Patents Assigned to Moffett Research and Development Limited
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Patent number: 8087868Abstract: This invention relates to a forklift truck (1) of the type suitable for mounting on the rear of a carrying vehicle, the forklift truck comprising a u-shaped chassis (3) having a vertical mast (17) mounted thereon. The vertical mast carries a side shift mechanism (21), the side shift mechanism comprising a fixed carriage (23) with a movable carriage (25) slidably mounted thereon. A pair of fluid actuated rams (27, 29) is provided to slide the movable carriage (25) laterally relative to the fixed carriage (23). A rotating cylinder (49) is provided to rotate a pair of forks (19) mounted on the movable carriage. The configuration achieves greater side shift without the use of rollers or chains and permits the use of a rotating cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2004Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: Moffett Research and Development LimitedInventors: Kevin Turnbull, Barry McGrane
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Patent number: 7927061Abstract: Disclosed is an improved mounting system for mounting a forklift to the rear of a vehicle such as a truck or trailer. The mounting system includes in combination a forklift and a vehicle, the forklift having a frame, a pair of spaced apart front wheels and at least one rear wheel. The forklift also has a pair of forks that are movably mounted to the frame, the pair of forks movable in at least a vertical direction relative to the frame. The vehicle has a rearward end with a fork support that receives the pair of forks of the forklift. The mounting system includes a pair of mounting brackets, each of the mounting brackets being fixedly attached to the forklift frame or the rearward end of the vehicle and having an opening defined therethrough. The opening has a closed perimeter. Also included is a pair of receiving pins, the receiving pins being dimensioned such that they can slide through the opening in each of the mounting brackets.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2008Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: Moffett Research & Development LimitedInventors: Patrick Keenan, Kevin Turnbull, Barry McGrane
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Patent number: 7927063Abstract: Disclosed is a method for mounting a forklift to the rear of a vehicle such as a truck or trailer. The method includes providing a forklift in a vehicle, the forklift having a frame, a pair of spaced apart front wheels and at least one rear wheel. The forklift also has a pair of forks that are movably mounted to the frame, the pair of forks movable in at least a vertical direction relative to the frame. The vehicle has a rearward end with a fork support that receives the pair of forks of the forklift. The mounting system includes a pair of mounting brackets, each of the mounting brackets being fixedly attached to the forklift frame or the rearward end of the vehicle and having an opening defined therethrough. The opening has a closed perimeter. Also included is a pair of receiving pins, the receiving pins being dimensioned such that they can slide through the opening in each of the mounting brackets. The receiving pins have a supporting position and a release position.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2008Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: Moffett Research & Development LimitedInventors: Patrick Keenan, Kevin Turnbull, Barry McGrane
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Patent number: 7870922Abstract: A forklift truck (10) comprising a truck body, a fork mechanism at one end of the body, and at least one wheel (18) at an opposite end of the body, said at least one wheel (18) being mounted on the body for translational movement relative to the body between a working position and a storage position.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2006Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: Moffett Research & Development LimitedInventors: Martin McVicar, Robert Moffett, Meredith Hall, Mark Whyte
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Patent number: 7632054Abstract: This invention relates to a forklift truck (1) of the type adapted to be mounted on a carrying vehicle, commonly referred to as a piggy-back forklift. The forklift truck has a forklift loading support comprising an upright bar (19) is mounted on the mast carriage (9) between the upright mast (11) and the side bar (7). The upright bar (19) may be pivotally mounted on the mast carriage, pivotable to and from a platform engaging position forward of the mast and a stowed position rearward of the front surface of the mast. The forklift loading support may be deployed very quickly and will not hinder loading of the forklift onto a carrying vehicle or require modification of the mounting gear for the forklift truck.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2006Date of Patent: December 15, 2009Assignee: Moffett Research & Development LimitedInventors: Barry McGrane, Kevin Turnbull
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Publication number: 20080296094Abstract: This invention relates to a forklift truck (1) of the type suitable for mounting on the rear of a carrying vehicle, the forklift truck comprising a u-shaped chassis (3) having a vertical mast (17) mounted thereon. The vertical mast carries a side shift mechanism (21), the side shift mechanism comprising a fixed carriage (23) with a movable carriage (25) slidably mounted thereon. A pair of fluid actuated rams (27, 29) is provided to slide the movable carriage (25) laterally relative to the fixed carriage (23). A rotating cylinder (49) is provided to rotate a pair of forks (19) mounted on the movable carriage. The configuration achieves greater side shift without the use of rollers or chains and permits the use of a rotating cylinder.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2004Publication date: December 4, 2008Applicant: MOFFETT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT LIMITEDInventors: Kevin Turnbull, Barry McGrane
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Publication number: 20080292437Abstract: Disclosed is an improved mounting system for mounting a forklift to the rear of a vehicle such as a truck or trailer. The mounting system includes in combination a forklift and a vehicle, the forklift having a frame, a pair of spaced apart front wheels and at least one rear wheel. The forklift also has a pair of forks that are movably mounted to the frame, the pair of forks movable in at least a vertical direction relative to the frame. The vehicle has a rearward end with a fork support that receives the pair of forks of the forklift. The mounting system includes a pair of mounting brackets, each of the mounting brackets being fixedly attached to the forklift frame or the rearward end of the vehicle and having an opening defined therethrough. The opening has a closed perimeter. Also included is a pair of receiving pins, the receiving pins being dimensioned such that they can slide through the opening in each of the mounting brackets. The receiving pins have a supporting position and a release position.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2008Publication date: November 27, 2008Applicant: Moffett Research & Development LimitedInventors: Patrick Keenan, Kevin Turnbull, Barry McGrane
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Patent number: 7429075Abstract: There is provided an alternative construction of driver's cab (1) for a load-handling vehicle and in particular an alternative construction of door (5) for a driver's cab. The door (5) is pivotally mounted on one of the uprights (13) of the driver's cab (1) and does not protrude outwardly from the driver's cab when opened or closed. The door (5) is mounted so that it effectively pivots about its own substantially vertical plane. The door (5) is provided with a locking mechanism that allows the door to be secured in position relative the upright (13) without the need for additional locking members being mounted on another of the uprights (13) on the driver's cab. The construction of driver's cab is lightweight and compact and allows for a more simplified manufacture by virtue of the omission of additional components.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2005Date of Patent: September 30, 2008Assignee: Moffett Research and Development LimitedInventors: Kevin Turnbull, Barry McGrane
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Patent number: 7255202Abstract: A forklift truck for mounting on the rear of a carrying vehicle comprises a u-shaped chassis having a crossbar and a pair of side bars mounted at the ends of the crossbar and projecting forwardly therefrom. A wheel is located adjacent the free end of each of the side bars and a steerable rear wheel is located centrally on the crossbar, a drivers station is positioned to one side of the chassis and a motive power unit is positioned on the opposite side of the chassis. The chassis mounts a vertical multi-lift mast having a plurality of mast sections, one of which carries a pair of forks. The fork-carrying mast section further comprises a freelift mast system having means to positively move the forks upwards relative the mast section and means to positively move the forks downwards relative the mast section.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2004Date of Patent: August 14, 2007Assignee: Moffett Research and Development LimitedInventor: Eric O′Keeffe
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Publication number: 20070095616Abstract: A forklift for mounting on a carrier vehicle which has a two-part upright mast and a telescopic boom substantially orthogonal to the mast slidable up and down the mast to move a fork carrier on the boom in both a horizontal and a vertical direction. Retractable wheels may be provided to support forks on a loading bay floor or truck chassis.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2006Publication date: May 3, 2007Applicant: Moffett Research and Development, LimitedInventor: Peter Drake
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Patent number: 7001131Abstract: A forklift (1) of the type adapted to be transported on a carrying vehicle comprising a wheeled chassis (6) on which are mounted a pair of platform engaging load rest supports (15). The load rest supports (15) comprise a pair of spaced-apart upright bars (20) which have a contact surface for engagement at Y of a platform (2). The forklift truck (1) also has a mast (8) carrying extendable forks (9) to allow a load (3) to be placed on and removed from an extended position across the platform. The load rest support (15) allows the mast (8) to be tilted and if the mast (8) can also be side-shifted, then it can be side-shifted without interference with the platform (2). This further prevents tilting of the forklift (1) in the direction of the arrow A.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2003Date of Patent: February 21, 2006Assignee: Moffett Research and Development LimitedInventor: Eric O'Keeffe
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Patent number: 6488111Abstract: A hydraulic drive system for a three-wheeled vehicle with drive assemblies including drive units having a single drive unit with two separate directly coupled drives and a pair of transverse drive units employing respectively separate directly coupled drives. There are hydraulic feed lines for parallel operation and for series operation, a secondary hydraulic feedline between the drive units and a secondary hydraulic feed line between the drive units and a hydraulic controller controls diverter valves for parallel and series operation. The hydraulic drive includes a steering system which senses out of line travel.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 1999Date of Patent: December 3, 2002Assignee: Moffett Research and Development LimitedInventors: Cathal McKenna, Eric O'Keeffe, Seamus Murchan
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Patent number: 6382340Abstract: A drive controller for a hydraulic drive system, a three wheeled vehicle having a pair of transversely arranged in line of drive shaft assemblies and a single wheel drive shaft assembly each assembly including a drive unit having two separate drives and has for series operation secondary hydraulic feed lines between one of the drives of the single drive units and one of the drives of each transverse drive unit. A pressure release valve is provided in each secondary line which valve is fed through a non-return valve.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 1998Date of Patent: May 7, 2002Assignee: Moffett Research and Development LimitedInventors: Cathal McKenna, Eric O'Keeffe, Andrew William Wylie, Paul Patrick Quinn, Gerard McHugh, Seamus Murchan, Martin Damien McVicar, Gerard Harte
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Patent number: 6269901Abstract: A hydraulic drive system incorporating a hydraulic pump for three wheeled vehicles such as “piggy back” forklifts in which there are at least two separate but linked drives forming one drive unit for each of the wheels and each drive has a separate input and output. Valving is provided to provide both parallel and series operation of the system for optimum torque, speed and anti skid operation. In one preferred way of carrying out the invention a single drive unit feeds one of the drives of each of the other drives. The hydraulic pump feeds the single drive unit and one of the drives of the other transverse drive units. By-pass diverter valves are fitted across the drives of the transverse drive units.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 1997Date of Patent: August 7, 2001Assignee: Moffett Research and Development LimitedInventors: Robert Moffett, Carol Moffett, James McAdam, Paul Quinn, Gerard McHugh, Gerard Harte, Andrew Wylie, Martin McVicar, Thomas Cadden
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Patent number: 6059330Abstract: A crash bar assembly for a vehicle having an auxiliary equipment carrying mode with, for example, a forklift extending beyond its rearmost portion. The impact absorbing bar forming part of the assembly is movable outwardly to adjacent the rearmost end of the forklift on bars in sockets. A forklift may have a crash bar assembly mounted on itself.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 1997Date of Patent: May 9, 2000Assignee: Moffett Research and Development LimitedInventors: Robert Moffett, Carol Moffett, James McAdam, Paul Quinn, Gerard McHugh, Gerard Harte, Andrew Wylie, Martin McVicar, Thomas Cadden
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Patent number: 5749695Abstract: A universal forklift truck mounting frame (1) for fitting at a rear end of a carrier vehicle chassis has a composite base support framework. The base support framework has a rear support beam (8) and a front support beam (20) interconnected by a pair of spaced-apart hanger plates (5). Each hanger plate (5) has a flanged upper end (6) to provide a laterally extending chassis engaging surface. A wheel rest plate (9) is mounted at each end of the rear support beam (8). A pair of fork support sleeves (18), each for engagement with a fork of a forklift truck are mounted on the support framework between and substantially parallel to the hanger plates (5). A crash bar (10) is mounted at a rear end of the hanger plates (5).Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 1997Date of Patent: May 12, 1998Assignee: Moffett Research and Development LimitedInventors: Robert Moffett, Carol Moffett, James McAdam, Paul Quinn, Gerard McHugh, Gerard Harte, Andrew Wylie, Martin McVicar, Thomas Cadden
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Patent number: 5328321Abstract: A three-stage mast (1) for a forklift truck and a forklift truck incorporating the mast (1). The mast (1) has an outer mast section (2) for mounting on the truck. A middle mast section (5) is slidably movable on the outer mast section (2) by rams (7). An inner mast section (12) is slidably mounted on the middle mast section (5) and carries a fork carriage (14). Lifting chains (20) and lowering chains (30) extend between the inner mast section (12) and outer mast section (2) passing over intermediate guides (24, 31) on the middle mast section (5). The chains (20, 30) raise and lower the inner mast section (12) on the middle mast section (5) when the rams (7) are operated. Similarly lifting chains (26) and lowering chains (34) extend between the middle mast section (5) and the fork carriage (14) via guides (27, 35) on the inner mast section (12) for movement of the fork carriage (14) on the inner mast section (12).Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1992Date of Patent: July 12, 1994Assignee: Moffett Research and Development LimitedInventors: Carol Moffett, James McAdam