Turn stability systems and methods for lift trucks
AssigneeThe Raymond Corporation
InventorRichard M. Day
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A lift truck includes systems and methods for improved stability control while turning, including a rotatable drive unit having a steerable drive tire. A first slide mechanism is coupled to the rotatable drive unit, and a second slide mechanism is mounted to a caster plate. A steering mechanism coupled to the rotatable drive unit is moved to steer the steerable drive tire, causing the first slide mechanism to interact with the second slide mechanism and to produce a downward pressure and/or reduce the downward pressure on a caster mounted to the caster plate.
Claims19
A system for stabilizing a lift truck, the system comprising:
- a rotatable drive unit, the drive unit including a steerable drive tire;
- a first slide mechanism coupled to the rotatable drive unit;
- a caster mounted to a caster plate;
- a second slide mechanism mounted to the caster plate;
- and
- a steering mechanism coupled to the rotatable drive unit, such that when the steering mechanism is moved to steer the steerable drive tire, the first slide mechanism interacts with the second slide mechanism to affect a pressure on the caster.
A system for stabilizing a lift truck, the system comprising:
- a rotatable drive unit, the drive unit including a steerable drive tire;
- a left side slide mechanism and a right side slide mechanism coupled to the rotatable drive unit;
- a left caster mounted to a left caster plate;
- a right caster mounted to a right caster plate;
- a left caster slide mechanism mounted to the left caster plate;
- a right caster slide mechanism mounted to the right caster plate;
- and
- a steering mechanism coupled to the rotatable drive unit, such that when the steering mechanism is moved to turn the lift truck to the left, the right side slide mechanism interacts with the right caster slide mechanism to produce a downward pressure on the right caster.
A method for stabilizing a lift truck, the method comprising:
- providing a rotatable drive unit, the drive unit including a steerable drive tire;
- providing a first slide mechanism coupled to the rotatable drive unit;
- providing a caster mounted to a caster plate;
- providing a second slide mechanism mounted to the caster plate;
- providing a steering mechanism coupled to the rotatable drive unit, the steering mechanism for steering the steerable drive tire and causing the first slide mechanism to interact with the second slide mechanism;
- and
- affecting a pressure on the caster.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.