Mark J Dodd

US Patent:

6782910, Aug 31, 2004

Filed:

Apr 12, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/120789

Inventors:

Luciano Mondani - Piacenza, IT
Mark Dodd - Seneca SC

Assignee:

Lift Technologies, Inc. - Ontario

International Classification:

G05D 700

US Classification:

137106, 13762525, 13762569, 91521, 91528

Abstract:

A hydraulic valve assembly for selectably delivering hydraulic fluid from a supply of hydraulic fluid to one of a first hydraulic operator and a second hydraulic operator is disclosed. The assembly includes first and second supply ports which communicate with the supply and four operator ports. First and third ports communicate with the first hydraulic operator. Second and fourth ports communicate with the fourth hydraulic operator. First and second chambers are provided. The first chamber communicates with the first supply port and first and second operator ports. The second chamber communicates with the second supply port and third and fourth operator ports. Two selection valves operating in unison are each located in each chamber. The selection valves operate between a first position at a first hydraulic fluid pressure and a second position at a second hydraulic fluid pressure. In a first position, the valves permit fluid communication of the first and second supply ports with the first and third operator ports, respectively.

US Patent:

20030057027, Mar 27, 2003

Filed:

Sep 21, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/960712

Inventors:

Stan Simpson - San Antonio TX, US
Mark Dodd - Seneca SC, US

International Classification:

B66F009/08
B66F009/06

US Classification:

187/230000, 187/226000, 187/406000

Abstract:

One aspect of the present invention includes rail and carriage assembly combination that provides improved efficient operation. A rail is provided that has an inside surface that includes a straight back surface and an angled front surface. A carriage assembly is provided that includes upper rollers that are canted. Preferably the upper rollers are canted to match the angle of the angled front surface of the rail when a load is applied to the carriage assembly. As to fore/aft loads, the present invention provides a rail and carriage assembly design that causes the upper rollers of the carriage assembly to contact the front inside surface of the rail. As to offset loads, the present invention provides a rail and carriage assembly design that provides for, the rotation of the carriage assembly's rollers in the area of lateral contact caused by the offset load and the translation of the rail relative to the rollers in the area of lateral contact to be in the same direction when the carriage assembly is raised or lowered with an offset load. Another aspect of the present invention includes reducing the width of a portion of the inner rails to allow for integral stacking of the inner rails to minimize lost load of the mast thus minimizing the counterweight required on the body of the fork lift.

US Patent:

20030156935, Aug 21, 2003

Filed:

Feb 21, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/078521

Inventors:

Luciano Mondani - Piacenza, IT
Mark Dodd - Seneca SC, US

International Classification:

B66F009/14

US Classification:

414/667000

Abstract:

A side shifting and fork positioning assembly for a lift truck is disclosed. The assembly includes a carriage which moves in a lift truck mast. The carriage includes a pair of horizontally spaced apart vertical members and a frame support member secured transversely to the vertical members. A side shift frame slides on the carriage. An upper cross member of the side shift frame supports two forks along their hook portion. Hydraulically actuated cylinders located in the frame support member move the side shift frame. The assembly also includes first and second fork shoes movably secured to the side shift frame. Each of the fork shoes define a contact surface to engage the forks. The contact surface of the fork shoes is located no further forward than a front face of the upper cross member. The assembly includes a fork positioner which moves the first fork shoe relative to the second fork shoe, where the fork shoes are maintained at an equal distance from the center of the side shift frame.