With Movable Control Station Or Seat Position Patents (Class 180/326)
  • Patent number: 11866888
    Abstract: A material transfer vehicle includes a material-receiving device that is adapted to receive asphalt paving material, and a loading conveyor that is operatively connected to the material-receiving device and adapted to receive asphalt paving material from the material-receiving device. A ground operator's station is located adjacent to the material-receiving device. The ground operator's station includes a lower platform on which the ground operator may stand, and a seat on which the ground operator may sit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Roadtec, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Neisen, Nathan Beckman
  • Patent number: 11814274
    Abstract: A forklift includes: an armrest that is provided at a driver's seat of a vehicle and is moved between a non-operation position and an operation position by a movable mechanism; a steering member that outputs an operation signal in response to a steering operation; a steering device that changes a steering angle of steering wheels of the vehicle; a control unit that changes the steering angle according to the operation signal; and an armrest detection unit that detects whether the armrest is at the non-operation position or at the operation position in which when the armrest detection unit detects that the armrest is at the non-operation position, the control unit controls the steering device or the steering member such that the steering device does not change the steering angle even if the steering member is operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Logisnext Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hidekazu Yasukochi
  • Patent number: 11723742
    Abstract: A cart for supporting one or more instruments for a computer-assisted, remote procedure can include a base and a support structure extending from the base and adjustable to different configurations, the support structure being configured to support one or more instruments to perform a remote procedure. The cart can further include a steering interface configured to be grasped by a user and a sensor mechanism configured to detect a force applied to the steering interface. The cart also can include a drive system comprising a control module operably coupled to receive an input from the sensor mechanism in response to the force applied to the steering interface and information about a configuration of the support structure, the control module operably coupled to output a movement command based on the received input from the sensor mechanism and the information about the configuration of the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Paul G. Griffiths, Arjang M. Hourtash, Paul W. Mohr, David W. Robinson, Nitish Swarup, John W. Zabinski, Mark W. Zimmer
  • Patent number: 11717090
    Abstract: An armrest described herein includes an arm-side wire harness including an electric wire and an arm-side connector that is on an end of the electric wire and is to be coupled to a seat-side connector mounted on a seat. The armrest further includes an arm body member including an electric wire routing cavity in which the electric wire of the arm-side wire harness is arranged and a seat-side wall that is to be arranged opposite a seat frame of the seat. The arm body member is to be fixed to the seat frame while the seat-side wall being opposite the seat frame. The seat-side wall includes a connector insertion hole through which the arm-side connector can be inserted. The arm body member includes an operation hole that is continuous from the connector insertion hole via an arrangement section of the electric wire routing cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignees: AUTONETWORKS TECHNOLOGIES, LTD., SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD., SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD., SUMITOMO RIKO COMPANY LIMITED, TOKAI CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Yamamoto, Hidetoshi Ishida, Kaho Hayashi, Hideki Oshima, Takemasa Okumura, Takahiko Endo, Jun Jin, Keiji Makino
  • Patent number: 11549289
    Abstract: Provided are a door trim attached on a vehicle cabin side of a vehicle door and including a storage recess curved outward in a vehicle-width direction, and a release switch disposed in the storage recess and pushed in a predetermined operating direction to output a latch release signal to an actuator that moves a latch member. The latch switch is completely stored in the storage recess, and the operating direction is tilted toward the rear of the vehicle relative to an axis extending outward in the vehicle-width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi Miwa, Kento Konishi
  • Patent number: 11511682
    Abstract: A structural component for a floor assembly of a vehicle. The structural component is formed integrally and includes at least one hinge element and a base part. The base part is configured to support the structural component on the vehicle when the structural component is installed in the vehicle. The at least one hinge element includes at least one flap element which is connected at least in regions to the base part and is configured to be pivoted relative to the base part and, in an end position, to at least partially enclose at least one predetermined construction space of the vehicle. The at least one flap element is furthermore configured in order, in the end position, to abut or to engage in a form-fitting manner against or on respective vehicle elements delimiting the at least one construction space of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Stephan Schweiger
  • Patent number: 11505095
    Abstract: A seat device for a construction machine comprising a positioning device and a seat console having a seat arranged thereon, wherein the positioning device comprises a first pivot arm and a second pivot arm for guiding the seat console along a curved trajectory, wherein the pivot arms respectively comprise a first end and a second end, wherein the respective first end of the pivot arms is supported on the positioning device via a respective first rotary joint, and the respective second end of the pivot arms is connected to the seat console via a respective second rotary joint in a manner as spaced apart from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Hamm AG
    Inventors: Gernot Reif, Stefan Reber
  • Patent number: 11499288
    Abstract: An upper revolving structure (4) of a hydraulic excavator (1) includes a revolving frame (7), a counterweight (8), an operator's seat (12), a right front cover (17B) disposed from the right side of the operator's seat (12) toward a front end side of the revolving frame (7), a control valve device (18), and an accumulator (21). An accumulator support device (23) is provided between the operator's seat (12) and the right front cover (17B), the accumulator support device (23) is configured by a box (24) providing the inside thereof for an accommodating space (25) and having an opening (26) and a lid member (28) mounted on the box (24) through a hinge member (29) and opened and closed between an open position at which the side of a free end (28D) opens the opening (26) and a closed position at which the side of the free end (28D) closes the opening (26), and the accumulator (21) is mounted on the lid member (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Tierra Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Taihei Maehara, Kiwamu Takahashi, Takeshi Ishii
  • Patent number: 11413995
    Abstract: A utility vehicle includes a frame, a first ground-engaging element coupled to a first portion of the frame, a second ground-engaging element coupled to a second portion of the frame, an operator platform supported by the frame, and a suspension system coupled between the operator platform and the frame to accommodate motion of the frame relative to the operator platform. The suspension system includes a first linkage assembly coupled to the operator platform and operable to accommodate motion of the second portion of the frame relative to the operator platform and a second linkage assembly having a first end coupled to the frame to secure the suspension system to the frame and a second end coupled to the first linkage assembly. The second linkage assembly being operable independent of the first linkage assembly to accommodate motion of the first portion of the frame relative to the operator platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Ariens Company
    Inventors: Brent P. Berglund, Jeffrey M. Berchem, Daniel J. Gindt
  • Patent number: 11364846
    Abstract: The invention relates to a side mirror assembly (1) for a ground vehicle, the side mirror assembly (1) comprising two mirrors (5, 6) distributed parallel to a main axis (Z12) of the side mirror assembly (1), and both configured to be secured to the ground vehicle. The side mirror assembly (1) comprises a spacer actuator (20) for moving the two mirrors (5, 6) relative to each other, between a primary position, wherein the mirrors (5, 6) are at a first distance from each other along the main axis (Z12), and a secondary position, wherein the mirrors (5, 6) are at a second distance (Zd2) from each other along the main axis (Z12), the second distance (Zd2) being greater than the first distance. At least when the mirrors (5, 6) are in the secondary position, at least one empty see-through opening (22, 24) is provided along the main axis (Z12), between the mirrors (5, 6), so that a user may see beyond the side mirror assembly (1) through said at least one see-through opening (22, 24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation
    Inventors: Nicolas Berne, Won Chol Yeom, Olivier Hermann
  • Patent number: 11225774
    Abstract: A working machine according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an operator seat, an operation base arranged in front of the operator seat, an operation member arranged on the operation base and configured to be gripped and moved, and an armrest member extending from the operation base toward a side of the operator seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroshi Horii
  • Patent number: 11208011
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a seat of a vehicle, a system having the same, and a method thereof are provided. The apparatus for controlling a seat of a vehicle includes a digital key positioning device to measure a position of a digital key inside the vehicle and the number of the digital key, an occupant sensor to sense an occupant condition inside the vehicle, a controller to determine a target for seat-controlling based on the position of the digital key, the number of the digital key, and the occupant condition, and a seat controller to control a position of a seat using seat control information, which is received from the digital key, for each user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sung Jin Jo
  • Patent number: 11129688
    Abstract: A cart for supporting one or more instruments for a computer-assisted, remote procedure can include a base and a support structure extending from the base and adjustable to different configurations, the support structure being configured to support one or more instruments to perform a remote procedure. The cart can further include a steering interface configured to be grasped by a user and a sensor mechanism configured to detect a force applied to the steering interface. The cart also can include a drive system comprising a control module operably coupled to receive an input from the sensor mechanism in response to the force applied to the steering interface and information about a configuration of the support structure, the control module operably coupled to output a movement command based on the received input from the sensor mechanism and the information about the configuration of the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Paul G. Griffiths, Arjang M. Hourtash, Paul W. Mohr, David W. Robinson, Nitish Swarup, John W. Zabinski, Mark W. Zimmer
  • Patent number: 11046564
    Abstract: A materials handling vehicle including a mast assembly supported on a power unit. The mast assembly includes plural telescoping sections defined by pairs of laterally spaced rails. An operator compartment is supported on the mast assembly for vertical movement, and a dash is located forward of the operator compartment and includes a substantially horizontal support surface for packages. At least one control device is associated with the dash for operation by an operator standing on the operator compartment. A transparent window defines a portion of the horizontal support surface and provides the operator with a view of a floor surface when the operator compartment is in an elevated position such that the operator does not need to move his head outside the perimeter of the vehicle when looking down. When the mast assembly is in a collapsed position the mast assembly is no higher than the horizontal support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: James V. Kraimer, Christoph Babel
  • Patent number: 10994708
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a construction machine, said construction machine comprising a brake assembly for braking the machine, as well as an operator platform. The operator platform comprises at least one operator seat with a total of at least two operating positions for a machine operator at opposite ends of the operator platform, and an actuation device for foot actuation of the brake assembly. According to essential aspects of the present invention, the actuation device for the brake assembly comprises a brake beam which extends transversely to the working direction of the construction machine and which can be operated by foot from said two operating positions, and the actuation device further comprises an actuator for the brake beam, which is arranged below the brake beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: BOMAG GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Klein, Thomas Haubrich
  • Patent number: 10946740
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a plurality of seats. Each seat receives a respective human occupant of the motor vehicle. A movable driver control interface enables a human occupant to drive the motor vehicle. A positioning mechanism is coupled to the driver control interface and enables a human occupant to move the driver control interface to a position in front of any one of the seats such that any one of the human occupants may use the driver control interface to drive the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Benjamin David Sweet, Padmanaban Kanagaraj
  • Patent number: 10919417
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle seat for a vehicle, comprising a seat part that has a seat part frame, comprising a backrest part and comprising a first and a second switching console element which each comprise at least one control element for actuating at least one function of an actuator element of the vehicle, the first switching console element being arranged on a first side of the seat part and the second switching console element being arranged on a second side of the seat part so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle seat, the seat part and/or the backrest part being designed so as to be adjustable with respect to a degree of inclination, it being possible to change a relative position of a first portion of the first switching console element, with respect to the vehicle seat, it being possible to transfer the change in the relative position of the first portion of the first switching console element into a change in a relative position of a first portion of the second switching
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: GRAMMER AG
    Inventor: Thomas Haller
  • Patent number: 10906432
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle seat for a vehicle, comprising a seat part that has a seat part frame, and comprising a backrest part, the seat part and/or the backrest part being designed so as to be adjustable with respect to a degree of inclination, and comprising at least one switching console element which comprises at least one control element for actuating at least one function of at least one actuator element of the vehicle, the switching console element being mounted on the seat part frame to the side of the seat part, a first portion of the switching console element being designed so as to be displaceable at least in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: GRAMMER AG
    Inventor: Thomas Haller
  • Patent number: 10859147
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle seat with at least one laterally positioned operating device for operating the vehicle seat functions and/or vehicle functions and an adjustment device for adjusting a vertical position and/or an inclination of the at least one operating device with respect to a rest of the vehicle seat, wherein the adjustment device comprises a rotational axis extending in the seat width direction and a shaft which is connected to the operating device, positioned at a distance from the rotational axis and rotatable together with the operating device about the rotational axis, wherein the adjustment of the vertical position and/or of the inclination of the operating device is feasible by means of a rotational movement of a spindle element which is in operative contact with the shaft, wherein a central axis of the spindle element is perpendicular to a central axis of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: GRAMMER AG
    Inventors: Joachim Pelka, Konstantin Lorey
  • Patent number: 10744919
    Abstract: An operator seat system is provided that includes an operator seat and an armrest control center with an I/O (input/output) system that is connected to and moves with the operator seat. An armrest control center mount system may include a seat mount and an armrest control center mount that are attached to each other with an adjustment system that allows adjustment of the armrest control center with respect to the operator seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Nathan P. Brooks, Steven N. Winkel
  • Patent number: 10702069
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle seat comprising an operator device arranged at the side for operating vehicle seat and/or vehicle functions, and an adjustment device for adjusting a vertical position and/or a tilt level of the operator device with respect to the rest of the vehicle seat, wherein the adjustment device comprises an axis of rotation extending in the seat width direction, and a shaft which is connected to the operator device, is spaced apart from the axis of rotation and arranged so as to be pivotable about said axis together with the operator device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: GRAMMER AG
    Inventor: Joachim Pelka
  • Patent number: 10596934
    Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for a transit seating system including multiple seat frames, each seat frame including, at least one forward support and at least one rearward support. The at least one forward support and the at least one rearward support are capable of being detachably secured to a transit vehicle floor. A seat back height track system is vertically and slideably coupled to the seat frame. A seat back subframe is coupled to the seat back height track system. A seat base frame is coupled to the seat back height track system through a seat hinge. The at least one forward support is capable of overlapping the at least one rearward support when at least two of the seat frames are in a nested or fully compressed or stowed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Inventors: Ritchie Dave Hollingsworth, Joseph D Mello, Luke Daniel Mielke, Christopher Luis San Nicolas, Jonathan William Rich, Samuel Robert Thompson
  • Patent number: 10563754
    Abstract: A transmission apparatus for a vehicle includes a shift lever in which a cover is movably disposed. The transmission apparatus, which performs a gear shift according to a gear shift command received by the shift lever, includes a bottom portion capable of moving linearly so that gear shift stages including a first gear shift stage and a plurality of second gear shift stages are mutually shifted, a body rotatably coupled to an upper side of the bottom portion so that the plurality of second gear shift stages are mutually shifted, and a cover movably disposed on an upper end of the body so that a position of the cover is varied according to the mutual shift of the gear shift stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seunghyun Woo, Gi Beom Hong, Daeyun An
  • Patent number: 10421380
    Abstract: A console assembly includes a base, a transmission shifter, a guideway and an armrest. The transmission shifter is carried on the base and is displaceable between a plurality of transmission mode defining positions and a storage position. The armrest is carried on the base by a guideway and is displaceable by sliding motion between a home position and a deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Michael Keenan, Ryan Mathew Sandor
  • Patent number: 10370821
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes a console box disposed to a side of an operator's seat, and a support including a rotational axis disposed in a left and right direction below the console box. The console box is configured to be rotatable in a forth and back direction. The support rotatably supports the console box around the rotational axis and between an operating position in which the console box is horizontally disposed and a retracted position in which the console box is inclined at a position in which the console box has been rotated rearward from the operating position. A spacing in a horizontal direction between front and rear ends of the console box disposed in the retracted position is less than a spacing in the horizontal direction between front and rear ends of the console box disposed in the operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichi Muramoto, Yasunari Kato, Yuuki Shimasaki, Jun Itou, Masahiko Hamaguchi
  • Patent number: 10253477
    Abstract: The wheel loader includes a console box and a bellows. The console box is disposed on the side of an operator's seat, and is rotatable in the forward and backward direction between an operation position in which the console box is disposed horizontally and a retracted position in which the console box is rotated rearward from the operation position. The bellows has a lower end and an upper end. The lower end is fixed on the floor side of the operator's seat. The upper end is rotatably linked to the console box in the forward and backward direction around a rotary shaft running in the left and right direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventor: Yasunari Kato
  • Patent number: 10239334
    Abstract: A printing apparatus and a conveying apparatus are provided. The printing apparatus is provided with a main body unit including a printing unit configured to print on a medium and legs supporting the printing unit. The printing apparatus includes a pair of holding members configured to hold both ends, in an axial direction, of a roll of media at a position vertically above a floor surface on which the main body unit is placed. The roll of media is formed by winding the medium. A drive unit is configured to rotate the roll of media held by the holding members. A guide member connected to the main body unit is configured to support the holding members moveably in a width direction X. The guide member is disposed at a position horizontally closer to the main body unit than the holding members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuhide Torigoe
  • Patent number: 10196795
    Abstract: A wheel loader includes a console box, a link rod, and a shutoff valve. The console box is disposed on the side of an operator's seat, is able to rotate in the forward and backward direction between an operation position in which the console box is disposed horizontally and a retracted position in which the console box is rotated rearward from the operation position, and has a slot. The link rod is connected at one end to the slot and transmits the rotation of the console box. The link rod is able to rotate a shaft to switch between an open position in which an actuator drive-use hydraulic circuit can be actuated, and a closed position in which the actuator drive-use hydraulic circuit cannot be actuated. A second end of the link rod is linked to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventor: Yasunari Kato
  • Patent number: 10167610
    Abstract: A reducing agent tank (11) is disposed in a first space (SP1) on an upstream side of cooling air with respect to a heat exchanger (21), and an engine (13) and an injector (14) are disposed in a second space (SP2) on a downstream side of the cooling air with respect to the heat exchanger (21). The heat exchanger is placed on a bracket (30) having a first side plate section (32), a second side plate section (33), and a top plate section (31), and a first cutout section (34) for allowing a reducing agent hose (25) to be inserted, a second cutout section (35) for allowing the reducing agent hose to be inserted are provided in the first side plate section and the second side plate section, respectively, and a portion of the reducing agent hose passes through the first cutout section and the second cutout section to be wired in an internal space (SP3) of the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shosei Kurosaka, Hiroki Sugawara, Kazuhiko Mizoguchi
  • Patent number: 10137813
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a seat having a backrest with an adjustable backrest inclination, an interior device, and a controllable device. A touch-sensitive screen for controlling the controllable device is arranged in or on the interior device. The inclination, curvature and/or position of the touch-sensitive screen is adjustable relative to the interior device. A control device in the motor vehicle can control the inclination, curvature and/or the position of the touch-sensitive screen depending on the backrest inclination of the backrest. Therefore, a device in a motor vehicle can be controlled in a more comfortable manner by controlling the inclination, curvature, and/or the position of the device depending on the backrest inclination of the backrest of the seat in the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Jacques Hélot
  • Patent number: 10077000
    Abstract: A door mirror is disposed at a side of a vehicle body, and the door mirror includes a mirror body that is provided at a tip of a door mirror stay extending from the side of the vehicle body in at least one of a width direction and a vertical direction of the vehicle body, and an actuator that changes an interval between the vehicle body and the mirror body. The mirror body is actuated in accordance with at least any of a traveling environment and a passenger state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kei Fuji, Hisashi Nagano, Masahiko Ikeo, Motonari Masatani
  • Patent number: 9840826
    Abstract: An interchangeable operator interface system for a work vehicle has at least one controller, at least one operator interface device having a plurality of controls, and at least one interface device docking arrangement. The docking arrangement removably mounts different interface devices to alternatively physically connect them to the work vehicle and operatively couple them to the controller. Different operator interface devices have at least one common control that operates in a different mode of operation and/or in a different physical layout on the associated operator interface device. The controller is configured to effect an associated common change in state of an associated component of the work vehicle upon receiving a control input from the different common controls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Ronald J. Huber, Giovanni A. Wuisan
  • Patent number: 9777460
    Abstract: A control arrangement for a work vehicle has a first operator control configured to provide a steering input to turn steered wheels of the vehicle, and a second operator control having two control switches configured to provide a wheel lean input to lean the steered wheels and an articulation input to articulate the chassis of the vehicle. The control switches are positioned on the second operator control so that a single movement of a single digit of an operator's hand applied to the control switches simultaneously initiates the wheel lean input and the articulation input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Giovanni A. Wuisan, Nathan J. Horstman, Stephen E. Bonneau, Ronald J. Huber, Jed D. Polzin, Richard A. Valenzuela
  • Patent number: 9777461
    Abstract: An operator control arrangement has first and second operator controls with pluralities of first and second controls configured to provide inputs to at least one controller to control respective first and second sets of operations of machine-positioning and implement-positioning components. The first and second sets of operations include pluralities of machine-positioning and implement-positioning operations. The pluralities of first controls and/or inputs are numbered within fifty percent of the pluralities of second controls and/or inputs, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Giovanni A. Wuisan, Nathan J. Horstman, Stephen E. Bonneau, Ronald J. Huber, Jed D. Polzin, Richard A. Valenzuela
  • Patent number: 9707865
    Abstract: An operator seat for a work vehicle is disclosed. The operator seat includes an operator support rotatably mountable to the work vehicle and an arm coupled to the operator support to rotate with the operator support. The arm includes at least one human-machine interface device. The operator seat includes a hinge pivotally connecting the arm to the operator support, and a linkage having a first end and a second end. The first end is coupled to the operator support, and the linkage is configured such that rotation of the operator support in a first direction causes the second end of the linkage to move the arm in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Bryan K. Buerkle
  • Patent number: 9640337
    Abstract: A door window opening and closing switch assembly includes a vehicular door window closing switch that is a touch-sensitive sensor and for closing a vehicular door window, and a switch mount member where the vehicular door window closing switch is mounted, and the switch mount member includes a switch operation portion having an opening, an opening edge portion around the opening, and a side wall extending from the opening edge portion. The door window closing switch is mounted on the side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignees: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA, SUMITOMO RIKO COMPANY LIMITED, TOKAI CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Suzuki, Atushi Muramatu, Masanori Yamamoto, Shoji Sanae, Seiji Kobayashi, Mari Azumi
  • Patent number: 9206585
    Abstract: Provided is a working machine capable of preventing excessive force from being exerted on a hydraulic hose connected to a console box by movement of the console box. The working machine includes a machine body including an operation space on a floor surface, a seat stand in the operation space and including a side wall portion defining an accommodation space, an operator's seat, a console box capable of moving between a fall-down position and an upturn position, and a hydraulic hose including an over-floor region extending upward from the floor surface to be connected to a front part of the console box and accommodated in the accommodation space so as to have a curved portion. The side wall portion has an oblique guide surface which guides the curved portion to make the curved portion slide along the oblique guide surface by turning of the console box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: KOBELCO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Satoshi Kurushima
  • Patent number: 9205879
    Abstract: This improved tractor truck provides relief during driving for extended periods of time, it consists primarily of an adjustable seat, two sets of gas and brake pedals, a truck floor, an adjustable floor pan, double doors a plurality of guide pipes and air cylinders. The adjustable seat has a seat body, an adjustable seat cushion that allows the driver to sit, stand or squat, adjustable arm rests and headrest, the truck seat being adjustable horizontally and vertically. The truck floor houses the first set of pedals which can be used while the driver is in a sitting position. The adjustable floor pan houses the second set of pedals and allows the adjustable floor pan to be adjusted upward or downward. The double door assembly allows the driver to easily and conveniently open and close the door if the driver is in the sitting or standing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Inventor: Hasani Nnamdi Ephraim
  • Patent number: 8978812
    Abstract: An operator's seat mounting section (11) that is positioned in back side of a floor member (10) includes a seat plate (11D) for mounting an operator's seat (14) and an equipment mounting part (11F) that rises upward from the right side of the seat plate (11D), and a right operating lever assembly (16) is provided in front of the equipment mounting part (11F). A controller accommodating space (21) is provided to be positioned in back side of a console (16A) of the right operating lever assembly (16) and between a side surface (11F1) of the equipment mounting part (11F) of the operator's seat mounting section (11) and the operator's seat (14), and a controller (27) is mounted in the controller accommodating space (21) to control various kinds of electric equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shogo Kimura, Hiroshi Tabeta
  • Patent number: 8960361
    Abstract: A control device for a motor vehicle has a manually controllable drive position selector element and a control element for controlling secondary functions of the motor vehicle. The drive position selector element and the control element for the secondary functions are attached to a common base body which is movable relative to an interior lining part of the motor vehicle. The drive position selector element is designed such that it can be used as a hand rest for the control element for the secondary functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Jacques Helot, Ulrich Beierlein, Wouter Kets, Imanuel Merk
  • Patent number: 8794673
    Abstract: A hydraulic excavator includes an undercarriage having a crawler and a rotating superstructure. The rotating superstructure includes a plate-shaped rotating frame, an engine, a fuel tank a counterweight and a fuel line. The engine is mounted inside the rotating frame. The fuel tank is disposed on one side of the engine. The counterweight is supported on the rotating frame to the rear of the engine, and disposed so that a bottom end portion faces a rear end surface of the rotating frame with a gap interposed therebetween and the gap is open to the atmosphere. The fuel line is connected to the fuel tank and disposed in the gap between the rear end surface of the rotating frame and the bottom end portion of the counterweight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Youichirou Kimura, Jun Yonehara, Risa Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8776941
    Abstract: A road finishing machine includes a control panel that can be selectively swiveled about a first swivel axis and a second swivel axis, where one operational control each is provided for the first and the second swivel axes for separately unlocking and/or locking a swiveling capacity around the respective swivel axis. One counter surface is fixed to the control panel for each of the operational controls. The swivel axes can be unlocked by pulling the respective operational control in the direction of the respective counter surface, and the control panel can be swiveled into the same direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Joseph Voegele AG
    Inventor: Ingo Herzberg
  • Patent number: 8763747
    Abstract: A construction equipment machine includes an operator station equipped with a driver seat which is rotatable around a vertical axis at least from a first operating position to a second operating position through an intermediate position, wherein the machine includes at least a first hand controller which the operator may use at least for some operations and at least in one position of the seat for operating a hydraulic implement. When the seat moves between the first position up to at least the intermediate position, the first hand controller is in a first configuration with respect the seat so as to be in a manipulatable position with respect to the seat, and, when the seat is in its second position, the controller is shifted to a second configuration where it is displaced to a non manipulatable position with respect to the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB
    Inventors: Peter Jones, Chester Harding
  • Patent number: 8694213
    Abstract: Provided is a method of controlling the regenerating condition by use of a construction machine having an upper revolving structure with a hybrid drive unit, and a lower traveling body, wherein when in a brake mode, the hydraulic motor is neutralized by the internal communication of an inlet port and an outlet port of the hydraulic motor via a communication valve, such that most of the kinetic (inertia) energy is efficiently transduced into electric energy by way of regenerative power generation for electric storage, and such that the switchover between driving and regenerative power generation is rendered in the optimal condition. The control unit determines the control mode of the control unit in accordance with the rotation direction of the hydraulic actuator, the operating direction of the hydraulic actuator controller, the actual rotational velocity of the hydraulic actuator, and the manipulated variable of the hydraulic actuator controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keisuke Nishitani, Masahiro Nishiyama
  • Patent number: 8651220
    Abstract: A position-adjustable, dual-pod control system for a machine, such as a backhoe loader is disclosed. The system includes a horizontal cross beam connected to a pair of brackets. The pair of brackets are mounted to the machine by way of a pair of bearings that enables pivotal movement of the cross beam in the fore and aft directions while the cross beam is positioned perpendicularly to the fore and aft direction or the fore-aft centerline of the machine. The bottom end of each pod arm is pivotally coupled to the brackets thereby enabling the pod arms to be pivoted towards or away from the centerline. Each bracket includes a through hole that accommodates a bearing that is mounted to the machine, such as to the floor of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Robert Connor, Richard Adam Kenneth Heald, Robert Michael Bower, Paul Anthony Sheehan
  • Publication number: 20130292200
    Abstract: A road finishing machine includes a control panel that can be selectively swiveled about a first swivel pin and a second swivel pin, where one operational control each is provided for the first and the second swivel pins for separately unlocking and/or locking a swiveling capacity around the respective swivel pin. One counter surface is fixed to the control panel for each of the operational controls. The swivel pins can be unlocked by pulling the respective operational control in the direction of the respective counter surface, and the control panel can be swiveled into the same direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventor: Ingo Herzberg
  • Patent number: 8561748
    Abstract: A seat suspension includes a lower support frame having a first slot, an upper support frame having a second slot, and a biasing member between the upper and lower support frames. A first suspension arm is connected to the lower support frame at a first end for rotation with respect to the lower support frame and connected to the upper support frame at a second end for rotation with respect to the upper support frame. A second suspension arm is connected to the first slot in the lower support frame for rotation with respect to the lower support frame and for translation with respect to the lower support frame along the first slot, and a second end coupled to the second slot in the upper support frame for rotation with respect to the upper support frame and for translation with respect to the upper support frame along the second slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Seats, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas C. Hahn, Jesse C. Boyarski
  • Patent number: 8528684
    Abstract: A charge pressure reduction circuit for a loader backhoe in which a directional control valve causes the charge pump to operate at a system pressure high enough to adequately supply a clutch circuit when conditions indicate the vehicle is operating in a loader or transport mode. The directional control valve causes the charge pump to operate at a lower pressure as, for example, required for a lubrication circuit when conditions indicate the vehicle is in a backhoe operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Nathan H. Laws, Jonathan R. Copeland, Jacob J. Foxen, Anthony W. Brandon
  • Patent number: 8528699
    Abstract: A fork-lift truck has a battery-electric drive system, a driver's stand (10) having a driver's platform (11) for a standing operator formed between a load part (1) and a drive part (5) having a counterweight. The counterweight is formed by a battery pack device having at least one battery pack (9). The driver's stand (10) extends over the entire vehicle width. In this case, the drive part (5) has an equipment area (6), the battery pack device being arranged in a battery compartment (8), which is arranged above and/or adjacent to the equipment area (6), of the drive part (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Linde Material Handling GmbH
    Inventor: Paul John Eckersley
  • Patent number: 8464828
    Abstract: An operation unit for a construction machine includes a floor, an operation seat and a console box. A pilot valve is provided within the console box, a plurality of hoses are connected to the pilot valve and arranged at least from the pilot valve to the floor while bundled together, and a hose cover covers a plurality of over-floor portions of the respective hoses between the pilot valve and the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Takeda, Satoshi Kurushima, Daiki Nakabayashi