Payload container for a work machine

• US 20050253418A1
• Filed: 05/17/2004
• Published: 11/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Miller, Cliff E., Laban, Christopher Scott, Cusack, Christopher Charles, Jennings, Daniel Lee
• Granted Patent: US 7,032,957 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/183.200
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 1/286 Loading buckets

Abstract

A payload container for containing a material to be hauled by a work machine is disclosed. The payload container includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall. A front wall extends between the first and second sidewalls. A canopy extends from a top of the front wall, and includes a mounting frame and at least one panel. The panel is formed of a non-metal material and is secured to the mounting frame.

Claims

1. A payload container for containing a material to be hauled by a work machine, comprising:

a first sidewall and a second sidewall;

a front wall extending between the first and second sidewalls; and

a canopy extending from a top of the front wall, the canopy including

a mounting frame, and

at least one panel formed of a non-metal material, the at least one panel being secured to the mounting frame.

2. The payload container of claim 1, wherein the at least one panel includes a plurality of panels disposed adjacent to each other and individually secured to the mounting frame.

3. The payload container of claim 2, further including a retention system, wherein each of the plurality of panels is removably secured to the mounting frame by the retention system.

4. The payload container of claim 2, wherein the canopy includes a plurality of panel frames attached to the mounting frame, each of the panel frames including a bearing portion configured to support one of the plurality of panels.

5. The payload container of claim 1, wherein the mounting frame supports the at least one panel at spaced intervals along the at least one panel.

6. The payload container of claim 1, including a seal material at an edge of the at least one panel for sealing between the edge and the mounting frame.

7. The payload container of claim 1, wherein the first and second sidewalls include a plurality of sidewall panels formed of a non-metal material.

8. The payload container of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the at least one panel is a beam formed of fiberglass.

9. The payload container of claim 1, wherein the at least one panel includes a pultruded fiberglass grating material bonded to a sheet of fiberglass.

10. The payload container of claim 9, wherein the sheet of fiberglass is coated with at least one of urethane and rubber.

11. The payload container of claim 9, wherein the pultruded fiberglass grating material is an I-beam shape.

12. A work machine comprising:

an engine;

an engine compartment for housing the engine;

a cab for an operator adjacent the engine compartment; and

a payload container for containing a material to be hauled, the payload container including

a floor,

a first sidewall and a second sidewall at opposing sides of the floor,

a front wall extending between the first and second sidewalls,

a canopy extending from a top of the front wall, the canopy being configured to at least partially cover the cab of the work machine,

the canopy including

a mounting frame, and

at least one panel formed of a non-metal material, the at least one panel being secured to the mounting frame.

14. The work machine of claim 12, wherein the at least one panel includes a plurality of panels disposed adjacent to each other and individually secured to the mounting frame.

15. The work machine of claim 14, including a retention system, wherein each of the plurality of panels is removably secured to the mounting frame by the retention system.

16. The work machine of claim 12, wherein the at least one panel is at least partially formed of a pultruded fiberglass grating material bonded to a solid sheet of fiberglass.

17. The work machine of claim 16, wherein the sheet of fiberglass is coated with at least one of urethane and rubber.

18. The work machine of claim 12, wherein the at least one panel is a plurality of panels, and wherein the canopy includes a plurality of panel frames attached to the mounting frame, each of the panel frames including a bearing portion configured to support one of the plurality of panels.

19. The work machine of claim 12, wherein the mounting frame is a metal frame and the at least one panel includes metal cross-bars connecting non-metal beams.

20. The work machine of claim 12, wherein the mounting frame supports the at least one panel at spaced intervals along the at least one panel.

21. The work machine of claim 12, wherein at least a portion of the canopy is formed of fiberglass.

22. The work machine of claim 21, wherein the canopy includes a pultruded fiberglass grating material bonded to a sheet of fiberglass.

13. (canceled)

23. A method of repairing a payload container on a work machine, at least a part of the payload container being formed of non-metal panels, the method comprising:

identifying a damaged non-metal panel on the payload container;

disconnecting the damaged panel from a mounting frame;

removing the damaged panel from the mounting frame;

placing a replacement panel in the mounting frame in place of the damaged panel; and

securing the replacement panel to the mounting frame.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein disconnecting the damaged panel includes disengaging a retention system.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the damaged and replacement non-metal panels are at least partially formed of fiberglass.