Motor vehicles – Power – Hoods
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-25
2001-06-05
Johnson, Brian L. (Department: 3618)
Motor vehicles
Power
Hoods
C292S340000, C292S216000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06241039
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an arrangement for firmly locking an engine bonnet or hood to a vehicle cab and to the elements which guide the locking together and reduce the effects of relative motion between the bonnet and the cab.
STATE OF THE ART
There are at present two main types of heavy-duty trucks, the so-called cab-over-engine type, wherein the engine is largely arranged beneath a cab which is tiltable forwards, and the so-called torpedo type with its cab fastened to the frame and with the engine largely arranged in front of the cab in an engine space which is covered by an engine bonnet. The torpedo type has an engine bonnet with a front edge that is firmly arranged on the vehicle frame. The bonnet is often tiltable forwards about a transverse hinge pin which is arranged as far forward as possible on the vehicle at the lower front edge of the bonnet. The bonnet is locked firmly to the cab by a catch at the rear edge of the bonnet.
Secure locking between the cab and the bonnet has hitherto been achieved by using a two-part locking arrangement comprising one part fastened to the bonnet and one part fastened to the cab. The part fastened to the bonnet consists of a metal retainer provided with a pin placed in the transverse direction of the bonnet, and the part fastened to the cab consists of a gripping arrangement with a gripping claw intended to grip round the pin and be locked firmly to it. The gripping claw is connected to a wire which leads to a manual control in the cab. Pulling on the manual control unlocks the gripping claw and makes it possible to open the bonnet. The result is an easily operable and reliable lock between the cab and the bonnet.
A truck cab is often entirely suspended relative to the vehicle frame in order to increase comfort in the cab and make it possible to raise and lower the position of the cab. When the vehicle is in motion, the cab moves up and down in a vertical direction as a result of the suspension. The bonnet, however, has its front edge firmly arranged on the vehicle frame and its rear end firmly locked to the cab. The bonnet of a heavy-duty truck is large and heavy and may weigh about 100 kg, which gives rise to large forces. When the cab moves vertically, stresses occur in the bonnet in its longitudinal direction because the rear end of the bonnet, being locked, follows movements of the cab, whereas the front edge of the bonnet is fastened to the frame. This produces stresses in the front edge of the bonnet which can gradually lead to cracks.
Another problem which arises when the cab springs vertically and the bonnet is thereby moved is that this causes vibrations which propagate to the cab. This creates a considerable comfort problem for the driver, who often spends a large part of his working day in the cab.
The known locking arrangement is further equipped with a guide device to facilitate the introduction of the part of the locking arrangement which is fastened to the bonnet into its part which is fastened to the cab. This guide device consists of two dished metal washers which are threaded on the transverse pin of the metal retainer. These washers guide the metal retainer correctly into the gripping arrangement. A problem with these washers is that they may cause rattling in the locking arrangement. This noise may be disturbing for the driver and thereby diminish comfort in the cab.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to eliminate the above disadvantages and to provide, with a view to reliable and readily operable firm locking of an engine bonnet to a vehicle cab, a new type of arrangement which increases comfort in the cab and reduces the strength forces in the bonnet. The present invention comprises an arrangement for locking an engine bonnet firmly to a vehicle cab, reducing stresses on the bonnet and on the locking arrangement. The arrangement includes a first locking part fastened to the cab and a second locking part fastened to the bonnet. The first part includes a spindle supported between arms of a yoke. Facing convex dished guide surfaces, at least one of which is resilient are disposed at the spindle. The receiving portion on the cab has two spaced apart plates each with a recess in it for receiving the spindle extending across them and the plates are so placed that the dished guide surfaces on the yoke of the receiving portion are engaged with the plates for guiding the spindle into the recesses and for holding them against relative motion.
Making one part of a two-part locking arrangement resilient makes the movements of the bonnet more flexible. The resilient part absorbs the stresses which occur when the cab moves relative to the bonnet. This reduces the stresses in the bonnet and therefore reduces the risk of cracks in the bonnet. Vibrations are also reduced, which increases comfort in the cab.
Rattling in the locking arrangement is eliminated by one guide device being an integral part of one part of the locking arrangement and the other guide device being a washer provided with a thick rubber element. Driver comfort is improved.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4165112 (1979-08-01), Kleefeldt
patent: 4388976 (1983-06-01), Williams et al.
patent: 4981313 (1991-01-01), Makamura
patent: 5529356 (1996-06-01), Cetnar
patent: 5826672 (1998-10-01), Holter et al.
patent: 5890556 (1999-04-01), Shearn et al.
patent: 0314075 (1989-05-01), None
patent: 2498238 (1982-07-01), None
Järnström Sune
Malmquist Leif
Gort Elaine
Johnson Brian L.
Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen, LLP
Scania CV Aktiebolag (publ)
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