Abstract: Supplemental walk along control for walkie/rider pallet trucks is provided by supplemental controllers such as jog and coast release switches and/or twist grips (or other drive motor speed controllers) provided adjacent the base of load carrying forks. The supplemental controllers are enabled during coasting operation so that operators can advance to the base of the forks to accelerate the trucks between closely spaced picks located along substantially straight portions of pick routes. For application of the trucks' brakes, the operators activate the coast release switches to release the coast mode and enable deadman brake mechanisms to brake the trucks and/or by plug braking with the twist grips. A steering direction detector is provided to determine the direction of the steered wheel so that if the steered wheel is not directed substantially straight ahead, then operation of the truck from the supplemental controls is disabled.

Abstract: Supplemental walk along control for walkie/rider pallet trucks is provided by supplemental jog switches and coast release switches provided adjacent to the base of load carrying forks. The supplemental jog switches are enabled during coasting operation so that operators can advance to the base of the forks to accelerate the trucks between closely spaced picks located along substantially straight portions of pick routes. For application of the trucks' brakes, the operators activate the coast release switches to release the coast mode and enable deadman brake mechanisms to brake the trucks. A steering direction detector is provided to determine the direction of the steered wheel so that if the steered wheel is not directed substantially straight ahead, then operation of the truck from the supplemental jog switches is disabled.

Abstract: A knurled wheel is coupled to a sensor mounted to one mast member and the wheel is forced into another mast member so that the wheel/sensor rotate upon mast movement. The sensor generates signals, corresponding to mast movement, which are processed conventionally to determine mast height, etc. The knurled wheel forms a track on the contacted mast member and the knurl engages the track. The wheel can be forced into the mast member with a force of six to nine pounds. To enhance the versatility of the mast height sensing device, the thickness of the wheel can be made less than ⅛ inch, for example {fraction (1/16)} inch. The sensor can be an encoder or a sensor bearing and a heater can be provided for operation in cold environments to ensure rotation of the sensor under such conditions.

Abstract: Supplemental walk along control for walkie/rider pallet trucks is provided by supplemental controllers such as jog and coast release switches and/or twist grips (or other drive motor speed controllers) provided adjacent the base of load carrying forks. The supplemental controllers are enabled during coasting operation so that operators can advance to the base of the forks to accelerate the trucks between closely spaced picks located along substantially straight portions of pick routes. For application of the trucks' brakes, the operators activate the coast release switches to release the coast mode and enable deadman brake mechanisms to brake the trucks and/or by plug braking with the twist grips. A steering direction detector is provided to determine the direction of the steered wheel so that if the steered wheel is not directed substantially straight ahead, then operation of the truck from the supplemental controls is disabled.

Abstract: Supplemental walk along control for walkie/rider pallet trucks is provided by supplemental jog switches and coast release switches provided adjacent to the base of load carrying forks. The supplemental jog switches are enabled during coasting operation so that operators can advance to the base of the forks to accelerate the trucks between closely spaced picks located along substantially straight portions of pick routes. For application of the trucks' brakes, the operators activate the coast release switches to release the coast mode and enable deadman brake mechanisms to brake the trucks. A steered direction detector is provided to determine the direction of the steered wheel so that if the steered wheel is not directed substantially straight ahead, then operation of the truck from the supplemental jog switches is disabled.

Abstract: A fork lift truck includes a body, a drive mechanism supported on the body for effecting movement of the body, and a fork carrying assembly carrying forks which can be moved in height between a lowered position and desired raised positions. A tilt cylinder is provided for tilting the forks through a fork tilt range. The truck further includes a pressure sensor capable of generating signals indicative of the weight of a load on the forks, a fork tilt position sensor capable of being activated when the forks are tilted to extremes of the fork tilt range, and a controller. The controller is coupled to the drive mechanism, the pressure sensor and the fork tilt position sensor.

Abstract: A handle mounted generally horizontally on a fork lift truck for controlling forward and reverse speed of movement of the truck and raising and lowering forks is carried by a control device. The control device includes a shaft with a centrally positioned spherical section contained in a socket in a support member. The shaft is therefore free to rotate about the center of the sphere. A ramp cam is mounted on the support member surrounding the shaft. A slider mounted on the shaft is pressed against the cam by action of a spring. This arrangement assures that the shaft and control handle remain centered until acted upon by an operator of the truck. Two linear potentiometers provide electrical output signals representing the X (horizontal) and Y (vertical) positions of the end of the shaft opposite the control handle. The cam is provided with four distinct compound surfaces. For vertical movement of the handle, the slopes of the two lower surfaces are greater than the slopes of the two upper surfaces.