PROTECTIVE GUARD FOR LIFT TRUCKS

• US 3,584,897 A
• Filed: 12/04/1969
• Issued: 06/15/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Larry A. George, Robert J. Frantz
• Original Assignee: Larry A. George, Robert J. Frantz
• Inventors: Frantz, Robert J., George, Larry A.
• Application Number:
  US04/882,132
• Time in Patent Office: 558 Days
• US Class Current: 280/756
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 9/07545 Overhead guards

Abstract

An overhead guard for protecting the driver of a lift truck from falling objects with means to enable folding of the guard downwardly when vertical clearance is limited as by a doorway or other structures. The means for folding is constructed to enable folding with little physical effort by the operator as he sits in the operator'"'"''"'"'s station and to permit the lift truck to be driven in a normal manner from the operator'"'"''"'"'s station with the guard in its lowered position.

Claims

1. An overhead protective guard for a lift truck which has lift means disposed forwardly of an operator'"'"''"'"'s station comprising a pair of spaced vertical posts hinged to the truck between the lift means and operator'"'"''"'"'s station and having beams extending rearwardly from their upper ends, a second pair of spaced posts adjacent the operator'"'"''"'"'s station each supporting one of said beams and hinges intermediate the ends of the second pair of posts and latch means at their lower ends to enable their lower portions to swing forwardly when said latch means are released and so as to enable the first pair of posts to swing rearwardly and downwardly to reduce the height of the guard and when said latch means are latched to maintain said guard rigid.

2. The guard of claim 1 having a protective network supported by and extending between the rearwardly extending beams, and positioned to pass over the operator'"'"''"'"'s head as the guard is lowered.

3. The guard of claim 1 with spring means tending to counterbalance the weight of the parts as they move about the hinge connections.