Reusable Cradle System and Method for a Material Handling Vehicle

1 . A method for storing a cradle system for a material handling vehicle, comprising:

positioning a first leg of the cradle system on a second leg of the cradle system;

fastening the first leg to the second leg;

positioning a sleigh of the cradle system on the first leg; and

fastening the sleigh to the first leg.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

positioning a brace of the cradle system next to the second leg; and

fastening the brace to the second leg.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the second leg is received within the brace prior to positioning the first leg on the second leg.

4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

inserting a crossmember of the cradle system into a cavity of one of the first leg or the second leg.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein positioning the sleigh on the first leg includes positioning a first sleigh and a second sleigh on the first leg.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein fastening the first leg to the second leg includes fastening via one or more tabs disposed on at least one of the first leg or the second leg.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein fastening the sleigh to the first leg includes fastening via fastener holes disposed on the sleigh and the first leg.

8 . A method for arranging a cradle system for a material handling vehicle in a storage configuration, the method comprising:

stacking at least two legs of the cradle system on each other;

positioning at least two sleighs of the cradle system on the at least two legs; and

coupling the at least two legs and the at least two sleighs to form a singular unit.

9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the at least two sleighs each have an outer surface that includes a first portion, a second portion that is perpendicular to the first portion, and a third portion defining a curved shape that is disposed between the first and the second portions.

10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the second portions of the outer surfaces of the at least two sleighs contact one of the at least two legs.

11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein first portions of the outer surfaces of the at least two sleighs face each other.

12 . The method of claim 8 , wherein coupling the at least two legs and the at least two sleighs comprises fastening via fastener holes disposed on the at least two legs and the at least two sleighs.

13 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

coupling a brace to one of the at least two legs before stacking the at least two legs on each other.

14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein one of the at least two legs is received within the brace.

15 . A method for nesting components of a cradle system for a material handling vehicle, the method comprising:

coupling a brace of the cradle system to a first leg of the cradle system;

positioning a second leg of the cradle system on the first leg coupled with the brace;

fastening the second leg to the first leg; and

positioning at least one sleigh of the cradle system on the second leg.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the first leg is received within the brace.

17 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising:

inserting a crossmember of the cradle system into a cavity of one of the first leg or the second leg.

18 . The method of claim 15 , wherein positioning at least one sleigh comprises positioning a first sleigh and a second sleigh on the second leg.

19 . The method of claim 15 , wherein fastening the second leg to the first leg is via one or more tabs disposed on at least one of the first leg or the second leg.

20 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising:

fastening the at least one sleigh to the second leg via fastener holes disposed on the at least one sleigh and the second leg.