Operator Protection Apparatus with an Over-Center Linkage
First Claim
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1. An operator protection apparatus comprising:
- a lower portion and an upper portion;
a joint coupling the lower portion with the upper portion such that the upper portion is movable relative to the lower portion between a raised position and a lowered position; and
an over-center linkage, the over-center linkage comprising;
a lower link movably coupled with the lower portion; and
an upper link movably coupled with the upper portion and coupled with the lower link at a center joint,wherein the over-center linkage is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position.
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Abstract
Aspects hereof relate to an operator protection apparatus having at least one over-center linkage. In some aspects, an operator protection apparatus can be raised and lowered by an operator from a seated position, for example, on a terrain working vehicle. Additionally, the at least one over-center linkage may automatically lock in the operator protection apparatus in a raised position. Accordingly, a mechanical force is then required to overcome the lock, and allow the operator protection apparatus to return to a lowered position.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An operator protection apparatus comprising:
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a lower portion and an upper portion; a joint coupling the lower portion with the upper portion such that the upper portion is movable relative to the lower portion between a raised position and a lowered position; and an over-center linkage, the over-center linkage comprising; a lower link movably coupled with the lower portion; and an upper link movably coupled with the upper portion and coupled with the lower link at a center joint, wherein the over-center linkage is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An operator protection apparatus for a terrain working vehicle, the operator protection apparatus comprising:
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a lower portion configured to be coupled with the terrain working vehicle; an upper portion pivotably coupled with the lower portion and movable relative to the lower portion; an over-center linkage pivotably coupled with the lower portion and the upper portion, wherein the over-center linkage is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position; and an actuator coupled with one or more of the upper portion and the over-center linkage, the actuator effective to move the upper portion between a raised position and a lowered position, wherein the over-center linkage is biased to remain in the locked position, the locked position maintaining the upper portion in the raised position. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. An operator protection apparatus for a terrain working vehicle, the operator protection apparatus comprising:
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a lower portion configured to be coupled with the terrain working vehicle; an upper portion pivotably coupled to the lower portion and movable relative to the lower portion between a raised position and a lowered position; an over-center linkage pivotably coupled to the lower portion and the upper portion, wherein the over-center linkage is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position; and one or more sensors coupled with the operator protection apparatus and configured to generate sensor data associated with the operator protection apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification