A system for managing an inventory of carpet rolls within a warehouse includes one or more autonomous lift trucks, a database configured to store location information for a plurality of carpet rolls in the warehouse, a server in electronic communication with the database, and a system manager configured to send one or more instructions to the one or more lift trucks. The one or more autonomous lift trucks include a frame, a mast attached to the frame, a pole fixedly mounted on the mast, the pole being configured for insertion within a core of a carpet roll for transport of the carpet roll, a plurality of imaging devices mounted on each lift truck in a displaceable manner, at least one navigation sensor, at least one safety sensor, at least one emergency stop, and at least three wheels.

A forklift includes a chassis, a mast hydraulically tiltable relative to the chassis in a primary tilting motion, a fork carriage for mounting forks for supporting a load, the fork carriage being hydraulically tiltable relative to the mast in a secondary tilting motion, and a hydraulic system having an operating element for a user to control the primary tilting motion and the secondary tilting motion. The hydraulic system is configured to carry out a hydraulic sequence control of the primary tilting motion and the secondary tilting motion.

A forklift includes a chassis, a mast hydraulically tiltable relative to the chassis in a primary tilting motion, a fork carriage for mounting forks for supporting a load, the fork carriage being hydraulically tiltable relative to the mast in a secondary tilting motion, and a hydraulic system having an operating element for a user to control the primary tilting motion and the secondary tilting motion. The hydraulic system is configured to carry out a hydraulic sequence control of the primary tilting motion and the secondary tilting motion.

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.

A fork lift apparatus is mounted on a truck for picking up a load, placing the load in a traveling position on the truck, and for unloading the load. The apparatus comprises a lift frame, a shaft, a pair of spaced arms secured to the shaft, a cross member spanning between the distal ends of the arms distal and carrying the forks. The cross member is rotatable relative to the support arms. A pair of drive hydraulic cylinders rotates the shaft and thus moves the arms and the load between a loading/unloading position in which the load may be placed on the forks and the traveling position so that the load may be transported by the truck. A self-leveling system is provided for maintaining the load in a substantially level position as it moves between its loading/unloading and traveling positions.

A system for transporting hydrogen from where it can be economically made to where it is most needed using airships. Green technologies can be used to generate electricity near to the primary energy sources. This electricity can then be used to produce hydrogen directly from water. Hydrogen can be delivered using an airship in which the hydrogen gas can also be used for generating lift, providing propulsion energy and serving ancillary needs. In other embodiments of the invention, the airship of the present invention can be used to dramatically reduce the cost of transportation of freight, the cost of passenger transportation, and to save on the area required for landing at the points of loading/unloading and embarkation/debarkation. And in another embodiment, the airship of the present invention can be used for transporting water and food to areas where needed. Various embodiments can load containers into and out of the ship.

An apparatus for transporting an object is provided. The apparatus includes a mast and a carriage. The mast transitions between a first position defined by a first angle of incidence of the mast with a surface that supports the mast, and a second position defined by a second angle of incidence of the mast with the surface. The carriage traverses the mast and has one or more connectors that selectively secure the object to the carriage. The mast and the carriage are operative to transport the object along the surface when the mast is in the first position, and to facilitate engagement and disengagement of the one or more connectors with the object when the mast is in the second position.

A fork lift apparatus is mounted on a truck for picking up a load, placing the load in a traveling position on the truck, and for unloading the load. The apparatus comprises a lift frame, a shaft, a pair of spaced arms secured to the shaft, a cross member spanning between the distal ends of the arms distal and carrying the forks. The cross member is rotatable relative to the support arms. A pair of drive hydraulic cylinders rotates the shaft and thus moves the arms and the load between a loading/unloading position in which the load may be placed on the forks and the traveling position so that the load may be transported by the truck. A self-leveling system is provided for maintaining the load in a substantially level position as it moves between its loading/unloading and traveling positions.

A loading device of a forklift truck includes outer masts provided at a truck body, mast support shafts rotatably supported by the truck body, and weld portions. Each weld portion is formed by weld bead. Each mast support shaft includes a shaft body that is rotatably supported by the truck body, a first flange portion extending forward and upward from the shaft body, and a second flange portion extending forward and upward from the shaft body. An outer periphery of the first flange portion is formed of a first curved surface. An outer periphery of the second flange portion formed of a second curved surface. Each weld portion includes a first weld portion formed along the first curved surface of the first flange portion of the mast support shaft and a second weld portion formed along the second curved surface of the second flange portion of the mast support shaft.

A lifting vehicle has a lifting device movably mounted on a mast. Raising and lowering of the lifting device is controlled by a lift cylinder. A load monitor including a strain gauge is mounted on a bridge that is secured at each end to locations that are either on the chassis or on the mast. An indicator in communication with the load monitor can signal an output to an operator of the vehicle. As the strain gauge is secured to a load-stressed part of the vehicle, the load monitor is able to measure the stress being imposed on the vehicle. However, as the locations to which the ends of the bridge are secured are static with respect to one another, the readings are not distorted by torsional and shear forces. This enables the weight of a load and also the stability of the vehicle as a whole to be judged.