A forklift includes a vehicle frame, wherein at least one load rest platform is movably arranged on the vehicle frame. The at least one load rest platform is movable between a storage position, in which no load can be deposited on the at least one load rest platform, and a working position, in which a load can be deposited on the at least one load rest platform. The at least one load rest platform is aligned essentially horizontally when moved to the working position, and the at least one load rest platform is movably arranged on an upper surface of the vehicle frame via at least one articulating joint. The at least one articulating joint connects the at least one load rest platform with a side face of the vehicle frame.

Apparatuses, systems and methods associated with powered vehicles are disclosed herein. In examples, a system for controlling a vehicle may include sensors and a processor coupled to the sensors. The processor may identify one or more values received from the one or more sensors, wherein the one or more values are associated with one or more conditions of the vehicle and/or the vehicle's environment, and determine, based on the one or more values, a net resultant force vector of one or more forces acting on a center of mass of the vehicle. The processor may further determine a relationship between the net resultant force vector and a stability polygon that is superimposed at a base of the vehicle, and determine whether to limit one or more of a speed, rate of change, and/or travel amount for one or more of the operational systems controlled by the processor based on the relationship between the net resultant force vector and the stability polygon. Other examples may be described and/or claimed.

Some aspects of the present disclosure provide a material handling vehicle configured for selectively coupling with any of a plurality of material handling attachments. In some configurations, the material handling vehicle includes a vehicle frame and a universal mounting assembly. The universal mounting assembly includes a universal mount coupled to the vehicle frame and having at least one linear actuator and at least one hinge, and a universal frame having at least one cradle rod pivotally coupled to the hinge and at least one bracket coupled to the linear actuator. Selective actuation of the at least one linear actuator pivots the universal frame relative to the vehicle frame.

The present disclosure relates to a forklift and a self-charging apparatus therefor. A forklift includes a guide disposed in a forklift body, a feeder that moves together with a forklift fork along the guide, a power generator coupled to one of the guide or the feeder to make contact with a remaining of the guide or the feeder, and that produces electricity through rotation thereof due to the contact during relative movement between the guide and the feeder, and a battery that stores the electricity produced by the power generator.

A materials handling vehicle including a vehicle-side charging contact assembly coupled to a battery, a steerable drive wheel defining a drive wheel track width W, and a pair of load wheels defining a load wheel gap G between the pair of load wheels that is larger than the drive wheel track width W. A charging station includes a pair of floor-side charging contacts configured to transfer charging current to the vehicle-side charging contact assembly. The pair of floor-side charging contacts define an inner contact spacing S1 that is larger than the drive wheel track width W, and an outer contact spacing S2 that is larger than the inner contact spacing S1 and smaller than the load wheel gap G to permit passage of the steerable drive wheel between the floor-side charging contacts, followed by passage of the pair of load wheels outside of the floor-side charging contacts.

An industrial truck includes: a chassis, a mast pivotally mounted on the chassis, a lifting element for lifting a load, the lifting element being mounted on the mast in a slidable manner along the mast; a plurality of actuating units including: a lifting actuator configured to move the lifting element along the mast, a tilting actuator configured to tilt the mast with respect to the chassis, a wheel drive system for driving wheels of the industrial truck; a plurality of sensors including: a load sensor for detecting the load on the lifting element, a tilt angle sensor for detecting the tilt angle of the mast with respect to the chassis, and a height sensor for detecting the height of the lifting element with respect to the mast, a control unit configured to control the plurality of actuating units based on information detected by the plurality of sensors for achieving stability of the industrial truck during operation, wherein the control unit is configured to generate one or more control values by using a mathematical model of the industrial truck to which information detected by the plurality of sensors are inputted, the control unit being configured to control the plurality of actuating units based on the one or more control values. The industrial truck further comprises a rear axle load sensor configured to detect the load on a rear axle of the industrial truck, wherein the control unit is configured to control the operation of the industrial truck also based on a rear axle load value detected by the rear axle load sensor.

A traction control system for a pallet truck includes a traction motor, an operator controlled input device configured to selectively accelerate the pallet truck in both a forward direction of vehicle travel and a reverse direction of vehicle travel, and an operator controlled actuation device configured to place the pallet truck in an auxiliary mode of operation. A vehicle controller may monitor a speed of the pallet truck and, in response to receiving an actuation signal, command the traction motor to maintain the speed of the pallet truck at an intermediate rate of travel without actuation of the operator controlled input device.

Systems and methods can prevent or reduce jerk during operation of a materials-handling vehicle that is unloaded or carrying a load. The vehicle comprises one or more user input devices configured to receive from an operator a request to perform an action and a processor. The processor is configured to determine, before performing the action requested by the operator, a force acting on the load carried by the materials-handling vehicle as a result of the action requested by the operator. The processor determines whether the force would result in a jerk if the action is performed as requested. If it is determined that the force would result in a jerk, the action is modified so as to reduce the force. If it is determined that the force would not result in a jerk, the materials-handling vehicle performs the action as requested by the operator without modification to reduce the force.

The present disclosure provides a pushing device to be mounted on a forklift for pushing an object onto a carrier. The pushing device can include a pair of push rails, a push bar, and a skid plate. Each of the push rails can an aperture for removably accepting a fork of the forklift. The push bar can be disposed on an opposite side of the pushing device of the aperture and can be for contacting and pushing the object. The skid plate can be disposed on a bottom side of the pushing device. The skid plate can provide an interface between the pushing device and the carrier as the object is pushed onto the carrier. A method for using a pushing device to be mounted on a forklift for pushing an object onto a carrier is also provided.

A system is provided comprising: a materials handling vehicle; a wearable remote control device comprising: a wireless communication system including a wireless transmitter; and a rechargeable power source; a receiver at the vehicle for receiving transmissions from the wireless transmitter; a controller at the vehicle that is communicably coupled to the receiver, the controller being responsive to receipt of the transmissions from the remote control device; and a charging station at the vehicle. The charging station may charge the rechargeable power source of the wearable remote control device. The charging station may comprise a visual indicator.