US 12,473,184 B2
Multi-function user interface for a forklift
Caleb Burton, Indianapolis, IN (US); Blake Davis, Indianapolis, IN (US); Britt Nathaniel Minks, Columbus, IN (US); Paul Malcomb, Madison, IN (US); Kevin Shaw, Columbus, IN (US); and Dennis P. Huffer, Indianapolis, IN (US)
Assigned to Toyota Material Handling, Inc., Columbus, IN (US)
Filed by Toyota Material Handling, Inc., Columbus, IN (US)
Filed on Sep. 30, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/037,973.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/908,889, filed on Oct. 1, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0094809 A1, Apr. 1, 2021
Int. Cl. B66F 9/20 (2006.01); B60K 28/04 (2006.01); B66F 9/075 (2006.01); H03K 17/90 (2006.01); H03K 17/96 (2006.01)
CPC B66F 9/20 (2013.01) [B60K 28/04 (2013.01); B66F 9/0759 (2013.01); H03K 17/90 (2013.01); H03K 17/962 (2013.01); B60L 2200/42 (2013.01)] 27 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A forklift including a multi-function user interface, the multi-function user interface comprising:
a housing extending from an underside of an armrest;
a manipulator assembly supported by the housing, the manipulator assembly including
a grip configured to be gripped by a user's hand,
a first user input device configured to be actuated by a finger of the user's hand,
a second user input device configured to be actuated by the finger
a third user input device configured to be actuated by the finger,
a fourth user input device configure to be actuated by the finger, and
a sensor configured to detect the presence of the user's hand, the sensor being positioned on the grip; and
an implement having a plurality of functions, the plurality of functions being controlled by inputs from the manipulator assembly,
wherein
the user interface includes logic that detects the presence of the user's hand on the grip and gripping the grip via the sensor before any input to control the implement is transmitted,
the first user input device is a first rocker switch configured to vertically move the implement,
the second user input device is a second rocker switch configured to horizontally spread and narrow a set of forks of the implement relative to one another,
the third user input device is a momentary push button located between the first user input device and the second user input device, the third user input device being configured to return the set of forks to a level position when pressed, and
the fourth user input device is a toggle switch located between the first user input device and the second user input device and configured to control a travel direction of the forklift.