Platform assembly for use with working vehicle
AssigneeThe Toro Company
InventorsJohn P. Azure, Tanner L. Erickson, Barry L. Hentges, David A. Murray, Greg L. Lawrence
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Operator platform assemblies for use with the working vehicles, e.g., skid steer loaders, and vehicles incorporating the same. The platform assemblies may, in some embodiments, include an arm assembly that attaches to a rear portion of the vehicle and extends rearwardly therefrom as a cantilever member. The platform assembly may pivot from this deployed position to a storage position by pivoting upwardly about a pivot axis proximate the vehicle. A platform is, in some embodiments, pivotally attached to the arm assembly so that the platform may pivot relative to the arm assembly.
Claims18
A platform assembly for use with a ground traversing vehicle, the platform assembly comprising:
- an elongate arm assembly comprising a first end and a second end, the first end operable to attach to the vehicle such that the arm assembly, when in a first position, forms a cantilever supported by the vehicle at the first end such that the second end of the arm assembly is spaced above a ground surface, wherein the first end of the arm assembly comprises a pivot joint configured to pivotally attach the arm assembly to the vehicle such that the arm assembly may pivot, relative to the vehicle, about the first end between the first position and a second position;
- and
- an operator platform pivotally attached to the second end of the arm assembly for pivoting of the platform, relative to the arm assembly, about a transverse pivot axis.
A platform assembly for supporting an operator relative to a vehicle and at a location spaced above a ground surface, the platform assembly comprising:
- an attachment apparatus for attaching the platform assembly to the vehicle;
- an arm assembly comprising:
- a first end and a second end, the first end pivotally attached to the attachment apparatus for pivoting of the arm assembly about a first transverse axis, between:
- a first position corresponding to a deployed position of the platform assembly;
- and a second position corresponding to a stowed position of the platform assembly;
- and
- an operator platform pivotally attached to the second end of the arm assembly for pivoting of the platform, relative to the arm assembly, about a second transverse axis, wherein when the platform assembly is in the deployed position, the operator platform is supported by the arm assembly above the ground surface.
A platform assembly for supporting an operator on a vehicle, the platform assembly comprising:
- an arm assembly comprising:
- a first end pivotally attached to a rear portion of the vehicle for pivoting about a first pivot axis;
- a second end opposite the first end;
- a stop member proximate the first end of the arm assembly, the stop member configured to limit pivotal motion of the arm assembly about the first pivot axis such that a lowermost elevation of the second end of the arm assembly is generally limited to elevations spaced above a ground surface;
- and
- a platform pivotally attached to the second end of the arm assembly for pivoting of the platform about a second pivot axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.