Wrist/arm/hand mounted device for remotely controlling a materials handling vehicle

A remote control device in combination with a materials handling vehicle, the combination comprising:

• the remote control device comprising:
• a support structure adapted to be mounted on a wrist, hand, or arm of an operator;
• a wireless transmitter associated with said support structure;
• and
• control structure in communication with said wireless transmitter, said control structure adapted to be actuated by the operator so as to cause said wireless transmitter to generate a travel request signal to the materials handling vehicle requesting the materials handling vehicle to advance in a first direction;
• the materials handling vehicle comprising:
• a receiver that receives said travel request signal from said wireless transmitter;
• a controller that is communicably coupled to said receiver and to a traction control system of the materials handling vehicle, said controller being responsive to receipt of said travel request signal from said receiver and to evaluate at least one vehicle condition to decide whether to implement said travel request signal based upon the evaluation of said at least one vehicle condition and to cause said traction control system to advance said vehicle in the first direction if said controller decides to implement said travel request based upon the evaluation of said at least one vehicle condition;
• and
• at least one sensor in communication with said controller, said at least one sensor configured to detect the presence of an object located at a position either proximate to said vehicle or on a platform of said vehicle from which said vehicle may be operated, wherein said at least one vehicle condition evaluated by said controller comprises a status of each sensor, and said controller is configured to decide not to implement said travel request if said status from at least one sensor is indicative of the presence of an object.

A remote control device capable of wirelessly transmitting a travel request signal to a materials handling vehicle comprising:

• a support structure adapted to be mounted on a wrist, hand, or arm of an operator;
• a wireless transmitter associated with said support structure;
• and
• control structure in communication with said wireless transmitter, said control structure adapted to be actuated by the operator to generate a travel request signal to the materials handling vehicle, wherein:
• the materials handling vehicle implements a travel function if the control structure is double clicked by the operator and the materials handling vehicle is stopped;
• the materials handling vehicle does not implement a travel function if the control structure is single clicked by the operator and the materials handling vehicle is stopped;
• and
• the remote control device is for use with a vehicle that includes at least one sensor, the at least one sensor configured to detect the presence of an object located at a position either proximate to the vehicle or on a platform of the vehicle from which the vehicle may be operated, and a controller on the vehicle is configured to decide not to implement a travel request in response to said travel request signal if the status from at least one sensor is indicative of the presence of an object.