GB2441522A

GB2441522A - Weather protection enclosure for an excavator

Info

Publication number: GB2441522A
Application number: GB0617499A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Duncan Andrew Smith
Original assignee: JCB Compact Products Ltd
Current assignee: JCB Compact Products Ltd
Priority date: 2006-09-06
Filing date: 2006-09-06
Publication date: 2008-03-12
Also published as: GB0617499D0

Abstract

A working machine such as an excavator may be provided with an enclosure 31 for providing weather protection for an operator of the machine, the enclosure including an enclosure supporting structure 35, itself including a rail 32 which extends at least partly about the operator's position, and from which a curtain 34 is suspended. The curtain 34 may be flexible and transparent plastic material and may be movable along rail 32 between a stowed position and an operative position providing protection behind and to both sides of an operator. The machine may include a framework 25 which extends above the operator's position and supports the enclosure supporting structure. The enclosure may include a roof 35. A screen may be provided in front of the operator. Enclosure supporting structure 35 may be demountable, collapsible or foldable. Warm air from an engine cooling vent may be allowed to escape or remain trapped by a flap (44 fig 3).

Description

Title: Working Machine

Description of Invention

This invention relates to a working machine such as an earthmover, or a loading and/or excavating machine which includes a working arm by means of which an operator in an operating position, can perform working operations such as for examples only, lifting, loading, excavating and shovelling.

In larger such machines, the operator's position tends to be provided in an operator's cab, which affords the operator with protection against the weather.

Smaller working machines, such as for example those which are so small that they may be transported through small doorways, tend not to have cabs, as there is insufficient space to accommodate a cab structure, and so some dismountable structure, such as a canopy, needs to be provided to provide some weather protection for an operator in the operator's position. However, a mere canopy for example, affords little protection against driving rain for

example.

According to a first aspect of the invention we provide a working machine including a ground engaging structure, and a body structure carrying a working arm which may be manipulated from an operator's position to perform working operations, and wherein the body structure includes a framework which extends above the operator's position, and supports at or adjacent an upper part of the framework, an enclosure supporting structure of an enclosure, the enclosure supporting structure including a rail which extends at least partly about the operator's position, and from which in use a curtain of the enclosure is suspended to provide an operator with some weather protection.

Thus the present invention provides an operator operating the working machine in the operating position, with weather protection e.g. at the sides and behind of the operator's position. Desirably the curtain is substantially flexible and see-through at least where the operator needs visibility, and, for example, is made of a suitable generally transparent plastic material.

The rail of the enclosure supporting structure may permit the curtain to be suspended therefrom by a plurality of suspension fastenings which are moveable along the rail. By virtue of this construction, the curtain may be drawn by an operator when not required, to a stowed condition, e.g. behind the operator, or pulled to an operative condition e.g. to one or each side of the operator to afford some weather protection.

Preferably, with the operator facing in a forwards, i.e. working, direction, the rail extends both behind the operator's position and to both sides of the operator's position, and the curtain when in a fully pulled operative condition, wraps behind and to both sides of the operator so that the operator is afforded weather protection on three sides.

If desired, a screen may be provided to the front of the operator, for example, secured to the framework.

Desirably, the enclosure supporting structure may include a roof closure for providing a roof covering over the operator's position, which roof closure is engaged with the framework. The roof closure may carry the rail, and may extend forwardly of the framework, to provide a forward overhang to provide weather protection to the front of the operator.

Preferably the enclosure supporting structure, e.g. the roof closure, is readily demountable from the framework to permit the closure to be removed from the body structure when not required. For example, the roof closure may be fastened to the framework by readily engageable and releasable fasteners or clips, as desired.

The framework which supports the enclosure supporting structure may be a framework provided for affording protection to the operator in the event of an accident, for example protection in the event of the machine rolling. Such a framework may include, preferably only two uprights, and a roof frame which extends at least around the sides and behind the operator's position, and with which the roof closure may be engageable.

Fastening devices may be provided to fasten side edges of the curtain to respective uprights and/or to the body structure, and/or fastening devices may be provided to fasten a lower edge of the curtain to the body structure.

Examples of suitable fastening devices are Velcro (registered trade mark), or turnbuckles, or popper type fastenings, or even magnetic devices.

Preferably, the framework is demountable or is at least partially collapsible, to permit the overall height of the machine to be reduced to permit the machine to be transported though a doorway for example. In one embodiment, the framework may be foldable relative to the body structure to a reduced height condition.

The invention is particularly applicable to a working machine of the kind in which the body structure carries generally to the rear and beneath the cab, an engine to provide power to operate the working arm to perform working operations. The machine may include in the body structure, a cooling vent through which air which has been used to cool the engine, passes to the exterior of the machine. The curtain preferably extends over the vent and includes a flap located over the vent.

A retaining device may be provided to permit the flap to be retained clear of the vent, to permit the warm air to escape, or to permit the flap to be closed over the vent to trap the warm air.

It has been found that such trapped warm air will warm the operator's position to improve the environment of the operator in cold conditions. Of course in warmer conditions, when an operator least desires warmth in the operator's position and most efficient cooing of the engine is desirable, the flap would be retained clear of the vent.

The invention may be applied to any kind of working machine, but has been developed particularly for a small excavating machine in which the ground engaging structure includes wheels or tracks by means of which the machine may move over the ground, and in which the body structure may be rotatable about a generally upright axis relative to the ground engaging structure.

Accordingly to a second aspect of the invention we provide an enclosure for providing weather protection for an operator in an operating position of a working machine, the enclosure including an enclosure supporting structure and a curtain, the enclosure supporting structure including a roof closure for providing a roof covering over the operator's position, the roof closure in use being engaged with a framework of the working machine which extends above the operator's position, the enclosure supporting structure including a rail which in use, extends at least partly about the operator's position, the curtain, in use, being suspended from the rail to provide an operator with some weather protection.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-FIGURE 1 is a perspective illustrative view of a working machine with an enclosure, in accordance with the present invention; FIGURE 2 is an illustrative line drawing illustrating details of the working machine and enclosure of figure which are not visible in figure 1; FIGURE 3 is a view similar to figure 2 but of a rear of the machine and enclosure.

Referring to the drawings there is shown a working machine 10 which in this example is a small excavating machine, including a ground engaging structure 11 which in this example includes a pair of tracks 12, 13 by means of which the machine 10 can move over the ground, and a body structure 15 which in this example, is rotatable about a generally upright axis relative to the ground engaging structure 11.

The body structure 15 carries a working arm 16, which is shown as a line only, the arm 16 including a boom section 17, and a dipper section 18, and carrying at its outermost end, a working implement which in this example is a bucket 19. The arm 16 and bucket 19 may be manipulated by hydraulic actuators in this example, to perform working operations, from an operator's position shown at 20, where an operator sits on an operator's seat 21 and operates the various controls 22. The boom section 17 is mounted to the body structure 15 by a mounting M provided at a front of the body structure 15, the mounting M permitting swinging of the arm 16 relative to the body about an upright axis B. In a space 23 below the operator's position 20, there is accommodated an engine (not seen) which provides power to drive the machine 10 and to operate the working arm 16 etc. An operator is protected against injury if accidentally the machine 10 rolls, by a framework 25 which includes a pair of uprights 26, 27, and a roof frame 28 afforded by a "U"-shaped member 24 which is connected to, but may be integral with the uprights 26, 27. The uprights 26, 27 are affixed to the body structure 15 at a front of the framework 25, by respective brackets 26a, 27a, and a cross member 30 extends between the uprights 26, 27 generally to the front of the operator, and a cross member 29 extends between the limbs of the U-shaped roof frame member 24.

To afford an operator with some weather protection, an enclosure 31 is provided. The uprights 26, 27 extend above the operator's position 20, and the framework 25 supports at or adjacent an upper part of the framework 25 i.e at the roof frame 28 and cross member 29, an enclosure supporting structure which includes a rail 32 which extends at least partly about the operator's position 20, and from which in use a curtain 34 is suspended to provide an operator with some weather protection. In this example, the rail 32 is suspended from a roof closure 35 of the enclosure supporting structure by three aftachments 36, and the roof closure 35 is engaged with the roof frame 28 by readily releasable and engageable fastening devices or clips, or as indicated in the figures, by brackets and fasteners 33. The roof closure 35 is shown see-though in figure 2, and is omitted altogether in figure 3 for clarity.

This roof closure 35 conveniently is made in a lightweight plastic material and may indeed be see-through, but may be made in other materials and may be opaque or translucent as desired.

The rail 32 extends around the sides of the operator and around behind the operator, and the curtain 34 is suspended from the rail by suspension fastenings some of which are indicated 40, which are moveable along the rail 32 to enable the curtain 34 to be drawn back from the fully operative condition shown, to a stowed condition when not required. To enable this to be achieved, the curtain 34 is preferably made in a flexible plastic material which readily folds, which preferably is substantially see-through, at least to the sides of the operator where the operator needs visibility to perform working operations.

Side edges of the curtain 34, indicated at 34a and 34b, may be fastened to the uprights 26, 27 e.g. by being wrapped around and secured by fastening devices such as Velcro (registered trade mark), turnbuckles, popper type fasteners, magnetic devices, or otherwise, to permit the side edges 34a, 34b readily to be released to allow the curtain 34 to be drawn back as required.

The side edges 34a, 34b and/or a lower edge 34c of the curtain 34, may be fastened relative to the body structure 15 by other similar fastening devices, as desired.

To permit the height of the machine 10 to be reduced, for example to permit the machine 10 to be transported through a narrow and height restricted doorway, the framework 25 may be dismountable, by being folded or at least partially dismantled. In the example, the roof frame 28 may be separated from the uprights 26, 27 by operating releases 36, 37. The curtain 34 may need to be drawn back or removed altogether, possibly along with the roof closure 35, to achieve dismounting of the framework 25. Otherwise the framework 25 may be folded with the curtain 34, and/or enclosure 31 as a whole removed or in place.

Referring particularly to figure 3, it can be seen that the body structure 15 includes at a rear thereof, a vent 43 from which air, warmed by cooling the engine in the engine space 23, may pass from the machine 10. The curtain 34 covers the vent 43 but includes a flap 44 which may be retained clear of the vent 43 by any suitable retaining device, to permit warm air to vent. However the flap 44 may be closed fully and/or partially over the vent 43 to prevent the escape of warm air which then will need to find an alternative escape route.

This warm air will tend to warm the operator's position 20 to improve the operator's comfort in cold weather.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

For example, the curtain 34 need not be entirely see-through, but in areas where an operator does not need to see though the curtain, e.g. low or high areas, or the area behind the operator's position 20, the curtain 34 may be opaque, and indeed need not be entirely flexible overall provided that the curtain may be drawn back and pulled to an operative position as desired, by the operator.

Although in the example described, the curtain 34 is suspended by a rail 32 carried by a roof closure 35 of the enclosure supporting structure, this may otherwise be mounted e.g. secured directly to the roof frame 28.

In the example, there is no weather protection for the front of the operator. If desired, the curtain 34 could extend in front of the operator, or a separate screen may be secured to the framework 25 as desired. However in the example, it can be seen that the roof closure 35 has a considerable forwards overhang from the roof frame 28, and this will afford at least some weather protection for the front of the operator in any event.

In place of the suspension fastenings 40 which in the example are rings or loops, by means of which the curtain 34 is suspended from the rail 32, other suitable suspension fastenings may be provided. For example, the rail 32, which in this case is of simple round or near round cross section, may in another example be a more complex configuration e.g. a re-entrant channel, with the curtain 34 suspended from elaborate suspension devices which locate in the re-entrant channel.

Although the invention has been described in relation to a working machine which is a small excavating machine with tracks 12, 13, the invention may be applied to multifarious other working machines where there is a requirement to provide some weather protection for an operator but there is insufficient space to provide a cab proper.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. A working machine including a ground engaging structure, and a body structure carrying a working arm which may be manipulated from a operator's position to perform working operations, and wherein the body structure includes a framework which extends above the operator's position, and supports at or adjacent an upper part of the framework, an enclosure supporting structure of an enclosure, the enclosure supporting structure including a rail which extends at least partly about the operator's position, and from which in use a curtain of the enclosure is suspended to provide an operator with some weather protection.

2. A machine according to claim 1 wherein the curtain is substantially flexible and see-through at least where the operator needs visibility.

3. A machine according to claim 2 wherein the curtain is made of a generally transparent plastic material.

4. A machine according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the rail of the enclosure supporting structure permits the curtain to be suspended therefrom by a plurality of suspension fastenings which are moveable along the rail.

5. A machine according to claim 4 wherein the curtain may be drawn to a stowed condition and pulled to an operative condition in which it affords weather protection.

6. A machine according to any one of the preceding claims wherein with the operator facing in a forwards, working, direction, the rail extends both behind the operator's position and to both sides of the operator's position.

7. A machine according to claim 6 where dependant upon claim 4 wherein the curtain when in a fully pulled operative condition, wraps behind and to both sides of the operator's position so that the operator is afforded weather protection on three sides.

8. A machine according to claim 7 wherein a screen is provided to the front of the operator, secured to the framework.

9. A machine according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the enclosure supporting structure includes a roof closure for providing a roof covering over the operator's position, which roof closure is engaged with the framework.

10. A machine according to claim 9 wherein the roof closure carries the rail.

11. A machine according to claim 9 or claim 10 wherein the roof closure extends forwardly of the framework, to provide a forward overhang to provide weather protection to the front of the operator.

12. A machine according to claim 10 or claim 11 wherein the enclosure supporting structure is readily demountable from the framework to permit the enclosure to be removed from the body structure when not required.

13. A machine according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the framework which supports the enclosure supporting structure is a framework provided for affording protection to the operator in the event of an accident.

14. A machine according to claim 13 wherein the framework includes two uprights, and a roof frame which extends at least around the sides and behind the operator's position.

15. A machine according to claim 14 where dependent upon claim 9 wherein the roof closure is engageable with the roof frame.

16. A machine according to any one of the preceding claims wherein fastening devices are provided to fasten side edges of the curtain to respective uprights and/or to the body structure, and/or to fasten a lower edge of the curtain to the body structure.

17. A machine according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the framework is demountable or at least is partially collapsible, to permit the overall height of the machine to be reduced.

18. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 16 wherein the framework is foldable relative to the body structure to a reduced height condition.

19. A machine according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the working machine is of the kind in which the body structure carries generally to the rear and beneath the cab, an engine to provide power to operate the working arm to perform working operations, the machine including in the body structure, a cooling vent through which air which has been used to cool the engine, passes to the exterior of the machine, the curtain extending over the vent and including a flap located over the vent.

20. A machine according to claim 19 wherein a retaining device is provided to permit the flap to be retained clear of the vent, to permit the warm air to escape, or to permit the flap to close over the vent to trap the warm air.

21. A machine according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the machine is an excavating machine in which the ground engaging structure includes wheels or tracks by means of which the machine may move over the ground, and in which the body structure is rotatable about a generally upright axis relative to the ground engaging structure.

22. A working machine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.

23. An enclosure for providing weather protection for an operator in an operating position of a working machine, the enclosure including an enclosure supporting structure and a curtain, the enclosure supporting structure including a roof closure for providing a roof covering over the operator's position, the roof closure in use being engaged with a framework of the working machine which extends above the operator's position, the enclosure supporting structure including a rail which in use, extends at least partly about the operator's position, the curtain, in use, being suspended from the rail to provide an operator with some weather protection.

24. An enclosure according to claim 23 having any of the features of the enclosure specified in any one of claims I to 22.

25. An enclosure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.

26. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.