Fork construction for fork lift trucks

Claim 1

A fork for a fork lift vehicle comprising a load arm, a support arm connected thereto and integral therewith, a head integral with the support arm to connect the fork to such vehicle, said head including a hook portion for interengagement with fork mounting means carried by said vehicle, said portion further comprising an integral, uninterrupted extension of the material of said arm, including the same material with grain flow therein following the contour of said head, through said hook portion, said fork being combined with a vehicle which includes a carriage thereon, said carriage including the mounting means, said mounting means comprising a transverse rail connected to the carriage and having a series of notches therein, the head being in engagement with the rail, and a latch member mounted in the head, said member having a portion in full engagement in one of said notches to prevent movement of the fork along said rail, a downwardly open groove is formed in the head at the rear thereof, said groove being engaged with the rail as stated, the notches are in the upper edge of the rail and extend at right angles across said rail, the latch member comprises a reciprocable member extending upwardly through the head, said member comprising an inverted generally L-shaped body pivoted at the juncture of the arms of said body, wherein the end of one arm may be moved into and out of engagement with a notch by manipulation of the other arm, a spring being positioned to exert pressure on said other arm to maintain the said end in engagement with said notch.