US 11,851,266 B2
A-frame rack systems for transporting glass sheets
John Schmitt, Peachtree City, GA (US); Robert Carlson, Decatur, IL (US); Mike Walker, Fort Madison, IA (US); Brock Walker, Fort Madison, IA (US); and Bill Coppage, Fort Madison, IA (US)
Assigned to TRULITE GLASS & ALUMINUM SOLUTIONS LLC, Peachtree City, GA (US)
Filed by Trulite Glass & Aluminum Solutions, LLC, Peachtree City, GA (US)
Filed on Aug. 29, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/898,456.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/238,105, filed on Aug. 27, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0062871 A1, Mar. 2, 2023
Int. Cl. B65D 85/48 (2006.01); B65D 19/00 (2006.01); B65G 1/04 (2006.01)
CPC B65D 85/48 (2013.01) [B65D 19/0002 (2013.01); B65G 1/04 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A rack system movable by a forklift having a pair of blades that can be selectively raised and lowered, the rack system comprising, in combination:
a rack comprising:
a structure configured for supporting and transporting materials and having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;
at least one wheel located at the first end of the structure;
a vertically-extending mounting plate located at the second end of the structure; and
a hitch bracket located at the vertically-extending mounting plate; and
a hitch device comprising:
a body configured to be carried by the blades of the forklift;
an arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the arm is pivotably secured to the body for pivoting movement of the arm relative to the body about a vertical axis; and
an engagement member at the second end of the arm operable to engage the hitch bracket;
wherein the engagement member and the hitch bracket are configured so that when blades of the forklift carry the body, upward movement of the blades raises the engagement member into engagement with the hitch bracket so that further upward movement of the blades raises the second end of the rack and horizontal movement of the forklift rolls the rack on the at least one wheel.