Base frame for a reach truck

{
  "publication_number": "US11511982B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Base frame for a reach truck",
  "abstract": "A base frame for a reach truck comprises a wheel arm subassembly comprising two wheel arms each having a front end and an opposing rear end. A load wheel receiver is positioned on each rear end and a counterweight is positioned at the front end of the wheel arms and coupled to the wheel arm subassembly by a plurality of screw connections. The plurality of screw connections comprise a first portion of screw connections and a second portion of screw connections. The first portion of screw connections each extend in a first direction and the second portion of the screw connections each extend in a second direction which is different from the first direction.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A base frame for a reach truck, comprising: a wheel arm subassembly comprising two wheel arms each having a front end and an opposing rear end, wherein a load wheel receiver is positioned on each rear end; and a counterweight positioned at the front end of the two wheel arms and coupled to the wheel arm subassembly by a plurality of screw connections, wherein the plurality of screw connections comprise a first portion of screw connections and a second portion of screw connections, wherein the first portion of screw connections each extend in a first direction and the second portion of the screw connections each extend in a second direction which is different from the first direction, wherein at least one of the plurality of screw connections comprises a screw head configured to be countersunk, and wherein the wheel arm subassembly defines a through-bore with a diameter which is larger than the screw head and a welded-on disc defining a through-bore that is smaller than the screw head.",
    "2. The base frame according to claim 1, wherein an upper face of the welded-on disc forms a contact surface for a disc positioned between the wheel arm subassembly and the counterweight, and wherein the disc is configured to increase a coefficient of friction between the wheel arm subassembly and the counterweight.",
    "3. The base frame according to claim 2, wherein the counterweight defines a recess configured to receive the welded-on disc.",
    "4. The base frame according to claim 3, wherein a base of the recess forms a contact surface for a disc positioned between the wheel arm subassembly and the counterweight, and wherein the disc is configured to increasing the coefficient of friction between the wheel arm subassembly and the counterweight.",
    "5. The base frame according to claim 1, wherein the counterweight extends a width of the base frame.",
    "6. The base frame according to claim 1, wherein at least one of a driver's cab and a drive wheel carrier are configured to fasten to the counterweight.",
    "7. The base frame according to claim 1, wherein the counterweight is comprised of cast iron and configured to provide torsional stability for the reach truck.",
    "8. A base frame for a reach truck, comprising: a wheel arm subassembly comprising two wheel arms each having a front end and an opposing rear end, wherein a load wheel receiver is positioned on each rear end; and a counterweight positioned at the front end of the two wheel arms and coupled to the wheel arm subassembly by a plurality of screw connections, wherein the plurality of screw connections comprise a first portion of screw connections and a second portion of screw connections, wherein the first portion of screw connections each extend in a first direction and the second portion of the screw connections each extend in a second direction which is different from the first direction, wherein a center of gravity of the counterweight is below a center of gravity of the wheel arm subassembly.",
    "9. The base frame according to claim 8, wherein the center of gravity of the counterweight is below an upper edge of each wheel arm.",
    "10. The base frame according to claim 8, wherein the wheel arm subassembly defines at least one through-bore configured to accept a dowel pin, and wherein the dowel pin is configured to accept a screw.",
    "11. The base frame according to claim 8, wherein the wheel arm subassembly comprises a transverse connection welded to the two wheel arms.",
    "12. The base frame according to claim 11, wherein the transverse connection comprises at least one of a horizontally arranged base plate and a vertically arranged transverse member.",
    "13. The base frame according to claim 8, wherein the counterweight is comprised of cast iron and configured to provide torsional stability for the reach truck."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The invention relates to a base frame for a reach truck. The base frame receives all substantial loads acting on the vehicle, in particular the wheels of the vehicle, the lifting frame and a driver's seat and/or a driver's cab being arranged on the base frame. Base frames for reach trucks have two wheel arms, in each case a wheel receiver being arranged on the front ends thereof. The lifting frame is displaceably guided between the two wheel arms. Known base frames for reach trucks are produced as a welded subassembly and comprise a plurality of transverse members which connect the two wheel arms to a torsionally stiff frame. Other members, for example longitudinal members, may also be used. In addition to torsional stiffness, in the construction of base frames for reach trucks, in particular, dimensions which are as small as possible in the vehicle longitudinal direction play an important role as well as an optimal use of the constructional space. In forklift trucks which are not configured as reach trucks, the use of counterweights for compensating the tilting moments exerted by a received load are common. Such a forklift truck with a counterweight has been disclosed in the publication DE 696 18 699 T2, in which the counterweight is configured as a cast product and in addition to its function as a counterweight serves at the same time as a carrier for a drive unit and a steering motor.\n\nProceeding therefrom, it is the object of the invention to provide an improved base frame for a reach truck.",
  "cpc": [
    "B66F 9/07513",
    "B62D 21/186",
    "B66F 17/003",
    "B66F 9/075",
    "B66F 9/07554",
    "B66F 9/07559",
    "B66F 9/10",
    "B66F 9/12"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B62D 21/18",
    "B66F 17/00",
    "B66F 9/075",
    "B66F 9/10",
    "B66F 9/12"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "JUNGHEINRICH AG"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "LEMKE FRANK",
    "BELCHEV BOYAN"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2019-01-18",
  "publication_date": "2022-11-29",
  "grant_date": "2022-11-29",
  "priority_date": "2018-01-24",
  "application_number": "US-201916251234-A",
  "family_id": "65013522",
  "citations": [
    "DE10312432A1",
    "DE2110761A1",
    "DE2658696A1",
    "DE3910882A1",
    "DE602004006455T2",
    "DE69618699T3",
    "EP3053871A1",
    "JP2001151487A",
    "JPH0986894A",
    "US2264512A",
    "US3029088A",
    "US3756350A",
    "US4067415A"
  ]
}