U.S. patent application number 15/423713 was filed with the patent office on 2017-08-10 for control elements for materials handling vehicles.
The applicant listed for this patent is Crown Equipment Corporation. Invention is credited to Michael P. Gallagher, Paul D. Magee, Roger J. Quinlan, Craig J. Rekow.
Application Number | 20170225930 15/423713 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58094504 |
Filed Date | 2017-08-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170225930 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rekow; Craig J. ; et
al. |
August 10, 2017 |
CONTROL ELEMENTS FOR MATERIALS HANDLING VEHICLES
Abstract
A plurality of control elements extend from the base portion of
a control module in a materials handling vehicle. The control
elements are located adjacent to one another, wherein at least one
of the control elements includes mounting structure that permits
the control element to be selectively mounted to the base portion
in at least first and second positions. The first position defines
a first distance between the control element and an immediately
adjacent control element and the second position defines a second
distance between the control element and the immediately adjacent
control element, the second distance being greater than the
first.
Inventors: |
Rekow; Craig J.; (Troy,
OH) ; Magee; Paul D.; (Troy, OH) ; Gallagher;
Michael P.; (Greenville, OH) ; Quinlan; Roger J.;
(Troy, OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Crown Equipment Corporation |
New Bremen |
OH |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
58094504 |
Appl. No.: |
15/423713 |
Filed: |
February 3, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62291968 |
Feb 5, 2016 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G05G 1/01 20130101; H01H
21/22 20130101; B66F 9/07 20130101; B66F 9/0759 20130101; G05G 1/06
20130101; B66F 9/20 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B66F 9/075 20060101
B66F009/075; B66F 9/07 20060101 B66F009/07 |
Claims
1. A control module for controlling at least one function of a
materials handling vehicle comprising: a base portion; and a
plurality of control elements extending from the base portion and
located laterally adjacent to one another, at least one of the
control elements including mounting structure that permits the
control element to be selectively mounted to the base portion in at
least first and second positions, the first position defining a
first lateral distance between the control element and an
immediately adjacent control element and the second position
defining a second lateral distance between the control element and
the immediately adjacent control element, the second lateral
distance being greater than the first lateral distance.
2. The control module of claim 1, wherein: the at least one of the
control elements further comprises a body portion having a bottom
surface; and the mounting structure of the at least one of the
control elements comprises a mounting hole that extends from the
bottom surface into the body portion and is offset from a center
point of the bottom surface.
3. The control module of claim 2, wherein the body portion of the
at least one of the control elements further comprises a central
portion and a shoulder portion extending from a side of the central
portion.
4. The control module of claim 3, wherein the mounting hole of the
at least one of the control elements is at least partially located
in the shoulder portion.
5. The control module of claim 4, wherein the at least one of the
control elements further comprises an additional mounting hole
extending from the bottom surface into the body portion, the two
mounting holes being spaced apart from one another on the bottom
surface of the body portion.
6. The control module of claim 5, wherein the at least one of the
control elements is mountable in at least four positions by
mounting the at least one control element in the respective
mounting holes and by mounting the at least one control element
with the shoulder portion facing opposite directions.
7. The control module of claim 1, wherein the plurality of control
elements comprises at least three control elements.
8. The control module of claim 1, wherein actuation of the control
elements by an operator controls a respective function of the
materials handling vehicle.
9. The control module of claim 8, wherein the plurality of control
elements control load handling assembly functions of the vehicle
including at least one of: fork raise/lower, fork sideshift, fork
tilt, and fork extend.
10. The control module of claim 1, further comprising locking
structure that can be locked/unlocked by the operator to
lock/unlock the control elements in place on the vehicle.
11. The control module of claim 1, wherein a mounting stem of the
at least one of the control elements is movable with respect to the
base portion to effect movement of the at least one of the control
elements between the first and second positions.
12. A control element for controlling at least one function of a
materials handling vehicle comprising: a body portion having a
bottom surface; and mounting structure comprising first and second
mounting holes extending into the body portion from the bottom
surface, the mounting holes being spaced apart from one another on
the bottom surface for selectively receiving a mounting stem of the
vehicle to mount the control element in the vehicle, wherein the
control element is mountable in at least two positions including: a
first position wherein the mounting stem is received in the first
mounting hole; and a second position wherein the mounting stem is
received in the second mounting hole.
13. The control element of claim 12, wherein the first and second
mounting holes are both offset from a center point of the bottom
surface of the body portion.
14. The control element of claim 12, wherein the body portion
further includes a central portion and a shoulder portion extending
from a side of the central portion, and at least one of the first
and second mounting holes is at least partially located in the
shoulder portion.
15. The control element of claim 14, wherein the control element is
mountable in at least four positions by mounting the control
element in the respective first and second mounting holes and by
mounting the control element with the shoulder portion facing
opposite directions.
16. A control module for controlling at least one function of a
materials handling vehicle comprising: a base portion; and a
plurality of control elements extending from the base portion and
located adjacent to one another, a first one of the control
elements including a shoulder portion extending from a side of a
central portion and further including mounting structure that
permits the control element to be mounted to the base portion in a
first position wherein the shoulder portion faces a first
direction, and a second one of the control elements including a
shoulder portion extending from a side of a central portion and
further including mounting structure that permits the control
element to be mounted to the base portion in a second position
wherein the shoulder portion faces a second direction different
than the first direction, the first position defining a first
distance between the first one of the control elements and an
immediately adjacent control element and the second position
defining a second distance between the second one of the control
elements and the immediately adjacent control element, the second
distance being greater than the first distance.
17. The control module of claim 16, wherein: the first one of the
control elements further comprises a body portion having a bottom
surface; the mounting structure of the first one of the control
elements comprises a mounting hole that extends from the bottom
surface into the body portion and is offset from a center point of
the bottom surface; and the mounting hole of the first one of the
control elements is at least partially located in the shoulder
portion.
18. The control module of claim 17, wherein: the first one of the
control elements further comprises an additional mounting hole
extending from the bottom surface into the body portion, the two
mounting holes being spaced apart from one another on the bottom
surface of the body portion; and the first one of the control
elements is mountable in at least four positions by mounting the
first one control element in the respective mounting holes and by
mounting the at least one control element with the shoulder portion
facing opposite directions.
19. The control module of claim 16, further comprising locking
structure that can be locked/unlocked by the operator to
lock/unlock the control elements in place on the vehicle.
20. The control module of claim 16, wherein a mounting stem of the
first one of the control elements is movable with respect to the
base portion to effect movement of the first one of the control
elements between the first and second positions.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 62/291,968 filed Feb. 5, 2016, having
attorney docket no. CRN 859 MA, and entitled "CONTROL ELEMENTS FOR
MATERIALS HANDLING VEHICLES", the entire disclosure of which is
hereby incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to control elements
for use in materials handling vehicles, wherein the control
elements are configurable such that spacing therebetween can be
adjusted without modifying structure to which the control elements
are mounted.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Certain types of materials handling vehicles, such as
counterbalance forklift trucks, reach trucks, turret trucks, etc.,
typically include hand or finger controls (handles, buttons,
levers, switches, dials, etc.) for controlling various vehicle
functions, such as travel functions, load handling functions, e.g.,
fork raise/lower, tilt, sideshift, etc., and accessory
functions.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention relates to materials handling vehicles
that include finger controls for controlling various vehicle
functions, such as travel functions, load handling functions, and
accessory functions.
[0005] In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention,
a control module for controlling at least one function of a
materials handling vehicle comprises a base portion and a plurality
of control elements extending from the base portion and located
adjacent to one another. At least one of the control elements
includes mounting structure that permits the control element to be
selectively mounted to the base portion in at least first and
second positions. The first position defines a first distance
between the control element and an immediately adjacent control
element and the second position defines a second distance between
the control element and the immediately adjacent control element,
the second distance being greater than the first.
[0006] The at least one of the control elements may further
comprise a body portion having a bottom surface, and the mounting
structure of the at least one of the control elements may comprise
a mounting hole that extends from the bottom surface into the body
portion and is offset from a center point of the bottom surface.
The body portion of the at least one of the control elements may
further comprise a central portion and a shoulder portion extending
from a side of the central portion. The mounting hole of the at
least one of the control elements may be at least partially located
in the shoulder portion. The at least one of the control elements
may further comprise an additional mounting hole extending from the
bottom surface into the body portion, the two mounting holes being
spaced apart from one another on the bottom surface of the body
portion. The at least one of the control elements may be mountable
in at least four positions by mounting the at least one control
element in the respective mounting holes and by mounting the at
least one control element with the shoulder portion facing opposite
directions.
[0007] The plurality of control elements may comprise at least
three or at least four control elements.
[0008] Actuation of the control elements by an operator may control
a respective function of the materials handling vehicle, e.g., the
control elements may control load handling assembly functions of
the vehicle including at least one of: fork raise/lower, fork
sideshift, fork tilt, and fork extend.
[0009] The control module may further comprise locking structure
that can be locked/unlocked by the operator to lock/unlock the
control elements in place on the vehicle.
[0010] In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention,
a control element for controlling at least one function of a
materials handling vehicle comprises a body portion having a bottom
surface, and mounting structure comprising first and second
mounting holes extending into the body portion from the bottom
surface. The mounting holes are spaced apart from one another on
the bottom surface for selectively receiving a mounting stem of the
vehicle to mount the control element in the vehicle. The control
element is mountable in at least two positions including: a first
position wherein the mounting stem is received in the first
mounting hole, and a second position wherein the mounting stem is
received in the second mounting hole.
[0011] The first and second mounting holes may both be offset from
a center point of the bottom surface of the body portion.
[0012] The body portion may further include a central portion and a
shoulder portion extending from a side of the central portion. At
least one of the first and second mounting holes may be at least
partially located in the shoulder portion. The control element may
be mountable in at least four positions by mounting the control
element in the respective first and second mounting holes and by
mounting the control element with the shoulder portion facing
opposite directions.
[0013] The control element may control a load handling assembly
function of the vehicle comprising one of: fork raise/lower, fork
sideshift, fork tilt, and fork extend.
[0014] The control element may further comprise locking structure
that can be locked/unlocked by an operator to lock/unlock the
control elements in place on the vehicle.
[0015] A mounting stem of the at least one of the control elements
may be movable with respect to the base portion to effect movement
of the at least one of the control elements between the first and
second positions.
[0016] In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention,
a control module for controlling at least one function of a
materials handling vehicle comprises a base portion, and a
plurality of control elements extending from the base portion and
located adjacent to one another. A first one of the control
elements includes a shoulder portion extending from a side of a
central portion and further includes mounting structure that
permits the control element to be mounted to the base portion in a
first position wherein the shoulder portion faces a first
direction. A second one of the control elements includes a shoulder
portion extending from a side of a central portion and further
includes mounting structure that permits the control element to be
mounted to the base portion in a second position wherein the
shoulder portion faces a second direction different than the first
direction. The first position defines a first distance between the
first one of the control elements and an immediately adjacent
control element and the second position defines a second distance
between the second one of the control elements and the immediately
adjacent control element, the second distance being greater than
the first.
[0017] The first one of the control elements may further comprise a
body portion having a bottom surface and the mounting structure of
the first one of the control elements may comprise a mounting hole
that extends from the bottom surface into the body portion and is
offset from a center point of the bottom surface. The mounting hole
of the first one of the control elements may be at least partially
located in the shoulder portion. The first one of the control
elements may further comprise an additional mounting hole extending
from the bottom surface into the body portion, the two mounting
holes being spaced apart from one another on the bottom surface of
the body portion. The first one of the control elements may be
mountable in at least four positions by mounting the first one
control element in the respective mounting holes and by mounting
the at least one control element with the shoulder portion facing
opposite directions.
[0018] The plurality of control elements may comprise at least
three or at least four control elements.
[0019] The plurality of control elements may control load handling
assembly functions of the vehicle including at least one of: fork
raise/lower, fork sideshift, fork tilt, and fork extend.
[0020] The control module may further comprise locking structure
that can be locked/unlocked by the operator to lock/unlock the
control elements in place on the vehicle.
[0021] A mounting stem of the first one of the control elements may
be movable with respect to the base portion to effect movement of
the first one of the control elements between the first and second
positions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] While the specification concludes with claims particularly
pointing out and distinctly claiming the present invention, it is
believed that the present invention will be better understood from
the following description in conjunction with the accompanying
Drawing Figures, in which like reference numerals identify like
elements, and wherein:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a materials handling vehicle
comprising an armrest having a control module including a plurality
of control elements according to an aspect of the present
invention;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a distal portion of an
armrest of the materials handling vehicle of FIG. 1, the armrest
portion including a plurality of control elements according to an
aspect of the present invention;
[0025] FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views of one of the control
elements of FIG. 2;
[0026] FIGS. 5A-5E are, respectively, front (FIG. 5A), back (FIG.
5B), side (FIG. 5C), cross sectional (5D), and enlarged bottom
(FIG. 5E) views (FIG. 5D is taken along line 5D-5D in FIG. 5B) of
one of the control elements of FIG. 2;
[0027] FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D are, respectively, front, back,
side, and top views of a switch provided on the armrest portion of
FIG. 2;
[0028] FIG. 7 is a front view of a control element according to
another aspect of the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view of a portion of a control
module in accordance with another aspect of the present invention;
and
[0030] FIGS. 9A and 9B are cross sectional and perspective views
showing an attachment of a control element to a mounting stem
according to another aspect of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0031] In the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that
form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration,
and not by way of limitation, specific preferred embodiments in
which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that
other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
[0032] Referring now to FIG. 1, a materials handling vehicle 10
(hereinafter "vehicle") is shown. While the present invention is
described herein with reference to the illustrated vehicle 10,
which comprises a forklift truck, it will be apparent to those
skilled in the art that the present invention may be used in a
variety of other types of materials handling vehicles.
[0033] The vehicle 10 includes a power unit 12, which includes a
frame 14 defining a main structural component of the vehicle 10 and
which houses a battery 15. The vehicle 10 further comprises a pair
of fork-side first wheels 16 (only one first wheel is shown in FIG.
1) coupled to first and second outriggers 18 (only one outrigger is
shown in FIG. 1), and a powered and steered second wheel 20 located
underneath the frame 14. The wheels 16, 20 allow the vehicle 10 to
move across a floor surface.
[0034] An operator's compartment 22 is located within the power
unit 12 for receiving an operator driving the vehicle 10. A tiller
knob 24 is provided within the operator's compartment for
controlling steering of the vehicle 10. The speed and direction of
movement (forward or reverse) of the vehicle 10 are controlled by
the operator via a control module 26 provided adjacent to an
operator seat 28, which control module 26 controls one or more
other vehicle functions and will be discussed in greater detail
below. The vehicle 10 further includes an overhead guard 30
including first and second horizontal support structures 32A, 32B
affixed to the frame 14.
[0035] A load handling assembly 40 of the vehicle 10 includes,
generally, a mast assembly 42 and a carriage assembly 44, which is
movable vertically along the mast assembly 42. The mast assembly 42
is positioned between the outriggers 18 and includes a fixed mast
member 46 affixed to the frame 14, and nested lower and upper
movable mast members 48, 50. It is noted that the vehicle 10 may
include additional or fewer movable mast members than the two shown
in FIG. 1, i.e., the lower and upper movable mast members 48, 50.
The carriage assembly 44 includes conventional structure including
a reach assembly 52, a fork carriage 54, and fork structure
comprising a pair of forks 56A.
[0036] The battery 15 supplies power to a traction motor (not
shown) connected to the second wheel 20 and to one or more
hydraulic motors (not shown), which supply power to several
different systems, such as hydraulic cylinders for effecting
generally vertical movement of the movable mast members 48, 50,
generally vertical movement of the carriage assembly 44 relative to
the mast assembly 42, generally longitudinal movement of the reach
assembly 52, commonly referred to as reach, and generally
transverse or lateral movement of the fork carriage 54, commonly
referred to as sideshifting. The traction motor and the second
wheel 20 define a drive mechanism for effecting movement of the
vehicle 10 across the floor surface.
[0037] An armrest 70 is provided in the operator's compartment 22
proximate to the control module 26, see FIGS. 1 and 2. The armrest
70 includes a pad 72 for receiving the arm of an operator using the
control module 26. A first end 70A of the armrest 70 (see FIG. 1)
is located adjacent to a seatback cushion 28A of the operator seat
28 and may receive the operator's elbow, and a second end 70B of
the armrest 70, which comprises a distal end of the armrest 70 and
is spaced from the first end 70A, is located adjacent to the
control module 26 and may receive the operator's wrist or
forearm.
[0038] Referring now to FIG. 2, the control module 26 includes a
base portion 76 that includes an upper surface 80 spanning
laterally between first and second sides 76A, 76B of the base
portion 76 and spanning longitudinally between first and second
ends 76C, 76D of the base portion 76. As used herein and with
reference to FIG. 2, the lateral direction D.sub.LAT is defined
between the first side 76A of the base portion 76, which is located
proximate to an operator working position O.sub.WORK within the
operator's compartment 22 (see FIG. 1), e.g., the position of the
operator while sitting on the operator seat 28, and the second side
76B of the base portion 76, which is located distal from the
operator working position O.sub.WORK. The longitudinal direction
D.sub.LONG is in turn defined between the first end 76C of the base
portion 76, which is located proximate to the armrest 70, and the
second end 76D of the base portion 76, which is located distal from
the armrest 70.
[0039] The upper surface 80 of the base portion 76 may define a
generally planar surface, i.e., a flat surface, or the upper
surface 80 may comprise a non-planar surface as shown in FIG. 2. In
the embodiment shown, the upper surface 80 includes a first section
80A extending generally parallel to a plane defined by the armrest
70, and a second section 80B angled upwardly from the first section
80A.
[0040] Referring still to FIG. 2, the control module 26 includes a
plurality of control structures for controlling various vehicle
structures and functions, such as travel functions, load handling
functions, e.g., fork raise/lower, fork tilt, fork sideshift, fork
extend, etc., and accessory functions. A first plurality of the
control structures comprise four control elements 90A-90D extending
upwardly from the first section 80A of the base portion upper
surface 80 and located laterally adjacent to one another, although
additional or fewer control elements may be used, such as, for
example, two control elements, three control elements, or five or
more control elements. The control elements 90A-90D are actuated by
an operator's fingers for controlling, for example, fork
raise/lower (first control element 90A), fork tilt (second control
element 90B), fork side shift (third control element 90C), and a
fourth function, such as fork extend, pinching/clamping the forks
56A together, changing the spacing between the forks 56A, etc.
(fourth control element 90D). It is noted that other types of
vehicle functions could be controlled by the control elements
90A-90D without departing from the scope and spirit of the
invention.
[0041] The control elements 90A-90D are mounted to the first
section 80A of the base portion upper surface 80 via respective
mounting stems 94, see FIG. 5D. The mounting stems 94 are affixed
to the base portion 76 such that back and forth and/or side to side
rocking movement of the respective control elements 90A-90D is/are
allowed, wherein such an affixation of the mounting stems 94 to the
base portion 76 may be made in any conventional manner. For
example, moving the first control element 90A forward may cause the
forks 56A to be raised (via raising the carriage assembly 44 or the
mast and carriage assemblies 42, 44), and moving the first control
element 90A backward may cause the forks 56A to be lowered (via
lowering the carriage assembly 44 or the mast and carriage
assemblies 42, 44). As another example, moving the second control
element 90B forward may cause the forks 56A to tilt forward, and
moving the second control element 90B backward may cause the forks
56A to tilt backward. As yet another example, moving the third
control element 90C forward may cause the forks 56A to sideshift to
the left, and moving the third control element 90C backward may
cause the forks 56A to sideshift to the right. As a further
example, in accordance with the fourth function noted above, moving
the fourth control element 90D forward may cause the forks 56A to
move in a first direction, and moving the fourth control element
90D backward may cause the forks 56A to move in the opposite
direction. It is noted that one or more of the control elements
90A-90D may be capable of being rocked to the left and/or right in
lieu of or in addition to being rocked to the front and back as
described above.
[0042] Preferably, protective stem covers 96 are provided over the
stems 94 to prevent debris from entering the area where the stems
94 are affixed to the base portion 76. The stem covers 96 also
militate against pinching of the operator's fingers between the
stems 94 and the base portion 76 when the operator is operating the
control elements 90A-90D.
[0043] With reference now to FIGS. 3 and 4, which illustrate the
first control element 90A of FIG. 2, in accordance with an aspect
of the present invention, at least one of the control elements
comprises a body portion 98 that includes a shoulder portion 100
extending laterally from a side 102A of a central portion 102 of
the body portion 98. The shoulder portion 100 may provide the body
portion 98 with a non-uniform (irregular) cross section, i.e., a
non-circular/ovular/square/rectangular cross section, as measured
at a bottom surface 104 of the body portion 98. For example, as
most clearly shown in FIG. 5E, the central portion 102 of the body
portion 98 may define a generally uniform circular or oval cross
section at the bottom surface 104, while the shoulder portion 100
defines an arched-shape cross section, extending from the circular
or oval cross section defined by the central portion 102, thus
providing the body portion 98 with an overall non-uniform
(irregular) cross section.
[0044] Referring now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the shoulder portion 100
of the body portion 98 may have a width W.sub.S, as measured in the
lateral direction D.sub.LAT, that increases as the shoulder portion
100 extends down toward the bottom surface 104 of the body portion
98. The width W.sub.S of the shoulder portion 100 at the bottom
surface 104 may be about 1/2 to about 1.5/1 of a width W.sub.C of
the central portion 102, as measured in the lateral direction
D.sub.LAT at the bottom surface 104. Hence, the shoulder portion
100 may result in the first control element 90A having a total
width W.sub.T, as measured in the lateral direction D.sub.LAT at
the bottom surface 104 (see FIG. 5A), that is about 50-150% larger
than a width W of a control element that does not include a
shoulder portion (see, for example, the second control element 90B
in FIG. 2). As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the width W.sub.S of the
shoulder portion 100 of the illustrated first control element 90A
may be less than to about the same as the width W.sub.C of the
central portion 102, thus increasing the total width W.sub.T of the
first control element 90A over the width W of the second control
element 90B by about 50-100%, which second control element 90B only
includes the central portion 102 and not the shoulder portion as
noted above. The width W.sub.S of the shoulder portion 100 of the
first control element 90A may also be greater than the width
W.sub.C of the central portion 102.
[0045] A height H.sub.S of the shoulder portion 100 may be about
1/4 to about 1/1 of a total height H.sub.T of the body portion 98.
The height H.sub.S of the shoulder portion 100 of the control
element 90A shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B is about 2/3 of the total
height H.sub.T of the body portion 98.
[0046] As shown in FIGS. 3, 5A, and 5E, the control element 90A
includes mounting structure 108, which, according to an aspect of
the invention, comprises two mounting holes 110, 112 extending up
into the body portion 98 of the control element 90A from the bottom
surface 104 for selectively receiving the mounting stem 94. It is
noted that the mounting structure 108 could include more than two
mounting holes without departing from the scope and spirit of the
invention. It is also noted that spacing between the mounting holes
110, 112 is preferably sufficient so as to preserve the structural
rigidity of the body portion 98.
[0047] The first mounting hole 110 may be located generally in the
center of the central portion 102 of the control element 90A, and
the second mounting hole 112 may be located toward the shoulder
portion 100 of the control element 90A. As shown in FIG. 5E, both
mounting holes 110, 112 are laterally offset with respect to a
center point C.sub.P of the bottom surface 104 of the control
element 90A. Specifically, the first mounting hole 110 is offset
from the center point C.sub.P in a direction away from the shoulder
portion 100, and the second mounting hole 112 is offset from the
center point C.sub.P in a direction toward the shoulder portion 100
and is at least partially located in the shoulder portion 100. As
shown in FIG. 5A, the first mounting hole 110 may extend up into
the body portion 98 a length L.sub.1 of about 2/3 of the height
H.sub.T of the body portion 98, and the second mounting hole 112
may extend up into the body portion 98 a length L.sub.2 of about
1/2 of the height H.sub.T of the body portion 98. The lengths
L.sub.1, L.sub.2 of the respective mounting holes 110, 112 are
preferably large enough to accommodate the mounting stem 94 while
fully lowering the control element 90A down to the upper surface of
the stem cover 96.
[0048] The two mounting holes 110, 112 facilitate mounting of the
control element 90A on the base portion 76 in a plurality of
different positions. For example, the control element 90A may be
mounted such that: 1) the mounting stem 94 is located in the second
mounting hole 112 with the shoulder portion 100 facing to the left
with reference to FIG. 2 (this position is hereinafter referred to
as the "far right position" since the center portion 102 of the
control element 90A is as far to the right as possible using the
mounting holes 110, 112); 2) the mounting stem 94 is located in the
first mounting hole 110 with the shoulder portion 100 facing to the
left with reference to FIG. 2 (this position is hereinafter
referred to as the "middle right position" since the center portion
102 of the control element 90A is less far to the right than as in
the far right position); 3) the mounting stem 94 is located in the
second mounting hole 112 with the shoulder portion 100 facing to
the right with reference to FIG. 2 (this position is hereinafter
referred to as the "far left position" since the center portion 102
of the control element 90A is as far to the left as possible using
the mounting holes 110, 112); or 4) the mounting stem 94 is located
in the first mounting hole 110 with the shoulder portion 100 facing
to the right with reference to FIG. 2 (this position is hereinafter
referred to as the "middle left position" since the center portion
102 of the control element 90A is less far to the left than as in
the far left position). All four of these exemplary positions are
facilitated by the configuration of the control element 90A without
requiring a modification to the structure of the base portion 76 of
the control module 26 or the mounting stems 94. By using one or
more control elements with shoulder portions 100 in the first
plurality of control structures, lateral spacing between adjacent
control elements 90A-90D can be adjusted without requiring a
modification to the structure of the base portion 76 of the control
module 26 or the mounting stems 94, as will be described in greater
detail below.
[0049] Mounting structure (not shown) of the second control element
90B, which does not include a shoulder portion as noted above, may
include only a single mounting hole located generally at the center
point of the bottom surface of the second control element 90B.
[0050] With reference to FIG. 2, the control module 26 further
comprises a second plurality of control structures for controlling
various vehicle functions, such as travel functions, load handling
functions, and/or accessory functions. Exemplary illustrated
structures in FIG. 2, which are associated with the second section
80B of the base portion upper surface 80, include: a switch 120 (to
be further described below) for causing the vehicle 10 to shift
between forward travel, neutral, and rearward travel modes; a dial
122 for interacting with a display screen (not shown) mounted
within the vehicle 10; a plurality of buttons 124 for controlling
vehicle structure and functions such as lights, windshield wipers
and washers, emergency flashers, window/windshield defoggers, etc.;
and a plurality of levers 126, which may be used to toggle the
control elements 90A-90D between primary function (as discussed
above) and secondary functions as will be appreciated by those
having ordinary skill in the art. The second plurality of control
structures could vary and could control alternative vehicle
functions as desired.
[0051] A horn button 128 is also provided at the second end 70B of
the armrest 70 for sounding a vehicle horn, see FIG. 2.
[0052] As noted above, by using one or more control elements with
shoulder portions 100 in the first plurality of control structures,
spacing between adjacent control elements 90A-90D can be adjusted
without requiring a modification to the structure of the base
portion 76 of the control module 26 or the mounting stems 94. With
reference to the exemplary control element configuration shown in
connection with the control module 26 illustrated in FIG. 2, the
first, third, and fourth control elements 90A, 90C, 90D include
shoulder portions 100, and the second control element 90B does not
include a shoulder portion. The first, third, and fourth control
elements 90A, 90C, 90D are thus mountable in any one of the four
exemplary locations on their respective mounting stems 94 as
described above, e.g., the control elements 90A, 90C, 90D are
mountable in the far right position, the middle right position, the
far left position, or the middle left position.
[0053] In FIG. 2, the first control element 90A is illustrated in
the far right position, and the third and fourth control elements
90C, 90D are illustrated in far left positions. The first control
element 90A, located in the far right position as shown in FIG. 2,
is located a first distance D1 from the second control element 90B.
The third control element 90C, located in the far left position as
shown in FIG. 2, is also located the first distance D1 from the
second control element 90B (this is assuming that the mounting
stems 94 for the first, second, and third control elements 90A-90C
are the same distance apart). Since the fourth control element 90D
is also located in the far left position as shown in FIG. 2, the
fourth control element 90D is located a second distance D2 from the
third control element 90C, the second distance D2 being greater
than the first distance. Additional distances between control
elements 90A-90D are also possible, including but not limited to: a
minimum distance smaller than the first and second distances D1,
D2, which minimum distance is effected by a control element in a
far right position immediately adjacent to a control element in a
far left position (moving from left to right); an intermediate
distance, which is effected by two control elements without
shoulder portions adjacent to one another; and a maximum distance
greater than the first and second distances D1, D2, which maximum
distance is effected by a control element in a far left position
immediately adjacent to a control element in a far right position
(moving from left to right). These various distances between
adjacent control elements can be effected by changing the type of
control element (with or without a shoulder portion), and/or, for
control elements with shoulder portions, changing the mounting hole
used for mounting the control element and/or by changing the
direction that the shoulder portion faces. As noted above, these
distances between adjacent control elements are effected without
requiring a modification to the structure of the base portion 76 of
the control module 26 or the mounting stems 94.
[0054] The positioning and type, i.e., with or without shoulder
portion 100, of the control elements 90A-90D can be tailored to a
particular operator as desired for ergonomic reasons, comfort, and
accessibility. For example, for ergonomic reasons, an operator may
wish to have tighter spacing between some or all of the control
elements 90A-90D, e.g., so the operator can easily rest their
fingers on top of the control elements 90A-90D while the operator's
hand is in a relaxed or default position, or the operator may wish
to have looser spacing between some or all of the control elements
90A-90D, e.g., so the operator can easily rest their fingers
between adjacent control elements 90A-90D while the operator's hand
is in a relaxed or default position. As another example, an
operator with smaller than average hands or fingers may want the
control elements 90A-90D to be closer together, or an operator with
larger than average hands or fingers may want the control elements
90A-90D to be farther apart.
[0055] Vehicles may be sent to the customer with the desired
positioning and type of control elements (with or without shoulder
portion) pre-installed, or a qualified service technician may
implement modifications, e.g., by swapping out control elements
with shoulder portions 100 for ones without, or vice versa, by
changing the direction in which the shoulder portion 100 faces, or
by changing the mounting hole. Further, an operator may be capable
of changing the positioning and/or control element type in the
field. The control elements 90A-90D, the mounting stems 94, and/or
the base portion 76 may include locking structure Ls (see FIG. 5D)
that can be locked/unlocked by the operator to lock the control
elements 90A-90D in place to prevent unwanted decoupling from the
base portion 76.
[0056] As noted above, one or more of the control elements 90A-90D
may be capable of being rocked to the left and/or right in lieu of
or in addition to being rocked to the front and back. It is
contemplated that two control elements, which each are capable of
being rocked side to side and front to back, could be utilized with
the base portion 76 instead of the four control elements 90A-90D
described above. In such a configuration, the two control elements,
each with four degrees of motion (left, right, front, and back) for
a total of eight supported functions, could support the same
functions as the four control elements 90A-90D described above,
which each include two degrees of motion (front and back), also for
a total of eight supported functions. The aspects of the present
invention described above for changing the spacing between adjacent
control elements could also be applied to such a two control
element configuration.
[0057] As shown in FIGS. 6A-6D, the switch 120 that is used to
control the travel direction of the vehicle 10 has a unique shape
that allows the operator to reach the switch 120 without the need
to excessively move their hand to actuate the switch 120. In one
embodiment, the operator uses their index and/or middle finger to
actuate the switch 120 to a desired position, e.g., a forward
position for forward travel, a rearward position for rearward
travel, or an intermediate (default) position for neutral by
extending their chosen finger(s) past the respective control
element/s 90A and 90B (index finger in the embodiment shown) or 90B
and 90C (middle finger in the embodiment shown). While the switch
120 disclosed herein may be positioned for engagement by the index
and/or middle fingers, other configurations are envisioned, such as
where the switch 120 is positioned on the base portion upper
surface 80 further to the right than as shown and is also
engageable by the middle, ring, and/or pinky finger(s).
[0058] The switch 120 includes a left extension 120A and a right
extension 120B (left and right are defined with respect to an
operator facing the switch 120) that extend laterally in opposite
directions from a mid portion 120C of the switch 120 and are
substantially orthogonal to a vertical switch axis V.sub.SA, see
FIG. 6C. A stem portion 120D is aligned substantially along the
vertical switch axis V.sub.SA and is coupled to the mid portion
120C. The stem portion 120D is hingedly connected to the second
section 80B of the base portion upper surface 80 and defines the
actuation of the switch 120 between the forward, rearward, and
intermediate positions.
[0059] With reference to FIG. 6D, the left extension 120A and the
right extension 120B are swept forward at an angle O from a switch
plane S.sub.P to enable actuation of the switch 120 using one or
more fingers of the operator. In one embodiment, the angle O is the
same for the left extension 120A and the right extension 120B. In
an alternate embodiment, the angle O is different for the left
extension 120A and the right extension 120B. Further, at least a
portion of a front face 121 of the switch 120 may define a curved
surface as most clearly shown in 6D, or the front face 121 may
define a flat, planar surface. In the embodiment shown, the angle O
of the left extension 120A and the right extension 120B takes into
account known typical lengths of index and middle fingers. Testing
was also performed to verify usability of the switch 120 for
operators having large and small sized hands and/or fingers, and
the unique configuration of the switch 120 allowed all of the
tested operators to easily reach the switch 120 through and/or over
the control elements 90A-90D. In one embodiment, the angle O is
about 7 degrees to about 20 degrees for the left extension 120A and
about 5 degrees to about 17 degrees for the right extension 120B,
although other angles could be used.
[0060] With reference to FIG. 6A, the left extension 120A extends
at an angle .alpha. upwardly from the mid portion 120C (away from
the base portion upper surface 80), the angle .alpha. in one
embodiment between 5-30 degrees relative to a plane P.sub.1 that is
parallel to the base portion upper surface 80, and the right
extension wing 120B extends at an angle .beta. downwardly from the
mid portion 120C (toward the base portion upper surface 80), the
angle .beta. in one embodiment between 5-30 degrees relative to the
plane P.sub.1. In the embodiment shown, the mid portion 120C itself
is also angled relative to the plane P.sub.1 at an angle .theta. of
between 5-30 degrees. In another embodiment, the angles .alpha.,
.beta., and .theta. may be between 10-20 degrees relative to the
plane P.sub.1, and in yet another embodiment the angles .alpha.,
.beta., and .theta. may be about 15 degrees, e.g., between 14 and
16 degrees, relative to the plane P.sub.1. In one embodiment, the
combination of the right extension 120B, the mid portion 120C, and
the left extension 120A define a smooth and slightly curved upper
surface 120E. In one embodiment, the angles .alpha., .beta., and
.theta. may be generally equal to one another to define a generally
straight/planar upper surface 120E. The portions 120A, 120B, 120C
of the switch 120 may have other angles relative to the plane
P.sub.1, including being generally parallel to the plane
P.sub.1.
[0061] Referring still to FIG. 6B, the left extension 120A may
include a distal portion 120F that extends downward and laterally
from the upper surface 120E to define a further engagement area for
a finger of the operator.
[0062] In one embodiment, the vertical switch axis V.sub.SA is
inclined toward the operator, for example, at an angle .OMEGA. of
about 90 degrees relative to the base portion upper surface 80
(although other angles are contemplated) while the switch 120 is in
the intermediate (neutral) position, see FIG. 6C. The angle .OMEGA.
of the switch 120 as defined by the vertical switch axis V.sub.SA
allows for easier access to the switch 120 by the operator's
finger(s) since the switch 120 extends toward the operator.
[0063] As noted above, in one embodiment the left extension 120A
and right extension 120B are positioned for an index and a middle
finger of an operator to reach the switch 120, such that the design
of the switch 120 and its respective left extension 120A and right
extension 120B allow the operator to easily engage either the left
extension 120A and/or the right extension 120B with the index or
middle finger to actuate the switch 120, e.g., pull the switch
toward the operator, push the switch away from the operator, or to
move the switch into an intermediate position. In one embodiment,
pulling the switch 120 toward the operator may cause the vehicle 10
to enter a travel rearward mode and pushing the switch 120 away
from the operator may cause the vehicle 10 to enter a travel
forward mode, additional configurations are contemplated, such as
one wherein pulling the switch 120 toward the operator may cause
the vehicle 10 to enter a travel forward mode and pushing the
switch 120 away from the operator may cause the vehicle 10 to enter
a travel rearward mode.
[0064] Moreover, while the switch 120 according to this aspect of
the invention may be used in combination with any type of
additional vehicle controls or no additional vehicle controls, the
ability to change the lateral spacing between the control elements
90A-90D as discussed in detail herein allows the operator to even
more easily reach either the left extension 120A and/or the right
extension 120B with the index or middle finger to actuate the
switch 120. For example, additional spacing can be obtained between
respective control elements 90A, 90B or 90B, 90C as described
herein to provide a larger reach area therebetween. Moreover, if
the switch 120 is used in combination with the control elements
disclosed herein, instead of reaching through the control elements,
the operator could reach over the control elements to operate the
switch 120.
[0065] With reference now to FIG. 7, a control element 90'
according to another aspect of the invention is shown, wherein
structure similar to that described above with reference to FIGS.
1-5E includes the same reference number followed by a prime (')
symbol.
[0066] As shown in FIG. 7, the control element 90' comprises a body
portion 98' including a central portion 102' and a shoulder portion
100' extending from a side 102A' of the central portion 102'. The
central portion 102' according to this aspect of the present
invention does not extend to the top of the body portion 98', as
the central portion 102' terminates near the location where the
shoulder portion 100' extends from the side 102A' of the central
portion 102'. The shoulder portion 100' thus defines the uppermost
portion of the control element 90'.
[0067] As shown in FIG. 7, the shoulder portion 90' according to
this aspect of the invention defines a curved portion 103 that
curves up and away from the central portion 102'. The control
element 90' can be mounted in first and second positions on an
associated mounting stem 94' (i.e., with the shoulder portions 100'
facing the right as shown in FIG. 7 or with the shoulder portions
100' facing the left) to effect a change in spacing between the
control element 90' and an immediately adjacent control element as
described herein.
[0068] Referring now to FIG. 8, a portion of a control module 226
in accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention is
illustrated, wherein structure similar to that described above with
reference to FIGS. 1-5E includes the same reference number
increased by 200.
[0069] As shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of control elements
290A-290D extend generally upwardly from an upper surface 280 of a
base portion 276 of the control module 226. The control elements
290A-290D include mounting structure 308, which may comprise a
single opening 310 for receiving a corresponding mounting stem 294
affixed to the base portion 276. The opening 310 may be centrally
formed in a bottom surface 304 of a body portion 298, or the
opening 310 may be offset with respect to a center point of the
bottom surface 304.
[0070] According to an aspect of the invention, the mounting stems
294 shown in FIG. 7 are movable in the lateral direction D.sub.LAT
between multiple positions with respect to the base portion 276,
see, for example, the dashed-line mounting stems 294' with
associated dashed-line control elements 290A', 290B', and 290D'. It
is noted that each of the mounting stems 294 and their associated
control elements 290A-290D may be moveable between multiple
positions, or only select ones of the mounting stems 294 and their
associated control elements 290A-290D may be moveable between
multiple positions as shown in FIG. 7, i.e., where the mounting
stem 294 and its associated third control element 290C are in a
fixed position.
[0071] Since the mounting stems 294 according to this aspect of the
invention are movable laterally to different positions, the
mounting structures 308 of the control elements 290A-290D permit
the control elements 290A-290D to be selectively mounted to the
base portion 276 in multiple positions, including the first and
second positions of the control elements 290A, 290B, 290D shown in
solid and dashed lines in FIG. 8. For example, as shown in FIG. 8,
while in the dashed line positions, a first distance D.sub.1 is
defined between the first and second control elements 290A, 290B,
and while in the solid line positions, a second distance D.sub.2 is
defined between the first and second control elements 290A, 290B,
the second distance D.sub.2 being greater than the first distance
D.sub.1. Similar differences in distances between immediately
adjacent control elements 290A-290D can be effected by laterally
moving others of the control elements between positions.
[0072] Referring now to FIGS. 9A and 9B, a control element 400
according to another aspect of the invention is shown. The control
element 400 according to this embodiment is secured to a mounting
stem 402 via an attachment assembly 404. The attachment assembly
404 may be used with any of the control elements described
herein.
[0073] In the embodiment shown, the attachment assembly 404
comprises a set screw 406 that is threaded into an insert 408
affixed within an aperture 410 formed in the control element 400.
The insert 408 may be formed from a material more rigid than the
control element 400, e.g., brass or another metal or plastic, to
provide a secure fixation of the set screw 406 to the insert 408.
The insert 408 may be friction fitted, glued, melted, threaded,
etc. within the aperture 410. The control element 400 shown
includes two apertures 410 and corresponding inserts 408, the
apertures 410 being orthogonal to and communicating with a
respective one of one or more mounting holes 411 (only one mounting
hole is shown in this embodiment) formed in the bottom of the
control element 400 to allow for the control element 400 to be
mounted in any one of the multiple positions as discussed in detail
herein.
[0074] As shown in FIG. 9A, when the set screw 406 is fully
installed into the insert 408 and with the control element 400
positioned over the mounting stem 402, a tip 412 of the set screw
406, which tip 412 is threaded in one embodiment but is not
threaded in another embodiment, engages the mounting stem 402 or
extends into a detent 414 or opening formed in the mounting stem
402. A second detent 414 is shown on the mounting stem 402 of FIG.
9A to receive the mounting structure 400 when in a different
position. In one embodiment, the detent 414 is threaded to receive
the threaded tip 412 of the set screw 406 but in another embodiment
the pointed tip 412 of the set screw 406 tightly engages the
mounting stem 402 to create a friction fit therebetween, wherein no
detent in the mounting stem is required. The set screw 406 may be
formed from a material more rigid than the mounting stem 402 such
that the tip 412 of the set screw 406 may indent into the mounting
stem 402 to further secure the control element 400 onto the
mounting stem 402. In one embodiment, a washer (not shown) is
provided to fit between the insert 408 and an enlarged head (not
shown) of the set screw 406 to more tightly secure the control
element 400 to the mounting stem 402.
[0075] The set screw 406 is removable in one embodiment to allow
the control element 400 to be positioned in any of the one of the
multiple positions as discussed in detail herein.
[0076] While particular embodiments of the present invention have
been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those
skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can
be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims
all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of
this invention.
* * * * *