Guard rail with insert

A guard rail system for use with a machine is provided. The guard rail system comprises a handrail member, a support member that defines a longitudinal axis and an open channel that extends along the longitudinal axis and a snap receiving aperture that is in communication with the channel, and an insert that includes a snap feature that is configured to fit within the channel and the snap feature is configured to be disposed in the snap receiving aperture.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to guard rails used with earth moving machinery, construction machinery, and the like. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to guard rails that use structural members that have open configurations.

BACKGROUND

Traditional guard rails that are used on earth moving machinery, construction machinery and the like typically use structural members that have closed configurations such as circular shaped tubes. However, these structural members may be more expensive than desirable. As a result, many customers request lower cost guard rails.

One way to provide guard rails at a lower cost involves providing structural members that have an open configuration. For example, the vertical structural members that extend upwardly from the platform of machinery may have an open configuration that provides a channel or opening along its vertical length. This may create a potential snag or pinch point.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

An insert for use with a support member of a guard rail system is provided. The insert may comprise a main wall portion that defines a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end disposed along the longitudinal axis, a first edge and a second edge that extend generally along the longitudinal axis from the first end to the second end, and a tail portion that extends from the main wall portion and forms an included angle with the main wall portion that is less than 180°. At least one sidewall portion extends from an edge of the main wall portion and forms a first snap feature that points outwardly from the sidewall portion.

A guard rail system for use with a machine is provided. The guard rail system comprises a handrail member, a support member that defines a longitudinal axis and an open channel that extends along the longitudinal axis and a snap receiving aperture that is in communication with the channel, and an insert that includes a snap feature that is configured to fit within the channel and the snap feature is configured to be disposed in the snap receiving aperture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. In some cases, a reference number will be indicated in this specification and the drawings will show the reference number followed by a letter for example,100a,100bor a prime indicator such as100′,100″ etc. It is to be understood that the use of letters or primes immediately after a reference number indicates that these features are similarly shaped and have similar function as is often the case when geometry is mirrored about a plane of symmetry. For ease of explanation in this specification, letters or primes will often not be included herein but may be shown in the drawings to indicate duplications of features discussed within this written specification.

This concept provides a filler piece or insert that is configured to prevent items from catching in the channel of the vertical guard rail support. In some embodiments, the insert may have a reflective aspect added to it. This provides a higher visibility to the machine with the new guard rail system. This feature may be added at no extra cost. The insert may also have integrated support and attachment features. This provides a method of assembling the guard rail system without the need of fasteners and the like.

Looking atFIG. 1, a front loader100is shown as an exemplary machine that may use various embodiments of the present disclosure. The front loader100includes tires102that support the machine100and a bucket104for moving material such as dirt, rocks, etc. as is known in the art. The front loader100includes a rear bumper106and an engine hood108that conceals the engine and a portion of the drive for the machine100.

A platform110is also provided that has a substantially flat top112that allows the operator to walk on the top112of the machine100when mounting or dismounting the machine100using the ladder114. A cab116is also provided that includes a plurality of windows118and controls, operator's seat, etc. that are disposed inside the cab116.

As is well known and understood, movement around the operator's platform112is required, initially for the operator to get from the ladder114into the operator's cab116, and later for maintenance. A guard rail system120is provided to help the operator or other personnel from falling off the machine. The guard rail system120may comprise a plurality of subassemblies. One such assembly is provided and depicted by the area designated by rectangle2inFIG. 1that may use a handrail122, insert (best seen inFIGS. 2thru7) and a vertical support member124as will now be described with reference toFIGS. 2thru7. It is to be understood that the embodiments discussed herein may be varied both in configuration and application compared to anything shown in the figures. For example, they may be used on any machine or stationary structure and their dimensions and configurations may be altered as needed or desired.

Referring now toFIGS. 2thru4, the guard rail system120may be more clearly seen. The guard rail system120shown comprises a handrail member122, a support member124that defines a longitudinal axis L and an open channel126that extends along the longitudinal axis L and a snap receiving aperture128that is in communication with the channel126, and an insert200that includes a snap feature221that is configured to fit within the channel126and the snap feature221is disposed in the snap receiving aperture128.

For this particular embodiment, the support member124includes a generally u-shaped or c-shaped configuration that includes a pair of sidewalls130, a rear wall132and transition walls134that connect the sidewalls to the rear wall132. In some embodiments, the transitional walls134may be straight walls or curved, e.g. radiused walls. In other embodiments, the sidewalls130may be connected to each other by a continuously curved wall such as a wall that approximates the shape of a semi-circle, etc. As can be best seen inFIGS. 3 and 4, the rear wall132flares out at an angle Θ such as 5° (seeFIG. 4) from a purely vertical direction V while the sidewalls130flare out at an angle αof 1-2° (seeFIG. 3) from a purely vertical direction V. The angles allow the base of the vertical support member124, where extra rigidity is desired, to be wider than the top portion of the support member124, where reflective features may be provided to allow for better visibility of the machine100. It is contemplated that the configuration of the vertical support member may be adjusted as needed or desired. The support member may be attached to another structural member, such as the handrail, or the platform via welding, fastening, etc.

Furthermore, while the vertical support member is obviously oriented vertically, it is contemplated that the orientation of the support member124, handrail122and insert200may be altered as needed or desired.

As shown inFIGS. 2thru4, the support member124includes a first end or upper end136that is positioned along the longitudinal axis L and the snap receiving aperture128is positioned proximate the first end136. Furthermore, the first snap receiving aperture128is positioned on a sidewall130. The support member124further defines a second snap receiving aperture128′ that is positioned a predetermined distance D128(seeFIG. 3) away from the first snap receiving aperture128along the longitudinal axis L. A second snap feature221′ of the insert200is disposed in the second snap receiving aperture128′. The snap features and the snap apertures are shown to be rectangular but they may be varied to be circular or any other needed or desired configuration. In other embodiments, the snap feature may be located on the transition wall.

As best seen inFIG. 2, the sidewalls130define front surfaces138and the insert200includes a main wall portion202that defines a front surface204that is flush to recessed compared to the front surfaces138of the sidewalls130of the support member124. As best seen inFIG. 4, the insert200further includes a tail portion206that extends from the main wall portion202of the insert200toward the rear wall132of the support member124. A blend210is provided to make the transition from the main wall portion202to the tail portion206more aesthetically pleasing. The insert200also includes a support portion208that is configured to contact the transition wall134of the support member124. The support portion208may extend from a sidewall212of the insert200as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4or it may extend from another portion of the insert200such as its main wall portion202.

Looking at the handrail122inFIGS. 2thru4, it can be seen that it includes a circular perimeter140and at least a portion of insert200is configured to match the circular perimeter140. More particularly as best seen inFIGS. 3 and 4, at the top end214of the main wall portion202of the insert200, the insert200is configured with a complimentary shaped profile219hat may or may not continue onto a sidewall212of the insert200as will be discussed in more detail momentarily. The handrail122is made from circularly annular shaped tubing but other configurations are possible.

For the guard rail system120depicted inFIGS. 2thru4, it can be seen that the insert200, handrail122, and vertical support member124are symmetrical about a vertical plane VP (seeFIG. 3) that extends through the longitudinal axis L of vertical support member124. This may not be the case for other embodiments of the present disclosure.

Focusing now onFIGS. 5 and 6, the details of the insert200may be more clearly seen as the insert200is shown in isolation from the vertical support member124of guard rail system120. The insert200comprises a main wall portion202that defines a longitudinal axis LA, a first end214and a second end216disposed along the longitudinal axis LA, a first edge218and a second edge220that extend generally along the longitudinal axis LA from the first end214to the second end216, a tail portion206that extends from the main wall portion202proximate the second end216and forms an included angle β with the main wall portion202that is less than 180°, and at least one sidewall portion212that extends from an edge218,220of the main wall portion202and that forms a first snap feature222that points outwardly from the sidewall portion212. For this embodiment, the angle β may be approximately 135° but this may be varied as desired. The blend portion210provides a transition from the main wall portion202to the tail portion206.

As used herein, the term “generally” with reference to angles or directions means that a feature or angle is 0°-5° range of a reference direction or feature knowing that such deviations are routine for a number of reasons including manufacturing tolerances, draft angles, flare angles, etc. Also, the term “outwardly” means in a direction that is away from the interior of the channel126of a support member124or its longitudinal axis L or the longitudinal axis LA of the insert200while the term “inwardly” means in a direction that is toward the interior of the channel126of a support member124or its longitudinal axis L or the longitudinal axis LA of the insert200.

Referring back toFIGS. 5 and 6, the first end214of the main wall portion202defines an arcuate profile219that extends in a direction L122that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis LA of the main wall portion. This direction is generally the same as the longitudinal axis L122of the handrail122shown inFIGS. 2thru4.

As best seen inFIG. 6, the tail portion206defines a free end222that includes a contoured profile224. The profile224is shaped so as to match the inside contour of the channel126of the support member124(seeFIG. 2) where its sidewall130meets a transition wall134and where the transitional wall134meets the rear wall132. As a result, the insert200may be fully inserted into the channel126until it is snapped into place and the tail portion206is supported by the support member124. For this embodiment, the contoured profile224includes a straight end surface226and chamfered surfaces228positioned on either side of the straight end surface226.

Looking at bothFIGS. 5 and 6, the sidewall portion212defines a pair of slots230that define a snap finger232and the snap feature221extends from the snap finger232. Two similarly configured snap fingers232and snap features221are provided on the same sidewall212. As shown inFIG. 6, the width W221of the snap features221along a direction that is generally parallel to the longitudinal direction LA is less than the width W232of the snap fingers232along the same direction. These widths may be varied as needed or desired and may in some cases may have the same value.

The insert200further includes a support portion208that includes a contact surface234that is spaced inwardly away from the sidewall portion212a predetermined distance D234along a direction L122that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis LA. The support portion208includes a generally c-shaped or u-shaped configuration that is formed by a back wall236that runs generally parallel to the longitudinal axis LA and ribs238that extend from the sidewall212to the rear wall in a direction L122generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis LA. The free end of the support feature208includes chamfered surfaces240adjacent either sides of the contact surface234. The contact surface234and chamfered surfaces240are configured to match the contour of the inner surface of the transitional wall134of the support member124(seeFIGS. 3 and 4).

The support portion208provides support to the insert200once it is snapped into place so that the insert200will not buckle inwardly if pressed upon in a direction that is parallel to the direction of assembly302as will be discussed momentarily. The support portion208is disposed between the first and second snap features221,221′ along a direction that is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis LA.

For the embodiment of the insert shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, the arcuate profile219extends through a sidewall portion212along a direction L122that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis LA. The arcuate profile219also passes through an end214of the main wall202of the insert200. The arcuate profile may be omitted for either the sidewall portion or the end of the main wall of the insert in other embodiments.

For the embodiment shown inFIG. 5, the insert200comprises a translucent plastic material that has reflective properties. For example, reflective dimples or other surface features242such as used on bicycle or road reflectors may be found on the interior surface of the main wall202of the insert200. The insert may be made from a polycarbonate material that is translucent and that has the durability and strength needed for a particular application. The insert200ofFIG. 6may be made from another plastic material that is opaque and that lacks any reflective properties. In other embodiments, reflective properties may be imparted to the insert by the application of a reflective coating or sticker, etc. The insert200is symmetrical about a vertical plane VP (seeFIG. 3) but this may not be the case for other embodiments.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

In practice, a machine100may be sold or retrofitted with any of the embodiments of a guard rail system120or insert200,300as described herein.

The various embodiments of the apparatus described herein may be manufactured and assembled as will now be described. The support member124may be made using a stamping or forming process that creates the snap receiving apertures128in a piece of sheet metal and then bends the sheet metal into the desired shape. The handrail122may be made from tube stock and the insert200,300may be made using a plastic injection molding process.

FIG. 7illustrates yet another guard rail system120′ similar to that shown inFIGS. 2thru4that uses another insert300that is similar to the insert200ofFIGS. 5 and 6. For this embodiment of the insert300, the snap feature321is located on a snap finger332that is formed by a projection that extends from the sidewall312of the insert300, eliminating the need for providing slots to create snap fingers such as shown inFIGS. 5 and 6. The position of the snap features321are not aligned horizontally as is the case for the insert inFIGS. 5 and 6. Also, the free end of the tail portion306lacks a contoured profile as compared to the insert ofFIGS. 5 and 6. A support portion is also omitted and the angle formed by the tail portion306with respect to the main wall portion304is greater than the 135° angle used with the embodiment shown inFIGS. 5 and 6.

As may be understood by looking atFIGS. 2 and 7, any insert200,300may be assembled into the support member124,124′ by moving the insert200,300along a horizontal direction302until its snap features221,321engage the edges of the snap apertures128,328, locking the insert into place. At approximately the same time, the upper end214,314of the insert200,300contacts the circular profile140of the handrail122. The guard rail system120ofFIGS. 2thru4is assembled much the same way asFIG. 7except that the tail portion206and the support portion208of the insert200ofFIGS. 2thru4will contact or nearly contact the support member124as the insert is snapped into place.

With reference toFIGS. 1 and 7, the reflective properties of the insert may be such that light is reflected from the insert is in an outward horizontal direction away from the platform110of the machine100. This direction is essentially in the opposite direction as the assembly direction302. It is further contemplated that the reflective properties of the insert may be altered depending on the need or application.

More specifically, the use of rectroflectivity may be employed to improve the visibility of machines to others at nighttime. Retroreflectivity is an optical phenomenon where light rays are reflected in a direction that is substantially parallel and opposite to the direction that they hit a retroreflector. This may occur at angles other than purely a horizontal direction, allowing a machine to be visible to sources of light at various positions around the machine. Examples of retroreflectors that might be used include cube corners and microspheres of glass or plastic, etc.

The effectiveness of the use of retroreflectivity for an insert may be expressed in terms of the coefficient of retroreflection, RA. This may be measured per ASTM Standard E808-91. RAis defined as the coefficient of luminous intensity, RI, of a plane retroreflecting surface to its area. The metric unit for RAis candelas per lux per square meter (cd/lx/m2). RIis the ratio of the luminous intensity of the retroreflector in the direction of observance, E, to the illuminance at the retroreflector on a plane perpendicular to the direction of the incident light.

The insert may have a RAvalue that ranges from 7 to 250 or more cd/lx/m2. When yellow on a black background is used, it is contemplated that the RAmay range from 50 to 75 cd/lx/m2.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments of the apparatus and methods of assembly as discussed herein without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention(s). Other embodiments of this disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the various embodiments disclosed herein. For example, some of the equipment may be constructed and function differently than what has been described herein and certain steps of any method may be omitted, performed in an order that is different than what has been specifically mentioned or in some cases performed simultaneously or in sub-steps. Furthermore, variations or modifications to certain aspects or features of various embodiments may be made to create further embodiments and features and aspects of various embodiments may be added to or substituted for other features or aspects of other embodiments in order to provide still further embodiments.