Forklift radio frequency identification apparatus

A forklift RFID system for identifying plastic pallets having an RFID tags in at least two corners of each comprising:

• a) a forklift comprising a body, a mast mounted to said body and a fork assembly moveably mounted on said mast;
• b) RFID antenna assemblies removably secured in a fixed position on said forklift on each side of said forklift, said antenna assemblies being linear patch antenna oriented to primarily transmit RFID signals towards the ground;
• c) a RFID reader positioned on said fork assembly and connected to said RFID antenna assemblies by cable;
• and,
• d) a user interface assembly including a touch-panel display, said reader being hardwired to said touch-panel display.

A forklift RFID system for identifying plastic pallets tagged with RFID tags in each corner comprising:

• a) a forklift comprising a body, a mast mounted to said body and a fork assembly moveably mounted on said mast, said fork assembly comprising a back frame mounted to said mast and forks mounted to said back frame;
• b) RFID antenna assemblies removably secured in a fixed position on said forklift on each side of said forklift, said antenna assemblies being provided with a patch antenna of linear polarity having a cylindrical housing which is oriented parallel to the ground and directs its signal downward and magnet means mounted to said housing allowing said assemblies to be mounted to said forklift;
• c) a RFID reader positioned on said fork assembly and hard wired to said RFID antenna assemblies;
• d) a user interface assembly including a touch-panel display, a keyboard and a removable data storage device, said reader being electrically connected to said touch-panel display;
• and
• e) software adapted to provide information to the touch-panel display describing which RFID tags have been interrogated by the antenna, said software including filter means which retains tag identification for specific pallets which are being continuously read by said RFID reader.