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US 2020/0062205 A1Published application
Deployable Operator Protection Apparatus with an Over-Center Linkage
AssigneeExcel Industries, Inc.
InventorsHarlan John Bartel, Brian Lee Nebel, Royce A. Steinert
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A operator protection apparatus unlocks and lowers from a raised position to a lowered position suitable for clearing a low hanging obstacle when an operator applies a force to an operator lever or pedal. The operator protection apparatus returns to the raised position when the operator ceases applying force to the operator lever or pedal.
Claims20
An operator protection apparatus for a terrain-working vehicle, the operator protection apparatus comprising:
- a lower portion and an upper portion movably coupled to the lower portion such that the upper portion is movable relative to the lower portion between a raised position and a lowered position;
- and
- an over-center linkage movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, the locked position securing the upper portion in the raised position;
- an input device configured to control movement of the over-center linkage between the locked position and the unlocked position, wherein when the input device is activated the over-center linkage moves to the unlocked position and when the input device is deactivated the over-center linkage moves to the locked position
- wherein:
2 more elements
(canceled)
A terrain-working vehicle comprising:
- a frame;
- and
- an operator protection apparatus comprising:
- a lower portion and an upper portion movably coupled to the lower portion such that the upper portion is movable relative to the lower portion between a raised position and a lowered position;
- an over-center linkage coupled to the lower portion and the upper portion;
- and
- an actuator coupled to the over-center linkage, operable to move the over-center linkage between a locked position and an unlocked position,
- wherein the actuator is biased to toward the locked position, the locked position securing the upper portion in the raised position.
5 more elements
A method of operating an operator protection apparatus, the method comprising:
- receiving a continuous input by an input device coupled to the operator protection apparatus, the operator protection apparatus having a lower portion, an upper portion, and an over-center linkage;
- moving the upper portion of the operator protection apparatus toward a lowered position;
- and
- upon determining that the continuous input has ceased, moving the upper portion toward a raised position.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.