GB1585880A

GB1585880A - Arrangement at an operator control station

Info

Publication number: GB1585880A
Application number: GB50583/77A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Stabilator AB
Current assignee: Stabilator AB
Priority date: 1976-12-08
Filing date: 1977-12-05
Publication date: 1981-03-11
Also published as: DK145569C; NO774183L; DE2754543A1; FI773664A; SE413871B; FI62493B; DK145569B; NO143322C; DK544277A; FI62493C; SE7613791L; NO143322B

Description

(54) AN ARRANGEMENT AT AN OPERATOR CONTROL STATION (71) We, STABILATOR AB, a Swedish Body Corporate, of Vendevägen 87 S--182 25 Danderyd, Sweden, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- The present invention relates to an arrangement at an operator control station, where there are at the control station operating means, e.g. operating levers, intended to be operated by an operator at the control station.

With many work machines, such as excavators and the like, the operator -can temporarily leave his control station while the machine is still running. In unfortunate circumstances the operator can, on his way to or from the control station, slip, trip up, or become unsteady in some other way and thereby unintentionally actuate one or more operating means, e.g. in the form of operating levers, at the control station.

The risk of slipping at the control station is increased by the working environment of the machine often being muddy or icy. From the point of view of working safety, such risks are unsatisfactory.

The object of the invention is to eliminate the stated drawbacks in known control stations, and to provide an arrangement which simply and effectively eliminates the risk of accidents.

According to the invention there is provided an arrangement at an operator control station, where there are at the control station a seat for the operator, and operating means, e.g. operating levers, intended to be operated by an operator at the control station, there being provided at the control station a barrier means which is movable between an operative position blocking the passage of the operator from the control station, and an inoperative position giving free passage to the operator to or from the control station,-the barrier means beirrg arranged to actuate at least one switch means, coupled to the operating means, for switching out the operating means in the inoperative position of the barrier means, and activating the operating means in the operative position of the barrier means, the barrier means, which carries at least one operating means, being located on one side of the seat and arranged in its operative position to have at least a forward portion situated in front of the forward portion of the seat to block the only possible passage out from the control station between the seat and a control panel provided with operating means and situated in front of the seat.

The operator will be compelled to move the barrier means away, thus disengaging the operating means before he can leave the control station. Unintentional operation of the operating means is thus prevented.

By baving the barrier means carry at least one operating means, it is easier to locate the operating means in an advantageous position, as seen from the operator's point of view. It is furthermore suitable that the barrier means is arranged to be in its operative position for only a minor portion of its path of movement between the two end portions.

In this way the operative position of the barrier means becomes well-defined.

The invention will now be explained in the following with the help of embodiments shown on the appended drawings, where Fig. 1 shows schematically from one side a -control station provided with an arrangement according to the invention, the barrier means of the device being in the operative position and blocking the way out from the control station.

Fig. 2 shows the same thing as in Fig. 1 but with the barrier means in the inoperative position, Fig. 3 shows a view from above of another control station with the barrier means in the operative position, Fig. 4 shows the same thing as in Fig. 3 but with the barrier means in the inoperative position, and Fig. 5 shows schematically and in different positions a barrier -means dncluded in an arrangement according to the invention.

According to Figs. 1 and 2,.a control station denoted-by-the numeral 1 for an operator 2 is provided with a number of operating means A, e.g. operating levers, which are intended to be manipulated by the operator. In the case shown here, the control station is provided with a seat D for the operator. In front of the seat D and on the left side thereof there is each a fixed control panel F, each of these control panels carrying operating means A in a suitable number for the purpose. The two control panels F can possibly be combined into an angular unit F, as is apparent from Figs. 3 and 4. On the right side of the seat D there is arranged a barrier means B which is swingable in a vertical plane. In the position shown in Fig. 1 the barrier means B prevents the operator 2 from leaving the control station, while in the position shown in Fig. 2 the barrier means B leaves the passage to and from the control station free. The barrier means B can be provided with a handle G or the like, to facilitate moving it.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the barrier means B is provided with a forward portion E having a U-shape for still more effectively blocking the way to and from the control station when the barrier means B is in the operative position.

The control station 1 shown here is especially intended for work machines such as excavators and the like, but a plurality of other fields of use are naturally conceivable, with the modifications which may be required for different purposes. For example, it is not always necessary to provide the control station with a seat D, as is the case here.

As is apparent from Fig. 5, the barrier means B is swingable in a vertical plane by means of a linkage system 3, comprising two links 4 and 5, preferably forming a parallel mechanism. In its forward position, shown in full lines and corresponding to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the barrier means B is in the operative position. In the position shown by dashed lines, corresponding to the position in Figs. 2 and 4, the barrier means is in the inoperative position. In association with the barrier means B, there is arranged at least one switch means C, actuated by the barrier means B and connected to the operating means A, the switch means disengaging the operating means in the inoperative position of the barrier means, and activating the operating means in the operative position of the barrier means. In the case shown here, the barrier means B actuates the switch means C via a cam curve H arranged on the link 5, the curve being suitably formed so that resetting the switch C takes place after a very short movement of the barrier means B from its operative position. In the cases where the operating means A are of a hydraulic type, the switch means C can suitably comprise a hydraulic valve which is inserted in the supply line for the operating means, for blocking said supply line in the inoperative position of the barrier means B.

Other suitable types of switch means C can naturally be used for other types of operating means A, e.g. switch means C of electrical type. The relative locations of barrier means B and switch means C can also be varied according to needs and desires. It is also possible to provide the barrier means B, as shown in Fig. 5, with a locking mechanism 6 having the task of preventing unintentional movement of the barrier means B.

The switch means C can be connected in such a way that in the inoperative position of the barrier means B it disengages a desired number of operating means A, e.g. those designed to regulate especially risky operation of the machine in question. It is also possible by means of one or more switch means C to close down the entire machine, for example, when the barrier means B is in the inoperative position.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:- 1. An arrangement at an operator control station, where there are at the control station a seat for the operator, and operating means, e.g. operating levers, intended to be operated by an operator at the control station, there being provided at the control station a barrier means which is movable between an operative position blocking the passage of the operator from the control station, and an inoperative position giving free passage to the operator to or from the control station, the barrier means being arranged to actuate at least one switch means, coupled to the operating means, for switching out the operating means in the inoperative position of the barrier means, and activating the operating means in the operative position of the barrier means, the barrier means, which carries at least one operating means, being located on one side of the seat and arranged in its operative position to have at least a forward portion situated in front of the forward portion of the seat to block the only possible passage out from the control station between the seat and a control panel provided with operating means and situated in front of the seat.

2. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the barrier means is swingable between the operative and inoperative positions in a vertical plane.

3. An arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the barrier means is supported for the swinging movement by means of a parallel arm linkage system.

4. An arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the barrier means has a handle for moving said barrier means.

5. An arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the barrier means

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. operator 2 is provided with a number of operating means A, e.g. operating levers, which are intended to be manipulated by the operator. In the case shown here, the control station is provided with a seat D for the operator. In front of the seat D and on the left side thereof there is each a fixed control panel F, each of these control panels carrying operating means A in a suitable number for the purpose. The two control panels F can possibly be combined into an angular unit F, as is apparent from Figs. 3 and 4. On the right side of the seat D there is arranged a barrier means B which is swingable in a vertical plane. In the position shown in Fig. 1 the barrier means B prevents the operator 2 from leaving the control station, while in the position shown in Fig. 2 the barrier means B leaves the passage to and from the control station free. The barrier means B can be provided with a handle G or the like, to facilitate moving it. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the barrier means B is provided with a forward portion E having a U-shape for still more effectively blocking the way to and from the control station when the barrier means B is in the operative position. The control station 1 shown here is especially intended for work machines such as excavators and the like, but a plurality of other fields of use are naturally conceivable, with the modifications which may be required for different purposes. For example, it is not always necessary to provide the control station with a seat D, as is the case here. As is apparent from Fig. 5, the barrier means B is swingable in a vertical plane by means of a linkage system 3, comprising two links 4 and 5, preferably forming a parallel mechanism. In its forward position, shown in full lines and corresponding to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the barrier means B is in the operative position. In the position shown by dashed lines, corresponding to the position in Figs. 2 and 4, the barrier means is in the inoperative position. In association with the barrier means B, there is arranged at least one switch means C, actuated by the barrier means B and connected to the operating means A, the switch means disengaging the operating means in the inoperative position of the barrier means, and activating the operating means in the operative position of the barrier means. In the case shown here, the barrier means B actuates the switch means C via a cam curve H arranged on the link 5, the curve being suitably formed so that resetting the switch C takes place after a very short movement of the barrier means B from its operative position. In the cases where the operating means A are of a hydraulic type, the switch means C can suitably comprise a hydraulic valve which is inserted in the supply line for the operating means, for blocking said supply line in the inoperative position of the barrier means B. Other suitable types of switch means C can naturally be used for other types of operating means A, e.g. switch means C of electrical type. The relative locations of barrier means B and switch means C can also be varied according to needs and desires. It is also possible to provide the barrier means B, as shown in Fig. 5, with a locking mechanism 6 having the task of preventing unintentional movement of the barrier means B. The switch means C can be connected in such a way that in the inoperative position of the barrier means B it disengages a desired number of operating means A, e.g. those designed to regulate especially risky operation of the machine in question. It is also possible by means of one or more switch means C to close down the entire machine, for example, when the barrier means B is in the inoperative position. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:-

1. An arrangement at an operator control station, where there are at the control station a seat for the operator, and operating means, e.g. operating levers, intended to be operated by an operator at the control station, there being provided at the control station a barrier means which is movable between an operative position blocking the passage of the operator from the control station, and an inoperative position giving free passage to the operator to or from the control station, the barrier means being arranged to actuate at least one switch means, coupled to the operating means, for switching out the operating means in the inoperative position of the barrier means, and activating the operating means in the operative position of the barrier means, the barrier means, which carries at least one operating means, being located on one side of the seat and arranged in its operative position to have at least a forward portion situated in front of the forward portion of the seat to block the only possible passage out from the control station between the seat and a control panel provided with operating means and situated in front of the seat.

actuates the switch means by means of a cam curve.

6. An arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the switch means comprises a hydraulic valve which is inserted in the supply line for the operating means, which are of the hydraulic type.

7. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the barrier means is arranged to be in the operative position during only Q minor portion of its path of movement between two end positions.

8. An arrangement at an operator control station constructed and arranged to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.