US3768367A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Remote control system for load manipulating vehicles
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
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Filing: 1971-03-11
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Granted: 1973-10-30
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Expires: 1991-03-11
Abstract
Abstract A crawler loader vehicle has remote control means capable of effecting intermediate settings of the operator''s control linkages as well as extreme positions and provides for remotely initiating movement of the lift arms and bucket with automatic stopping at the intermediate position if desired. Hydraulic jacks, actuatable through radio controlled solenoid valves, are substitured for existing links in control lever linkages. The jacks perform as a conventional rigid link when the operator is situated on the vehicle and provide for the remote control if the operator''s control levers are locked in fixed position.
Inventors
- 👤 J Fuzzell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 14:38
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02F; E02F9/00; E02F9/20; E02F9/22; E02F9/2278; E02F9/2285; E02F9/2004; E02F9/2025; E02F9/205
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
281 words
In a powered vehicle having control linkages which an operator on said vehicle may manipulate to control the vehicle, each of said control linkages having an element which is grasped by the operator to manipulate the associated linkage to transmit manual force through said associated linkage to a vehicle mechanism controlled thereby, means providing for optional control of the vehicle from a remote source of signals comprising: a plurality of fluid operated extensible and retractable jacks each forming a component link of a separate one of said control linkages, each of said jacks acting as a rigid link within said separate one of said control linkages to transmit said manual force to said mechanism controlled thereby when said vehicle is controlled by an operator situated thereon, means for selectively immobilizing said elements of said control linkages which are grasped by an operator, a source of pressurized fluid, valve means coupled to each of said jacks for selectively actuating said jacks in response to said control signals when said elements grasped by the operator are immobilized, wherein said valve means includes a plurality of solenoid valves each connected between one of said jacks and said source of fluid, and wherein said remote source of signals includes electrical circuit means for operating said solenoid valves from a location remote from said vehicle, wherein at least one of said control linkages has first, second and third sequential settings and wherein said circuit means provides at least two distinct signal paths for energizing the solenoid valve associated with said one of said control linkages, further comprising means interrupting signal transmission through one of said two signal paths after said linkage reaches said second setting thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
281 words
In a powered vehicle having control linkages which an operator on said vehicle may manipulate to control the vehicle, each of said control linkages having an element which is grasped by the operator to manipulate the associated linkage to transmit manual force through said associated linkage to a vehicle mechanism controlled thereby, means providing for optional control of the vehicle from a remote source of signals comprising: a plurality of fluid operated extensible and retractable jacks each forming a component link of a separate one of said control linkages, each of said jacks acting as a rigid link within said separate one of said control linkages to transmit said manual force to said mechanism controlled thereby when said vehicle is controlled by an operator situated thereon, means for selectively immobilizing said elements of said control linkages which are grasped by an operator, a source of pressurized fluid, valve means coupled to each of said jacks for selectively actuating said jacks in response to said control signals when said elements grasped by the operator are immobilized, wherein said valve means includes a plurality of solenoid valves each connected between one of said jacks and said source of fluid, and wherein said remote source of signals includes electrical circuit means for operating said solenoid valves from a location remote from said vehicle, wherein at least one of said control linkages has first, second and third sequential settings and wherein said circuit means provides at least two distinct signal paths for energizing the solenoid valve associated with said one of said control linkages, further comprising means interrupting signal transmission through one of said two signal paths after said linkage reaches said second setting thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-29 | 1977-04-30 | 1977-10-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-29 | 1981-04-30 | 1981-10-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-29 | 1985-04-30 | 1985-10-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |