Mast control mechanism

A mast control mechanism in combination with a lift truck of the type having a longitudinally extending main frame comprising:

• a vertical mast disposed adjacent the forward end of the main frame;
• mounting means extending upwardly from the forward end of the main frame;
• means for pivotally connecting the mast to the mounting means for pivotally moving the mast between a lowered position and a raised position, said means including
• a first pair of longitudinally extending vertically spaced parallel arms having their forward ends pivotally connected to the mounting means,
• a second pair of longitudinally extending vertically spaced parallel arms having their rearward ends individually connected to the rearward ends of the first pair of arms and their forward ends pivotally connected to the mast, and
• a vertically extending link having its opposite ends pivotally connected to the rearward ends of at least one arm of each pair of the arms;
• means for moving the mast between the lowered and raised positions;
• and
• control linkage means pivotally anchored to the main frame and pivotally connected to one arm of the first pair of arms and to the mast so that the control linkage means causes the mast to move in a substantially straight vertical path as it is raised.