System for operably coupling a vehicle cab to a vehicle

• US 20070278811A1
• Filed: 05/31/2006
• Published: 12/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Weibling, Danny L., Hayes, Aaron R., Derham, Christopher D., Gerke, Clifton R.
• Application Number:
  US11/443,297
• Publication Number:
  US 20070278811A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/35.100
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 33/0604 Cabs insulated against vibrations or noise, e.g. with elastic suspension resilient connections between superstructure sub-units B62D27/04; damping noise in general G10K11/00; for vehicles in general B60R13/08
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 1/38 with a sleeve of elastic material between a rigid outer sleeve and a rigid inner sleeve or pin , i.e. bushing-type hydraulically-damped bushes F16F13/14; suppression of vibrations in rotating systems by making use of elastomeric spring members between rotating elements, driveline torque being transmitted therebetween F16F15/126, by making use of a dynamic damping mass attached to a rotating element by means of elastomeric springs F16F15/14; pivots per se F16C11/00; elastic or yielding bearings or bearing supports F16C27/00; parts of sliding-contact bearings, e.g. bushes F16C33/04

Abstract

A system is disclosed for operably coupling a vehicle cab to a vehicle. The system includes a damping mount configured to at least partially inhibit transmission of shocks and vibrations from the vehicle to the vehicle cab. The system further includes a mounting stud configured to operably couple the damping mount to one of the vehicle and the vehicle cab. The system further includes at least one stop member configured to limit at least one of load on the mounting stud and separation of the vehicle cab from the vehicle. The system further includes at least one fastener configured to operably couple the at least one stop member and the damping mount to the other of the vehicle and the vehicle cab.

Claims

1. A system for operably coupling a vehicle cab to a vehicle, the system comprising:

a damping mount configured to at least partially inhibit transmission of shocks and vibrations from the vehicle to the vehicle cab;

a mounting stud configured to operably couple the damping mount to one of the vehicle and the vehicle cab;

at least one stop member configured to limit at least one of load on the mounting stud and separation of the vehicle cab from the vehicle; and

at least one fastener configured to operably couple the at least one stop member and the damping mount to the other of the vehicle and the vehicle cab.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the mounting stud is configured to operably couple the damping mount to the vehicle, and the at least one fastener is configured to operably couple the stop member and the damping mount to the vehicle cab.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein vehicle includes a frame and the mounting stud is configured to operably couple the damping mount to the frame.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the damping mount includes a viscous member.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the viscous member includes an elastic member and a piston configured to at least partially absorb shocks and vibrations.

6. The system of claim 1, including a spacer mounted on the at least one fastener such that the at least one fastener sandwiches the damping mount between the spacer and the other of the vehicle and the vehicle cab.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle includes a frame, and the system is configured such that upon an amount of separation of the vehicle cab from the vehicle, the at least one stop member abuts the frame and limits at least one of load on the mounting stud and the amount of separation between the vehicle cab and the vehicle.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the damping mount is configured to be sandwiched between the vehicle cab and the vehicle.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one fastener includes four fasteners.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one stop member includes two stop members.

11. The system of claim 1, including a cab mount and a frame mount configured to be coupled to one another such that the vehicle cab and the vehicle are pivotally coupled to one another, wherein one of the cab mount and the frame mount includes the damping mount.

12. A system for operably coupling a vehicle cab to a vehicle, the system comprising:

a cab mount configured to be operably coupled to the vehicle cab; and

a frame mount configured to be operably coupled to the vehicle and to the cab mount,

wherein the cab mount and the frame mount are configured to be coupled to one another such that the vehicle cab and the vehicle are pivotally coupled to one another, and

wherein one of the cab mount and the frame mount includes a damping mount configured to provide damping between the vehicle cab and the vehicle.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the damping mount includes a piston and a housing, wherein the piston and the housing are configured such that the piston reciprocates within the housing to provide damping between the vehicle cab and the vehicle.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the damping mount is configured to be received within a receptacle in the vehicle cab.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the cab mount further includes a lynch pin retainer configured to receive a lynch pin.

16. The system of claim 15, including a lynch pin, wherein the lynch pin includes threads configured to engage the lynch pin retainer.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the frame mount includes a link configured to receive a lynch pin, wherein the cab mount and the vehicle mount are configured to be connected to one another via a lynch pin.

18. The system of claim 12, including two cab mounts, wherein the two cab mounts are operably coupled to one another independent of the vehicle cab.

19. A vehicle comprising:

a cab from which to operate the vehicle;

a vehicle frame; and

a system for operably coupling the cab to the vehicle frame, the system including

at least one cab mount operably coupled to the cab, and

at least one frame mount operably coupled to the vehicle frame,

wherein the cab mount and the frame mount are configured to be operably coupled to one another such that the cab and the vehicle are pivotally coupled to one another, and

wherein one of the cab mount and the frame mount includes a damping mount configured to provide damping between the cab and the vehicle.

20. The vehicle of claim 19, wherein the at least one cab mount includes two cab mounts, and the at least one frame mount includes two frame mounts.

21. The vehicle of claim 20, wherein one of the two cab mounts and one of the two frame mounts are pivotally coupled to one another.

22. The vehicle of claim 21, wherein another of the two cab mounts and another of the two frame mounts are removably coupled to one another such that when uncoupled, the one cab mount and the one frame mount are configured pivot with respect to one another, thereby allowing the cab to pivot with respect to the vehicle.

23. A method for providing comfort to a vehicle operator and access to vehicle components, the method comprising:

mounting a cab to a vehicle such that the cab is supported by at least one mount configured to

provide damping support between the cab and the vehicle,

limit separation of the cab from the vehicle, and

operably couple the cab to the vehicle such that the cab may be pivoted with respect to the vehicle.