Carton clamp arm with adjustable pivot block

Abstract

A lift truck clamp arm assembly for engaging large cartons, which may contain large household appliances. Pivoting clamp pad support assemblies are adjustable to vary a radial spacing between a pivot pin and a clamp pad supported on the clamp arm assembly by attachment to the adjustable clamp pad support assembly, to provide desired pressure concentrations at selected parts of a carton to be gripped.

We claim: 
     
       1. A carton clamp arm assembly, comprising:
 (a) a clamp arm having an outer end; 
 (b) a load stabilizer mounted on said outer end of said clamp arm and movable with respect to said clamp arm through at least a small angle about a vertical pivot axis extending through said outer end of said clamp arm; 
 (c) a plurality of clamp pad support assemblies mounted on said load stabilizer, each of said clamp pad support assemblies being movable with respect to said load stabilizer about a respective vertical pivot axis, and said respective vertical pivot axes of at least two of said clamp pad assemblies being coaxial with each other; and 
 (d) a carton clamp pad carried by said load stabilizer and attached thereto by said plurality of clamp pad support assemblies, at least one of said clamp pad support assemblies being adjustable to establish a selected distance within a range of distances between a related part of the carton clamp pad and said respective vertical pivot axis of said at least one of said clamp pad support assemblies. 
 
     
     
       2. The carton clamp arm assembly of  claim 1  wherein said load stabilizer includes a vertical central trunk member, a first plurality of elongate horizontal members extending forwardly, and a second plurality of elongate horizontal members extending rearwardly from said central trunk member, each of said elongate horizontal members having one of said clamp pad support assemblies mounted thereon. 
     
     
       3. The carton clamp arm assembly of  claim 2  wherein said plurality of said clamp pad support assemblies are mounted on a plurality of respective ones of said first plurality of elongate horizontal members extending forwardly from said vertical trunk member and wherein each one of said plurality of clamp pad support assemblies is movable about its respective pivot axis relative to a respective one of said first plurality of elongate horizontal members on which it is mounted. 
     
     
       4. The carton clamp arm assembly of  claim 3  wherein the respective vertical pivot axis of each one of said plurality of clamp pad support assemblies mounted on said respective ones of said first plurality of elongate horizontal members is coaxially aligned with said respective vertical pivot axis of each other one of said plurality of clamp pad support assemblies mounted on said respective ones of said first plurality of elongate horizontal members. 
     
     
       5. The carton clamp arm assembly of  claim 2  wherein said plurality of said clamp pad support assemblies are mounted on a plurality of respective ones of said second plurality of elongate horizontal members extending rearwardly from said vertical trunk member and wherein each one of said plurality of clamp pad support assemblies is movable about its respective pivot axis relative to a respective one of said second plurality of elongate horizontal members on which it is mounted. 
     
     
       6. The carton clamp arm assembly of  claim 5  wherein the respective vertical pivot axis of each one of said plurality of clamp pad support assemblies mounted on said respective ones of said second plurality of elongate horizontal members is coaxially aligned with said respective vertical pivot axis of each other one of said plurality of clamp pad support assemblies mounted on said respective ones of said second plurality of elongate horizontal members. 
     
     
       7. The carton clamp arm assembly of  claim 2  wherein one of said elongate horizontal members defines a receptacle and a respective one of said plurality of clamp pad support assemblies is mounted within said receptacle. 
     
     
       8. The carton clamp arm assembly of  claim 7  wherein said receptacle includes an opening extending through said one of said elongate horizontal members and wherein said vertical pivot axis of said respective one of said carton clamp pad support assemblies is defined by a pin mounted in said one of said elongate horizontal members and extending into said opening. 
     
     
       9. The carton clamp arm assembly of  claim 2  including a spring mounted on one of said elongate horizontal members and arranged to tend to keep said carton clamp pad parallel with said one of said elongate horizontal members to which said carton clamp pad is attached. 
     
     
       10. The carton clamp arm assembly of  claim 1  including a spring carried on one of said load stabilizer and said clamp arm and urging said load stabilizer about said vertical pivot axis toward a toed-out orientation with respect to said clamp arm. 
     
     
       11. The carton clamp arm assembly of  claim 1  in combination with an opposite second carton clamp arm assembly, one of said carton clamp arm assembly and said second carton clamp arm assembly being mounted on a transversely-oriented horizontal member for movement toward and away from the other one of said carton clamp arm and said second carton clamp assembly along said transversely-oriented horizontal member. 
     
     
       12. A carton clamp arm assembly, comprising:
 (a) a clamp arm having an outer end; 
 (b) a load stabilizer mounted on said outer end of said clamp arm and movable with respect to said clamp arm through at least a small angle about a vertical pivot axis extending through said outer end of said clamp arm; 
 (c) a plurality of clamp pad support assemblies mounted on said load stabilizer; 
 (d) a carton clamp pad carried by said load stabilizer and attached thereto by said plurality of clamp pad support assemblies, at least one of said clamp pad support assemblies being adjustable to establish a selected distance, within an available range, between a related part of the carton clamp pad attached to said at least one of said plurality of clamp pad support assemblies and a part of the load stabilizer on which said at least one of said plurality of clamp pad support assemblies is mounted; and 
 (e) wherein one of said clamp pad support assemblies includes a bearing block defining a pivot axis about which said clamp pad support assembly can pivot with respect to said load stabilizer, said one of said clamp pad support assemblies also including a distance adjustment assembly for establishing said selected distance between said related part of the carton clamp pad and said part of the load stabilizer, said distance adjustment assembly including a positioning member in threaded engagement in said bearing block and extending by an adjustable distance from said bearing block, and including a fastener engaged with said positioning member and connected with said clamp pad so as to interconnect said clamp pad with the positioning member. 
 
     
     
       13. The carton clamp arm assembly of  claim 12  wherein said distance adjustment assembly includes a locking fastener engaged with said positioning member and securing said locking fastener to said positioning member with said positioning member in a selected position of adjustment to establish said selected distance. 
     
     
       14. The carton clamp arm assembly of  claim 12  wherein said pivot axis of said clamp pad support assembly is located centrally in said bearing block and said load clamp pad support assembly includes a pair of said distance adjustment assemblies located on respective opposite sides of said pivot axis. 
     
     
       15. A carton clamp arm assembly, comprising:
 (a) a clamp arm having an outer end; 
 (b) a load stabilizer mounted on said outer end of said clamp arm and movable with respect to said clamp arm through at least a small angle about a vertical pivot axis extending through said outer end of said clamp arm; 
 (c) a carton clamp pad carried by said load stabilizer and attached thereto by a plurality of clamp pad support assemblies, at least one of said clamp pad support assemblies including a bearing block defining a pivot axis about which said clamp pad support assembly can pivot with respect to said load stabilizer, said one of said clamp pad support assemblies also including a distance adjustment assembly, said distance adjustment assembly including a positioning member in threaded engagement in said bearing block and extending by an adjustable distance from said bearing block, said distance adjustment assembly also including a fastener engaged with said positioning member and connected with said clamp pad so as to interconnect said clamp pad with the positioning member, said at least one of said clamp pad support assemblies thereby being adjustable to establish a selected distance within a range of available distances between a related part of the carton clamp pad and a related part of the load stabilizer. 
 
     
     
       16. The carton clamp arm assembly of  claim 15  wherein said distance adjustment assembly includes a locking fastener engaged with said positioning member and securing said locking fastener to said positioning member with said positioning member in a selected position of adjustment to establish said selected distance. 
     
     
       17. The carton clamp arm assembly of  claim 15  wherein said pivot axis of said clamp pad support assembly is located centrally in said bearing block and said load clamp pad support assembly includes a pair of said distance adjustment assemblies located on respective opposite sides of said pivot axis. 
     
     
       18. A lift truck clamp arm assembly, comprising:
 (a) a clamp arm having an outer end;   (b) a load stabilizer mounted on said outer end of said clamp arm and movable with respect to said clamp arm through at least a small angle about a pivot axis extending through said outer end of said clamp arm;   (c) a plurality of clamp pad support assemblies mounted on said load stabilizer;   (d) a clamp pad carried by said load stabilizer and attached thereto by said plurality of clamp pad support assemblies, at least one of said clamp pad support assemblies including a bearing block defining a pivot axis about which at least one of said plurality clamp pad support assemblies can pivot with respect to said load stabilizer, said at least one of said clamp pad support assemblies also including a distance adjustment assembly and being adjustable to establish a selected distance between a related part of the carton clamp pad and a related part of the load stabilizer within a range of available distances, said distance adjustment assembly including a positioning member in threaded engagement in said bearing block and said positioning member extending by an adjustable distance from said bearing block toward said clamp pad, and said clamp arm assembly including a fastener engaged with said clamp pad and connecting said clamp pad to said bearing block.   
     
     
       19. The lift truck clamp arm assembly of claim 18 wherein said fastener is engaged with said positioning member. 
     
     
       20. The lift truck clamp arm assembly of claim 18 wherein said load stabilizer includes a central trunk member, a first plurality of elongate members extending forwardly, and a second plurality of elongate members extending rearwardly from said central trunk member, each one of said clamp pad support assemblies being mounted on a respective one of said elongate members. 
     
     
       21. The lift truck clamp arm assembly of claim 20 wherein a plurality of said clamp pad support assemblies are mounted on a plurality of respective ones of said first plurality of elongate members extending forwardly from said central trunk member and wherein each one of said plurality of clamp pad support assemblies is movable about a respective pivot axis relative to a respective one of said first plurality of elongate members on which it is mounted. 
     
     
       22. The lift truck clamp arm assembly of claim 21 wherein the respective pivot axis of each one of said plurality of clamp pad support assemblies mounted on said respective ones of said first plurality of elongate members is coaxially aligned with said respective pivot axis of each other one of said plurality of clamp pad support assemblies mounted on said respective ones of said first plurality of elongate members. 
     
     
       23. The lift truck clamp arm assembly of claim 20 wherein said plurality of said clamp pad support assemblies are mounted on a plurality of respective ones of said second plurality of elongate members extending rearwardly from said central trunk member and wherein each one of said plurality of clamp pad support assemblies is movable about a respective pivot axis relative to a respective one of said second plurality of elongate members on which it is mounted. 
     
     
       24. The lift truck clamp arm assembly of claim 23 wherein the respective pivot axis of each one of said plurality of clamp pad support assemblies mounted on said respective ones of said second plurality of elongate members is coaxially aligned with said pivot axis of each other of said plurality of clamp pad support assemblies mounted on said respective ones of said second plurality of elongate members. 
     
     
       25. The lift truck clamp arm assembly of claim 20 wherein one of said elongate members defines a receptacle and a respective one of said plurality of clamp pad support assemblies is mounted within said receptacle. 
     
     
       26. The lift truck clamp arm assembly of claim 25 wherein said receptacle is an opening extending through one of said elongate members and said pivot axis of said respective one of said clamp pad support assemblies is defined by a pin mounted in said one of said elongate members and extending into said receptacle. 
     
     
       27. The lift truck clamp arm assembly of claim 18 wherein said pivot axis of said clamp pad support assembly is located centrally in said bearing block and said clamp pad support assembly includes a pair of said distance adjustment assemblies located on respective opposite sides of said pivot axis of said clamp pad support assembly. 
     
     
       28. The lift truck clamp arm assembly of claim 18 wherein said distance adjustment assembly includes a locking fastener engaged with said positioning member and securing said fastener to said positioning member and thereby keeping said positioning member extending by said adjustable distance to establish said selected distance. 
     
     
       29. The lift truck clamp arm assembly of claim 18 in combination with an opposite second lift truck clamp arm assembly, one of said lift truck clamp arm assembly and said second lift truck clamp arm assembly being mounted on a transversely-oriented horizontal member for movement toward and away from the other one of said lift truck clamp arm assembly and said second lift truck clamp assembly along said transversely-oriented horizontal member. 
     
     
       30. A lift truck clamp arm assembly, comprising:
 (a) a clamp arm having an outer end;   (b) a load stabilizer mounted on said outer end of said clamp arm;   (c) a plurality of clamp pad support assemblies mounted on said load stabilizer, each of said clamp pad support assemblies being movable with respect to said load stabilizer about a respective pivot axis; and   (d) a clamp pad carried by said load stabilizer and attached thereto by said plurality of clamp pad support assemblies, at least one of said clamp pad support assemblies including a distance adjustment assembly for establishing a selected distance within a range of distances between an adjacent part of the clamp pad and a respective pivot axis of said at least one of said clamp pad support assemblies, said distance adjustment assembly including a positioning member in threaded engagement in a part of said at least one of said clamp pad support assemblies and extending by an adjustable distance from said part of said at least one of said clamp pad support assemblies, and including a fastener engaged with said part of said at least one of said clamp pad support assemblies and connected with said clamp pad so as to interconnect said clamp pad with said part of said at least one of said clamp pad support assemblies.   
     
     
       31. The lift truck clamp arm assembly of claim 30 wherein said positioning member is said part of said at least one of said clamp pad support assemblies with which said fastener is engaged. 
     
     
       32. The lift truck clamp arm assembly of claim 30 wherein said distance adjustment assembly includes a locking fastener engaged with said fastener and securing said fastener in engagement with said positioning member, with said positioning member extending from said bearing block by said adjustable distance and thereby establishing said selected distance. 
     
     
       33. The lift truck clamp arm assembly of claim 30 wherein said load stabilizer includes a central trunk member, a first plurality of elongate members extending forwardly, and a second plurality of elongate members extending rearwardly from said central trunk member, a plurality of said elongate members each having one of said clamp pad support assemblies mounted thereon. 
     
     
       34. The lift truck clamp arm assembly of claim 33 wherein said plurality of said clamp pad support assemblies are mounted on a plurality of respective ones of said first plurality of elongate members extending forwardly from said central trunk member and wherein each one of said plurality of clamp pad support assemblies is movable relative to a respective one of said first plurality of elongate members on which it is mounted. 
     
     
       35. The lift truck clamp arm assembly of claim 34 wherein each one of said plurality of clamp pad support assemblies mounted on said respective ones of said first plurality of elongate members has a respective pivot axis that is coaxially aligned with a respective pivot axis of each other one of said plurality of clamp pad support assemblies mounted on said respective ones of said first plurality of elongate members. 
     
     
       36. The lift truck clamp arm assembly of claim 33 wherein a plurality of said clamp pad support assemblies are mounted on a plurality of respective ones of said second plurality of elongate members extending rearwardly from said trunk member and wherein each one of said plurality of clamp pad support assemblies is movable relative to a respective one of said second plurality of elongate members on which it is mounted. 
     
     
       37. The lift truck clamp arm assembly of claim 36 wherein each one of said plurality of clamp pad support assemblies mounted on said respective ones of said second plurality of elongate members has a respective pivot axis that is coaxially aligned with a respective pivot axis of each other one of said plurality of clamp pad support assemblies mounted on said respective ones of said second plurality of elongate members. 
     
     
       38. The lift truck clamp arm assembly of claim 33 wherein one of said elongate members defines a receptacle and a respective one of said plurality of clamp pad support assemblies is mounted within said receptacle. 
     
     
       39. The lift truck clamp arm assembly of claim 38 wherein said receptacle includes an opening extending through said one of said elongate members and wherein said respective one of said clamp pad support assemblies is attached to said one of said elongate members by a pin mounted in said one of said elongate members and extending into said opening. 
     
     
       40. The lift truck clamp arm assembly of claim 33 including a spring mounted on one of said elongate members and arranged to tend to keep said clamp pad parallel with said one of said elongate members to which said clamp pad is attached by one of said clamp pad support assemblies. 
     
     
       41. The lift truck clamp arm assembly of claim 30 wherein said at least one of said clamp pad support assemblies includes a bearing block defining a pivot axis about which said clamp pad support assembly can pivot with respect to said load stabilizer, said positioning member of said distance adjustment assembly being in threaded engagement in said bearing block and extending by said adjustable distance from said bearing block. 
     
     
       42. The lift truck clamp arm assembly of claim 41 wherein said distance adjustment assembly includes a locking fastener engaged with said positioning member and securing said fastener to said positioning member with said positioning member in a selected position of adjustment that establishes said selected distance. 
     
     
       43. The lift truck clamp arm assembly of claim 41 wherein said pivot axis of said clamp pad support assembly is located centrally in said bearing block and said clamp pad support assembly includes a pair of said distance adjustment assemblies located on respective opposite sides of said pivot axis. 
     
     
       44. The lift truck clamp arm assembly of claim 30 wherein said load stabilizer is movable with respect to said clamp arm through an angle about a pivot axis extending through said outer end of said clamp arm. 
     
     
       45. The lift truck clamp arm assembly of claim 30 in combination with an opposite second lift truck clamp arm assembly, one of said lift truck clamp arm assembly and said second lift truck clamp arm assembly being mounted on a transversely-oriented horizontal member for movement toward and away from the other one of said lift truck clamp arm and said second lift truck clamp arm assembly along said transversely-oriented horizontal member. 
     
     
       46. A lift truck clamp arm assembly, comprising:
 (a) a clamp arm having an outer end;   (b) a load stabilizer mounted on said outer end of said clamp arm;   (c) a plurality of clamp pad support assemblies mounted on said load stabilizer;   (d) a clamp pad carried by said load stabilizer and attached thereto by said plurality of clamp pad support assemblies, at least one of said clamp pad support assemblies being adjustable to establish a selected distance, within an available range, between an adjacent part of the clamp pad attached to said at least one of said plurality of clamp pad support assemblies and a part of the load stabilizer on which said at least one of said plurality of clamp pad support assemblies is mounted; and   (e) wherein one of said clamp pad support assemblies includes a bearing block defining a pivot axis about which said clamp pad support assembly can pivot with respect to said load stabilizer, said one of said clamp pad support assemblies also including a distance adjustment assembly for establishing said selected distance between said adjacent part of the clamp pad and said part of the load stabilizer, said distance adjustment assembly including a positioning member in threaded engagement in said bearing block and extending by an adjustable distance from said bearing block, and including a fastener engaged with said positioning member and connected with said clamp pad so as to interconnect said clamp pad with said positioning member.   
     
     
       47. The lift truck clamp arm assembly of claim 46 wherein said load stabilizer is movable with respect to said clamp arm through an angle about a pivot axis extending through said outer end of said clamp arm. 
     
     
       48. The lift truck clamp arm assembly of claim 46 wherein said distance adjustment assembly includes a locking fastener engaged with said fastener, and securing said fastener in engagement with said positioning member with said positioning member extending from said bearing block by said adjustable distance and thereby establishing said selected distance. 
     
     
       49. The lift truck clamp arm assembly of claim 46 wherein said pivot axis of said clamp pad support assembly is located centrally in said bearing block and said clamp pad support assembly includes a pair of said distance adjustment assemblies located on respective opposite sides of said pivot axis. 
     
     
       50. A lift truck clamp arm assembly, comprising:
 (a) a clamp arm having an outer end;   (b) a load stabilizer mounted on said outer end of said clamp arm and movable with respect to said clamp arm through at least a small angle about a pivot axis extending through said outer end of said clamp arm;   (c) a plurality of clamp pad support assemblies mounted on said load stabilizer, each of said clamp pad support assemblies being movable with respect to said load stabilizer about a respective defined pivot axis, and said respective defined pivot axes of at least two of said clamp pad support assemblies being coaxial with each other; and   (d) a clamp pad carried by said load stabilizer and attached thereto by said plurality of clamp pad support assemblies, at least one of said clamp pad support assemblies being adjustable to establish a selected distance in a defined direction within a range of distances between a related part of the carton clamp pad and said respective defined pivot axis of at least one of said clamp pad support assemblies.   
     
     
       51. The lift truck clamp arm assembly of claim 50 wherein said load stabilizer includes a central trunk member, a first plurality of elongate members extending forwardly, and a second plurality of elongate members extending rearwardly from said central trunk member, each one of said clamp pad support assemblies being mounted on a respective one of said elongate members. 
     
     
       52. The lift truck clamp arm assembly of claim 51 wherein said plurality of said clamp pad support assemblies are mounted on a plurality of respective ones of said first plurality of elongate members extending forwardly from said central trunk member and wherein each one of said plurality of clamp pad support assemblies is movable about its respective defined pivot axis relative to a respective one of said first plurality of elongate members on which it is mounted. 
     
     
       53. The lift truck clamp arm assembly of claim 52 wherein the respective defined pivot axis of each one of said plurality of clamp pad support assemblies mounted on said respective ones of said first plurality of elongate members is coaxially aligned with said respective defined pivot axis of each other one of said plurality of clamp pad support assemblies mounted on said respective ones of said first plurality of elongate members. 
     
     
       54. The lift truck clamp arm assembly of claim 51 wherein said plurality of said clamp pad support assemblies are mounted on a plurality of respective ones of said second plurality of elongate members extending rearwardly from said central trunk member and wherein each one of said plurality of clamp pad support assemblies is movable about its respective defined pivot axis relative to a respective one of said second plurality of elongate members on which it is mounted. 
     
     
       55. The lift truck clamp arm assembly of claim 54 wherein the respective defined pivot axis of each one of said plurality of clamp pad support assemblies mounted on said respective ones of said second plurality of elongate members is coaxially aligned with said respective defined pivot axis of each other one of said plurality of clamp pad support assemblies mounted on said respective ones of said second plurality of elongate members. 
     
     
       56. The lift truck clamp arm assembly of claim 51 wherein one of said elongate members defines a receptacle and a respective one of said plurality of clamp pad support assemblies is mounted within said receptacle. 
     
     
       57. The lift truck clamp arm assembly of claim 56 wherein said receptacle includes an opening extending through said one of said elongate members and wherein said defined pivot axis of said respective one of said clamp pad support assemblies is defined by a pin mounted in said one of said elongate members and extending into said opening. 
     
     
       58. The lift truck clamp arm assembly of claim 50 wherein one of said clamp pad support assemblies includes a bearing block defining said defined pivot axis about which said clamp pad support assembly is movable with respect to said load stabilizer, said one of said clamp pad support assemblies also including a distance adjustment assembly for establishing said selected distance between said related part of the carton clamp pad and said defined pivot axis, said distance adjustment assembly including a positioning member in threaded engagement in said bearing block and extending by an adjustable distance from said bearing block, and including a fastener engaged with said bearing block and connected with said clamp pad so as to interconnect said clamp pad with said bearing block. 
     
     
       59. The lift truck clamp arm assembly of claim 58 wherein said distance adjustment assembly includes a locking fastener engaged with said positioning member and securing said fastener to said positioning member with said positioning member in a selected position of adjustment to establish said selected distance. 
     
     
       60. The lift truck clamp arm assembly of claim 58 wherein said defined pivot axis of said clamp pad support assembly is located centrally in said bearing block and said clamp pad support assembly includes a pair of said distance adjustment assemblies located on respective opposite sides of said pivot axis. 
     
     
       61. The lift truck clamp arm assembly of claim 50 in combination with an opposite second carton clamp arm assembly, one of said carton clamp arm assembly and said second carton clamp arm assembly being mounted on a transversely-oriented member for movement toward and away from the other one of said carton clamp arm and said second carton clamp assembly along said transversely-oriented member. 
     
     
       62. A lift truck clamp arm assembly, comprising:
 (a) a clamp arm having an outer end;   (b) a load stabilizer mounted on said outer end of said clamp arm and movable with respect to said clamp arm through at least a small angle about a pivot axis extending through said outer end of said clamp arm;   (c) a clamp pad carried by said load stabilizer and attached thereto by a plurality of clamp pad support assemblies, at least one of said clamp pad support assemblies including a bearing block defining a pivot axis about which said clamp pad support assembly can pivot with respect to said load stabilizer, said one of said clamp pad support assemblies also including a distance adjustment assembly, said distance adjustment assembly including a positioning member in threaded engagement in said bearing block and extending by an adjustable distance from said bearing block, said distance adjustment assembly also including a fastener engaged with said positioning member and connected with said clamp pad so as to interconnect said clamp pad with the positioning member, said at least one of said clamp pad support assemblies thereby being adjustable to establish a selected distance within a range of available distances in a defined direction between a related part of the carton clamp pad and a related part of the load stabilizer.   
     
     
       63. The lift truck clamp arm assembly of claim 62 wherein said distance adjustment assembly includes a locking fastener engaged with said positioning member and securing said fastener to said positioning member with said positioning member in a selected position of adjustment to establish said selected distance. 
     
     
       64. The lift truck clamp arm assembly of claim 62 wherein said pivot axis of said clamp pad support assembly is located centrally in said bearing block and said clamp pad support assembly includes a pair of said distance adjustment assemblies located on respective opposite sides of said pivot axis.