With Tool Or Equipment Control Patents (Class 180/331)
  • Patent number: 11068015
    Abstract: A variable track joystick device includes a support housing, a joystick movable with respect to the support housing, and a joystick guidance mechanism controllable to selectively confine joystick movement to a predetermined track pattern. During operation of the variable joystick device, a controller determines when the variable track joystick device is placed in a selected one of (i) a first mode in which joystick movement controls the first work vehicle function and (ii) a second mode in which joystick movement controls the second work vehicle function. The controller further commands the joystick guidance mechanism to restrict joystick movement to the predetermined track pattern when the joystick device is placed in the first mode, while permitting joystick movement outside of the predetermined track pattern when the joystick device is placed in the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Timothy J. Ofenloch, Joshua D. Hoffman, Ryan G. Brown, Kevin A. Wolff, Mario L. Donini
  • Patent number: 10882419
    Abstract: A vehicle is operable in a manual driving mode and in an at least partially automatic driving mode. To allow a rapid change from the automatic to the manual driving mode, the respective position of a driver seat and/or at least one driving-relevant cockpit element is adjusted for functional use by a driver of the vehicle such that the at least one driving-relevant cockpit element can be functionally used by the driver whenever the vehicle is, or is to be, operated in the automatic driving mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Anton Wolf
  • Patent number: 10814746
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle seating system including at least two seats individually mounted to an outer track. The vehicle seating system may include a display device selectively positionable in one of a horizontal table orientation and a vertical screen orientation. The display device mounted to at least one inner track that is at least partially enclosed by the outer track. The vehicle seating system includes a controller configured to transition the seats and the display device among at least two preconfigured arrangements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Michael T. Sailer, Nathan G. Brown, Katie C. Wallace, Mariko K. Schimmel, Michelle Lee, Camden Foley, Alyson Yamada, Danny Stillion
  • Patent number: 10773663
    Abstract: A routing structure includes a flexible conductive body, a flexible regulating member, a flexible exterior member, and a case. The conductive body has one end fixed to a vehicle body and has the other end fixed to a seat sliding along a rail arranged on the vehicle body. The regulating member extends along the conductive body and regulates a route of the conductive body. The exterior member has the conductive body and the regulating member each inserted therein, and is inserted into the rail. The case is arranged adjacent to the rail, houses parts of the conductive body, the regulating member, and the exterior member on the side of the vehicle body, and absorbs extra lengths of the conductive body, the regulating member, and the exterior member depending on the sliding of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hikaru Sano, Goro Nakamura
  • Patent number: 10613815
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus for positioning an interactive-display device within an interior of an autonomous vehicle. In particular, an autonomous vehicle can include an interior comprising at least two different interior portions configured to accommodate one or more passengers. The autonomous vehicle can also include an interactive-display device. The autonomous vehicle can further include an apparatus for positioning the interactive-display device within the interior such that it is accessible by at least one of the passenger(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: UATC, LLC
    Inventors: Johad Husseini Ellis, Christopher Matthew D'Eramo
  • Patent number: 10479238
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle seat, preferably for a utility vehicle, comprising a seat part and a backrest part. The backrest part has a left portion and a right portion when viewed in the seating direction of an occupant of the vehicle seat, and a first recess is arranged on the left portion so as to extend to a first distance and a second recess is arranged on the right portion so as to extend to a second distance starting from an upper end of the backrest part in a height direction of the backrest part. The first and the second recess are mutually spaced and are continuous from a front border surface to a rear border surface of the backrest part, and the first distance has a greater value than the second distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: GRAMMER AG
    Inventors: Katja Buhlmeyer, Erwin Haller, Michael Landshammer, Christian Haid
  • Patent number: 9670939
    Abstract: An operation control system for a work apparatus equipped to a work vehicle includes a controller controlling the work apparatus. A first hydraulic valve and a second hydraulic valve control hydraulic pressure supply to the work apparatus. An operation unit provides an operation input signal to the controller. A first mounting base and a second mounting base are provided adjacently to each other in the operation unit. A first single-operation tool is formed mountable on the first mounting base and a second single-operation tool is formed mountable on the second mounting base. Further, a multi-operation tool is mountable so as to straddle both the first mounting base and the second mounting base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shigeru Komatsu, Atsushi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 9581090
    Abstract: Provided is an engine control apparatus for construction machinery, including: an engine control dial manually operated by a user and configured to generate a control signal for increasing and decreasing revolutions per minute (rpm) of an engine by a predetermined unit; a jog shuttle including a jog switch, which is manually rotated and pressed by the user, and configured to generate a selection signal for selecting or changing functions corresponding to various operation modes; an instrument panel configured to display operation information of various elements which the user requires while driving the construction machinery; an engine controller configured to control the engine to respond to the control signal generated by the engine control dial; and an equipment controller configured to receive either the control signal generated by the engine control dial or the control signal corresponding to the rotation and the press of the jog switch, and provide the engine controller with a value of an rpm of the eng
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Doosan Infracore Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hongcheol Yun, Duckwoo Park
  • Patent number: 9016418
    Abstract: A right front housing cover is arranged in the right side of a working mechanism, and a first control valve is arranged in a front portion side of a valve accommodation room that is covered with the right front housing cover. Further, a signal control valve block is arranged in the back side of the first control valve and in the upper side of the first control valve, and a solenoid valve is arranged in the back side of the signal control valve block. A front surface plate forming part of the right front housing cover has a lower side is inclined in an oblique downward direction toward the forward side, and is arranged along a virtual line that extends in an oblique downward direction through a front end portion of the first control valve and a front end portion of the signal control valve block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kakurou Ootsuka, Hidefumi Hiramatsu, Tsuyoshi Ueki
  • 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: 8473165
    Abstract: A turning drive control apparatus that controls a drive of a turning mechanism of a construction machine driven to turn by an electric motor, includes: a drive command creation part that creates a drive command to drive the electric motor based on an amount of operation input through an operation part of the construction machine; a turning motion detection part that detects a turning motion of the turning mechanism; and a drive command correction part that corrects the drive command, when a turning motion in a direction opposite to a turning operation direction input to the operation part is detected by the turning motion detection part, to suppress the turning motion in the direction opposite to the turning operation direction in response to a degree of the turning motion in the direction opposite to the turning operation direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignees: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd., Sumitomo (S. H. I) Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroso Shono, Noriyuki Nishiyama, Kiminori Sano
  • Patent number: 8340869
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a contact-position-dependent type operational intention determining unit that detects a change in posture of a rider using posture sensors for a backrest disposed in areas of a backrest with which left and right shoulder blades of the rider come into contact, and thereby determines whether there is an operational intention of the rider; and a left-right amount-of-change comparison type turn intention determining unit that determines, only when it is determined that there is an operational intention, whether there is a left or right turn intention of the rider from a difference between sensor output values located left-right symmetrically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yumi Wakita, Yumiko Kato, Mizuho Sakakibara, Kenichi Inoue
  • Patent number: 8272468
    Abstract: A tractor includes a boom and a bucket being coupled with each other in series and having the same rotating direction, and a control lever for operating both the boom and the bucket. The control button is equipped in the control lever, and the control lever can operate either a boom or a bucket after either the boom or the bucket is selected by pressing the control button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keisuke Iida
  • Patent number: 8056980
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly comprises a base; a seat mounted to swivel relative to the base; and a console having first and second segments, the first segment mounted to swivel with the seat relative to the base and the second segment being mounted to remain in fixed position as the seat and first console segment swivel. The console's two segments lie in a generally common horizontal plane and are separated by an arcuate spacing so that the first segment is located proximate the operator and the second segment is located distally of the operator. This arrangement of the seat assembly components allows the seated operator to rotate in the seat through a substantial arc, with the first console segment rotating as well while the second console segment remains stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Sears Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: L. John Koutsky, Dale R. Ropp, Bradley T. Hebeler
  • Patent number: 7918303
    Abstract: A mobile vehicle includes a moveable operator seat movable between a forward-use configuration and a rearward-use configuration, a left-side stabilizer, a right-side stabilizer, and a control system configured to control the movement of the left-side stabilizer and the right-side stabilizer based on whether the operator seat is in the forward-use configuration or the rearward-use configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: David Joseph Klas, Robert Scott Tyler, Ricky Lee Weires, Leonard Keith Mast, Donald Joseph Bagby, Glenn Owen Scheer, Rian Scot Meyers
  • Patent number: 7878288
    Abstract: An operator control assembly includes an operator manipulable control, and a first armrest movably coupling the operator manipulable control to a frame of a construction vehicle. The first armrest is movable from a first vertical orientation to a second vertical orientation and from a first horizontal orientation to a second horizontal orientation, such that when the armrest is in the second horizontal orientation, the armrest is positioned with in a footprint of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Ales Kostak, Jaroslav Fiser
  • Patent number: 7784581
    Abstract: A mobile vehicle is disclosed which includes a plurality of proportional controls to control the operation of a first set of equipment and a second set of equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: David Joseph Klas, Robert Scott Tyler, Ricky Lee Weires, Leonard Keith Mast, Donald Joseph Bagby, Glenn Owen Scheer, Rian Scot Meyeres
  • Patent number: 7729835
    Abstract: A method is described of operating a working machine which includes a body, a ground engaging structure, and a working arm carrying a working implement, and an operator control for operating hydraulic actuators for effecting operating functions of the machine, the operator control mounting an additional control which is controllable to operate at least one selected actuator for effecting a selected operating function, the additional control providing inputs to a control device which responds proportionally to operate the selected actuator, the method including controlling the additional control to operate the selected actuator, and with the additional control being controlled to provide an input to the control device to achieve a desired operation of the actuator, activating a memory mode whereby the control device memorises the input and continues to operate the selected actuator in accordance with the memorised input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: JCB Compact Products Limited
    Inventors: David Andrew Morris, Luciano Argentieri, Andrew Stuart Mayer
  • Patent number: 7721839
    Abstract: An operator's seat for heavy equipment having optimized switch arrangements for controlling the equipment is provided, in which arrangements of various kinds of switches and components of operating devices that are frequently used by an operator in the seat due to the characteristic of the equipment are integrated within a radius that an operator's hand reaches (i.e. in a hand arm operation zone), and thus physical inconvenience and fatigue that the operator who repeatedly operates working devices for a long time suffers can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment Holding Sweden AB
    Inventor: Hak Shin Kim
  • Patent number: 7712571
    Abstract: A control console for a machine having a seat with a plane of symmetry is disclosed. The machine also has an armrest extending from the seat in a forward direction generally parallel with the plane of symmetry. The armrest has an upper surface intended to support an operator's forearm. The control console includes a base operatively connected to the armrest, and at least one operator interface device operatively connected to the base. The at least one operator interface device has a neutral axis inclined at an oblique angle relative to the upper surface of the armrest. The at least one operator interface device is pivotal in a fore/aft direction to initiate only a single function of the machine, the fore/aft direction being rotated outward away from the seat a predetermined angle relative to the forward direction of the armrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Marc D. Proud, Patrick Andrew Pryor, Timothy J. Silvers
  • Patent number: 7681686
    Abstract: A mobile vehicle is disclosed which includes a plurality of proportional controls to control the operation of a first set of equipment and a second set of equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: David Joseph Klas, Robert Scott Tyler, Joshua Joe Stephens, Leonard Keith Mast, Donald Joseph Bagby
  • Patent number: 7610122
    Abstract: A mobile station for an unmanned vehicle comprises a vehicular storage area for storing a vehicle during transit or at rest. A first wireless transceiver communicates a status or command between the vehicle and the mobile station during at least one of vehicular deployment and rest. A station controller manages a management plan of the vehicle comprising at least one of retooling the vehicle, loading a payload on the vehicle, and recharging or refueling of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Noel Wayne Anderson
  • Patent number: 7520567
    Abstract: A vehicle seat arrangement is provided for a working vehicle comprising an operator's seat having an adjustable feature. A first control element is arranged such that a first work operative position is defined. A seat adjusting element is further provided for enabling the operator to set the adjustable feature of the operator's seat. The seat adjusting element is positioned relative to the first control element such that the operator may selectively control the adjustable feature of the seat without significantly interrupting the first work operative position or without significantly interrupting a transition from a first task to a second task and/or from a first work operative position to a second work operative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Steven C. Billger, Michael P. Gallagher, Kevin A. Gilliland, Eric J. Hanson, Leroy M. Kluver, Jay G. Pollack, Steven R. Pulskamp, Adam M. Ruppert, Gary L. Topp
  • Patent number: 7347299
    Abstract: An operator's compartment for an industrial vehicle comprises a platform floor, an operator's seat, at least one presence sensing device and a control module. The operator's seat has a base structure coupled to the platform floor and an operator support coupled to the base structure such that the operator support may be rotated with respect to the platform floor. Each provided presence sensing device is arranged to sense an operator's presence in a predetermined location in or about the operator's compartment and the control module is configured to control at least one operation of the vehicle based upon a rotational position of the operator's seat and a signal from at least one of the presence sensing device(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Steven C. Billger, Michael P. Gallagher, Kevin A. Gilliland, Eric J. Kaiser, Leroy M. Kluver, Jay L. Kuck, Steven R. Pulskamp, Craig J. Rekow, Adam M. Ruppert, Gary L. Topp, George R. Wetterer
  • Patent number: 7290635
    Abstract: Engineers have been seeking strategies to improve a work machine operator's comfort and to ensure the operator's safety. The present disclosure includes an operator control station that includes a seat assembly supported, in part, on a suspension system. At least one work machine operation controller is pivotably attached to the seat assembly between an egress position and a work machine operation position. A locking mechanism is operable to fix the work machine operation controller in the work machine operation position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. Bisick, John P. Mackoway
  • Patent number: 6955239
    Abstract: An industrial vehicle having a seat placed in a driver's room provided in a vehicle body to be rotatable at a predetermined angle in at least one of a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction with respect to a forward facing position, wherein the driver's room includes a main accelerator pedal at a position corresponding to the seat in the forward facing position and an auxiliary accelerator pedal at a position corresponding to the seat in a position rotated at a predetermined angle from the forward facing position and the main accelerator pedal is interlockable with the auxiliary accelerator pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: TCM Corporation
    Inventors: Jyun Ueda, Norihiro Ohe, Eiichi Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 6755275
    Abstract: The present invention provides a controller positioning structure for a vehicle in which the controller such as a shift lever can be positioned at a front to rear position that is optimum for the driver. Since the shift lever or controller is movable in the front to rear direction and stoppable at any desired position, the driver can adjust the front to rear position of the shift lever at the optimum position. Therefore, operation of the shift lever is made easy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toru Okanda
  • Patent number: 6755270
    Abstract: A cabin structure for a working machine includes a substantially transparent cabin element equipped with a bottom part having a seat for the operator of the working machine, a display and a controller for controlling the operations of the working machine. The cabin structure also includes a control mechanism for tilting the cabin element in relation to the frame of the working machine in both XZ and YZ directions. The cabin element is arranged to be substantially stationary in relation to the frame of the working machine, and the seat and controller are placed on a working base placed above the bottom part of the cabin element. The control mechanism is pieced positioned between the working base and the bottom part of the cabin element. The control mechanism can also rotate the working base around the Z axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Timberjack Oy
    Inventor: Into Saarinen
  • Patent number: 6752468
    Abstract: Safety device and safety procedure in the case of a tipping dump body (2) of a truck (1), in which the dump body (2) through the operation of a control (11) in the driver's cab (4) of the vehicle (1) and by means of at least one hydraulic or pneumatic lifting cylinder (5) is designed to be moved between a lowered transport position (6) and a raised tipping position (7), and to assume a floating position, in which the lifting cylinder (5) is not pressurized and a holding position in which the lifting cylinder (5) is pressurized and the position of the dump body (2) is locked. The device includes a detector (13) that is designed for detection of the driver's presence in, or absence from the driver's cab (4), and that either a presence signal or an absence signal is delivered to the control (11) depending on whether or not the driver is in the driver's cab. The control (11) is designed, in the event of an absence signal from the detector (13), to assume the holding position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Volvo Articulated Haulers AB
    Inventor: Göran Eliasson
  • Patent number: 5377777
    Abstract: The disclosure involves an apparatus for detecting coincidence of (a) a vehicle transmission engaged in the power mode and (b) the operator's seat in a "first" position, i.e., a position other than that from which the vehicle is normally driven. Such apparatus has an annunciator, a first circuit providing a first conductive path when the seat is in the first position and a second circuit providing a second conductive path when the transmission is engaged in the power mode, forward or reverse. When, coincidently, the seat is in such position and the transmission is in the power mode, the first and second circuits coact to energize the annunciator and alert the vehicle operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: Case Corporation
    Inventors: Byron R. Moore, Michael G. Nahorny
  • Patent number: 5346035
    Abstract: A self-propelled fork lift truck comprises a working mechanism at the front end of the fork left truck, a revolving driver's stand, a driver's seat and a steering wheel mounted on the revolving driver's stand, a speed change gear having a plurality of speed shifting ratios for running in a forward direction and a plurality of speed shifting ratios for running in a backward direction, and a speed change gear controlling device. When the revolving driver's stand is turned facing the front end of the fork lift truck, the controlling device restricts the operation of the speed change gear to a first of the plurality of speed shifting ratios for running in the backward direction. When the revolving driver's stand is turned facing the rear end of the fork lift truck, the controlling device restricts the operation of the speed change gear to a first of the plurality of speed shifting ratios for running in the forward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: Nippon Yusen Kaisha
    Inventors: Ichiro Ueda, Takashi Suzuki, Akihiko Sakai
  • Patent number: 5275255
    Abstract: The present invention features an integrated control and seating system for a material handling vehicle. The system includes a pair of control handles integrated into the control arms within an operator's compartment. Additionally, the operator seat can be oriented in several ways. It is also vertically adjustable to achieve the greatest operator comfort. Adjustable arm rests are also provided. The result is that the operator can comfortably access the controls while seated, leaning or standing, to allow the vehicle to be used in a number of ways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: Raymond Corporation
    Inventors: Robert R. Huntley, Isaac Avitan, Eugene Helmetsie
  • Patent number: 5265995
    Abstract: A front end loader and backhoe construction machinery vehicle. The backhoe and operator's cab are formed from a unitary construction wherein the cab has an undercarriage adaptable to rotate a complete revolution of 360 degrees on a bearing arrangement secured to supporting structure mounted on a main frame of the vehicle. A system of hydraulic controls is effective to raise, lower, telescope and rotate the boom, dipperstick and bucket of the backhoe. Sensor means are provided to disenable operation of the backhoe assembly if it has insufficient clearance with the front end of the machine during rotation of the cab and backhoe assembly. The control system is effective to raise, lower and rotate the front end loader assembly. There is provided a front end and a rear end stabilizing assembly so as to permit the vehicle to work on a stable, rigid platform during digging and moving of earth by the backhoe assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Inventor: John W. Beck
  • Patent number: 5174115
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrically actuated and controlled auxiliary hydraulic system for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid under pressure to mounted attachments on a skid steer loader. In one embodiment, an electrically actuated auxiliary control valve is coupled to the front and rear mounted attachments through an electrically actuated diverter valve. In a second embodiment, a front and a rear auxiliary control valve is coupled to the front and rear mounted attachments. An operator can select between control of either the front or rear attachments by selectively actuating the forward, reverse and latch switches on the control handles. A mode control switch electrically coupled to an auxiliary mode control circuit allows the cyclical selection between the disable mode, the momentary mode, and the latch mode. In the disable mode, the actuation of the forward, reverse or latch switches has no effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Scott B. Jacobson, Kenneth A. Brandt
  • Patent number: 5092422
    Abstract: A multipurpose horticultural crop tractor combines certain clearance and versatile implement mounting features for accommodating a wide variety of alternative field production operations. A movable operator station provides full bidirectional operator control. An operator station may also be suspended on a boom pivotably mounted to the tractor frame for repositioning of the operator station about such frame. The implement mounting system also permits alternate high or low clearance mounting of a conventional three-point hitch, which when used in an elevated position enables attachment of high crop harvesting heads. Alternative implement mounts permit simultaneous usage of two separate implements. The tractor may be outfitted for many alternative functions, such as tillagae, planting, cultivating, spraying, harvesting, materials handling, and irrigating missions, including usage of a vertically movable lift unit with horizontally adjustable lift arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignee: Clemson University
    Inventors: Clarence E. Hood, Jr., Robert E. Williamson, Yekutiel Alper
  • Patent number: 5092408
    Abstract: A control device for use in a dual function machine includes a first disconnecting device for connection between a first operator's control knob and at least one control valve usable for controlling a first function of the machine. A second disconnecting device is provided for connection between a second operator's control knob and at least one second control valve usable for controlling a second function of the machine. The disconnecting devices are arranged for mounting in actuating relationship to a swivel-type operator's seat, the first disconnecting device being actuated for disabling the second function when said seat is in a first position for operating the first function and the second disconnecting device being actuated for disabling the first function when the seat is in a second position for operating the second function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignee: Case Corporation
    Inventors: Andre Tatara, Jose Andiano, Robert McCraig
  • Patent number: 4997054
    Abstract: A wrist rest is disclosed for use with a large construction or farm vehicle having a rotatable operator's seat. The rest is associated with joystick-like control mechanisms and assures that the operator's arm remains positioned stationary relative to the joystick control mechanism. That is, even if the operator were to rotate about the cab in his seat the rest will ensure that the operator's arm remains operably positioned stationary with respect to the joystick control mechanisms. The rest is releasably fixed to a control console and may be released and rotated or moved vertically to any desired position. In addition, the rest is configured to have a slanting portion that will overlie a corresponding slanting portion on the control console and allow the arm rest to be placed in a stowed position where it directly overlies the control console and is out of the operator's way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Assignee: J. I. Case Company
    Inventors: Thomas M. Denny, Robert D. Doescher
  • Patent number: 4949805
    Abstract: An electrically controlled auxiliary hydraulic system for both front and rear mounted attachments on a skid steer loader. An electrically actuated auxiliary control valve is coupled to the front and rear mounted attachments through an electrically actuated diverter valve. An operator can select between control of either the front or rear attachments by actuating a diverter switch located on a steering lever. The auxiliary control valve is then used to control the selected attachment by actuating forward, reverse and forward latch switches on the control handles. The selected attachment can also be operated in a high pressure mode by actuating a high pressure switch when extra horsepower needs to be delivered to the attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Joseph M. Mather, Scott B. Jacobson, Thomas Q. Haeder
  • Patent number: 4934462
    Abstract: A control device for use in a dual function machine includes a first disconnecting device for connection between a first operator's control knob and at least one control valve usable for controlling a first function of the machine. A second disconnecting device is provided for connection between a second operator's control knob and at least one second control valve usable for controlling a second function of the machine. The disconnecting devices are arranged for mounting in actuating relationship to a swivel-type operator's seat, the first disconnecting device being actuated for disabling the second function when said seat is in a first position for operating the first function and the second disconnecting device being actuated for disabling the first function when the seat is in a second position for operating the second function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: J. I. Case Company
    Inventors: Andre' Tatara, Robert McCaig, Jose Andiano
  • Patent number: 4771855
    Abstract: A backhoe vehicle comprising an engine and a driver's seat disposed rearwardly of an oil passage defining rotary joint of a swivel platform rotatably mounted through bearings on a stationary support of a chassis, a swivel guide gear attached to the stationary support, a swivel pinion meshed with the swivel guide gear, a motor for driving the swivel pinion to rotate the swivel platform, and traveling control valves and backhoe control valves mounted in a control box disposed on the swivel platform forwardly of the rotary joint. The motor is disposed below the traveling control valves and the backhoe control valves. The backhoe vehicle further comprises a driver's deck having a bent configuration with step portions thereof disposed laterally of the rotary joint being at a lower level than a cover portion disposed over the rotary joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1988
    Assignee: Kubota Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Takashima, Shizuo Shimoie
  • Patent number: 4712968
    Abstract: A toy mechanical digger includes a base frame member, a longitudinally-extending base beam pivotally mounted on the base frame for manually-actuated, 360.degree. slewing action relative to the base frame, a seal longitudinally slidably mounted with respect to the base beam; a primary boom having a pivoted end, and intermediate end, and a remote end, the pivoted end being pivotally mounted to the forward end of the base beam, such that the remote end can be raised and lowered, the intermediate end pivotally mounted to the forward end of the seat such that forward and rearward longitudinal sliding movement of the seat is linked to the lowering and raising movements, respectively, of the primary boom; a secondary boom having a pivoted end and a remote end, the pivoted end mounted on the remote end of the primary boom for pivotal movement relative thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1987
    Inventor: George C. Manning
  • Patent number: 4407542
    Abstract: A walk-over seat has a base with a pair of side members and a seat back which may be moved between the front and rear ends of the seat. The seat back is connected to the upper ends of two elongated links on each side of the seat back. Each link has a lower end mounted for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis between frontwardly and rearwardly extending positions. Each link is engaged by a respective latching member when the link is in one of its positions. Structure is provided to transfer to the side members of the seat the load exerted against a latching member by the link when the seat back is impacted or hit from behind, to prevent the latching member from being sprung or bent out of position. The latching member has a special configuration to accommodate differing dispositions and mountings of the latching member and the link it engages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1983
    Assignee: Coach and Car Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Norman J. Kehl, Richard D. Unser