What is the device on top of a truck cab năm 2024

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Drivers' cabs movable from one position into at least one other position, e.g. tiltable, pivotable about a vertical axis, displaceable from one side of the vehicle to the other

  • B62D33/067—Drivers' cabs movable from one position into at least one other position, e.g. tiltable, pivotable about a vertical axis, displaceable from one side of the vehicle to the other tiltable
  • B62D33/07—Drivers' cabs movable from one position into at least one other position, e.g. tiltable, pivotable about a vertical axis, displaceable from one side of the vehicle to the other tiltable characterised by the device for locking the cab in the tilted or in the driving position

Definitions

  • the subject invention relates generally to the area of truck cab suspension systems, and, more particularly, to a mechanism for protecting the suspension system during the cab tilt operation for a cab-over-engine style tractor.
  • Examples of prior art suspension systems intended to minimize the transmittal of frame vibrations to the truck cab include the rigid metal springs taught in LeFevre and the air spring system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,948,341 to Foster. Although the LeFevre and Foster suspension systems appear to provide reasonable ride quality, it is believed that superior performance can be achieved using a diaphragm type hydraulic-pneumatic suspension system such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,479,053; 3,669,225; and 3,802,686 to Moulton. As discussed in detail below, the subject invention is directed to a tilt-assist mechanism adapted for use with such hydraulic-pneumatic suspension systems in a cab-over-engine type truck.
  • the suspension unit in a cab-over-engine truck should facilitate tilting of the cab to provide access to the engine without sacrificing the desired vibration isolation capability. It is believed that each of the suspension systems identified above would provide improved ride quality if the metal springs, air springs or hydraulic-pneumatic units were permitted to provide the only stiffness and damping responses between the cab and frame. However, to accommodate the tilting operation required in cab-over-engine trucks and to prevent cab-to-frame separation in crash situations, such elements as pivoting arms and bushings have been included in prior art designs as shown for example in the Foster patent.
  • pivoting arms and bushings While not intended to have noticeable influence on the vibration isolation capability of a suspension system, pivoting arms and bushings have the effect of increasing the effective stiffness of a suspension system resulting in a significant degradation of the overall quality of the ride. Therefore, to the extent that such cab tilting assist mechanisms may be removed from cab-over-engine cab suspension systems, the expected ride quality of any system would be improved.
  • the subject invention is directed to a mechanism for facilitating the tilting operation of a cab-over-engine truck in combination with the diaphragm-type hydraulic-pneumatic suspension units disclosed in Moulton. This provides a two-fold advantage over existing systems in that not only are the pivot arms and bushings found in prior art designs removed, but the desirable performance features of low stiffness and variable damping achieved in the diaphragm-type hydraulic-pneumatic suspension units are incorporated into the suspension system.
  • the subject invention consists of a pair of guide plates extending between the cab and truck frame on either side of the truck, each being formed with a slot at one end to receive a pivot shaft or pin which is mounted to the truck frame.
  • the guide plates have little or no effect on the stiffness or damping provided by the suspension unit between the frame and cab because the pivot shaft is free to move laterally, fore and aft and vertically within the slot in the guide plate.
  • confining means are actuated to releaseably secure the cab pivot shafts in a fixed position along the slot in each of the guide plates. This provides a fixed point about which the cab may pivot, and as discussed in more detail below, acts to protect the hydraulic-pneumatic suspension units from damage during the tilting operation.
  • FIG. 1 is a partial front view of a cab-over-engine truck having the modified suspension system of the subject invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a prior art diaphragm-type hydraulic-pneumatic suspension unit.
  • FIG. 3 is a partial side view of a cab-over-engine truck in the ride position which incorporates one embodiment of the subject invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a partial side view of a cab-over-engine truck incorporating the embodiment of the subject invention shown in FIG. 3, with the cab being rotated to the tilt position.
  • FIG. 5A is an alternate embodiment of the confining means of the subject invention with the cab in the ride position.
  • FIG. 5B is the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A with the confining means shown in the tilt position.
  • FIG. 6A is still another embodiment of the confining means herein shown in the ride position.
  • FIG. 6B is the embodiment shown in FIG. 6A with confining means in the tilt position.
  • FIG. 7A is a further embodiment of the subject confining means in the ride position.
  • FIG. 7B is the embodiment shown in FIG. 7A with the confining means in the tilt position.
  • a suspension system labelled generally with the reference 13 is shown in position between the cab 15 and frame 17 of a cab-over-engine (COE) truck.
  • the suspension system 13 includes a pair of diaphragm-type hydraulic-pneumatic displacer units 19 disposed on either side of the front end of the truck and attaching at their upper end to the cab 15 and at their lower end to a sleeve 18.
  • the sleeves 18 are rotatably mounted to a pair of pivot shafts 20 which attach to frame 17 on either side of the truck.
  • Sleeves 18 are held in place laterally by a cap 22 fixed to the inwardly extending end of each of the shafts 20.
  • the rear end of cab 15 may be mounted to frame 17 by releaseable latches (not shown).
  • a pair of rear displacer units 19 could be used in conjunction with the subject invention to mount the rear of cab 15 to frame 17 for conversion to a four-point suspension system.
  • a pair of lift cylinders 25 are mounted on either side of the frame 17 (only one of which is shown in the Figures) and extend upwardly at an acute angle into engagement with cab 15. When activated, the lift cylinders 25 are operable to move the cab 15 upwardly approximately 90° to accomplish the tilting operation (See FIG. 4).
  • the hydraulic-pneumatic displacer units 19 include a rolling lobe diaphragm 27 formed of a reinforced elastomer which separates the displacer 19 into two chambers.
  • the displacers 19 have proven to provide excellent isolation of cab 15 from fore and aft, lateral and vertical vibrations produced at the truck frame 17.
  • one embodiment of the tilt assist means consists of a pair of guide plates 31 formed in an L-shape with a first section 32 generally perpendicular to a second section 34.
  • the first section 32 of guide plates 31 is disposed adjacent displacers 19 and extends along the base of cab 15 to which it is mounted.
  • the second section 34 extends vertically downwardly from cab 15 to frame 17, and is formed with a vertically oriented elongated slot 33 at its lower end.
  • the shaft 20 extends through slot 33 of second section 34, and a washer 36 may be provided at the adjacent end of shaft 20 to maintain shaft 20 in the proper position during assembly.
  • the slot 33 formed in second sections 34 of each guide plate 31 is dimensioned to permit fore and aft, lateral and vertical movement of shaft 20 therewithin so that under normal ride conditions the guide plates 31 have minimal, if any, effect on the stiffness or damping responses of displacers 19.
  • guide plates 31 The purpose of guide plates 31 is to accommodate the cocking, tensile and compressive loads imposed by the weight and motion of cab 15 during a cab tilt operation, and to provide an additional load path for crash loads.
  • the guide plates 31 effectively protect displacers 19 from such loads without introducing additional stiffness or damping to the suspension system.
  • confining means are provided which are operable to releasably secure shaft 20 in a fixed position along the slot 33 in each of the guide plates 31, thus providing a fixed pivot point about which cab 15 may rotate during a cab tilt operation.
  • FIGS. 3-7B various embodiments of the confining means herein are shown. It should be understood that while only one side of the truck frame 17 is shown in each of the drawings 3-7B, the other side of the truck frame 17 includes essentially identical structure forming the complete confining means of the present invention.
  • a pair of cylinders 37 having pistons 39 are mounted to respective ones of the second sections 34 of guide plates 31 such that when extended the pistons 39 will move perpendicular to the slots 33 and confine shaft 20 at one end thereof.
  • Cylinders 37 may be pneumatic or can be hydraulically plummed into the cab lift hydraulic cylinder circuit which operates lift cylinders 25.
  • cylinders 37 may be oriented so that pistons 39 move along the length of slots 33 as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B.
  • the pistons 39 are not extended and permit shafts 20 to freely move within slots 33.
  • the cylinders 37 move pistons 39 along slots 33 into engagement with shafts 20 to confine them to the lower end of slots 33.
  • cylinders 37 are shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B as being mounted above slots 33 on guide plates 31, it should be understood that cylinders 37 could be mounted beneath slots 33 so that when extended the pistons 39 would releasably secure shafts 20 to the upper end of slots 33.
  • FIGS. 6A and 6B Another embodiment of the confining means herein is shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B.
  • a pair of discs 41 having an elongated slot 43 corresponding to slots 33 is rotatably mounted to each of the second sections 34 of guide plates 31.
  • each of the discs 41 are rotated so that their slots 43 align with the slots 33 of guide plates 31 to permit movement of shafts 20 therealong.
  • the discs 41 are rotated 90° by means of a worm gear or hydraulic cylinder (not shown) so that shafts 20 are confined at a fixed point along slots 33.
  • discs 41 may include load-carrying flanges 45 along a portion of their circumference for additional support.
  • FIGS. 7A and 7B A further embodiment of the confining means of the subject invention is shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B.
  • a pair of cams 47 each formed with a recess 49, are rotatably mounted to respective ones of the second sections 34 of guide plates 31 in a position just above slots 33.
  • cams 47 are rotated outwardly away from slots 33 as shown in FIG. 7A.
  • the cams 47 are rotated by means of a worm gear or hydraulic cylinders (not shown), so that their recess 49 engages shaft 20 to hold it in a fixed position along slots 33.
  • a typical cab tilt sequence would thus proceed as follows. Initially, the confining means of the subject invention in any of the forms shown in FIGS. 3-7B is actuated to releasably secure shafts 20 in a fixed position along slots 33 in guide plates 31. Once this fixed pivot point is established in each of the guide plates 31, the rear latches may be released and the lift cylinders 25 energized. Cab 15 will move upwardly pivoting about the shafts 20 with the guide plates 31 carrying all of the compressive, tensile, shear and cocking loads imposed by the weight of cab 15. The displacers 19 also pivot with the tilting cab 15 as sleeves 18 rotate about shafts 20, but no loads are imposed on the displacer piston 29 or diaphragm 27.
  • the guide plates 31 of the subject invention allow displacers 19 to provide essentially all of the stiffness and damping between cab 15 and frame 17.
  • the shafts 20 are free to move fore and aft, vertically and laterally within the dimensional limits of the slot 33 in guide plates 31 so that no additional stiffness is introduced to the suspension system.
  • the overall ride quality is therefore enhanced without sacrificing stability during the cab tilt operation.

Abstract

A cab tilt assist mechanism is provided for use with a suspension system in a cab-over-engine truck, which is mounted between the cab and frame on either side of the front of the truck and is operable to provide a fixed pivot point about which the cab may rotate during a tilting operation. The tilt assist mechanism herein carries all of the loads imposed by the weight of the cab during a complete cab tilt operation without affecting the stiffness and damping responses provided by the suspension system between the cab and frame.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention relates generally to the area of truck cab suspension systems, and, more particularly, to a mechanism for protecting the suspension system during the cab tilt operation for a cab-over-engine style tractor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The isolation of vibrations transmitted to the drivers of conventional or cab-over-engine (COE) trucks has been a problem which has attracted a considerable amount of attention among vehicle OEM and component manufacturers for some time. Cabs mounted on the frame separately from the load carrying portion of a truck are subjected to vibrations from the frame, wheels and engine. While wheel vibrations into the truck frame may be reduced at least to some degree by selection of appropriate suspension springs and shock absorbers, and engine vibrations may be isolated with elastomeric mountings, the cab induced vibrations coming from the frame still pose a difficult problem as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,554,596 to LeFevre.

Examples of prior art suspension systems intended to minimize the transmittal of frame vibrations to the truck cab include the rigid metal springs taught in LeFevre and the air spring system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,948,341 to Foster. Although the LeFevre and Foster suspension systems appear to provide reasonable ride quality, it is believed that superior performance can be achieved using a diaphragm type hydraulic-pneumatic suspension system such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,479,053; 3,669,225; and 3,802,686 to Moulton. As discussed in detail below, the subject invention is directed to a tilt-assist mechanism adapted for use with such hydraulic-pneumatic suspension systems in a cab-over-engine type truck.

Generally, the suspension unit in a cab-over-engine truck should facilitate tilting of the cab to provide access to the engine without sacrificing the desired vibration isolation capability. It is believed that each of the suspension systems identified above would provide improved ride quality if the metal springs, air springs or hydraulic-pneumatic units were permitted to provide the only stiffness and damping responses between the cab and frame. However, to accommodate the tilting operation required in cab-over-engine trucks and to prevent cab-to-frame separation in crash situations, such elements as pivoting arms and bushings have been included in prior art designs as shown for example in the Foster patent. While not intended to have noticeable influence on the vibration isolation capability of a suspension system, pivoting arms and bushings have the effect of increasing the effective stiffness of a suspension system resulting in a significant degradation of the overall quality of the ride. Therefore, to the extent that such cab tilting assist mechanisms may be removed from cab-over-engine cab suspension systems, the expected ride quality of any system would be improved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention is directed to a mechanism for facilitating the tilting operation of a cab-over-engine truck in combination with the diaphragm-type hydraulic-pneumatic suspension units disclosed in Moulton. This provides a two-fold advantage over existing systems in that not only are the pivot arms and bushings found in prior art designs removed, but the desirable performance features of low stiffness and variable damping achieved in the diaphragm-type hydraulic-pneumatic suspension units are incorporated into the suspension system.

Essentially the subject invention consists of a pair of guide plates extending between the cab and truck frame on either side of the truck, each being formed with a slot at one end to receive a pivot shaft or pin which is mounted to the truck frame. During normal operation of the truck with the cab in the ride position, the guide plates have little or no effect on the stiffness or damping provided by the suspension unit between the frame and cab because the pivot shaft is free to move laterally, fore and aft and vertically within the slot in the guide plate. In sequence with the cab tilting operation, confining means are actuated to releaseably secure the cab pivot shafts in a fixed position along the slot in each of the guide plates. This provides a fixed point about which the cab may pivot, and as discussed in more detail below, acts to protect the hydraulic-pneumatic suspension units from damage during the tilting operation.

Therefore, it is an object of the subject invention to provide a means for facilitating the cab tilting operation in a cab-over-engine truck which has little or no effect on the overall stiffness or damping capability of the suspension system.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a pair of guide plates attached on either side of the truck between the cab and truck frame which are slotted at one end to receive a cab pivot shaft which acts as a fixed pivot point about which the cab may be rotated without damaging the elements of the suspension system.

It is a further object of the subject invention to provide a pair of guide plates extending between the truck frame and cab on either side of a cab-over-engine truck having a slot at one end which receives a cab pivot shaft, in combination with confining means operable to releasably secure the pivot shaft in a fixed position along the guide plate slots to provide a fixed pivot point about which the truck cab may rotate.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Objects in addition to the foregoing will become apparent upon consideration of the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partial front view of a cab-over-engine truck having the modified suspension system of the subject invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a prior art diaphragm-type hydraulic-pneumatic suspension unit.

FIG. 3 is a partial side view of a cab-over-engine truck in the ride position which incorporates one embodiment of the subject invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial side view of a cab-over-engine truck incorporating the embodiment of the subject invention shown in FIG. 3, with the cab being rotated to the tilt position.

FIG. 5A is an alternate embodiment of the confining means of the subject invention with the cab in the ride position.

FIG. 5B is the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A with the confining means shown in the tilt position.

FIG. 6A is still another embodiment of the confining means herein shown in the ride position.

FIG. 6B is the embodiment shown in FIG. 6A with confining means in the tilt position.

FIG. 7A is a further embodiment of the subject confining means in the ride position.

FIG. 7B is the embodiment shown in FIG. 7A with the confining means in the tilt position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, a suspension system labelled generally with the

reference

13 is shown in position between the

cab

15 and

frame

17 of a cab-over-engine (COE) truck. The

suspension system

13 includes a pair of diaphragm-type hydraulic-

pneumatic displacer units

19 disposed on either side of the front end of the truck and attaching at their upper end to the

cab

15 and at their lower end to a

sleeve

18. The

sleeves

18 are rotatably mounted to a pair of

pivot shafts

20 which attach to frame 17 on either side of the truck.

Sleeves

18 are held in place laterally by a

cap

22 fixed to the inwardly extending end of each of the

shafts

20. In the two-point suspension system shown in the Figures the rear end of

cab

15 may be mounted to

frame

17 by releaseable latches (not shown). However, it should be understood that a pair of

rear displacer units

19 could be used in conjunction with the subject invention to mount the rear of

cab

15 to

frame

17 for conversion to a four-point suspension system. A pair of

lift cylinders

25 are mounted on either side of the frame 17 (only one of which is shown in the Figures) and extend upwardly at an acute angle into engagement with

cab

15. When activated, the

lift cylinders

25 are operable to move the

cab

15 upwardly approximately 90° to accomplish the tilting operation (See FIG. 4).

As shown in FIG. 2 and discussed in detail in the Moulton patents listed above, the hydraulic-

pneumatic displacer units

19 include a

rolling lobe diaphragm

27 formed of a reinforced elastomer which separates the

displacer

19 into two chambers. A

piston

29, which is mounted at one end to the

sleeve

18, extend upwardly into the

displacer

19 and attaches to the

diaphragm

27. In combination with other system elements (not shown) the

displacers

19 have proven to provide excellent isolation of

cab

15 from fore and aft, lateral and vertical vibrations produced at the

truck frame

17.

However, it can be appreciated from viewing FIG. 2 that due to their relatively light construction the

displacers

19 can neither withstand nor help guide

cab

15 through a tilting operation by themselves. If a cab tilt operation was attempted with only the

displacers

19, the forward movement of

cab

15 would cock the

displacer piston

29 relative to the housing of the

displacer

19 causing permanent deformation without ever tilting

cab

15. Moreover, it is likely that the

diaphragm

27 would be torn or pinched against the displacer housing by

piston

29 causing additional irreparable damage.

As mentioned above, prior art means of assisting the cab tilt operation include the addition of tilt arms or bushings to the suspension system. However, the inherent stiffness added to the suspension system by such tilt-assist mechanisms invariably results in a deterioration of overall ride quality. Referring now to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, one embodiment of the tilt assist means consists of a pair of

guide plates

31 formed in an L-shape with a first section 32 generally perpendicular to a

second section

34. The first section 32 of

guide plates

31 is disposed

adjacent displacers

19 and extends along the base of

cab

15 to which it is mounted. The

second section

34 extends vertically downwardly from

cab

15 to frame 17, and is formed with a vertically oriented

elongated slot

33 at its lower end. The

shaft

20 extends through

slot

33 of

second section

34, and a

washer

36 may be provided at the adjacent end of

shaft

20 to maintain

shaft

20 in the proper position during assembly. The

slot

33 formed in

second sections

34 of each

guide plate

31 is dimensioned to permit fore and aft, lateral and vertical movement of

shaft

20 therewithin so that under normal ride conditions the

guide plates

31 have minimal, if any, effect on the stiffness or damping responses of

displacers

19.

The purpose of

guide plates

31 is to accommodate the cocking, tensile and compressive loads imposed by the weight and motion of

cab

15 during a cab tilt operation, and to provide an additional load path for crash loads. The

guide plates

31 effectively protect

displacers

19 from such loads without introducing additional stiffness or damping to the suspension system. To enable

guide plates

31 to accomplish this function, confining means are provided which are operable to releasably

secure shaft

20 in a fixed position along the

slot

33 in each of the

guide plates

31, thus providing a fixed pivot point about which

cab

15 may rotate during a cab tilt operation.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-7B, various embodiments of the confining means herein are shown. It should be understood that while only one side of the

truck frame

17 is shown in each of the drawings 3-7B, the other side of the

truck frame

17 includes essentially identical structure forming the complete confining means of the present invention. In FIG. 3 (See also FIG. 1), a pair of

cylinders

37 having

pistons

39 are mounted to respective ones of the

second sections

34 of

guide plates

31 such that when extended the

pistons

39 will move perpendicular to the

slots

33 and confine

shaft

20 at one end thereof.

Cylinders

37 may be pneumatic or can be hydraulically plummed into the cab lift hydraulic cylinder circuit which operates

lift cylinders

25. Alternatively,

cylinders

37 may be oriented so that

pistons

39 move along the length of

slots

33 as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. In the ride position of

cab

15, the

pistons

39 are not extended and

permit shafts

20 to freely move within

slots

33. When actuated during a cab tilt operation, the

cylinders

37

move pistons

39 along

slots

33 into engagement with

shafts

20 to confine them to the lower end of

slots

33. Although

cylinders

37 are shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B as being mounted above

slots

33 on

guide plates

31, it should be understood that

cylinders

37 could be mounted beneath

slots

33 so that when extended the

pistons

39 would releasably secure

shafts

20 to the upper end of

slots

33.

Another embodiment of the confining means herein is shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. A pair of discs 41 having an

elongated slot

43 corresponding to

slots

33 is rotatably mounted to each of the

second sections

34 of

guide plates

31. In the ride position of

cab

15, each of the discs 41 are rotated so that their

slots

43 align with the

slots

33 of

guide plates

31 to permit movement of

shafts

20 therealong. In advance of a tilt operation, the discs 41 are rotated 90° by means of a worm gear or hydraulic cylinder (not shown) so that

shafts

20 are confined at a fixed point along

slots

33. To accommodate some of the load applied by the weight of

cab

15 to the

pivot shaft

20 during a tilt operation, discs 41 may include load-carrying

flanges

45 along a portion of their circumference for additional support.

A further embodiment of the confining means of the subject invention is shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. A pair of

cams

47, each formed with a

recess

49, are rotatably mounted to respective ones of the

second sections

34 of

guide plates

31 in a position just above

slots

33. During normal operation of the truck,

cams

47 are rotated outwardly away from

slots

33 as shown in FIG. 7A. As a cab tilt operation is initiated, the

cams

47 are rotated by means of a worm gear or hydraulic cylinders (not shown), so that their

recess

49 engages

shaft

20 to hold it in a fixed position along

slots

33.

A typical cab tilt sequence would thus proceed as follows. Initially, the confining means of the subject invention in any of the forms shown in FIGS. 3-7B is actuated to releasably

secure shafts

20 in a fixed position along

slots

33 in

guide plates

31. Once this fixed pivot point is established in each of the

guide plates

31, the rear latches may be released and the

lift cylinders

25 energized.

Cab

15 will move upwardly pivoting about the

shafts

20 with the

guide plates

31 carrying all of the compressive, tensile, shear and cocking loads imposed by the weight of

cab

15. The

displacers

19 also pivot with the tilting

cab

15 as

sleeves

18 rotate about

shafts

20, but no loads are imposed on the

displacer piston

29 or

diaphragm

27.

As is well-known, the loads applied at the

pivot shaft

20 will undergo a load reversal before

cab

15 tilts through 90°. In the absence of confining means to releasably secure the

shafts

20 at a fixed point along

slots

33, such load reversal would result in an abrupt change in cab attitude when the vertical load on the

shafts

20 changes direction. By confining

shafts

20 as noted, the load reversal is accommodated smoothly and protection of the

displacers

19 is assured. Returning

cab

15 to the ride position is accomplished by simply reversing the order of steps mentioned above, with

guide plates

31 carrying all loads at all times during a full cab tilt operation. It should also be noted that the

guide plates

31 of the subject invention allow

displacers

19 to provide essentially all of the stiffness and damping between

cab

15 and

frame

17. In the ride position, the

shafts

20 are free to move fore and aft, vertically and laterally within the dimensional limits of the

slot

33 in

guide plates

31 so that no additional stiffness is introduced to the suspension system. The overall ride quality is therefore enhanced without sacrificing stability during the cab tilt operation.

While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (14)

What is claimed is:

1. In a cab-over-engine truck having a cab and frame, a suspension system disposed therebetween to isolate vibration transmitted from said frame to said cab, and lift cylinder means operable to tilt said cab upwardly from said frame during a tilting operation, the improvement comprising a tilt-assist mechanism including load carrying means disposed at either side of said truck, each of said load carrying means being formed with a slot, a pair of pivot means mounted to either side of said frame and extending through said slots in respective ones of said load carrying means, and confining means mounted adjacent respective ones of said load carrying means, said confining means being operable to releasably secure said pivot means at a fixed position along said slot thus forming a fixed pivot point at each of said load carrying means, whereby upon actuation of said lift cylinder means said cab rotates about said fixed pivot points with the forces produced by the weight of said cab being reacted through said tilt assist mechanism.

2. The cab-over-engine truck of claim 1 wherein said load carrying means are a pair of generally L-shaped guide plates each having a first section perpendicular to a second section, said first section extending along the base of said cab and being mounted thereto, said second section extending vertically downwardly from said cab to said frame and being formed with a vertically oriented, elongated slot to receive said pivot means therewithin.

3. The cab-over-engine truck of claim 1 wherein said slot formed in each of the load carrying means is vertically oriented and dimensioned to enable said pivot means to move in the lateral, vertical and fore and aft directions therewithin.

4. The cab-over-engine truck of claim 1 wherein said confining means includes a pair of cylinders each having a piston, said cylinders being mounted adjacent respective ones of said load carrying means such that when activated said cylinders extend said pistons perpendicularly across said slot in each of said load carrying means to releasably secure said pivot means in a fixed position therealong.

5. The cab-over-engine truck of claim 1 wherein said confining means includes a pair of cylinders each having a piston, said cylinders being mounted adjacent respective ones of said load carrying means such that when actuated said cylinders extend said pistons along said slot in each of said load carrying means to releasably secure said pivot means in a fixed position therealong.

6. The cab-over-engine truck of claim 1 wherein said confining means includes a pair of discs each formed with an elongated slot corresponding to said slots in said load carrying means, said discs being rotatably mounted to respective ones of said load carrying means, said discs being rotatable so that said slots therein align with said slots in said load carrying means under normal operating conditions of said truck, and said discs being rotatable 90° so that said slot therein is perpendicular to said slots in said load carrying means for releasably securing said pivot means at a fixed point therealong.

7. The cab-over-engine truck of claim 6 wherein said discs include flanges disposed along at least a portion of the circumference thereof to provide additional load carrying capability during said cab tilt operation.

8. The cab-over-engine truck of claim 1 wherein said confining means includes a pair of cams each formed with a recess, said cams being rotatably mounted to respective ones of said load carrying means, said cams being rotatable to move outwardly from said slots in said load carrying means under normal operating conditions of said truck, and said cams being rotatable toward said slots in said load carrying means so that said recess in said cams engages and releasably secures said pivots in a fixed position along said slots.

9. In a cab-over-engine truck having a cab and frame, a suspension system disposed therebetween to isolate vibrations transmitted from said frame to said cab, and lift cylinder means operable to tilt said cab upwardly from said frame during a cab tilt operation, the improvement comprising a tilt-assist mechanism including a load carrying means disposed at either side of said truck, each of said load carrying means being formed with an elongated, vertically oriented slot, a pair of pivot means mounted to either side of said frame and extending through said slots in respective ones of said load carrying means, said slots having length and width dimensions to provide at least limited movement of said shaft means therewithin in the vertical, lateral and fore and aft directions to enable said suspension system to provide the stiffness and damping response between said cab and frame during normal ride conditions, and confining means mounted adjacent respective ones of said load carrying means, said confining means being operable to releasably secure said pivot means at a fixed position along said slot thus forming a fixed pivot point at each of said load carrying means, whereby upon actuation of said lift cylinder means said cab rotates about said fixed pivot points with the forces produced by the weight of said cab being reacted through said tilt-assist mechanism.

10. The cab-over-engine truck of claim 9 wherein said load carrying means are a pair of generally L-shaped guide plates each having a first section perpendicular to a second section, said first section extending along the base of said cab and being mounted thereto, said second section extending vertically downwardly from said cab to said frame and being formed with a vertically oriented, elongated slot to receive said pivot means therewithin.

11. The cab-over-engine truck of claim 9 wherein said confining means includes a pair of cylinders each having a piston, said cylinders being mounted adjacent respective ones of said load carrying means such that when actuated said cylinders extend said pistons perpendicularly across said slot in each of said load carrying means to releasably secure said pivot means in a fixed position therealong.

12. The cab-over-engine truck of claim 9 wherein said confining means includes a pair of cylinders each having a piston, said cylinders being mounted adjacent respective ones of said load carrying means such that when actuated said cylinders extend said pistons along said slot in each of said load carrying means to releasably secure said pivot means in a fixed position therealong.

13. The cab-over-engine truck of claim 9 wherein said confining means includes a pair of discs each formed with an elongated slot corresponding to said slots in said load carrying means, said discs being rotatably mounted to respective ones of said load carrying means, said discs being rotatable so that said slots therein align with said slots in said load carrying means under normal operating conditions of said truck, and said discs being rotatable 90° so that said slot therein is perpendicular to said slots in said load carrying means for releasably securing said pivot means at a fixed point therealong.

14. The cab-over-engine truck of claim 9 wherein said confining means includes a pair of cams each formed with a recess, said cams being rotatably mounted to respective ones of said load carrying means, said cams being rotatable to move outwardly from said slots in said load carrying means under normal operating conditions of said truck, and said cams being rotatable toward said slots in said load carrying means so that said recess in said cams engages and releasably secures said pivot means in a fixed position along said slots.

US06/274,043 1981-06-15 1981-06-15 Truck cab tilt mechanism Expired - Fee Related US4372411A (en)

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Cited By (21)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee TitleUS4470477A (en)* 1981-10-23 1984-09-11Dunlop Limited Hydropneumatic suspensions US4483409A (en)* 1983-03-07 1984-11-20Applied Power Inc. Integral hydraulic tilt-cab suspension and tilting apparatus US4488613A (en)* 1981-11-10 1984-12-18Dunlop Limited Fluid suspensions DE3402070A1 (en)* 1984-01-21 1985-08-01M.A.N. Maschinenfabrik Augsburg-Nürnberg AG, 8000 München DEVICE FOR INFLUENCING THE SUSPENSION OF THE CAB OF VEHICLESUS4556118A (en)* 1982-02-01 1985-12-03Applied Power Tilt lockout system for tilt-cab trucks DE3904225A1 (en)* 1989-02-13 1990-08-16Schlueter Anton Muenchen Gmbh TRACTOR, ESPECIALLY FOR AGRICULTURAL USE KEYWORD: TILTABLE CABUS5044455A (en)* 1990-02-16 1991-09-03Navistar International Transportion Corp. Actively controlled truck cab suspension DE4214219A1 (en)* 1992-04-30 1993-11-04Daimler Benz Ag Tipping device for cab of utility vehicle - has blocking device for spring element, with double-armed locking lever and securing roller EP0732256A2 (en)* 1995-03-16 1996-09-18MAN Nutzfahrzeuge Aktiengesellschaft Device for tilting the driver's cab of a load-carrying vehicle US6328375B2 (en)* 1999-12-30 2001-12-11Hyundai Motor Company Cab mounting rubber US6439651B1 (en)* 1999-02-12 2002-08-27Scania Cv Ab (Publ) Arrangement for cabs for vehicles US6932419B1 (en) 2005-02-03 2005-08-23Mccullough William Aerodynamic guiding arrangements for vehicles US20050264038A1 (en)* 2004-05-26 2005-12-01Clark Equipment Company Relocatable position operator seat station for loader US20070278811A1 (en)* 2006-05-31 2007-12-06Derham Christopher D System for operably coupling a vehicle cab to a vehicle US20080106122A1 (en)* 2006-11-08 2008-05-08Caterpillar Inc. Operator cab tilting apparatus US20080245589A1 (en)* 2004-06-07 2008-10-09Johan Akeson Device For Truck Cab Suspension US20090085377A1 (en)* 2006-05-31 2009-04-02Caterpillar Inc. Structure and a system for connecting a machine cab to a supporting frame US20100140005A1 (en)* 2008-12-04 2010-06-10Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Hood System EP2338770A1 (en)* 2009-12-24 2011-06-29Iveco S.p.A. Device for the controlled tilting of driver's cabin of a vehicle US20190163201A1 (en)* 2017-11-30 2019-05-30Uber Technologies, Inc. Autonomous Vehicle Sensor Compensation Using Displacement Sensor US10745065B2 (en)* 2018-04-16 2020-08-18Howe & Howe Inc. Vehicle with pneumatically suspended operator compartment

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee TitleUS2549102A (en)* 1946-02-14 1951-04-17Ford Motor Co Truck cab suspension US2951548A (en)* 1957-06-24 1960-09-06Gen Motors Corp Tilt cab for trucks US3508784A (en)* 1968-05-28 1970-04-28Hendrickson Mfg Co Vehicle cab mounting US3606437A (en)* 1969-08-21 1971-09-20Smith Corp A O Truck tractor cab suspension system US3857602A (en)* 1973-01-29 1974-12-31Diamond Reo Trucks Inc Mounting for tilt cab vehicles US4203499A (en)* 1976-12-27 1980-05-20Toyota Shatai Kabushiki Kaisha Apparatus for preventing or damping vibrations and noise in a vehicle

  • 1981
    • 1981-06-15 US US06/274,043 patent/US4372411A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee TitleUS2549102A (en)* 1946-02-14 1951-04-17Ford Motor Co Truck cab suspension US2951548A (en)* 1957-06-24 1960-09-06Gen Motors Corp Tilt cab for trucks US3508784A (en)* 1968-05-28 1970-04-28Hendrickson Mfg Co Vehicle cab mounting US3606437A (en)* 1969-08-21 1971-09-20Smith Corp A O Truck tractor cab suspension system US3857602A (en)* 1973-01-29 1974-12-31Diamond Reo Trucks Inc Mounting for tilt cab vehicles US4203499A (en)* 1976-12-27 1980-05-20Toyota Shatai Kabushiki Kaisha Apparatus for preventing or damping vibrations and noise in a vehicle

Cited By (29)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee TitleUS4470477A (en)* 1981-10-23 1984-09-11Dunlop Limited Hydropneumatic suspensions US4488613A (en)* 1981-11-10 1984-12-18Dunlop Limited Fluid suspensions US4556118A (en)* 1982-02-01 1985-12-03Applied Power Tilt lockout system for tilt-cab trucks US4483409A (en)* 1983-03-07 1984-11-20Applied Power Inc. Integral hydraulic tilt-cab suspension and tilting apparatus DE3402070A1 (en)* 1984-01-21 1985-08-01M.A.N. Maschinenfabrik Augsburg-Nürnberg AG, 8000 München DEVICE FOR INFLUENCING THE SUSPENSION OF THE CAB OF VEHICLESDE3904225A1 (en)* 1989-02-13 1990-08-16Schlueter Anton Muenchen Gmbh TRACTOR, ESPECIALLY FOR AGRICULTURAL USE KEYWORD: TILTABLE CABUS5044455A (en)* 1990-02-16 1991-09-03Navistar International Transportion Corp. Actively controlled truck cab suspension DE4214219A1 (en)* 1992-04-30 1993-11-04Daimler Benz Ag Tipping device for cab of utility vehicle - has blocking device for spring element, with double-armed locking lever and securing roller EP0732256A2 (en)* 1995-03-16 1996-09-18MAN Nutzfahrzeuge Aktiengesellschaft Device for tilting the driver's cab of a load-carrying vehicle DE19509490A1 (en)* 1995-03-16 1996-09-19Man Nutzfahrzeuge Ag Tilting device for a cab of a commercial vehicleEP0732256A3 (en)* 1995-03-16 1997-05-14Man Nutzfahrzeuge Ag Device for tilting the driver's cab of a load-carrying vehicle US6439651B1 (en)* 1999-02-12 2002-08-27Scania Cv Ab (Publ) Arrangement for cabs for vehicles US6328375B2 (en)* 1999-12-30 2001-12-11Hyundai Motor Company Cab mounting rubber US20050264038A1 (en)* 2004-05-26 2005-12-01Clark Equipment Company Relocatable position operator seat station for loader US7396070B2 (en)* 2004-05-26 2008-07-08Clark Equipment Company Relocatable position operator seat station for loader US7849946B2 (en)* 2004-06-07 2010-12-14Scania Cv Ab (Publ) Device for truck cab suspension US20080245589A1 (en)* 2004-06-07 2008-10-09Johan Akeson Device For Truck Cab Suspension US6932419B1 (en) 2005-02-03 2005-08-23Mccullough William Aerodynamic guiding arrangements for vehicles US20070278811A1 (en)* 2006-05-31 2007-12-06Derham Christopher D System for operably coupling a vehicle cab to a vehicle US8182024B2 (en) 2006-05-31 2012-05-22Caterpillar Inc. Structure and a system for connecting a machine cab to a supporting frame US20090085377A1 (en)* 2006-05-31 2009-04-02Caterpillar Inc. Structure and a system for connecting a machine cab to a supporting frame US7607721B2 (en)* 2006-11-08 2009-10-27Caterpillar Inc. Operator cab tilting apparatus US20080106122A1 (en)* 2006-11-08 2008-05-08Caterpillar Inc. Operator cab tilting apparatus US20100140005A1 (en)* 2008-12-04 2010-06-10Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Hood System US7987939B2 (en)* 2008-12-04 2011-08-02Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Hood system with multiple open positions EP2338770A1 (en)* 2009-12-24 2011-06-29Iveco S.p.A. Device for the controlled tilting of driver's cabin of a vehicle WO2011076862A1 (en)* 2009-12-24 2011-06-30Iveco S.P.A. Device for the controlled tilting of a driver's cabin of a vehicle US20190163201A1 (en)* 2017-11-30 2019-05-30Uber Technologies, Inc. Autonomous Vehicle Sensor Compensation Using Displacement Sensor US10745065B2 (en)* 2018-04-16 2020-08-18Howe & Howe Inc. Vehicle with pneumatically suspended operator compartment

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What is the spinning thing on the top of the UPS truck?

If you were to look closely, you'd notice most UPS trucks have some unusual spinning contraption perched atop their roofs. What is that? That is actually a Flettner ventilator, and it's purpose is pretty simple: to keep air circulating within the vehicle on which it's been installed.

What is the black thing on the top of my truck?

Seriously those are the antenna for the GPS navigation system receiver, satellite radio receiver, and on some cars also the AM/FM radio receiver.

What are the lights on top of a truck cab called?

· 2y. They are called clearance lights they are there so the public knows a large vehicle is coming the same as identifying lights on the back of the trailer.

What is the top of a truck called?

On a car or truck, it's called a roof. However, it can also be called a top, especially with convertibles.