US1167564A - Lifting-truck. - Google Patents

Description

F. IRRGANG.

LIFTING TRUCK.

MPLICATION FILED FEB.2.1915.

Patented Jim. 1l, 1916.

SHEETS-SHEET l.

1N VEA/TOR.

WITNESSES:

W. F. IRRGANG.

LIFTING TRUCK.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.2,1915.

Patented Jan 11, 1916 5 SHEETS-SHEET 2 l l I l H 1 Y 1; l

W. F. IRRGANG.

LlFTxNG TRUCK,

APPLICATION FILED FEE. 2,1915.

Patented Jan. 11, 1916.

awww.,

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

' INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY @Zim WITNESSES:

W. IRRGANG.

LIFTING TRUCK.

APPLICATxoN FILED FEB. 2. 1915.

Patented Jan. 11, 1916'.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

WITNESS@- ATTORNEY.

W. F. IRRGANG.

LIFTING TRUCK. Y APPUCATION FILED 1511.2. 1915.'

1,167,5 f34- Patented Jan. 11, 1916.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

WI TNESSES iNVENToR. l MM 91.914111 BY f4 ATTORNEYS.

FFE STAE PdEFENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM F. IRRGANG, OF WINDSOR LOCKS, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOB TO GEORGE I.

CLARK COMPANY, OF WINDSOR LOCKS, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION NECTICUT.

OF CON- LIFTIN (ir-TRUCK.

Application led February 2, 1915.

To all Q/:rom t may concern Be it known that l, VILLIAM F. IRRGANG, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at il'indsor Locks, in the county of Hartford, State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lifting-Trucks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates particularly to improvements in that type of truck termed a "lifting" or elevating truck. This type of truck has been known for a long time and involves in its construction a part which is vertically movable with respect to the rest of the truck. Mechanically, it is a jack mechanism mounted on wheels so that it may be used both as a jack and truck in various systems of lifting, holding, transfi-frring, and depositing loads of material to save loading and unloading in the ordinary sense.

rlhe object of this invention is to provide an improved mechaneial means in such a truck for lifting` the load, which is operable by manipulatingY the handle.

Another object is to provide an improved arrangement of the handle and handle-operated lifting means with respect to the truck.

Another object is to provide an improved means for holding the lifting platform of the truck in lifted position and releasing it when desired, which means is controlled and actuated by movement of the handle-operated lifting means.

Other objects are to provide in a lifting truck generallyv improved mechanical structure, improved arrangements for the structure, and improved modes 'of actuating the structure as will be defined inthe annexed claims.

For thepurpose'of illustrating one preferred foi-ur of embodiment and certain specific modifications of the"'invention, the

drawingsand following detailed descrip?" tions thereof are used.

ln the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a 'top plan view of .the truck with the platform shown in elevated position; Fig. 2

is a side elevational view thereof; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional elevation taken on the, line 3-3 of Fig. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows; F ig. 4 is a partial side elevational View ot' the truck` with the platform shown in lowered position; Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation of the Operating Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 11, 1916.4

Serial No. 5,628.

mechanism connected with the handle; Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 6-G of F ig. 2 and 'loolting'in the direction of the arrow; Figs. 7, S, and 9 are Views similar to Fig. 3, showing various steps in .the raising and lowering of the truck platform; Fig. 10 is a sectional view showing a part of the mechanism for holding the platform in lifted position; Fig. 11 is a modification of the operating mechanism connected with the handle; Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 10 showing a modification; Fig. 18 is a detail plan view showing the preferred manner of positioning the power applying means to the platform; Fig. 1l is a sectional view taken on line 14e-1l of Fig. 13; Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. l. showing a preferred form of the handle-operated means for shifting the movable platform of the truck; Fig. 16 is a central longitudinal sectional view of the means shown in Fig. Fig. 17 is a view similar to Fig. 1G, showing the parts in another position; Fig.18 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 18-1S of Fig. 15 and looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 19 is a cross sectional view taken similarly to Fig. 6 showing a modification of the platform lifting devices, and Fig. '2O is a partial side elevation of the truck showing a modification in the arrangement of the platform lifting devices.

Referring to the drawings in detail and particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the frame of the. truck comprises a pair of spaced reach bars 1, rigidly joined at their forward ends by a casting l in which a fifth wheel device, including the front wheel 5, is mounted. The rear wheels 2 are mounted on an axle 9. which is secured in the reach bars l. The liftable platform of the truck 3 is conveniently made up of angle iron sections, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Lifting devices'farenterposed between the platform 3 and the liars 1, and these Ydevices, when the platform is moved longitudinally by means to be described` are operable to lift the platform. These devices, in the embodiment of my invention illustrated, are four in number and are preferably applied adjacent the four corners of the truck platform. A descrip- 'tion of one of these lifting devices will suliice from is a rack 8, which isharranged with the pitch line in an inclined postion. Adjacent the rack S Aand Vintegral-ltherewith is a cam 8' having a isnrface, col pitch lineof the raclill'tivotally mounted in forin'"'3 with respect to the-,frame in' an obvious inanner'. The positions of the lifting devices may be varied according to the type of platform' iised,`

largel ai'ea'is desired` the.y pivot connections (5 with the fran'ie l for the rear gears T maybe placed back of the `axle 2v as elearl)v shown A' in Fig'. 2f). rl`hetendenc'v for the platform to tip' when carr'viiigfa high load will be thus largely.` obviated bv' a proper positioning' 'of the liftingfdevices.

1f desired. the racks t1' and gears v7 may be separated from the cams as shown in Fig 1%). ln this figure` a -gear 7() and rack 71 are a1'- ranged centrally, of the frame and. operate a cam rod72 with cams Til on the end which engage cam surfaces T4 secured to the platform-3. 'l`he construction in 'Fie'.ll is otherwise similar totliat showirin Fig` and alread.)y descrilad.r In ,other words. the specific positions shown for the li'fti1i; {'de.\'ic,es and the. relative postions of the and; racks are of secoudar)r importance.

integrally formed with the rack 'N of each elevating' 'device is a depending web i), shaped clearly shown in Fic'. 2. 'lhis ,web extends downwardly closely4 adjacent one side of theeear T, andthe-.latter is positionedlaterallyvr by this web land the reach bar 1, a's clearly'showirin hiee. Formed in the web S) is a curved slot 1l and fixed in the gear l or integral 'therewith isa pin l() which' projects outwardl)y from the gear and rides in theslot ll, 'the-,web i) land pin 1() eo-act to prevent the ph'i l'orm -l' from tipv)ing or being' lifted bof-lily' from the frame 1 and tlie'caiu surfaces T/ 'and gears T npon 'which it rests` in other` words, each elevating device has embodied therein and as a part'thereof means to prevent the tipping of the platform with respect to the frame which `mig'htf oll'ierwise' distributed loads.. f y i The rneeliaiijii 'for-moving` the platform 3 longitudinalllyfvith relation tothe frame 1 temperate the' platform lifting devices will described#Fixed to the swivel whiclrhas two upstan'ding webs esponding with thfe` yb ya constlficted opening'. `,webs` of the `member 12 latter lia'soi'ie side 13 'A 1n Fie'. 5, whereby portion to they other circular portion 'opening 1S, through the v thereof.

l"or example, if one of' cams, nears,4

i and lift the, same from the `notch 23.

occtu" witlr unevenly supi arranfeinent "for spaced webs is a gear 1l which is rigidly secured to the truck handle 15. rthis gear 14- lias an opening; 1S extending transversely 'therethreiner-h, which, as clearly shown in Fig. 5, comprises Itwo circular holes joined Fixed in the two y and extending' through tlie openinglo is ,a pin 13. The slalibe'd olf, as showny it mav pass, as the gear 7: isnmovedup .and down, from one circular of the constricted portion It is to be noted that the gear is :freely rotatable, when the pin 13 is in either of the circularportions and that; in oi'der to pass from one cii'culai' portion to the other of slot 1H, the gear and handle must be positioned as shown in Fig. 5. When the gear 1l is .so positioned, ears 1li on the handle l5 ei'igfage abutments 1T on the member 12. Slidably mounted iii the base of the memberv i 1'2 is a rack 2l) which has a roll 25 pivotally mounted atv 2l in one end thereof.y

` Fixed to the fmward end'o'f the platform :l -is a casting 2G (see Figs. 1 to` il) which hasraI curved surface 2T forwardly inclined. lThe roll 23 isad'apted to engage the face ofl casting 2V to shift the platform 3 loiigitiidi# iiallv with respect to the frame 1, as when the racli' 2i) is forced' backwardly 'as the handle l5 is swung do\\'nwardl \Y vto operate the ,g'ear Il. livotally mounted at 22011 the inner sides ofthe upstanding webs of the member 12 is abail member 21. The 15g latter has forward extensions which are engrivigeable by hobs lil integral with the Uear lil. l`liis bail member also has a' rear U-' shaped portion, which extends transversely across the rack 20 and is adapted, when the 'parts'are in the relative positions .shown in Fir'. 2, to'engag'e in a notch o" in the,

Ht) rack -to lock the latter to the member 12. By lockingthe rack, as (.lescribed, the insertion of the gear 14 in correct meshingr relation with the rack 20 is .insured after each removal of thekg'ear therefrom. 1t is to be A' noted that, as the gear 14 is lowered to engage the rack, the hubs 1i) bear `upon the forward extensionsvof the bail member 21 i These hubs 1i), substantiallyY 4circular in shape., also act to hold the bail member 2l'away from v-the lrack 2() while the latter is being' recipro cated by the gear 14. The. gealli, racly 20, and member l2 comprising the primary means'foi."shifting the platform, are later- -ally movable by-and move with the. handle l 1'* as wellas the front wheel 5.

The curved surface 27, arranged asshown,

perm-its the platform to be moved by'fthc rack 20 when thehandle L15. and wheel are in Various:angular positions. l'lowever, 'f

the yproper andl best mechanical,position and i .movingl the ,Y platgt'olvin by 1354' i the handle and mechanism described is that shown in Fig. in this arrangement, the handle. when pulled forwardly7 operates through the gear il to force rack in the direct line of the horizontal movement of the platform. Thus. all the force applied is used to the best mechanical advantage. if the handle and wheel 5 is swung around at an angle before the elevating operation. then the force applied is split into components one only of which does the work while the other tends to crainp the platform sidewise with respect to the truck frame. Therefore.y the preferable arrangement is to provide on the surface 2T a central downwardly pointed wedge 2T such as shown in lil and il. This wedge will require the proper positioning of the handle in the central and vertical longitudinal plane of the truck during the lifting operation of the platforni.

The means for holdint'i` th platform in its lifted postion and for controlling the sana` to permit the lowering of the platforni 3 will now e described. `llach reach bar l. immediately below .the forward end of the platt/.arm 3. is provided with a hump 4?. as shown inlii'igs. 2 and 3 having a rearwardly ineli i d s'irface BQ. Slightly to the rear of this `iunip 3 and on the outermost side of each aar l. is an upstanding web 42. Between thi 'two webs 4Q and extending transversely -srross the truck is a shaft 31. which hairs the actuating devices for controlling the holding means. rl`heiholding devices. one at Hath side of the truck, are arranged inif paced relation immediately adjacent the sl, le bars i. as showi: in Fig. 1, and ont sci only of these devices will be des fihefl. 'The controlling means for the act i. 'evn'es are positionel renti-ally of im i eferring particularlv to Fig. represe'i s cylindrical bolt. which if; loosely mounted in the casting 3b. Vlhia bolt is arranged in an inclined positihii parallel with the surface 3l) of the himp "Il and is adapted to engage or lie badi of the surface El!) to hold the platforn'i :in -its elevated position. as shown in Fie". il." Adjacent the inner edge of the side `u'-, l is a lever 3 7 which pinned tothe shift ill. rThis lever has an inwardly extending'oll'set portion 4l). which directly umlerlie- :he bolt 2S. and is movable close to the .surface fl.) (see Fig. l0). 1n this portion Lil `s a spring actuated ball il, which is :iirzin; )'fili.to engage either of two recesses fofn cdyin the surface Ilfl to hohl the lever .'lT in ither of the positions shown in i oor Fig. ll). rl`he y.. portion il) of his` iever always supports the .bolt '2H ano. when raisi-d by means to be described to ilie posit-ion shown in Fig. T, permits the bolt 2* to pass over the.

hump i3 and allows the platform 3 to be lowered.

Fixed to the shaft 3l and arranged centrally between the two levers 37, is a inember which has short arms extending above and below the shaft. livotally mounted at 29 in ears formed on the Casting 26 is a pawl 30, which is normally held by gravity in the position shown in Fig. The rear end of the pawl 30 is arranged to engage with the upper arm of the member 3Q, when the platform 3 is elevated slightly beyond the position shown in Fig. 3, to turn the shaft 3l and levers 3T, whereby the bolts may he raised by the movement of the offset portions of said levers to lower the plat forni. lmosely mounted on the shaft 31 is a lever. hereinafter called the pawl-tripping lever. which has a forward flat extension 3i and a rearward extension The central portion of this lever is eut away to form an opening therein to receive the member 32. and the latter is positioned on the shaft 3l by this member 82. The rearward extension 33 of the pawl-tripping lever is heavier than the forward extension and tends at all times to force a projection 3S against the lower arm of the member 32. The forward extension 3i directly underlies the pawl 30 when the platform is lowered, and is inclined at an angle substantially the same as the downward path of the. platform lA as indicated by the dot and dash line in Fin'. 8. To the rear of this inclined portion 34 is a semi-circular depression -lO which is adapted to coact with the pawl 230 in a manner to be described. I

The. levers 3T, after hawing beenmoved to the position shown in Fig. 7 to permitthe platform to be lowered` must be restored to the position shown in Figs. 3 and 1() to allow the bolts 2S to again move intov position to hold the platform on its next upward movement. rThis is accomplished by the lower edge of the angle iron 3', which lies transversely across the levers 37 and on a downward movement of the platform il, engages these levers and moves them to the position shown in Fig. 8.

In liftingr the platform by the means described. i'he. operator naturally raises the platform somewhat beyond the point necessary to permit the bolts 28 to engage bach of and against the surfac l 39 and allows the platform to drop back until the bolt engages this surface. vlVith the pawl 3() in the position shown in lfig. o. there is a possibility that, when the platform is elevated is just described. the paivl' 30 .might engage the member Sli). and move the levers :iT to holt tripping position. The function of the loosely mounted lever SEL-Ell is to prevent such a condition by temporarily removing the pawl 3l) from its normal position shown in Figs. Land 8. Referring to Fig. 8, it will be seen that as the platform vwill drag on the inclined portion 34, during the upward passage o'f` the platform and the heavyA portion 33 will holdthe end 34r against the` pawl l30 in ythe position shown. After the platform has `been-moved 'slightly beyond the positionnecessary` tov permit locking by the bolt 28, the pawl will ride oilA Lthe inclined portion 34, and the levers 33 and 34 will rise so thatfthe end of the pawl 30 is lodged4 in therecess 49. As the platform is allowed to drop back to bring the bolt 2S against the surfacex39, the end of the pawl 30 strikes against theforward end of the recess. 49, an'd the pawl is forced back to its normal position, as shown in Fig. 3. This arrangement of the parts'enables'the.operator to lower the-handle to set the holding bolts, and these bolts cannot be tripped to permitl the lowering ofthe platforlnuntil the lhandle has been raised and again lowered. Thus, the important requirement of a .volitional act on the part of the operator to. lower `the platform is obtained," and the latterl will not be acci.- dentally rlowered when. a heavy` load is to be carried.

Fig. 11 shows a modified form of rthe han-` dle operated mechanism. 'The' rack 2() is slidable 'in the base of the member 12 as heretofore, lbut thegear 4(3is permanently mountedvon., a pin-47 and arranged to be always in meslrwith the teeth of the rack. The handle 15-is forked over the gear 46 and is loosely mounted on the pin 47 within the spaced upstanding webs 12. Within the handle 15 is ya yslidable-,rod 44, the end of which is arranged to engage a .notch 45 in the gear 4G,` whereby the latter may ber turned as desired. "hen the rod 44 is disengaged from slot 45, itmay move on pin 47 without moving the gear 46.

Fig. 12 illustrates a p' ferred form of the bolt tripping levers 3'.. In this modilication, the olfset portion 4() heretofore described -is replaced by a segmental exten-` sion 4S in which the/,spring pressed ball 41 is mounted as heretofore described. By n'ieans f this construction, all possibility of the ball 41 dropping out of the lever on account `of an excessive upward movement thereof is eliminated.

IThe types ofi'nechanism for shifting the platforn'r 3 longitudinally, which have. been described in connection with Figs. 1 to 14,

may be desirable for certain purposes. The type of mechanism, which 1s atpresent preferred, however, 1s shown' m Figs.

15to 18, inclusive, and' will nowbe. de-

scribed.

thereof are spaced rails 50, whichvdirectly underlie .and engage the members 51 on the handle 15. The rails 50 and members 51 are preferably rmade to `correspond with the i pitch lines of the rack 20 and gear 53. A pair of rolls 52, rotatably mounted on the inner sides of the webs 12 also bear on the rails 50, and in eoperation with the members 51, serve to prevent the rack 2O from lifting when a load on the platform 3 is being elevated. A spring 5G, located within a recess in the underside of the rack 20, as shown in Figs. 1,6 and 17, normally retains the rack in vthe retracted position shown in the figures.

It will be seen that, when the handle 1.5

is pulled downwardly from the 'position shown in Fig. 1G, an abutment 54 on .the

handle will engage an abutment 55 on the gear, whereby the latter may be turned to force the rack 20 rearwardly. The roll 25 on the` rack engages, as described, in connection' with Figs. 13 and 14, a'wedge 27 which is 'centrally disposed on the platform 3. This wedge 27. is an integral part of a bracket57, which curves forwardly and upwardly as shown. 5 is'- adapted to'engage the handle 15, asshown in .theFigs 15 and 1G,l when the platform3 isin lowered position. lVhen the platform is in lifted position, this saineA bracket' 57 is arranged to engage a lug 58, which extends rearwardly from' and is integral with the handle 15. The bracket 57, therefore, acts to preventthe handle 15 fromftipping rearwardly against any high load, which may be on the platform 3.

From an inspection of Figs. 16 and 18, L

v Moreover, a portion of the 'gear 53, (as seen in' Fig. 16') is 'cut away at the root line of the teeth. Thus, when the cross-bar 15 of the handle is turned through substantially 180 vdegrees to bring the4 parts in the rela` 'tive positions shown 'in Fig. 17, the handle 15 is free to turn on the rshaft 47 without turning the gear. Lugs 59l are provided on the handle 15, which are arranged to engage vloo The end'of the bracket to turn the levers 37 upwardly.

either of the surfaces 60 to prevent the handle from dropping to the ioor, when the rack is either in position to actuate the lifting mechanism or in reversed position, as shown in. Figs. 16 and 17, respectively.

rfhe general operation of the type of truck, shown in Figs. l to 14, inclusive, is as follows: Assuming the platform 3 to be in elevated position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, to lower the platform, the operator first swings the handle 15 upwardly7 until the ear 16 engages the abutment 17. The gear 14 may then be lowered into mesh with the rack 20, and the bail 21 is simultaneously unlocked as already described. A downward movement of the handle 15 will now move the rack 20 rearwardly until the roll 25 engages the curved surface 27. The forward inclination of this surface as the rack moves rearwardly holds the latter on its support or anti-friction rolls can be used for this purpose as shown in Figs. 15, 16 and 17. The platform is thus moved rearwardly as described a sufficient distance to cause the pawl 30 to engage the member 32 The bolts 28 are then lifted to a position to permit a free downward passage of the platform 8, the bolts riding freely on the forward inclined surface of the hump 43. As the platform is eased downwardly by the handle 15, the lower edge of the angle iron 3 acts to force the levers 37 downwardly and again to the position shown in Fig. 3. The gear 14 may be lifted so that the pin 13 rides in the lower circular portion of the opening 18, wherein it may move with the handle and not move the rack 20 which is held by bail 21 in position to be again moved. To again elevate the truck, the handle 15 is operated as previously described to force the roll 25 against the surface 27 and the platform is moved rearwardly, whereby the cams 7 and 8 co-act to lift the platform. On the upward passageof the platform, the pawl 30 is 'engaged by the lever 3a as described to prevent its engagement with the member 32. As the bolt 28 rides upwardly on the hump 43, itinally drops over the crest thereof upon the upper surface of the portion 40. Then, when the platform is allowed to drop back, the bolt 28 engages the surface 39- to hold the platform in elevated position, and the pawl 30 is restored as heretofore described. The handle can, therefore, be used to manipulate the truck with the platform lifted or not as desired, and the handle-operated means for lifting or lowering the platform is carried with the handle and is always in position to readily cooperate therewith for the desired operations. It is to be particularly noted that the handle after being lowered to lift the platform must be raised and again lowered before the holding means can be positioned to allow the platform to be lowered. This is a safety feature of considerable importance and acts to insure the proper and careful operation of the truck.

The general operation of the truck, using the preferred form of platform-shifting means shown in Figs. 15 to 18, inclusive, is as follows: Assuming the truck platform to be in lowered position and the rack, gear,

'and-lhandle turned laterally by movement of platform 3 is in either its lowered or raised' position and it is desiredrto draw the truck', the cross-bar 15 isturned 180 degrees to The gear forces reverse the rack 20 and bring the parts into the relative positions shown in Fig. 17. When the parts are so positioned, the handle 15 may move in any direction and carry with it the handle-operated mechanism eX- cept that a downward movement of the handle will not operate to force the rack 2G* longitudinally. When the platform is in lifted position, it is not necessaryT to turn the handle, gear, and rack through 180 degrees for the mutilated part of the gear permits movement of the handle without operation of the rack. It is also to be noted that the bracket 57 and lug 58 act as a Stop to limit the movement of the handle in one direction and the lugs 59 and surfaces 60 act as stops to limit movement in the other direction.

The 'invention with certain preferred features and specific modifications has been described in detail, but 'theinvention is more truly defined in the annexed claims than by specific examples thereof chosen for purposes of illustration.

What 1 claim is- 1. A. lifting truck, comprising, a liftable frame Supported on wheels, lifting devices operable to lift said Yframe, means to hold the frame llifted, mechanism to trip said means and controlling devices rendered effective by the movement of the frame to render said mechanism inoperable until said means is set tohold the frame and thereafter render it operable.A

2. A lifting truck, comprising, a frame mounted on'wheels, a platform, devices operable on longitudinal movement of the platform to lift the latter, a rack and gear supported on. the frame independently of the platform operable to move the latter i separated from the platform, a truck handle constructed and arranged to turn the gear for operating the rack, said handle, gear, and rack being mounted to turn laterally as a unit.

3. A truck, comprising, a platform, de.

vices operated by the movement of the platform to lift the latter, a truck frame on wheels to support said elements, a handle operated mechanism on the frame operable when properly positioned by the operator to engage and move the platform by one downward sweep of the handle and to disengage the platform by each upward sweep'of the handle.

4. A truck, comprising, a platform, a handle, devices operated by the platform to lift the latter, mechanism structurally independent of the platform and movable in one direction to move the latter by abutment therewith to operate said devices and movable in the opposite direction out of contact with the platform, anda catch to hold the platform lifted, said independent mechanism being movable with and by the handle.

'5. A truck, comprising, a handle, a platform, devices operated by the`platforin to lift the latter, mechanism strnctm'ally independent of the platform and movable inon'e direction to move the latter by abutment therewith to operate said devices and movable in the opposite direction out of contact with the platform, a catch to hold the platform lifted, said independent mechanism being movable with and by the handle` and means to trip vsaid catch actuated b v' the movement of the platform. y V

v 6. A truck, comprising` a wheeled frame, a handle, a platform, lifting devices operable by-and on longitudinal'movement of the platform, means to cause said longitudinal movement, comprising, a slidable bar on the frame, means engageable with the handle to slide said bar back'and; forth into and out of operable contact with the 'platform. t

Y 7, A truck, comprising, .a wheeled frame,

` a steering handle therefor connected. with one wheel-to steei` the truck, a power multiplying device connected to and movable with the handle, comprising, a laterally slidable rack, a gear in mesh therewith said gear and handle vbeing constructed and arranged to permit up and down swinging of the handle with or without the gear, a platform, de-

- vices operated by the movement thereof to lift the platform, all constructed and 'arranged so that the movement of the Vhandle causes the rack to engage and move the plat,-v

form.

8. In 'a lifting truck, a supporting Wheeled frame, a platform to lift loads, lmeans located between the platform and' frame operable by a longitudinal movement of the platber in the platform, an abutmenton the frame having one surfaeon \\'lii'cli"tlie'catch rides as the platform is lifted anda shoulder back of which the catch member falls when in proper .vertical alinement, a trip device, actuating means therefor carried by'y the platform, setting i' mechanism for theI trip actuating means loperable von the upward movement of the platform to prevent ,the

operation of the trip device and operable on I the proper rsetting of the catch to place the actuating means infposition totrip the catch on farther movement ofthe platform v above itsl normal lifted position.

9.111 a lifting truck, a wheeled frame, a

platform, `lifting devices arranged at the several sup porting points between the vframe and platform, each comprising, an inclined cam onone and a pivoted cambnthe other, the former having a rack with its pitch line correspondingto the cam surface'and the latter a cam gcar'in mesh with the racltwith its pitch line corresponding Vtoitsfcam surface,'and one cam provided with a 'web overlapping at all times. the ,other cam, pin in the other cam extendingthroiigh .a 'slot in the web, said `slotvbeiiig4 out to correspond with the path of thepin as the 'cams move relatively one to the other, and ineaiis coperating withsaid web to hold the cams in proper'relative position at all times.

l0. A liftingtruck having, in combination, a wheeled frame, a platform,l devices operable to lift the platform from'fll frame, a handle, mechanism operable by the handle to actuate said devicescomprising,'a power multiplying means swiveledon the frame and connected toV the handle, said means'completely rotatable by the latter on `a vertical axis and movable into one positioni'n which la, downward movement of the handle will cause the operationV ofthe. devices and' into vanother positionin which the handle-,may

with the handle andwheel.on'ftliefvertical Aaxis aforesaid 'and'fincludinga `racl'cliorizontally movable to' aetuatethe platform, a mutilated gear inirrre'sh'l therewith mennted on the horizontalv axisaforesaid, va, ypart oonnected with they 'liandle'fmovable'ffreely aroundthe mutilatedportion of the gear but alternately engageable with the end teeth thereof, all constructed and arranged so that and lower the platform,

, the handle may be positioned to swing up"` the frame to swing'ron and to completely re- A volve about a,vert1cal axis, a handle-open1 ated element arranged to actuate said means, said element being arranged for actuating said means by a downward swingofthe handle when in one position and turnable with the handle on its vertical axis into anner position to render said element inoperable on a'downward swing of the handle.

13. A lifting truck, comprising, a wheeled frame,va steering wheel therefor connected to a fifth wheel member and mounted in the frame to turn on the vertical axis of the fifth wheel member, a handle, gear, and rack operably connected and comp-rising a power multiplying device, all mounted on said member to turn therewith, a platform on the frame, lifting 'and controlling devices actuated by movement of the rack to raise all constructed and arranged so that the powermultiplying devica is operable by, an up and down movement of the handle when the latter is turned to position the rack for operation and is rendered inoperable when turned to bring the lracl; out of operative position.

14. A lifting truck, comprising, a wheeled steering wheel mounted on a swiva handle pivoted horizontally on said fifth wheel member, a gear mounted to turn on i 'the horizontal axis of the handle, a rack in mesh with said gear' mounted to slide horizontally on lsaid fifth wheel member and turn therewith, a spring the rack in normal position, means on the handle to engage the gear so that a downvward movement of the handle will turn said gear to operate said rack, said gear and said a platform on said frame, lifting devices between the frame and the platform operl able by longitudinal movement of the platform, all constructed and arranged so that said handle, gear, and rack may be manipulated to mo've the platform and thus actuate l said lifting devices, a catch to hold said platform lifted, releasing means therefor, actuated by movement of the platform and conf trolled by the movement of the handle.

15. A lifting truck, comprising, a wheeled "frame having a' steering wheel swiveled 'at arranged to engage and turn said between the fifth i wheel member and the rack tending to hold the front end thereof to turn about a vertical axis passing through the horizontal axis of the wheel, a handle horizontally pivoted to said fifth wheel member in line with said vertical axis, a gear mounted to turn on said last-named horizontalaxis, a rack slidably mounted for horizontal movement in said fifth wheel member with which said gearl meshes, position on said fifth wheel member, said handle having a part connected therewith gear when the handle is swung downwardly, all constructed and arranged so that the handle may be turned with the fifth wheel member and the parts connected therewith through ar. arc suflicient to reverse the steering wheel, whereby the up and down movement of the handle takes .place without engaging said gear, a platform on the frame, lifting devices operable by movement of the platform, said platformbeing arranged to be moved and controlled by said rack.

16. A lifting truck, comprising, a frame erable on longitudinal movement of the platfrom to lift the latter, a steering handle, mechanism operable thereby to actuate the platform to operate said devices, a releasable catch to hold the platform in lifted position, a trip device operable on upward movement of the platform to release said catch and means to render said trip device inoperative while the platform is being lifted and locked and on continued upward movement of the platform beyond locking position, all constructed and arranged so that the handle mustbe lowered and again raised before the platform can belowered. y

17. A lifting truck comprising a wheeled frame, a platform, devices operable on longitudinal movement of the platform to lift the latter, a steering handle mechanism operable on a downward swing of the handle to move the platform to operate said devices to lift the platform, a releasable catch operable after the platform is lifted to a predetermined height to lock the platform against 'downward movement, a trip device operable bv upward movement of the platform to re- 'lease said catch and means to render said trip device inoperable on 'continued upward movement of the platform beyond said predetermined height, said means arranged to prevent lowering of the platform until the handle is raised and again lowered.

wiLLmM. r.y IRRGANG.

lVitnesses:

F. Gr. NEAL, Hz E.- Han'rwnnn.

means to hold said rack in normal mounted on wheels, a platform, devices op-

Images