Forklift fork storage rack

Abstract

A forklift fork storage rack is disclosed, adapted to form a stable, single or multi-tiered structure for securing forks. The stored forks can be easily accessed by a forklift for adding or removing forks from the rack. The rack secures the forks in parallel sequence on load bearing members. The rack includes one or more tiers for retaining the forks at different elevations. In this manner, variously sized and dimensioned forks, which may have different functions, can be organized into designated tiers and sections of the rack. The rack is fabricated from multiple members that join together to support a plurality of forks and minimize lateral movement, tensile forces, compressive forces, and instability for the rack.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A forklift fork rack having a front, back, right side and left side comprising:
 a plurality of load bearing members extending horizontally between one or more support members, vertical posts, and cross members;   wherein one or more forks can be rested across one or more load bearing members;   a plurality of retention members extending horizontally between one or more support members, vertical posts and cross members, wherein each retention member is spaced above a load bearing member, wherein a slot forms between each retention member and each load bearing member, the slot for receiving one or more forks, wherein the retention members prevent lateral movement of the forks;   a plurality of support members, each support member extending horizontally, each support member disposed perpendicularly to the load bearing members and retention members.   
     
     
         2 . The fork rack of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of vertical posts affixed to, and rising vertically from, a lower support member. 
     
     
         3 . The fork rack of  claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of horizontal cross members affixed to one or more vertical posts. 
     
     
         4 . The fork rack of  claim 3 , wherein each load bearing member and each retention member span one of a front and a back. 
     
     
         5 . The fork rack of  claim 4 , further comprising a plurality of tiers, wherein two load bearing members form a tier, each tier for securing a plurality of forks. 
     
     
         6 . The fork rack of  claim 5 , wherein the load bearing members spanning the back of the rack are elevated above corresponding load bearing members spanning the front of the rack within the same tier. 
     
     
         7 . The fork rack of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of feet. 
     
     
         8 . The fork rack of  claim 1 , further comprising a pullout tool comprising a rod, a handle and fulcrum, the pullout tool for moving a pair of forks resting on the rack away from a load bearing member to facilitate access by a forklift. 
     
     
         9 . The fork rack of  claim 1 , wherein the pullout tool is formed as one integrated piece. 
     
     
         10 . The fork rack of  claim 1 , wherein the fork rack is configured to be lifted and moved by a forklift. 
     
     
         11 . The fork rack of  claim 6 , wherein one or more of the load bearing members and retention members form a component, the component detachable from one or more vertical posts, support members and cross members. 
     
     
         12 . The fork rack of  claim 6 , wherein the support members, vertical posts and horizontal cross members are detachable from one another. 
     
     
         13 . The fork rack of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the load bearing members, retention members, and support members comprise one or more of rods, bars, angles, square tubing, rectangular tubing, round tubing, oval tubing, channels, round pipe, plates, and I-beams. 
     
     
         14 . The fork rack of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the load bearing members, retention members, and support members comprise one or more of metal, alloy, carbon steel, cast iron, aluminum, stainless steel, carbon fiber, fiberglass, resins, elastomeric materials, composites, GFRC, wood, and concrete. 
     
     
         15 . The fork rack of  claim 6 , wherein the support members each extend outwardly from the vertical posts.