Mel A Beikmann

US Patent:

8276704, Oct 2, 2012

Filed:

Dec 7, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/962444

Inventors:

Donald R. Landoll - Marysville KS, US
Mel A. Beikmann - Hanover KS, US
Shannon W. Gibson - Marysville KS, US

Assignee:

Landoll Corporation - Marysville KS

International Classification:

B62D 5/06

US Classification:

180235, 180418

Abstract:

A hydraulic steering actuator system for a forklift with front and rear sections includes a hydraulic steering motor. The forklift front section includes a mast mounting a pair of fork blades and a pair of wheels. The forklift rear section mounts a pair of drive wheels. The forklift front and rear sections are connected by an articulated connection with a vertical rotational axis. The steering actuator motor driveshaft extends generally along the vertical rotational axis. First and second actuator mounting brackets are connected to the forklift front and rear sections respectively. One of the mounting brackets includes upper and lower locking assemblies locking the hydraulic steering motor driveshaft whereby torque applied to the steering motor is transmitted to the articulated connection for turning the forklift front section relative to the forklift rear section. The range of motion is preferably 180-205 for accommodating side-loading operations from relatively high storage shelves, e. g. in narrow-aisle warehouses.

US Patent:

20130039729, Feb 14, 2013

Filed:

Oct 2, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/633711

Inventors:

Donald R. Landoll - Marysville KS, US
Mel A. Beikmann - Hanover KS, US
Shannon W. Gibson - Marysville KS, US

International Classification:

B66F 9/22
B66F 9/14
B66F 9/08
B62D 12/00
B62D 5/06

US Classification:

414642, 180418

Abstract:

A hydraulic steering actuator system for a forklift with front and rear sections includes a hydraulic steering motor. The forklift front section includes a mast mounting a pair of fork blades and a pair of wheels. The forklift rear section mounts a pair of drive wheels. The forklift front and rear sections are connected by an articulated connection with a vertical rotational axis. The steering actuator motor driveshaft extends along the vertical rotational axis. First and second actuator mounting brackets are connected to the forklift front and rear sections respectively. One of the mounting brackets includes upper and lower locking assemblies locking the hydraulic steering motor driveshaft whereby torque applied to the steering motor is transmitted to the articulated connection for turning the forklift front section relative to the forklift rear section. The range of motion is preferably 180-205 for accommodating side-loading operations from relatively high storage shelves.