Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body that has a cabin area and a cargo area including a truck bed assembly. A tailgate assembly is pivotally connected to the truck bed assembly at a location between a pair of tailgate posts, the tailgate assembly being moveable between a raised configuration and a lowered configuration. A vehicle video system includes a first rear video camera that captures a first field of view at least partially rearward of a rear bumper assembly of the vehicle body with the tailgate assembly in the raised configuration and a second rear video camera that captures a second field of view rearward of the tailgate assembly with the tailgate assembly in the lowered configuration.

Abstract: A lifting mast of an industrial truck includes a load handling arrangement that can be raised and lowered and two vertical rails at a lateral distance from one another that are connected to one another by at least one cross member. The cross member is X-shaped and includes a central area located between the vertical rails and braces that extend in an X-shape from the central area to the vertical rails and are fastened to the vertical rails. Between the central area and two pairs of braces that extend to one of the two vertical rails there are respective see-through openings that extend to one of the two vertical rails.

Abstract: A materials handling vehicle including a power unit supported on wheels, and a mast assembly supported on the power unit. The mast assembly includes four or more telescoping sections defined by pairs of laterally spaced rails. An operator compartment is supported on the mast assembly for vertical movement relative to the mast assembly and includes a front wall defining a side of the operator compartment adjacent to the mast assembly. The laterally spaced rails have a height that is generally equal to the height of the front wall. A dash is located adjacent to the operator compartment.

Abstract: Carts for use with pallets and methods of using the same are disclosed. The carts have an adjustable height platform that includes a base, a plurality of wheels rotatably coupled to the base, a platform, a linkage assembly coupled to and disposed between the base and the platform, a lift mechanism coupled to and disposed between the base and the platform, an upwardly extending handle, and wherein the platform is movable between a first position and a second position that is above the first position. The carts may include drive motors and the pallets may be nestably stackable.

Abstract: A lift truck includes a frame, a pair of laterally spaced apart outriggers extending from the frame, and a load handling assembly secured to the frame adjacent to the outriggers. The load handling assembly includes a mast assembly positioned between the outriggers and a carriage assembly including fork structure for supporting a load on the load handling assembly. The carriage assembly is movable vertically along the mast assembly and laterally with respect to the mast assembly. Optical sensor structure of the truck monitors for conditions wherein movement of the carriage assembly would result in contact between the load and the outrigger(s). A vehicle controller receives a signal from the optical sensor structure and prevents movement of the carriage assembly toward the outrigger(s) if the signal from the optical sensor structure indicates that such movement would result in contact between the load and the outrigger(s).

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.

Abstract: A materials handling vehicle includes a power unit, a mast assembly coupled to the power unit, and a reach assembly coupled for vertical movement on the mast assembly. The mast assembly includes first, second, and third weldments, wherein the first weldment is fixed to the power unit, the second weldment is movable with respect to the first weldment, and the third weldment is movable with respect to the first and second weldments. The reach assembly includes an extension/retraction mechanism for effecting horizontal movement of the reach assembly relative to the mast assembly. Components of the vehicle have been redesigned and/or rearranged to improve operator visibility.

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.

Abstract: A materials handling vehicle is provided comprising a vehicle power unit having a longitudinal centerline, a monomast coupled to the vehicle power unit and having a centerline offset from and generally parallel with the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle power unit, and a fork carriage apparatus movably coupled to the monomast.

Abstract: A fork-lift truck has a battery-electric drive system, a driver's stand (10) having a driver's platform (11) for a standing operator formed between a load part (1) and a drive part (5) having a counterweight. The counterweight is formed by a battery pack device having at least one battery pack (9). The driver's stand (10) extends over the entire vehicle width. In this case, the drive part (5) has an equipment area (6), the battery pack device being arranged in a battery compartment (8), which is arranged above and/or adjacent to the equipment area (6), of the drive part (5).

Abstract: A materials handling vehicle is provided comprising a power unit, a mast assembly and a fluid supply system. The mast assembly is coupled to the power unit. The mast assembly comprises a weldment, a movable element and a ram/cylinder assembly coupled to the movable element to effect movement of the element. The fluid supply system includes manifold apparatus and at least one fluid line coupled to the manifold apparatus and the ram/cylinder assembly. The manifold apparatus provides pressurized hydraulic fluid to the ram/cylinder assembly via the fluid line to raise the movable element. The manifold apparatus is mounted to the mast assembly.

Abstract: A mast includes a base section, an outer telescopic section and an inner telescopic section which are raised and lowered by a pair of main lift cylinders. A fork carriage is slidably mounted to the inner telescopic section and is raised and lowered thereon by a pair of free lift cylinders. The mast elements are arranged to form two mast columns which produce minimum obstruction to the truck operator's field of view when looking forward through the mast.

Abstract: A lift truck includes an operator compartment having a center operating position providing an operator with a first field of view and an off center operator position providing the operator with a second field of view. A pair of forks extend away from the operator compartment. Each of the forks include a distal end. A pair of base legs extend away from the operator compartment and space laterally outwardly from the pair of forks away from a central axis of the truck. Each of the base legs include a distal end. A pair of mast columns is interposed between the operator compartment and the forks. A portion of the first field of view is blocked by the mast columns and a portion of the second field of view is blocked by the mast columns. The distal ends of the forks and the distal ends of the base legs are visible in the first field of view and the second field of view.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for raising and lowering a three-stage forklift mast assembly having a reduced overall lowered height. A first linkage system on the outer and middle masts creates a 2:1 movement ratio of the middle mast with respect to movement of a piston arm in the first linkage system. A second linkage system on the middle and inner masts creates a 2:1 movement ratio of the inner mast with respect to the movement of the middle mast and an overall 4:1 movement ratio with respect to the movement of the piston arm in the first linkage system. A third linkage system on the inner mast creates a 2:1 movement ratio of a set of forks on the inner mast with respect to the movement of a piston arm in the third linkage system, allowing free lift of the forks.

Abstract: A lifting station for vertically moving an object, in particular a vehicle body, in a surface treatment installation includes a fixed support structure and a vertically movable lifting cradle which is supported on the support structure and on which at least one conveying device is arranged. Energy for actuating the conveying device can be stored in an energy accumulator arranged on the lifting cradle. In this way, a trailing cable which supplies the conveying device with energy in different lifting positions is not required.

Abstract: The invention is a device mounted on a forklift to provide the operator with information of the distance from the pallet load to the upright part of the fork/tines. The invention has a source of a range determining signal such as sonic waves but other signals such as infra red or radar waves may be used. The emitted signals hit the palletized goods and are reflected to a detector or sensor and processed. The range information is transferred to a distance display device. The range/distance between the upright part of forklift tines and the palletized load combined with knowledge of the length of floor parallel tines of the forks will provide information to prevent any excessive penetration of the pallet hollow which excessive penetration can cause damage to either truck trailer walls, warehouse structures, or other palletized loads.

Abstract: A mast includes a base section, an outer telescopic section and an inner telescopic section which are raised and lowered by a pair of main lift cylinders. A fork carriage is slidably mounted to the inner telescopic section and is raised and lowered thereon by a pair of free lift cylinders. The mast elements are arranged to form two mast columns which produce minimum obstruction to the truck operator's field of view when looking forward through the mast.

Abstract: A mast includes a base section, an outer telescopic section and an inner telescopic section which are raised and lowered by a pair of main lift cylinders. A fork carriage is slidably mounted to the inner telescopic section and is raised and lowered thereon by a pair of free lift cylinders. The mast elements are arranged to form two mast columns which produce minimum obstruction to the truck operator's field of view when looking forward through the mast.

Abstract: A camera lifting apparatus is used in an industrial vehicle equipped with a cargo handling apparatus for lifting a cargo carrying carriage up and down along a mast provided on a vehicle body. The carriage has a cargo carrying apparatus. The camera lifting apparatus comprises a camera unit attached to the cargo carrying apparatus. The camera unit has a camera for picking up an image of a work area of the cargo carrying apparatus. A moving mechanism moves the camera unit relatively to the cargo carrying apparatus. An actuator drives the moving mechanism.

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.

Abstract: A mast apparatus that includes a cross member assembly that permits an operator to see through portions of the assembly is provided. The cross member assembly includes upper and lower horizontal members that are slanted for general alignment with the line of sight of the operator. Moreover, some vertical stiffener members are removed thereby allowing a line of sight between the upper and lower horizontal members. To maintain structural strength, vertical stiffener members are added in the center portion and at the location of couplers or mounts for attachment to the lift hydraulic jacks.

Abstract: A mast includes a base section, an outer telescopic section and an inner telescopic section which are raised and lowered by a pair of main lift cylinders. A fork carriage is slidably mounted to the inner telescopic section and is raised and lowered thereon by a pair of free lift cylinders. The mast elements are arranged to form two mast columns which produce minimum obstruction to the truck operator's field of view when looking forward through the mast.

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.

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).

Abstract: A triple mast type, slide type full free lift mast comprises a mast combination composed of an inner mast member, a middle mast member and an outer mast member, a combination of a free lift cylinder and a lift cylinder provided for the mast combination, and a chain for driving the inner mast member, the chain intervening between the inner mast member and the middle mast member. The inner mast member is higher in top level than the middle and outer mast members, as a lift bracket is held in a lowest position, and a chain wheel for the chain to be applied thereover is provided at an upper end part of the middle mast member, residing between a top level of the inner mast member and a top level of the middle mast member.

Abstract: Attachments for floor and yard trucks with a lift mast, especially for fork lift trucks, have a lift carriage (8) which has two side plates (9, 10) and two horizontal beams (12/14, 13) situated one over the other with a clearance (“h”) between them, on which there is held at least one hydraulically powered element from the group: load carrier, “transport securing means,” rotating device, tilting device, pushing device, pulling device, holding device, lifting device, fork shifting device, lateral shift frame (1), each with the corresponding hydraulic drive (14). The front sides of the horizontal beams (12/14, 13) and the rear edges of the side plates (9, 10) of the lift carriage (8) are disposed between two vertical planes defining between them a space (7) wherein the at least one hydraulic jack (14) is arranged and the corresponding control unit (18) is disposed.

Abstract: A lift truck vehicle (F) with a lift device (4) which comprises a positioning device (6) which is inclined with respect to the vertical. The positioning device (6) serves the setting up of the carrier fork (5) (or related device) independently of the lift device (4). The positioning device (6) is arranged over the front axle (9a) of the vehicle (F). The lift mast (3) is mounted laterally displaced behind the front axle (9a). The invention thus achieves optimal viewing conditions, particularly on loading the carrier fork (5) at half the height, and simultaneously an improved position of the center of gravity of the vehicle (F).

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: A lift truck having a mast structure for supporting a liftable implement, a pair of lift cylinders for lifting the implement, and a mast support for supporting the mast structure on a front axle of a vehicle body. The mast structure includes a pair of masts extending substantially vertically and a cross beam for connecting the lower ends of the masts. The mast support includes a pair of support bodies fixed to one of the masts and the cross beam at a first fastened section. The mast support further includes a pair of brackets, each bracket being fixed to one of the support bodies at a second fastened section and connected to the front axle. Each cylinder is located adjacent to a corresponding one of the brackets and is located behind the corresponding one of the masts. The structure allows for simplified manufacture.

Abstract: An industrial truck having a lifting slide which is moveable up and down on a lifting framework is disclosed. The lifting framework is fixed to at least one vertical load chain by at least one chain connecting piece. The load chain is at least partly guided in a chain guide which has an opening on at least one side. With this arrangement, the load supporting chain does not damage or soil other components of the industrial truck when travelling over irregularities in the ground.

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 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 lifting apparatus for containers of a flowable material which comprises a base member, a first elongated tubular column, a second elongated tubular column, a container support, and a lifting and lowering assembly. The lifting and lowering assembly is housed interior of the second column and includes a reversible gear motor and an elongated lift bar. The gear motor selectively drives an endless flexible tension member by way of a drive member cooperating with a driven assembly. One end of the elongated lift bar is connected to a first segment of the flexible tension member. A distal end of the elongated lift bar is attached to a base assembly. The second elongated tubular column is selectively lifted or lowered with respect to the first tubular column, in telescopic fashion, as the flexible tension member is driven. The container support, which may have tilting capabilities, is attached to a moveable carriage member.