Chairs and seats – Back carries stored supplemental body support
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-27
2001-02-20
Barfield, Anthony D. (Department: 3636)
Chairs and seats
Back carries stored supplemental body support
C297S238000, C297S335000, C187S222000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06189964
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates in general to materials handling vehicles and, more particularly, to an improved operator's station including a three position seat for use in such vehicles which permits operators of the vehicles to stand, perch or sit while maintaining the eyes of the operators at substantially the same vertical level regardless of the operators' positions. While the present invention is generally applicable to materials handling vehicles, it is described herein with reference to a fork lift truck, specifically a rider reach truck, for which it is particularly applicable and initially being used.
To best ensure efficient operation of a fork lift truck, such as a rider reach truck, during the time encompassed by a normal length operating shift, it is desirable that the operator be comfortable throughout the shift. Operator comfort can depend upon being able to operate the truck in a desired position, such as standing, sitting or perching, depending upon the operator's preference and the application. Also, due to the time extent of a normal operating shift, operators may want to change their operating position since a single operating position may, depending upon an application and use of the truck, become less comfortable over time even when an operator is able to move or shift within that position. Accordingly, provisions have been made to provide alternate operating positions for fork lift trucks. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,255, an integrated controls and seating arrangement is disclosed for reach fork vehicles.
In the '255 patent, an operator's station includes a seat which is movable between a lowered position and a raised position. A seated operating position is provided when the seat is lowered and, when the seat is raised, standing and/or leaning positions are provided. In the leaning position, an operator leans against the raised seat. Pivoting control arms are also provided. As described, the arms are pivoted to a down position for the seated and leaning positions and to an upright position for the standing position. While alternate operating positions are thus provided, sitting on or leaning against the top of a folded seat is not an ideal comfortable alternate operating position. Further, it is apparent that the eyes of the operator are located at differing vertical levels depending upon the operating position which is selected by the operator. Such different vertical levels for the operator's eyes produce different perspective views for the operator which may impact operation of the vehicle and the efficiency of the operator.
There is, thus, a need for an improved operator's station for materials handling vehicles to provide a number of alternate operating positions which are comfortable for operators of the vehicles. Preferably, the improved operator's station would include a seat which would not only provide comfortable alternate operating positions but also would maintain the eyes of operators at substantially the same vertical level regardless of the operating position selected by the operator to thereby further improve consistent and efficient operation of the vehicles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In the present invention, an improved operator's station for a materials handling vehicle or fork lift truck includes an improved three position seat assembly which allows the operator to stand, perch or sit while maintaining the operator's eyes at essentially the same vertical level regardless of the operator's position. A handle for controlling the ground travel of the truck and movement of the forks of the truck is mounted on an arm rest that extends from the seat assembly. The seat assembly is vertically adjustable in order to place the seat at a vertical height that will ensure an appropriate and consistent eye level for each operator of the truck. The seat assembly includes a back rest, a seat that may be raised and lowered, and a movable, integral shelf or perch positioned between the back rest and the seat, which self or perch can be pivoted between a retracted position and an extended position.
In a stand mode of operation, the seat is lowered and the shelf is retracted or raised, thus presenting to the operator a relatively smooth back rest support for cradling the back side of the operator and providing a fifth point of operator stability in addition to the hand and feet controls. In a perch mode of operation, the shelf is extended or lowered to provide a perch for partial support of the weight of the operator. In a sit mode of operation, the seat is raised for substantially full support of the weight of the operator and the shelf is raised to be flush with the back rest to present a smooth back support.
Two sets of foot pedals are provided in the improved operator's station. A first set of pedals is on the floor and includes a brake pedal and a power pedal which indicates the operator's presence in the operator's station to connect power for operation of the truck. These pedals are operated when the operator is either standing or perching. A second set of pedals is raised above the first set of pedals and positioned to be operated when the operator is in the seated position, although the operator may optionally also use one or the other of the raised pedals in either the stand or perch modes of operation, thus providing additional flexibility in operating positions.
It is, thus, an object of the present invention to provide an improved operator's station for materials handling vehicles which operator's station provides a number of alternate operating positions which are comfortable for operators of the vehicles; to provide an improved operator's station for materials handling vehicles which includes an improved three position seat assembly having a back rest, a seat and a shelf; to provide an improved operator's station for materials handling vehicles which allows an operator to stand, perch or sit while maintaining the operator's eyes at essentially the same vertical level; and, to provide an improved operator's station for materials handling vehicles having two sets of foot pedals to enable an operator to change position from time to time for variety and comfort.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4730691 (1988-03-01), Grigg
patent: 5044472 (1991-09-01), Dammeyer et al.
patent: 5363934 (1994-11-01), Edmund et al.
patent: 5364151 (1994-11-01), Yurasitis
patent: 5688025 (1997-11-01), Davidson
patent: 195 18 116 A1 (1995-11-01), None
patent: 44 37 568 C1 (1996-01-01), None
patent: 44 34 908 C1 (1996-03-01), None
patent: 2 287 649 (1995-09-01), None
patent: WO 95 01889 (1995-01-01), None
Billger Steve Carlyle
Brandt Baron Carl
Henshaw Robert Joseph
Barfield Anthony D.
Crown Equipment Corporation
King & Schickli PLLC
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