Patent Application
20060131941
The invention relates to seats for work vehicles. More specifically, it relates to a device and method for comfortably supporting an operator in a multiuse work vehicle, such as a compact loader backhoe, having a first operating position and a second operating position where, for example, the first operating position is a loader operating position and the second operating position is a backhoe operating position.
Conventional seats for work vehicles are designed for vehicle operation from a fully seated operator position. In multiuse vehicles such as, for example, loader backhoes, in which the operator is required to control the work functions of the vehicle from different angular positions of the seat, the seats have traditionally been designed to rotate to each of the required angles. In many very compact vehicles in which space has been, traditionally, a problem, no seat to provided. In such cases the vehicle operator is required to operate the vehicle from a standing position.
In multiuse compact vehicles wear work operations may take hours or days to complete, the full standing position is not practical as it is physically tiring. Further, the fully seated position is often not feasible as it requires a rotatable seat in a vehicle in which space is not available. Such a situation requires that the operator have the advantage of comfortably operating the vehicle from at least two angles relative to the vehicle with a space saving seating arrangement.
The invention provides a seating apparatus that affords the vehicle operator a semi standing position in multiple work positions conducive to operations on multiuse vehicles such as compact loader backhoes. The seating apparatus provides a first portion, or torso rest, and a second portion, or partial seat support integral to the torso rest. The torso rest is a relatively wide portion at a first end of the seating apparatus which is designed to act as a backrest in a first operator position and a front rest in a second operator position. When used as a backrest, the torso rest supports a rear portion of the operator's torso; when used as a front rest, the torso rest supports a front portion of the operator's torso. The first portion narrows and angles toward the operator to form a short support, i.e., a partial or semi-seat support at the second portion of the seating apparatus. The seating apparatus may include height adjustment to accommodate operators of different heights and builds. To transition from one mode of operation to another the operator is merely required to turn his/her body to the required position and use the torso rest as either a backrest or a front rest and use the semi-seat support as a partial seat support, as appropriate.
Embodiments of the invention will be described in detail, with references to the following figures, wherein:
The torso rest 110 is contoured to provide a comfortable backrest during loader operations, i.e., when the operator is facing the loader portion 10 and a comfortable front rest for the torso during backhoe operations, i.e., when the operator is facing the backhoe portion 40. Toward the top of and integral to the torso rest 110 are the arm rests 130. Toward the bottom of the torso rest 110, the operator rest 105 narrows and protrudes toward the loader portion 10 to form the semi-seat support 120. The semi-seat support 120 is shaped and dimensioned to provide partial support for the seat of the operator during loader operations and to provide little to no support and no interference during backhoe operations.
The torso rest 110 of this exemplary embodiment is rigidly attached to the control console 150 and the female slide 132 which includes rigidly attached sit bar support brackets 132a. The sit bar 161 of the sit bar assembly 160 is operatively attached to the support brackets 132a as illustrated in
Protruding from the torso rest 110 toward the backhoe portion 40 is the control console 150 including apertures 150, 151, 152 through which the controls 150a for backhoe operations protrude. Also, rigidly attached to the female slide 132 and the control console 150 is a plastic trim support 140 which supports and maintains the shape of the trim 140a illustrated in
During work operations for the illustrated swing steer 1, the vehicle operator may merely assume a position facing the loader portion 10 or the backhoe portion 40 and lean against the torso rest 110, using it (the torso rest 110), respectively, as a backrest or a front rest. During loader operations, the semi-seat support 120 may partially support the seat of the operator; the sit bar 161 may optionally provide additional support for the seat of the operator in the support position illustrated in
Having described the illustrated embodiment, it will become apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims.
