초록 ▼

A fork lift truck includes a fork level sensor located in the forks, away from the vertical mast of a lift truck for detecting the true level of the forks, and a vision system including a camera which may take several forms. In one form, a single camera is mounted in a housing which may be moved to

A fork lift truck includes a fork level sensor located in the forks, away from the vertical mast of a lift truck for detecting the true level of the forks, and a vision system including a camera which may take several forms. In one form, a single camera is mounted in a housing which may be moved to a protected location vertically either by sliding in the carriage assembly, or by use of a parallelogram device. In another form, multiple cameras are employed where a second camera may be either mounted above the first camera in the same housing or mounted between the forks. Alternatively, the first camera may perform multiple roles by being moved vertically from a first predetermined location below the bottom of the forks to a higher elevation a second predetermined location relative to the forks. A video display terminal, which shows the view observed by the camera, may also include a fork level indicator, a reticle for assisting in adjusting the vertical position of the forks, and an indicator showing the specific truck function selected by the operator.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A fork lift truck includinga pair of forks for supporting a load,means for raising and lowering said forks,means for tilting said forks relative to a body of the truck,a level sensor mounted on at least one of said forks for providing an indication of the level of said fo

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A fork lift truck includinga pair of forks for supporting a load,means for raising and lowering said forks,means for tilting said forks relative to a body of the truck,a level sensor mounted on at least one of said forks for providing an indication of the level of said forks with respect to a horizontal plane,a display terminal including a screen mounted for viewing by an operator, andmeans responsive to said level sensor for displaying an indication of the level position of said forks with respect to the horizontal plane on said display terminal, including a reference bar on said screen representing the horizontal plane, and an indicator on said screen for showing the actual position of said forks with respect to the horizontal plane, thereby to assist the operator in adjusting the level of said forks prior to loading, moving or unloading a load from said forks.