Multi-function control grip for work vehicles

{
  "publication_number": "US9342091B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Multi-function control grip for work vehicles",
  "abstract": "A control grip is disclosed for off-road vehicles that functions as a combined stabilizing support and multi-function implement control device for the vehicle operator. The control grip includes a structural frame providing a mounting base with upright supports for a grab bar. The control grip mounts various control switches, which can vary in quantity, configuration, position and function depending on the work vehicle type. In one configuration, a pair of control switches are mounted at the distal end of the control grip, one switch positioned for manipulation by the operator's thumb for controlling a first range of motion of the implement, and a second switch positioned to be manipulated by the operator's thumb and/or index finger for controlling the implement's second range of motion. The control switch placement enables the operator to actuate one or both of the switches while maintaining a firm grip on the grab bar during operation.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A control grip for controlling the operation of an implement attached to a work vehicle, the control grip comprising: a grab bar extending between a proximal end of the control grip and a distal end of the control grip, the grab bar being configured to be grasped by a human hand; a base having at least one upright support at at least one of the proximal and distal ends of the control grip so as to support the grab bar in spaced relation to a mounting surface to which the base is mounted; a first control switch connected to at least one of the grab bar and the upright support at the distal end of the control grip; and a second control switch mounted to at least one of the grab bar and the upright support at the distal end of the control grip, the second control switch being mounted in an orientation different from the first control switch; wherein the first control switch pivots about a first pivot axis in two opposite directions and the second control switch pivots about a second pivot axis in two opposite directions, the second pivot axis extending perpendicular to the first pivot axis.",
    "2. The control grip of claim 1, wherein the base includes a pair of upright supports spaced apart and extending from a mounting platform, the upright supports supporting the grab bar at the proximal and distal ends of the control grip.",
    "3. The control grip of claim 1, wherein the first control switch is configured such that pivoting about the first pivot axis in a first direction effects an actuation signal for moving the implement in one direction of a first range of motion and pivoting about the first pivot axis in a second direction effects an actuation signal for moving the implement in an opposite direction of the first range of motion; and wherein the second control switch is configured such that pivoting about the second pivot axis in a third direction effects an actuation signal for moving the implement in one direction of a second range of motion and pivoting about the second pivot axis in a fourth direction effects an actuation signal for moving the implement in an opposite direction of the second range of motion.",
    "4. The control grip of claim 3, wherein the actuation signals are proportional to pivot angles about the respective first and second pivot axes.",
    "5. The control grip of claim 3, further including a third control switch connected to at least one of the grab bar and the upright support at the distal end of the control grip.",
    "6. The control grip of claim 5, wherein the second and third control switches are disposed to pivot about the second pivot axis.",
    "7. The control grip of claim 6, wherein the third control switch is configured such that pivoting about the second pivot axis in the third direction effects an actuation signal for moving the implement in one direction of a third range of motion and pivoting about the second pivot axis in the fourth direction effects an actuation signal for moving the implement in an opposite direction of the third range of motion.",
    "8. The control grip of claim 1, wherein the grab bar and the base include a rigid support frame and an outer body mounted to the support frame.",
    "9. The control grip of claim 8, wherein the support frame includes at least one switch mount to which the first and second control switches are mounted.",
    "10. A control grip for controlling the operation of an implement attached to a work vehicle, the control grip comprising: a rigid support frame defining a mounting platform and spaced apart uprights spanned by a grab bar spaced above the mounting platform and supported at opposite ends by the uprights, the support frame including at least one switch mount located at one of the uprights; first and second control switches mounted to the at least one switch mount in different orientations; and an outer body mounted to the support frame at least along the grab bar and configured to be grasped by a human hand; wherein the support frame is at least in part of metal plate construction in which the uprights are at least in part formed as bent ends of the mounting platform.",
    "11. The control grip of claim 10, wherein the support frame includes at least two switch mounts, the first control switch mounted to a first of the switch mounts and the second control switch mounted to a second of the switch mounts.",
    "12. The control grip of claim 10, wherein the first control switch pivots about a first pivot axis in two opposite directions and the second control switch pivots about a second pivot axis in two opposite directions, the second pivot axis extending in a reference plane perpendicular to a reference plane containing the first pivot axis; wherein the first control switch is configured such that pivoting about the first pivot axis in a first direction effects an actuation signal for moving the implement in one direction of a first range of motion and pivoting about the first pivot axis in a second direction effects an actuation signal for moving the implement in an opposite direction of the first range of motion; and wherein the second control switch is configured such that pivoting about the second pivot axis in a third direction effects an actuation signal for moving the implement in one direction of a second range of motion and pivoting about the second pivot axis in a fourth direction effects an actuation signal for moving the implement in an opposite direction of the second range of motion.",
    "13. The control grip of claim 12, wherein the actuation signals are proportional to pivot angles about the respective first and second pivot axes.",
    "14. The control grip of claim 12, further including a third control switch, wherein the support frame includes a third switch mount to which the second and third control switches are mounted and arranged to pivot about the second pivot axis; and wherein the third control switch is configured such that pivoting about the second pivot axis in the third direction effects an actuation signal for moving the implement in one direction of a third range of motion and pivoting about the second pivot axis in the fourth direction effects an actuation signal for moving the implement in an opposite direction of the third range of motion.",
    "15. A control grip for controlling the operation of an implement attached to a work vehicle and movable in at least first and second ranges of movement, the control grip comprising: a base having a mounting platform and a pair of proximal and distal upright supports; a grab bar extending between the proximal and distal upright supports and spaced from the mounting platform; a first switch lever connected to the distal end upright support spaced from the mounting platform and pivotal about a first pivot axis in two opposite directions; and a second switch lever connected to the distal end upright support spaced from the mounting platform and pivotal about a second pivot axis in two opposite directions, the second pivot axis extending in a reference plane perpendicular to a reference plane containing the first pivot axis; wherein pivoting the first switch lever about the first pivot axis in a first direction is configured to move the implement in one direction of the first range of motion and pivoting the first switch lever about the first pivot axis in a second direction is configured to move the implement in an opposite direction of the first range of motion; and wherein pivoting the second switch lever about the second pivot axis in a third direction is configured to move the implement in one direction of the second range of motion and pivoting the second switch lever about the second pivot axis in a fourth direction is configured to move the implement in an opposite direction of the second range of motion.",
    "16. The control grip of claim 15, wherein the base and the grab bar include a rigid support frame and an outer body mounted to the support frame.",
    "17. The control grip of claim 16, wherein the support frame includes at least one switch mount to which the first and second control switches are mounted.",
    "18. The control grip of claim 15, further including a third control switch connected to the distal end upright support, wherein the second and third control switches are disposed to pivot about the second pivot axis."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "Not applicable.\n\nNot applicable.\n\nThis disclosure relates to work vehicles, and in particular to operator controls for work implements.\n\nWork vehicles, such as those used in the agricultural, construction and forestry industries, often have work implement attachments, such as buckets, rippers, scrapers and the like, used for operations such as grading, excavating, tilling, and general site preparation. Conventional work vehicles are equipped with some type of operator control, for example, various hand controls, switches, levers and joysticks for controlling the movements of these implements. The operator uses such controls to control the movements of the implements. For example, in the case of a ripper attachment, the operator can control the height and pitch of the ripper, and for a scraper, the scraper bowl opening, the ejector position, and the depth of the scraper blade.\n\nThe off-road environments often encountered by such work vehicles can be extremely rough, especially in tracked vehicles, thus making the operation of the attachment component difficult for the vehicle operator. The operator is often required to make fine adjustments in the positioning of the controls in order to accurately articulate the associated implement, all while being shaken or jostled about within the cab. Fine adjustments can be particularly difficult without sufficient hand support. Moreover, conventional multi-function controls require the operator to be able to manipulate numerous switches or buttons while positioning the control.",
  "cpc": [
    "G05G 1/06",
    "E02F 3/435",
    "E02F 9/2004",
    "G05G 1/01",
    "G05G 1/02",
    "G05G 1/04",
    "G05G 1/58",
    "G05G 11/00",
    "Y10T 74/20207",
    "Y10T 74/20396"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "E02F 9/20",
    "G05G 1/06",
    "G05G 11/00",
    "E02F 3/43",
    "G05G 1/01",
    "G05G 1/04"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Deere and Co"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Giovanni A. Wuisan",
    "Daniel R. Klein",
    "Joseph F. Tilp"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2014-03-04",
  "publication_date": "2016-05-17",
  "grant_date": "2016-05-17",
  "priority_date": "2014-03-04",
  "application_number": "US-201414196884-A",
  "family_id": "54017306",
  "cited_by_count": 16,
  "citations": [
    "US3573412A",
    "US3823616A",
    "US3941009A",
    "JPS63216116A",
    "US5002454A",
    "US4982189A",
    "GB2256916A",
    "JPH0881197A",
    "US5591082A",
    "US5768947A",
    "JPH11338568A",
    "US7497298B2",
    "US20060243517A1",
    "US7823685B2"
  ]
}