A pallet mover 1 has a body 2 with a lifting mechanism, a drive assembly for moving the pallet mover and outwardly extending forks 4. The forks 4 have first and second sets of wheels 10, 12 with each set of wheels being independently moveable in a vertical direction relative to the plurality of forks 4 between a deployed position to engage with the floor and a retracted position to disengage from the floor. The wheel positions may be controlled via a linear actuator and linkage mechanism whilst steering and drive of the pallet mover may also be controlled by the control system. The first set of wheels may be raised as they approach a plank 24, on the lower deck of the pallet, and lowered when passed them, with the second set of wheels being raised as they approach the plank and lowered after passing the runner 24. The pallet mover may be an autonomous guided vehicle or when operated in manual mode may have a detachable manual device 306 with an interface 308 having a coupling sensor, such as an electrical contact switch or proximity sensor.
Pallet Mover
2024-01-10
Patent
Electronic Resource
English