Abstract: A shoe plate for use in a clamp assembly for a lift truck load handler. The shoe plate has a spine, an outside wear rib, and a load-side wear rib. The shoe plate is configured to couple detachably and interchangeably to either one of two clamp plates of a clamp assembly on a load-side of a lower portion of the clamp plate. The shoe plates are made of harder and more wear resistant materials than the clamp plates. The shoe plate has a first bracket at one end of the spine and a second bracket at the other end. Each of the brackets has a notch configured to mate with a front edge of the lower portion of either one of the two clamp plates. The brackets are also each configured to insert into a bracket recess in the load-side of one of the two clamp plates.

Abstract: A smart clamp load handler configured for controlling movement of its clamp arms and force applied by its clamp arms by changing positions of one or more solenoid operated valves to control hydraulic fluid flow to and from clamp arm actuators, based on pressure measurements from one or more pressure sensors.

Abstract: A lift truck clamp assembly with replaceable wear elements. The clamp assembly comprises a clamp plate, a shoe plate, a plurality of wear elements, and one or more grip elements. The shoe plate is harder and more wear resistant than the clamp plate and is detachably coupled to a lower inside surface of the clamp plate. The wear elements are coupled to a bottom edge of the shoe plate and extend below the clamp plate. Through the shoe plate pass a plurality of grip element holes. Each grip element has a plateau and a lip. The lip is on a periphery of the grip element, surrounding the plateau. Each of the grip elements is positioned with the pad plateau protruding through one of the plurality of grip element holes, with the pad lip held between the shoe plate and the inside surface of the clamp plate.

Abstract: A smart clamp load handler system configured for controlling a clamp and preventing over-clamping. The system having a first actuator coupled to a first clamp arm and a second actuator coupled to a second clamp arm, an actuator control valve configured to control flow of hydraulic fluid to the actuators, and an electrical controller configured for signaling the actuator control valve when compressing a load. In one embodiment, the electrical controller is configured for determining when to stop the closing of the clamp arms based on a series of first and second actuator position measurements, and a series of base-side and rod-side pressure measurements, then signaling the actuator control valve to stop the closing of the clamp arms.

Abstract: A system for parasitic power generation and control of a load-handler configured to be coupled to a lift truck, with a parasitic energy convertor mounted on the load-handler and coupled via a hydraulic feed line to a hydraulic pump on the lift truck. The parasitic energy convertor configured to generate electrical power for components of the load-handler, including a load-side control transceiver. The load-side control transceiver is configured for controlling control valves based on commands received wirelessly from a truck-side control transceiver. The load-side control transceiver configured for monitoring and control of the load-handler including event logging and notification of maintenance needed.

Abstract: An adjustable load handler configured to be mounted on lift trucks with different standard type carriages. The handler comprising a frame assembly, a top hook assembly with a securing mechanism for securing the top hook assembly to the frame assembly in a plurality of positions A center manifold is coupled to the underside of the side shift actuator, with hydraulic connections directly into the side shift actuator. Hydraulic lines coupled to the center manifold and to one or more hydraulic components of the loader have sufficient slack so the top hook assembly can be moved between positions without disconnecting any of these hydraulic lines.

Abstract: A smart clamp load handler system configured for controlling a clamp and preventing over-clamping. The system having a first actuator coupled to a first clamp arm and a second actuator coupled to a second clamp arm, an actuator control valve configured to control flow of hydraulic fluid to the actuators, and an electrical controller configured for signaling the actuator control valve when compressing a load. In one embodiment, the electrical controller is configured for determining when to stop the closing of the clamp arms based on a series of first and second actuator position measurements, and a series of base-side and rod-side pressure measurements, then signaling the actuator control valve to stop the closing of the clamp arms.

Abstract: A clamp assembly for a lift truck load handler that has a clamp leading edge that is raked back from bottom to top. The clamp leading edge is a blade edge, angled inward from the leading edge. The clamp assembly typically has a clamp plate with a front edge that forms at least part of the clamp leading edge. The clamp assembly typically has a toe plate that is harder and more wear-resistant than the clamp plate that wraps around a front edge of a lower portion of the clamp plate. The toe plate has a front edge that aligns with a front edge of the upper portion the clamp plate that together form the clamp leading edge.

Abstract: A high visibility push-pull handler configured to be mounted on a lift truck. The handler comprising a frame assembly, a pantograph mechanism coupled to the frame assembly, and a faceplate assembly coupled to the pantograph mechanism. The hander is configured with a view window extending through the handler, the view window not obstructed by parts of the handler when the handler is in any normal operating configuration, including a fully extended configuration, a fully retracted configuration, and any configuration in between the full extended and fully retracted positions.

Abstract: A high visibility push-pull handler configured to be mounted on a lift truck. The handler comprising a frame assembly, a pantograph mechanism coupled to the frame assembly, and a faceplate assembly coupled to the pantograph mechanism. The hander is configured with a view window extending through the handler, the view window not obstructed by parts of the handler when the handler is in any normal operating configuration, including a fully extended configuration, a fully retracted configuration, and any configuration in between the full extended and fully retracted positions.

Abstract: A high visibility push-pull handler configured to be mounted on a lift truck. The handler comprising a frame assembly, a pantograph mechanism coupled to the frame assembly, and a faceplate assembly coupled to the pantograph mechanism. The hander is configured with a view window extending through the handler, the view window not obstructed by parts of the handler when the handler is in any normal operating configuration, including a fully extended configuration, a fully retracted configuration, and any configuration in between the full extended and fully retracted positions.

Abstract: A high visibility push-pull handler configured to be mounted on a lift truck. The handler comprising a frame assembly, a pantograph mechanism coupled to the frame assembly, and a faceplate assembly coupled to the pantograph mechanism. The hander is configured with a view window extending through the handler, the view window not obstructed by parts of the handler when the handler is in any normal operating configuration, including a fully extended configuration, a fully retracted configuration, and any configuration in between the full extended and fully retracted positions.

Abstract: A side shifter configured for use on a lift truck with an actuator of the side shifter embedded in and almost completely surrounded by the weight bearing components of the side shifter, particularly the fork base top bar and back carriage top bar. This arrangement provides additional protection to the actuator. Embedding the actuator in the weight bearing components of the side shifter also provides for a larger unobstructed view through the middle side shifter.

Abstract: A fork positioning assembly configured for mounting to a lift truck, comprising a first fork positioner and a second fork positioner coupled to a fork frame. The first fork positioner a substantially mirror image of the second fork positioner. Each fork positioner comprises a tube with an interior cavity within which is positioned a piston and a carrier both coupled to a rod. The piston and carrier are both in sliding contact with the tube. Each fork positioner has a fork holder positioned external to the tube, the fork holder coupled to the carrier through the slot in the tube. The portion of the carrier coupled to the fork holder is between a first carrier bushing and a second carrier bushing.

Abstract: A system for parasitic power generation and control of a load-handler configured to be coupled to a lift truck, with a parasitic energy convertor mounted on the load-handler and coupled via a hydraulic feed line to a hydraulic pump on the lift truck. The parasitic energy convertor configured to generate electrical power for components of the load-handler, including a load-side control transceiver. The load-side control transceiver is configured for controlling control valves based on commands received wirelessly from a truck-side control transceiver. The load-side control transceiver configured for monitoring and control of the load-handler including event logging and notification of maintenance needed.

Abstract: An asymmetrical gusseted clamp assembly configured to be coupled to a lift truck and comprising a frame, two clamp jaws and two actuators. The clamp jaws each have gussets of different size to allow the two actuators to be separated vertically by a central gap, which is defined on the sides by two frame vertical beams. The central gap is of significant width so that the operator of the lift truck has a useable widow through which to view. As the configuration of the asymmetrical gusseted clamp assembly changes from open to closed, at no time is a majority of the view through the central gap obscured by the clamp jaws.

Abstract: A side shifter configured for use on a lift truck with an actuator of the side shifter embedded in and almost completely surrounded by the weight bearing components of the side shifter, particularly the fork base top bar and back carriage top bar. This arrangement provides additional protection to the actuator. Embedding the actuator in the weight bearing components of the side shifter also provides for a larger unobstructed view through the middle side shifter.

Abstract: A side shifter configured for use on a lift truck with an actuator of the side shifter embedded in and almost completely surrounded by the weight bearing components of the side shifter, particularly the fork base top bar and back carriage top bar. This arrangement provides additional protection to the actuator. Embedding the actuator in the weight bearing components of the side shifter also provides for a larger unobstructed view through the middle side shifter.

Abstract: A fork positioning assembly configured for mounting to a lift truck, comprising a first fork positioner and a second fork positioner coupled to a fork frame. The first fork positioner a substantially mirror image of the second fork positioner. Each fork positioner comprises a tube with an interior cavity within which is positioned a piston and a carrier both coupled to a rod. The piston and carrier are both in sliding contact with the tube. Each fork positioner has a fork holder positioned external to the tube, the fork holder coupled to the carrier through the slot in the tube. The portion of the carrier coupled to the fork holder is between a first carrier bushing and a second carrier bushing.

Abstract: A side shifter configured for use on a lift truck with an actuator of the side shifter embedded in and almost completely surrounded by the weight bearing components of the side shifter, particularly the fork base top bar and back carriage top bar. This arrangement provides additional protection to the actuator. Embedding the actuator in the weight bearing components of the side shifter also provides for a larger unobstructed view through the middle side shifter.