Patent ID: 7625167

Claim:
A control apparatus for a material handling vehicle, the control apparatus having a first operator control and a second operator control, a first actuator to operate a first part of the material handling vehicle and a second actuator to operate a second part of the material handling vehicle, a mechanical link mechanism to change the control configuration of the operator controls, the mechanical link mechanism comprising a mechanical link moveable between a first position to connect the first operator control to the first actuator and the second operator control to the second actuator, and a second position to connect the first operator control to the second actuator and the second operator control to the first actuator, the mechanical link mechanism comprising: a support arm, a first arm supported by and rotatable relative to the support arm and connected to the first actuator, a second arm supported by and rotatable relative to the support arm and connected to the second actuator, a third arm supported by the support arm and connected to the first operator control, and a fourth arm supported by and rotatable relative to the support arm and connected to the second operator control, the mechanical link comprising: a first connection element connecting the first arm to one of the third arm and the fourth arm, and a second connection element to connecting the second arm to the other of the third arm and the fourth arm.