초록 ▼

Devices for elevationally moving a platform are complex in construction, bulky, tend to wear prematurely, are unable to maintain the platform at a preselected attitude, and tend to move jerky. A lifting mechanism having an elevationally movable shaft driven by a motor is provided for elevationally m

Devices for elevationally moving a platform are complex in construction, bulky, tend to wear prematurely, are unable to maintain the platform at a preselected attitude, and tend to move jerky. A lifting mechanism having an elevationally movable shaft driven by a motor is provided for elevationally moving a platform. A bearing member supports the platform for universal pivotal movement on the shaft, and first and second guide assemblies maintain the platform at a preselected attitude relative to the vehicle frame, guide the platform for substantially straight elevational movement, and prevent undesirable forces from being applied to the shaft. Thus, the problems related to premature wear and failure, jerky operation, platform attitude maintenance, size and complexity are reduced. The elevating device is particularly suited for use on an automatic guided vehicle.

대표청구항 ▼

A work vehicle, comprising: a vehicle frame; a platform having opposed load engaging and connecting surfaces; a lifting mechanism having a housing, a lifting axis, and a shaft movably connected to the housing, said housing being connected to said frame, and said shaft having a first end portion and

A work vehicle, comprising: a vehicle frame; a platform having opposed load engaging and connecting surfaces; a lifting mechanism having a housing, a lifting axis, and a shaft movably connected to the housing, said housing being connected to said frame, and said shaft having a first end portion and being movable relative to said housing along said lifting axis between first and second spaced apart positions; a first guide assembly having a guide housing, a guide axis, and a guide rod slidably connected to said guide housing and movable along said guide axis, said guide rod having a first end portion connected to said connecting surface at a first location on the connecting surface and said guide housing being connected to the frame; a second guide assembly having a guide housing, a guide axis, and a guide rod slidably connected to said second guide assembly guide housing and movable along the second guide assembly guide axis, said second guide assembly guide rod having a first end portion connected to the connecting surface at a second location on the connecting surface spaced from the first location, said first guide assembly guide housing being connected to the frame; a bearing member having a load bearing portion and being connected to the shaft first end portion, said load bearing portion being engaged with said connecting surface at a third location on the connecting surface spaced from said first and second locations; and means for engaging said bearing member and maintaining said bearing member at said third location on the connecting surface, said engaging means having a flange portion and said flange portion being spaced a preselected distance from said bearing member, in a direction along said lifting axis, when said bearing member is engaged with the connecting surface, said bearing member being free to roll relative to said connecting surface an amount determined by said preselected distance between the flange portion and bearing member.