Automotive tractor unit with tiltover type cab construction

Claim 2

In a self propelled vehicle of the type that includes a wheeled frame with a motive power system supported on the frame, a vehicle operator cab pivotally mounted on the frame for movement between an operating position that substantially obstructs ready maintenance access to the motive power system from above the latter and a maintenance position exposing the motive power system for ready maintenance access from above the latter, with the cab having fixed thereto and pivotally movable therewith a plurality of indicating means that are operatively connected by a plurality of elongated and flexible means to a plurality of associated sensors therefor that are carried by and which remain substantially fixed in position relative to the frame and the motive power system; the improvement comprising said plurality of elongated and flexible means having a common bundled extent that extends between first and second positions, with said first and second positions being spaced along said pivotal axis, said bundled extent of the flexible and elongated means being fixed against movement relative to the frame and to the cab at said first and second positions, respectively, whereby the bundled extent of the fleXible and elongated means intermediate the first and second positions can twist to accommodate pivotal movement of the cab.

Claim 3

The combination of claim 1, wherein said pivotal axis is horizontal and is spaced a substantial interval forwardly of the motive power system, and wherein substantial displacement of an indicator means and the sensor associated therewith occurs when the cab is pivoted from its operative to its inoperative position.

Claim 4

The combination of claim 2, including a tubular housing extending between the first and second positions and housing the bundled extent of the flexible and elongated means.

Claim 5

The combination of claim 1, wherein the vehicle includes a pair of dirigible front wheels and a steering means therefor, said steering means comprising a steering linkage mounted on the frame, a steering wheel rotatably mounted on and movable with the cab, and means for detachably and operatively connecting the steering wheel to the steering linkage.

Claim 6

The combination of claim 1, including a power control for and carried by the motive power system, actuating means for the power control carried by and movable with the cab, and means detachably and operatively connecting the actuating means to power control.

Claim 7

The combination of claim 1, including brake means for the wheeled frame, a brake actuator means for the brake means carried by and movable with the cab, and means detachably and operatively connecting the brake actuator means to the brake means.

Claim 8

The combination of claim 1, including hydraulic means for moving the cab from its operative position to its maintenance position.

Claim 9

The combination of claim 7, wherein said hydraulic means comprises a hydraulic cylinder and piston rod combination extensibly extending between first and second positions, said combination being pivotally connected at said one position to the frame, guide means fixed in position relative to said cab for guidingly engaging the hydraulic combination at said second position so that the cab is pivotally swung upwardly and forwardly on hydraulic extension of the hydraulic combination to the maintenance position.

Claim 10

The combination of claim 8, wherein the guide means is elongated and tubular and is provided with an elongated slot opening thereinto, said guide means being engaged to the hydraulic combination by structure that includes the latter being provided at said second position with a guided element that extends through said slot and which is movably and guidingly received within the tubular guide means.

Claim 11

The combination of claim 9, including means for detachably securing the hydraulic combination at its second position to the guide means, and means for selectively securing the cab against pivotal movement relative to the frame, whereby the cab can be raised by the hydraulic means, secured in maintenance position, and the hydraulic combination detached and swung to an unobstructive position while the cab remains elevated in its maintenance position.

Claim 12

In a self propelled vehicle of the type that includes a wheeled frame with a motive power system supported on the frame, a vehicle operator cab pivotally mounted on the frame for movement between an operating position that substantially obstructs ready maintenance access to the motive power system from above the latter and a maintenance position exposing the motive power system for ready maintenance access from above the latter, with hydraulic means being provided to move the cab from its operative to its maintenance position; the combination therewith of an improvement comprising a hydraulic cylinder and piston rod combination extensibly extending between first and second positions, said combination being pivotally connected at said one position to the frame, guide means fixed in position relative to said cab for sliding and guiding engaging the hydraulic combination at said second position so that the cab is pivotally swung upwardly and forwardly on hydraulic extension of the hydraulic combination to The maintenance position, said guide means being elongated and tubular and being provided with an elongated slot opening thereinto, said guide means being engaged to the hydraulic combination by structure that includes the latter being provided at said second position with a guided element that extends through said slot and which is movably and guidingly received within the tubular guide means, means for detachably securing the hydraulic combination at its second position to the guide means, and means for selectively securing the cab against pivotal movement relative to the frame, whereby the cab can be raised by the hydraulic means, secured in maintenance position, and the hydraulic combination detached and swung to an unobstructive position while the cab remains elevated in its maintenance position.

Claim 13

In a self propelled vehicle of the type that includes a wheeled frame with a motive power system supported on the frame, a vehicle operator cab pivotally mounted on the frame for movement between an operating position that substantially obstructs ready maintenance access to the motive power system from above the latter and a maintenance position exposing the motive power system for ready maintenance access from above the latter, with hydraulic means being provided to move the cab from its operative to its maintenance position; the combination therewith of an improvement comprising a hydraulic cylinder and piston rod combination extensibly extending between first and second positions, said combination being pivotally connected at said one position to the frame, guide means fixed in position relative to said cab for sliding and guiding engaging the hydraulic combination at said second position so that the cab is pivotally swung upwardly and forwardly on hydraulic extension of the hydraulic combination to The maintenance position, said guide means being elongated and tubular and being provided with an elongated slot opening thereinto, said guide means being engaged to the hydraulic combination by structure that includes the latter being provided at said second position with a guided element that extends through said slot and which is movably and guidingly received within the tubular guide means, means for detachably securing the hydraulic combination at its second position to the guide means, and means for selectively securing the cab against pivotal movement relative to the frame, whereby the cab can be raised by the hydraulic means, secured in maintenance position, and the hydraulic combination detached and swung to an unobstructive position while the cab remains elevated in its maintenance position.