Abstract: An overhead guard assembly for use on forklift vehicles and the like, including upstanding support means being pivotally secured to the vehicle frame so as to allow the supports to rotate about a transverse axis between a first position wherein the supports extend vertically from the vehicle frame, and a second position wherein the supports extend forwardly and upwardly from the vehicle frame, and further including rigid base means extending rearwardly from the bottom of the supports, the base means being disposed beneath a removable, weighted element, such as a battery. Lifting of the weighted element releases the base means and allows the support means to rotate from the first position to the second position. An overhead guard surface is secured to the uppermost end of the support means.