Jlg Industries, Inc.

Louis A Bafile

Ignacy Puszkiewicz

Mohamed Yahiaoui

Eli Neuman

Muhammad Sannah

Richard G Taylor

James N Smyly

Aaron A Powers

Brendan Kotlanger

A load sensing system measures lift cylinder pressure and platform height to estimate platform load. The system functions to prevent overload and is designed to comply with regulatory requirements. The system provides the advantages of a force-based approach using simple, lower cost pressure-based measurement components.

Pressure based load sensing system

A scissors lift includes a scissors arm assembly secured at one end to a base and coupled with a lift mechanism that expands and contracts the scissors arm assembly. A platform is supported at an opposite end of the scissors arm assembly via a plurality of load sensing pins that detect a vertical load on the platform. An interface module receives signals from the load sensing pins and communicates with the lift mechanism, wherein the interface module controls operation of lift functions and the lift mechanism according to the signals from the load sensing pins. Preferably, the load sensing pins are sized substantially the same as the conventional pins they replace. As a consequence, no redesign or additional structures are necessary to install the load sensing system and provide a safe operation of the scissors lift machine.

Platform load sensing for vertical lifts

A measurement system uses dual axis force sensor pins to effectively assess the tipping moment of a load-bearing vehicle and anticipate imminent tipping in any direction. The pins are installed in the pivot points of the boom of a lift vehicle and its main lift cylinder, substituting the standard structural pins presently used. For non-traditional boom support arrangements, one sensor pin for each moving part attachment to non-moving turntable is required. Each of the sensors provides the actual force components acting on the sensor in two perpendicular axes. The output signals are then utilized to assess vehicle stability and detect when the machine is approaching instability in order to warn the operator and/or restrict vehicle movements.

Measurement system and method for assessing lift vehicle stability

A pothole protection mechanism for a lift machine includes a frame that is securable to the lift machine, a pothole protection bar movably coupled with the frame via a support linkage, and an actuator coupled between the frame and the pothole protection bar. The actuator is sized for a force sufficient only to lift the pothole protection bar. The support linkage includes a coupling bar driven by the actuator that is connected between two pivot joints secured between the frame and the pothole protection bar. In the extended or deployed position, the pivot joints are pivoted to an over-center position and the coupling bar is abutted against a stop. As such, when a vehicle to which the pothole protection mechanism is attached falls into a pothole or off a curb or the like, the weight of the machine is supported by the pothole protection bar and support linkage and not by the actuator. In preferred forms, the pothole protection mechanism is without a mechanical linkage between platform lift and pothole protection mechanisms.

Pothole protection mechanism

A control lever for heavy machinery includes a proximity sensor for reducing the likelihood of inadvertent activation of the heavy machinery components. The proximity sensor is disposed adjacent an operating position of the control implement and detects when an operator's hand is in an operating position on the control implement in accordance with a capacitance of the operator's hand. The sensing circuit outputs an activate signal to a controller circuit for controlling the heavy machinery components when the operator's hand is in the operating position on the control implement. As a consequence, the operator is not required to perform excessive operations to effect control of the heavy machinery and has both hands available for machine operation.

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Mercersburg, PA, United States of America

Louis A Bafile