US 11,987,483 B2
Operator control system for a materials handling vehicle
John Hinders, Sidney, OH (US); Adam M. Ruppert, Wapakoneta, OH (US); Craig Rekow, Troy, OH (US); Matthew Jacob Otto, New Bremen, OH (US); and Cole Thomas Steinbrunner, New Bremen, OH (US)
Assigned to Crown Equipment Corporation, New Bremen, OH (US)
Filed by Crown Equipment Corporation, New Bremen, OH (US)
Filed on Jun. 3, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/303,603.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/142,531, filed on Jan. 28, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/142,547, filed on Jan. 28, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/035,328, filed on Jun. 5, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0380381 A1, Dec. 9, 2021
Int. Cl. B66F 9/00 (2006.01); B66F 9/075 (2006.01)
CPC B66F 9/0759 (2013.01) [B66F 9/07545 (2013.01); B66F 9/07568 (2013.01)] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An operator control system for a materials handling vehicle, the materials handling vehicle including an operator station having a first support structure and a second support structure, wherein the first and second support structures are spaced apart from one another in a lateral direction of the materials handling vehicle, the lateral direction being perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the materials handling vehicle, the operator control system comprising:
a first operator control assembly supported on the first support structure via a first fixture structure that selectively supports the first operator control assembly in one of at least first and second angular orientations relative to the first support structure; and
a second operator control assembly supported on the second support structure via a second fixture structure that selectively supports the second operator control assembly in one of at least first and second angular orientations relative to the second support structure;
wherein:
positioning of the first and second operator control assemblies in the respective first or second angular orientation is dependent upon a spacing of the first support structure relative to the second support structure in the lateral direction;
the first and second fixture structures each comprise a mounting plate coupled to the respective first or second support structure and a plurality of fasteners that extend through openings provided in the mounting plate;
the fasteners couple respective first and second housings of the first and second operator control assemblies to the corresponding support structures;
each mounting plate comprises one or more first openings and one more second openings;
the first operator control assembly is positioned at the first angular orientation relative to the first support structure when the fasteners are received in the one or more first openings of the mounting plate of the first fixture structure and the first operator control assembly is rotated about a first axis generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the materials handling vehicle when moved from the first angular orientation to the second angular orientation such that the first operator control assembly is mounted in the second angular orientation when the fasteners are received in the one or more second openings; and
the second operator control assembly is positioned at the first angular orientation relative to the second support structure when the fasteners are received in the one or more first openings of the mounting plate of the second fixture structure and the second operator control assembly is rotated about a second axis generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the materials handling vehicle when moved from the first angular orientation to the second angular orientation such that the second operator control assembly is mounted in the second angular orientation when the fasteners are received in the one or more second openings.