Counterweight suspension device

Claim 2

A counterweight suspension device in combination with a counter-balanced vehicle comprising a frame having opposite ends with counterweight securing means at one end, and implement support linkage at the other end of the frame capable of tilting said vehicle to lower said one end of the frame relative to said other end; adjustable bracket means attached to said frame above said securing means; an elongated flexible cable member having opposite predetermined upper and lower ends pivotally connected respectively to said bracket and said counterweight, and having a hook at the lower end thereof, and said counterweight includes a cavity and a bar spanning said cavity to receive said hook, said elongated cable member being operative to support the counterweight in pendulum fashion to swing toward and away from the frame when said vehicle is tilted to facilitate the securing and removal of said counterweight relative to said securing means.

Claim 3

The invention of claim wherein said securing means comprises a pair of spaced recesses formed in said counterweight and a pair of frame members engaging said recesses so that said counterweight rests on said frame members in the secured position.

Claim 4

The invention of claim 2 wherein said bracket means is adjustable and comprises a slide block slidably received between a pair of guide blocks and a screw and nut assembly operatively connected to move said slide block with respect to said guide blocks.

Claim 5

The counterweight suspension device of claim 3 wherein said slide block includes a lug having a bore extending therethrough, and said cable is attached thereto by means of a pin and a clevis.

Claim 6

The counterweight suspension device of claim 4 wherein a work member is connected to said implement support linkage, said work member including a pair of projections, each of which has a bore extending therethrough to permit said clevis of said flexible member to be releasably attached thereto, whereby said implement support linkage is employed to reposition said counterweight after its removal from said vehicle.

Claim 7

A counterweight suspension assembly for a counterbalanced vehicle having a frame with opposite ends and having counterweight securing means at one end, and implement support linkage at the other end of the frame capable of tilting said vehicle to lower said one end of the frame relative to said other end, said counterweight suspension device comprising: bracket means for attachment to a vehicle frame above counterweight securing means on said frame; comprising a pair of laterally spaced adjustable brackets, each of which includes a moveable element and an anchor having a bore therethrough, and adjustment means extended through said bore and engagable with said moveable element to adjust the elevational position thereof with respect to said securing means; and, elongated flexible means comprising a pair of cables having opposite predetermined upper and lower ends pivotally connected respectively to said bracket and a counterweight; said elongated flexible means being operative to support said counterweight in pendulum fashion to swing toward and away from the securing means when said vehicle frame is tilted to facilitate the securing and removal of said counterweight relative to said securing means.

Claim 8

A counterweight suspension assembly for a counterbalanced vehicle having a frame with opposite ends and having counterweight securing means at one end, and implement support linkage at the other end of the frame capable of tilting said vehicle to lower said one end of the frame relative to said other end, said counterweight suspension device comprising: bracket means for attachment to a vehicle frame above counterweight securing means on said frame; comprising a pair of laterally spaced adjustable brackets, each of which includes a moveable element and an anchor having a bore therethrough, and adjustment means extended through said bore and engagable with said moveable element to adjust the elevational position thereof with respect to said securing means; and, elongated flexible means comprising a pair of cables having opposite predetermined upper and lower ends pivotally connected respectively to said bracket and a counterweight; said elongated flexible means being operative to support said counterweight in pendulum fashion to swing toward and away from the securing means when said vehicle frame is tilted to facilitate the securing and removal of said counterweight relative to said securing means.

Claim 9

The counterweight suspension assembly of claim 6 wherein said moveable element has a threaded bore formed therein, and said adjustment means is a screw having a threaded body whiCh extends through said bore in said anchor and threadably engages said threaded bore in said moveable element, and said screw having an enlarged head portion supported upon said anchor; and, each of said cables including a hook at the lower end thereof to engage a bar connected to said counterweight.

Claim 10

The counterweight suspension device of claim 7 wherein said bracket means includes a pair of vertically disposed substantially parallel L-shaped guide members forming a T-shaped slot, and said moveable element comprises a T-shaped block slidably disposed in said slot of the guide means.