Adjustable monitor mount

[0002] This disclosure relates generally to heavy equipment and more particularly to an adjustable mount for a monitor display to allow the operator to adjust the position of the monitor as needed during equipment operation.

[0003] Heavy equipment systems indicators have progressed from dashboard mounted analog instruments to digital displays that allow the operator to monitor the functions of the equipment. Flexible integrated combine display units (ICDU's) are used to report to the farm equipment/combine operator, data that includes internal information (e.g. ground speed, oil pressure, and engine temperature), operations information (e.g. rotor speed and grain loss), and manufacturer proprietary systems information (e.g. Advanced Farming Systems (AFS) information including yield mapping and position data).

[0004] Current combines do not offer an acceptable method of adjusting the position of monitors/displays with respect to the operator. The ICDU is often a far reach from the operator. It can also be difficult to read when sunlight is shining into the cab at certain angles. The ICDU can also partially block outward visibility of certain components, such as the feeder, header or after-cut areas. The ability to see these components is particularly important in many applications.

[0005] Therefore, what is needed is an adjustable mount for an ICDU that maximizes the readability and accessibility of the ICDU while also allowing for adjustment of the ICDU so as to provide a full outward view of critical components such as a feeder, header or after-cut areas.

[0006] One embodiment, accordingly, provides an adjustable mount for quickly and easily positioning an ICDU such as in an agricultural harvesting machine. To this end, a control console includes a base and a control member. A first swivel member is pivotally connected to the base for movement about a first axis. A second tilt member supports the ICDU which is pivotally connected to the swivel member for movement about a second axis which is different from the first axis.

[0007] A principal advantage of this embodiment is that the adjustable mount may be pivoted about a first axis in and out of the range of visual scan of the crop collecting means, and about a second axis to allow the optimum viewing angle of the ICDU.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a partial view of an embodiment of an agricultural harvesting machine.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of an operator station.

[0010] FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views illustrating an embodiment of a monitor mount.

[0011] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a control console, the monitor mount and the operator station.

[0012] FIGS. 5 and 6 are views illustrating an embodiment of a range of motion for an ICDU.

[0013] An agricultural harvesting machine 10, FIG. 1, has a reel 14, and a feeder 16 for gathering crop and feeding it into agricultural harvesting machine 10. An optional header (not shown) may be used instead of reel 14 depending on the type of crop being harvested. Agricultural harvesting machine 10 includes operator station 18 wherein various control functions of agricultural harvesting machine 10 are monitored and manipulated by an attending operator. A range of visual scan S of the operator extends from the operator rotation 18 to the reel 14.

[0014] Operator station 18, includes an operator seat 20, FIG. 2, and an adjacent control console 22. The control console 22 includes a housing or base 23 supporting a convenient storage compartment 24, a joystick control 26, a control panel 28, having various input buttons and switches, and a touch operated ICDU panel 30. The panel 30 is movable and adjustable relative to the view of the operator, not shown, as indicated by a field of vision V illustrated in phantom. The field of vision V is within the range of visual scan S, discussed above.

[0015] In FIGS. 3A and 3B an elongated member 32 includes a first axis A1 friction pivot connection 34 adjacent a first open end 36 of member 32. A bracket 38 is mounted on a distal or second open end 40 of member 32. A channel extends through member 32 between first open end 36 and second open end 40. The bracket 38 includes a second axis A2 friction pivot connection 42. Panel 30 is mounted on a bracket 44 which pivotably connects to bracket 38 via pivot connection 42 received in a pivot mount 43 and permits panel 30 to tilt or pivot about pivot connection 42. An aesthetic pivot bracket cover 46 mounts over the brackets 38 and 44. Also, an aesthetic cover 48 mounts onto the elongated member 32 adjacent a bend portion 50 of member 32. A power and information cord 52 connects to panel 30, extends through member 32 and exits at open end 36.

[0016] A bracket 54, FIG. 4, is mounted in console 22 and includes a receiver 56 for receiving member 32 and also includes a pivot mount 55 for receiving pivot connection 34. A slot 58 is provided in console 22 for insertion of member 32. Slot 58 is wide enough to permit swivel movement of member 32.

[0017] In operation, member 32, FIG. 5, is pivotable about first pivot axis A1 by bi-directional swivel movement of panel 30 through a first arc R1. In addition, panel 30, FIG. 6, is further pivotable about second pivot axis A2 by bi-directional tilt movement of panel 30 through a second arc R2. Axis A1 is substantially orthogonal to axis A2. In this manner, an operator is able to position panel 30 while operating joystick 26 and other control functions of console 22. The pivot connections 34 and 42 include friction bushings which permit the desired position of panel 30 to be maintained. The panel 30 may be moved into and out of the range of visual scan S of the operator, and may be positioned for a desired view angle within the range of visual scan S and within the field of vision V.

[0018] Although illustrative embodiments have been shown and described, a wide range of modification, change and substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances, some features of the embodiment may be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the embodiments disclosed herein.