Metal working – Method of mechanical manufacture – Structural member making
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-16
2001-03-27
Rosenbaun, I Cuda (Department: 3726)
Metal working
Method of mechanical manufacture
Structural member making
C029S469000, C180S291000, C180S006480, C296S203030
Reexamination Certificate
active
06205665
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates generally to a frame assembly for a skid steel loader machine and more particularly to an assembly of upper and lower frames to define a main frame assembly.
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 while 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 loader machine. The upper frame assembly typically has an upright fabrication and is mounted to the lower frame assembly so that the upright fabrication partially encloses the engine.
A design disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,895,728 issued to John P. Heggen on Jul. 22, 1975 is an example of a assembly of a subframe and loader body wherein the subframe includes a pair of laterally spaced, longitudinally extending side beams mounted to bosses positioned over the stub axles projecting from opposite sides of the loader body. The arrangement substantially isolates material handling forces from the loader body and facilitates location of the drive components in a single body compartment. A design disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,455 issued to Larry E. Albright et al. on Sep. 11, 1990 utilizes a method of assembling a skid steer loader which mounts an engine and hydraulic pump to an engine mount platform welded at the back end of the lower frame assembly. The engine mount platform is designed for increased accessibility so that the engine and hydraulic pump can be easily mounted together resulting in decreased assembly time. The engine mount platform accessibility is achieved by utilization of the engine mounting platform as part of the connection for the upper frame assembly with the lower frame assembly, including vertical bolts therebetween. Horizontal bolts are used to further connect the upper frame assembly to a pair of side rails of the lower frame assembly which extend partially along the length thereof. Both designs, however, do not provide for a continuous and consistent connection along the entire length of the lower frame assembly thereby producing an unequal distribution of loading therealong. The use of horizontal and vertical connections between the upper and lower frame assemblies causes variations in the loading stresses on the assembled main frame assembly due to differences in the bolting pattern. Additionally, the use of the engine mount platform as part of the connection with the upper frame assembly may increase the risk of engine vibration being transferred directly into the upper frame assembly.
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 main frame assembly for use in a skid steer loader machine comprises a lower frame assembly with a pair of spaced vertically oriented side rails. A front wall extends between the side rails for connection therewith. A pair of spaced transmission housings are connected to the front wall and extend rearwardly therefrom a predetermined distance along a respective side rail. The main frame assembly further includes an upper frame assembly with a pair of spaced tower assemblies. A pair of side members each have front and rear end portions. Each side member is connected to a respective one of the pair of tower assemblies and extends longitudinally therefrom. A crossmember assembly is connected between the pair of tower assemblies. The upper frame assembly is mounted to the lower frame assembly exclusively at a connection between the side members of the upper frame assembly and the respective side rails of the lower frame assembly.
In another aspect of the present invention, a method for assembling a main frame assembly of a skid steer loader machine is disclosed. The method includes the step of manufacturing a lower frame assembly with a pair of spaced side rails. A plurality of spaced openings are disposed along the length of the side rails. A front wall extends between the side rails for connection therewith. A pair of spaced transmission housings are connected to the front wall and extend rearwardly therefrom a predetermined distance along a respective side rail. The next step includes manufacturing an upper frame with a pair of spaced tower assemblies, a pair of side members that have front and rear end portions, and a plurality of spaced openings disposed along the length thereof adapted for connection with the spaced openings on the side rails of the lower frame assembly. The side members are connected to a respective one of the pair of tower assemblies and extend longitudinally therefrom and a crossmember assembly extends between the pair of tower assemblies. The final step includes mounting the upper frame assembly to the lower frame assembly by a horizontal connection exclusively between the side members of the upper frame assembly and the respective side rails of the lower frame assembly.
The present invention includes mounting an upper frame assembly with a pair of side members to a lower frame assembly with a pair of side rails to define a main frame assembly. The side members of the upper frame assembly are exclusively mounted to the respective side rails of the lower frame assembly along the lengths thereof so that loading is equally distributed throughout the connection. The distribution of loading increases the performance and endurance of the machine with an assembly which protects the internal components. The ability to distribute the loading on the main frame assembly, while providing an improved assembly, produces a compact and efficient work machine.
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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.
Nguyen Trinh
Rosenbaun I Cuda
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