U.S. patent application number 10/021193 was filed with the patent office on 2003-05-01 for monocoque cab assembly.
Invention is credited to El-Zein, Mohamad S..
Application Number | 20030080585 10/021193 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21802872 |
Filed Date | 2003-05-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030080585 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
El-Zein, Mohamad S. |
May 1, 2003 |
MONOCOQUE CAB ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A three piece monocoque cab assembly with a base portion having
spaced frame members that extend upwardly, a roof portion secured
to the base member and having spaced frame members that extend
downwardly and mate with the frame members of the base portion, and
an interior portion that is nested within and secured to the base
portion.
Inventors: |
El-Zein, Mohamad S.;
(Bettendorf, IA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ZARLEY LAW FIRM P.L.C.
CAPITAL SQUARE
400 LOCUST, SUITE 200
DES MOINES
IA
50309-2350
US
|
Family ID: |
21802872 |
Appl. No.: |
10/021193 |
Filed: |
October 30, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
296/190.08 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62D 33/06 20130101;
B62D 29/043 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
296/190.08 |
International
Class: |
B62D 033/06 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A three piece cab construction for farm implements and the like,
comprising: a base portion having spaced frame members extending
upwardly from a rearward portion of the base portion, a roof
portion secured to the base portion, the roof portion having spaced
frame members extending downwardly from a rearward portion of the
roof portion, the spacing of the frame members of the base portion
being located so that lower ends of the spaced members of the roof
portion mate with upper ends of the spaced members of the base
portion for attachment to each other and, an interior portion being
nested within and secured to the base portion.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a cab construction for farm
implements and the like, and more specifically to a three-piece
monocoque cab assembly.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] The cabs for farm implements are typically manufactured from
many individual pieces. These pieces have traditionally been made
of metal to withstand the various loads and deflections encountered
by the implement. The pieces are either cut and/or stamped and then
welded or bolted together. Because of the holes created from the
method of assembly, it is difficult to seal the cab from airborne
noise even when the holes are caulked. Thus, there is a need for a
cab assembly that has the strength and rigidity of a welded metal
assembly, while at the same time being capable of sealing the cab
from airborne noise.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] An object of this invention is to provide a cab assembly
that seals the cab from airborne noise.
[0006] A further object of the invention is to provide a cab
assembly that is strong, rigid, and free from corrosion.
[0007] A still further object of the invention is to provide a cab
assembly that is economical to manufacture and easy to
assemble.
[0008] The invention includes three molded pieces that are bonded
together to form a monocoque cab structure. Included is a base
portion with spaced frame members that extend upwardly from a
rearward portion of the base portion. A roof portion having spaced
frame members that extend downwardly from a rearward portion of the
roof portion is secured to the base portion. The spacing of the
frame members of the base portion are located so that lower ends of
the spaced members of the roof portion mate with upper ends of the
spaced members of the base potion for attachment to each other.
Finally, an interior portion is nested within and secured to the
base portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cap assembly with the
separate portions assembled to one another.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a roof portion.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a base portion.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an interior portion.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0013] Looking first to FIG. 1, the monocoque cab assembly 10 is
comprised of three parts. The structure and manner of joining these
parts is the subject of this invention.
[0014] As shown in FIG. 3, the cab assembly includes a base portion
12 that has a rearward portion 14. A plurality of spaced frame
members 16 extend upwardly from the rearward portion 14.
[0015] A roof portion 18 (FIG. 2) is secured to the base portion
12. The roof portion 18 has a rearward portion 20 from which a
plurality of spaced frame members 22 extend downwardly. The frame
members 16 of the base portion 12 are spaced and located so that
the lower ends 24 of the frame members 22 mate with the upper ends
17 of the frame members 16 of the base portion 14 for attachment to
each other as shown in FIG. 1. The frame members 16 of the base
portion 12 are bonded to the frame members 22 of the roof portion
by applying a desired amount of adhesive for joining the portions
and applying pressure until fixed.
[0016] The interior portion 26, as shown in one embodiment of FIG.
4 has a floor section 28 and a panel section 30. Traditionally, the
interior portion is made of many parts to accommodate the various
components to operate the farm implement. Here, the interior
portion 26 is made of one piece. Further, due to the flexibility in
the design, many other parts could be added to the final shape.
[0017] The interior portion 26 is nested within the base portion
and secured thereto. The interior portion 26 is bonded to the base
portion 12 by applying a desired amount of adhesive for joining the
bottom portion 32 and rearward portion 34 of the interior portion
26 to horizontally extending frame members 15 of the base portion
12 and the back section 13 of the base portion and applying
pressure until fixed.
[0018] The three portions can be made of any material sufficient to
provide the necessary strength sand rigidity, but it is preferred
that the pieces be made of a polymer composite.
[0019] As can be seen from the structure of the three portions and
the manner is which they are bonded together, a seal is formed that
provides better isolation of airborne noise. Further, because of
the flexibility in the design, many parts can be combined in the
final shape. Also, the material used to mold the pieces eliminates
the problems of corrosion.
[0020] Having thus described the invention it should be understood
that numerous structural modifications and adaptations may be
resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention.
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