Structural integrated sensor

US12139384B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Edmund Waters · Troutdale, US
• Ryan McDermott · Fairview, US
• Joseph A. Brotherton · Portland, US
• Nicholas M. Draayer · Portland, US
• John Timczyk · Camas, US
• Erik Israelsson · Gothenburg, SE
• Matthew Karr · Portland, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 26, 2021
• Grant date: Nov 12, 2024
• Expiry date: Jan 8, 2043

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B66F9/08
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Materials-handling vehicles, such as counterbalanced lift trucks, can incorporate a counterweight that includes a frame, a cavity, and a sensor-mounting recess. The counterweight may be configured to provide an unobstructed horizontal line of sight of at least 180 degrees for a sensor, such as an object-detection sensor, that is mounted within the sensor-mounting recess. A lift truck can include a lift assembly comprising a mast and a pair of forks, an operator compartment comprising truck steering and speed controls, a plurality of wheels, an energy source, a counterweight comprising a frame and a sensor-mounting recess, and a sensor.