# US 2014/0195127 A1 · Systems And Methods For Moving A Pallet Truck And Raising A Load > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0195127 A1 - Document ID: US20140195127A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/148,029 - Filed: 2014-01-06 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-09 - Assignees: Hyster-Yale Group, Inc. - Inventors: Matthew K. Hoffman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140195127A1 ## CPC - B66F 9/24: Electrical devices or systems - B62B 3/001: {Steering devices} - B62B 3/0612: {power operated} - B62B 3/0618: {using fluid lifting mechanisms} - B62B 5/0033: {Electric motors} - B62B 5/0069: {Control} - B62B 5/063: {for low-lift hand trucks} - B66F 9/0755: {Position control; Position detectors} - 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) - B62B: HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES (characterised by animal propulsion B62C; propulsion of sledges by driver or engine B62M) ## Abstract In some embodiments, a lift actuator is added to a pallet truck to effect initially lifting a load and a traction command effects fully raising the load while a pallet truck moves. In other embodiments, an electronic controller is programmed to effect initially lifting a load when a lift actuator is engaged and to effect fully lifting the load while a pallet truck moves when a traction actuator is engaged. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A pallet truck lift system comprising: a control handle having a first lift actuator, a lower actuator and a traction actuator thereon, all of which communicate with an electronic controller; and wherein the electronic controller is programmed to receive an initial lift command and to effect an initial lifting of a load in response to receiving the initial lift command; and wherein the electronic controller is further programmed to receive a traction command from the traction actuator and to effect lifting the load and moving the pallet truck in response to receiving the traction command after receiving the initial lift command. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A pallet truck lift system according to claim 1, further comprising: a second lift actuator attached to the pallet truck and configured to send the initial lift command to the electronic controller in response to being triggered or determining that forks of the pallet truck are suitably located for lifting a load.; ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A pallet truck lift system according to claim 1, wherein: the first lift actuator is configured to generate the initial lift command in response to manipulation by a user; and the first lift actuator is configured to generate a lift command in response to manipulation by a user. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A pallet truck lift system according to claim 3, wherein: the first lift actuator is configured to generate the initial lift command in response to coded manipulation by a user. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A pallet truck lift system according to claim 1, wherein: the electronic controller is further programmed to receive a lower command from the lower actuator and to cease lifting a load if the lower command is received during load lifting. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A pallet truck lift system according to claim 5, wherein: the electronic controller is further programmed to receive a fully lowered signal; and the electronic controller is further programmed to receive a traction command from the traction actuator and to effect lifting the load and moving the pallet truck in response to receiving the traction command after receiving the fully lowered signal. ### Claim at position 7 ### Claim 8 A method of operating a pallet lift truck comprising: positioning a pair of forks of the pallet truck to lift a load in response to traction and steering commands generated by an operator engaging a traction actuator and a control handle; receiving an initial lift command at an electronic controller; automatically generating an initial lift command by a lift actuator in response to positioning the pair of forks of the pallet truck to lift the load; automatically lifting the load an initial amount in response to receiving the initial lift command at the electronic controller; and lifting the load and simultaneously moving the pallet truck in response to receiving, at the electronic controller, a traction command generated by an operator engaging the traction actuator. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A method of operating a pallet lift truck according to claim 8, further comprising: automatically generating the initial lift command by a lift actuator in response to positioning the pair of forks of the pallet truck to lift the load. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) A method of operating a pallet lift truck according to claim 8, further comprising: generating the initial lift command by a lift actuator in response to an operator engaging the lift actuator. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A method of operating a pallet lift truck according to claim 10, wherein: generating the initial lift command by a lift actuator is in response to an operator engaging the lift actuator in a coded manner.