Method of controlling the operation of a loader
First Claim
1. A method of controlling the operation of an implement having a mobile frame;
- an engine supported on said frame for providing operative power;
a working tool apparatus supported from said frame and operably movable relative thereto;
an operator compartment including a seat on which the operator sits to control operation of said implement and said working tool; and
an operator restraint mechanism movable between an operative position in which the operator is restrained from leaving said seat and an inoperative position in which the operator is permitted to leave his seat, comprising the steps of;
sensing the presence of the operator in said seat;
then sensing the movement of said operator restraint mechanism into said operative position;
enabling the starting of said engine only after the movement of said operator restraint mechanism into said operative position is sensed subsequent to the sensing of the presence of the operator in said seat; and
disabling the movement of said working tool apparatus unless said operator restraint mechanism is moved into said operative position subsequent to the sensing of the presence of the operator in said seat each time the operator leaves said seat.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of controlling the operation of a loader to encourage the use of an operator restraint mechanism is disclosed wherein a first signal is generated by a seat sensor to indicate the presence of the operator in the operator seat and a second signal is generated by a sensor in the operator restraint mechanism to indicate use of the mechanism. The hydraulic system will not be enabled unless the second signal is generated immediately subsequent to the generation of the first signal. Unless the first and second signals are generated in the proper sequence, the starting of the engine will also be disabled. The generation of first and second inverse signals, indicating the lack of the presence of the operator in the seat and the disengagement of the operator restraint mechanism, respectively, will disable the loader hydraulic system. A delay is provided to permit the operator to vacate the seat for a short period of time without having to resequence the generation of the first and second signals to enable the loader hydraulic system.
21 Citations
12 Claims
-
1. A method of controlling the operation of an implement having a mobile frame;
- an engine supported on said frame for providing operative power;
a working tool apparatus supported from said frame and operably movable relative thereto;
an operator compartment including a seat on which the operator sits to control operation of said implement and said working tool; and
an operator restraint mechanism movable between an operative position in which the operator is restrained from leaving said seat and an inoperative position in which the operator is permitted to leave his seat, comprising the steps of;sensing the presence of the operator in said seat; then sensing the movement of said operator restraint mechanism into said operative position;
enabling the starting of said engine only after the movement of said operator restraint mechanism into said operative position is sensed subsequent to the sensing of the presence of the operator in said seat; anddisabling the movement of said working tool apparatus unless said operator restraint mechanism is moved into said operative position subsequent to the sensing of the presence of the operator in said seat each time the operator leaves said seat. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
- an engine supported on said frame for providing operative power;
-
7. A method of controlling the operation of an implement having a mobile frame;
- an engine supported on said frame for providing operative power;
a working tool apparatus supported from said frame and operably movable relative thereto;
an operator compartment including a seat on which the operator sits to control operation of said implement and said working tool apparatus; and
an operator restraint mechanism movable between an operative position in which the operator is restrained from leaving said seat and an inoperative position in which the operator is permitted to leave his seat, comprising the steps of;generating a first signal when said operator sits in said seat; generating an inverse first signal when said operator leaves said seat; generating a second signal when said operator restraint mechanism is placed into said operative position; generating an inverse second signal when said operator restraint mechanism is placed into said inoperative position; and disabling said working tool apparatus unless said second signal is generated subsequent to the generation of said first signal without an intermediate generation of said inverse first signal. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
- an engine supported on said frame for providing operative power;
Specification