The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 14, 2022
Filed:
Apr. 30, 2020
Manitou Equipment America, Llc, West Bend, WI (US);
Amitkumar D. Ekshinge, West Bend, WI (US);
Paul Gilbert, West Bend, WI (US);
Steven Kiskunas, Belgium, WI (US);
Manitou Equipment America, LLC, West Bend, WI (US);
Abstract
A retractable pallet fork carriage assembly is provided that enhances the safe operation of a lift vehicle, such as a loader or telehandler. A carriage assembly is coupled to a fork tyne assembly through scissor links that expand and retract the tynes relative to the carriage assembly. When the scissor links are closed, the fork tynes extend through the carriage assembly to receive a payload (e.g., a pallet). When an operator wants to remove the payload, the fork tynes retract while the payload is supported against the carriage assembly. In this way, the load remains in one stationary position while pallet fork tynes are retracted under the payload to release the payload. Various sensors generate and/or send signals to limit the operation of the boom lift, boom, and/or retractable attachment when a distance or load is out of a threshold range.