DRUM DUMPING LIFT TRUCK ATTACHMENT

• US 3,893,579 A
• Filed: 06/22/1972
• Issued: 07/08/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Vern K. Glewwe
• Original Assignee: Vern K. Glewwe
• Inventors: Glewwe, Vern K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sheridan, Robert G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Oresky, Lawrence J.
• Application Number:
  US05/265,355
• Time in Patent Office: 1,111 Days
• Field of Search: 214/302,313,315,314,316,750,620,651,654
• US Class Current: 414/420
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 9/18 Load gripping or retaining means
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 9/19 Additional means for facilitating unloading

Abstract

A mechanism for attachment to the fork lift of a lift truck. The mechanism fits over and grips a barrel. Then, as the barrel is lifted beyond a predetermined height by the fork lift, the barrel is automatically pivoted over to dump the contents thereof.

Claims

1. Apparatus for attachment to the lifting element of a lift truck mechanism for holding and dumping an open-top container having a top rim, comprising:

a. a bracket, b. means for detachably attaching said bracket to the lifting element of a lift truck mechanism, c. a container support frame adapted to receive and support an open-top container, d. journal means supporting said support frame on said bracket for rotational movement about a substantially horizontal axis between an upright position and dumping position, said journal means being supported below said lifting element of said lift truck mechanism, e. lever means on said container support frame for rotating said support frame relative to said bracket, f. said container support frame comprising a circumferential member and rim gripping means, g. said rim gripping means having a pair of cooperating holding elements adapted to releasably hold one side of the top rim of an open-top container received within said container support frame, h. said circumferential member comprising at least a bearing portion spaced on the opposite side of a container received in said support frame from said rim gripping means and spaced below said rim gripping means when said support frame is in said upright position, i. said circumferential member being adapted to, upon lowering, loosely position a container within said support frame in said upright position, said bearing portion being adapted to engage the opPosite side of the container from the side gripped by said gripping means and bear a portion of the weight of said container when said support frame is rotated to said dumping position.

2. The invention according to claim 1 in which said journal means is mounted on said bracket and supports said circumferential member for rotational movement, said lever means being fixed to said circumferential member, cable means for actuating said lever means to rotate said circumferential member, and biasing means connected to said circumferential member to normally restore said container support frame to said upright position in the absence of any force exerted upon said cable means.

3. The invention according to claim 2 in which said cable means comprises a cable, one end of which is connected to a point on said container support frame radially spaced from the rotational axis of said journal means, and means for attaching the other end of said cable to a stationary portion of the lift truck mechanism to which said bracket is attached, whereby continued upward movement of said bracket relative to said lift truck mechanism, past the height at which said cable is taut, causes said container support frame to rotate toward said dumping position.

4. The invention according to claim 1 in which said circumferential member is ring-shaped, and said gripping means comprises a standard fixed to and projecting upward from said ring-shaped member on the opposite side from said bearing portion, said holding elements being operatively mounted on said standard.

5. The invention according to claim 4 in which said gripping means further comprise operative means supporting said holding elements for automatically receiving and holding the top rim of one side of a container positioned within said support frame, and actuator means for relatively moving said holding elements to release said top rim.

6. The invention according to claim 5 in which one of said holding elements comprises a first, downwardly opening, hook member formed at the top of said standard for fitting over the top rim of an open-top container received within said container support frame, said other holding element comprises a second upwardly directed, hook member journaled on said standard to move below said first hook member and beneath the top rim of said container to hold said top rim, and to move away from said first hook member to release said top rim.

7. The invention according to claim 6 in which said actuator means for releasing said holding elements comprises a lever mechanism cooperatively engaging said pivotal second hook member, and means for actuating said lever mechanism to move said second hook member away from said first hook member and from beneath the top rim of a container received in said container support frame.

8. The invention according to claim 1 in which said bracket comprises clamp means for detachable attachment to the forks of a fork lift truck mechanism, stationary arms depending from said clamp means, said journal means being mounted on said depending arms below said clamp means.