IP Library Granted Patent US 10,543,981
Granted Patent B2
US 10,543,981 · App. 14/517,665 · Granted Jan 28, 2020

Forklift bin

Inventors: Brendt A. Adams (Long Beach, CA); Ely Ramirez (Moreno Valley, CA)
Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
B65F1/122
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,543,981
App. No.
14/517,665
Granted
Jan 28, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

A forklift bin includes a container affixed to a frame. The container includes a bottom sloped with respect to a swing door. The swing door can be retained via magnets.

Claims (27)

1. A forklift bin, comprising:

a frame;

a container affixed to the frame, the container including a swing door supported by a remainder of the container besides the swing door for swinging movement with respect to an open side of the container, and a bottom sloped downward away from the open side; and

a locking device configured to releasably retain the swing door to the remainder of the container, whereby the swing door covers the open side, wherein the locking device includes a magnet configured such that:

when the forklift bin is tipped to a first extent, the magnet magnetically retains the swing door to the remainder of the container; and

when the forklift bin is tipped to a second extent greater than the first extent, the magnet, by itself, magnetically releases the swing door from the remainder of the container for the swinging movement, whereby the swing door uncovers the open side.

2. The forklift bin as recited in claim 1 , wherein the bottom is sloped downward away from the open side at about seven (7) degrees.

3. The forklift bin as recited in claim 1 , wherein the container includes an open top.

4. The forklift bin as recited in claim 1 , wherein the container includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a back wall, the bottom, and the swing door.

5. The forklift bin as recited in claim 4 , wherein the open side is opposite the back wall, whereby the bottom is sloped downward away from the open side such that a low side of the bottom is adjacent to the back wall.

6. The forklift bin as recited in claim 4 , wherein the frame includes a first and a second forklift opening.

7. The forklift bin as recited in claim 6 , wherein the first and second forklift openings are parallel to a hinge axis of the swing door.

8. The forklift bin as recited in claim 4 , wherein a hinge axis of the swing door extends between the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

9. The forklift bin as recited in claim 8 , wherein the hinge axis is displaced from the bottom.

10. The forklift bin as recited in claim 1 , wherein the second extent is approximately forty (40) degrees.

11. The forklift bin as recited in claim 1 , wherein when the forklift bin is tipped to the second extent, a release force is approximately fifteen (15) Kg of weight.

12. A forklift bin, comprising:

a frame, the frame including a first forklift opening and a second forklift opening;

a container affixed to the frame, the container including a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a back wall between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, an open side between the first sidewall and the second sidewall opposite the back wall, a bottom that has a high side between the first sidewall, the second sidewall and the back wall, and a swing door adjacent to the high side of the bottom, the swing door supported by a remainder of the container besides the swing door for swinging movement with respect to the open side; and

a pair of locking devices configured to respectively releasably retain the swing door to the first sidewall and the second sidewall, whereby the swing door covers the open side, wherein the pair of locking devices includes respective magnets configured such that:

when the forklift bin is tipped to a first extent, the magnets magnetically retain the swing door to the first sidewall and the second sidewall; and

when the forklift bin is tipped to a second extent greater than the first extent, the magnets, by themselves, magnetically release the swing door from the first sidewall and the second sidewall for the swinging movement, whereby the swing door uncovers the open side.

13. The forklift bin as recited in claim 12 , wherein the bottom is sloped downward away from the open side at about seven (7) degrees.

14. The forklift bin as recited in claim 12 , further comprising casters mounted to the frame.

15. The forklift bin as recited in claim 12 , wherein the swing door includes a hinge axis, the hinge axis parallel to the first forklift opening and the second forklift opening.

16. The forklift bin as recited in claim 12 , wherein the second extent is approximately forty (40) degrees.

17. The forklift bin as recited in claim 12 , wherein when the forklift bin is tipped to the second extent, a release force is approximately fifteen (15) Kg of weight.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF ADDRESS Recorded Nov 30, 2018
From: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
To: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Reel/Frame 047688/0784 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 28, 2014
From: ADAMS, BRENDT A.; RAMIREZ, ELY
To: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Reel/Frame 034054/0511 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20160107834A1 · Apr 21, 2016