Abstract: A multi-terrain vertical lift transporter for lifting and transporting loads over various soil conditions and terrain. The lift transporter has a laterally adjustable wheel base to allow it to accommodate loads of varying widths. Further, the lift transporter does not require a counter-weight as the center of gravity of the load is substantially within the wheel base.

Abstract: In a control unit for the manually operable control of the lifting and lowering and/or upward tilting in a vertical position and the back-tilting of a loading platform of a loading platform system, which can be mounted on vehicles, particularly trucks, and which includes an electromechanical and/or electronic control circuit, a first light for characterizing an operating condition of the loading platform system is provided, wherein the control circuit is so designed, that, if after initiation of the operation of the loading platform system, the first light lights up, the supply voltage of the loading platform system is indicated to be at least sufficiently high for proper operation of the loading platform system.

Abstract: A hydraulic device for industrial vehicles. A first motor drives a first hydraulic pump and a second hydraulic pump. The first hydraulic pump supplies hydraulic fluid to a power steering device and a brake device. The second hydraulic pump supplies hydraulic fluid to a carriage device. If an increased amount of hydraulic fluid need be supplied to the carriage device, a second motor drives a third hydraulic pump. Thus, together with the second hydraulic pump, the third hydraulic pump supplies hydraulic fluid to the carriage device.

Abstract: An industrial lift truck with a load lifting device (15), a device (3, 9, 11) for moving the load lifting device (15) on the lift truck (1) having at least one element (7) that can move, together with the load lifting device (15), along an essentially straight guide (5), and with a position measuring device for monitoring the relative position to the guide (5) of the element (7) movable with the load lifting device (15).

Abstract: A carrier (21) for carrying a load-handling attachment (27) is lifted along a guide mast (1, 11) by a lift drive (19, 29) including a lift chain (19) connected to the carrier (21), and a swing restrictor (31) is provided on the guide mast (1, 11) to restrict a swing motion of the lift chain (19).

Abstract: A satellite vehicle for moving pallet units (P) in and out of storage with transportation vehicles (F) is configured as a motor-driven lift-truck (1) with several parallel, adjacent and height adjustable fork arms (2). The position of said fork arms (2) in relation to the pallet can also be adjusted. At least two fork arms (2) are mounted on the lift-truck (1) in such a way that they can be displaced laterally, crosswise to the longitudinal direction of the arms. All of the fork arms (2) have pallet-receiving elements (3) which float crosswise to the longitudinal direction of the arms. The lift-truck (1) and the fork arms (2) are provided with ultrasound sensors (17, 18) for measuring and correcting the direction of travel and the lift-truck (1) is equipped with a rotation rate sensor (19) for measuring the angle and a cable drum (5) with a power and signal cable (6) for supplying propulsive power and for exchanging signals for measuring displacement.

Abstract: A personnel carrying vehicle comprises a self propelled, steerable body, a telescoping mast attached to and extending upwardly from the body, and a personnel compartment attached to the mast. Two control handles are mounted within the personnel compartment, with one handle including a rocker mechanism mounted therein for pivotal movement within a generally horizontal plane to control steering and the other handle being rotated to controlling traction. Sensors ensure that the operator's hands are on both control handles and both feet are properly positioned on a floor of the operator's compartment before the vehicle can be moved or the platform raised; this ensures a four point stance, providing for operator stability and that the operator's hands and feet are within the operator's compartment anytime the vehicle is being moved or during lifting or lowering operations.

Abstract: The method for enhancing the capacity of a rigging truck includes cutting the vehicle body of the rigging truck between a rear end and a lift end to produce a rear cut end and a lift cut end, and attaching a structural insert between the rear cut end and the lift cut end providing an extended vehicle body having an enhanced body length greater than the original body length producing an enhanced rigging truck. The method further includes the addition of metal plating to the vehicle body to strengthen the vehicle body. The method also includes connecting additional counterweights at the rear end of the enhanced rigging truck to provide an increased weight. Vertical support beams and a cross beam are attached on the upper portion of the vehicle body and over the operator seat. A hydraulic cylinder is connected between the cross beam and the mast over the occupant seat to allow tilting of the mast with respect to the rigging truck.

Abstract: An improved operator's station includes an improved three position seat assembly which allows the operator to stand, perch or sit while maintaining the operator's eyes at essentially the same vertical level. The seat assembly includes a back rest, a seat that may be raised and lowered, and a movable shelf or perch positioned between the back rest and the seat. In a stand mode of operation, the seat is lowered and the shelf is raised; in a perch mode of operation, the shelf is lowered to provide a partial support for the weight of the operator; and, in a sit mode of operation, the seat is raised for substantially full support of the weight of the operator and the shelf is raised to be flush with the back rest. Two sets of foot pedals are provided in the improved operator's station. A first set of pedals is on the floor and includes a brake pedal and a power pedal. These pedals are operated when the operator is either standing or perching.

Abstract: A lifting device that can be installed in the frame of a motor vehicle is disclosed. A portion of the frame is removed to accommodate the lifting device and the motor vehicle has a subframe attached under the existing frame across the location where the lifting device is installed to structurally support the motor vehicle. In order to fit within the space provided by removal of a portion of the frame, and provide clearance for the van underneath, the lifting device has a movable frame and a platform having a telescoping movable portion. A single driving unit is used to move the telescoping portion out from the stationary portion of the platform and then extend the movable frame from a stored configuration to an extended configuration.

Abstract: A self-diagnostic method is provided capable of testing condition of various components for a forklift truck selectively, displaying the result test codes collectively on a display after completing the test, and initiating a quick test mode during a run mode by simply manipulating an accelerator pedal and a direction lever of the forklift truck.

Abstract: The motor compartment of a fork lift truck is modified so that the operator's feet extend into the space normally required by the motor compartment. A motor support structure is installed between the traction motor and the gear box which is connected to the steerable, powered wheel. The motor support structure occupies a smaller space than the traction motor itself, thus increasing the space available to the operator's compartment, at least in a limited vertical location adjacent to the support. With the traction motor out of the way, sufficient space for elevated pedals is provided, thus providing the operator ample space to operate the truck while seated. A battery compartment and hydraulic system of the truck are positioned adjacent to one another and ahead of the operator's compartment/motor compartment. In this way, the battery compartment and hydraulic system are positioned such that they are clear of the operator's compartment.

Abstract: A fork lift truck is provided comprising: a power unit including an operator's compartment and at least one equipment compartment; a pair of forks; a fork carriage assembly coupled to the forks; and a mast assembly. The mast assembly is coupled to the fork carriage assembly and the power unit for vertically moving the fork carriage assembly including the forks relative to the power unit. A hydraulic pump system is also provided. It has at least one hydraulic motor/pump assembly mounted in the at least one equipment compartment and at least one fluid reservoir located laterally of the mast assembly.

Abstract: This transfer device is to be supported by the tines of a forklift and supports a load such as a lumber pack to be transferred to a rack cell which have an anchor bar at its opening. The device comprises an underframe having tine receivers, and a mainframe which is movable with respect to the underframe towards the cell opening and which has hooks to hook onto said anchor bar. Said mainframe has rollers on which the load is supported. The system is motorized; first, the load remains centered with respect to the underframe when the mainframe is first shifted laterally of the forklift to hook onto the anchor upper bar of a selected rack cell because the frame rollers rotate in a direction opposite to the shifting direction; then the mainframe rollers rotate in the opposite direction to transfer the load into the rack cell.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for restricting pivoting of an industrial vehicle axle and maintaining the vehicle stability without sacrificing the vehicle's driving performance. Pivoting of the axle with respect to the vehicle's body is temporarily restricted in accordance with the yaw acceleration when the vehicle is turned. The acceleration value for limiting restriction is varied in accordance with the stability of the vehicle, which is determined by the state of the carried load. The limit value is relatively high when the load state causes the vehicle to be relatively stable and is relatively low when the load state causes the vehicle to be relatively unstable.

Abstract: A forklift truck which includes a chassis (10) and a housing (12). Two parallel spaced wheel arms are attached to the chassis. The housing includes a battery-operated driving motor as well as a hydraulic lift. A pole (16) including control means for the control of said motor and said hydraulic lift is connected to a stand (203), the stand being rotatably mounted about a vertical axis and connected to a driving wheel (202). A monomast (20) is arranged centrally between the wheel arms and integral with the housing, the monomast have front and back sides, the back side facing the pole. A carriage (22) for a load fork is attached to the hydraulic lift. A box-shaped cover is attached to the back side of the monomast, and the pole is arranged asymmetrically with respect to the monomast.

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.

Abstract: A material handling vehicle for transporting loads includes a vehicle body and a control console connected to the vehicle body in a first position. The control console can be moved to a second position on the vehicle body by a user. The vehicle may include various devices for positioning the control console with respect to the body. For example, the devices may include separate post openings, a slot, a track, or a pivoting arm. In addition, the control console may include a stability support for the operator and various controls for operating the vehicle. The operator is able to maintain stability by holding the stability support with his or her hand. Furthermore, the operator does not need to remove his or her hand from the stability support in order to operate the various controls. The controls may be mounted on the stability support or may be located in relatively close proximity to the stability support.

Abstract: An axle tilt control apparatus for forklifts is disclosed. The forklift includes a rear axle pivotally supported by a body frame and a front axle rigidly fixed to the body frame. A mast is supported at the front portion of the body frame to tilt forward and backward. Forks are supported by the mast to be lifted and lowered. The center of gravity of the forklift in the fore-and-aft direction approaches the front axle as the mast is tilted forward. Pivoting of the rear axle is restricted by the hydraulic cylinder when the height of the forks is higher than a predetermined height determination value and the weight of a load on the forks is heavier than a predetermined weight determination value to improve the vehicle's stability. The weight determination value increases as the mast is tilted forward. When a load on the forks is being unloaded, tilting of the rear axle is permitted regardless of the height of the forks and the weight of the load on the forks. Therefore, the rear axle is not unnecessarily locked.

Abstract: A counterweight system for a lift-type vehicle, which includes a lifting arrangement for lifting a load at one end of the vehicle, includes a counterweight compartment located at an opposite end of the vehicle. The vehicle includes a set of ground-engaging wheels, and the lifting arrangement is located on one side of the set of wheels and the counterweight compartment is located on the other side of the set of wheels. The lifting arrangement includes a boom assembly mounted for pivoting movement between a pair of uprights located toward the same end of the vehicle as the counterweight compartment. The uprights are constructed to provide a first amount of counterweight to the vehicle, to provide a first lifting capacity for the vehicle. The counterweight compartment is located between the uprights, and one or two counterweights can be received within the counterweight compartment.

Abstract: A sidelift truck, comprising: a main body (3) providing a load platform (5); a lifting assembly (7) for handling loads to and from the load platform (5); and a cab (9) mounted to the main body (3) and rotatable about a substantially vertical axis (X).

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for guiding a personnel carrying vehicle including a body with a pair of driven rear wheels and a pair of front caster wheels into a narrow aisle. A pair of guide rollers are mounted on each side of the vehicle and spaced between the front caster wheels and the driven rear wheels. A steering rail extends between the pair of guide rollers on each side of the vehicle and is curved inwardly towards the body. A guide rail is placed on each side of the narrow aisle for engaging the vehicle mounted rollers with the guide rails terminating in entry ends which engage the steering rails for entry of the vehicle into the narrow aisle. The vehicle is steered forward toward an aisle entrance to cause one of the forward guide rollers to engage one of the guide rails and one of the aisle entry ends to engage one of the steering rails. Continuing forward movement of the vehicle causes the vehicle to rotate about the engaged aisle entry end to align the vehicle within the aisle.

Abstract: An industrial vehicle for conveying a load mounted thereon has a frame. A pair of front wheels is rotatably mounted on the frame. Each front wheel includes an outer tire and an inner tire. A rear axle is pivotally supported on the frame. A pair of rear wheels is rotatably mounted on the rear axle. A restriction apparatus is provided for selectively permitting and restricting the pivotal motion of the rear axle in accordance with the state of the carried load. A detecting device is provided for detecting a center of gravity of the vehicle. The restriction apparatus permits the pivotal motion of the rear axle when the center of gravity is located within a predetermined stable zone.

Abstract: A low-lifting industrial truck with a driving unit having two wheels and two jibs protruding from a front thereof. The jibs are attached to a vertical frame (5), which is vertically movable in relation to the driving unit by means of a hydraulic cylinder (8). The frame (5) is connected, through links (11, 12), to a cradle (10) included in the driving unit (1), the cradle is connected, by a hinge (15), to a cross bar (16) which, at opposite ends, is, through steering pins, connected to side stands (17, 17') being supported by drivable wheels (2, 2') which are rotatably mounted in bearings. The jib having a rolling device with vertically acting hydraulic cylinders which allow each individual jib to be raised and lowered in relation to the rolling device.

Abstract: A gas bomb holding apparatus for industrial vehicles contains a holding device disposed on a rear portion of a vehicle for holding a gas bomb such that it is laid. The holding device includes a receiving stand for supporting a gas bomb and arm members mounted rotatably around a shaft in a cross direction of the vehicle for holding the gas bomb between the receiving stand and the arm members. This holding device has a rear end indicating member for indicating a rear end position of the vehicle to be visually confirmed by a driver. The driver can confirm the rear end position of the vehicle by means of the rear end indicating member.

Abstract: A material handling vehicle for transporting loads includes a vehicle body and a control console connected to the vehicle body in a first position. The control console can be moved to a second position on the vehicle body by a user. The vehicle may include various devices for positioning the control console with respect to the body. For example, the devices may include separate post openings, a slot, a track, or a pivoting arm. In addition, the control console may include a stability support for the operator and various controls for operating the vehicle. The operator is able to maintain stability by holding the stability support with his or her hand. Furthermore, the operator does not need to remove his or her hand from the stability support in order to operate the various controls. The controls may be mounted on the stability support or may be located in relatively close proximity to the stability support.

Abstract: A forklift has a mast pivotally connected to its front side. A pair of front pillars is disposed in the vicinity of the mast to extend rearward and upward. The front pillars define a cab in association with a pair of rear pillars. The front pillars are curved toward the mast and away from the cab so as to widen the space of the exit of the cab, which corresponds to the operator's torso.

Abstract: A lift attached to a truck has a tail gate supported by at least one hydraulic lift and at least one tilt cylinder for respectively lifting the tail gate as a whole and rotating it for opening and closing. A control system for moving such a tail gate up and down as a whole and rotating it to open and close it is provided with a power unit including a hydraulic pump, an electric motor for the hydraulic pump, and a plurality of valves for selectably allowing or not allowing transport of a hydraulic liquid by the hydraulic pump into the hydraulic cylinders, a sensor for measuring the slope angle of the tail gate, external switches, and a controller which serves to transmit output signals to the motor and to the valves in response to input signals from the sensor and the external switches and is capable of stopping rotary motion of the tail gate at a horizontal position irrespective of the slope of the vehicle and starting and stopping the rotary motion of the tail gate gradually.

Abstract: A high-lift order picking industrial truck is equipped with a driver's stand which can be moved up and down together with a load picking device on a lifting framework. At least one operating console is disposed in the area of the driver's stand and is designed as a "standing seat" which allows the operator to face towards the load side. The controls of the operating console are disposed at the sides of the seat of the operating console. A folding seat is disposed under the operating console and the operating console forms the backrest for the folding seat.

Abstract: An forklift system which provides for autonomous pallet loading through the use of a telecamera rigidly connected to a pair of fork prongs located on the forklift, wherein the telecamera is connected to an image acquisition and processing apparatus and a computer which controls and moves the pair of fork prongs. The movement of the fork prongs is based upon the input received into the computer in the form of a processed image from the image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus creates a digital image which enables the computer to estimate the position and orientation of the framed pallet relative to the telecamera.

Abstract: A forklift vehicle having front wheels mounted on retractible horizontally extending legs which are normally locked in position, by cylinder operated locking pins, to slide plates on the rear frame of the vehicle. To collapse the vehicle, the fork carriage is rolled forwardly on the front legs; locking pins are hydraulically extended from the fork carriage into the legs while the rear locking pins are hydraulically retracted, and then the mast carriage is retracted retracting the front legs with it. The procedure is reversed to extend the front legs. An operator protective cage and seat extends rearwardly of the rear vehicle frame and can be collapsed upwardly and forwardly, further shortening the vehicle length.

Abstract: An industrial truck having a lift mast and a man-carrying platform with a driver's console and a load carrying device are mounted on the lift mast for vertical movement. Control elements and a folding driver's seat are located on the man-carrying platform in the vicinity of the driver's console. The seat portion and the backrest of the driver's seat are arranged so that when the seat is folded up they form a rest member against which the driver can lean when in the standing position. The control elements are located in the vicinity of the driver's seat for ready accessibility by the driver.

Abstract: A fork lift truck includes a fork level sensor located in the forks, away from the vertical mast of a lift truck for detecting the true level of the forks, and a vision system including a camera which may take several forms. In one form, a single camera is mounted in a housing which may be moved to a protected location vertically either by sliding in the carriage assembly, or by use of a parallelogram device. In another form, multiple cameras are employed where a second camera may be either mounted above the first camera in the same housing or mounted between the forks. Alternatively, the first camera may perform multiple roles by being moved vertically from a first predetermined location below the bottom of the forks to a higher elevation a second predetermined location relative to the forks.

Abstract: A wheel chair lift mechanism which can be installed in a storage compartment of a commercial vehicle to assist mobility-impaired persons in their ingress and egress to and from such vehicles is made up of a retractable control mechanism between fixed and movable frames within the storage compartment for selectively advancing a platform assembly between a retracted position within the storage compartment and an extended position outside of the compartment, and a lift mechanism for lifting and lowering the platform assembly between a ground level position, raised position aligned with the doorway and a stowed position aligned with the storage compartment.

Abstract: A cargo handling device for use in an overland vehicle. The cargo handling device includes a base frame which is capable of being mounted on the floor of the overland vehicle. A pair of extension members is individually borne by the base members and moveable along a predetermined path of travel from a first, stowed position, to a second, deployed position. A vertical lift is connected to each of the individual extension members at a single pivot point on each respective extension member. The lift can move from a first position, where the it is disposed in a substantially horizontal position, to a second position, where the it is disposed in a substantially vertical position. The vertical lift includes one or more longitudinally positioned tracks and an actuator having a first portion which is mounted to the lift and a second portion. A cargo support assembly is slidably engaged with the one or more tracks and connected to the second portion of the actuator.

Abstract: A forklift truck having a drive wheel and a plurality of support wheels and a mounting arrangement for independently adjusting the vertical position of each support wheel. The mounting arrangement includes a cylindrical pivot sleeve attached to the forklift truck and a cylindrical pivot member coaxial with the cylindrical pivot sleeve and longitudinally and rotatably adjustable in the cylindrical pivot sleeve. A support wheel is pivotally mounted on the lower end of the cylindrical pivot member and a pin is provided adjacent to the lower end of the cylindrical pivot member for locking the cylindrical pivot member in one of at least two vertical positions in the cylindrical pivot sleeve.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with forklift vehicle and in particular with a shock absorber device for use with such vehicles to reduce the severity of damage caused to pallets by the forklift vehicle. In accordance with the invention, the forklift vehicle has a conventional post structure with a carriage structure movable up and down the post structure. The carriage structure includes vertically spaced, horizontally extending carriage beams to which the forks of the vehicle are attached. The shock absorber device has an elongate shock absorbing body and a backing plate on which the shock absorbing body is mounted. The backing plate is connected to and supported only by the lowest carriage beam with no attachment between the backing plate and any upper carriage beam. The shock absorbing body extends horizontally across and in front of the lowest carriage beam, between the forks, in a position to impact upon the internal cross-bearers of a pallet.

Abstract: A seat arrangement of a forklift truck includes a hood for covering an engine, a seat mounted on the hood, a seat slide mechanism and a supporting member. A seat cushion of the seat is pivotally secured at its front end portion to an upper rail of the seat slide mechanism. The supporting member has a first end which is pivotally secured to an upper surface of the hood and a second end which is engageable with an engaging portion of the seat. When it is necessary to open the hood, the seat positioned at a certain position in a fore-and-aft direction is swung forwardly, then the second end of the supporting member is brought into engagement with the engaging portion of the seat to keep the seat at a certain angle defined between a bottom surface of the seat cushion and the upper surface of the hood, and then the hood is opened.

Abstract: An overhead guard assembly for a pedestrian-operated industrial lift truck maneuvered by an arcuately shiftable handle and a vertically elongated mast supporting an article lifting implement. The overhead guard assembly has a fixed horizontally disposed structural member and a pivotable horizontally disposed structural member mounted adjacent the upper end of the mast. A vertically extending elongated shaft is connected to the pivotable structural member and is operatively connected to a handle by a drive linkage. The drive linkage rotates the elongated shaft as the handle is arcuately rotated whereby the pivotable structural member rotates in tandem with the handle to provide an overhead barrier above the handle and the operator's head.

Abstract: Counterweights are useful in stabilizing a work machine to increase the traction to a pair of wheels on one end when a implement is attached to the opposite end of the machine. The subject counterweight arrangement includes a base weight which is removably attached to the machine frame. A plurality of add-on weights are removably attached beneath the base weight by a u-shaped bolt. This arrangement of components provides a simple compact structure to counteract the weight of the implement attached to the opposite end of the machine and also provides a way to add or subtract weight to offset the the addition or subtraction of mechanisms to the end of the backhoe stick assembly.

Abstract: A clamping assembly (10) adapted for attaching to a pair of substantially parallel forklift tines (14) is disclosed. The assembly (10) includes an L-shaped support bar (18) having a horizontal leg (18a) with at least one slot (26) therein and a vertical leg (18b). A fastener (27,28) passing through the slot (26) interconnects the support bar (18) to a clamp plate (22). A pair of slider bars (20), each having a pair of substantially vertical counterbores (24a) therethrough, are connected by separate adjustable fasteners (24) to the clamp plate (22).

Abstract: The chassis of a forklift truck includes a front assembly and a rear assembly which, in certain embodiments, are movable toward and away from each other between an extended stable normal working condition and a contracted compact condition for storage or transport of the forklift truck. The front assembly includes driven front wheels, standard upright mast and double-acting lift jack for the fork carriage movable along the mast. The rear assembly includes the operator compartment, rear axle assembly for the rear wheels and mechanism mounting the rear axle assembly for vertical movement relative to the operator compartment between a raised normal working position and a downward-projected position. The rear assembly also includes a landing wheel or wheels mounted in front of the rear axle assembly at a location above the rear wheels when the rear axle assembly is raised.

Abstract: A fork lift truck includes a fork level sensor located in the forks, away from the vertical mast of a lift truck for detecting the true level of the forks, and a vision system including a camera which may take several forms. In one form, a single camera is mounted in a housing which may be moved to a protected location vertically either by sliding in the carriage assembly, or by use of a parallelogram device. In another form, multiple cameras are employed where a second camera may be either mounted above the first camera in the same housing or mounted between the forks. Alternatively, the first camera may perform multiple roles by being moved vertically from a first predetermined location below the bottom of the forks to a higher elevation a second predetermined location relative to the forks.

Abstract: A linkage assembly (20) for use with a platform or step lift (22) for transmitting force from a linear actuator (228) to a ramp (40) pivotally attached to the outer edge of the platform (26) of the lift so as to cause the ramp to travel through a rotational path of at least 180 degrees. The linkage assembly is designed so that no portion thereof extends more than about 0.25 inch above the upper surface (28) of the ramp and the top surface (48) of the platform, and so that the ramp is driven downwardly toward the extended position with a force insufficient to cause serious injury to a person's feet positioned in the path of travel of the ramp. Additionally, a hinge structure (700) is provided for use with a step lift for coupling the platform with its vertical extensions (66, 68) so as to permit the latter to pivot relative to the platform as the extensions move up and down within the vertical guides (80, 82) in which the vertical extensions are slidably received.