Modular frame load handler with translatable boom carriage
View Patent ↗A load handler with a modular frame and the manufacture and assembly of the frame and loader and components that may be used therein. A frame is provided that has a low pivot point for a boom. The frame has left and right side rails, and front and rear cross rails, each having a closed cross-section construction. The side rails and cross rails are modular and the cross rails of a selected size are configured to fit a plurality of sizes of side rails, such that the same size cross rails may be used to construct a variety sizes and capabilities of load handling vehicles in a flow type manufacturing process. A structural beam is provided having plates interconnected along their lengths to form the beam having a box-shaped closed cross-section having a perimeter generally along the widths of the plates and forming a beam cavity within the perimeter.
1. A load handler comprising:
a boom displaceable between a lowered position and a raised position; and
a frame having:
a left side rail and a right side rail, each having a closed cross-section and a front end and a rear end and being continuous from the front end to the rear end;
a plurality of cross rails rigidly affixed between said side rails, including a front cross rail having a closed cross-section and rigidly affixed between said side rails at a forward location, and a rear cross rail having a closed cross-section and being rigidly affixed between said side rails at a rearward location,
wherein said left side rail, said right side rail and said cross rails define a channel that receives said boom superimposed within the left side rail and the right side rail when said boom is in said lowered position.
2. A load handler according to claim 1 , wherein the front cross rail comprises a front axle mount pod, the front axle mount pod providing a mounting position for a front axle of the load handler.
3. A load handler according to claim 1 , wherein the rear cross rail comprises a rear axle mount pod, the rear axle mount pod providing a mounting position for a rear axle of the load handler.
4. A load handler comprising:
a vehicle frame supported on front and rear axles;
a boom secured to the vehicle frame at a first end and pivotable between a lowered position and a raised position;
a lift cylinder secured between the vehicle frame and the boom; and
a load handling device pivotally secured to a second end of the boom,
wherein the vehicle frame comprises:
a left side rail and a right side rail, each having a closed cross-section and a front end and a rear end and being continuous from the front end to the rear end, and
a plurality of cross rails rigidly affixed between said side rails, including a front cross rail having a closed cross-section and rigidly affixed between said side rails at a forward location, and a rear cross rail having a closed cross-section and being rigidly affixed between said side rails at a rearward location,
wherein said left side rail, said right side rail and said cross rails define a channel that receives the boom superimposed within the left side rail and the right side rail when the boom is in the lowered position.
5. A load handler according to claim 4 , wherein the front cross rail comprises a front axle mount pod, the front axle mount pod providing a mounting position for the front axle.
6. A load handler according to claim 4 , wherein the rear cross rail comprises a rear axle mount pod, the rear axle mount pod providing a mounting position for the rear axle.