# US 10,501,039 B2 · Work vehicle having ROPS

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 10,501,039 B2
- Document ID: US10501039B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/852,670
- Filed: 2017-12-22
- Published: 2019-06-27
- Granted: 2019-12-10
- Earliest claimed: 2017-12-22
- Assignees: Kubota Corporation
- Applicants: Kubota Corporation
- Inventors: Akira Minoura; Hiroyuki Tada
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10501039B2

## CPC

- B60R 21/13: Roll-over protection (electrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements B60R21/01)
- B60D 1/1675: {comprising extendable, retractable or foldable members}
- B60R 19/38: adjustably or movably mounted, e.g. horizontally displaceable for securing a space between parked vehicles {(adjustably mounted for compensating manufacturing tolerances B60R19/24, B60R19/26)}
- B60R 21/131: {Protective devices for drivers in case of overturning of tractors (means for preventing overturning or tipping of tractors B62D49/08)}
- B60D 2001/001: {specially adapted for use on vehicles other than cars}
- B60Y 2200/223: Ridable lawn mowers
- B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60D: VEHICLE CONNECTIONS
- B60Y: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY

## Abstract

A work vehicle includes a front wheel unit and a rear wheel unit attached to a vehicle body frame, a power source mounted at a rear portion of the vehicle body frame, a ROPS bracket fixed to the vehicle body frame at a region thereof forwardly of the power source and a ROPS. this ROPS includes a pair of left and right upright portions and a crossbar connecting the upright portions at upper portions thereof. Lower end portions of the pair of upright portions are supported to the ROPS bracket to be pivotable toward the power source about a horizontal axis extending in a vehicle-body transverse direction.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A work vehicle comprising:
a vehicle body frame extending in a vehicle body front-rear direction;
a front wheel unit and a rear wheel unit attached to the vehicle body frame;
a driver's seat disposed upwardly of the vehicle body frame;
a power source mounted at a rear portion of the vehicle body frame;
a ROPS bracket fixed to the vehicle body frame and at a region forwardly of the power source; and
a ROPS including:
a pair of left and right upright portions, lower end portions of the pair of upright portions being supported to the ROPS bracket to be pivotable toward the power source about a horizontal axis extending in a vehicle-body transverse direction, and
a crossbar connecting the upright portions at upper portions thereof,
wherein the horizontal axis about which said ROPS bracket is pivotable is located below a bottom of the driver's seat.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The work vehicle of claim 1, wherein:
a distance between the upright portions is greater than a width of the power source; and
the upright portions, when pivoted to a horizontal posture, are located lower than the driver's seat and laterally of the power source.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The work vehicle of claim 1, wherein the ROPS bracket includes a pivot pin having the horizontal axis and supporting the upright portions, and a lock mechanism for locking the upright portions at a plurality of pivotal positions.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The work vehicle of claim 3, wherein the lock mechanism comprises a plurality of lock holes extending parallel with the pivot pin and a lock pin to be inserted into the lock holes.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The work vehicle of claim 4, wherein the plurality of lock holes are formed upwardly of the horizontal axis in the ROPS bracket.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The work vehicle of claim 4, wherein the plurality of lock holes are formed downwardly of the horizontal axis in the ROPS bracket.

### Claim 7 (depends on 3)

The work vehicle of claim 3, wherein the plurality of lock positions include a ROPS position at which the upright portions provide ROPS function, a power-source guard position at which the upright portions and the crossbar assume a horizontal posture to surround the power source, and a towing position at which the upright portions and the crossbar assume a downwardly inclined posture beyond the horizontal posture to allow the ROPS to serve as a tow hitch.

### Claim 8

A work vehicle comprising:
a vehicle body frame extending in a vehicle body front-rear direction;
a front wheel unit and a rear wheel unit attached to the vehicle body frame;
the rear wheel unit comprising a left rear wheel fender and a right rear wheel fender;
a driver's seat disposed upwardly of the vehicle body frame;
a power source mounted at a rear portion of the vehicle body frame;
a ROPS bracket fixed to the vehicle body frame and at a region forwardly of the power source; and
a ROPS including:
a pair of left and right upright portions, lower end portions of the pair of upright portions being supported to the ROPS bracket to be pivotable toward the power source about a horizontal axis extending in a vehicle-body transverse direction, and
a crossbar connecting the upright portions at upper portions thereof,
wherein the horizontal axis about which said ROPS bracket is pivotable is located below at least one of
the left rear wheel fender and the right rear wheel fender, and
a bottom of the driver's seat.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The work vehicle of claim 8, wherein:
a distance between the upright portions is greater than a width of the power source; and
the upright portions, when pivoted to a horizontal posture, are located lower than the driver's seat and laterally of the power source.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The work vehicle of claim 8, wherein the ROPS bracket includes a pivot pin having the horizontal axis and supporting the upright portions, and a lock mechanism for locking the upright portions at a plurality of pivotal positions.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The work vehicle of claim 10, wherein the lock mechanism comprises a plurality of lock holes extending parallel with the pivot pin and a lock pin to be inserted into the lock holes.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The work vehicle of claim 11, wherein the plurality of lock holes are formed upwardly of the horizontal axis in the ROPS bracket.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The work vehicle of claim 11, wherein the plurality of lock holes are formed downwardly of the horizontal axis in the ROPS bracket.

### Claim 14 (depends on 10)

The work vehicle of claim 10, wherein the plurality of lock positions include a ROPS position at which the upright portions provide ROPS function, a power-source guard position at which the upright portions and the crossbar assume a horizontal posture to surround the power source, and a towing position at which the upright portions and the crossbar assume a downwardly inclined posture beyond the horizontal posture to allow the ROPS to serve as a tow hitch.

### Claim 15 (depends on 8)

The work vehicle of claim 8, wherein the horizontal axis about which said ROPS bracket is pivotable is located below both of
the left rear wheel fender and the right rear wheel fender, and
a bottom of the driver's seat.