Ladder systems, agricultural vehicles, and related methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11634082-B2
Application number	US-202217660581-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 25, 2022
Priority date	Jul 26, 2019
Publication date	Apr 25, 2023
Grant date	Apr 25, 2023

Abstract

A ladder system includes a fixed support, a ladder bracket supported by the fixed support, a ladder coupled to the ladder bracket and configured to rotate with respect to the ladder bracket between a lowered position and a storage position, and an air spring coupling the ladder to the ladder bracket and configured to apply a force to the ladder when the ladder is in the lowered position to keep the ladder in the lowered position. An agricultural vehicle includes a chassis supported by a plurality of wheels, and a ladder system carried by the chassis. Related methods are also disclosed.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A ladder system, comprising:
a fixed support;
a ladder bracket supported by the fixed support;
a ladder coupled to the ladder bracket and configured to rotate with respect to the ladder bracket between a lowered position and a storage position; and
an air spring coupling the ladder to the ladder bracket and configured to apply a force to the ladder when the ladder is in the lowered position to keep the ladder in the lowered position.

2. The ladder system of claim 1 , further comprising a retaining pin configured to lock the ladder to the ladder bracket in the lowered position.

3. The ladder system of claim 1 , wherein the ladder comprises a plurality of rungs arranged generally in a common plane and a handle extending from the common plane of the rungs.

4. The ladder system of claim 3 , further comprising a strap attached to the handle.

5. The ladder system of claim 1 , further comprising a bumper coupled to the ladder and a bumper stop coupled to the fixed support, wherein the air spring is configured to push the bumper against the bumper stop when the ladder is in the lowered position.

6. The ladder system of claim 5 , wherein at least one of the bumper and the bumper stop comprises an elastomeric material.

7. An agricultural vehicle, comprising:
a chassis supported by a plurality of wheels; and
a ladder system carried by the chassis, the ladder system comprising:
a support fixed with respect to the chassis;
a ladder bracket supported by the support;
a ladder coupled to the ladder bracket and configured to rotate with respect to the ladder bracket between a lowered position and a storage position; and
an air spring coupling the ladder to the ladder bracket and configured to apply a force to the ladder when the ladder is in the lowered position to keep the ladder in the lowered position.

8. The agricultural vehicle of claim 7 , wherein the ladder is configured such that, in the lowered position, the ladder does not reach ground under the wheels of the agricultural vehicle.

9. The agricultural vehicle of claim 7 , further comprising at least one fixed rung above the support, wherein the at least one fixed rung is fixed with respect to the chassis of the agricultural vehicle.

10. The agricultural vehicle of claim 7 , further comprising a pair of handrails above the support, wherein the ladder is disposed between the handrails when the ladder is in the storage position.

11. The agricultural vehicle of claim 7 , wherein the ladder comprises:
a plurality of rungs arranged generally in a common plane; and
a handle extending from the common plane of the rungs.

12. The agricultural vehicle of claim 11 , further comprising a strap attached to the handle.

13. The agricultural vehicle of claim 7 , further comprising an application system comprising a lateral boom extending from the chassis.

14. The agricultural vehicle of claim 7 , further comprising a bumper coupled to the ladder and configured to contact a member that is fixed relative to the chassis when the ladder is in the lowered position.

15. A method of moving a ladder coupled to a ladder bracket of an agricultural vehicle, the method comprising:
rotating the ladder with respect to the ladder bracket to overcome a force of an air spring on the ladder and to cause a bumper to separate from a point of contact with the agricultural vehicle;
applying an upward force from the air spring to the ladder to direct the ladder toward a storage position; and
transporting the agricultural vehicle.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising disengaging a retaining pin to enable the ladder to rotate with respect to the ladder bracket before rotating the ladder.

17. The method of claim 15 , further comprising engaging a retaining pin to retain the ladder in the storage position.

18. The method of claim 15 , further comprising, after transporting the agricultural vehicle:
applying a downward force against the air spring to direct the ladder toward a lowered position; and
rotating the ladder downward with respect to the ladder bracket to overcome a force of the air spring on the ladder.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein rotating the ladder downward with respect to the ladder bracket comprises causing the bumper to contact the agricultural vehicle.

20. The method of claim 18 , wherein applying a downward force against the air spring comprises pulling on a strap attached to the ladder.

Assignees

• Agco Corp

Inventors

• Crowley Mark Aron
• Johnson Spencer Dale

Classifications

• A01B76/00

  Parts, details or accessories of agricultural machines or implements, not provided for in groups A01B51/00 - A01B75/00 · CPC title

• B60R3/005 Primary

  Catwalks, running boards for vehicle tops, access means for vehicle tops; Handrails therefor · CPC title

• B60R3/02 Primary

  Retractable steps {or ladders, e.g. movable under shock (B60R3/005 takes precedence)} · CPC title