AU626489B2 - Removeable bumpers for underground mining vehicle - Google Patents

Description

r i,' S F Ref: 119380 FORM COMMONWEALTH OL R jA PATENTS ACT 1952 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

FOR OFFICE USE: Class Int. Class o o 0 o 1 0000 0 00 00O 4 090 4 o o 0 0 "4 4 r 0 00 0, 0 000 Application Number: Lodged: PJ8355 24 January 1990 Accepted: Published: Priority: Related Art: Name and Address of Applicant: o 4 D 4 o a 0 4 a 00 Urethane Manufacturers of Australia Pty Limited 46 Nentworth Street Granville New South Wales 2142

AUSTRALIA

Nicolaas Starrenburg, Nicholas Ostin Spruson Ferguson, Patent Attorneys, Level 33 St Martins Tower, 31 Market Street, Sydney, New South Wales, 2000, Australia Actual Inventor: Address for Service: a Complete Specification for the invention entitled: Removeable Bumpers for Underground Mining Vehicle The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us REPRINT OF RECEIPT i SO 9 5 7 18915/224/0 1/91 -2- REMOVABLE BUMPER FOR UNDERGROUND MINING VEHICLE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention pertains to bumpers and more particularly to a removable bumper for an :nderground mining vehicle or the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Like surface vehicle, underground mining vehicles require bumpers to minimise collision damage. Bumpers on underground mining vehicles need to be durable and easily replaceable. In one known configuration, metal brackets are permanently welded to the mining vehicle. Replaceable polyurethane inserts are held onto the brackets with removeable fasteners. This system will allow the easy replacement of the polyurethane bumper inserts when damaged. However, it is sometimes the case that vehicles were operated without the polyurethane bumper inserts, when the inserts were not immediately available. Such operation had the effect of damaging the metal brackets to the point where they were unusable. Further,, replacement of the brackets was not always possible in some mine areas where welding was prohibited.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the Invention to ameliorate the disadvantages of o 20 the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A replaceable bumper is provided comprising metallic back plate having integrally attached thereto a polymeric pad, wherein the metallic :0 0plate Is pre-drilled to a pattern corresponding to one on the underground 25 mining vehicle.

In another embodiment the edges of the polymeric bumper element are co-extensive with the edges of the metallic plate.

0In yet another embodiment, each replaceable bumper is 0 0* interchangeable between the left and right sides of the vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a top plan View of the right front portion of an underground mining vehicle depicting a two piece bumper assembly according to the teachings of the prcsent invention.

amg/0686y -j IL -3- BEST MODE AND OTHER EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION As shown in Figure 1, a replaceable bumper 10 for an underground mining vehicle comprises a metallic plate 11 having attached thereto a polymeric pad 12. Preferably, the pad 12 is integrally moulded with the metal plate 11 although it may be adhered thereto or attached with fasteners. Access holes 13 are provided in the pad 12, which access holes extend through the pad to the metal plate 11. For the convenience of the vehicle operator, the plate 11 can be pre-drilled with holes 14 corresponding to existing holes on the vehicle.

As further depicted in Figure l, two separate bumper components may be utilised on fhe front right side of a mining vehicle, which components o replace a unitary bumper of the prior art. In this case, an angled corner a 0 bumper 15 is used in conjunction with a straight bumper 16. The angle o o component 15 is shaped to conform to the front corner of the vehicle.

Because the ends 17 are equally chamferred the corner unit 15 can be used S on either side of the vehicle. Similarly, the straight unit 16 Is usable oo on either the left or right side of the vehicle. A gap 18 is preferably provided between the angled and straight elements 15, 16. Lighting fixtures or towing appliances can be attached to the vehicle within this gap. A two component bumper assembly as shown in Figure 1 is considered a Ssimplification over prior art unitary bumpers, which bumpers included a 00 hole which serve the function of the gap 18. The hole of the prior art bumpers added to the complexity and cost of those devices.

The front of a mining vehicle may be provided with a pair of two component assemblies 15, 16, (one assembly on each side of the vehicle).

When one component is damaged, it may be replaced independent of the ape* other. As previously suggested, the components are interchangeable from right to left hand side. No welding is required.

The preferred material for the polymeric pad 12 is a tough endurable polyurethane.

While the present invention has been described with reference to particular materials and construction details, it should be understood that these are provided by way of example and not as limitation as to the scope of the invention.

rhk/0324E S- l

Claims (6)

1. A replaceable bumper comprising: a metallic plate having attached thereto a polymeric pad, access holes extending through the pad, wherein said plate has pre-drilled openings in alignment with said access hQles.

2. The bumper of claim 1, wherein: the pad is integrally moulded with the plate.

3. The bumper of any one of claims 1-2, wherein: one or both ends of the bumper are chamfered.

4. The bumper of any one of claims 1-3, wherein: both the plate and pad are formed with a central angle, wherein the ends of said bumper are in a different plane.

A replaceable bumper assembly comprising: two of the bumpers of claim 4.

6. The bumper of claim 5, wherein: the bumper is interchangeable between the right and left sides of a vehicle. .o:a A replaceable bumper assembly comprising: 20 "the assembly of claim 5 and a third bumper according to any one of claims 1-3 wherein the plate of the third bumper is flat. o 8. A replaceable bumper or bumper assembly according to any of claims 1-7, wherein: each pad is formed from a tough polyurethane. "eo A bumper substantially as hereinbefore described with <a 25 reference to Fig. 1 DATED this TNENTY THIRD day of APRIL 1992 Urethane Manufacturers of Australia Pty Ltd Patent Attorneys for the Applicant SPRUSON FERGUSON amg/0686y b I