Abstract:
A hand reference for a control panel of a utility vehicle provides a gripping handle for an operator to adjust controls without observing the controls. The hand reference assists in steadying the operator&#39;s hand when fine tuning adjustments on the control panel. The hand reference is embodied as an inverted substantially U-shaped handle extending along the length of slots which guide control levers.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to utility vehicles, and particularly to control panels for utility vehicles having control levers and switches mounted thereto for operator actuation during operation. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A utility vehicle, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,064,339 and 5,967,737 can be equipped with front-end loader buckets, and rear-mounted backhoe attachments. Tractors can also be equipped with other tools such as snowblowers, lawnmower decks, tillers, etc. Generally, the more functions a utility vehicle is equipped for, the more controls are required. In a limited-size operator station or cab, controls must be carefully arranged to provide for convenient, effective and efficient operation of the vehicle by the operator. 
     Utility vehicles, such as tractors, typically have control levers and switches mounted on a control panel within convenient access to the operator. These controls are positioned adjacent to the seat structure, allowing the operator to conveniently change the controls when desired. 
     The operation of a utility vehicle can require the operator to give attention to multiple activities and controls. It is also somewhat difficult to precisely change a control in a moving vehicle. 
     The present inventors have recognized the desirability of providing a hand reference on the control panel for steadying the hand when making precise adjustments to controls. The present inventors have also recognized the desirability of providing a hand reference to allow an operator to locate controls and make precise control adjustments without requiring visual confirmation of the position of the controls. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a hand reference carried on a control panel or mounted close to the control panel, for steadying the hand in order to make precise adjustments to control levers and switches on the control panel. Additionally, the hand reference provides to an operator, who might be otherwise preoccupied, an instant positioning of his hand based on feel of the hand reference to precisely adjust control levers and switches without needing to visually confirm the correct switches and levers are being adjusted. 
     According to the preferred embodiment, a hand reference in the form of a hand rest, is provided that protrudes from the control panel surface. The hand rest serves multi-functions. The hand rest not only locates the hand near the controls to be manipulated for an unobserved position index, but also minimizes arm fatigue in repetitive operations. Another function allows the operator to use the hand rest as a handhold to steady himself or herself while operating the vehicle on rough terrain or slopes. 
     Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims and from the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a compact tractor incorporating the hand reference of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of an operator&#39;s seating area within the compact tractor shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a rear fragmentary perspective view of the operator seating area shown in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded top perspective view of a control panel of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken generally along section  5 — 5  of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the hand reference taken generally along  6 — 6  of FIG. 5; and 
     FIG. 7 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the control panel of FIG.  2 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a utility vehicle  10  such as a compact tractor including a chassis or frame  14  supported on front wheels and larger rear wheels  18 . A floor and fender structure  20  is supported on the frame  14  and carries a seat  24  and controls  26 . 
     FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the operator seat  24  including a left armrest  34  and right armrest  36 . Adjacent to the right armrest  36  is a control panel  42  which carries the controls  26 . A selective valve boot  44  is shown, the selective control valve lever not shown for clarity of description of the controls  26 . Among the controls  26  on the control panel  42  is a rock shaft, or three point hitch control lever  52  and a remote valve actuation lever  50 . These levers actuate in forward and reverse directions through slots  54 ,  56 , respectively. Between the slots  54 ,  56 , a control hand reference  60  is mounted to the panel  42 . 
     The control hand reference  60  comprises a substantially inverted U-shaped handle having a taller back leg  64  and a shorter front leg  66 . Thus, a top member  70  is declined from back to front. The control hand reference  60  provides a gripping surface for operator support during travel over rough terrain, and also provides a reference indicator for an operator to immediately recognize the correct selection and relative position of the levers  50 ,  52  without visually observing the levers. This can be important if the operator is otherwise preoccupied. An operator can grip the reference  60  with one or more fingers and slightly adjust either of the levers  50 ,  52  with remaining fingers of the same hand. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates the control panel  42  separate from the remaining portions of the utility vehicle  10 . The reference  60  is attached to panel  42  by two screws  98 ,  99 . Under the reference  60  is a lever position limiting assembly  97  which is comprised of a knurled knob  89 , a threaded plate  88 , and a hairpin  87  or cotter pin. The purpose of the lever limiting assembly  97  is to provide an adjustable stop for lever  52  such that the operator can return the lever  52  to a chosen position accurately and repeatably. The lever limiting assembly  97  is adjusted by loosening (by turning) the knurled knob  89 , moving the assembly in the slot  79  and then retightening the knob. The plate  88  includes a slide portion  88   a  welded or otherwise secured to a stop portion  88   b . The stop portion  88   b  includes an interference portion  88   c  that extends beneath the slot  56  to interfere with movement of the lever  52  within the slot  56 . The slide portion  88   a  includes a raised portion  88   d  that slides between walls  79   a ,  79   b  (FIG. 7) of the slot  79 , preventing rotation of the plate  88  about an axis of the knob  89  during turning of the knob  89 . 
     The hairpin  97  fits into a hole on a shaft  89   a  that is fixed to the knob. The distance along the shaft  89   a  from the plate (as tightened) to the hairpin  87  is such that before the raised portion  88   d  exits from between the walls  79   a ,  79   b  due to excessive loosening of the knob  89 , the hairpin  87  will contact the plate  88 , preventing further unscrewing. 
     The hand reference  60  further includes the barrier wall or web  120  which extends between the rear leg  64  and the front leg  66  of the hand reference  60  and down from the top member  70  to at least partially close the U-shaped handle. The intermediate wall  120  is a relatively thin wall compared to the width of the top member  70  such that a finger gripping beneath the top member  70  can be achieved. The intermediate wall  120  can extend completely down to the control panel  42  or it can terminate at a vertical distance from the control panel  42 , the vertical distance minimized such that a finger cannot pass between the intermediate wall  120  and the control panel  42 . Thus, a potential pinch point between either of the levers  50 ,  52  and a finger curled under the reference  60  is avoided. 
     The right armrest  36  includes an extended elbow region  38  which allows the operator&#39;s right arm to be rested on the elbow region  38  while using the right hand to operate the controls  26 . The right hand can also rest on the hand reference  60  while the elbow is rested on the elbow region  38 . 
     From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.