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US 8,408,637 B1Granted
Support system for a tiltable structure for a work vehicle
AssigneeCNH America LLC
InventorBrad M. Dilts
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for supporting a tiltable structure for a work vehicle including an upper link pivotably connected to a lower link. A connecting link is pivotably connected to the upper link, the connecting link having an engagement member. The upper link, lower link and engagement member securing the tiltable structure in a maintenance position.
Claims20
A system for supporting a tiltable structure for a work vehicle, comprising
- an upper link pivotably connected to a lower link at respective first ends, the upper link having a second end pivotably connected to a tiltable structure, the lower link having a second end pivotably connected to a frame of the work vehicle supporting the tiltable structure;
- a connecting link having a third end pivotably connected to the upper link, the connecting link having an engagement member secured near a fourth end opposite the third end;
- the second ends of the upper and lower links being brought toward each other as the tiltable structure is rotated toward an operating position;
- the engagement member of the connecting link maintaining contact with a contact surface of the lower link as the tiltable structure is rotated about a pivot axis from the operating position toward a maintenance position, the upper link and the lower link being substantially fully extended and preventing the tiltable structure from rotating beyond the maintenance position;
- upon the tiltable structure rotatably approaching the maintenance position from the operating position, the engagement member of the connecting link engaging a first engagement feature formed along the contact surface of the lower link, engagement between the engagement member and the first engagement feature preventing the tiltable structure from rotating toward the operating position;
- and
- upon sufficient rotation of the connecting link about the third end, the engagement member of the connecting link is disengaged from the first engagement feature and engages a second engagement feature formed in the upper link, permitting rotation of the tiltable structure from the maintenance position toward the operating position, and as the tiltable structure approaches the operating position, the engagement member of the connecting link disengages from the second engagement feature and contacts the contact surface of the lower link.
4 more elements
A work vehicle comprising
- a tiltable structure supported by a frame;
- an upper link pivotably connected to a lower link at respective first ends, the upper link having a second end pivotably connected to the tiltable structure, the lower link having a second end pivotably connected to the frame of the work vehicle supporting the tiltable structure;
- and
- a connecting link having a third end pivotably connected to the upper link, the connecting link having an engagement member secured near a fourth end opposite the third end;
- the second ends of the upper and lower links being brought toward each other as the tiltable structure is rotated toward an operating position;
- the engagement member of the connecting link maintaining contact with a contact surface of the lower link as the tiltable structure is rotated about a pivot axis from the operating position toward a maintenance position, the upper link and the lower link being substantially fully extended and preventing the tiltable structure from rotating beyond the maintenance position;
- upon the tiltable structure rotatably approaching the maintenance position from the operating position, the engagement member of the connecting link engaging a first engagement feature formed along the contact surface of the lower link, engagement between the engagement member and the first engagement feature preventing the tiltable structure from rotating toward the operating position;
- upon sufficient rotation of the connecting link about the third end, the engagement member of the connecting link is disengaged from the first engagement feature and engages a second engagement feature formed in the upper link, permitting rotation of the tiltable structure from the maintenance position toward the operating position, and as the tiltable structure approaches the operating position, the engagement member of the connecting link disengages from the second engagement feature and contacts the contact surface of the lower link.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.