Rollover protection system

• US 20070290493A1
• Filed: 06/20/2006
• Published: 12/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Deere & Company
• Original Assignee: Deere & Company
• Inventors: David, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,971,904 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/756
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/13 Roll-over protection electrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements B60R21/01

Abstract

A rollover protection system for an off road vehicle includes a pair of lower legs, each lower leg having an arced portion and a horizontal portion connected to the vehicle frame. The upper section of the rollover protection system is pivotably connected to the lower legs, so that it may pivot to a lowered position in which the upper section fits around the rear mounted engine and is within the rear dimensions of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A rollover protection system for an off road vehicle, comprising:

a pair of lower legs, each lower leg having an arced portion between an upright portion and a horizontal portion mounted to the riding mower; and

an upper section connected to the lower legs and having a pair of upright portions and a cross bar.

2. The rollover protection system of claim 1 wherein the upper section is pivotably connected to the lower legs.

3. The rollover protection system of claim 2 wherein the off road vehicle has a rear mounted engine, the upper section is pivotable to a lowered position in which the upright portions of the upper section are on each side of the rear mounted engine.

4. The rollover protection system of claim 2 wherein the upper section is pivotable to a lowered position such that the cross bar is below the horizontal portion of the lower legs.

5. The rollover protection system of claim 1 wherein the upper section has a total length greater than the total length of the pair of lower legs.

6. A rollover protection system for an off-road vehicle comprising:

a pair of bent tubular steel lower legs, each leg having a horizontal portion connected to the vehicle on either side of an operator station;

a tubular steel upper section pivotably connected to the lower legs and foldable to a lowered position.

7. The rollover protection system of claim 6 wherein the upper section is foldable to a lowered position within the dimensions of the rear end of the vehicle.

8. The rollover protection system of claim 6 wherein the off-road vehicle has an operator seat with a seat back, and the upper section is pivotably connected to the lower legs below the top of the seat back.

9. The rollover protection system of claim 6 wherein the upper section includes a pair of upright portions and a crossbar.

10. The rollover protection system of claim 9 wherein the upper section is foldable to a lowered position in which the crossbar is below the horizontal portions of the lower legs.

11. The rollover protection system of claim 9 further comprising a rear mounted engine, and wherein the upright portions of the upper section are on each side of the rear mounted engine in the lowered position.

12. A rollover protection system for an off road vehicle comprising:

a pair of lower legs mounted to the vehicle on each side of an operator station;

an upper section pivotably connected to the lower legs with a pair of brackets, the upper section foldable to a lowered position around a rear mounted engine behind the operator station, the upper section including a crossbar below the lower legs in the lowered position.

13. The rollover protection system of claim 12 wherein the total length of the upper section is greater than the total combined lengths of the pair of lower legs.

14. The rollover protection system of claim 12 wherein the upper section has a pair of upright portions;

the measurement between at least part of the upright portions being greater than the width of the engine at the lowered position.

15. The rollover protection system of claim 12 wherein the lower legs are bent tubular steel.

16. The rollover protection system of claim 12 wherein at least a portion of each lower leg is bent in an arc.

17. The rollover protection system of claim 16 wherein at least part of each lower leg is generally horizontal and is mounted to the vehicle.