Debris guard for a loader
AssigneeSROOC Holdings, LLC
InventorsJerrod Chance Cook, Thomas R. Flanary, Jr., Hugo Gutierrez
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A debris guard assembly comprises one or more flexible portions and one or more rigid portions. The debris guard assembly allows for motion of a moving component, such as, a hydraulic cylinder or a pivot arm, while preventing debris from falling into the cavity around the moving component.
Claims12
A debris guard apparatus for preventing debris from entering gaps around a hydraulic cylinder and around a linking arm of a loader, the hydraulic cylinder extending through a first gap and the linking arm extending through a second gap, comprising:
- a first seal assembly portion for sealing a portion of the first gap around the hydraulic cylinder of the loader, including:
- an elastomeric sheet;
- a multi-part metal ring that includes at least one lower portion and at least one upper portion, the upper and lower portions adapted to surround the hydraulic cylinder and trap the elastomeric sheet between the upper and lower portions to prevent debris from entering the portion of the first gap around the hydraulic cylinder;
- and
- a rigid support attached to the linking arm to provide support for a portion of the elastomeric sheet that extends up the linking arm;
- the first seal assembly portion configured to prevent debris from entering the first gap around the hydraulic cylinder;
- a second seal assembly portion for sealing a portion of the second gap behind the linking arm of the loader, the second seal assembly including:
- a support attached to the loader in back of the linking arm, the support including a flat region;
- a hinge assembly attached to the linking arm on a side opposite to the hydraulic cylinder;
- and
- a flap attached to the hinge assembly and lying on the flat region of the support, such that when the linking arm pivots, the flap can rotate around a hinge axis and can move along the support, thereby preventing debris from entering the second gap;
- wherein the debris guard apparatus permits movement of the hydraulic cylinder and the linking arm while preventing debris from entering around the hydraulic cylinder and the linking arm.
A debris guard apparatus for preventing debris from entering gaps around a hydraulic cylinder and a linking arm of a loader, the hydraulic cylinder extending through a first gap and the linking arm extending through a second gap, comprising:
- an elastomeric sheet;
- a ring that attaches the elastomeric sheet to the hydraulic cylinder, the elastomeric sheet preventing debris from entering the first gap around the hydraulic cylinder, the elastomeric sheet free to move relative to the loader as the hydraulic cylinder pivots during operation;
- and
- two overlapping seal portions behind the linking arm, a first portion moving with the linking arm and a second portion fixed to the loader, the first and second portions covering the second gap;
- wherein the debris guard apparatus permits movement of the hydraulic cylinder and the linking arm while preventing debris from entering the first and second gaps around the hydraulic cylinder and around the linking arm.
A method for preventing debris from entering a first gap around a hydraulic cylinder of a loader and a second gap around a linking arm of the loader, comprising:
- providing a first seal assembly portion for sealing a portion of the first gap, the first seal assembly portion including:
- an elastomeric sheet;
- a multi-part metal ring that includes at least one lower portion and at least one upper portion, the upper and lower portions adapted to surround the hydraulic cylinder and trap the elastomeric sheet between the upper and lower portions to prevent debris from entering the first gap around the hydraulic cylinder;
- and
- a rigid support attached to the linking arm to provide support for a portion of the elastomeric sheet that extends up the linking arm;
- the first seal assembly portion configured to prevent debris from entering the first gap around the hydraulic cylinder;
- providing a second seal assembly portion for sealing a portion of the second gap behind the linking arm of the loader, the second seal assembly portion including:
- a support attached to the loader in back of the linking arm, the support including a flat region;
- a hinge assembly attached to the linking arm on the side opposite to the hydraulic cylinder;
- and
- a flap attached to the hinge assembly and lying on the flat region of the support, such that when the linking arm pivots, the flap can rotate around the hinge axis and can move along the support, thereby preventing debris from entering the second gap, attaching the first seal assembly portion to the loader;
- and
- attaching the second seal assembly portion to the loader;
- wherein the debris guard apparatus permits movement of the hydraulic cylinder and the linking arm while preventing debris from entering around the hydraulic cylinder and the linking arm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.