CA2454116A1 - Pivoting collapsible crane cab - Google Patents
Pivoting collapsible crane cab Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2454116A1 CA2454116A1 CA 2454116 CA2454116A CA2454116A1 CA 2454116 A1 CA2454116 A1 CA 2454116A1 CA 2454116 CA2454116 CA 2454116 CA 2454116 A CA2454116 A CA 2454116A CA 2454116 A1 CA2454116 A1 CA 2454116A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- cab
- door
- pivoting
- top portion
- collapsible
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D33/00—Superstructures for load-carrying vehicles
- B62D33/06—Drivers' cabs
- B62D33/0617—Drivers' cabs for tractors or off-the-road vehicles
- B62D33/0621—Drivers' cabs for tractors or off-the-road vehicles able to be dismantled, folding
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Wing Frames And Configurations (AREA)
Description
PIa!~TI~I(; COLLAPSIBLE CFIAIVE CAB
~IEL~ ~F THE 1NVENTtt~f~
The present invention generally relates to a pivoting collapsible operator's cab for a crane, or the Pike. More particularly, it relates to a crane cab having a variable geometry which can be expanded or refracted through nesting of the bottom part under the top part of the cab as the top part rotates about a pivot axis placed in a generally centre! location within the cab.
BACIC~f~~UNCf ~F THE I~lilEf~Tl~I\l Mobile material handfir~g machines are commor~pface in forestry and other commercial industries. The operating contrals for these machines are generally located in an area which provides maximum visibility of the working area of the machine and are usually enclosed in a cab for the operator's safety and comfort. However, due to the size of the handling machine and the need to keep the overall size of the machine to a minimum so as to permit travel over public roads or~ other transport means, the space allocated for an operator's cab is firnited. These requirements have created the need for collapsible cabs.
In prior art, coflapsibie cabs have followed two principal trends ire their overall design. The first type of design uses a telescopic configuratian whereby the bottom portion of the cab nests itself under the top portion during a retraction of the cab structL~re. This design results in a significant reduction of the cab volume in its retracted state. i~owever, it also results in a need for a complex set of mechanisms with multiple failure and contact points in the case of a generally cubic cab design, as the mechanisms must ensure that the four corners of the two retracting portions nest properly one within another.
~IEL~ ~F THE 1NVENTtt~f~
The present invention generally relates to a pivoting collapsible operator's cab for a crane, or the Pike. More particularly, it relates to a crane cab having a variable geometry which can be expanded or refracted through nesting of the bottom part under the top part of the cab as the top part rotates about a pivot axis placed in a generally centre! location within the cab.
BACIC~f~~UNCf ~F THE I~lilEf~Tl~I\l Mobile material handfir~g machines are commor~pface in forestry and other commercial industries. The operating contrals for these machines are generally located in an area which provides maximum visibility of the working area of the machine and are usually enclosed in a cab for the operator's safety and comfort. However, due to the size of the handling machine and the need to keep the overall size of the machine to a minimum so as to permit travel over public roads or~ other transport means, the space allocated for an operator's cab is firnited. These requirements have created the need for collapsible cabs.
In prior art, coflapsibie cabs have followed two principal trends ire their overall design. The first type of design uses a telescopic configuratian whereby the bottom portion of the cab nests itself under the top portion during a retraction of the cab structL~re. This design results in a significant reduction of the cab volume in its retracted state. i~owever, it also results in a need for a complex set of mechanisms with multiple failure and contact points in the case of a generally cubic cab design, as the mechanisms must ensure that the four corners of the two retracting portions nest properly one within another.
The second general type of design which can reduce the effective height of a cab involves a hinge mechanism. ~lnited States Patent No. 3,431,016 granted to Mundt-Petersen et al. discloses a method of reducing the profile of a handling machine by means or' an operator's cab that pivots about a horizontal hinge from a vertical position to an inclined position. This design simplifies the retraction mechanism. ~ lowever, ~~ny volume savings in the reduction of the effective height of the cab are compromised by a ia.rger effective width of the cab in its inclined position.
Additionally, collapsible cab designs often result in cab access door concepts which can only be opened or closed in two separate steps: first a top portion of the door must be opened, Then the bottom portion.
Retraction mechanism designs often prevent the door portions of the cab from becoming fully integrated and being opened or closed in a single step.
Thus, there is still presently a need for an improved cab design that is collapsible during transporfi. The design must combine the benefits of a nested and a hinged configuration in the control ~of the variable geomef,ry of the cab, while avoiding the disadvantages inherent to these configurations.
Furthermore, there is a need for a collapsible cab door design which can become fully integrated in its expanded configuration, to simplify the opening or closing thereof.
S~JMIVIAi~Y ~F THE IN1~E~JTICJ
An object of the present invention is to propose: a crane cab that satisfies the above mentioned needs.
The invention also has for its object to provide a pivoting collapsible cab with a deployable str ucture which is sealed with the remaining cab structure to inhibit the entrance of dust and other foreign debris in both expanded cab and retracted cab positions.
Additionally, collapsible cab designs often result in cab access door concepts which can only be opened or closed in two separate steps: first a top portion of the door must be opened, Then the bottom portion.
Retraction mechanism designs often prevent the door portions of the cab from becoming fully integrated and being opened or closed in a single step.
Thus, there is still presently a need for an improved cab design that is collapsible during transporfi. The design must combine the benefits of a nested and a hinged configuration in the control ~of the variable geomef,ry of the cab, while avoiding the disadvantages inherent to these configurations.
Furthermore, there is a need for a collapsible cab door design which can become fully integrated in its expanded configuration, to simplify the opening or closing thereof.
S~JMIVIAi~Y ~F THE IN1~E~JTICJ
An object of the present invention is to propose: a crane cab that satisfies the above mentioned needs.
The invention also has for its object to provide a pivoting collapsible cab with a deployable str ucture which is sealed with the remaining cab structure to inhibit the entrance of dust and other foreign debris in both expanded cab and retracted cab positions.
A further object is to provide a cab door design which fully integrates k~oth top and bottom portions of the door with the cab in its expanded configuration to permit ripening or closing of the door in a single step.
According to the present invention, that object is achieved with cab design having a variable georr;etry which can be expanded or retracted through nesting of the bottom portion under the top portion of the cab as the tap portion rotates about a pivot axis placed in a generally centre! location within the cab.
More particularly, 'the pr went invention provides a collapsible cab suitable for use in mobile material handling machines. The cab comprises a top portion, a bottom portion, a pivoting axis about which the top portion rotates with respect to the bottom portion and an actuator to drive the top portion between the expanded and retracted cab positions. The pivoting axis is characterized in that it is located in a generally central location within the cab. In this hinged design, the bottom portion nests itself under the top portion in the retracted position. Consequently, the cab volume is reduced significantly while benefiting from the simplicity of the rotation of the top portion of the cab about a single rotation axis.
In accordance with a pr eferred aspect of the invention, the top and bottom portions each comprise a respective access door. f n the expanded cab position, a latching mechanism links the top door to the bottom door, resulting iii a single access door unit which can be opened or closed through actuation of a single opening mechanism located on the bottom door.
The latching mechanism comprises a pivoting tine (orated on the top door which receives a corresponding latch pin on the bottom door once the cab is in its expanded configuration. Through interaction with the latch pir~, the pivoting tine rotates in a manner such that a door release plate-shaped stopper on the bottom door becomes blocked ire between an edge of the pivoting tine and an external part of the top door. The top door cannot be opened independently from the bottom door with the door release stop surface in this position.
A release mechanism is available to allow a separate opening of the top door with respect to the bottom door. The door release stop surfac;e is pivotally connected to a locking Lever which can be actuated by an operator inside the cab. The operator can move the locking lever in a manner vu~hich rotates the door stopper away from its position between the pivoting tine and external part of the tap door. This rotation releases the constraint on the top door which thereby becomes free to be opened separately from the bottom door.
A non-restrictive description of a preferred embodiment of the invention will now be given with reference to the appended drawings.
~f~IEF C~ES~R~PTI~I~ ~IF TWE L~ ll~IIVC~S
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cab .according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, in a cab retracted position.
Figure ~ is another perspective view of the cab of figure 1, in a cab expanded position.
Figure ~ is a further perspective view of the cab of figure 1, in a cab expanded position showing the cab access doors open.
Figure ~ is an exploded view of the door latching mechanism according to a preferred embodimer7t of the invention, viewecl from a first angle.
Figure 5 is an additianal exploded view of the doer latching mechanism of figure 4, viewed from another angle.
Figures 6a to 6c show a perspective view of thcr interaction between the door latching mechanism components of figure 1 as the cab reaches an extended configuration.
Figures 7a to 7c show ~~ perspective view showing an actuation of the top 5 door release mechanism according to a preferred E3mbodiment of the invention.
~ES~RIPTiOIV ~F FREFERRE~ ENfS~~INIENTS
Referring to any one of figures 1 to 3, a pivoting collapsible crane cab (10) according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a top portion {12) and a bottom portion (14). The cab (10) has a variable geometry which can be expanded or retracted through nesting of the bottom portion (14) under the top portion (12) of the cab (10) as the top portion (12) rotates about a pivot axis (16) placed in a generally central location within the volume of the cab (10).
Referring to figure 1, the bottom portion (14) is nested under the top portion (12) in the retracted position. /fin actuator (17), as shown in figure 2, can drive the cab (10) from the retracted configuration sho,Nn in figure 1 to the expanded configuration shown in figure 2, whereby the top portion {12) has been rotated about the pivot axis {10) away from its rested configur<~tion over the bottom portion (14).
Figure 3 shows the cab {10) in the expanded configuration. The top portion {12) and bottom portion (14) each comprises respectively a top door (15) and a bottom door {20), which are matable to each other irr the expanded configur ation to form a single door unit for access to the interior of the cab (10).
The top door (15) and bottom door {20) are (irked ire the cab expanded configuration in order to be opened or closed as a single door unit. The bottom door (20} comprises a single opening and locking mechanism (40) used to open or lock the single door unit. The linkage between the top door (18) and bottom door (20) is provided by a door latching mechanism (22) located at the interFace between the top door (18) and the bottom door (20), on the inner side thereof with respect to the cab (10).
Referring to either figure 4 or figure 5, the door latching mechanism (22) comprises a pivoting tine (24) on the top door (18) which receives a corresponding latch pin (26) on the bottom door (20}, when the cab (10) is in its expanded configuration. The pivoting tine (24) comprises a plate-shaped portion (23), two fork teeth (25) extending from the plate-shaped portion (23) with an opening to receive the latch pin (2~), and a pivot point (27) about which the pivoting tine (24) rotates during interaction between the pivoting tine (24) and the latch pin (26).
Figures 6a to 6c Show the interaction between the door latching mechanism (22) components as the top portion (12) reaches its end of travel when it is pivoted from the retracted position to the expanded position. The dour latching mechanism (22) components only come into contact between each other in the final stages of the movement of the top portion (12) to the expanded configuration. Through contact with the latch pin (26}, the pivoting tine (24) is forced to rotate in a manner such that a door release plate-shaped stopper (30} on the bottom door (20} becomes blocked in between the pivoting tine (24) and an external part (34) of the top door (18). The top door (18) cannot be opened independently from the bottom door (14) with the door stopper (30) in this position.
Referring to figures 7a to 7c, the plate-shaped stopper (30) is pivetable between a locked position, as in figure 7a, where it is blocked between the pivoting tine (24) and the external part of the top door (18), and a released position, as in figure ~7c, where it is away from its position between the pivoting tine (24) and external part (34) of the tap door (12). The latching mechanism (22) also comprises a biasing means for urging the stopper (30) to its Locked position, and a release mechanism (36) operable from inside the cab (10) to bring the stopper (30) to its released position.
The release mechanism (30) is available to allow a separate opening of the top door (12) with respect to the bottom door (14). Preferably. the release mechanism (38) comprises a spring-loaded loc~kirzg fever (28) which is operatively connected to the stopper (30) and can be actuated by an operator inside the cab (10). As shown in figures ~a to 7c, the operator can move the locking lever (28) in a manner which rotates the stopper (30) to its released position. This rotation chang~as the orientation of the stopper (30) which was acting as a Constraint on opening of the top door (12). Without the constraint, the top door (12) becomes free to be opened separately from the bottom door (14).
Although the present invention has been explained hereinabove by way of a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise embodiment and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.
According to the present invention, that object is achieved with cab design having a variable georr;etry which can be expanded or retracted through nesting of the bottom portion under the top portion of the cab as the tap portion rotates about a pivot axis placed in a generally centre! location within the cab.
More particularly, 'the pr went invention provides a collapsible cab suitable for use in mobile material handling machines. The cab comprises a top portion, a bottom portion, a pivoting axis about which the top portion rotates with respect to the bottom portion and an actuator to drive the top portion between the expanded and retracted cab positions. The pivoting axis is characterized in that it is located in a generally central location within the cab. In this hinged design, the bottom portion nests itself under the top portion in the retracted position. Consequently, the cab volume is reduced significantly while benefiting from the simplicity of the rotation of the top portion of the cab about a single rotation axis.
In accordance with a pr eferred aspect of the invention, the top and bottom portions each comprise a respective access door. f n the expanded cab position, a latching mechanism links the top door to the bottom door, resulting iii a single access door unit which can be opened or closed through actuation of a single opening mechanism located on the bottom door.
The latching mechanism comprises a pivoting tine (orated on the top door which receives a corresponding latch pin on the bottom door once the cab is in its expanded configuration. Through interaction with the latch pir~, the pivoting tine rotates in a manner such that a door release plate-shaped stopper on the bottom door becomes blocked ire between an edge of the pivoting tine and an external part of the top door. The top door cannot be opened independently from the bottom door with the door release stop surface in this position.
A release mechanism is available to allow a separate opening of the top door with respect to the bottom door. The door release stop surfac;e is pivotally connected to a locking Lever which can be actuated by an operator inside the cab. The operator can move the locking lever in a manner vu~hich rotates the door stopper away from its position between the pivoting tine and external part of the tap door. This rotation releases the constraint on the top door which thereby becomes free to be opened separately from the bottom door.
A non-restrictive description of a preferred embodiment of the invention will now be given with reference to the appended drawings.
~f~IEF C~ES~R~PTI~I~ ~IF TWE L~ ll~IIVC~S
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cab .according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, in a cab retracted position.
Figure ~ is another perspective view of the cab of figure 1, in a cab expanded position.
Figure ~ is a further perspective view of the cab of figure 1, in a cab expanded position showing the cab access doors open.
Figure ~ is an exploded view of the door latching mechanism according to a preferred embodimer7t of the invention, viewecl from a first angle.
Figure 5 is an additianal exploded view of the doer latching mechanism of figure 4, viewed from another angle.
Figures 6a to 6c show a perspective view of thcr interaction between the door latching mechanism components of figure 1 as the cab reaches an extended configuration.
Figures 7a to 7c show ~~ perspective view showing an actuation of the top 5 door release mechanism according to a preferred E3mbodiment of the invention.
~ES~RIPTiOIV ~F FREFERRE~ ENfS~~INIENTS
Referring to any one of figures 1 to 3, a pivoting collapsible crane cab (10) according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a top portion {12) and a bottom portion (14). The cab (10) has a variable geometry which can be expanded or retracted through nesting of the bottom portion (14) under the top portion (12) of the cab (10) as the top portion (12) rotates about a pivot axis (16) placed in a generally central location within the volume of the cab (10).
Referring to figure 1, the bottom portion (14) is nested under the top portion (12) in the retracted position. /fin actuator (17), as shown in figure 2, can drive the cab (10) from the retracted configuration sho,Nn in figure 1 to the expanded configuration shown in figure 2, whereby the top portion {12) has been rotated about the pivot axis {10) away from its rested configur<~tion over the bottom portion (14).
Figure 3 shows the cab {10) in the expanded configuration. The top portion {12) and bottom portion (14) each comprises respectively a top door (15) and a bottom door {20), which are matable to each other irr the expanded configur ation to form a single door unit for access to the interior of the cab (10).
The top door (15) and bottom door {20) are (irked ire the cab expanded configuration in order to be opened or closed as a single door unit. The bottom door (20} comprises a single opening and locking mechanism (40) used to open or lock the single door unit. The linkage between the top door (18) and bottom door (20) is provided by a door latching mechanism (22) located at the interFace between the top door (18) and the bottom door (20), on the inner side thereof with respect to the cab (10).
Referring to either figure 4 or figure 5, the door latching mechanism (22) comprises a pivoting tine (24) on the top door (18) which receives a corresponding latch pin (26) on the bottom door (20}, when the cab (10) is in its expanded configuration. The pivoting tine (24) comprises a plate-shaped portion (23), two fork teeth (25) extending from the plate-shaped portion (23) with an opening to receive the latch pin (2~), and a pivot point (27) about which the pivoting tine (24) rotates during interaction between the pivoting tine (24) and the latch pin (26).
Figures 6a to 6c Show the interaction between the door latching mechanism (22) components as the top portion (12) reaches its end of travel when it is pivoted from the retracted position to the expanded position. The dour latching mechanism (22) components only come into contact between each other in the final stages of the movement of the top portion (12) to the expanded configuration. Through contact with the latch pin (26}, the pivoting tine (24) is forced to rotate in a manner such that a door release plate-shaped stopper (30} on the bottom door (20} becomes blocked in between the pivoting tine (24) and an external part (34) of the top door (18). The top door (18) cannot be opened independently from the bottom door (14) with the door stopper (30) in this position.
Referring to figures 7a to 7c, the plate-shaped stopper (30) is pivetable between a locked position, as in figure 7a, where it is blocked between the pivoting tine (24) and the external part of the top door (18), and a released position, as in figure ~7c, where it is away from its position between the pivoting tine (24) and external part (34) of the tap door (12). The latching mechanism (22) also comprises a biasing means for urging the stopper (30) to its Locked position, and a release mechanism (36) operable from inside the cab (10) to bring the stopper (30) to its released position.
The release mechanism (30) is available to allow a separate opening of the top door (12) with respect to the bottom door (14). Preferably. the release mechanism (38) comprises a spring-loaded loc~kirzg fever (28) which is operatively connected to the stopper (30) and can be actuated by an operator inside the cab (10). As shown in figures ~a to 7c, the operator can move the locking lever (28) in a manner which rotates the stopper (30) to its released position. This rotation chang~as the orientation of the stopper (30) which was acting as a Constraint on opening of the top door (12). Without the constraint, the top door (12) becomes free to be opened separately from the bottom door (14).
Although the present invention has been explained hereinabove by way of a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise embodiment and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.
Claims
1. A collapsible cab suitable for use in mobile material handling machines, comprising:
a top portion;
a bottom portion;
an actuator to drive the top portion between an expanded and a retracted cab position; and a pivoting axis about which the top portion rotates with respect to the bottom portion, the pivoting axis characterized in that it is located in a generally central location within the cab.
a top portion;
a bottom portion;
an actuator to drive the top portion between an expanded and a retracted cab position; and a pivoting axis about which the top portion rotates with respect to the bottom portion, the pivoting axis characterized in that it is located in a generally central location within the cab.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2454116 CA2454116A1 (en) | 2003-12-23 | 2003-12-23 | Pivoting collapsible crane cab |
| CA 2481158 CA2481158A1 (en) | 2003-12-23 | 2004-09-09 | Pivoting collapsible crane cab |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2454116 CA2454116A1 (en) | 2003-12-23 | 2003-12-23 | Pivoting collapsible crane cab |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2454116A1 true CA2454116A1 (en) | 2005-06-23 |
Family
ID=34683053
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2454116 Abandoned CA2454116A1 (en) | 2003-12-23 | 2003-12-23 | Pivoting collapsible crane cab |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2454116A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN102991399A (en) * | 2012-12-01 | 2013-03-27 | 江苏海鹏特种车辆有限公司 | Multifunctional low-narrow roadway transport vehicle |
| DE102016010660A1 (en) * | 2016-04-06 | 2017-10-12 | Bomag Gmbh | Self-propelled machine, in particular construction machine, with adjustable cab and method for adjusting a driver's cab of a self-propelled machine |
-
2003
- 2003-12-23 CA CA 2454116 patent/CA2454116A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN102991399A (en) * | 2012-12-01 | 2013-03-27 | 江苏海鹏特种车辆有限公司 | Multifunctional low-narrow roadway transport vehicle |
| DE102016010660A1 (en) * | 2016-04-06 | 2017-10-12 | Bomag Gmbh | Self-propelled machine, in particular construction machine, with adjustable cab and method for adjusting a driver's cab of a self-propelled machine |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |