# US 11,993,497 B2 · Order picker materials handling vehicle with improved downward visibility when driving elevated > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,993,497 B2 - Document ID: US11993497B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/449,964 - Filed: 2021-10-05 - Published: 2022-01-27 - Granted: 2024-05-28 - Earliest claimed: 2015-11-09 - Assignees: Crown Equipment Corporation - Applicants: Crown Equipment Corporation - Inventors: James V. Kraimer; Christoph Babel - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11993497B2 ## CPC - B66F 9/0759: {Details of operating station, e.g. seats, levers, operator platforms, cabin suspension} - B66F 9/07: Floor-to-roof stacking devices, e.g. "stacker cranes", "retrievers" - B66F 9/08: Masts; Guides; Chains - B66F: HOISTING, LIFTING, HAULING OR PUSHING, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. DEVICES WHICH APPLY A LIFTING OR PUSHING FORCE DIRECTLY TO THE SURFACE OF A LOAD ({invalid lifting devices A61G7/10; } mounting artificial islands on piles or like supports E02B17/00; scaffolding combined with lifting devices E04G1/22; lifting devices for sliding forms E04G11/24; lifting of buildings E04G23/06; shores or struts E04G25/00; lifts or other hoisting devices on ladders E06C7/12; props for mining E21D15/00) ## Abstract A materials handling vehicle including a power unit supported on wheels, and a mast assembly supported on the power unit. The mast assembly includes four or more telescoping sections defined by pairs of laterally spaced rails. An operator compartment is supported on the mast assembly for vertical movement relative to the mast assembly and includes a front wall defining a side of the operator compartment adjacent to the mast assembly. The laterally spaced rails have a height that is generally equal to the height of the front wall. A dash is located adjacent to the operator compartment. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A materials handling vehicle comprising: a power unit supported on wheels; a mast assembly supported on the power unit; an operator compartment supported on the mast assembly for vertical movement, wherein the operator compartment comprises an operator platform; and an operator console associated with the operator compartment comprising: a transparent window providing an operator with a view of a floor surface when the operator compartment is in an elevated position, the transparent window being positioned above the operator platform; and left-hand and right-hand control units for operation by the operator when the operator is positioned within the operator compartment, wherein the transparent window extends between the control units. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The materials handling vehicle as set out in claim 1, wherein the operator compartment further comprises: a front wall, wherein the operator console is coupled to the front wall. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The materials handling vehicle as set out in claim 1, wherein the left-hand control unit comprises a steering control and the right-hand control unit comprises a traction control. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The materials handling vehicle as set out in claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary mast positioned on an opposite side of the operator compartment from the operator console. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The materials handling vehicle as set out in claim 4, further comprising a pair of forks extending outwards from a rear edge of the operator compartment and supported by the auxiliary mast. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The materials handling vehicle as set out in claim 4, wherein a control device is provided on the auxiliary mast. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The materials handling vehicle as set out in claim 1, wherein the transparent window provides the operator with a downward viewing angle up to 80 degrees relative to a horizontal plane. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The materials handling vehicle as set out in claim 1, wherein the operator console comprises a first control device and a second control device, and wherein at least a portion of the transparent window extends between the first and second control devices. ### Claim 9 A materials handling vehicle comprising: a power unit supported on wheels; a mast assembly supported on the power unit; an operator compartment supported on the mast assembly for vertical movement, wherein the operator compartment comprises an operator platform; and an operator console associated with the operator compartment comprising: a pair of substantially co-planar transparent panels providing an operator with a view of a floor surface when the operator compartment is in an elevated position, the transparent panels being positioned above the operator platform. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The materials handling vehicle as set out in claim 9, wherein the operator console further comprises left-hand and right-hand control units for operation by the operator when the operator is positioned within the operator platform. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The materials handling vehicle as set out in claim 10, wherein the left-hand control unit comprises a steering control and the right-hand control unit comprises a traction control. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The materials handling vehicle as set out in claim 10, wherein the operator compartment further comprises: a front wall, wherein the operator console is coupled to the front wall. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The materials handling vehicle as set out in claim 10, wherein the left-hand control unit comprises a steering control and the right-hand control unit comprises a traction control. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The materials handling vehicle as set out in claim 9, further comprising an auxiliary mast positioned on an opposite side of the operator compartment from the operator console. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The materials handling vehicle as set out in claim 14, further comprising a pair of forks extending outwards from a rear edge of the operator compartment and supported by the auxiliary mast. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The materials handling vehicle as set out in claim 14, wherein a control unit is located on the auxiliary mast for operation by the operator when the operator is positioned within the operator platform facing in a rearward direction. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The materials handling vehicle as set out in claim 16, wherein a control device is provided on the operator console. ### Claim 18 (depends on 9) The materials handling vehicle as set out in claim 9, wherein the mast assembly comprises at least a four stage mast, wherein the four stage mast comprises at least four telescoping mast weldments.