The present invention relates to an externally gusseted torsion control system for controlling twist in an open frame vehicle. More particularly, the invention relates to a system for controlling twist in frame members of a boat lifting and stacking vehicle.
Boat storage facilities continue to experience an increased demand in storage space due to an increase in boat ownership. Additionally, the shortage and high price of waterfront land increases the need for offshore boat storage facilities. These boat storage facilities are the equivalent of large warehouses where owners endeavor to optimize storage and warehouse space in order to obtain a premium value from the land. Thus, boats are stored on racks stretching horizontally and vertically throughout the storage facility.
To further maximize profitability and utilization of space, owners attempt to position the racks as closely as possible minimizing the aisle space between racks. In order to navigate the narrow aisles between racks a novel open frame boat lifting and stacking vehicle has been devised. This open frame boat lifting and stacking vehicle described in U.S. application Ser. No. 11/877,174 comprises an elongated frame having parallel side rails and a carriage movable along the length of the rails. The carriage carries an upright forklift mast and an operator console. The elongated frame is in the shape of a U with the parallel side rails forming the arms of the U-shape and a rigid back plate at the rear of the vehicle forming the base of the U. The portion of the frame near the front of the vehicle is open.
As the carriage moves along the side rails the weight of the carriage thereon combined with the distance from the rigid back plate creates torsion in the rails such that the top of each rail is rotated inwardly toward the open area of the frame.
Accordingly, there is a need for a system to counter torsion forces in load bearing members of an open frame vehicle. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides other related advantages.
The present invention is directed to a gusseted torsion system for an open frame vehicle. The torsion system acts on a generally U-shaped frame having two generally parallel, load bearing beams and a back plate, the beams and back plate defining an open area. A cross member extends between the beams below the open area. A gusset is positioned adjacent to each of the two ends of the cross member and affixed to either a first side or an opposite second side of each of the parallel beams.
The gussets act counter to torsion forces on the beams resulting from the load borne thereon. The vehicle includes wheel support structures on the first side of each of the parallel beams. Load bearing members in the form of guide rails are on the opposite second side of each beam. In a preferred embodiment, the first side is an external side of the beams or U-shaped frame and the opposite second side is an internal side of the beams or U-shaped frame.
In this preferred embodiment the gussets are affixed to the external side of the beams. A carriage mounted on the load bearing members is movable along the members from a back end of the beams to a front end of the beams and vice versa. The downward force from this carriage on the load bearing members creates a rotational or torsion force on each of the beams which causes the top of each beam to twist inward toward the center of the frame.
The back plate is rigidly connected to the back end of each of the beams. This rigid connection with the back plate counters the torsion forces at the back end of each of the beams. The gussets are rigidly connected to each of the cross members at a ninety degree angle and comprise a vertical plate securely connected to the first side or second side of the beams. This rigid connection between the gussets and the beams counters the torsion forces along the length of the beams. The gussets further comprise a perpendicular gusset that anchors the vertical plate to the adjacent cross member end. The perpendicular gusset provides additional support to resist the torsional forces.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:
As shown in the exemplary drawings for purposes of illustration, the present invention relates to a gusseted torsion system for use with an open frame vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 is more particularly a boat lifting and stacking vehicle as described in U.S. application Ser. No. 11/877,174. As illustrated in
The gusseted torsion system includes cross members 28 spanning the distance between the beams 20 beneath the open area bordered by the beams 20 and back plate 22. The cross members 28 are sufficiently below this open area to accommodate boats and other loads carried by the forklift mast 16. The open space also accommodates the carriage 14 as it moves along the guide rails 24. The cross members 28 must be sufficiently below the open area to permit movement of the carriage 14 along the rails 24. The cross members 28 generally are comprised of structural tubing or other structural members of sufficient strength to resist the force vectors and torsion vectors exerted on the U-shape frame 12.
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Although one preferred embodiment has been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims.