Modular roll protection structure (ROPS) for compact tractors

• US 7,438,319 B2
• Filed: 02/08/2007
• Issued: 10/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bruce Russell Lee Cooper, Frank Allen
• Original Assignee: Bruce Russell Lee Cooper, Frank Allen
• Inventors: Allen, Frank, Cooper, Bruce Russell Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): To; Toan C
• Application Number:
  US11/672,595
• Publication Number:
  US 20070182147A1
• Time in Patent Office: 621 Days
• Field of Search: 280/756, 296/102
• 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

Abstract

A roll over protection device for compact tractors has a tubular steel hoop 14 carried by a channel section coupling 20 and the coupling is bolted to a bracket 12 with holes 34 and slots 36 which enable it to be bolted to the transmission housing of the tractor. The hoop 14 and coupling 20 are the same whatever the make of tractor, but the bracket is intended to fit different models.

Claims

1. A ROPS assembly for a tractor comprising a driver protecting part, a coupling for the part, and a separable mounting bracket capable of rigid connection to the coupling, the bracket defining multiple fastener apertures for registering with pre-existing attachment sites of a specific model of tractor and having a lower portion for attachment to sites on a transmission housing and an upper portion for connection to the coupling of the driver protecting part.

2. A ROPS assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupling is a substantially U-section channel which defines at least one pair of fastener apertures.

3. A ROPS assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupling is a box section tube which defines at least one pair of fastener apertures.

4. A ROPS assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper portion is a channel component which defines fastener apertures which register with the fastener apertures of the coupling.

5. A ROPS assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lower portion defines fastener apertures specifically located to register with sites in the transmission housing.

6. A ROPS assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper and lower portions lie in mutually parallel planes and are mutually connected by a bridge member so as to give the bracket a modified Z-shape.

7. A ROPS assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the upper bracket portion has a pair of sides joined by a web, the bridge is a square tube with a top wall and a bottom wall and the web of the upper bracket projects into the tube connecting with the top wall and bottom wall of the tube.

8. A ROPS assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupling is of channel section and the upper portion of the bracket is of channel section, one lying within the other in overlap.

9. A ROPS assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lower portion is a plate stiffened with an obverse face opposite the tractor and a reverse face, the reverse face being stiffened by mutually spaced upstanding flanges fixed to the obverse face.

10. A ROPS assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the driver protecting part is a hoop with a circumferentially located coupling.

11. A ROPS assembly according to claim 10, wherein the hoop includes a pair of hinges which connect an upper region of the hoop to a lower region of the hoop so that the upper region may be folded with respect to the lower region.

12. Mounting bracket for a ROPS which has a person protecting part and coupling, the bracket comprising a body with a part supporting end and an attachment end, the part supporting end being standardised to match the coupling, the attachment end being adapted by its dimensions and shape to abut a transmission housing of a tractor and defining multiple fastener apertures.