EP2598428B1 - Device for receiving loads - Google Patents

Description

Background of the invention

The invention relates to a device for receiving loads that is attached or attachable to another device.

Devices for receiving loads can be integrated, for example, in a forklift or designed as an attachment, which are attached to a device such as a forklift or fastened. They usually have two mutually movable load-bearing elements, which may for example have the shape of two mutually movable forks. The mobility of the forks allows users to adapt the forks to the width of an item to be picked up or to recesses therein, in which the forks can engage. This is achieved in known solutions, for example by rail systems and hydraulic drives, whereby the forks are movable to the right and left and at the same time move towards or away from each other, so that there are two maximum positions for the load-bearing elements. At a maximum position, both forks are centered, while at the other maximum position, each of the two forks is in an outboard position and the two forks are at a maximum distance from one another. Examples of known solutions are in the US 3,424,328 and in the GB 750,793 described.

The known solutions described above are particularly suitable for the transport of loads that are on conventional pallets, such as Euro pallets, with known load handling devices are designed for the dimensions of these pallets. In certain applications, however, the transport of loads using the known solutions is not or only to a very limited extent possible, especially if the load to be transported, for example, not on a Euro-pallet, but only on a comparatively narrow or small-scale surface is located and is much narrower than the frame or the width of the forklift. Is such a load eg in a truck, container or in a warehouse very close to a wall or other object, This can not be picked up and transported away with conventional load picking systems or even parked at the desired position near another object, since the movement of the forklift is obstructed by the side wall and the forks with the known solutions not so far to the side can be adjusted. In such application traps, it may only be possible to move a single outboard fork under the pad of the load and to pick up the load only with this single forks and then transported away. However, a removal with a single fork is associated with balance problems that could cause the forklift overturns or the load falls from the fork, so that for safety reasons, a removal with a single fork tine usually not allowed or provided is.

The German patent application DE 36 32 031 A1 discloses a front attachment for a forklift, in which the forks are suspended on a fork carriage plate and can be moved laterally independently of each other in the unloaded state via hydraulic cylinders. Thus, it is also possible in the device disclosed there, to move both forks, for example, on one side of the fork carriage plate, so that narrow loads that are for example on a pallet directly to a wall such as a container wall, can be taken with a forklift. However, the forks can not be driven past the driving cylinder housing over and not be positioned in front of the driving cylinder housing, which makes it possible only to the respective fork on the other half of the fork carriage on which the other fork is located to move. Moreover, since the forks can be moved only unloaded in this device, the transport must be done in the same, unbalanced position after receiving such a load arranged such. This can lead to stability problems. The document proposes to obviate this problem by attaching the device for individually displacing the forks to a known side shift device. Such side shifters can move both forks together under load. The distance between the forks can not be changed with such a device. If the two functions of independent lateral displacement of the two prongs against each other and the joint lateral displacement of the two forks to be realized under load together, the two devices be combined with each other. But if both devices must be mounted on the forklift, this reduces the load capacity of the truck by the additional weight. In addition, the footprint of the truck itself is increased, for example, which causes problems when maneuvering in narrow warehouses. In addition, the two devices to be purchased are expensive. Another disadvantage of this solution is the fact that conventional forklifts provide only two hydraulic connections in the form of two pairs of hydraulic lines to the attachment of the load receiving means, while for the combination of the two devices, three separate hydraulic connections are needed. The DE 10 347 003 A1 discloses a device according to the preamble of claim 1.

Underlying task

The invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide a device for receiving loads, with which it is possible to accommodate both extremely narrow and wider loads safely and easily with two load handling means, laterally adjust, settle and transport, which with known devices can not be transported due to the dimensions of the loads and the spatial situation in the vicinity of the loads. The device should also be attached to or attachable to another device such as a forklift. In this case, it should be possible with the device in particular to be able to settle even very narrow loads so far side and record that the forklift is still maneuverable in relation to a truck or container wall or other objects. At the same time, the device should be built compact and with a low construction depth so that the forklift loses as little load capacity. In addition to a laterally recorded load in an intermediate position of the forks relative to the forklift can be moved to allow safe transport of the load.

Inventive solution

This object is achieved with a device for receiving loads with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the device will become apparent from the dependent claims 2-15.

According to the invention, there are provided first two drive units mounted on the frame and arranged one above the other, wherein each drive unit has a drive element and is arranged to drive the drive element relative to the frame independently, simultaneously or successively in two opposite directions or in the same direction parallel to a linear guide direction wherein only one drive element can be moved while the other is stationary, wherein a first load-receiving element and a second load-receiving element are movably guided on the frame along this guide direction. The load-bearing elements may in this case be designed, for example, in the form of a fork prong. The load-bearing elements may, however, be e.g. also be in the form of hooks, rods, gripping elements, etc. or combination thereof.

On the drive element of the first drive unit at least a first pair of deflection means are fixedly mounted and on the drive element of the second drive unit at least a second pair of deflection means are fixedly mounted. The two deflection elements of each pair are spaced apart in the direction of the guide direction. For each pair of deflecting elements, there is provided in each case a force transmission means which has a first fastening section and a second fastening section. Each power transmission means of the first pair and the second pair is secured to the first attachment portion at a predetermined portion of the frame. Each power transmission means of the first pair is further secured to the second attachment portion on the first load-bearing member and each force-transmitting means of the second pair is connected to the second attachment portion on the second attachment portion attached second load receiving element. Furthermore, each deflection means is in each case between the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion with the force transmission means in engagement.

It can also be provided that the two power transmission means are formed by a closed power transmission means, which is attached to two mounting portions on the frame and a load-receiving element, so that between the attachment points actually two finite Kraftübertragungsmittelabschnitte are formed. Under two Kraftübertragungsmittein in the sense of this invention thus two Kraftübertragungsmittelabschnitte a single power transmission means are understood.

The above-described construction of the device according to the invention for receiving loads, which is fastened or attachable to a device, allows that caused by activating the first drive unit movement of the drive element of the first drive unit via the deflection of the first pair and provided for the first pair Power transmission means in a rectilinear movement of the first load receiving member along the linear guide direction is implemented, and that caused by activating the second drive unit movement of the drive element of the second drive unit via the deflection of the second pair and provided for the second pair of force transmission means in a rectilinear movement of the second Load receiving element along the rectilinear guide direction can be implemented.

Since each of the driving elements is movable relative to the frame in two mutually opposite directions parallel to the rectilinear guiding direction, it is possible according to the invention to move one of the two load-bearing elements independently of the other load-bearing element in one of the two mutually opposite directions. Thus, for example, after suitable activation of the first drive unit, the drive element of this drive unit can be moved from a right side of the device according to the invention to a left side of the device according to the invention, which merges with a movement of the first load receiving element from the right side to the left side of the device according to the invention. During this movement, the second load-bearing element can rest or move in the same direction or in the opposite direction after corresponding activation of the second drive unit. It is particularly possible to adjust the forks so extreme that an outer first fork tine concludes with its outer edge to the outer edge of the frame or even beyond it, while the other, second fork prong can be moved to next to this first fork prong so that the two forks come together. The forks can each drive past the cylinder housing driving them and also position themselves in front of the respective cylinder housing which drives them, whereby this positioning can also take place under load. In particular, the forks can by the device also in parallel, that is, in the same direction, move. Since this can also be done under load, it is possible, after recording the load with both Forks this to one side of the frame or even after a frame asymmetric recording of the load to move them into the middle, without the need for a separate device is necessary.

By decoupling the movement of the two load-bearing elements, it is possible in contrast to known solutions to transport loads safely and in a practical manner, which can not be transported with known devices due to the dimensions of the loads and the spatial situation in the vicinity of the loads. If there is a small load, e.g. very close to the wall of a warehouse or truck, this could not be accommodated with a conventional system on a forklift because the forklift would hit the wall laterally and the load-bearing members would not allow a position to be positioned on the load to be picked up can.

Due to the decoupling of load-bearing elements provided according to the invention, it is now possible to move both load-bearing elements to one side of the device according to the invention, so that they are arranged adjacent or adjacent to an outer position (eg on a left side) of the device according to the invention and both can be used in a rectified movement for receiving or transporting the load. If a narrow load is now very close to the wall of a warehouse or truck, both load-bearing elements can be moved in this direction completely outwards in order to pick up the load there. In this case, the load-bearing elements can be moved in extreme positions, in which the outer load-receiving element terminates with its outer boundary at least with the outer boundary of the frame or even beyond it to the outside. The same applies to the outer other position on the right side or any intermediate positions. The device is designed so that in these extreme positions recorded loads can then be moved to the center of the device and thus a forklift to then move the forklift together with the load. This is necessary to prevent balance problems and the drive and guide system of the device must thus be designed so that it can not only move the load-bearing elements freely, but can also safely move recorded loads horizontally. So that a recorded load can be moved laterally with the device relative to the frame, at least two guide rails for the Load receiving elements provided on the frame. In this case, the first load-receiving element in the first rail movably guided, and the second load-receiving element are movably guided in a mounted on the frame second rail, wherein the longitudinal axis of the first rail and the longitudinal axis of the second rail parallel to each other. The guide rails can be designed as sliding guides or roller guides and allow a light, jerk-free parallel lateral movement of the load receiving means, even if this is acted upon by the maximum allowable for the respective device load. By providing the two rails, it is possible to increase the mechanical stability or to increase the load carrying capacity of the device according to the invention, to make a located in the rails suspension of the load receiving elements wider than the load receiving element itself, without accepting this must be that you can not completely push the two load-bearing elements together or bring each other into contact, as would be the case only with a common rail. By providing two guide rails, it is thus possible for both load-bearing elements to be pushed very close to one another despite suspensions, which can be wider than the load-bearing elements. By combining these guide rails with the drive of the lateral movement of the load receiving means by means of bending force transmission means, which are guided over deflection, it is possible very small loads and heavy loads that are stored in an extreme position, for example, directly on a wall, with a forklift safe to pick up and then transport safely. For this purpose, the forks can be moved so in an extreme outer position that the outer fork tine with the outer edge of the frame to which it is attached, closes or even beyond it, while the second fork tine is applied directly to the inside of the outer fork, to move laterally after receiving this load in a central region of the frame, so as to ensure a safe transport in the longitudinal direction of the forklift.

Thus, for example, the two load-bearing elements can be adapted and positioned in advance in an opposite movement to the male load width and the recorded load can then be adjusted in a rectified movement to the outside of the frame. Loads up to a width of ¼ of the frame width can thus be deposited with the vehicle on a truck or container wall.

Another advantage of the two drive units is that the force required to adjust the load-bearing elements incl. The weight of the load in a rectified movement, is generated by both drive units and thus each drive unit can be made smaller. The device can thus be constructed much more compact with a smaller depth and easier.

The implementation of the movement of the drive elements via the deflection means of the first and second pair deflection means and provided for the first and second pair of force transmission means in a rectified movement of the first and second load receiving member has the advantage that the maximum distance by which the load receiving elements can be moved in a straight line, structurally much larger can be formed. The maximum distance of solutions that use exclusively drive units with rectilinearly movable drive elements is limited in particular as a result of the predetermined extent of the drive elements in the direction of movement. By providing the movement conversion over the deflecting means of the first and second pair of deflecting means and the force transmitting means provided for the first and second pair of deflecting means, respectively, the maximum distance about which the load receiving members are rectilinear under the condition of a given maximum longitudinal span or maximum transverse span of the apparatus are movable, be substantially increased.

In one embodiment of the invention, the drive units are formed by a piston drive with a cylinder housing and two piston rods which are mounted on the frame, wherein the cylinder housing forms the drive element. The piston rods are connected within the cylinder housing with a piston which extends over the inner cross section of the cylinder housing and thus separates two areas within the cylinder housing from each other. The cylinder housing is then movable by supplying a hydraulic medium in these two areas or a discharge of a hydraulic medium from these two areas within the cylinder housing along the piston rods in two opposite directions. When a hydraulic medium such as oil is supplied to one of the areas, this area fills with hydraulic oil while hydraulic oil is discharged from the other area, so that the cylinder housing moves

So that the two areas are separated within a cylinder housing and no direct exchange of hydraulic medium between the areas can be done is preferably provided a seal between the piston and the inner surface of the cylinder housing.

Such a trained drive unit allows for a very good controllable movement. It can also be designed very low maintenance and robust, so that it can be used over a very long time without extensive maintenance.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the Umlenkmitel are mounted directly on the respective cylinder housing. As a result, the area where the deflection means are mounted can also be used for the movement of the cylinder housing. Also, thereby, the conclusions of the cylinder housing can be kept very short, whereby the stroke length is optimized.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the drive units via a hydraulic control hydraulically connected to each other, wherein the separate areas inside the first cylinder housing with the separate areas in the interior of the second cylinder housing can be set so that a volume of hydraulic medium, the is discharged from an area in the interior of the first cylinder housing, at the same time in an area in the interior of the second cylinder housing can be passed. Thus, it is possible to connect two drive units in series and to convert the movement of a cylinder housing directly into a movement of the other cylinder housing.

The rectified or opposite directions of movement of the drive element can also be generated by means of a separate hydraulic control or by means of distribution valves.

Preferably, each piston rod in each case has an inner channel, which is connected at one end in connection with an inlet and outlet of a hydraulic medium and at the other end has an opening to each one of the separate areas within the cylinder housing. With this solution, the connections for the hydraulic medium can each be arranged at the fixed end of the piston rod, and there are no connections to the moving cylinder housings required.

Instead of a hydraulic piston drive, however, other drives can be used with which a drive element can be moved in two opposite directions. For example, electric drives, worm gears, etc. can be used.

In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises in a drive unit two first pairs of deflection means and two second pairs of deflection means respectively provided with power transmission means, the deflection means of a pair of the two first pairs being arranged above the deflection means of the other pair of the two first pairs, in that in each case one axis of symmetry of a deflection means of the one pair is aligned with an axis of symmetry of a deflection means of the other pair, and wherein the deflection means of a pair of the two second pairs are arranged above the deflection means of the other pair of the two second pairs such that in each case an axis of symmetry of a deflection means of the one pair is aligned with one symmetry axis of a deflection means of the other pair. If a deflecting means is designed such that it can rotate around itself, the axis of symmetry is the axis of rotation.

Above and below a drive unit can thus be arranged two pairs of deflection means and four associated power transmission means. By means of this preferred embodiment, torsions of the drive units can be very effectively avoided when moving the load-bearing elements and a very uniform movement of the load-bearing elements can be achieved, namely by having two pairs of deflection means for each drive unit and thus also for the movement of each load-bearing element provided power transmission means are provided, whose axes of symmetry are aligned. At the same time, a force acts on the drive element above and below the drive element when a load-bearing element is to be moved.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first load-bearing element is movably guided in a first rail attached to the frame, and the second load-bearing element is movably guided in a second rail attached to the frame, the longitudinal axis of the first rail and the longitudinal axis of the second rail being parallel to each other ,

In a further preferred embodiment, the first load receiving element and the second load receiving element is additionally movably guided in a third common rail, wherein in this case particularly preferably the first and second rail are arranged above the drive units, while the third rail is arranged below the drive units. In this way, a very effective and stable guidance of the load-bearing elements is created, which also makes a movement of very high loads relative to the frame possible. The guide frame thus formed may alternatively but also consist of a simple upper and lower guide rail or a double guide rail.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a tensioner is provided on the first attachment portion and / or the second attachment portion of each power transmission means, by means of this tensioner can be required for an effective implementation of the movement of the drive elements in the rectified movement of the first load receiving element or second load receiving element force transmission medium Kraftübertragungsmittelabschnitte are adjusted or corrected, which extend at each power transmission means between the first and the second attachment portion. This embodiment is particularly advantageous if the drive unit is a hydraulic drive unit which can lose hydraulic fluid in the event of a leakage, accompanied by a reduction in the force transmission medium tension or a sagging of the force transmission means.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the power transmission medium clamps are in line with the respective power transmission means. As a result, a particularly symmetrical introduction of force of the tensioner is achieved on the respective power transmission means.

In a further advantageous embodiment, each force transmission means is fastened in each case via a fastening means on the one hand to a predetermined region of the frame and on the other hand to a load receiving element, wherein at least one fastening means is designed as Kraftübertragungsmittelspanner, and wherein the two fastening means of each force transmission means are arranged vertically offset from each other, so that they can overlap. As a result, installation length is saved and increases the lateral adjustment of the load-bearing elements.

In a preferred embodiment, the frame of the device has a longitudinal extent parallel to the guide direction, and the predetermined region of the frame to which each force transmission means of the first pair and the second pair of deflection means is attached to the first attachment portion is located substantially at half the length of frame. In this way, a symmetrical design can be realized for the inventive device, along with a uniform distribution of the load during operation. It is particularly preferred here that the predetermined region of the frame, on which each force transmission means of the first pair and of the second pair of deflection means is fastened to the first fastening section, is formed by a vertical frame strut. The frame and the frame strut can be complemented or formed by a continuous base plate, but the frame shape has the advantage over a heavy base plate that it is lighter and allows the user of the device to see through the device.

The respective attachment of the power transmission means on the frame can also be provided offset further outwards. The power transmission means overlap in the rear region over a greater length. Because no strut is provided halfway along the length of the frame, the deflecting means can pass by the middle of the frame.

In an advantageous embodiment, the device to which the device for receiving loads is fastened or attachable, a forklift. However, the device can also be any other device, e.g. a trolley, which is used in a storage system and there, for example. guided on rails can be moved.

The power transmission means may be any type of flexible, non-rigid media capable of transmitting tensile forces. For example, chains, but also belts, such as toothed belts or V-belts, or ropes are conceivable. Accordingly, the deflection can be performed, for example, as rollers or fixed bolts. Rolls should in this context be understood to mean any deflection means rotatably mounted about themselves, such as pulleys, chain edges or rollers which are not profiled or profiled over the circumference. Fixed bolts as deflection means are characterized by the fact that they can not turn around themselves. You can do an unprofiled or have a profiled peripheral surface. In this case, the power transmission means can be combined with all useful deflection means. For example, chains can be combined as a force transmission means not only with sprockets as a deflection, but also, for example, with pulleys or pulleys.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1

eine dreidimensionale Darstellung eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zur Aufnahme von Lasten mit beiden Lastenaufnahmeelementen in einer mittleren Stellung;

Fig. 2

das Ausführungsbeispiel der Fig. 1 mit den beiden Lastenaufnahmeelementen in einer äußeren rechten Stellung;

Fig. 3

das Ausführungsbeispiel der Fig. 1 mit den beiden Lastenaufnahmeelementen in einer äußeren linken Stellung;

Fig. 4

das Ausführungsbeispiel der Fig. 1 mit den beiden Lastenaufnahmeelementen in einer äußeren Stellung;

Fig. 5

eine Rückansicht der Vorrichtung mit der Stellung der Lastenaufnahmeelemente wie in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6A bis 6C

jeweils schematische Darstellungen von Teilen eines Rahmens der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung in einer Draufsicht zusammen mit schematischen Darstellungen einer Antriebseinheit, eines Kettenrad-Paars samt zugehöriger Ketten und eines Lastenaufnahmeelements, welches durch Aktivieren der schematisch dargestellten Antriebseinheit bewegbar ist, wobei die Fig. 6A bis 6C unterschiedliche Positionen dieses Lastenaufnahmeelementes zeigen;

Fig. 7

eine schematische Schnittansicht eines Lastenaufnahmeelementes in drei Führungsschienen; und

Fig. 8

eine schematische Frontsicht auf einen Bereich der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zur Veranschaulichung der Führung der Lastenaufnahmeelemente in zwei Schienen.

An embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

a three-dimensional view of an embodiment of a device according to the invention for receiving loads with two load-receiving elements in a middle position;

Fig. 2

the embodiment of Fig. 1 with the two load-bearing elements in an outer right position;

Fig. 3

the embodiment of Fig. 1 with the two load-bearing elements in an outer left position;

Fig. 4

the embodiment of Fig. 1 with the two load-bearing elements in an outer position;

Fig. 5

a rear view of the device with the position of the load-bearing elements as in Fig. 4 ;

FIGS. 6A to 6C

in each case schematic representations of parts of a frame of the device according to the invention in a plan view together with schematic representations of a drive unit, a sprocket pair including associated chains and a load receiving element which is movable by activating the drive unit shown schematically, wherein the FIGS. 6A to 6C show different positions of this load-bearing element;

Fig. 7

a schematic sectional view of a load-receiving element in three guide rails; and

Fig. 8

a schematic front view of a portion of the device according to the invention for illustrating the guidance of the load-bearing elements in two rails.

The in the Fig. 1 to 5 illustrated inventive device 10 for receiving loads, which is already attached to a device such as a forklift or attachable as a top unit to this includes a frame 12 and a first and a second load receiving element 14, 16, which are forks. These load-bearing elements are movably guided on the frame 12 along a linear guide direction, wherein the first load-receiving element 14 is movably guided in a first rail 18 attached to the frame 12 and the second load-bearing element 16 is movably guided in a second rail 20 attached to the frame. In this case, the longitudinal axis of the first rail 18 and the longitudinal axis of the second rail 20 parallel to each other, and these two rails are preferably in the upper region of the device 10. In addition, the first load receiving member 14 and the second load receiving member 16 in a third common rail 22 are movable guided, which is located in the lower part of the device.

The illustrated apparatus 10 further comprises a first and a second drive unit 24, 26, which are mounted on the frame 12 and arranged one above the other, wherein each drive unit 24, 26 each have a drive element 28, 29 and is arranged, the respective drive element 28, 29 relative to the frame 12 in two mutually opposite directions parallel to the guide direction to move. To the drive elements 28, 29, the two load receiving elements 14, 16 are coupled via chain drives, so that a movement of a drive element can be converted into a movement of the load-receiving element coupled thereto. Since a separate drive unit is provided for each load receiving element, each load receiving element can be controlled and moved individually. Alternatively, the two drive elements can also be connected in series, so that the actuation of the one drive element automatically controls the movement causes the second drive element, depending on the hydraulic circuit either a movement in the opposite direction (setting of the fork tine distance) or in the same direction (parallel adjustment of the two forks) takes place.

Each drive unit 24, 26 is designed, for example, in the form of a piston drive with a cylinder housing 24, 26 and two piston rods, which are attached to the frame 12, wherein the cylinder housing forms the drive element 28, 29. For ease of illustration, only two of the piston rods 30 and 30 'are identified by reference numerals in the figures, which are the two upper piston rods of the upper drive unit 24.

Each piston drive has a connection, not shown, to an inlet and outlet for hydraulic fluid and a control, über.welche the respective cylinder housing along the piston rods 30, 30 'to the left and right is movable, These are the piston rods 30, 30' zufspielsweise within the cylinder housing is connected to a piston, which extends over the inner cross section of the cylinder housing and thus separates two areas within the cylinder housing from each other. The respective cylinder housing is then movable by supplying a hydraulic medium in these two areas and a discharge of a hydraulic medium from these two areas within the cylinder housing along the piston rods 30, 30 'in two opposite directions.

Preferably, the drive units 24, 26 are hydraulically connectable to each other via the hydraulic control, wherein the separate areas in the interior of the first cylinder housing with the separate areas inside the second cylinder housing can be so connected that a volume of hydraulic medium from a Area is discharged in the interior of the first cylinder housing, at the same time in an area in the interior of the second cylinder housing can be passed. For example, if a certain volume of hydraulic medium is discharged from an area inside the upper cylinder housing, since the other area is to fill in the same cylinder housing, for example, to move the cylinder housing to the right, this volume is removed directly via the hydraulic control an area inside supplied to the lower cylinder housing. Depending on the hydraulic control, the lower cylinder housing then moves the same way to the right or to the left. Each piston rod 30, 30 'has in each case an inner channel, which is connected at one end to a supply and discharge of a hydraulic medium and at the other end has an opening to each one of the separate areas within the cylinder housing. The supply and removal of the hydraulic medium is then preferably in the areas of attachment of the piston rods on the frame.

Furthermore, the illustrated device 10 comprises two first pairs 32 of sprockets and two second pairs 34 of sprockets each provided with chains. Here again, only the sprockets 33 and 33 'and the associated chains 35 and 35' of the upper drive unit 24 are indicated by reference numerals to simplify the illustration in the figures.

In the illustrated embodiment, each drive unit 24, 26 has two pairs of sprockets, with one pair of sprockets mounted on top of the cylinder and another pair of sprockets mounted on the bottom of the cylinder. The sprockets of a pair of the two first pairs 32 are preferably arranged over the sprockets of the other pair of the two first pairs 32 such that each axis of rotation of a sprocket of the one pair is aligned with each rotation axis of a sprocket of the other pair, the sprockets of a pair of the two second pairs 34 are arranged above the sprockets of the other pair of the two second pairs 34 such that a respective axis of rotation of a sprocket of the one pair is aligned with a respective axis of rotation of a sprocket of the other pair.

In the FIGS. 1 to 5 the two load receiving elements 14, 16 are shown in different positions relative to the frame 12, the situation of Fig. 1 is possible with conventional systems. The Figures 2 and 3 However, show a situation in which both load-bearing elements 14, 16 are respectively right and left outside, which is not provided in known solutions. The Fig. 4 on the other hand shows a situation in which both load-bearing elements are arranged with a maximum distance from each other, as is possible with conventional systems. Fig. 5 shows this situation in a rear view, wherein the preferred frame construction of the device is clear. In this case, in particular a central vertical frame strut 40 is provided, on which the chains are attached to their attachment portions. In addition, on the frame mounting means 50, 51, 52 and 53 may be provided, with which the device can be mounted, for example, on a forklift.

The FIGS. 6A to 6C serve to illustrate the implementation of a linear movement of a drive element 28 of the device 10 according to the invention in a rectified movement of a load receiving element 14. It is shown schematically only the upper drive unit 24 with the cylinder 28, with the right fork 14 is moved. The over the other drive unit 26 movable fork 16 is shown in phantom only to illustrate the position of both forks to each other.

The FIGS. 6A to 6C show in each case schematic representations of lateral parts of the frame 12 and the rear frame strut 40 of the device 10 according to the invention together with schematic representations of a drive unit 24, a sprocket pair 32 of two sprockets 33, 33 'together with provided chains 35 and 35', wherein the sprocket Pair 32 is fixedly attached to the drive member 28 of the drive unit 24. The drive element 28 is guided on two piston rods 30, which are attached to the frame 12. The load-receiving element 14, which is movable by activating the drive unit 24 shown schematically, is in the FIGS. 6A to 6C shown in different positions.

On the drive member 28, a pair 32 of sprockets 33, 33 'are fixedly mounted, which are spaced apart in the direction of the guide direction along which the load receiving member 14 is movably guided on the frame 12. For each sprocket, a chain is provided with two ends each having a first attachment portion 36 in the form of a first end portion and a second attachment portion 38 in the form of a second end portion, each chain with the first attachment portion 36 at a predetermined portion of the frame 40 in Form of the vertical frame strut 40 is attached. Further, each chain is attached to the second attachment portion 38 to the load receiving member 14. Each of the two sprockets is engaged with the chain between each of the first attachment portion 36 and the second attachment portion 38. The first chain 35 thus extends from the attachment portion 36 to the frame strut 40 via the in the FIGS. 6A to 6C right sprocket 33 to the mounting portion 38 on the load receiving element 14. The second chain 35 'in turn extends from the mounting portion 36 via the in the FIGS. 6A to 6C Sprocket 33 'shown on the left to the attachment portion 28 on the load receiving element 14th

However, the two chains 35, 35 'and the associated sprockets 33, 33' need not lie in the same horizontal plane as the schematic representation of FIGS. 6A to C but they can be arranged vertically offset from each other, as it is the three-dimensional views of FIGS. 1 to 5 can be seen.

At the bottom of the drive member 28 may also be mounted another pair of sprockets with associated chains, which are equally effective.

When the upper drive unit 24 is activated to move the drive member 28 in the present case from right to left, as in Fig. 6B is shown with arrows, this movement causes a rectified movement of the load receiving member 14, along with a rotation of the two sprockets 33, 33 'in a clockwise direction. It can be clearly seen from the FIGS. 6A to C also that by means of the device according to the invention, the maximum distance by which the load-bearing elements are movable in a straight line can be constructed substantially larger than in solutions that use only drive units with drive elements mounted directly on the load-bearing elements for moving the load-bearing elements. However, the right-hand load-bearing element 14 does not have to be moved completely to the left-hand side, for example, but only up to the other load-bearing element 14, which is located on this left-hand side.

The dimensions and the arrangements of the individual components are chosen so that the desired path of a load-bearing element can be achieved. In the embodiment of the invention shown in the figures, the length of a drive element 28 and the distance between the sprockets 33, 33 ', for example, chosen so that a sprocket 33, 33' is still beyond the middle frame strut 40 when the drive member 28 side almost to the frame 12 abuts. The distance between the sprockets 33, 33 'is selected accordingly.

The Fig. 7 11 illustrates, in a schematic sectional view, how the first load-bearing element 14 is movably guided in a first rail 18 attached to the frame 12, and how the second load-bearing element 16 is movably guided in a second rail 20 attached to the frame 12, wherein the two rails overlap one another and parallel to each other. The load-bearing element 14 is in this case with a suspension 42 'guided in the upper rail. Furthermore, it is illustrated here how the first load receiving element 14 and the second load receiving element 16 are additionally movably guided in a third common rail 22, wherein the first and second rails 18, 20 are arranged above the dashed drive units 24, 26, while the third rail 22 below the dashed lines drive units 24, 26 is arranged.

As in Fig. 8 1, by providing the first and second rails 18, 20 for increasing the mechanical stability or increasing the load bearing capacity of the device 10 according to the invention, it is possible to have a suspension 42, 42 'of the load-bearing elements in the rails 18, 20 14, 16 to make wider than the load-bearing elements 14, 16 itself. This may be required to carry the loads in the rail. If the right load-bearing element 14 in the representation of Fig. 8 moved further to the left, the protruding suspensions 42, 42 'in the present case can easily behind the respective adjacent load-receiving element 14, 16 push. On the other hand, if both load-bearing elements 14, 16 were guided in a common upper rail, the projecting suspensions 42, 42 'would abut one another in the rail and the two load-bearing elements could not be moved as close to each other as is the case with this advantageous embodiment of the invention ,

In the drawings, the combination of chains is shown as a power transmission means with sprockets as deflection each as an exemplary embodiment. Of course, the invention is not limited to the use of this embodiment, but also includes all other conceivable power transmission means such as belts or ropes, and all other conceivable deflection means, such as pulleys and rollers. In addition, the invention also includes all possible combinations of power transmission means and deflection means.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Device for receiving loads

12

frame

14

First load-bearing element

16

Second load-bearing element

18

First rail, above

20

Second rail, above

22

Third rail, below

24

First drive unit

26

Second drive unit

28.29

Drive element, cylinder housing

30.30 '

piston rod

32

First pair of deflection

33.33 '

deflecting

34

Second pair of diverters

35.35 '

Power transmission means

36

First attachment section

38

Second attachment section

40

Specified area of the frame, frame strut

42.42 '

suspension

50,51,52,53

mounting means

Claims (15)

1. A device (10) for lifting loads, which is attached or can be attached to a piece of equipment, having
   a frame (12),
   a first and a second load lifting element (14, 16), whereby the load lifting elements (14, 16) are guided on the frame (12) so as to move along a rectilinear guide direction,
   a first and a second drive unit (24, 26) that are installed on the frame (12) and arranged one above the other, whereby each drive unit (24, 26) has a drive element (28, 29) and is configured to move the drive elements (28, 29) relative to the frame (12) independently of each other, simultaneously or consecutively in two opposing directions or in the same direction parallel to a rectilinear guide direction, whereby it is also possible for only one drive element to be moved, while the other one is standing still,
   whereby at least a first pair of deflection means (32) is stationary installed on the drive element (28) of the first drive unit (24), and whereby at least a second pair of deflection means (34) is stationary installed on the drive element (29) of the first drive unit (26), and whereby the two deflection means (33, 33') of each pair of deflection means (32, 34) are at a distance from each other in the guide direction,
   characterized in that, for each of the deflection means (33, 33') of a pair of deflection means (32, 34), there is a force transmission means (35, 35') that has a first attachment section (36) and a second attachment section (38),
   whereby each force transmission means (35, 35') of the first pair of deflection means (32) and of the second pair of deflection means (34) is attached via the first attachment section (36) to a prescribed area (40) of the frame (12), whereby each force transmission means (35, 35') of the first pair of deflection means (32) is attached via the second attachment section (38) to the first load lifting element (14), whereby each force transmission means (35, 35') of the second pair of deflection means (34) is attached via the second attachment section (38) to the second load lifting element (16), and whereby each deflection means (33, 33') of a pair of deflection means (32, 34) is engaged between the first attachment section (36) and the second attachment section (38) to the appertaining force transmission means (35, 35'), and whereby a movement of the drive element (28) of the first drive unit (24) brought about by the activation of the first drive unit (24) can be converted via the deflection means (33, 33') of the first pair of deflection means (32) and via the force transmission means (35, 35') provided for the first pair of deflection means (32) into a movement of the first load lifting element (14) in the same direction, and
   whereby a movement of the drive element (29) of the second drive unit (26) brought about by the activation of the second drive unit (26) can be converted via the deflection means (33, 33') of the second pair of deflection means (34) and via the force transmission means (35, 35') provided for the second pair of deflection means (34) into a movement of the second load lifting element (16) in the same direction.
2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive units (24, 26) are formed by a piston drive having a cylinder housing and two piston rods (30, 30') that are installed on the frame (12), whereby the cylinder housing forms the drive element (28, 29), and in that, inside the cylinder housing, the piston rods (30, 30') are connected to a piston that extends beyond the inner cross section of the cylinder housing, thereby separating two areas from each other inside the cylinder housing, and in that, by supplying a hydraulic medium into these two areas and discharging a hydraulic medium from these two areas, the cylinder housing can be moved in two opposite directions inside the cylinder housing along the piston rods (30, 30').
3. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that the deflection means (33, 33') are installed directly on the appertaining cylinder housing.
4. The device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the drive units (24, 26) can be hydraulically connected to each other via a hydraulic control unit, whereby the areas that are separated from each other inside the first cylinder housing can be connected to the areas that are separated from each other inside the second cylinder housing in such a way that a volume of hydraulic medium that is discharged from an area inside the first cylinder housing can, at the same time, be conveyed into an area inside the second cylinder housing.
5. The device according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that each piston rod (30, 30') has a channel on the inside that, at one end, is connected to the inlet and outlet of a hydraulic medium and, at the other end, has an opening towards each one of the separated areas inside the cylinder housing.
6. The device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the device (10) has two first pairs of deflection means (32) and two second pairs of deflection means (34), each provided with force transmission means (35, 35'), whereby the deflection means (33, 33') of one pair of the two first pairs (32) are arranged above the deflection means (33, 33') of the other pair of the two first pairs (32) in such a way that, in each case, the axis of symmetry of a deflection means (33, 33') of the one pair is flush with the axis of symmetry of a deflection means (33, 33') of the other pair, and
   whereby the deflection means (33, 33') of one pair of the two second pairs (34) are arranged above the deflection means (33, 33') of the other pair of the two second pairs (34) in such a way that, in each case, one axis of symmetry of a deflection means (33, 33') of the one pair is flush with one axis of symmetry of a deflection means (33, 33') of the other pair.
7. The device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first load lifting element (14) is guided so as to move in a first rail (18) that is installed on the frame (12), and in that the second load lifting element (16) is guided so as to move in a second rail (20) that is installed on the frame (12), whereby the longitudinal axis of the first rail (18) and the longitudinal axis of the second rail (20) run parallel to each other.
8. The device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first load lifting element (14) and the second load lifting element (16) are additionally guided so as to move in a third shared rail (22).
9. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that the first and second rails (18, 20) are arranged above the drive units (24, 26), whereas the third rail (22) is arranged below the drive units (24, 26).
10. The device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a force transmission means wrench is provided on the first attachment section (36) and/or on the second attachment section (38) of each force transmission means (35, 35').
11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that the force transmission means wrench is aligned with the appertaining force transmission means (35, 35').
12. The device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that each force transmission means (35, 35') is attached, in each case via a fastening means, to a prescribed area (40) of the frame (12) on the one hand, and to a load lifting element (14, 16) on the other hand, whereby at least one fastening means is configured as a force transmission means wrench, and whereby the two fastening means of each force transmission means (35, 35') are arranged so as to be vertically offset with respect to each other, so that they can overlap.
13. A device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the piece of equipment to which the device (10) is or can be attached in order to lift loads is a forklift.
14. The device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the force transmission means (35, 35') is a chain.
15. The device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deflection means (32, 34) are sprocket wheels.

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