GUARD RAIL ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF

Abstract

A foldable guard rail assembly for a chassis of a vehicle, such as, e.g., mining and excavation vehicles, is provided. In one form, the rail assembly includes at least one guard rail and two or more support members having an upper end pivotally coupled to the at least one guard rail and an opposed lower end pivotally mountable to the chassis such that the two or more support members and the at least one guard rail are configured to be raised and lowered relative to the chassis between a folded position in which the two or more support members and the at least one guard rail are folded relative to the chassis and an operable position in which the two or more support members extend proud from the chassis with the at least one guard rail extending therebetween.

Claims

1. A guard rail assembly for a chassis of a vehicle, said assembly comprising: at least one guard rail; two or more support members for supporting the at least one guard rail relative to the chassis, each of said support members having an upper end pivotally coupled to the at least one guard rail and an opposed lower end pivotally mountable to the chassis; an actuating mechanism for raising and lowering the two or more support members and the at least one guard rail relative to the chassis between a folded position in which the two or more support members and the at least one guard rail are folded relative to the chassis and an operable position in which the two or more support members extend proud from the chassis with the at least one guard rail extending therebetween; and a pivot arm extending from a lower end of at least one of the support members for interconnecting the support member with the actuating mechanism.

2. The guard rail assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one guard rail comprises two guard rails supported relative to the chassis by the two or more support members.

3. The guard rail assembly of claim 2, wherein the two guard rails comprise a top guard rail pivotally coupled to the upper end of each of the two or more support members and a lower guard rail pivotally coupled about midway along a length of each of the two or more support members.

4. The guard rail assembly of claim 1, wherein the two or more support members are pivotally mounted at their respective lower ends to the chassis so as to be pivotable about their lower ends and such that the respective upper ends are pivotable between the folded and operable positions.

5. The guard rail assembly of claim 4, wherein the upper end of each support member is pivotable about a range of movement of about 90° between the folded and operable positions.

6. The guard rail assembly of claim 1, wherein the lower end of each support member comprises a bore defined thereon and configured to receive a pivot pin therethrough for pivoting the lower end relative to the chassis.

7. The guard rail assembly of claim 1, wherein the actuating mechanism comprises one or more linear actuators.

8. The guard rail assembly of claim 1, wherein the pivot arm comprises a pair of opposed ends and an elongate body extending therebetween in an angled orientation.

9. The guard rail assembly of claim 8, wherein the opposed ends comprise a proximal end fixedly connected to the lower end of the at least one of the support members and an opposed distal end configured to interconnect with the actuating mechanism.

10. The guard rail assembly of claim 9, wherein the pivot arm is arranged in an offset arrangement with the lower end of the at least one of the support members so that it may extend alongside the chassis.

11. The guard rail assembly of claim 9, wherein the pivot arm extends through an elongate opening defined in a rail of the chassis.

12. The guard rail assembly of claim 9, wherein, in use, the pivot arm pivots about the proximal end together with the at least one of the support members and the distal end is pivoted towards and away from the actuating mechanism to raise and lower the support members and the at least one guard rail between the folded and operable positions.

13. The guard rail assembly of claim 12, wherein the actuating mechanism comprises a linear actuator located beneath the assembly and configured to move between extended and retracted positions to pivot the pivot arm and thus the at least one of the support members and the at least one guard rail between the folded and operable positions.

14. The guard rail assembly of claim 13, wherein the linear actuator is pivotally coupled to each of the pivot arm and an outer side wall of a longitudinally extending side frame of the chassis, or a rail mounted thereon, by a mounting bracket located thereon.

15. The guard rail assembly of claim 1, wherein the pivot arm comprises two or more pivot arms mechanically linked together so that movement of a first said pivot arm by an associated said actuating mechanism drives movement of other said pivot arms thereby synchronizing movement of two or more discrete said guard rails.

16. The guard rail assembly of claim 1, further comprising a chassis mount for mounting the assembly to an outer upper edge of a longitudinally extending side frame of the chassis.

17. The guard rail assembly of claim 16, wherein the chassis mount comprises an edge rail configured to fit over the outer upper edge and one or more mounting brackets for mounting the edge rail to the outer upper edge of the chassis.

18. The guard rail assembly of claim 17, wherein the two or more support members are pivotally mounted to the edge rail.

19. A method of erecting a guard rail on a chassis of a vehicle, said method comprising: fitting a guard rail assembly according to claim 1 to the chassis of the vehicle; and raising the two or more support members and the at least one guard rail relative to the chassis to the operable position.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the raising comprises activating the actuating mechanism to pivot the pivot arm associated with one of the two or more support members to thus raise the two or more support member and the at least one guard rail relative to the chassis to the operable position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0204] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows;

[0205] FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of a guard rail assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention fitted to a chassis of a vehicle and shown in the raised position;

[0206] FIG. 2 is an upper perspective view of the guard rail assembly shown in FIG. 1 in the lowered position;

[0207] FIG. 3 is a sectional side view of the guard rail assembly as shown in FIG. 1; and

[0208] FIG. 4 is a sectional side view of the guard rail assembly as shown in FIG. 2;

[0209] FIG. 5 is a lower perspective view of a guard rail assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention and shown in the raised position;

[0210] FIG. 6 is a lower perspective view of the guard rail assembly shown in FIG. 5 in the lowered position;

[0211] FIG. 7 is an upper perspective view of the guard rail assembly as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 fitted to a chassis of a vehicle;

[0212] FIG. 8 is an upper perspective view of a guard rail assembly according to a third embodiment of the present invention fitted to a chassis of a vehicle and shown in an operable position;

[0213] FIG. 9 is an upper perspective view of the guard rail assembly shown in FIG. 8 in a folded position;

[0214] FIG. 10 is a side view of the guard rail assembly shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 in the operable position;

[0215] FIG. 11 is another side view of the guard rail assembly shown in FIG. 10 in the folded position; and

[0216] FIG. 12 is a side view of a guard rail assembly according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0217] FIGS. 1 to 12 show a guard rail assembly (100) according to embodiments of the present invention fitted to a chassis (900; not shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 10 to 12) of a rigid dump truck.

[0218] FIGS. 1 to 4 show a first embodiment of the guard rail assembly (100) with FIG. and 3 showing the assembly (100) in the raised position and FIGS. 2 and 4 showing the assembly (100) in the lowered position.

[0219] Referring to FIG. 1, the assembly (100) includes a guard rail (110) having a first end (112) pivotally mountable to the chassis (900) and a second end (114) pivotable relative to the chassis (900) between a lowered position (show in FIG. 2) and a shown raised position.

[0220] The assembly (100) includes three guide rails (120) for guiding and supporting movement of the guard rail (110) relative to the chassis (900). Each guide rail (120) extends downwards from the guard rail (110) and is slidably mountable to the chassis (900) for movement relative thereto.

[0221] The assembly (100) further includes an actuating mechanism in the form of a linear actuator (130) for driving movement the guard rail (110) between the raised and lowered positions.

[0222] The chassis (900) is a chassis of a rigid dump truck, a Komatsu™ HD1500 in particular.

[0223] The chassis (900) is formed from metal and includes a pair of longitudinally extending side frame members (910) joined together by a plurality of transversely extending cross frame members (920). The frame members (910, 920) are of tubular construction and are joined together using conventional welding techniques.

[0224] Each side frame member (910) includes a forward end (912) and an opposed rear end (914). The frame member (910) extends rearwardly at an angle such that the rear end (914) is elevated relative to the forward end (912).

[0225] Each side frame member (910) includes an upper wall (915), an opposed lower wall and a pair of opposed side walls extending longitudinally between the forward and rear ends (912, 914). The opposed side walls include an inner side wall (917) and an opposed outer side wall. Each side frame member (910) further includes an inner upper edge (919) between the inner side wall (917) and the upper wall (915).

[0226] The guard rail (110) has a substantially circular cross section and includes at least one side wall (115) extending longitudinally between the first and second ends (112, 114) in a linear direction. The guard rail (110) is of tubular construction and made of steel.

[0227] The guard rail (110) extends forward (i.e., towards the front end of the chassis (900)) from the first end (112) to the second end (114). As shown, the guard rail (110) is of a suitable length to extend at least partially along a length of the chassis (900) that may pose a fall hazard.

[0228] The first end (112) of the guard rail (110) is pivotally mounted to the inner side wall (917) of a side frame member (910) of the chassis (900) at a location at or near the rear end (914) and the inner upper edge (919). The first end (112) of the guard rail (110) is pivotally mounted via a guard rail mount (140)

[0229] The first end (112) of the guard rail (110) includes a HDPE bushing.

[0230] The guard rail mount (140) includes a bracket connectable to the inner side wall (917) of a side frame member (910) of the chassis (900) and a pivot pin for pinning the HDPE bushing at the first end (112) of the guard rail (100) to the bracket.

[0231] The bracket is connectable to the inner side wall (917) of the side frame member (910) with one or more mechanical fasteners and/or using conventional welding techniques.

[0232] In use, when the guard rail (110) is in the raised position as shown, the second end (114) of the guard rail (110) pivots upwards relative to the chassis (900) such that the guard rail (110) functions as a barrier to prevent a worker from falling over the inner upper edge (919) of a longitudinally extending side frame member (910) of the chassis (900) to which it is pivotally mounted.

[0233] The second end (114) of the guard rail (110) pivots to a height of about 1,127 mm above the chassis (900) when in the raised position.

[0234] Likewise, the guard rail (110) pivots to about an angle of about 13° relative to the side frame member (910) of the chassis (900) to which it is mounted when in the raised position, preferably such that the guard rail (110) has a substantially horizontal orientation.

[0235] Conversely, and briefly referring to FIG. 2, when the guard rail (110) is in the lowered position the guard rail (110) extends at least partially along the inner side wall (917) of the longitudinally extending side frame member (910) of the chassis (900) to which it is pivotally mounted in a substantially parallel arrangement. Advantageously, in the lowered position the guard rail (110) does not interfere with any normal operations of the vehicle thereby allowing the guard rail assembly (100) of the present invention to remain permanently fitted to the chassis (900) of the vehicle for subsequent use.

[0236] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the three guide rails (120) guide and support movement of the guard rail (110) relative to the chassis (900).

[0237] Each guide rail (120) has an elongate structure extending longitudinally between a pair of opposed ends, including a chassis connecting end (122) and a guard rail connecting end (124). Each guide rail (120) is made of steel and extends longitudinally in an arc between the opposed ends (122, 124).

[0238] Each guide rail (120) extends downwards from the guard rail (110) and is slidably mounted to the inner side wall (917) of a longitudinally extending side frame member (910) of the chassis (900) via a slide mount (310).

[0239] Each guide rail (120) is joined to the guard rail (110) using conventional welding techniques.

[0240] Referring to FIG. 3, each guide rail (120) includes a groove (125) extending longitudinally between the opposed ends (122, 124) and the chassis (900) includes the slide mount (310) connectable to the inner side wall (917) of a side frame member (910) of the chassis (900) and configured to be slidable within and along a length of the groove (125) of the guide rail (120).

[0241] The slide mount (310) include a bracket connectable to the inner side wall (917), a shank extending away from the bracket and configured to have the groove (125) of the guide rail (120) mounted thereon, and a fastener for securing the guide rail (120) relative to the slide mount (310).

[0242] The bracket is connectable to the inner side wall (917) of the side frame member (910) of the chassis (900) with one or more mechanical fasteners and/or using conventional welding techniques.

[0243] The fastener of the slide mount (310) includes a nut, and the shank includes at least a threaded outer portion for the fastener to be threadingly fastened thereto.

[0244] The slide mount (310) further includes a HDPE washer.

[0245] As shown, the guide rails (120) are evenly spaced along a length of the guard rail (110) and are of differing lengths thereby providing respective grooves (125) with differing travel lengths, since the guard rail (110) pivots about the first end (112).

[0246] Referring again to FIGS. 3 and 4, the linear actuator (130) extends between the side frame member (910) of the chassis (900) and the guard rail (110) and is capable of moving between an extended position shown in FIG. 3 and a retracted position shown in FIG. 4. The extended and retracted positions correspond with the raised and lowered positions of the guard rail (110) relative to the chassis (900), respectively.

[0247] The linear actuator (130) comprises a pneumatic ram and is pivotally coupled to each of the guard rail (110) and the inner side wall (917) of a side frame member (910) of the chassis (900) by mounting brackets (320) respectively located on each.

[0248] The mounting brackets (320) are respectively connectable to the side wall (115) of the guard rail (110) and the inner side wall (917) of the side frame member (910) of the chassis (900) with one or more mechanical fasteners and/or using conventional welding techniques.

[0249] FIGS. 5 to 7 show a second embodiment of the guard rail assembly (100) with FIGS. 5 and 7 showing the assembly (100) in the raised position and FIG. 6 showing the assembly (100) in the lowered position. For convenience, features that are similar or correspond to features of the first embodiment will be referenced with the same reference numerals.

[0250] Referring to FIG. 5, the assembly (100) includes a guard rail (110) having a first end (112) pivotally mountable to a chassis (900; not visible) via a guard rail mount (140) and a second end (114) pivotable relative to the chassis (900; not visible) between a raised position as shown and a lowered position as shown in FIG. 6.

[0251] The assembly (100) includes a support member (510) for moving the guard rail (110) relative to the chassis (900; not shown).

[0252] The support member (510) has a first end (512) pivotally mountable to the guard rail (110) at or near the second end (114) and a second end (514) pivotally mountable to the chassis (900; not visible) via a support member mount (520).

[0253] The support member (510) is pivotable about the second end (514) between a folded position, as shown in FIG. 6, relative to the chassis (900; not visible) in which the guard rail (110) is in the lowered position and an extended position as shown in which the support member (510) is in a substantially upright position and the guard rail (110) is in the raised position.

[0254] The assembly (100) further includes a sliding member (530) for moving the support member (510) between the folded and extended positions and thereby moving the guard rail (110) relative to the chassis (900; not visible).

[0255] The sliding member (530) has a first end (532) slidably mounted to the guard rail (110) and an opposed second end (534) pivotally connected to the support member (510).

[0256] The sliding member (530) at the first end (532) is connected to an actuating mechanism in the form of a linear actuator (130) for driving movement of the sliding member (530) at least partially along the guard rail (110) so as to cause the support member (510) to pivot between the folded and extended positions and the guard rail (110) to thereby pivot between the lowered and raised positions, respectively.

[0257] In this embodiment, the guard rail (110) defines an inverted U-shaped groove extending at least partially between the opposed ends (112, 114) and the first end (532 of the sliding member (530) includes a slide mount (310) connectable to the guard rail (110) and configured to be slidable within and along a length of the inverted U-shaped groove.

[0258] Referring briefly to FIG. 6, the support member (510) is formed from two member portions (516) pivotally coupled together and foldable relative to each other alongside the chassis (900; not visible) when in the folded position.

[0259] The sliding member (530) is pivotally coupled at the second end (534) to a lower end of an uppermost member portion (516) so as to cause the portions (516) to fold relative to one another when the sliding member (530) slides at least partially along the guard rail (110) towards the first end (112).

[0260] Conversely and with reference to FIG. 5, when the sliding member (530) slides at least partially along the guard rail (110) towards the second end (114), the sliding member (530) causes the portions (516) to unfold, the lowermost portion (516) to pivot upwards and the portions (516) to align in an end-to-end arrangement in the extended position (and thereby pivot the second end (114) of the guard rail (110) to the raised position).

[0261] Referring to FIG. 7, the guard rail assembly (100) of this embodiment, like the first embodiment, is mounted to the inner sidewall (917) of the side frame member (910) of the chassis (900) via the guard rail mount (140) and the support member mount (520).

[0262] FIGS. 8 to 11 show a third embodiment of the guard rail assembly (100) with FIGS. 8 and 10 showing the assembly (100) in the raised position and FIGS. 9 and 11 showing the assembly (100) in the lowered position. For convenience, features that are similar or correspond to features of the first embodiment will be referenced with the same reference numerals.

[0263] Referring to FIG. 8, the assembly (100) includes an upper guard rail (110) and lower guard rail (220); and a plurality of support members (510) for supporting the guard rails (110, 220) relative to the chassis (900).

[0264] Each of the support members (510) includes a lower end (512) pivotally mountable to the chassis (900) and the guard rails (110, 220) are pivotally coupled to the support members (510). Specifically, each of the support members (510) is pivotally coupled to an outer side wall (917) of the side frame members (910) of the chassis (900).

[0265] The assembly (100) further includes an actuating mechanism in the form of a linear actuator (130) for raising and lowering the support members (510) and guard rails (110, 220) relative to the chassis (900) between the shown operable position in which the support members (510) stand proud atop the chassis (900) and a folded position, as shown in FIG. 9, in which the support members (510) and guard rails (110, 220) are folded relative to the chassis (900).

[0266] As shown in both FIGS. 8 and 9, the assembly (100) further includes a pivot arm (150) extending from a lower end (512) of one of the support members (510A) for interconnecting the support member (510A) with the linear actuator (130).

[0267] Referring to FIG. 10, the upper and lower guard rails (110, 220) each have a substantially circular cross section and include at least one sidewall extending longitudinally between opposed ends in linear direction. Each guard rail (110, 220) is of tubular construction and made of steel.

[0268] As shown, the guard rails (110, 220) are both supported relative to the chassis (900; not shown) by the support members (510) and moveable relative to the chassis (900; not shown) between the operable and folded positions in a substantially parallel arrangement relative to the chassis (900; not shown).

[0269] Like the guard rails (110, 220), the support members (510) each have a substantially circular cross section and include at least one sidewall extending longitudinally between opposed ends in linear direction. The opposed ends include a lower end (512) and an opposed upper end (514). Each support member (510) is of tubular construction and made of steel.

[0270] As indicated, the guard rail (110, 220) are pivotally coupled to the support members (510) such that upper and lower guard rail (110, 130) spans between an adjacent pair of support members (510).

[0271] The upper guard rail (110) and the upper ends (514) of the support members (510) are pivotally coupled together by intermeshing lugs each having a central bore therethrough and configured to be pinned together by at least one pivot pin received through the co-aligned central bores.

[0272] The lower guard rail (220) also includes a lug having a central bore therethrough at each end, which is pinned to a side of an adjacent support member (510) with at least one pivot pin.

[0273] The support members (510) are pivotally mounted at their lower ends (512) to the chassis (900; not shown) via a chassis mount (160) configured to be fastened along an outer upper edge (919; not shown) of a side frame member (910; not shown) of the chassis (900; not shown).

[0274] Each support member (510) is pivotable about the lower end (512) such that the upper end (514) is pivotable between the operable and folded positions relative to the chassis (900; not shown), as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, respectively.

[0275] The upper end (514) of each support member (510) is able to pivot about a range of movement about 90° from a substantially vertical orientation when in the operable position.

[0276] The lower end (512) of each support member (510) includes a bore defined thereon and configured to receive a pivot pin therethrough for pivoting the lower end (512) to a rail of the chassis mount (160).

[0277] As shown, the assembly (100) includes a linear actuator (130) for raising and lowering the support members (510) and the guard rails (110, 220) relative to the chassis (900; not shown).

[0278] A pivot arm (150) extends downwardly from the lower end (512) of one of the support members (510A) for interconnecting with the linear actuator (130).

[0279] The pivot arm (150) includes a proximal end (152) fixedly connected to the lower end (512) of the support member (510A) and an opposed distal end (154) configured to be pivotally coupled to the linear actuator (130).

[0280] The pivot arm (150) has an L-shaped elongate body and includes a proximal end portion (153) and a distal end portion (155) orthogonally arranged relative to the proximal end portion (153).

[0281] The pivot arm (150) extends downwardly from the lower end (512) of the support member (510) and alongside a rail of the chassis mount (160).

[0282] In use, the pivot arm (150) pivots about the proximal end (152) together with the support member (510A) and the distal end (154) pivots towards and away from the linear actuator (130) to raise and lower the support member (510A) (and the remaining support members (510) mechanically linked to the support member (510A) via the guard rails (110, 220)) between the operable and folded positions.

[0283] As shown, the linear actuator (130) is pivotally coupled at a first end to a bracket extend downwardly from the chassis mount (160) and at an opposed second end to the distal end (154) of the pivot arm (150).

[0284] With reference to FIG. 10, when the linear actuator (130) is extended, the distal end (154) of the pivot arm (150) is pivoted away from the linear actuator (130) and the support member (510A) (and the remaining support members (510) mechanically linked to the support member (510A) via the guard rails (110, 220)) is pivoted to the operable position.

[0285] With reference to FIG. 11, when the linear actuator (130) is retracted, the distal end (154) of the pivot arm (150) is pivoted towards the linear actuator (130) and the support member (510A) (and the remaining support members (510) mechanically linked to the support member (510A) via the guard rails (110, 220)) is pivoted to the folded position.

[0286] FIG. 12 shows a fourth embodiment of the foldable guard rail assembly (100). For convenience, features that are similar or correspond to features of the first embodiment will be referenced with the same reference numerals.

[0287] In this embodiment, the assembly (100) includes two pivot arms (150) mechanically linked together by a bar (170) so that movement of one pivot arm (150A) by an associated linear actuator (130) drives movement of the other pivot arm (150B). Advantageously, such arrangements facilitate synchronized movement of two or more discrete guard rails (100).

[0288] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word ‘comprising’ and its derivatives including ‘comprises’ and ‘comprise’ include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

[0289] Reference throughout this specification to ‘one embodiment’ or ‘an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

[0290] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.