Patent Publication Number: US-7588287-B2

Title: Seat securing apparatus

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to the field of work vehicles. It relates more particularly to securing a seat of a work vehicle. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Work vehicles, such as skid steer loaders, have longitudinally spaced pairs of wheels rotatably carried by a frame or chassis of the loader to permit a driving rotation thereof. Each of the wheels is driven, usually by hydraulic motors powered from an engine supported by the frame of the loader. Steering of the skid steer loader is accomplished by powering the rotation of the wheels on opposing sides of the frame of the loader at differential speeds. 
   Typically, the hydraulic motors and associated linkages are located beneath the seat of the skid steer loader. To service the apparatus beneath the seat, it is necessary to remove the seat from the loader, which is usually accomplished by unbolting the seat from the frame and physically relocating the seat out of the relatively small operator&#39;s cab area in which the seat is normally located. The removal of the bolts fastening the seat to the loader frame, and the subsequent re-insertion of the bolts to properly replace the seat, requires a significant amount of time, particularly in comparison to the normal time required for minor servicing of these components. 
   Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a means for quickly and easily accessing drive components located beneath the seat of the work vehicle. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a work vehicle including a frame, and a cab structure and a seat each pivotably connected to the frame. In response to the cab structure and seat being disposed in an operating position with the frame, the cab structure substantially prevents pivotable movement of the seat. 
   The present invention further relates to a work vehicle including a frame, and a cab structure and a seat each pivotably connected to the frame. A junction between the cab structure, seat and frame forms a substantially particle tight seal. In response to the cab structure and seat being disposed in an operating position, the cab structure substantially prevents pivotable movement of the seat. 
   The present invention further relates to a seat and the cab structure configured and disposed to be pivotably connectable to a frame. In response to the cab structure and seat being disposed in an operating position with the frame in which a portion of the cab structure overlies a portion of the seat, the cab structure substantially prevents pivotable movement of the seat. 
   An advantage of the present invention is a reduction of time associated with accessing components disposed beneath a work vehicle having a cab. 
   A further advantage of the present invention is enhanced comfort for a work vehicle operator, in that restraint devices mounted to a cab structure do not move independently of a seat, in response to both of the cab structure and seat being disposed in an operating position with a frame of a work vehicle. 
   Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a top perspective front view of an embodiment of a work vehicle of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a top perspective rear view of an embodiment of a work vehicle, lifting structure removed, of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a top elevation view of a cutaway of an embodiment of a work vehicle of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is an enlarged partial perspective cutaway view looking into an embodiment of a cab structure of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  are further enlarged partial perspective cutaway views from  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 7  is a bottom perspective rear view of an embodiment of a work vehicle, lifting structure removed and cab structure disposed in an open position, of the present invention. 
   

   Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1  shows an exemplary work vehicle  10  including a frame  12  that rotatably carries a plurality of wheels  14 . A lifting structure  16  including an arrangement of structural members and actuators controllable by an operator (not shown) to manipulate an implement  18  to perform work is also connected to the frame  12 . Frame  12  structurally supports a cab structure  20  to surround and protect the operator, which frame  12  includes a front end  24  facing implement  18 . Front end  24  is disposed between opposed sides  26 ,  27 . As further shown in  FIG. 1 , cab structure  20  includes a brim  22  protruding toward front end  24 , although in an alternate embodiment, brim  22  or additional brims may extend toward opposed sides  26 ,  27  or toward the end opposite end  24 . A seat  28  is disposed interior of cab structure  20  which is accessible via a door  30 . Door  30  is pivotably connected to cab structure  20 . As will be discussed in further detail below, both seat  28  and cab structure  20  are pivotably connected to frame  12 , providing enhanced access to apparatus disposed beneath the seat  28  and cab structure  20 . Additionally, in response to the cab structure  20  and seat  28  being disposed in an operating position with the frame  12 , the cab structure  20  substantially prevents pivotable movement of the seat  28 . The operating position is a position in which an operator may be seated and operate the work vehicle. Stated another way, in the closed or operating position, cab structure  20  and seat  28  are substantially immobile with respect to each other and to frame  12 . 
     FIG. 2  shows a top perspective rear view of the exemplary work vehicle  10  of  FIG. 1  with cab structure  20  rotated or pivoted away from frame  12  and lifting structure  16  removed for clarity. As shown in  FIG. 2 , seat  28  is disposed between a pair of operator controls  42  that each includes a respective housing  44 . As further shown, seat  28  includes a base  32  that is secured to the seat. In an alternate embodiment, base  32  and seat  28  are of unitary construction. 
     FIG. 3  shows a partial cutaway view of work vehicle  10  provided for clarity. As shown in  FIG. 3 , a pivoting connection  46  is disposed between base  32  and frame  12 . Pivoting connection  46  may be a hinge, a piano hinge, or other pivoting arrangements. 
     FIG. 3  further shows components of cab structure  20 . For example, cab structure  20  includes a panel  34  that is disposed behind seat  28  when cab structure  20  abuts frame  12 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . For purposes herein, abutment of frame  12  with cab structure  20  is referred to as a closed position or operating position of the work vehicle. Panel  34  may include an upper portion  36  extending to a middle portion  38  that further extends to a lower portion  40  which is in close proximity to base  32  supporting seat  28 . As shown, at least an amount of lower portion  40  overlies an amount of base  32  of seat  28 . In alternate embodiments, panel  34  may be modified or otherwise deleted, so long as a structural component of cab structure  20  substantially prevents pivotable movement of the seat  28  in response to the work vehicle being in the closed position or operating position. 
   As further shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , an operator restraining device  48  is pivotably secured to upper portion  36  of panel  34 . However, when cab structure  20  is rotated about pivoting connection  50 , panel  34  is raised above seat  28 . To effect cab structure  20  rotation, in the exemplary embodiment, fasteners  60  ( FIG. 3 ) securing upper portion  36  to frame  12  are loosened. An operator (not shown) may then place his feet on a step  54  ( FIGS. 1 and 3 ) disposed on lifting structure  16  and grasp hand rail  52  disposed along a vertical corner of cab structure  20  and apply an opening force  62  ( FIG. 3 ). A strut  58  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) extends, providing an opening force along its length to help move cab structure  20  from the closed or operating position, as shown in  FIG. 1 , to an open position that is shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . It is appreciated that other constructions may be used to achieve an open cab structure  20  position with respect to frame  12 . In the exemplary embodiment, the open position represents a rotation of cab structure  20  between about 55 to about 60 degrees with respect to the frame  12 , shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , as compared to the closed position depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , lower portion  40  of panel  34  of cab structure  20  includes a pair of flaps  64  (only one flap  64  shown in  FIGS. 4-5 ). When cab structure  20  is disposed in the closed or operating position so that frame  12  abuts the cab structure  20 , each flap  64  overlies and abuts a corresponding tab  68  (only one tab  68  shown in  FIGS. 4-6 ) extending from base  32  of seat  28 .  FIG. 6  shows base  32  of seat  28  and one tab  68 , with flap  64  ( FIG. 5 ) of the cab structure  20  pivoted out of the way. As shown, tab  68  terminates in a reinforced region  72  in which a portion of tab  68  is folded over onto itself, providing enhanced structural stiffness and strength for tab  68 . In the closed or operating position, flap  64  substantially prevents pivotable movement of seat  28  with respect to frame  12 . This is achieved by virtue of the abutting contact between flaps  64  overlying corresponding tabs  68 , especially with fasteners  60  ( FIG. 3 ) secured to frame  12 , which secured fasteners  60  likewise fixedly securing flaps  64  with respect to frame  12 . In alternate embodiments, in the closed or operating position, other components of the cab structure  20  and seat  28  may alternately or additionally interact with each to substantially prevent pivotable movement between the cab structure  20  and seat  28 . Such an arrangement provides enhanced operator comfort. For example, in the exemplary embodiment, tab  68  of base  32  of seat  28  becomes substantially immobile when disposed between frame  12  and flap  64  of panel  34  of cab structure  20  in the operating position, since there is substantially no relative movement between seat  28  and cab structure  20 . Thus, neither base  32  nor seat  28  pivots with respect to restraining device  48  that is pivotably mounted to upper portion  36  of panel  34  of cab structure  20 . 
   In another embodiment as shown in  FIG. 7 , an interconnecting member  56  interconnects lower portion  40  of panel  34  of cab structure  20  to base  32  of seat  28 . That is, interconnecting member  56  provides a flexible interconnection between cab structure  20  and seat  28 . Interconnecting member  56  may be a strap, such as a cable or other suitable flexible construction. However, in an alternate embodiment, interconnecting member  56  may also be a rigid member and/or interconnect other portions of cab structure  20  to seat  28 . Cab structure  20  is pivoted away from frame  12  in the closed position, which is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , in which base  32  of seat  28  abuts frame  12 , toward the open position as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . Interconnecting member  56  is sized so that once cab structure  20  pivots a predetermined amount away from frame  12  in the closed position, seat  28  is urged to pivot away from frame  12 . In one embodiment, the predetermined amount represents a rotation of cab structure  20  of from about 20 degrees to about 30 degrees away from frame  12 . In response to the further rotation of cab structure  20  in the exemplary embodiment, seat  28  rotates from about 30 degrees to about 35 degrees away from frame  12 . However, this exemplary rotational range is not intended to be limiting, as in alternate embodiments, the absolute and/or relative pivoting magnitudes of both cab structure  20  and seat  28  with respect to each other and also with respect to the frame  12  may vary as required to permit sufficient access to apparatus beneath seat  28 , as well as permit removal of seat  28  from work vehicle  10 . 
   In the exemplary embodiment, both cab structure  20  and seat  28  pivot or rotate toward end  24 . However, one having ordinary skill in the art can appreciate that cab structure  20  and/or seat  28  may be configured to pivot or rotate in other directions. That is, in alternate embodiments, cab structure  20  and/or seat  28  may be configured to pivot or rotate in directions other than end  24 , the end opposite end  24 , or sides  26 ,  27 . In addition, interconnecting member  56  may be secured to other portions of cab structure  20  other than panel  34 , so long as seat  28  is urged away from frame  12 . 
     FIG. 5  shows a junction  74  between frame  12 , seat  28  and cab structure  20 . More specifically,  FIG. 4  shows a resilient material  66 , such as a bulb seal, disposed between base  32 , including tab  68 , and lower portion  40  of panel  34 , including flap  64 . Resilient material  66  may be applied along the periphery of panel  34 , as in the exemplary embodiment, or along or in close proximity to the periphery of base  32  or corresponding portions of frame  12  in other embodiments. In addition, a layer of resilient material  70  may be applied along junction  74  between frame  12  and base  32 , including flap  64 . It is appreciated that resilient material  66 ,  70  may be applied along other respective junctions between frame  12 , seat  28  and cab structure  20 . In one embodiment, the junctions between corresponding portions of frame  12 , seat  28  and cab structure  20  form a substantially particle tight seal, and in another embodiment, the junctions form a substantially fluid tight seal. 
   While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.