Motor vehicles – Frame – With structure adapted to receive or support a motor,...
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-05
2001-09-25
Swann, J. J. (Department: 3611)
Motor vehicles
Frame
With structure adapted to receive or support a motor,...
C280S785000, C296S204000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06293364
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates generally to a frame assembly for a skid steel loader machine and more particularly to a lower frame assembly utilized therein.
BACKGROUND ART
Skid steer loader machines are manufactured to provide a compact work machine which is maneuverable and durable in various applications. Some skid steer loader machine frames are designed to isolate the forces incurred during operation. Other skid steer loader machine frames are designed to facilitate efficient assembly of various components. There is always a continuing need for improved methods of manufacturing and assembling skid steer loader machines due to high demand and competitive forces. Such improvements should include decreased manufacturing and assembly time and costs coupled with increased durability of the skid steer loader machines.
Some skid steer loader machines use a loader body or lower frame assembly in conjunction with a subframe or upper frame assembly to define a main frame assembly for the machine. The upper frame assembly has an upright fabrication and is mounted to the lower frame assembly so that the upright fabrication partially encloses the engine.
As seen in designs disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,895,728 issued to John P. Heggen on Jul. 22, 1975 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,455 issued to Larry E. Albright et al. on Sep. 11, 1990, the lower frame assembly is manufactured to mount the upper frame assembly at a pair of side rails which do not extend fully along the length of the lower frame assembly. The shorter length of the side rails produces a connection between the upper and lower frame assemblies which is non-continuous and promotes unequal distribution of loading on the main frame assembly, decreasing durability of the machine. Further, the lower frame assembly does not incorporate typical subassembly components as structural elements of the lower frame assembly to increase the effective use of space and reduction of assembly time.
The present invention is directed to overcoming the problems as set forth above.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In an aspect of the present invention, a lower frame assembly with front and rear end portions is disclosed which is used in a skid steer loader machine. The skid steer loader machine has a centerline which extends along its midsection. A pair of spaced side rails are positioned on opposite sides of the machine centerline. A front wall is positioned at the front end portion of the lower frame assembly and extends between the side rails for connection therewith. A pair of spaced transmission housings has front and rear end portions. Each of the front end portions of the transmission housings are connected to the front wall and extend rearwardly therefrom a predetermined distance for connection along a respective side rail. A fuel tank has top and bottom plates and a pair of opposed side plates. One of the pair of side plates is connected at the rear end portions of each of the pair of transmission housings so that the fuel tank extends between the side rails.
The present invention incorporates a fuel tank as a structural element of a lower frame assembly for a skid steer loader machine. The utilization of the fuel tank as a structural element of the lower frame assembly increases the effective use of space while reducing assembly time by not employing a separate fuel tank.
REFERENCES:
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Anderson Robert S.
Baig Mirza Q.
Deneve Jeffrey A.
Dershem Brian R.
Kabir Hasan
Caterpillar S.A.R.L.
Charlton Diana L.
Dunn David R.
Swann J. J.
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