Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to vehicles which operate in environments prone to include airborne debris such as dust and grass clippings, and more specifically, to a screening apparatus which may be clipped onto the vehicle to prevent the entry of such debris into the vehicle radiator and area surrounding the engine. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Vehicles such as lawn and garden tractors often operate in rather harsh conditions in which debris such as grass clippings and other foreign matter tends to gain entry into the engine area. Introduction of such materials typically causes difficulty for internal combustion engines which rely on a constant air flow to maintain proper cooling of heated liquids flowing through the engine. If cooling of these liquids does not occur, overheating of the engine may result causing the vehicle to experience a decrease in efficiency and extended periods of lost operation. 
     Maintenance of a relatively constant operating temperature for the engine is accomplished by cooling the liquid used to cool the engine. This is accomplished through passing the liquid through a radiator which is in turn cooled by air passed through it. Typically, a fan draws air in through a grille or other opening on an outside of the engine body and towards the radiator through which the engine liquids circulate. As the heated liquids are drawn through the radiator, they are cooled by the flow of air flowing over openings provided in the radiator construction. 
     Often, restricting the passage of material through the radiator as air is drawn through it is a screened covering placed in front of the radiator. Previous coverings have taken the form of an apparatus with apertures which is bolted onto either the radiator itself or an associated support structure. Other constructions have included horizontally placed slats through which air is directed towards the radiator. 
     Screens of the above mentioned kind are sometimes heavy and often necessitate attachment with separate components of the type involving nuts, bolts, and/or rivets. Accordingly, attachment of this type requires the use of tools causing the user to expend time and effort, and in commercial applications unnecessary expense, in the placement, removal and/or installation of the screen. Additional disadvantages include the passage of debris surrounding through the area at which the screen is attached to the radiator or its support structure. Because of this, as debris is introduced into the radiator it may become clogged, with cooling of the heated engine liquids being reduced. Consequently, the engine may experience overheating, causing the operator unwanted delay when attempting to accomplish intended grounds care. 
     Thus, it would be desirable to provide a lightweight screening enclosure that is easy to install and/or remove from a vehicle. Further, it would be beneficial to provide such an enclosure that is durable, of lightweight construction, and which may be attached and/or removed without the use of tools. Additionally, it would be beneficial to provide such an enclosure that serves to provide a good interface between the vehicle to which it is attached and the peripheral surface of that enclosure so as to increase the effectiveness of the seal with the vehicle. Enabling such a tight seal will allow for the efficient flow of air through the screen and into the radiator, thereby allowing proper cooling of liquid passing therethrough. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, to address the above desires, there is provided a durable, lightweight, and easily removable enclosure. The enclosure acts as a filtration apparatus to effectively remove debris from air flowing towards the radiator. Permitting a durable, while lightweight construction, the enclosure includes a frame assembly which houses screening therebetween. The housing includes frame members constructed of plastic which are adhesively bonded together to prevent entry of debris therein. 
     Allowing for its easy removal and attachment, the enclosure includes clips on an interior thereof that allow for its removal and attachment to the vehicle without the use of tools, thereby decreasing the time and effort required for that adjustment. This clip-on structure is permanently affixed to the enclosure and permits easy release from and attachment to the vehicle through the use of several spring assisted clips. The clips allow for secure fastening and detachment relative to the vehicle, resulting in the increased confidence of the operator as to that adjustment. Further, given the ability to easily remove the enclosure, periodic cleaning and any necessary maintenance of the radiator and surrounding area may be accomplished quickly. 
     In addition to the clip structure, a rubber sealing strip is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the enclosure. The strip allows a tight seal between the members of the frame assembly as well as between the entire enclosure and the vehicle to which it is attached. Further, the strip permits the enclosure to be compressably sealed with the vehicle, thereby greatly decreasing the amount of debris which is able to enter the engine area. Thus, the screening enclosure accomplishes maximum filtration of air flowing into the engine block and surrounding area as a result of its sealing capability. 
     Restriction of debris likely to pass into the engine area is further assisted by the placement of the clips used in attaching the enclosure to the vehicle. The clips are located on an interior of the enclosure. Because of this location, cracks or crevices in which debris might otherwise become lodged and built up are eliminated. Consequently, the clear passage of air through the enclosure and into the engine area is enhanced. 
     Accordingly, there is provided a screening apparatus which accomplishes maximum filtration of air flowing into a vehicle engine and which may also be attached or removed from a vehicle securely and with ease. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of a riding mower having the filtering enclosure of the present invention attached thereto. 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged and exploded left rear and elevated perspective view of the enclosure and rear portion of the mower. 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged and elevated perspective view of the enclosure. 
     FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but illustrating the inside of the enclosure. 
     FIG. 5 is view of the enclosure similar to that in FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 6 is a partial cutaway view of the enclosure illustrating the enclosure construction. 
     FIG. 6 a  is a sectional view of the sealing strip utilized between the two shell members of enclosure assembly. 
     FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the components comprising the enclosure assembly. 
     FIG. 8 is an enlarged partial view of a segment of screening used with the enclosure. 
     FIG. 9 is an enlarged and elevated perspective view of a frame member of the enclosure. 
     FIG. 9 a  is a section view of the enclosure taken along lines  9   a - 9   a  of FIG.  9 . 
     FIG. 10 is an enlarged front perspective view of a plate carried by the mower frame and to which the radiator and enclosure are attached. 
     FIG. 11 is a section view of the enclosure taken along lines  11 —l 1  of FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 11 a  is a partial sectional view of a corner of the enclosure illustrating the clip and handle assembly. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     As illustrated in FIG. 1, there is shown a vehicle in the form of a riding mower  20  supported upon ground engaging wheels  22  and having a drive and driven portion  24 ,  26 , respectively. Further included is a seating apparatus  28  for accomodating an operator and positioned so as to allow the operator to be within easy reach of the mower drive controls  30 . Forming a rear of the mower  20  is an air filtration device in the form of a screened enclosure  32 , as seen in FIG. 1, and which is housed below a hood  34  of the mower  20 . 
     Looking now to FIG. 2, attachment of the enclosure  32  to a frame portion  36  of the mower  20  is shown. Specifically, the enclosure  32  is fitted in proximity to and against a radiator plate  38  which frames and/or supports an upstanding radiator (not shown) for the vehicle  20 . Once enclosure  32  is fitted beyond an outer peripheral edge  40  of and underneath hood  34 , the enclosure  32  connects with brackets or catches  42  welded to plate  38  so as to secure the enclosure  32  to the plate  38  and thus also, to brackets  36  which are available for connection with the frame of the vehicle  20 . 
     Referring to FIG. 3, enclosure  32  includes an exterior surface  44  including a front side  46 , intermediate sides  48  and rear side  50 . Intermediate sides  48  include connected vertical and horizontal partitions  52  spaced throughout and have screening portions  54  interposed between the partitions  52 . Handles  56  are bolted onto an extension  58  contained in each of two identical, yet parallel partitions  52  as best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5. Adjoined to the rear side  50  of the enclosure  32  is a seal  60 , preferably made of rubber, for use in sealing the enclosure  32  to the plate  38 , as seen specifically in FIG. 6 a  as well as in FIG. 11 a . Included at the front side  46  of the enclosure  32  is a sheet  62  of undulating screening, preferably made of metal and having perforations therethrough, and having vertically wavering portions or ribs  64  throughout. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that materials other than metal may be used in the construction of the provided screening. The undulations  64  may also be provided in a horizontal pattern. However, it is preferred, in this embodiment, that they be provided in a vertical configuration so as not to create a shelf upon which debris may lie. 
     Both FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a left and right rear perspective of the enclosure  32 , respectively. As shown by both figures, the enclosure  32  incorporates a pair of left and right clips  66  and center clip  68  respectively, each of which is mounted to an interior side  70  of at least three of the partitions  52 . Clips  66 ,  68  are spring assisted and maintain both a buckled portion  72  and upwardly inclined portion  74 , and are attached to the partition  52  with fastening devices  76  such as bolts and nuts. Held opposite clips  66  on the exterior  44  of enclosure  32  are the handles  56  which include a circular loop  78  that may be grasped so as to maneuver the enclosure  32 . As shown in FIG. 5, each of clips  66  and handles  56  include flattened mounting plates  80 ,  82  extending therefrom, respectively. When assembled, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, mounting plates  80 ,  82  align with each other relative to interior and exterior surfaces  70 ,  44  of the enclosure  32 . Buckled portion  72  and loop  78  extend laterally opposite one another about an axis extending transversely to each of the clips  66  and handle  56  so as not to exert unnecessary forces on enclosure  32  upon removal or installation on vehicle  20 . Additionally, to absorb forces applied to center clip  68  when enclosure  32  is installed onto or removed from the vehicle  20 , exterior surface  44  includes a brace or stiffening plate  84  attached thereto, as seen in FIG. 6 a . Brace  84  includes a downwardly bent tongue  86  which compresses against seal  60 , as best shown in FIG. 6 a . Attachment of brace  84  is made by use of the same bolt and nut combination  76  as is used to connect center clip  68  to enclosure  32 , as illustrated in FIG.  6 . 
     Assembly of the enclosure  32  is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Included as part of its construction is a frame assembly consisting of both an exterior and interior, or alternatively first and second shell members  88 ,  90 , respectively. Each member is constructed in substantially similar fashion and of similar material, preferably plastic allowing for lightweight design, with the exception that interior member  88  is slightly smaller in dimension when compared with exterior member  90 . Thus, manufacture of only the interior member  90  will be discussed in detail. As also seen in FIG. 9, interior member  90  consists of a front edge  92 , intermediate sides  94  and rear edge  96 . Adjacent a border  98 , shown in FIG. 9 a , of front bottom edge  92  is a transversely and rearwardly extending sill or shoulder  100  that receives a wave-shaped screen mounting structure  102 . A similarly shaped screen mounting structure  104 , shown in FIG. 7, is provided in the other shell member  88  that would be positioned adjacent the wave-shaped structure  102  in the first shell member  90  with the screen element  62  being sandwiched between the two wave-shaped structures  102  and  104 . Since the two wave-shaped structures  102  and  104  are essentially identical, only the one illustrated in FIG. 9 will be discussed in detail. 
     The wave-shaped screen mounting structure  102  is of a generally sinusoidal shape with alternating vertically extending fore and aft spaced ribs  106 . The ribs  106  are connected with web portions  108  to provide a generally U-shaped channel or slot  110 . 
     Sill  100  continues upward from the left and right junctures  112  from front bottom side  92 . Interconnecting the web  102  beyond the junctures  112  are straight extensions  114  of the sill  100 . Intermediate side  94  contains hollowed segments or openings  116  defined by partitions  52  spaced at unequal intervals throughout. Along side  94 , portions  118  of at least two partitions  52  are angled so as to allow left and right sections  120 ,  122  of side  94  to maintain a outwardly bowed configuration with sections  120 ,  122  extending both upwardly and downwardly on either side of the bow  124 . 
     As further seen in FIG. 9, partition  52  extends upwardly from the bow  124  and includes an extension  58 . Holes  126  are formed therein so as to allow reception of bolts  76  used to secure clips  66  and handles  56  on either side of extension  58 . At a rear side  96  of interior member  90  is an outwardly extending ledge or edge  128  provided along its entire length, as seen in FIG.  7 . 
     As shown in FIG. 7, two sheets  130  of perforated screening having apertures  132  illustrated in detail by FIG. 8, are brought together to overlay intermediate side  94 . Apertures  132  provide openings in screens  130  to allow the attachment of fastening devices  76  to each of extensions  58 . 
     Looking now to FIGS.  6  and  10 - 11 , screens  62  and  130 , exterior member  88  and interior member  90  together form a sealed frame that restricts entry of foreign matter or debris at their joint from passing into the radiator and surrounding engine area. With focus on FIGS. 6 and 11, coupling of interior and exterior members  88  and  90  to sandwich screens  62  and  130  is shown. This construction provides a housing or frame assembly in the form of a shell  134  with screens  130  covering hollowed portions  116  extending between partitions  52  and screen  62  positioned at the front of each of the members  88  and  90 . 
     To assemble enclosure  32  which is illustrated in an exploded fashion to form the shell-like structure  134  illustrated in FIG. 3, screening panel  62  is seated within and adhesively mounted on sill or shoulder  100  to the wave shaped structure  102  of interior member  90 . Next, the two screening sheets  130  are mounted to the side  94 . Exterior member  88  is then pressed onto interior member  90  and thus, encases sheets  130  and screening panel  62 . Members  88  and  90  are held securely together by use of an adhesive placed on an inside surface of partitions  52  so as to hold the members  88  and  90  together when overlay of members  88  and  90  takes place. Additionally, seal  60  is attached to edges  128  and  136  of both interior and exterior members  90 ,  88  respectively, as seen in both FIGS.  7  and  11 - 11   a . Finally, clips  66  and  68  and handles  56  are attached to surface  44  of exterior member  88  through connection to extensions  58 . Connection is accomplished upon installation of nut and bolt combination  76 . 
     Looking as well to FIGS. 3-5, allowing for the easy removal and reinstallation of the enclosure  32  to the vehicle  20  without the use of tools or other hardware, clips  66 ,  68  permit adjustment of the enclosure  32  with the catches  42  formed on radiator plate  38 . Attachment may be accomplished by the operator maneuvering enclosure  32  into alignment with catches  42  through use of handles  56 . Thereafter, each buckled portion  72  of the clips  66  presses against or is clasped against each of catches  42 , an instance of which is shown in FIG. 11, so as to secure the enclosure  32  to the plate  38  and thus, to the vehicle  20 . Removal of the enclosure  32  from the vehicle  20  is achieved by the operator grasping loop  78  of handle  56  and pulling, thereby allowing the buckled portion  72  to slide free of each catch  42  to disengage enclosure  32  from the plate  38 . 
     Sealing of the enclosure  32  to the vehicle  20  is permitted by compression of seal  60  against the radiator plate  38 . Attachment of the strip  60  to the shell  134  is seen best in FIGS. 6 a ,  11  and  11   a . Seal  60  includes a bumper  138  in the form of an elongated member to which is adjoined a U-shaped extension  140 , comprising rubber having a metal stiffening component therein (unshown) and having legs  142 ,  144 , as shown in FIG. 6 a . As again seen in FIG. 6 a , edges of members  88 ,  90  fit between legs  142 ,  144  when enclosure  32  is fully assembled. 
     Sealing of enclosure  32  to plate  38  is further assisted when spring-assisted clips  66 ,  68  latch onto catches  42 . As buckled portion  72  clasps onto catch  42 , bumper  138  is compressibly forced into abutment with plate  38  so as to ensure constant and uniform contact therewith, as seen in FIG. 11 a . Further and as shown in FIG. 2, after enclosure  32  has been seatably positioned against plate  38 , the outward bow created by portions  118  in the partitions  52  reduce the space between the enclosure and the hood to decrease the area through which debris may enter. Accordingly, the likelihood and amount of debris entering the radiator and surrounding engine area is greatly diminished. 
     With the instant invention, there is provided an enclosure assembly  32  which effectively limits the amount and type of debris which can enter the engine compartment of a vehicle. Additionally, provision of clips  66 ,  68  on an interior of enclosure  32  permits an aesthetically pleasing and streamlined appearance often desired by operator&#39;s of lawn and garden equipment such as riding mowers. 
     While the present invention has been described in conjunction with a specific embodiment, it is understood that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations which fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Technology Category: 7