Ladder systems, agricultural vehicles, and related methods
AssigneeAGCO Corporation
InventorsMark Aron Crowley, Spencer Dale Johnson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A ladder system includes a fixed support, a ladder bracket supported by the fixed support, a ladder coupled to the ladder bracket and configured to rotate with respect to the ladder bracket between a lowered position and a storage position, and an air spring coupling the ladder to the ladder bracket and configured to apply a force to the ladder when the ladder is in the lowered position to keep the ladder in the lowered position. An agricultural vehicle includes a chassis supported by a plurality of wheels, and a ladder system carried by the chassis. Related methods are also disclosed.
Claims20
A ladder system, comprising:
- a fixed support;
- a ladder bracket supported by the fixed support;
- a ladder coupled to the ladder bracket and configured to rotate with respect to the ladder bracket between a lowered position and a storage position;
- and
- an air spring coupling the ladder to the ladder bracket and configured to apply a force to the ladder when the ladder is in the lowered position to keep the ladder in the lowered position.
An agricultural vehicle, comprising:
- a chassis supported by a plurality of wheels;
- and
- a ladder system carried by the chassis, the ladder system comprising:
- a support fixed with respect to the chassis;
- a ladder bracket supported by the support;
- a ladder coupled to the ladder bracket and configured to rotate with respect to the ladder bracket between a lowered position and a storage position;
- and
- an air spring coupling the ladder to the ladder bracket and configured to apply a force to the ladder when the ladder is in the lowered position to keep the ladder in the lowered position.
A method of moving a ladder coupled to a ladder bracket of an agricultural vehicle, the method comprising:
- rotating the ladder with respect to the ladder bracket to overcome a force of an air spring on the ladder and to cause a bumper to separate from a point of contact with the agricultural vehicle;
- applying an upward force from the air spring to the ladder to direct the ladder toward a storage position;
- and
- transporting the agricultural vehicle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.