US1831140A - Industrial truck - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 10, 1931.

R. T. RoMlNE ET AL INDUSTRIAL TRUCK 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed June 8. 192'/l @www .INN

Nov. 10, 1931. R. T. RoMlNE ET AL INDUSTRIAL TRUCK Filed Jime 8. 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 10, 1931.

R. T. RoMlNE E'TAL;

INDUSTRIAL TRUCK 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 8. 1927 Nkvm . Inventor Nov. 1Q, 1931. RfT. ROMIN'E ETAL 1,831,140

INDUSTRIAL TRUCK Filed June e. 1927 5 sheets-sheet 4 R 'vvenorsg LU HZ to rn e ys.

Nov. 10, 1931. R. T. ROMINE ET AL 1,831,140

INDUSTRIAL TRUCK Filed June 8. 1927Y 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 l Ifzveofs: gm at MSWI-mv. gtglarneys.

Patent-ed Nev. 1o, 1931A UNITED :STAT

EIS PATENT OFFICE( ROBERT T. Romina, or MOUNT oLEMnNs, Ann JAY RWARREN AND ERNEST w. ys rs- TROM, 0F DETROIT, MICHlG-AN; SAID WARREN AND SAID SYSTROM ASSIGNQRS TQ SAID ROMINE p l INDUSTRIAL TRUCK Application viled June 8, 1927. vSerial Nuo. 197,455.

This invention relates tov power drivenI lift trucks and has for an object the provlsion vof a lift truck having a pair of forwardly projecting low mounted lift or load elevating platforms capable of being moved into y position to straddle a load, lift the same and transport it to destination.

Another object of the invention is to provide a truck of the foregoing construction A forms in order to steer the truck on a short' which is capable of lifting and transporting the truck'is passing. over anvuneven surface.

heavy loads, such as five or more tons, and

in which the truck is provided with relatively Small wide tread wheels beneath the spaced klift platforms capable of distributing the load,` such wheels being preferably dirigible wherebythe truck may be turned on a relaline 12-12 of Fig. 2. v

freight car or in facv A further object is -to provide a power' driven lift truck havinga pair of forwardly vprojecting relatively'narrow li-ft platforms eachsupprted by 4means of longitudinally spaced load supporting wheels of small diameter to permit relative vertical articulation beneath the liftI platforms, and in which the load yvheels are capable of beingy turned substantlally within the area ofV the lift platturning radius. p

Other objects of the invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference being had to fthe accompanyingdrawings forming a part of this specication wherein like Jreference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

In said drawings:

Fig.' 1 is a top plan v'iew of the truck -of our invention. p

Fig. 2 is a side elevation ofthe truck of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic plan view showing the manner in which the load carrying wheels and driving wheels are steered.k

Fig. 4 is aside elevation offour improved truck partly broken away showing the lifting mechanism .for the. elevating platforms. Fig. 5 is a. view similar to Fig. 4 showing the action of the sub-frame structure when Fig.l 6 is aside elevation of our improved truck supporting a load. n l

Fig. 7 is an end elevation of the construction shown in Fig. 6 looking toward the' right.

Fig. 8 isa detail perspective of one'of the Vplatform and load engaging devices.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 7 illustrati ing the adj ustability ofthe load lifting-devices or d ogs.

` Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the steering of the ltruck in the aisles of a factory.

Fig. 11'is a section along the line 11e-1:1 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken alongthe Before explaining in detail the present invention, andthe method ormode of opera-- tion embodied therein, itV is to be understood that the invention is not limited lin its .application tocthe details of construction anding practiced or carried out in various ways.

Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for fthe purpose of description and not of limitation, and yit is not intended to limit the "invention beyond the terms of the several claims hereto appended or the requirements of the prior art.- l I The truck f our inventifon=is particularly applicable to the handling and transportand turned therein'so that .the spaced lift platforms of the truck may be introduced at s. ing of relatively heavy unitary packs or f` opposite longitudinal sides inorder to straddle a pack or unit to be removed from the i car, which .removal may be accomplished by the truck without the necessity of employing auxiliary means, such for example'as a .stack lifter or portable crane of the characi ter shown and described in Patent 1,745,046, dated January 28, 1930, in the name of one ofthe inventors hereto, for placing the unit in position upon the truck or for removing such unit from the truck and depositing it upon the freight car floor, or elsewhere. In

y practice, relatively heavy bundles or packs of metal or the like may be loaded into a freight car or unloaded therefrom with -a minimum of labor and time.

rlhe present improved truck comprises in general a frame having at its rear end an upright housingifor supporting the motors,

battery and control mechanism. Beneath this housing are mounted a pair of driving wheels. The frame at its forward end is bifurcated to provide two narrow parallel spaced arms adjacent' the ground. A narrow lift platform surmounts each forked frame arm, andthe lift platforms arespaced the maximum distance-to accommodate loads of varying widths. Beneath eacharm of .the frame are preferably located a pair of longitudinally spaced load wheels of small diameter and wide tread to .distribute the load. rIfhese wheels are preferably mounted to turn substantially within the area of the frame arm on independent axes, and are preferably mounted on a sub-frame member to perand enabling it to be operated safely on factory floors. v

'Referring to the drawings wherein we have illustrated a present preferred form of `our invention, the truck comprises a relatively'low chassis or frame bifurcated at its forward end to provide spaced lengthwise extending frame members or arms 15 each of which comprises a pairof spaced structural steel members preferably in the form of angle bars llhaving'finwardly extending hrizontal flanges 16a` and depending flanges 1 b. A longitudinally extending metal plate 17 is mounted upon the flangesk 16a and secured thereto by means'of rivets or the like 18 to connect the bars together. The truck is provided atits rear end with a pair of `driving wheels 19 mounted on the chassis.

Extending upwardly from the rear end of the chassis 15is a suitable housing or frame structure designated in general at 20 forming a platform support for a 'housing or casing 21 within which are carried the batteries for the motor. A motor `22 is supported beneath the battery casing or housing 21 and is connected by mechanism hereinafter described, to the driving wheels 19 for thepurpose of driving the same.

A narrow load elevating or lift platform 23 extends forwardly vfrom a point adjacent the housing 21 above each of the franie members or arms 15. Each platform 23 comprises a pair of longitudinally extending angle bars 23a having depending flanges and inwardly extending flanges which overliethe lplate 17. 1n order to connect the angle bars 23a together and to provide a top sur- -face for each elevatingplatform, we promeans of links or brackets 24;' the ends of which are mounted upon pins 25 and 26 carried by the elevating platforms and frame members, respectively. The rear end of each load elevating. platform 23 is connected to its respective frame member by means of a link or bracket 27 connected atopposite ends with the elevating platform and frame member by means of pins 28 and 29. The plate 17 of eachframe member 15 is provided adjacent its inner end witha slot or opening 17a to permit the link or bracket 27 to project upwardlytherethrough when the ele--Y vating platform 23 is lifted, as shown in Figs. aand 5. In order to allow the pair of platforms 23 to be lifted simultaneously, a transverseangle bar or the like 30 is connected to therear end of eachrplatform.

The plat- Suitable mechanism is provided for rais-I. ing or elevating the lift platforms 23, `which is adapted to`4 bel operated by an electric motor 38 positioned within the housing 21. The mechanism comprises, preferably, a bracket 31 carried by the transverseangle 30 to which is pivotally connected by means of a pin 32 a threaded rod or ram 33. Mounted upon the ram is a worm gear 34, the hub of which comprises a nut .engaging the threads formed on the rod or ram They worm gear 34 is preferably driven by a Worm 35 which is mounted upon the shaft 36 ofthe electric motor. The motor is` electrically connected to one of the batteries within the housing 21 and is adapted to. be controlled by suitable mechanism at the rear or operators end 40 of the truck.l

It will be seen that when the rod -or ram 33 is retracted or drawn upwardly by operating the electric motor, the elevating platforms'will be raised simultaneously from the positions in which they are shown in Figs.

1V and 2 to the position of Figs. 4 and 5. A housing 37 supports the mot-or 38 and encloses the worm gear 34 and the worm 35.

i 2 and 12).

\ mounted beneath one of the fixed fra-me mem- This housing is pivoted upon a-bracket 39 to permit swinging movement upon lifting or, lowering the load elevating platforms.

The truck is propelled by means of the motor 22 which is operatively connected with the driving wheels 19. j

Beneath each of the spaced elevating platforms 23 and connected with the frame sills or arms'15, is a rocking sub-frame 41 which in the present instance is in the form o-f a casting having a reduced central portion and being open at oppositeends to permit convenient access to the interior thereof. The side walls of each sub-frame member 41 are provided with a depending portion 41a (Figs. Each sub-frame is pivotally bers or sills and is capable of vertical rocking movement or articulation with respect to plates 42 are secured at their upper portions to the inner faces of the depending flanges 165 by means of rivets or the like 43. The subframe member 41 is pivotally connected to the lower ends of the brackets 42 by means of a short rock shaft 44 held in position by means of a sleeve 45 pinned at 46 to the shaft:

Each sub-frame member preferably carries a pair of longitudinally spaced load carrying wheels 47 and 47a of relatively small diameter and provided with wide tire treads to distribute the load and permit easy steering. In the present instance each .load wheel is dirigible and is provided with a caster mounting to permitthe entire wheel structure and its steering mechanism to be mounted within the width of the narrow sills'or frame arms 15 and also to enable the load to be transmitted at all times through the vertical axis ofturning of the wheel. Each load wheel 47 and 47a is mounted in thesame manner. This 'construction comprises a 'forked carrier or bracket 48 provided with a vertically extending pin or pintle 49 projecting through a bushing 50 at the lower part of the sub-frame member '41. Interposed between each carrier 48 and the base of thel sub-frame member 41 is a ball bearing race having ball bearings 51. An annular plate or ring 52 is secured to the upwardly projecting portion of the pintle within the sub-frame casting and is provided with a ball race-or recess on its under surface to maintain a series of ball bearings 53 in place between it and the casting (Fig. 11).

Secured to the upper end of each pintle is a Worm wheel 54 which is held in position by a nut 55 which is threaded onto the upper end of the pintle.

Each sub-frame casting is provided inte-riorly thereof with a pair of longitudinally spaced brackets or fixed bear-ings 56 which connected with another shaft 61 through the medium of a slide bearing or sleeve 62. The inner end of the shaft 61 is connected to a shaft 63 through the medium of a coupling or universal joint 64. 4 The shaft 63 is carried by a fixed bearing 65 (Fig. 5)' mounted upon the frame work of the truck and car- 'ricsat'it'sinner end. abevel gear 66 "forming a part of the gear train and shafts positioned beneath the truck frame 20. The purpose of providing the universal joints 59 and 64 and the slide bearing or sleeve 62 is to maintain the several shafts 57 60, 61 and 63 interconnected in operative relation when the subfra'me structure rocks or articulates as shown in Fig. 5.

Supported by the frame work' of the truck beneath the housing 21 is the steering mechanism for simultaneously steering the pairs of load wheels 47 and 47 a and also the driving wheels 19. As will be seen in Fig. 3 the bevel gear 66 at the right hand side of the truck is in mesh with a similar gear 67 carried upon the outer end of a transverse rotary shaftf68. The left hand bevel gear 66 is in mesh with a bevel 69 carried by a relatively short horizontal rotar shaft 70. yUpon the inner opposed lends o the shafts 68 and 70 are bevel gears 71 and 72 -respectively which gears are of somewhat greater diameter than the bevel gears 66, 67 and 69. The gears 71 and 72 are in mesh with a smaller'bcvcl gear 73 carried upon the outer end of a longitudinal shaft 74. Upon the inner end of the shaft 74 there is mounted a similar bevel gear 75 which in turn is in mesh with a bevel gear 76 carried upon the lower end of a vertically extending shaft 77 (Figs. 2 and 3). Mounted upon the upper end of the shaft 77 is another bevel gear 78 which gear meshes with a bevel gear 79 carried upon a relatively short horizontal shaft 80 having at its opposite end another bevel gear 81 which is in mesh with a similar bevel gear 82 mounted upon a short vertical shaft- 83 which carries at its upper end a steering wheel 84. It will be understood that the several shafts referred to are each supported by suitable bearings or brackets (not shown) carried by the frame Work of the truck. It will be understood from the foregoing that when the operato-r turns the steering wheel 84, the several wheels 47 and 47 a may be turned or steered through the 4 medium of the shafts and train of gearing referred to.

In order to steer the driving wheels 19 simultaneously with the load wheels, we provide steering mechanism which Iis likewise controlled by the steering wheel ,84.* This mechanism is best shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive and comprises', preferably, a gear Wheel mounted upon the shaft 77 above the bevel gear 76 (Fig. 2) which gear is-in mesh with a larg-er gear 86 mounted upon a shaft 87 extending vertically and in parallelism to the shaft 77. Secured to the under `ide of the gea-r 86 is an annular disk or plate 88 to which is connected through the medium of a pin an arm 89`pivotally connected at its outer end with an offset arm 91 of a steering arm 90 which is connected with the driving wheel 91 through the medium of a steering knuckle 19a. A steering arm 92 is connected with the steering knuckle 19a of the steering wheel 19 at theopposite side of the truck and the two steering arms90 and 92 are interconnected by means of a transverse rod or link 93". It will be seen therefore that when the steering wheel 84 is rotated in one direction, the driving wheels 19 will be turned as shown in Fig. 3 while at the same time such rotation of the steering wheel 84 will'cause the several load wheels 47 and 47a to be turned thereby effecting a turning movement ofall the wheels about a common center or locus point 94, Figs. 3 and 10. The

turning center 94 at'all times lies substan' tially on an imaginary line 95 extending at right angles to the central longitudinal axis 96 `of the truck, and this locus line 95 extends intermediate the normal axes 'of the driving wheels 19 and the load wheels 47, 47a, .and as a result of this construction an extremely short turning radius may be obtained, as shown in Fig. 1'0.

It will be particularly noted that bymount! ing the load carrying wheels 47 and 47a upon to he lifted and transported by the truck vis resting upon an uneven surface, or tocompensate for variations' in the height of load enggging devices at opposite sides of the loa( In Figs. '6 to 9 inclusive is illustrated .a method of handling packs or bundles o-f maf terial, such as bound packs of sheet metal, for the purpose of loading or unloading `freight cars. The pack is handled by moving the Vspaced lift platforms into position to straddle opposite sides of the pack, and through the medium of adjustable brackets or lifting dogs` detachably connected to the pack, the latter may be lifted and transported. In the present embodiment the lifting vdevices or dogs are particularly adapted for use in connection with the lifting and sup porting of bound packs of metal such for example as the pack S shown in Figs.` 6, 7 and. 9.- The constituent sheets of the pack S are bound together into a unit by means of binders B, the pack4 being provided on. its under side with a palletiP. The. pack;

binders and pallet are substantiallylike those shown and described ina co-pending application Serial No. 137,867 filed September 27, 1926, in the name of one ofthe -inventors hereto. As fully disclosed in said co-pending application, the binders Beach comprises f spaced metal bars B1 which kare secured together in spaced relation by lmeans of sleeves B2 and bolts and nuts B3.

Each bracket or lifting dog comprisesff preferably, a channel bar 100 having a base.4 or web portion 100e and verticalupstanding flanges 1005. rIhe inner ends of the flanges 1006 are provided with aligned apertures which are adapted to receive any one of the likewise provided at vtheir free ends with,105

apertures adapted to receive another of the connecting boltsy B3 of the binder.

In practice, after the truck has been propelled into position so that the lift platforms 23 thereof' will straddle a bound pack to be lifted and transported by the truck, the channel members of the brackets are connected with the vertical bars B1 of the binders so that the undersurface of the channel will rest upon the top surface of the lift platform 23, or at least be in close proximity thereto and'overlie the same. have been thus connected with the binders, the free apertured end sof the members 102 i are swung into position to straddle the members B1, whereupon one of thebolts B8 is inserted through the aligned apertures anda nut applied thereto tomaintain the members in xed relation. It'will be seen, Figs.

7 to 9 inclusive, that when the lifting brack` ets are connected with the binders, the channels. 100 are positioned at right vangles to the vertical sides ofthe binders. Where the After the channels holes BB provided in the binder members Blvare in such positions that 4the brackets and opposite ends of the binder can be po-V y'sitioned in the same transverse plane as shown in Fig. 7, the. adjustment screws 101 are not employed, although these screws are i preferably maintained in position inthe web portion 100a at all times. Where, however, the apertures BB in the vertical members B1 of the binders at opposite sides of thev l pack are'not in the same relative positions range the brackets in position upoii the binders at opposite sides of the pack in different lhorizontal planes in order that the pack may be lifted by the truck without the necessity of moving the pack to a strictly verticalposition between the lift platforms 23.

After the brackets have been adjusted as shown in either of Figs.l 7 or 9, the lifting mechanism is operated to elevate the platforms `23, whereupon the bound pack and its pallet are lifted from the ground as shown in Figs. 6, 7 .and 9, and is then in readiness to be transported bythe truck. I f

. By employing a forky truck such as that embodied in this application, it is possible to load bound packs of'metal or the like in freight cars by simply causing the lift platforms of the truck to straddle the pack, :at-

taching the brackets or lifting dogs to the binders of the pack and-.thereafter lifting the p-latforms 23v to remove the'pack from the ground.4 When thus supported by the y truck, the truck may be" propelled into the freight car and steered into the proper position for' unloadin the pack. The bound pack is then deposited upon the floor ofthe freight car, the brackets removed `from the binders, and the truck propelled out from l the car. It will be understood also thatsubstantially the reverse operation will be employed to remove loads such as bound packs or bundles of metal from a freight car.

Referring to the above mentioned co-pending application it will be notedthat the packs of metal are arranged for transit on the freight car floor with aisle spaces at opposite 'sides of each pack. The present truck is A so constructed that the narrow lift platforms thereof may be introduced in such aisle spaces to straddle the pack. These lift 'platforms are of suiiicient handle packs pf maximum and minimum lengths, while at the same time they are supi ported by load wheelscapable of widely distributing the load on the car iioor. The load wheels lie within the width of the lift platlength to.`

forms, so that ythe wheels will be accommodated within the aisle spaces. Furthermore the steering construction is such that the truck may be propelled through the car door- ,way and turnedl within the car suiiciently to permit the forked lift platforms to be introduced ,at opposite -sides of a pack. on the car floor. What we claim is; f l 1. -In an industrial power driven truck, a. frame comprising a main end portion anda pair of laterally spaced load supporting por-v tions extending from one end of said mainY portion adjacent the ground, whereby they can be positioned at opposite sides of a load to be transported by the truck,- power driven ground wheels supporting the main end portion of the frame, and dirigible load support ing Wheels mounted beneath each of said laterally spaced frame members within *the width thereof.

2. In an industrial power driven truck," av frame comprising amain endportion anda'y pair of laterally spacedload supporting p0rf tions extending ,from one end of said main portion adjacent the ground,"whereby they` can be positioned at opposite sides' of a load to be transported by the truck, power driven ground wheels supporting the main end portion of the frame, a dirigible load supporting wheel mounted beneath each of the laterally spaced frameportions and wholly between the vertical planes of the side faces of said frame portions, and steering mechanism for :said load supporting wheels carried by the laterally spaced frame members between lthe opposite side edgesthereof. y

3. In an industrial power driven truck, a

frame comprising a main end portion anda pair of-laterally spaced load supporting portions extending from one end of said main portion adjacent the ground, whereby they can loe positioned at opposite sides of a load to be transported by the truck, power driven ground wheels supporting the main end por-110 tion of thel frame, a load supporting wheel vbeneath each of said laterally spaced frame portions and wholly betweenthe vertical planes of the side faces of said frame lportions, a worm connected with the support of about 'a vertical axis, andmeans controlled from the main-end portion of the frame for simultaneously actuating all of said worms.-

' 4. Inan industrial power driven truck, a'. frame comprising a main .endportion and a pair of laterally spacedload supporting portions extendingffrom one end of said main .portion ad]acent the ground, whereby they can be "positioned at opposite sides `of a load toY be transported by the truck, powerA driven ground wheels supporting the main end portion of the frame, anda'pair of load supporting wheels beneath each ofl said laterally spaced frame portions, the members of each each of the last said wheels and rotatable v `to ybe transported by the truck, power driven ground wheels supportingthe main end portion of the frame, and a pair of load supporting wheels beneath each of said laterally spaced frame portions, the members of each` pair of said wheels being arranged in tandem relation andVv between the vertical lanes of the sides of the frame portions, eac pair of wheels bein adapted to rock about a horizontal axis` an the members of each pair being independently rotatable about vertical axes.

6. In an industrial power driven truck, a frame comprising a main end portion and a pair of laterally spaced load supporting portions extending from one end of said main portion adjacent the ground, whereby they can be positioned at opposite sides of a load to be transported by the truck, power driven ground wheels supporting the main end portion of the frame, and a .pair of load supporting wheels beneath each of said laterally spaced frameportions, the members of each pair of said wheels being arranged in tandem relation and between the vertical planes of the sides of the frame portions, each pair of wheels being adapted to rock about a hori- Zontal axis located between the wheels of said pair and the members of each pair being independently rotatable about vertical axes.

7. In an industrial power driven truck, a frame comprising a main end portion and a pair of laterally spaced load supporting portions extending from one'end of said main portion adjacent the ground, whereby they canbe positioned at opposite sides of a load to be transported by the truck, power driven ground wheels supporting the main end portion of the frame, a support depending from each of' the laterally spaced frame portions, a sub-frame pivotally connected to each depending support to rock about a horizontal axis, and load supporting wheels carried by each sub-frame at opposite sides of said axis and each independently movable about a vertical axis.D

8. In an industrial power driven truck, a frame comprising a main end portion and a pair of laterally spaced load supporting portions extending from one end of said main portion adjacent the ground, whereby they can be positioned at opposite sides of aA load tobe transported by the truck, a bracket-like support depending from each of the laterally Lasn14o spaced frame portions, a sub-frame connected to each said bracket to, rock about a horizontal axis beneath the frame portion, and two load supporting wheels mounted in each subframe at opposite sides of said axis and each independently movable about a vertical axis.

9. In an industrial power driven truck, a frame comprising al main end portion and a pair of laterally. spaced load supporting portions extending rom one end of said main portion adjacent the ground, whereby they can be positioned at opposite sides of a load to be transported by the truck, power driven ground wheels supporting the main end portionof the frame and movable about vertical axes, dirigible load supporting wheels mounted beneath and within the width of each of the laterally spaced frame members, and means controlled from the main end portion of the frame for turning all of said pair of laterally spaced load supporting porn tions extending from one end of said main portion adjacent the ground, whereby they can be positioned at opposite sides of a load to be transported by the truck, each of said laterally spaced portions having a downwardly facing channel, a bracket supported in each downwardly facing channel in each of the laterally spaced frame members, and depending from said frame, a sub-frame connected to each said bracket to rock about a horizontal axis, and a pair ofload supporting wheels arranged yin tandem relation in each sub-frame, at opposite sides of said horizontal axis, each said wheel being independently movable about a vertical axis. l

In testimony whereof we aiiix our signatures.

ROBERT T. ROMINE. JAY F. WARREN. ERNEST W. SYSTROM.

Images