Patent ID: 7226060
Filing Date: 2007-06-05
Classification: B62B

Abstract:
1. A steering device for decreasing a turning radius of a pallet jack, the pallet jack including a main wheel and an extensible wheel connected to a load supporting member, a first turning radius defined by the distance between the main wheel and the extensible wheel, the load supporting member positionable between a raised position and a lowered position, the steering device comprising: a ground engaging member including a roller, the ground engaging member connected to the support member between the main wheel and the extensible wheel; a housing member attachable to the support frame between the main wheel and the extensible wheel, the roller partially disposed within the housing member; an axial member disposed within the housing member and the roller to rotatably secure the roller to the housing member, whereupon lowering the support frame from the raised position toward the lowered position the roller engages the ground and the extensible wheel disengages from the ground; and a plate alignable with the housing member and engageable with the support member of the pallet jack, whereupon urging the plate and the housing together, the housing frictionally secures to the support member, wherein positioning the support member towards the lowered position the ground engageable member engages the ground causing the extensible wheel to disengage the ground, whereupon the main wheel and the ground engageable member define a second turning radius which is less than the first turning radius.