Caterpillar Industrial Inc.

Towmotor Corporation

Frank R Sable

James C Barton

Paul A Reid

Robert E Hefner

Devices for elevationally moving a platform are complex in construction, bulky, tend to wear prematurely, are unable to maintain the platform at a preselected attitude, and tend to move jerky. A lifting mechanism having an elevationally movable shaft driven by a motor is provided for elevationally moving a platform. A bearing member supports the platform for universal pivotal movement on the shaft, and first and second guide assemblies maintain the platform at a preselected attitude relative to the vehicle frame, guide the platform for substantially straight elevational movement, and prevent undesirable forces from being applied to the shaft. Thus, the problems related to premature wear and failure, jerky operation, platform attitude maintenance, size and complexity are reduced. The elevating device is particularly suited for use on an automatic guided vehicle.

Elevating device for a work vehicle

Operator restraint systems of the type having a lap belt restrain the operator at all times including side tipovers. An operator restraint system has an apparatus for connecting a lap belt first end portion to an operator's station at a location adjacent a seat first side and an apparatus for connecting a lap belt second end portion to the operator's station at a location adjacent a seat second side and an apparatus for releasing one of the first and second lap belt end portions from connection with the operator's station in response to an impact being applied in a direction transverse to one of the first and second seat side portions. Therefore, the lap belt is released during side tipover impacts and the problems associated therewith are overcome. The operator restraint system is particularly suited for use on a material handling vehicle.

Operator restraint system

An operator's seat assembly for use on industrial vehicles, such as forklifts, for example, including a seat and a support for the seat on the frame of the vehicle. The seat is pivotally mounted to the support which, in turn, is pivotally mounted to the vehicle frame. This mounting arrangement allows the support to be tilted forwardly of the vehicle's operator's station; the seat pivot allows the seat to be tilted forwardly to a greater degree than would be possible with the support pivoted alone. Biasing members, preferably in the form of spring assemblies, are provided at each pivot location thereby providing forces to urge the seat assembly to its forward position when the operator is not seated in the operator's compartment. This device is especially useful in electric forklifts wherein a removable battery is located beneath the operator's station, as the forward biasing mechanism provides sufficient clearance to permit removal of the battery by lifting.

Growing community of inventors

Wickliffe, OH, United States of America

Frank R Sable