Protective cover for vehicles

Claim 2

A protective canopy for use in conjunction with vehicles having a platform, means for supporting and propelling the vehicle, and a control station on the platform for use by an operator of the vehicle, the canopy comprising: a pair of spaced-apart, first frame members disposed in parallel planes, each first frame member having a continuously arcuate configuration and extending over an arc of more than 180*; a pair of spaced-apart second frame members disposed substantially perpendicularly to the first frame members, the second frame members having a continuously arcuate configuration and extending over an arc of more than 180*; joint means interconnecting the first and second frame members at points intermediate ends thereof, the joint means being positioned so that portions of the members between said points and the ends of the members extend steeply downwardly from said points; rigid posts depending vertically downward from said points and terminating in lower ends; means connecting ends of the first and second members to the posts adjacent the lower ends, whereby each post and the member portions connected thereto form rigid, high strength upright supports interconnected by remaining portions of the members for withstanding forces of a magnitude equal to the vehicle weight without substantial deformation; and mounting means connected to the post ends for directly securing the upright supports to the vehicle platform.

Claim 3

Apparatus according to claim 1 including a protective screen secured to and disposed intermediate the members, a portion of the protective screen being constructed to define a universally curved convex roll surface and a portion of the protective screen further permitting the vehicle operator to view therethrough.

Claim 4

A heavy construction vehicle comprising: a vehicle frame; means mounted to the frame supporting the frame on and propelling it along the ground; work devices mounted to the frame; a driver seat mounted to the frame for use by an operator of the vehicle, the driver''s seat being positioned so that at least a portion of the operator is above the vehicle frame; and a protective canopy secured to the vehicle, enclosing the driver''s seat and extending upwardly of the frame so that the vehicle driver is positioned below an uppermost portion of the canopy, the canopy defining arcuate roll surfaces of a generally oval configuration extending from an uppermost point of each such roll surface downwardly in opposite directions towards the vehicle frame over an arc of more than 90*, the canopy being constructed of a plurality of sets of parallel tubular members disposed in substantially vertical planes, the members of one set being positioned in planes that are transverse to planes in which members of another set are disposed, and upright posts secured to the members and the frame at spaced-apart locations to provide the members with sufficient strength to withstand a load acting substantially perpendicularly to the platform which is at least as great as the weight of the vehicle so that the canopy withstands the full weight of the vehicle while in an inverted and unstable position without being crushed, the arcuate roll surfaces promoting the inverted, unstable vehicle to roll on the roll surfaces towards its upright, stable position.

Claim 5

A heavy construction vehicle comprising: a vehicle frame; means mounted to the frame supporting the frame on and propelling it along the ground; work devices mounted to the frame; a driver seat mounted to the frame for use by an operator of the vehicle, the driver''s seat being positioned so that at least a portion of the operator is above the vehicle frame; and a protective canopy secured to the vehicle, enclosing the driver''s seat and extending upwardly of the frame so that the vehicle driver is positioned below an uppermost portion of the canopy, the canopy defining arcuate roll surfaces of a generally oval configuration extending from an uppermost point of each such roll surface downwardly in opposite directions towards the vehicle frame over an arc of more than 90*, the canopy being constructed of a plurality of sets of parallel tubular members disposed in substantially vertical planes, the members of one set being positioned in planes that are transverse to planes in which members of another set are disposed, and upright posts secured to the members and the frame at spaced-apart locations to provide the members with sufficient strength to withstand a load acting substantially perpendicularly to the platform which is at least as great as the weight of the vehicle so that the canopy withstands the full weight of the vehicle while in an inverted and unstable position without being crushed, the arcuate roll surfaces promoting the inverted, unstable vehicle to roll on the roll surfaces towards its upright, stable position.