GB2469649A

GB2469649A - Utility vehicle cab

Info

Publication number: GB2469649A
Application number: GB0906827A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bruno Sap; Sebastien Buffet
Original assignee: AGCO SA
Current assignee: AGCO SA
Priority date: 2009-04-21
Filing date: 2009-04-21
Publication date: 2010-10-27
Also published as: GB0906827D0

Abstract

The cab 10 comprises two pillars 11,12 at respective front corners and at least two rear support pillars 13,14. Two longitudinal roof struts 17,18 each extend between a respective pillar 11,12 and a rear support pillar 13,14. A front transverse roof strut 30 extends between the two longitudinal roof struts 17,18 and is disposed rearwardly of the front pillars 11,12. A windscreen formed of a single sheet of transparent material uninterruptedly extends horizontally across the width of the cab between the two longitudinal roof struts 17,18 having a rear edge at the transverse roof strut 30, thereby providing upward vision. The windscreen extends vertically across the width of the cab between the two front pillars 11,12. The longitudinal roof struts 17,18 may be formed together with the front support pillars 11,12 from a single bended strut. An opaque roof 40 may extend rearward from the transverse strut 30.

Description

DESCIUPTION

UTILITY VEHICLE CAB

The invention relates to cabs for mounting to the chassis of a utility vehicle such as a tractor.

Utility vehicles, and particularly tractors, are often fitted with front loader apparatus which are pivotally mounted to the vehicle chassis and typically comprises a pair of lift arms which extend forwardly from the cab and support an attachment such as a bucket or loading fork at the end remote the cab. The front loader is disposed directly in front of the driver and so, during operation thereof, at low to moderate heights, the driver can maintain a good view.

However the driver's line of sight to the attachment is often obscured by the cab roof or frame making such operation of the front loader at high heights difficult or even dangerous.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a utility vehicle cab with improved visibility for the driver especially for vehicles which are, or can be, fitted with a front loader.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a utility vehicle cab comprising two substantially upright front corner support pillars, at least two rear support pillars, two longitudinal roof struts each extending between a respective front corner support pillar and a rear support pillar, one transverse roof strut extending and connected between the two longitudinal roof struts and disposed rearwardly of the front corner support pillars, and a windscreen formed of a single sheet of transparent material which uninterruptedly extends substantially horizontally across the width of the cab between the two longitudinal roof struts forwardly of the transverse roof strut and substantially vertically across the width of the cab between the two front corner support pillars so as to give a driver an uninterrupted view across the width of the cab immediately downwardly and rearwardly of a line between the respective tops of the front corner support pillars.

Advantageously, by providing a transverse roof strut spaced rearwardly from the leading edge of the cab, the strength of the frame remains sufficient to deliver the necessary driver protection requirements whilst entirely omitting any transverse strut which is traditionally disposed between the top front corners of the cab. In turn, this allows the vertical portion of the windscreen to wrap over the leading top edge of the cab across the full width and rearwardly to the transverse strut. The resulting uninterrupted view provided by the area of the windscreen improves the sighting for the driver when operating a front loader at high

heights for example.

By employing a single sheet of transparent matrrial which wraps over the leading top edge of the cab the roof portion of the windscreen requires no additional transparent sheets thereby saving on manufacturing costs.

Preferably, each longitudinal roof strut is formed together with the respective front corner support pillar from a single bended strut. Advantageously, this reduces the number of components required thereby reducing complexity in assembly and, thus, time and expense.

In a preferred arrangement the cab further comprises an opaque roof which has a front edge which aligns with the transverse roof strut. Therefore, the transverse roof strut provides support for the cab roof along the leading edge.

A specific embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the appended drawings in which: -Figure 1 is perspective view of a tractor cab in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 is a raised front perspective view of the tractor cab of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a side view of the tractor cab of Figure 1, and Figure 4 is a rear three-quarter perspective view from above of the tractor cab of Figure 1 showing only the frame thereof.

Refen'ing to the drawings, a tractor cab 10 is fitted to a chassis (not shown) of a tractor. The cab 10 is disposed behind a covered engine compartment (not shown) and conforms with the profile of two rear wheels (also not shown).

The cab 10 comprises a pair of front corner support pillars 11,12, hereinafter referred to as "A-pillars". The rear of the cab is defined by a pair of rear support pillars 13,14, hereinafter referred to as "C-pillars". Disposed forwardly of the rear support pillars 13,14 are a pair of intermediate support pillars 15,16 hereinafter as referred to as "B" pillars.

Each A-pillar 11,12 is formed of tubular metal of a substantially uniform cross section which is bent at the top edge of the cab so as to form a respective longitudinal roof strut 17,18 from the same piece of material. The bending of the tubular metal is done using known technology in a way which avoids any significant reduction of the strength across the section of the material.

Advantageously, the provision of a longitudinal roof strut and an A-pillar from the same piece of material reduces manufacturing costs and complexity of assembly.

Each longitudinal roof strut extends rearwardly from the front edge of the cab and connects to the tops of the B-and C-pillars 13,14,15,16 on each respective side, by welding for example.

Each C-pillar 13,14 comprises a bent section which defines the transition between an upper portion and a lower portion 13a, 14a wherein the bent section and lower portion 13a, 14a conform with the profile of respective wheel fenders 19,20 which each surround a respective rear wheel (not shown). Along the top edge of each wheel fender 19,20 a lower cab rail 21,22 extends from the C-pillar forwardly to the floor section of the cab 25.

The periphery of a rear cab window is defined by the upper portions of C-pillars 13,14 and an upper rail 26 and lower rail 27 which are each welded between the C-pillars 13,14.

A transverse roof strut extends across the width of the cab between the longitudinal roof struts 17,18. The transverse roof strut 30 is positioned rearwardly of the A-pillars 11,12 at a distance which is approximately one third of the cab length. A front transverse rail 32 extends across the width of the tractor between the A-pillars at a height which is determined by the height of the engine compartment.

The pillars 11-16, roof struts 17,18,30, lower cab rails 2 1,22 and rear window rails 26,27 together form the RollOver Protection Structure (ROPS) which serves to protect the driver from injury in the event of the tractor rolling over.

The windscreen is formed of a single sheet of toughened glass which is sealed within a frame.

The frame has a periphery which is defined at its width by the A-pillars 11,12 and longitudinal roof struts 17,18, at its bottom edge by front transverse rail 32, and at its top/rear edge by transverse roof strut 30. It will be appreciated that the windscreen is bent around a transverse axis, referenced generally at X, so as to conform with the bent profile at the transition between each A-pillar 11,12 and respective longitudinal roof strut 17,18.

Advantageously, the windscreen provides the driver with an uninterrupted view of the full range of vertical movement of a front loader between its lower most and upper most extremities, and across the full width of the cab.

The cab 10 further comprises a roof 40 formed of blow moulded plastic. The roof 40 has a front edge which conforms with the profile of transverse roof strut 30, the latter also serving to provide a means to support and secure the roof 40 along the front edge.

Although the invention has been described in relation to a tractor cab it will be appreciated that the structure may be applied to other utility vehicles such as forklift tmcks without deviating from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the materials mentioned above may be replaced by other equivalents employed in the field of utility vehicle cab design. For example, a Perspex sheet may replace the toughened glass of the windscreen.

In summary, there is provided a cab having improved visibility for a front loader tractor. The cab comprises two A-pillars at respective front corners and at least two rear support pillars.

Two longitudinal roof struts each extend between a respective A-pillar and a rear support pillar. A front transverse roof strut extends between the two longitudinal roof struts and is disposed rearwardly of the A-pillars. A windscreen is formed of a single sheet of transparent material which uninterruptedly extends horizontally across the width of the cab between the two longitudinal roof struts having a rear edge defined by the transverse roof strut, thereby providing upward vision. The windscreen extends vertically across the width of the cab between the two A-pillars. A driver is thus presented with an unintermpted view across the width of the cab immediately downwardly and rearwardly of the top front edge of the cab.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A utility vehicle cab comprising two substantially upright front corner support pillars, at least two rear support pillars, two longitudinal roof struts each extending between a respective front corner support pillar and a rear support pillar, one transverse roof strut extending and connected between the two longitudinal roof struts and disposed rearwardly of the front corner support pillars, and a windscreen formed of a single sheet of transparent material which uninterruptedly extends substantially horizontally across the width of the cab between the two longitudinal roof struts forwardly of the transverse roof strut and substantially vertically across the width of the cab between the two front corner support pillars so as to give a driver an uninterrupted view across the width of the cab immediately downwardly and rearwardly of a line between the respective tops of the front corner support pillars.
2. A cab according to Claim 1, wherein each longitudinal roof strut is foimed together with the respective front corner support pillar from a single bended strut.
3. A cab according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, further comprising an opaque roof which has a front edge which aligns with the transverse roof strut.
4. A utility vehicle cab constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in the accompanying Figures.