POWERED GUARD GROUP FOR A MACHINE

Abstract

The disclosure describes, in one aspect, a powered guard group for a machine, the guard group including a frame, a linkage, a door, and an actuator for moving the guard group between an open position and a closed position.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority from Indian Patent Application No. 1362/DEL/2013 by Gopalsamy et al., filed May 7, 2013, the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a guard group for a machine and more particularly to a powered bottom guard group to protect the underside and/or mechanical components of the machine.

BACKGROUND

Work machines, such as track-type tractors, utilize various types of guards to protect vulnerable portions of the machine. One particular type of guard is a bottom guard which is secured to the bottom of a work machine to protect portions of the engine, transmissions, or other vital machine components. This type of guard is generally bolted to the case and frame of the machine. In order to sufficiently protect the bottom and components of the work machine from impacts with objects such as rocks, stumps, soil and debris, the guards must have adequate structural integrity, high yield strength and adequate wear properties. The size and material requirements of the guards make the guard large and heavy, which make the guards difficult to remove. In addition, work machines are often used in muddy conditions which can result in excessive debris accumulation on the guards. The additional weight of the debris makes the guards even heavier.

One example of a bottom guard is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,957,180, titled Guard Assembly for a Vehicle. The '180 Patent discloses a guard assembly for protecting the lower portions of an earthmoving machine, such as the engine, transmission and drive train, the guard assembly including a guard plate fastened to the machine frame using threaded fasteners.

The foregoing background discussion is intended solely to aid the reader. It is not intended to limit the disclosure, and thus should not be taken to indicate that any particular element of a prior system is unsuitable for use within the disclosure, nor is it intended to indicate that any element, including solving the motivating problem, is essential in implementing the systems and methods described herein. The implementations and application of the systems and methods described herein are defined by the appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure describes, in one aspect, a guard group for a work machine including a door having an inner side, an outer side, a first edge and a second edge, the first edge being opposite of the second edge, the door being configured to move between a closed position and an open position and a linkage coupled to the door. In addition, the guard group includes a frame coupled to the linkage, the frame having at least two stiffners, the stiffners being configured to contact the inner side and inhibit the door from moving when the door is in the closed position and is contacted by a rock, stump or the like; and an actuator coupled to the linkage, the actuator being configured to move the door between the closed position and the open position.

In another aspect, the disclosure describes a guard group for a machine including a first door movable between a closed position and an open position, the first door being configured to inhibit rocks, branches and the like from striking a mechanical component when the first door is in the closed position and a second door movable between a closed position and an open position, the second door being configured to inhibit rocks, branches and the like from striking a mechanical component when the second door is in the closed position. The guard group also includes a first linkage coupled to the first door, a second linkage coupled to the second door, a first actuator coupled to the first linkage, the first power actuator being configured to move the first door between the closed position and the open position; and a second actuator coupled to the second linkage, the second power actuator being configured to move the second door between the closed position and the open position.

In yet another aspect the disclosure describes a machine having a chassis, a work implement coupled to the chassis, a prime mover coupled to the chassis, a first and second track assembly powered by the prime mover and configured to selectively move the machine; and a guard group coupled to the chassis. The guard group includes a first guard mounting surface coupled to the chassis, a second guard mounting surface, a first stiffner and a second stiffner coupled to the first guard mounting surface and the second guard mounting surface, a linkage coupled to the first guard mounting surface, a door coupled to the linkage, the door being configured to move between a closed position and an open position and an actuator coupled to the linkage, the actuator being configured to move the door between the closed position and the open position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a machine.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a guard group for a machine showing the guard group in a closed position.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the guard group of FIG. 2 showing the guard group in a closed position.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the guard group of FIG. 2 showing the guard group in an open position.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the guard group of FIG. 2 showing the guard group in an open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a machine 10. The illustrated machine 10 is a track-type tractor, but the invention herein is not limited to track-type tractors and includes other machines such as off highway trucks, skid steer machines, backhoe loaders, landfill compactors, shovels, excavators, motor graders, wheel loaders and the like. The machine 10 includes a chassis 14, a work implement 18, a prime mover 22, two track assemblies 26 and a guard group 30. In the illustrated embodiment the work implement 18 is a blade and is coupled to the chassis 14. The prime mover 22 may be an internal combustion engine and is coupled to the chassis 14. The two track assemblies 26 are powered by the prime mover 22, serve to selectively move the machine 10 and are coupled to the chassis 14. The guard group 30 (best seen in FIG. 2) is coupled to the chassis 14.

The guard group 30 is shown in a closed position in FIGS. 2 and 3 and in an open position in FIGS. 4 and 5. The guard group 30 is coupled to an underside of the machine 10. In the illustrated embodiment the guard group 30 is approximately in a center portion of the underside of the machine 10, although in other embodiments the guard group 30 may be biased to the left, right, front or back of the machine 10. The guard group 30 in the illustrated embodiments includes two guard assemblies 34, although other embodiments may include more or less guard assemblies 34. As the guard assemblies 34 are substantially similar only one guard assembly 34 will be described herein. In the illustrated embodiment the guard assembly 34 includes a frame 38, two doors 42, four linkages 46, and two actuators 50.

The frame 38, best shown in FIG. 4, includes a first guard mounting surface 54, a second guard mounting surface 58, a plurality of stiffners 62 and a cross-member 66. The first guard mounting surface 54 and second guard mounting surface 58 are sized and configured to allow the frame 38 to be coupled to the chassis 14 of the machine 10. The frame 38 may be coupled to the chassis 14 by welding, fasteners or the like. In one embodiment the frame 38 and the chassis 14 are integral. In the illustrated embodiment the first guard mounting surface 54 and second guard mounting surface 58 are contoured to match the contour of the chassis 14. At least one of the plurality of stiffners 62 couples the first guard mounting surface 54 to the second guard mounting surface 58. In the illustrated embodiments three stiffners 62 couple the first guard mounting surface 54 to the second guard mounting surface 58. The cross-member 66 couples the three stiffners 62 together, the cross-member 66 running substantially perpendicular to the stiffners 62. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the cross-member 66 is disposed approximately in the center of the guard assembly 34 and is coupled to the plurality of stiffners 62 at a center portion 70 of each of the plurality of stiffners 62. The cross-member 66 also has a plurality of openings 74 thereon to receive threaded fasteners or the like. In the illustrated embodiment bolts are disposed proximate to the openings 74. In another embodiment the openings 74 are threaded.

The guard assembly 34 in the illustrated embodiment includes two doors 42, although other embodiments may have only a single door 42. Other embodiments may have more than two doors 42. In the illustrated embodiment the two doors 42 are substantially similar, so only a single door 42 will be described herein.

The door 42 includes an inner side 78, an outer side 82, a first edge 86 and a second edge 90. The first edge 86 is disposed opposite of the second edge 90. The door 42 is configured to pivot between a closed position and an open position. In the illustrated embodiment the door 42 is contoured to match the contour of the frame 38. The door 42 also includes a plurality of openings 94 disposed thereon, the plurality of openings 94 being sized and configured to allow a threaded fastener to pass therethrough. It may be said that the doors 42 move between the open position and the closed position, which may be synonymous with the guard group 30 moving between the closed position and the open position.

The guard assembly 34 includes four linkages 46, as best seen in FIG. 2. Each linkage 46 is substantially similar, so only one linkage 46 will be described herein. The linkage 46 is coupled to the door 42. The linkage 46 is pivotally coupled to the frame 38 to allow the linkage 46 to rotate with respect to the frame 38. The linkage 46 is approximately in the shape of a “C”, although other shapes are contemplated. In the illustrated embodiment two linkages 46 are coupled to each door 42, although other embodiments may couple more or less linkages 46 to each door 42. As is best seen in FIG. 5, the linkages 46 serve to support the door 42 when the guard group 30 is in the open position. The linkages 46 also support the door 42 when the guard group 30 is in the closed position, although threaded fasteners may also be used.

The guard assembly 34 includes two actuators 50. The actuators 50 are substantially similar so only one actuator 50 will be described herein. The actuator 50 is coupled to the linkage 46 at one end and to an arm 98 at the other end. In some embodiments the actuator 50 may be coupled to the linkage 46 at one end and to one of the frame 38 and the chassis 14 at the other end. The actuators 50 serve to move the doors 42 to allow the guard group 30 to change from the open position to the closed position and back. In the illustrated embodiment the actuators 50 are hydraulic actuators, although other actuators such as electric motors are contemplated.

Industrial Applicability

The guard group 30 is useful for protecting an underside of a machine 10 and more specifically mechanical components, such as the prime mover 22, a transmission, a hydraulic pump, etc., of the machine 10 from striking stumps, rocks or the like when the machine 10 is moving. The guard group 30 is also useful for protecting the mechanical components from debris accumulation, tar, oil sands or the like. Machines 10 need maintenance or repairs and the guard group 30 is useful for allowing maintenance personnel easy access to the mechanical components protected by the guard group 30. The guard group 30 is preferred over other guards because the guard group 30 is powered, thus the maintenance personnel are not required to remove a large, heavy guard group from the machine. Rather, the guard group 30 may be powered between the open position and the closed position.

If the guard group 30 is in the open position and maintenance personnel wish to move it to the closed position, the maintenance personnel power the actuators 50 to move the actuators 50, and thus the guard group 30, into the closed position. In the illustrated embodiment the actuators 50 are powered by a hydraulic pump that is separate from the machine 10, while in other embodiments the actuators 50 may receive power from the hydraulic pump on the machine 10. The actuators 50 are sufficiently strong to hold the guard group 30 in the closed position, but maintenance personnel may wish to couple the doors 42 to the frame 38 with threaded fasteners or the like to minimize the possibility of the doors 42 moving when struck by stumps, rocks or the like.

If the guard group 30 is in the closed position and maintenance personnel wish to move it to the open position, the maintenance personnel must first remove any threaded fasteners (if present) coupling the doors 42 to the frame 38. The maintenance personnel then power the actuators 50 to move the actuators 50, and thus the guard group 30, into the open position. When the guard group 30 is in the open position mechanical components are accessible for maintenance or repairs.

The guard group 30 may be removed from the machine 10 if a large mechanical component, such as the transmission, needs to be removed from the machine 10.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing description provides examples of the disclosed system and technique. However, it is contemplated that other implementations of the disclosure may differ in detail from the foregoing examples. All references to the disclosure or examples thereof are intended to reference the particular example being discussed at that point and are not intended to imply any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure more generally. All language of distinction and disparagement with respect to certain features is intended to indicate a lack of preference for those features, but not to exclude such from the scope of the disclosure entirely unless otherwise indicated.

Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Claims

1. A guard group for a work machine comprising:

a door having an inner side, an outer side, a first edge and a second edge, the first edge being opposite of the second edge, the door being configured to move between a closed position and an open position;

a linkage coupled to the door;

a frame coupled to the linkage, the frame having at least two stiffners, the stiffners being configured to contact the inner side and inhibit the door from moving when the door is in the closed position and is contacted by a rock, stump or the like; and

an actuator coupled to the linkage, the actuator being configured to move the door between the closed position and the open position.

2. The guard group of claim 1 further comprising a cross-member coupled to at least one of the at least two stiffners, the cross-member being coupled to the at least one of the at least two stiffners at a center portion of the at least one of the at least two stiffners.

3. The guard group of claim 1 wherein the frame comprises at least three stiffners, each stiffner being configured to contact the inner side and inhibit the door from moving when the outside side is contacted by a rock, stump or the like.

4. The guard group of claim 3 wherein the linkage is pivotally coupled to the frame.

5. The guard group of claim 4 wherein the actuator is a hydraulic actuator.

6. The guard group of claim 1 wherein the second edge is configured to be selectively coupled to the frame using a fastener when the door is in the closed position.

7. The guard group of claim 1 wherein the actuator is coupled to the frame.

8. A guard group for a machine comprising:

a first door movable between a closed position and an open position, the first door being configured to inhibit rocks, branches and the like from striking a mechanical component when the first door is in the closed position;

a second door movable between a closed position and an open position, the second door being configured to inhibit rocks, branches and the like from striking a mechanical component when the second door is in the closed position;

a first linkage coupled to the first door;

a second linkage coupled to the second door;

a first actuator coupled to the first linkage, the first power actuator being configured to move the first door between the closed position and the open position; and

a second actuator coupled to the second linkage, the second power actuator being configured to move the second door between the closed position and the open position.

9. The guard group of claim 8 further comprising a frame having a first guard mounting surface, a second guard mounting surface, a first stiffner, a second stiffner and a third stiffner wherein the first stiffner, second stiffner, and third stiffner are each coupled to the first guard mounting surface and the second guard mounting surface and further wherein the first linkage is coupled to the first guard mounting surface and the second linkage is coupled to the second guard mounting surface.

10. The guard group of claim 9 further comprising a third linkage and a fourth linkage, the third linkage being coupled to the first door and the fourth linkage being coupled to the second door.

11. The guard group of claim 9 further comprising a cross-member coupled to at least one of the first stiffner, second stiffner and third stiffner and wherein the first door is configured to be selectively coupled to at least one of the cross-member, first stiffner, second stiffner and third stiffner using a fastener when the first door is in the closed position.

12. The guard group of claim 9 wherein the actuator is hydraulically powered.

13. A machine comprising:

a chassis;

a work implement coupled to the chassis;

a prime mover coupled to the chassis;

a first and second track assembly powered by the prime mover and configured to selectively move the machine; and

a guard group coupled to the chassis, the guard group comprising: a first guard mounting surface coupled to the chassis; a second guard mounting surface; a first stiffner and a second stiffner coupled to the first guard mounting surface and the second guard mounting surface; a linkage coupled to the first guard mounting surface; a door coupled to the linkage, the door being configured to move between a closed position and an open position; an actuator coupled to the linkage, the actuator being configured to move the door between the closed position and the open position.

14. The machine of claim 13 further comprising a second door and a second linkage, the second linkage being coupled to the second guard mounting surface and the second door, the second door being configured to move between a closed position and an open position.

15. The machine of claim 13 wherein the door is configured to inhibit rocks, branches and the like from striking a mechanical component when the door is in the closed position.

16. The machine of claim 15 further comprising a third linkage coupled to the door and the first guard mounting surface.

17. The machine of claim 15 wherein the actuator is a hydraulic actuator.

18. The machine of claim 17 wherein the work machine is a track-type tractor.

19. The machine of claim 13 further comprising a cross-member coupled to the first stiffner, the cross-member being perpendicular to the first stiffner and wherein the door is selectively coupled to the cross-member when the door is in the closed position.

20. The machine of claim 19 wherein the cross-member inhibits the door from moving when a rock, stump or the like presses against the door.