Load support attachment for vertical lift trucks providing horizontal and rotational displacement of a load

Claim 1

A load support attachment for lift trucks having a vertically elevatable carriage provided with horizontally projecting loadlifting tines comprising: A. a base support frame having openings to receive the tines for detachable mounting the attachment on the elevatable carriage for vertical displacement therewith and including in depending relationship thereto a circular stabilizing track disposed in a horizontal plane and having a vertical axis, B. a rotatable support structure mounted on said base support frame in depending relationship for revolution about said vertical axis and including an elongated, horizontally disposed track, said rotatably support structure having roller means engaging with said stabilizing track for resisting twisting forces imposed by eccentric loads, C. first selectively operable motive means interconnected with said base support frame and said rotatable support structure for effecting relative rotation thereof, D. a load carrier mounted on said rotatable support structure for reciprocable movement longitudinally of said track, said load carrier including a carriage mounted on said track for movement longitudinally thereof, a vertically disposed strut secured to and depending from said carriage and having a vertically extending guide track, and a load-receiving platform secured to said strut in laterally projecting relationship for supporting a load thereon beneath said track, and E. second selectively operable motive means interconnected with said rotatable support structure and said load carrier for effecting displacement of said load carrier for effecting displacement of said load carrier relative to said track between a position coaxial with said vertical axis and a position laterally offset therefrom, said second motive means including a lever arm pivotally mounted on said rotatable support structure eccentric to said vertical axis for swinging movement in a vertical plane aligned with said track between a nearly vertical position and a substantially horizontal position and having a roller guide engaged with said guide track and movable longitudinally thereof to displace said load carrier in response to swinging movement of said lever arm, and actuator means interconnected with said rotatable support structure and said lever arm to effect swinging movement of said lever arm.