Fuel tank mount for forklift trucks with a damped swing arm swingable along a tilted arc
US5845940A · kind A · utility
Assignees
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 11, 1996 |
| Grant date | Dec 8, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 11, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB66F9/07518
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A fuel tank mount for forklift trucks is adapted to hold a fuel tank over the top of a counterweight in a manner that the tank may be easily lifted up and lowered down. The fuel tank mount includes a swing arm replaceably carrying the fuel tank and mounted to the counterweight for swinging movement about a tilted pivot axis between a home position wherein the fuel tank is held over and laterally across the counterweight, a neutral position wherein the fuel tank remains at its highest elevation and a tank changing position wherein the fuel tank is oriented substantially vertically. The pivot axis remains tilted both forwards at a first tilt angle, e.g., 26 degrees, and outboards at a second tilt angle, e.g., 25 degrees, with respect to a vertical axis. A latch is provided to keep the swing arm in the home position against unwanted swinging movement into the neutral and the tank changing positions. The motion of the swing arm is damped by dint of an extension spring and an extension damper to help the operator lift the fuel tank.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.