Device for remotely controlling a materials handling vehicle

Abstract

A remote control device worn by an operator in combination with a materials handling vehicle includes a wireless transmitter and control structure in communication with the wireless transmitter. The control structure is actuated by the operator to cause the wireless transmitter to generate a travel request signal. The vehicle includes a traction control system, a receiver for receiving travel request signals from the wireless transmitter, at least one sensor, and a controller. The sensor(s) is configured to detect objects near the vehicle or to detect a person on a vehicle operating platform. The controller is configured to decide not to cause the traction control system to advance the vehicle in response to a travel request signal from the receiver if the status from one or more of the at least one sensor is indicative of the presence of either: an object near the vehicle; or a person on the platform.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A remote control device in combination with a materials handling vehicle, the combination comprising:
 a remote control device adapted to be worn by an operator, the remote control device comprising:
 a wireless transmitter; and 
 control structure in communication with the wireless transmitter, the control structure adapted to be actuated by the operator so as to cause the wireless transmitter to generate a travel request signal; and 
   a materials handling vehicle comprising:
 a traction control system for advancing the vehicle across a floor surface; 
 a receiver for receiving travel request signals from the wireless transmitter; 
 at least one sensor configured to detect the presence of an object located at a position proximate to the vehicle or to detect a person on a platform of the vehicle from which the vehicle may be operated; and 
 a controller communicably coupled to the receiver, the at least one sensor, and the traction control system, the controller being responsive to receipt of the travel request signals from the receiver and to decide whether to implement each travel request signal, wherein the controller is configured to decide not to cause the fraction control system to advance the vehicle across the floor surface in response to a travel request signal from the receiver if the status from one or more of the at least one sensor is indicative of the presence of either: an object located at a position proximate to the vehicle; or a person on the platform. 
   
     
     
         2 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless transmitter is in wireless communication with the control structure. 
     
     
         3 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the control structure is also adapted to be actuated by the operator so as to cause the wireless transmitter to generate a stop signal to stop the materials handling vehicle if the vehicle is moving under wireless remote control. 
     
     
         4 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the control structure must be double clicked by the operator at least under certain circumstances to cause the controller to implement the travel request signal. 
     
     
         5 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the remote control device further comprises a power pack for powering the remote control device. 
     
     
         6 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the remote control device comprises a glove garment adapted to be worn on the hand of the operator. 
     
     
         7 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the remote control device comprises a rigid mounting structure adapted to be worn on at least one finger of the operator. 
     
     
         8 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the remote control device comprises a mounting strap adapted to be worn on the wrist or arm of the operator and the control structure is positioned on at least one finger of the operator. 
     
     
         9 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle is configured to travel in response to receiving a travel request signal for as long as the travel request signal is received. 
     
     
         10 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle is configured to stop when traveling in response to a travel request signal from the remote control device based upon a predetermined event comprising at least one of the vehicle exceeding a predetermined travel time period or the vehicle exceeding a predetermined travel distance. 
     
     
         11 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle further comprises a load handling assembly, a power unit, and at least one steered wheel. 
     
     
         12 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle further comprises an indicator that provides at least one of an audible and a visual cue when the vehicle is traveling in response to a travel request signal sent by the wireless transmitter. 
     
     
         13 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the speed of the vehicle is limited when the vehicle is traveling in response to a travel request signal sent by the wireless transmitter. 
     
     
         14 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle further comprises a brake control system for stopping the vehicle, wherein the controller is communicably coupled to the brake control system. 
     
     
         15 . The combination of  claim 14 , wherein the controller is configured to cause the brake control system to stop the vehicle if the vehicle is moving under wireless remote control in response to receipt of a travel request signal from the remote control device and one or more of the at least one sensor indicates the detection of an object in a path of travel of the vehicle. 
     
     
         16 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the remote control device further comprises left and right steer buttons that are adapted to be actuated by the operator so as to cause the vehicle to make respective left and right steer angle corrections. 
     
     
         17 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one object sensor configured to detect the presence of objects in the path of travel of the vehicle, and wherein the output of the at least one object sensor is overridden while the operator is driving the truck on the platform to allow the operator to navigate the vehicle in places that might otherwise activate the at least one object sensor. 
     
     
         18 . A remote control device in combination with a materials handling vehicle, the combination comprising:
 a remote control device adapted to be worn by an operator, the remote control device comprising:
 a wireless transmitter; and 
 control structure in communication with the wireless transmitter, the control structure adapted to be actuated by the operator so as to cause the wireless transmitter to generate a travel request signal; and 
   a materials handling vehicle comprising:
 a traction control system for advancing the vehicle across a floor surface; 
 a brake control system for stopping the vehicle; 
 a receiver for receiving travel request signals from the wireless transmitter; 
 at least one sensor configured to detect the presence of an object located at a position proximate to the vehicle or to detect a person on a platform of the vehicle from which the vehicle may be operated; and 
 a controller communicably coupled to the receiver, the at least one sensor, the traction control system, and the brake control system, the controller being responsive to receipt of the travel request signals from the receiver and to decide whether to implement each travel request signal, wherein the controller is configured to:
 decide not to cause the traction control system to advance the vehicle across the floor surface in response to a travel request signal from the receiver if the status from one or more of the at least one sensor is indicative of the presence of either: an object located at a position proximate to the vehicle; or a person on the platform; and 
 cause the brake control system to stop the vehicle if the vehicle is moving under wireless remote control in response to receipt of a travel request signal from the remote control device and one or more of the at least one sensor indicates the detection of an object in a path of travel of the vehicle. 
 
   
     
     
         19 . The combination of  claim 18 , wherein the wireless transmitter is in wireless communication with the control structure. 
     
     
         20 . The combination of  claim 18 , wherein the control structure is also adapted to be actuated by the operator so as to cause the wireless transmitter to generate a stop signal to stop the materials handling vehicle if the vehicle is moving under wireless remote control. 
     
     
         21 . The combination of  claim 18 , wherein the control structure must be double clicked by the operator at least under certain circumstances to cause the controller to implement the travel request signal. 
     
     
         22 . The combination of  claim 18 , wherein the remote control device further comprises a power pack for powering the remote control device. 
     
     
         23 . The combination of  claim 18 , wherein the remote control device comprises a glove garment adapted to be worn on the hand of the operator. 
     
     
         24 . The combination of  claim 18 , wherein the remote control device comprises a rigid mounting structure adapted to be worn on at least one finger of the operator. 
     
     
         25 . The combination of  claim 18 , wherein the remote control device comprises a mounting strap adapted to be worn on the wrist or arm of the operator and the control structure is positioned on at least one finger of the operator. 
     
     
         26 . The combination of  claim 18 , wherein the vehicle is configured to travel in response to receiving a travel request signal for as long as the travel request signal is received. 
     
     
         27 . The combination of  claim 18 , wherein the vehicle is configured to stop when traveling in response to a travel request signal from the remote control device based upon a predetermined event comprising at least one of the vehicle exceeding a predetermined travel time period or the vehicle exceeding a predetermined travel distance. 
     
     
         28 . The combination of  claim 18 , wherein the vehicle further comprises a load handling assembly, a power unit, and at least one steered wheel. 
     
     
         29 . The combination of  claim 18 , wherein the vehicle further comprises an indicator that provides at least one of an audible and a visual cue when the vehicle is traveling in response to a travel request signal sent by the wireless transmitter. 
     
     
         30 . The combination of  claim 18 , wherein the speed of the vehicle is limited when the vehicle is traveling in response to a travel request signal sent by the wireless transmitter. 
     
     
         31 . The combination of  claim 18 , wherein the remote control device further comprises left and right steer buttons that are adapted to be actuated by the operator so as to cause the vehicle to make respective left and right steer angle corrections. 
     
     
         32 . The combination of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises at least one object sensor configured to detect the presence of objects in the path of travel of the vehicle, and wherein the output of the at least one object sensor is overridden while the operator is driving the truck on the platform to allow the operator to navigate the vehicle in places that might otherwise activate the at least one object sensor.