Lift truck mast positioning mechanism
AssigneeCaterpillar Tractor Co.
InventorRobert N. Stedman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An upwardly extending mast is disposed adjacent a forward end of a lift truck main frame which has a mounting tower secured to and extending upwardly therefrom. A pair of longitudinally extending vertically spaced parallel arms have their forward ends pivotally connected to the mast and their rearward ends individually pivotally connected to a pair of sector gear devices rotatably mounted on the mounting tower in spaced relation to one another. A gear device is rotatably mounted to the tower in meshing engagement with both of the sector gear devices and includes a crank arm which extends therefrom and has its distal end pivotally connected to one end of a guide link which has its other end pivotally connected to one of the pair of arms. A motor device is provided for raising the mast relative to the main frame.
Claims12
A mast positioning mechanism in combination with a lift truck of the type having a longitudinally extending main frame and a mounting tower secured to and extending upwardly from a forward end of the main frame, comprising:
- an upwardly extending mast disposed adjacent the forward ends of the main frame;
- means for pivotally connecting the mast to the mounting tower and for pivotally moving the mast between a lowered position and a raised position, said means including
- a pair of longitudinally extending, vertically spaced parallel arms having their forward ends pivotally connected to the mast, and
- a pair of sector gear means rotatably mounted on the mounting tower in spaced relation and individually pivotally connected to the rearward ends of the arms;
- gear means rotatably mounted to the mounting tower in meshing engagement with both of the sector gear means and including a crank arm extending therefrom;
- a guide link having one end pivotally connected to the distal end of the crank arm and its other end pivotally connected to one arm of the pair of arms.
An implement positioning mechanism in combination with a vehicle of the type having a longitudinally extending main frame and a mounting tower secured to and extending upwardly from a forward end of the main frame, comprising:
- a load handling implement disposed adjacent the forward end of the main frame;
- means for pivotally connecting the implement to the mounting tower and for moving the implement between a lowered position and a raised position, said means including a pair of longitudinally extending, vertically spaced parallel arms having their forward ends pivotally connected to the implement, and a pair of sector gear means rotatably mounted on the mounting tower in spaced relation and individually pivotally connected to the rearward ends of the arms;
- gear means rotatably mounted to the mounting tower in meshing engagement with both of the sector gear means and including a crank arm extending therefrom;
- a guide link having one end pivotally connected to the distal end of the crank arm and its other end pivotally connected to one arm of the pair of arms.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.