Crown Equipment Corporation

Todd M Fullenkamp

Robert J Henshaw

Steven R Pulskamp

Philip D Palermo

Craig J Rekow

Adam M Ruppert

Leroy M Kluver

Ned E Dammeyer

Harold A Stammen

Douglas J Rinderle

Michael P Gallagher

Russell J Kroll

Kevin Anthony Gilliland

Brent A Bergman

Eric L Jensen

Vernon W Siefring

Anthony T Castaneda

Stephen Mangette

Steven C Billger

Eric J Kaiser

Jared J Ranly

A system for providing an electrical steering assist for a materials handling vehicle includes a drive housing; a steerable wheel coupled to the drive housing; a steering arm pivotally mounted to the drive housing; a steer drive unit coupled to the steerable wheel; an input sensing device; and a controller. The steering arm is operatively configured to determine a steering direction of the steerable wheel. The input sensing device is arranged to detect a turning force applied to the steering arm by an operator, wherein the turning force is provided to change the angle of travel of the vehicle. The input sensing device includes a strain measuring assembly defining a strain sensitive region between the steering arm and the steer drive unit. The controller is operatively configured to control the steer drive unit to turn the steerable wheel based upon a signal from the input sensing device.

Electrical steering assist features for materials handling vehicles

Armrest for a materials handling vehicle

Control arm for a materials handling vehicle

Control arm for a materials handling vehicle including a tiller

A fork lift truck includes a fork level sensor located in the forks, away from the vertical mast of a lift truck for detecting the true level of the forks, and a vision system including a camera which may take several forms. In one form, a single camera is mounted in a housing which may be moved to a protected location vertically either by sliding in the carriage assembly, or by use of a parallelogram device. In another form, multiple cameras are employed where a second camera may be either mounted above the first camera in the same housing or mounted between the forks. Alternatively, the first camera may perform multiple roles by being moved vertically from a first predetermined location below the bottom of the forks to a higher elevation a second predetermined location relative to the forks. A video display terminal, which shows the view observed by the camera, may also include a fork level indicator, a reticle for assisting in adjusting the vertical position of the forks, and an indicator showing the specific truck function selected by the operator.

Fork level indicator for lift trucks

A fork lift truck includes a fork level sensor located in the forks, away from the vertical mast of a lift truck for detecting the true level of the forks, and a vision system including a camera which may take several forms. In one form, a single camera is mounted in a housing which may be moved to a protected location vertically either by sliding in the carriage assembly, or by use of a parallelogram device. In another form, multiple cameras are employed where a second camera may either mounted above the first camera in the same housing or mounted between the forks. Alternatively, the first camera may perform multiple roles by being moved vertically from a first predetermined location below the bottom of the forks to a higher elevation a second predetermined location relative to the forks. A video display terminal, which shows the view observed by the camera, may also include a fork level indicator, a reticle for assisting in adjusting the vertical position of the forks, and an indicator showing the specific truck function selected by the operator.

Remote viewing apparatus for fork lift trucks

A battery retainer mechanism for use in vehicles having a battery is provided which may comprise a battery retainer plate, wedge, retainer for the wedge, a handle, handle guide, and spring means. The battery retainer mechanism utilizes two forces: a downward force and a first frictional force between the battery engaging surface and the battery. A method of retaining a battery in place in a vehicle equipped with the battery retainer mechanism of this invention is also disclosed.

Forklift truck battery retainer with spring

Growing community of inventors

Coldwater, OH, United States of America

Todd M Fullenkamp