Abstract: A hydraulic system including a closed reservoir which is pressurized at a varying pressure that is responsive to a variable condition of the system. The system minimizes the air contained in the hydraulic fluid, causing air which has been released from the hydraulic fluid to collect in the reservoir which has provision for releasing it to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A detent mechanism for a hydraulic control valve, having a detent position in which a detent member is in engagement with a groove and a spring urges the detent member into the groove so that a predetermined force is required to move the detent member out of the groove. A second spring loaded detent member is provided which requires the application of another predetermined force in order to move the mechanism into the detent position. The springs for both of the detent members can be readily changed to adjust the forces required to operate them.

Abstract: A centering mechanism for the hydrostatic drive system of an articulate loader includes an actuating mechanism disposed between the pedal control and the output pump of the loader which returns to a centered or neutral position when the pedal control is released. A pair of torsion springs bias the actuating mechanism in opposite rotative directions to maintain the control in a centered or neutral position.

Abstract: An adjustable steering assembly for vehicles pivotable forwardly and rearwardly about upper and lower pivots, the upper pivot being operably connected to the steering column by a swingable link which is adapted to actuate along said steering column an axially slidable adjustment sleeve assembly. The sleeve assembly includes a manually adjustable spring actuator for adjusting axially of the steering column the position of a detent device which in turn allows angular adjustment of the steering column for the comfort of operators of different sizes and heights and to provide a fully forward tilted position at which improved access to vehicle components is provided.

Abstract: A hinge mechanism for a door which includes a support within the door opening and away from the door jamb. In the closed position of the door, parts of the mechanism including a hinge member are located between the support and the jamb. A door is pivotally mounted on the hinge member at its distal end. As the door moves from the closed to an intermediate position the pivotal mounting of the door on the hinge member follows an arcuate path outwardly and away from the door jamb. When the mechanism reaches the intermediate position the door can be swung on its pivotal connection with the hinge member to a fully open position.

Abstract: An industrial truck of the narrow-aisle type having an upright rigidly connected to the frame of the truck and a drive unit pivotably connectible to the frame in certain selected rigid angular relationships in order to vary between predetermined limits the vertical angularity of the upright. The latter connection includes adjustable rigid connection members or struts mounted inwardly of the sides of the truck so that the upright can be securely mounted inwardly of upright members of the frame whereby to increase the lateral rigidity of the upright by adding thereto at least partially the lateral rigidity of the frame.

Abstract: An auxiliary release apparatus for use with a hydraulic pressure releasable brake having a principal source of hydraulic pressure which comprises an auxiliary source of hydraulic pressure selectively connectible to the brake for releasing the brake when the principal source of hydraulic pressure is not operating. The auxiliary release apparatus includes a manual pump device for interrupting communication between the normal pressure source and the pressure releasable brake when the pressure source, as a pump, is not operating, and for manually pumping through a by-pass circuit pressure fluid to the pressure releasable brake.

Abstract: An air cleaner system for an internal combustion engine located in a vehicle engine compartment. The system includes a cubic air filter device located beside the engine in the engine compartment which is arranged to draw air from outside the vehicle, pass it through a filter cartridge in the air filter device, and through a flexible conduit connecting the air filter device with the carburetor.

Abstract: A four-stage upright having a fixed upright section, three telescopic upright sections, and a load carrier mounted on the inner telescopic section includes a first asymmetric lift cylinder assembly located in the upright off-center and adjacent to one side of the upright and a second asymmetric lift cylinder assembly mounted in the upright off-center and adjacent to the opposite side of the upright. The first cylinder assembly is supported from one of the telescopic upright sections and is operatively connected to the load carrier, while the second lift cylinder assembly is supported from the fixed upright section and is operatively connected to the three telescopic upright sections. The first cylinder assembly is, when collapsed, approximately one-half the height of the collapsed upright, and the second cylinder assembly is, when collapsed, approximately equal to the height of the collapsed upright.

Abstract: A pressure control mechanism for the hydraulic control system of a log skidder. Hydraulic circuits for the boom and the grapple of a log skidder are interconnected to provide a pressure control mechanism for the grapple of the skidder. Provided in the interconnecting hydraulic lines for the grapple cylinder and the boom cylinder, between the rod end of the boom cylinder and the base end of the grapple cylinder, is a two-way valve and a check valve. This mechanism provides flow from the boom cylinder to the grapple cylinder. The weight of the load pressurizes the boom cylinder and this pressure is transferred to the grapple cylinder.

Abstract: A straddle type material handling industrial truck providing an approximately constant force on the traction and braking wheel through pivotal mounting of the drive unit augmented by spring loading. The spring loading is accomplished by a spring mechanism which includes an upper spring bracket having a downwardly extending stop portion and mounted on the frame, a lower spring bracket having an upwardly extending stop portion and mounted on the drive unit, and a compression spring extending between the spring brackets, the stop portions being located within the compression springs and spaced apart a predetermined amount to limit the upward pivotal movement of the drive unit.

Abstract: A seat and hydraulic control lever interlock for lift trucks in which access to a battery compartment is in part enabled by pivoting the operator seat forwardly over the steering wheel, which pivotal movement causes interlocking lever means between the seat pivot and hydraulic control levers to actuate to an armed position. Forward pivotal movement of the control levers to an inoperative position to clear the battery compartment allows the lever means to move to a position in which the control levers are held in such inoperative position until the seat is pivoted rearwardly over the battery compartment.

Abstract: A triple-stage upright having a fixed upright section, two telescopic upright sections, and a load carrier mounted on the inner telescopic section. A first asymmetric lift cylinder assembly is located in the upright off-center and adjacent to one side of the upright and a second asymmetric lift cylinder assembly is mounted in the upright off-center and adjacent to the opposite side of the upright. Both cylinder assemblies are supported from a common base, one of the cylinders being operatively connected to the load carrier, and the other lift cylinder being operatively connected to both telescopic upright sections. The lift cylinder which is connected to the load carrier is, when collapsed, approximately one-half the height of the collapsed upright, and the other lift cylinder assembly is, when collapsed, approximately equal to the height of the collapsed upright.

Abstract: A brake system for a vehicle in which a pair of brake discs are mounted on two opposed shafts in alignment with one another and pucks are disposed on opposite sides of each of said discs. The pucks between the discs are supported by relatively movable support members, and an adjustment device is disposed between the support members to vary the spacing between the pucks and discs to compensate for wear occurring in the pucks from braking operations. The brakes are operated by a hydraulic actuator which presses the pucks onto the respective discs and urges them toward an abutment, the abutment being either a fixed member or the head of a mechanical brake which can apply a braking force in the direction opposite to the hydraulic actuator, to apply the brakes.

Abstract: An emergency hydraulic system for a vehicle having a hydraulic steering mechanism normally supplied by an engine driven pump. An electric motor driven pump supplies the steering mechanism under emergency conditions. The electric motor driven pump is inoperative during normal operation of the engine but if the engine ceases to operate it comes on responsively to the occurrence of a predetermined condition in the hydraulic circuit. In order to prevent the electric motor driven pump from operating during engine starting a relay is provided having a normally open switch in circuit with the motor. The relay is operated by a normally open engine condition switch which is arranged to close when the engine is running. The relay holds itself in, thus preparing the electric motor for operation should the predetermined condition occur in the hydraulic circuit of the steering mechanism.

Abstract: A spreader frame assembly for engaging, lifting and transporting freight containers includes a pair of parallel spaced-apart lifting beams. A twist lock is connected at each end of each lifting beam for engagement with a respective corner fitting of a container. Each twist lock includes a shank projecting downwardly from the respective lifting beam. The lower end of the shank is capable of lifting engagement with the corner fitting when the shank is rotated in a selected direction. A circular disc is rigidly connected to the upper end of each shank. A hydraulically actuated mechanism is connected to simultaneously rotate the shanks. A pin having an enlarged upper portion has a first position where the enlarged upper portion of each of the pins is received in a recessed portion in each respective disc to prevent rotation of the respective shank from its no-lift position, and has a second position where the upper portion of the pin is raised above the disc so that the shank may be rotated to a lift position.

Abstract: A lift truck in which a steering column or pylon houses a steering post connected to a hydraulic steering component. A locking device which is manually operable by the operator is adapted to lock the steering column in an operative driving position, the steering column being adapted to be actuated forwardly in a pivotal motion to a non-operative position by a gas pressure spring when the locking device is released by the operator, thus moving it to a forward position wherein it provides an improved access path to the operator's compartment and wherein it does not obstruct the vertical path of movement of a drive component when the latter is deposited in or removed from its generally central mounting position in the lift truck.

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.