Crown Equipment Corporation

The Torax Company, Inc.

William J Heidemann

Kevin Anthony Gilliland

Harold A Stammen

David B Smith

Donald E Luebrecht

John F McClusky

Charles B Lohr

Bradley A Burns

Leif A Norland

Thomas L Bidwell

Joseph H Knapschaefer

Robert J Stauffer

Ronald A Grisez

Matthew P Ranly

Daniel L Sherman

Thomas W Linn

Robert J Henshaw

Michael P Gallagher

Eric J Hanson

Craig J Rekow

Lucas B Waltz

Adam M Ruppert

Ned E Dammeyer

Jay L Kuck

Jay G Pollack

Steven C Billger

Eugene G Bruns

Timothy S Quellhorst

Paul J Leasor

Forrest A Haverfield

Pieter C Kruithof, Jr

Robert L Eilerman

Rob J Stauffer

Lief A Norland

Joe H Knapschaefer

Kevin A Gilliland

John F Mcclusky

Thomas C Bidwell

Pieter C Kruithof Jr

A materials handling vehicle is provided comprising a vehicle power unit having a longitudinal centerline, a monomast coupled to the vehicle power unit and having a centerline offset from and generally parallel with the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle power unit, and a fork carriage apparatus movably coupled to the monomast.

Monomast for a materials handling vehicle

A personnel carrying vehicle comprises a self propelled, steerable body, a telescoping mast attached to and extending upwardly from the body, and a personnel compartment attached to the mast. Two control handles are mounted within the personnel compartment, with one handle including a rocker mechanism mounted therein for pivotal movement within a generally horizontal plane to control steering and the other handle being rotated to controlling traction. Sensors ensure that the operator's hands are on both control handles and both feet are properly positioned on a floor of the operator's compartment before the vehicle can be moved or the platform raised; this ensures a four point stance, providing for operator stability and that the operator's hands and feet are within the operator's compartment anytime the vehicle is being moved or during lifting or lowering operations.

Personnel carrying vehicle

A multi-task capable work assist vehicle is designed for transporting an operator and items to be handled by the operator and for elevating the operator with such items supported upon a load tray elevated with the operator. Preferably the load tray is mounted for positioning along a telescoping mast which supports and elevates the operator. A load deck or load platform is provided on a body of the vehicle in addition to the load tray so that items such as packages, tools, parts, merchandise and the like can be carried by the vehicle. Load shelves may also be provided adjacent the load deck to add flexibility and capacity to the load carrying capability of the vehicle. Uses of the vehicle include order picking, in-house service maintenance, stock management, cargo delivery and the like. It is designed to be compact in size and highly maneuverable for use in narrow storage aisles and tight quarters.

Load trays for personnel carrying vehicles

A work assist vehicle includes a self propelled, steerable body having a chassis and a drive mechanism supported on the chassis; a mast assembly coupled to the body; and, a personnel compartment attached to the mast assembly and being movable by the mast assembly toward and away from the body. The body further includes a cover adapted to extend over a portion of the chassis and a weight sensor assembly coupled to the chassis and the cover. The weight sensor assembly is capable of detecting if someone or something is located on the cover.

Motor cover for a work assist vehicle

A personnel carrying vehicle comprising a self propelled, steerable body, a telescoping mast attached to and extending upwardly from said body, and a personnel compartment attached to the mast and provided with a rail member that extends from the mast and around the sides. A pair of gate members, which are pivotally attached to the rail member and to the floor of the compartment, are movable from a closed position to an open position wherein said gate members extend into the compartment. The mast extends upwardly and forwardly of the body at an angle of approximately five degrees to the top of the rail; this provides the operator with unobstructed access to anything above the top edge of the rail, and the forward tilt of the mast enlarges the upper portion of the compartment, near the waist of the operator, thus accommodating the operator comfortably without increasing the length of the vehicle; it also causes the center of gravity of the vehicle to move forward, toward the center of the vehicle, as the compartment is raised. The vehicle is driven by electric motors which are located under the operator compartment and attached to the drive wheels through gear trains to permit the floor of the compartment to be positioned as close to the ground level as possible. Control handles are mounted within the personnel compartment, with one handle controlling steering and the other handle controlling traction. Sensors ensure the operator's hands are on both control handles and both feet are properly positioned on the floor before the vehicle can be moved or the platform raised; this ensures a four point stance, providing for operator stability and that the operator's hands and feet are within the operator's compartment anytime the vehicle is being moved or during lifting or lowering operations. Gate interlock switches are provided to restrict or prevent travel of the vehicle under certain conditions. A load deck is provided on the body of the vehicle on the opposite side of the mast from the personnel compartment. Also, a load tray may be mounted to the telescoping mast to move vertically with the compartment. Rail guides may be mounted to the outside of the vehicle to facilitate entry into and operations within narrow aisles.

A compact structure is provided for a continuously variable transmission, which provides a more direct application of both load and control forces at the pivot trunnion. Load forces are produced from within the pivot trunnion, providing more direct control over load forces and their effect on contact forces between traction rollers and toric discs. Control forces which establish the desired transmission ratio are applied to the pivot trunnion in a manner which substantially eliminates twisting and squirming of the support rollers. High efficiency in operation, and improved assembly is provided with the compact structure disclosed.

Continuously variable transmission with a hydraulic control system

A compact structure is provided for an continuously variable transmission, which provides a more direct application of both load and control forces at the pivot trunnion. Load forces are produced from within the pivot trunnion, providing more direct control over load forces and their effect on contact forces between traction rollers and toric discs. Control forces which establish the desired transmission ratio are applied to the pivot trunnion in a manner which substantially eliminates twisting and squirming of the support rollers. High efficiency in operation, and improved assembly is provided with the compact structure disclosed.

Loading device for continuously variable transmission

Growing community of inventors

Sidney, OH, United States of America

William J Heidemann