| 摘要 |
An improved lift truck for transporting a load is described. The improved truck comprises: a frame; a plurality of rotatable wheels coupled to the frame; a mast secured to the frame; a carriage secured to and movable relative to the mast; load engagement means secured to and movable with the carriage relative to the mast for engaging and holding the load, the load engagement means including vacuum pad means and pneumatic switching means, the vacuum pad means being configured and the pneumatic switching means being positioned so that when the vacuum pad means is moved into contact with and engages the load so as to activate the pneumatic switching means a vacuum coupling is created between the vacuum pad means and the load, the vacuum coupling being of sufficient strength so as to permit the vacuum pad means to support the weight of the load; vacuum pump means secured to the truck for selectively creating a vacuum pressure sufficient to provide the vacuum coupling; and hose assembly means for pneumatically coupling the vacuum pad means with the vacuum pump means, the hose assembly comprising a flexible hose extending between the vacuum pump means and the vacuum pad means, the flexible hose having a first end in pneumatic communication with the vacuum pump means and a second end in pneumatic communication with the vacuum pad means and hose tensioner means for engaging the flexible hose so as to prevent slack from developing in the hose as the carriage is moved relative to the mast. |
