Multifunction operation tool and armrest operation device

• US 9,315,103 B2
• Filed: 03/20/2015
• Issued: 04/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kubota Corporation
• Original Assignee: Kubota Corporation
• Inventors: Yamauchi, Teruhito, Inaoka, Motonari
• Primary Examiner(s): Frisby, Keith
• Application Number:
  US14/664,004
• Publication Number:
  US 20160009174A1
• Time in Patent Office: 396 Days
• Field of Search: 180/333, D14/415
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 71/02 Setting or adjusting mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 20/02 of initiating means control mechanisms in general G05G
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 20/08 Dashboard means
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2026/029 Joystick type control devices for acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 26/00 Arrangements or mounting of propulsion unit control devices in vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 26/02 of initiating means or elements
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 26/04 of means connecting initiating means or elements to propulsion unit
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/221 Tractors
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/415 Wheel loaders
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2004 Control mechanisms, e.g. control levers control levers per se G05G
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2059/0282 Lever handles with lock mechanisms, e.g. for allowing selection of reverse gear or releasing lever from park position
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/0278 Constructional features of the selector lever, e.g. grip parts, mounting or manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/06 Details of their grip parts G05G1/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/58 Rests or guides for relevant parts of the operator's body
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/62 Arm rests
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04774 with additional switches or sensors on the handle
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 9/04785 the controlling member being the operating part of a switch arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 9/04788 comprising additional control elements

Abstract

A multifunction operation tool includes a swing body swingably supported in a front/back direction of a vehicle body and implementing acceleration control on a transmission by swinging in a forward direction and implementing deceleration control on the transmission by swinging in a rearward direction. A grip body arranged on a free end portion of the swing body. A grip part arranged on a first lateral area of the grip body in a transverse direction of the vehicle body and having a convex surface. A vertical lateral surface arranged on a second lateral area of the grip body and which is a lateral surface of the grip part. An operator-facing surface arranged on the second lateral area of the grip body and extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle body from a bottom edge of the vertical lateral surface. Operation switch groups are arranged on the vertical lateral surface and the operator-facing surface.

Claims

1. A multifunction operation tool controlling a work vehicle with speed changing capability, the multifunction operation tool comprising:

a swing body swingably supported at least in a front/back direction of a vehicle body for implementing acceleration control and deceleration control;

a grip body arranged on a free end portion of the swing body;

a grip part arranged on the grip body and being defined by a convex surface arranged on a first lateral area of the grip body and a vertical lateral surface;

a second lateral area arranged on the grip body and being located on an opposite lateral side of the vertical lateral surface of the grip part;

an operator-facing surface arranged on the second lateral area of the grip body and extending to the vertical lateral surface; and

operation switches,

wherein at least one operation switch is arranged on the vertical lateral surface and two or more operation switches are arranged on the operator-facing surface.

2. The multifunction operation tool according to claim 1, wherein the work vehicle comprises a work apparatus and a transmission.

3. The multifunction operation tool according to claim 1, wherein forward swinging movement of the swing body is utilized in acceleration control and rearward swinging movement of the swing body is utilized in deceleration control.

4. The multifunction operation tool according to claim 1, wherein the operation switches comprises groups of operation switches.

5. The multifunction operation tool according to claim 1, wherein the grip part comprises an outwardly protracting hypothenar rest arranged on a bottom portion of the grip part.

6. The multifunction operation tool of claim 5, wherein the operation switches comprise at least one of:

a travel operation switch group coupled to or providing control to a transmission;

a work operation switch group coupled to or providing control of a work apparatus; and

at least one travel operation switch and at least one work operation switch arranged on the operator-facing surface.

7. The multifunction operation tool according to claim 6, wherein at least one of:

the at least one operation switch is arranged on the vertical lateral surface is a specific function switch; and

/or

a specific function switch is arranged on another lateral surface of the grip body,

wherein the specific function switch is configured to enable a specific function when operated simultaneously with another operation switch.

8. An armrest operation device comprising:

the multifunction operation tool according to claim 5; and

an armrest support base having a front area, a middle area, and a rear area oriented in a front/back direction of the vehicle body,

wherein the multifunction operation tool is arranged in the front area and the middle area includes an engine control switch group and a work vehicle hydraulic control switch group.

9. The multifunction operation tool of claim 1, wherein the operation switches comprise at least one of:

a travel operation switch group coupled to or providing control to a transmission;

a work operation switch group coupled to or providing control of a work apparatus; and

at least one travel operation switch and at least one work operation switch arranged on the operator-facing surface.

10. The multifunction operation tool according to claim 9, wherein at least one of:

the at least one operation switch is arranged on the vertical lateral surface is a specific function switch; and

/or

a specific function switch is arranged on another lateral surface of the grip body,

wherein the specific function switch is configured to enable a specific function when operated simultaneously with another operation switch.

11. The multifunction operation tool according to claim 1, wherein at least one of:

the at least one operation switch is arranged on the vertical lateral surface is a specific function switch; and

/or

a specific function switch is arranged on another lateral surface of the grip body,

wherein the specific function switch is configured to enable a specific function when operated simultaneously with another operation switch.

12. An armrest operation device comprising:

the multifunction operation tool according to claim 11; and

an armrest support base having a front area, a middle area, and a rear area oriented in a front/back direction of the vehicle body,

wherein the multifunction operation tool is arranged in the front area and the middle area includes an engine control switch group and a work vehicle hydraulic control switch group.

13. The multifunction operation tool according to claim 1, wherein the operation switches comprise a travel operation switch group that includes:

a shuttle switch which switches between forward travel and reverse travel, said shuttle switch being arranged on the operator-facing surface adjacent to the vertical lateral surface; and

a shuttle permission switch which enables/disables a function of the shuttle switch and is arranged on an opposite lateral surface of the grip body with respect to the vertical lateral surface.

14. The multifunction operation tool according to claim 13, wherein the shuttle permission switch is a specific function switch.

15. An armrest operation device comprising:

the multifunction operation tool according to claim 1; and

an armrest support base having a front area, a middle area, and a rear area oriented in a front/back direction of the vehicle body,

wherein the multifunction operation tool is arranged in the front area and the middle area includes an engine control switch group and a work vehicle hydraulic control switch group.

16. A multifunction operation tool controlling a work vehicle with speed changing capability, the multifunction operation tool comprising:

a swing body portion swingably supported at least in a front/back direction of a vehicle body for implementing acceleration control and deceleration control;

a grip body arranged on an upper end of the swing body portion;

said grip body comprising;

a convex grip surface;

a vertical lateral surface; and

an operator-facing surface extending to the vertical lateral surface; and

operation switches,

wherein at least one operation switch is arranged on the vertical lateral surface and two or more operation switches are arranged on the operator-facing surface.

17. A multifunction operation tool controlling a work vehicle with speed changing capability, the multifunction operation tool comprising:

a swing body portion swingably supported at least in a front/back direction of a vehicle body for implementing acceleration control and deceleration control;

a grip body arranged on an upper end of the swing body portion;

said grip body comprising;

an upward facing convex grip surface;

a vertical lateral surface; and

an operator-facing surface extending to the vertical lateral surface and being angled with respect to an imaginary horizontal surface; and

operation switches,

wherein at least one operation switch is arranged on the vertical lateral surface and two or more operation switches are arranged on the operator-facing surface.