U.S. patent application number 10/792940 was filed with the patent office on 2005-09-08 for protective equipment cover system.
Invention is credited to Haddock, Denis Rene.
Application Number | 20050194813 10/792940 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34911936 |
Filed Date | 2005-09-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050194813 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Haddock, Denis Rene |
September 8, 2005 |
PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT COVER SYSTEM
Abstract
A protective cover apparatus system for a lift truck having a
platform and mounted integrally thereon, an upper body
superstructure having at least one of a rounded portion, a
rectangular portion, and a box-shaped portion, the cover apparatus
system made of a cushioned fabric and formed to cover at least one
of the rounded portion, the rectangular portion and the box-shaped
portion of the upper body superstructure of the lift truck. Hooks
engage portions of the lift truck so as to maintain the cover
thereon. The cover is symmetrical along a center line of the lift
truck running from front to rear and a vertical seam is formed in
the cover at the center line at the rearward termination of the
cover so that the cover may be quickly and easily removed for
access to the lift truck for maintenance.
Inventors: |
Haddock, Denis Rene;
(Morinville, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GENE SCOTT; PATENT LAW & VENTURE GROUP
3140 RED HILL AVENUE
SUITE 150
COSTA MESA
CA
92626-3440
US
|
Family ID: |
34911936 |
Appl. No.: |
10/792940 |
Filed: |
March 3, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
296/136.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B66F 9/07513 20130101;
B60J 11/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
296/136.1 |
International
Class: |
B60R 027/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A protective cover apparatus system for a lift truck having a
platform and mounted integrally thereon, an upper body
superstructure having at least one of a rounded portion, a
rectangular portion, and a box-shaped portion, the cover apparatus
system comprising in combination: a cushioned fabric formed to
cover at least one of the rounded portion, the rectangular portion
and the box-shaped portion of the upper body superstructure of the
lift truck; at least one downwardly depending hook and, in
opposition thereto, at least one upwardly depending hook, the hooks
positioned for engaging portions of the lift truck so as to
maintain the cover thereon; the cover configured symmetrically
along a center line of the lift truck running from front to rear
thereof; a vertical seam 31 formed in the cover at the center line
at the rearward termination of the cover.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the seam is joined by a
fastener.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the fastener is one of a
zipper, snaps, hooks, and Velcro.RTM..
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cover provides at least one
elastic seams positioned for tight fitting the cover to contours of
the lift truck upper body superstructure.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cover provides at least one
draw string positioned for tight fitting the cover to contours of
the lift truck upper body superstructure.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an expansion flap
extensive and positioned for enabling at least one of the rounded
portion, the rectangular portion, and the box-shaped portion to
move vertically without removing a portion of the cover
therefrom.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a hood portion tight
fitting over a control center upwardly extending from the upper
body superstructure, the hood portion removably joined to the cover
by a means for fastening.
8. The apparatus of-claim 1 further comprising at least one utility
pocket mounted on the cover.
Description
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0001] Applicant(s) hereby incorporate herein by reference, any and
all U.S. patents, U.S. patent applications, and other documents and
printed matter cited or referred to in this application.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates generally to covers for apparatus and
machinery and more particularly to a cover system that is
applicable to commercial warehouse lift trucks.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] The following art defines the present state of this
field:
[0006] Koontz et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,698,409 describes a
protective cover of flexible material such as canvas or duck that
is mountable in raised position on a support to provide a top
portion and depending portions covering and substantially enclosing
an. area to be. protected: The depending portions may be adjustably
positioned selectively to provide generally vertical openings in
different parts of the cover. When in raised position, the cover
material itself can be adjusted to provide a drainage gutter. The
cover may also be conditioned for being mounted in unraised,
substantially flat condition for protecting an unoccupied area,
such as in a boat when moored or being transported. The cover may
be set up to protect various other areas, such as on the ground,
for example at a camp site.
[0007] Allen, U.S. Pat. No. 3,884,523 describes a protective
covering for a vehicle of the motorcycle or motorbike type for
protecting the vehicle from the elements when parked outside, the
covering comprising a generally contoured cover of flexible
material contained within a cover storage compartment in the
vehicle seat and having a portion thereof permanently secured to
the vehicle seat with the cover being readily withdrawn from a
closable opening in the vehicle seat in a manner to completely
overlie the vehicle to cover the same and protect the vehicle from
the elements, the cover being readily foldable and collapsible into
a compact package for reinsertion back into the vehicle seat
storage compartment during times of usage of the vehicle such that
the covering always remains fixedly attached to the vehicle seat
and is readily adapted to be rapidly and conveniently spread over
the entire vehicle whenever desired for protecting the vehicle.
[0008] Mills, U.S. Pat. No. 4,098,536 describes a flexible sheet of
at least partially transparent, water repellent material is
constructed to fit over the roof or canopy and sides of a golf cart
for enclosure during inclement weather. An access is provided
through the side wall for getting in and out of the cart and, when
not in use, the weather shield may be removed from the cart, folded
and stored in a pouch.
[0009] Thau et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,652,037 describes a protective
cover for the cab portion of a fork lift truck. The cab being
defined by a frame having corner posts upstanding from the truck
body and supporting the roof. The cover includes a top panel which
overlies the roof and further includes front, rear, and side wall
panels depending from the top panel secured thereto as well as to
each other by edge seams. The side panels include roll up doors and
the front and rear panels include windows. Flaps are provided over
the windows. Straps depend from the top panel interiorly of the
doors and flaps. The doors and flaps can be exteriorly rolled up
with the straps wrapping around them and secured onto fasteners
provided on the top panel so as to hold the doors and windows in an
open condition.
[0010] Kessler, U.S. Pat. No. 4,811,767 describes a substantially
weather-proof, protective cover which can be easily installed and
removed and which is adapted to protect a swimming pool pump and
filter assembly is provided. The cover is comprised of a plurality
of separate pieces which when assembled and joined to each other
form a unitary body which conforms substantially to the shape of
the swimming pool pump and filter assembly. The cover includes: (1)
a weather proof, outer layer, e.g., a marine vinyl layer which is
sized to fit snugly around and substantially enclose the pump and
filter assembly; (2) a mesh border affixed to the bottom edge of
the outer layer; and (3) means located in the mesh border for
securing the cover around the pump and filter assembly. The cover
may also include: (4) sealable access means such as a zipper in the
outer layer providing access to the pump and filter assembly.
[0011] Robbins, U.S. Pat. No. 5,193,724 describes a bag like main
cover having side wall panels closed at the rear but open at the
bottom and front. The top is closed from the rear to a point short
of the front, leaving open top edges adjacent the front to fit
around the upright gooseneck of the bicycle handlebars. Matching
Velcro strips are attached to the side walls in the areas of the
open portions thereof for releasably securing edges of the cover to
lower portions of the bicycle and also to hold weather tight folds
of the cover around the gooseneck. A hood-like auxiliary cover is
shaped to releasably fit on and protect the handlebars and also
receives the main cover therein for storing it when not in use. The
auxiliary cover also has Velcro sealing strips that hold it on
handlebars when in use and also strap it and the enclosed main
cover to a bicycle portion when not in use.
[0012] Jannausch, U.S. Pat. No. 5,228,408 describes a boat cover
assembly including a boat cover mounted to a plurality of posts
assemblies. Each post assembly has a foot section, a post member,
and a upper section. The upper section has a batten member mounted
in a channel and extending laterally into sleeves sewn into the
cover. The cover also has a chord in the hem line to tighten the
cover about the boat hull below its rub line. Straps and are
secured to cover and mounted about the underside of the hull and
fastened together to secure the cover to the boat.
[0013] Tall, U.S. Pat. No. 5,458,945 describes a removable
protective cover for a snowmobile including a sheet sized for
enclosing a cowling of a snowmobile, the sheet having a top panel
with a front panel, a rear panel, and a pair of side panels
extended therefrom to define a hollow interior and a common bottom
edge, the top panel having a opening formed thereon and an elastic
band secured thereto about the periphery of the opening for holding
the sheet about a windshield of a snowmobile, the rear panel having
a large lower cut out formed thereon to create a pair of opposed
lower corners and a small upper cut out extended upwards from the
lower cut out to create a pair of upper corners, an upper rear edge
extended between the upper corners, and a pair of opposed lower
rear edges, the sheet further having a cable with an end located
near an upper corner, another end located near the other upper
corner, and an intermediate portion therebetween coupled to the
lower rear edges and the bottom edge, and a cable securement
mechanism for securing the ends of the cable in a closed loop
configuration.
[0014] Ziegler et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,394,821 describes a
protective covering of a watercraft which is constructed of a thin,
stretchable material that completely circumscribes the upper
portion of the hull of the craft thereby protecting it from the
elements and from damage from other watercraft and fixed objects
such as boat docks. The protective covering is formed from a
plurality of easily interconnected segments that can be compactly
rolled or folded for ease of storage and transport. The covering is
sleek and attractive, is light weight, floatable, durable in use,
resists tearing and abrasion and effectively protects the craft
from scratches, dings and dents when the craft comes into contact
with other watercraft or with fixed objects.
[0015] Celestino et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,445,200 describes a
bicycle protective cover comprising of a fabric or plastic flexible
material that conveniently and easily wraps around and completely
encloses a bicycle. The cover is provided in a single piece having
pockets contoured to comfortably fit the bicycle seat and the
handlebars. Each of these pockets is closed by a hook and loop
fastener. Circular portions at each end of the cover are provided
with flexible elastic borders allowing them to be stretched around
and retained on the front and rear wheels. The remaining panel of
the cover then folds over the bicycle to completely seal and
enclose the bicycle. The closing panel is provided with an elastic
cord around the periphery of its border to draw the cover tight
once it is completely wrapped around the bicycle. The cover
includes webbing appropriately placed to aid in conveniently
aligning the cover with the wheels, the seat, or the handlebars.
The wheel covers are drawn around each side of the wheel and the
closing panel installed by first installing the fitted pockets over
the seat and the handlebars. The closing panel is then drawn
tightly around the opposite side of the bicycle.
[0016] Wilson, U.S. Pat. No. 5,618,159 describes a protective guard
for attachment to conventional lift trucks to prevent damage to
transported materials caused by the hard surfaces and edges of lift
forks which comprises a flexible sheet having cushioning
characteristics and having a width sufficient in length to span and
cover the lift forks. The protective guard further comprises hook
and loop type fasteners for attaching the flexible sheet to the
lift truck such that the sheet covers the potentially damaging lift
forks and allows for lateral movement of the lift forks.
[0017] Whiteside, U.S. Pat. No. 6,070,629 describes a protective
vehicle cover for protecting an outer surface of a vehicle from
hail and other falling objects. The cover includes a flexible
blanket having an inner ply, an outer ply and bubble-like air
pockets which are sandwiched between the inner and outer plies. A
fastener is provided for attaching the flexible blanket to the
outer surface of the vehicle. Preferably, the air pockets are
bubble-like spherical or hemispherical embossments formed on an
inner ply of the blanket material, the pockets being generally
circular in cross-section with an average maximum diameter of about
1.5 inches or less. An inner thin film plastic backing layer can be
laminated to an intermediate film layer which has been embossed to
form the air pockets therebetween with an outer cover layer being
laminated to the emboss layer to provide an outer, decorative
appearance for the vehicle cover.
[0018] Schultz et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,129,408 describes a
snowmobile cover with first and second receptacles for trapping
water, snow, ice and dirt. The first receptacle is the cover as a
whole wherein the cover forms a bowl like shape via an elastic cord
housed in an endless sheath formed by and about the perimeter of
the cover. As the cover is taken off the snowmobile, the cover is
turned inside out, forming the bowl shape for containing the water,
snow, ice and dirt. A second receptacle is a built in carrying bag
for the receptacle. The cover (whether or not turned inside out) is
rolled up into a bundle and the bundle is tucked inside of the bag
for storage. If desired, water, snow, ice and dirt on the outside
of the cover (or on the inside of the cover turned inside out) is
also rolled up with the cover and retained within the built in bag.
At a convenient location, instead of in the snowmobile trailer or
in the garage, or when the snowmobiler has more time or is at a
warmer location, the cover may be unraveled and turned right side
out and shaken to clean the cover of melted snow and dirt. The
cover further has a relatively large opening for the handlebars of
the snowmobile to permit unrestricted access to the gas tank,
controls and compartments. The cover further is tailored to fit the
lines of a snowmobile by the inclusion of a relatively snug fit for
the front of the machine, a relatively snug fit for the rear of the
machine, and a tent like fit for the middle of the machine having
protruding handlebars and windshield, where the tent like portion
is later pinched down by a bungee cord.
[0019] Carlson, U.S. Pat. No. 6,263,648 describes a lawn tractor
cover assembly comprising a tractor cover and a deck cover wherein
the deck cover is removably attached to the tractor cover and the
tractor cover has an elasticized skirt for holding the lawn tractor
cover assembly to the lawn tractor.
[0020] Tsai, U.S. Pat. No. 6,298,991 describes a protective pouch
having a closed cell foam padding and a casing enclosed around the
closed cell foam padding. The configuration forms two opposing
curved sidewalls. The protective pouch has a closing mechanism,
which can be a flap extending from one sidewall and attached to the
other sidewall. The pouch can be substantially fitted for a
rectangular object so that when the object is inside said pouch,
the object forms protective pockets between the sidewalls of the
object and opposing sidewalls of the pouch.
[0021] Our prior art search with abstracts described above teaches
protective covers for fork lift trucks, lawn tractors, lift truck
forks, snowmobiles, vehicles, bicycles, watercraft, pumps, golf
carts, and other machines and apparatus, but does not teach a lift
truck cover system that is able to conform to a lift truck outer
body configuration in a manner that tight fitting and yet easily
removable for truck servicing. The present invention fulfills these
needs and provides further related advantages as described in the
following summary.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0022] The present invention teaches certain benefits in
construction and use which give rise to the objectives described
below.
[0023] The present invention is a protective cover for a lift truck
of the type used in warehouses and on loading docks for moving
palettes of materials. Such lift trucks are often called by the
names, "fork lifts," "fork lift trucks," and "hi-lows." The present
invention applies to all such devices. The protective cover is used
to prevent damage to the lift truck's outer surface and its
sensitive electronic components within the factory supplied cover
where spillage may occur, e.g., chemicals, etc. Spills often occur
when such materials are moved by a fork lift truck or processed in
its vicinity. A lift truck that will benefit from the invention may
be of the type that the operator stands upon and rides, or may be
of the type that is self-propelled but not ridden, or it may be of
the type that is not be self propelled, requiring manual pulling or
pushing. However, all such lift trucks have in common the use of a
hydraulic system for raising a pair of horizontally disposed forks,
so as to lift palettes of materials and merchandise, to hold them
in the lifted position while the lift truck moves from one location
to another, and to then lower them to the ground once again. All of
such machinery is very well known in the art and have a wide
variety of mechanical configurations and sizes. Generally, such
lift trucks have a platform mounted on wheels for mobility, and
extending upwardly from the platform, a body structure that
contains operating mechanisms for raising and lowering the forks,
and where self-propelled, for moving and steering the lift truck on
the surface that it rests on; generally a warehouse's hard surfaced
floor. In most configurations the body structure will have curved
surfaces, flat surfaces and transition surfaces such as radii that
join the curved and flat surfaces to one another. The protective
cover provides tight fitting curved portions, flat portions and
transition portions to cover the various outer surfaces of the lift
truck with fidelity. The cover, being extensive and generally
complex in form, further provides elastic portions, hooks, zippers
and other means for attachment so as to hold tightly and securely
to the lift truck.
[0024] A primary objective of the present invention is to provide
an apparatus and method of use of such apparatus that yields
advantages not taught by the prior art.
[0025] Another objective is to provide such an invention capable of
covering the outer surface of a lift truck with a compliant and
cushioning skin.
[0026] A further objective is to provide such an invention capable
of being tight-fitting, durable and yet quite easily removed for
servicing the lift truck.
[0027] A still further objective is to provide such an invention
capable of applying to a wide range of lift trucks.
[0028] 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.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention.
In such drawings:
[0030] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention;
[0031] FIG. 2 is an perspective view of a prior art lift truck;
and
[0032] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the invention as mounted on
the lift truck.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0033] The above described drawing figures illustrate the invention
in at least one of its preferred embodiments, which is further
defined in detail in the following description. Those having
ordinary skill in the art may be able to make alterations and
modifications in the present invention without departing from its
spirit and scope. Therefore, it must be understood that the
illustrated embodiments have been set forth only for the purposes
of example and that they should not be taken as limiting the
invention as defined in the following.
[0034] The present invention is a protective cover apparatus and
system for protecting the outer surfaces of a lift truck of the
type used for moving merchandise in warehouses and on loading docks
and platforms. Generally speaking, such lift trucks have a platform
and mounted on the platform, a metal body housing operating gear
and controls. The body of most lift trucks has rounded portions,
flat portions and transition portions between the several surfaces,
but all have in common, the upwardly depending body portion mounted
on the platform portion.
[0035] In the present invention, an example of which is described
here and shown in FIGS. 1-3, the lift truck 5 (Prior Art) has a
platform 10, and mounted integrally thereon, an upper body 20 or
superstructure of the lift truck 5. The upper body 20 includes a
rounded portion 22, and extending forward of the rounded portion
22, a rectangular portion 24, and forward of the rectangular
portion, a box-shaped portion 26, as shown in FIG. 2. However, such
a lift truck may have some or all or none of these shapes, but may
have shapes that are somewhat different or in a different order or
positions. The present description is merely a description of but
one possibility out of many. The protective cover 30, of a
cushioning material or construction, comprises a rounded cover
portion 32 tight-fitting over the rounded portion 22 of the upper
body 20. A rectangular portion 34 of the cover 30 is tight-fitting
over the rectangular portion 24 of the body 20, and a flat portion
36 of the cover 30 is tight-fitting over the box-shaped portion 26
of the upper body 20. The flat portion 36 of the cover 30
preferably is joined to the rectangular portion 34 by an expansion
flap 37 that allows the box-shaped portion 26 to move over a
vertical range as the lift truck 5 moves its forks 7 to lift a
palette (not shown). The flat portion 36 may be held in place using
magnets sewn into the material. A pair of downwardly depending
hooks 40, positioned on either side of the cover 30 (one of the
hooks 40 is hidden in FIG. 1, and a pair of upwardly depending
hooks 50 are joined to the cover 30 and positioned for gripping
portions of the lift truck 5. This is best seen in FIG. 3.
[0036] Preferably, the cover 30 is symmetrical along a center line
6 of the lift truck 5 that runs from front to rear of the lift
truck 5. A vertical seam 31 is formed in the cover 30 at the center
line at the rear terminal portion of the cover 30. This seam is
joined by a fastener 33, preferably a heavy-duty zipper (shown),
but may also be snaps, hooks, Velcro.RTM. and other well known
fasteners. The cover 30 may also provide one or more elastic seams
35 for tight fitting to contours of the lift truck 5. The cover 30
may also provide one or more draw strings 37 for improved tight
fitting to contours of the lift truck 5, especially around corners
and bends in the superstructure 20.
[0037] Some lift trucks 5 provide an upwardly extending control
center 28 and the cover 30 may provide for this by applying a hood
portion 28 that is tight fitting over the control center 28 of the
lift truck 5. As shown in FIG. 1, utility pockets 39 and 39' may be
provided one cover 30 for storing of tools and supplies, clip
boards, etc. and for refuse.
[0038] The words used in this specification to describe the
invention and its various embodiments are to be understood not only
in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by
special definition in this specification: structure, material or
acts beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus if an
element can be understood in the context of this specification as
including more than one meaning, then its use must be understood as
being generic to all possible meanings supported by the
specification and by the word or words describing the element.
[0039] The definitions of the words or elements of this described
invention and its various embodiments are, therefore, defined in
this specification to include not only the combination of elements
which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structure,
material or acts for performing substantially the same function in
substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result.
In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent
substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the
elements in the invention and its various embodiments below or that
a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a
claim.
[0040] Changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a
person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised,
are expressly contemplated as being equivalents within the scope of
the invention and its various embodiments. Therefore, obvious
substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the
art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. The
invention and its various embodiments are thus to be understood to
include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what
is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted, and
also what essentially incorporates the essential idea of the
invention.
[0041] While the invention has been described with reference to at
least one preferred embodiment, it is to be clearly understood by
those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited thereto.
Rather, the scope of the invention is to be interpreted only in
conjunction with the appended claims and it is made clear, here,
that the inventor(s) believe that the claimed subject matter is the
invention.
* * * * *