Vehicle having transverse leveling means

Claim 2

A self-propelled loading vehicle having means for vertically positioning a load with respect to the vehicle body, said means comprising an extensible boom pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis on said body, ground engaging means for supporting the vehicle body for movement over undulating terrain, power means between the ground engaging means and the vehicle body for tilting the vehicle body in a transverse direction relative to the ground engaging means and thereby maintaining the body in a substantially level transverse position regardless of the attitude of the ground engaging means in respect thereto, and automatic level sensing means for sensing deviation of the body from a transverse level position and for actuating said power means to maintain said body in a substantially level transverse position, said level sensing means including an electric circuit having an electrical power source, a fluid flow control valve, first level sensing switch means operatively responsive to a tilting of the vehicle body in a transverse direction a first predetermined amount, second level sensing switch means operatively responsive to a tilting of the vehicle body in a transverse direction a second predetermined amount, said second amount being significantly smaller than said first amount, a first system control switch for selectively completing and interrupting a circuit including said first level sensing switching means, said electric power source and said valve, a second system control switch independent of said first system control switch for selectively completing and interrupting a circuit including said second level sensing switch means, said electric power source and said valve, circuit means ensuring the operating effectiveness of said second level sensing switch means when both first and second level sensing switch means are in circuit with said electric power source and said valve.

Claim 3

The vehicle set forth in claim 1 further characterized in that said valve is an electric solenoid operated valve connected to and operative by each of said first and second level sensing switch means, and said valve is connected to said power means for actuation thereof.

Claim 4

The vehicle described in claim 2 further characteized in that said fluid cylinder means constitutes said power means.

Claim 5

The vehicle as claimed in claim 1 further characterized in that said ground engaging means comprises a transverse axle pivotally mounted intermediate its length to a transversely central portion of said body, and said power means are a pair of extensible units connected between said body and said axle at transversely spaced locations thereon.

Claim 6

The vehicle as claimed in claim 2 further characterized in that said ground engaging means comprises a transverse axle pivotally mounted intermediate its length to a transversely central portion of said body, and said power means are a pair of extensible units connected between said body and said axle at transversely spaced locations thereon.

Claim 7

The vehicle as claimed in claim 3 further characterized in that said ground engaging means comprises a transverse axle pivotally mounted intermediate its length to a transversely central portion of said body, and said power means are a pair of extensible units connected between said body and said axle at transversely spaced locations thereon.

Claim 8

A self-propelled fork lift vehicle comprising a body, means for vertically positioning a load with respect to said vehicle body, ground engaging means for supporting said vehicle body for movement over uneven surfaces, power means between said ground engaging means and said vehicle body for tilting said vehicle body in a transverse direction relative to said ground engaging means and for maintaining said body in a substantially level transverse position regardless of the attitude of said ground engaging means, and automatic level sensing means for sensing deviation of said vehicle body from a transverse level position aand for actuating said power means to maintain said body in a substantially level transverse position, said sensing means including first and second angular sensing means, said first sensing means being adapted to maintain said load and vehicle body level during stationary operation of said vehicle and said second sensing means being adapted to maintain said load and vehicle body level as said vehicle traverses uneven surfaces, one of said first and second sensing means being of a greater sensitivity than the said other sensing means to permit greater angular disorientation of said vehicle body than the said other sensing means without actuation of said power means.

Claim 9

A self-propelled fork lift vehicle comprising a body, means for vertically positioning a load with respect to said vehicle body, ground engaging means for supporting said vehicle body for movement over uneven surfaces, power means between said ground engaging means and said vehicle body for tilting said vehicle body in a transverse direction relative to said ground engaging means and for maintaining said body in a substantially level transverse position regardless of the attitude of said ground engaging means, and automatic level sensing means for sensing deviation of said vehicle body from a transverse level position aand for actuating said power means to maintain said body in a substantially level transverse position, said sensing means including first and second angular sensing means, said first sensing means being adapted to maintain said load and vehicle body level during stationary operation of said vehicle and said second sensing means being adapted to maintain said load and vehicle body level as said vehicle traverses uneven surfaces, one of said first and second sensing means being of a greater sensitivity than the said other sensing means to permit greater angular disorientation of said vehicle body than the said other sensing means without actuation of said power means.

Claim 10

A self-propelled high ground clearance load lifting vehicle comprising: a vehicle body, ground engaging means for supporting said vehicle body for movement over uneven surfaces, said ground engaging means comprising a pair of transversely spaced ground engaging wheels and an axle assembly interconnecting said wheels including a high ground clearance transverse axle disposed in a horizontal plane above the horizontal plane containing the rotational axis of the wheels, power means between said ground engaging means and said vehicle body for tilting said vehicle body in a transverse direction relative to said ground engaging means, means for positioning a load with respect to said vehicle body, including an extensible boom pivotally mounted on said vehicle body, said boom being movable in a vertical plane to position a load substantially above said vehicle body; automatic level sensing means responsive to deviation of said vehicle body from a transverse level position by a predetermined angle, said sensing means comprising a first sensor responsive to a vehicle transverse angular deviation of a first angle, a first control switch for actuating said first sensor, a second sensor responsive to a vehicle transverse angular deviation of a second angle, said second angle being larger than said first angle, a second control switch for actuating said second sensor, and including a valve responsive to each of said first and said second sensors, said sensing means effecting actuation of said power means to prevent said body from tilting transversely beyond said predetermined angle regardless of the transverse attitute of said ground engaging means.

Claim 11

A self-propelled high ground clearance load lifting vehicle comprising: a vehicle body, ground engaging means for supporting said vehicle body for movement over uneven surfaces, said ground engaging means comprising a pair of transversely spaced ground engaging wheels and an axle assembly interconnecting said wheels including a high ground clearance transverse axle disposed in a horizontal plane above the horizontal plane containing the rotational axis of the wheels, power means between said ground engaging means and said vehicle body for tilting said vehicle body in a transverse direction relative to said ground engaging means, means for positioning a load with respect to said vehicle body, including an extensible boom pivotally mounted on said vehicle body, said boom being movable in a vertical plane to position a load substantially above said vehicle body; automatic level sensing means responsive to deviation of said vehicle body from a transverse level position by a predetermined angle, said sensing means comprising a first sensor responsive to a vehicle transverse angular deviation of a first angle, a first control switch for actuating said first sensor, a second sensor responsive to a vehicle transverse angular deviation of a second angle, said second angle being larger than said first angle, a second control switch for actuating said second sensor, and including a valve responsive to each of said first and said second sensors, said sensing means effecting actuation of said power means to prevent said body from tilting transversely beyond said predetermined angle regardless of the transverse attitute of said ground engaging means.

Claim 12

A high ground clearance vehicle as defined in claim 8 wherein said first sensor includes a first circuit having a first control switch for automatically actuating said first sensor upon elevation of a load relative to said vehicle body.

Claim 13

A high ground clearance vehicle as defined in claim 8 wherein said power means is a pair of hydraulic rams connected at one end to said vehicle body and at the other end to said ground engaging means and wherein said valve actuates the appropriate one of said hydraulic rams to maintain the vehicle body within a transverse angular deviation of said predetermined angle.

Claim 14

A self-propelled, high ground clearance fork lift vehicle comprising: a. a vehicle body including a fork lift for vertically positioning a load with respect to said body; b. ground engaging means for supporting said vehicle for movement over uneven surfaces, said ground engaging means including longitudinally spaced apart pairs of transversely spaced front and rear wheels, a generally U-shaped axle assembly interconnecting said front wheels and interconnecting said rear wheels, each axle assembly including a pivotal, center mounted transverse axle disposed in a horizontal plane above the horizontal plane containing the rotational axis of the wheels; c. automatic level sensing means responsive to a predetermined angular deviation of said vehicle body in a transverse direction from a vertical plane through the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, said sensing means including a first sensor responsive to a vehicle transverse angular deviation of a first angle, a first control switch for selectively actuating said first sensor, a second sensor responsive to a vehicle transverse angular deviation of a second angle larger than said first angle, a second control switch for selectively actuating said second sensor; d. power means between said vehicle body and said ground engaging means for tilting said vehicle body about said longitudinal axis relative to said ground engaging means, said power means including at least one pair of hydraulic rams each being connected at one end to said vehicle body and at their other end to opposite ends of one of the front and rear axles; e. valve means responsive to said sensing means for actuating said power means to prevent said body from tilting transversely beyond said predetermined angle regardless of the transverse attitude of said ground engaging means; said valve means actuating the appropriate one of said hydraulic rams to maintain the vehicle body within a transverse angular deviation of said predetermined angle; said valve being responsive to each of said first and second sensors.

Claim 15

A self-propelled, high ground clearance fork lift vehicle comprising: a. a vehicle body including a fork lift for vertically positioning a load with respect to said body; b. ground engaging means for supporting said vehicle for movement over uneven surfaces, said ground engaging means including longitudinally spaced apart pairs of transversely spaced front and rear wheels, a generally U-shaped axle assembly interconnecting said front wheels and interconnecting said rear wheels, each axle assembly including a pivotal, center mounted transverse axle disposed in a horizontal plane above the horizontal plane containing the rotational axis of the wheels; c. automatic level sensing means responsive to a predetermined angular deviation of said vehicle body in a transverse direction from a vertical plane through the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, said sensing means including a first sensor responsive to a vehicle transverse angular deviation of a first angle, a first control switch for selectively actuating said first sensor, a second sensor responsive to a vehicle transverse angular deviation of a second angle larger than said first angle, a second control switch for selectively actuating said second sensor; d. power means between said vehicle body and said ground engaging means for tilting said vehicle body about said longitudinal axis relative to said ground engaging means, said power means including at least one pair of hydraulic rams each being connected at one end to said vehicle body and at their other end to opposite ends of one of the front and rear axles; e. valve means responsive to said sensing means for actuating said power means to prevent said body from tilting transversely beyond said predetermined angle regardless of the transverse attitude of said ground engaging means; said valve means actuating the appropriate one of said hydraulic rams to maintain the vehicle body within a transverse angular deviation of said predetermined angle; said valve being responsive to each of said first and second sensors.

Claim 16

A self-propelled load lifting vehicle comprising a vehicle body, ground engaging means for supporting said vehicle body for movement over uneven surfaces, automatic level sensing means including a first sensor responsive to a vehicle body first transverse angular deviation from a vertical plane through the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and a second sensor responsive to a vehicle body second transverse angular deviation from said vertical plane, said second angular deviation being larger than said first angular deviation control means for selectively actuating and disabling said first sensor, power means between said vehicle body and said ground engaging means for tilting said vehicle body relative to said ground engaging means about said longitudinal axis, said sensing means effecting actuation of said power means to prevent said first angular deviation when said first sensor is actuated and from tilting transversely beyond said second angular deviation when said first sensor is disabled by said control means.

Claim 17

A self-propelled load lifting vehicle comprising a vehicle body, ground engaging means for supporting said vehicle body for movement over uneven surfaces, automatic level sensing means including a first sensor responsive to a vehicle body first transverse angular deviation from a vertical plane through the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and a second sensor responsive to a vehicle body second transverse angular deviation from said vertical plane, said second angular deviation being larger than said first angular deviation control means for selectively actuating and disabling said first sensor, power means between said vehicle body and said ground engaging means for tilting said vehicle body relative to said ground engaging means about said longitudinal axis, said sensing means effecting actuation of said power means to prevent said first angular deviation when said first sensor is actuated and from tilting transversely beyond said second angular deviation when said first sensor is disabled by said control means.

Claim 18

A vehicle as defined in claim 12 wherein said control means includes means for selectively actuating and disabling said second sensor.

Claim 19

A vehicle as defined in claim 12 wherein said power means includes at least one pair of hydraulic rams, one of said rams being connected at one end to said body and at its other end to the ground engaging means on one transverse side of said body, the other of said rams being connected at one end to said body and at its other end to the ground engaging means on the other transverse side of said body.

Claim 20

A vehicle as defined in claim 13 wherein said sensing means includes a valve responsive to each of said first and second sensors for effecting actuation of said power means.

Claim 21

A vehicle as defined in claim 14 wherein said sensing means includes a valve responsive to each of said first and second sensors for effecting actuation of said power means.

Claim 22

A vehicle as defined in claim 13 wherein said control means includes means for automatically actuating said first sensor when said means for vertically positioning a load is operated to elevate said load.

Claim 23

A vehicle as defined in claim 14 wherein said control means includes manual control means for actuating said second sensor.

Claim 24

A vehicle as defined in claim 18 wherein said sensing means includes one valve which is responsive to each of said first and second sensors for effecting actuation of said power means.

Claim 25

A self-propelled load lifting vehicle comprising: a. a vehicle body; b. means for vertically positioning a load with respect to said vehicle body; c. ground engaging means for supporting said vehicle body for movement over uneven surfaces, said ground engaging means including a pair of transversely spaced front wheels, a pair of transversely spaced rear wheels spaced longitudinally from said front wheels, a front axle assembly interconnecting said front wheels including a pivotal, center mounted transverse front axle, a rear axle assembly interconnecting said rear wheels including a pivotal, center mounted transverse rear axle; d. automatic level sensing means including a first sensor responsive to a vehicle body transverse angular deviation from a vertical plane through the longitudinal axis of the vehicle of a first angle and a second sensor responsive to a vehicle body transverse angular deviation from said vertical plane of a second angle, said second angle being larger than said first angle; e. control means for selectively actuating each of said first and second sensors; f. power means for tilting said vehicle body relative to said ground engaging means about a longitudinal axis, said power means comprising at least one pair of hydraulic rams one of which being connected at one end to said vehicle body and at its other end to one end of one of said front and rear axles, the other ram being connected at one end to said vehicle body and at its other end to the other end of said one of said front and rear axles; and g. a valve responsive to each of said first and second sensors for actuating the appropriate one of said rams to prevent the vehicle body from tilting transversely beyond the angular deviation corresponding to the actuated sensor.

Claim 26

A self-propelled load lifting vehicle comprising: a. a vehicle body; b. means for vertically positioning a load with respect to said vehicle body; c. ground engaging means for supporting said vehicle body for movement over uneven surfaces, said ground engaging means including a pair of transversely spaced front wheels, a pair of transversely spaced rear wheels spaced longitudinally from said front wheels, a front axle assembly interconnecting said front wheels including a pivotal, center mounted transverse front axle, a rear axle assembly interconnecting said rear wheels including a pivotal, center mounted transverse rear axle; d. automatic level sensing means including a first sensor responsive to a vehicle body transverse angular deviation from a vertical plane through the longitudinal axis of the vehicle of a first angle and a second sensor responsive to a vehicle body transverse angular deviation from said vertical plane of a second angle, said second angle being larger than said first angle; e. control means for selectively actuating each of said first and second sensors; f. power means for tilting said vehicle body relative to said ground engaging means about a longitudinal axis, said power means comprising at least one pair of hydraulic rams one of which being connected at one end to said vehicle body and at its other end to one end of one of said front and rear axles, the other ram being connected at one end to said vehicle body and at its other end to the other end of said one of said front and rear axles; and g. a valve responsive to each of said first and second sensors for actuating the appropriate one of said rams to prevent the vehicle body from tilting transversely beyond the angular deviation corresponding to the actuated sensor.

Claim 27

A vehicle as defined in claim 20 wherein said control means includes means for automatically actuating said first sensor when said means for vertically positioning a load is operated to elevate said load.

Claim 28

A vehicle as defined in claim 20 wherein said control means includes manual control means for actuating said second sensor.