GB2099767A

GB2099767A - Vehicle operation console

Info

Publication number: GB2099767A
Application number: GB8117588A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Lancer Boss Ltd
Current assignee: Lancer Boss Ltd
Priority date: 1981-06-09
Filing date: 1981-06-09
Publication date: 1982-12-15

Abstract

An operating console (20) for a load-handling vehicle comprises a support member (25) which is rotatably mounted within a drivers cab (10). The console carries a drivers seat (26) and driving and operating controls (30, 32). The console is capable of being rotated into any desired angular position within the cab by means of a chain and sprocket arrangement controlled by a fluid cylinder. Flexible connectors are used to connect the controls to the appropriate points on the fixed frame of the vehicle. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Vehicle operating console This invention relates to load-handling vehicles such as cranes or lift trucks in which the driver of the vehicle can change his driving and/or operating position to facilitate handling of the vehicle under certain conditions.

It is frequently desirable for the operator of a load-handling vehicle such as a mobile crane, a lift truck, or a digger to be able to turn in his seat to improve his visibility while effecting certain operations of the vehicle. This generally involves looking out of the rear window of the vhicle, and for this purpose, many vehicles are provided with a rotatable seat and a duplicate set of lifting controls located immediately behind the normal driving position. This enables the operator to face away from the normal direction of travel whilst these operations are being performed. Generally speaking, these duplicate controls do not incorporate the conventional driving controls such as a steering column.

Certain types of load-handling vehicles such as container-handling trucks are frequently required to work in very restricted spaces, where it is impossible to turn the vehicle around during operation. In such cases, it is often necessary to drive the vehicle in reverse with the operator looking through his rear-view mirrors or over his shoulder in order to see.

The invention provides an arrangement in which the entiredriving and operating console of a vehicle is rotatable through 1 800 so that the operator of the vehicle may change his angular position, whilst maintaining full driving and steering control at all times.

According to the present invention, there is provided an operating console for a load-handling vehicle, comprising a support member having a driving seat mounted thereon, operating and driving controls mounted on said support member adjacent said seal, said driving controls including steering control means, a frame fixed with respect to said support member, mounting means mounting said support member on said frame for rotation relative thereto, drive means operable to rotate said support member relative to said frame, and flexible connection means for connecting said operating and driving controls to respective operating and driving means on said frame.

The use of flexible connection means for connecting the driving and operating controls to the associated components of the vehicle enable the entire driving console to be rotated through 1800, or through any other angle desired by the operator, thus allowing the optimum driving position to be selected for any given operation.

The use of flexible connection means requires that the control systems are electrical, hydraulic, or pneumatic, and any combination of these three systems may be utilised.

Various arrangements for rotating the support member may be used. In one arrangement, the mounting means for the support member include a wheel element fixed to said support member coaxially with the axis of rotation thereof, and the drive means are operable to rotate the wheel element thereby rotating the support member relative to the frame. Preferably the means for rotating the wheel element comprises an endless flexible link extending around the wheel element and around a member mounted on said frame, and the drive means are operable to rotate the wheel element via the flexible link.

In one embodiment, the wheel element comprises a cogged wheel and the endless flexible link comprises a toothed belt, while in another embodiment the wheel element comprises a gear pinion, and the endless flexible link is a chain.

The drive means may drive the endless flexible link directly, for example in one embodiment the piston rod of a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder is connected to the flexible link, or alternatively the drive means are operable to drive the link through an intermediate drive wheel, such as a pulley or gear wheel mounted on the frame and comprising said aforesaid member. Where the drive means is adapted to engage the flexible link directly the member on the frame is suitably an idler wheel or idler pinion.

In another arrangement, the wheel element comprises a gear wheel adapted to engage a movable drive element such as another gear wheel or a movable rack mounted on the frame.

For example in one such arrangement the gear wheel and drive element comprise a worm drive; in another arrangement they comprise a bevel drive, and in yet another embodiment the gear wheel comprises a pinion engaging a movable rackwhich is driven by a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder.

Preferably the support member comprises the floor of a driving console, and this is suitably located for rotational movement within a driving cab of generally conventional construction.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a load-handling vehicle is provided fitted with an operating console as hereinbefore defined.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, embodiments in accordance therewith will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows in side elevation, partly broken away, a driving cab fitted with a rotatable console; Fig. 2 shows a plan view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 illustrates a plan view of the drive mechanism for the console; and Fig. 4 is a view of the mechanism shown in Fig.

3 in side elevation.

Referring to the drawings, Figs. 1 and 2 show an operating cab 10 for a vehicle such as a container-handling lift truck, which is fixed to the chassis 11 of the vehicle at mounting points 12.

The cab is of generally conventional construction and comprises a roof member 14, side walls 15, front windscreen 1 6 and a rear windscreen 1 7.

The cab is fitted with a rotatable driving console generally indicated at 20 which is capable of being rotated to any desired angular position within the cab. In this embodiment, the console is rotatable between two main operating positions, the first being shown in full lines in Figs. 1 and 2, and the second position, disposed at 1 80O relative to the first position, being shown in chain dotted lines at 22 in Fig. 2.

The first position, shown in Fig.1, is the normal forward driving position of the vehicle, whereas the second position 22 is used during reverse travel of the vehicle or during certain lifting operations. The console may also be moved to any intermediate position if required.

The driving console 20 comprises a substantially horizontal main support member 25 on which is disposed a driving seat 26 at one end.

A control support 28 is provided at the other end of the main support member 25 and this carries the driving and operating controls of the vehicle.

These include a steering wheel 30, and operator controls 33 for controlling the lifting functions of the truck, which are mounted on one free end of the control support 25 angled towards the driving position as shown in Fig. 2. Foot pedals (one shown, 32) are disposed on the main support member 25. The controls include a device for controlling the rotational movement of the console 20.

All the controls 30, 32 and 33 are operated hydraulically, pneumatically or electrically and are connected to respective components of the vehicle by means of flexible lines which are designed to accommodate the rotational movement of the console 20.

The rotational mechanism for the console 20 is shown in detail in Figs. 3 and 4. The console itself is provided with a support shaft 40 which is secured to the main support member 25 by means of bolts which pass through a flange 41 fixed to one end of shaft 40. The shaft 40 is journalled in bearings 42, 43 which are mounted in a bearing sleeve 44 carried by frame member 45. The frame member 45 is composed of spaced parallel plates 38, 39 welded to the vehicle chassis 11.

Shaft 40 is provided at its free end with a gear pinion 48 fixed thereto, and a smaller gear pinion 49, which forms an idler wheel, is freely journalled in a support 50 mounted on plate 39 by means of bolts 52 (one shown).

An endless chain 55 passes around pinions 48 and 49. An adjustment mechanism 56 is provided for idler pinion 49 which is capable of adjusting the position of the support 50 on the plate 39 so as to adjust the tension in the chain 55.

A follower 58 is securely fixed to chain 55 and this follower 58 is connected to the free end of a piston rod 59 of a pneumatic piston and cylinder assembly 60 disposed on plate 39. In the retracted position shown in Fig. 3, the follower 58 is located close to the drive pinion 48.

When it is desired to rotate the console 20, the appropriate control is actuated by the vehicle operator, and air cylinder 60 is pressurised; this extends piston rod 59, entraining chain 55 and causing pinion 48, and hence shaft 40 and console 20, to rotate. The throw of the piston and cylinder assembly 60 is adjusted such that at the maximum extension, the console has rotated through exactly 1 80O into the position shown at 22 in Fig. 2, in which the driver can operate the vehicle with a view through the rear windscreen 1 7. When the master control is operated to retract piston rod 59, the console 20 returns to the position shown in Fig. 1.

Follower 58 is mounted on piston rod 59 by means of a threaded connection 62 which can be adjusted so as to adjust the limit positions of the console 20.

It will be appreciated that the construction of the console 20 with all the driving and operating controls mounted thereon removes the need for separate driving controls in both operating positions and additionally means that the driver can stop the console in any position between the two limit positions and still retain full control over all driving and operating functions of the vehicle.

The mounting of the air cylinder 60 and drive mechanism on the vehicle chassis means that the console can be detached for servicing quickly and simply without the necessity for removing these parts.

Although the construction of the embodiment shown is particularly simple and economic, other constructions can equally be used, for example in place of air cylinder 60, idler pinion 49 may be driven by a drive motor. Instead of being mounted on the chassis, the rotational mechanism may be mounted on the console.

In place of air cylinder 60, a hydraulic cylinder or an electric solenoid may be used.

Claims (Filed on 8 June 1982) 1. An operating console for a load-handling vehicle, comprising a support having a driving seat mounted thereon, operating and driving controls mounted on said support adjacent said driving seat which driving controls include steering control means, a frame, mounting means mounting said support on said frame for rotation relative thereto, drive means operable to rotate said support with respect to said frame, and flexible connection means adapted to connect said operating and driving controls to respective operating and driving means on said frame.

2. An operating console as claimed in Claim 1, wherein a wheel element is fixed to said support coaxially with the axis of rotation thereof, and said drive means are operable to rotate said support by rotating said wheel element.

3. An operating console as claimed in Claim 2, wherein an endless flexible link extends around said wheel element and a point on said frame, and said drive means are adapted to rotate said wheel element via said flexible link.

4. An operating console as claimed in Claim 3,

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. and comprises a roof member 14, side walls 15, front windscreen 1 6 and a rear windscreen 1 7. The cab is fitted with a rotatable driving console generally indicated at 20 which is capable of being rotated to any desired angular position within the cab. In this embodiment, the console is rotatable between two main operating positions, the first being shown in full lines in Figs. 1 and 2, and the second position, disposed at 1 80O relative to the first position, being shown in chain dotted lines at 22 in Fig. 2. The first position, shown in Fig.1, is the normal forward driving position of the vehicle, whereas the second position 22 is used during reverse travel of the vehicle or during certain lifting operations. The console may also be moved to any intermediate position if required. The driving console 20 comprises a substantially horizontal main support member 25 on which is disposed a driving seat 26 at one end. A control support 28 is provided at the other end of the main support member 25 and this carries the driving and operating controls of the vehicle. These include a steering wheel 30, and operator controls 33 for controlling the lifting functions of the truck, which are mounted on one free end of the control support 25 angled towards the driving position as shown in Fig. 2. Foot pedals (one shown, 32) are disposed on the main support member 25. The controls include a device for controlling the rotational movement of the console 20. All the controls 30, 32 and 33 are operated hydraulically, pneumatically or electrically and are connected to respective components of the vehicle by means of flexible lines which are designed to accommodate the rotational movement of the console 20. The rotational mechanism for the console 20 is shown in detail in Figs. 3 and 4. The console itself is provided with a support shaft 40 which is secured to the main support member 25 by means of bolts which pass through a flange 41 fixed to one end of shaft 40. The shaft 40 is journalled in bearings 42, 43 which are mounted in a bearing sleeve 44 carried by frame member 45. The frame member 45 is composed of spaced parallel plates 38, 39 welded to the vehicle chassis 11. Shaft 40 is provided at its free end with a gear pinion 48 fixed thereto, and a smaller gear pinion 49, which forms an idler wheel, is freely journalled in a support 50 mounted on plate 39 by means of bolts 52 (one shown). An endless chain 55 passes around pinions 48 and 49. An adjustment mechanism 56 is provided for idler pinion 49 which is capable of adjusting the position of the support 50 on the plate 39 so as to adjust the tension in the chain 55. A follower 58 is securely fixed to chain 55 and this follower 58 is connected to the free end of a piston rod 59 of a pneumatic piston and cylinder assembly 60 disposed on plate 39. In the retracted position shown in Fig. 3, the follower 58 is located close to the drive pinion 48. When it is desired to rotate the console 20, the appropriate control is actuated by the vehicle operator, and air cylinder 60 is pressurised; this extends piston rod 59, entraining chain 55 and causing pinion 48, and hence shaft 40 and console 20, to rotate. The throw of the piston and cylinder assembly 60 is adjusted such that at the maximum extension, the console has rotated through exactly 1 80O into the position shown at 22 in Fig. 2, in which the driver can operate the vehicle with a view through the rear windscreen 1 7. When the master control is operated to retract piston rod 59, the console 20 returns to the position shown in Fig. 1. Follower 58 is mounted on piston rod 59 by means of a threaded connection 62 which can be adjusted so as to adjust the limit positions of the console 20. It will be appreciated that the construction of the console 20 with all the driving and operating controls mounted thereon removes the need for separate driving controls in both operating positions and additionally means that the driver can stop the console in any position between the two limit positions and still retain full control over all driving and operating functions of the vehicle. The mounting of the air cylinder 60 and drive mechanism on the vehicle chassis means that the console can be detached for servicing quickly and simply without the necessity for removing these parts. Although the construction of the embodiment shown is particularly simple and economic, other constructions can equally be used, for example in place of air cylinder 60, idler pinion 49 may be driven by a drive motor. Instead of being mounted on the chassis, the rotational mechanism may be mounted on the console. In place of air cylinder 60, a hydraulic cylinder or an electric solenoid may be used. Claims (Filed on 8 June 1982)

1. An operating console for a load-handling vehicle, comprising a support having a driving seat mounted thereon, operating and driving controls mounted on said support adjacent said driving seat which driving controls include steering control means, a frame, mounting means mounting said support on said frame for rotation relative thereto, drive means operable to rotate said support with respect to said frame, and flexible connection means adapted to connect said operating and driving controls to respective operating and driving means on said frame.

4. An operating console as claimed in Claim 3,

wherein said wheel element comprises a gear pinion, and said endless flexible link comprises a chain.

5. An operating console as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 4, wherein said drive means comprises a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder and piston assembly, one element of which is connected directly to said endless flexible link.

6. An operating console as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said wheel element comprises a gear wheel meshing with a movable drive element controlled by said drive means.

7. An operating console as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said movable drive element comprises a toothed rack.

8. An operating console as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said movable drive element comprises another gear wheel.

9. An operating console as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said flexible connection means comprises electrical, hydraulic and/or pneumatic connection lines.

10. An operating console for a load-handling vehicle, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

11. A load-handling vehicle, incorporating an operating console as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 10.