Abstract: A lift arm lock down apparatus for a load lifting vehicle is described. The vehicle has a vehicle body and a lift arm or boom rotatable between a raised and a lowered position about a horizontal pivot on the vehicle body. The lift arm lock down apparatus includes a lock having first and second cooperating lock members for selectively locking the lift arm to the vehicle body in the lowered position. The lock members are respectively mounted on the lift arm and the vehicle body. At least one lock member is movable by an appropriate manually or automatically operated mechanism between an unlocked position permitting tilting of the lift arm and a locked position where the lock members are releasably interconnected when the lift arm is at the lowered position. The lift arm lock down apparatus prevents accidental lifting of the lift arm, when the operator is entering or exiting the operator's compartment and may be used as a theft deterrent when the lift arm is locked in a lowered, ground engaging position.

Abstract: A limited mobility transporter (10) is disclosed having a linkage mechanism (12) with four links (14,16,18,20) pivotally connected at their ends to form a four bar linkage. Engagers (22) are mounted at pivotal connections (A,B,C,D) of the links (14,16,18,20) for selectively engaging a mounting surface (24). An actuator assembly (26) rotates the links (14,16,18,20) about the engaged pivotal connections (A,B,C,D). A programmable controller (28) controls a sequence of movements whereby the transporter (10) is movable about the mounting surface (24) by simultaneous engagement of selected engagers (22) and rotation of the links (14,16,18,20) about the selected engagers (22) in a coplaner fashion to the mounting surface (24). In one embodiment, the engagers (22) comprise a shot pin assembly and the mounting surface (24) includes receptacles for receiving the shot pins. In other embodiments, the engagers (22) are electromagnetic anchors or suction cups.

Abstract: Steering mechanism for a hospital type carriage such as a mobile stretcher supported by two pairs of spaced fore and aft casters respectively on opposite sides of the same and swivelled about vertical axes, said mechanism comprising a sprocket chain or the like extending around sheaves or sprocket gears connected respectively to one pair of said fore and aft casters, one of said sprocket gears being releasably connectable to the caster upon which it is mounted selectively for rotation with said caster about the swivel axis thereof or permit free swivelling of said caster, the chain being operable to cause the pair of fore and aft casters connected thereby to either travel in a straight line or respectively swivel similar amounts in opposite directions to effect turning movements efficiently, accurately and quickly. Quick disconnect also can be made by cam means foot-actuated to permit free swivelling of all casters.

Abstract: An input shaft is provided with circumferentially spaced ramps which confront opposed ramps on a coaxially aligned ramp shaft. The ramp shaft is provided with a sun gear which can rotate only through a one-way clutch and a plurality of brake discs. The sun gear drives a drum through a planetary drive system. The ramps each are provided with a shoulder. Balls are trapped between the ramps. Rotation of the input shaft in a hoisting direction drives the ramp shaft bypassing the brake through the one-way clutch. Thus the drum is rotated by the torque through the balls and shoulders. The brake discs are set by springs so that the load remains braked when hoisting is stopped. In the power down condition the input shaft rotates relative to the ramp shaft so that the balls move along the ramps spreading the shafts and compressing the springs so that the brake discs are released.