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:
Nov. 02, 1993
Filed:
Sep. 23, 1991
Timothy A Wellman, Coldwater, OH (US);
Harold A Stammen, New Bremen, OH (US);
Thomas W Heindel, Mendon, OH (US);
Crown Equipment Corporation, New Bremen, OH (US);
Abstract
An end of aisle control system permits an operator controlled materials handling vehicle to be configured by following instructions given on a service terminal and easily positionable magnet sensors to a customer's specific operating environment. In addition to end of aisle magnets that are buried in specified paths in the floor of a warehouse, magnets may be buried in other paths to accomplish specified functions, such as auto-resume and end aisle blocked. The buried magnets identify zones of operation and a microprocessor controls the maximum speed of travel in each of these zones. The maximum speed of the vehicle in each of the specified zones may be pre-selected according to the direction of travel of the vehicle, thus making the control system adaptable to a wide variety of operating environments. The end of aisle control system also controls the method of stopping the vehicle, either by the use of brakes, or by plugging the traction motor. Whenever the vehicle is stopped in response to action by the end of aisle control system, an audible and visual signal is presented, indicating that specific operator action is required before further movement in that same direction is possible.