Movable Control Console

This invention relates generally to mobile construction machines, and more particularly to instrument consoles for use on asphalt paving machines.

Instrument consoles for paving machines are required to be movable back and forth across the width of the machine, depending upon which side of the machine the operator needs to be positioned. Such instrument consoles are difficult to move and to lock in place and to unlock for movement.

The foregoing illustrates limitations known to exist in present instrument consoles. Thus, it is apparent that it would be advantageous to provide an alternative directed to overcoming one or more of the limitations set forth above. Accordingly, a suitable alternative is provided including features more fully disclosed hereinafter.

In one aspect of the present invention, this is accomplished by providing a movable instrument console comprising a support rail for supporting the instrument console; means for connecting the support rail to the machine; the instrument console being movable back and forth along the support rail; a device for locking the instrument console in place and for unlocking the instrument console for movement; and means on the instrument console for receiving one end of control elements extending from the machine.

The foregoing and other aspects will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a paving machine with the invention thereon;

FIG. 2 is a magnified side view of the invention, with parts removed;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the instrument console, with parts removed, along lines 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the invention, along lines 4--4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4A is a view similar to FIG. 4, showing two seats for an operator and a joy stick for control.

FIG. 5 is a cross section along lines 5--5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross section along lines 6--6 of FIG. 5.

Now referring to the Figures, FIG. 1 shows a mobile asphalt paving machine 1, of conventional configuration, having a length extending between a front end 3, a back end 5 and width extending between a pair of side surfaces 7.

As is well known, a hopper 10 is positioned at front end 3 and a screed 12 is positioned at back end 5. An operator platform 14 is positioned intermediate hopper 10 and screed 12. Platform 14 extends widthwise of machine 1 so as to permit the operator to work at either side 7 of the machine that is required, depending upon the paving requirements. A seat 16 for the operator is positioned at each side 7 of the machine, as is a side rail 18. The movable instrument console of the invention is shown generally as 20, and is movable between either side 7 of the machine, as the operator requires.

Referring to FIGS. 2-4, the invention is shown to include a first support rail 30 extending widthwise of the machine 1. A second support rail 32 is parallel to first support rail 30 and is spaced therefrom. Instrument console 34 is movable back and forth along said support rails 30, 32, as described hereinafter. Support rails 30, 32 extend across the width of machine 1 and are support at each end by a first and second end support 40, 42. End supports 40, 42 are identical, and a description of one will be the same for both. End support 40 includes a base member 44 connected to platform 14, by bolts (not shown). Base member 44 extends vertically upwardly a short distance above platform 14 to a first end 46. An intermediate support member 48 is connected, as by welding, to first end 46. Intermediate support member 48 extends angularly upwardly from first end 46 and platform 14, in a direction that is disposed toward the front end 3 of the machine 1, and it ends in a first connection support end 50 for supporting a member described hereinafter.

Terminal support member 52 is connected, as by welding, to intermediate support member 48 at support end 50. Terminal support member 52 extends angularly upwardly from support end 50 and platform 14, in a direction that is the reverse of direction of intermediate support member 48, that is, it is disposed toward back end 5 of machine 1. Terminal support member 52 ends in a second connection support end 54, for supporting a member as described hereinafter.

As seen in FIG. 4, instrument console 34 is supported on a first support rail 30, that extends crosswise of machine 1 between end supports 40,42. Each end 60 of first support rail 30 is supported at a second connection support end 54 of terminal support member 52. Console 34 is slidably movable along first support rail 30, across the width of machine 1. First support rail 30 is a solid tubular bar that is chrome plated and ground to a very smooth surface to facilitate the sliding movement of console 34. Rail 30 is connected to end 54 by means of a clamp 55 of conventional design.

Second support rail 32 extends parallel to first support rail 30 and is spaced therebelow. Each end 62 of second support rail 32 is supported at a first support connection support end 50 of intermediate support member 48. Second support rail 32 is an angle beam with one flange 64 positioned to provide a flat surface for a contact support device 70 to track along (FIG. 4). Rail 32 has a bracket 51 welded to each end 62, and bracket 51 is bolted to support end 50.

Contact support device 70 is attached to console 34 and includes a rotatable wheel, or caster 74, which rolls along flange 64 to provide support to console 34 in addition to the support provided by first support rail 30. Caster 74 is rotatable about a pivot axis 76 that is journaled between a pair of spaced-apart ears 78 connected to console 34, as by bolting. The tilt angle of console 34 about support rail 30 can be varied by placing a spacer (not shown) between support device 70 and console 34 rear panel (identified below as rear panel 82).

As seen in FIGS. 2-4, console 34 is a hollow body member 79 having a front panel 80, a rear panel 82, a first side panel 84, a second side panel 86, a top panel 88 and a bottom panel 90. An elongated hollow tubular housing 92 extends through the body member 79 between side panels 84,86 and is connected to the body member 79, as by welding. Housing 92 is concentrically telescoped on first support rail 30 for sliding therealong. Removably fit into each end of housing 92 is a bushing 96 made of a suitable plastic material that has a low coefficient of friction. We prefer a nylon material. Bushing 96 is held in place by any conventional device such as a snap ring, set screws or steaking (not shown). Thus, it can be understood that body member 79 is slidable along support rail 30 and 32, widthwise of the machine 1.

Front panel 80 is adapted to carry and display any variety of indicator devices for indicating to the machine operator control information about the machine 1, and for actuating control features of the machine 1. We prefer to form front panel 80 into two segments, each segment angularly disposed to each other, so that the two segments and devices thereon face a generally central position in front of front panel 80, where the operator will usually be positioned. This angular configuration improves the operator's ability to see and reach all the devices on the front panel 80. Typically, such devices include meters, electrical and hydraulic controls, switches and valves. A steering wheel 81 is shown, but a joystick is also acceptable.

Such indicator devices are connected to one end of plurality of individual control elements 100 that extend from the machine 1, as is well known. Elements 100 are flexible and are gathered together into a flexible harness 101 that is inserted into body member 79 by way of an aperture 102 in bottom panel 90. An optional tube member 104 can be welded to bottom panel 90 around aperture 102 for protection of the harness 101, which extends therethrough. Access doors 105 of conventional design are located in top panel 88 for access to the connection of control elements 100 and body 79, for repair purposes.

Referring to FIGS. 5-6, the brake means for locking console 34 in place will be described. Brake shoe 110 is positioned in body 79 and spaced from housing 92, adjacent an aperture 112 in housing 92 that exposes first support rail 30 therein. First end 114 of brake shoe 110 is pivotally connected to body 79 by a bracket 116 and pivot pin 118, for pivoting about pivot pin 118. Second end 120 of brake shoe is connected to a shaft 122 that extends outwardly through rear panel 82 to a pistol grip handle 124 connected thereto. Inner end 126 of shaft 122 is threaded into matching threads in second end 120 of brake shoe 110, whereby turning of pistol grip handle 124 draws brake shoe 110 into aperture 112 to fictionally contact support rail 30, for locking body 79 in place. When handle 124 is turned in a locking direction, bushing 130 on shaft 122 fictionally engages rear panel 82 for retaining brake shoe 110 in place against rail 30. A reverse turning of handle 124 releases brake shoe 110, to permit body 79 to be moved on rail 30 by the operator. Other types of braking mechanisms would be acceptable.

As shown in FIG. 2, body 79 is pivotable about rail 30 so that contact support device 70 can be pivoted along arc 130 out of contact with flange 64, when the operator chooses to stand and wants the front panel 80 to face upwardly. Brake shoe 110 will also move along with body 79.

While we have disclosed this invention for use with an asphalt paving machine it can be used on other types of mobile construction equipment which require an operator to operate the equipment from either side thereof.