Abstract: A lift truck (10) has a pair of wheel assemblies (21) each of which is rotatable about a pivot point (24) relative to the chassis (12) of the truck through at least 90 degrees between a forward mode and a sideward mode. The wheel (18,20) of each assembly is laterally offset from the assembly's pivot point (24), causing the wheel to describe an arcuate path over the ground as it transitions between the forward and sideward modes. During the transition, an actuator acts on each wheel assembly (21) to pivot the assembly about the pivot point (24), while drive is applied to the wheel to positively drive the wheel along the arcuate patch at a speed that matches the pivotal rotation caused by the actuator. This positive drive imparted to the wheels (18,20) during the transition prevents the truck from rolling if it is located on a slope during the change in orientation of the wheel assemblies (21).

Abstract: A forklift reach mechanism (10) has a main support (16) connected between a carriage (14) and a set of forks (48). The carriage is moveable vertically on a mast (12). The main support is lifted by a connecting member (32) that depends from an articulated levelling assembly comprising a pair of arms (22, 24) connected pivotally together and connected at their other ends to the mast and carriage respectively. The levelling assembly causes the distal end of the main support, on which the forks are mounted, to travel horizontally towards or away from the mast as the carriage is raised or lowered. The reach mechanism is operated by an extensible actuating member (36) such as a hydraulic cylinder that acts between the carriage and the connecting member, providing a strong and compact reach mechanism.

Abstract: A steering system (10) for a vehicle wheel (12) has a wheel carrier (14) for mounting a steered wheel (12), the wheel carrier (14) being rotatably mounted with respect to the vehicle about a steering axis to allow the wheel (12) to be steered. A hydraulic cylinder (20) has a piston therein and a rigid connecting rod assembly (22) extending from the piston out of the cylinder (20). The rigid connecting rod assembly (22) comprises a first section (22) adapted to reciprocate into and out of the cylinder (20) and a second section (26) rigidly extending from the first section (22) to a pivot point connection (50) where it is pivotally connected to the wheel carrier (14) at an offset from the steering axis. The hydraulic cylinder (20) is pivotally mounted on the vehicle such that it is prevented from translational movement relative to the vehicle but capable of changing its orientation with respect to the vehicle.

Abstract: A tractor unit is disclosed for transporting an elongated load such as a wind turbine blade or wind turbine tower segment. The tractor unit body is supported, driven and steered by a wheel set comprising at least three ground-engaging wheels. At least two of the wheels are steerable and can transform between an aligned mode of operation and a carousel mode of operation. In the aligned mode, the wheels are aligned with one another in a neutral steering position, and steerable to vary the direction of steering. In the carousel mode, the wheels of the wheel set are oriented with their axes of rotation intersecting at a substantially common vertical axis located within the lateral extent of the tractor unit body, so that when the wheels are driven the tractor unit spins about this common vertical axis. A load engagement mechanism is mounted pivotally on the tractor unit body about the common vertical axis.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for loading a shipping container (101), comprising a transfer plate (103) having a series of holes (201, 202) therein and configured to slide, together with an article thereon, into and out of the shipping container (101), and a transfer means (104) positioned underneath the transfer plate (103) and configured to engage with the holes in the transfer plate and to retract or extend after engagement with the holes to pull the transfer plate into and out of the shipping container.

Abstract: A steering system (10) for a vehicle wheel (12) has a wheel carrier (14) for mounting a steered wheel (12), the wheel carrier (14) being rotatably mounted with respect to the vehicle about a steering axis to allow the wheel (12) to be steered. A hydraulic cylinder (20) has a piston therein and a rigid connecting rod assembly (22) extending from the piston out of the cylinder (20). The rigid connecting rod assembly (22) comprises a first section (22) adapted to reciprocate into and out of the cylinder (20) and a second section (26) rigidly extending from the first section (22) to a pivot point connection (50) where it is pivotally connected to the wheel carrier (14) at an offset from the steering axis. The hydraulic cylinder (20) is pivotally mounted on the vehicle such that it is prevented from translational movement relative to the vehicle but capable of changing its orientation with respect to the vehicle.

Abstract: A pedestrian truck (50) steered with a tiller (56) is operable in a first mode where a controllable front wheel (64) is aligned generally parallel with a front-rear center line of the truck, or a second mode where the wheel is generally perpendicular to the front-rear center line. A steering controller can operate in either a normal steering mode to steer the rear steerable wheel (52) in the same sense (clockwise or anticlockwise) as the tiller is rotated and in an alternate steering mode to steer the rear steerable wheel in the opposite sense to the rotation of the tiller. A steering mode selector is provided which automatically engages the alternate steering mode when the truck is in the second mode of operation and either (i) the tiller is positioned on the same side of the center line as the controllable front wheel and the drive direction is such that the tiller leads the truck (FIGS.

Abstract: A pedestrian truck (50) steered with a tiller (56) is operable in a first mode where a controllable front wheel (64) is aligned generally parallel with a front-rear centre line of the truck, or a second mode where the wheel is generally perpendicular to the front-rear centre line. A steering controller can operate in either a normal steering mode to steer the rear steerable wheel (52) in the same sense (clockwise or anticlockwise) as the tiller is rotated and in an alternate steering mode to steer the rear steerable wheel in the opposite sense to the rotation of the tiller. A steering mode selector is provided which automatically engages the alternate steering mode when the truck is in the second mode of operation and either (i) the tiller is positioned on the same side of the centre line as the controllable front wheel and the drive direction is such that the tiller leads the truck (FIGS.

Abstract: An articulated vehicle [10] has a first body section [12], a second body section [14], and an elongate projection [22] projecting from the first body section [12] towards the second body section [14]. A pair of steering cylinders [36, 34] are mounted such that they are partially or wholly disposed in or on the elongate projection [22], and are disposed one above the other so they overlap vertically, thereby narrowing the projection at the end nearer the first body section [12] and allowing the second body section [14] to be rotated closer to the centre line. A rotatable shaft [40] of the second body section [14] is mounted towards the far end of the elongate projection [22] and is steered by a pair of linkages such as chains [42, 44], each of which is connected to the shaft [40] and to a respective one of the steering cylinders [36, 34]. The chains [42, 44] wrap around the shaft [40] with a circumferential overlap, though they are spaced vertically.

Abstract: A motorized truck with tiller such as a pallet carrier or forklift truck has a tiller-controlled steerable wheel 14 which is steered by a motor having an associated steering motor controller. The steering motor controller in a normal mode of operation detects movement of the tiller as it is rotated relative to the chassis to steer the truck, and outputs control signals to cause the steering motor to steer the wheel such that it follows the tiller angle with a fixed, predetermined offset (which may be zero or non-zero). In a realignment mode of operation, the controller can change the predetermined angular offset, and the controller can preferably align the wheel with the tiller or with an axis of the chassis. The truck can be maneuvred more easily into and out of tight spaces with the operator and tiller offset to the side of the truck. The tiller can also be offset manually from the wheel by decoupling the tiller and wheel, and thereby changing the predetermined offset for subsequent operation.

Abstract: A load-carrying truck has a fork lift mechanism mounted on a chassis, a pair of front wheels (24, 26) and a single rear wheel (30). At least one front wheel (26) and the rear wheel (30) are driven wheels whose speed is varied relative to one another differently depending on whether the truck is being driven in a forward reverse mode with the front wheels (24, 26) aligned generally parallel to the front-rear axis of the chassis and with steering controlled by steering the rear wheel (30), or a sideways mode with the rear wheel (30) aligned generally perpendicular to the front-rear axis of the chassis and with steering controlled by steering the at least one of the front wheels (26).

Abstract: An articulated vehicle [10] has a first body section [12], a second body section [14], and an elongate projection [22] projecting from the first body section [12] towards the second body section [14]. A pair of steering cylinders [36, 34] are mounted such that they are partially or wholly disposed in or on the elongate projection [22], and are disposed one above the other so they overlap vertically, thereby narrowing the projection at the end nearer the first body section [12] and allowing the second body section [14] to be rotated closer to the centre line. A rotatable shaft [40] of the second body section [14] is mounted towards the far end of the elongate projection [22] and is steered by a pair of linkages such as chains [42, 44], each of which is connected to the shaft [40] and to a respective one of the steering cylinders [36, 34]. The chains [42, 44] wrap around the shaft [40] with a circumferential overlap, though they are spaced vertically.

Abstract: A load-carrying truck has a fork lift mechanism mounted on a chassis, a pair of front wheels (24, 26) and a single rear wheel (30). At least one front wheel (26) and the rear wheel (30) are driven wheels whose speed is varied relative to one another differently depending on whether the truck is being driven in a forward reverse mode with the front wheels (24, 26) aligned generally parallel to the front-rear axis of the chassis and with steering controlled by steering the rear wheel (30), or a sideways mode with the rear wheel (30) aligned generally perpendicular to the front-rear axis of the chassis and with steering controlled by steering the at least one of the front wheels (26).

Abstract: A motorised truck with tiller such as a pallet carrier or forklift truck has a tiller-controlled steerable wheel 14 which is steered by a motor having an associated steering motor controller. The steering motor controller in a normal mode of operation detects movement of the tiller as it is rotated relative to the chassis to steer the truck, and outputs control signals to cause the steering motor to steer the wheel such that it follows the tiller angle with a fixed, predetermined offset (which may be zero or non-zero). In a realignment mode of operation, the controller can change the predetermined angular offset, and the controller can preferably align the wheel with the tiller or with an axis of the chassis. The truck can be manoeuvred more easily into and out of tight spaces with the operator and tiller offset to the side of the truck. The tiller can also be offset manually from the wheel by decoupling the tiller and wheel, and thereby changing the predetermined offset for subsequent operation.

Abstract: A straddle carrier comprises a frame (10) having opposite substantially parallel sides (12, 14) and which is configured for straddling a container to be lifted and transported between said opposite sides. The carrier has three ground wheels (24, 26) and (28) to enable the frame to be positioned over the container. The ground wheels comprise a first ground wheel (24) disposed at least approximately centrally on one side (12) of the frame, and second and third ground wheels (26, 28) disposed at opposite ends of the other side (14) of the frame. The second and third wheels (26, 28) are steerable by rotation about respective substantially vertical axes (40, 42).

Abstract: A straddle carrier comprises a frame (10) having opposite substantially parallel sides (12, 14) and which is configured for straddling a container to be lifted and transported between said opposite sides. The carrier has three ground wheels (24, 26) and (28) to enable the frame to be positioned over the container. The ground wheels comprise a first ground wheel (24) disposed at least approximately centrally on one side (12) of the frame, and second and third ground wheels (26, 28) disposed at opposite ends of the other side (14) of the frame. The second and third wheels (26, 28) are steerable by rotation about respective substantially vertical axes (40, 42).

Abstract: A forklift truck (10) comprising a truck body, a fork mechanism at one end of the body, and at least one wheel (18) at an opposite end of the body, said at least one wheel (18) being mounted on the body for translational movement relative to the body between a working position and a storage position.

Abstract: A forklift truck comprises two driven front wheels 12L, 12R and a single driven central rear wheel 14. The truck is operable in a sideways mode (FIGS. 2A-2C) in which the rear wheel is fixed at an angle substantially parallel to an axis passing through the two front wheels and the two front wheels are steered in synchronism in opposite directions of rotation. The truck is further operable in a rotational mode in which the center of rotation C of the truck is disposed inside a notional circle 200 passing through all three wheels. The truck enters the rotational mode from the sideways mode by automatic reversal of the drive direction of the rear wheel, by actuating a changeover valve 40, when the center of rotation moves from outside to inside the notional circle.

Abstract: A forklift truck (10) comprising a truck body, a fork mechanism at one end of the body, and at least one wheel (18) at an opposite end of the body, said at least one wheel (18) being mounted on the body for translational movement relative to the body between a working position and a storage position.