AU2021103014A4

AU2021103014A4 - A door arrangement

Info

Publication number: AU2021103014A4
Application number: AU2021103014A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Alex Cooper
Original assignee: Nrw Holdings
Current assignee: Nrw Holdings
Priority date: 2021-06-01
Filing date: 2021-06-01
Publication date: 2021-07-22
Anticipated expiration: 2029-06-01

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a door arrangement 34 for a cabin of a construction or earth moving vehicle having a rear end and a front end, the door arrangement 34 comprising a door frame 36 for a side of the cabin 12 and a door 38 configured to be hingedly mounted to the door frame 36 by at least one hinge. The door 38 includes a hinging side 40 at which the door 38 is in use hingedly mounted to the door frame 36, and an opening side 42. When the door frame 36 is mounted to the side of the cabin 12 and the door 38 is hingedly mounted to the door frame 36, the hinging side 40 is located closer to the front end of the vehicle relative to the opening side 42, such that the door 38 opens outwardly in a direction towards the front end of the vehicle. 17685993_1 (GHMatters) P115277.AU 1/4 CCD CN) LO

Description

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A Door Arrangement

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a door arrangement for a cabin of a vehicle used in construction or earth moving environments.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] The cabin of a construction or earth moving vehicle generally comprises a door arrangement to enable the operator access or egress to the interior of the cabin. The door arrangement typically comprises a door that is generally located on a side of the cabin. The door arrangement is commonly such that the door opens outwardly in a direction towards a rear end of the vehicle. For example, in the instance of a crawler dozer, the inside of the cabin can be accessed via doors located on the right and left-hand sides of the cabin relative to a front end of the vehicle. To access the inside of the cabin, an operator would initially step onto a blade draft arm of the dozer located to the respective side of the vehicle relative to the front end. The operator then walks onto the crawler dozer tracks to reach and step onto a small landing before reaching the cabin door handle. In the example of a crawler dozer, in accordance with the Australian and New Zealand standard AS/NZS 4024.1201:2014, the small landing may have a depth of around 160 cm and a width of around 460 cm. This small landing generally provides a small footing with restricted standing space for the operator and there may be a risk of the operator losing balance or even falling off the landing.

[0003] Alternatively, in another example of a crawler dozer equipped with a hand railing surrounding a platform adjacent a side of the cabin, a power step may be mounted facing the hand railing and onto which the operator walks to access the platform. The operator can then stand on the platform to access the

17685993_1 (GHMatters) P115277.AU door handle. As the door opens outwardly in a direction towards the rear end of the vehicle, the operator has to walk past the door to access the door handle (which is located closer to the front end of the vehicle) and is presented with limited access space between the hand railing and the door frame when opening the door. The operator may need to squeeze up against the hand railing to walk past the door frame and access the inside of the cabin.

[0004] In another example, there may be another way to access the inside of a construction or earth moving vehicle cabin in which a deployable-retractable ladder is positioned leading from the ground to the cabin. The operator, as in the examples above, enters the cabin from the top of the ladder on a very small landing, whereby the door when opening opens onto the operator, causing the operator to either take a step back on the very small landing or to squeeze up against the railing. In the event of an engine fire, the door is positioned to open away from the fire, providing no safety or barrier protection to the operator.

[0005] With the aforementioned in mind, it has been realised that a need arises to provide a door arrangement that provides an improvement to or at least an alternative, particularly for construction and earth moving vehicles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] An aspect of the present invention provides a door arrangement for a cabin of a construction or earth moving vehicle, the construction or earth moving vehicle having a front end and a rear end, wherein the door arrangement comprises: a door frame for a side of the cabin; and a door configured to be hingedly mounted to the door frame by at least one hinge, the door including a hinging side at which the door is in use hingedly mounted to the door frame and an opening side, wherein, when the door frame is mounted to the side of the cabin and the door is hingedly mounted to the door frame, the hinging side is located closer to

17685993_1 (GHMatters) P115277.AU the front end of the vehicle relative to the opening side, such that the door opens outwardly in a direction towards the front end of the vehicle.

[0007] In one embodiment, the door frame comprises a hinge mounting member at the hinging side.

[0008] In one embodiment, the door is configured to be hingedly mounted to the hinge mounting member.

[0009] In one embodiment, the door arrangement further comprises a handle and a wiper arrangement coupled to the opening side of the door opposite the hinging side.

[0010] In the open position, the door may be used as a protective barrier against external hazardous events occurring at the front end of the construction or earth moving vehicle.

[0011] In one embodiment, the construction or earth moving vehicle comprises a platform adjacent a side of the cabin, the platform being at the side of the cabin comprising the door frame.

[0012] In one embodiment, when the door arrangement is mounted to the cabin of the construction or earth moving vehicle, the door frame is located at a right side of the cabin relative to the vehicle front end and such that the door opens outwardly from right to left in a direction towards the front end of the vehicle. The door may be hingedly mounted to the left side of the door frame relative to an external facing view of the door and the door frame.

[0013] In an alternative embodiment, when the door arrangement is mounted to the cabin of the construction or earth moving vehicle, the door frame is located at a left side of the cabin relative to the vehicle front end and such that the door opens outwardly from left to right in a direction towards the front end of the

17685993_1 (GHMatters) P115277.AU vehicle. In this embodiment, the door may be hingedly mounted to the right side of the door frame relative to an external facing view of the door and the door frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the Summary, specific embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0015] Figure 1a shows a known construction or earth moving vehicle equipped with a known door arrangement;

[0016] Figure 1b is a close-up view of the known door arrangement of Figure 1a;

[0017] Figure 2 shows an isometric drawing of a door arrangement viewed from outside the cabin according to an embodiment of the present invention with the door in an open position;

[0018] Figure 3 shows another isometric drawing of the door arrangement of Figure 2 viewed from outside the cabin and with the door in a closed position;

[0019] Figure 4 shows another isometric view of the door arrangement of Figure 2 viewed from outside the cabin and from a different direction with the door in a closed position;

[0020] Figure 5 shows a schematic top cross-sectional view of a side portion of the door arrangement of Figures 2 to 4 in accordance with an embodiment; and

17685993_1 (GHMatters) P115277.AU

[0021] Figure 6 shows an isometric view of a portion of the door coupled to a fastening element in accordance with an embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

[0022] It is to be appreciated that each of the embodiments is specifically described and that the present invention is not to be construed as being limited to any specific feature or element of any one of the embodiments. Neither is the present invention to be construed as being limited to any feature of a number of the embodiments or variations described in relation to the embodiments.

[0023] Embodiments of the present invention seek to provide a door arrangement for a cabin of a construction or earth moving vehicle, the door arrangement enabling an operator to enter the cabin in a more convenient and safe manner in comparison with known cabin door arrangements of known construction or earth moving vehicles.

[0024] In particular, embodiments of the present invention seek to provide a door arrangement for a cabin of a construction or earth moving vehicle that allows an operator to have, at all times when opening the door, a three-point contact with a vehicle platform adjacent the side of the cabin and a resulting firm flat footing on the platform. In the example of a crawler dozer wherein the operator accesses the cabin via the dozer blade draft arm, dozer tracks and small landing, embodiments of the present invention provide the operator with the requirement to step off the landing onto the vehicle platform and to walk past the door to access the door handle. As a result, the operator can open the door to access the inside of the cabin whilst standing on the platform with a three-point contact and firm flat footing rather than balancing on the small landing.

[0025] In the following, same reference numerals will be used to identify same or similar features of embodiments of the invention.

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[0026] Figure 1a shows a known construction or earth moving vehicle 10, specifically a crawler dozer 10, which cabin 12 is equipped with a known door arrangement 14. The construction or earth moving vehicle 10 comprises a front end 13 and a rear end 15. The construction or earth moving vehicle 10 further comprises a platform 16 adjacent and on the same side as the door arrangement 14. An operator can stand on the platform 16 to access the inside of the cabin 12. In this example, the platform 16 is located on a right side of the vehicle 10 relative to a front end 13 of the vehicle 10 at which an engine is located. A hand-railing 18 is provided for additional safety and preventing the operator to fall-off the platform 16.

[0027] Figure 1b is a close-up view of the known door arrangement 14 comprising a door frame 20 and a door 22. In this example, the door 22 is hingedly mounted to the right side of the door frame 20 relative to an external facing view of the door and the door frame and the door 22 comprises a handle 24 to the left side of the door 22 relative to an external facing view of the door 22 and the door frame 20. As a result, the opening side 23 of the door 22 is a left side relative to an external facing view of the door 22 and the door frame 20, such that the door 22 opens outwardly from left to right relative to an operator standing, e.g., on the platform 16 in front of the door 22. The door 22 also has two windscreen wipers 25 positioned at its right side relative to an external facing view of the door 22 and the door frame 20. The windscreen wipers 25 are generally located in a plane substantially parallel to, and in the vicinity of, the hinging side 26.

[0028] In one example, the cabin 12 may be accessed by an operator stepping onto the blade draft arm 28, (ii) walking onto the crawler dozer tracks 30, and (iii) reaching and stepping onto a small landing 32 before reaching the cabin door 22 and cabin door handle 24. Upon reaching for the door handle 24 to open the door 22, the operator is only standing on the small landing 32, which generally provides a small footing for the operator. There may be a risk of the operator losing balance or even falling off the landing. Further, in the event of an engine

17685993_1 (GHMatters) P115277.AU fire at the front end 13, the door 22 is positioned to open in a direction towards the rear end of the vehicle away from the fire, providing no safety or barrier protection to the operator accessing the cabin 12.

[0029] Figures 2 to 4 show a door arrangement 34 provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention for a cabin of a construction or earth moving vehicle having a rear end and a front end, such as cabin 12 of construction or earth moving vehicle 10 having front end 13 and rear end 15. In the embodiment described, the door arrangement 34 is suitable for construction or earth moving vehicle 10 further comprising platform 16 adjacent the right side of the cabin 12 and vehicle 10 when seen from the front end 13 of the vehicle 10.

[0030] The door arrangement 34 comprises a door frame 36 for the side of the cabin 12 and a door 38 configured to be hingedly mounted to the door frame 36 by at least one hinge (not shown). The door 38 includes a hinging side 40 at which the door 38 is in use hingedly mounted to the door frame 36. The door 38 further includes an opening side 42. When the door frame 36 is mounted to the side of the cabin 12 and the door 38 is hingedly mounted to the door frame 36, the hinging side 40 is located closer to the front end 13 of the vehicle 10 relative to the opening side 42, such that the door 38 opens outwardly in a direction towards the front end 13 of the vehicle 10.

[0031] In the particular example of the door arrangement 34, the door 38 is hingedly mounted to the left side of the door frame 36 relative to an external facing view of the door. When the door arrangement 34 is mounted to the cabin 12 of the construction or earth moving vehicle 10, the door frame 36 is located at a right side of the cabin 12 and vehicle 10 when seen from the front end 13 of the vehicle 10, wherein the hinging side 40 is closer to the front end 13 of the vehicle relative to the opening side 42 and such that the door 38 opens outwardly from right to left. This provides several advantages. An operator can stand on the platform 16 with a three-point contact and consequently a stable firm flat footing. The operator does not have to squeeze up against the railing 18 to go past the

17685993_1 (GHMatters) P115277.AU door and enter the inside of the cabin 12. Additionally, the door 38, when in the open position, can be used by the operator as a protective barrier against external hazardous events occurring at the front end 13 of the vehicle 10. For example, in the event of an engine fire, the operator, when leaving the cabin 12 or trying to access the inside of the cabin 12, may use the door 38 in the open position as a protective barrier against the fire.

[0032] In Figure 2, the door 38 is represented in an open position while in Figures 3 and 4, the door 38 is represented in a closed position and the door arrangement 34 is viewed from different directions.

[0031] The door frame 36 comprises a hinge mounting member 44 and the hinging side 40 of the door 38 is configured to be hingedly mounted to the hinge mounting member 44. The hinge mounting member 44 provides substantial strong support and reinforcement for the hinging side 40 of the door 38 and at least one hinge. Figure 5 shows a top cross-sectional view of the right hinging side 40 of the door arrangement 34. The door 38 is mounted to the hinge mounting member 44 of the door frame 36 by at least one hinge 46 and may for example be mounted to the door frame 36 by two hinges (not shown).

[0032] The door 38 in use comprises a handle and a wiper arrangement (not shown) which are coupled to the opening side 42 of the door 38 opposite the hinging side 40. Figure 3 provides an indication of locations that are envisaged for the handle and wiper arrangement. For example, the handle may in use be positioned at or in the vicinity of the opening side 42 at locations 54, 56 and the wiper arrangement may comprise two wipers coupled to the right side of the door 38 relative to an external facing view of the door 38, with each wiper being coupled at locations 58, 60, respectively. In one embodiment, a motor for the wipers is located at a bottom right portion 62 of the door 38 relative to an external facing view of the door 38. In one embodiment, the door 38 is also equipped with two grippable elements 48, 50 at the inner region of the door 38 facing the inside of the cabin 12. The grippable elements 48, 50 may have same or different sizes,

17685993_1 (GHMatters) P115277.AU and may be positioned at opposite ends of a top portion of the inner region of the door 38. The grippable elements 48, 50 may be used by an operator to assist with closing and/or opening the door 38 from inside the cabin 12.

[0033] In one embodiment, the door frame 36 comprises a fastening element 52 for securing the door 38 in a closed position. With reference to Figure 6, in one embodiment, the inside of the door 38 comprises a receiving portion 64 at or in the vicinity of the opening side 42, for example at area 66, the receiving portion 64 being configured to receive and be coupled with the fastening element 52 when the door 38 is in the closed position, wherein the door 38 is secured in the closed position.

[0034] In another embodiment of the present invention (not shown), a door arrangement is provided suitable for a cabin located at a left side of a construction or earth moving vehicle when seen from a front end of the vehicle. The door arrangement comprises a door frame for positioning at the left side of the cabin. Such an arrangement is consistent with the aforementioned door arrangement located at a right-hand side of the vehicle, but with the door oppositely hinged, with the hinge(s) towards the front of the vehicle relative to the opening side. The door arrangement further comprises a door configured to hingedly mount to the door frame by at least one hinge, the door including a hinging side at which the door is in use hingedly mounted to the door frame and an opening side. In accordance with this embodiment, the door is hingedly mounted to the right side of the door frame relative to an external facing view of the door and the door frame. When the door arrangement is mounted to the cabin of the construction or earth moving vehicle, the hinging side is closer to the front end of the vehicle relative to the opening side and such that the door opens outwardly from left to right. The hinging side is thus located to the right side of the door and the opening side to the left side, relative to an external facing view of the door. This embodiment similarly provides several advantages. An operator can stand on the platform with a three-point contact and consequently a stable firm flat footing. The operator also does not have to squeeze up against the railing to

17685993_1 (GHMatters) P115277.AU go past the door and enter the inside of the cabin. Additionally, when in the open position, the door can be used by the operator as a protective barrier against external hazardous events occurring at the front end of the vehicle. For example, in the event of an engine fire, the operator, when leaving the cabin or trying to access the inside of the cabin, may use the door in the open position as a protective barrier against the fire.

[0035] It will be understood that the door, door frame, at least one hinge, hinge mounting member, handle, wiper arrangements, fastening element and all other features of the door arrangement 34 that have been described in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may be made of and/or comprise any material elements or materials as may be considered suitable by a person skilled in the art. Further, it will be understood that in use all elements of the door arrangement 34 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may be assembled by any means as considered suitable by a person skilled in the art.

[0036] It will be appreciated that whilst embodiments have been described in respect of a crawler dozer in particular, embodiments of the present invention are however not limited to such a type of construction or earth moving vehicle and applications to any construction or earth moving vehicles are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0037] Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are determined to be within the scope of the present invention.

[0038] It is to be understood that, if any prior art is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the prior art forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

[0039] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language

17685993_1 (GHMatters) P115277.AU or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

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Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A door arrangement for a cabin of a construction or earth moving vehicle, the construction or earth moving vehicle having a front end and a rear end, wherein the door arrangement comprises: a door frame for a side of the cabin; and a door configured to be hingedly mounted to the door frame by at least one hinge, the door including a hinging side at which the door is in use hingedly mounted to the door frame and an opening side, wherein, when the door frame is mounted to the side of the cabin and the door is hingedly mounted to the door frame, the hinging side is located closer to the front end of the vehicle relative to the opening side, such that the door opens outwardly in a direction towards the front end of the vehicle.

2. The door arrangement of claim 1, wherein the door frame comprises a hinge mounting member at the hinging side.

3. The door arrangement of claim 2, wherein the door is configured to be hingedly mounted to the hinge mounting member.

4. The door arrangement of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a handle and a wiper arrangement coupled to the opening side of the door opposite the hinging side.

5. The door arrangement of any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the open position the door can be used as a protective barrier against external hazardous events occurring at the front end of the construction or earth moving vehicle.

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23 22 26 22 12 24 10 PRIOR ART 25 32 24 25

13 18

16 (b) 1/4

20

15

30 (a) 28 Figure 1