Load positioning assembly and method

Abstract

A load positioning assembly and method for locating and maintaining a load supporting device on a material handling vehicle, includes a load carrying device mounted on a frame and a load carrying portion elevationally movable along an elevationally oriented axis. A pilot member which is freely movably supported on a carrier connected to the load carrying portion is elevationally movable with the load carrying portion between first and second preselected elevationally spaced apart positions relative to the frame. A first engaging device moves the pilot member in directions transverse to the axis in response to movement of the pilot member toward the first elevational position and maintains the pilot member at a first preselected transverse location relative to the axis and the load supporting device at a preselected transverse location at the first elevational position of the load carrying portion. The load positioning assembly is particularly suited for use on an SGV.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.