Angled Overhead Guard Frame for Forklift Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional overhead guards on materials handling vehicles limit the visibility of operators when retrieving or storing stock, as they are horizontally spaced and obstruct the view of raised forks, compromising safety and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An overhead guard with a guard frame oriented at an angle of at least five degrees relative to horizontal, positioned forward of the normal vehicle operating position, to improve visibility towards the load handling assembly, incorporating longitudinal frame members and guard members such as bars or plates with slots for unobstructed viewing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a conventional overhead guard is horizontally spaced over the operator, then protection from falling objects is provided, but visibility of the raised forks is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The overhead guard frame is oriented at an angle of at least five degrees relative to horizontal, directed upward towards the load handling assembly. This angular orientation creates a three-dimensional configuration that allows light to pass through and around the structure, enabling the operator to see the raised forks while maintaining protective coverage from falling objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The guard members are configured with specific angular orientations and spacing that provide differentiated protection and visibility characteristics in different zones. The angled frame members create zones of protection while maintaining visual transparency in the direction of the load handling assembly, allowing simultaneous achievement of safety and visibility requirements.
2Area of stationary object
If the overhead guard extends towards the mast, then coverage area is increased, but operator visibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By orienting the guard frame at an upward angle rather than purely horizontally, the structure extends its protective coverage towards the mast and load handling assembly while creating visual pathways through and above the guard structure. This angular extension maintains coverage area while reducing visual obstruction.
3Reliability
If the overhead guard is positioned to protect the operator, then safety is improved, but operational efficiency is reduced due to limited visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The angled orientation of the overhead guard frame at least five degrees upward creates a protective structure that does not block the operator's line of sight to the load handling assembly. This allows the operator to maintain full visibility for safe and efficient operation while remaining protected from falling objects.
Data Source
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AI summary
An overhead guard (100) comprises a guard frame (106, 116) and a plurality of guard members (140). The guard frame is coupled to a suitable support structure of a materials handling vehicle (10) so as to extend generally over at least a portion of an operator's compartment (20) of the vehicle. The guard frame is oriented at an angle having a magnitude that is at least five degrees relative to the horizontal, and is angled upward towards a load handling assembly (12) of the vehicle, at least in an area of the guard situated between a normal vehicle operating position and the load handling assembly. The plurality of guard members are supported by the guard frame at least within an area generally over the operator's compartment of the vehicle.