Stephen R Austin

US Patent:

40612376, Dec 6, 1977

Filed:

Jul 10, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/594634

Inventors:

Stephen R. Austin - Winnetka IL
George J. Stevenson - Wilmette IL

Assignee:

The Brevet Corporation - Glenview IL

International Classification:

B60P 164

US Classification:

214515

Abstract:

Apparatus for storing a mobile forklift truck on top of a raised platform such as a loading dock or the floor of a transport truck, and to an improved forklift truck for use in such apparatus. The apparatus includes a pair of stirrups mounted on top of the raised platform to receive the fork tines of the forklift truck, so that when the tines are lowered far enough, the forklift truck is lifted up until its drive wheel is level with the top of the raised platform. The apparatus also includes a collapsible support arm movable between an out-of-the-way position and an operative position level with the platform top, where the support arm engages the drive wheel of the forklift truck. The improved mobile forklift truck of this invention has a "ready condition" in which it can be brought into position for self-storage on the raised platform, in which condition forwardly extending wheels can move through a restricted "collapsing zone" having specified boundaries into out-of-the-way storage positions. Several embodiments of the improved forklift truck are disclosed, in each of which the upper boundary of the forward portion of the collapsing zone is low enough that the support wheels retracted into out-of-the-way storage positions do not strike any downhanging parts of the raised platform, and the rear boundary of the collapsing zone is far enough forward to avoid any protrusions that would interfere with freedom of movement of the operator behind the forklift truck.

US Patent:

44351135, Mar 6, 1984

Filed:

Aug 24, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/295783

Inventors:

John F. Mosely - Ormond Beach FL
Stephen R. Austin - Winnetka IL

Assignee:

Superior Handling Equipment, Inc. - Ormond Beach FL

International Classification:

B66F 908

US Classification:

414347

Abstract:

The self-propelled freight handling truck is comprised of a manually guided wheeled frame on which is mounted a mast and lifting forks, with a motor for supplying power to raise, lower, and tilt the forks, to propel the vehicle, to move front wheels laterally outboard to straddle a load or laterally inboard under the load while the load is being carried, and to extend or retract the front wheels telescopically the guide handle and said forks being foldable into a collapsed, compact storage position. A beverage handling system is also provided comprising a side-loading highway truck for transporting a driver, unitized loads of beverages and freight, and the self-propelled fork lift truck mentioned above. The truck and system of this invention is particularly useful in the handling of full or partially unitized beverage loads between the side-loading highway truck and the delivery facility.

US Patent:

45711399, Feb 18, 1986

Filed:

May 3, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/491019

Inventors:

John F. Moseley - Ormond Beach FL
Stephen R. Austin - Winnetka IL

Assignee:

Superior Handling Equipment, Inc. - Ormond Beach FL

International Classification:

B66F 908

US Classification:

414347

Abstract:

A system in which a self-propelled fork lift truck that is collapsible to a compact structure for storage is made transportable on a highway freight handling truck, by lifting itself into an enclosed bay of the highway truck, or onto a platform attached to the highway truck, or onto a trailer pulled by the highway truck.