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 vehicle loader mechanism mountable on a vehicle having a cargo deck for lifting loads onto the cargo deck is disclosed. The vehicle loader mechanism includes a base mountable on the cargo deck of the vehicle and a lift mechanism movable between a lowered position and a raised position. A drive linkage is coupled between the base and the lift mechanism and movable between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration for lateral movement of the lift mechanism. A leveling linkage is coupled between the base and the lift mechanism for movement with the drive linkage and to prevent tilting of the lift mechanism during movement of the drive linkage between the extended configuration and the retracted configuration. A cylinder is coupled to the drive linkage for moving the drive linkage between the extended configuration and the retracted configuration.

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.

Abstract: An hydraulically operated fork lift device adapted to be installed within the bed of a conventional pickup truck, wherein the horizontal movement of the fork is provided by movement of the truck. When the device is not in use, it is disposed above the forward portion of the truck bed.

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 forklift truck has a frame, a cab including a roof to protect the driver and a lift support structure connected to the frame. A load-carrying fork is mounted on the lift support structure for vertical movement and the lift support structure, the roof and the frame are all welded together to form a single load-bearing assembly.

Abstract: A skid steer loader has a pair of lift arms pivotally mounted to a main frame of the loader. The lift arms are connected together by a cross member located at the forward ends of the arms. The cross member is spaced ahead of a front wall member of the main frame when the lift arms are in their lowered positions so as to create a gap between the cross member and the cross member and the front wall member of the main frame where the operator enters the loader. A combination step/stop arrangement is carried on the front wall member to provide a skid resistant stepping surface across the gap between the front wall member of the main frame and the cross member of the lift arm assembly and to prevent the lift arm assembly from moving past its lowered position.

Abstract: A slidable load lift apparatus is selectively completely retractable into the bed of a standard pickup truck. The load lift apparatus includes a base frame member attached to the pickup truck bed, the base frame member supporting a substantially planar roller platform member slidably engaged with the base frame member. The base frame member includes a pair of elongate rail members extending in parallel along a first longitudinal axis and adapted to engage a set of roller wheels provided on the bottom of the roller platform member. A substantially planar lift platform member is operatively connected to the roller platform member through a set of parallelogram linkages which permit the lift platform to be moved between a raised position coplanar with the roller platform member and a lowered position out of the plane of the roller member for convenient loading of the lift platform at ground level.

Abstract: A roll bar and crane device for use with vehicles such as a truck is adapted to be mounted to the truck bed. The device includes left and right leg members and a central beam extending therebetween and being selectively detachable thereto. A U-shaped boom extends over the left and right leg members when used as a roll bar. The boom, at one end, is pivotally connected to a pivot member about a horizontal axis of rotation and the pivot member is pivotally connected to one of the leg members and is pivotable about a vertical axis of rotation. A hydraulic jack selectively lifts and lowers the boom when used as a crane. Covers are provided on the boom left and right legs and hide from plain view working components including the hydraulic jack.

Abstract: A truck includes a chassis with a body movably mounted to the chassis behind a cab. The body is movable between a first position generally parallel to the chassis and a second generally upright position with respect to the chassis. A canopy is movably mounted to the body. The canopy is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. In the extended position, the canopy extends outwardly from the body to cover the cab when said body is in the first position. The canopy is retractable to decrease the overall height of the truck when the body is in the generally upright second position.

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: A roll bar and crane device for use with vehicles such as a truck is adapted to be mounted to the truck bed. The device includes left and right leg members and a central beam extending therebetween and being selectively detachable thereto. A U-shaped boom extends over the left and right leg members when used as a roll bar. The boom, at one end, is pivotally connected to a pivot member about a horizontal axis of rotation and the pivot member is pivotally connected to one of the leg members and is pivotable about a vertical axis of rotation. A rope and pulley system is provided between the pivot member and the boom. A rope extends from the boom lift end to the pulley and rope system and to a winch that is located on and is rotatable with the pivot member. By pulling the rope via the winch, objects attached to the end of the rope are drawn up and to the boom lift end and the boom is also caused to pivot about the horizontal axis of rotation for lifting the boom lift end.

Abstract: An improved, self-propelled fork lift having a variable wheelbase, a tilting and leveraged platform, and a translating fork carriage, all under hydraulic control, to permit load positioning for maximum stability, minimum turning radius, and good tractive force despite a relatively low ratio of vehicle weight to loaded condition. The improved fork lift is towable at highway speeds and is collapsible for mounting beneath the mid section of a semi trailer.

Abstract: A protective device for a front of a large-size dump truck, in which a driver's cab (13) is secured on a front side of a truck body (10) and a vessel (15) is, liftably from its front side, secured on a rear side of the truck body, is characterized in that a front protective guard (20) protruding forward from a position of the driver's cab is attached on a front end portion of the vessel.

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: 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: An agricultural tractor includes an axle body and a vehicle substructure. A generally vertical lifting structure is rigidly attached to the vehicle substructure and engages a lifting frame which is adjustable in height. The lifting frame carries coupling and/or drive arrangements for implements. A hydraulic cylinder is arranged between the lifting frame and the axle body. The cylinder is connected to a hydro-pneumatic pressure reservoir and functions as an elastic spring support. A lock can be engaged to fix the lifting structure rigidly to the axle body. A transport lock can be selectively engaged to rigidly connect the lifting structure to the lifting frame. A selector valve selective connects the pressure chamber of the hydraulic cylinder with either a hydro-pneumatic pressure reservoir or with a lifting control arrangement. Preferably the lifting structure is designed as a rollover structure.

Abstract: An overhead support frame assembly provides enhanced strength for an attachment for the vehicle or the like, and features minimum obstruction of vision from the driver station. The frame assembly has a pair of laterally spaced frame units; each including an interconnected tower support plate, overhead extension plate, and upstanding support post. The base of each tower support plate is attached to the vehicle deck at an approximate 30.degree. angle to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and slanted forwardly toward the horizontal overhead extension plate at an approximate 10.degree. angle. The position and angle of the tower support plates provide a 60.degree. unobstructed rear view from the driver station. Each extension plate is directed to the front of the vehicle and terminates at the upper end of an upstanding support post positioned adjacent to the driver station for secondary support.

Abstract: A game-handling apparatus which is mounted on a four-wheel all-terrain vehicle having a winch fixed to the vehicle with a winch line wound on a winch drum in the winch, the game-handling apparatus including a first roller mounted on the front of the vehicle above the winch for guiding the winch line from the winch upwardly, a roll bar pivotally secured to the vehicle and fitted with a middle pulley for guiding the winch line rearwardly and a rear roller attached to the rear of the vehicle for guiding the winch line downwardly behind the vehicle. A sling is attached to the end of the winch line and the sling is secured around a game animal such as a deer, after which, the winch is operated to wind the winch line on the winch drum and lift the deer into field-dressing configuration or onto the all-terrain vehicle for transportation.

Abstract: A truck bed having a longitudinally movable bulkhead for ejecting material carried therein. A cab cover plate is pivotally attached to a carriage coupled to the bulkhead. A mechanism for pivoting the cab cover plate to remove the material carried thereon is also provided.

Abstract: A road sweeper which includes a hopper between a cab and a centrifugal separator, a pair of relatively telescopically extendable and retractable members, one member of each pair being pivoted to a frame of the vehicle and another member of each pair being pivoted to a hopper, a pair of control arms pivoted one each between one of the extendable members and the vehicle, and a tilt cylinder and occupant-protecting mechanism cooperatively operative such that upon relative extension of the extendable and retractable members the control arms effect compound motion of the hopper to a position over-the-cab for subsequent dumping and the automatic interpositioning of the occupant protection mechanism between the hopper and the cab.

Abstract: A forklift vehicle having a tiltable lift frame on its forward end which can be inclined relative to a horizontal axis located on the front of the vehicle. Spaced vertical support columns located on the rear of the vehicle and a cross member connecting the upper ends of the support columns. A driver cab on the vehicle positioned between the lift frame and the support columns. A protective cover over the driver cab including a support element which is mechanically connected to the lift frame and to a support column.

Abstract: A rollbar mechanism for installation in the cargo box of a pick-up truck. The mechanism includes a vertically slidable crosspiece movable between a raised position above the cab roof line and a lowered position below the cab roof line. A fluid-operated power unit is mounted in the cargo box for raising or lowering the cross piece.

Abstract: A road sweeper which includes a hopper between a cab and a centrifugal separator, a pair of relatively telescopically extendable and retractable members, one member of each pair being pivoted to a frame of the vehicle and another member of each pair being pivoted to a hopper, a pair of control arms pivoted one each between one of the extendable members and the vehicle, and a tilt cylinder and occupant-protecting mechanism cooperatively operative such that upon relative extension of the extendable and retractable members the control arms effect compound motion of the hopper to a position over-the-cab for subsequent dumping and the automatic interpositioning of the occupant protection mechanism between the hopper and the cab.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a roof member and illumination device mountable to a ceiling portion of a head guard in a forklift without interfering with each other. The illumination device has a `C` shaped light mounting bracket, and the roof member has an upward facing depression formed in one portion of the peripheral drip edge groove so that the roof member can be inserted in between the upper and lower portion of the light mounting bracket. Also, the roof member has a window portion provided for upper observation, this window portion bulging upwards to improve water drainage.

Abstract: A rider truck lift utilizes a see-through mast assembly and a forwardly positioned rider compartment to improve visibility of the load for the operator. The rider compartment is accessible from either side of the truck and comprises a low-rise deck which allows for one-step ingress and egress. A pseudo-tricycle wheel arrangement provides for a tandem articulated rear wheel steering assembly that reduces tire wear and improves maneuverability.

Abstract: A load handling vehicle equipped with a load handling device comprises a pair of reinforcing frames attached to opposite sides of the vehicle body, a steering panel, a front cover covering the space under the panel from the front and a protective device covering the operator's seat and including a pair of opposite front posts connected to the frames in front of the seat. Each of the front posts comprises a lower post member extending upright from the frame and positioned in the vicinity of of the front cover, and an upper post member removably attached to the lower post member. The steering panel and the front cover are attached to the pair of lower post members and can therefore be fixed in place by a simple arrangement and yet with increased strength. When unnecessary, the protective device is removable with the panel and the cover fixed in place.

Abstract: A skid-steer vehicle has a housing defining a driver's compartment and a loader arm that permits the driver to enter and leave the vehicle through left and right side access openings. The arm is constructed to eliminate the hazardous condition of entering from the front of the vehicle or from a side where the loader arm crosses the access space. The housing includes first and second spaced apart support frames. Each support frame includes a forward and a rearward upwardly extending member joined at an upper portion by a connecting member. The forward, rearward and connecting members, define a side access opening to the driver's compartment. The loader arm has a rearward portion which is pivotally attached to the rearward members of the support frames and a forward portion and a middle portion connecting the forward and rearward portions such that when the loader arm is either in an up position or a down position, the loader arm does not extend into the access openings.

Abstract: A roll bar for convertible-type vehicles includes a generally U-shaped inverted roll bar structure pivotally mounted to an automobile chassis for extending across and above the passenger compartment when in the up position and pivotally mounted to pivot to a downward generally horizontal retracted position. The roll bar is mounted to pivot generally about a support bar that is mounted within and extends to each side of the chassis and includes a fixed gear on the mounting bar and a driving gear carried by the roll bar in driving engagement with the fixed gear with a curved guide slot disposed adjacent the drive mechanism for guiding the roll bar into the respective vertical and horizontal positions.

Abstract: A dump body for a dump truck that includes a hinged cab guard combined with an actuator which serves to pivot the cab guard downwardly relative to the body portion of the dump body so as to allow full raising of the dump body when the dump truck is parked in a garage having a low ceiling.

Abstract: A modular machine including several removable components which are structurally interconnected in a manner to result in a rigid unit which is inexpensive to manufacture and easy to service or repair. The modular machine includes as its basic components a base frame assembly, an operator's control station, and a cab assembly. The base frame assembly comprises an open frame construction including opposed rectangular end members and opposed hollow rectangular side members. Ground-engaging wheels are mounted to the side members by using a unitized axle assembly including a hub and sprocket which extends into the interior of a side member. A fluid motor is mounted to the inner wall of each side member for driving the ground-engaging wheels connected to that side member. The operator's control station includes a front wall portion and rearwardly extending side wall portions.

Abstract: A single point vehicle lifting attachment having a lift frame resting on the operator's compartment of the vehicle and flexible cables connected between the lift frame and the vehicle frame.

Abstract: The vehicle of this invention is a skid-steer type having a pair of boom arms pivotally mounted thereon and extending forwardly therefrom. An animal carcass handling bucket is pivotally mounted on the forward end of the lift arms and is adapted to receive a pair of beef quarters or the like therein and to support the same in an upright position. The vehicle includes a propane tank at the upper rearward end thereof which has a guard extending therearound to prevent the propane tank from coming into contact with hanging meat. A rollover protection structure is also provided on the vehicle and a guard is secured to the upper end thereof for preventing the structure from coming into contact with hanging meat. The vehicle is ideally suited to handle two quarters of beef or the like at one time, transporting them from meat rails and loading them into refrigerated trailers or the like.

Abstract: An overhead guard in which the rear legs are connected to a lift truck such that when struck from the front side one or both legs pivot rearwardly out of the area of the driver's compartment so that the driver is protected from being pinned against a guard leg. The guards are positively secured in other directions so that they resist forces imposed from either side or from the rear of the guard.

Abstract: A lift mechanism for lift vehicles of a type including an operator's station and a carriage arranged for vertical travel upon a mast assembly. In one embodiment, the lift mechanism includes a lever arrangement, preferably an overhead guard structure, pivotably connected to the vehicle and operatively connected with the carriage by means of a pivotable link. In other disclosed embodiments, the lever mechanism is also an overhead guard structure providing an overhead guard function for the operator station while the mast assembly preferably includes a fixed upright portion and at least one movable upright portion supporting the carriage, the movable overhead guard structure and link being operable to cause vertical travel of both the movable upright portion and carriage. An additional embodiment has the overhead guard lift the movable upright and the short lift cylinder lifts the carriage.

Abstract: A retractable overhead guard assembly is provided to protect an operator of industrial trucks, such as a forklift operator, from falling objects. Said guard is retractable from a raised to a lowered position for operation in areas of low overhead clearance. A pair of substantially parallel extensible supports are attached to said truck. A guard is mounted on the upper ends of the supports and is manually slideable between a forward and rearward position and is maintained in either position by a locking mechanism. Said supports may include biasing means such as springs to counterbalance the weight of the guard and facilitate manual adjustment between raised and lowered positions. A locking mechanism is also provided on each support to retain the guard in a plurality of positions. Electrical interlocks prevent the raising of the lift beyond a predetermined height if the guard is not in the rearward and raised position where it offers maximum protection to the operator.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improvement in a lift truck comprising a first eye structure adjacent a front end of the truck and supported by the truck frame along with a second eye structure adjacent a rear end of the truck and supported by the truck frame. The first and second eye structures are substantially equally spaced from the center of gravity of the truck. An overhead guard structure is supported at a rear end thereof by the second eye structure and at the front end thereof by the truck frame.