Crown Equipment Corporation

Eugene G Bruns

Adam M Ruppert

Lewis Henry Manci

James Francis Schloemer

George Robert Wetterer

Gregory S Breiding

Brian M Lambert

Gary J May

Kevin Anthony Gilliland

Harold A Stammen

Bradley A Burns

Donald E Luebrecht

William C Jones

William J Heidemann

Timothy S Quellhorst

John F McClusky

Thomas L Bidwell

Joseph H Knapschaefer

Robert J Stauffer

David B Smith

Ronald A Grisez

Daniel L Sherman

Nita Louise Watercutter

Wayne David Lockyer

Lief A Norland

George R Wetterer

An adjustable armrest mechanism is provided, which is adapted to be coupled to a vehicle frame. The armrest mechanism comprises a base fixed to the vehicle frame, armrest apparatus movably coupled to the base such that the armrest apparatus moves relative to the control handle and pivots about a virtual pivot point in front of the control handle, and a locking device for releasably locking the armrest apparatus to the base in one of at least two positions.

Adjustable armrest mechanism for a materials handling vehicle

A materials handling vehicle is provided comprising: a frame; a set of wheels supported on the frame to allow the materials handling vehicle to move across a floor surface; a rider compartment located within the frame for receiving an operator; and an operator support assembly. The operator support assembly comprises a suspended floorboard upon which the operator may stand when located within the rider compartment and an energy absorbing structure coupled to the frame and the suspended floorboard for absorbing and dissipating at least a portion of energy resulting from disturbances encountered by the vehicle as it moves across the floor surface prior to the energy portion reaching the operator standing on the suspended floorboard, the energy absorbing structure including a damping element for effecting a dampening function.

Suspended floorboard

An adjustable armrest mechanism is provided, which is adapted to be coupled to a vehicle frame. The armrest mechanism comprises a base fixed to the vehicle frame, armrest apparatus movably coupled to the base such that the armrest apparatus pivots about a virtual pivot point located in front of the armrest apparatus and the base, and a locking device for releasably locking the armrest apparatus to the base in one of at least two positions.

A materials handling vehicle is provided comprising: a frame; a set of wheels supported on the frame to allow the materials handling vehicle to move across a floor surface; a rider compartment located within the frame for receiving an operator; and an operator support assembly. The operator support assembly comprises a suspended floorboard upon which the operator may stand when located within the rider compartment and an energy absorbing structure coupled to the frame and the suspended floorboard for absorbing and dissipating at least a portion of energy resulting from disturbances encountered by the vehicle as it moves across the floor surface prior to the energy portion reaching the operator standing on the suspended floorboard, the energy absorbing structure including a damping element for effecting a damping function.

A control handle support and valve linkage assembly for use in a lift truck or like vehicle is provided. The assembly includes a first stationary bracket and a second bracket that pivots relative to the first bracket. At least one, and preferably an array of control handles are coupled to the second bracket. A seat deck on the lift truck includes an actuator for engaging a member projecting from the second bracket. When the seat deck is in the closed position, the second bracket is kept in a first, retracted position, and hence, the control handle(s) are kept close to and within the comfortable reach of an operator seated in the adjacent seat. Then, when the seat deck is opened, such as when the operator desires to access a battery compartment or the like, the second bracket, and hence, the control handle(s) automatically and simultaneously pivot or rotate relative to the first stationary bracket. This moves the control handles out of the path of travel of the seat deck to avoid creating any interference. A linkage is also provided for linking each control handle to a valve and a corresponding switch. Together, the valve and switch regulate fluid flow to control one or more aspects of the operation of a carrying assembly or like structure associated with the lift truck.

Control handle support and valve linkage assembly

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.

Personnel carrying vehicle

A materials handling vehicle including a frame supporting a set of wheels and a rider compartment having a platform on which an operator may stand. Shock dampeners are provided positioned between the platform and the frame to isolate an operator standing on the platform from vibrations experienced by the frame. The platform includes a pair of pedals for controlling operation of the materials handling vehicle and the shock dampeners are preferably resilient members such as compression springs for receiving vibrations transmitted from the frame.

Isolated floor for material handling vehicle

Wingback safety seat

Steering wheel

Growing community of inventors

Maria Stein, OH, United States of America

Eugene G Bruns