Modular sliding fork for a fork-lift truck or pallet truck, fork-lift truck or pallet truck provided therewith and method therefor
The invention relates to a modular sliding fork for a fork-lift truck or pallet truck, a fork-lift truck or pallet truck provided therewith and a method therefor. The modular sliding fork includes a sliding part configured to be adjusted in length direction relative to a fork part of a fork of a fork-lift truck or pallet truck, a drive system for sliding the modular sliding fork relative to the fork part for the purpose of extending and/or shortening the fork; and a locking mechanism for locking the modular sliding fork relative to the fork part at a desired position. The drive system utilizes a movement of the fork-lift truck or pallet truck for the purpose of sliding the modular sliding fork.
1. A modular sliding fork for a fork-lift truck or pallet truck, the modular sliding fork comprising:
a sliding part configured to be adjusted in length direction relative to a fork part of a fork of the fork-lift truck or pallet truck;
a drive system for sliding the modular sliding fork relative to the fork part for the purpose of extending and/or shortening the fork; and
a locking mechanism for locking the modular sliding fork relative to the fork part at a desired position,
wherein the drive system utilizes a movement of the fork-lift truck or pallet truck for the purpose of sliding the modular sliding fork,
wherein the drive system is provided with a contact element configured to slide the modular sliding fork in contact with a ground surface, and
wherein the contact element comprises a drive roller or drive wheel operatively engaged with a coupling between the sliding part and the fork part.
2. The modular sliding fork as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the contact element is operatively connected to an energy storage system of the drive system configured to store energy for the purpose of extending and/or shortening the fork.
3. The module sliding fork as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a plurality of locking positions for locking the modular sliding fork relative to the fork part at more than a minimum and maximum length of the fork, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a locking drive, and wherein the locking drive can be remotely controlled.
4. The modular sliding fork as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the contact element is operatively connected to an energy storage system of the drive system configured to store energy for the purpose of extending and/or shortening the fork.
5. The modular sliding fork as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a plurality of locking positions for locking the modular sliding fork relative to the fork part at more than a minimum and maximum length of the fork.
6. The modular sliding fork as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the charging mechanism comprises a spring.
7. The modular sliding fork as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a locking drive, and wherein the locking drive can be remotely controlled.
8. The modular sliding fork as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism is provided with a battery.
9. The modular sliding fork as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism is provided with a charging mechanism.
10. The modular sliding fork as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a sensor configured to detect a correct locking.
11. A fork-lift truck or pallet truck comprising a modular sliding fork for a fork-lift truck or pallet truck, the modular sliding fork comprising:
a sliding part configured to be adjusted in length direction relative to a fork part of the fork of a fork-lift truck or pallet truck;
a drive system for sliding the modular sliding fork relative to the fork part for the purpose of extending and/or shortening the fork; and
a locking mechanism for locking the modular sliding fork relative to the fork part at a desired position,
wherein the drive system utilizes a movement of the fork-lift truck or pallet truck for the purpose of sliding the modular sliding fork,
wherein the drive system is provided with a contact element configured to slide the modular sliding fork in contact with a ground surface, and
wherein the contact element comprises a drive roller or drive wheel operatively engaged with a coupling between the sliding part and the fork part.
12. The fork-lift truck or pallet truck as claimed in claim 11 , further comprising a guide configured to guide the relative movement between the modular sliding fork and the fork part.
13. The fork-lift truck or pallet truck as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the fork part is provided from a number of strips.
14. A method for providing an extendable fork on a fork-lift truck or pallet truck, comprising of providing a modular sliding fork for a fork-lift truck or pallet truck, the modular sliding fork comprising:
a sliding part configured to be adjusted in length direction relative to a fork part of the fork of a fork-lift truck or pallet truck;
a drive system for sliding the modular sliding fork relative to the fork part for the purpose of extending and/or shortening the fork; and
a locking mechanism for locking the modular sliding fork relative to the fork part at a desired position,
wherein the drive system utilizes a movement of the fork-lift truck or pallet truck for the purpose of sliding the modular sliding fork,
wherein the drive system is provided with a contact element configured to slide the modular sliding fork in contact with a ground surface, and
wherein the contact element comprises a drive roller or drive wheel operatively engaged with a coupling between the sliding part and the fork part.
15. The method as claimed in claim 14 , further comprising the step of extending and/or shortening the fork by bringing the fork into contact with a ground surface and/or an object, and displacing the fork-lift truck or pallet truck.