With Access Openings Having Moveable Or Removeable Closures Patents (Class 180/69.24)
  • Patent number: 7581607
    Abstract: A grille arrangement for an enclosure of a drive unit of a self-propelled agricultural applicator is provided. The grille arrangement includes a screen, and a frame mounted by the screen. The frame includes a first strut connected by at least one movable latch assembly to the enclosure, and a second strut having a first linear portion aligned at an obtuse angle relative to a second linear portion in top plan view. The screen is attached at the first linear portion. With the frame and screen aligned at the obtuse angle relative to a vertical plane perpendicular to a forward direction of travel, the second linear portion slides into a notch at a vertical support strut fixed at the enclosure. Upon sliding the second linear portion in the notch, rotation of the frame rotates the second linear portion to a lock position securing the frame and screen at the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Richard A. Moen, Dane M. Kallevig
  • Patent number: 7552789
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement of a front gate on a vehicle, the arrangement comprising at least one hinge system located at the rear in the direction of travel, in the form of a four-bar mechanism with a long arm and a short arm. The hinge system enables the front gate to be pivoted for standard opening and closing, and to be raised at the rear thereof in the event of a collision. To this end, the hinge system comprises an energy accumulator that actuates a displacement device in the event of a collision of the vehicle, said displacement device, in turn, acting directly on the front gate and being detachably connected to the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Kirchhoff GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Peter Gust
  • Patent number: 7537073
    Abstract: A hinge for connecting a hood, especially an engine hood, to a vehicle body, having a least one hinge carrier arranged on the vehicle body, at least one hinge arm arranged on the hood and at least one connecting part for the pivotable connection of the hinge arm to the hinge carrier. The connection of the hinge arm to the hinge carrier is released in the event of an accident by removal and/or destruction of the connecting part. The connecting part is configured to be removed and/or destroyed by forces acting in a direction of a pivot axis of the hinge, in the event of an accident.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
    Inventors: Ingo Kalliske, Dieter Markfort, Markus Felke
  • Patent number: 7520364
    Abstract: The present invention can speedily and easily perform the maintenance or the like of hydraulic equipment and the like. Accordingly, in the present invention, in a tractor in which a prime mover portion is arranged on a front portion of a machine body, a driving portion is arranged behind the prime mover portion, a transmission portion is arranged below a driver's seat which is formed in the driving portion, left-side and right-side rear wheels are mounted on the transmission portion by way of a rear axle case, and a cover body is extended over the driving portion, the transmission portion and the left-side and right-side rear wheels, the cover body constitutes a step portion of the driving portion and, the cover body covers the transmission portion from above and covers the left-side and right-side rear wheels from the front side and above, the cover body is formed of a plurality of split-portions, and at least the split-portion which covers the transmission portion from above is detachably formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yozo Oka, Nobuaki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7475750
    Abstract: A tractor realizes the remarkable reduction of time and efforts necessary for an assembling operation of a hood. Here, a hood is split into a fixed-side forming body which is fixed to the body frame and an open-and-close side forming body which can open/close an upper surface of the fixed-side forming body, and the fixed-side forming body is split into a left half forming member and a right half forming member. On the other hand, a connecting support body is formed on the front portion of the body frame in an upwardly raised state and, front-end abutting portions of left-and-right-side half forming members are connected and fixed to the connecting support body using a connecting body in a state that the front-end abutting portions are sandwiched between the connecting support body and the connecting body in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takayuki Tokuhara
  • Patent number: 7458434
    Abstract: A lawn mower comprises: a plurality of wheels; a vehicle body supported by the wheels; a mower unit supported by said vehicle body; a driver's seat supported by said vehicle body; an engine supported by said vehicle body rearwardly of said driver's seat; a radiator disposed between said engine and said driver's seat; a hood for covering said engine; and a dust filtering case disposed at a forward portion of said hood for allowing ambient cooling air to be drawn into said radiator, the dust filtering case surrounding at least a part of the radiator and having a net portion on at least one side thereof, the net portion extending rearwardly beyond a front surface of said radiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuo Samejima, Hironori Tsuchihashi, Teruo Shimamura, Yoshikazu Togoshi, Hiroshi Kawabata, Takeshi Komorida
  • Patent number: 7380625
    Abstract: A vehicle engine compartment hood is provided for a vehicle body having a hood opening. A hood panel normally closes the engine compartment. A hood base panel underlies the hood panel and is pivotally mounted on the vehicle body for pivotal opening movement to lift the hood panel and allow access to the engine compartment through the hood opening. A mechanism acts between the hood panel and the hood base panel for selectively elevating the hood panel above the hood base panel and the hood opening when the vehicle is in a pedestrian rich environment. The mechanism absorbs energy when an impact is received against the hood panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Jenne-Tai Wang
  • Publication number: 20080121451
    Abstract: A hood assembly for a machine includes an enclosure within which at least one exhaust aftertreatment device is mounted. The engine hood assembly may be preassembled so that the exhaust aftertreatment system is integrated into the enclosure. This may allow the hood assembly to be assembled to the machine and the exhaust aftertreatment system mated to an exhaust pipe from the engine as a unit while the machine is being built on an assembly line. The engine hood assembly may include ventilation openings to assist in heat rejection from the engine compartment and from the exhaust aftertreatment devices. The hood assembly of the present disclosure finds particular application in assisting large track type tractors in meeting ever more stringent exhaust emission requirements without extensive and expensive redesign alternatives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: Tony G. Kertz, Christopher M. Brian
  • Patent number: 7377346
    Abstract: A construction machine according to the present invention comprises a maintenance opening portion formed extending over a front shielding plate of a seat stand adjacent to a control stand and a side shielding plate of the control stand, or a maintenance opening portion formed extending over the front shielding plate and an upper shielding plate connected to an upper part of the front shielding plate. Further, the construction machine comprises a maintenance cover for dosing the opening portion. According to such a structure, workability of the maintenance work of the construction machine can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tokuo Fujii
  • Publication number: 20080000704
    Abstract: A guard member for covering devices which is provided in an upper rotating body is provided with left and right maintenance holes for maintenance of the devices from two positions on the left side and the right side, and left and right maintenance panels for rotating taking the rear side as a support point so as to open and close the maintenance holes. In this case, panel main bodies of the both panels are formed vertically symmetrically with the same shape and the same size as each other corresponding to the maintenance holes. The both panels are attached to the guard member in a vertically reversed state to each other and in a state that the hinge members are located on the rear side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: KOBELCO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koji YONEZAWA, Shintaro SAKITANI
  • Patent number: 7287614
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a body defining an engine compartment and a plurality of vehicle frame members. An engine compartment cover defines a portion of the engine compartment and functions as a structural load-bearing portion of a vehicle frame by rigidly, structurally interconnecting vehicle frame members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Adrian B. Chernoff, Richard M. Kleber
  • Patent number: 7231996
    Abstract: A front cover structure for a saddle-type vehicle, in which the cost of replacement in damage and the manufacturing cost can be reduced and a degree of the freedom of design appearance can be enhanced. In the front cover structure for a saddle-type vehicle in which a front cover 27 is provided so that it encloses a headlight 20 in the center of the front of the body, the front cover 27 is divided into a center cover for placement covering a top central front portion of the vehicle body, a left shroud 85L provided for placement on the left side of the center cover, and a right shroud 85R provided for placement on the right side of the center cover. The left shroud 85L and the right shroud 85R are coupled via the headlight 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Karube, Kinoko Kaita, Nobuhiko Nakano
  • Patent number: 7216734
    Abstract: A construction machine according to the present invention comprises a maintenance opening portion formed extending over a front shielding plate of a seat stand adjacent to a control stand and a side shielding plate of the control stand, or a maintenance opening portion formed extending over the front shielding plate and an upper shielding plate connected to an upper part of the front shielding plate. Further, the construction machine comprises a maintenance cover for closing the opening portion. According to such a structure, workability of the maintenance work of the construction machine can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tokuo Fujii
  • Patent number: 7204329
    Abstract: An engine air intake system includes an engine air intake device and a plenum cooling compartment that is separate from the engine compartment by a baffle. A fan draws outside ambient air into the plenum cooling compartment and out of the plenum cooling area via a heat exchanger. The cooling compartment is designed such that a distance between the heat exchanger and the baffle provides a gap from which the engine air intake device removes ambient air as a source for engine air. An option is provide for the system to withdraw outside ambient air from an area external to the plenum cooling compartment in high debris environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Jesse Lee Pfohl, Christopher James Maifield, Douglas Gerard Meyer, Daniel Joseph Huegerich, Gregory Keith Werner
  • Patent number: 7185725
    Abstract: In a vehicle, a cowl portion for supporting a front end of a windshield is disposed above the dash panel so as to extend in a width direction of the vehicle, an instrument panel member is located backward away from the cowl portion so as to extend in the width direction of the vehicle above the dash panel, a recess portion is formed in such manner that a central portion of the dash panel in the width direction of the vehicle is recessed backward from the cowl portion to the instrument panel member, and the driving device for the vehicle is disposed in the recess portion such that the driving device is located in front of and close to the instrument panel member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kouji Iwasaka, Isao Tohda, Yukio Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7134519
    Abstract: The present invention is a working machine in which apparatus disposed in an outer peripheral portion of the base machine is covered with a openable guard cover, a window for maintenance, which is opened and closed by a window cover, is provided in front surface of the guard cover, and a locking mechanism, which locks the guard cover in a closed mode and unlocks the guard cover by being operated from the outside, is provided in the inside of the window. According to the present invention, the locking mechanism for the guard cover can be simplified and the guard cover can be made hard to be opened by unauthorized persons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirokazu Imashige
  • Patent number: 7124846
    Abstract: A snowmobile includes a side panel that is mounted to the snowmobile's frame about a generally vertically extending side panel axis. In a closed position, the side panel protects and encloses a lateral side of the snowmobile's engine. In an open position, the side panel facilitates easy access to the engine. The side panel includes a lower leg support that includes a knee rest, a lower front leg support, and an inner leg support. The lower leg support improves the rider's comfort and ability to actively position himself on the snowmobile. The snowmobile also includes a rewind starter operatively connected to the engine. The rewind starter is accessible through a hole formed in the side panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.
    Inventors: Yvon Bedard, Jean-François Desmarais
  • Patent number: 7044256
    Abstract: A drive (10) for a device for raising a hood of a vehicle includes an energy storing unit which drives an actuating member (32) of a lifting mechanism coupled to the hood. The drive (10) further includes an electromotor (16) by which the accumulator can be set into a tensioned state, and a locking element which in a rest position holds the energy storing unit in the tensioned state. In addition, a carrier (26) is provided, movable in a linear manner by the electromotor (16) and capable of being coupled selectively to the energy storing unit. The carrier (26) by a first movement tensions the energy storing unit and by a second movement releases the locking element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Lueders, Karl Birk
  • Patent number: 6981564
    Abstract: A side panel for a recreational vehicle, such as a snowmobile is disclosed. The side panel extends from the windshield portion of the snowmobile to the pan portion. The side panel is hingedly attached at a front edge to the snowmobile so that the side panel opens outwardly along vertically oriented hinges. The side panel includes a windshield to protect the operator's legs. The side panel also includes an airbox which provides an air charge to the engine for combustion. In addition, an airbox, divisible into two parts is also disclosed. The airbox includes a portion adapted to be attached to the interior of the side panel or to a belt guard. A second portion of the air box can be disposed within the engine compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.
    Inventors: Yvon Bédard, André Fournier, Jean-François Desmarais, Michel Lefebvre
  • Patent number: 6863145
    Abstract: Generally, the present invention relates to a shield for a belt-driven clutch system of a snowmobile having a shield portion and a pivot portion that is angled nonperpendicular relative to the shield portion. One embodiment of the invention is a clutch shield assembly with a first (shield) portion having first and second ends, and a second (pivot) portion with a pivot point that is formed at the first portion first end and that extends at an angle nonperpendicular relative to the first end of the first portion. The shield is pivotally mounted to the vehicle at the pivot point and rotates between a first position covering the clutch and a second position removed from the clutch. Further, an attachment portion releasably secures the first portion second end to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Arctic Cat, Inc.
    Inventor: Russell Ebert
  • Patent number: 6851499
    Abstract: A pair of arms extend from the lid for the oil filler port, and these arms are rotatably mounted on the vehicle body cover via the hinges. The hinge for supporting one of the arms is provided with a torsion spring for urging the lid in the opening direction, and the hinge for supporting the other arm is provided with a rotary damper for damping a speed of rotation of the lid. Since the hinged lid for a vehicle rotates smoothly in natural motion, which gives an upscale image, a hinged lid for a vehicle providing, for example, a feeling of operation suitable for the large scooter may be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuichi Yagisawa, Akira Komaki, Kengo Yano, Hiroshi Inaoka
  • Patent number: 6848524
    Abstract: In a snowmobile or other vehicle, ventilation of ambient air to the engine compartment is necessary. However, from time to time when encountering deep snow or extremely cold temperatures, it may be necessary to restrict the inflow of ambient air into the engine compartment. An adjustable air vent having a sliding ventilation grill adjusts the air flow. The air vent has actuators for adjusting the air flow that are simple and easily manually operable by an operator even when wearing gloves or mittens without the need of any tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.
    Inventors: Claude Vaillancourt, Ghyslain Bordeleau, Caroline Charbonneau, Jean-Pierre Boyer
  • Patent number: 6780215
    Abstract: The belt driven vacuum pump is provided on a work vehicle to supply the vacuum needed for the engine intake air pre-cleaner. The vacuum pump is driven at or proportional to the engine speed to ensure proper vacuum for the intake airflow. Preferably, the vacuum pump is integrated into an accessory support bracket that carries other belt driven components such as the alternator, etc. The support bracket forms the vacuum pump housing to reduce the number of components required for the vacuum pump. Air outlet passages are formed in the support bracket and are preferably directed toward accessories or engine components that can benefit from additional cooling provided by the vacuum pump exhaust air. The vacuum pump can also be equipped with a hose at the inlet and/or the exhaust sides of the vacuum pump to provide a vacuum cleaner or a blower for use on or about the work vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Eric A. Keen, Brent A. Lyman, Dennis A. Bowman
  • Patent number: 6663170
    Abstract: An engine access cover assembly in a cab of an over the highway truck or tractor. The assembly includes a mounting bezel and an engine cover. The mounting bezel is fastened to a perimeter of an engine access opening. The mounting bezel defines a cover mounting surface that extends past an obstruction, such as a fixed floor mat in the cab. The engine cover has a mating surface that coacts with the mounting surface. A plurality of fastening members, such as screws or latches, secure the bezel and cover together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Volvo Trucks North America
    Inventor: Michael A. Miga
  • Patent number: 6634449
    Abstract: An access hatch reinforcement module and a method of assembling an access hatch to an existing engine compartment hood of a vehicle. The access hatch reinforcement module includes a wall engagement component for engagement to the hood outer wall of the engine compartment hood. The access hatch reinforcement module further includes a door engagement component for engagement to a hatch door of the access hatch. The wall engagement component and the door engagement component of the access hatch reinforcement module are directly fixedly engaged to one another by temporary fixed engagements. The wall engagement component and the door engagement component are also indirectly engaged to one another through operational door connecting components such as a hinge component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: Craig L. Randolph
  • Patent number: 6626256
    Abstract: An access hatch reinforcement module and a method of assembling an access hatch to an existing engine compartment hood of a vehicle. The access hatch reinforcement module includes a wall engagement component for engagement to the hood outer wall of the engine compartment hood. The access hatch reinforcement module further includes a door engagement component for engagement to a hatch door of the access hatch. The wall engagement component and the door engagement component of the access hatch reinforcement module are directly fixedly engaged to one another by temporary fixed engagements. The wall engagement component and the door engagement component are also indirectly engaged to one another through operational door connecting components such as a hinge component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Travis E. Dennison, Thomas W. Higginbotham
  • Patent number: 6561297
    Abstract: A snowmobile four-cycle engine arrangement, includes: a four-cycle engine arranged in an engine compartment formed in the front body of a snowmobile with its crankshaft laid substantially parallel to the body width and having a cylinder case inclined forwards with respect to the vehicle's direction of travel. The engine employs a dry sump oil supplying system and an oil tank separate from the engine is provided. Another snowmobile four-cycle engine arrangement includes: a four-cycle engine having a cylinder head at its top, arranged in the engine compartment and inclined forwards with respect to the vehicle's direction of travel with an intake path provided on the upper portion of the engine body. An intercooler for cooling the intake air is arranged in a tunnel created inside the body frame for accommodating a track belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuaki Yatagai, Hitoshi Matsumura, Hiroaki Shichi
  • Patent number: 6439328
    Abstract: In a snowmobile or other vehicle, ventilation of ambient air to the engine compartment is necessary. However, from time to time when encountering deep snow or extremely cold temperatures, it may be necessary to restrict the inflow of ambient air into the engine compartment. An adjustable air vent having a sliding ventilation grill adjusts the air flow. The air vent has actuators for adjusting the air flow that are simple and easily manually operable by an operator even when wearing gloves or mittens without the need of any tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Bombardier Inc.
    Inventors: Claude Vaillancourt, Ghyslain Bordeleau, Caroline Charbonneau, Jean-Pierre Boyer
  • Publication number: 20010047896
    Abstract: An arrangement for an electrical outlet for an all terrain vehicle is provided. The all terrain vehicle comprises a frame defining an engine compartment. The frame is supported by at least one front wheel and at least one rear wheel. A fender assembly is disposed above one or more of the wheels and has a recess formed therein. An electrical outlet is at least partially disposed in the recess. The recess includes a sloping lower surface to facilitate drainage. A hood is disposed above the recess and protects the electrical outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2000
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: Tatsuya Matsuura, Yasuhiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6311796
    Abstract: An equipment (engine) compartment at one end of an automotive vehicle is closed by a structurally stiff hood panel having laterally opposite edges supported in side rails. The hood panel is longitudinally slidable in the side rails between a closed position covering an upper opening and an open position wherein the hood panel is moved to a longitudinally outward position along the rails to open the compartment for servicing equipment in the compartment. Releasable latches hold the hood panel closed until released for sliding to the open position with a releasable stop for full removal of the panel. The hood panel and side rails are preferably extruded members forming structurally stiff box sections that provide significant energy absorption to the front structure of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Rosario Mayer
  • Publication number: 20010027884
    Abstract: An access hatch reinforcement module and a method of assembling an access hatch to an existing engine compartment hood of a vehicle. The access hatch reinforcement module includes a wall engagement component for engagement to the hood outer wall of the engine compartment hood. The access hatch reinforcement module further includes a door engagement component for engagement to a hatch door of the access hatch. The wall engagement component and the door engagement component of the access hatch reinforcement module are directly fixedly engaged to one another by temporary fixed engagements. The wall engagement component and the door engagement component are also indirectly engaged to one another through operational door connecting components such as a hinge component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Inventors: Travis E. Dennison, Thomas W. Higginbotham
  • Patent number: 6269896
    Abstract: A radiator cover for covering the side of a radiator. The inside of the radiator cover forms an expelled air path with air being expelled to the outside of the vehicle from an expelled air port of a side section thereof. An intake path for the flow of fresh air is formed in a longitudinal direction and includes an intake port and a duct. An opening section is formed in part of the duct, the opening section being opened and closed by a louver actuated by an actuation member. Expelled air thereby controllably enters the opening section into the duct and is mixed with fresh air. Thus, fresh air can be effectively temperature controlled. The mixed air is expelled from the duct to the rear of the radiator cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koichi Tanaka, Hiroaki Hasumi, Nobutaka Tokumasu
  • Patent number: 6213235
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a work vehicle, such as a tractor, having a frame, a compartment, a hood coupled to the frame and configured to at least partially cover the compartment when disposed in a closed position; and a mechanism coupling the hood to the frame, the mechanism configured to move the hood between the closed position and at least one at least partially opened position, the mechanism including at least one four-bar linkage, a first bar of the linkage including a portion of the frame and a second bar of the linkage including a portion of the hood, the vehicle further having a support member configured to engage the at least one linkage at predetermined positions and thereby immobilize the hood against further changes in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Case Corporation
    Inventors: Paul M. Elhardt, Thomas G. Lykken, Thompson M. Rivers
  • Patent number: 6167977
    Abstract: A work vehicle having a novel hood coupling apparatus is disclosed. The work vehicle includes a frame provided with a compartment and a hood. The hood is coupled to the frame by at least one hinge and at least one latch. The latch includes a stationary portion associated with the frame and a movable portion associated with the hood, and the hinge includes a first portion associated with the frame and a second portion associated with the hood. The latch is configured for the stationary portion to engage the movable portion in a particular location when the hood is closed, and the second portion of the hinge is configured to assume an approximate position with respect to the first portion of the hinge, and thereby to the frame, upon engagement of the latch, the latch thereby aligning the hood and the second portion of the hinge to the frame when engaged. The work vehicle may also include a hood biasing device and a hood positioner for controlling the amount of opening of the hood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Case Corporation
    Inventors: William H. Adamson, Jesse J. Bahr, Salvatore LoPiccolo