WO2014034973A1

WO2014034973A1 - Foldable step for construction vehicle, and construction vehicle provided with such a step

Info

Publication number: WO2014034973A1
Application number: PCT/KR2012/006862
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ramkumar THIYAGARAJAN; Christian J; Shihab AZIZ
Original assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment Ab
Priority date: 2012-08-28
Filing date: 2012-08-28
Publication date: 2014-03-06
Also published as: CN104583014A; CN104583014B; IN2015KN00413A

Abstract

The disclosure is about a foldable step for a construction vehicle, including a support fixed to the vehicle, a linkage connected rotationally with the support through a first rotation axis, and a foot plate connected rotationally with the linkage through a second rotation axis. The foot plate is closer to the left side of the vehicle as the foot plate rotates in one direction and to the right side of the vehicle as the foot plate rotates in the other direction. Accordingly, the total length of the construction vehicle can be reduced without any removal of the step from the vehicle. Further, the step can provide an increased serviceable area capable of inspecting the engine of the vehicle.

Description

FOLDABLE STEP FOR CONSTRUCTION VEHICLE, AND CONSTRUCTION VEHICLE PROVIDED WITH SUCH A STEP

The present invention relates generally to a step for construction vehicle. More particularly, the invention relates to a step enabling a user to easily access the engine disposed in a space formed at the rear portion of the construction vehicle. It also relates to a construction vehicle having such a step. The construction vehicle in this invention includes any kind of road machinery including but not limited to, tyred rollers, pneumatic tyred rollers, multi-wheeled rubber-tyred rollers, compactors, and etc.

Construction vehicles are generally bulky and have their riding rooms and engine rooms located at a relatively long distance from the ground, and therefore, there is a definite need for steps enabling a rider or an inspector to have easy access to the riding rooms or the engine rooms of the said construction vehicles. For example, a road machine like a pneumatic tyred roller has a substantially large wheel diameter and further has its engine room located at the rear portion at the top end of the machine. In order to inspect the engine, which is located a relatively long distance from the ground, there is a need for the step on which the inspector stands to access the engine room.

According to the conventional practice, as shown in FIG.1, construction vehicle 1 has an engine room disposed in a space at the rear portion of vehicle 1 and allowing access for inspection from the upper portion thereof. And vehicle 1 has fixed step 10 located on the rear portion thereof. Fixed step 10 protrudes outward by a given length from the rear portion of construction vehicle 1, so that an engine inspector can stably stand on fixed step 10 to access to the engine room. However, fixed step 10 is removed when construction vehicle 1 is in transit from one site to another or during normal usage.

Further, since it is necessary to inspect the engine of construction vehicle 1, fixed step 10 is conveniently mounted again. If construction vehicle 1 is transferred or in use without the separation of the fixed step 10, there is a danger where the fixed step, located on the rear portion of the construction vehicle, could collide with neighboring objects and even become damaged. Additionally, as fixed step 10 is awkwardly protruding from the rear portion of construction vehicle 1, it will cause an unattractive outer appearance of construction vehicle 1.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a foldable step for a construction vehicle and a construction vehicle having the same wherein the foldable step is mounted in a foldable fashion on the rear portion of the construction vehicle while the construction vehicle is being transferred or in use, thereby reducing the protruding length thereof from the rear portion of the construction vehicle. With the foldable step unfolded, the engine of the construction vehicle is able to be inspected, thereby permitting an inspector to easily access the engine room of the construction vehicle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a foldable step for a construction vehicle, or a similar construction vehicle, wherein a serviceable area for an engine inspector can be easily accessed by expanding the rotating the step in the desired direction.

To accomplish the above objectives according to the present invention, there is provided a foldable step for a construction vehicle that has a support having one end fixed to the rear portion of the vehicle, a first rotation axis installed at the other end of the support, the first rotation axis being parallel with the axle of the vehicle, a linkage having one end connected with the support through the first rotation axis, whereby the linkage being rotatable relative to the support, a second rotation axis installed at the other end of the linkage, the second rotation axis being perpendicular to the axle of the vehicle, and a foot plate having one end connected with the linkage through the second rotation axis, whereby the foot plate being rotatable relative to the linkage, the other end of the foot plate being closer to the left side of the vehicle as the foot plate rotates in one direction and to the right side of the vehicle as the foot plate rotates in the other direction.

According to the present invention, preferably, the foldable step further has a stopper installed between the support and the linkage to restrict the rotation of the linkage when the foot plate is facing upwards of the vehicle.

To accomplish the above objectives, according to the present invention, there is also provided a construction vehicle having such a foldable step.

According to the present invention, the foldable step for a construction vehicle is mounted folded on the rear portion of the construction vehicle while the construction vehicle is being transferred or travelled, thereby protruding outward to a substantially shorter length from the rear portion of the construction vehicle, so that the total length of the construction vehicle is reduced to remove the inconvenience where the step should be demounted from the rear portion of the construction vehicle and to allow the construction vehicle to fit easily in a given space when it is transferred.

Further, the foldable step for a construction vehicle according to the present invention, prevents the collision of the protruding portion thereof against any neighboring objects while the construction vehicle is in use.

Furthermore, the foldable step for a construction vehicle, according to the present invention, gives a smart and sophisticated outer appearance to the construction vehicle.

Additionally, the foldable step for a construction vehicle, according to the present invention, is rotatable relative to the rotation axis formed on one side away from the center of the step in the state of being unfolded, thereby increasing the serviceable area for inspecting the engine of the construction vehicle through the foldable step.

FIG.1 is a schematic view showing a fixed step in conventional practices.

FIG.2 is a perspective view showing a foldable step for a construction vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG.3 is an exploded perspective view showing the foldable step for the construction vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG.4 is a side view showing the construction vehicle with the folded step according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG.5 is a side view showing the construction vehicle with the unfolded step according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG.6 is a side view showing the step in folded condition according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG.7 shows the step being in unfolded condition according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG.8 shows the step being rotated in a clockwise direction according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG.9 shows the state of the step in accordance with its rotating direction according to one embodiment of the present invention.

1 : construction vehicle

2 : engine room

4 : hole

10 : fixed step

100 : foldable step

110 : support

120 : linkage

122 : stopper

124 : rotation axis hole

126 : hole

128 : hole

130 : foot plate

132 : rotation axis protrusion

134 : hole

136 : hole

138 : hole

140 : lock pin

142 : pulling link

150 : protrusions

Hereinafter, an explanation on a foldable step for a construction vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention will be given with reference to the attached drawings.

FIG.2 is a perspective view showing a foldable step for a construction vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG.3 is an exploded perspective view showing the foldable step for the construction vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG.4 is a side view showing the construction vehicle with the folded step according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG.5 is a side view showing the construction vehicle with the unfolded step according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG.6 is a side view showing the step in folded condition according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG.7 shows the step in unfolded condition according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG.8 shows the step rotated in a clockwise direction according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.9 shows the state of the step in accordance with its rotating direction according to one embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS.2 to 5, foldable step 100 for construction vehicle 1 according to the present invention has support 110 having one end fixed to the rear portion of construction vehicle 1 and first rotation axis R1 installed at the other end of support 110. The first rotation axis R1 here is parallel with the axle of construction vehicle 1. Also step 100 has linkage 120 having one end connected with support 110 through first rotation axis R1, whereby linkage 120 is rotatable relative to support 110. Second rotation axis R2 is installed at the other end of linkage 120. Second rotation axis R2 here is perpendicular to the axle of vehicle 1. Step 100 also has foot plate 130 having one end connected with linkage 120 through second rotation axis R2, whereby foot plate 130 is rotatable relative to linkage 120. The other end of foot plate 130 is closer to the left side of vehicle 1 as foot plate 130 rotates in one direction and to the right side of vehicle 1 as foot plate 130 rotates in the other direction.

The other end of support 110 may curve upward to an angle of approximately 90 degrees. That is, the support may be L-shaped. Further, support 110 may be formed by a pair of flat bars which are spaced apart from each other in such a manner as to face each other, and the first rotation axis R1 is disposed between said flat bars.

Linkage 120 has one end connected rotationally to support 110 through the first rotation axis R1, whereby linkage 120 is rotatable relative to support 110 in a vertical direction of the axle of vehicle 1, thereby obtaining a first state where linkage 120 is folded and a second state where linkage 120 is unfolded. The other end of support 110 and one end of linkage 120 are coupled to each other by means of the first rotation axis R1. Second rotation axis R2 is installed at the other end of linkage 120, with second rotation axis R2 perpendicular to the axle of vehicle 1.

Foot plate 130 has one end connected rotationally to the other end of linkage 120 through second rotation axis R2. As shown in Fig.3, linkage 120 may have rotation axis hole 124 formed at the other end thereof, and foot plate 130 may have rotation axis protrusion 132 formed on the underside thereof in such a manner as to be inserted into the rotation axis hole 124, thereby permitting plate 130 to be rotatable relative to the linkage 120. The other end of foot plate 130 is closer to the left side of the vehicle 1 as foot plate 130 rotates in one direction and to the right side of vehicle 1 as foot plate 130 rotates in the other direction. In order to accomplish this, second rotation axis R2 is formed at any one side distant from the center of foot plate 130. At this time, rotation axis protrusion 132 can be formed on lower surface of foot plate 130 toward one side distant from the center of foot plate 130. As a result, foot plate 130 is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise, so that it is alternatively closer to the left and right side of the vehicle 1, thereby expanding the serviceable area of step 100. In this case, the closer second rotation axis R2 is formed to one end of foot plate 130, the greater the position of foot plate 130 caused by the rotation thereof is, thereby advantageously increasing the serviceable area of foot plate 130.

On the other hand, the step further has stopper 122 disposed between support 110 and linkage 120. Stopper 122 serves to restrict the rotation of linkage 120 at a given position when foot plate 130 faces upwards of construction vehicle 1, so that linkage 120 can maintain the second state where linkage 120 is unfolded. This is achieved by having stopper 122 protrude from linkage 120 in such a manner as to be engaged with the upwardly extended outer wall of L-shaped support 110 and by supporting linkage 120 against support 110.

Linkage 120 has securing

holes

126 and 128 formed on each of both sides thereof, and foot plate 130 has hole 136 formed on one side thereof to correspond to securing hole 126 formed on one side of linkage 120 at the time when foot plate 130 is rotated clockwise and hole 138 formed on the other side thereof to correspond to securing hole 128 formed on the other side of linkage 120 at the time when the foot plate 130 is rotated counterclockwise. Further, linkage 120 has a hole formed in the upper portion of the other end thereof to correspond to securing hole 4 formed on the rear portion of vehicle 1 in the first state where linkage 120 is folded. At this time, foot plate 130 may have hole 134 corresponding to securing hole 4 in the first state on the one end thereof.

Additionally, lock pin 140 is selectively inserted into corresponding

holes

126 and 136, and holes 128 and 138, to fix the position of foot plate 130 to linkage 120. In this case, when the other end of foot plate 130 is closest to the right side of vehicle 1, foot plate 130 is fixed to linkage 120 by means of lock pin 140 passed through hole 136 formed on foot plate 130 and inserted into securing hole 126 formed on linkage 120 to correspond to hole 136. On the other hand, when the other end of foot plate 130 is closest to the left side of vehicle 1, foot plate 130 is fixed to linkage 120 by means of lock pin 140 passed through hole 138 formed on foot plate 130 and inserted into securing hole 128 formed on linkage 120 to correspond to hole 138.

Further, lock pin 140 is inserted and passed through holes 4 and 134 to fix foldable step 100 to vehicle 1, so that step 100 can maintain the first state where linkage 120 is folded. In the first state, the upper surface of foot plate 130 is facing towards vehicle 1. At this time, lock pin 140 may have pulling link 142 mounted on the top end thereof to easily pull inserted lock pin 140 from the holes. As shown in FIG.3, further, lock pin 140 is connected to one end of foot plate 130 by means of a connection member such as a link, a cable and the like, thereby being easily kept in the original position thereof. In addition thereto, only if lock pin 140 is selectively inserted into the holes, lock pin 140 can be attached to support 110, linkage 120, or the rear portion of the vehicle 1 by the connection member, and alternatively, it can be separately provided.

Foot plate 130 has a non-slip surface formed on the upper surface thereof to prevent a worker from slipping off step 100. The non-slip surface has plurality of non-slip protrusions 150 formed on the upper surface of foot plate 130. Further, foot plate 130 has a plurality of holes formed on the surface thereof so as to remove any foreign matter like soil and sand attached to the worker’s shoes from step 100. Plurality of non-slip protrusions 150, having the non-slip function, is not limited to the shapes shown in the drawings, and they may be freely shaped as long as they have the non-slip function.

As shown in FIG.4, a construction vehicle may be a road machine like a pneumatic tyred roller. However, the construction vehicle is not limited only to road machines, and includes all kinds of construction vehicles having an engine room formed on the top end of the rear portion thereof, such as rollers, bulldozers, wheel dozers, wheel loaders, motor graders, pavers, road re-claimers, excavators, road machinery, tyred rollers, pneumatic tyred rollers, multi-wheeled rubber-tyred rollers, compactors and the like. As shown, when construction vehicle 1 is in use or is transferred, it is not necessary to provide step 100. Thus, step 100 can be folded at that time. Accordingly, the total length of vehicle 1 is reduced, and the work of separately removing step 100 while vehicle 1 is being transferred is avoided, so that vehicle 1 can be stowed appropriately in a given space for transferring. During vehicle use, further, the collision of the protruding step against the neighboring objects can be prevented, and also, foldable step 100 gives a smart and sophisticated outer appearance to vehicle 1.

On another hand, as shown in FIG.5, if it is necessary to inspect the engine of vehicle 1, step 100 is unfolded and rotated to permit the engine inspector to stand thereon. As a result, step 100 can be easily utilized.

As shown in FIG.6, when vehicle 1 is traveled or is in use, step 100 is folded in such a manner where linkage 120 and foot plate 130 are folded upwards of support 110. So as to maintain the first state where step 100 is folded, further, hole 4 formed on one side of the construction vehicle 1 corresponds to hole 134 formed on one end of foot plate 130, and after that, lock pin 140 is inserted into corresponding holes 4 and 134 linking them to each other.

In case of unfolding step 100 so as to inspect the engine of vehicle 1, as shown in FIG.7, lock pin 140 is removed from holes 4 and 134, and linkage 120 and foot plate 130 are unfolded. At this time, stopper 122 disposed on the underside of linkage 120 is engaged with the outer wall of the upwardly protruded portion of L-shaped support 110, so that linkage 120 is supported against support 110, thereby being maintained in the second state.

Moreover, foot plate 130 is rotatable in desired directions, and as shown in FIG.8, the foot plate 130 is rotated by an angle of 90 degrees clockwise to allow hole 126 formed on one side of linkage 120 to correspond to hole 136 formed on one side of foot plate 130. Next, lock pin 140 is inserted into corresponding

holes

126 and 136 to fix foot plate 130.

On the other hand, even though not shown, foot plate 130 is rotated by an angle of 90 degrees counterclockwise in the unfolded state to allow hole 128 formed on the other side of linkage 120 to correspond to hole 138 formed on the other side of foot plate 130. Next, lock pin 140 is fittingly inserted into corresponding

holes

128 and 138 to fix foot plate 130.

Like this, the rotation axis of foot plate 130 is formed toward one side of foot plate 130, thereby further expanding the serviceable area of foot plate 130. As shown in Fig.9, if foot plate 130 is rotated in one direction and fixed, the serviceable area of foot plate 130 as shown by the solid line of FIG.9 can be obtained, and in this position, the other end of foot plate 130 is closest to the right side of the vehicle. Contrarily, if foot plate 130 is rotated in the other direction and fixed, the serviceable area of foot plate 130 as shown by the dotted line of FIG.9 can be obtained, and in this position, the other end of foot plate 130 is closest to the left side of the vehicle.

The foregoing description is provided for the purpose of explanation and is not to be construed as limiting the invention. While many embodiments have been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it is understood that the words which have been used herein are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Furthermore, although the embodiments have been described herein with reference to particular structure, methods, and embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited only to the particulars disclosed herein. Moreover, any of the embodiments described above can incorporate any structures or features of any other embodiments described above, as desired. Those skilled in the relevant art, having the benefit of the teachings of this specification, may affect numerous modifications to the invention as described herein, and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

A foldable step for a construction vehicle, comprising:

a support having one end fixed to the rear portion of said vehicle;

a first rotation axis installed at the other end of said support, said first rotation axis being parallel with the axle of said vehicle;

a linkage having one end connected with said support through said first rotation axis, whereby said linkage being rotatable relative to said support;

a second rotation axis installed at the other end of said linkage, said second rotation axis being perpendicular to said axle of said vehicle; and

a foot plate having one end connected with said linkage through said second rotation axis, whereby said foot plate being rotatable relative to said linkage, the other end of said foot plate being closer to the left side of said vehicle as said foot plate rotates in one direction and to the right side of said vehicle as said foot plate rotates in the other direction.
The foldable step of claim 1, further comprising a stopper installed between said support and said linkage, said stopper restricting the rotation of said linkage when said foot plate is facing upwards of said vehicle.
The foldable step of claim 2, wherein said stopper is a protrusion on said linkage, said protrusion restricting the rotation of said linkage by being engaged with the outer wall of said support.
The foldable step of claim 1, wherein the rotation of said linkage allows said linkage to have a first state when said foot plate is facing forward of said vehicle and a second state when said foot plate is facing upwards of said vehicle.
The foldable step of claim 1, wherein said support comprises a pair of flat bars spaced apart from and facing each other, and said first rotation axis is installed between these two bars.
The foldable step of claim 1 or claim 5, wherein said support is L-shaped.
The foldable step of claim 1, wherein said linkage is fastened to said vehicle when said foot plate is facing forward of said vehicle by a lock pin passing through a hole formed in the upper portion of said linkage and engaging into a securing hole formed in the corresponding portion of said vehicle.
The foldable step of claim 1, wherein said foot plate is fastened to said linkage when said other end of said foot plate is closest to the left side of said vehicle by a lock pin passing through a hole formed in said foot plate and engaging into a securing hole formed in a corresponding portion of said linkage.
The foldable step of claim 1, wherein said foot plate is fastened to said linkage when said other end of said foot plate is closest to the right side of said vehicle by a lock pin passing through a hole formed in said foot plate and engaging into a securing hole formed in a corresponding portion of said linkage.
The foldable step of claim 1, wherein said foot plate is fastened to said linkage when said other end of said foot plate is closest to either the left side or the right side of said vehicle by a lock pin passing through one of a plurality of holes formed in said foot plate and engaging one of a plurality of securing holes formed in corresponding portions of said linkage.
The foldable step of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of non-slip protrusions formed on the upper surface of said foot plate.
The foldable step of claim 1, wherein the construction vehicle comprises road machinery, tyred rollers, pneumatic tyred rollers, multi-wheeled rubber-tyred rollers, and compactors.
A construction vehicle with an engine disposed in a space formed at the rear portion of said vehicle, the vehicle having a foldable step to give a user easier access to the engine, comprising:

a support having one end fixed to the rear portion of said vehicle;

a first rotation axis installed at the other end of said support, said first rotation axis being parallel with the axle of said vehicle;

a linkage having one end connected with said support through said first rotation axis, whereby said linkage being rotatable relative to said support;

a second rotation axis installed at the other end of said linkage, said second rotation axis being perpendicular to said axle of said vehicle; and

a foot plate having one end connected with said linkage through said second rotation axis, whereby said foot plate being rotatable relative to said linkage, the other end of said foot plate being closer to the left side of said vehicle as said foot plate rotates in one direction and to the right side of said vehicle as said foot plate rotates in the other direction.
The construction vehicle of claim 13, further comprising a stopper installed between said support and said linkage, said stopper restricting the rotation of said linkage when said foot plate is facing upwards of said vehicle.
The construction vehicle of claim 14, wherein said stopper is a protrusion on said linkage, said protrusion restricts the rotation of said linkage by being engaged with the outer wall of said support.
The construction vehicle of claim 13, wherein the rotation of said linkage allows said linkage to have a first state when said foot plate is facing forwards of said vehicle and a second state when said foot plate is facing upwards of said vehicle.
The construction vehicle of claim 13, wherein said foot plate is fastened to said linkage when said other end of said foot plate is closest to either the left side or the right side of said vehicle by a lock pin passing through one of a plurality of holes formed in said foot plate and engaging into one of a plurality of securing holes formed in corresponding portions of said linkage.
The construction vehicle of claim 13, further comprising a plurality of non-slip protrusions formed on the upper surface of said foot plate.
The construction vehicle of claim 13 wherein the construction vehicle comprises road machinery, tyred rollers, pneumatic tyred rollers, multi-wheeled rubber-tyred rollers, and compactors.
A foldable step for a construction vehicle with an engine disposed in a space formed at the rear portion of said vehicle, the foldable step giving a user easier access to the engine, comprising:

a support having one end fixed to the rear portion of said vehicle;

a first rotation axis installed at the other end of said support, said first rotation axis being parallel with the axle of said vehicle;

a linkage having one end connected with said support through said first rotation axis, whereby said linkage being rotatable relative to said support;

a second rotation axis installed at the other end of said linkage, said second rotation axis being perpendicular to said axle of said vehicle;

a foot plate having one end connected with said linkage through said second rotation axis, whereby said foot plate, being rotatable relative to said linkage, the other end of said foot plate being closer to the left side of said vehicle as said foot plate rotates in one direction and to the right side of said vehicle as said foot plate rotates in the other direction, said foot plate being fastened to said linkage when said other end of said foot plate is closest to either the left side or the right side of said vehicle by a lock pin passing through one of a plurality of holes formed in said foot plate and engaging into one of a plurality of securing holes formed in corresponding portions of said linkage; and

a stopper installed between said support and said linkage, with said stopper restricting the rotation of said linkage when said foot plate is facing upwards of said vehicle.