Systems and methods for a clamp with power and communications contacts
AssigneeThe Raymond Corporation
InventorsFernando D. Goncalves, John Bryant Kirk, Keith F. Dolezel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A material handling vehicle may include a clamp assembly, the clamp assembly including a housing, a grip assembly, and a power source. The grip assembly may be pivotally engaged with the housing. The power source may be in electrical communication with the grip assembly. The grip assembly includes a lobe pivotally engaged with the housing and a contact supported by the lobe, the contact being electrically conductive.
Claims20
A material handling vehicle, comprising:
- a pair of forks;
- and
- a clamp assembly arranged between the pair of forks, the clamp assembly including:
- a housing;
- a first grip arm protruding from the housing and moveably received by the housing;
- and
- a second grip arm protruding from the housing and moveably received by the housing, the second grip arm laterally opposing the first grip arm;
- wherein at least one of the first grip arm or the second grip arm includes an electrical contact configured to transfer power or a communication signal.
A material handling vehicle, comprising:
- a pair of forks;
- and
- a clamp assembly arranged between the pair of forks, the clamp assembly including:
- a housing;
- a first grip arm pivotally coupled to the housing;
- a second grip arm pivotally coupled to the housing, the second grip arm being laterally opposite to the first grip arm;
- and
- an electrically conductive material protruding from a surface of one of the first or second grip arms to form an electrical contact configured to transfer power or a communication signal.
A material handling vehicle adapted to engage a load, the material handling vehicle comprising:
- a pair of forks;
- and
- a clamp assembly arranged between the pair of forks, the clamp assembly being configured to secure the load to the material handling vehicle when the pair of forks engage a base of the load, the clamp assembly including:
- a housing;
- a first grip arm pivotally coupled to the housing;
- a second grip arm pivotally coupled to the housing, the second grip arm being laterally opposite to the first grip arm;
- the first and second grip arms being separated by a gap configured to receive a wall within the base of the load;
- and
- at least one electrical contact protruding from at least one of the first or second grip arms;
- the at least one electrical contact adapted to engage with a corresponding electrical contact within the base of the load to transfer power or a communication signal between the material handling vehicle and the load.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.