Industrial Lift Truck Or Required Component Thereof (e.g., Forklift) Patents (Class 187/222)
  • Patent number: 11920323
    Abstract: A counterweight assembly for a work machine includes a structure, support studs, a first side wall, and a second side wall. The structure is coupled to a frame of the work machine and defines through holes, a first side end, and a second side end. The support studs are coupled to the frame and correspondingly received into the through holes to support the structure against the frame. The first side wall extends from the first side end and defines a first eyelet. The second side wall extends from the second side end and defines a second eyelet. A work machine guard rail is received between the first side wall and second side wall. One or more of the first eyelet and the second eyelet receive a lifting assembly for lifting the work machine, and the support studs transfer a lifting force from the counterweight assembly to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Allen Matousek, Brian Cole Howson, Scott Andrew McGregor
  • Patent number: 11814905
    Abstract: A drilling rig system includes a drilling rig having a floor which is generally planar, and a utility vehicle having a base, a drive apparatus, and a ground engaging motive apparatus upon which the base is supported on the floor. The drive apparatus drives the ground engaging motive apparatus to move the utility vehicle across the floor. The ground engaging motive apparatus is drivable so as to change a direction of travel of the utility vehicle at any point on the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: MHWIRTH AS
    Inventors: Geir Lien, Petter Mydland
  • Patent number: 11772946
    Abstract: A center of gravity estimation device includes a tilt cylinder pressure sensor detecting a pressure on a rod side of the tilt cylinder, a tilt cylinder pressure sensor detecting a pressure on a bottom side of the tilt cylinder, a lift cylinder pressure sensor detecting a pressure of a lift cylinder, and an electronic control unit performing estimation calculation of a center of gravity of a cargo W loaded on a fork using the pressure on the rod side of the tilt cylinder, the pressure on the bottom side of the tilt cylinder, the pressure of the lift cylinder, and data on a structure of a cargo handling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventor: Tatsuya Hattori
  • Patent number: 11724658
    Abstract: Aspects hereof relate to a control system for a terrain working vehicle having an operator protection apparatus. In some aspects, the control system instructs and ceases an actuation of the operator protection apparatus to and between a raised position and a lowered position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Harlan J. Bartel, Eric M. Biggs, Brian R. Funk, Ronald E. Lefevre, Royce A. Steinert, James A. Wright, Brian L. Nebel
  • Patent number: 11658387
    Abstract: A system for inventorying items by reading attached identifying RFID tags stored on palette racks comprising at least one vertical reference post equipped with at least one post marker, the system comprising an apparatus configured for reading the attached identifying tags, characterized in that the apparatus comprises: at least one telescopic mast, which can be vertically deployed and folded, at least one RFID antenna mounted onto the telescopic mast for emitting RFID signals towards the identifying RFID tags and for receiving response messages from the identifying RFID tags, a RFID reader for energizing the at least one RFID antenna and for reading the identifying RFID tags, a computer unit for controlling the RFID reader and storing data, and at least one height sensor for detecting the at least one post marker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: QUADIENT TECHNOLOGIES FRANCE
    Inventor: Guy Venture
  • Patent number: 11618491
    Abstract: A dolly for indoor and outdoor use including a supporting frame extending along a main axis of extension and a loading platform mounted above said frame. The dolly also includes at least one steering and drive wheel coupled to the bottom of the frame and at least one pair of idle wheels coupled to the bottom of the frame and positioned symmetrically relative to the main axis of extension. The dolly also includes a control structure including a plurality of sensors configured for measuring a plurality of operating parameters of the dolly and for generating respective signals representing operating parameters and a processing unit configured to receive the representative signals and to impart a steering command to the at least one steering and drive wheel at least as a function of the representative signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA MATERIAL HANDLING MANUFACTURING ITALY S.P.A
    Inventor: Francesco Mastroianni
  • Patent number: 11603265
    Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle includes a fork assembly that is operable to engage one or more fork pockets of a refuse container, a lift arm that is operable to lift a refuse container, and at least one sensor that is configured to collect data indicating a position of the one or more fork pockets of the refuse container. A position of at least one of the fork assembly or the lift arm is adjusted in response to the data collected by the at least one sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: The Heil Co.
    Inventors: Robert B. Williams, Stanley L. Maroney
  • Patent number: 11565921
    Abstract: A low-lift industrial truck (2) and a method for operating the same. The industrial truck includes a load fork (4) for picking up a load. Fork tines (6a, 6b) of the load fork (4) each include at least one load roller (8) in a region of fork tine tips (28). The industrial truck also includes a load lifting assistance system having a distance sensor (16) and a processing unit (14). The distance sensor is configured to measure a distance between the load and a front wall (12) of the industrial truck facing the load fork. At least one distance between the load and the front wall is saved in the processing unit and corresponds to a predetermined stop position. The processing unit is configured to process measured values of the distance sensor and to generate a stop signal when a distance corresponding to the stop position (20a, 20b) is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Jungheinrich AG
    Inventors: Enrico Sperlich, Marko Kral
  • Patent number: 11427074
    Abstract: Some of the present apparatuses include a frame defining first and second supports and at least a portion of a rigid tank mount laterally offset from the first and second supports, where the first support is configured to be pivotally coupled to a vehicle such that the frame is movable relative to the vehicle between a first position in which the second support is spaced apart from the vehicle and second position in which the second support is coupled to the vehicle. Some apparatuses include a frame mount having a flange defining a bounded opening configured to receive a fastener and a post extending from the flange and away from the opening, where the first support is configured to be pivotally coupled to the flange via the fastener and the second support is configured to be coupled to the post when the frame is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: NATURAL GAS FUEL SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Zimmerman, Christopher Culberson
  • Patent number: 11304282
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining lighting fixture arrangement information (e.g., position and/or orientation). A lighting beam from the lighting fixture is directed among three discrete locations on a reference surface (e.g., by a controller). The fixture's position is determined using perspective inversion based on angular changes of the lighting fixture and coordinate data of the discrete locations (e.g., determined using a camera and a reference point on the surface). Distances from the fixture to the three discrete locations are estimated based on perspective inversion. The position of the lighting fixture is trilateralized based on the distances. Spherical coordinates of the fixture's orientation relative to the reference surface are determined, and yaw, pitch, and roll of the fixture are extracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Josh Jordan, Christopher Mizerak, Chelsea Sanders, Koen Buys
  • Patent number: 11062457
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for generating a verified minimum viable range (MVR) of an object. An exposed outer corner and exposed edges of an object may be identified by processing one or more image data. An initial MVR may be generated by identifying opposing parallel edges opposing the exposed edges. The initial MVR may be adjusted, and the adjusted result may be tested to generate a verified MVR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: MUJIN, Inc.
    Inventors: Jinze Yu, Jose Jeronimo Moreira Rodrigues, Rosen Nikolaev Diankov, Xutao Ye
  • Patent number: 10913473
    Abstract: A dolly includes an actuated platform and obstruction sensor as well as a camera and a depth sensor. The eye height of a user is determined according to outputs of the camera and depth sensor. The platform is then moved to an elbow height determined based on the eye height and the depth sensor is moved to a position above the platform. In response to detecting obstruction of the obstruction sensor, the platform is lowered. Upon completion of loading, the platform is lowered to a lowest position. A stand may be retracted upon lowering of the platform to its lowest position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jamel Seagraves, Chih-Wei Tang, Sudipto Aich
  • Patent number: 10750675
    Abstract: A planting system for use with a vertical hydroponic tower. The planting system includes a payload transport system and a planter. The payload transport system, which is configured to be positioned at a location adjacent to the hydroponic tower, includes a base and a lift tower, the lift tower including a motorized lift system configured to move the planter upward and downward. The planter is configured to insert plant containers containing seedlings into the hydroponic tower as the motorized payload lift system moves the planter upwards along the face of the tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: MJNN, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Matera, Mark Cuson, Alexandre Le Roux, Anna Olson, Brice Klein, Michael Flynn, Merritt Jenkins
  • Patent number: 10688903
    Abstract: An embodiment of a lighting device for a lift gate includes one or more sensors, each sensor configured to generate an output signal based on motion and/or orientation thereof, wherein each sensor is coupled to a movable member of the lift gate to generate an output signal indicating a motion and/or position state of said movable member of the lift gate; a controller circuit coupled to each sensor to receive an output signal from each sensor, wherein the controller circuit is configured to generate one or more control signals for controlling operation of one or more lighting elements; and one or more lighting elements coupled to the controller circuit to receive control signals from the controller circuit; wherein the controller circuit is configured to generate one or more control signals in response to the output signals from each sensor, for controlling operation of one or more lighting elements based on sensed state of the moveable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: MAXON INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: George Y. Marji, Karapet Ablabutyan
  • Patent number: 10491818
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes circuitry configured to determine a focused area based on signals detected by work and travel situation detection sensors. The circuitry is configured to determine a prioritized display image among images captured by cameras, the prioritized display image including the focused area. The circuitry is configured to compose the images captured by the cameras by view-point converting the images to generate an overhead image around the vehicle body. The circuitry is configured to generate at least one monitor display image including a first display area in which the overhead image is displayed and a second display area in which the prioritized display image is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yushi Matsuzaki, Yoshitomo Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 10431485
    Abstract: Before a moving member that moves along a moving path stops, an article transport facility starts protrusion control by which a moving support portion that is provided on the moving member is moved so as to protrude toward a fixed support portion, and thereafter the article transport facility appropriately determines whether or not to continue the protrusion control. Upon the moving member reaching a protrusion start position, the protrusion control is started so that the moving support portion is moved to protrude, even if the moving member has not stopped. After the moving member has reached a position at which a detection unit that is fixed to the moving member can detect a detection target member that is provided on the fixed support portion, the execution of the protrusion control is continued as long as the detection unit is detecting the detection target member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Abe, Yasushi Morikawa, Toshihito Ueda
  • Patent number: 10347005
    Abstract: A carrier for carrying an object includes a fork that is vertically movable to carry the object and that is able to be inserted into an opening of a flat portion of the object, a sensor that obtains actual measured values at a plurality of points on the flat portion of the object, and an object state identification device that identifies, based on the actual measured values, an object state including at least one of a position and a posture of the object with respect to the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignees: MURATA MACHINERY, LTD., UMEMURA EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
    Inventors: Masaomi Iida, Manabu Hashimoto, Shoichi Takei
  • Patent number: 10304025
    Abstract: Methods, servers and computer program products for managing transport orders. The server receives a transport order which specifies a shipment to be transported from a first site to a second site. The server receives an indication of an available industrial truck of the plurality of industrial trucks. The server generates a driving order according to given criteria depending at least on properties of the available industrial truck, wherein the driving order specifies a subset of the shipment within a load capacity of the available industrial truck. The server transmits the generated driving order to the available industrial truck for execution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Locanis AG
    Inventors: Daniel Brehm, Özgür Kurt, Anton Savchenko
  • Patent number: 10214927
    Abstract: A building system for fabricating a multi-storey building structure, the system comprising at least one first building structure and at least one second building structure and a way for elevating the second building structure to allow provision of the first building structure under the elevated building structure. A method for fabricating a multi-storey building structure, the method comprises the steps of providing a second building structure; elevating the second building structure; providing a first building structure under the elevated second building structure; and lowering the second building structure onto the first building structure. There is also provided the elevating means, such as jacks for elevating the building structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Up First Construction Systems Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Philip Edward Jenner
  • Patent number: 10202267
    Abstract: Systems and methods for sensing the presence of a load carried by a material handling vehicle are provided. The material handling vehicle includes a vehicle body, and a load supporting member configured to support the load. The material handling vehicle further includes a load sensor configured to determine the presence of the load within a defined range of the load supporting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Andrew Weiss, Robert Paterson
  • Patent number: 10189419
    Abstract: A cargo carrier attachable to a trailer hitch receiver, the cargo carrier comprising a hitch adapter mountable to the trailer hitch receiver; a mounting element; and a cargo receiving portion secured to the mounting element. The mounting element includes a movable element and an actuator, the movable element being removably mountable to the hitch adapter, the movable element being selectively movable relative to the cargo receiving portion between lower and upper positions, the actuator being operatively coupled to the movable element for moving the movable element between the lower and upper positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Inventor: Stephane Billard
  • Patent number: 10174469
    Abstract: A device for handling traffic cones that may equip a vehicle, including a frame, a mechanism for transferring the cones from a provisioning unit to a handling station, a cone gripping unit, and mechanism for moving the gripping unit between the handling station and release points. The moving mechanism includes a lifting unit ensuring vertical movement for raising and lowering the gripping unit, a translation unit ensuring the transverse horizontal movement of the lifting unit and the gripping unit, the translation unit includes at least one first slider that includes a fixed part rigidly connected to the frame and a part that can move in translation, a second slider that includes a part rigidly connected to the movable part of the first slider and a second part that can move in translation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: MATI INDUSTRIES & TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventor: Félix Julien
  • Patent number: 9823111
    Abstract: A predetermined relationship among various loading states, stability factor (Kh) of a vehicle and lateral acceleration (Gy) of the vehicle is stored in a storage device (30A) as a reference relationship (i.e. a map). Information regarding a lateral acceleration (Gy) of the vehicle is acquired using a lateral acceleration sensor (40). An estimated value of the stability factor (Kh) of the vehicle is calculated on the basis of vehicle travelling data when turning. A loading state of the vehicle is estimated on the basis of the area in which the estimated value of the stability factor and the lateral acceleration of the vehicle which is at the same point in time as the vehicle travelling data which were provided for the calculation of the estimated value belong in the reference relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomotaka Asano, Takemi Murayama
  • Patent number: 9796570
    Abstract: A lift arrangement of a lift truck, especially a forklift truck, has a lift mast defining a z-axis. The lift mast includes a first mast section and a second mast section. Damping elements made from elastic material are provided on the first mast section and/or the second mast section preventing a hard impact of the second mast section with the first mast section at the run-in end position of the second mast section. The damping elements are configured and arranged in such a manner that, in addition to damping the movement of the second mast section in the direction of the z-axis, the damping elements damp movements of the second mast section in the directions of the x-axis and the y-axis running perpendicularly to the z-axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Jungheinrich Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Kelvin Chan, John Recchia
  • Patent number: 9713977
    Abstract: A cargo handling device is disclosed for a vehicle. The cargo handling device comprises a base and a lower track. A traveler and a storage unit slidably engage the lower track between a proximal end and a distal end. A linear actuator displaces the traveler between the proximal end and the distal end. A telescoping actuator is pivotably coupled to the traveler and the storage unit. A contracted length in the telescoping actuator maintains the traveler abutting the storage unit during displacement of the traveler between the proximal end and the distal end. An extended length in the telescoping actuator displaces the storage unit from the traveler upon the traveler positioned at the distal end. The extended length defines a horizontal displacement and a vertical displacement of the storage unit from the traveler for positioning the storage unit adjacent the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Inventor: Bryant D. Neal
  • Patent number: 9635346
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle includes a travel vehicle main body, a model data storage, a photographic device, a search region determiner, an image feature point detector, a feature amount calculator and a position detector. The travel vehicle main body autonomously travels to a target position. The model data storage stores model data related to a geometric feature of an object. The photographic device photographs a periphery of the travel vehicle main body at the target position to acquire image data. The search region determiner predicts a position of the object based on the image data, and determines a search region of a predetermined range including the predicted position of the object. The image feature point detector detects a feature point of the image data with respect to the search region. The feature amount calculator calculates a feature amount of a matching candidate point extracted from the feature point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: MURATA MACHINERY, LTD.
    Inventor: Masaomi Iida
  • Patent number: 9589371
    Abstract: A detection device for a condenser reflecting surface of a solar heat power generation system comprises: a horizontal rotary beam disposed above the condenser reflecting surface and capable of rotating in a horizontal surface, a plurality of laser heads being disposed at the bottom end of the horizontal rotary beam, a receiving disk perpendicular to the central axis of the horizontal rotary beam and capable of vertical movement connected at the theoretical focus of the condenser reflecting surface below the horizontal rotary beam, a camera being disposed below the receiving disk. A solar heat power generation system comprises the condenser reflecting surface and the detection device, and the detection device is disposed right above the condenser reflecting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignees: Xiangtan Liyuan Electric Tooling Co., Ltd., Xiangtan Electric Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuhui Wang, Minhui Wang, Yuelei Zhang, Mi Mou, Yueying Li, Xuegao Fu
  • Patent number: 9561944
    Abstract: A drive handle located behind an operator seat comprises a throttle used to drive a lift truck in reverse without requiring the operator's foot to actuate a floor-based throttle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Hyster-Yale Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Doug Mehaffey, John Timczyk
  • Patent number: 9528247
    Abstract: A control system for a work vehicle includes a temperature detecting unit and a controller. The temperature detecting unit detects the temperature of the electrical drive system. The controller controls the output of an electric motor when the temperature of the electrical drive system detected by the temperature detecting unit exceeds a predetermined first threshold and an operating member of the movable body is positioned in a neutral position. The controller does not limit the output of the electric motor when the operating member for the movable body is being operated even when the temperature of the electrical drive system exceeds the first threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventor: Mitsuhiko Kamado
  • Publication number: 20150142278
    Abstract: A drive handle located behind an operator seat comprises a throttle used to drive a lift truck in reverse without requiring the operator's foot to actuate a floor-based throttle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Doug Mehaffey, John Timczyk
  • Publication number: 20150122584
    Abstract: A hybrid forklift truck includes a truck assembly having a lift section, a drive section and a power supply compartment. A power module is received in the power supply compartment. The power module includes an energy storage compartment, a generator compartment, a fuel tank compartment and an energy storage device received in the energy storage compartment. A DC electric generator and cooperating internal combustion engine are received in the generator compartment. Further, the control system is provided for operating a forklift truck including the lift section and the drive section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Lonnie R. Oxley
  • Publication number: 20150122585
    Abstract: Devices and methods to relieve lift chains from being maintained under constant, or nearly constant, tension are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Nico Berns, Paul Smulders, Peter van den Hurk, Joost Erinkveld, Norbert Bruenell, Stefan van der Cruijsen
  • Publication number: 20150110586
    Abstract: Universal component lift apparatus for moving components of electronic device manufacturing systems is described. The universal component lift apparatus includes a track, a truck moveable along the track, and a lift apparatus adapted to couple to the truck, the lift apparatus including a wheeled base, a lift portion, and a boom adapted to couple to the component. Electronic device processing systems and methods of moving components thereof are described, as are numerous other aspects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Hudgens, Alpay Yilmaz
  • Patent number: 9008900
    Abstract: In a method for determining a height of lift of a working machine, a measurement of height is carried out between a position along an approximately vertical axis of motion of a lifting element of the working machine and a reference point. In order to implement a correct determination of the height of lift even in response to inhomogeneous ground conditions, the ground on which the working machine is located is used as the reference point, and for the height measurement a plurality of measuring signals are ascertained, which are supplied to a mean value formation, the mean value being drawn upon for determining the height of lift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Oliver Wildner
  • Patent number: 8950553
    Abstract: Disclosed is a safety bar having a resiliently flexible neck connecting a shaft to a head. The head includes a surface connected to at least one pair of spaced apart opposing legs. The surface and the spaced apart opposing legs define a passage and a channel intermediate the surface and the passage. Also disclosed is a method of making such a safety bar. The safety bar can be installed in a reach lift truck for protecting an operator of the reach lift truck from injury due to accidental impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Lakeport Metalcraft and Welding
    Inventor: Roland Stefan Nopper
  • Patent number: 8944744
    Abstract: An industrial truck is shown with a lifting frame, on which a load-receiving section is arranged so as to be movable vertically. The load-receiving section has at least one degree of movement freedom with respect to the lifting frame, which lies in a plane perpendicular to the main direction of travel of the industrial truck and has at least one horizontal component. In addition, a vibration control system is provided for damping or preventing vibrations in the relative position of load-receiving section and lifting frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Technische Universität München
    Inventors: Michael Kleeberger, Michael Buhl, Michael Schipplick, Willibald Günthner, Boris Lohmann, Rudy Eid
  • Patent number: 8930093
    Abstract: A forklift truck includes a truck body, a fork, a mast, tilting and lifting mechanisms, tilt and lift levers, tilting and lifting operation detectors, a lifted height detector, a load detector, an auxiliary switch, a tilt angle detector and a controller. The controller controls the lifting and tilting mechanisms based on signals from the tilting and lifting operation detectors and the auxiliary switch. The controller controls the lifting and tilting mechanisms to cause the fork to be lifted and tilted to horizontal position of the fork if a load is present on the fork, the fork is in a lower lift region where the lifted height of the fork is at or lower than a first threshold value, the lift lever is placed in operative position to lift the fork, the auxiliary switch is in operative position and the fork is not in the horizontal position of the fork.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Takashi Nishiwaki, Junichi Kuwayama, Tadashi Yamada
  • Publication number: 20150001007
    Abstract: An industrial truck includes a chassis comprising a plurality of wheels, and wheel suspensions. Each wheel suspension is mounted on the chassis around two axes so as to be tiltable. At least two wheels of the plurality of wheels are each mounted on the chassis via a respective wheel suspension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: Juergen Keller
  • Patent number: 8924109
    Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle includes detecting vibration in a drivetrain of the vehicle with a fore/aft accelerometer during a launch event. An operating regime of the vehicle is identified concurrently with the detected vibration when the detected vibration is outside a predefined allowable range. A control strategy of the drivetrain is adjusted to define a revised control strategy to avoid the identified operating regime. The revised control strategy is applied to control the drivetrain to mitigate vibration in the drivetrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ronald F. Lochocki, Jr., Kenneth K. Lang
  • Publication number: 20140318901
    Abstract: An adjustable forklift load backrest has a first lateral support, a second lateral support and a central connector. The lateral supports are adjustably engaged with the central connector opposite each other. The width of the load backrest can be adjusted by moving the lateral supports closer together or farther away from each other. The lateral supports are affixed to the central connector by bolts traversing through bolt holes on the support arms and slotted openings on the connecting arms of the central connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventor: Matthew John Philipopoulos
  • Patent number: 8869944
    Abstract: A lift truck includes a secondary rechargeable energy storage device on a vertically movable platform that is separate from a primary rechargeable energy storage device on the lift truck's main tractor unit. Wires or hoses for transfer of power or controls between the main tractor unit and the platform are reduced or eliminated. The quantity of energy stored in the secondary rechargeable energy storage device is sufficient to power platform electrical loads for a predetermined amount of time until the platform is lowered. When the platform is lowered, the secondary rechargeable energy storage device is recharged by the primary energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: Paul P. McCabe, Daniel G. Radler
  • Publication number: 20140308097
    Abstract: A forklift truck includes a lateral pair of side frames, a rear frame connecting rear end portions of the side frames, and a fork member disposed in a space between the pair of side frames in plan view so as to be lifted and lowered. The forklift truck includes a wheel unit provided in a leading end portion of each of the side frames and a central portion of the rear frame, the wheel unit including a steering motor, a running motor, and a driving wheel, and a battery provided in a central portion of each of the side frames.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: MURATA MACHINERY, LTD.
    Inventor: Yukihiro Akahori
  • Publication number: 20140299417
    Abstract: A lifting apparatus with a first and a second drive wheel aligned about an axis of rotation. The lifting apparatus structure has a longitudinal dimension defined perpendicular to the axis or rotation and adapted to rotatably support the first and second drive wheels. The lifting apparatus has at least one motive device adapted to drive, either together or independently, the first and second drive wheels. The lifting apparatus structure further supports a lifting mechanism with a lifting surface longitudinally offset from the first and second drive wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: MOBOT INDUSTRIES LIMITED
    Inventor: Steven Theo Haythorne
  • Publication number: 20140262625
    Abstract: A movable load backrest for a lift truck. The movable load backrest can include at least one impact portion, and at least one mounting structure coupled to the at least one impact portion and attachable to the lift truck, wherein, when the movable load backrest is coupled to the lift truck, the distance between the at least one impact portion and the lift truck is variable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Geoffrey R. Sharp
  • Publication number: 20140238780
    Abstract: A battery type forklift which is driven with power of a battery mounted on a vehicle body, includes: a fork arranged at a front part of the vehicle body; and a counter weight arranged at a rear part of the vehicle body, wherein the battery is mounted on the vehicle body in a state of being capable of being removed to a rear side of the vehicle body, and the counter weight comprises a guide unit which prevents sway of the battery in a right-left direction of the vehicle body when removing the battery and which guides movement of the battery along a front-rear direction of the vehicle body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Kouji Nishiyama, Kazuhiro Kurihara
  • Patent number: 8794386
    Abstract: A forklift apparatus includes a base that moves in a generally horizontal direction. The base carries a mast that includes a lower section and an upper section. The upper section pivots relative to the lower section between a first storage orientation and a second operating orientation. In the second operating orientation, the upper section forms an upward continuation of the lower section. The mast carries a lifting structure that can selectively engage an object. A drive structure moves the lifting structure in a generally vertical direction when the upper section is in the second operating orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Cardinal Gibbons High School
    Inventors: Ariana Keeling, Marc Celestini, Sean Lanier, Stefano Fenu, Sarah Dyer
  • Patent number: 8763759
    Abstract: An industrial truck has a lifting mast and vertically movable load handling device located on the lifting mast. The lifting mast has a lifting height measurement system having a light emitter that emits a light beam, a receiving element, an optical alignment element, a target element, and a measurement path located between them, the length of which measurements path varies with the lifting height. The alignment element and/or the light emitter has a beam-forming optical system, in particular a beam-expanding optical system, so that at the maximum lifting height the reflecting target is inside the expanded light beam of the light emitter in all positions of the allowable maximum bending of the lifting mast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: STILL GmbH
    Inventors: Volker Viereck, Tino Krüger
  • Patent number: 8757326
    Abstract: A lift truck includes a frame defining a main structural component of the lift truck, a mast assembly secured to the frame, first and second lower forks, first and second upper forks, and first and second pallet stops. The lower forks are secured to the frame and are provided for supporting a lower load carried by the lift truck. The upper forks are located above the lower forks and are provided for supporting an upper load carried by the lift truck. The upper forks are movable with respect to the lower forks along the mast assembly. The pallet stops position the lower load on the lower forks and are secured in place between the mast assembly and the frame at laterally spaced apart locations. Each pallet stops includes a surface for contacting the lower load and for maintaining the lower load at a desired axial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporaton
    Inventors: Stefan Hannemann, Leszek Galek
  • Publication number: 20140166404
    Abstract: A pallet and product protector for a lift truck. The pallet and product protector can include an impact portion and a mounting portion coupled to the impact portion. The impact portion can include a central impact plate having a pair of ends and a side impact plate disposed at each of the pair of ends of the central impact plate. The side impact plate can be coupled to the central impact plate in slidable relation thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventor: Geoffrey Richard Sharp
  • Publication number: 20140161580
    Abstract: A shipping and handling system for a fork lift truck that has a cab and rails extending vertically above the cab. A first bracket is secured to the back of the rails and a second bracket is secured to the back of the cab. One bracket is provided with wheel while the other is provided with legs so that the truck is able to rest on the brackets when it is tipped over upon its back. A special adaptor is provided that allows a second fork lift truck to hitch onto the unwheeled bracket and lift the bracket off the support surface whereupon the first truck can be easily maneuvered from place to place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Belle Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Smeeton, Peter G. Csigi