Modular loader frame structure

• US 4,405,280 A
• Filed: 02/22/1982
• Issued: 09/20/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/1982
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Case Corporation (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Original Assignee: JI Case Company (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Inventors: Cochran, Gary L., Dawson, James E., Stromberg, Gary D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Spar, Robert J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Siemens, Terrance L.
• Application Number:
  US06/351,067
• Time in Patent Office: 575 Days
• Field of Search: 212/182, 296/197, 296/203, 180/89.13, 180/89.16, 180/313, 180/208, 180/298, 414/697, 414/680, 414/685, 414/914
• US Class Current: 414/685
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/36 Component parts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 414/127 Handling vehicles with overhead guard for operator

Abstract

A modular machine including several removable components which are structurally interconnected in a manner to result in a rigid unit which is inexpensive to manufacture and easy to service or repair. The modular machine includes as its basic components a base frame assembly, an operator'"'"'s control station, and a cab assembly. The base frame assembly comprises an open frame construction including opposed rectangular end members and opposed hollow rectangular side members. Ground-engaging wheels are mounted to the side members by using a unitized axle assembly including a hub and sprocket which extends into the interior of a side member. A fluid motor is mounted to the inner wall of each side member for driving the ground-engaging wheels connected to that side member. The operator'"'"'s control station includes a front wall portion and rearwardly extending side wall portions. A generally U-shaped frame extends downwardly from the front and side wall portions for engagement within a complementary cavity formed by stepped inner walls on the side members of the base frame assembly. The cab assembly consists of an operator'"'"'s seat attached to a box-like frame with the box-like frame being pivotally attached to the operator'"'"'s control station. The cab assembly may be conveniently removed from the operator'"'"'s control station or rotated to an out-of-the-way position thereby permitting complete access to the interior of the operator'"'"'s control station. The base frame assembly, operator'"'"'s control station and cab assembly may be conveniently disassembled to permit complete access to all parts of the machine for easy servicing, repair or replacement.

Claims

1. A modular machine having a plurality of components which are structurally interconnected for convenient assembly, disassembly, servicing or repair, said modular machine comprising a base frame assembly, an operator'"'"'s control station, and a cab assembly;

said base frame assembly including opposed end members and opposed side members forming an open frame construction with an engine mounted on one end thereof, said base frame side members including stepped inner walls for forming a cavity, vertical stanchions mounted to said base frame assembly and extending above said base frame assembly on opposite sides of said engine, lift arms pivotally mounted at one end to said stanchions and a material handling implement pivotally connected to the opposite end of said lift arms, at least one axle assembly mounted to each side member and a fluid motor mounted to each side member for driving said axle assembly;

said operator'"'"'s control station including a front wall portion and rearwardly extending side wall portions, a frame extending downwardly from said front and side wall portions for engagement within the cavity formed by said base frame side members, said operator'"'"'s control station being removably installed on said base frame assembly by abutting said control station side wall portions against said base frame side members and inserting said frame into said base frame cavity;

said cab assembly including an operator'"'"'s seat attached to a box-like frame with said box-like frame being pivotally attached to said operator'"'"'s control station for movement about a horizontal axis, said cab assembly being rotatable to a position permitting complete access into the interior of said operator'"'"'s control station; and

said base frame assembly, operator'"'"'s control station, and cab assembly being removable from each other to permit complete access to all parts of said machine for easy servicing, repair or replacement.

2. The modular machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said base frame side members being hollow and said axle assembly comprising an integral unit including a hub and sprocket, said hub being releasably mounted to a base frame side member with said sprocket extending into the interior of the side member, said fluid motor being drivingly connected to said sprocket.

3. The modular machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said base frame assembly including at least one fluid pump and a control valve connected between said fluid pump and fluid motor, said operator'"'"'s control station including control handles which are operatively connected to said control valve for permitting an operator to control forward, reverse and steering movements of the machine, said operator'"'"'s control station being removable from said base frame assembly thereby permitting complete access to said fluid motor, fluid pump, and control valve for servicing or repair.