Lifting truck, particularly adapted for cylindrical containers

Claim 1

As an article of manufacture, a lifting truck, particularly adapted for lilfting cylindrical containers comprising, in combination: a frame having a base platform and upright side column members and a further upright member for guiding an endless chain, the platform and upright side members being configurated to receive a cylindrical container; an endless chain associated with and guided by the upright guide member; a container lifting platform carrying a shoe member having hinged attachment to the endless chain by pivotal attachment of the shoe member to the chain at a point spaced from the platform whereby at the upper end of travel of the chain the shoe and lifting platform will tilt the container laterally to facilitate its removal and repositioning; cushioning means supported at the top of said upright member positioned to have the container rested thereon when tilted sideways during removal from the truck; stabilizing means carried by said lifting platform for holding the container in position while being lifted, said stabilizing means including means adapted for engaging and holding a narrow neck of a bottle type container, said means for engaging and holding the bottle neck being an arm pivotally mounted on said lifting platform in position to be lowered after the bottle is in place on the lifting platform into a position for engagement with the neck of the bottle, said arm having an opening defined therein for engaging the neck of the bottle and into which the neck of the bottle may be inserted; and controllable drive means for the endless chain whereby the lifting platForm supporting the container may be lifted to a position at the upper ends of the upright side column members at which position the container can be tilted sideways and positioned for dispensing therefrom.