Patents by Inventor Jay L. Kuck

Jay L. Kuck has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10144626
    Abstract: A materials handling vehicle is provided including a vehicle power unit, a monomast coupled to the vehicle power unit, and a fork carriage apparatus supported on the monomast. The fork carriage apparatus includes a mast carriage assembly directly coupled to the monomast for vertical movement, a fork carriage mechanism to which forks are mounted, and a reach mechanism coupled to the mast carriage assembly and to the fork carriage mechanism for actuating the fork carriage mechanism to move between an extended position and a retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Jay L. Kuck, Lee M. Wente
  • Patent number: 10040675
    Abstract: A carriage assembly is provided, which is adapted to be movably coupled to a mast assembly of a materials handling vehicle. The carriage assembly comprises a lifting carriage comprising a lifting carriage upper member including structure for laterally shifting a fork carriage. The fork carriage is mounted on the lifting carriage upper member and comprises fork carriage upper and lower members and fork carriage first and second side members, wherein the upper and lower members are coupled to the fork carriage first and second side members. The upper member comprises a fork-supporting bar having an outer fork-receiving hook and a reinforcement bar mounted to a first side of the fork-supporting bar opposite a second side near the fork-receiving hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Jay L. Kuck, Steven E. Koenig, Patrick H. Wenning
  • Publication number: 20170217744
    Abstract: A carriage assembly is provided, which is adapted to be movably coupled to a mast assembly of a materials handling vehicle. The carriage assembly comprises a lifting carriage comprising a lifting carriage upper member including structure for laterally shifting a fork carriage. The fork carriage is mounted on the lifting carriage upper member and comprises fork carriage upper and lower members and fork carriage first and second side members, wherein the upper and lower members are coupled to the fork carriage first and second side members. The upper member comprises a fork-supporting bar having an outer fork-receiving hook and a reinforcement bar mounted to a first side of the fork-supporting bar opposite a second side near the fork-receiving hook.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Jay L. Kuck, Steven E. Koenig, Patrick H. Wenning
  • Patent number: 9663337
    Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing a fork carriage comprising: providing a fork-supporting bar having first and second fork-receiving hooks, wherein the second hook is of a larger size than the first hook; based on a size of one or more forks desired to be mounted on the fork-supporting bar, positioning the bar such that one of the first and second fork-receiving hooks corresponding to the size of the one or more forks is located outwardly to receive the one or more forks on the one fork-receiving hook; and coupling a reinforcement bar to a side of the fork-supporting bar opposite the side near the one fork-receiving hook. A carriage assembly comprising a fork carriage including an upper member comprising a fork-supporting bar having an outer fork-receiving hook and a reinforcement bar is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Jay L. Kuck, Steven E. Koenig, Patrick H. Wenning
  • Publication number: 20150375976
    Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing a fork carriage comprising: providing a fork-supporting bar having first and second fork-receiving hooks, wherein the second hook is of a larger size than the first hook; based on a size of one or more forks desired to be mounted on the fork-supporting bar, positioning the bar such that one of the first and second fork-receiving hooks corresponding to the size of the one or more forks is located outwardly to receive the one or more forks on the one fork-receiving hook; and coupling a reinforcement bar to a side of the fork-supporting bar opposite the side near the one fork-receiving hook. A carriage assembly comprising a fork carriage including an upper member comprising a fork-supporting bar having an outer fork-receiving hook and a reinforcement bar is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Jay L. Kuck, Steven E. Koenig, Patrick H. Wenning
  • Publication number: 20140326543
    Abstract: A materials handling vehicle is provided including a vehicle power unit, a monomast coupled to the vehicle power unit, and a fork carriage apparatus supported on the monomast. The fork carriage apparatus includes a mast carriage assembly directly coupled to the monomast for vertical movement, a fork carriage mechanism to which forks are mounted, and a reach mechanism coupled to the mast carriage assembly and to the fork carriage mechanism for actuating the fork carriage mechanism to move between an extended position and a retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Jay L. Kuck, Lee M. Wente
  • Patent number: 8851825
    Abstract: A materials handling vehicle is provided including a vehicle power unit, a monomast coupled to the vehicle power unit, and a fork carriage apparatus supported on the monomast. The fork carriage apparatus includes a mast carriage assembly directly coupled to the monomast for vertical movement, a fork carriage mechanism to which forks are mounted, and a reach mechanism coupled to the mast carriage assembly and to the fork carriage mechanism for actuating the fork carriage mechanism to move between an extended position and a retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Jay L. Kuck, Lee M. Wente
  • Publication number: 20140219759
    Abstract: A materials handling vehicle includes a power unit, a mast assembly coupled to the power unit, and a reach assembly coupled for vertical movement on the mast assembly. The mast assembly includes first, second, and third weldments, wherein the first weldment is fixed to the power unit, the second weldment is movable with respect to the first weldment, and the third weldment is movable with respect to the first and second weldments. The reach assembly includes an extension/retraction mechanism for effecting horizontal movement of the reach assembly relative to the mast assembly. Components of the vehicle have been redesigned and/or rearranged to improve operator visibility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: CROWN EQUIPMENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrick A. Soder, Jay L. Kuck, Steven E. Koenig, Kevin A. Gilliland, Gary J. May, Jared J. Ranly
  • Publication number: 20140219760
    Abstract: A materials handling vehicle includes a power unit, a mast assembly coupled to the power unit, and a reach assembly coupled for vertical movement on the mast assembly. The mast assembly includes first, second, and third weldments, wherein the first weldment is fixed to the power unit, the second weldment is movable with respect to the first weldment, and the third weldment is movable with respect to the first and second weldments. The reach assembly includes an extension/retraction mechanism for effecting horizontal movement of the reach assembly relative to the mast assembly. Components of the vehicle have been redesigned and/or rearranged to improve operator visibility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick A. Soder, Jay L. Kuck
  • Publication number: 20140219758
    Abstract: A materials handling vehicle includes a power unit, a mast assembly coupled to the power unit, and a reach assembly coupled for vertical movement on the mast assembly. The mast assembly includes first, second, and third weldments, wherein the first weldment is fixed to the power unit, the second weldment is movable with respect to the first weldment, and the third weldment is movable with respect to the first and second weldments. The reach assembly includes an extension/retraction mechanism for effecting horizontal movement of the reach assembly relative to the mast assembly. Components of the vehicle have been redesigned and/or rearranged to improve operator visibility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: CROWN EQUIPMENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrick A. Soder, Jay L. Kuck
  • Patent number: 8714311
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Steven C. Billger, Robert L. Eilerman, Kevin A. Gilliland, Eric J. Hanson, William J. Heidemann, Robert J. Henshaw, Jay L. Kuck, Jay G. Pollack, Craig J. Rekow, Adam M. Ruppert, Lucas B. Waltz
  • Publication number: 20100068023
    Abstract: A materials handling vehicle is provided including a vehicle power unit, a monomast coupled to the vehicle power unit, and a fork carriage apparatus supported on the monomast. The fork carriage apparatus includes a mast carriage assembly directly coupled to the monomast for vertical movement, a fork carriage mechanism to which forks are mounted, and a reach mechanism coupled to the mast carriage assembly and to the fork carriage mechanism for actuating the fork carriage mechanism to move between an extended position and a retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: CROWN EQUIPMENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jay L. Kuck, Lee M. Wente
  • Publication number: 20100065377
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: CROWN EQUIPMENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven C. Billger, Robert L. Eilerman, Kevin A. Gilliland, Eric J. Hanson, William J. Heidemann, Robert J. Henshaw, Jay L. Kuck, Jay G. Pollack, Craig J. Rekow, Adam M. Ruppert, Lucas B. Waltz
  • Patent number: 7610977
    Abstract: A lift truck is provided comprising: a power unit assembly comprising a power unit base, a wheel coupled to the base, and a system for driving the wheel; and a main frame assembly detachably connected to the power unit assembly. The main frame assembly comprises a main frame base, a mast assembly coupled to the main frame base, a carriage assembly coupled to the mast assembly, and hydraulic drive apparatus coupled to the mast assembly. Preferably, substantially the entirety of the hydraulic drive apparatus is provided on the main frame assembly such that the main frame assembly is detachable from the power unit assembly without requiring disconnecting hydraulic connections to the power unit assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Leroy M. Kluver, Jay L. Kuck
  • Patent number: 7347299
    Abstract: An operator's compartment for an industrial vehicle comprises a platform floor, an operator's seat, at least one presence sensing device and a control module. The operator's seat has a base structure coupled to the platform floor and an operator support coupled to the base structure such that the operator support may be rotated with respect to the platform floor. Each provided presence sensing device is arranged to sense an operator's presence in a predetermined location in or about the operator's compartment and the control module is configured to control at least one operation of the vehicle based upon a rotational position of the operator's seat and a signal from at least one of the presence sensing device(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Steven C. Billger, Michael P. Gallagher, Kevin A. Gilliland, Eric J. Kaiser, Leroy M. Kluver, Jay L. Kuck, Steven R. Pulskamp, Craig J. Rekow, Adam M. Ruppert, Gary L. Topp, George R. Wetterer
  • Patent number: 7121608
    Abstract: An operator's seat for a vehicle includes a base structure that allows the operator's seat to be rotated with respect to a platform floor of an operator's compartment within the vehicle. The operator's seat may further include a swivel structure that allows an operator support to swivel independently of the rotation of the base structure. At least one presence sensing device may be provided to detect the presence of an operator. The presence sensing device(s), and rotational position of the operator support may provide input signals to a control module that controls the vehicle travel, load handling features, and/or other features of the vehicle that may be selectively enabled, limited or otherwise controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Steven C. Billger, Michael P. Gallagher, Kevin A. Gilliland, Eric J. Kaiser, Leroy M. Kluver, Jay L. Kuck, Steven R. Pulskamp, Craig J. Rekow, Adam M. Ruppert, Gary L. Topp, George R. Wetterer
  • Patent number: 6212713
    Abstract: An examination table including a base member supporting a seat section and including a back section pivotally supported on the seat section. The back section includes an elongated pivot frame connected to the seat section at a pivot connection, and a sliding frame supported for longitudinal sliding movement along the pivot frame. A coupling member is supported on the pivot frame for rotational movement and includes telescoping members engaged with the sliding frame wherein the coupling member is rotated by a linkage during pivotal movement of the back section to cause the sliding frame to move longitudinally of the pivot frame to accommodate movement of a patient's back relative to the pivot frame as the pivot frame is pivoted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Midmark Corporation
    Inventors: Jay L. Kuck, Paul P. Kolada, Sean W. Svendsen
  • Patent number: 5208928
    Abstract: A surgery table is provided in which a patient support portion may be tilted about a longitudinal and a lateral axis and in which torso and leg supporting portions of the table may be pivoted relative to a trunk supporting portion. A new headrest locking mechanism is disclosed whereby supporting ball and socket connections for the headrest may be locked in position with a minimum of applied torque force. In addition, a lift mechanism incorporating telescoping members is provided whereby a large variation in table height may be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Assignee: Midmark Corporation
    Inventors: Jay L. Kuck, Keith A. Stickley, Terry J. Simpkins, Sr., Terry J. Simpkins, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4968013
    Abstract: A locking assembly for locking a footrest pad in position relative to a supporting shelf of a medical table footrest assembly. The locking assembly includes a pair of cylindrical glide members attached to the footrest pad for engagement with a pair of slots and holes formed in the supporting shelf. The slots provide a guide for the sliding movement of the pad relative to the shelf, and the holes are located at an end of the slots to provide a locking position for the footrest pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Assignee: Midmark Corporation
    Inventor: Jay L. Kuck
  • Patent number: D344802
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: Midmark Corporation
    Inventors: Jay L. Kuck, Keith A. Stickley, Terry J. Simpkins, Sr., Terry J. Simpkins, Jr.