Motor vehicles – Power – Hoods
Patent
1980-10-06
1983-06-21
Mitchell, David M.
Motor vehicles
Power
Hoods
B62D 2512
Patent
active
043889760
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
DESCRIPTION
1. Technical Field
This invention relates generally to a hood assembly for the engine enclosure of a vehicle and more particularly to a stress-free mounting arrangement for the hood assembly which permits limited fore and aft and cushioned upward movement of a forward end of the hood assembly relative to the enclosure during vehicle operation.
2. Background Art
The hood assembly for the engine enclosure of a construction vehicle, such as a track-type tractor, is rigidly secured in place on the enclosure. A rearward end of the hood assembly is normally bolted directly to a support assembly for a radiator whereas a forward end of the hood assembly is normally bolted to a bracket, integrally secured to a main frame of the vehicle. The hood assembly has a muffler assembly and a pre-cleaner assembly secured thereon which tend to aggravate bending stresses imposed on the hood assembly during operation of the vehicle. Such bending stresses subject the mounting points of the hood assembly to potential damage and failure.
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
A construction vehicle has a frame, an engine enclosure, a hood assembly mounted on the engine enclosure, and first mounting means for fixedly securing a first end of the hood assembly on the engine enclosure. The improvement therein comprises second mounting means for attaching an opposite, second end of the hood assembly on the engine enclosure to permit limited fore and aft and cushioned upward vertical movement of the second end of the hood assembly relative to the engine enclosure. The second mounting means includes an internally threaded boss secured on the hood assembly, a bolt extending through a structural member of the engine enclosure and threadably secured to the boss, and an elongated slot formed through the structural member. The boss extends through the slot to permit limited fore and aft movement of the hood assembly relative to the structural member of the engine enclosure.
Thus, the weight of the hood assembly, including any pre-cleaner and muffler assembly attached thereon, is fully supported on the structural members of the hood assembly while yet providing a stress-relieved attachment of the second end of the hood assembly to the engine enclosure to prolong the service life of the component parts thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings wherein;
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a track-type loader embodying the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a top plan and partially sectioned view of a hood assembly mounted on an engine enclosure of the loader;
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the hood assembly and engine enclosure, taken in the direction of arrows III--III in FIG. 2 and with portions thereof broken-away for clarification purposes;
FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the hood assembly and engine enclosure, taken in the direction of arrows IV--IV in FIG. 2 and with portions thereof broken-away for clarification purposes;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view, taken in the direction of arrows V--V in FIG. 2, illustrating a resilient fastener employed in a mounting arrangement for the hood assembly; and
FIG. 6 is a sectional view, through the fastener, taken in the direction of arrows VI--VI in FIG. 5.
BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 illustrates a construction vehicle 10 in the form of a track-type loader having an engine enclosure 11 mounted rearwardly on the tractor portion thereof. Access to the interior of the engine enclosure is provided by a standard door assembly 12, hingedly mounted at 13 on the engine enclosure. Referring to FIGS. 2-4, a unitary hood assembly 14 is mounted in covering relationship on engine enclosure 11 and has a muffler assembly 15 and a pre-cleaner assembly 16 secured thereon by bolts or other types of suitable fasteners 17.
As discussed above, it is common practice t
REFERENCES:
patent: 1945332 (1934-01-01), Robinson
patent: 3789945 (1974-02-01), Hansen
patent: 4046415 (1977-09-01), Klees et al.
patent: 4131172 (1978-12-01), Wolfgram
patent: 4143733 (1979-03-01), Morello
Thies Jerome A.
Williams Hugh K.
Caterpillar Tractor Co.
Mitchell David M.
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