Abstract: This invention relates to a retention device (30) for releasably maintaining a load engaging member (24) at a transport position (28) which eliminates the problems of supporting and simultaneously locking the load engaging member (24) at the transport position (28), failure of the lock device due to the weight of the load engaging member acting thereon, and alignment of the load engaging member (24) with the locking device. The retention device (30) has a stop (66) connected to the load engaging member (24) and a flange (40) engageable by the stop (66) at the transport portion of the load engaging member (24), to support the load engaging member (24) and the weight thereof at the transport position (28). The retention device (30) also has an engaging device (74) which engages the stop (66) and prevents pivotal movement of the load engaging member (24) from the transport position (28) to a load carrying position (26).

Abstract: A lift truck carriage (12) is provided with a cylindrical bar (34) upon which the forks (16,18) may be mounted. The forks (16,18) are each retained in any desired position along the bar (34) by a clamp (42) located between a pair of mounting sleeves (28,30), and may be rotated about the axis of the bar (34) into a stowed position without having to unlock the clamping member (40).

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for delivering electrical energy from a charging station (12) to a vehicle (14), for example, to charge a vehicle battery (16). The apparatus (10) includes vehicle and station bumpers (18,20) each associated with a respective wire coil (28,24), and forming respective flux path elements for the coils (28,24). Means (34) are provided for sensing the relative position of the first and second coils (24,28) and controllably delivering the electrical energy in response to the sensed position. Third and fourth coils (80,82) provide two-way communication between the station (12) and the vehicle (14), and blocking means (96) facilitates removal of the vehicle (14) from the station (12).

Abstract: The invention relates to an adjustable mounting arrangement (10) for a rotatable guide member (12) of a lift mast assembly (14) which eliminates the problems of inadvertent loosening, complexity of adjustment and premature wear. The mounting arrangement (10) includes a shaft (36) having an eccentric portion (42) upon which the rotatable guide member (12) is mounted. A cam member (78) is connected to a first end portion (38) of the shaft (36) and engageable by a mating member (86) which retains the shaft (36), at one of a plurality of incrementally rotational positions of the cam member (78) from rotational and axial movement. The mounting arrangement (10) is particularly useful in lift chain guide and side thrust roller applications.

Abstract: Fluid control systems frequently eliminate use of fluid operated jack protecting relief valves because additional visibility blocking and damage prone conduits are required to connect the relief valves to the reservoir. A fluid operated system having a controlling valve, a selecting valve, a fluid operated jack, a relief valve, a reservoir and a bypass valve is provided to controllably connect the relief valve to other portions of the system in response to the position of controlling valve and selecting valve. Therefore, no additional conduits are required to connect the relief valve to the reservoir and thus the problems of reduced visibility, premature conduit leakage and conduit damage are eliminated. The fluid control system is particularly suited for use in a work vehicle such as a lift truck having a lift mast.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) is provided for controllably operating at least one solenoid coil (12) in a battery operated system. The mean voltage applied to the coil (12) is controlled in response to at least the battery voltage, facilitating the use of various battery voltages with a single voltage coil (12). The apparatus (10) is readily adapted for controlling multiple coils (12) and is digital in design.

Abstract: The lift system for the mast assembly of a lift truck normally includes at least one hydraulic cylinder and a pair of lift chains for selectively raising and lowering a movable assembly (upright or carriage assembly) on a fixed upright assembly. The tensions in the lift chains must be precisely set and periodically adjusted by use of an adjustable anchor, including a bolt threadably mounted on the fixed upright assembly and connected to the chain. Space limitations in present day mast assemblies have dictated the need for an adjustable chain anchor that is compact and is designed to be conveniently mounted on an upper end of the fixed upright assembly for ready access. The adjustable chain anchor (19) of this invention solves this problem by providing a cam member (26) adapted to be rotated to adjust chain tension in response to selective rotation of an end of the chain (17) about a fixed pivot axis (A).

Abstract: This invention relates to a mounting arrangement (47) for pivotally connecting a counterweight (18) and a steering axle assembly (30) to a trunnion shaft (28) of a vehicle (10) which eliminates the problems of removal of both of the counterweight (18) and the steering axle assembly (30) when only one needs to be removed, serviceability, accessibility, visibility, strength and stability.

Abstract: An electrically operated dual motor drive system having first and second reversible traction motors (14, 16) driven by a power source (18). Motor control circuitry (10, 12) for controlling the direction of current flow through the motors (14, 16) is designed to be actuated by only two coils (36, 42). Preferably, control circuits (10, 12) employ an arrangement of normally open (32a, 32b, 38a, 38b) and normally closed (34a, 34b, 40a, 40b) contacts such that the two motors (14, 16) operate in reverse directions in the event of a complete system malfunction. A line contactor (20) is advantageously utilized to simultaneously serve as a main power disconnect for a variety of motors within the system.

Abstract: This invention relates to a mounting arrangement (10) for resiliently connecting an exhaust stack (12) to an exhaust pipe (14) and a frame (18) which eliminates the problems of vibration, noise transfer, joint failure, high exhaust temperatures, complexity, and inability to quickly assemble and disassemble. The mounting arrangement (10) has first and second spaced apart elastomeric devices (60,80) for resiliently connecting the exhaust stack (12) to the frame (18), a support bracket (98) and an exhaust pipe (14). The first elastomeric device (60) supports an open end of the exhaust pipe (14) in the exhaust stack (12) and on the frame (18) and the second elastomeric device (80) engages the support bracket (98) and which retains the first elastomeric device (60) in contact with the frame (18). A passage arrangement (74) passes cooling air flow past the first elastomeric device to cool the first elastomeric device (60) and the exhaust stack (12).

Abstract: This invention relates to a mounting arrangement (42) for connecting a control panel assembly (18) to an operators station (10) of a vehicle (12) which solves the problems of improper control panel location, poor visibility, operator discomfort, and poor accessibility. The mounting arrangement (42) connects a lower end portion (20) of the control panel assembly (18) to the operators station (10) at a location adjacent a steering wheel assembly (16) and a seat assembly (14) and permits universal pivotal movement of the control panel assembly to a selected one of a plurality of locations relative to the steering wheel and seat assemblies (16) and (14). Thus, the problems of improper location, poor visibility, operator discomfort, and poor accessibility are eliminated. The mounting arrangement is particularly useful to connect the control panel assembly (18) to the floor (44) of a lift truck.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a control circuit (10) for controlling the speed of a pair of motors (12,14), including a pair of switching elements (68,74) coupling power to the motors (12,14), a pair of controllable circuits (64,74) for driving the switching elements (68, 74), a circuit (36) for generating digital numbers representing the same command speed for each of the motors (12,14), a circuit (38) for generating digital numbers representing differential command speeds for the motors (12,14), and a data processor (56) for controlling the pair of controllable circuits (64,74) in response to the digital numbers. By utilizing digital and integrated circuit technology, prior, essentially linear, control apparatus, which are relatively unreliable, expensive and slow, need not be used.

Abstract: Log handling attachments frequently encounter inadvertent log loss during transportation, and damage to the logs and the log handling forks (36,38) due to excessive loading. A log handling attachment (14) is provided which has a pair of log carrying forks (36,38), a clamp (48), an ejector (88), a first power device (50) actuatable to pivotally move the clamp (48) between open and closed positions (51,53), a second power device (93) actuatable to move the ejector (88) between log accepting and log rejecting positions (94,96), and an apparatus (70) actuatable to move the clamp between the closed position (53) and a log grappling position (86) relative to the ejector (88) at which the logs are elevationally supported above the forks (36,38). Thus the problems of log loss, log damage and fork failure is alleviated. The log handling attachment (14) is particularly suited for use on a lift mast (12) of a lift truck (10).

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method for mounting a transmission (32) in a frame (10) of a vehicle (12) which eliminates the problems of accessibility, complexity and the need to elevate the vehicle for access from beneath. The mounting arrangement has a first trunnion (42) releasably connected to a first side (34) of the transmission (32) which is slidably disposed in an aperture of a first side member (14) of a frame (10) and a second trunnion (52) releasably connected to a second side (36) of the transmission (32) and slidably disposed in an aperture in a second side (16) of the frame (10) and a guide apparatus (72) for slidably connecting a second end (40) of the transmission (32) to the frame (10) and guiding the transmission (32) for movement in directions substantially normal to a transverse trunnion axis defined by said trunnions.

Abstract: A voltage level monitoring and indicating apparatus (10) including a voltage-to-frequency converter (12), an input conditioning circuit (16) that shifts voltage signals received from different voltage sources to the same input level for the converter (12) which then produces a proportional output frequency signal, a microprocessor (40) which is software programmed to produce voltage level data in response to the output frequency signal from converter (12), and a display (42) which displays a range of numbers in response to the voltage level data. Prior apparatus are not state-of-the-art microprocessor based and require different designs when coupled to different voltage sources. The present invention is microprocessor based and has the same input conditioning circuit that can be coupled to different voltage sources for use principally to indicate voltage levels of batteries on electric fork lift trucks.

Abstract: The invention provides several embodiments of support assemblies (26,30,32) suitable for use in a lift mast (10). Each support assembly (26,30,32) has two slider bearings (36) for symetrically loading the main loading surface (37) and the inboard and outboard flange edge (38,40) of the corresponding I-beams (19) used in an upright assembly (16) incorporated in the lift mast (10). The support assemblies (26,30,32) include positioning screws (68) for adjusting the slider bearings (36) against the flange edges (38,40). The need for shims is thereby avoided. These positioning screws (68) permit the slider bearings (36) to pivot so as to ensure they remain in full face contact with the corresponding flange edge (38,40). The slider bearings (36) each accept two, mutually perpendicular loadings simplifying the construction of these support assemblies (26,30,32).

Abstract: This invention relates to a lift mast assembly (10) preferably for a vehicle (34) which eliminates the problems of reduced visibility, reduced load carrying capacity for a given vehicle size and weight. The lift mast assembly has a fixed upright assembly (12) having first and second spaced apart fixed uprights (16,18), a movable upright assembly (14) having first and second movable spaced apart uprights (24,26) and a first and second lift jack. The movable upright assembly (14) is mounted on and between the fixed upright assembly (12) and elevationally movable relative thereto. The first lift jack (60) is mounted on the first fixed upright (16) and positioned between the first fixed and first movable uprights (16,24) and the second lift jack (62) is mounted on the second fixed upright (18) and positioned between the second fixed and second movable uprights (18,26).

Abstract: This invention relates to a self adjusting bearing arrrangement (10) for a pair of relatively movably members (12) which eliminates the problems of manual adjustment, improper adjustment, premature bearing failure and inefficient operation of the relatively movable members (12). The self adjusting bearing arrangement (10) has a bearing (17) slidably guided by a support assembly (28) connected to the first member (18) and a thrust member (32) movable relative to the bearing (17) for applying a predetermined force to the bearing (17) and moving the bearing (17) from a first position at which the bearing (17) is spaced from contact with the second member 20 and a second position at which the bearing (17) is in contact with the second member (20) and for maintaining the bearing (17) at the second position. Thus, the self adjusting bearing arrangement eliminates the problems of manual adjustment, improve adjustment, premature bearing failure and inefficient operation of the relatively movable members (12).

Abstract: A guide assembly in a material-handling device (10) is disclosed which includes a frame (18), a mast assembly (12) pivotally mounted adjacent its bottom end (16) to the frame, and hydraulic cylinders (20) for rotating the mast assembly to tilt forwardly and rearwardly. The assembly further includes a bar (22) attached to the frame spaced from the mast assembly. The assembly also includes a guide tongue (29) pivotally mounted to said mast assembly further above the bottom end thereof than is the pivotal mounting thereof to the frame (18) and slidingly disposed intermediate its ends to the guide bar (22). The hydraulic cylinders are positioned to act between the frame (18) and the tongue (29).

Abstract: A seal (16) is positioned to prevent entry of foreign matter through an annular opening (26) between first and second members (12,14). The first and second members (12,14) are, for example, a stationary backing plate (20) and a rotatable hub (22) of a brake assembly (24) or a rotatable shaft and associated housing element. Foreign matter passing between the backing plate (20) and the hub (22), for example, can enter an associated brake drum (30) and interfere with effectiveness of the brake assembly (24). Apparatus (72) connects the seal (16) to the backing plate (20). The seal (16) has first and second legs (38,40) each having a sealing surface (58,60). The sealing .[.surface.]. .Iadd.surfaces (58,60) .Iaddend.contact a face (68) and outer surface (66) of the hub (22), respectively, to substantially block passage of foreign matter to the brake drum (30).