Fork lift attachment tools and methods

• US 20060263182A1
• Filed: 08/17/2005
• Published: 11/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Richard J. Mizner
• Original Assignee: Richard J. Mizner
• Inventors: Mizner, Richard J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,974,169 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 414/462
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 1/4421 the loading platform being carried in at least one vertical guide
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 1/5428 and having the first pivot on a horizontal axis
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 9/082 inclinable
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/96 with arrangements for alternate or simultaneous use of different digging elements E02F3/7604, E02F3/769, E02F3/78 take precedence; quick-acting devices to connect tools to arms or booms E02F3/3609, for arms to tractors or the like E02F3/627

Abstract

A fork lift, and especially a fork lift for a truck, may have structure on a forklift carriage for selectively receiving any of a variety of attachment tools. Alternatively, an assembly may be secured to the carriage and the assembly may provide the structure for selectively receiving the attachment tools. The structure may include a bolt and lever mechanism for selectively securing and releasing the attachment tools. A method may include selectively securing any of a variety of attachment tools including, but not limited to, a trencher, an auger, a backhoe, and a hydraulic breaker. These attachment tools may be connected to a hydraulic system for control of the attachment tools. The method may include the preliminary steps of locking the forklift against movement along a mast and insertion of fork tips in pocket(s) supported in the truck.

Claims

1. A method of selectively using one of a variety of attachment tools, comprising:

selecting an attachment tool based on a desired operation to be performed or a task that needs to be accomplished; and

attaching the attachment tool to a carriage of a fork lift.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method comprises a preliminary step of attaching the fork lift to a pickup truck, the method further comprising connecting a powering mechanism supported in the pickup truck to the attachment tool.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising actuating the attachment tool by a hydraulic pump.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising actuating the attachment tool by an electrical power source supported in the truck.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising actuating at least one hydraulic motor in the attachment tool.

6. The method of claim 2, further comprising actuating at least one hydraulic ram in the attachment tool.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the attachment tool is one of a plurality of attachment tools, the step of selecting further comprising selecting the attachment tool from among the plurality of attachment tools.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising locking the carriage against inadvertent movement relative to a mast of the fork lift.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of locking the carriage comprises connecting a tension element to each of the carriage and the mast.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of locking comprises raising the carriage after connecting a tension element to the carriage and to the mast.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of locking comprises securing at least one bolt coupled to at least one stop to a frame portion of the carriage to inhibit movement of the carriage by inhibiting the movement of at least one roller of the carriage, wherein the at least one stop is of a size and shape complimentary to the size and shape of the at least one roller.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising preliminary steps of:

rotating forks of the fork lift from a position of use; and

inserting tips of the forks into pockets supported in a pickup truck.

13. A system for supporting a variety of attachment tools on a fork lift carriage, comprising:

an upper attachment element on the carriage;

a lower attachment element on the carriage;

a locking lever on the carriage for lockingly engaging at least one of a variety of predetermined attachment tools.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the fork lift is mounted on a pickup truck, the system further comprising a powering mechanism supported in the pickup truck for powering the attachment tool.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the powering mechanism comprises a hydraulic pump.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the powering mechanism comprises an electric power source.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the attachment tool comprises at least one hydraulic motor.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the attachment tool comprises a hydraulic ram.

19. The system of claim 14, further comprising at least one pocket supported on the pick up truck for receiving a tip of a fork when said fork is rotated from a position of use to a stowed position during application of one of the attachment tools.

20. A fork lift carriage, comprising:

slideable or rollable mast engagement elements on a frame of the carriage, the mast engagement elements adapted for movement along a mast of a fork lift;

an upper element connected to the frame and having an upper surface;

a lower element connected to the frame and having a lower surface with an aperture extending through and opening outwardly through the lower surface;

a bolt movably disposed within the carriage, the bolt extensible outwardly through the aperture;

a lever operatively connected to the bolt, the lever positioning the bolt in a retracted bolt position within the carriage in a first lever position and positioning the bolt in a protracted position extending outwardly through the aperture in a second lever position.

21. A fork lift carriage attachment assembly for receiving a variety of attachment tools when attached to a fork lift carriage, the carriage attachment assembly comprising:

an upper element adapted for connection to a fork lift carriage upper member, the upper element having an upper surface;

a lower element adapted for connection to the fork lift carriage lower member, the lower element having a lower surface with an aperture extending through and opening outwardly through the lower surface;

a bolt movably disposed within the attachment assembly in an assembled state, the bolt extensible outwardly through the aperture;

a lever operatively connected to the bolt, the lever positioning the bolt in a retracted bolt position within the carriage in a first lever position and positioning the bolt in a protracted position extending outwardly through the aperture in a second lever position when the attachment assembly is in the assembled state.

22. The fork lift carriage attachment assembly of claim 21, further comprising an attachment tool support forming an integral component comprising the upper element and the lower element.