Industrial Lift Truck Or Required Component Thereof (e.g., Forklift) Patents (Class 187/222)
  • Patent number: 7219769
    Abstract: A load handling operation control apparatus for an industrial vehicle, which has a load carrying apparatus provided movably on a vehicle body, is provided. A load carrying apparatus 2 is positioned with a load handling target 41, 42 according to its movement. A load handling control section 47 has a display device 28 and a detection device for detecting the position of the load handling target. A image control section 46 displays positioning information for supporting positioning of the load carrying apparatus 2 with respect to the load handling target 41, 42 on the display device 28 based on a positional detection result detected by the detection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Torahiko Yamanouchi, Hisashi Ichijo, Kenichi Katae
  • Patent number: 7207405
    Abstract: This application relates to a hybrid power supply apparatus including a fuel cell and an energy storage device for use in off-road electric vehicles, such as lift trucks. The apparatus is a substitute for conventional lead acid batteries and is sized to fit within a conventional lift truck battery receptacle tray. The fuel cell and fuel processor systems are designed to meet the average load requirements of the vehicle, while the batteries and power control hardware are capable of responding to very high instantaneous load demands. The invention has a similar electrical interface as conventional battery systems and does not require vehicle modification. The apparatus is air-cooled to ensure that the hybrid power components operate within a preferred temperature range and to maintain the external surfaces of the apparatus and exhaust gases within safe temperature limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Cellex Power Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher E. J. Reid, Adrian J. Corless, David LeBoe, Carolyn Lawrence, Kenneth W. Kratschmar
  • Patent number: 7195104
    Abstract: A lifting device (10) includes a base frame (12), the base frame having associated drive means: a lifting arm (44) connected at a first end thereof to a frame (42), the lifting arm being pivotally movable with respect to the frame and being movable between a withdrawn condition and an extended lifting condition; and a lifting cradle being movable between open and engaged positions. The device is suitable for use in the movement of hospital beds and trolleys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Austech and Design Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Adam Thomas Lear
  • Patent number: 7195105
    Abstract: A lift truck includes a guide member secured to a mast of the lift truck and a guided member secured to a carriage vertically movable along the mast. The guided member engages with the guide member to resist twisting moments acting on the carriage and enable the carriage to move smoothly along the mast. A clamping apparatus for use with the lift truck is engageable with the forks of the lift truck so that the weight of the clamping apparatus can be supported by the forks. A bracket mounted on the lift truck can be detachably connected to the clamping apparatus to prevent movement of the clamping apparatus in the fore-and-aft direction of the lift truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Tygard Machine & Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Edward Tygard
  • Patent number: 7191872
    Abstract: A material handling vehicle including a truck body and a fork assembly adjacent the truck body. A link arm extending between the truck body and the fork assembly has a proximal end and a distal end. A first pivot pin is fixed to the body and pivotally links the proximal end of the link arm to the body. A second pivot pin is fixed to the fork assembly and pivotally links the distal end of the link arm to the fork assembly. At least one of the first and second pivot pins includes an eccentric body interposed between ends. The eccentric body defines a first axis, and the ends define a second axis, wherein the link arm pivots about the first axis and rotation of the pivot pin about the second axis moves the first axis relative to the truck body to change the position of the fork assembly relative to the truck body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: Ivan K. Gramatikov, William H. Hoff
  • Patent number: 7188709
    Abstract: An extractable mast structure for a fork-lift truck, including an outer mast fixed to the carriage, the spaced columns being interconnected via upper and lower traverses, an extractable inner mast guided by said outer mast on which a load-carrying means is guided to be movable up and down and the columns of which are interconnected via upper or lower traverses or a cross-beam, one mast lift cylinder for each column of said inner mast supported on said outer mast, piston rods of which are adapted to be connected to said cross-beam, and setting means between said piston rods and cross-beam for an equalization of the lift, wherein a male-threaded setting component is attached to the upper end of said piston rod of one of said two mast lift cylinders and a female-threaded bushing is screwed onto the male thread of said setting component and has supporting surfaces for said cross-beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Jungheinrich Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Alexander Hofmann
  • Patent number: 7163088
    Abstract: A lift truck (6) for the transport of a battery block (1) of an industrial truck, such as a fork-lift truck. The lift truck (6) includes at least one electrical unit. The electrical unit can be connected with the battery block (1) to be transported for supplying electrical energy to the lift truck (6). The lift truck (6) may not have its own battery. The electrical unit can be an electrical traction drive motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: STILL GmbH
    Inventors: Claus-Peter Jahns, Frank Rademacher
  • Patent number: 7128188
    Abstract: A lifting truck such as a forklift truck which can be provided with a supply container which is especially easy to build. To this end, space is made on a carrier between a lifting device for the lifting platform of the forklift truck, a pump and two U-shaped guards. The supply container is arranged in this space. Since it lies there protected, there is no danger of impact-like stresses so that the supply container can be made of a relatively light-weight plastic, a feature that significantly simplifies both the production and also the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Franz Kahl GmbH
    Inventor: Alwin Seidlhuber
  • Patent number: 7121372
    Abstract: A lift truck with variable range with at least three wheels and a telescopic arm. The lift truck includes a steerable rear wheel and two front wheels, a driver station and a motor propulsion group secured to a chassis. The chassis has a compact configuration and is elongated in the longitudinal direction of advance of the truck, and has safety elements against the risk of loss of lateral stability. The safety elements are adapted to oppose turning over of the truck. The truck also includes a device to limit the maximum speed of advance based on a turning angle of the steerable wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Manitou BF
    Inventor: Marcel-Claude Braud
  • Patent number: 6981837
    Abstract: An industrial truck has a tiltable lifting frame (2) connected with an axle body (1) mounted so that it can pivot or rotate on a vehicle chassis. To reduce noises, first and second means (4, 5) are provided for connecting the lifting frame (2) with the axle body (1). The first means (4) can have a degree of freedom in rotation around an axis of rotation (D) that is parallel to the axial center line (A) of the axle body (1). The second means (5) are at a spaced distance from the axis of rotation (D) of the first means (4) and in a plane that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation (D) and can have a degree of freedom in translation with a defined elasticity along an axis (T) that is perpendicular to the vertical dimension of the lifting frame (2). The first means (4) can be located above or below the axle body (1) and the second means (5) can be located above or below the axial center line (A) of the axle body (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Markus Gesser
  • Patent number: 6902039
    Abstract: Shield apparatus for a fork lift truck includes a flat stiff plate securable to the mast or vertical portion of a carriage of a fork lift truck. The shield apparatus includes fasting elements which are adjustable to fit different sized mast elements of fork lift trucks made by different manufacturers. The shield apparatus comprises a relatively large and flat plate to fit the entire width of the carriage, including the vertical mast elements for the purpose of protecting material with relatively delicate edges, such as wall board, from being damaged while the material is being transported by the fork lift truck. Included are handle elements which allow the shield apparatus to be easily placed on and removed from a fork lift truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Inventor: Timothy R. Kunch
  • Patent number: 6901323
    Abstract: Separately from a normal running mode, there is provided a turning mode in which a body (1) is allowed to turn. In the turning mode, road wheels (5a, 5b) and a driving wheel (8) are set such that the wheels are oriented so as to follow along a circumference R1 to R3 that would be formed about a distal end (B) of a fork arm (2b). As a result of this, the body (1) is allowed to turn about the distal end (B) of the fork arm (2b), whereby the body (1) can simply be positioned so as to confront the front of a pallet (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Nippon Yusoki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazumasa Kokura
  • Patent number: 6859697
    Abstract: An information display apparatus for a vehicle including: a key switch for starting the vehicle; a setting operation portion for inputting and setting a plurality of start-up inspection items to be inspected as to operations of the vehicle before starting work; a display portion for displaying the start-up inspection items set by the setting operation portion; and a control portion which controls the display portion in response to turning on of the key switch thereby to display the startup inspection items on the display portion. The control portion controls the vehicle, on which a start-up inspection as to all the start-up inspection items are terminated, in a state of capable of performing work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Nippon Yusoki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hajime Muragishi
  • Publication number: 20040262085
    Abstract: A sensor arrangement for measuring the deflection of a moving part of a mechanical device, e.g., a lifting device for a fork lift, is disclosed, with which one part (13) of the contactless sensor arrangement is attached to the moving part (4), and another part (12) of the sensor arrangement is attached at a reference point for the device (2). A radar transmitter (12) with an integrated radar sensor is attached at the reference point of the device, and a reflector device (13) for reflecting the radar beams from the radar transmitter (12) to the radar sensor (12) is provided on the moving part (4), whereby the path of deflection of the moving part (4) of the mechanical device (2) is capable of being determined from the transit time of the radar beams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventor: Gerold Mueller
  • Publication number: 20040216299
    Abstract: A structure of mounting a weight in a forklift truck which has a frame and the weight that is to be connected and fixed to the frame by a bolt and a nut includes a first hole, a second hole, a first fitting part and a second fitting part. The first hole is formed through the frame. The second hole is formed through the weight in such a manner that the first hole and the second hole correspond to each other. The first fitting part is formed on the frame. The second fitting part is formed on the weight in such a manner that the first fitting part and the second fitting part fit to each other and that the first hole and the second hole are aligned with each other when the frame and the weight are combined together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kobayashi, Shuo Uematsu, Takahito Miyake, Tomomichi Miura
  • Patent number: 6805527
    Abstract: A fork lift truck is provided with a lifting frame, a rear weight and a driver's cab. The driver's cab forms a load-bearing component of the fork lift truck, whereby there are two bearings for the lifting frame at some vertical distance from each other, by which the lifting frame is connected in a force-transmitting connection with the driver's cab. Each bearing for the lifting frame is suitable for the transmission of compression forces or tension forces. There is also a bearing for the rear weight, by which the rear weight is connected in a force-transmitting connection with the driver's cab. The bearing for the rear weight is suitable for the transmission of forces and moments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Bernhard Gotz
  • Publication number: 20040173409
    Abstract: An industrial truck, such as a forward control fork-lift truck, has dual pedal control with one pedal (5) assigned to the operator's right leg for forward travel and another pedal (6) assigned to the operator's left leg for reverse travel. A driver's seat (2) can be swivelled about an approximately vertical axis of rotation (D). In order to decrease the expenditure and space required for the driver's seat (2) to swivel, the driver's seat (2) can be swivelled in a clockwise direction from a normal position associated with the forward travel direction by an amount of at most 15 to 25 degrees, such as 15 to 20 degrees, such as about 17 degrees, into an oblique position associated with the reverse travel direction. The axis of rotation (D) of the driver's seat (2) can be in the region of the seat front edge, within the seat contour.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Hock, Heiko Sobolewski, Gerhard Zang
  • Publication number: 20040173408
    Abstract: An industrial truck, such as a fork lift truck, includes a battery compartment (1) and a battery block (4) which can be moved in the horizontal direction relative to the battery compartment (1). A floor of the battery compartment (1) is equipped with a roller conveyor (3). The industrial truck has at least one force-generating actuator to move the battery block (4) relative to the battery compartment (1). The actuator can have a threaded spindle (2), a pressure medium cylinder, a circulating assembly, a push chain, or a drive mechanism for the roller conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventors: Marek Szymanski, Michael Buchmann, Stephan Ballhausen, Torsten Gerdes
  • Publication number: 20040134715
    Abstract: A lifting frame has a stationary vertical mast (outer mast 1), at least one telescoping lifting mast (inner mast 3), and a lifting carriage (4) movable on the lifting mast. At least one hydraulic line (5) installed on the lifting frame discharges at the lifting carriage (4). When the lifting frame is in the retracted position, the hydraulic line (5) forms a loop (S) which is open on top. The hydraulic line (5) is guided in the vicinity of the loop (S) by a tensioning pulley (6) that dips from above into the loop (S). The tensioning pulley (6) is fastened to a pulley carrier (7). The weight of the pulley carrier can be used to generate a bias force that is exerted on the hydraulic line (5), or drive means connected with the pulley carrier (7) can be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Klaus Rieder, Edmund Heiter
  • Publication number: 20040124037
    Abstract: An industrial truck, such as a reach truck, has a vehicle frame (1) and a driver's station with at least one floor plate and one driver's seat (6). The floor plate and the driver's seat (6) are suspended relative to the vehicle frame (1). The floor plate and the driver's seat (6) are fastened to an intermediate frame (8), which is mounted so that it can move relative to the vehicle frame (1). At least one suspension element (10) and/or at least one damping element (11) is provided that connects the intermediate frame (8) with the vehicle frame (1). The intermediate frame (8) can move relative to the vehicle frame (1) exclusively in the vertical direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventor: Armin Ruck
  • Publication number: 20040099486
    Abstract: A material handling vehicle including a truck body and a fork assembly adjacent the truck body. A link arm extending between the truck body and the fork assembly has a proximal end and a distal end. A first pivot pin is fixed to the body and pivotally links the proximal end of the link arm to the body. A second pivot pin is fixed to the fork assembly and pivotally links the distal end of the link arm to the fork assembly. At least one of the first and second pivot pins includes an eccentric body interposed between ends. The eccentric body defines a first axis, and the ends define a second axis, wherein the link arm pivots about the first axis and rotation of the pivot pin about the second axis moves the first axis relative to the truck body to change the position of the fork assembly relative to the truck body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: Ivan K. Gramatikov, William H. Hoff
  • Publication number: 20040094379
    Abstract: A lift truck (6) for the transport of a battery block (1) of an industrial truck, such as a fork-lift truck. The lift truck (6) includes at least one electrical unit. The electrical unit can be connected with the battery block (1) to be transported for supplying electrical energy to the lift truck (6). The lift truck (6) may not have its own battery. The electrical unit can be an electrical traction drive motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Claus-Peter Jahns, Frank Rademacher
  • Patent number: 6719098
    Abstract: An apparatus for restricting pivoting of a pivotal axle in a forklift. The forklift has an axle that is supported pivotally relative to a body frame. A damper is arranged between the body frame and the axle to permit and restrict pivoting of the axle. An electromagnetic valve locks the damper to restrict pivoting of the axle. The axle is free to pivot when the pivot angle of the axle relative to the body frame exceeds a predetermined reference angle. A controller refers to the pivot angle and other factors relating to vehicle stability when deciding whether to restrict pivoting of the axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Kazuo Ishikawa, Kenji Sugiura, Masakatsu Suzuki, Takaki Ogawa
  • Patent number: 6675937
    Abstract: A fork-lift truck for selectively displacing a load forward or sideways, comprising a horizontal, substantially U-shaped frame, a lifting mechanism for carrying the load, wherein legs of the frame extend along the lifting mechanism, and wheels on the legs which are connected to the legs via rotating mechanisms for driving and are rotatable on a substantially upward axis between positions corresponding with sideways and forward movements of the fork-lift truck. Flexible power supply and control lines run with slack through the legs to the wheels. There is further provided a bending mechanism at each of the legs for bending the power supply and control lines without frictional contact with the interior of the legs during release of the slack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Kooi B.V.
    Inventors: Marc De Leeuw, Sierd Harkema, Gerrit Reitsma
  • Publication number: 20030235490
    Abstract: An support structure is provided comprising: (a) a mast extending upwards; (b) a center bar extending horizontally from the mast, the center bar configured to extend along the bottom of the light vehicle; (c) a T bar extending from the center bar, along the bottom of the light vehicle to a T bar end at a lateral side of the light vehicle; and (d) a first truss member extending upwards on an incline from the first T bar end to a truss position on the mast. A counter load bearing mount may be attached to the center bar at the second end of the vehicle. Also taught is a load bearing apparatus comprising a support structure of the invention and at least one load bearing member selected from the group consisting of a dump box, 3-point hitch, hitch, dump bucket, log skidder, pallet forks, backhoe, agricultural plow, folding forks, tiller, scraper, disk harrow, disk harrow, hydraulic hammer, auger, grinder, and grapples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: Peter Dale, Luc Belzile
  • Patent number: 6648581
    Abstract: An order picker truck includes an extendible mast, and a load platform slidably fixed relative to the extendible mast. An operator platform is slidably fixed relative to the load platform, and a load former is fixed to the operator platform. The load former defines a volume over a portion of the load platform to guide an operator building the load and stabilize the load on the load platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventor: Christian D. Gibson
  • Patent number: 6641357
    Abstract: A fork lift rack that includes a first beam, a second beam and at least two spacer elements which fix the first and second beams at a distance from and substantially parallel to each other is taught. The load-bearing fork members can be mounted on the first and second beams. The fork members can be displaced along the length of the beams. The fork members have first and second legs that extend in separate vertical planes. The fork members are designed such that the distance between the first legs is greater than the distance between the second legs when the two forks are mounted in place on the rack. The spacer elements have fastening devices which are intended to releaseably fasten the fork lift rack to a lift mechanism, the upper beam has a web and a flange which are joined to each other at an angle &agr; different from 90°. The upper beam is joined to each spacer element via the web. The web is directed away from the lower beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Volvo Wheel Loaders AB
    Inventors: Gunnar Lindgren, Daniel Back, HÃ¥kan Ripell
  • Publication number: 20030184045
    Abstract: A lift truck has a wheeled rear section to which is pivotally connected a wheeled front section, with one of the sections being drivable, in use. The front section, which has lifting forks, is pivoted to an extended length arm at the front of the rear section, to allow the front section to pivot relative the rear section, to at least one side thereof, by an angle substantially greater than 90°. Part of the rear section can be relieved to permit said pivoting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventor: Philip Thomas Callan
  • Publication number: 20030168286
    Abstract: A lift truck comprising a first portion having a carriage mounted on a carriage mast and one or more first wheels, and a second portion distinct from the first and comprising a cab mounted on a cab mast to enable the raising of the cab, and one or more second wheels, the first portion being pivotally mounted to the second portion, to permit the truck to be steered by adjusting the angle of the first portion relative to the second, wherein substantially all controls for controlling the functioning of the truck during depositing and pickup of goods are arranged so as to permit the raising thereof together with the cab.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventor: Frederick Leslie Brown
  • Patent number: 6616395
    Abstract: Springing for support wheels of low lifting trucks arranged below the forks includes a common spring device arranged in the transfer mechanism of the lifting movement to the support wheels. The spring device includes a cylinder, a piston, a spring package of cup springs and an extending push rod that in the cylinder is connected a ring shaped element located between the spring package and the cylinder end through which the push rod extends. The piston is arranged in the other end of the spring package and the cylinder is via a return valve coupled in parallel with the load lifting hydraulic system of the truck so that the pressure in this pretensions the ring shaped element towards the cylinder end proportionally to the load, so that springing does not take place until the dynamics forces overcome the pretension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventor: Anders Fransson
  • Publication number: 20030167114
    Abstract: A control apparatus includes a target acceleration obtaining means for obtaining a target acceleration of a hydraulic motor based on an operation amount of a lift lever; a torque command value obtaining means for obtaining a torque command value of a hydraulic motor based on the target acceleration; a determining means for determining as a non-regeneration state or as a regeneration state based the torque command value; and a change-over control means for changing over a change-over member so as to couple a lift cylinder to a flow rate control valve when determined as the non-regeneration state, and for changing over the change-over member so as to couple the lift cylinder to a hydraulic pump and making an inverter controller control the hydraulic motor in accordance with the torque command value when determined as the regeneration state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Applicant: NIPPON YUSOKI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shuming Chen
  • Patent number: 6611746
    Abstract: An industrial vehicle has a loading attachment, a mast, a tilt cylinder, first and second pressure sensors and a controller. The mast supports the attachment and guides the attachment. The tilt cylinder has a piston and a piston rod and operates by hydraulic fluid from a hydraulic fluid source. The piston rod connects with the piston and also connects with the mast. The piston divides the inside of the tilt cylinder into a rod side chamber and a bottom side chamber. The first and second pressure sensors respectively detect pressures of the hydraulic fluid in the rod side and the bottom side chambers. The controller calculates an axial force applied to the tilt cylinder based on signals detected by the sensors and calculates load weight moment in a back and forth direction of the vehicle based on the axial force and compares the calculated moment with a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Katsumi Nagai
  • Patent number: 6595738
    Abstract: A lift gate assembly particularly adapted for use in a vehicle having a side opening. The assembly includes a platform that folds and pivots to the interior of the vehicle when in a stored mode. When deployed, the platform pivots to the exterior of the vehicle and unfolds. A telescoping column allows movement of the unfolded platform between upper and lower levels. Movement of the platform may be accomplished by employing hydraulic means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Waltco Truck Equipment
    Inventors: Ken Rock, Andy Grow
  • Patent number: 6595329
    Abstract: A forklift truck includes two driven front wheels, a lifting device, and at least one elevatable component. A flexible hydraulic line is wound up on a drum of the forklift truck. The hydraulic line connects the elevatable component with a non-elevatable component of the forklift truck. The drum is preferably located at least partly between the front wheels of the forklift truck. The front wheels are each driven by respective wheel motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Bernhard Gotz
  • Publication number: 20030098207
    Abstract: A mast in a conventional stacker crane is configured to extend in a vertical direction. Accordingly, the mast is not sufficiently rigid, and may swing in a running direction during running or when the running operation is stopped. An attempt to increase the rigidity results in a thicker mast, thus increasing the size of the stacker crane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Applicant: Murata Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akito Tai
  • Patent number: 6564906
    Abstract: There is disclosed a pickup-and-delivery vehicle having a controllable travel mechanism, which has a load-carrying means movable vertically on a lifting framework, a driver's cab movable vertically on the lifting framework together with the load-carrying means and an operating panel to be operated from the driver's cab. Separate function regions of the operating panel are designed as modules separable from one another, of which at least one in the access region of the driver's cab is repositionable between at least two operating positions from one side of the driver's cab to another side of the driver's cab and is capable of functional use in each of these operating positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Steinbock Boss GmbH Fordertechnik
    Inventors: Wolfgang Haack, Michael Niebuhr
  • Patent number: 6547041
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device at counterweight lift trucks (1) for giving the operator a substantially free field of view in the driving direction (F). A lifting device (11) comprises a vertically movable frame (13) which is mounted on a fixed frame (12) and which includes a lifting carriage (14). The counterweight lift truck (1) comprises an operator's cabin (9) with a seat (10) for the operator. The frames (12, 13) are, seen in the driving direction (F), located behind a vertical plane (A) which is transverse relative to the driving direction (F) and in which front wheels (3, 4) of the counterweight lift truck (1) are situated. The frames (12, 13) lack transverse beams beneath upper transverse beams (18, 21). The operator's cabin (9) is located immediately behind the frames (12, 13) and there are support devices which replace transverse beams beneath the upper transverse frame beams (18, 21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: SMV Lifttrucks AB
    Inventor: Hans Åke Ulf Carlsson
  • Patent number: 6543566
    Abstract: A tractor-mounted forklift comprising a first frame having its rearward end secured to the underside of the tractor and having its forward end secured to the forward end of the tractor about a longitudinally extending pivot axis. A second frame is pivotally secured, about a transverse axis, to the forward end of the first frame and has a pair of ground-engaging wheels mounted at the opposite sides thereof. A hydraulic cylinder is pivotally connected to and extends between the first and second frames to pivot the second frame upwardly and downwardly with respect to the first frame. A materials handling attachment, such as a bale grapple, is mounted on a vertically movable lift which is secured to the forward end of the second frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventor: Milford K. Mason
  • Patent number: 6533076
    Abstract: A knurled wheel is coupled to a sensor mounted to one mast member and the wheel is forced into another mast member so that the wheel/sensor rotate upon mast movement. The sensor generates signals, corresponding to mast movement, which are processed conventionally to determine mast height, etc. The knurled wheel forms a track on the contacted mast member and the knurl engages the track. The wheel can be forced into the mast member with a force of six to nine pounds. To enhance the versatility of the mast height sensing device, the thickness of the wheel can be made less than ⅛ inch, for example {fraction (1/16)} inch. The sensor can be an encoder or a sensor bearing and a heater can be provided for operation in cold environments to ensure rotation of the sensor under such conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Forrest A. Haverfield, Allen T. Trego
  • Patent number: 6517307
    Abstract: A lift truck attachment for handling loads comprises a main frame assembly for attachment to an elevator of a lift truck and a lower slide assembly. The lower slide assembly includes an elongated sliding element for performing a reciprocal motion relative to the main frame assembly. A bottom slide cross tube is furnished and has an elongated structure extending substantially perpendicular to the elongated sliding element. An elongated pusher plate is attached to the bottom slide cross tube and extends substantially parallel to the elongated sliding element. A first shear plate has a first hole and is attached to an end of the bottom side cross tube. A second shear plate has a second hole and is rotatably attached to the first shear plate with a rotation axis disposed substantially parallel to the elongated sliding element. The first hole and the second hole have the same distance from the rotation axis. A threaded safety bolt penetrates through the first hole and through the second hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Inventor: Sal Marino
  • Patent number: 6494279
    Abstract: An integrated system for providing the motive power for trucks working in a hazardous environment including an explosion-proof enclosure having a body receiving the battery system and a separate fuse box compartment to which the battery system is connected, and the truck electrical system is connected to the battery system through the fuse box compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: GNB Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Hutchens
  • Patent number: 6467581
    Abstract: A mobile machine, in particular a fork lift truck, having a chassis and a cab located on the chassis. There are one or more pneumatic or hydropneumatic suspension elements to improve comfort and ride quality between the chassis and the cab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Still GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Bavendiek, Dirk Scharr, Joachim Todter
  • Patent number: 6446758
    Abstract: In a front end forklift truck having an undercarriage with a load lifting unit disposed at its front end and a rear box structure with drive components disposed at its rear end, an operator seat unit is mounted on a pivot column disposed in front of the rear box structure and includes an operator seat projecting rearwardly from the column over the box structure. A footrest and pedal structure extend forwardly from the bottom area of the column for pivotal movement therewith. Steering and control members for steering the forklift truck and for controlling the load lifting unit are mounted to the pivotable operator seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Inventor: Werner Schatz
  • Patent number: 6435309
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lifting carriage comprising a frame member (2), with a set of wheels (1) provided on the frame member and arranged to enable the movement of the lifting carriage on a base, a carrying member (13), arranged on the frame member (2) and extending upwardly therefrom in a direction away from said base, and a lifting member (14), arranged to receive an object to be lifted and displaceably provided on the carrying member (13). Furthermore, the frame member comprises two sidepieces (3, 4) connected to each other. The sidepieces (3, 4) are connected to each other by at least a first beam member (5) on which the carrying member (13) is arranged and advantageously also by a second beam member (6) connected to and arranged behind the carrying member (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Pronomic AB
    Inventor: Joachim Hultqvist
  • Publication number: 20020100643
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fork-lift truck for selectively displacing a load forward or sideways, comprising a horizontal, substantially U-shaped frame, a lifting mechanism for carrying the load, wherein legs of the frame extend along the lifting mechanism, and wheels on the legs which are connected to the legs via rotating mechanisms for driving and are rotatable on a substantially upward axis between positions corresponding with sideways and forward movements of the fork-lift truck. Flexible power supply and control lines run with slack through the legs to the wheels. According to the invention there is further provided a bending mechanism at each of the legs for bending the power supply and control lines without frictional contact with the interior of the legs during release of the slack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventors: Marc De Leeuw, Harkema Sierd, Gerrit Reitsma
  • Publication number: 20020069005
    Abstract: Separately from a normal running mode, there is provided a turning mode in which a body 1 is allowed to turn. In the turning mode, road wheels 5a, 5b and a driving wheel 8 are set such that the wheels are oriented so as to follow along a circumference R1 to R3 that would be formed about a distal end B of a fork arm 2b. As a result of this, the body 1 is allowed to turn about the distal end B of the fork arm 2b, whereby the body 1 can simply be positioned so as to confront the front of a pallet 40.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Applicant: NIPPON YUSOKI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kazumasa Kokura
  • Patent number: 6398480
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fork-lift truck including a vehicle body which has rear wheels and a lift frame for load-carrying means, and including a wheel bearing means. For an increase in stability in standing of the fork-lift truck, a shifting or pivoting device interacting with the vehicle body is provided, which moves the wheel bearing means with respect to the vehicle body while varying the axle base and the distance of the load center from the front wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Jungheinrick Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ralf Baginski, Ernst Peter Magens, Michael Niebuhr, Paul Rickers, Ing. Torsten Hunte
  • Patent number: 6382359
    Abstract: A hand/co-traveller lift truck with a steering column, with a standing platform as a standing space for a co-travelling person and with a holding bar which extends essentially transversely to the longitudinal direction of the lift truck and which is arranged between the steering column and load region, said holding bar being for the co-travelling person, in particular for firmly holding onto during the driving operation, and on which there is provided a switch means for controlling the truck functions, wherein the switch means comprises at least one switch box which is arranged outside the middle longitudinal axis of the lift truck on the holding bar, in particular for operation by the co-travelling person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Jungheinrich Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Helmut Lohmann
  • Publication number: 20020021956
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for picking articles situated on retrieval pallets (38) in a pallet rack (52), characterized by a vehicle (10) capable of travelling along the picking front of the pallet rack (52) and having a first lifting device (14) with a height-adjustable picker-carrying device (26) for the picker (18) and having a second lifting device (16) with a height-adjustable pallet-carrying device (28) for an order pallet (20), wherein the picker-carrying device and the pallet-carrying device are positionable heightwise relative to the respective retrieval position independently of one another. The picker situated on the picker-carrying device may therefore be transported along the picking front by means of the vehicle. The two independently operating lifting devices of the vehicles make it possible to achieve the, in each case, ergonomically most advantageous retrieval height and delivery height for the picker-carrying device and the pallet-carrying device respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventor: Walter Winkler
  • Patent number: 6345694
    Abstract: An industrial truck with a forward propulsion unit for horizontal movement of the industrial truck, a driver's platform that can be raised or lowered by a vertical propulsion unit, at least one control device to control the vertical propulsion unit and the forward propulsion unit, and at least one blocking device that can be adjusted as necessary to close or open an entrance to the driver's platform. The control device is switched so that, depending on the level of the driver's platform and the position of the blocking device, either all the functions of the forward propulsion unit and of the vertical propulsion unit are enabled, or all the functions of the forward propulsion unit and of the vertical propulsion unit are disabled, or a raising of the driver's platform is disabled, while a lowering of the driver's platform and/or a horizontal movement of the industrial truck is possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Still Wagner GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Haspel Volker