US3869018A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Engine enclosure for hydraulic excavators
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
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Filing: 1973-01-26
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Granted: 1975-03-04
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Expires: 1993-01-26
Abstract
Abstract An engine enclosure comprises a support frame having a pair of vertically disposed rear posts interconnected at their upper ends to a pair of vertically disposed center posts by tie rods. A pad is adjustably mounted on top of each center post to compensate for misalignment of a top panel secured thereon. A side panel is adjustably and removably attached to the enclosure to compensate for misalignment between the upper end thereof and a connected top panel.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas P Muller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 02:00
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K5/00; B62; B62D; B62D63/00; B62D63/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
A vehicle enclosure comprising: a frame, at least one pair of upright rear posts secured to a rearward end of said frame, at least one pair of upright center posts secured to said frame and spaced longitudinally forwardly said rear posts , force transmitting means interconnecting upper ends of each pair of rear and center psots for transmitting loading forces imposed on said rear posts to said center posts and frame directly, at least one top panel having mounting holes formed therethrough, an upright side panel, having attachment holes formed on the upper end thereof, detachably mounted on said enclosure, adjustment means, comprising a pin and slot connection positioned at each lateral end of said side panel and between said side panel and said frame, for selectively moving said side panel to align the attachment holes thereof into underlying relationship with respective ones of said mounting holes and fastening means projecting through each one of said mounting holes and detachably engaging a respective one of said attachment holes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
A vehicle enclosure comprising: a frame, at least one pair of upright rear posts secured to a rearward end of said frame, at least one pair of upright center posts secured to said frame and spaced longitudinally forwardly said rear posts , force transmitting means interconnecting upper ends of each pair of rear and center psots for transmitting loading forces imposed on said rear posts to said center posts and frame directly, at least one top panel having mounting holes formed therethrough, an upright side panel, having attachment holes formed on the upper end thereof, detachably mounted on said enclosure, adjustment means, comprising a pin and slot connection positioned at each lateral end of said side panel and between said side panel and said frame, for selectively moving said side panel to align the attachment holes thereof into underlying relationship with respective ones of said mounting holes and fastening means projecting through each one of said mounting holes and detachably engaging a respective one of said attachment holes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The enclosure of claim 1 wherein said frame is structurally integrated into an upper unit of an excavator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The enclosure of claim 2 further comprising a plurality of top panels removably attached to the top of said frame.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The enclosure of claim 3 further comprising working components, including an engine mounted in said enclosure to be protected thereby.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The enclosure of claim 4 further comprising a fuel tank structurally integrated into said enclosure and disposed at a front corner thereof and an operator mounted on said upper structure, forwardly of said enclosure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The enclosure of claim 1 wherein each pair of said rear and center posts are aligned longitudinally.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The enclosure of claim 1 wherein each of said center posts has a substantially large base secured to its lower end, said base secured to said frame.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The enclosure of claim 1 wherein each center post exhibits a substantially greater structural strength than each of said rear posts.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The enclosure of claim 1 wherein each of said force transmitting means constitutes a tie-rod.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The enclosure of claim 1 further comprising a cross-bar securing the upper ends of said rear posts together.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The enclosure of claim 1 further comprising a counterweight mounting device secured on thE outside of said rear posts for selectively mounting a counterweight thereon.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
66 words
The enclosure of claim 1 further comprising at least one top panel having mounting holes formed therethrough, adjustment means movably mounted on at least one of said center posts for selectively moving attachment holes formed thereon into underlying alignment with respective ones of said mounting holes and fastening means projecting through each one of said mounting holes and detachably engaging respective one of said attachment holes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The enclosure of claim 12 wherein said adjustment means comprises at least one bracket secured on said center post and a mounting plate adjustably mounted on said bracket, said attachment holes formed in said mounting plate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
The enclosure of claim 13 wherein said adjustment means further comprises a retainer plate underlying said bracket and second fastening means extending through said retainer plate and said bracket and releasably attached to said mounting plate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
46 words
The enclosure of claim 14 wherein said adjustment means further comprises a spacer bushing mounted on said second fastening means, between said mounting and retainer plates, said bracket having a bore formed therethrough which has a diameter substantially greater than the outside diameter of said bushing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The enclosure of claim 12 wherein said adjustment means is mounted on a forwardly extending cantilevered section secured to said centerpost.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
104 words
A vehicle enclosure comprising: a frame, at least one panel having mounting holes formed therethrough removably attached to said frame, adjustment means movably mounted on said frame for selectively moving attachment holes formed thereon into underlying alignment with respective ones of said mounting holes and fastening means projecting through each one of said mounting holes and detachably engaging a respective one of said attachment holes said adjustment means comprising at least one bracket secured on said frame and a mounting plate, defining a substantial bearing surface thereon abutting said panel and adjustably mounted on said bracket, said attachment holes formed in said mounting plate.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
104 words
A vehicle enclosure comprising: a frame, at least one panel having mounting holes formed therethrough removably attached to said frame, adjustment means movably mounted on said frame for selectively moving attachment holes formed thereon into underlying alignment with respective ones of said mounting holes and fastening means projecting through each one of said mounting holes and detachably engaging a respective one of said attachment holes said adjustment means comprising at least one bracket secured on said frame and a mounting plate, defining a substantial bearing surface thereon abutting said panel and adjustably mounted on said bracket, said attachment holes formed in said mounting plate.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
The enclosure of claim 17 wherein said adjustment means further comprises a retainer plate underlying said bracket and second fastening means extending through said retainer plate and said bracket and releasably attached to said mounting plate.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
46 words
The enclosure of claim 18 wherein said adjustment means further comprises a spacer bushing mounted on said second fastening means, between said mounting and retainer plates, said bracket having a bore formed therethrough which has a diameter substantially greater than the outside diameter of said bushing.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
The enclosure of claim 17 wherein said adjustment means is mounted on a forwardly extending and cantilevered section of an upright center post structurally integrated into said frame.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
104 words
A vehicle enclosure comprising: a frame, a first panel, having mounting holes formed therethrough, removably attached to said frame, a second panel, having attachment holes formed on the upper end thereof, detachably mounted on said frame, adjustment means, comprising a pin and slot connection positioned at each lateral end of said second panel and between said second panel and said frame, for selectively moving said second panel to align the attachment holes thereof into underlying relationship with respective ones of said mounting holes, and fastening means projecting through each one of said mounting holes and detachably engaging a respective one of said attachment holes.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
104 words
A vehicle enclosure comprising: a frame, a first panel, having mounting holes formed therethrough, removably attached to said frame, a second panel, having attachment holes formed on the upper end thereof, detachably mounted on said frame, adjustment means, comprising a pin and slot connection positioned at each lateral end of said second panel and between said second panel and said frame, for selectively moving said second panel to align the attachment holes thereof into underlying relationship with respective ones of said mounting holes, and fastening means projecting through each one of said mounting holes and detachably engaging a respective one of said attachment holes.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-03 | 1978-09-02 | 1979-03-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-03 | 1982-09-02 | 1983-03-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-03 | 1986-09-02 | 1987-03-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |