WHEEL CHOCK MOUNTING ASSEMBLY

A wheel chock mounting assembly includes a bracket and a stopper. The bracket has a retention member and is configured to be coupled to a surface of a machine. The bracket defines a receptacle to at least partially receive a wheel chock at a predefined location on the machine. The stopper has an engagement member. The stopper is configured to be mounted on the machine at a predefined distance from the bracket. The bracket and the stopper are structured and arranged to receive and constrain the wheel chock therebetween at the predefined location on the machine.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a wheel chock mounting assembly for a machine. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a wheel chock mounting assembly that is ergonomic to be accessed and used for the mounting of a wheel chock, and which is located at a machine portion that remains largely free from any interference.

BACKGROUND

In environments, such as underground mining, it is common to provide a chock for traction devices (e.g., wheels) of machines, such as an underground wheel loader. A chock is commonly inserted and positioned into a gap divergent from a region of contact between the traction device and the underlying ground surface such that the chock may engage both the underlying ground surface and the traction device to arrest any undue motion of the traction device (or the machine) with respect to the underlying ground surface.

A chock may be provided in easy access to an operator of the machine so that the operator can access and use them readily, as and when required. For this purpose, end customers or machine dealers generally customize the mount and the location for the chock and install them at portions of the machine according to their discretion. While such customization may make the chock easily accessible to the operator, it fails to take into account situations where the chock or the associated mount for the chock may interfere with one or more functions, parts, or surroundings of the machine. Neither do such customization practices take into account operator or human ergonomics and ease of use.

Korean Application 20170003064 ('064 reference) relates to a structure to detach and attach a chock to a mudguard fender of a machine, The machine may be a wheel loader. The '064 reference also provides a step function that allows the driver to step on and off, in turn enabling the driver to safely move with respect to a cabin of the machine,

Reference to any prior art in the specification is not an acknowledgement or suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction or that this prior art could reasonably be expected to be combined with any other piece of prior art by a skilled person in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the disclosure is directed to a wheel chock mounting assembly. The wheel chock mounting assembly includes a bracket and a stopper. The bracket has a retention member and is configured to be coupled to a surface of a machine. The bracket defines a receptacle to at least partially receive a wheel chock at a predefined location on the machine. The stopper has an engagement member. The stopper is configured to be mounted on the machine at a predefined distance from the bracket. The bracket and the stopper are structured and arranged to receive and constrain the wheel chock therebetween at the predefined location on the machine.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a machine. The machine includes a fender and a wheel chock mounting assembly. The fender at least partially surrounds a wheel of the machine and defines a surface. The wheel chock mounting assembly includes a bracket and a stopper. The bracket has a retention member and is coupled to the surface. The bracket defines a receptacle to at least partially receive a wheel chock at a predefined location on the machine. The stopper has an engagement member and is mounted at a predefined distance from the bracket. Further, the bracket and the stopper are structured and arranged to receive and constrain the wheel chock therebetween at the predefined location on the machine.

In yet another aspect, the disclosure is directed to a method for mounting a wheel chock mounting assembly to a machine. The method includes locating a surface on the machine; coupling a bracket to the surface, where the bracket has a retention member and defines a receptacle to at least partially receive a wheel chock at a predefined location on the machine; and mounting a stopper at a predefined distance from the bracket. The stopper has an engagement member. Moreover, the bracket and the stopper are structured and arranged to receive and constrain the wheel chock therebetween at the predefined location on the machine.

By way of clarification and for avoidance of doubt, as used herein and except where the context requires otherwise, the term “comprise” and variations of the term, such as “comprising”, “comprises” and “comprised”, are not intended to exclude further additions components, integers or steps.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to specific embodiments or features, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Generally, corresponding reference numbers may be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or corresponding parts.

Referring toFIG.1, a machine100is shown. The machine100may be applied in a mining environment104, which may be an underground mining environment. It is possible for the machine100to be applied in other environments, such as over ground mining, construction, and transportation. The machine100may embody a load-haul-dump (LHD) machine108, as exemplarily shown. Further, the machine100may be either partly or fully powered by the combustion of fossil fuels, although it is possible for the machine100to be either partly or fully powered by electricity. The machine100may include a main frame assembly112that may include a split frame configuration enabling the machine100to acquire a forward portion116and a rearward portion120that are articulable with respect to each other (e.g., at a hitch joint) (not shown). The forward portion116may define a forward end124of the machine100, while the rearward portion120may define a rearward end128of the machine100.

The forward portion116of the machine100may include an implement132by which an underlying ground surface136on which the machine100moves may be altered or modified. Alternatively, materials deposited on such an underlying ground surface136may be scooped and received into the implement132to be hauled—in the present embodiment, the implement132may include a bucket that may be movable or articulable so as to receive the materials so as to haul the materials. The rearward portion120of the machine100may include an operator cabin140and a power compartment144of the machine100. The operator cabin140may be configured to house and station one or more operators of the machine100, and may also include multiple input and output devices (e.g., joysticks, levers, control panels, touchscreens, etc.) (not shown) for the control of the many functions of the machine100, e.g., machine motion and implement actuation.

Further, the machine100may include one or more traction devices, such as wheels148. As an example, the machine100includes a set of forward wheels152and a set of rearward wheels156,156. The forward wheels152may be disposed towards the forward end124of the machine100, while the rearward wheels156may be disposed towards the rearward end128of the machine100. Only one forward wheel (i.e., forward wheel152′) and one rearward wheel (i.e., rearward wheel156′) is visible in the orientation of the machine100inFIG.1. As shown, both the forward wheel152′ and the rearward wheel156′ are disposed towards a left hand side160of the machine100, while the forward wheel and the rearward wheel disposed towards a right hand side164of the machine100are the ones which are not visible in the orientation of the machine100inFIG.1.

While discussion in the present disclosure are generally directed towards the machine100, which may be the LHD machine108, it will be appreciated that one or more aspects of these discussions may also be applicable to other machines that may be supported and driven on traction devices, such as the forward wheels152. The representation of the LHD machine108also need to be viewed as a non-limiting example, and the machine100may represent other types of the LHD machine108.

Further, unless specified otherwise, terms such as ‘forward’, ‘front’, ‘rear’, ‘rearward’, as may be used in the present disclosure may he understood according to an exemplary direction, T, in which the machine100may move during operations. Said exemplary direction, T, is defined from the rearward end128towards the forward end124of the machine100. Further, terms, such as ‘left’, ‘right’, ‘top’, ‘bottom’ ‘upper’, ‘lower’, and similar terms, may also be used in the present disclosure, and may be understood when viewing the machine100from the rearward end128towards the forward end124(i.e., along the exemplary direction,

Referring toFIGS.1and2, in conjunction withFIGS.6,7, and8, the machine100includes a fender assembly168for the forward wheel152′. A similar fender assembly (not visible) may also be available for the forward wheel that is disposed towards the right hand side164of the machine100. Discussions related to the fender assembly168may also he applicable for the fender assembly for the forward wheel disposed towards the right hand side164of the machine100. The fender assembly168includes a fender172, details related to which are set out below. For ease, the forward wheel152′ will be referred to as a wheel152′, hereinafter.

The fender172at least partially surrounds the wheel152′. In other words, the fender172at least partially runs or spans around a circumferential profile or a circular profile176of the wheel152′, i.e., around an axis180defined by the wheel152′ (seeFIG.6). Further, the fender172defines a surface184. The surface184is disposed or directed away from the wheel152′. In some embodiments, the surface184may be disposed angularly with respect to a height, H, (seeFIG.1) of the machine100and may be positioned at least halfway above the circular profile176defined by the wheel152′ (best visualizable inFIG.6).

As an exemplarily structure of the fender172, the fender172may define multiple portions, for example, the fender172may include a first portion186, a second portion192, and a third portion196, as shown (seeFIGS.6to8). The second portion192may extend between the first portion188and the third portion196. Additional portions and panels may be present on the fender172, but they are not discussed, as they may be customary and/or may be contemplated by someone of skill in the art.

The first portion188may extend generally (i.e., not necessarily strictly) along the height, H, of the machine100; the second portion192may extend generally obliquely from the first portion188; and the third portion196may extend generally obliquely from the second portion192. An overall profile attained by the first portion188, second portion192, and the third portion196of the fender172, may generally conform and/or follow a curvature defined by the circular profile176of the wheel152′. Further, in some embodiments, the third portion196may be disposed generally orthogonally with respect to the first portion188and/or may be generally disposed at a right angle with respect to the height, H, of the machine100. Further, the second portion192and the third portion196, along with the first portion188(either partly or fully), may be disposed at least halfway above the circular profile176defined by the wheel152′, with the surface184of the fender172being defined on the second portion192of the fender172(seeFIGS.6to8).

The term ‘generally’ or ‘general’, as used in the present disclosure, is applied to account for one or more of manufacturing tolerances, variations arising out of aesthetic or design considerations, spatial constraints, machine surroundings, and the like, as they may be applicable in actual application, and is simply used herein to indicate one or more non-limiting examples for the configuration of the fender172. Therefore, the configuration and structure of the fender172as has been discussed above need to be viewed as exemplary.

With continued reference toFIG.2and in conjunction withFIGS.6,7, and8, the machine100further includes a wheel chock mounting assembly200, The wheel chock mounting assembly200facilitates a wheel chock204to be mounted at a predefined location202(seeFIG.2) on the machine100. The wheel chock204may be applied to restrict or arrest a motion of the machine100with respect to the underlying ground surface136. According to an example, the wheel chock204may be inserted and seated into a gap (not shown) divergent from a region of contact between the wheel152′ and the underlying ground surface136such that the wheel chock204may engage both the underlying around surface136and the wheel152′ to arrest any motion of the wheel152′ (or the machine100) with respect to the underlying ground surface136. The wheel chock mounting assembly200includes a bracket208and a stopper212, as shown.

Referring toFIGS.3and5, the bracket208is configured to be coupled to the surface184of the fender172of the machine100. According to one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the surface184defined on the fender172corresponds to the predefined location202on the machine100, The bracket208defines a receptacle216to at least partially receive the wheel chock204at the predefined location202. To this end, a profile of the receptacle216may match and/or be formed in conformity to a portion (e.g., a nose portion220, seeFIG.6) of the wheel chock204, so that the receptacle216may receive and accommodate said portion therein. The bracket208defines a base wall224, and further defines a first side wall228and a second side wall232each of which extend from the base wall224. The first side wall228and the second side wall232may be spaced apart from each other, and together, the base wall224, first side wall228, and the second side wall232may impart a U-shaped profile to the bracket208and/or to the receptacle216defined by the bracket208—in this regard, it may be noted that the receptacle216may be defined by a space236partially encapsulated by the base wall224, the first side wall228, and the second side wall232. In some embodiments, the first side wall228and the second side wall232may extend upright with respect to the base wall224.

The base wall224, the first side wall228, and the second side wall232, may be integrally formed, such as from a single, continuous piece of sheet metal. For example, such a sheet metal may define three sequentially arranged sheet metal portions disposed one after the other, and, to form the bracket208, each sheet metal portion may be bent with respect to the consecutive sheet metal portion so as to arrive at the configuration of the bracket208discussed above. Alternatively, the bracket208may be made from one or more other materials, such as high grade plastics, polymers, or composites, either alone or in combination with each other, and the manner of making the bracket208from such other materials may be contemplated by one of skill in the art.

In some embodiments, the bracket208, i.e., the base wall224, the first side wall228, and the second side wall232, may combinedly define a first continuous edge end240and a second continuous edge end244. The second continuous edge end244may be defined opposite to the first continuous edge end240. As shown, the first continuous edge end240may define a mouth248of the receptacle216through which the wheel chock204(i.e., at least the nose portion220) may be inserted and received into the receptacle216.

The first side wall228and the second side wall232respectively define a first edge portion252and a second edge portion256. Each of the first edge portion252and the second edge portion256may be configured to be abutted or seated against the surface184of the fender172to be coupled to the surface184of the fender172. As an example, the first edge portion252and the second edge portion256may be each defined along a common plane260(seeFIG.6) and the base wall224may be disposed in a base plane264, and, also, may be angularly disposed with respect to the common plane260such that a distance, D1, between the common plane260and the base wall224is larger at the first continuous edge end240than the distance between the common plane260and the base wail22.4at the second continuous edge end244(seeFIG.6).

According to some embodiments, the bracket208may define a first flange268and a second flange272. The first flange268may be arranged at the first edge portion252, while the second flange272may be arranged at the second edge portion256. In some embodiment, the first flange268and the second flange272may be formed integrally with the bracket208, as well, and may form part of the same sheet metal from which the base wall224, the first side wall228and the second side wall232may be formed. Alternatively, the first flange268and the second flange272may be fastened (e.g., by welding) to the first edge portion252and the second edge portion256.

Further, the bracket208may include a retention member276that may include a pin or a peg280. The retention member276or the peg280may be arranged on the base wall224of the bracket208, and may be disposed outwardly, i.e., away from the space236partially encapsulated by the base wall224, the first side wall228, and the second side wall232so as to save the receptacle216from any obstruction and from interference as and when the wheel. chock204is inserted and received into the receptacle216.

Referring toFIGS.4and5, the stopper212includes a bent plate or a V-shaped plate284. The V-shaped plate284defines a primary stem288and a secondary stem292. The secondary stem292extends obliquely from the primary stem288, as shown. The primary stern288and the secondary stern292define a V-shaped recess290. The primary stem288defines a primary surface296and the secondary stem292defines a secondary surface300. Both the primary surface296and the secondary surface300are directed away and outwardly of the V-shaped recess290defined by the V-shaped plate284. Given the V-shaped configuration of the V-shaped plate284, the primary surface296and the secondary surface300are disposed angularly with respect to each other, and meet each other at an edge304, as shown, where the primary stem288and the secondary stem292meet, as well.

The stopper212is configured to be mounted to the surface184of the fender172of the machine100such that the secondary surface300is directed towards the receptacle216(i.e., towards the first continuous edge end240or towards the mouth248of the receptacle216) and the primary surface296is directed away from the receptacle216(i.e., away from the first continuous edge end240or from the mouth248of the receptacle216). Further, the stopper212may be mounted at a predefined distance from the bracket208, with both the bracket208and the stopper212being structured and arranged to receive and constrain the wheel chock204therebetween at the predefined location202on the machine100.

The primary surface296is configured to define a gradient, G, (seeFIGS.6,7, and8) with respect to the surface184to slope upwards towards the receptacle216(or towards the mouth248of the receptacle216). In some embodiments, an angle defined by the gradient, G, with respect to the surface184may take any value within a range of 30-50 degrees. Further, the secondary surface300may be configured to extend upright (i.e., orthogonally) with respect to the surface184, in some embodiments, the secondary surface300may define an angle with respect to the surface184anywhere within a range of 85-95 degrees.

The stopper212may further include a base flange308. The base flange308may be coupled to the V-shaped plate284, such that as the V-shaped plate284may he coupled or seated against the base flange308to assume an inverted configuration with respect to the base flange308. In so doing, the edge304(defined at a junction where the primary surface296and the secondary surface300meet) may be directed away to be remote to the base flange308. Further, the stopper212may include an engagement member312in the form of a notch316. The engagement member312or the notch316may take the shape of a cutout formed on the primary stem288. Said cutout may be disposed closer, and/or may be open towards the base flange308, as shown.

Although not limited, the stopper212and the base flange308may be made from the same material as the bracelet208and may define the same general thickness and/or material specification as the bracket208. If a metallic material is chosen to form the stopper212, the V-shaped plate284may be welded to the base flange308. Alternatively, if materials such as plastics, polymers, or composites, are chosen to form to the stopper212, the stopper212may be formed by casting such materials in a single mold.

The wheel chock mounting assembly200may further include fasteners320, e.g., six fasteners. Two of the fasteners320may be applied to he driven through the first flange268and be engaged with the second portion192of the fender172and so that the first edge portion252may be coupled and seated atop the surface184of the fender172; and two of the fasteners320(not shown) may be applied to he driven through the second flange272and be engaged with the second portion192of the fender172and so that the second edge portion256may also be coupled and seated atop the surface184of the fender172. In that manner, the bracket208may be coupled to the surface184of the fender172. Further, two of the remaining fasteners320may be applied to be driven through the base flange308and he engaged with the second portion192of the fender172and so that the stopper212may be coupled and seated atop the surface184of the fender172, as well, with the V-shaped plate284assuming an inverted configuration also with respect to the surface184.

Referring toFIG.5, the wheel chock mounting assembly200may further include a strap324. The strap324may be coupled to each of the bracket208and the stopper212so as to be extended therebetween, As an example, the strap324may be made from a resilient material and may be stretchable and may be coupled and retained (e.g., fixedly or permanently by being wrapped around and sewn) to the peg280at one end328and at the other end332, may include a hook336. The strap324may be stretched so as to have its other end332, with the hook336, engage and couple (e.g., removably) to the engagement member312or the notch316of the stopper212to secure the wheel chock204between the bracket208and the stopper212. Variation in the design and functioning of the strap324may be contemplated by someone of skill in the art.

Industrial Applicability

During an assembly of the wheel chock mounting assembly200to the machine100, an operator may first choose and locate the surface184of the fender172for the mounting of the wheel chock204. Once the surface184is located, an operator may bring forth the bracket208and may position the bracket208atop the surface184such that the first edge portion252and the second edge portion256(or the first flange268and the second flange272) may face or be directed towards and be seated or abutted against the surface184. In so doing, the shaped profile of the bracket208may assume an inverted configuration with respect to the surface184or with respect to the second portion192of the fender172. Also, in process, the operator may ensure that the mouth248of the receptacle216may be directed away or oppositely to the forward end124of the forward portion116of the machine100.

Thereafter, the operator may bring forth the fasteners320and may fasten the first flange268and the second flange272against the surface184(e.g., two fasteners320for fastening the first flange268against the surface184and two fasteners320to fasten the second flange272against the surface184). In this regard, holes340(seeFIG.3) may be provided in the first flange268and the second flange272, and, correspondingly, openings (not shown) may be provided in the surface184, such that the holes340may be aligned with the openings during the assembly to allow the fasteners320to be driven through the flanges (i.e., the first flange268and the second flange272) and the surface184(or the second portion192of the fender172). In that manner, the operator mounts the first flange268and the second flange272on the surface184and immovably couples the bracket208to the surface184.

Once the bracket208is coupled to the surface184, the operator may bring forth the stopper212and may place the stopper212on the fender172with its base flange308directed towards and seated on the surface184of the fender172. Also, the stopper212may be placed at a predefined distance (visualized by space348,FIG.5) from the bracket208—the term “predefined distance” may refer to a distance between the bracket208and the stopper212, a maintenance of which causes the nose portion220of the wheel chock204to be nestled within the receptacle216and a portion of the wheel chock204to be disposed outside the receptacle216to abut and rest against the stopper212(seeFIG.8), when the wheel chock204is received and constrained in between the bracket208and the stopper212.

Additionally, at this point, the operator may ensure that the secondary surface300is facing or is directed towards the mouth248of the receptacle216and the primary surface296is facing away from or oppositely to the receptacle216. Thereafter, the operator may bring forth the two of the remaining fasteners320(out of the six fasteners) and may fasten the base flange308against the surface184. To this end, holes344(seeFIG.4) may be provided in the base flange308and corresponding openings (not shown) may be provided in the surface184, such that said holes344may be aligned with said openings to allow the two fasteners320to be driven through the base flange308and the surface184(or the second portion192of the fender172). In that manner, the operator mounts the base flange308on the surface184and immovably couples the stopper212to the surface184.

Further, the operator may bring forth and provide the strap324, and may retain one end328of the strap324(e.g., fixedly by sewing) to the peg280of the bracket208, and may stretch the other end332so that the hook336may be extended and brought into engagement with the notch316of the stopper212, At this point, an exemplary assembly process involving the mounting of the wheel chock mounting assembly200to the machine100(or to the surface184of the fender172of the machine100) at the predefined location202is attained.

Referring toFIGS.6,7, and8, an exemplary mounting process of the wheel chock204to the wheel chock mounting assembly200is discussed, At first, the operator may unfasten the strap324by disengaging the hook336from the notch316to free up a space348(seeFIG.5) defined in between the bracket208and the stopper212for an entry of the wheel chock204into the space348. Next, the operator may grasp the wheel chock204(e.g., the wheel chock204may include a handle by which it may be grasped or held by an operator, seeFIG.2) and may position the nose portion220to be inserted into the receptacle216over the stopper212or the edge304defined by the stopper212(FIG.6). Once the wheel cock204is positioned in. that manner, the operator may push the wheel chock204forward (see direction, A). A corresponding pushing action (i.e., direction, A) may be envisioned as being executed towards the forward end124of the forward portion116of the machine100. At this point, the gradient, G, defined by the primary surface296may ease out and aid the pushing action. As the pushing is advanced, the nose portion220of the wheel chock204enters into the receptacle216(direction, B, seeFIG.7).

A continued push causes the wheel chock204to eventually fall and snap into the space348defined in between the bracket208and the stopper212(direction C, seeFIG.8), with a portion of the wheel chock204disposed outside the receptacle216abutting and resting against the secondary surface300(seeFIG.8). The generally upright extension of the secondary surface300with respect to the surface184(or with respect to the base flange308) aids in retaining the wheel chock204within the space348and disallows the wheel chock204from slipping out of the space348under gravity.

Thereafter, the operator may pull over the strap324retained at the bracket208(or at the peg280of the bracket208) to wrap over the wheel chock204, stretch it towards the stopper212, and extend the hook336so that it may be pulled further into engagement with the notch316defined by the stopper212. In that manner, the wheel chock204may be mounted and secured into the wheel chock mounting assembly200(i.e., the wheel chock204may be secured between the bracket208and the stopper212). Effectively, it may he noted that the bracket208and the stopper212are structured and arranged to receive and constrain the wheel chock204therebetween at the predefined location202on the machine100. A process to remove the wheel chock204from the wheel chock mounting assembly200may he contemplated in reverse to said exemplary mounting process, discussed above.

The wheel chock mounting assembly200as defined by the components, i.e., the bracket208, the stopper212, and optionally the strap324, is simple in construction, portable to handle, easy to assemble, and is effective in retaining the wheel chock204to the machine100. Further, the location of the wheel chock mounting assembly201) aids in enhancing human/operator comfort and ergonomics, in that neither is the chosen location on the fender172too high or too low for a human subject to access. Rather, the location meets the standards promulgated and set forth by various mandates and guidelines to mount and access one or more machine accessories, such as the wheel chock204.

Moreover, the location of the wheel chock mounting assembly200, as selected to be over the second portion192or the surface184of the fender172, is a region of the machine100that remains largely free from any operational interference, e.g., engine exhaust and ventilation and electrical wirings. Furthermore, said location does not jut out of any machine panel such that it should unduly interfere with any of the machine100's surroundings. Additionally, when the machine100may be executing a turn and/or when the forward portion116of the machine100may be at an angle with respect to the rearward portion120, the second portion192of the fender172(and the wheel chock mounting assembly200positioned thereon) remains clear and away from interfering with the rearward portion120.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the method and/or system of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the disclosure, Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the method and/or system disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims and their equivalent.