Apparatus for remote motion control
First Claim
1. Apparatus for controlling from a remote operator station a drive means of a ground-traveling machine, comprising:
- (a) handle means accessible from the remote operator station and moveable in a first and a second line of travel;
(b) clutch means moveable from a disengaged to an engaged condition upon movement of said handle means in said first line of travel away from a home position therefor; and
(c) means linking said clutch means to the drive means for operation of the drive means upon movement of said clutch means in said engaged condition by movement of said handle means in said second line of travel.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus for controlling from a remote operator station a drive means of a ground-traveling machine. A handle accessible to an operator seated at the remote operator station is moveable in a substantially T-shaped pattern. Movement of the operator handle in a line of travel defined by the stem section of the T-shaped pattern engages a clutch mechanism which connects the operator handle to a linkage arm for operating a main motion control apparatus of the drive system located at a main operator station of the machine. Upon release of the operator handle, springs bias the return of the operator handle to the home position and disengagement of the clutch mechanism. In the home position, the remote control apparatus does not interfere with operation of the main motion control apparatus from the main operator station. A safety interlock system prevents operation of the drive system of the machine at other than low speeds.
17 Citations
14 Claims
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1. Apparatus for controlling from a remote operator station a drive means of a ground-traveling machine, comprising:
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(a) handle means accessible from the remote operator station and moveable in a first and a second line of travel; (b) clutch means moveable from a disengaged to an engaged condition upon movement of said handle means in said first line of travel away from a home position therefor; and (c) means linking said clutch means to the drive means for operation of the drive means upon movement of said clutch means in said engaged condition by movement of said handle means in said second line of travel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. Apparatus for controlling from a remote operator station a drive means for a ground-traveling machine, comprising:
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(a) handle means accessible from the remote operator station and moveable in a T-shaped path including an arm section and a stem section intersecting centrally of said arm section; (b) clutch means moveable from a disengaged to an engaged position upon movement of said handle means along the stem section of said T-shaped path toward said arm section; and (c) means linking said clutch means to the drive means for operation of the drive means in response to movement of said handle means along the arm section of said T-shaped path. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. Apparatus for controlling from a remote operator station a drive means of a ground-traveling machine, comprising:
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(a) a handle accessible to an operator at the remote operator station and constrained for pivotal movement about a lower end portion thereof in a T-shaped path including an arm section and a stem section intersecting centrally of said arm section; (b) a clutch having an axially fixed first section and a second section that is axially moveable in response to movement of said handle along the stem section of said T-shaped path; (c) said second clutch section is disengaged from said first clutch section when said handle is in a home position therefor at a free end portion of said stem section and is engaged with said first clutch section upon movement of said handle away from said home position; (d) said second clutch section and said engaged first clutch section are pivotally moveable in response to movement of said handle along the arm section of said T-shaped path; and (e) means linking said first clutch section to the drive means for operation of the drive means in response to movement of said handle along said arm section of said T-shaped path. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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Specification