FR3101300A3 - MODULAR FOOTBOARD FOR WORK VEHICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

Step (1) for a work vehicle comprising a plurality of sub-units (2) and connecting means for connecting the sub-units (2) to each other in at least one of a first and a second spatial direction for provide a desired shape of the step (1). Fig. 2

Description

MODULAR FOOTBOARD FOR WORK VEHICLE

The present innovation relates to a step for a work vehicle, in particular a step for a work vehicle such as an agricultural vehicle.

CONTEXT OF INNOVATION

Work vehicles such as agricultural vehicles, for example a tractor, include steps or steps configured to allow the user of the vehicle to reach high parts of the vehicle, for example to climb into the cab.

Such steps and running boards are customized for each type and size of work vehicle and are normally made in one piece.

As a result, it is obvious that there is a wide differentiation and steps intended for a specific work vehicle cannot be used for another work vehicle which is of a different type or size.

In view of the above facts, the manufacturing process is long and complex and the costs are therefore high.

The illustrates an example of a work vehicle 1 ′, for example a tractor, comprising a step 2 ′ according to the state of the art, comprising a plurality of steps 3 ′ made in one piece and all having the same dimension. The steps 3 'are normally provided with a support structure 4', that is to say a vertical step, to allow the latter to be fixed to the vehicle.

In view of the above facts, there is a need to improve the existing markets for work vehicles in order to reduce their complexity and associated manufacturing costs.

An objective of the present innovation is to satisfy the above-mentioned needs.

INNOVATION SUMMARY

The aforementioned objective is achieved thanks to a step 1 for a work vehicle, the step 1 comprising a plurality of subunits 2 and connecting means for connecting such subunits 2 together in at least one of a first and a second spatial direction to provide a desired shape of the step 1.

Preferably, the connecting means comprise detachable mechanical coupling means for selectively connecting the subunits 2 to each other or vice versa, irreversibly fixedly connecting said subunits 2 to each other.

In particular, at least two of the 2 subunits have the same shape and, more preferably, all of the 2 subunits have the same shape.

Advantageously, the subunits 2 comprise profiled elements 5.

Advantageously, at least one of the subunits 2 comprises hooking means 7 to prevent the user from skidding when he climbs on step 1.

In particular, such fastening means 7 comprise a toothed edge 8 and / or at least one protuberance 9.

The step may further include at least one spacer 3 to space adjacent 2 subunits.

To better understand the present innovation, a preferred embodiment is described in the following, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

the is a perspective view of a tractor comprising a step according to the state of the art;

the is a schematic top view of a step according to the innovation;

FIGS. 3A, 3B are perspective views of a step according to a first embodiment of the innovation;

FIGS. 4A, 4B are perspective views of a step according to a second embodiment of the innovation;

FIGS. 5A, 5B are perspective views of a step according to a third embodiment of the innovation; and

FIGS. 6A, 6B are perspective views of a step according to a fourth embodiment of the innovation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INNOVATION

As schematically illustrated on the , a step 1 according to the present innovation comprises a plurality of subunits 2 configured to be mounted with the other subunits 2 to provide an overall form of step 1.

More particularly, a subunit 2 can be mounted with another subunit 2 along a transverse direction X and / or along a vertical direction Y. In more detail, the mounting of subunits 2 can be carried out through a binding which can be selective, i.e. mounting the detachable subunits 2 in a shape which can be changed, or definitive, i.e. mounting the subunits 2 2 units in a final form that cannot be changed.

Thus, the sub-units 2 are mounted by means of connection means (not illustrated) which cannot allow detachable mounting, for example via threaded elements, or final assembly, for example via glue or soldering.

Step 1 may further include spacers 3 configured to space two subunits 2 along transverse and / or vertical directions X, Y. Such spacers may therefore include blocks to be interposed between two. different subunits, thus spacing them out.

Thus, a step 1 made using spacers 3 allows more air to pass between the subunits 2, thus facilitating the removal of dirty elements such as mud. In addition, the spacing elements 3 can be advantageously used to achieve particular dimensions of the step 1.

FIGS. 3A and 3B describe a first embodiment for the step 1 according to the present innovation; such a step 1 comprises four subunits 2, two of them having a first shape, namely the central subunits 2 have the same first shape. The lateral subunits have the same second shape, this second shape comprises at least one curved wall 5. The subunits 5 are attached to each other along the transverse direction X. More particularly, each subunit 2 comprises a substantially rectangular profiled element 5 comprising a pair of side walls 5a and a plurality of transverse walls 5b connecting the side walls 5a to one another. Two 2 subunits, which are in a lateral position ( ), have a transverse wall 5b and a side wall 5a comprising a curved junction part.

Advantageously, each sub-unit 2 defines, in the side walls 5a, holes 6 configured to allow the passage of threaded elements (not shown) to connect each sub-unit 2 to another and / or to the vehicle.

Preferably, each sub-unit 2 is provided with attachment means 7 configured to increase the grip of the user when standing on the step, that is to say to prevent skidding. According to the embodiment described, the hooking means 7 comprise toothed edges 8 made in the transverse walls 5b.

FIGS. 4A and 4B describe a second embodiment for the step 1 according to the present innovation; such a step 1 is similar to that depicted in Figures 3A, 3B except that it comprises three sub-units 2 connected to each other in the vertical direction Y. As a result, holes 6 are made in the transverse walls 5b. Since the other parts of step 1 are the same as those of Figures 3A, 3B, they will not be described for reasons of brevity.

FIGS. 5A, 5B describe a third embodiment for the step 1 according to the present innovation; such a step 1 is similar to that described in Figures 4A, 4B with the difference in the shape of the element 5 and the attachment means 7.

Indeed, each element 5 is a profiled element having a C-shaped cross section, that is to say provided with a pair of transverse walls 5b and an upper wall 5c connecting two such transverse walls 5b s'. extending perpendicularly from such a top wall 5c. Accordingly, holes 6 are made in the transverse walls 5b, as in the embodiment of Figures 4A and 4B.

According to the present embodiment, the hooking means 7 comprise projections 9 extending from the upper wall 5c; according to the described embodiment, the protrusions 9 extend linearly with respect to each other and are equally spaced along the transverse direction. More preferably, each protrusion 9 has a substantially circular shape and extends perpendicularly around the top wall 5c, in particular each protrusion 9 has a substantially hemispherical shape in which the top edge intersects so as to provide a high friction surface.

Figures 6A, 6B describe a fourth embodiment for step 1 according to the present innovation; such a step 1 is substantially a combination of the embodiments of Figures 3A, 3B and 4A, 4B with the difference that it includes spacers 3.

As a result, step 1 comprises nine subunits 2, seven of them all having the same first shape, two of them having the same second shape in which one wall is curved, and of course one wall is smaller. than the other opposite wall. The nine subunits 2 are attached to each other along the transverse and vertical directions. More particularly, each sub-unit 2 comprises a profiled element 5 comprising a pair of side walls 5a and a pair of transverse walls 5b. Seven of them having a substantially rectangular shape comprising a pair of side walls 5a and a pair of transverse walls 5b. Two subunits 2 having a curved transverse wall 5b, and a side wall 5a which is smaller than the opposite side wall 5a.

Advantageously, each sub-unit 2 defines, both in the side and transverse walls 5a, 5b, holes 6 configured to allow the passage of threaded elements (not illustrated) to connect each sub-unit 2 to another and / or to the vehicle.

Preferably, each sub-unit 2 is provided with hooking means 7 made as toothed edges 8 located both in the transverse and side walls 5a, 5b.

Further, step 1 includes a plurality of spacers 3 configured to space two adjacent subunits 2 from each other. According to the described embodiment, step 1 comprises twelve spacers 3 configured to space, both in the transverse and vertical directions, each subunit 2 from the other.

Preferably, such spacers 3 comprise a rod-like member 10 having a thickness in the corresponding vertical or transverse direction equal to the space intended to be provided between each subunit 2. More preferably, The rod-like element 10 has a preferably parallelepiped shape.

In order to allow a correct mounting, that is to say to allow the fixed coupling of the spacer elements 3 and the subunits 2, each rod-like element 10 comprises holes configured to allow the passage of the spacer elements 3 and the subunits 2. threaded elements to allow mounting with the respective subunit 2.

It is obvious that the profiled elements 5 described above are preferably made in one piece and can be made of any material depending on the particular use of the work vehicle, for example in a polymer material or in a metallic material.

Considering the above facts, the advantages of an innovation step 1 are obvious.

Once a step 1 is mounted, it can be positioned on the work vehicle and attached to it.

The step size can vary if necessary during the life of the vehicle. Therefore, it is not necessary to replace step 1 entirely.

In addition, the proposed step 1 makes it possible to use the same sub-units 2 to provide steps of different shapes for different types of work vehicles. As a result, it is possible to standardize the subunits 2 and the spacers 3, thereby reducing the costs and manufacturing time of the steps 1.

It is further important to emphasize that, even in the case where the step seems non-symmetrical with respect to a YZ plane, the subunits are symmetrical with respect to an XY plane (especially for each side, the cleaning accessory shoes is present), so in this way it is possible to duplicate the steps from left to right of the work vehicle.

It is obvious that modifications can be made to step 1 described which do not extend beyond the scope of protection defined by the claims.

Namely, the shape, material of each subunit 2, the hooking means 7, the spacer 3 or the fastening means for fixing each subunit 2 may vary according to the design necessities.

Claims (10)

Step (1) for a work vehicle, said step (1) comprising a plurality of sub-units (2) and connecting means for connecting said sub-units (2) to each other in at least one of a first and a second spatial directions for providing a desired shape of said step (1). A step according to claim 1, wherein said connecting means comprises detachable mechanical coupling means for selectively connecting said subunits (2) to each other. A step according to claim 1, wherein said connecting means irreversibly fixedly connects said subunits (2) to each other. A walk according to any preceding claim, wherein at least two of said subunits (2) have the same shape. A walk according to any preceding claim, wherein all of said subunits (2) have the same shape. A step according to any preceding claim, wherein said subunits (2) comprise profiled members (5). Step according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of said sub-units (2) comprises hooking means (7) to prevent slippage of said user when climbing on said step (1). Step according to claim 7, wherein said hooking means (7) comprise a toothed edge (8). Step according to claim 7, wherein said hooking means (7) comprise at least one protuberance (9). A step according to any preceding claim, further comprising at least one spacer (3) for spacing adjacent subunits (2).