Fork level indicator for lift trucks
US5738187A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 5, 1996 |
| Grant date | Apr 14, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 5, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB66F9/16
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.