Loader implement

• US 7,222,882 B2
• Filed: 09/14/2004
• Issued: 05/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Deere & Company
• Original Assignee: Deere & Company
• Inventors: Boucher, Jean-Francois
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson; Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): To; Toan C.
• Application Number:
  US10/940,835
• Publication Number:
  US 20050073140A1
• Time in Patent Office: 987 Days
• Field of Search: 180/89.13, 180/89.14, 280/756, 414/686, 373/47, 373/04, 374/11, 371/96
• US Class Current: 280/756
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/131 Protective devices for drivers in case of overturning of tractors means for preventing overturning or tipping of tractors B62D49/08
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/627 Devices to connect beams or arms to tractors or similar self-propelled machines, e.g. drives therefor connection of beams or booms or arms to the frame per se E02F3/382; connection of scraper bowls to the vehicle main body E02F3/653; connecting devices for agriculture tractors A01B59/06
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/163 Structures to protect drivers, e.g. cabins, doors for cabins; Falling object protection structure [FOPS]; Roll over protection structure [ROPS] for handrails mounted on cabins E02F9/0833 takes precedence; for vehicles in general B60R21/11, B60R21/13, for fork-lift trucks B66F9/07545
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/24 Safety devices , e.g. for preventing overload E02F9/226 takes precedence

Abstract

A loader implement includes a support mast that is provided with a mounting area for a front loader arrangement. The loader implement includes a roll-over protective assembly that is coupled to one of the other or both of the loader implement, or support mast. The protective assembly can be selectively pivoted between a raised protective position wherein it extends over an operator'"'"'s platform and a lowered non-protective position, wherein it extends forward of the operator'"'"'s platform. So as to prevent the loader arrangement from being used without the benefit of the protective assembly in its protective position, the mounting area for the loader arrangement is blocked by the protective assembly when the latter is in its non-protective position and is not cleared to permit the mounting of the loader arrangement until the protective assembly is moved to its protective position.

Claims

1. In a loader implement including a frame supported on wheels and having support masts coupled thereto at opposite sides of the implement, said support masts being provided with a mounting region configured for receiving complimentary components of a loader arrangement, a roll-over protective assembly being carried by the loader implement and mounted for movement between non-protective and protective positions relative to an operator'"'"'s platform of said loader implement, the improvement comprising:

said roll-over protective assembly being so constructed and located relative to said support mast that, when said roll-over protective structure is in its non-protective position, it blocks access to said mounting region so as to prevent a loader arrangement from being mounted to the support mast.

2. The loader implement, as defined in claim 1, wherein a locking arrangement is provided with which said protective arrangement can be selectively locked either in said protective position or in said non-protective position.

3. The loader implement, as defined in claim 2, wherein said mounting region of said mast is provided with at least one attachment point for said loader arrangement;

and said locking arrangement occupying said at least one attachment point when locking said protective arrangement in said non-protective position.

4. The loader implement, as defined in claim 2, wherein said protective arrangement, when considered in its protective position, includes legs located at opposite sides of the operator'"'"'s platform, with each leg including an upper leg section that extends generally horizontally above the operator'"'"'s platform.

5. The loader implement, as defined in claim 4, wherein said opposite legs of said protective arrangement each include a long section located at opposite sides of, and below a top surface of, said loader implement when said protective arrangement is placed in said non-protective position.

6. The loader implement, as defined in claim 1, and further including a roll-bar that is arranged to the rear of the operator'"'"'s platform and that extends generally vertically.

7. The loader implement, as defined in claim 6, wherein said roll-bar is constructed so that it can be folded to reduce its height.

8. The loader implement, as defined in claim 6, wherein said roll-bar includes telescopic upright members mounted for being releasably fixed in desired relationship to each other for obtaining a desired effective height of the roll-bar.

9. The loader implement, as defined in claim 4, wherein said protective arrangement includes a cross member joining rear ends of said upper leg sections;

and a roll-bar being mounted at a rear location of said operator'"'"'s platform and being releasably connected to said cross member of said protective arrangement.