Land vehicles – Body elevation or tilt – Terrain slope compensation
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-25
2001-06-05
Rice, Kenneth R. (Department: 2617)
Land vehicles
Body elevation or tilt
Terrain slope compensation
C180S089140
Reexamination Certificate
active
06241263
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to work machines, and more particularly to a tilt mechanism for adjusting position of an upper body assembly relative to an undercarriage assembly of a feller buncher.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Work machines, such as track type swing machines, have achieved wide acceptance in the construction and forest industries. Such work machines typically have a crawler type track assembly for mobility over uneven terrain, a frame attached to the track assembly, and a work implement supported by the frame. These types of work machines also include an engine, a hydraulic pump system to operate the moving parts of the work machine, and a cab assembly supported by the frame. An operator is typically positioned within the cab assembly to operate the controls of the work machine.
As previously mentioned, track type swing machines are often used off-road on uneven terrain. Therefore, the frame and thus the cab assembly may not be horizontal relative to the horizon when the work machine is located in a position to perform a work function. It is highly desirable, however, for the comfort of the operator and for the most efficient functioning of the work machine that the cab assembly be horizontal while the work machine is performing a work function. Accordingly, it is useful to equip track type swing machines with a tilting mechanism such that the operator can maintain the cab assembly horizontal even when the frame of the work machine is inclined at a significant angle relative to the horizon. In addition, the tilt mechanism allows the operator to tilt the cab assembly such that the work machine is more capable of maneuvering in close quarters such as maneuvering between rows of trees that are positioned close together in a forestry operation.
However, tilt mechanisms which have heretofore been designed have a number of drawbacks associated therewith. For example, tilt mechanisms which have heretofore been designed are configured such that the three axis about which the work machine may be moved (e.g. a bearing axis, a transverse axis, and a longitudinal axis) do not have a single point at which they intersect one another. Lack of such a point of intersection tends to produce a tilt mechanism which is not compact in design. Moreover, lack of such a point of intersection makes it difficult for fluid hoses and the like to be routed from the upper body of the work machine to the undercarriage assembly thereby increasing costs associated with the work machine along with potentially reducing the useful life of one or more of the components of the work machine.
What is needed therefore is a tilt mechanism for leveling a cab assembly of a work machine which one or more of the above-mentioned drawbacks.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a work machine which includes an undercarriage frame and an upper body frame. The work machine also includes an outer tilt member having an interior void defined therein. The outer tilt member is secured to the upper body frame. The work machine further includes an inner tilt member nested within the interior void of the outer tilt member. The inner tilt member is secured to the undercarriage frame and is movable relative to the outer tilt member.
In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a tilt mechanism for a work machine. The tilt mechanism includes an outer tilt member having an interior void and a first pivot aperture defined therein. The tilt mechanism also includes an inner tilt member nested within the interior void of the outer tilt member. The inner tilt member has a second pivot aperture defined therein. The tilt mechanism further includes a pivot pin which is received into both the first pivot aperture and the second pivot aperture so as to allow the outer tilt member and the inner tilt member to move relative to one another.
In accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention there is provided a work machine. The work machine includes an undercarriage frame and an upper body frame. The work machine includes a mechanical turntable for rotating the upper body frame relative to the undercarriage frame along a bearing axis of the work machine. The turntable has a first side which is secured to the upper body frame. Moreover, the work machine includes a tilt mechanism secured to a second side of the turntable. The tilt mechanism is configured to tilt the upper body frame relative to the undercarriage frame along both (i) a transverse axis of the work machine, and (ii) a longitudinal axis of the work machine. Each of the bearing axis, the transverse axis, and the longitudinal axis intersect one another.
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patent: 6158539 (2000-12-01), Isley
patent: 6173973 (2001-01-01), Ribinson
Caterpillar Inc.
Maginot Addison & Moore
Rice Kenneth R.
LandOfFree
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