U.S. patent application number 10/287160 was filed with the patent office on 2004-05-06 for combined tailgate and hinged engine cover.
Invention is credited to Albright, Larry E., Frederick, Dan A..
Application Number | 20040084924 10/287160 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32175623 |
Filed Date | 2004-05-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040084924 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Albright, Larry E. ; et
al. |
May 6, 2004 |
COMBINED TAILGATE AND HINGED ENGINE COVER
Abstract
A skid steer loader has a rear mounted engine and a tailgate
that pivots about a vertical axis, and the tailgate in turn carries
an engine cover panel that is pivoted to the tailgate about a
horizontal axis. When the tailgate is closed, the engine cover
panel overlies the loader engine and other components for the skid
steer loader, and provides protection and covers such components.
The engine cover panel is made so that it will move upwardly for
access to the components and swings away with the tailgate for
access to the engine compartment.
Inventors: |
Albright, Larry E.;
(Gwinner, ND) ; Frederick, Dan A.; (Forman,
ND) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Nickolas E. Westman
WESTMAN CHAMPLIN & KELLY
International Centre - Suite 1600
900 South Second Avenue
Minneapolis
MN
55402-3319
US
|
Family ID: |
32175623 |
Appl. No.: |
10/287160 |
Filed: |
November 4, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
296/50 ;
180/69.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02F 9/0866 20130101;
B60J 5/108 20130101; E02F 3/3414 20130101; E02F 9/16 20130101; E02F
9/0833 20130101; B62D 33/027 20130101; B62D 25/10 20130101; E02F
9/0891 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
296/050 ;
180/069.2 |
International
Class: |
B62D 033/027 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A combined engine cover and tailgate for a loader having a
frame, the tailgate having hinge members along one lateral
uprightly extending edge thereof, and the engine cover being
pivotally mounted to an upper edge of the tailgate when the
tailgate is supported on its hinge members, the engine cover having
at least one panel that extends from the tailgate and is positioned
to overlie portions of a loader supporting the tailgate.
2. The combined tailgate and engine cover of claim 1 wherein said
engine cover is carried with the tailgate when the tailgate is
pivoted about its hinge members relative to its loader frame and a
force generator between the tailgate and engine cover to support
the engine cover in position extending from the tailgate.
3. The combined engine cover and tailgate of claim 1 and a latch on
an opposite lateral side of the tailgate from the hinge members for
latching the tailgate in position on a loader frame.
4. The combined engine cover and tailgate of claim 3, and an engine
cover latch at a forward edge of the engine cover for latching onto
a portion of the loader and holding the engine cover in a closed
position.
5. The combined engine cover and tailgate of claim 4 wherein said
engine cover is supported on the tailgate about a generally
horizontal axis in use, and at least one spring urging the engine
cover to raise about the horizontal axis.
6. The combined engine cover and tailgate of claim 5 wherein said
spring is a gas spring.
7. A combined engine cover and tailgate for a loader supporting the
tailgate including a tailgate panel of size to extend across a
lateral dimension of a loader at the rear portions thereof, support
hinges on one edge of the tailgate for attachment to a loader
frame, a latch on an opposite edge of the tailgate for securing the
tailgate in a closed position relative to a loader on which it is
mounted, and an engine cover panel supported on an upper edge of
the tailgate about a generally horizontal pivotal axis, and movable
from a position extending generally horizontally, to a raised
position.
8. The combined engine cover and tailgate of claim 7, wherein there
are a pair of springs for urging the engine cover to its raised
position.
9. The combined engine cover and tailgate of claim 7 and a latch to
hold the engine cover in a closed position at an edge of the engine
cover opposite from an edge pivotally supported on the
tailgate.
10. The combined engine cover and tailgate of claim 7, and a
styling panel carried by the tailgate on an upperside thereof
having rounded corners formed to blend with side panels of the
loader.
11. A combination loader and tailgate assembly, said loader having
a frame and a rear mounted engine, the tailgate including a
tailgate panel that has a hinge connection to the loader frame on
one lateral side thereof, and wherein the tailgate moves from a
closed position extending across a lateral width of the loader to
an open position, an engine cover panel for covering the rear
mounted engine, the engine cover panel being pivotally mounted to
an upper edge of the tailgate along a generally horizontal axis
that extends transversely of the loader when the tailgate is in its
closed position, the cover panel being pivotally movable, from a
position where it closely overlies the rear mounted engine, to a
position where a front edge thereof is raised from the engine
compartment of the loader.
12. The combination of claim 11 and a pair of springs for urging
the engine cover panel to its raised position.
13. The combination of claim 11, and a latch on an opposite edge of
the tailgate from the hinge connection, to latch the tailgate in a
closed position on the loader frame.
14. The combination of claim 12, wherein said springs comprise gas
springs.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a combined tailgate and
engine cover for a self-propelled loader, having a rear mounted
engine, in particular with skid steer loaders that are very
compact. The engine cover hinges on the tailgate, which permits
raising the engine cover for access to service components directly
underneath it, and the tailgate, which normally swings open about a
vertical axis, will carry the engine cover with it, when the
tailgate is open, for full access to the engine and its other
components.
[0002] Skid steer loaders have tailgates that open about a vertical
axis, along one lateral side of the loader frame. The open tailgate
provides a full access to the engine components of a rear mounted
engine. Skid steer loaders in particular have to be very compact,
but yet it is desirable to have easy access to service components
and yet keep them covered for impact protection.
[0003] The tailgates that are used on skid steer loaders are heavy
so they add counterweight and also provide some resistance to
denting and damage if the loader is backed into a fixed object.
Because loaders are used in construction sites, various objects can
strike the loader, so it is also desirable to have service
components such as fluid fillers, caps, filters and the like
recessed or covered.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention relates to a generally horizontally
extending engine cover that is hinged to a generally vertically
extending tailgate. The engine cover is hinged to the tailgate
about a horizontal axis, while the tailgate is hinged to a frame of
a loader, such as a skid steer loader, about a vertical axis. When
the engine cover is raised from its covering and latched position,
it can be swung with the tailgate about the vertical axis of the
tailgate so that it is completely out of the way for servicing
engine components that are within the chamber covered by the
tailgate and the engine cover.
[0005] Because the engine cover can be raised independently about a
horizontal axis relative to the frame of the loader and the
tailgate, it can be lifted for servicing, checking fluid levels,
adding fluid, and other routine service activities, without opening
the heavy tailgate or pivoting the existing cab out of the way,
which is sometimes required if the components are covered.
[0006] This permits one to place a cover over things such as
filters, filler caps, breather caps, and similar items that
normally would protrude from the exterior of the vehicle because
they now can be accessed easily.
[0007] When service is to be performed with the present invention,
the engine cover can be raised for many service functions, and then
the tailgate swung about its vertical axis so that the engine cover
and the tailgate are fully out of the way to permit servicing the
engine fully, and performing repairs.
[0008] The skid steer loader shown has a forwardly pivoting cab,
and the cab is latched in a working position when the cab is
properly closed. The latch handles on the cab must be closed for
the engine cover to close and latch. Thus the engine cover will not
latch unless the cab is latched first. If the cab is not latched in
working position, but the cover has been opened, the operator
cannot inadvertently latch the engine cover while leaving the cab
in a partially released position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a loader having a
combined engine cover and tailgate made according to the present
invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary top plan view showing the engine
cover and tailgate in a closed position;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the loader of FIG. 1 with a
tailgate and engine cover in a fully open position, and with a cab
illustrated rotated pivoted forwardly for access to components in
the frame of the loader;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the tailgate
showing the tailgate hinge that permits supporting the tailgate
along one side thereof about a vertical axis;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the tailgate and engine
cover assembly of the present invention with the skid steer loader
only a schematic showing of the tailgate hinge support on;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the tailgate and
engine cover of the present invention removed from the skid steer
loader and showing the engine cover in a fully raised position as
it would be with the tailgate in a closed position; and
[0015] FIG. 7 is a schematic side elevational view with the engine
cover substantially closed, and showing the interference with the
cab latch before the cab latch levers are in position, a cab
latched to prevent the engine cover from being fully closed until
the cab is latched securely.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] Referring to FIG. 1, a skid steer loader 10 has a main frame
12 that is constructed in a known manner, and includes drive wheels
14 that can be driven from an engine in an engine compartment 16 in
a usual manner using hydrostatic drive, or other similar known
drive. The frame 12 has frame uprights 18 on opposite sides thereof
for pivotally mounting lift arms 20 about a horizontal pivot 22 on
the frame uprights 18. The front ends of the lift arms, which in
this form are telescoping lift arms have frame members 24, mounting
a pivoting attachment plate 26, on which a working tool such as a
bucket 28, can be mounted. The lift arms can be moved about their
pivots with left cylinders 17 (FIG. 3).
[0017] An operator's cab 30 is mounted on pivot support 32 on frame
12 (see FIG. 3 as well) so that the cab 30 can be pivoted
forwardly, as shown in FIG. 3, from its working position that is
shown in FIG. 1. The cab has operator control levers 34 for
controlling the forward and rearward movement of the skid steer
loader in a normal manner, through drive components.
[0018] The frame 12 has a formed belly pan 36 at the rear portions
thereof, that is secured to other portions of the frame and this
provides a skid plate, bumper and rounded surfaces for aesthetic
purposes. A combined tailgate and engine cover assembly indicated
at 40 is pivotally mounted to the frame 12 in a known manner, on
arms or supports 42 about an upright pivot axis 46. The arms or
supports are shown schematically in FIG. 5 and they extend to
pivotally mount hinge members 44 that are fixed to the tailgate 48,
along one edge (see also FIG. 4). The pivot axis 46 is formed with
pivot pins. Hinges 44 are mounted onto the tailgate 48 shown in
FIG. 4.
[0019] The tailgate member can be constructed as desired and may be
formed in sections and welded or partially formed or cast. The
tailgate 48 includes a latch assembly 50 that preferably is a two
stage latch, which includes a primary hook 52 for full latching or
fully closed, and a secondary hook 54, which is shown schematically
in FIG. 2, that will hook onto a bracket 56 on the frame of the
skid steer loader. Hook 54 will prevent opening of the tailgate
even if the primary latch 52 is released until it is lifted to a
release position. A suitable latch release lever 58 can be provided
for releasing the latches.
[0020] The tailgate latches are conventional, and are illustrated
to show that the tailgate can be retained from pivoting about its
vertical axis 46 in working position.
[0021] The tailgate and engine cover assembly 40 includes an engine
cover panel 60 which is shown perhaps in most detail in FIGS. 5 and
6. The engine cover panel 60 includes a pair of generally planar
panel sections 62 and 64. The panel section 62 has reinforcing ribs
66 thereon, for stiffening, and this panel section overlies an
intermediate section 70 of the skid steer loader that will house
cooling fans, an engine radiator, an air conditioning condenser and
a hydraulic reservoir. The intermediate section 70 requires service
(refilling, cleaning, and filter service) because it houses the
hydraulic tank so the engine cover panel 60 pivots upwardly
relative to the tailgate 48 for access to components below. The
engine cover panel 60 also moves with the tailgate. The rear cover
panel section 64 directly overlies the engine housing 16, and
includes a recess 68 for a light, and openings for exhaust pipes,
and vents, if desired.
[0022] The rear cover panel section 64 of the engine cover panel 60
has support arms 72 fixed thereto, and these support arms are
pivotally mounted on pivot pins 74 supported on brackets 76 which
are fixed to the tailgate 48 spaced inwardly from the edges of the
tailgate. The pins 74 can be of any desired shape, and the bracket
72 can be recessed to provide clearance for the pivoting action
when the cover panel 60 moves from its closed position generally
shown at FIG. 5 to its fully open position shown in FIG. 6.
[0023] The brackets 76 have outer end portions 78 that are used for
mounting ends of a pair of gas springs 80. The gas spring extension
rod is connected as at 82 to the outer ends 78 of the brackets 72
and the base ends are mounted on the tailgate. The gas springs will
provide a force tending to urge the engine cover panel 60 to its
open position when the engine cover panel is unlatched.
[0024] Additionally, the engine cover panel 60 can carry formed
styling panels 84, that provides rounded corners and streamlined
look at the rear portion of the tailgate 48.
[0025] The engine cover panel 60 can also, thus, be pivoted about a
horizontal axis of the pins 74 relative to the tailgate 48,
independently of the position of the tailgate. That is, the
tailgate can be closed, and the engine cover panel 60 can be
pivoted upwardly.
[0026] The tailgate 48 then can be released or unlatched so that it
will pivot about the vertical axis 46, to its full open position as
shown at FIG. 3. The tailgate will extend rearwardly, and can
actually pivot somewhat to the side of the loader because of the
shape of the hinge members 44, for access to the interior loader
compartments.
[0027] As shown, the cab 30 is mounted to the frame 12 on pivots
32, at the forward end of the frame 12. The pivots 32 are formed on
upright supports 88, and securely hold the cab 30 in position for
pivotal movement.
[0028] In FIG. 3, side panels of the cab are shown with a coarse
open screen, while FIG. 1 illustrates the side panel of the cab as
being clear window. Either type of opening will work.
[0029] Cab 30 is made so that it can be supported in its open
position as shown in FIG. 3, for access to components below the
cab. The cab includes a latch 90 that will latch onto a member or
members on the frame, when the cab is in its operating position as
shown in FIG. 1. This cab latch is to hold the cab in its operating
position. The cab latch is opened and latched with levers 91. As
shown in FIG. 7 the lever is in an open position so that even if
the cab appears to be down, but is not locked or latched, the
engine cover panel 60 will hit the lever and cannot close.
[0030] The engine cover panel 60 has a latch rod at the forward end
thereof that mates with a cover panel latch 96 as shown in FIG. 5.
Latch 96 is mounted to the rear wall of the cab and grasps the
latch rod at the front edge of the engine cover panel in the cab.
The latch will not lock with its mating member unless the cab is
fully seated and locked. As represented schematically in FIG. 7,
when the cab latch lever is in its unlocked position shown. The cab
presents the latch a barrier to closing the engine cover panel 60
completely. An operator thus will not close the engine cover panel
60 and forget to lock the cab in working position. The arrangement
ensures that the operator will be reminded that the cab has to be
fully latched and locked for operation of the skid steer loader.
The engine cover latch 96 is released with a release member on the
interior of the cab.
[0031] The forward pivoting cab 30 in combination with the rearward
pivoting engine cover panel 60 provides for this type of
interference unless the cab is fully seated.
[0032] The tailgate 48, again, can be made to carry a counterweight
as desired and will operate in a normal manner for tailgates, but
carries an engine cover that will shield and protect components
positioned to the rear of the cab such as the cooling fan,
radiators, and the engine itself any breather tubes or filters, or
the like can be covered not only for enhancing the overall
appearance of the loader, but also for providing protection for
such components during use of the loader.
[0033] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will
recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *