Movable Body Portion Facilitating Engine Access Patents (Class 180/89.17)
  • Patent number: 9181679
    Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide a working machine allowing to form a large opening angle of an equipment cover while avoiding an obstacle even existing in front thereof. A rotating base is installed on a travelling machine body which includes right and left travelling devices, wherein an operation seat and vehicle equipment are arranged in the right and left, an equipment cover for covering the vehicle equipment is openably and closably provided, and a front lower portion of the equipment cover is pivotally supported on the rotating base via a lateral shaft. The lateral shaft of the equipment cover is inclined rearward from one end which is positioned in a side of the operation seat to the other end which is positioned in a side of a side portion of the rotating base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takanori Matsumoto, Shoichi Kawano, Hiroya Hanano
  • Patent number: 8925664
    Abstract: A front panel opening/closing system includes a hydraulic cylinder, a tilt cylinder, a tilt pump, and a valve. The hydraulic cylinder is connected to a front panel of a cap to perform an operation of opening/closing the front panel. The tilt cylinder is connected to the cap to perform an operation of tilting the cap. The tilt pump is connected to the hydraulic cylinder and the tilt cylinder through a hydraulic line to provide oil pressure. The valve is disposed at the hydraulic line of the tilt pump and the tilt cylinder. When the valve is positioned at a first position, the oil pressure is supplied from a hydraulic pump to the hydraulic cylinder and the tilt cylinder through the hydraulic line. When the valve is positioned at a second position, the oil pressure is supplied from the hydraulic pump only to the tilt cylinder through the hydraulic line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hyun Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 8869929
    Abstract: A vehicle body frame of a utility vehicle comprises: a main frame supporting an engine; and a pair of side frames attached to the main frame by a coupling member on respective left and right sides of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Teruaki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8833500
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes an engine compartment, an engine, an exhaust gas treatment device, an air cleaner, and an intake pipe. The engine compartment has a first sidewall, a second sidewall and an upper cover. The first sidewall and the second sidewall are set at a distance from each other in a vehicle width direction. The upper cover is disposed on the first sidewall and the second sidewall, and constituting a tool-storage part. The engine is disposed in the engine compartment. The exhaust gas treatment device is disposed above the engine in the engine compartment. The air cleaner is disposed above the engine in the engine compartment and rearward of the exhaust gas treatment device. The intake pipe is connected to the air cleaner in the engine compartment and protruding upward from the upper cover. The tool-storage part is disposed rearward of the intake pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsutaka Nakamura, Shinichi Ohtaka, Kazushi Nakata
  • Patent number: 8827019
    Abstract: A vehicle may include a CVT unit or a power source which requires ambient air. An air net for an air intake system coupled to the CVT unit or the power source which requires ambient air may be provided in a side of a cargo carrying portion of the vehicle. The vehicle may include a rear radius arm suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron D. Deckard, Phillip A. Nowacki, Brian R. Gillingham, Tracy S. Kofstad, Mark A. Smith, Curtis R. Kjaer, Stephen L. Nelson, Keith A. Hollman, Jerome J. Rubatt, Adam J. Schlangen
  • Publication number: 20140246262
    Abstract: A wheel loader includes: a driver's cab; an engine; a chassis, at sides of which tires are provided; an engine room in which the engine is mounted on the chassis, the engine room being provided behind the driver's cab; front portion structures respectively standing at left and right positions of a surface of the engine room, the surface being located at the driver's cab side; rear portion structures respectively standing at left and right positions of a surface of the engine room, the surface being opposite to the surface located at the driver's cab side; and a coupling structure that couples upper portions of the front portion structures to upper portions of the rear portion structures and forms a peripheral device installation space at an upper portion of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA KCM, HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuo Mori, Takatomo Ohno, Toru Sonobe, Hiroyuki Ishida, Keisuke Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8813340
    Abstract: An arrangement for mounting a substantially vertical mechanical element, as a technical front surface, on a structural transverse element of bodywork of a vehicle such as an upper crossbar, the mechanical element including at least one substantially horizontal portion or structural nozzle bearing on an upper surface of the crossbar. The arrangement includes at least one carrier plate for the mechanical element which is slid under the bodywork of the vehicle and then mounted vertically. The plate includes a yoke for receiving the vertical mechanical element and which is capable of holding the element between at least one vertical position inclined towards the front and a vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Francois Combe, Michael Flandin, Nicolas Pietu
  • Patent number: 8800705
    Abstract: A roll-out cab for off-road equipment includes an operator cab and a slide assembly. The slide assembly includes a slide base, a cab carriage and an actuation device. The slide base preferably includes a base plate, a pair of base rails and at least two base rollers. The cab carriage preferably includes a carriage plate, a pair of carriage rails, at least two carriage rollers and a plurality of isolation mounts. The pair of carriage rails are positioned to receive the at least two base rollers. The pair of base rails are positioned to receive the at least two carriage rollers. One end of the actuation device is retained by the base plate and the other end is retained by the carriage plate. The operator cab is attached to isolation mounts. The base plate is secured to a piece of off-road equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Barko Specialty Equipment, LLC
    Inventors: Gary D. Riha, Michael J. Koss
  • Publication number: 20140158447
    Abstract: A center panel assembly for a body of a vehicle includes a left cover, a right cover, a top cover, and a plurality of fasteners. The top cover is releasably attached to the left cover with at least a first one of the plurality of fasteners and is releasably attached to the right cover with at least a second one of the plurality of fasteners. The center panel assembly is configured for releasable attachment to a frame of a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Michael Vincent Peterson
  • Patent number: 8720628
    Abstract: A working machine comprising a frame, a working implement supported at a front end of the frame, a cover member, a latch member, a selector valve and a support bracket. The cover member has a cover-member body covering a side equipment room and having an opening. The latch member is disposed near the opening and inside the side equipment room to hold the cover member closed in cooperation with the lockable member. The support bracket extends from the side equipment room toward the opening and supports the latch member and the selector valve at the side of the frame. The support bracket has a base portion connected to the frame or connected to another member fixed to the frame, a selector valve-retaining portion retaining the selector valve and a latch member-retaining portion retaining the latch member at a position closer to the opening and higher than the selector valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryoichi Fuchibe
  • Patent number: 8706336
    Abstract: A motorcycle apparatus is provided which may include a step disposed between a front wheel and a rear wheel, and to support feet of a rider and a side cover configured to cover a lateral side of the vehicle body. The apparatus may also include a charging electric cable for charging the battery from an outside power source and an electric cable housing unit to house the charging electric cable in the vehicle body, and in which the charging electric cable is connected to the vehicle body. The apparatus may further include a housing opening portion to be opened for inserting or removing a leading end portion of the charging electric cable into or from the electric cable housing unit and an opening lid to close the housing opening portion. The housing opening portion may be located under the step and provided to the side cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shujiro Inui
  • Patent number: 8657048
    Abstract: A hydraulic excavator includes a lower travel body, an upper swiveling body, an exterior door, and a louver. The upper swiveling body has a swiveling platform and a frame with a lower end part of the frame being secured to the swiveling platform, the upper swiveling body being swivelably supported by the lower travel body. The exterior door has a curved part in which an opening is formed. The exterior door is openably/closably supported by the frame of the upper swiveling body. The louver blocks the opening in the exterior door in a closed state, and the louver is mounted in the frame of the upper swiveling body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaaki Uetake
  • Patent number: 8613336
    Abstract: A side-by-side vehicle comprising a frame and a plurality of ground engaging members is provided. The side-by-side vehicle further includes an operator area having seating and operator controls, and a cargo carrying portion located rearward of the operator area. A floor of the cargo carrying portion includes a movable cover to provide access underneath the cargo carrying portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron D. Deckard, Kevin McNutt
  • Patent number: 8469130
    Abstract: A work vehicle comprises a front frame, a rear frame, an oscillation frame, a slew bearing, and a rolling-element bearing. The slew bearing and the rolling-element bearing allow oscillation between the oscillation frame and the rear frame about a fore-aft axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Gregory K. Werner, Francois Stander
  • Patent number: 8407991
    Abstract: A construction machine that permits an exhaust gas after-treatment device to be disposed while avoiding an increase of height and hence avoiding narrowing of an operator's visual field. A guard panel is disposed substantially in parallel with a base frame. The guard panel includes a top plate, the top plate including an opening formed at a portion thereof corresponding to an engine, and a bonnet formed so as to project upwards from the top plate and cover the opening. A first treatment section is disposed lower than the top plate and a second treatment section includes at least a portion positioned higher than the top plate through the opening and lower than the bonnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jumpei Yokota
  • Patent number: 8371408
    Abstract: A bonnet structure including a bonnet flange extending inward from an inner peripheral surface of a bonnet is positioned farther toward a first direction, which is opposite in a vehicle longitudinal direction to a rotary shaft for the bonnet, than shroud flanges extending outward from side surfaces of a shroud main body when the bonnet is located at a closed position. A first elastic sealing member mounted to the bonnet flange is brought from the first direction into contact with anteroposterior contact surfaces of the shroud flanges that face to the first direction when the bonnet is rotated about the rotary shaft from the opened position to the closed position. It is possible to effectively prevent an excessive abrasion and a detachment of elastic sealing members for sealing a gap between the bonnet and the shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Kawashiri, Yutaka Matsui
  • Publication number: 20120325570
    Abstract: An engine enclosure and a method for assembling such an engine enclosure for a vehicle are disclosed. The engine enclosure may comprise a hood, a first door, a second door, a first fender and a second fender and a plurality of hinges. The hood may be disposed above the engine and may have an inset rim extending along a side of the hood. The door may be moveable between a generally vertical closed position and an open position. The door may include an upper edge, a non-metallic interior panel, and a non-metallic exterior panel fixedly joined to the interior panel. Each hinge may be attached to the hood and a door, and may be configured to rotate the door through a swing angle and to lift the upper edge of the door above the rim when the door is moved from the closed position to the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Travis W. Rogers, Robert Wayne Hunter, JR., Joel R. Grimes
  • Patent number: 8316977
    Abstract: A utility vehicle comprises a vehicle body frame to which the engine is mounted; a seat frame fastened to the vehicle body frame and including a seat bottom support member; and a seat bottom detachably fastened to the seat bottom support member; wherein a portion of an upper wall surface of an engine room in which the engine is disposed is defined by at least a portion of a lower surface of the seat bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshinori Tsumiyama, Hidetoshi Kaku, Tyler Furman, Kazuhiro Maeda
  • Patent number: 8312630
    Abstract: A method for mounting, on a motor vehicle, underbody elements and a technical front surface designed to be mounted at one end of a front structural element of the vehicle including side-members. The technical front surface is positioned on one of the underbody elements; the technical front surface is pivoted about a transverse axis from a position wherein it extends substantially transversely to a position wherein it is titled forward; the underbody elements and the tilted technical front surface are moved vertically downwards up to the vehicle; and the technical front surface is folded down from its tilted position to its normal position wherein it is opposite the structural element of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Philippe Bogaert, Michael Flandin
  • Patent number: 8245806
    Abstract: In some embodiments, systems and methods provided herein relate to a riding mower including a plurality of user support components coupled to a main frame and a suspension component coupled to the plurality of user support components such that movement of the plurality of user support component parallels each other. The mower may include a seat that can be moved such that operational components (e.g., a mower engine, battery, pump, or steering control) are more accessible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Inventor: Nick Newell
  • Patent number: 8240415
    Abstract: An intermediate plate member (22) having a plate thickness equal to or less than that of a door body (19) is provided between the door body (19) and a reinforcing member (24) constituting a right side door (18). The door body (19) and the intermediate plate member (22) are jointed by spot welding, and the intermediate plate member (22) and the reinforcing member (24) are jointed by fillet welding, thereby jointing the reinforcing member (24) through the intermediate plate member (22) on the inner side surface (19A) of the door body (19). Through the use of the intermediate plate member (22), the generation of distortion in the door body (19) is reduced and the outer appearance of the right side door (18) is maintained in good condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazumasa Okada, Masao Nakamura, Makoto Matsushita
  • Patent number: 8235441
    Abstract: A transportable thick matter pump includes a carrying framework for machine assemblies. A covering hood reaches at least partly over and is fixed in place on the carrying framework and includes a frame skeleton having a rectangular roof frame and two rectangular side frames connected with the roof frame at their upper edge and releasably attached to the carrying framework with their lower edge. A basin-shaped roof cover is inserted into the roof frame, with its opening facing upward, while the side frames carry at least one side paneling element configured as a self-supporting plastic molded hinged door articulated on at the upper edge of the related side frame. The frame skeleton openings formed by the roof frame and the two side frames, on the face-side hood ends, are covered by a removable end cap configured as a self-supporting plastic molded part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Putzmeister Engineering GmbH
    Inventor: Frank Pirwass
  • Patent number: 8096379
    Abstract: The disclosure includes a force assist arrangement for a slidable coupling, a slidable coupling including the force assist arrangement, and a machine including respectively slidable portions, such as, the slidable coupling, and the force assist arrangement. The force assist arrangement includes at least first and second links pivotably coupled together at one end and to the respectively slidable portions at the other ends, and a force assist device pivotably coupled to the links along their respective lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Marsolek, Ryan J. Nelson, Mike P. Siers
  • Patent number: 8083019
    Abstract: An upper assembly structure of a work machine comprising a driver's seat mounted on a vehicle body, an engine compartment for housing an engine, a tank compartment for housing a tank, a hood, a tank cover member, a first partition for partitioning between the engine compartment and the driver's seat, a second partition for partitioning between the tank compartment and the driver's seat, and a support frame mounted on the engine compartment including an arm member protruding from the support frame toward the tank compartment, wherein the engine compartment and the tank compartment are arranged to form an L-shape as viewed from the top, wherein the engine compartment is covered by the first partition and the hood, wherein the tank compartment is covered by the second compartment and the tank cover member, and wherein the arm member supports internal equipment arranged inside the tank compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Fujita, Shinya Mukae, Junichi Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 7984781
    Abstract: An underseat structure of a road vehicle which protects an occupant from engine heat while enhancing the maintenance property of a vehicle which includes an engine supported on a vehicle body frame, and an engine oil supply pipe and an oil level gauge mounted on the engine, wherein the engine is disposed below at least one seat. An inner cover is disposed between the at least one seat and the engine and a maintenance lid is provided for allowing maintenance of the engine oil supply pipe and the oil level gauge formed on the inner cover with the inner cover being detachably mounted on the vehicle body frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoki Nozaki
  • Patent number: 7967094
    Abstract: A machine room (15) is provided between a cab (14) and a counterweight (6) which are mounted on a revolving frame (5) to accommodate an engine (7). The machine room (15) is built of a left front support member (20), a rear support member (21), a connecting support member (22) and a left side housing door (25). A horizontal grip portion (22B) and an inclined grip portion (22C) are provided in intermediate portions of the connecting support member (22) which connects the left front support member (20) and the rear support member (21). By opening the left side housing door (25), the inclined grip portion (22C) of the connecting support member (22) comes out, permitting a servicing worker to hold on thereto helping him or her perform a cleaning job of a rear face portion (14B) of a cab (14) in an efficient manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Matsushita, Takeshi Takei, Wataru Isaka, Katsutoshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7946370
    Abstract: A work machine includes a frame supported for movement over the ground, a prime mover for driving movement of the frame, an operator compartment supported on the frame and a cradle coupling the operator compartment to the frame. The cradle is pivotable between an operating position and a service position and includes a biasing mechanism for biasing cradle toward the service position and an isolation mount coupling the operator compartment to the cradle. The isolation mount permits deflection of the operator compartment relative to the cradle along a selected axis. A latch mechanism releasably couples the cradle to the frame and a handle is provided for actuating the latch mechanism. The isolation mount includes a deformable member having a void defining the selected axis. The axis can be aligned with a force exerted on the cradle by the operator compartment to reduce stress on the biasing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Larry E. Albright, Gary J. Homola, Maria C. Homola, legal representative, Rodney Koch, Dan A. Frederick, Nicole L. Fuss, legal representative, Karla J. Frederick, legal representative, Thomas J. Roan
  • Patent number: 7874392
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a cover for a power shovel which can be manufactured at a low cost by reducing the number of parts and production man-hours and can be improved in maintainability. In the power shovel 50 which include an upper revolution structure (10) having: a body frame (11), a seat support stand (13) disposed at the rear of the body frame (11) and covering an upper part of the engine, and a device frame (12) disposed on a front part of the body frame (11) and storing hydraulic devices, side and a rear parts of the seat support stand (13) and the side part between the device frame (12) and the body frame (11) are covered by left and right side-covers (14) and (15) and a rear cover (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takafumi Nobayashi, Yasuyuki Oyamada, Takahiro Ikeda, Keiichi Nishihara, Masao Nagata, Saizou Kondou, Masami Miyanishi
  • Patent number: 7871117
    Abstract: A materials handling vehicle is provided. The vehicle comprises a main body, a seat deck assembly including an operator seat, and structure for movably mounting the seat deck assembly to the main body. The seat deck assembly moves relative to the main body along a varying radius path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan R. Berger, Michael P. Gallagher, John P. Jones, Thornton K. Lothrop, Donald E. Luebrecht, Rainer B. Teufel, Juergen Buchmann, Edgar Wahnemuehl
  • Patent number: 7810597
    Abstract: A concave portion is provided on a front surface side of a counterweight provided in a rear end portion of an upper rotating body in a vertically penetrating state, a battery is housed in the concave portion in a state where a weight of the battery is supported by a body frame, thereby maintenance devices including the battery can be simultaneously given maintenance in a state where a hood is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirokazu Imashige
  • Patent number: 7806466
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes a frame, and a cab structure and a seat each pivotably connected to the frame. A mechanical interconnection is provided between the cab structure and a seat. In response to the cab structure pivoting away from the frame by a predetermined amount, the seat is urged to pivot away from the frame by the mechanical interconnection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: James Shurts, Michael David Case, Kyle Brenner, Joshua John Pasa
  • Patent number: 7806214
    Abstract: Mounted on a revolving frame are onboard equipments including engine and heat exchanger. These onboard equipments are accommodated in a housing cover consisted by including a front partition panel. The front partition panel is fixed to a seat screw member which is provided on the revolving frame. At this time, lower end portion of the front partition panel is hung in a floated state above the revolving frame by a stopper which is adapted rest on an upper end portion of the seat screw member. Therefore, lower end portion of the front partition panel is hung in a floated state above a upper surface of a left side frame, facilitating to align a bolt through hole in the front partition panel with a nut of the seat screw member at the time of threading and tightening a bolt into the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tsukui, Tomonori Mamada, Hiroshi Kumagai, Yasuhiro Kurumisawa
  • Publication number: 20100224433
    Abstract: A saddle-ride type vehicle, and arrangement of an electric part such as a controller for a saddle-ride type vehicle, can include a vehicle frame which has a left main frame and a right main frame which extend from a forward side to a rearward side of a vehicle body. An engine is supported on the vehicle frame, and a throttle body is disposed near the engine. An air cleaner is disposed adjacent throttle body, and a controller is provided, which is configured to control the engine. A support member supports at least a controller, with the support member being removably mounted relative to the vehicle body. The support member is separate from the throttle body and the air cleaner. The support member is typically disposed above the throttle body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Shiokawa, Masatoshi Sato
  • Patent number: 7766419
    Abstract: A sliding panel arrangement for a vehicle wherein a panel is adapted to be coupled to a vehicle body, at least two linear bearings or at least one longitudinal member being disposed on the panel, the other of the at least two linear bearings or at least one longitudinal member being adapted to be coupled to the vehicle body. The longitudinal member is sized and disposed to slide within the linear bearings, the panel sliding between closed and open positions over a vehicle compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products inc.
    Inventors: Andrew James Krolnik, John Marsolek
  • Patent number: 7677343
    Abstract: A four-wheeled utility vehicle including an engine unit mounted in the utility vehicle; and a vehicle body frame including a frame member that is disposed in the vicinity of the engine unit and is partially movable relative to the engine unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Haruo Kitai, Toru Minami, Hiroyuki Fujimoto
  • Publication number: 20100048122
    Abstract: The aperture area efficiency of a door panel with a double-panel structure having an outer panel and an inner panel is increased, while turbulent flow of air through ventilation holes is reduced. The outer panel 21 is provided with a plurality of honeycomb ventilation hole sections 26, each of which comprises a plurality of hexagonal ventilation holes 25 that are formed in the outer panel 21 so as to be arranged in a honeycomb pattern, with each side of each ventilation hole 25 being adjacent to a side of another ventilation hole 25 with a connecting portion 25a therebetween. The inner panel 23 is provided with ventilation openings 30, each of which is slightly larger than each respective honeycomb ventilation hole section 26 of the outer panel 21.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR JAPAN LTD.
    Inventors: Ryoji Uto, Keitaro Yokokawa
  • Patent number: 7661497
    Abstract: An upper swing body of an excavator is disclosed wherein a rear protrusion is minimized to reduce an operating radius and a cooling performance is improved even in a narrow engine room. An upper swing body of an excavator according to the present invention comprises a main frame (12) forming a base of the upper swing body; a support (16) including a pair of vertical frames (17, 18) disposed upwardly from an upper surface of a rear portion of the main frame (12) and laterally spaced apart from each other by a certain distance, and a horizontal frame (19) for connecting upper ends of the pair of vertical frames (17, 18) to each other; a cab (80) having a front lower portion supported by the main frame (12), and a rear lower portion supported by the support (16); and an engine (10) disposed in a space formed below the horizontal frame (19) of the support (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Doosan Infracore Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: In Mook Youn
  • Patent number: 7597166
    Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of hinge devices for use in hood lifting systems for pedestrian protection. An exemplary embodiment of such a hinge device includes an upper hinge portion configured to be connected with a vehicle hood and a lower hinge portion configured to be connected with a vehicle body. The upper hinge portion may be configured to releasably engage the lower hinge portion such that the upper hinge portion can disengage from the lower hinge portion and lift the vehicle hood upon a threshold separation force being applied to the hinge device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventor: Brent Parks
  • Patent number: 7594555
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for moving a portion of a vehicle hood away from a portion of the vehicle, the apparatus comprising: a first portion; a second portion, comprising; a fixed portion and a slidable portion slidably mounted to the first portion for movement between a first position and a second position, the fixed portion comprising a first opening at one end and an elongated opening, the slidable portion comprising a second opening juxtaposed to the first opening when the slidable portion is in the first position; a first connecting member being pivotally secured to the first portion at one end and releaseably secured to the second portion at another end by a pivot pin that is rotatably secured within the first opening and the second opening when the slidable portion is in the first position; a second connecting member being pivotally secured to the first portion at one end and slidably secured to the second portion at another end by a pin that is slidably received within the elongated opening of the fixe
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerhard Lutter, Daniel Hahn, Minoo J. Shah, James L. Webber
  • Patent number: 7556309
    Abstract: A working vehicle includes a vehicle frame having a front section and a bonnet arranged on the front section. A first engagement mechanism for the bonnet is provided at a front section of the vehicle frame and a second engagement mechanism is provided at a front lower end section of the bonnet. A front face of the vehicle frame includes a cutout section and a cover doubling as a seal member for the bonnet is provided at the cutout section. When the first and second engagement mechanisms are engaged, the first and second engagement mechanisms are positioned on one side of the cutout section and a portion of the cover that covers the cutout section is positioned on an opposite side of the cutout section. The construction can provide the bonnet with high assembly accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroaki Ayabe
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20090056529
    Abstract: The subject of the invention is utility vehicles, in particular for military purposes, with a chassis and a cab (1) arranged on its frame (4) so that it can be tilted, and guarded in certain places by affixed armour plating (88). The inventive cab (1) is composed of a front module (5) and a rear module (6), whereby the front module (5) exhibits a front wall (7), two side walls (8, 9), a rear wall (10), a floor (11) and a roof (12), and forms a cabin for the driver and co-driver. The rear module (6), by comparison, exhibits a bearer frame (17) enclosed at least in part by walls (13, 14, 16), and forms a hood-like protective and stowage space for the power aggregate and other vehicle parts and accessories. Furthermore, the rear module (6) is attached to the rear of the front module (5) and supported by it, and may also be released. The rear armouring of the cab (1) is implemented by armour plating (88) fitted between its front module (5) and rear module (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: Man Nutzfahrzeuge Osterreich AG
    Inventors: Peter HINZE, Franz Ribo, Robert Wimmer
  • 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: 7464783
    Abstract: The invention concerns an access plate for use in a vehicle to cover an aperture in an engine ring, where the engine ring and an engine cover seal against each other. The access plate may include a main body portion, made of a first material having a first durometer, extending across the aperture, and defining a first portion of an outer surface that sealingly engages with the second component; and a seal, made of a second lower durometer material, wherein the seal portion is integral with the main body portion, and the seal portion includes an underside surface in opposed relation to the outer surface that sealingly engages with first component. The access plate may include snap clips, to secure the plate to the engine ring, locating pins to locate the access plate on the ring, and tapered end features to assure a good seal against the engine cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Mathew A. Gray, R. Donald Hollinger, Luigi R. Magnanti, Rodolfo H. Perez, Tito G. Perez, Uzziel A. Ramirez, Rodolfo De La Mora, Jesus M. Piter, John T. Freiwald, Aldo Maya, Thomas C. Sliney
  • Patent number: 7416038
    Abstract: A hinge bar for the hinge assembly of a large motor vehicle's hood has a body with opposite ends, arms, curved end sections connecting the arms to the body at each end and hinge bar brackets extending from the arms. At least one ring is located between the midsection of the body and one of the opposite ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual PRoperty Company, LLC
    Inventors: Floyd A. Etzler, Jerry J. Connett
  • Publication number: 20070272461
    Abstract: On the premise that a partition wall for defining an engine room is provided on the left side of a rear portion of an upper frame the partition wall constituting an upper rotating body and that an engine and a cooler are disposed in the engine room, a front support frame which supports a front portion of the cooler is connected to a rear surface of the partition wall in a state of surface abutment against the rear surface, whereby the support frame also serves as a support pillar for the partition wall, the partition wall also serves as a stay for the prevention of transverse vibration of the support frame, and the use of a sealing member for filling up a gap between the partition wall and the support frame can be omitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Applicant: KOBELCO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD
    Inventors: Tomoya TANIUCHI, Koji Yonezawa
  • Patent number: 7237636
    Abstract: A side mounted storage device is provided for an agricultural applicator having a frame assembly in support of a drive unit or engine configured to drive the agricultural applicator on a plurality of wheel assemblies in a forward direction of travel. The storage device includes a fixed storage compartment and a pivotal storage compartment. The pivotal storage compartment is pivotally attached at the forward end of the fixed storage compartment with respect to the forward direction of travel of the agricultural applicator. From a closed position, the pivotal storage compartment is coupled to swing in a radially outward direction with respect to the frame assembly of the agricultural applicator. In a preferred embodiment, the pivotal storage compartment in the open position provides an operator on the ground with ready access to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Rex L. Ruppert, Stephen H. Stuhr
  • 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: RE44700
    Abstract: A materials handling vehicle is provided. The vehicle comprises a main body, a seat deck assembly including an operator seat, and structure for movably mounting the seat deck assembly to the main body. The seat deck assembly moves relative to the main body along a varying radius path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan R. Berger, Michael P. Gallagher, John P. Jones, Thornton K. Lothrop, Donald E. Luebrecht, Rainer B. Teufel, Juergen Buchmann, Edgar Wahnemuehl