Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America Inc.

Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift of America, Inc.

Roger L Bell

Noel F Mascarenhas

Kevin Krakora

Jay B Stotts

Randall L Wingenroth

William D Fussell

A swing down tank bracket for supporting a fuel tank mounted onto a vehicle includes a frame immovably mounted onto a vehicle, a cradle operatively connected to the frame and arranged to support a fuel tank, a hinge that pivotally connects a first end of the cradle to a first end of the frame, and a latch having a first portion disposed on a second end of the frame and a second portion disposed on a second end of the cradle. The first portion of the latch is releasably engaged with the second portion of the latch so that after the latch is disengaged, the cradle is rotationally maneuverable between a retracted position and an extended position in a single stage. The cradle may be maneuvered between the retracted position and the extended position by simultaneously rotating outwardly and downwardly in relation to the vehicle. In some embodiments, a gas spring device, connected between the cradle and the frame, retards and assists the motion of the rotating cradle in a manner that requires minimal effort on the part of the operator in loading and unloading the fuel tank from the vehicle. Another device ay be included to latch the cradle in the extended position in order to provide stability when loading/unloading a fuel tank.

Swing down fuel tank bracket

A method for maneuvering a cradle of a tank bracket supporting a fuel tank from a retracted position to an extended position in a single stage includes disengaging a latch, rotating the cradle about a hinge that is attached to a first end of the cradle such that a second end of the cradle moves along a trajectory downward and outward from a frame of the tank bracket to the extended position, wherein the rotating the cradle laterally extends a gas spring operatively connecting the cradle and the frame, and wherein the gas spring generates a force that at least partially balances a force generated by a combined weight of the fuel tank and the cradle.

Swing down fuel tank bracket method

A horn circuit for a vehicle includes a steering wheel, a prong extending from a base, and a carbon-based contact disposed on the prong and in electrical contact with the steering wheel. A method of manufacturing a vehicular horn system includes connecting a prong to a base, connecting a steering wheel to a steering column that extends through the base, and positioning a carbon-based contact at an end of the prong to be in electrical contact with the steering wheel.

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Cypress, TX, United States of America

Roger L Bell