ROPS mounting assembly

• US 8,029,019 B2
• Filed: 01/29/2009
• Issued: 10/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Deere & Company
• Original Assignee: Deere & Company
• Inventors: Fanton, Craig, Shah, Arpit, Rao, Mukund, Schmidt, Keith, Gruman, Bernard M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson; Paul N
• Assistant Examiner(s): Coker; Robert A
• Application Number:
  US12/361,932
• Publication Number:
  US 20100187799A1
• Time in Patent Office: 978 Days
• Field of Search: 280/756
• 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 mounting assembly is provided for a vehicle ROPS unit which includes two legs. Each mounting assembly includes a base plate fixed to an end of a corresponding leg, a support plate, a top plate and a resilient bushing unit which separates the base plate from the support and top plates. The base plate is sandwiched between the support plate and the top plate. The bushing unit includes first and second resilient bushing members and a rigid hollow central sleeve. The bushing unit is received by a bore in the base plate. The support plate includes hollow mounting towers which project into bores in the base plate. Cap screws attach the mounting assembly to a vehicle axle housing. The top plate and the support plate are fixed to each other and to a frame of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A pair of mounting assemblies for mounting a roll-over protection structure (ROPS) on a vehicle, the ROPS having a pair of legs, each mounting assembly comprising:

a base plate fixed to an end of a corresponding leg;

a support plate fixed with respect to a frame of the vehicle;

a top plate fixed with respect to a frame of the vehicle, the base plate being sandwiched between the support plate and the-top plate;

a resilient bushing unit resiliently coupling the base plate to the support plate and the top plate, the bushing unit comprises a first resilient bushing member separating the base plate from the support plate, and a second resilient bushing member separating the base plate from the top plate, the base plate including a bushing bore extending therethrough; and

an annular bushing recess surrounds one end of the bushing bore, the first bushing member comprises a larger diameter cylindrical base and a small diameter cylindrical shaft projecting therefrom, the shaft being received by the bushing bore, and the second bushing member comprises an annular member which is partially received by the bushing recess.

2. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the bushing unit further comprises a rigid hollow sleeve which is received by the first and second resilient bushing members.

3. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein:

one of the first and second bushing members comprises a larger diameter cylindrical base and a small diameter cylindrical shaft projecting therefrom, the shaft being received by a bore in the base plate.

4. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein:

one of the first and second bushing members comprises an annular member which is partially received by a recess in the base plate.

5. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the bushing unit further comprises a rigid hollow sleeve which is received by the first and second bushing members and by the bushing bore.

6. The mounting assembly of claim 5, wherein:

a plurality of threaded members for fastening the top plate and the support plate to the vehicle, one of the threaded members extending through the hollow sleeve, the first and second bushing members and the bushing bore.

7. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein:

a plurality of threaded members for fastening the top plate and the support plate to the vehicle, one of the threaded members extending through the bushing unit and the base plate.

8. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein:

a tab projects from the top plate, the tab normally being spaced apart from the base plate, the tab being engagable with the base plate under a roll-over condition.

9. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein the top plate comprises:

a lower part engaging the base plate;

an upper part engaging the bushing unit; and

a tab projecting from the top plate, the tab normally being spaced apart from the base plate, the tab being engagable with the base plate under a roll-over condition.

10. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the top plate and the support plate are rigidly attached to the vehicle.

11. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein:

a portion of the top plate is engagable with the base plate under a roll-over condition and is normally spaced apart from the base plate.

12. A pair of mounting assemblies for mounting a roll-over protection structure (ROPS) on a vehicle, the ROPS having a pair of legs, each mounting assembly comprising:

a base plate fixed to an end of a corresponding leg;

a support plate fixed with respect to a frame of the vehicle;

a top plate fixed with respect to a frame of the vehicle, the base plate being sandwiched between the support plate and the top plate;

a resilient bushing unit resiliently coupling the base plate to the support plate and the top plate;

a plurality of mounting bores extend through the base plate; and

the support plate includes a plurality of hollow mounting towers, each tower projecting into a corresponding one of the mounting bores.

13. The mounting assembly of claim 12, wherein:

a plurality of threaded members for fastening the top plate and the support plate to the vehicle, each threaded member extending through the top plate and a corresponding one of the towers.

14. A pair of mounting assemblies for mounting a roll-over protection structure (ROPS) on a vehicle, the ROPS having a pair of legs, each mounting assembly comprising:

a base plate fixed to an end of a corresponding leg;

a support plate fixed with respect to a frame of the vehicle;

a top plate fixed with respect to a frame of the vehicle, the base plate being sandwiched between the support plate and the top plate; and

a resilient bushing unit resiliently coupling the base plate to the support plate and the top plate, the support plate including a plurality of hollow mounting towers, each tower projecting into a corresponding one of the mounting bores, and the top plate engaging an end of the towers.