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A device for determining the orientation of a fork on a forklift has an indicating rod adjustably attached to the fork assembly which passes through a electrical contact switch assembly mounted to the cylinder which in turn is rigidly attached to the cylinder of the piston assembly and is comprised

A device for determining the orientation of a fork on a forklift has an indicating rod adjustably attached to the fork assembly which passes through a electrical contact switch assembly mounted to the cylinder which in turn is rigidly attached to the cylinder of the piston assembly and is comprised of electrical contactors that are activated by the indicating rod that indicates to the forklift operator with an orientation of the forks relative to the wheel base.

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1. A device for determining vertical orientation of a fork of a forklift, said forklift comprising a frame, a fork assembly, a tilting piston assembly, an operator compartment, a prime mover and surface engaging wheels, said fork assembly pivotally attached to said frame, said fork assembly further

1. A device for determining vertical orientation of a fork of a forklift, said forklift comprising a frame, a fork assembly, a tilting piston assembly, an operator compartment, a prime mover and surface engaging wheels, said fork assembly pivotally attached to said frame, said fork assembly further comprising a column, a telescoping structure and a pair of forks, said pair of forks movable upon said telescoping structure, said telescoping structure moveable upon said column, said piston assembly comprising a piston and a cylinder, said cylinder pivotally attached to said frame, said piston having one end longitudinally movable within said cylinder and an opposite end of said piston coupled to said fork assembly with a pivotable coupling, said device comprising: an indicating rod, a electrical contact switch assembly, an tilt indicator, a mounting lug and connecting wires,said mounting lug having a hole disposed longitudinally therethrough,said electrical contact switch assembly rigidly mounted to said cylinder,said indicating rod having a forward end adjustably attached to said pivotable coupling in said mounting lug,said indicating rod disposed parallel to said piston and passing through said electrical contact switch assembly,said indicating rod having a central cylindrical portion, a forward tilt groove, a rearward tilt groove and an end cylindrical portion,said forward tilt groove disposed aft of said central cylindrical portion, said rearward tilt groove disposed between said central cylindrical portion and said end cylindrical portion,said forward tilt groove disposed diametrically opposite said rearward tilt groove,said electrical contact switch comprising a pair of electrical contactors disposed in opposed relationship wherein one said electrical contact switch has a follower adapted to travel on said indicating rod diametrically opposite a follower of another said electrical contact switch,said follower of said one electrical contact switch aligned with said forward tilt groove and said follower of said another electrical contact switch aligned with said rearward tilt groove,said tilt indicator mounted in said operator compartment and electrically coupled to said electrical contact switch assembly with said connecting wires, said tilt indicator providing an operator with an orientation of said forks relative to a surface engaged with said surface engaging wheels. 2. A device as in claim 1 wherein a central orientation of said forks is established by placing said forks flat upon said surface, adjustably moving said indicating rod in said mounting lug wherein said follower of said one electrical contact switch and said follower of said another electrical contact switch are disposed on said central cylindrical portion of said indicating rod. 3. A device as in claim 2 wherein said hole is cylindrical and is disposed longitudinally through said mounting lug. 4. A device as in claim 3 wherein said mounting lug further comprises a pinching clamp, said pinching clamp comprising a slit and a clamping screw, said slit disposed through a sidewall of said mounting lug and into said hole, said clamping screw disposed into said mounting block at an angle to said slit wherein said hole is adjustable in diameter by closing said slit with said clamping screw. 5. A device as in claim 2 wherein said tilt indicator comprises a light adapted to change color relative to a position of said indicating rod. 6. A device as in claim 2 wherein said tilt indicator comprises a pair of lights disposed one above the other wherein a top one of said lights is on when said follower of said one electrical contact switch is disposed into said forward tilt groove of said indicating rod. 7. A device as in claim 6 wherein a bottom one of said lights is on when said follower of said another electrical contact switch is disposed in said rearward tilt groove of said indicating rod. 8. A device as in claim 7 wherein said bottom one of said lights and said top one of said lights is off when said follower of said another electrical contact switch and said follower of said one electrical contact switch are disposed on said central cylindrical portion of said indicating rod. 9. A device as in claim 2 wherein said tilt indicator comprises an audible signal relative to a position of said indicating rod. 10. A device as in claim 9 wherein said audible signal comprises a tone of high frequency only when said follower of said one electrical contact switch is disposed into said forward tilt groove of said indicating rod. 11. A device as in claim 10 wherein audible signal comprises a tone of low frequency only when said follower of said another electrical contact switch is disposed in said rearward tilt groove of said indicating rod. 12. A device as in claim 3 wherein said hole is threaded longitudinally through said mounting lug, said end cylindrical portion is threaded and said central orientation of said forks established by threadedly adjusting said indicating rod in said hole in said mounting lug. 13. A device as in claim 3 wherein said hole is disposed longitudinally through said mounting lug, said terminal cylindrical portion is threaded, a pair of cooperating nuts are threaded upon said threaded cylindrical portion, one said nut disposed on one side of said mounting lug and another nut disposed on an opposite side of said mounting lug, said central orientation of said forks established by moving said indicating rod through said hole in said mounting lug by threadedly adjusting said cooperating nuts against said sides of said mounting lug. 14. A device for determining vertical orientation of a fork of a forklift, said forklift comprising a frame, a fork assembly, a tilting piston assembly, an operator compartment, a prime mover and surface engaging wheels, said fork assembly pivotally attached to said frame, said fork assembly further comprising a column, a telescoping structure and a pair of forks, said pair of forks movable upon said telescoping structure, said telescoping structure moveable upon said column, said piston assembly comprising a piston and a cylinder, said cylinder pivotally attached to said frame, said piston having one end longitudinally movable within said cylinder and an opposite end thereof coupled to said fork assembly with a pivotable coupling, said device comprising: an indicating rod, a electrical contact switch assembly, an tilt indicator, a mounting lug and connecting wires,said mounting lug having a hole disposed longitudinally therethrough,said electrical contact switch assembly rigidly mounted to said cylinder,said indicating rod having a forward end adjustably attached to said pivotable coupling with said mounting lug,said indicating rod disposed parallel to said piston and passing through said electrical contact switch assembly,said indicating rod having a central cylindrical portion, a forward tilt groove and a rearward tilt groove,said forward tilt groove disposed aft of said central cylindrical portion, said rearward tilt groove disposed between said central cylindrical portion and said end cylindrical portion,said forward tilt groove disposed diametrically opposite said rearward tilt groove,said electrical contact switch comprising a pair of electrical contactors disposed in opposed relationship wherein one said electrical contact switch has a follower adapted to travel on said indicating rod diametrically opposite a follower of another said electrical contact switch,said follower of said one electrical contact switch aligned with said forward tilt groove and said follower of said another electrical contact switch aligned with said rearward tilt groove,said tilt indicator mounted in said operator compartment and electrically coupled to said electrical contact switch assembly with said connecting wires, said tilt indicator providing an operator with an orientation of said forks relative to a surface engaged by said surface engaging wheels. 15. A device as in claim 14 wherein said hole is disposed longitudinally through said mounting lug and corresponds in shape to said rearward tilt groove. 16. A device as in claim 15 wherein said mounting lug is provided with at least one set screw threaded into one side of said mounting lug, said set screw adapted to be tightened against said indicating rod in said rearward tilt groove. 17. In combination, a fork lift and a device for determining vertical orientation of forks of a forklift, said forklift comprising a frame, a fork assembly, a tilting piston assembly, an operator compartment, a prime mover and surface engaging wheels, said fork assembly pivotally attached to said frame, said fork assembly further comprising a column, a telescoping structure and a pair of forks, said pair of forks movable upon said telescoping structure, said telescoping structure moveable upon said column, said piston assembly comprising a piston and a cylinder, said cylinder pivotally attached to said frame, said piston having one end longitudinally movable within said cylinder and an opposite end of said piston coupled to said fork assembly with a pivotable coupling, said device comprising: an indicating rod, a electrical contact switch assembly, an tilt indicator, a mounting lug and connecting wires,said mounting lug having a hole disposed longitudinally therethrough,said electrical contact switch assembly rigidly mounted to said cylinder,said indicating rod having a forward end adjustably attached to said pivotable coupling in said mounting lug,said indicating rod disposed parallel to said piston and passing through said electrical contact switch assembly,said indicating rod having a central cylindrical portion, a forward tilt groove, a rearward tilt groove and an end cylindrical portion,said forward tilt groove disposed aft of said central cylindrical portion, said rearward tilt groove disposed between said central cylindrical portion and said end cylindrical portion,said forward tilt groove disposed diametrically opposite said rearward tilt groove,said electrical contact switch comprising a pair of electrical contactors disposed in opposed relationship wherein one said electrical contact switch has a follower adapted to travel on said indicating rod diametrically opposite a follower of another said electrical contact switch,said follower of said one electrical contact switch aligned with said forward tilt groove and said follower of said another electrical contact switch aligned with said rearward tilt groove,said tilt indicator mounted in said operator compartment and electrically coupled to said electrical contact switch assembly with said connecting wires, said tilt indicator providing an operator with an orientation of said forks relative to a surface supporting said forklift. 18. A combination as claimed in claim 17 wherein said tilt indicator comprises a plurality of lights arranged in a vertical column and wherein a first portion of said plurality of lights is arranged in said column above a central null section, said central null section devoid of said lights and a second portion of said plurality of lights arranged in said column below said central null section. 19. A combination as claimed in claim 18 wherein said first portion of lights is one color. 20. A combination as claimed in claim 19 wherein said second portion of lights is a contrasting color.