Truck fork attachment including adjustable mast for ground clearance

• US 9,090,441 B2
• Filed: 05/24/2006
• Issued: 07/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Richard J. Mizner
• Original Assignee: Richard J. Mizner
• Inventors: Mizner, Richard J.
• Primary Examiner(s): KEENAN, JAMES W
• Application Number:
  US11/440,865
• Publication Number:
  US 20070059135A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,352 Days
• Field of Search: 414/482, 414/484, 414/630, 224/403, 224/500, 224/504, 224/511, 224/547, 224/555, 248/274.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 1/4442 the raising device, when not in use, being stored inside the load-transporting compartment
• 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 for a truck may have at least one mounting beam for pivotally supporting a fork lift mast on a truck frame. The fork lift may extend well below a level of the truck bed to enable engagement of palletized loads resting on the ground by the forks of the fork lift. The mast and fork of the fork lift may be adjusted by removably attaching a pivot connection of the mounting beam to the mast at a selected position along the mast. Attachment elements on the mast may be formed by one or more attachment structures or points. The pivot connection may be attached directly to the mast or may be attached via an attachment bracket having a bracket attachment mechanism that may include one or more attachment elements similar to those on the mast for mutual attachment at a desired height.

Claims

1. A vehicle having a truck bed carried by a truck frame, the vehicle comprising:

a mounting beam;

a detachable attachment mechanism which couples the mounting beam to the truck frame, wherein the detachable attachment mechanism extends through the truck bed;

a mast attachment plate;

an adjustment bracket assembly having a bracket attachment plate, the adjustment attachment plate being coupled to the mast attachment plate;

a pivot connection piece coupled to the mounting bean and bracket attachment plate; and

a hydraulic ram connection piece coupled to the bracket attachment plate.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the adjustment bracket assembly includes first and second mounting holes extending therethrough, wherein the second mounting hole is above the first mounting hole.

3. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the adjustment bracket assembly includes third and fourth mounting holes extending therethrough, wherein the fourth mounting hole is above the second mounting hole, and the third mounting hole is between the first and second mounting holes.

4. The vehicle of claim 3, further including a mast which is coupled to the adjustment bracket assembly through fasteners which extend through the first and third mounting holes.

5. The vehicle of claim 4, wherein the pivot connection piece and hydraulic ram connection piece are coupled to the adjustment bracket assembly proximate to the second and fourth mounting holes.

6. The vehicle of claim 3, further including a mast Which is coupled to the adjustment bracket assembly through fasteners which extend through the second and fourth mounting holes.

7. The vehicle of claim 3, wherein the pivot connection piece and hydraulic ram connection piece are coupled to the adjustment bracket assembly proximate to the first and third mounting holes.

8. The vehicle of claim 7, further including a hydraulic ram connected between the mounting beam and hydraulic ram connection piece.

9. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the adjustment bracket assembly is adjustable to adjust the position of the mast attachment plate relative to the mounting beam.

10. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the bracket attachment plate includes a plurality of openings spaced apart from each other.

11. The vehicle of claim 1, further including a mast coupled to the mast attachment plate.

12. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the mast is coupled to the adjustment bracket assembly.

13. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein the adjustment bracket assembly holds the mast at a predetermined position relative to the mounting beam.

14. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the adjustment bracket assembly is adjustable to adjust the position of the mast relative to the mounting beam.

15. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the hydraulic ram connection piece positioned above the pivot connection piece.

16. The vehicle of claim 15, further including a hydraulic ram coupled between the mounting beam and hydraulic ram connection piece.

17. The vehicle of claim 16, wherein the mast attachment plate rotates in response to actuating the hydraulic ram.

18. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the adjustment bracket assembly is positioned proximate to a rear of the vehicle.