Patents Assigned to The Raymond Corporation
  • Integration of an autonomous industrial vehicle into an asset management system
    Patent number: 9547945
    Abstract: A control system operates an industrial vehicle that includes a propulsion drive system and a guidance and navigation system operatively connected to the propulsion drive system to control motion of the industrial vehicle along a path, in an unmanned, autonomous mode. A wireless communicator transmits vehicle operational data to an asset management computer located remotely from the industrial vehicle, and receives commands from the asset management computer for remotely controlling operation of the industrial vehicle. For example, when the vehicle encounters an obstacle in the path a message indicating that event is sent to the asset management computer where a human operator can send a command which instructs the industrial vehicle how to avoid the obstacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: Paul P. McCabe, Timothy E. Donahue
  • Mast and integral display mount for a material handling vehicle
    Patent number: 9434585
    Abstract: A mast and integral display mount for a material handling vehicle are shown. The mast mounts a locating apparatus such that a locating axis of the locating apparatus is coaxial with a steering axis of the steerable drive wheel of the material handling vehicle. An integral display mount may include a display unit and display screen housed in a display housing that is integral with the steering handle of the vehicle. The integral nature of the display mount allows the display unit to move with the steering handle during steering of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew I Gilbride, Gregory W Smiley
  • Dynamic vibration control systems and methods for industrial lift trucks
    Patent number: 9403667
    Abstract: A lift truck includes systems and methods for improved vibration control. Vibration control features reduce or eliminate motion of the truck in one or more of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis. Some embodiments may include, alone or in combination with the vibration control, stability control to further stabilize the motion of the truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: Paul P. McCabe, John B. Kirk, Bryce Gregory, Michael G. Field
  • Hydraulic regeneration system and method for a material handling vehicle
    Patent number: 9360023
    Abstract: A hydraulic system has a cylinder and ram assembly that raises and lowers a load carrying carriage on a material handling vehicle. The fluid exhausting from the cylinder, while the carriage is lowering, is controlled to recover energy from that fluid. A first path routes the exhausting fluid to drive the pump as a hydraulic motor. A second path routes the exhausting fluid to a reservoir, bypassing the pump. In a first lowering mode, the second path is closed and the first path is opened. In a second lowering mode, both the first and second paths are open and the flow through each one is proportionally controlled. In a third lowering mode, only the second path is opened. The mode to use is selected based on the desired lowering speed of the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph T. Yahner
  • System for gathering data from an industrial vehicle
    Patent number: 9355065
    Abstract: Operation of an industrial vehicle is managed by systems onboard that vehicle. One such management system monitors operation of vehicle components and produces performance data which is transmitted to an computer at the facility in which the industrial vehicle operates. That system includes an interface module with a plurality of inputs for receiving signals from components on the industrial vehicle. The interface module derives performance data from the signals and conveys the performance data over a communication network. A data acquisition module receives the performance data from the communication network and has a communicator for wirelessly transmitting the performance data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy E. Donahue
  • Vibration control systems and methods for industrial lift trucks
    Patent number: 9302893
    Abstract: A lift truck includes systems and methods for improved vibration control. A corrective yaw input mechanism reduces or eliminates torsional vibration motion of the lift truck about the Z-axis. Some embodiments may include, alone or in combination, drive wheel control and load wheel control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: Fernando D. Goncalves, John Bryant Kirk, Steven J. Medwin
  • Mast and integral display mount for a material handling vehicle
    Patent number: 9278839
    Abstract: A mast and integral display mount for a material handling vehicle are shown. The mast mounts a locating apparatus such that a locating axis of the locating apparatus is coaxial with a steering axis of the steerable drive wheel of the material handling vehicle. An integral display mount may include a display unit and display screen housed in a display housing that is integral with the steering handle of the vehicle. The integral nature of the display mount allows the display unit to move with the steering handle during steering of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew I. Gilbride, Gregory W. Smiley
  • Narrow aisle load handler and material handling vehicle including a narrow aisle load handler
    Patent number: 9216884
    Abstract: A material handling vehicle includes a vehicle body with a vertically extendible mast fixed to the vehicle body. A fork support is fixed relative to the mast and has a first side and a second side. The first side faces away from the second side. A first fork is mounted to the fork support and is movable between a first fork stored position and a first fork working position. In the first fork working position, the first fork extends substantially perpendicularly from the first side of the fork support. A second fork is mounted to the fork support and is movable between a second fork stored position and a second fork working position. In the second fork working position, the second fork extends substantially perpendicularly from the second side of the fork support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: THE RAYMOND CORPORATION
    Inventor: Gregory W. Smiley
  • Systems and methods for sensor controlled reach carriage
    Patent number: 9206024
    Abstract: Automated systems and methods control the velocity of the extension arm of a reach carriage. In particular, the extension arm is allowed to operate at full velocity when it is not approaching its extension or retraction limits. At the limits, the extension arm is gradually slowed to a stop. A sensing apparatus includes a sensor and a marker that moves with the movement of the extension arm. The marker moves into and out of the sensor's range, causing the sensor to generate a position signal. If the extension arm is nearing its limit, the marker is outside the sensor range. A control unit detects changes in the position signal and slows the extension arm accordingly. The control unit may apply a deceleration profile to cushion the extension arm at its limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Thomas Yahner, Lans Erik Centerwall
  • System and method for gathering video data related to operation of an autonomous industrial vehicle
    Patent number: 9146559
    Abstract: As an autonomously guided industrial vehicle travels through a facility images of the adjacent environment are acquired, by either a still camera or a video camera. An image file containing a plurality of the images is stored onboard the vehicle. During that travel, the location of the vehicle is determined. Upon occurrence of a predefined incident, such as encountering an obstacle or impacting an object, an incident message is transmitted wirelessly from the vehicle to a remote management computer. The incident message contains an indication of the type of incident, an indication of a location of the vehicle, and the plurality of the images. The remote management computer responds to the incident message by providing a notification about the incident to one or more persons. The contents of the incident message enables the person notified to take corrective action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Kuss, Stephen L. Page, Paul P. McCabe, Timothy E. Donahue
  • Fuel cell water disposal
    Patent number: 9054354
    Abstract: Automated systems and methods remove water from a fuel cell powered vehicle and eliminate the need for one or more separate steps to discharge the water. The water may be simultaneously drained or discharged from the vehicle holding tank while the fuel cell powered vehicle is being refueled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: Augustus Baldini, Richard Day
  • Control module with redundant switches
    Patent number: 9035208
    Abstract: A control module includes a housing, a continuous cover supported by the housing, and a plurality of switches positioned within the housing in selective mechanical engagement with the continuous cover. Each of the plurality of switches is electrically configured to be capable of independently triggering a particular function when the continuous cover is moved relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: Brian M. Warner, Gregory W. Smiley
  • Systems and methods for maintaining an industrial lift truck within defined bounds
    Patent number: 9002557
    Abstract: Systems and methods maintain a lift truck within defined bounds. A controller analyzes actual and/or predicted lift truck behavior, and based on the analyzed lift truck behavior, the controller control at least one lift truck performance parameter. The performance parameter is controlled to maintain the lift truck center of gravity within a stability map, the stability map to define a three-dimensional range of center of gravity positions that maintains lift truck stability. The performance parameter is also controlled to maintain an intended path of the lift truck within an allowable deviation map, the allowable deviation map defining a two-dimensional envelope of allowable lift truck travel deviation from the intended path of the lift truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: Fernando D. Goncalves, Paul P. McCabe
  • Operator ride enhancement system
    Patent number: 8991904
    Abstract: An operator ride enhancement system that is coupleable to the frame of a vehicle includes a counterweight platform moveably coupled to the frame, and a resilient member engaged with the frame and the counterweight platform. The mass of the counterweight platform is configured to be approximately at least equal to a total mass supported by the counterweight platform during operation of the vehicle. The operator ride enhancement system attenuates and/or inhibits movement of the counterweight platform during operation of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph Thomas Yahner
  • Laminate bumper for material handling vehicles
    Patent number: 8985649
    Abstract: A material handling vehicle includes a laminated bumper that provides both durability and reduced energy transmissibility. The laminated bumper includes at least a first bumper layer and a second bumper layer, such that at least one of the first bumper layer and second bumper layer of the laminate bumper are allowed to translate upon bumper contact with an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: Kurt Richard Lutz, Brian Matthew Warner
  • Contoured backrest with integrated control module for use with a material handling vehicle
    Patent number: 8905183
    Abstract: A contoured backrest for a material handling vehicle includes a support surface for supporting a vehicle operator, a rear surface facing away from the support surface, a top barrier ridge joining the support surface and the rear surface, a control module support extending upwardly from the rear surface and above the top barrier ridge, and a pocket formed in the control module support for receiving a control module. At least a portion of the pocket extends above the top barrier ridge to inhibit, restrict, and/or reduce inadvertent engagement with the control module as an operator enters, exits, and generally operates the material handling vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: Brian M. Warner, Gregory W. Smiley, Thomas W. Confer
  • Switch module
    Patent number: D718256
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: Brian M. Warner, Gregory W. Smiley
  • Contoured backrest with integrated control module support
    Patent number: D720515
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: Brian M. Warner, Gregory W. Smiley, Thomas W. Confer
  • Electrical enclosure for material handling equipment
    Patent number: D741824
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventor: Howard Scott Ryan
  • Electrical enclosure for material handling equipment
    Patent number: D774007
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventor: Howard Scott Ryan