Closure arrangement for tank opening of agricultural machine

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017073155-A1
Application number	US-201615056727-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 29, 2016
Priority date	Sep 14, 2015
Publication date	Mar 16, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

A closure assembly is disclosed for a work machine having a supply tank with a tank opening. The closure assembly has a lid and lift, actuator and latch mechanisms. When the closure assembly is attached to the tank, the lift mechanism is configured to support the lid off of the tank opening. The actuator mechanism mounts to the lid to move the lid with respect to the tank opening between first and second positions in which in the first position the lid overlies the tank opening and in the second position the lid is substantially clear of the tank opening. The latch mechanism may be moved into a latched orientation in which when the lid is in the first position the latch mechanism latches the lid into engagement with the tank opening.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . In a work machine having a supply tank with a tank opening, a closure assembly configured to close the tank opening comprising:
a lid; an actuator mechanism mounted to the lid to move the lid with respect to the tank opening between first and second positions in which in the first position the lid overlies the tank opening and in the second position the lid is substantially clear of the tank opening; and a latch mechanism movable into a latched orientation in which when the lid is in the first position the latch mechanism latches the lid into engagement with the tank opening.

2 . The closure assembly of claim 1 , further comprising at least one seal arranged in sealing engagement with the lid and the tank opening when the lid is in the first position and the latch mechanism is in the latched orientation.

3 . The closure assembly of claim 1 , further including a lift mechanism mounted between the lid and the tank opening and configured to support the lid off of the tank opening when the closure assembly is attached to the tank;
wherein the latch mechanism is movable into an unlatched orientation in the first and second positions of the lid; wherein, when the latch mechanism is in the unlatched orientation and the lid is in the first position, the lift mechanism applies a biasing force that raises the lid to separate the lid from the tank opening; and wherein the latch mechanism overcomes the biasing force to move the lid into latched orientation.

4 . The closure assembly of claim 3 , further including a tank opening flange configured to mount to the tank and surround the tank opening, and to which the lid is attached,

5 . The closure assembly of claim 4 , wherein the tank opening flange has at least one moveable flange lip that engages at least one lip of the lid when the latch mechanism is in the latched orientation.

6 . The closure assembly of claim 5 , wherein the lift mechanism includes at least one spring and plunger arrangement, the spring biasing the plunger to extend.

7 . The closure assembly of claim 6 , further including a mounting rail slidably engaged by the plunger.

8 . The closure assembly of claim 1 , wherein the latch mechanism includes an over-center arrangement.

9 . The closure assembly of claim 8 , wherein the latch mechanism includes a link connecting a rockshaft to an actuator lever; and
wherein pivoting the actuator lever rotates the rockshaft to pivot the link over-center.

10 . The closure assembly of claim 9 , wherein the link is coupled to the rockshaft by a connector that is adjustable to change a distance between the link and the rockshaft.

11 . The closure assembly of claim 8 , wherein the latch mechanism is foot-operated; and
wherein the actuator lever is a pedal.

12 . The closure assembly of claim 8 , wherein the latch mechanism includes a plurality of links connected to the rockshaft; and
wherein pivoting the actuator lever rotates the rockshaft to pivot the links over-center.

13 . The closure assembly of claim 12 , wherein the latch mechanism includes a plurality of rockshafts including one disposed on each of two opposite sides of the lid; and
wherein one or more of the links is connected to each rockshaft.

14 . The closure assembly of claim 13 , wherein the latch mechanism includes a connector link coupling the rockshafts on opposite sides of the lid such that pivoting the actuator lever rotates the rockshafts.

15 . The closure assembly of claim 1 , wherein the lid has at least one guide slidably engagable with at least one guide rail of the tank.

16 . The closure assembly of claim 1 , wherein the actuator mechanism includes a handle mountable to the lid and the tank for movement of the lid between the first and second positions;
wherein a lower end of the handle is connected to the lid and an upper end of the handle forms a handrail extending above the lid in the first position; and wherein the lower end of the handle moves in a direction of movement of the lid and the upper end of the handle moves in a direction different from the direction of movement of the lid.

17 . A work machine, comprising:
a supply tank having a tank opening; and a closure assembly including:
a lid sized to close the tank opening;
a handle mounted between the tank and the lid and to move the lid with respect to the tank opening between first and second positions in which in the first position the lid overlies the tank opening and in the second position the lid is substantially clear of the tank opening; and
a latch mechanism mounted between the tank and the lid and movable into a latched orientation in which when the lid is in the first position the latch mechanism latches the lid into engagement with the tank opening.

18 . The work machine of claim 17 , further including a lift mechanism mounted between the tank and the lid for supporting the lid off of the tank opening;
wherein the latch mechanism is movable into an unlatched orientation in the first and second positions of the lid; and wherein, when the latch mechanism is in the unlatched orientation and the lid is in the first position, the lift mechanism applies a biasing force to raise the lid to separate the lid from the tank opening.

19 . A work machine, comprising:
a supply tank having a tank opening; a closure assembly including a lid sized to close the tank opening and a handle mounted between the supply tank and the lid to move the lid with respect to the tank opening between first and second positions in which in the first position the lid overlies the tank opening and in the second position the lid is substantially clear of the tank opening; and a standing platform mounted to the work machine and having a handrail; wherein, when the lid is in the first position, an upper end of the handle forms a part of the handrail.

20 . The work machine of claim 19 , wherein a lower end of the handle is connected to the lid and moves in a direction of movement of the lid and the upper end of the handle moves in a direction opposite the direction of movement of the lid.

Assignees

• Deere & Co

Inventors

• Borkgren Stanley R
• Snipes Terry L
• Groves Tyler G
• Graham William D

Classifications

• B65D2525/283

  combined with container closing means, e.g. stopper · CPC title

• B65D43/26

  Mechanisms for opening or closing, e.g. pedal-operated {(for refuse receptacles B65F1/1623)} · CPC title

• B65D88/128

  tank containers, i.e. containers provided with supporting devices for handling · CPC title

• B65D25/28

  Handles (of containers made by folding or erecting blanks made of paper B65D5/46; of bottles or jars B65D23/10 {; holders for glasses, bottles, cartons, plastic bags, cans A47G23/02}) · CPC title

• B65D43/22

  Devices for holding in closed position, e.g. clips · CPC title