Patent Abstract:
Operating device for at least two functions of a floor conveyor, featuring at least one manually operable operational control element for an electric switch, which is connected with an electric/electronic control unit for the functions via electric lines. A plug- in codification connection is arranged in the course of the wiring of the leads, the interior connection of which pre-sets which one of the two functions are driven by the operational control element. An indicating panel for the respective envisioned function is arranged on a visible surface in the floor conveyor near to the operational control element, in which a sign or a carrier for an indicating panel is non-detachably connected with the plug-in codification connection.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention is related to an operating device for at least two functions of a floor conveyor. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    As is well known, a floor conveyor does not only need a steering device and an actuation element for the travelling drive, but also at least one operational control element for the actuation of a load pick-up means, of a load fork for instance. In the simplest case, the load fork is lifted, in fact either in the free lift or even to a greater height, depending on the type of the vehicle. Furthermore, it is known to tilt the load fork or to push it forward or backward, respectively, namely with or without the lifting scaffold. Manually operable operational control elements are correspondingly provided for the individual functions, which are arranged within the reach and the eyespot of the driver of the floor conveyor. It is also known to accommodate plural operating functions in one common handle, at a so-called multipilot for instance. 
         [0003]    Switches are assigned to the individual operational control elements, which are actuated by the operational control elements and thus generate a signal for a control unit, by which the individual functions are activated. It is also known to actuate different functions by one operational control element at option. In this case, it only depends on the hardware side wiring, whether an operational control element is used for lifting or lowering a load fork or for lateral shifting, for instance. For this purpose, a plug-in codification connection is arranged between the switch which is assigned to the operational control element and the control unit, Depending on the interior wiring of the plug-in codification connection, the operational control element is assigned to a particular function. When an installation or servicing person wants to envision the assignment of the operational control element to another function, he/she has to replace the plug-in codification connection by another one. For this sake, a so-called codification plug is usually envisioned, which is provided with a female and a male connector unit, so that the same can be used in the course of the wiring of the line connection. In doing so, the installation or servicing person has to take care that the proper indication occurs in the indicating panel which is assigned to the respective operational control element, so that the operator of the floor conveyor is informed about the correct assignment of the operational control element to the function which is switched on. Inadvertence at installation or servicing works can have the result that a wrong function for an operational control element is indicated to the driver or operator, respectively, of the floor conveyor. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Thus, the present invention is based on the objective to provide an operating device for at least two functions of a floor conveyor in which it is made sure that the correct respective function assignment of the respective operational control element is indicated to the operator of a floor conveyor. 
         [0005]    In the invention, a sign or a carrier for an indicating panel is non-detachably connected with the plug-in codification connection via a connection means. 
         [0006]    In the new assembly, the plug-in codification connection is connected with the indicating panel from on the beginning, so that the correct indicating panel is shown to the operator of the floor conveyor automatically, when the plug-in codification connection is built in. In the case of a replacement, the plug-in codification connection is removed together with the indicating panel. Any separation of the indicating panel from the plug-in codification connection can take place only by destruction of the non-detachable connection. Yet, this is a sufficient advice for the installation person, to remove the indicating panel also when the plug-in codification connection is removed. 
         [0007]    According to one embodiment of the invention, the connection means is a ribbon, preferably a flat ribbon. The flat ribbon has the advantage that it can be guided through a very narrow gap or slit in the field of vision of the driver to the region below the field of vision, which is formed by a corresponding planking in the floor conveyor. 
         [0008]    According to another embodiment of the invention, the plug-in codification connection is arranged on a casing, which is non arranged in an opening of the visible surface and which has the indicating panel on its outer side. The casing can be arranged via a catching connection in the opening, for instance. When the casing is removed from the opening, the indicating panel is removed together with it at the same time. The casing contains a so-called codification plug with a pre-set wiring of the female and the male connectors. 
         [0009]    Alternatively, the carrier for the indicating panel may be a plate made of plastic material, which is attached on the visible surface in a suitable manner, by gluing for instance, or even by catching it in an opening. The indicating panel may be immediately engraved into the plate or it may be adhered to the plate in the form of a sheeting by gluing. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    In the following, the present invention is explained in more details by means of drawings. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  shows a first plug-in codification connection with an indication member of the invention in a schematic way. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  shows another plug-in codification connection with an indication member of the invention in a schematic way. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  shows a cross section through a casing for the accommodation of a plug-in codification connection and an indication member. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  shows a top view to an operating panel of a floor conveyor. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  shows a sign according to  FIG. 4  in a magnified view, with the indication of the individual functions of a multifunction lever according to  FIG. 4 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  shows the plug according to  FIG. 4  together with the sign, in a perspective view. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  shows the connection of the sign ribbon according to  FIG. 6 , with a lower base of the plug according to  FIG. 6 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    In  FIG. 1 , a sign  10  is depicted, which consists of a plastics plate for instance, which may be attached to a visible surface in the region of the drivers seat of a floor conveyor (not shown), by gluing or even by catching it in an opening (not shown). On its top side, the sign shows an indicating panel  12 , which is either engraved into the plate or glued up by means of a sheeting. The indicating panel shows in a schematic way a load fork  14  and one arrow directed upward and one arrow directed downward. The indicating panel  12  is assigned to a not shown operational control element for a function of the not shown floor conveyor. When he/she actuates the operational control element in the direction of one of the arrows, the vehicle operator knows that the load fork  14  performs a lifting or lowering movement. 
         [0019]    A similar sign  10   a  is shown in  FIG. 2 . A double arrow  16  is indicated with respect to the load fork  14 . The arrow  16  means that an actuation of the assigned operational control element results in a shifting of the load fork  14  into the direction of the double arrow  16 . Thus, the sign  10   a  is to be assigned to another function. 
         [0020]    In  FIG. 1 , a first plug-in codification connection  18  is depicted, with a male plug part  20  and a female part  22 . The pins and jacks of the parts  20 ,  22  are connected to each other via lines  24 . The pin assignment is such that always the number  1  of the part  20  is connected to the number  1  of the part  22 , and so forth. 
         [0021]    In a plug-in codification connection  26  according to  FIG. 2  with a plug part  20  and a jack part  22 , the 1 of the plug part  20  is connected to the 2 of the jack part  22 , for instance, and the 2 of the plug part  20  with the 1 of the jack part  22 , for instance. Thus, the corresponding lines cross over each other. Therefore, when the already mentioned operational control element is connected to the not shown control unit of the floor conveyor via the codification plug  26 , a shifting actuation of the load fork  14  takes place according to  FIG. 2 , whereas in a connection according to  FIG. 1 , a height movement of the load fork  14  is generated. 
         [0022]    In both embodiments according to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a ribbon  30  is envisioned, which captively winds itself around the plug-in codification connection  18  or  26 , respectively, with a loop  32 . For instance, the ribbon  30  may be a flat ribbon. By the arrangements according to  FIG. 1  or  2 , respectively, it is made sure that the correct sign  10   a  or  10   b,  respectively, is assigned to the operational control element, because the correct function of the floor conveyor is assigned to the sign  10   a  or  10   b  also, via the plug-in codification connection  18  or  26 , respectively. 
         [0023]    Instead of the loop  32 , a flat piece with an opening may be provided and with such a geometry that it accommodates the plug  20  or the jack part of the codification plug  18  or  26  or the cables  24  with positive fit. By doing so, a non-detachable connection is also created. 
         [0024]    In  FIG. 3 , a casing  36  is depicted, which is caught in an opening  38  of an instrument panel  40  of a floor conveyor via a catch connection. The casing  36  can be removed from the opening  38  only deliberately. The casing  36  contains the plug-in codification connection  26  according to  FIG. 2 , as can be recognized through the lines without further problems. On its outer side, the casing  36  has a plate section  42  with a recess, in which a sign  44  is arranged in a countersunk way. The sign  44  may be a little plastics plate or even a sheeting. The sheeting or the little plate carries an indicating panel, as can be recognized by the indicating panel  12  in  FIG. 1 , or by the indicating panel  12 a in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0025]    The casing  36  can be screwed to the instrument panel  40 , or it may be formed in one piece with the instrument panel  40 . 
         [0026]    In  FIG. 4 , an operating panel of a not shown floor conveyor is depicted, which is arranged at one side of the driver on the drivers seat. Details of the floor conveyor and also those of the driver&#39;s seat are not indicated. They are commonly known. In the operating panel  40 , a multifunction lever  42  can be recognized as the main operating member. The same is also shown on a sign  44 , on which the individual functions are indicated which can be operated by the multifunction lever. From this, one recognizes that the multifunction lever  42 , which is grasped from the topside with the hand, can be adjusted in two orthogonal planes. In the one plane, which is indicated by the arrows  46 ,  48 , a load carrying means, a fork for instance, is lifted or lowered, respectively. In the plane vertical to it, as indicated by arrows  50 ,  52 , a lifting scaffold or a pantograph, respectively, is moved to and away from the vehicle when there is an adjustment in this plane. 
         [0027]    Further, one recognizes in  FIG. 4  that on the front end of the multifunction lever  42 , a rotary type switch  54  is arranged. The rotary type switch  54 , which is actuated with the thumb of the hand which grips the lever  42 , allows the adjustment of the traveling speed of the not shown floor conveyor or of the traveling direction, respectively. Upon actuation with the forefinger, a switch  56  on the multifunction lever  42  triggers the inclination of the load carrying means or of the fork, respectively, around a horizontal axis. This is indicated in  FIG. 5  on the sign at  58 . However, when a button  60  on the lever  42  is pressed at the same time, the actuation of the switch  56  results in a lateral shift of the load carrying means or of the fork, respectively. This is indicated on the sign in  FIG. 5  at  62 . Pressing a button  64  on the multifunction switch  42  actuates a horn, as is indicated at  66  in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0028]    The individual functions of the multifunction lever  42  are connected to a not shown control unit. This connection takes place via a plug  70 , which is depicted in  FIG. 4  and which is inserted into the panel  40 . The connection of the individual lines from the multifunction lever  42  to the plug  70  and from there to the control unit is not shown. It is essential that the sign  44  is connected to the plug via a suitable ribbon or the like, as is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Thus, sign  44  and plug  70  form a unit, wherein the parts thereof can only be separated in that the not shown ribbon is cut through. Thus, the plug  70  forms also a plug-in codification connection, through which operational control elements of the multifunction lever and of the not shown control unit are connected, as has been explained above by means of the other figures. It is to be understood that by permutation of the lines on the plug  70 , the switch  54  may be used for lifting and lowering or for shifting the lifting scaffold, for instance. In this case, even the sign has to be removed together with the plug  70 , and a new sign will be non -detachably connected with the plug  70  of the new connection. 
         [0029]    In  FIG. 6 , the connection plug  70  according to  FIG. 4  is exposed. It has an upper base  72  and a lower base  74 , which are connected with each other via lines  76 . The function of such a plug  70  has been explained in more detail above. Further, the sign  44  can be recognized in  FIG. 6 , without the overprint according to  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Instead of the overprint, a suitable label may also be glued on, which features the symbols according to  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The sign  44  is essentially non connected with the base  24  via a flat flexible ribbon  76 , which has a broadening at  78 . This is indicated in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0030]    In  FIG. 7  one can recognize that the broadening  78 , which can be provided with a warning overprint such that it is warned to remove the ribbon from the plug  70 , is followed by a frame  80 , which has interior projections  82 ,  84 ,  86  and  88 . The frame  80  is slipped over the rectangular base  74 , wherein the projection  82  to  88  engage into corresponding recesses of the base  74 , only one recess  90  being perceivable in  FIG. 7 . The connection of the frame  80  with the base  74  is such that any release of the frame  80  from the base  74  is essentially only possible by destruction of the frame  80 .

Technology Classification (CPC): 1