Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
A load-lifting assembly (10) comprising a first pair spaced-apart uprights (14,16); a second pair of spaced-apart uprights (38,40) nested within and movable relative to the first pair of uprights (14,16); a carriage (72) for carrying a load and movable relative to the second pair of uprights (38,40); first means, for moving the carriage (72) relative to and without movement of the second pair of uprights (38,40), the first means including a first lifting means (90,92), a cross-member (61) above the lifting means (90,92) and connecting the uprights (38,40) of the second pair, first sheave means (97,98) connected to the cross-member (61), and first chain means (102,104) movable over the first sheave means (97,98) and connected at one end to the lifting means (90,92) and at the other end to the carriage (72), movement of the lifting means (90,92) causing movement of the chain means (102,104) to lift the carriage (72); and second means for moving the second pair of uprights (38,40) relative to the first pair (14,16).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
A load-lifting assembly (10) comprising a first pair spaced-apart uprights (14,16); a second pair of spaced-apart uprights (38,40) nested within and movable relative to the first pair of uprights (14,16); a carriage (72) for carrying a load and movable relative to the second pair of uprights (38,40); first means, for moving the carriage (72) relative to and without movement of the second pair of uprights (38,40), the first means including a first lifting means (90,92), a cross-member (61) above the lifting means (90,92) and connecting the uprights (38,40) of the second pair, first sheave means (97,98) connected to the cross-member (61), and first chain means (102,104) movable over the first sheave means (97,98) and connected at one end to the lifting means (90,92) and at the other end to the carriage (72), movement of the lifting means (90,92) causing movement of the chain means (102,104) to lift the carriage (72); and second means for moving the second pair of uprights (38,40) relative to the first pair (14,16).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
113 words
A load-lifting assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second means comprises means (114) connecting the uprights (14,16) of the first pair intermediate their ends; second and third means having first members (120, 141 respectively) fixed to the connecting means (114) and second movable members (124, 144 respectively), for lifting the second uprights (38, 40) second and third sheave means (130, 150 respectively) connected, respectively, to the second movable members (124,144); and second and third chain means (134,154) movable over the second and third sheave means (130,150) respectively, and connected at one end to said second and third lifting means, respectively, and at the other end to the second pair of uprights (38,40).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
A load-lifting assembly according to claim 2, wherein the second lifting means is directly behind two of the uprights (14,38) comprising nested uprights of the first and second pairs, and the third lifting means is directly behind the other two uprights (16,40) comprising the other nested uprights of the first and second pairs, to improve visibility between the pairs of nested uprights (14,38 and 16,40).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
A load-lifting assembly according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first lifting means comprises a relatively short cylinder (90); and a movable cylinder rod (92) connected to the one end of said first chain means (102,104), the cylinder rod (92) being extendable from the cylinder (90) to lower the carriage (72) and being withdrawable into the cylinder (90) to raise the carriage (72).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
A load-lifting assembly according to any of claims 1 to 4, further comprising means (18,20) for pivotally connecting the lower ends of the first pair of uprights (14,16) to a frame; and means (160,162) for pivoting the first pair of uprights (14,16) and the second pair of uprights (38,40) relative to the frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A load-lifting assembly according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first lifting means comprises means (94) for equalizing the load on the chain means (102,104).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
A load-lifting assembly according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first means has first and second sheaves (97,98) rotatably connected to the cross-member (61), and first and second chains (102,104) each connected at one end to the carriage (72) and at the first lifting means the first and second chains extending over the first and second sheaves, respectively.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A load-lifting assembly according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the second means includes a pair of hydraulic cylinder means (120,124,141,144).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A load-lifting assembly according to claim 2, wherein the second and third sheaves (130,150) are at angles to the forward/rearward axis of the assembly.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A lift truck incorporating a load-lifting assembly according to any of claims 1 to 9.