Abstract: An accelerator device is used for electromotive vehicles which has an electric motor adapted to cause the vehicles to move forwards and backwards. The accelerator device includes an accelerator pedal depressible to swing between a rest position and a most depressed position. Operatively connected to the pedal is an elongated pliable strip which is slidable along a predefined moving way and carries a permanent magnet. A plurality of magnetoelectric sensors are arranged along the moving way of the strip with a substantially equal spacing from one another, each of the sensors capable of generating, when left deactivated, a pedal position signal of first logic level and activatable by the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet to produce a pedal position signal of second logic level as the permanent magnet moves over and above the respective one of the sensors.

Abstract: A motor direction control device id used for electromotive vehicles which has an electric motor adapted to cause the vehicles to move forwards and backwards. The motor direction control device includes a direction control level shiftable from a neutral position into forward or reverse position. Operatively connected to the direction lever is an elongated pliable strip which is slidable along a predefined moving way by the shifting operation of the direction control lever and carries a permanent magnet. First and second magnetolectric sensors are arranged in a spaced-apart relationship with each other along the moving way of the elongated strip, each of the magnetoelectric sensors capable of generating, when left deactivated, a position signal of first logic level and activatable by the permanent magnet to produce a position signal of second logic level as the direction control lever is shifted into the forward or reverse position.

Abstract: Sensors associated with load carrying members are inaccurate, incorrectly sense the position of the load, and are subject to impact forces which cause premature sensor failure. A load lifting device having a load carrying member and first and second sensors and first and second reflectors on the load carrying member is provided. The sensors are mounted on a first end portion of load carrying member at longitudinally spaced apart locations and the first and second reflectors are mounted on a second end portion of the load carrying member at spaced apart locations on the second end portion. The first sensor delivers a first signal to the first reflector and receives a reflection of the first signal, and the second sensor delivers a second signal to the second reflector and receives a reflection of the first signal from the second reflector. The problems associated with inaccurate sensing of load position, damage to the sensors by impact, and premature wear due to cyclical forces are substantially reduced.

Abstract: Information related to the rotary angular position of a steerable wheel portion of an electric vehicle is required for proper control of the vehicle and especially for differential control of the driven wheels of the vehicle. Available rotary position encoders are expensive, prone to damage in an industrial environment, and sensitive to misalignment between the encoder components. The instant apparatus provides a simple and durable rotary position encoder having a plurality of sensors positioned on a first mounting member and a plurality of sensible members positioned on a second mounting member. The apparatus is digital in design and the particular location and arrangement of the sensors and sensible members advantageously compensates for overtravel and misalignment of the encoder components.

Abstract: A hood (18) and a control device (38) mounted on a vehicle (10) adjacent the hood (18) obstructs access to a source of motive power (24) of the vehicle (10), interferes with removal of the source of motive power (24) resulting in damage to the control device (38) and hood (18), and requires additional steps be taken to prepare the vehicle (10) for servicing. A pivotal hood arrangement (16) having a hood (18) and a control device (38) mounted on the hood (18) is provided. The control device (38) is movable with the hood into an opening (48) in the vehicle (10) to permit maximum movement of the hood (18) to an uncovering position (28). A closing device (52) is provided for closing the opening (48) and a retainer (74) is provided for holding the closing device (52) at a closed position (59). Thus, the problems of access, interference, damage and additional steps are eliminated. The pivotal hood arrangement (16) is particularly suited for use in a lift truck (10).

Abstract: A restraining device for removable components of vehicles, such as the battery unit (26) of an electrically powered lift truck. The vehicle has an enclosure frame (14) having opposite sides (16,20) each of which has an aperture (30,28) through which passes in a longitudinally slidable fashion a restraining bar (34) positionable to a locked position preventing dislocation of the removable component (26). The restraining bar (34) may be fixed against longitudinal movement by affixing it to the enclosure frame (14) with a locking means (42). If the restraining bar (34) is not in its locked position a pivotably positional cover (52) overlying both the removable component (26) and the restraining bar (34) cannot be placed in an operating position owing to contact between the restraining bar (34) and a downwardly extending edge portion (58) of the cover (52).

Abstract: A number of systems exist wherein a plurality of hydraulic motors (28a, 28b, 28c) receive pressurized fluid from a single pump (14) which is itself driven by an electric motor (12). Apparatus has been available for adjusting the power supplied to the electric motor (12), and thereby adjusting the pump (14) flow rate, in response to the operator activating one or more of the hydraulic motors (28a, 28b, 28c). However, such apparatus has generally been bulky, complicated and/or difficult to install and/or service. An improvement is provided wherein a single switch (22) is placed in either an open or closed position as an elongated member (34) placed transversely to a plurality of generally parallel rod member (20a, 20b, 20c) is rotated in response to longitudinal travel in either direction from a neutral position (32) of one of the rod member (20a, 20b, 20c).

Abstract: A lift truck having a mast assembly for lifting a load. The assembly includes a first fixed pair of spaced-apart uprights and a second movable pair of spaced-apart uprights with the second pair nested for vertical translation within the first pair, and a carriage coupled to the second pair for vertical translation in relation to the second pair. Two chains, which extend over two sheaves connected to a cross-member fixed to the upper ends of the second pair of uprights, have one end connected to a first hydraulic cylinder and their other end to the carriage. Second and third hydraulic cylinders, behind the first and second pair, are coupled to respective third and fourth sheaves about which extend additional chains having one end connected to the fixed uprights and the other end connected to the movable uprights. The first hydraulic cylinder lifts the carriage in relation to all the uprights and the second and third hydraulic cylinders simultaneously raise the second pair of uprights and the carriage.

Abstract: Cushioning apparatus for cushioning a hydraulic jack is disclosed which includes a plunger reciprocably mounted within a blind bore. The plunger sequentially closes off a plurality of axially spaced orifices provided through the wall of the bore as the plunger moves from a first position adjacent the open end of the bore to a second position adjacent its closed end, thereby progressively restricting the escape of fluid from the bore so as to slow the movement of one of the telescopic members of the jack toward another.

Abstract: An adjustable anchor employed within a triple-lift fork mast unit of a type wherein opposing ends of two lift chains are adjustably secured to a common base structure such as an intermediate upright unit, the anchor including a housing attached to the intermediate upright unit and defining a bore with a spherical taper formed about one end of the bore, an adjusting sleeve arranged within the bore and having a spherical shoulder for bearing engagement with the spherical taper, a portion of the sleeve being knurled to facilitate its rotation within the bore for adjusting its threaded engagement with a connector secured to one of the lift chains, the other chain also being adjustably secured to the housing.

Abstract: A method for assembling a lift truck mast having a slider element positioned within a channel element.

Abstract: A plurality of spacer and noise suppressor cushions employed in a lift truck mast unit between facing beam flanges in relativey movable upright units, the cushions being formed from resilient material while also having an undercut surface to increase their resilience, the spacer and noise suppressor cushions preferably being employed on one side of an upright unit opposite a carriage unit which is movable thereupon.