Operator ride enhancement system
AssigneeThe Raymond Corporation
InventorJoseph Thomas Yahner
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An operator ride enhancement system that is coupleable to the frame of a vehicle includes a counterweight platform moveably coupled to the frame, and a resilient member engaged with the frame and the counterweight platform. The mass of the counterweight platform is configured to be approximately at least equal to a total mass supported by the counterweight platform during operation of the vehicle. The operator ride enhancement system attenuates and/or inhibits movement of the counterweight platform during operation of the vehicle.
Claims20
An operator ride enhancement system for use in a vehicle having a frame, the operator ride enhancement system comprising:
- a counterweight platform defining a mass and coupled to the frame for pivotal movement about an axis;
- a resilient member engaged with the frame and the counterweight platform to attenuate movement of the counterweight platform about the axis;
- and
- a control member engaged with the frame and the counterweight platform to inhibit movement of the counterweight platform along the axis;
- wherein the axis is oriented substantially parallel with a fore-aft axis of the vehicle;
- wherein the control member is oriented substantially parallel with the fore-aft axis of the vehicle;
- and
- wherein the mass of the counterweight platform is configured to be approximately at least equal to a total mass supported by the counterweight platform during operation of the vehicle.
An operator ride enhancement system for use in a vehicle having a frame, the operator ride enhancement system comprising:
- a counterweight platform defining a mass and coupled to the frame for pivotal movement about an axis;
- a resilient member engaged with the frame and the counterweight platform to attenuate movement of the counterweight platform about the axis;
- and
- a control member engaged with the frame and the counterweight platform to inhibit movement of the counterweight platform along the axis;
- wherein the mass of the counterweight platform is configured to be approximately at least equal to a total mass supported by the counterweight platform during operation of the vehicle;
- and
- wherein the counterweight platform is configured to at least partially surround a steering wheel of the vehicle.
An operator ride enhancement system for use in a vehicle having a frame and defining an operator compartment, the operator ride enhancement system comprising:
- a counterweight platform defining a mass and moveably coupled to the frame at least partially within the operator compartment;
- and
- a resilient member engaged with the frame and the counterweight platform;
- wherein the mass of the counterweight platform is configured to be approximately at least equal to a total mass supported by the counterweight platform during operation of the vehicle;
- wherein the mass of the counterweight platform and the resilient member are configured to attenuate disturbances transmitted through the frame to the counterweight platform;
- and
- wherein the resilient member is a torsion member having a first end rotatably fixed to one of the frame and the counterweight platform and a second end rotatably fixed to the other of the frame and the counterweight platform.
An operator ride enhancement system for use in a vehicle having a frame and defining an operator compartment, the operator ride enhancement system comprising:
- a counterweight platform defining a mass and moveably coupled to the frame at least partially within the operator compartment;
- a resilient member engaged with the frame and the counterweight platform;
- and
- at least one guide coupled to the frame and engaged with the counterweight platform to allow the counterweight platform to translate along the guide in response to the disturbances;
- wherein the mass of the counterweight platform is configured to be approximately at least equal to a total mass supported by the counterweight platform during operation of the vehicle;
- and
- wherein the mass of the counterweight platform and the resilient member are configured to attenuate disturbances transmitted through the frame to the counterweight platform.
An operator ride enhancement system for use in a vehicle having a frame and defining an operator compartment, the operator ride enhancement system comprising:
- a counterweight platform defining a mass and moveably coupled to the frame at least partially within the operator compartment;
- a resilient member engaged with the frame and the counterweight platform;
- and
- a backrest coupled to the counterweight platform such that the backrest and the counterweight platform move substantially in unison as the counterweight platform moves relative to the frame;
- wherein the mass of the counterweight platform is configured to be approximately at least equal to a total mass supported by the counterweight platform during operation of the vehicle;
- and
- wherein the mass of the counterweight platform and the resilient member are configured to attenuate disturbances transmitted through the frame to the counterweight platform.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.