EP0500261A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Counterbalanced telescopic rollbar for tractors
Assignee: CNH UK Ltd
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Filing: 1992-02-12
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2012-02-12
Abstract
Abstract A telescopic rollover protective structure (20) for use with an orchard tractor, for example,is disclosed wherein the protective member (20) is operatively engaged with a counterbalancing spring (45) to offset the weight thereof and to facilitate the movement of the protective structure between raised and lowered positions. A locking mechanism (30) is connected to the mounting frame (21,22,23) and engageable with the movable protective member (20) to restrict movement thereof when the locking mechanism is engaged therewith. The counterbalancing system includes a compression spring (45) concentrically mounted on a telescopic rod (46) housed within the hollow protective member legs (26).
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald T. Sheehan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 04:15
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/02; B60R21/13; B60R21/131
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
A rollover protective structure for a tractor (10), the structure comprising: mounting means (21,22,23) for connection of the rollover protective structure to the tractor, the mounting means including a pair of generally vertically extending support members (22) defining generally vertically oriented openings (24); a protective member (20) including a pair of spaced apart legs (26) interconnected at respective upper ends thereof by a cross member (27), each leg (26) being received within the opening (24) of a corresponding support member (22) to permit generally vertical movement of the protective member relative to the mounting means; and releasable locking means (30) attached to each support member (22) and engageable with the protective member (20) from opposing sides thereof for positionally fixing the protective member relative to the mounting means (21,22,23), so that the vertical position of the cross member (27) relative to the mounting means can be selectively varied.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
148 words
A rollover protective structure for a tractor (10), the structure comprising: mounting means (21,22,23) for connection of the rollover protective structure to the tractor, the mounting means including a pair of generally vertically extending support members (22) defining generally vertically oriented openings (24); a protective member (20) including a pair of spaced apart legs (26) interconnected at respective upper ends thereof by a cross member (27), each leg (26) being received within the opening (24) of a corresponding support member (22) to permit generally vertical movement of the protective member relative to the mounting means; and releasable locking means (30) attached to each support member (22) and engageable with the protective member (20) from opposing sides thereof for positionally fixing the protective member relative to the mounting means (21,22,23), so that the vertical position of the cross member (27) relative to the mounting means can be selectively varied.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A structure according to Claim 1, wherein the protective member (20) is provided with a counterbalance mechanism (40) to facilitate the generally vertical movement of the protective member (20).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
A structure according to Claim 2, wherein the counterbalance mechanism (20) includes biasing means (45) supported from a pedestal (42) affixed to the mounting means (21,22,23) and engaged with the protective member (20) such that a downward movement of the protective member effects compression of the biasing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
A structure according to Claim 3, wherein the biasing means includes compression springs (45) engageable with respective protective member legs (26), the compression springs being operable to exert a force urging the protective member (20) upwardly at least equal to the weight of the protective member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A structure according to Claim 4, wherein each compression spring (45) is concentrically mounted on a telescopic rod (46) received within the associated protective member leg (26).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A structure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the releasable locking means (30) includes actuating means (35,37) selectively manipulatable to effect a selective engagement and disengagement of the locking means with the protective member (20).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A structure according to Claim 6, wherein the actuating means includes a threaded member (35) which is rotatable in opposing directions for effecting engagement and disengagement of the protective member (20).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
A structure according to Claim 6 or 7, wherein the locking means (30) further includes clamping apparatus (31) engageable with the protective member (20) from one side thereof and extending towards an opposing side of the protective member threadably to receive the threaded member (35), which is engageable with the protective member from the opposing side.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
63 words
A structure according to Claim 8, wherein the clamping apparatus (31) includes a hook member (32) and an adjustment link (34) selectively positionably mounted thereon, the adjustment link threadably receiving the threaded member (35), the positional movement of the adjustment link relative to the hook member permitting an adjustment of the clamping engagement of the locking means (30) with the protective member (20).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
A structure according to Claim 9, wherein the threaded member (35) and the hook member (32) engage holes in the respective sides of the associated protective member leg, each protective member leg (26) having a plurality of pairs of opposing holes corresponding to the selectable positions desired for said protective member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A structure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the relative movement between the protective member (20) and the mounting frame (21,22,23) is telescopic.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A structure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting frame (21,22,23) is releasably attachable to the tractor (10).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
65 words
A structure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the protective member further includes wings (51) telescopically extendable from the cross member (27) to extend laterally therefrom, and latching means (52) cooperable therewith to fix the wings in a retracted position within the cross member, or in an extended position to extend laterally therefrom and effectively increase the lateral width of the cross member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
103 words
A rollover protective structure for a tractor (10), the structure having a frame member (21,22,23) detachably affixable to the tractor, a protective member (20) telescopically received within the frame member and movable generally vertically relative thereto, and locking means (30) interengageable with the frame member and the protective member for selectively positionably fixing the telescopic movement of the protective member relative to the frame member, and a counterbalance mechanism (40) disposed between the frame member (21,22,23) and the protective member (20) to offset the weight of the protective member and facilitate the telescopic movement of the protective member relative to the frame member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
103 words
A rollover protective structure for a tractor (10), the structure having a frame member (21,22,23) detachably affixable to the tractor, a protective member (20) telescopically received within the frame member and movable generally vertically relative thereto, and locking means (30) interengageable with the frame member and the protective member for selectively positionably fixing the telescopic movement of the protective member relative to the frame member, and a counterbalance mechanism (40) disposed between the frame member (21,22,23) and the protective member (20) to offset the weight of the protective member and facilitate the telescopic movement of the protective member relative to the frame member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
48 words
A structure according to Claim 14, wherein the counterbalance mechanism (40) includes biasing means (45) supported from a pedestal (42) affixed to the frame member (21,22,23) and engaged with the protective member (20) such that a downward movement of the protective member effects compression of the biasing means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
74 words
A structure according to Claim 15, wherein the protective member (20) has a pair of generally vertically-extending legs (26) telescopically received within the frame member (21,22,23), the biasing means including a compression spring (45) concentrically mounted on a telescopic rod received within each said protective member leg (26) and being engageable with each said protective member leg such that the compression springs are operable to exert a force urging the protective member (20) upwardly.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
A structure according to claim 16, wherein the force urging the protective member (20) upwardly is at least equal to the weight of the protective member as the protective member is moved downwardly.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
A structure according to any of claims 14 to 17, wherein the locking means (30) is releasable and includes the features, taken separately or in any combination, of claims 6 to 10.
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US3802720A
Cited
FR2299992A1
Cited
FR2314090A1
Cited
DE2543077A1
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