Cradle retainer for material handling

摘要

A material handling system for supporting and retaining a cylindrical object being transported, such as on the forks of a lift truck. Each support includes a backplane having a curved or wedge-shaped portion on opposing ends. The resilient material of the support or cradle conforms to a range of diameters to retain the position of the object on the forks, as well as to displace the weight of the object over a extended area. Straps may be used to further bind the object to the lifting system.

主权项

1. A materials handling system for supporting a cylindrical object, comprising:
an elongated backplane including an upper surface and a generally planar lower surface; a wedge on a distal end of said elongated backplane; a wedge on a proximal end of said elongated backplane; wherein the generally planar lower surface of said backplane is defined by a single plane extending from the distal end of said elongated backplane to the proximal end of said elongated backplane, and where the wedge on the distal end of said elongated backplane and the wedge on the proximal end of said elongated backplane meet to form a shallow V-shaped profile having an apex; and a compliant surface spanning the elongated backplane and both the wedge on the distal end of said elongated backplane and the wedge on the proximal end of said elongated backplane, said compliant surface at least partially displaced by the cylindrical object to retain a position of the cylindrical object while the generally planar lower surface of said elongated backplane remains planar.