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 carriage assembly (28) for a lift mast (22). The carriage assembly has a frame (30), a pair of load supporting arms (64) pivotally connected to the frame at spaced locations on a lower portion (36) of the frame and pivotally connected to a guide bar (52) slidably connected to an upper portion (34) of the frame for permitting unitary movement of the load supporting arms relative to the frame transversely of the lift mast. The carriage assembly (28) is compact, lightweight and requires fewer parts. Thus, capacity, visibility, component life and performance are improved. The carriage assembly (10) is particularly useful on a vehicle (20) such as a lift truck.