Patent ID: 7497505
Filing Date: 2009-03-03
Classification: B62D,B66F

Abstract:
1. A materials handling vehicle comprising: a frame; a set of wheels supported on said frame to allow said materials handling vehicle to move across a floor surface; and an operator support assembly comprising a suspended floorboard upon which an operator may stand and an energy absorbing structure coupled to said frame and said suspended floorboard for absorbing and dissipating at least a portion of energy resulting from disturbances encountered by the vehicle as it moves across the floor surface prior to said energy portion reaching the operator standing on said suspended floorboard, said energy absorbing structure including a damping element for effecting a damping function, said damping element comprising at least one damper, said energy absorbing structure further comprising at least one spring for receiving and storing energy, a mast assembly coupled to said frame and said floorboard for permitting movement of said suspended floorboard relative to said frame and structure coupled between said frame and said at least one spring for varying a preload on said at least one spring, said structure coupled between said frame and said at least one spring comprising a lever capable of being manually moved by an operator.