Control handle pivot apparatus
AssigneeCase Corporation
InventorGregory B. Carleton
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A control handle pivot apparatus includes a pair of control handles movable toward and away from each other. A lap bar is movable between a raised position, spaced above the control handles, and a lowered position adjacent the handles. A linkage assembly interconnects the lap bar and the control handles. The linkage assembly is connected to move the handles away from each other in response to the lap bar being moved to the raised position, and is connected to move the control handles toward each other in response to the lap bar being moved to the lowered in-use position.
Claims21
A control handle pivot apparatus comprising:
- a pair of control handles movable toward and away from each other;
- a lap bar movable between a raised position, spaced from the control handles, and a lowered position adjacent the handles;
- and
- a linkage assembly interconnecting the lap bar and the control handles, the linkage assembly being connected to move the control handles away from each other in response to the lap bar being moved to the raised position, and being connected to move the control handles toward each other in response to the lap bar being moved to the lowered position.
A construction vehicle comprising:
- a frame;
- an operator cage mounted on the frame including a seat;
- an operator opening in the cage for access to the seat;
- a pair of control handles mounted between the operator opening and the operator seat, the control handles being movable toward and away from each other;
- a lap bar movable between a raised position spaced from the control handles, and a lowered position adjacent the control handles;
- and
- a linkage assembly including a control pivot assembly interconnecting the lap bar and the pair of control handles, the linkage assembly and the control pivot assembly being connected to move the control handles away from each other in response to the lap bar being moved to the raised position, and being connected to move the control handles toward each other in response to the lap bar being moved to the lowered position.
A method of pivoting a control handle comprising:
- providing a frame and a pivotally mounted operator cage;
- mounting a pair of control handles on the frame for movement toward and away from each other;
- mounting a lap bar on the cage for movement between a raised position, spaced from the control handles, and a lowered position, adjacent the control handles;
- and
- interconnecting the lap bar and the pair of control handles with a linkage assembly including a control pivot assembly, the linkage assembly and the control pivot assembly being connected to move the control handles away from each other in response to the lap bar being moved to the raised position, and being connected to move the control handles toward each other in response to the lap bar being moved to the lowered position.
A method of providing operator access to a construction vehicle comprising:
- providing a frame;
- mounting a cage and an operator seat on the frame;
- providing an operator opening in the cage for access to the seat;
- mounting a pair of control handles on the frame for tilting movement toward and away from each other;
- mounting a lap bar on the cage for movement between a raised position, spaced from the control handles, and a lowered position, adjacent the control handles;
- and
- interconnecting the lap bar and the pair of control handles with a linkage assembly including a control pivot assembly, the linkage assembly and the control pivot assembly being connected to move the control handles away from each other in response to the lap bar being moved to the raised position, and being connected to move the control handles toward each other in response to the lap bar being moved to the lowered position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.