초록 ▼

A material handling vehicle includes first and second control handles positioned at opposing ends of an operator compartment. The first control handle is positioned adjacent the forks for driving the vehicle in a fore or forks first direction, and the second control handle is positioned adjacent th

A material handling vehicle includes first and second control handles positioned at opposing ends of an operator compartment. The first control handle is positioned adjacent the forks for driving the vehicle in a fore or forks first direction, and the second control handle is positioned adjacent the back of the vehicle for driving the vehicle in the aft or forks trailing direction. The control handles provide stability for the operator and an intuitive operator interface irrespective of direction of travel.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A material handling vehicle, comprising: an operator compartment; a first operator control handle for selecting a direction and a speed of travel, the first control handle being mounted at a first position in the operator compartment and configured for operation in a first operator ori

We claim: 1. A material handling vehicle, comprising: an operator compartment; a first operator control handle for selecting a direction and a speed of travel, the first control handle being mounted at a first position in the operator compartment and configured for operation in a first operator orientation; a second operator control handle for selecting a direction and a speed of travel, the second operator control handle being mounted at a second position in the compartment and configured for operation in a second operator orientation opposite the first operator orientation; a steering mechanism mounted for access on the operator compartment, the steering mechanism being controlled by the operator to select a direction of motion; and a traction system controlled by the first and second operator control handles to drive the vehicle in a selected direction, wherein an operator can control the traction system while in either of the first or the second operator orientations, and wherein the steering mechanism is mounted to be accessible to an operator in the first operator orientation and controlling the first operator control handle and to an operator in the second operator orientation and controlling the second operator control handle. 2. The material handling vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein the first operator control handle is a multi-function control handle. 3. The material handling vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein the second operator control handle is substantially horizontal. 4. The material handling vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein the second operator control handle is a twist grip control. 5. The material handling vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein the first position is a first end of the operator compartment and the second position is a second end of the operator compartment. 6. The material handling vehicle as defined in claim 1, further comprising a mechanical linkage coupling the first and the second control handles. 7. The material handling vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein the first operator control handle is a multi-function operator control handle, including a portion which is substantially horizontal, and wherein the substantially horizontal portion is rotated to select the direction and speed of travel of the material handling vehicle. 8. The material handling vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein the first operator orientation is facing fore in the material handling vehicle and the second operator orientation is facing aft in the material handling vehicle. 9. The material handling vehicle as defined in claim 1, further comprising a floor provided in the compartment, and a deadman switch mounted to the floor in a position accessible by an operator facing the first direction and operating the first control handle and an operator facing the second direction and operating the second control handle. 10. A material handling vehicle comprising: a first control handle mounted for access by an operator facing a first direction, the first control handle being rotational in the first direction to produce a control signal selecting motion in the first direction; a second control handle mounted for access by an operator facing a second direction opposite the first direction, the second control handle being rotational in the second direction to produce a control signal selecting motion in the second direction; a steering mechanism mounted for access by an operator facing the first direction and opperating the first operator control and facing the second direction and operating the second operator control; and a traction system for receiving the control signals and for producing a selected direction and a speed of travel of the material handling vehicle. 11. The material handling vehicle as defined in claim 10, wherein the first and second control handles are each rotational around a substantially horizontal axis. 12. The material handling vehicle as defined in claim 10, wherein each of the first and second control handles are rotational in the second and first directions, respectively, to provide a control signal indicative of motion in the direction opposite the direction the operator is facing. 13. The material handling vehicle as defined in claim 10, further comprising a plurality of forks and wherein the first direction is the forks first direction. 14. The material handling vehicle as defined in claim 10, wherein the second control handle is a twist grip control handle. 15. A lift truck, comprising: a fork; an operator station from which the operator drives the lift truck, the operator station being at least partially surrounded by an enclosure; a steering mechanism mounted for access on the enclosure, the steering mechanism being controlled by the operator to select a direction of motion; a first operator control mounted for access on the enclosure, the first operator control being provided adjacent the fork and configured for an operator facing the fork to select a direction of travel; a second operator control mounted for access on the enclosure, the second operator control being provided near an end of the compartment opposite the fork and configured for an operator facing the end of the lift truck opposite the fork to select a direction of travel; and a traction system connected to at least one of the first and second controls to receive a control signal indicative of a direction of travel, wherein the steering mechanism is mounted to be accessible to an operator facing the fork and controlling the first operator control and to an operator facing the end opposite the fork and controlling the second operator control. 16. The lift truck as defined in claim 15, wherein the first control includes a horizontal section which is rotated to provide a speed and a direction signal to the traction system. 17. The lift truck as defined in claim 15, wherein the first control is mounted in the operator control compartment for access during fore stance operation. 18. The lift truck as defined in claim 15, wherein the second control is mounted in the operator compartment for access during aft stance operation. 19. The lift truck as defined in claim 15, wherein the steering mechanism is mounted in the operator compartment for access during each of a fore stance operation and an aft stance operation. 20. The lift truck as defined in claim 15, further comprising a floor switch, the floor switch being positioned in a floor of the operator compartment in a location selected to be accessible by a foot of the operator operating either the first control or the second control. 21. The lift truck as defined in claim 15, further comprising a steering wheel, the steering wheel being mounted to the operator compartment in a location selected to be accessible by an operator operating either the first control or the second control. 22. The lift truck as defined in claim 15, wherein the first control is mounted in the operator compartment for access during fore or aft stance operation.