Patent Description:
The invention is applicable on working machines within the fields of industrial construction machines or construction equipment, in particular wheel loaders. Although the invention will be described with respect to a wheel loader, in particular a compact wheel loader, the invention is not restricted to this particular machine, but may also be used in other working machines such as articulated haulers, excavators and backhoe loaders.

A known lift arm cross member for connecting a tilt lever support of a machine between a pair of lift arms of the machine is known from <CIT>. The lift arm cross member according to <CIT> comprises a first plate having oppositely disposed first and second end edges, oppositely disposed first and second lateral edges, an outer surface having a convex curvature as the outer surface extends from the first end edge to the second end edge, and an inner surface opposite the outer surface. The first lateral edge of the first plate is connected to an inner surface of one of the lift arms. The known lift arm cross member further comprises a second plate having oppositely disposed first and second end edges, oppositely disposed first and second lateral edges, an outer surface having a first planar portion proximate the second end edge and a curved portion extending from the first planar portion opposite the second end edge, and an inner surface opposite the outer surface of the second plate. The first lateral edge of the second plate is connected to the inner surface of the lift arm to which the first lateral edge of the first plate is connected. The first end edge of the second plate is connected to the first plate proximate the first end edge of the first plate. The second end edge of the first plate is connected to the second plate proximate the second end edge of the second plate. However, this is a complex structure. Further, the obstruction for the operator's view due to the lift arm cross member when looking between the lift arms is only reduced in the highest position of the lift arms and when the lifting arms are on the ground. From <CIT> it is known another moveable arm of a loader.

An object of the invention is to provide a cross-support assembly which improves the operator's view during lifting of the lifting arms.

The object is achieved by a cross-support assembly according to claim <NUM>. This cross-support assembly extends between and connects two generally parallel lifting arms of a working machine. A front end of the lifting arms is connectable with an implement. A back end of the lifting arms is pivotably connectable with a front unit of the working machine. The cross-support assembly is characterized in that it provides an axis of vision through the cross-support assembly for at least two different lifting positions of the lifting arms by having an opening in the cross-support assembly, wherein the cross-support assembly comprises a cross tube, and the axis of vision through the cross-support assembly is provided by a through hole in the cross tube.

By having said opening in said cross-support assembly, and thereby providing said axis of vision for different lifting positions, it is provided the advantage of an improved operator's view during lifting of the lifting arms.

The present invention comprises the perception that the view of the operator can not be improved by completely removing the cross-support assembly since the cross-support assembly, extending between and connecting two generally parallel lifting arms of a working machine, is responsible for taking up loads applied to the lifting arms during lifting. Therefore, it is a particular advantage of the present invention that it provides a solution that a cross-support assembly improves the operator's view and still supports the loads applied on the lifting arms during lifting, for example if as an implement a full bucket is lifted.

According to one embodiment, the cross-support assembly comprises a cross tube, and the axis of vision through the cross-support assembly is provided by a through hole in the cross tube. By providing one such through hole, or preferably by providing even more than one of such through holes, it is possible to provide said opening in a cross-support assembly using a cross tube. One advantage of such through hole is that it is a simple and cost-effective way to provide said opening in a cross-support assembly using a cross tube. Another advantage is that known cross tube designs can be used and provided with such a through hole. This is because it has been found that a diameter of such through hole can be chosen in a way that the through hole does not substantially change the structural stability of said cross tube.

Even if one or more through holes with larger diameters are desired, to even more improve operator's view during lifting of the lifting arms, this can preferably be compensated by using a cross tube with larger dimensions, e.g. with a larger tube diameter and/or with larger thickness of the tube material, so that the structural stability of such cross tube is again substantially not changed compared to the structural stability of a cross tube without such through hole.

According to a further embodiment, the cross-support assembly comprises a truss framework and the axis of vision through the cross-support assembly is provided by having the opening in the truss framework. Such truss framework allows to improve the operator's view while still supporting the loads of the lifting arms during lifting. An advantage of such truss framework is that it can be adapted to any dimension of the distance between the lifting arms and to any load to be supported while each truss of the framework can be kept thinner than one single cross tube since more than one truss can be used.

Preferably, such truss framework may be cast. This improves the ability of the framework to support loads of the lifting arms.

According to a further embodiment, the truss framework comprises at least one truss, preferably two trusses, having a longitudinal axis generally perpendicular to a longitudinal extension of the lifting arms. By using such a truss or such trusses for the framework, loads in a direction generally perpendicular to a longitudinal extension of the lifting arms can advantageously be supported in an optimized way.

According to a further embodiment, the truss framework comprises at least one truss, preferably two trusses, having a longitudinal axis generally not perpendicular to a longitudinal extension of the lifting arms. By using such a truss or such trusses for the framework, loads in a direction generally not perpendicular to a longitudinal extension of the lifting arms can advantageously be supported in an optimized way.

According to a further embodiment, the truss framework comprises at least one truss, preferably two trusses, having a longitudinal axis generally not parallel to a longitudinal extension of the lifting arms. By using such a truss or such trusses for the framework, loads in a direction generally not parallel to a longitudinal extension of the lifting arms can advantageously be supported in an optimized way.

According to a further embodiment, the opening is positioned at a location in the cross-support assembly which location is substantially the focus of at least two axes of vision for the at least two lifting positions of the lifting arms, from a dedicated position of eyes of an operator of the working machine to a point of interest being substantially located at the front end of the lifting arms. Preferably, the cross-support assembly comprises a truss framework and is enabled to provide axes of vision through the cross-support assembly for at least two lifting positions of the lifting arms by having an opening provided in the truss framework. To provide an opening in a way which achieves the afore-mentioned visibility, preferably the position and/or relative spatial position of trusses of the truss framework is adapted to realize the opening. Preferably, to prepare such adaptation, it is defined a dedicated, preferably favored, more preferably most-used, position of eyes of an operator of the working machine. Preferably, additionally, favored lifting arms and implement, each with the favored size and length, are defined. This defines a certain load path. Preferably, then, the trusses of the truss framework are spatially arranged and/or adapted so that it is possible, at least for at least two lifting positions during such load path, to see the point of interest from the dedicated position of the eyes along the two axes of vision through the provided opening. Therefore, the operator's view on the area where the front end of the lifting arms is located is improved. This is an advantage since a view on the area where the front end is located provides a view on possible connection means of the front end which means can be used to connect the front end with an implement. Accordingly, such view facilitates the work of the operator, for example when trying to connect or disconnect an implement with the front end, or for example when checking the connection in case the implement does not react properly on a control command of the operator.

According to a further embodiment, the opening is positioned at a location in the cross-support assembly which location is substantially the focus of at least three axes of vision for at least three lifting positions of the lifting arms, from a dedicated position of eyes of an operator of the working machine to a point of interest being substantially located at the front end of the lifting arms. Preferably, the cross-support assembly comprises a truss framework and is enabled to provide axes of vision through the cross-support assembly for at least three lifting positions of the lifting arms by having an opening provided in the truss framework. To provide an opening in a way which achieves the afore-mentioned visibility, preferably the position and/or relative spatial position of trusses of the truss framework is adapted to realize the opening. Preferably, to prepare such adaptation, it is defined a dedicated, preferably favored, more preferably most-used, position of eyes of an operator of the working machine. Preferably, additionally, favored lifting arms and implement, each with the favored size and length, are defined. This defines a certain load path. Preferably, then, the trusses of the truss framework are spatially arranged and/or adapted so that it is possible, at least for at least three lifting positions during such load path, to see the point of interest from the dedicated position of the eyes along the three axes of vision through the provided opening. By having the possibility to have a view on at least three lifting positions, the operator's view is further improved. In particular, by this embodiment it is advantageously assured that the operator can see the front end also at least one lifting position between the lowest lifting position and the highest lifting position of the lifting arms.

According to a further embodiment, the opening is positioned at a location in the cross-support assembly which location is substantially the focus of substantially all axes of vision of substantially all lifting positions of the lifting arms, from a dedicated position of eyes of an operator of the working machine to a point of interest being substantially located at the front end of the lifting arms. Preferably, the cross-support assembly comprises a truss framework and is enabled to provide axes of vision through the cross-support assembly for substantially all lifting positions of the lifting arms by having an opening provided in the truss framework. To provide an opening in a way which achieves the afore-mentioned visibility, preferably the position and/or relative spatial position of trusses of the truss framework is adapted to realize the opening. Preferably, to prepare such adaptation, it is defined a dedicated, preferably favored, more preferably most-used, position of eyes of an operator of the working machine. Preferably, additionally, favored lifting arms and implement, each with the favored size and length, are defined. This defines a certain load path. Preferably, then, the trusses of the truss framework are spatially arranged and/or adapted so that it is possible, substantially for all lifting positions during such load path, to see the point of interest from the dedicated position of the eyes along the respective axes of vision through the provided opening. Accordingly, advantageously the operator can substantially always see the front end during lifting of the lifting arms. This gives the operator an improved feedback about the actual spatial position of the front end. This improves the ability of the operator to precisely control the position of the front end.

According to a further embodiment, the point of interest is substantially located on the implement being attached to the front end of the lifting arms. An advantage of this embodiment is the provision of an operator's direct view on the implement. If for example the implement comprises a bucket or comprises fork tines, an operator's view on the bucket or the fork tines is provided. Another advantage is that the operator's ability to precisely manipulate and control the implement is advantageously improved. If, as an implement, for example, fork tines are connected to the front end of the lifting arms, operator's view on the fork tines is improved which particularly advantageous since the positioning of fork tines is difficult but important to avoid possible problems connected with miss-positioned fork tines.

The present invention also relates to a front unit for a working machine, the front unit comprising a cross-support assembly as described herein.

The present invention also relates to a working machine, comprising a cross-support assembly as described herein, or comprising a front unit as described herein. Preferably, such working machine is a wheel loader or a compact wheel loader.

In the following detailed description, identical elements or elements with substantially identical function are provided with identical reference signs. Identical or similar principles apply for the different embodiments, unless described differently.

<FIG> is a schematic side view showing an exemplary structure of a section of compact wheel loader <NUM> with a first embodiment, partly shown in cross-section, of a cross-support assembly <NUM> of the present invention as described herein.

The working machine depicted in <FIG> is a compact wheel loader <NUM> but it can also be a wheel loader. In the following, only the term wheel loader is used, for simplification of the description, only. The wheel loader <NUM> includes: a vehicle body <NUM> equipped with an engine (not shown) and an operator's cab <NUM> and having front wheels <NUM> and rear wheels <NUM> installed thereon. The wheel loader <NUM> of <FIG> further includes two generally parallel lifting arms <NUM> of which only one lifting arm <NUM> can been seen in the side view of <FIG>. Front ends <NUM> of lifting arms <NUM> are connected with an implement being fork tines <NUM>. The fork tines <NUM> of the embodiment of <FIG> are rotatably attached to the front end <NUM> of the lifting arms <NUM>. A back end <NUM> of the lifting arms <NUM> is pivotably connected with a front unit <NUM> of the wheel loader <NUM>.

In addition, the wheel loader <NUM> includes a lift arm cylinder <NUM> connected at one end thereof to the front unit <NUM> of the vehicle body <NUM> and rotatably connected at the other end thereof to the lifting arms <NUM>. The lift arm cylinder <NUM> is configured to lift or lower the lifting arms <NUM> through its own length adjustment. The wheel loader <NUM> of <FIG> furthermore includes a fork tines cylinder <NUM> connected at one end thereof to the lifting arms <NUM> and connected between the fork tines <NUM>. The fork tines cylinder <NUM> is configured to pivot the fork tines <NUM> through its own length adjustment. Preferably, as for example shown in <FIG>, the fork tines <NUM> are pivoted by fork tines cylinder <NUM> in a way that a surface <NUM> of fork tines <NUM> is substantially kept horizontal. Further, the wheel loader <NUM> of <FIG> includes a (not shown) hydraulic actuator drive mechanism. This mechanism is configured to drive the lift arm cylinder <NUM> and the fork tines cylinder <NUM>.

The cross-support assembly <NUM> provides an axis of vision <NUM> through the cross-support assembly <NUM> for at least three different lifting positions of the lifting arms <NUM> by having an opening <NUM> in the cross-support assembly <NUM>. Such openings <NUM> are for example also depicted in the following <FIG> and <FIG>. As can been seen in <FIG>, the opening <NUM> is indicated by a circle. However, the circles <NUM> used to indicate the opening in <FIG> are only used for description purposes. In particular, the circles <NUM> used for the openings shall not be interpreted as indicating a dimension or diameter of the respective opening <NUM>. Also, in <FIG>, the cross-support assembly <NUM> is only partly indicated since, when viewing from the cab <NUM> to the fork tines <NUM>, the left side lifting arm <NUM> is not shown in <FIG> and therefore also a part of the cross-support assembly <NUM> being attached to the left side lifting arm <NUM> is not depicted in <FIG>. Opening <NUM> is defined by a truss framework 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f and <NUM>. The opening <NUM> is provided in the truss framework 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f and <NUM> to provide the axis of vision <NUM> through the cross-support assembly <NUM> provided by the truss framework 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f and <NUM>. As for example can be seen in <FIG>, three lifting positions of lifting arms <NUM> are depicted. The three lifting positions of lifting arms <NUM> are depicting at a lowest position of the lifting arms <NUM>, at an intermediate position of the lifting arms <NUM>, and at a highest position of the lifting arms <NUM>. Each position has visibility of a point of interest <NUM> on the implement <NUM>. In <FIG>, the three lifting positions of lifting arms <NUM> are depicted to visualize a load path of the lifting arms <NUM> for the depicted example size and length of the lifting arms and for the depicted example implement size and length. Therefore, <FIG> visualizes an example load path of the point of interest <NUM> on the example implement <NUM> during lifting of the example implement <NUM>. Preferably, the cross-support assembly <NUM> is enabled to provide the depicted axes of vision <NUM> through the cross-support assembly <NUM> for the three depicted lifting positions of the lifting arms <NUM> by having an opening <NUM> provided in the truss framework 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f and <NUM>. To provide an opening <NUM> in a way which achieves the afore-mentioned visibility, the position and/or relative spatial position of the trusses 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f and <NUM> is adapted to realize an opening <NUM>. To prepare such adaptation, it is for example defined a dedicated, preferably favored, more preferably most-used, position <NUM> of eyes of an operator of the wheel loader <NUM>. Additionally, favored lifting arms <NUM> and implement <NUM>, each with the favored size and length, for example the depicted example size and length, are defined. This defines a certain load path. Then, at least for these three lifting positions during such load path, the trusses 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f of the truss framework are spatially arranged and/or adapted so that it is possible to view from the dedicated position <NUM> to the point of interest <NUM> along the line of axis <NUM>. In <FIG>, the point of interest <NUM> is substantially located at the front end <NUM> of the lifting arms <NUM>, in particular is substantially located at a tip <NUM> of the fork tines <NUM>. The point of interest <NUM> is also indicated by circles in <FIG> as it is indicated in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>. Again, these circles are provided for description purposes only and are not intended to be understood to define a respective area or to limit the present invention to a certain dimension or diameter of such circle. To the contrary, the point of interest <NUM> can have a smaller or bigger dimension and can also have other shapes, for example like in a rectangle or a square, as long as it is possible for the operator to view an appropriate part of the implement <NUM> at the front end <NUM> of the wheel loader <NUM>.

According to <FIG>, and as can for example also be seen in <FIG>, the opening <NUM> is positioned at a location in the cross-support assembly <NUM> which location is substantially the focus <NUM> of three (<FIG>) or four (<FIG>) axes of vision <NUM>. The axes of vision <NUM> are depicted for three (<FIG>) or four (<FIG>) lifting positions of the lifting arms <NUM>. The axes of vision <NUM> are depicted as extending from the dedicated position <NUM> of eyes of an operator of the working machine <NUM> to the point of interest <NUM>. The point of interest <NUM> is located at the front end <NUM> of the lifting arms <NUM>.

As already indicated above, in the example of <FIG>, the point of interest <NUM> is substantially located on the front tip <NUM> of the fork tines <NUM>. The fork tines <NUM> are the implement of the wheel loader <NUM>. The fork tines <NUM> being attached to the front end <NUM> of the lifting arms <NUM>. However, although not shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, it is also possible that the opening <NUM> is positioned at a location in the cross-support assembly <NUM> which location is substantially the focus <NUM> of only at least two axes of vision <NUM> for the at least two lifting positions of the lifting arms <NUM>. It is also possible that the opening <NUM> is positioned at a location in the cross-support assembly <NUM> which location is substantially the focus <NUM> of substantially all axes of vision <NUM> of substantially all lifting positions of the lifting arms <NUM>. As indicated before, the axes of vision <NUM> extend from a dedicated position <NUM> of eyes of an operator of the working machine <NUM> to a point of interest <NUM>. The point of interest <NUM> is located at the front end <NUM> of the lifting arms <NUM>. Similar as described above for realizing a visibility of the point of interest <NUM> for at least three lifting positions, the cross-support assembly <NUM> is enabled to provide the depicted axes of vision <NUM> through the cross-support assembly <NUM> for only two lifting positions of the lifting arms <NUM> by having an opening <NUM> provided in the truss framework 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f and <NUM>. To provide an opening <NUM> in a way which achieves such visibility, the position and/or relative spatial position of the trusses 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f and <NUM> is adapted to realize an opening <NUM>. To prepare such adaptation, it is for example defined a dedicated, preferably favored, more preferably most-used, position <NUM> of eyes of an operator of the wheel loader <NUM>. Additionally, favored lifting arms <NUM> and implement <NUM>, each with the favored size and length, for example the depicted example size and length, are defined. This defines a certain load path. Then, at least for two lifting positions during such load path, the trusses 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f of the truss framework are spatially arranged and/or adapted so that it is possible to view from the dedicated position <NUM> of eyes of an operator of the wheel loader <NUM> to the point of interest <NUM> along the line of axis <NUM>.

Again referring to <FIG>, the drawing shows that the trusses 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f and <NUM> of the truss framework <NUM> are partly shown in full and partly shown in cross-section as indicated by the shaded parts of truss framework <NUM>. As can be seen in <FIG> the opening <NUM>, symbolically indicated by a circle, stays in the focus <NUM> of the several axes of vision <NUM>, as can be best seen in <FIG>. The trusses 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f and <NUM> rotate about focus <NUM> when lifting arms <NUM> are lifted or lowered by the operator of the wheel loader <NUM>. In <FIG>, three selected positions of the lifting arms <NUM> are depicted. In these three lifting positions of the lifting arms <NUM>, it is possible to view from the dedicated, fixed position <NUM> of eyes of the operator of the wheel loader <NUM> to the point of interest <NUM> along the line of axis <NUM>. However, it is even more preferred that, from the fixed position <NUM> of the operator's eyes, the operator has an axis of vision <NUM> substantially in all lifting positions of lifting arms <NUM>. The axes of vision <NUM> extend from position <NUM> to the point of interest <NUM> at the front tip <NUM> of the fork tines <NUM>.

As can be seen for example in relation to <FIG> described below, <FIG> illustrates different rotational positions of the lifting arms <NUM>. To facilitate the intelligibility of the drawing, it shows the rotation of the lifting arms <NUM> by depicting four respectively rotated axes of vision <NUM> for an example load path. But in reality, the lifting arms <NUM> rotate during lifting, and the position <NUM> of the eyes <NUM> does not rotate but is the same for each depicted rotational position.

<FIG> shows the different relative positions of trusses 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f and <NUM> relative to the opening <NUM>. In the upper most position of lifting arms <NUM> in <FIG>, truss 10a is basically perpendicular to the drawing plane of <FIG>. Truss 10c is angled with respect to the plane of <FIG>. The same goes for truss 10b. Also truss 10d has an angle with respect to the plane of the drawing of <FIG>. Truss 10e is basically parallel to truss 10a and is basically perpendicular to the drawing plane of <FIG>. The relative positions of trusses 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f and <NUM> and their angles with respect to the drawing plane of <FIG> can be better understood if compared to the trusses 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f and <NUM> provided in <FIG>, described below. This is because <FIG> show the operator's view from the point of the eyes of the operator at <NUM> on the truss framework <NUM> providing the cross-support assembly of the present invention. Furthermore, in <FIG> only the right hand part of the truss framework <NUM> is shown.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an exemplary second embodiment of a cross-support assembly of the present invention as described herein, in particular for illustrating the general principle of the present invention.

As can for example be seen in <FIG>, the cross-support assembly <NUM> is extending between and connecting two generally parallel lifting arms <NUM> of a wheel loader <NUM>. A front end <NUM> of the lifting arms <NUM> is connectable with an implement <NUM>. A back end <NUM> of the lifting arms <NUM> is pivotably connectable with a front unit <NUM> of the wheel loader <NUM>. The cross-support assembly <NUM> provides an axis of vision <NUM> through the cross-support assembly <NUM> for at least two different lifting positions of the lifting arms <NUM> by having an opening <NUM>, in the form of a through hole <NUM>, in the cross-support assembly <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view on a third exemplary embodiment of a cross-support assembly of the present invention as described herein.

As can for example be seen in <FIG>, the cross-support assembly <NUM> comprises a cross tube <NUM>, and the axis of vision <NUM> through the cross-support assembly <NUM> is provided by a through hole <NUM> in the cross tube <NUM> on each side of the lift arm cylinder <NUM>. The cross tube <NUM> can be cast. Therefore, two substantially parallel axes of vision <NUM> are provided from the point <NUM> of the operator's eyes being in the plane of the drawing of <FIG>, to the point of interest <NUM> on the fork tines <NUM>. The positioning of the through holes <NUM> and therefore the openings <NUM> in the cross tube <NUM> is made at the locations depicted in <FIG> so that the openings <NUM> are substantially the focus of at least two axes of vision <NUM> on each side of the lifting cylinder <NUM> for at least two lifting positions of the lifting arms <NUM>. The depicted openings <NUM> provided by the through holes <NUM> are positioned at a location being the focus <NUM> of substantially all axes of vision <NUM> of substantially all lifting positions of lifting arms <NUM>, from a dedicated position <NUM> of eyes of an operator of the working machine <NUM> such position being the plane of the drawing of <FIG> to the point of interest <NUM> being substantially located at the front end <NUM> of the lifting arms <NUM>. In the embodiment of <FIG>, the point of interest <NUM> is located on each fork of the fork tines <NUM> as being indicated by the circles <NUM>.

<FIG> is partly a side view and partly a cross-sectional view of the right lifting arm <NUM> and the first embodiment of the cross-support assembly of <FIG>.

As can for example be seen in <FIG>, but also in the drawings of <FIG>, in particular in <FIG>, the cross-support assembly <NUM> comprises a truss framework 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, and the axis of vision <NUM> through the cross-support assembly <NUM> is provided by having the opening <NUM> in the truss framework 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e. <FIG> shows the right hand lifting arm <NUM> in a fixed position and indicates the movement of the axes of vision <NUM> by respectively angled lines between the several points <NUM> of the eyes of the operator and the corresponding points of interest <NUM>. It can be seen that all axes of vision <NUM> go through the cross-support assembly <NUM> being a truss framework <NUM> in <FIG>.

The positioning of each of the trusses 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f, <NUM> is basically identical as the positioning being depicted in <FIG>. Although, only four lines showing the axes of vision <NUM> are depicted in <FIG>, the opening <NUM>, being substantially identical with the focus <NUM> in <FIG>, is positioned at a location which is substantially the focus <NUM> of substantially all axes of vision <NUM> of substantially all lifting positions of the lifting arms <NUM>. As indicated before, the axes of vision <NUM> extend from the dedicated position <NUM> of the eyes of an operator of the working machine <NUM> to the point of interest <NUM>. The point of interest <NUM> is located at the front tip <NUM> of fork tines <NUM>. The fork tines <NUM> are also shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> show four operator views according to the four lines in <FIG> through the cross-support assembly of the first embodiment of <FIG> and <FIG>.

As can for example be seen in <FIG>, in particular in <FIG>, the truss framework 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10fm <NUM> comprises four trusses 10a, <NUM>, 10e, 10f having a longitudinal axis generally perpendicular to a longitudinal extension of the lifting arms <NUM>.

As can for example also be seen in <FIG>, the truss framework 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f, <NUM> comprises six trusses 10b, 10c, 10d having a longitudinal axis generally not perpendicular and generally not parallel to a longitudinal extension of the lifting arms <NUM>.

As can for example be seen in <FIG>, the point of interest <NUM> is substantially located on the front tips <NUM> of the fork tines <NUM>. The fork tines <NUM> are the implement <NUM>. The implement <NUM> is attached to the front end <NUM> of the lifting arms <NUM>. As can be seen in <FIG>, in particular in <FIG>, the truss framework <NUM> has the same trusses 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d on both sides of the lifting cylinder <NUM>. Trusses 10e and 10f directly connect lifting arms <NUM> and are substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal extension of lifting arms <NUM>. Trusses 10d connect the middle of trusses 10e with the ends of truss 10f. Truss <NUM> directly connects the angled trusses 10c. Trusses 10c connect lifting arms <NUM> on each side with short trusses 10a. Trusses 10a are rotatably connected with the lifting cylinder <NUM> in the middle of the truss framework. Also trusses 10b connect lifting arms <NUM> with short trusses 10a on each side of the lifting cylinder <NUM>. Trusses 10b and 10c as well as 10d are non-parallel to a longitudinal extension of lifting arms <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the drawing of <FIG> depicts the lowest position of fork tines <NUM>. The drawing of <FIG> depicts an intermediate position of fork tines <NUM>. The drawing of <FIG> depicts another intermediate position of the fork tines <NUM>. The drawing of <FIG> depicts the highest lifting position of lifting arms <NUM> and fork tines <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A cross-support assembly (<NUM>) extending between and connecting two generally parallel lifting arms (<NUM>) of a working machine (<NUM>), a front end (<NUM>) of the lifting arms (<NUM>) being connectable with an implement (<NUM>), a back end (<NUM>) of the lifting arms (<NUM>) being pivotably connectable with a front unit (<NUM>) of the working machine (<NUM>), characterized in that the cross-support assembly (<NUM>) provides an axis of vision (<NUM>) through the cross-support assembly (<NUM>) for at least two different lifting positions of the lifting arms (<NUM>) by having an opening (<NUM>) in the cross-support assembly (<NUM>), wherein the cross-support assembly (<NUM>) comprises a cross tube (<NUM>), and the axis of vision (<NUM>) through the cross-support assembly (<NUM>) is provided by a through hole (<NUM>) in the cross tube (<NUM>).