Crown Equipment Corporation

Daniel L Sherman

Michael P Gallagher

Kevin Anthony Gilliland

Harold A Stammen

Bradley A Burns

William J Heidemann

John F McClusky

David B Smith

Joseph H Knapschaefer

Robert J Stauffer

Ronald A Grisez

Ned E Dammeyer

Donald E Luebrecht

Leif A Norland

Joe K Hammer

Eugene G Bruns

Timothy S Quellhorst

Thomas L Bidwell

Matthew P Ranly

Paul J Leasor

Forrest A Haverfield

Pieter C Kruithof, Jr

Thomas W Linn

Lief A Norland

John F Mcclusky

Thomas C Bidwell

Pieter C Kruithof Jr

Joe Kent Hammer

A braking system for a lift truck performs all service braking using truck traction drive motors. Mechanical, spring applied, electrically released brakes are coupled to wheels on opposite sides of the truck with the mechanical brakes applying unequal braking forces to the wheels. The mechanical brakes perform park braking and, in the event an electrical system problem arises, backup braking as well that can be modulated by an operator of the truck regardless of the operating condition of the truck.

Braking system for a lift truck

A personnel carrying vehicle comprises a self propelled, steerable body, a telescoping mast attached to and extending upwardly from the body, and a personnel compartment attached to the mast. Two control handles are mounted within the personnel compartment, with one handle including a rocker mechanism mounted therein for pivotal movement within a generally horizontal plane to control steering and the other handle being rotated to controlling traction. Sensors ensure that the operator's hands are on both control handles and both feet are properly positioned on a floor of the operator's compartment before the vehicle can be moved or the platform raised; this ensures a four point stance, providing for operator stability and that the operator's hands and feet are within the operator's compartment anytime the vehicle is being moved or during lifting or lowering operations.

Personnel carrying vehicle

A personnel carrying vehicle comprising a self propelled, steerable body, a telescoping mast attached to and extending upwardly from said body, and a personnel compartment attached to the mast and provided with a rail member that extends from the mast and around the sides. A pair of gate members, which are pivotally attached to the rail member and to the floor of the compartment, are movable from a closed position to an open position wherein said gate members extend into the compartment. The mast extends upwardly and forwardly of the body at an angle of approximately five degrees to the top of the rail; this provides the operator with unobstructed access to anything above the top edge of the rail, and the forward tilt of the mast enlarges the upper portion of the compartment, near the waist of the operator, thus accommodating the operator comfortably without increasing the length of the vehicle; it also causes the center of gravity of the vehicle to move forward, toward the center of the vehicle, as the compartment is raised. The vehicle is driven by electric motors which are located under the operator compartment and attached to the drive wheels through gear trains to permit the floor of the compartment to be positioned as close to the ground level as possible. Control handles are mounted within the personnel compartment, with one handle controlling steering and the other handle controlling traction. Sensors ensure the operator's hands are on both control handles and both feet are properly positioned on the floor before the vehicle can be moved or the platform raised; this ensures a four point stance, providing for operator stability and that the operator's hands and feet are within the operator's compartment anytime the vehicle is being moved or during lifting or lowering operations. Gate interlock switches are provided to restrict or prevent travel of the vehicle under certain conditions. A load deck is provided on the body of the vehicle on the opposite side of the mast from the personnel compartment. Also, a load tray may be mounted to the telescoping mast to move vertically with the compartment. Rail guides may be mounted to the outside of the vehicle to facilitate entry into and operations within narrow aisles.

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Minster, OH, United States of America

Daniel L Sherman