Signals and indicators – Vehicle – Curb feelers
Patent
1981-09-08
1983-12-06
Yasich, Daniel M.
Signals and indicators
Vehicle
Curb feelers
116303, 414698, B60Q 1100, B60P 128
Patent
active
044186363
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
DESCRIPTION
1. Technical Field
This invention relates to indicators and more particularly to indicators that are associated with material hauling vehicles, to indicate the position of the truck body of said vehicle.
2. Background Art
In the operation of a material hauling vehicle, such as a dump truck or off-highway truck, the vehicle is provided with a truck body that is loaded at one location with material, such as dirt, and driven to another location to unload the material. To accomplish this, the truck body is designed to be tilted rearwardly with respect to the vehicle frame to allow the material to fall from the truck body. Generally the tilting or raising of the truck body is accomplished by the application of fluid under pressure to one or more hydraulic cylinders that are positioned between the truck body and vehicle frame. Upon completion of the dumping operation the fluid is released from the hydraulic cylinder and the weight of the dump body will cause its return to its original or hauling position.
Occasionally, through a malfunction in the hydraulic circuitry or through an operator's error, the descent of the truck body will be cut short, leaving the truck body in an elevated position. Should the operator drive the vehicle away from the dump site, in this condition, the truck body could extend high enough to interfere with overhead structures.
In some instances truck bodies have been provided with an indicator that extends from the truck body to a position that is visible to the operator as he sits in his seat, when the truck body is fully lowered. These devices are only visible when the truck body is in its proper position for roading. There is no provision of a warning device to indicate a possible problem that would be present if the truck body failed to lower properly.
Electrical devices, such as lights and horns have also been provided to indicate the positioning of the truck body in the elevated position. The electrical componentry, however, has often proved to be much too fragile to survive the harsh environment that is inherent in the operation of a dump truck.
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention a mechanical indicating apparatus is provided which will warn the operator that the truck body of the truck is in an elevated condition.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a dump truck vehicle having an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a partial front view looking in the direction of the arrows on line II--II of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the present invention taken along line III--III of FIG. 2; and
FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view looking in the direction of the arrows on line IV--IV of FIG. 3.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
In FIG. 1, a dump truck 10 is shown which typically includes a frame 12, and a truck or dump body 14 that is pivotally mounted to said frame at a pivot 15. A pair of hydraulic lift cylinders 16 are positioned on each side of the vehicle between the frame and the truck body 14 to lift the dump body from a material hauling position 17 to a dumping position 18. An operator's station or cab 19 is also mounted to said frame at a position that is forward of the main body portion 20 of the truck body but is nested underneath a forwardly extending canopy 22 that overlies the operator's station to afford protection thereof while the truck body is being loaded.
An indicating apparatus shown generally at 24 has a base member 26 secured to the roof 28 of cab 19. As shown in detail in FIGS. 3 and 4, base 26 consists of an angled bracket which has a first leg 30 extending along the cab roof 28 and is secured thereto by bolts 32. The second leg 34 of the base member extends downwardly from the first leg and mounts a cylindrical bushing 36 at its lower end portion 37. A shaft 38 is positioned within said cylinder of bushing 36 and is journalled within a pair of bearings 4
REFERENCES:
patent: 2324614 (1943-07-01), Dalton
patent: 2887672 (1959-05-01), Morano et al.
patent: 3137267 (1964-02-01), Hurt
patent: 3803375 (1974-04-01), Foltz
patent: 3991399 (1976-11-01), Jager
patent: 4101868 (1978-07-01), Bubnich et al.
patent: 4116486 (1978-09-01), Duttarer
patent: 4145682 (1979-03-01), Cook
Caterpillar Tractor Co.
Perry William C.
Yasich Daniel M.
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