Order picker product platform

Abstract

An order picker product platform which is designed to prevent product and/or product containers from inadvertently falling from the platform during maneuvering of the order picker. In the preferred embodiment, the product platform hereof comprises a base having the requisite fork receptacles and clamp bar as do conventional order picker product platforms. However, the inventive platform hereof provides a fixed vertical back wall and a pair of foldable side gate assemblies which extend perpendicularly to the base at edges thereof to prevent displacement of the product and/or product containers beyond the edges of the base so that they are extremely unlikely to fall off of the platform. The side gate assemblies are designed to be folded up toward the back wall during platform loading so that they don't interfere with intentional movement of packages onto or off of the platform. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the side gate assemblies are provided with spring or pneumatic-operated assist device to facilitate their folding deployment and latches to secure them in their locked-down positions so that they do not add significantly to the time required to load and unload the product platform.

1 . A product platform for use with an order picker vehicle having a pair of forks and a pallet clamp extending from an operator platform; the product platform comprising: 
 a base having fork receptacles and a clamp bar for selective attachment to said vehicle forks and pallet clamp in substantial abutment to said operator platform;    at least one product retaining wall extending perpendicularly from a first edge of said base; and    at least one gate assembly extending perpendicularly from a second edge of said base;    said at least one retaining wall and said at least one gate assembly forming at least a part of a vertical perimeter of said product platform.    
   
   
       2 . The product platform recited in  claim 1  wherein said at least one gate assembly is selectively foldable for interrupting said vertical perimeter for gaining access to said base for loading product thereon.  
   
   
       3 . The product platform recited in  claim 2  further comprising an assist device for assistance in folding said gate assembly.  
   
   
       4 . The product platform recited in  claim 3  wherein said assist device is connected between said at least one retaining wall and said at least one gate assembly.  
   
   
       5 . The product platform recited in  claim 3  wherein said assist device comprises a pneumatically operated push rod.  
   
   
       6 . A product platform for selective attachment to an order picker vehicle; the product platform comprising: 
 a base for receiving product for vertical movement and horizontal translation by said order picker vehicle;    a product restraining perimeter extending from said base for preventing product on said base from inadvertently falling from said base;    at least a portion of said perimeter being selectably openable and closeable for facilitating movement of product onto and off of said base.    
   
   
       7 . The product platform recited in  claim 6  wherein said openable and closeable perimeter portion comprises a gate assembly which is raised to open said perimeter portion and is lowered to close said perimeter portion.  
   
   
       8 . The product platform recited in  claim 7  wherein said gate assembly comprises an assist device for mechanical assistance in raising and lowering said gate assembly.