# US 11,993,324 B2 · Guard assembly for work machine > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,993,324 B2 - Document ID: US11993324B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/449,960 - Filed: 2021-10-05 - Published: 2023-04-06 - Granted: 2024-05-28 - Earliest claimed: 2021-10-05 - Assignees: Caterpillar Inc. - Applicants: Caterpillar Inc. - Inventors: Emily Lynn Eckstein; Thomas Howard Duffy; Robert Stephen Comer; Robert Alan Jackson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11993324B2 ## CPC - B62D 55/088: with means to exclude or remove foreign matter, e.g. sealing means, self-cleaning track links or sprockets, deflector plates or scrapers - B62D 21/155: {Sub-frames or underguards} - B62D 21/186: {for building site vehicles or multi-purpose tractors (tracked vehicles B62D55/10; tractors in general B62D49/00; building site vehicles in general E02F; lift-trucks B66F)} - B62D 25/2072: {Floor protection, e.g. from corrosion or scratching (floor mats B60N3/04, armour F41H7/042, insulation B60R13/08, streamlining B62D35/02)} - B62D 25/24: Superstructure sub-units with access {or drainage} openings having movable or removable closures; {Sealing means therefor}(inlet covers for vehicle fuel tanks B60K15/05) - E02F 3/7604: {Combinations of scraper blades with soil loosening tools working independently of scraper blades (soil loosening attachments fixed on blades E02F3/8152, E02F3/8155)} - E02F 9/0833: {Improving access, e.g. for maintenance, steps for improving driver's access, handrails} - E02F 9/0858: {Arrangement of component parts installed on superstructures not otherwise provided for, e.g. electric components, fenders, air-conditioning units (E02F9/16, E02F9/18 take precedence)} - E02F 9/0891: {Lids or bonnets or doors or details thereof (doors for cabins E02F9/163 takes precedence; for motor vehicles B62D25/10)} - B60Y 2200/25: Track vehicles - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - E02F: DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING (winning peat E21C49/00) - B60Y: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY ## Abstract A guard assembly for a work machine includes at least one guard including a body. The body in part defines a volume, a first opening, at least one second opening, and at least one pair of first retention tabs. The door defines a first end and a second end. In an open position of the door, the door provides access to the volume and, in a closed position of the door, the door limits access to the volume. The door includes a plate removably coupled to the guard proximal to the first end of the door by at least one fastener, and at least one coupling arrangement extending from the plate for pivotably coupling the plate to the guard proximal to the second end of the door. The coupling arrangement includes a first portion coupled to the plate and a second portion extending from the first portion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A guard assembly for a work machine, the guard assembly comprising: at least one guard including a body, wherein the body in part defines a volume, a first opening for accessing the volume, at least one second opening in communication with the first opening, and at least one pair of first retention tabs partially overlapping the second opening, and wherein the body further defines at least one channel between the first opening and the second opening; and at least one door removably coupled to the guard, the door defining a first end and a second end, wherein, in an open position of the door, the door provides access to the volume and, in a closed position of the door, the door limits access to the volume, the door including: a plate removably coupled to the guard proximal to the first end of the door by at least one fastener; and at least one coupling arrangement extending from the plate for pivotably coupling the plate to the guard proximal to the second end of the door, wherein the door is movable between the open position and the closed position based on a pivoting action of the coupling arrangement relative to the guard, the coupling arrangement including: a first portion coupled to the plate; and a second portion extending from the first portion, wherein the second portion is receivable within the second opening. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The guard assembly of claim 1, wherein a first length defined by the channel is less than a second length defined by the second portion of the coupling arrangement to restrict a passage of the second portion through the channel when the door is in at least one of the open position and the closed position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The guard assembly of claim 1, wherein the door is removable from the guard based on a lifting of the door at least one of away from the second opening and away from the pair of first retention tabs, and wherein the lifting of the door causes the second portion of the coupling arrangement to be removed from the second opening. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The guard assembly of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the coupling arrangement is adapted to pass through the channel for removing the door from the guard. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The guard assembly of claim 1, wherein the guard includes a pair of second retention tabs that are spaced apart from the pair of first retention tabs along a first axis, such that the second opening is defined between the pair of first retention tabs and the pair of second retention tabs. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The guard assembly of claim 5, wherein, in at least one of the open position and the closed position of the door, the second portion of the coupling arrangement is retained within the second opening by the pair of first retention tabs and the pair of second retention tabs. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The guard assembly of claim 1, wherein the plate includes at least one through-aperture defined proximal to the first end of the door for receiving the fastener. ### Claim 8 A work machine comprising: a frame; and a guard assembly coupled to the frame, the guard assembly including: at least one guard including a body, wherein the body in part defines a volume, a first opening for accessing the volume, at least one second opening in communication with the first opening, and at least one pair of first retention tabs partially overlapping the second opening, and wherein the body further defines at least one channel between the first opening and the second opening; and at least one door removably coupled to the guard, the door defining a first end and a second end, wherein, in an open position of the door, the door provides access to the volume and, in a closed position of the door, the door limits access to the volume, the door including: a plate removably coupled to the guard proximal to the first end of the door by at least one fastener; and at least one coupling arrangement extending from the plate for pivotably coupling the plate to the guard proximal to the second end of the door, wherein the door is movable between the open position and the closed position based on a pivoting action of the coupling arrangement relative to the guard, the coupling arrangement including: a first portion coupled to the plate; and a second portion extending from the first portion, wherein the second portion is receivable within the second opening. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The work machine of claim 8, wherein a first length defined by the channel is less than a second length defined by the second portion of the coupling arrangement to restrict a passage of the second portion through the channel when the door is in at least one of the open position and the closed position. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The work machine of claim 8, wherein the door is removable from the guard based on a lifting of the door at least one of away from the second opening and away from the pair of first retention tabs, and wherein the lifting of the door causes the second portion of the coupling arrangement to be removed from the second opening. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The work machine of claim 8, wherein the first portion of the coupling arrangement is adapted to pass through the channel for removing the door from the guard. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The work machine of claim 8, wherein the guard includes a pair of second retention tabs that are spaced apart from the pair of first retention tabs along a first axis, such that the second opening is defined between the pair of first retention tabs and the pair of second retention tabs. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The work machine of claim 12, wherein, in at least one of the open position and the closed position of the door, the second portion of the coupling arrangement is retained within the second opening by the pair of first retention tabs and the pair of second retention tabs. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The work machine of claim 8, wherein the plate includes at least one through-aperture defined proximal to the first end of the door for receiving the fastener. ### Claim 15 A method of accessing a volume in part defined by a guard of a guard assembly, wherein the guard assembly is associated with a work machine and includes at least one door removably coupled to the guard, the method comprising: removing at least one fastener of the door proximal to a first end of the door that removably couples a plate of the door to the guard, wherein the guard includes a body, such that the body in part defines the volume, a first opening for accessing the volume, at least one second opening in communication with the first opening, and at least one pair of first retention tabs partially overlapping the second opening; pivoting the door relative to the guard to move the door to an open position for accessing the volume, wherein the door includes at least one coupling arrangement extending from the plate proximal to a second end of the door, such that the door is movable between a closed position and the open position based on a pivoting action of the coupling arrangement relative to the guard, wherein the coupling arrangement includes a first portion coupled to the plate, and wherein the coupling arrangement includes a second portion, the second portion being receivable within the second opening; and removing the door from the guard based on a lifting of the door at least one of away from the second opening and away from the pair of first retention tabs, wherein the lifting of the door causes the second portion of the coupling arrangement to be removed from the second opening. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising passing the first portion of the coupling arrangement through at least one channel defined in the body for removing the door from the guard, wherein the channel is defined between the first opening and the second opening. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising retaining, in at least one of the open position and the closed position of the door, the second portion of the coupling arrangement within the second opening by the pair of first retention tabs and a pair of second retention tabs, the pair of second retention tabs being spaced apart from the pair of first retention tabs along a first axis, such that the second opening is defined between the pair of first retention tabs and the pair of second retention tabs.