Land vehicles – Wheeled – Attachment
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-23
2001-05-29
Johnson, Brian L. (Department: 3618)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Attachment
Reexamination Certificate
active
06237952
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates generally to a rollover protective structure for a mobile machine and, more particularly, to an apparatus for attaching an upper portion of a rollover protective structure to a lower portion.
BACKGROUND ART
Mobile machines, in particular mobile work machines such as wheel loaders, tractors, graders, scrapers, and the like, commonly utilize operator cabs as rollover protective structures (ROPS) to protect an operator as work is being performed by the mobile machine. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,636,867, McNabb et al. (McNabb) disclose a rollover protective structure and method having cross members and reinforcing members attached to four upright posts.
However, it is often desired to transport a mobile machine to a work site by carrying the mobile machine on the bed of a truck. A large mobile machine may not provide enough clearance for transport with a ROPS attached. The structure disclosed by McNabb is not designed to be readily removable and is therefore not suitable for use in transport applications.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,976,323, issued to Godfrey, a cab mounting structure is disclosed which uses removably positionable pins to attach and remove a ROPS from a mobile work machine. However, the pins are difficult to access, the mounting hardware has numerous pieces and is complicated to assemble, and the process of installation and removal of the ROPS is therefore difficult and time consuming. In an application where quick and simple installation and removal of a ROPS is required, e.g., under adverse work conditions, a simpler and more efficient removal apparatus is required.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,042,835, a rollover protection apparatus is disclosed by Burns which uses a roll bar assembly which may be readily moved to a desired position, then locked into place. However, situations may exist where a roll bar assembly such as disclosed by Burns is not adequate for the environment in which the operator and the mobile machine are working. For example, a mobile work machine may be used in an environment where much dust is present, thus requiring a more complete protective enclosure for an operator, such as an enclosed cab.
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 rollover protective structure for a mobile machine is disclosed. The structure includes a base member, a plurality of lower post portions attached to the base member, and a plurality of upper post portions, each associated with a corresponding lower post portion. Each corresponding upper and lower post portion includes either a tapered portion extending out from an end or a hollow portion to receive the tapered portion. Each post portion having the hollow portion also includes a pair of inclined wedges attached to opposing sides of the post portion. The structure also includes a canopy attached to the upper post portions.
In another aspect of the present invention an apparatus for attaching an upper portion of a rollover protective structure to a lower portion includes a plurality of lower post portions and a plurality of upper post portions. Each corresponding upper and lower post portion has either a tapered portion or a hollow portion. The apparatus also includes a plurality of inclined wedges, one of each pair of wedges being attached to an opposing side of each of the post portions having the hollow portion. The upper post portion is connectable to the lower post portion with a bolt assembly inserted through a hole through the wedges, the upper post portion, and the lower post portion.
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Burckhartzmeyer Jerry J.
Reid John
Caterpillar Inc.
Johnson Brian L.
Lundquist Steve D.
Winner Tony
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