David Edward Balcom

US Patent:

20110226556, Sep 22, 2011

Filed:

Mar 16, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/724999

Inventors:

DAVID E. BALCOM - Grand Rapids MI, US

International Classification:

B66F 9/12
B23P 17/04

US Classification:

187237, 29428

Abstract:

A boom apparatus is provided for a fork truck having an elevator frame, a carriage movable via the elevator frame, and fork-supporting transverse members on the carriage. The apparatus includes a boom mount mechanically attached to the transverse members, and a boom mechanically attached to the boom mount. The boom mount includes a vertical plate, and top and bottom braces forming opposing hooks for engaging the transverse members. The top brace also includes a narrow section with horizontal hole that aligns with holes in brackets on the boom. A lock pin extends through the aligned holes to lock the boom to the mount. The mount includes a bottom T pin that fits into a slot at the boom's bottom to secure the boom in a vertical orientation on the mount. By this arrangement, the boom and boom mount can be securely and easily attached to a fork truck without welding.

US Patent:

20130284541, Oct 31, 2013

Filed:

Jan 28, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/751913

Inventors:

David E. Balcom - Wyoming MI, US

International Classification:

B66F 9/12

US Classification:

187237, 29428

Abstract:

A boom accessory for a fork truck comprises a frame having receiver tubes for receiving forks of a fork truck, a boom extending forwardly from the frame, and a frame-to-carriage anchor assembly on the frame. The frame-to-carriage anchor assembly includes a carriage-attaching subassembly with top and bottom connectors for securely engaging mating structure on the fork truck's carriage, and includes a vertically-slidable anchor between the carriage-attaching subassembly and the frame to restrain the frame horizontally from sliding forwardly off the forks. By this arrangement, the forks can lift a weight of the frame, boom, and boom-carried load without stressing the anchor assembly, but can provide a substantial and secure horizontal retaining force prevent the boom accessory from sliding forward off the forks.

US Patent:

20140262627, Sep 18, 2014

Filed:

Feb 5, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/173472

Inventors:

David E. Balcom - Wyoming MI, US

International Classification:

B66F 9/12

US Classification:

187237

Abstract:

A boom accessory for a fork truck comprises a frame having a back stiffener, a convertiplate attached to the back stiffener, receiver tubes for receiving forks of a fork truck, a boom extending forwardly from the frame, and an anchor assembly on the frame. Top and bottom connectors are configured to securely engage cross bars on the fork truck's carriage. The anchor restrains the boom frame from horizontally sliding off the forks when the forks are used for lifting. The anchor can be left on when the top and bottom connectors are used for lifting the boom accessory, or can be removed. The anchor attaches to either the back stiffener or the convertiplate, or can be taken off and stored on the boom apparatus, thus providing different attachment mechanisms for attaching the boom accessory to a fork truck.