Patent Description:
Utility vehicles include, by way of example, agricultural, industrial and forestry tractors, and plant machinery. A utility vehicle typically includes an engine, a cooling system and one or more further components housed underneath a pivotable bonnet or hood. The bonnet serves to protect the engine and cooling system from the outside environment and the like.

As described in United Kingdom patent application <CIT>, in the vehicle body construction field for a vehicle such as a farm tractor, the hood which covers the engine compartment is generally large enough to be a substantial weight fitted on the top of the vehicle, and at a significant level above floor level so that access to the hinge structure which connects the hood to the frame is extremely limited. Coupled with the weight of the hood and the position relative to a person assembling the tractor on the production line, it is very difficult to align the hinge structure with corresponding recesses on the frame and then provide releasable fasteners such as screws to hold the hinge structure in place.

It is known to provide a hinge structure in which the portion securable to the frame has a pilot and then a pair of screws extending through a bar in the frame and received on the underside of the hinge structure. Such an orientation makes it difficult for an operator to accurately pilot the screws and get them in place for applying torque to tighten them.

In the arrangement of <CIT>, the hinge structure includes a first portion securable to the vehicle body panel and a second portion securable to the vehicle frame, with the first and second portions being pivotally interconnected to pivot the body panel about a given axis. The hinge structure includes at least one projection extending from the second portion in a direction at right angles to the given axis, the at least one projection being receivable in a bore in the vehicle frame. The projection has an indentation for receiving a locking device extending into the indentation at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the projection.

A problem with arrangements such as that described above is that there is still a requirement for the person (or more likely, team) installing the panel to controllably secure engagement of a locking device with the projection indentation during installation.

It is an aim of the present invention to address such a drawback.

<CIT> discloses a hinge for windows and doors. The hinge has a first part and a second part pivotably connected along an axis by a hinge pin slidably receivable in aligned bores in the first and second parts. The pin can be slid axially between an operative position in which it is engaged in the aligned bores of both parts to couple them together and an inoperative position in which it is disengaged from the bore in the second part to enable the hinge to be decoupled. First and second circumferential grooves are space apart long the length of the hinge in. A sprung loaded ball in the first part engages in the first groove to hold the hinge pin in the operative position or in the second groove to hold the pin in the inoperative position. The grooves are chamfered so that the ball can be disengaged from the grooves by applying an axial force to the hinge pin to move it between the operative and in operative positions.

<CIT> shows an example of a utility vehicle.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention there is provided a utility vehicle according to claim <NUM>. Further optional features are set out in the claims dependent on claim <NUM>.

Further advantages of aspects of the invention will become apparent from reading the following description of specific embodiments with reference to the appended drawings in which:.

While the above-identified figures set forth one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, other embodiments are also contemplated, as noted in the disclosure. In all cases, this disclosure presents the disclosed subject matter by way of representation and not limitation. It should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art which fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Relative and directional terms used hereinafter, such as 'forward', 'rearward', 'transverse', 'lateral' and made with respect to a virtual longitudinal vehicle axis that extends parallel to a general forward direction of travel, identified with the arrow F in <FIG> of the attached drawings.

<FIG> shows a representation of an agricultural machine, in the form of an agricultural or farm tractor <NUM>. The tractor <NUM> comprises a user cab <NUM> to house an operator of the machine, an engine housing (identified generally at <NUM> and described further below), and a chassis or frame <NUM> on which the cab <NUM> and engine housing <NUM> are mounted. A front axle <NUM> carries front vehicle wheels 18A, and a rear axle <NUM> carries rear vehicle wheels 20A. Typically, the tractor will be provided with a rear three-point linkage system <NUM>, and optionally also a front linkage <NUM>, for the attachment of implements.

The engine housing <NUM> shrouds an engine (not shown) of the tractor, which engine may be an internal combustion unit, an electric drive or a hybrid arrangement. The housing <NUM> includes an upper bonnet or hood portion <NUM> which extends forwardly from the cab <NUM> over the engine compartment (the space within the engine housing <NUM>), and suitably provides cover for additional components therein, such as cooling systems for the vehicle.

The bonnet or hood portion <NUM> is pivotably attached to the frame <NUM> by a hinge structure as described in detail below with reference to <FIG> of the drawings. The hinge structure enables the bonnet or hood portion <NUM> to pivot about an axis A, which given axis extends transversely and horizontally across the vehicle perpendicular to the direction of forward travel F.

With the pivoting mount at A, the bonnet can be raised (as indicated by arrow B) to enable access to the engine compartment for routine maintenance or replacement of components within the engine housing <NUM>.

The engine housing <NUM> may further include one or more removable side panels <NUM> on each side, with the side panels being optionally attached at their respective upper edges to the lower edge of the bonnet <NUM>. Alternatively (and, for reasons of weight, preferably) the side panels <NUM> may be secured to other components within the engine compartment such that the side panels <NUM> remain in situ as the bonnet <NUM> is raised.

The hinge structure <NUM> providing the pivoting mount for the bonnet <NUM> is shown firstly in perspective view in <FIG>. The hinge structure <NUM> comprises a first portion <NUM> in the form of a mounting rail configured to be securable to the bonnet <NUM> (or another similarly mounted vehicle body panel). Indeed, the first portion or mounting rail <NUM> may comprise part of a structural support framework for the bonnet <NUM>, with the remainder of the bonnet formed from relatively lighter weight materials (thinner gauge steel, plastics etc.) to keep the overall weight of the bonnet <NUM> to a minimum whilst maintaining structural integrity.

The hinge structure <NUM> includes a second portion <NUM> in the form of a cast console or bulkhead securable to the vehicle frame (<NUM>; <FIG>) and generally extending transversely across the frame. The mounting rail and cast console (first and second portions <NUM>, <NUM>) are pivotally interconnected as described below to pivot the bonnet <NUM> about the given axis A.

Digressing briefly, in a preferred arrangement, the tractor <NUM> comprises a pair of hinge structures <NUM>, with the pair sharing a common cast console <NUM>, and the two mounting rails <NUM> being attached to respective ones of the left and right sides of the bonnet <NUM>.

Referring additionally to <FIG> and <FIG>, the hinge structure <NUM> comprises at least one bolt or hinge pin in the form of a projection <NUM>, which projection is a generally cylindrical body (albeit with variations in radius described below) having a longitudinal axis coincident with the given axis A when installed. The projection <NUM> is received in a bore <NUM> in the cast console <NUM>, and movable in the axial direction A to engage an aperture <NUM> in the mounting rail <NUM>, which aperture <NUM> is suitably lined with a bearing bush <NUM> providing a close fit around (and support to) a distal end 36A of the projection.

As shown particularly in <FIG>, the projection <NUM> has a first indentation <NUM> in the form of an annular groove for receiving the nose portion 46A of a locking device <NUM>, which locking device <NUM> extends through a respective aperture <NUM> in the cast console <NUM> and into said indentation <NUM> at an angle (preferably but not necessarily <NUM> degrees) to the longitudinal axis A of the projection <NUM>. The locking device <NUM> may suitably be retained within the aperture <NUM> by threaded engagement, allowing the locking device <NUM> to be easily removed for exchange or maintenance if required, although more permanent fixations such as gluing or welding are considered within the scope of the present disclosure.

As shown in <FIG>, with the nose 46A of the locking device <NUM> securely disposed within the first indentation <NUM>, the distal end 36A of the projection protrudes from the cast console <NUM> in engagement with the mounting rail <NUM> (and bearing bush <NUM>) whilst at the same time the locking device <NUM> locks the projection <NUM> in positional engagement with the cast console <NUM>.

In contrast with screw-in lock arrangements known previously, the locking device <NUM> includes resilient biasing means <NUM>, preferably in the form of a coil spring (although other elastic and resiliently deformable materials may be utilized to the same effect), whereby the nose portion 46A of the locking device <NUM> is urged towards the projection <NUM> and into engagement with the first indentation <NUM> as the two come into alignment. This simplifies the assembly process as no special tool is required to engage the locking when the projection is in the correct position within the bore of the second portion, that is to say projecting into engagement with the first portion which in turn is attached to the body panel.

Referring now mainly to <FIG>, the projection <NUM> has a second indentation <NUM>, longitudinally spaced from the first indentation <NUM> along the length of the projection, for receiving or at least interacting with the nose portion 46A of the locking device <NUM>. The second indentation <NUM> is again preferably an annular recess or groove on the outer surface of the projection <NUM>, wherein engagement of the nose portion 46A of the locking means with the said second indentation <NUM> holds the projection <NUM> in spaced apart non-engaged relation with the aperture in the mounting rail <NUM>, suitably with the projection <NUM> retracted into the bore <NUM> in the cast console. The second indentation <NUM> may have the same profile as the first indentation <NUM>, but is preferably shallower in depth as the locking action it is required to assist in is just a temporary hold during the assembly process.

Such an arrangement facilitates the assembly process as the bonnet <NUM> and associated mounting rail or rails <NUM> may be more easily moved into position if the projection <NUM> remains in a retracted state until needed to engage. Protection of the end of the projection from dirt, dust and accidental damage is a further benefit.

The locking device <NUM> may have a chamfered end to the nose portion 46A to guide it into engagement with the first indentation <NUM>, and second indentation <NUM> as the projection <NUM> moves in the bore <NUM> in the cast console <NUM>. With a single indentation, this improves certainty of engagement of the locking device <NUM> at a specific position along the length of the projection <NUM>: with first <NUM> and second <NUM> indentations, where the second indentation is preferably relatively shallow, the chamfering suitably allows the locking device to be pushed out of the second indentation (recessed position of <FIG>) by an axially-directed force, with the nose portion 46A of the locking device sliding along the outer surface of the projection <NUM> until the first indentation <NUM> is reached and fully engaged (locked position of <FIG>).

The projection <NUM> (of the or each hinge structure <NUM>) is, as described above, a generally cylindrical body, with the or each of the projection indentations <NUM>, <NUM> being provided by an annular groove in the curved surface thereof, which groove lies in a plane perpendicular to the projection longitudinal axis A. The distal end 36A of the projection <NUM> (movable to engage the aperture <NUM> in the mounting rail <NUM>) includes a chamfered or tapered portion to guide engagement: as the tapered or chamfered portion moves into the aperture, it centres the projection within the aperture and aligns mounting.

Whilst not required for assembly purposes, the hinge structure <NUM> may further comprise a securing device (not shown) actuatable to prevent withdrawal of the locking device <NUM> from engagement with the first indentation <NUM>. This securing device, which may be in the form of locking screw or bolt preventing movement of the locking device <NUM> relative to the cast console <NUM>, is suitably provided to combat accidental disengagement of the locking device due to e.g., excessive vibration in the area of panel attachment.

In summary, a hinge structure <NUM> provides the pivoting mount for the bonnet <NUM> of an agricultural or similar vehicle. The hinge structure <NUM> comprises a mounting rail <NUM> configured to be securable to the bonnet <NUM> and a cast console or bulkhead <NUM> securable to the vehicle frame. The mounting rail <NUM> and cast console <NUM> are pivotally interconnected for rotation about an axis A. The hinge structure <NUM> comprises at least one bolt or hinge pin in the form of a projection <NUM>, which projection is a generally cylindrical body having a longitudinal axis coincident with the given axis A when installed. The projection <NUM> is received in a bore <NUM> in the cast console <NUM>, and movable in the axial direction A to engage an aperture <NUM> in the mounting rail <NUM> where it is held by a sprung locking mechanism <NUM>. The vehicle comprises a pair of the hinge structures <NUM>, with the pair sharing a common cast console <NUM>, and the two mounting rails <NUM> being attached to respective ones of the left and right sides of the bonnet <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A utility vehicle (<NUM>) comprising a frame (<NUM>) and wheels (18A, 20A), an engine coupled to provide motive power driving the wheels, and at least one bodywork panel (<NUM>) pivotably attached to the frame by a pair of hinge structures (<NUM>), each of said hinge structures (<NUM>) comprising a first portion (<NUM>) securable to said vehicle body panel and a second portion (<NUM>) securable to said vehicle frame, said first and second portions being pivotally interconnected to pivot said body panel about a given axis (A); each of said hinge structures (<NUM>) comprising a projection (<NUM>) having a longitudinal axis coincident with said given axis (A) and receivable in a bore (<NUM>) in said second portion, said projection being movable in the axial direction to engage an aperture (<NUM>) in the first portion characterized in that the projection (<NUM>) has a first indentation (<NUM>) for receiving a locking device (<NUM>) extending through the second portion and into said indentation at an angle to the longitudinal axis of said projection, thereby locking the projection in engagement with the first portion (<NUM>), wherein the pair of hinge structures (<NUM>) share a common second portion (<NUM>).