Pothole protection mechanism
View Patent ↗A pothole protection mechanism provides additional support for the vehicle in the event a wheel is driven into a hole while the platform is elevated. The mechanism includes an extendible and retractable pothole protection bar. A mechanism serves to actuate the pothole protection mechanism based on a position of the vehicle lifting section. The construction of the mechanism serves to prevent a crushing hazard while deploying the bar and tolerates fixed objects on the ground while raising the bar.
1. A pothole protection mechanism for a lift vehicle including a lifting section supported on a vehicle frame, the pothole protection mechanism comprising:
an actuator attached to the lifting section of the lift vehicle, the actuator being displaced between an extended position and a retracted position based on a position of the lifting section;
a crank including an engagement member at an upper end positioned to be engaged by the actuator, the crank farther including a slot between the upper end and a lower end, wherein a connector secured to the vehicle frame and engaged with the crank through the slot movably secures the crank to the vehicle frame;
a coupler link pivotally secured at a first end to the lower end of the crank; and
a pothole protection bar pivotally secured to a second end of the coupler link and pivotally secured to the vehicle frame,
wherein the pothole protection bar is pivotable between a stowed position and a use position based on the position of the lifting section.
2. A pothole protection mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises:
a plate member slidably mounted on a pin rigidly secured to the frame; and
a spring mounted on the pin between the frame and the plate member.
3. A pothole protection mechanism according to claim 2 , wherein a spring constant of the spring is about 470 lb/in.
4. A pothole protection mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the connector is structurally configured to allow only for translation of the crank with respect to the connector.
5. A pothole protection mechanism according to claim 4 , wherein the slot is at a predetermined angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the crank.
6. A pothole protection mechanism according to claim 5 , wherein the slot is offset with respect to the longitudinal axis of the crank.
7. A pothole protection mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the connector is structurally configured only for translation and rotation of the crank with respect to the connector.
8. A pothole protection mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the pothole protection bar is pivoted through an arc substantially limited to 90° between the use position and the stowed position.
9. A lift vehicle according to claim 8 , wherein the lifting section comprises a scissors lift.
10. A pothole protection mechanism according to claim 1 , further comprising a frame pin coupled to the vehicle frame, the frame pin serving as a stop for the crank.
11. A lift vehicle comprising:
a vehicle frame;
a lifting section supported on the vehicle frame; and
a pothole protection mechanism, the pothole protection mechanism comprising:
an actuator attached to the lifting section of the lift vehicle, the actuator being displaced between an extended position and a retracted position based on a position of the lifting section,
a crank including an engagement member at an upper end positioned to be engaged by the actuator, the crank farther including a slot between the upper end and a lower end, wherein a connector secured to the vehicle frame and engaged with the crank through the slot movably secures the crank to the vehicle frame,
a coupler link pivotally secured at a first end to the lower end of the crank, and
a pothole protection bar pivotally secured to a second end of the coupler link and pivotally secured to the vehicle frame,
wherein the pothole protection bar is pivotable between a stowed position and a use position based on the position of the lifting section.
12. A lift vehicle according to claim 11 , wherein the actuator comprises:
a plate member slidably mounted on a pin rigidly secured to the frame; and
a spring mounted on the pin between the frame and the plate member.
13. A lift vehicle according to claim 12 , wherein a spring constant of the spring is about 470 lb/in.
14. A pothole protection mechanism for a lift vehicle including a lifting section supported on a vehicle frame, the pothole protection mechanism comprising:
an actuator attached to the lifting section of the lift vehicle, the actuator being displaced between an extended position and a retracted position based on a position of the lifting section;
a crank including an engagement member at an upper end positioned to be engaged by the actuator, the crank farther including a slot between the upper end and a lower end, wherein a connector secured to the vehicle frame and engaged with the crank through the slot movably secures the crank to the vehicle frame;
a coupler link pivotally secured at a first end to the lower end of the crank; and
a pothole protection bar pivotally secured to a second end of the coupler link and pivotally secured to the vehicle frame.