Patent Publication Number: US-2022212611-A1

Title: Construction vehicle and fastening member for construction vehicle

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a construction vehicle, and more specifically, to a fastening member for connecting a panel assembly of the construction vehicle with a vehicle component. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Construction vehicles, such as motor graders, loaders, excavators, and the like, include various components that are removably coupled with each other. Further, the construction vehicles include various panels that enclose one or more enclosures associated with the construction vehicles. For example, the panel may cover an engine enclosure or a dash in an operator cabin of the machine, or the panel may include a snow cover, a grill, and the like. Typically, fasteners are used to removably couple the panel with a vehicle component. It is essential that the panels are coupled such that they can be quickly and easily removed or coupled as and when required. 
     Further, it may be advantageous if such panels can be removed or coupled without requiring additional tools and fixtures. Moreover, construction vehicles that operate in challenging environments, such as rocky terrains, are subjected to high amounts of vibration. Thus, it is desirable that the fasteners used for coupling the panels provide a sufficient amount of clamping force for resisting rattling and/or failures due to vibration. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 9,717,296 describes a locking clip and anchor assembly for a tether. The clip includes an opening with at least one tab extending into a portion of the opening. The clip is also configured to attach to a tether or strap. In exemplary embodiments, the anchor assembly includes a post, biased support, biasing mechanism, and base. The clip is configured to be connectable to the post and movable to latched and unlatched conditions with respect to the anchor assembly. In the latched condition the clip has a limited range of rotation possible about the post. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     In one aspect of the present disclosure, a construction vehicle is provided. The construction vehicle includes a panel removably coupled to a vehicle component. The panel defines a first side and a second side. The construction vehicle also includes a fastening member for removably coupling the panel to the vehicle component. The fastening member is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The fastening member includes a main body coupled to the vehicle component. The main body includes a lock stud that is movable to switch the fastening member between the locked position and the unlocked position. The fastening member also includes a ring assembly coupled to the panel. The ring assembly defines a first portion disposed at the first side of the panel and a second portion disposed at the second side of the panel. The first portion includes a base portion. The first portion also includes one or more first tabs projecting from the base portion, wherein the one or more first tabs are inclined relative to the base portion. The first portion further includes one or more second tabs projecting from the base portion and disposed adjacent to the one or more first tabs. The one or more second tabs are parallel to the base portion. Further, the one or more first tabs and the one or more second tabs together define a seating portion that receives a portion of the lock stud when the fastening member is in the locked position. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, a panel assembly is provided. The panel assembly includes a panel removably coupled to a component. The panel defines a first side and a second side. The panel assembly also includes a fastening member for removably coupling the panel to the component. The fastening member is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The fastening member includes a main body coupled to the component. The main body includes a lock stud that is movable to switch the fastening member between the locked position and the unlocked position. The fastening member also includes a ring assembly coupled to the panel. The ring assembly defines a first portion disposed at the first side of the panel and a second portion disposed at the second side of the panel. The first portion includes a base portion. The first portion also includes one or more first tabs projecting from the base portion, wherein the one or more first tabs are inclined relative to the base portion. The first portion further includes one or more second tabs projecting from the base portion and disposed adjacent to the one or more first tabs. The one or more second tabs are parallel to the base portion. Further, the one or more first tabs and the one or more second tabs together define a seating portion that receives a portion of the lock stud when the fastening member is in the locked position. 
     In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a fastening member for removably coupling a first component to a second component is provided. The fastening member is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The fastening member includes a main body coupled to the second component. The main body includes a lock stud that is movable to switch the fastening member between the locked position and the unlocked position. The fastening member also includes a ring assembly coupled to the first component. The ring assembly defines a first portion disposed at a first side of the first component and a second portion disposed at a second side of the first component. The first portion includes a base portion. The first portion also includes one or more first tabs projecting from the base portion, wherein the one or more first tabs are inclined relative to the base portion. The first portion further includes one or more second tabs projecting from the base portion and disposed adjacent to the one or more first tabs. The one or more second tabs are parallel to the base portion. Further, the one or more first tabs and the one or more second tabs together define a seating portion that receives a portion of the lock stud when the fastening member is in the locked position. 
     Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary construction vehicle; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a schematic view of a panel assembly having a panel and a fastening member, in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded view of the fastening member of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a first portion of a ring assembly associated with the fastening member of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a top view of the fastening member of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a schematic view of the fastening member in a locked position; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a schematic view of the fastening member including a compressible member; and 
         FIG. 8  illustrates another design of a first portion of the ring assembly associated with the fastening member of  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or the like parts. Wherever possible, corresponding or similar reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or corresponding parts. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary construction vehicle  100  is illustrated. As shown, the construction vehicle  100  is exemplarily embodied in the form of a motor grader. Although the motor grader is depicted, the present disclosure is not limited to a type of construction vehicle used. It may be understood that the construction vehicle  100  may alternatively include loaders, excavators, tractors, trucks, and the like. In the illustrated example, the construction vehicle  100  may be used to flatten uneven ground surfaces such as during a grading process prior to road construction, moving of snow, debris, and so on. 
     The construction vehicle  100  includes a main frame  102 . The main frame  102  supports various components of the construction vehicle  100 , such as an engine disposed within an enclosure  104 , an operator cabin  106 , and two pairs of rear wheels  108 . The engine is covered by a hood  110 . The engine may be an internal combustion engine. The engine may include a gasoline engine, a diesel engine, a natural gas engine, and the like. The engine may supply the output power to various components of the construction vehicle  100  for operation thereof. 
     Further, the construction vehicle  100  includes the operator cabin  106 . An operator of the construction vehicle  100  may sit or stand in the operator cabin  106  for performing one or more vehicle operations. The operator cabin  106  may include a user interface (not shown). The user interface may include input and output devices for controlling one or more vehicle components. Further, the operator cabin  106  may include a dash (not shown) that is enclosed by a panel (not shown). The dash may be embodied as a compartment for storing tools, equipment, personal belongings, portable electronic devices, wirings, and the like. 
     The construction vehicle  100  also includes a front frame  112  coupled to the main frame  102 . The front frame  112  supports a pair of front wheels  114 , such that the front wheels  114  and the rear wheels  108  allow movement of the construction vehicle  100  on ground surfaces. The front frame  112  also supports a work implement  116 . The work implement  116  may be used to perform work operations, such as grading or snow removal. The work implement  116  is positioned between the rear wheels  108  and the front wheels  114 . More particularly, the work implement  116  is supported by a Drawbar-Circle-Moldboard (DCM) system  118 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the construction vehicle  100  includes a panel  120 . The panel  120  may be hereinafter interchangeably referred to as “first component  120 ”, without limiting the scope of the present disclosure. The panel  120  may embody the hood  110 , the panel of the dash, a snow cover, a grill, and the like. In some examples, the panel  120  may embody any type of panel that encloses a space or compartment on the construction vehicle  100 , without any limitations. In other examples, the panel  120  may embody any other component of the construction vehicle  100  that is coupled to an adjacent component of the construction vehicle  100 . The panel  120  may have a straight profile, a stepped profile, a concave profile, a convex profile, and the like. It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited by a shape of the panel  120 . The panel  120  defines a first side  122  and a second side  124 . The second side  124  is defined opposite the first side  122 . 
     The present disclosure relates to a technique for coupling the panel  120  with a vehicle component  126 . The panel  120  is removably coupled to the vehicle component  126 , In some examples, the second side  124  of the panel  120  may face the vehicle component  126 . The vehicle component  126  may include any portion of the construction vehicle  100  that defines a hollow space for storage of one or more machine parts. Alternatively, the vehicle component  126  may include any portion of the construction vehicle  100  such that the panel  120  is coupled to the vehicle component  126  to realize one or more vehicle functions. The vehicle component  126  may be hereinafter interchangeably referred to as “component  126 ” or “second component  126 ”, without limiting the scope of the present disclosure. It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited by a type of the vehicle component  126  or the type of the panel  120 . 
     The construction vehicle  100  includes a panel assembly  132 , The panel assembly  132  includes the panel  120  and a fastening member  200 . Specifically, the construction vehicle  100  includes the fastening member  200  for removably coupling the panel  120  to the vehicle component  126 . It should be noted that a single fastening member  200  may be used to couple the panel  120  to the vehicle component  126  or multiple fastening members  200  may be used to couple the panel  120  to the vehicle component  126 . A total number of the fastening members  200  may vary based on the size of the vehicle component  126 , the size of the panel  120 , a type of fit required, and the like. It should be noted that the total number of fastening members  200  may be such that the fastening members  200  facilitate a tight fit between the vehicle component  126  and the panel  120 . The fastening member  200  is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, any movement of the panel  120  relative to the vehicle component  126  may be restricted. Further, in the unlocked position, the panel  120  may be released or pivoted relative to the vehicle component  126 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the fastening member  200  includes a main body  202  coupled to the vehicle component  126  (see  FIG. 2 ). The main body  202  is disposed at one side  128  of the vehicle component  126 . The main body  202  includes a fixed portion  206  that is coupled to the vehicle component  126 . The fixed portion  206  includes a stepped design. The fixed portion  206  includes a generally oval cross-section herein. Alternatively, the fixed portion  206  may include a circular cross-section, a square cross-section, a rectangular cross-section, and the like. 
     The fixed portion  206  includes a pair of first projections  208 . The pair of first projections  208  align and pass through corresponding openings (not shown) in the vehicle component  126  such that the first projections  208  are partially received within the vehicle component  126  and partially project from a side  130  that is opposite to the side  128  of the vehicle component  126 . Further, a plate member  212  is disposed at the side  130  of the vehicle component  126  such that the first projections  208  are bent to contact the plate member  212  for coupling the main body  202  to the vehicle component  126 . In another example, the fixed portion  206  may include a tab member (not shown) projecting therefrom. The tab member may pass through the vehicle component  126  and engage with the plate member  212  for coupling the fixed portion  206  to the vehicle component  126 . The tab member max be coupled to the plate member  212  using welding, brazing, soldering, and the like. 
     In some examples, the fixed portion  206  may be coupled to the vehicle component  126  using a pair of mechanical fasteners. The mechanical fasteners may be embodied as bolts, screws, pins, rivets, and the like. In yet another example, the fixed portion  206  may be directly coupled to the vehicle component  126  by welding, soldering, brazing, and the like. In some examples, adhesives may be used to couple the fixed portion  206  to the vehicle component  126 . 
     Further, the main body  202  includes a lock stud  214  that is movable to switch the fastening member  200  between the locked position and the unlocked position. The lock stud  214  is movably coupled to the fixed portion  206 . Specifically, the lock stud  214  rotates relative to the fixed portion  206 . The lock stud is rotatable in a clockwise or an anticlockwise direction. The lock stud  214  is embodied as a knob that can be held and rotated to switch the fastening member  200  between the locked position and the unlocked position. The lock stud  214  includes a generally rectangular cross-section. Alternatively, the lock stud  214  may include a semi-circular cross-section, a circular cross-section, a square cross-section, a trapezoidal cross-section, and the like. 
     The fastening member  200  also includes a ring assembly  216  coupled to the panel  120  (see  FIG. 2 ). The ring assembly  216  defines a first portion  218  disposed at the first side  122  of the panel  120  and a second portion  220  disposed at the second side  124  of the panel  120 . The first portion  218  is embodied as an eyelet that includes an oval shaped base portion  222  and a number of second projections  224  extending from the base portion  222 . Alternatively, the base portion  222  may include a circular shape, a square shape, a rectangular shape, and the like. In the illustrated example, the first portion  218  include four second projections  224 . Alternatively, the first portion  218  may include more than four second projections  224  or less than four second projections  224 . In an example, the first portion  218  may include two second projections  224 . The second projections  224  are equidistantly spaced along a periphery of the base portion  222 . For coupling the first portion  218  to the panel  120 , the second projections  224  align and pass through corresponding openings (not shown) in the panel  120  such that the second projections  224  are partially received within the panel  120  and partially project from the second side  124  of the panel  120 . 
     Further, the first portion  218  includes the base portion  222 . The base portion  222  defined a pair of first ends  230  disposed opposite to each other and a pair of second ends  232  disposed opposite to each other. The first portion  218  also includes one or more first tabs  234  projecting from the base portion  222 , In an example, the first portion  218  includes two or more first tabs  234 . In the illustrated example, the first portion  218  includes two first tabs  234 . The first tabs  234  are disposed diagonally opposite to each other. The one or more first tabs  234  are inclined relative to the base portion  222 . More particularly, a height of each first tabs  234  increases along a periphery of the base portion  222 . A height of the first tab  234  is minimal or zero proximate to the first ends  230  whereas a maximum height “H 1 ” of the first tab  234  is defined proximate to the second ends  232 . 
     Further, the first portion  218  includes one or more second tabs  236  projecting from the base portion  222  and disposed adjacent to the one or more first tabs  234 . Each second tab  236  is disposed proximate to the second ends  232 . It should be noted that each second tab  236  is disposed adjacent to a location where the corresponding first tab  234  defines the maximum height “H 1 ”. The one or more second tabs  236  are parallel to the base portion  222 . The first portion  218  includes two or more second tabs  236 . In the illustrated example, the first portion  218  includes two second tabs  236 . Further, the second tabs  236  define a height “H 2 ”. The maximum height “H 1 ” defined by the one or more first tabs  234  is greater than the height “H 2 ” of the one or more second tabs  236 . 
     The first portion  218  also defines a first through-hole  226 . A size and a shape of the first through-hole  226  is selected such that the lock stud  214  may easily pass therethrough for coupling or removal of the panel  120 . In some examples, the size of the first through-hole  226  may be slightly greater than a size of the lock stud  214 . The first through-hole  226  is generally oval in shape. Alternatively, the first through-hole  226  may include a circular shape, a square shape, a rectangular shape, and the like. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the one or more first tabs  234  and the one or more second tabs  236  together define a seating portion  238  that receives a portion of the lock stud  214  when the fastening member  200  is in the locked position. More particularly, each first tab  234  and an adjacently disposed second tab  236  together define the seating portion  238 . In the illustrated example, the first portion  218  includes two seating portions  238 . 
     The fastening member  200  also includes the second portion  220 . The second portion  220  is coupled to the first portion  218  and the panel  120  (see  FIG. 2 ). The second portion  220  is generally oval in shape. Alternatively, the second portion  220  may include a circular shape, a square shape, a rectangular shape, and the like. The second portion  220  defines a second through-hole  240 . A size and a shape of the second through-hole  240  is selected such that the lock stud  214  may easily pass therethrough for coupling or removal of the panel  120 . In some examples, the size of the second through-hole  240  may be slightly greater than the size of the lock stud  214 . The second through-hole  240  is generally oval in shape. Alternatively, the second through-hole  240  may include a circular shape, a square shape, a rectangular shape, and the like. 
     For coupling the first portion  218  and the second portion  220  to the panel  120 , the second projections  224  pass through the corresponding openings in the panel  120 . Further, the second portion  220  is disposed such that first through-hole  226  and the second through-hole  240  align with each other. Subsequently, the second projections  224  are bent such that the second projections  224  contact the second portion  220 , thereby coupling the first portion  218  and the second portion  220  to the panel  120 . Further, when the panel  120  is to be coupled to the vehicle component  126 , the lock stud  214  is aligned with each of the first and second through-holes  226 ,  240 . The lock stud  214  is then rotated in the clockwise direction relative to the first portion  218  and the second portion  220 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , a portion of the lock stud  214  contacts each first tab  234  as the fastening member  200  is switched from the unlocked position to the locked position.  FIG. 6  illustrates the fastening member  200  in the locked position. As illustrated, the lock stud  214  is rotated till some portion of the lock stud  214  is received within each seating portion  238  (see  FIGS. 3 to 5 ). Such a rotation of the lock stud  214  couples the panel  120  to the vehicle component  126 . Further, when the panel  120  is to be released, the lock stud  214  is rotated relative to the first portion  218  and the second portion  220  such that the fastening member  200  is in the unlocked position. The lock stud  214  may be rotated in the anticlockwise direction. 
     Further, the fastening member  200  also include a compressible member  242  coupled to the main body  202 . In an example, the compressible member  242  includes a spring. Alternatively, the compressible member  242  may include any other type of member that compresses or is flexible in nature. When the panel  120  is coupled to the vehicle component  126 , the compressible member  242  is disposed between the vehicle component  126  and the panel  120 . The compressible member  242  surrounds the fixed portion  206 . Further, the compressible member  242  may be coupled to the fixed portion  206 . In an example, joining techniques such as welding, brazing, soldering, and the like may be used to couple the compressible member  242  to the fixed portion  206  of the main body  202 . Alternatively, adhesives may be used to couple the compressible member  242  to the fixed portion  206  of the main body  202 . 
     In an alternate example, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the compressible member  242  is coupled to the second portion  220  of the ring assembly  216 . In such an example, the compressible member  242  surrounds the fixed portion  206  when the fastening member  200  is in the locked position. Further, the compressible member  242  may be coupled to the second portion  220  of the ring assembly  216  using joining techniques such as welding, brazing, soldering, and the like. Alternatively, adhesives may be used to couple the compressible member  242  to the fixed portion  206  of the main body  202 . In an example, the compressible member  242  includes a spring. Alternatively, the compressible member  242  may include any other type of member that compresses or is flexible in nature. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates another design of a first portion  818  associated with the ring assembly  216  (see  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) of the fastening member  200 . A size and a shape of the first portion  818  is similar to the size and the shape of the first portion  218  explained in relation to  FIGS. 2 and 5 . Further, the first portion  818  includes a base portion  822 . The base portion  822  defines a pair of first ends  830  disposed opposite to each other and a pair of second ends  832  disposed opposite to each other. The first portion  818  also includes one or more first tabs  834  projecting from the base portion  822 . In the illustrated example, the first portion  818  includes four first tabs  834 . The first tabs  834  are disposed along a periphery of the base portion  822 . The first tabs  834  are inclined relative to the base portion  822 . More particularly, a height of each first tabs  834  increases along a periphery of the base portion  822 . The height of the first tab is minimal or zero proximate to the first ends  830  whereas a maximum height “H 1 ” of the first tab  834  is defined proximate to the second ends  832 . 
     Further, the first portion  818  includes the second tabs  836  projecting from the base portion  822  and disposed adjacent to the first tabs  834 . Each second tab  836  is disposed proximate to the second ends  832 . It should be noted that each second tab  836  is disposed adjacent to a location where the corresponding first tab  834  defines the maximum height “H 1 ”. In the illustrated example, each second tab  836  is disposed between a pair of the first tabs  834 . The one or more second tabs  836  are parallel to the base portion  822 . In the illustrated example, the first portion  818  includes two second tabs  836 . Further, the second tabs  836  define a height “H 2 ”. The maximum height “H 1 ” defined by the first tabs  834  is greater than the height “H 2 ” of the second tabs  836 . Further, each first tab  834  and an adjacently disposed second tab  836  together define a seating portion  838  that receives a portion of the lock stud  214  (see  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) when the fastening member  200  is in the locked position. In the illustrated example, the first portion  818  includes two seating portions  838 . Each seating portion  838  is defined by the first tabs  834  and the second tab  836 . 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     The present disclosure relates to the fastening member  200  for coupling of two components of the construction vehicle  100 . The fastening member  200  described herein provides a tight fitting between two components. The fastening member  200  provides vibration dampening which prevents rattling, thereby reducing a possibility of component failure. The fastening member  200  may increase an operating life of the vehicle component  126  and the panel  120  by preventing component failure. Further, the fastening member  200  may be used to couple various panels made of light-weight materials, sheet metals, or non-metallic materials, such as plastics. Further, the fastening member  200  allows coupling of the panel  120  and the vehicle component  126  without any requirement of additional tools or fixtures. Thus, a user may easily and quickly couple or remove two components using such fastening member  200 . 
     The fastening member  200  provides a tightening feature by incorporating the first tabs  234 ,  834  and second tabs  236 ,  836  which ensures improved and reliable coupling between the panel  120  and the vehicle component  126 . Specifically, the first tabs  234 ,  834  and second tabs  236 ,  836  provide an improved clamping force. In some examples, the fastening member  200  may also include a compressible member  242  coupled to the lock stud  214  or the ring assembly  216  to add additional clamping force and vibration dampening. 
     While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof.