Patent Description:
For example, <CIT> discloses a work machine including a seat, an operation controller such as a j oy stick provided lateral to the seat, and an arm support provided lateral to the seat.

According to <CIT>, a control console is disposed in a vehicle cab to the right of an operator's seat which console contains several joystick controllers. A wrist rest is attached to the control console and can be rotated to any one of several positions so as to properly position an operator's arm with respect to a particular joystick. In addition, the wrist rest can be adjusted vertically to accommodate various operator's arms or to position the wrist rest in a stow or out-of-the-way position if the operator does not deem the rest necessary.

An ergonomic adjustment part for mounting in, on, or to a mounting surface is known from <CIT>, which forms the basis of the preamble of claim <NUM>. This ergonomic adjustment part includes a rotary unit configured to be rotatably mounted in, on, or to the mounting surface about a pivot point or axis of rotation, a control lever attached to the rotary unit, and an armrest formed on or fixedly connected to the rotary unit, such that an operator can place his or her forearm on the armrest when operating the control lever. The adjustment part with the rotary unit, the control lever and the armrest is designed in such a way that it can be ergonomically adjusted to the operator by rotating it.

As disclosed in <CIT>, a work vehicle including an armrest lateral to an operator's seat has been known. An operator sits in the operator's seat and operates an operation portion for controlling various operations of the work vehicle. At this time, the armrest is used as a support for an operator's elbow. Operators, however, are various in physical build. Therefore, when an operator attempts to operate the operation portion with his/her elbow resting on the armrest, it may be difficult for the operator to take a comfortable operation posture.

An object of the present invention is to provide a work vehicle in which an operator can take a comfortable operation posture regardless of physical build of the operator.

A work vehicle according to the present invention comprises an operator's seat, a console, and an armrest. The console includes a housing portion being in a shape of a housing and an operation portion. The console is provided lateral to the operator's seat. The armrest includes an upper surface. The armrest is provided lateral to the operator's seat and in a rear of the operation portion. The armrest operates independently of the console such that a rear end of the upper surface is laterally displaced in a top view. The armrest pivots around a pivot central axis that intersects with the upper surface. The armrest includes a cushion portion including the upper surface. The armrest further includes a boss portion protruding downward from the cushion portion along the pivot central axis, and a bracket including a boss fitting portion provided with a hole in which the boss portion is fitted, the bracket supporting the cushion portion.

According to the present invention, a work vehicle in which an operator can take a comfortable operation posture regardless of physical build of the operator can be provided.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding members in the drawings referred to below have the same reference characters allotted.

<FIG> is a side view showing a wheel loader in an embodiment of the present invention. A general structure of a wheel loader <NUM> in the present embodiment will initially be described.

As shown in <FIG>, wheel loader <NUM> includes a front frame <NUM>, a rear frame <NUM>, a front wheel <NUM>, a rear wheel <NUM>, a work implement <NUM>, a cab (an operator's cab) <NUM>, an operator's seat <NUM>, and an engine hood <NUM>.

In the description below, a fore/aft direction refers to a fore/aft direction of an operator who sits in an operator's seat <NUM> in cab <NUM>. A direction in which the operator sitting in operator's seat <NUM> faces is defined as the fore direction and a direction behind the operator sitting in operator's seat <NUM> is defined as the aft direction. A lateral (side) direction refers to a lateral direction of the operator who sits in operator's seat <NUM>. A right side and a left side at the time when the operator sitting in operator's seat <NUM> faces front are defined as the right direction and the left direction, respectively. An upward/downward direction is a direction orthogonal to the plane including the fore/aft direction and the lateral direction. A side where the ground is located is defined as a lower side and a side where the sky is located is defined as an upper side.

Front frame <NUM> and rear frame <NUM> form a vehicular body frame of an articulated structure. Front frame <NUM> is provided in front of rear frame <NUM>. Front frame <NUM> is pivotably connected to rear frame <NUM> by a central pin (not shown). An axis that extends in the upward/downward direction is defined as a pivot center of front frame <NUM> with respect to rear frame <NUM>.

Front frame <NUM> and rear frame <NUM> are coupled to each other by a steering cylinder (not shown). A pair of left and right steering cylinders is provided. As the steering cylinder is driven to extend and contract, front frame <NUM> pivots laterally around the central pin.

Front wheel <NUM> and rear wheel <NUM> are running wheels of wheel loader <NUM>. Front wheel <NUM> is provided in front frame <NUM>. A pair of left and right front wheels <NUM> is provided. Rear wheel <NUM> is provided in rear frame <NUM>. A pair of left and right rear wheels <NUM> is provided.

Work implement <NUM> is provided in front frame <NUM>. Work implement <NUM> includes a boom <NUM>, a bucket <NUM>, a boom cylinder <NUM>, a bell crank <NUM>, a bucket cylinder <NUM>, and a link <NUM>.

Cab <NUM> and engine hood <NUM> are provided in rear frame <NUM>. Cab <NUM> is provided in the rear of work implement <NUM>. Engine hood <NUM> is provided in the rear of cab <NUM>. Engine hood <NUM> accommodates a hydraulic oil tank, an engine, a hydraulic pump, an air cleaner, and the like.

Cab <NUM> delimits an indoor space which an operator enters. A door <NUM> is provided in a side surface of cab <NUM>. Door <NUM> is opened and closed when the operator enters or goes out of cab <NUM>. Operator's seat <NUM> is provided in the indoor space delimited by cab <NUM>. The operator sits in operator's seat <NUM> in cab <NUM> and operates wheel loader <NUM>. The present invention is applicable also to a cab-less work vehicle where the operator's seat is provided in an outdoor space.

<FIG> is a top view showing a structure around the operator's seat in the cab in <FIG>. <FIG> is a perspective view showing the structure around the operator's seat in the cab in <FIG>. <FIG> is a front view showing the structure around the operator's seat when viewed in a direction shown with an arrow IV in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, operator's seat <NUM> includes a seat cushion <NUM> and a seat back <NUM>. Seat cushion <NUM> is a seat part in which an operator sits down. Seat back <NUM> is provided to rise upward from a rear end of seat cushion <NUM>. Seat back <NUM> is a seat part serving as a backrest for an operator.

Wheel loader <NUM> further includes a support plate <NUM> and a suspension mechanism <NUM>.

Support plate <NUM> is provided below seat cushion <NUM>. Support plate <NUM> is in a shape of a flat plate and provided in parallel to a horizontal direction. Support plate <NUM> is provided as a support member that supports on a side of operator's seat <NUM>, a console <NUM> and an armrest <NUM> which will be described later.

Suspension mechanism <NUM> is provided below seat cushion <NUM>. Operator's seat <NUM> is attached to a floor surface of cab <NUM> with suspension mechanism <NUM> being interposed. Suspension mechanism <NUM> elastically supports operator's seat <NUM>.

In succession, a structure of console <NUM> and armrest <NUM> provided around operator's seat <NUM> will be described. <FIG> is a perspective view showing the console and the armrest in a field of view of an operator who sits in the operator's seat.

As shown in <FIG>, wheel loader <NUM> further includes console <NUM>. Console <NUM> is provided lateral to operator's seat <NUM>. Console <NUM> is provided on the right side of operator's seat <NUM>.

Console <NUM> includes a housing portion <NUM> and an operation portion <NUM>. Housing portion <NUM> is in a shape of a housing and defines an appearance of console <NUM>. Housing portion <NUM> and seat cushion <NUM> are laterally aligned. Housing portion <NUM> is aligned at a distance from seat cushion <NUM> in the lateral direction.

Housing portion <NUM> includes an upper surface <NUM>. Upper surface <NUM> is located above seat cushion <NUM>. Upper surface <NUM> is in such an elongated shape that the fore/aft direction is defined as a longitudinal direction and the lateral direction is defined as a short-side direction.

Operation portion <NUM> is provided in housing portion <NUM>. Operation portion <NUM> is provided on upper surface <NUM>. Operation portion <NUM> is provided closer to a front end of upper surface <NUM> than to a rear end of upper surface <NUM> in the fore/aft direction. Operation portion <NUM> is operated by an operator to control an operation of wheel loader <NUM>.

Operation portion <NUM> is provided in a left area of upper surface <NUM>. Operation portion <NUM> is provided in an area of upper surface <NUM> close to operator's seat <NUM> in the lateral direction. In a right area of upper surface <NUM>, various operation portions such as a switch and a dial to be used in operating wheel loader <NUM> are further provided.

Among a plurality of operation portions provided in console <NUM>, operation portion <NUM> is relatively high in frequency of use by the operator. Operation portion <NUM> representatively includes control levers <NUM> and 53n for controlling an operation of work implement <NUM> (boom <NUM> and bucket <NUM>). Control levers <NUM> and 53n are provided as being slidable in the fore/aft direction.

As shown in <FIG>, console <NUM> includes a front portion <NUM>. Front portion <NUM> is a part of housing portion <NUM> and in a shape of a housing. Operation portion <NUM> is provided in front portion <NUM> of housing portion <NUM>. Front portion <NUM> is provided in front of armrest <NUM> which will be described later.

<FIG> shows a centerline <NUM> of operator's seat <NUM> that extends in the fore/aft direction. Front portion <NUM> is provided such that a lateral distance L from centerline <NUM> of operator's seat <NUM> to front portion <NUM> in a top view increases from the rear toward the front. In the top view, front portion <NUM> extends diagonally with respect to the fore/aft direction. Seat cushion <NUM> has a front end located lateral to front portion <NUM>.

A direction of slide of control levers <NUM> and 53n is set to a diagonal direction with respect to the fore/aft direction, in correspondence with inclination of front portion <NUM>. An angle formed between the direction of slide of control levers <NUM> and 53n and the fore/aft direction (centerline <NUM> of operator's seat <NUM>) is within a range, for example, not smaller than <NUM>° and not greater than <NUM>°.

As shown in <FIG>, wheel loader <NUM> further includes armrest <NUM>. Armrest <NUM> is provided lateral to operator's seat <NUM>. Armrest <NUM> is provided on the right side of operator's seat <NUM>.

Armrest <NUM> is used as a support for an operator's elbow. Armrest <NUM> is provided above console <NUM> (housing portion <NUM>). Armrest <NUM> is provided at a position where at least a part of armrest <NUM> is projected on upper surface <NUM> of housing portion <NUM> in the top view. Armrest <NUM> is provided in the rear of operation portion <NUM> (control levers <NUM> and 53n). Armrest <NUM> is provided at a position distant rearward from operation portion <NUM>.

Armrest <NUM> includes an upper surface <NUM>. Upper surface <NUM> is provided in parallel to the horizontal direction. Upper surface <NUM> serves as an elbow support surface on which the elbow of the operator is placed. Upper surface <NUM> is located above seat cushion <NUM>. Upper surface <NUM> is located above upper surface <NUM> of housing portion <NUM>. Upper surface <NUM> is in such an elongated shape that the fore/aft direction is defined as the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction is defined as the short-side direction. Upper surface <NUM> is in such a substantially rectangular shape that the fore/aft direction is defined as the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction is defined as the short-side direction.

Upper surface <NUM> includes a front end 63f and a rear end 63r. Front end 63f is located at the front end of upper surface <NUM>. Among four sides of upper surface <NUM> in the substantially rectangular shape, front end 63f corresponds to a short side located on a front side. Rear end 63r is located at the rear end of upper surface <NUM>. Among the four sides of upper surface <NUM> in the substantially rectangular shape, rear end 63r corresponds to a short side located on a rear side.

As shown in <FIG>, front end 63f is located lateral to seat cushion <NUM> in the top view. Rear end 63r is located lateral to seat back <NUM> in the top view.

<FIG> is a top view showing an operation of the armrest. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, armrest <NUM> operates independently of console <NUM> such that rear end 63r of upper surface <NUM> is laterally displaced in the top view. Armrest <NUM> can operate such that rear end 63r of upper surface <NUM> is laterally displaced in the top view while console <NUM> is resting.

Armrest <NUM> pivots around a pivot central axis <NUM>. Pivot central axis <NUM> intersects with upper surface <NUM>. Pivot central axis <NUM> is orthogonal to upper surface <NUM>. Pivot central axis <NUM> is a virtual straight line that extends in a vertical direction.

Pivot central axis <NUM> is located between rear end 63r of upper surface <NUM> and front end 63f of upper surface <NUM> in the fore/aft direction. Pivot central axis <NUM> is located closer to front end 63f of upper surface <NUM> than to rear end 63r of upper surface <NUM> in the fore/aft direction. A length between pivot central axis <NUM> and front end 63f of upper surface <NUM> in the fore/aft direction is shorter than a length between pivot central axis <NUM> and rear end 63r of upper surface <NUM> in the fore/aft direction.

As armrest <NUM> pivots within a prescribed range of angles around pivot central axis <NUM> in such a construction, rear end 63r of upper surface <NUM> is laterally displaced. Rear end 63r of upper surface <NUM> is laterally displaced along an arc around pivot central axis <NUM>.

<FIG> shows with a solid line, armrest <NUM> (<NUM>) at the time when rear end 63r of upper surface <NUM> is displaced to a leftmost position and shows with a chain double dotted line, armrest <NUM> (61R) at the time when rear end 63r of upper surface <NUM> is displaced to a rightmost position. A range of angles within which armrest <NUM> can pivot may be, for example, not smaller than <NUM>° and not greater than <NUM>° or not smaller than <NUM>° and not greater than <NUM>°.

<FIG> is a top view showing a seated state of the operator. As shown in <FIG>, an operator who sits in operator's seat <NUM> operates operation portion <NUM> (control levers <NUM> and 53n) in a general operation posture with his/her elbow being placed on upper surface <NUM> of armrest <NUM>. At this time, the operator's elbow is placed at a position closer toward the rear of upper surface <NUM> and the operator's arm extends forward from the rear side of upper surface <NUM> toward operation portion <NUM>.

In wheel loader <NUM>, armrest <NUM> operates such that rear end 63r of upper surface <NUM> is laterally displaced in the top view. According to such a construction, when the operator uses armrest <NUM> as the elbow support, the operator can take a comfortable operation posture regardless of his/her physical build.

More specifically, when the operator has a large shoulder width, the operator should only operate armrest <NUM> such that rear end 63r of upper surface <NUM> is displaced to the right (armrest 61R in <FIG>). The operator can thus operate operation portion <NUM> with his/her elbow being placed on upper surface <NUM> of armrest <NUM> without taking such an uncomfortable posture as shrugging his/her shoulder. When the operator has a small shoulder width, the operator should only operate armrest <NUM> such that rear end 63r of upper surface <NUM> is displaced to the left (armrest <NUM> in <FIG>). The operator can thus operate operation portion <NUM> with his/her elbow being placed on upper surface <NUM> of armrest <NUM> without extremely squaring his/her elbow.

Armrest <NUM> pivots around pivot central axis <NUM>. According to such a construction, an operation mechanism of armrest <NUM> can be constructed in a more simplified manner than in an example where the entire armrest <NUM> performs a slide operation in the lateral direction.

Pivot central axis <NUM> is located closer to front end 63f of upper surface <NUM> than to rear end 63r of upper surface <NUM> in the fore/aft direction.

According to such a construction, when armrest <NUM> pivots, a length of lateral displacement of rear end 63r is longer than a length of lateral displacement of front end 63f. A larger range within which the position of rear end 63r is adjusted can thus be set. In contrast, when armrest <NUM> pivots, a length of lateral displacement of front end 63f is shorter than a length of lateral displacement of rear end 63r. Loss of relative positional relation between operation portion <NUM> and a position of the hand of the operator who operates operation portion <NUM> with adjustment of the position of rear end 63r in the lateral direction can thus be suppressed.

Front portion <NUM> of console <NUM> is provided such that lateral distance L from centerline <NUM> of operator's seat <NUM> to front portion <NUM> increases from the rear toward the front in the top view. According to such a construction, a wide space can be secured between the leg (mainly the knee) of the operator who sits in operator's seat <NUM> and console <NUM>. Even though the operator is of large build, the operator can thus take a comfortable operation posture.

Pivot central axis <NUM> of armrest <NUM> may be defined as a straight line extending diagonally with respect to the vertical direction. For example, when upper surface <NUM> of armrest <NUM> is inclined at a prescribed angle with respect to the horizontal direction such that a right end side thereof is lower than a left end side, pivot central axis <NUM> may be defined as a straight line inclined at the prescribed angle with respect to the vertical direction, in correspondence with inclination of upper surface <NUM>. Pivot central axis <NUM> is not limited to be arranged at a position closer to front end 63f of upper surface <NUM> but may be provided, for example, at a position at the center between front end 63f of upper surface <NUM> and rear end 63r of upper surface <NUM> in the fore/aft direction.

The operation of armrest <NUM> is not limited to the pivoting operation, but for example, the entire armrest <NUM> may perform a slide operation in the lateral direction.

In succession, a more specific structure of armrest <NUM> will be described. <FIG> is a top view showing the armrest seen through the upper surface of the armrest in <FIG>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the armrest when viewed in a direction shown with an arrow IX-IX in <FIG>. <FIG> is an exploded view showing the armrest.

As shown in <FIG>, armrest <NUM> includes a cushion portion <NUM>, a boss portion <NUM>, a bracket <NUM>, a collar <NUM>, and a bolt <NUM>.

Cushion portion <NUM> includes upper surface <NUM> and a lower surface <NUM>. Cushion portion <NUM> is in a shape of a flat plate for which a direction (the upward/downward direction) of connection of upper surface <NUM> and lower surface <NUM> to each other is defined as a direction of thickness. Cushion portion <NUM> is formed of an elastic cushion material. Cushion portion <NUM> is formed, for example, of a urethane foam. Cushion portion <NUM> contains a metal plate <NUM> (see <FIG>). Plate <NUM> is provided in parallel to the horizontal direction.

Boss portion <NUM> protrudes downward from cushion portion <NUM> along pivot central axis <NUM>. Boss portion <NUM> is in a shape of a shaft that protrudes from lower surface <NUM> along pivot central axis <NUM>. Boss portion <NUM> is fixed to plate <NUM> in cushion portion <NUM>. A female thread <NUM> is provided in boss portion <NUM>. Female thread <NUM> is provided along pivot central axis <NUM>.

Bracket <NUM> is provided below cushion portion <NUM>. Bracket <NUM> is attached to cushion portion <NUM>.

Bracket <NUM> includes a lateral plate portion <NUM> and a vertical plate portion <NUM>. Lateral plate portion <NUM> is in a shape of a flat plate and provided in parallel to the horizontal direction. In the top view, lateral plate portion <NUM> is in such an elongated shape that the fore/aft direction is defined as the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction is defined as the short-side direction in the top view. Lateral plate portion <NUM> is smaller in area in the top view than cushion portion <NUM> (upper surface <NUM>). Vertical plate portion <NUM> is provided at a position where a side end of lateral plate portion <NUM> is bent. Vertical plate portion <NUM> is in a shape of a flat plate and provided in parallel to the vertical direction. Vertical plate portion <NUM> is provided along the fore/aft direction.

Bracket <NUM> further includes a boss fitting portion <NUM>. Boss fitting portion <NUM> is provided in lateral plate portion <NUM>. Boss fitting portion <NUM> protrudes downward from lateral plate portion <NUM>. Boss fitting portion <NUM> is provided with hole <NUM>. Hole <NUM> is provided as a through hole that passes through boss fitting portion <NUM> in the upward/downward direction. Hole <NUM> is larger in diameter than boss portion <NUM>. Boss fitting portion <NUM> is in a shape of a cylinder that extends along the upward/downward direction.

Lateral plate portion <NUM> is provided below cushion portion <NUM>. Lateral plate portion <NUM> bears a weight of cushion portion <NUM>. Lower surface <NUM> of cushion portion <NUM> is opposed to lateral plate portion <NUM> with a gap lying therebetween in the upward/downward direction. Lateral plate portion <NUM> is arranged inside an area where upper surface <NUM> of cushion portion <NUM> is projected below. Boss portion <NUM> is fitted into hole <NUM> provided in boss fitting portion <NUM>.

Collar <NUM> is in a cylindrical shape. Collar <NUM> is interposed between boss portion <NUM> and boss fitting portion <NUM> in a direction of radius of pivot central axis <NUM>. Collar <NUM> is in slide contact with an outer circumferential surface of boss portion <NUM> and an inner circumferential surface of boss fitting portion <NUM> that defines hole <NUM>. Boss portion <NUM> is fitted into hole <NUM> provided in boss fitting portion <NUM> with collar <NUM> being interposed. Collar <NUM> is formed, for example, of a resin excellent in slidability.

Collar <NUM> includes a flange <NUM>. Flange <NUM> spreads radially outward like a brim from an upper end of collar <NUM> in an axial direction of pivot central axis <NUM>. Flange <NUM> is interposed between lateral plate portion <NUM> and boss portion <NUM> in the axial direction of pivot central axis <NUM>. According to such a construction, boss portion <NUM> is provided without being in contact with bracket <NUM>.

Bolt <NUM> is screwed from below into female thread <NUM> provided in boss portion <NUM>. Boss fitting portion <NUM> is held by bolt <NUM> as being integrated with boss portion <NUM>.

As boss portion <NUM> is fitted into hole <NUM> provided in boss fitting portion <NUM>, cushion portion <NUM> is supported as being pivotable around pivot central axis <NUM>. In this case, boss portion <NUM> protruding from cushion portion <NUM> along pivot central axis <NUM> is constrained by boss fitting portion <NUM> over a prescribed range in the axial direction of pivot central axis <NUM>. Since cushion portion <NUM> can thus more reliably be supported, wobbling of cushion portion <NUM> at the time of pivot of armrest <NUM> can be prevented.

As collar <NUM> is provided, boss portion <NUM> is provided without being in contact with bracket <NUM>. According to such a construction, slide resistance produced at the time of pivot of armrest <NUM> can be suppressed.

Armrest <NUM> further includes a fastened member <NUM> and a lateral arrangement adjustment knob <NUM>. Fastened member <NUM> protrudes downward from cushion portion <NUM> (lower surface <NUM>). A length of protrusion of fastened member <NUM> from cushion portion <NUM> (lower surface <NUM>) is shorter than a length of protrusion of boss portion <NUM> from cushion portion <NUM> (lower surface <NUM>). Fastened member <NUM> is fixed to plate <NUM> in cushion portion <NUM>. A female thread <NUM> is provided in fastened member <NUM>. Female thread <NUM> is provided along the upward/downward direction.

Fastened member <NUM> is located between rear end 63r of upper surface <NUM> and front end 63f of upper surface <NUM> in the fore/aft direction. Fastened member <NUM> is provided in the rear of pivot central axis <NUM>. Fastened member <NUM> is located closer to rear end 63r of upper surface <NUM> than to front end 63f of upper surface <NUM> in the fore/aft direction. A length between fastened member <NUM> and rear end 63r of upper surface <NUM> in the fore/aft direction is shorter than a length between fastened member <NUM> and front end 63f of upper surface <NUM> in the fore/aft direction.

An elongated hole <NUM> is provided in bracket <NUM>. Elongated hole <NUM> is provided to pass through lateral plate portion <NUM> in a direction of thickness thereof. Elongated hole <NUM> is in a shape of an elongated hole that extends laterally while it maintains a constant width in the fore/aft direction. Elongated hole <NUM> extends like an arc around pivot central axis <NUM>.

Lateral arrangement adjustment knob <NUM> is inserted from below into elongated hole <NUM> provided in bracket <NUM> and further screwed into female thread <NUM> provided in fastened member <NUM>. While lateral arrangement adjustment knob <NUM> is unfastened, cushion portion <NUM> can pivot around pivot central axis <NUM>. A position of cushion portion <NUM> can thus laterally be adjustable. While lateral arrangement adjustment knob <NUM> is tightened around fastened member <NUM>, a pivot operation by cushion portion <NUM> is restricted. The adjusted position of cushion portion <NUM> in the lateral direction is thus fixed.

Boss portion <NUM> (pivot central axis <NUM>) is provided closer to front end 63f of upper surface <NUM> in the fore/aft direction, whereas fastened member <NUM> is provided closer to rear end 63r of upper surface <NUM> in the fore/aft direction. According to such a construction, positions of two points where cushion portion <NUM> is supported by bracket <NUM> can greatly be distant from each other in the fore/aft direction. Therefore, cushion portion <NUM> can be supported in a more stable manner.

In succession, a support structure for console <NUM> and armrest <NUM> will be described. <FIG> is a perspective view showing a support structure for the console and the armrest. <FIG> is an exploded view showing the support structure for the console and the armrest.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, wheel loader <NUM> further includes an intermediate bracket <NUM>. Console <NUM> is connected to support plate <NUM> with intermediate bracket <NUM> being interposed. Armrest <NUM> is connected to support plate <NUM> with console <NUM> and intermediate bracket <NUM> being interposed.

Intermediate bracket <NUM> includes a base end portion <NUM>, an extending portion <NUM>, a tip end portion <NUM>, and a rack portion <NUM>.

Base end portion <NUM> is in a shape of a flat plate and provided in parallel to the horizontal direction. Base end portion <NUM> is fastened to support plate <NUM>. Extending portion <NUM> extends diagonally upward from base end portion <NUM> toward tip end portion <NUM>. Extending portion <NUM> is provided as being laterally away from operator's seat <NUM> from base end portion <NUM> toward tip end portion <NUM>. Tip end portion <NUM> is in a shape of a flat plate and provided in parallel to the horizontal direction. Console <NUM> is placed on tip end portion <NUM>. Console <NUM> is supported on tip end portion <NUM> as being slidable in the fore/aft direction.

Rack portion <NUM> is provided at tip end portion <NUM>. Rack portion <NUM> is constructed of teeth aligned along the fore/aft direction. Console <NUM> is provided with locking pins (not shown) to be engaged with rack portion <NUM>. As the operator operates a fore/aft arrangement adjustment lever (not shown), the locking pins are released from rack portion <NUM>. Positions of console <NUM> and armrest <NUM> attached to console <NUM> can thus be adjusted in the fore/aft direction.

As shown in <FIG>, bracket <NUM> is provided with a height adjustment groove <NUM> (78F and 78R). Height adjustment groove 78F and height adjustment groove 78R are provided at a distance from each other in the fore/aft direction. Height adjustment groove <NUM> is provided to pass through vertical plate portion <NUM> in a direction of thickness thereof.

Height adjustment groove <NUM> includes a vertical groove <NUM> and a plurality of diagonal grooves <NUM>. Vertical groove <NUM> extends linearly along the upward/downward direction. Diagonal groove <NUM> extends diagonally upward from vertical groove <NUM>. The plurality of diagonal grooves <NUM> are provided at a distance from each other in the upward/downward direction. The plurality of diagonal grooves <NUM> are provided at regular intervals.

Console <NUM> further includes an attachment angle <NUM>. Attachment angle <NUM> is provided in the rear of operation portion <NUM>. Attachment angle <NUM> is provided with a plurality of female threads <NUM>. The plurality of female threads <NUM> are provided at a distance from each other in the fore/aft direction, in conformity with a pitch between height adjustment groove 78F and height adjustment groove 78R.

Armrest <NUM> further includes a height adjustment knob <NUM> (88F and 88R). Bracket <NUM> (vertical plate portion <NUM>) is superimposed on attachment angle <NUM> sideways. Height adjustment knob 88F is inserted sideways into height adjustment groove 78F (diagonal groove <NUM>) provided in bracket <NUM> and further screwed into female thread <NUM> provided in attachment angle <NUM>. Height adjustment knob 88R is inserted in height adjustment groove 78R (diagonal groove <NUM>) provided in bracket <NUM> and further screwed into female thread <NUM> provided in attachment angle <NUM>. Armrest <NUM> is thus fastened to console <NUM>.

While height adjustment knob <NUM> is unfastened, height adjustment knob <NUM> can move among the plurality of diagonal grooves <NUM> through vertical groove <NUM>. A height of armrest <NUM> (upper surface <NUM>) can thus be adjusted. By inserting height adjustment knobs <NUM> into diagonal grooves <NUM> different in height between height adjustment groove 78F and height adjustment groove 78R, inclination of armrest <NUM> in the upward/downward direction can also be adjusted. While height adjustment knob <NUM> is fastened to attachment angle <NUM>, movement of height adjustment knob <NUM> in height adjustment groove <NUM> is restricted. The adjusted height and inclination of armrest <NUM> in the upward/downward direction are thus fixed.

In wheel loader <NUM>, the position of console <NUM> and armrest <NUM> in the fore/aft direction can be adjusted or the height of armrest <NUM> and inclination of armrest <NUM> in the upward/downward direction can be adjusted in conformity with physical build of the operator. The operator can thus take a further comfortable operation posture.

<FIG> are side views showing various forms of use of the console and the armrest.

In <FIG>, the height of armrest <NUM> is adjusted to an intermediate level. In <FIG>, the height of armrest <NUM> is adjusted to a low level. In <FIG>, the height of armrest <NUM> is adjusted to a high level.

As shown in <FIG>, a tilt mechanism that allows adjustment of inclination of console <NUM> in the upward/downward direction may further be provided. In <FIG>, console <NUM> is held in a horizontal posture whereas armrest <NUM> is adjusted to a lean forward posture (such a posture that the front end is located below the rear end). In <FIG>, armrest <NUM> is held in the horizontal posture whereas console <NUM> is adjusted to a lean rearward posture (such a posture that the rear end is located below the front end). In <FIG>, armrest <NUM> is held in the horizontal posture whereas console <NUM> is adjusted to the lean forward posture.

A construction and an effect of wheel loader <NUM> in the present embodiment will be summarized and described below.

Wheel loader <NUM> as the work vehicle includes operator's seat <NUM>, console <NUM>, and armrest <NUM>. Console <NUM> includes operation portion <NUM>. Console <NUM> is provided lateral to operator's seat <NUM>. Armrest <NUM> includes upper surface <NUM>. Armrest <NUM> is provided lateral to operator's seat <NUM> and in the rear of operation portion <NUM>. Armrest <NUM> operates independently of console <NUM> such that rear end 63r of upper surface <NUM> is laterally displaced in the top view.

According to such a construction, the position of rear end 63r of upper surface <NUM> can laterally be adjusted in conformity with physical build of the operator. The operator can thus take a comfortable operation posture.

Armrest <NUM> pivots around pivot central axis <NUM> that intersects with upper surface <NUM>. According to such a construction, armrest <NUM> that operates such that rear end 63r of upper surface <NUM> is laterally displaced in the top view can be realized with a simplified construction.

Since the length of lateral displacement of rear end 63r is longer than the length of lateral displacement of front end 63f according to such a construction, a larger range within which the position of rear end 63r is adjusted can be set. Since the length of lateral displacement of front end 63f is shorter than the length of lateral displacement of rear end 63r, loss of relative positional relation between operation portion <NUM> and a position of the hand of the operator who operates operation portion <NUM> with adjustment of the position of rear end 63r can be suppressed.

The armrest includes cushion portion <NUM>, boss portion <NUM>, and bracket <NUM>. Cushion portion <NUM> includes upper surface <NUM>. Boss portion <NUM> protrudes downward from cushion portion <NUM> along pivot central axis <NUM>. Bracket <NUM> supports cushion portion <NUM>. Bracket <NUM> includes boss fitting portion <NUM>. Boss fitting portion <NUM> is provided with hole <NUM> in which boss portion <NUM> is fitted.

According to such a construction, boss portion <NUM> protruding from cushion portion <NUM> along pivot central axis <NUM> is constrained by boss fitting portion <NUM> over a prescribed range in the axial direction of pivot central axis <NUM>. Therefore, wobbling of cushion portion <NUM> at the time of pivot can be prevented.

Console <NUM> further includes front portion <NUM>. Front portion <NUM> is provided in front of armrest <NUM>. Front portion <NUM> is provided such that a lateral distance from centerline <NUM> of operator's seat <NUM> that extends in the fore/aft direction to front portion <NUM> increases from the rear toward the front in the top view.

According to such a construction, a wide space can be secured between the leg of the operator who sits in operator's seat <NUM> and console <NUM>. Even though the operator of large build, the operator can thus take a comfortable operation posture.

The present invention is applied to various work vehicles including an armrest, without being limited to the wheel loader.

The present invention is applied to a work vehicle.

Claim 1:
A work vehicle (<NUM>), comprising:
an operator's seat (<NUM>);
a console (<NUM>) including a housing portion (<NUM>) being in a shape of a housing and an operation portion (<NUM>), the console (<NUM>) being provided lateral to the operator's seat; and an armrest (<NUM>) including an upper surface (<NUM>), the armrest (<NUM>) being provided lateral to the operator's seat (<NUM>) and in a rear of the operation portion (<NUM>),
the armrest (<NUM>) operating independently of the console (<NUM>) such that a rear end (63r) of the upper surface (<NUM>) is laterally displaced in a top view, wherein
the armrest (<NUM>) includes a cushion portion (<NUM>) including the upper surface (<NUM>),
characterized in that
the armrest (<NUM>) pivots around a pivot central axis (<NUM>) that intersects with the upper surface (<NUM>), wherein the armrest (<NUM>) further includes
a boss portion (<NUM>) protruding downward from the cushion portion (<NUM>) along the pivot central axis (<NUM>), and
a bracket (<NUM>) including a boss fitting portion (<NUM>) provided with a hole (<NUM>) in which the boss portion (<NUM>) is fitted, the bracket (<NUM>) supporting the cushion portion (<NUM>).