjustable forklift load backrest has a first lateral support, a second lateral support and a central connector. The lateral supports are adjustably engaged with the central connector opposite each other. The width of the load backrest can be adjusted by moving the lateral supports closer together or farther away from each other. The lateral supports are affixed to the central connector by bolts traversing through bolt holes on the support arms and slotted openings on the connecting arms of the central connector.

Abstract: Embodiments of the subject innovation relate to a device for picking up loads, having a frame, two load pick-up elements that are configured so as to move lengthwise on the frame, two drive units that are installed on the frame and arranged one above the other, whereby each drive unit has a drive element and is configured to move this drive element relative to the frame in two opposite directions parallel to the direction of motion of the load pick-up elements, whereby force-transmissions and deflectors are provided on the drive elements. By activating the drive units, a movement of the drive elements can be converted into a corresponding movement of the appertaining load pick-up elements.

Abstract: A pallet fork including a frame and a fork tine. The frame supports a fork bar and a carriage plate. Further, the fork bar and the carriage plate extend in a longitudinal direction of the pallet fork. The fork tine is mounted to the fork bar. Also, the fork tine has a swingable motion and a lateral motion relative to the fork bar. Moreover, the fork tine includes a vertical leg and a horizontal leg. A bracket is attached to the vertical leg of the fork tine. A first locking member is selectively inserted in the bracket to engage the fork tine with the carriage plate and restrict the swingable motion of the fork tine.

Abstract: A detection system is usable on a vehicle such as a forklift. The detection system includes a sensor apparatus and a processor apparatus that are configured to detect the proximity of objects and structures that are situated in the vicinity of the forklift, and are further configured to initiate some type of action if the processor apparatus determines that the likelihood of a collision has reached a predetermined threshold. In the event of a collision determination, the processor apparatus outputs a collision signal to an output apparatus that performs any one or more of a variety of predetermined operations responsive to the collision signal. The operations can include reducing an engine speed of the forklift, reducing the velocity of the forklift, operating a movement mechanism to move the forklift platform away from the object or structure, producing audible and/or visual indications of the potential for a collision, and the like.

Abstract: An adjustable width pallet and product protector for a lift truck having a first outer L-shaped fork, a first inner L-shaped fork, a second outer L-shaped fork, and a second inner L-shaped fork. The protector can include a first horizontally elongated plate, a second horizontally elongated plate disposed rearwardly of the first horizontally elongated plate, a first outer mounting plate disposed rearwardly of and coupled to the first horizontally elongated plate, a first inner mounting plate disposed rearwardly of and slidably coupled to the first horizontally elongated plate, a second outer mounting plate disposed rearwardly of and coupled to the second horizontally elongated plate, and a second inner mounting plate disposed rearwardly of and slidably coupled to the second horizontally elongated plate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the subject innovation relate to a device for picking up loads, having a frame, two load pick-up elements that are configured so as to move lengthwise on the frame, two drive units that are installed on the frame and arranged one above the other, whereby each drive unit has a drive element and is configured to move this drive element relative to the frame in two opposite directions parallel to the direction of motion of the load pick-up elements, whereby force-transmissions and deflectors are provided on the drive elements. By activating the drive units, a movement of the drive elements can be converted into a corresponding movement of the appertaining load pick-up elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a load-handling apparatus (1) adapted to be mounted on an elevatable lift carriage of a lift truck, wherein the load-handling apparatus comprises a frame having at least four parallel guides (5, 7, 9, 11) making up a first pair of parallel abutting guides (13) and a second pair of parallel abutting guides (15), at least two oppositely directed and hydraulic actuated piston cylinders, wherein at least two outer load-handling arms are connectable to said hydraulic actuated piston cylinders (25, 27) for moving said outer load-handling arms (3) with regard to said guides to and from each other for engaging a load and at least two inner load-handling arms (4) of which each is connected to at least one spring (101, 103) for keeping a fixed position of said inner load-handling arms to the frame during movement of the outer load-handling arms over a predetermined distance.

Abstract: An adjustable width pallet and product protector for a lift truck having a first outer L-shaped fork, a first inner L-shaped fork, a second outer L-shaped fork, and a second inner L-shaped fork. The protector can include a first horizontally elongated plate, a second horizontally elongated plate disposed rearwardly of the first horizontally elongated plate, a first outer mounting plate disposed rearwardly of and coupled to the first horizontally elongated plate, a first inner mounting plate disposed rearwardly of and slidably coupled to the first horizontally elongated plate, a second outer mounting plate disposed rearwardly of and coupled to the second horizontally elongated plate, and a second inner mounting plate disposed rearwardly of and slidably coupled to the second horizontally elongated plate.

Abstract: A fork positioner, usable alternatively either as an attachment to an existing load-lifting carriage with forks, or as part of the original equipment of a load-lifting carriage, has a pair of elongate hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies mountable in an interconnected parallel relationship between an upper transverse fork-supporting member and a lower transverse member of the carriage. Each of a pair of fork-positioning guide members has a fork-engagement surface movable by a respective piston and cylinder assembly and connectable thereto so that the fork-engaging surfaces face substantially perpendicularly away from an imaginary plane containing the respective longitudinal axes of the piston and cylinder assemblies. An exemplary carriage mounting the fork positioner is also disclosed, together with a wireless hydraulic function control system for use with the fork positioner or other multi-function load handlers.

Abstract: Forklift truck (100) includes a linkage system (300) which comprises first link arm (1) pivotally connected at one end to roller (1.4) at point (1.1) which is vertically movable within channel (6.1) of mounting carriage/member (6), and to forks (4) at the opposite end via fork carriage (5) at pivot point (1.3). Second link arm (2) is pivotally connected to first link arm (1) at pivot point (1.2). The opposite end of second link arm (2) is pivotally connected to mounting carriage/member (6) at pivot point (2.1). Pivot points (1.1) and (2.1) are positioned on or near the centre line of channel (6.1). The tilt angle of forks (4) and fork carriage (5) is restricted by link arm (3) which is pivotally connected at one end to second link arm (2) at pivot point (3.2) and pivotally connected at the opposite end to fork carriage (5) at pivot point (3.1). During operation link arm (3) forces fork carriage (5) to rotate about pivot point (1.

Abstract: The invention relates to an industrial truck (10; 15) comprising a truck body (20) and a load supporting member (30). The load supporting member (30) is movable in a vertical direction (40) and in a horizontal direction (50; 80) in relation to the truck body (20). According to the invention, the industrial truck (10; 15) is adapted to reduce the maximum allowed acceleration of the load supporting member (30) in the vertical direction (40) when the load supporting member is located at specific horizontal positions in relation to the truck body (20). The invention also pertains to a corresponding method and a computer program.

Abstract: The invention relates to a load suspension means for a lifting apparatus (11), which can be fitted on a lifting column (16) of the lifting apparatus (11) and has a transverse support (24) and at least one load suspension element (26) which is arranged thereon and is provided in a manner such that it can be displaced along the transverse support (24) for adjustment to a load suspension point on an object to be raised, wherein, for adjustment to the load suspension point, the at least one load suspension element (26) can be transferred by a pivoting movement, which is delimited by a lift-off safeguard (56), from and into a secured load suspension position without a tool.

Abstract: A load-handling apparatus mountable on a lift carriage of a lift truck including at least four parallel guides making up first and second pairs of parallel abutting guides, and at least two oppositely directed hydraulic actuated piston cylinders, wherein at least two load-handling arms are connectable to the cylinders for moving the arms with respect to the guides, wherein each of the arms is moveably supported by a guide, and wherein the first and second pairs of guides are spaced by connection elements.

Abstract: Hydraulic valve circuits capable of variably limiting respective maximum hydraulic pressures at which an assembly of bidirectional hydraulic power devices can move respective clamping members, such as forks or clamp arms, selectively in a closing movement toward each other, in an opening movement away from each other, or in a side-shifting movement in unison with each other, so as to provide damage-control capabilities for the control of the clamping members. The circuits preferably include one or more pressure-regulating valves interconnected with the assembly of power devices, and capable of variably limiting a maximum side-shifting pressure, at which said assembly can cause said side-shifting movement, in response to a maximum pressure selection. The circuits preferably include at least one override assembly, capable of overriding the maximum pressure selection to thereby lower the maximum side-shifting pressure automatically irrespective of the maximum pressure selection.

Abstract: A lift truck attachment for attaching a device, such as a scale to the lift truck includes an upper carriage support, a lower carriage support spaced from and opposing the upper carriage support and a device attachment region disposed between and essentially flush with the upper and lower carriage supports. The device is attached between the upper and lower carriage supports and nests with the upper and lower carriage supports to reduce the effective distance between the lift truck mast and the load carrying members, such as the loading forks.

Abstract: An industrial truck is shown with a lifting frame, on which a load-receiving section is arranged so as to be movable vertically. The load-receiving section has at least one degree of movement freedom with respect to the lifting frame, which lies in a plane perpendicular to the main direction of travel of the industrial truck and has at least one horizontal component. In addition, a vibration control system is provided for damping or preventing vibrations in the relative position of load-receiving section and lifting frame.

Abstract: A load-handling apparatus having a frame and a load movement component part accommodated on said frame in such a way that it is capable of relative movement, the load movement component part being guided on the frame by a plurality of rolling bodies for the relative movement along a guide axis, the plurality of rolling bodies comprising at least one arrangement of circulating rolling bodies, with a supporting section, in which rolling bodies in the event of a relative movement of the frame and the load movement component part roll along a guide track and a rolling track, and a return section, in which the rolling bodies during the relative movement of the frame and the load movement component part move from an outlet end region of the supporting section towards its inlet end region.

Abstract: The pallet jack apparatus provides lateral fork adjustment between the two forks, each having a forwardly disposed pivoted wheel for added fork support. The lateral fork adjustment is controlled by the horizontal control lever on the stem. The lateral fork adjustment is via a motor with pinion gear which directly drives the first and second fork gears. The apparatus further provides height adjustment for the forks via the vertical control lever on the stem. The control levers are positioned within the handle interior of the oblong circular handle which guards against inadvertent control movements while providing superior leverage for positioning the apparatus.

Abstract: A multi-lift mast for a forklift has hydraulic circuitry that provides free lift and negative lift capabilities for the forklift. The mast comprises a stationary member, at least one extensible member slideable on the stationary member and a carriage slideable on an extensible member. The extensible mast members are raised and lowered by double acting hydraulic actuators extending between the stationary member and an extensible member. The carriage is raised and lowered by a positively connected double acting carriage hydraulic actuator extending between an extensible mast and the carriage. The circuitry employs identical pairs of counterbalance valves controlling the supply and exit of hydraulic fluid for the bore and rod ends of the actuators, set to cause the carriage to fully extend before the extensible mast members extend, providing free lift, and set to cause the extensible mast members to fully lower before the carriage lowers.

Abstract: A fork positioner, usable alternatively either as an attachment to an existing load-lifting carriage with forks, or as part of the original equipment of a load-lifting carriage, has a pair of elongate hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies mountable in an interconnected parallel relationship between an upper transverse fork-supporting member and a lower transverse member of the carriage. Each of a pair of fork-positioning guide members has a fork-engagement surface movable by a respective piston and cylinder assembly and connectable thereto so that the fork-engaging surfaces face substantially perpendicularly away from an imaginary plane containing the respective longitudinal axes of the piston and cylinder assemblies. An exemplary carriage mounting the fork positioner is also disclosed.

Abstract: An industrial robot may include an arm unit equipped with a hand structured to place a workpiece on the hand, a column structured to support the arm unit so as to enable the arm unit to move in a vertical direction, a hinge provided at an intermediate position in the vertical direction structured to section and fold the column into a base column and an upper column, supporting members placed on each of the base column and the upper column, screw support members placed on each of the supporting members, a screw shaft that is screwed into the screw support members, a base column side and an upper column side of the screw shaft being threaded reversely to each other, and a screw shaft turning means for turning the screw shaft. The industrial robot carries out transfer work of the workpiece at a predetermined working space.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing with two pairs of forks a front part of a forklift truck comprises first profiled elements for supporting a pair of external forks and second profiled elements for supporting a pair of internal forks, a guide device that receives internally both said first profiled elements and said second profiled elements.

Abstract: An implement for manipulating and loading containers. A lifting carriage has a total width smaller than a door opening of a container to be loaded. A guide surface extends over the total width of the lifting carriage. Two fork arms are movable and supported by the guide surface. The fork arms have a narrow position for the manipulation of loads, in which a total width of the arms is smaller than the total width of the lifting carriage. Two bearings move the arms. Each bearing is provided between each arm and the guide surface. The fork arms also have a wide position for manipulating containers and for fork pockets of a container, in which the total width of the arms is greater than the total width of the lifting carriage. In another example, two transfer carriages are provided, which are coupled to the lifting carriage and are movable and supported by the guide surface.

Abstract: A load handling system of an industrial vehicle includes a pantograph attachment that provides a variable reach. A sensor provides position feedback for the pantograph attachment. A processor then determines a maximum allowable reach of the pantograph attachment according to the position feedback and other vehicle operating parameters.

Abstract: A modular assembly for manufacturing structures for lateral translation and/or support of forks in lift trucks, which is formed of a first frame designed to be fastened to the lifting members of a lift truck and of a second movable frame to be mounted on the first frame to slide thereon through of rollers and/or runners and laterally moved, upon command, on the first frame by means of an actuator. The second frame is provided with hooking means for fastening of forks thereto, so that said forks project therefrom at the front. The first frame too is provided with hooking means of its own for direct fastening of forks, as an alternative to mounting of the second frame thereon, the second frame being made to be removable from the first frame. Runner or roller elements can be mounted in different ways to obtain the different sliding arrangements between the frames.

Abstract: Improved bolted joint designs are used for a joint between a bolt-on load-lifting member such as a fork or clamp arm and a carriage or carrier associated with a material handling device. In various embodiments, an elongate rear vertical shank of one or the other of the load-lifting member or the carrier may have a plurality of mounting bolt holes spaced longitudinally along its length, each mounting bolt hole extending from a respective recessed area formed in one or both of the joined surfaces. Each bolt hole has a respective bolt-hole width dimension transverse to the elongate member, and each recessed area has a recess width dimension parallel to and greater than the bolt-hole width dimension.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an automatic folding fork device for forklift trucks. The folding fork device is operated so that forks are rotated upwards and folded by the rotation of a hydraulic motor when a driver driving in a forklift truck easily manipulates a lever or switch, thus allowing the forklift truck to move safely, with the forks in a folded state. Further, this invention is constructed so that external threaded parts, having threads formed in opposite directions, are provided on both sides of the outer circumferential surface of a shaft, and coupling pipes having internal threaded parts corresponding to the external threaded parts are provided, thus allowing an interval between the forks mounted to the coupling pipes to be adjusted, according to the rotating direction of the hydraulic motor.

Abstract: A fork-lift reach truck having an extraction mast which is adapted to be displaced, by means of a mast drive, towards and away from a driving portion of the fork-lift truck on a horizontal guide, a load-carrying means which is mounted on a side shift, a side shift guide which is supported by the extraction mast in a height-adjustable way and is adapted to be actuated by means of a lifting and lowering drive, which guides the side shift in a laterally movable way, and a side shift drive, and an electric control and regulation device for the respective drives which is connected to operating members for the lifting and lowering modes, the mast extraction mode, and the side shift mode, wherein an analog sensor detecting the position of the side shift is provided the position signal of which is sent to the control and regulation device, and that the control and regulation device is connected to a separate operating member for the side shift or the operating member for the side shift is configured in such a way tha

Abstract: A vehicle (10) includes a hollow transfer device (20), a side translating assembly (40), and a lift mast assembly (90). The transfer device has at least one substantially open end and a longitudinal opening intersecting the substantial open end. The lift mast assembly is cooperatively associated with the transfer device to move the transfer device substantially vertically, and the side translating assembly is also operatively associated with the transfer device to move the transfer device substantially horizontally between at least one side of the vehicle and a center of the vehicle. The invention contemplates use in a newsprint roll handling apparatus.

Abstract: A fork positioner for a forklift truck has power-actuated yokes, each having a base from which a pair of transversely spaced legs depend, for engaging respective load lifting forks and adjusting their spacing transversely along a fork-supporting member. Each of the yokes is selectively movable between a fork-engaging position and a fork-disengaging position, the latter position permitting the fork to be lifted upwardly off of the fork-supporting member for easy replacement of the fork.

Abstract: A fork lift with retractably extendable loading prongs for lifting loads from either side of a vehicle. The fork lift includes a mechanism for displacing the prongs over and across the vehicle, which mechanism has front and rear transverse girders which can be rigidly secured to the vehicle's chassis. The mechanism further includes front and rear masts, sprocketed wheels mounted on the masts to move the front and rear masts reciprocally, and a longitudinal beam which is coupled to the masts. The longitudinal beam can move up and down. Front and rear uprights extend downwardly from the longitudinal beam. The prongs are retractably engaged to the bottom of the uprights and are moved with hydraulic pistons.

Abstract: A fork lift with retractably extendable loading prongs for lifting loads from either side of a vehicle. The fork lift includes a mechanism for displacing the prongs over and across the vehicle, which mechanism has front and rear transverse girders which can be rigidly secured to the vehicle's chassis. The mechanism further includes front and rear masts, sprocketed wheels mounted on the masts to move the front and rear masts reciprocally, and a longitudinal beam which is coupled to the masts. The longitudinal beam can move up and down. Front and rear uprights extend downwardly from the longitudinal beam. The prongs are retractably engaged to the bottom of the uprights and are moved with hydraulic pistons.