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: A safety guard uses a strip switch to prevent injury at pinch points on either lift gates or pedestrian-operated industrial trucks. A strip switch is provided at the pinch point between the lift gate and the truck bed or vehicle body to stop or reverse operation of the lift gate when contacted by body parts or items improperly loaded on the lift gate. A strip switch may also be located adjacent the portions of a pedestrian-operated lift truck. The strip switch is disposed located about a portion of the perimeter of the pedestrian-operated lift truck adjacent the operator. Upon contacting the strip switch, the pedestrian-operated lift truck may be stopped or reversed to permit the operator to free his foot from the potential pinch point where injury can occur.