Ripper operating device

• US 8,434,562 B2
• Filed: 12/03/2008
• Issued: 05/07/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
• Inventors: Miyasaka, Shuuji, Yamamoto, Shigeru, Suzuki, Kazuyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): MCGOWAN, JAMIE LOUISE
• Application Number:
  US12/680,636
• Publication Number:
  US 20100212450A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,616 Days
• Field of Search: 172/2, 172/3, 172/4.5, 172/75, 172/431, 172/781, 744/91, 744/93, 745/23, 745/43, 180/333, 180/334, 180/335, 180/336, 180/405
• US Class Current: 172/431
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 5/32 Rippers E02F5/106 takes precedence, ripper or scarifying teeth mounted on blades E02F3/8152; ripper tips E02F9/2875
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/16 Cabins, platforms, or the like, for drivers for motor vehicles in general B62D33/06, for cranes B66C13/54
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2004 Control mechanisms, e.g. control levers control levers per se G05G
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04774 with additional switches or sensors on the handle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20396 Hand operated

Abstract

A ripper operating device is configured to perform operations of a ripper of a work vehicle. The ripper operating device includes a support portion, an operating lever, and an operating switch part. The operating lever is supported by the support portion to be movable with respect to the support portion in a first direction to perform a first operation and non-movable in a second direction. The first direction intersects a front-and-rear direction at an intersection point corresponding to a neutral position of the operating lever to form an acute angle with the front-and-rear direction on a rearward-outward side of the intersection point. The second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction and substantially matches with a direction in which a forearm of an operator extends when operating the ripper. The operating switch part is arranged on the operating lever to perform a second operation other than the first operation.

Claims

1. A ripper operating device configured to perform a plurality of operations of a ripper installed on a rear side of a work vehicle, the ripper operating device comprising:

an operator seat movably coupled to the work vehicle;

a support portion coupled to the work vehicle so as not to move along with the operator seat;

an operating lever supported by the support portion so as to be movable with respect to the support portion in a first direction to perform a first operation among the plurality of operations and not movable with respect to the support portion in a second direction, the first direction intersecting a front-and-rear direction of the work vehicle at an intersection point corresponding to a neutral position of the operating lever to form an acute angle with the front-and-rear direction of the work vehicle on a rearward-outward side of the intersection point, the second direction being substantially perpendicular to the first direction and substantially matching with a direction in which a forearm of an operator of the work vehicle who grasps the operating lever extends when operating the ripper via the operating lever; and

an operating switch part that is arranged on the operating lever to perform a second operation other than the first operation among the plurality of operations.

2. The ripper operating device according to claim 1, wherein

the first operation is moving the ripper upward and downward, and

the second operation is moving the ripper forward and rearward.

3. The ripper operating device according to claim 1, wherein

the support portion includes a restricting portion configured to selectively restrict the operating lever from moving in the first direction.

4. The ripper operating device according to claim 1, wherein

the operating switch part includes a plurality of operating switches aligned along a vertical direction of the work vehicle.