Abstract: A materials handling vehicle includes an operator platform from which an operator can drive the vehicle; a traction control system for advancing the vehicle across a floor surface; at least one sensor configured to detect the presence of an object located at a position proximate to the vehicle; and a controller communicably coupled to the at least one sensor and the traction control system. The controller is responsive to the output of the at least one sensor to stop or slow down the vehicle if an object is detected proximate to the vehicle and the vehicle is traveling in response to a remote travel request. However, the controller does not slow down or stop the vehicle if an object is proximate to the vehicle while the operator is driving the vehicle on the operator platform.

Abstract: A materials handling vehicle includes an operator platform from which an operator can drive the vehicle; a traction control system for advancing the vehicle across a floor surface; at least one sensor configured to detect the presence of an object located at a position proximate to the vehicle; and a controller communicably coupled to the at least one sensor and the traction control system. The controller is responsive to the output of the at least one sensor to stop or slow down the vehicle if an object is detected proximate to the vehicle and the vehicle is traveling in response to a remote travel request. However, the controller does not slow down or stop the vehicle if an object is proximate to the vehicle while the operator is driving the vehicle on the operator platform.

Abstract: A supplemental remote control system for a materials handling vehicle includes a wireless remote control device that is useable by an operator interacting with the materials handling vehicle. Actuation of a travel control on the remote control device causes a wireless transmitter on the device to transmit a travel request to the vehicle. The remote control system further includes a receiver for receiving transmissions from the wireless transmitter at the vehicle and a controller at the vehicle in communication with the receiver for implementing the travel request. The wireless remote control device further includes an input component, wherein actuation of the input component causes the wireless transmitter to wirelessly transmit a second type of request to the receiver on the vehicle requesting the controller to implement a second vehicle function other than to advance the vehicle.

Abstract: A supplemental control system for a materials handling vehicle comprises a wearable control device, and a corresponding receiver on the materials handling vehicle. The wearable control device is donned by an operator interacting with the materials handling vehicle, and comprises a wireless transmitter and a travel control communicably coupled to the wireless transmitter. Actuation of the travel control causes the wireless transmitter to transmit a first type signal designating a request to advance the vehicle in a first direction. The receiver is supported by the vehicle for receiving transmissions from the wireless transmitter. A traction control of the vehicle is responsive to a receipt of the first type signal by the receiver to cause the vehicle to advance.

Abstract: A materials handling vehicle is provided comprising a frame including an operator compartment having at least one entrance and a floorboard. The vehicle further comprises at least one step capable of being positioned across the entrance a spaced distance from the floorboard such that an operator may stand on the step when the step is positioned across the entrance to gain access to an elevated storage location.

Abstract: A supplemental control system for a materials handling vehicle comprises a wearable control device, and a corresponding receiver on the materials handling vehicle. The wearable control device is donned by an operator interacting with the materials handling vehicle, and comprises a wireless transmitter to be worn on the wrist of the operator and a travel control communicably coupled to the wireless transmitter. Actuation of the travel control causes the wireless transmitter to transmit a first type signal designating a request to the vehicle. The receiver is supported by the vehicle for receiving transmissions from the wireless transmitter.

Abstract: A remote control device worn by an operator in combination with a materials handling vehicle includes a wireless transmitter and control structure in communication with the wireless transmitter. The control structure is actuated by the operator to cause the wireless transmitter to generate a travel request signal. The vehicle includes a traction control system, a receiver for receiving travel request signals from the wireless transmitter, at least one sensor, and a controller. The sensor(s) is configured to detect objects near the vehicle or to detect a person on a vehicle operating platform. The controller is configured to decide not to cause the traction control system to advance the vehicle in response to a travel request signal from the receiver if the status from one or more of the at least one sensor is indicative of the presence of either: an object near the vehicle; or a person on the platform.

Abstract: A supplemental remote control system for a materials handling vehicle includes a wireless remote control device that is useable by an operator interacting with the materials handling vehicle. Actuation of a travel control on the remote control device causes a wireless transmitter on the device to transmit a travel request to the vehicle. The remote control system further includes a receiver for receiving transmissions from the wireless transmitter at the vehicle and a controller at the vehicle in communication with the receiver for implementing the travel request. The wireless remote control device further includes an input component, wherein actuation of the input component causes the wireless transmitter to wirelessly transmit a second type of request to the receiver on the vehicle requesting the controller to implement a second vehicle function other than to advance the vehicle.

Abstract: A materials handling vehicle is provided comprising a vehicle power unit having a longitudinal centerline, a monomast coupled to the vehicle power unit and having a centerline offset from and generally parallel with the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle power unit, and a fork carriage apparatus movably coupled to the monomast.

Abstract: A supplemental control system for a materials handling vehicle includes a wearable wireless remote control device that is donned by an operator interacting with the materials handling vehicle and includes a docking area, a detachably mountable communications device, and a travel control. The communications device temporarily docks to the docking area during use of the supplemental remote control system to control movement of the materials handling vehicle and includes a wireless transmitter. The travel control is communicably coupled to the wireless transmitter, wherein actuation of the travel control causes the wireless transmitter to wirelessly transmit a travel request as a first type signal requesting the materials handling vehicle to move across a floor surface in a first direction.

Abstract: A method of associating a transmitter and a receiver in a supplemental remote control system for materials handling vehicles includes initiating a power on sequence to enable a vehicle for operation, the vehicle having a receiver for receiving wirelessly transmitted travel commands, and pairing and synchronizing the receiver and a corresponding vehicle controller to a select one of a plurality of wireless remote control devices. Pairing mode confidence signals are received at the vehicle receiver, wherein each pairing mode confidence signal provides a transmitter identification that uniquely identifies a corresponding wireless remote control device within range of the receiver.

Abstract: A method of associating a transmitter and a receiver in a supplemental remote control system for materials handling vehicles includes initiating a power on sequence to enable a vehicle for operation, the vehicle having a receiver for receiving wirelessly transmitted travel commands, and pairing and synchronizing the receiver and a corresponding vehicle controller to a select one of a plurality of wireless remote control devices. Pairing mode confidence signals are received at the vehicle receiver, wherein each pairing mode confidence signal provides a transmitter identification that uniquely identifies a corresponding wireless remote control device within range of the receiver.

Abstract: A supplemental control system for a materials handling vehicle comprises a wearable control device, and a corresponding receiver on the materials handling vehicle. The wearable control device is donned by an operator interacting with the materials handling vehicle, and comprises a wireless transmitter and a travel control communicably coupled to the wireless transmitter. Actuation of the travel control causes the wireless transmitter to transmit a first type signal designating a request to advance the vehicle in a first direction. The receiver is supported by the vehicle for receiving transmissions from the wireless transmitter. A traction control of the vehicle is responsive to a receipt of the first type signal by the receiver to cause the vehicle to advance.

Abstract: A supplemental control system for a materials handling vehicle comprises a wearable control device, and a corresponding receiver on the materials handling vehicle. The wearable control device is donned by an operator interacting with the materials handling vehicle, and comprises a wireless transmitter to be worn on the wrist of the operator and a travel control communicably coupled to the wireless transmitter. Actuation of the travel control causes the wireless transmitter to transmit a first type signal designating a request to the vehicle. The receiver is supported by the vehicle for receiving transmissions from the wireless transmitter.

Abstract: A materials handling vehicle is provided comprising a frame including an operator compartment having at least one entrance and a floorboard. The vehicle further comprises at least one step capable of being positioned across the entrance a spaced distance from the floorboard such that an operator may stand on the step when the step is positioned across the entrance to gain access to an elevated storage location.

Abstract: A materials handling vehicle is provided comprising a frame including an operator compartment having at least one entrance and a floorboard. The vehicle further comprises at least one step capable of being positioned across the entrance a spaced distance from the floorboard such that an operator may stand on the step when the step is positioned across the entrance to gain access to an elevated storage location.

Abstract: A materials handling vehicle is provided comprising a vehicle power unit having a longitudinal centerline, a monomast coupled to the vehicle power unit and having a centerline offset from and generally parallel with the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle power unit, and a fork carriage apparatus movably coupled to the monomast.

Abstract: A vehicle seat arrangement is provided for a working vehicle comprising an operator's seat having an adjustable feature. A first control element is arranged such that a first work operative position is defined. A seat adjusting element is further provided for enabling the operator to set the adjustable feature of the operator's seat. The seat adjusting element is positioned relative to the first control element such that the operator may selectively control the adjustable feature of the seat without significantly interrupting the first work operative position or without significantly interrupting a transition from a first task to a second task and/or from a first work operative position to a second work operative position.

Abstract: A supplemental control system for a materials handling vehicle comprises a wearable control device, and a corresponding receiver on the materials handling vehicle. The wearable control device is donned by an operator interacting with the materials handling vehicle, and comprises a wireless transmitter and a travel control communicably coupled to the wireless transmitter. Actuation of the travel control causes the wireless transmitter to transmit a first type signal designating a request to advance the vehicle in a first direction. The receiver is supported by the vehicle for receiving transmissions from the wireless transmitter. A traction control of the vehicle is responsive to a receipt of the first type signal by the receiver to cause the vehicle to advance.

Abstract: Seat repositioning systems for vehicles comprise an operator's seat having a seat bottom and optionally, a seat back, where the operator's seat further comprises an adjustable characteristic, such as seat rotation, seat height adjustment, tilt, or X-Y position. A seat release control is operable to release the operator's seat from a locked position for repositioning of the adjustable characteristic of the operator's seat.