US4844196A — Seat belt interlock for loaders

Claim 1

Independent Claim 278 words

In a loader having a mobile frame; an operator seat in which an operator sits during operation of said loader; seat belt apparatus selectively operable to restrain the operator on said seat and being selectively movable between a closed position and an open position; a boom and bucket assembly movably connected to said frame and operably controlled by the operator from said seat, said boom and bucket assembly being movable by hydraulic cylinders powered by a hydraulic circuit having pressurized hydraulic fluid flowing therethrough, said hydraulic circuit also having a hydraulic solenoid valve selectively operable to block the flow of hydraulic fluid through said hydraulic circuit; and an engine supported on said frame to power the mobile movement of said loader and to pressurize said hydraulic circuit, said engine being operably started in conjunction with the closing of an electrical circuit associated therewith, the improvement comprising: a seat switch operatively associated with said seat to sense the presence of the operator in said seat, said seat switch being closed when the operator is in said seat and being open when no weight is exerted on said seat; a seat belt switch operatively associated with said seat belt such that said seat belt switch is closed whenever said seat belt apparatus is in said closed position and open whenever said seat belt apparatus is in said open position; and controller means operatively connected with said seat switch, said seat belt switch and said electrical circuit for disabling the starting of said engine by keeping said electrical circuit open unless said seat belt switch is closed while said seat switch is closed, whereupon said controller means closes said electrical circuit.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 278 words

In a loader having a mobile frame; an operator seat in which an operator sits during operation of said loader; seat belt apparatus selectively operable to restrain the operator on said seat and being selectively movable between a closed position and an open position; a boom and bucket assembly movably connected to said frame and operably controlled by the operator from said seat, said boom and bucket assembly being movable by hydraulic cylinders powered by a hydraulic circuit having pressurized hydraulic fluid flowing therethrough, said hydraulic circuit also having a hydraulic solenoid valve selectively operable to block the flow of hydraulic fluid through said hydraulic circuit; and an engine supported on said frame to power the mobile movement of said loader and to pressurize said hydraulic circuit, said engine being operably started in conjunction with the closing of an electrical circuit associated therewith, the improvement comprising: a seat switch operatively associated with said seat to sense the presence of the operator in said seat, said seat switch being closed when the operator is in said seat and being open when no weight is exerted on said seat; a seat belt switch operatively associated with said seat belt such that said seat belt switch is closed whenever said seat belt apparatus is in said closed position and open whenever said seat belt apparatus is in said open position; and controller means operatively connected with said seat switch, said seat belt switch and said electrical circuit for disabling the starting of said engine by keeping said electrical circuit open unless said seat belt switch is closed while said seat switch is closed, whereupon said controller means closes said electrical circuit.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 48 words

The loader of claim 1 wherein said controller means is also operably connected to said hydraulic solenoid valve and is operable to actuate said hydraulic solenoid valve to effect a blocking of the flow of hydraulic fluid through said hydraulic circuit when said seat belt switch is open.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 42 words

The loader of claim 2 further comprising a delay means operatively associated with said seat switch to delay for a predetermined period of time the operative receipt of a signal by said controller means caused by the opening of said seat switch.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 63 words

The loader of claim 3 wherein said controller means requires a resequencing of the closing of said seat switch and said seat belt switch after the operative receipt of a signal caused by the opening of said seat switch before said controller means will enable the operation of said hydraulic circuit unless said seat switch is closed during said predetermined period of time.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 37 words

The loader of claim 4 wherein said seat switch is operatively connected to said hydraulic solenoid valve such that the opening of said seat switch actuates said hydraulic solenoid valve to disable said boom and bucket assembly.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 36 words

The loader of claim 4 wherein said seat switch includes an anti-bypass means associated with said controller means to sense when said seat switch has been bypassed and to subsequently disable the operation of said implement.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 271 words

In a loader having a mobile frame; an operator seat in which an operator sits during operation of said loader; seat belt apparatus selectively operable to restrain the operator on said seat and being selectively movable between a closed position and an open position; a boom and bucket assembly movably connected to said frame and operably controlled by the operator from said seat, said boom and bucket assembly being movable by hydraulic cylinders powered by a hydraulic circuit having pressurized hydraulic fluid flowing therethrough, said hydraulic circuit also having a hydraulic solenoid valve selectively operable to block the flow of hydraulic fluid through said hydraulic circuit; and a engine supported on said frame to power the mobile movement of said loader and to pressurize said hydraulic circuit, said engine being operably started in conjunction with the closing of an electrical circuit associated therewith, the improvement comprising: a seat switch operatively associated with said seat to sense the presence of the operator in said seat, said seat switch being closed when the operator is in said seat and open when no weight is exerted of said seat; a seat belt switch operatively associated with said seat belt such that said seat belt switch is closed whenever said seat belt apparatus is in said closed position and open whenever said seat belt apparatus is in said open position; and controller means operatively connected with said seat switch, said seat belt switch, said electrical circuit and said hydraulic solenoid valve for actuation of said hydraulic solenoid valve to effect a disabling of said boom and bucket assembly when said seat belt switch is open.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 271 words

In a loader having a mobile frame; an operator seat in which an operator sits during operation of said loader; seat belt apparatus selectively operable to restrain the operator on said seat and being selectively movable between a closed position and an open position; a boom and bucket assembly movably connected to said frame and operably controlled by the operator from said seat, said boom and bucket assembly being movable by hydraulic cylinders powered by a hydraulic circuit having pressurized hydraulic fluid flowing therethrough, said hydraulic circuit also having a hydraulic solenoid valve selectively operable to block the flow of hydraulic fluid through said hydraulic circuit; and a engine supported on said frame to power the mobile movement of said loader and to pressurize said hydraulic circuit, said engine being operably started in conjunction with the closing of an electrical circuit associated therewith, the improvement comprising: a seat switch operatively associated with said seat to sense the presence of the operator in said seat, said seat switch being closed when the operator is in said seat and open when no weight is exerted of said seat; a seat belt switch operatively associated with said seat belt such that said seat belt switch is closed whenever said seat belt apparatus is in said closed position and open whenever said seat belt apparatus is in said open position; and controller means operatively connected with said seat switch, said seat belt switch, said electrical circuit and said hydraulic solenoid valve for actuation of said hydraulic solenoid valve to effect a disabling of said boom and bucket assembly when said seat belt switch is open.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 40 words

The loader of claim 7 wherein said controller means is also operable to disable the starting of said engine by keeping said electrical circuit open unless said seat belt switch and said seat switch are closed in a predetermined sequence.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 28 words

The loader of claim 8 wherein said predetermined sequence is first closing said seat switch and then closing said seat belt switch while said seat switch is closed.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 68 words

The loader of claim 9 wherein said controller means includes a delay means to delay for a predetermined period of time a requirement of resequencing the closing of said seat switch and said seat belt switch after an opening of said seat switch, said controller means actuating said hydraulic solenoid valve upon the opening of said seat switch to disable the operation of said boom and bucket assembly.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 64 words

The loader of claim 10 wherein said controller means requires said resequencing of the closing of said seat switch and said seat belt switch to deactivate said hydraulic solenoid and, thereby permit operation of said boom and bucket assembly, after said predetermined period of time following the opening of said seat switch unless said seat switch is closed during said predetermined period of time.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 49 words

The loader of claim 11 wherein said seat switch includes a means for effecting a voltage drop for current passing therethrough from said electrical circuit, said controller means being operable to disable the starting of said engine by keeping the electrical circuit open unless said voltage drop is encountered.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 236 words

In an implement having a mobile frame; an operator station mounted on said frame and including a seat in which the operator sits during the operation of the implement; an operator restraint mechanism having an operative position in which the operator restraint mechanism is operable to keep the operator in said seat and a nonoperative position in which the operator is not restrained on said seat; working means movably supported on said frame for performing tasks selected by said operator and being controllable by said operator from said seat; actuation means operably associated with said working means for selectively effecting the movement of said working means relative to said frame; and power means supported on said frame for operatively powering said actuation means and the mobile movement of said implement, the improvement comprising: first means for generating a first signal in response to the operator sitting in said seat; second means for generating a second signal in response to said operator restraint mechanism being placed into said operative position; and controller means in operative communication with said first and second means for generating signals and being operatively associated with said actuation means for disabling the operation of said actuator means whenever said first signal is received by said controller means after the receipt of said second signal unless said second signal is received again by said controller means subsequent to the receipt of said first signal.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 236 words

In an implement having a mobile frame; an operator station mounted on said frame and including a seat in which the operator sits during the operation of the implement; an operator restraint mechanism having an operative position in which the operator restraint mechanism is operable to keep the operator in said seat and a nonoperative position in which the operator is not restrained on said seat; working means movably supported on said frame for performing tasks selected by said operator and being controllable by said operator from said seat; actuation means operably associated with said working means for selectively effecting the movement of said working means relative to said frame; and power means supported on said frame for operatively powering said actuation means and the mobile movement of said implement, the improvement comprising: first means for generating a first signal in response to the operator sitting in said seat; second means for generating a second signal in response to said operator restraint mechanism being placed into said operative position; and controller means in operative communication with said first and second means for generating signals and being operatively associated with said actuation means for disabling the operation of said actuator means whenever said first signal is received by said controller means after the receipt of said second signal unless said second signal is received again by said controller means subsequent to the receipt of said first signal.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 44 words

The implement of claim 13 wherein said controller means is also operatively associated with said power means for disabling the starting of said power means unless said second signal is received by said controller means immediately subsequent to the receipt of said first signal.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 60 words

The implement of claim 13 wherein said first means generates an inverse first signal when the operator leaves said seat, said controller means disabling said actuator means upon the generation of said inverse first signal and requiring a resequencing of the receipt of said first and second signals before enabling said actuator means after operatively receiving said inverse first signal.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 46 words

The implement of claim 15 further comprising delay means operatively associated with said first means for generating a signal and said controller means to delay the operative receipt of said inverse first signal by said controller means for a predetermined period of time after being generated.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 63 words

The implement of claim 15 wherein said second means generates an inverse second signal when said operator restraint mechanism is placed in said nonoperative position, said controller means disabling said actuator means upon the generation of said inverse second signal and requiring a resequencing of the receipt of said first and second signals before enabling said actuator after receiving said inverse second signal.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 183 words

In a loader having a mobile frame; an operator's seat supported on said frame in which an operator sits during operation of said loader; seat belt apparatus selectively operable to restrain the operator on said seat and being selectively movable between a closed position and an open position, said seat belt apparatus including a female receptor portion and a male buckle portion engaged therewith in said closed position and separable therefrom in said open position; a source of electrical current supported on said frame; a working tool apparatus movably supported from said frame; and power means supported on said frame to operably power the operation of said working tool and the mobile movement of said loader, an improved seat belt apparatus comprising: a sealed switch connected to said source of electrical current and having a pivotable contact lever mounted in said female receptor portion to be actuated upon engagement of said male buckle portion with said female receptor portion and permit the flow of electrical current through said sealed switch for indicating the movement of said seat belt apparatus into said closed position.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 183 words

In a loader having a mobile frame; an operator's seat supported on said frame in which an operator sits during operation of said loader; seat belt apparatus selectively operable to restrain the operator on said seat and being selectively movable between a closed position and an open position, said seat belt apparatus including a female receptor portion and a male buckle portion engaged therewith in said closed position and separable therefrom in said open position; a source of electrical current supported on said frame; a working tool apparatus movably supported from said frame; and power means supported on said frame to operably power the operation of said working tool and the mobile movement of said loader, an improved seat belt apparatus comprising: a sealed switch connected to said source of electrical current and having a pivotable contact lever mounted in said female receptor portion to be actuated upon engagement of said male buckle portion with said female receptor portion and permit the flow of electrical current through said sealed switch for indicating the movement of said seat belt apparatus into said closed position.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 37 words

The loader of claim 18 wherein said sealed switch is mounted to the interior of said female receptor portion by a pair of pins passing through said sealed switch and being secured to said female receptor portion.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 25 words

The loader of claim 19 wherein said contact lever has a curved camming portion engageable with said male buckle portion to actuate said sealed switch.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1992-07-03	1993-01-02	1993-07-04	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1996-07-03	1997-01-02	1997-07-04	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2000-07-03	2001-01-02	2001-07-04	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Seat belt interlock for loaders

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