Self propelled pallet truck

In a pallet truck comprising means for supporting a pallet, wheels rotatably mounted on said supporting means, a drive carriage including at least two rotatably mounted wheels and means connecting said drive carriage to said supporting means, said pallet truck being supported on the wheels of said supporting means and the wheels of said drive carriage, and said wheels rotating as said pallet truck is moved;

• the improvement wherein said connecting means comprises a gimbal between said drive carriage and said supporting means, whereby the wheels of said drive carriage remain in contact with the floor as said pallet truck turns corners and as it moves across uneven floors, said pallet truck including drive means comprising an electric motor operatively connected to the wheels of said carriage, to propel said pallet truck, said pallet truck including a handle and switch means on said handle for actuating said drive means to propel said pallet truck, said switch means including a rotatable collar, spring means operatively connected to said rotatable collar, and a potentiometer mounted in said handle, said spring means urging said rotatable collar in a direction which stops said drive means from propelling said pallet truck, said switch means also including a lever connected to said rotatable collar, a rack and a pinion mounted to rotate the shaft of said potentiometer to control the speed of said drive means, said lever engaging said rack and said rack engaging said pinion to rotate said pinion when said rotatable collar is rotated, whereby the speed of said truck is controlled.