Clark Equipment Compnay

Louis A Haddock

John S Messner

Donald L Schultz

Ronald L Jones

An operating control system for a lift truck controlled from a single multi-function operator hand control which is located and designed for improved operator comfort, convenience, simplicity and to reduce operator fatigue. The sole hand control for directional and speed control and the operation of all hydraulic functions of the truck related to the handling of loads is recessed in a compartment adjacent one side of the truck and supported from a control shaft which extends forwardly, leftwardly and downwardly and along which the control handle may be pushed or pulled linearly to control all such hydraulic truck functions. The grip handle is rotatable to control direction and speed of the truck. Switch controls are located conveniently adjacent the one end of the rotatable grip handle for selecting a variety of hydraulic functions by the same movements forwardly and rearwardly of the operator control handle along the control shaft. Electrical and hydraulic systems control the various hydraulic functions and are operatively connected to the control handle for operator selection of direction and speed of the truck as well as simultaneous operation of any selected hydraulic function one at a time only.

Operator control system

A hinge mechanism for a door which includes a support within the door opening and away from the door jamb. In the closed position of the door, parts of the mechanism including a hinge member are located between the support and the jamb. A door is pivotally mounted on the hinge member at its distal end. As the door moves from the closed to an intermediate position the pivotal mounting of the door on the hinge member follows an arcuate path outwardly and away from the door jamb. When the mechanism reaches the intermediate position the door can be swung on its pivotal connection with the hinge member to a fully open position.

Concealed door hinge having a double pivotal mounting

A seat and hydraulic control lever interlock for lift trucks in which access to a battery compartment is in part enabled by pivoting the operator seat forwardly over the steering wheel, which pivotal movement causes interlocking lever means between the seat pivot and hydraulic control levers to actuate to an armed position. Forward pivotal movement of the control levers to an inoperative position to clear the battery compartment allows the lever means to move to a position in which the control levers are held in such inoperative position until the seat is pivoted rearwardly over the battery compartment.

Seat and control lever interlock

A lift truck hood mechanism and method for operation thereof in which a cover is provided for the truck power source compartment and is movable from a substantially horizontal closed position to a substantially vertical opened position at the rear of the compartment. The rearward end of the cover is raised and guided in a linear path by hand or by rollers operating in tracks in the rear support members of the overhead guard assembly. The cover is pivoted about a transverse axis midway between the forward and rearward ends of the cover, and is moved toward the support members as the one end is raised. Torsion bars may be used to assist in moving the cover and to secure the cover in the open position. The operator's seat has a hinged mounting bracket and is movable between positions over the top of the front of the cover to hold the cover closed and against the steering wheel permitting the cover to be opened. A locking device prevents accidental movement of the rear of the hood.

Lift truck hood mechanism and method for operation thereof

A single multi-function operator hand control for stand-up lift trucks located and designed for improved operator comfort and convenience and to reduce operator fatigue in any driving position. The hand control is recessed in a compartment adjacent one side of the truck and below the upper body thereof. It is mounted pivotally from one end and extends longitudinally towards the operator; it includes a rotatable control member at the opposite end so that the operator's forearm when in controlling positions is normally in or adjacent to the vertical plane of the control handle and the hand palm is located generally in a vertical plane and faces the control member which rotates on an axis transverse of the truck.

Growing community of inventors

Battle Creek, MI, United States of America

Louis A Haddock