Structure and a system for connecting a machine cab to a supporting frame

• US 20090085377A1
• Filed: 12/04/2008
• Published: 04/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Hayes, Aaron R., Lee, Ralph J., Derham, Christopher D., Cowper, Lance M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,182,024 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/190.70
• 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: B62D 33/067 tiltable

Abstract

A system is disclosed for connecting a cab to a machine supporting frame. A sub-frame is secured to the machine supporting frame and is configured to tilt relative to the machine supporting frame. A plurality of vibration damping mechanisms is configured to at least partially inhibit transmission of shocks and vibrations between the sub-frame and the cab. A plurality of dead stop mechanisms is configured to limit movement between the sub-frame and the cab. A rigid connection between the machine supporting frame and the sub-frame is configured to be selectively disconnected. A pivot connection between the machine supporting frame and the sub-frame is configured to permit the sub-frame and the cab to be tilted relative to the machine supporting frame upon disconnection of the rigid connection.

Claims

1. A system for connecting a cab to a machine supporting frame, comprising:

a sub-frame secured to the machine supporting frame and configured to tilt relative to the machine supporting frame;

a plurality of vibration damping mechanisms configured to at least partially inhibit transmission of shocks and vibrations between the sub-frame and the cab;

a plurality of dead stop mechanisms configured to limit movement between the sub-frame and the cab;

a rigid connection between the machine supporting frame and the sub-frame configured to be selectively disconnected; and

a pivot connection between the machine supporting frame and the sub-frame configured to permit the sub-frame and the cab to be tilted relative to the machine supporting frame upon disconnection of the rigid connection.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the rigid connection includes a flange secured to the sub-frame and attached to the machine supporting frame.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the flange includes a plurality of holes, and wherein a plurality of fasteners extend through the holes into the machine supporting frame.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the flange is integral with a support member on the sub-frame, and the plurality of fasteners are bolts threaded into a supporting plate on the machine supporting frame.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the rigid connection further includes a plurality of support members on the sub-frame, and a plurality of frame mounts on the machine supporting frame.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein each support member includes a cab mount including at least one aperture, and each frame mount includes a bore configured to be aligned with the aperture.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein each cab mount includes a plurality of aligned apertures, and further including a pin extending through the aligned apertures and the bore.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein each frame mount includes a protrusion extending from the surface of the machine supporting frame, and wherein the bore in the frame mount extends through the protrusion.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein each cab mount includes two side members, and each side member includes an aperture configured to be aligned with the bore in the protrusion.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein each dead stop mechanism includes a stud rigidly mounted to the cab and extending through an aperture in the sub-frame, wherein the diameter of the aperture is substantially larger than the diameter of the stud.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the stud is mounted to the cab on one side of the aperture, and the stud includes an enlarged portion on the other side of the aperture that is larger in diameter than the diameter of the aperture.

12. A system for connecting a cab to a machine supporting frame, comprising:

a sub-frame;

a vibration damping mechanism coupling the sub-frame and the cab;

a dead stop mechanism limiting movement between the sub-frame and the cab;

a flange on the sub-frame;

at least one fastener securing the flange to the machine supporting frame;

a pair of apertures extending through the sub-frame;

a frame mount including an elongated bore aligned with the pair of apertures; and

a pin extending through the aligned apertures and bore.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one fastener includes a plurality of bolts extending through holes in the flange and securing the flange to the machine supporting frame.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the flange is welded to the sub-frame.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the pin includes a locking member configured to inhibit accidental removal of the pin from the aligned apertures and bore.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the sub-frame includes a cab mount, and the cab mount includes two side members, and the pair of apertures includes one aperture in each of the two side members.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the frame mount includes a protrusion attached to the machine supporting frame.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the flange includes an opening configured to receive the protrusion, and the protrusion extends through the opening in the flange.

19. A machine, comprising:

a cab;

a supporting frame;

a sub-frame mounted on the supporting frame and configured to tilt relative to the supporting frame;

a plurality of vibration damping mechanisms connecting the sub-frame to the cab;

a plurality of dead stop mechanisms configured to limit movement between the sub-frame and the cab;

a plurality of support members on the sub-frame;

a plurality of frame mounts on the supporting frame, each frame mount configured to cooperate with one of the support members;

a flange mounted adjacent an end of one of the plurality of support members;

a plurality of fasteners extending through the flange and secured to the supporting frame;

a bore in each of the frame mounts aligned with apertures in each cooperating support member; and

a removable pin extending through the aligned bore and apertures.

20. The machine of claim 19, including pivot connections adjacent an end of at least some of the plurality of support members and configured to enable tilting of the sub-frame relative to the supporting frame.