Abstract: An automatic guided vehicle for handling reels includes a telescopic upright integral with a vehicle frame bearing a fork carriage provided with at least one pair of forks and connected to the telescopic upright with an equipment. The equipment includes a plurality of actuators and a plurality of sensors, the equipment including a pair of actuators for tilting the fork carriage, an actuator to control the global lateral translation of the fork carriage, at least one pair of actuators for the symmetrical movement of the forks towards and away from each other. Each fork has a substantially rectangular section with a height greater than the base. Opposite facing walls of the forks are flat and can be approached in direct contact with each other, the two coupled forks having bevels along all the four edges facing outwards. Each fork can have a “V” shaped seat on the upper face.

Abstract: A container-carrying device includes: a first slide base unit; a first slide unit; a holding unit; a second slide base unit; a second slide unit; and a receiving unit. The robot is operated to position the holding unit at the upper end of one side unit of the container so that the holding unit holds the upper end, the first slide unit is made to slide upward along the first slide base unit to raise the container. The second slide unit is made to slide along the second slide base unit to insert the receiving unit below the bottom of the container, thereby taking out the container.

Abstract: A component transfer apparatus and method includes a mounting member on which a lower frame of a rack can be mounted and which is driven to move up and down in order to take out or retrieve components from the rack in which the components can be aligned and accommodated in a vertical direction; an upper push member that is arranged to face the mounting member from above and driven to move up and down in order to push the upper frame of the rack from above; and a carrying hand that can reciprocate between a retracted position where it faces the upper push member from below and a protruding position where it protrudes from the upper push member in a horizontal direction and that is driven to move up and down so as to enter a space below the upper frame to carry and suspend the rack at the protruding position and so as to move down the rack onto the mounting member at the retracted position.

Abstract: This invention relates to a gas tank-handling device, a method of handling a gas tank and a forklift truck having such a gas tank-handling device. Heretofore, forklift trucks have been deemed unsuitable for handling gas tanks due to high risk of damage to the gas tank or the forklift truck. Accordingly, placement of gas tanks typically requires the use of a truck loader crane to position the gas tank. This limits where the tank could be positioned on site. The present invention provides a device that enables a forklift to be used to move the gas tank. The device comprises a pair of tines mounted on and moveable laterally relative to a mounting frame and stubs mounted on the side face of the tines for engagement of the legs of the gas tank. The device will allow the gas tank to be held securely in place on the forks.

Abstract: A device for the loading/unloading of goods includes a storage room, having an aperture located on a plane parallel to the back wall, and a system for the loading/unloading of the goods having a picking fork, which in turn includes a support slider configured to carry two or more fork prongs and to translate along the bottom floor of the storage room from the back wall in the direction of the aperture and vice versa, such that the two or more fork prongs move from a retracted configuration to an extracted configuration. The two fork prongs may be repositioned vertically and be mounted on guides present on the support slider, such that each of the two fork prongs translates independently from the other in a direction parallel to the plane of the bottom floor.

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: A bundle gripper for a palletizing machine for picking up respectively at least one bundle and depositing the bundle on a pallet. The bundle gripper including a frame, an adjustable end stop, and at least one gripper finger such that the gripper finger has a front end and is adjustable on the frame. The gripper finger being movable between a first position and a second position. The bundle gripper also including a hold-down clamp coupled to the frame and positioned against the end stop for clamping the bundle against the gripper finger such that a distance between the end stop and the front end of the gripper finger in the second position is changeable to adapt to different lengths of the bundles. The end stop and the gripper finger are each movable to change the distance and the hold-down clamp is correspondingly adjustable to accommodate different lengths of the bundles.

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: 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: 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: A load-handling means, in particular for industrial trucks, comprises a frame (12) and a load movement component part (14), which is accommodated on said frame in such a way that it is capable of a relative movement, the load movement component part (14) being guided on the frame (12) by means of a plurality of rolling bodies (30, 34, 36, 46) for the relative movement along a guide axis (F), the plurality of rolling bodies (30, 34, 36, 46) comprising at least one arrangement of circulating rolling bodies (46), with a supporting section (T), in which rolling bodies (46) in the event of a relative movement of the frame (12) and the load movement component part (14) roll along a guide track (50, 52), which is fixedly connected to one component part of the frame (12) and the load movement component part (14), and a rolling track (56), which is fixedly connected to the respective other component part of the frame (12) and the load movement component part (14), and with a return section (R), in which the rolling bo

Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly formed by the hoisting cradle (4) and the fork cradle (2) of a forklift truck (1), in which the fork cradle (2) consists of two vertical beams (11, 12) and two horizontal beams (9, 10), the beams (9, 10, 11, 12) forming a substantially rectangular construction, to which hoisting means (3) are attached, the hoisting cradle (4) consisting of two substantially vertical beams (7, 8), one substantially transverse beam (5) and at least one substantially transverse hydraulic cylinder (6), the lower surface (14) of the upper horizontal beam (9) of the fork cradle (2) matching the curved outer surface (13) of the hydraulic cylinder (6), with bearings provided between the surfaces (13, 14). The invention also relates to a corresponding method for transverse shifting of a, fork cradle.

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 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: This invention relates to a displacement device mountable on a fork lift rack for allowing displacement of a lift member in a substantially vertical direction. The displacement device has a body with at least one elongated opening having its longitudinal direction in the vertical direction, a pin moveably received in the opening, and at least one coupler for connecting to the fork lift rack. A coupler of the fork lift member can be connected to the pin. Accordingly, the lift members can be inserted under an object that is placed on an inclined surface without having to tip the entire fork lift rack.

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 displacement device mountable on a fork lift rack for allowing displacement of a lift member in a substantially vertical direction is disclosed. The displacement device has a body with at least one elongated opening having its longitudinal direction in the vertical direction, a pin moveably received in the opening, and at least one coupler for connecting to the fork lift rack. A coupler of the fork lift member can be connected to the pin. Accordingly, the lift members can be inserted under an object that is placed on an inclined surface without having to tip the entire fork lift rack.

Abstract: A lift truck vehicle (F) with a lift device (4) which comprises a positioning device (6) which is inclined with respect to the vertical. The positioning device (6) serves the setting up of the carrier fork (5) (or related device) independently of the lift device (4). The positioning device (6) is arranged over the front axle (9a) of the vehicle (F). The lift mast (3) is mounted laterally displaced behind the front axle (9a). The invention thus achieves optimal viewing conditions, particularly on loading the carrier fork (5) at half the height, and simultaneously an improved position of the center of gravity of the vehicle (F).

Abstract: An adjustable fork tractor system is disclosed. The system includes a pair of adjustable forks having remote ends and having near ends with vertical support bars having lower ends attached to the forks adjacent to the near ends and having upper ends with angled support brackets coupling the support bars with the forks adjacent to their near ends. A supporting structure is provided and includes two vertically disposed beams with a horizontal connecting rod coupling the beams adjacent to their lower ends. A channel iron couples the upper ends of the beams. The channel iron has an upper edge with downwardly extending notches along the length thereof. There is provided a pair of rigid sleeves with central apertures slidably received on the rod and fixedly secured at the juncture of the forks and vertical support bars to allow the lateral sliding of the adjustable forks with respect to the rod and supporting structure.

Abstract: A lift truck, especially for lifting boats, includes a self-propelled main frame having a pair of parallel rails extending in a fore-and-aft direction. The main frame is supported by front drive wheels and rear castor wheels. A mast is movable forwardly and rearwardly on the rails and carries a lift assembly that can pivot about a transverse axis. The lift assembly includes a pair of lift arms each having vertical and horizontal portions. The vertical portions are mounted to swing about respective fore-and-aft axes, and are horizontally movable toward and away from one another for increasing or decreasing the distance between those axes. The main frame does not carry a counterbalance weight, but rather has a latch which grips a ground-mounted anchor for anchoring the rear end of the main frame during vertical movement of the lift assembly.

Abstract: A sidelift truck, comprising: a main body (3) providing a load platform (5); a lifting assembly (7) for handling loads to and from the load platform (5); and a cab (9) mounted to the main body (3) and rotatable about a substantially vertical axis (X).

Abstract: A removable side shifter attachment attachable to the carriage bar of a lift truck has a frame shiftable with respect to the truck. The frame includes a shifter carriage bar for receiving a lift fork. A hydraulic cylinder attached to the truck carriage bar having rods contacting the frame at its sides is positioned horizontally forwardly of the truck carriage bar and between the truck carriage bar and the shifter carriage bar. The cylinder is positioned generally within a J-shaped portion of the shifter carriage bar so that the cylinder does not extend substantially above or below the carriage bar and does not appreciable add to the overall thickness of the apparatus. The cylinder further includes two axially aligned chambers separated by a central partition, each chamber containing a piston in contact with a respective rod, each piston dividing its respective chamber into interior and exterior portions.

Abstract: A removable side shifter attachment attachable to the carriage bar of a lift truck has a frame shiftable with respect to the truck. The frame includes a shifter carriage bar for receiving a lift fork. A hydraulic cylinder attached to the truck carriage bar having rods contacting the frame at its sides is positioned horizontally forwardly of the truck carriage bar and between the truck carriage bar and the shifter carriage bar. The cylinder is positioned generally within a J-shaped portion of the shifter carriage bar so that the cylinder does not extend substantially above or below the carriage bar and does not appreciable add to the overall thickness of the apparatus. The cylinder further includes two axially aligned chambers separated by a central partition, each chamber containing a piston in contact with a respective rod, each piston dividing its respective chamber into interior and exterior portions.

Abstract: A hydraulic lift attachment is connected to the lift arms of a loading vehicle, and includes a base plate with a pair of brackets thereon for pivotal attachment to the lift arms of the loading vehicle. A first jaw member is rigidly connected to the base plate adjacent one end thereof and projects forwardly beyond the forward edge of the base plate. A second jaw member is operably connected to the base plate for selective pivotal movement about a pivot axis, and also projects forwardly beyond the forward edge of the base plate. The second jaw member is also operably connected for selective slidable movement of the pivot axis towards and away from the first jaw member. A first hydraulic cylinder is connected between an intermediate point on the second jaw and a fixed point on the base plate, so as to pivot the second jaw about a pivot axis.

Abstract: A carriage assembly, 20h for a lift truck upright assembly, 12, has pivotally mounted forks, 30, controlled by hydraulic cylinders, 36, that are operated by side shifter circuit, 110, having a single operator control, 124, for manipulating the forks in unison, opening or closing the forks, or shifting them right or left in a coordinated fashion.

Abstract: A lift truck includes an upright assembly having first, second and third telescoping mast sections. Each mast section is formed from pairs of laterally spaced and interconnected I-beam rails. A carriage assembly is mounted for movement along a path on the third mast section. Rollers are provided for mounting the mast sections and carriage assembly together for relative movement. A drive assembly connected to the upright assembly and carriage assembly serves to move the carriage assembly at a first, relatively slow speed over a first portion of the movement path and at a second relatively fast speed over a second portion of the movement path. More particularly, the drive assembly includes twinned actuating cylinders for operatively connecting the first and second mast sections. A first dead chain operatively connects the first and third mast sections. A second dead chain operatively connects the second mast section and the carriage assembly.

Abstract: A lifting frame assembly having first and second spaced hooking members adjustably carried on a second portion of the lifting frame assembly is connectable to work tools of different sizes. The lifting frame assembly is connected to a lifting device by a lever arm which causes the lifting frame assembly to hang at an acute angle relative to a vertical plane so that the work tool may be aligned relative to a tool holder of a machine tool without interference. A first end portion of the lifting frame assembly is extensible in order to traverse the length of a ram of the machine tool and further improve alignment capabilities with the tool holder.

Abstract: A carriage assembly has a frame and a carrier movably connected to the frame. First and a second forks are slidably mounted on the frame and movable in transverse directions along the frame. First and a second jacks are connected to and between the first and second forks, respectively, and the carrier. A third jack is connected to and between the carrier and the frame. The carrier and jacks are disposed between a surface of the carriage frame and a rear surface of the forks. The first and second jacks are selectively actuatable to independently move the forks and adjust the spacing between the forks, and the third jack is selectively actuatable to move the carrier and side shift the forks in unison. The carriage assembly is particularly suited for use on a lift mast.

Abstract: A lifting assembly for lifting containers onto rail cars includes a substantially rectangular horizontal frame slidably mounted on vertical hoist assemblies each supported on a tracked undercarriage. The lateral separation between the hoists and the lateral dimensions of the frame are hydraulically adjustable to adjust the alignment of two cantilevered lifting beams which extend from the frame over the undercarriage. An operator housing that rides with the frame provides view exposure to the lifting alignment of the cantilevered beams.

Abstract: A side shiftable carriage assembly has a carriage frame and a side shift frame. A bracket arrangement connects the side shift frame to the carriage frame for slidable movement in directions transverse uprights of a lift mast. The bracket arrangement has spaced apart first and second support and stop portions which position and axially align first and second jacks at a location closely adjacent first elongated guide and support rail members of the carriage and side shift frames. A fastening device removably connects the first and second jacks to the first and second stop portions, respectively. A restraining member maintains the first and second jacks on the first and second support portions. Rods of the first and second jacks abuttingly engageable with a force reaction device connected to the carriage frame moves the side shift frame transversely along the carriage frame. The side shiftable carriage assembly is particularly suited for use on a lift mast of a material handling vehicle.

Abstract: A lift truck fork positioner for respective inner and outer pairs of load-handling forks includes power actuators for selectively extending and retracting the outer pair of forks and latch assemblies for selectively detachably connecting an inner fork fixedly to a respective adjacent outer fork in spaced relation thereto automatically in response to the extension of the outer forks beyond a predetermined inner range of extension. Each latch assembly, when connecting the inner fork to the outer fork, fixedly prevents any narrowing of the spacing between the interconnected inner and outer forks, as well as fixedly preventing any widening of such spacing.

Abstract: A fork unit mountable on the fixed front plate member of a lift truck comprises a movable frame to which the forks of the fork unit are restrained by respective shanks lying in the same plane that contains the frame. Between the upper and lower edges of the plate and the frame, provision is made for reciprocal coupling and a guide, and a hydraulic cylinder for translating the frame with respect to the plate acts between the plates and frame. The concept of side-shift device with fork-bearing is thus eliminated and this brings the advantage of a minimal overhang of the load moved by the lift truck.

Abstract: A mobile lifting apparatus, such as a fork truck or a fork lift, comprises a fork carriage vertically displaceable along guides in a mast, the fork carriage comprising two parallel, horizontal transverse girders. The two transverse girders guide and support two L-shaped forks, each transverse girder having a roller bracket with rollers at the top and bottom end of its body, the roller brackets rolling on the top and bottom transverse girder. The forks are displaceable on the transverse girders by corresponding hydraulic cylinders connected between the fork in question and the fork carriage. At least one of the transverse girders is a substantially U-shaped section bar, and at least one cylinder, preferably both cylinder, is arranged in substantially the recess of the section bar. As a result the hydraulic cylinders do not impede the view of the driver onto the operating area of the forks.

Abstract: An excavator has a frame attached to its rear side for mounting of an implement. The frame includes lateral limit vertical beams which are connected by upper and lower horizontal rails. The rails are separated vertically. A slide member has guide grooves which engage the top surface of the upper rail and bottom surface of the lower rail to slidably mount the slide member on the frame. A toothed rack is attached to the underside of the upper rail and is disposed behind the front surface of the rail. A drive motor attached to the slide has a pinion meshing with the toothed rack. Actuation of the motor causes the slide member to slide on the rails.

Abstract: A fork positioner is mounted on a side-shifting carriage of a forklift truck and has transversely-movable, powered yoke assemblies for detachably engaging the upstanding portions of the forks and selectively moving them transversely toward and away from each other while they are supported by the upwardly-facing surface of the fork-supporting member of the side-shifting carriage. The fork positioner has a frame connected to the outwardly-facing, opposed transverse ends of the carriage fork-supporting member in rearwardly-overlapping relation thereto, so that neither the frame nor the fork-engagement structure of the fork positioner protrudes forwardly beyond the forward extremities of the upstanding portions of the forks, thereby minimizing the forward protrusion of the fork positioner beyond the front axle of a counterbalanced lift truck and thus maximizing its load-carrying capacity.

Abstract: A motorized operator unit which is readily attachable to a conventional manually adjustable fork mechanism for adjustment of the forks by operation of a motor. The operator unit comprises support structure which supports a pair of elongate threaded rods. Each threaded rod has a pair of nuts threadedly attached thereto. A motor is operatively connected to the threaded rods for rotation thereof. Retainer members are attached to the nuts and prevent rotation thereof. The retainer members move with movement of the nuts along the threaded rods. The operator unit is adapted to be quickly attached to a carriage of a conventional manually adjustable fork mechanism, with the retainer members in engagement with the forks of the mechanism for movement of the forks.

Abstract: A push-pull slipsheet handler for a forklift truck is capable of utilizing the truck's standard forks for load-supporting purposes, while enabling mounting and demounting of the push-pull assembly and forks in unison with respect to the lift truck carriage. The upstanding portions of the standard forks are suspended from a transverse mounting member affixed to the frame of the push-pull assembly at an elevated position. The mounting member has a pair of fork-supporting surfaces positioned in transversely offset relation to vertically pivotable push-pull links, thereby minimizing forward protrusion of the push-pull assembly in its fully-retracted position despite the mounting of the standard forks on the push-pull frame. The construction also permits side shifting of the push-pull assembly and standard forks as a unit relative to the lift truck carriage.

Abstract: A mechanism for use on a boom-type vehicle includes load lifting forks carried by a low profile twist-resistant carriage which is one link in a low profile parallelogram linkage attached to a fly section of the boom and maintained level in all positions of the boom by a slave cylinder connected between the boom and a slave link which constitutes a member of the parallelogram linkage. The mechanism can be adjusted to many positions while automatically maintaining the relative position of the forks with respect to the vehicle frame for any boom angle. The mechanism can be adjusted to provide a long reach over or under obstructions in order to remove or place a load. It may also engage loads below ground level. Load pick-up or placement can be performed in confined areas which are unreachable by conventional forklift trucks.

Abstract: A motorized operator unit which is readily attachable to a conventional manually adjustable fork mechanism for adjustment of the forks by operation of a motor. The operator unit comprises support structure which supports a pair of elongate threaded rods. Each threaded rod has a pair of nuts threadedly attached thereto. A motor is operatively connected to the threaded rods for rotation thereof. Retainer members are attached to the nuts and prevent rotation thereof. The retainer members move with movement of the nuts along the threaded rods. The operator unit is adapted to be quickly attached to a carriage of a conventional manually adjustable fork mechanism, with the retainer members in engagement with the forks of the mechanism for movement of the forks.

Abstract: An attachment apparatus is arranged to be suspended from an overhead travelling crane or other similar means and is employed for a cargo handling operation, for example, unloading an article placed on a shelf or rack. The attachment apparatus includes a frame section adapted to be suspended from a hook attached to a crane, a fork section movably mounted on the frame section and adapted to scoope up an article, and a driving section for driving the fork section. The frame section has a ceiling member equipped with a suspension member, the mounting position of the suspension member being adjustable. The fork section has a pair of fork members, the distance therebetween being adjustable.

Abstract: A fork extension attachment for a boom-type forklift for use in loading and unloading a fragile cargo from commercial containers includes an extension portion pivotally connected to the outer end of the boom to allow pivotal movement of the extension in a vertical plane and a fork assembly having its inner end pivotally connected to the outer end of the extension portion to allow pivotal movement of the fork assembly in a vertical plane. The fork assembly includes at least two tines that are mounted for powered horizontal lateral movement relative to each other and relative to the longitudinal axis of the assembly. An electrical pendulum switch is provided for maintaining the fork assembly in a substantially horizontal position when desired.

Abstract: A side shifting attachment for a fork lift truck having an upper shift bar and a lower shift bar for allowing transversal shifting movement of the attachment having load handling fork tines. The upper shift bar is engaged with an upper finger bar held by the truck body, via a transversally extending liner. Slide pads are also disposed between the upper shift bar and the upper finger bar for establishing a small gap therebetween as well as for preventing movement of the upper shift bar relative to the upper finger bar.

Abstract: An attachment for a fork-lift truck has a vertical support plate, secured to an adjacent lifting plate of the truck and laterally shiftable therealong by a fluidic jack, which is provided with two pairs of vertically spaced, horizontal guide rails slidably engaged by complementarily profiled pairs of mounting rails which are rigid with two outer prongs shiftable relatively to the support plate by two further jacks. Two inner prongs frictionally engage the mounting rails of the respectively adjoining outer prongs for lateral entrainment thereby between limits defined by adjustable stops on the support plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a load lifting unit for a lift truck, and more particularly, a load lifting unit for a counterbalance type lift truck. In the invention, to increase the loading capacity and longitudinal stability of the lift truck as well as to improve the forward view from the lift truck, two lift cylinders (7) are separately disposed on the sides of a pair of upright assemblies (1) of the load lifting unit, respectively, to provide a space (17) between the upright assemblies (1) for allowing a lift member (4) to be lifted and lowered within the space and for allowing actuating means (32) (55) (82) (90) (120) and (127) of attachments (26) (57) (76) (92) (H) and (A) for various operations, which attachments are engaged with the lift member (4) to be accommodated within the space. The load lifting unit is used for the operation of transferring cargo.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of making a fork for a fork lift vehicle, which fork is formed with an integral head, created by forging the same, into a hooked shape form, the rest of the fork being of generally conventional configuration, the fork further including a mechanism to effect latching of the same in position for use made possible by the method and ultimate form of the fork head and to make positive the positioning and release of the fork for movement into various transverse positions with respect to the vehicle.

Abstract: A load lifting carriage (12) has horizontal rails (24, 26), vertical side members (28, 30), forks (16, 18) slidably supported on the rails (24, 26), cylinders (32, 34) having outer jackets (36, 40) connected to the vertical members (16, 18) and cylinder rods (38, 42), and couplers (44, 46) which couple the rods (38, 42) to the forks (16, 18) to permit the forks (16, 18) to be simultaneously positioned at one side or the other side of the centerline of the carriage (12) or at their full out position. The carriage overcomes problems, such as on a fork lift truck, relating to laterally shifting the forks to certain positions on the carriage, the use of heavy sub-carriages which support and laterally shift the forks, and damage to the cylinders, which are rigidly connected to the forks, due to excessive impact.

Abstract: A hydraulic cylinder mount assembly (50) for a cylinder (42) having first and second ends (52,64) includes a spherical load bearing surface (96) located at one of said first and second ends (52,64), which has a diameter (98) which is less than the diameter of the cylinder housing (100). Accordingly, the mount assembly (50) is smaller and more compact than prior art mounts and the cylindrical load bearing surface (96) allows the hydraulic cylinder (42) to pivot with three degrees of freedom so as to avoid any bending moments or other stresses. The mount can be used to mount hydraulic cylinders for a carriage (14) of a lift truck (10) so as to afford an overall compact design.

Abstract: A truck of the kind provided with tines by which goods can be lifted and conveyed is provided, in which the tines are arranged to co-act with apparatus for regulating the horizontal distance therebetween. The apparatus comprises a screw-threaded spindle with which sleeves mounted on the tines co-act. Rotation of the spindle causes the tines to move towards or away from each other. The spindle is provided at its center or in the neighborhood thereof with right-hand and left-hand screw threads. The sleeve of one tine has a corresponding right-hand screw thread and the sleeve of the other tine has a corresponding left-hand screw thread. The spindle is arranged to co-operate with a shaft. Between the shaft and the spindle apparatus is arranged which causes the spindle to rotate in a direction corresponding to the direction of rotation of the shaft, and which permits lateral displacement (axial displacement) of the spindle relative to the shaft.

Abstract: A parallel arm clamp assembly having longitudinally-movable elongate slide members mountable transversely on the front of a lift truck and attaching members for connecting relatively narrow opposing clamp arms to the ends of the slide members so as to extend perpendicular thereto. Each slide member has an elongate rear portion longitudinally mounted within a slide guide and a longitudinally-extending elongate front portion external of the respective guide protruding forwardly therefrom, the elongate front portions of the respective slide members intersecting a common plane extending vertically and longitudinally with respect to the slide members. The clamp arm attaching members each have a pair of legs formed monolithically and homogeneously into a single member with the legs oriented at substantially a 90.degree. angle with respect to each other.