GB2221880A

GB2221880A - Steering wheel and dashboard assembly for tractors

Info

Publication number: GB2221880A
Application number: GB8913778A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tiziano Salvini
Original assignee: Same SpA
Current assignee: Same SpA
Priority date: 1988-06-24
Filing date: 1989-06-15
Publication date: 1990-02-21
Also published as: GB8913778D0; CH676346A5; FR2633239A3; IT8853253V0; DE8907647U1; FR2633239B3; IT214163Z2

Description

1.

1 A DRIVING POSITION FOR TRACTORS 222 18 8 0 The present invention relates to a driving position for tractors including a steering wheel for operating the steering column and a dashboard with instruments and warning lights.

In conventional driving positions, the dashboard with its various instruments, lights and controls is normally situated behind, above or beside the steering wheel, with resulting problems of visibility and accessibility.

The object of the present invention is to avoid the above problem and to produce a driving position for tractors of the type defined at the beginning, which is compact, rational, convenient and practical for use by the tractor driver.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by virtue of the fact that the driving position is constituted by a single body which supports the steering wheel for rotation and supports the dashboard in a stationary condition within the space circumscribed by the steering wheel.

By virtue of this characteristic, the instrumentation and its warning lights and controls are, to advantage, collected together within the steering wheel, which ensures their immediate accessibility and ample visibility whatever the position assumed by the steering wheel itself. Moreover, the grouping of the driving position in a single unit makes it simpler and easier to fit in the tractor.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the steering column is supported by the body 1 a 2 eccentrically of the steering wheel and carries an end sprocket, and the steering wheel includes a circular support rotatably connected to the body and carrying an annular rack which meshes with the sprocket and an annular grip fixed to the circular support and. spaced axiallytherefrom.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the steering column includes a telescopic part and a joint part for adjusting the height and the inclination of the body of the- position. This obviously enables not only the position of the steering wheel, but also that of the dashboard with its instruments and controls, to be adapted to the driver's requirements.

The instrumentation of the dashboard is preferably grouped in a monitor. Alternatively, the instruments may be of conventional analog or digital type.

According to a further advantageous characteristic of the invention, two push-button control units are associated with the driving position, situated on opposite sides of the body beside the steering wheel. These controls, which can be used to operate the equipment fitted to the tractor, can easily be operated whilst the driver's hands are kept on the steering wheel.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become clear in the course of the detailed description which follows with reference to the appended drawings, provided by way of non-limiting example, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a driving position for 3 1 1 3 tractors according to the invention, Figure 2 is a partially- sectioned perspective view of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a section taken on the line III-III of Figure 2 on an enlarged scale and Figure 4 shows a variant of Figure 1.

With reference initially to Figures 1 to 3, a driving position for tractors according to the invention is generally indicated 1 and includes a single body 2 which is intended to be fitted in the cab of a tractor in front of the driver's seat.

A steering colum 3 extends through the lower part of the body 2 and has a telescopic portion 3a followed by a joint portion 3b which is connected in a conventional manner to the steering unit (not illustrated) of the tractor. The telescopic portion 3a and the joint portion 3b enable the length and inclination of the steering column 3, and hence the projection and height of the body 2 to which the shaft 3 is connected, to be varied in the manner shown in Figure 3. As can be seen from this Figure, the free end of the telescopic portion 3a is supported for rotation by a front wall 5 of the body 2 by means of a roller bearing 6 and carries a drive sprocket 7.

The sprocket 7 is meshed with an annular rack 8 carried by a circular support 9 having an internal peripheral groove 10 engaged by wheels 11 which are supported for rotation inside the front wall 5 of the body 2. The circular support 9 is therefore clamped axially for 4 rotation relative to the body 2.

A steering wheel 12 projects from the support 9 and is fixed thereto by means of axial spokes or projections 13.

The front wall 5 of the body 2 has a central aperture 14 in which there is fitted a monitor 15 which, when activated, shows instruments 16 and control graphics 17 for indicating the operating parameters of the tractor. The monitor 15 is connected to an electronic unit, not illustrated, which in turn is connected to electrical sensors and transducers for detecting the operative parameters of the tractor.

The upper part of the front wall 5 also supports a loud speaker 18 operatively connected to the monitor 15 and/or to other audio apparatus installed in the tractor. Moreover, beneath the monitor 15, the front wall 5 carries a series of indicator lights 19 for indicating further operative functions of the tractor.

The monitor 15 may be replaced by a conventional analog or digital instrument panel, for example of the type shown in the variant of Figure 4, in which parts identical or similar to those described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 are indicated by the other references.

Finally, two control panels indicated 21, intended to be associated with electrical equipment o the tractor, are situated on opposite sides of the body 2 beside the steering wheel 12 and can be operated conveniently by the driver in use without his needing to release the steering wheel.

Naturally, the scope of the present invention extends to models which achieve equal utility by means of the same innovative concept.

6

Claims

1. A driving position for steering wheel for operating dashboard with instruments tractors, including a a steering column and a and indicator lights, characterised in that it is constituted by a single body (2) which supports the steering wheel (12) for rotation and supports the dashboard (5) in a stationary condition within the space circumscribed by the steering wheel (12).

2. A position according to Claim 1, characterised in that the steering column (3) is supported by the body (2) eccentrically of the steering wheel (12) and carries an end sprocket (7), and in that the steering wheel (12) includes a circular support (9) rotatably connected to the body (2) and carrying an annular rack (8) which meshes with the sprocket (7), and an annular grip (12) fixed to the circular support (9) and spaced axially therefrom.

3. A position according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterised in that the steering column (3) includes a telescopic part (3a) and a joint part (3b) for adjusting the height and the inclination of the body (2) of the position (1).

4. A position according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the instrumentation of the dashboard (5) is grouped on a monitor (15).

5. A position according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it further includes two push-button control units (21) situated on opposite sides of the body (2) beside the steering wheel (12).

-1 1 a 7

6. A position substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Published 1990atThe Patent Office, State House. 6671 High Holborn, London WC1R4TP. Further copies maybe obtained "m The Pate-it office Sales Branch. St Mary Cray. Orpingtor- Nei.t BR5 3P.D. Pr,redLy TYT.jl:lplex techniques IW. St Mary Cray. Kent. Con. l,'87