Abstract: A clamping assembly for a load-carrying vehicle capable of exerting an adjustable clamping force, comprises first and second clamp arms, and first and second clamp arm sensing elements. The first and second clamp arms are movable towards and away from each other to contact and exert a clamping force on a load sufficient for lifting the load and transporting the load. The first clamp arm sensing elements are positioned at spaced apart locations on the first clamp arm. The second clamp arm sensing elements are positioned at spaced apart locations on the second clamp arm. The first clamp arm sensing elements and the second clamp arm sensing elements are configured sense and feed back forces exerted by the first and second clamp arms, respectively, in engaging the load such that the clamp arms can be moved relative to each other to adjust the clamping force applied to the load.

Abstract: A force sensing carriage for a load carrying vehicle with lift capability has a first carriage component, a second carriage component and at least one bladder filled with a fluid at a predetermined pressure positioned between the second carriage component and the first carriage component. The first carriage component is configured for mounting to the load carrying vehicle. The second carriage component is for contacting a load to be moved and is positionable in alignment with the first carriage component. The bladder at least partially supports the second carriage component in an operating position in which a portion of the second carriage component is spaced away from the first carriage component. Forces exerted on the bladder by the second carriage component increase pressure in the bladder. An indicator circuit with an indicator indicates a warning if a predetermined threshold pressure is exceeded.

Abstract: A clamping assembly for a load-carrying vehicle capable of exerting an adjustable clamping force, comprises first and second clamp arms, and first and second clamp arm sensing elements. The first and second clamp arms are movable towards and away from each other to contact and exert a clamping force on a load sufficient for lifting the load and transporting the load. The first clamp arm sensing elements are positioned at spaced apart locations on the first clamp arm. The second clamp arm sensing elements are positioned at spaced apart locations on the second clamp arm. The first clamp arm sensing elements and the second clamp arm sensing elements are configured sense and feed back forces exerted by the first and second clamp arms, respectively, in engaging the load such that the clamp arms can be moved relative to each other to adjust the clamping force applied to the load.

Abstract: A clamping assembly for a load-carrying vehicle capable of exerting an adjustable clamping force, comprises first and second clamp arms, and first and second clamp arm sensing elements. The first and second clamp arms are movable towards and away from each other to contact and exert a clamping force on a load sufficient for lifting the load and transporting the load. The first clamp arm sensing elements are positioned at spaced apart locations on the first clamp arm. The second clamp arm sensing elements are positioned at spaced apart locations on the second clamp arm. The first clamp arm sensing elements and the second clamp arm sensing elements are configured sense and feed back forces exerted by the first and second clamp arms, respectively, in engaging the load such that the clamp arms can be moved relative to each other to adjust the clamping force applied to the load.

Abstract: A clamping assembly for a load-carrying vehicle capable of exerting an adjustable clamping force, comprises first and second clamp arms, and first and second clamp arm sensing elements. The first and second clamp arms are movable towards and away from each other to contact and exert a clamping force on a load sufficient for lifting the load and transporting the load. The first clamp arm sensing elements are positioned at spaced apart locations on the first clamp arm. The second clamp arm sensing elements are positioned at spaced apart locations on the second clamp arm. The first clamp arm sensing elements and the second clamp arm sensing elements are configured sense and feed back forces exerted by the first and second clamp arms, respectively, in engaging the load such that the clamp arms can be moved relative to each other to adjust the clamping force applied to the load.

Abstract: A hydraulic force control system is disclosed for controlling the clamping force applied to a load by the clamp arms of a clamping attachment of a load-lifting vehicle to prevent the arms from over- or under-clamping the load. The system includes a force control circuit interposed between the vehicle's conventional hydraulic circuit and clamp cylinders of the attachment that operate the arms. When a manual control valve in the conventional circuit is moved to operate the clamp arms, a load sense cylinder in the control circuit lifts a load carriage of the attachment, causing the pressure side of the sense cylinder to sense the weight on the load carriage. Carriage movement actuates a sequence valve in the control circuit to hydraulically connect the pressure sides of said sense and clamp cylinders so that clamping force applied to a load by the clamp arms is proportionate to the weight of the load.

Abstract: A push-pull slipsheet handler is attachable to a conventional forklift truck and includes a push-plate assembly mounted to slide over a platen. A push-plate mounted to the assembly may be raised and lowered so that its lower edge may capture and grip a slipsheet edge with a lower leading edge of the push-plate assembly. A single motor mounted to the assembly engages a chain fixed at each of its ends to a base end and free end of the platen, respectively. The apparatus is mounted to a forklift with the forks below the platen for support, and with L-shaped locks attached to the platen and extending behind the fork uprights to secure the apparatus.

Abstract: The attachment (20) provides inner forks (54, 56) and outer forks (58, 60) that are directly and independently driven for handling juxtaposed pallets. The fork assembly (26) is carried by guide members (44, 48, 62, 66) that are constructed so that when two juxtaposed pallet loads are carried, there is substantially no downward deflection of the laterally outermost portions of the loads. A hydraulic control system is included for controlling the four operation functions performed by the attachment (20). The hydraulic control circuit is designed so that no electrical components need be mounted to the attachment (20).

Abstract: A push-pull slip sheet handling attachment for a forklift truck is fork-supported. The attachment is connected to the fork upright portions. In one embodiment, the base frame of the attachment includes side frame members that straddle the fork uprights and fork connectors that are vertically movable on a base frame support foot between latching positions behind the fork uprights and release positions below the fork uprights. In another embodiment, the base frame is mounted in front of the fork uprights and has pin-type fork connectors adjustable vertically and movable transversely behind the fork uprights between latching and release positions. Both embodiments have lightweight, compliant base frames comprising an open framework having thin side frame members and a minimum of cross frame members.

Abstract: A rotator attachment for rotating a load handling mechanism on a lift truck includes a frame carrying an inner gear with external teeth and rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the truck. An outer gear surrounds the inner gear and has a greater number of internal teeth engaging the external teeth of the inner gear. A pair of double-acting hydraulic cylinders connected to the frame and outer gear are operated in sequence to drive the outer gear in a gyratory eccentric path with respect to such axis so as to rotate the inner gear and a connected load handling attachment about such axis. Control valving responsive to the position of the outer gear in its eccentric path is provided for operating the cylinders in the correct sequence for driving the outer gear. Relief valving is provided in conjunction with the control valving for preventing pressure-locking of the cylinders.

Abstract: A rotator attachment for rotating a load handling mechanism on a lift truck includes a frame carrying an inner gear with external teeth and rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the truck. An outer gear surrounds the inner gear and has a greater number of internal teeth engaging the external teeth of the inner gear. A pair of double-acting hydraulic cylinders connected to the frame and outer gear are operated in sequence to drive the outer gear in a gyratory eccentric path with respect to such axis so as to rotate the inner gear and a connected load handling attachment about such axis. Control valving responsive to the position of the outer gear in its eccentric path is provided for operating the cylinders in the correct sequence for driving the outer gear. Relief valving is provided in conjunction with the control valving for preventing pressure-locking of the cylinders.

Abstract: A physical exercise device is comprised of an L-shaped main pivot arm which is pivotally connected intermediate its ends to one end of a support frame, and has pivotally attached to the distal extremity of its horizontal leg a secondary pivot arm. A lever arm, which is pivotally connected to the opposite end of the frame, is interconnected intermediate its ends by a piston cylinder counterbalancing unit to the frame below the main pivot arm, and a cable interconnects the free extremity of the lever arm and the free end of the secondary pivot arm.