Resilient Support Patents (Class 296/190.07)
  • Patent number: 11878743
    Abstract: A power machine having a frame and a cab pivotally attached to the frame at a first cab pivot, such that the cab pivots about a first transverse axis from an operational position to a service position, includes a link mechanism and a first spring. The link mechanism includes a first link having a first link end, a second link end, and a first pivot engagement feature pivotally coupling the first link to the frame and to the cab such that the first link is pivotal about the first transverse axis. The second link end is configured to interface with the cab at a position forward of and below the first cab pivot and first pivot engagement feature when the cab is in the operational position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: DOOSAN BOBCAT NORTH AMERICA INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin Storhaug, Daniel J. Krieger
  • Patent number: 11483975
    Abstract: A harvesting vehicle including a body, a plurality of wheels coupled to the body, and a pick deck coupled to the body. The pick deck can include a plurality of picking systems configured to be carried over plants growing in at least one plant bed to harvest crops of the plants. The pick deck can include at least one sensor system configured to provide distance measurement data of a height of the pick deck over the at least one plant bed. The harvesting vehicle also includes a plurality of actuators each adjustably coupling the pick deck to the body, and a suspension control system configured to adjust at least a vertical position of the pick deck with respect to the body based at least in part on the distance measurement data. Other embodiments are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: HARVEST CROO, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Pitzer, Scott Gordon Scarpinato
  • Patent number: 11319001
    Abstract: An assembly for releasably engaging an upper vehicle part with a base vehicle part comprises the upper vehicle part, the base vehicle part and a securing assembly for ensuring that the upper vehicle part is secured to the base vehicle part in an operational state of the vehicle. The securing assembly comprises an inter-connecting member adapted to extend from the upper vehicle part to the base vehicle part in said operational state, said inter-connecting member having a body portion and a projecting portion defining an abutment surface. The securing assembly further comprises a releasable fixation support having a recess adapted to accommodate a part of the body portion, wherein another part of the releasable fixation support is capable of restricting displacement of said inter-connecting member in a direction towards said upper part vehicle by engaging with said abutment surface of said projecting portion in said operational state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB
    Inventors: Björn Olsson, Tonie Jurgec, Jan Nilsson
  • Patent number: 11131777
    Abstract: A method for determining a position of a motor vehicle that has a chassis and a driver's cab, which is spring-mounted relative to the chassis includes detecting the position of the motor vehicle using a satellite-based navigation device arranged on the driver's cab. The method further includes correcting the detected position as a function of a correction value representing a relative motion between the driver's cab and the chassis in order to determine the position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Steffi Lang, Michael Baus, Thorsten Huck
  • Patent number: 10752298
    Abstract: A vibration dampening system for a work vehicle may include a chassis frame, a cab frame, and a suspension assembly coupled between the frames. The suspension assembly may include a superstructure having at least two mounting interfaces for coupling the cab frame to the superstructure and at least one support structure extending at least partially between the mounting interfaces. The support structure(s) include a first end portion, a second end portion opposite the first end portion, and a connector portion extending between the first and second end portions. In addition, the system includes an elastomeric vibration damper provided in association with the connector portion of the support structure(s) such that the vibration damper extends along an outer surface of the support structure(s) along at least a portion of the length of the connector portion. The elastomeric vibration damper is configured to reduce vibrations transmitted through the support structure(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Nathaniel J. Keller
  • Patent number: 10183701
    Abstract: Integrated bumpers are presented including: a suspension assembly including, a suspension plate coupled with a robotic device chassis along a top surface of the robotic device chassis, a number of radially disposed springs positioned along a portion of a perimeter of the suspension plate and coupled with the suspension plate, and a number of cutouts positioned along the perimeter of the suspension plate; and a cover coupled with the suspension assembly, the cover including, a number of spring anchors coupled with the number of springs, which in some embodiments may be radially disposed, and a number of tabs aligned with the number of cutouts to limit movement of the suspension plate. In some embodiments, integrated bumpers further include: two impact sensors positioned along a second portion of the perimeter, the two impact sensors detecting movement between the suspension assembly and the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: AI Incorporated
    Inventors: Ali Ebrahimi Afrouzi, Alex Douglas Powers, Shahin Fathi Djalali
  • Patent number: 10099728
    Abstract: A work vehicle has a cabin supported via an anti-vibration member to a bracket that extends to a vehicle body outer side from a vehicle body frame. The bracket mounts a weight member. The weight member is attached to a position in the bracket, said position being located outward of the anti-vibration member, with the weight member protruding to the vehicle body outer side from the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Shinohara, Yasunori Kobayashi, Yoshihisa Tahara, Ryuichi Inoue
  • Patent number: 9216778
    Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle cab is disposed between a chassis frame and a cab rear. A cross rail is fastened to the chassis frame sides. A gas spring is mounted laterally centrally of the chassis frame sides on the cross rail. A gas spring is disposed on the base. A damping mechanism damps vertical displacements of the cab on the chassis frame. A multi-limb bar assembly interfaces the cab, the chassis frame, and the gas spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: John Lucas Safiejko
  • Patent number: 9180918
    Abstract: A cab tilting device includes: a left torsion bar connected with the left bottom of a cab of a vehicle to generate twisting restoring force to tilt the cab toward the front of the vehicle from the left bottom of the cab in a width direction of the cab; and a right torsion bar connected with the right bottom of the cab to generate the twisting restoring force to tilt the cab toward the front of the vehicle from the right bottom of the cab in the width direction of the cab to generate the same twisting tilting force from the left side to the right side of the cab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Seunghyun Oh, Byungbae Kim, Dong Geun Lee, Dae Su Kim
  • Patent number: 9132711
    Abstract: A vehicle having a shock absorber mounting angle variation structure may include a lower arm with a side rotatably disposed at a lower portion of a vehicle body, a shock absorber attenuating vibration due to vertical motion of the lower arm, wherein the shock absorber includes an upper end connected to an upper portion of the vehicle body, and a lower end coupled to an end of the lower arm, and a driving unit disposed on the lower arm and pushing or pulling the lower end of the shock absorber in a predetermined direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Do Yeon Chung
  • Patent number: 9038997
    Abstract: An example mount assembly includes a first chamber, at least partially defined by a first elastomeric element and a second chamber, at least partially defined by a second elastomeric element. The assembly also includes an inertia track having a central opening defining an axis. The inertia track defines a serpentine passage in fluid communication with the first chamber and the second chamber. The inertia track is moveable along the axis relative to the first elastomeric element and the second elastomeric element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery Michael Bradshaw, Chris Dowson
  • Patent number: 8991904
    Abstract: An operator ride enhancement system that is coupleable to the frame of a vehicle includes a counterweight platform moveably coupled to the frame, and a resilient member engaged with the frame and the counterweight platform. The mass of the counterweight platform is configured to be approximately at least equal to a total mass supported by the counterweight platform during operation of the vehicle. The operator ride enhancement system attenuates and/or inhibits movement of the counterweight platform during operation of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph Thomas Yahner
  • Publication number: 20150048653
    Abstract: A stabiliser bar (1) to counteract pitching movements in a vehicle cab (10) includes a suspension device (9) with a bushing (14) on each side of which lateral stops (16a, b) are arranged, made from an essentially elastic material, and bearings (17a, b) arranged on the outside of these. A washer-shaped unit (23a, b) is arranged between the bearings (17a, b) and the lateral stops (16a, b) and that unit has a diameter which essentially corresponds to the lateral stops' diameter. The washer-shaped unit (23a, b) is arranged to support the lateral stops (16a, b) in an axial direction and absorb any axial forces exerted by the lateral stops and to form an air gap (24a, b) between the stabiliser bar's supporting surfaces (22a, b) and the washer-shaped unit (23a, b), eliminating direct contact between the stabiliser bar's supporting surfaces (22a, b) and the lateral stops (16a, b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventor: Sune Järnström
  • Patent number: 8911003
    Abstract: An arrangement, comprising a bearing support (1), a mass to be supported (2) and a support (3), which is connected with the mass to be supported (2) and supports itself on the bearing support (1), wherein the mass to be supported (2) is movable relative to the bearing support (1) and wherein a linkage element (4) is provided, which ties the bearing support (1) onto the mass to be supported (2), in consideration of the problem, an arrangement is to be indicated in which a support is easily and permanently connected with a bearing support in a stable manner, wherein the linkage element (4) includes a disk-shaped section (5) and a bolt-shaped section (6), which are designed as one piece together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Carl Freudenberg KG
    Inventors: Fabian Selent, Tino Joske
  • Publication number: 20140339872
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle vibration device of a vehicle seat or of a vehicle cab, comprising a lower part and an upper part which can be deflected relative to this lower part, in which device the upper part and the lower part are interconnected in a spring-loaded manner by means of at least one suspension apparatus and in which the suspension apparatus comprises a deformable fluid-spring part having a flexible pressure chamber element and a deformation apparatus having deformation elements, the deformable fluid element being deformed at least in part by the deformation elements when the upper part is deflected relative to the lower part, and wherein, according to the invention, an additional anti-abrasion element is arranged between the flexible pressure chamber element and the deformation elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: GRAMMER AG
    Inventor: Konstantin LOREY
  • Publication number: 20140319876
    Abstract: A suspension system for the resilient/damped suspension of a driver's cab of a motor vehicle relative to the vehicle chassis. The suspension system has a spring/damper arrangement and a hydraulic arrangement with hydraulic cylinders on the right and left sides, relative to the driving direction. The hydraulic cylinders are connected in a cross-over manner to form a roll stabilizing device. The suspension system has an upper cross-bridge that is arranged on the driver's cab and a lower cross-bridge that is arranged on the vehicle chassis. The spring/damper arrangement and the hydraulic arrangement are positioned between and connected to the upper and lower cross-bridges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Michael Schauer, Jens Eismann, Eike Helm, Matthias Quaing, Holger Bublies
  • Patent number: 8840172
    Abstract: Devices and methods for suspension of a vehicle cabin using additional volumes of air for utility vehicles. An example device includes at least one air spring for suspension of the utility vehicle cabin, the air spring being arranged between the cabin and a base frame, and a control device for controlling the supply and discharge of at least one additional volume to/from the air spring. At predefinable speed or acceleration values of a movement of the air spring, the additional volume is supplied or discharged by means of the control device in such a way that, in end-of-travel regions of the air spring, the profile of a force/travel air spring characteristic during an extension and/or return spring movement of the air spring does not exhibit any incline or exhibits only a small incline in a first range and in a second range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Grammer AG
    Inventor: Erwin Haller
  • Publication number: 20140251711
    Abstract: A cab suspension and repositioning system (110) for a truck includes a control arm assembly (130) having two control arms (134, 136) with distal ends pivotably attached to a truck chassis (112) and proximal ends pivotably attached to a cab (102), and one or more follower control arms (144, 146) having a distal end pivotably attached to the chassis (112) and a proximal end pivotably attached to the cab (102). Cab suspension assemblies (114, 170) releasably lock the cab (102) to the chassis (112) during operation. The control arm assembly (130) further provides motion control to the cab (102). Hydraulic cylinders (140) engage the control arm assembly (130) and are operable to move the cab (102) between an operating position adjacent the chassis and an access position away from the chassis (112) substantially without rotating the cab (102). A control system (200) powers the cylinders (140) and controls the transition between the operating and access positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: PACCAR Inc
    Inventors: Gerald Jay Angelo, Larry F. Gulan, Theodore J. Scherzinger
  • Patent number: 8820456
    Abstract: A tractor cab suspension system has a single support unit which mounts one end of the cab from a chassis of a tractor. The single support unit acts as a noise isolator and does not allow significant vertical oscillation of the cab relative to the chassis but allows the cab to pivot relative to the chassis in pitch and roll modes. A cab support is provided at the other end of the cab which supports the cab from the chassis and damps pitching of the cab about the single support. A roll damper is also provided to damp rolling of the cab about the single support, and a control bar extends between the cab and chassis which controls transverse movement of the cab relative to the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Voltra Oy Ab
    Inventors: Totte Virtanen, Simo Sinkko
  • Patent number: 8807633
    Abstract: A suspension system for a cab of an off-road vehicle includes a superstructure configured to receive a cab frame. The superstructure forms a framework, the corners of which receive suspension assemblies and dampers. The suspension assemblies include one or more springs or resilient elements to resist suspension motion, and the dampers provide dampening of the motion. Lateral and longitudinal suspension motions are resisted by links between the corners of the superstructure. An anti-roll bar reduces roll. The entire suspension system may be pre-assembled and then joined to the vehicle chassis frame. The cab frame may then be placed on the suspension system. Parts of the suspension system may interface with and be housed by roll-over protective structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Rowland James Milburn, Michael Bakken, Salvatore Virgilio, David Larry Tveito, David Sheldon Booth, John Thomas Rasset, Jason Keith Novacek, Dallas Lee Jorgenson, Chad Alry Bautz, Michael Bunnell, Shane Michael Scott, Daniel John Zurn, Russell Stoltman
  • Patent number: 8696002
    Abstract: A roll center variator is described, generally including a first transverse locating device, a second transverse locating device, an adjustable spacing mechanism, and first and second simple links attached to the spacing mechanism and a vehicle axle. Each of the transverse locating devices has two ends attached to opposing sides of a vehicle frame. The spacing mechanism is attached at a first point to the first locating device and at a second point to the second locating device. The first and second locating devices are comprised of a Watt's linkage, Panhard rod, or other transverse locating device. The variator includes a screw-threaded rod engaged with the spacing mechanism, wherein rotation of the rod in one direction increases a distance between a first point and a second point of the spacing mechanism and rotation in the opposite direction decreases the distance between the same two points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: Jonathan Dale Batdorff
  • Patent number: 8678477
    Abstract: A utility vehicle (10) comprising a cab (12) mounted to a frame (14) by cab suspension means (16) is provided. The cab suspension comprises rolling linkage (20) which permits only circumferential movement of the cab around a generally longitudinal axis (24;44), and vertical linkage (22) which permits only radial movement of the cab relative to said axis (24) or radial movement of the axis (44) relative to the frame. The rolling linkage and vertical linkage are connected in series between the cab and the frame thus allowing independent resolution of rolling movement and vertical movement. The cab suspension means further comprises two spring/dampers (28,38; 58,38) arranged to independently control the stiffness and damping within the two degrees of freedom, namely roll and vertical movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: AGCO SA
    Inventor: Geoffroy Husson
  • Patent number: 8678478
    Abstract: A machine includes a frame and an operator cab supported by the frame. One or more passive mounts and one or more controllable mounts operatively connect the operator cab to the frame. The one or more controllable mounts include a housing, a pin mounted within the housing, a rheological fluid within the housing, and coils positioned relative to the housing to generate a field through the rheological fluid. An electronic control unit operatively associated with the coils and adapted to change a level of current applied to the coils to adjust an apparent viscosity of the rheological fluid to actively change the damping characteristics of the one or more controllable mounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Steven D. Jones, Brett D. Ellen, Ronald B. Warnat, Kevin D. Ehrenhardt
  • Patent number: 8657251
    Abstract: A cab frame (14) is supported on brackets (12, 13) provided at a plurality of positions of a vehicle body frame (11) with dampers (15). Movement limiting mechanisms (30) for limiting a movement at least in a vertical direction of the cab frame (14) are provided between the brackets (12, 13) and the cab frame (14). Further, the movement limiting mechanisms (30) are provided at least at two positions. Each movement limiting mechanism (30) includes a lower limiting portion (31) arranged close to the brackets (12, 13) and constituted by a plate member, and an upper limiting portion (32) arranged close to the cab frame (14) and constituted by a plate member in the same manner. The lower limiting portion (31) is integrally structured with the brackets (12, 13). Recesses (33, 34) are formed in a side edge of at least one of the lower limiting portion (31) and the upper limiting portion (32), and the limiting portion in the other limiting portion is positioned within the recesses (33, 34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Kamimae
  • Patent number: 8651560
    Abstract: A cab mounting apparatus may include a back complete member forming a rear wall panel of a cabin of a driver's compartment and to which a member frame forming a grid structure may be added, a rear cab member coupled to a locker of an air suspension for supporting the cabin and absorbing and damping transferred vibrations, the rear cab member being coupled to the back complete member to which the member frame may be added to serve as a load input point of a load applied by the cabin, and a rear cab reinforcing member fixedly attached to the back complete member while overlapping the rear cab member and connected to an end of a rear sill member crossing a lower part of the cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Kyoon Choi
  • Publication number: 20140042776
    Abstract: A cab suspension system for a vehicle has a first front suspension mount, a second front suspension mount, and a rear suspension system. The first front suspension mount connects to a vehicle frame and to a cab. The second front suspension mount connects to the vehicle frame and to the cab. The rear suspension system has a first angled linking arm, a second angled linking arm, and a spring assembly. The first angled linking arm connects to the vehicle frame and to the cab. The second angled linking arm connects to the vehicle frame and to the cab. The spring assembly connects to the cab and to the vehicle frame. The first angled linking arm and the second angled linking arm are disposed to form a generally V-shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: Gregory Kevin Leeder
  • Patent number: 8641132
    Abstract: A hydraulically damping mount includes a support bearing and a seat which are supported on each other by a hollow conical spring element made of an elastomeric material. The support bearing is shaped essentially as a double-T and includes two annular radial flanges that are connected to each other via a centrally positioned connecting tube so as to be adjacent to each other at an axial distance from each other and so as to delimit the mount on a front on both sides. A working chamber and a compensation chamber are filled with damping fluid and are separated from each other, on respective axially facing sides, via a partition having a damping channel which connects the chambers to each other so as to convey the fluid. The partition is joined to the seat and has an annular shape that surrounds and seals the connection tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Carl Freudenberg KG
    Inventor: Volker Wittmershaus
  • Patent number: 8616603
    Abstract: An operator ride enhancement system that is coupleable to the frame of a vehicle includes a counterweight platform moveably coupled to the frame, and a resilient member engaged with the frame and the counterweight platform. The mass of the counterweight platform is configured to be approximately at least equal to a total mass supported by the counterweight platform during operation of the vehicle. The operator ride enhancement system attenuates and/or inhibits movement of the counterweight platform during operation of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: The Raymond Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph Thomas Yahner
  • Publication number: 20130341966
    Abstract: A suspension system for a cab of an off-road vehicle includes a superstructure configured to receive a cab frame. The superstructure forms a framework, the corners of which receive suspension assemblies and dampers. The suspension assemblies include one or more springs or resilient elements to resist suspension motion, and the dampers provide dampening of the motion. Lateral and longitudinal suspension motions are resisted by links between the corners of the superstructure. An anti-roll bar reduces roll. The entire suspension system may be pre-assembled and then joined to the vehicle chassis frame. The cab frame may then be placed on the suspension system. Parts of the suspension system may interface with and be housed by roll-over protective structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Rowland James Milburn, Michael Henning Bakken, Salvatore Virgilio, David Larry Tveito, David Sheldon Booth, John Thomas Rasset, Jason Keith Novacek, Dallas Lee Jorgenson, Chad Alry Bautz, Michael Charles Bunnell, Shane Michael Scott, Daniel John Zurn, Russell Victor Stoltman
  • Patent number: 8608234
    Abstract: A suspension device for a springy suspension of a mass body relative to an understructure, for instance suspension of a driver cabin of a truck relative to a vehicle chassis. The suspension device comprises a spring-/damping configuration, located between the mass body and the understructure, for the damping shock and/or vibration and comprising a Watt linkage configuration with two parallel positioned Watt linkages. A length of at least one of the linkage arms, of the Watt linkage, is adjustable by an actuator. The suspension device is low-maintenance, free of play, and is suitable for determining of the levels of freedom of motion, for instance of a driver cabin, as well as for damping or eliminating unwanted movement of the driver cabin. At the same time, roll motions of the driver cabin, with respect to the understructure or the chassis, can be actively prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Felix Haeusler, Andreas G{hacek over (a)}rtner, Friedhelm Langhorst, Matthias Quaing
  • Publication number: 20130313858
    Abstract: A pair of front couplings and a pair of rear air spring over shocks couple the cab to the vehicle frame. A motion control link includes a central base and pair of arms extending longitudinally from the central base. A base coupling directly couples the base to the vehicle frame. A rear arm coupling for each arm directly couples the arm to the rear of the cab. The rear base coupling and the rear arm coupling essentially restrict lateral movement of the motion control link and permit tuned lateral movement of the frame relative to the rear of the cab to provide lateral motion control at the rear of the cab. The motion control link defines an arc that intersects the front coupling arc. The rear arm couplings include a rear elastomeric bushing member including voids to accommodate for the intersecting arcs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Inventors: Christopher G. RAGER, Matthew G. WIECZOREK, Jorge T. TINNIRELLO
  • Patent number: 8590668
    Abstract: A construction machine capable of effectively reducing noise which would intrude into a cab, without deterioration in ride quality, comfort and air-conditioning efficiency in the cab is provided. The construction machine includes a lower propelling body, an upper slewing body including an upper frame, a cab including a floor plate and installed on the upper frame, and a cab noise reduction device. The cab noise reduction device includes: the floor plate; an under-cab member including a cab deck supporting the cab and provided under the cab to define a closed-form under-cab space whose periphery is substantially closed, in cooperation with the floor plate; and a resonator reducing noise in the under-cab space by a resonance effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho, Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyoko Masuda, Yasumasa Kimura, Kazuhiro Ueda
  • Patent number: 8567850
    Abstract: In a side deck of a construction machine, includes a cross allowing member which has a shape avoiding a reinforcement member so as to allow the reinforcement member to extend across a mount holding member longitudinally of the side deck. A front end of the reinforcement member is directly joined to the front beam while the reinforcement member extends longitudinally across the cross allowing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yosuke Honda, Koichi Nishimura
  • Publication number: 20130264455
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for an adaptive, multi-axis suspension system providing both coarse and fine suspension for payloads such as passenger seats, trailers, passenger compartments of motor vehicles, shock/vibration generating devices etc. Coarse suspension control is provided to maintain the payload within a selected position regardless of the weight of the payload. Fine suspension control is provided by monitoring and analyzing vibration characteristics in time and/or frequency domains to determine a variable amount of damper resistance to be exerted by a magnetorheological (MR) device. A nominal damper resistance of the MR device is selected based at least on the combined weight of the payload. A piston of the MR device is centered about its throw range and the piston is actuated at angles not parallel to the movement of the payload to provide low-profile operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: Jody G. Robbins, William E. Woodbury, II
  • Patent number: 8544939
    Abstract: An operator cab for a work vehicle is releasably mounted to a frame of the vehicle via a cab support pin and a flexible mount during vehicle work operations and rotationally attached via the cab support pin for servicing working parts of the work vehicle. An anchor arrangement for the cab support pin helps to maintain the position of the cab with respect to the cab support pin during work and service operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Daniel R Klein, Robert P Dressler, James G Merten, Jaime M Nedved, Alana J Kennedy
  • Patent number: 8517456
    Abstract: An improved cab suspension member to replace an existing factory suspension providing a terminal tractor with an improved rear suspension to improve the ride and performance of a terminal tractor, the improved rear suspension installed after market or provided as an original factory installation, the improved rear suspension members applied under the rear cab portion of the terminal tractor, increasing the suspension support and also redistributing the load upon the terminal tractor cab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Inventor: Allen L. Eng
  • Patent number: 8517457
    Abstract: Provided is a construction machine. The construction machine is provided with a lower propelling body and an upper slewing body. The upper slewing body has an upper frame, a cab disposed on a left portion or a right portion of the upper frame, and cab mounts. The cab mounts are disposed at lateral ends on each of front and rear portions of the cab respectively, including, on at least one of the front and rear portions, first and second outer-side cab mounts disposed at the outer side of lateral ends of the cab. The first and second outer-side cab mounts are juxtaposed with a small enough distance to receive a rollover load concurrently when the construction machine rolls over toward a side of the cab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Yamamoto, Keiji Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20130189033
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a construction machine having a machine frame and an operator platform structure which is vibration-decoupled in relation to the machine frame via at least one damping element. A hitch device is arranged on the operator platform structure, which is designed for lifting the construction machine. The present invention is characterized in that a limiting device is also provided which limits the maximum load of the at least one damping element upon lifting of the construction machine via the operator platform structure and allows a direct force relay between the operator platform structure and the machine frame while bypassing the damping element. The construction machine is preferably a tandem roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: BOMAG GmbH
    Inventor: BOMAG GmbH
  • Patent number: 8434581
    Abstract: A suspension device for suspending a mass relative to a substructure. The suspension device comprises a spring/damper arrangement which is disposed between the mass and the substructure and dampens vibrations, and comprises at least one Watt's linkage. At least one of the pivot points of the Watt's linkage is movably connected to the mass and the substructure. The relative position between the pivot point, the mass and the substructure can be adjusted by at least one substantially linearly acting actuator. The suspension device is robust and suitable for determining the vertical degree of freedom of movement of a truck driver's cab, and for damping or preventing undesired movement of the driver's cab. At the same time, undesired rolling or tilting motion of the driver's cab can be actively controlled or prevented by using the actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Manfred Buhl, Matthias Quaing, Friedhelm Langhorst, Karl Lorenz, Kerstin Lahmann, Jens Eismann
  • Patent number: 8430426
    Abstract: A cab suspension device for an agricultural tractor comprising a pair of concentrically aligned tubes co-axially arranged around a conventional cab suspension spring apparatus. One of the pair of tubes is connected to the tractor frame while the second is attached to the cab frame. The lengths of the tubes are shorter than the static length of the spring apparatus to allow limited telescoping movement of the tubes during dynamic compression of the spring apparatus without causing contact between the tube ends and the opposing tractor and cab frames. The dynamic extension during telescoping movement of the spring apparatus is controlled by a spring retainer. An annular space between the tubes allows for limited lateral displacement of the spring apparatus without causing contact between the tubes. The limits are configured to permit normal operational movement of the spring apparatus without contact of the tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Inventors: John T. Rasset, Chad A. Bautz, Daniel J. Zurn
  • Patent number: 8356858
    Abstract: A cabin mounting structure is applied to construction machinery in which a cabin for riding a driver is mounted on a vehicle body, the cabin mounting structure including: an up and down directional vibration damping unit for damping up and down directional vibration of the cabin, the up and down directional vibration damping unit being mounted between the cabin and the vehicle body; and a front and rear directional vibration damping unit for damping front and rear directional vibration of the cabin, the front and rear directional vibration damping unit 3 being mounted between the cabin and the vehicle body, wherein the cabin is connected to the vehicle body to be relatively movable in a front and rear direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Doosan Infracore Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Han Kee Jang
  • Patent number: 8348334
    Abstract: A suspension system for the spring or damped suspension of a massive body relative to a substructure. The suspension system comprises a spring/damper arrangement disposed between the massive body and the substructure, which comprises at least one damper element and/or at least one spring element for damping shock and/or vibration, and includes a Watt linkage arrangement with at least one Watt linkage. At least one spring element and/or at least one damper element is arranged in the area of a Watt link between the Watt link and the bearing seat associated with the Watt link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Karl Lorenz, Friedhelm Langhorst, Jens Eismann
  • Patent number: 8342280
    Abstract: An agricultural vehicle having a hydraulic system, a cab for the vehicle operator includes a self-levelling cab suspension system having a plurality of suspension units each having a spring, a damper and an accumulator. The accumulator comprises a hydraulic working chamber which is separated by a movable wall from a gas filled chamber serving as a spring. The working chamber is also connected to a working chamber of the damper in a closed hydraulic circuit. In the invention, there is no need for a dedicated oil pump since a hydraulic actuator powered by the vehicle hydraulic system is provided for causing hydraulic fluid to flow in the closed hydraulic circuit between the working chamber of the accumulator and the damper, to vary the height of the cab without fluid from the vehicle hydraulic system entering or leaving the closed hydraulic circuit of the damper and accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Inventors: Patrizio Turco, Michele Ieluzzi
  • Publication number: 20120299332
    Abstract: An agricultural vehicle having a hydraulic system, a cab for the vehicle operator includes a self-levelling cab suspension system having a plurality of suspension units each having a spring, a damper and an accumulator. The accumulator comprises a hydraulic working chamber which is separated by a movable wall from a gas filled chamber serving as a spring. The working chamber is also connected to a working chamber of the damper in a closed hydraulic circuit. In the invention, there is no need for a dedicated oil pump since a hydraulic actuator powered by the vehicle hydraulic system is provided for causing hydraulic fluid to flow in the closed hydraulic circuit between the working chamber of the accumulator and the damper, to vary the height of the cab without fluid from the vehicle hydraulic system entering or leaving the closed hydraulic circuit of the damper and accumulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Patrizio Turco, Michele Ieluzzi
  • Patent number: 8261869
    Abstract: An agricultural vehicle having a hydraulic system, a cab for the vehicle operator includes a self-levelling cab suspension system having a plurality of suspension units each having a spring, a damper and an accumulator. The accumulator comprises a hydraulic working chamber which is separated by a movable wall from a gas filled chamber serving as a spring. The working chamber is also connected to a working chamber of the damper in a closed hydraulic circuit. In the invention, there is no need for a dedicated oil pump since a hydraulic actuator powered by the vehicle hydraulic system is provided for causing hydraulic fluid to flow in the closed hydraulic circuit between the working chamber of the accumulator and the damper, to vary the height of the cab without fluid from the vehicle hydraulic system entering or leaving the closed hydraulic circuit of the damper and accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Patrizio Turco, Michele Ieluzzi
  • Patent number: 8265832
    Abstract: There is described a vehicle comprising a spring-mounted vehicle seat (3; 13) in a spring-mounted vehicle cab (2; 12), wherein the vehicle seat (3; 13) is spring-mounted by means of at least one first spring element (24) and/or one first damping element (25) relative to the vehicle cab (2; 12) in the vehicle height and/or vehicle length and/or vehicle width direction, and the vehicle cab (2; 12) is spring-mounted by means of at least one second spring element (15) and/or second damping element (14) relative to a vehicle frame (11) in the vehicle height and/or vehicle length and/or vehicle width direction, comprising a control device (34) which, as a function of a first measured acceleration value of an excursion of the vehicle frame (11), causes a first application of force for regulating the excursion of the first spring element (24) and/or damping element (25) and a second application of force for regulating the excursion of the second spring element (15) and/or the functional element (14), in mutual depend
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Grammer AG
    Inventors: Erwin Haller, Jens Kolb
  • Publication number: 20120200116
    Abstract: An operator cab for a work vehicle is releasably mounted to a frame of the vehicle via a cab support pin and a flexible mount during vehicle work operations and rotationally attached via the cab support pin for servicing working parts of the work vehicle. An anchor arrangement for the cab support pin helps to maintain the position of the cab with respect to the cab support pin during work and service operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventors: Daniel R. Klein, Robert P. Dressler, James G. Merten, Jaime M. Nedved, Alana J. Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20120169088
    Abstract: A suspension system for a motor vehicle includes a spring cylinder for movably mounting a cab or a driver's seat relative to a body part of the vehicle. The spring cylinder is connected to a separation accumulator which holds a smart damping fluid. The separation accumulator is connected to a hydraulic accumulator by a throttle element which is coupled to an adapting device which adjusts a characteristic of the smart damping fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventor: Udo Scheff
  • Patent number: 8182024
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for connecting a cab to a machine supporting frame. A sub-frame is secured to the machine supporting frame and is configured to tilt relative to the machine supporting frame. A plurality of vibration damping mechanisms is configured to at least partially inhibit transmission of shocks and vibrations between the sub-frame and the cab. A plurality of dead stop mechanisms is configured to limit movement between the sub-frame and the cab. A rigid connection between the machine supporting frame and the sub-frame is configured to be selectively disconnected. A pivot connection between the machine supporting frame and the sub-frame is configured to permit the sub-frame and the cab to be tilted relative to the machine supporting frame upon disconnection of the rigid connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron R. Hayes, Christopher D. Derham, Lance M. Cowper, Ralph J. Lee
  • Publication number: 20120098296
    Abstract: A suspension system for the spring or damped suspension of a massive body relative to a substructure. The suspension system comprises a spring/damper arrangement disposed between the massive body and the substructure, which comprises at least one damper element and/or at least one spring element for damping shock and/or vibration, and includes a Watt linkage arrangement with at least one Watt linkage. At least one spring element and/or at least one damper element is arranged in the area of a Watt link between the Watt link and the bearing seat associated with the Watt link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Karl Lorenz, Friedhelm Langhorst, Jens Eismann