Abstract: A materials handling vehicle including a vehicle-side charging contact assembly coupled to a battery, a steerable drive wheel defining a drive wheel track width W, and a pair of load wheels defining a load wheel gap G between the pair of load wheels that is larger than the drive wheel track width W. A charging station includes a pair of floor-side charging contacts configured to transfer charging current to the vehicle-side charging contact assembly. The pair of floor-side charging contacts define an inner contact spacing S1 that is larger than the drive wheel track width W, and an outer contact spacing S2 that is larger than the inner contact spacing S1 and smaller than the load wheel gap G to permit passage of the steerable drive wheel between the floor-side charging contacts, followed by passage of the pair of load wheels outside of the floor-side charging contacts.

Abstract: A materials handling vehicle including a vehicle-side charging contact assembly coupled to a battery, a steerable drive wheel defining a drive wheel track width W, and a pair of load wheels defining a load wheel gap G between the pair of load wheels that is larger than the drive wheel track width W. A charging station includes a pair of floor-side charging contacts configured to transfer charging current to the vehicle-side charging contact assembly. The pair of floor-side charging contacts define an inner contact spacing S1 that is larger than the drive wheel track width W, and an outer contact spacing S2 that is larger than the inner contact spacing S1 and smaller than the load wheel gap G to permit passage of the steerable drive wheel between the floor-side charging contacts, followed by passage of the pair of load wheels outside of the floor-side charging contacts.

Abstract: A materials handling vehicle comprising a hitch, and a drive mechanism. The hitch comprises a latch and a receiving member. The latch is positionable between open and closed positions. The receiving member comprises a pair of inwardly curved side scoops and a central incline member provided between the pair of inwardly curved side scoops, each inwardly curved side scoop having an upper surface, a lower surface opposite the upper surface, an inner surface, an outer surface opposite the inner surface, a rear surface, and a front surface opposite the rear surface. The rear and upper surfaces of the pair of inwardly curved side scoops define an open rear end of the receiving member, the upper surface being sloped at the open rear end. The central incline member and the upper surface of the pair of inwardly curved side scoops cooperate to lead a cart hook to engage the latch.

Abstract: A materials handling vehicle comprising a hitch system, and a drive mechanism. The hitch system comprises a hitch and a hitch controller. The hitch comprises a latch, one or more sensors, an actuator, and a receiving member. The latch is positionable between open and closed positions. The actuator is positionable between retracted, intermediate, and extended positions. The receiving member is configured to lead a cart hook to engage the latch when in the closed position. The one or more sensors are configured to detect a position of the latch and a presence of the cart hook received within the receiving member. The hitch controller is configured to position the actuator in one of the retracted position, the intermediate position, and the extended position, and to position the latch in one of the open position and the closed position in response to signals received from the one or more sensors.

Abstract: A layover bracket system is provided for supporting an industrial vehicle in a horizontal position on a floor surface. The layover bracket system includes a base section removably attached to a first portion of the vehicle at a first location, and an extension section removably attached to a second portion of the vehicle at a second location spaced apart in a first direction from the first location. The first direction is parallel to a vertical axis of the vehicle when positioned in an upright position. The extension section is pivotably coupled to the base section.

Abstract: A materials handling vehicle including a vehicle-side charging contact assembly coupled to a battery, a steerable drive wheel defining a drive wheel track width W, and a pair of load wheels defining a load wheel gap G between the pair of load wheels that is larger than the drive wheel track width W. A charging station includes a pair of floor-side charging contacts configured to transfer charging current to the vehicle-side charging contact assembly. The pair of floor-side charging contacts define an inner contact spacing S1 that is larger than the drive wheel track width W, and an outer contact spacing S2 that is larger than the inner contact spacing S1 and smaller than the load wheel gap G to permit passage of the steerable drive wheel between the floor-side charging contacts, followed by passage of the pair of load wheels outside of the floor-side charging contacts.

Abstract: An actuator includes a ram structure slidably mounted within a cylinder structure bore and defines with the cylinder structure a gap therebetween. A fluid passageway structure in the ram structure defines a path for fluid to flow through the ram structure and includes an outlet in a sidewall of the ram structure. A cushioning seal located between the ram structure and the cylinder structure can engage the ram structure and a cylinder cap during ram structure extension such that the seal substantially closes off a first portion of the gap extending from the seal toward an open end of the cylinder structure. The cushioning seal can move during ram structure retraction in a direction of ram structure retraction such that fluid flowing out of the ram structure sidewall outlet, when the outlet is in the gap first portion, flows between the seal and the cylinder cap.

Abstract: A tiller knob has a top section having a lower periphery with a first plurality of indented segments and a bottom section having an upper periphery with a second plurality of indented segments. When the lower periphery and the upper periphery are mated with one another, the first plurality of indented segments cooperates with the second plurality of indented segments to form separate openings around an outer circumference of the tiller knob. A center section is located between the top section and the bottom section so that outer surfaces of extending segments are exposed through the separate openings. A multi-sectional tiller knob having top and bottom sections formed of a first material and a center section formed of a second material is also disclosed.

Abstract: An industrial truck includes wall structure defining a compartment and a pivoting door spanning an opening in the wall structure when in a closed position. The truck also includes pivoting structure coupling the pivoting door to the wall structure allowing the pivoting door to pivot relative to the wall structure, and a latching structure. In particular, the latching structure includes a latching bolt coupled to the wall structure; a latching arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the arm is pivotably mounted at the first end to an element of the pivoting door; and a latch torsion spring associated with the element and engaging the latching arm to bias the latching arm towards the latching bolt when the pivoting door moves in a direction from the closed position towards an open position.

Abstract: An actuator may comprise: cylinder structure, ram structure and a cushioning seal. The cylinder structure may comprise a cylinder tube, a cylinder base and a cylinder cap. The ram structure is slidably mounted within a cylinder structure bore and defines with the cylinder structure a gap therebetween. The ram structure may comprise fluid passageway structure for defining a path for fluid to move internally through the ram structure. The path may communicate with an outlet in a sidewall of the ram structure. The cushioning seal may be located between the ram structure and the cylinder structure and engage the ram structure and the cylinder cap during ram structure extension such that the seal substantially closes off a first portion of the gap extending from the seal toward the cylinder structure outer open end.

Abstract: An industrial truck includes wall structure defining a compartment and a pivoting door spanning an opening in the wall structure when in a closed position. The truck also includes pivoting structure coupling the pivoting door to the wall structure allowing the pivoting door to pivot relative to the wall structure, and a latching structure. In particular, the latching structure includes a latching bolt coupled to the wall structure; a latching arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the arm is pivotably mounted at the first end to an element of the pivoting door; and a latch torsion spring associated with the element and engaging the latching arm to bias the latching arm towards the latching bolt when the pivoting door moves in a direction from the closed position towards an open position.

Abstract: A tiller knob has a top section having a lower periphery with a first plurality of indented segments and a bottom section having an upper periphery with a second plurality of indented segments. When the lower periphery and the upper periphery are mated with one another, the first plurality of indented segments cooperates with the second plurality of indented segments to form separate openings around an outer circumference of the tiller knob. A center section is located between the top section and the bottom section so that outer surfaces of extending segments are exposed through the separate openings. A multi-sectional tiller knob having top and bottom sections formed of a first material and a center section formed of a second material is also disclosed.

Abstract: A materials handling vehicle includes a power unit, a mast assembly coupled to the power unit, and a reach assembly coupled for vertical movement on the mast assembly. The mast assembly includes first, second, and third weldments, wherein the first weldment is fixed to the power unit, the second weldment is movable with respect to the first weldment, and the third weldment is movable with respect to the first and second weldments. The reach assembly includes an extension/retraction mechanism for effecting horizontal movement of the reach assembly relative to the mast assembly. Components of the vehicle have been redesigned and/or rearranged to improve operator visibility.

Abstract: A materials handling vehicle is provided comprising a vehicle power unit having a longitudinal centerline, a monomast coupled to the vehicle power unit and having a centerline offset from and generally parallel with the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle power unit, and a fork carriage apparatus movably coupled to the monomast.

Abstract: A load wheel assembly for a materials handling vehicle includes first and second spaced side members, at least one rotatable roller extending between the first and second side members. An interface structure provides a substantially rigid connection between the load wheel assembly and a mounting structure on the materials handling vehicle. The mounting structure includes a transverse bar and the interface structure includes a portion that engages and mates with the transverse bar to form a rigid connection between the interface structure and the transverse bar.

Abstract: A load wheel assembly for a materials handling vehicle includes first and second spaced side members, at least one rotatable roller extending between the first and second side members. An interface structure provides a substantially rigid connection between the load wheel assembly and a mounting structure on the materials handling vehicle. The mounting structure includes a transverse bar and the interface structure includes a portion that engages and mates with the transverse bar to form a rigid connection between the interface structure and the transverse bar.

Abstract: A load wheel assembly for a materials handling vehicle includes first and second spaced side members, at least one rotatable roller extending between the first and second side members and a retainer for holding the roller in the side members. An interface structure provides a substantially rigid connection between the load wheel assembly and a mounting structure on the materials handling vehicle. The load wheel assembly can be moved vertically or horizontally into a mounted position within the outrigger and at least a portion of the interface structure mates with the mounting structure.

Abstract: A materials handling vehicle is provided comprising a vehicle power unit having a longitudinal centerline, a monomast coupled to the vehicle power unit and having a centerline offset from and generally parallel with the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle power unit, and a fork carriage apparatus movably coupled to the monomast.

Abstract: A vehicle seat arrangement is provided for a working vehicle comprising an operator's seat having an adjustable feature. A first control element is arranged such that a first work operative position is defined. A seat adjusting element is further provided for enabling the operator to set the adjustable feature of the operator's seat. The seat adjusting element is positioned relative to the first control element such that the operator may selectively control the adjustable feature of the seat without significantly interrupting the first work operative position or without significantly interrupting a transition from a first task to a second task and/or from a first work operative position to a second work operative position.

Abstract: A load wheel assembly for a materials handling vehicle includes first and second spaced side members, at least one rotatable roller extending between the first and second side members and a retainer for holding the roller in the side members. An interface structure provides a substantially rigid connection between the load wheel assembly and a mounting structure on the materials handling vehicle. The load wheel assembly can be moved vertically or horizontally into a mounted position within the outrigger and at least a portion of the interface structure mates with the mounting structure.