US20160244945A1

US20160244945A1 - Tread plate assembly for machine

Info

Publication number: US20160244945A1
Application number: US15/142,582
Authority: US
Inventors: Saravanan Panneer; Paul S. Gaydos; Eric D. Hintz
Original assignee: Caterpillar Inc
Current assignee: Caterpillar Inc
Priority date: 2016-04-29
Filing date: 2016-04-29
Publication date: 2016-08-25

Abstract

A tread plate assembly for a machine is provided. The tread plate assembly includes a support plate. The support plate includes a first surface and a second surface. The support plate also includes at least one cutout extending between the first surface and the second surface. The tread plate assembly further includes a tread plate coupled to the first surface of the support plate. The tread plate includes a plurality of treads. Each of the plurality of treads includes an annular portion. The tread plate also includes a plurality of holes. The plurality of holes are adapted to align with the area of the at least one cutout. Each of the plurality of holes is surrounded by at least one pair of diametrically opposite treads of the plurality of treads.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a machine, and more particularly to a tread plate assembly for the machine.

BACKGROUND

Machines, such as off-highway vehicles employed in industries, such as agriculture, mining, construction, and transportation are provided with fender assemblies to prevent mud, dirt, or other types of debris from being thrown from tracks or wheels of the machines towards a door of the machine during an operation thereof. The fender assemblies include a number of plate assemblies located around an operator cabin to provide access to an operator ingress and egress the operator cabin of the machine. During operation of the machine in various work conditions, the mud and the debris may get accumulated on the plate assemblies and may prevent smooth opening and closing of door of the operator cabin, and thereby may cause discomfort during the ingress and egress of the operator cabin. Further, accumulation of the mud and the debris on the plate assemblies may cause lack of traction during ingress or egress the operator cabin of the machine by the operator.
European Patent Number 2,975,253 hereinafter referred to as the '253 patent describes a work vehicle. The work vehicle includes an air cleaner provided with a vacuator, a planar portion located below the air cleaner, and an emission receiver provided to the planar portion at a position under the vacuator. The emission receiver is recessed downward while having an upper opening. The emission receiver includes a bottom surface, a discharge channel having a base end that is in communication with the emission receiver through a communication opening, and a distal end that is opened to an outside of the work vehicle through a discharge port. The discharge channel has a surface inclined downward from the communication opening towards the discharge port. However, the '253 patent does not disclose an effective way to remove the debris through a fender assembly of the work vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a tread plate assembly for a machine is provided. The tread plate assembly includes a support plate having a first end and a second end distal to the first end. The first end of the support plate is adapted to couple with a frame of the machine. The support plate includes a first surface. The support plate also includes a second surface opposite to the first surface. The support plate further includes at least one cutout extending between the first surface and the second surface of the support plate. The tread plate assembly also includes a tread plate. The tread plate is coupled to the first surface of the support plate. The tread plate includes a first contact surface and a second contact surface opposite to the first contact surface. The tread plate further includes a plurality of treads. Each of the plurality of the treads includes an annular portion extending from the first contact surface. The tread plate includes a plurality of holes extending between the first contact surface and the second contact surface. The plurality of holes is adapted to align with the area of the at least one cutout of the support plate. Each of the plurality of holes is surrounded by at least one pair of diametrically opposite treads of the plurality of treads.
Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a machine having a fender assembly disposed adjacent to an operator cabin:

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the fender assembly of FIG. 1 having a tread plate assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure:

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the tread plate assembly of FIG. 2:

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the tread plate assembly; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a tread plate of the tread plate assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary machine 10. The machine 10 is embodied as a track type machine, such as a track type tractor. Alternatively, the machine 10 may be a backhoe loader, a skid steer loader, a wheel loader, a motor grader, an excavator, a scraper, an agricultural tractor, a wheel loader, and a haul truck. It should be understood that the machine 10 may embody any wheeled or tracked machine associated with mining, agriculture, forestry, construction, and other industrial applications.
The machine 10 includes a frame 12 and an engine enclosure 14. The engine enclosure 14 may house a power source, such as an engine to propel the machine 10. The machine 10 further includes ground engaging members 16, such as tracks for moving the machine 10 over a work surface 17. The machine 10 includes an operator cabin 18 that may accommodate a number of input devices (not shown) for controlling and monitoring operations of the machine 10. The input devices may include, but are not limited to, a push-button, a control lever, and a steering wheel. The machine 10 includes a fender assembly 20 disposed above the ground engaging members 16 of the machine 10. The fender assembly 20 acts as a support aiding ingress or egress of an operator 19 from the operator cabin 18. The fender assembly 20 is connected to the frame 12 of the machine 10. The fender assembly 20 serves as a guard member above the ground engaging members 16 to restrain mud, debris or any other material from the work surface 17 to entrance of or in front of a door 21 of the operator cabin 18.
The fender assembly 20 includes a pair of tread plate assemblies, individually referred to as a first tread plate assembly 22 and a second tread plate assembly (not shown). Each of the pair of tread plate assemblies is disposed on either sides of the operator cabin 18. The first tread plate assembly 22, hereinafter referred to as ‘the tread plate assembly 22’, is described in detail below for illustration purpose of the present disclosure. The tread plate assembly 22 includes a tread plate 26. The tread plate 26 removes the mud, the debris or any other material present on feet of the operator 19 before entering the operator cabin 18. The tread plate 26 includes a number of treads 27 to provide desired grip to the feet of the operator 19, when the operator 19 steps on to the tread plate 26.
Referring to FIG. 2, the fender assembly 20 includes a fender frame 28 having a leading end 32 and a trailing end 34 opposite to the leading end 32. The tread plate assembly 22 is coupled to the leading end 32 of the fender frame 28. The fender frame 28 includes a first frame 28A, a second frame 28B that extends from the first frame 28A, and a third frame 28C that extends from the first frame 28A. The second frame 28B (shown in FIG. 4) and the third frame 28C are coupled to the frame 12 of the machine 10. Similarly, the fender assembly 20 may further include an additional fender frame (not shown) to support the second tread plate assembly. The additional fender frame may also have similar constructional features of the fender frame 28.
FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the tread plate assembly 22. FIG. 3 is further illustrated in conjunction with FIG. 4, which is a bottom perspective of the fender frame 28 of the fender assembly 20. The tread plate assembly 22 includes a support plate 40, hereinafter referred to as ‘the first support plate 40’. The first support plate 40 includes a first end 42 and a second end 44. The second end 44 is coupled with the fender frame 28 of the fender assembly 20, which in turn is coupled to the frame 12 of the machine 10. The first support plate 40 also includes a number of side edges 30. In the present example, the first support plate 40 is coupled to the fender frame 28 by welding. More specifically, the second end 44 of the first support plate 40 is welded to the first frame 28A and the side edges 30 of the first support plate 40 are welded to the second and third frames 28B, 28C (shown in FIG. 4).
The first support plate 40 further includes a first surface 46 and a second surface 48 (shown in FIG. 4). The first support plate 40 further includes a number of cutouts 50 that extends between the first surface 46 and the second surface 48. Each of the cutouts 50 defines an area “A” that allows materials, such as the mud and the debris to pass therethrough. In the illustrated example, the first support plate 40 includes three cutouts 50, in which two of the cutouts 50 are in rectangular shape and one of the cutouts 50 is in triangular shape. The rectangular shape and the triangular shape of the cutouts 50 in the first support plate 40 define an optimum area for the mud, and the debris to pass therethrough. Further, the three cutouts 50 are placed such that they enable the first support plate 40 to have the desired structural strength. In another example, the first support plate 40 may include any number of the cutouts 50 that may have any other geometric shapes including, but not limited to, square, oval, or polygonal.
The tread plate assembly 22 further includes a second support plate 52. The second support plate 52 is coupled with the second surface 48 (shown in FIG. 4) of the fender frame 28, thereby to provide structural strength to the first support plate 40 after assembly. More specifically, the second support plate 52 includes a bending portion 51. The bending portion 51 allows the second support plate 52 to dispose at a distance from the first support plate 40 and thereby to provide structural strength to the first support plate 40. In the present embodiment, the bending portion 51 of the second support plate 52 is welded to the first support plate 40 and side edges 53 of the second support plate 52 are welded to the second and third frames 28B, 28C of the fender frame 28. Alternatively, the second support plate 52 may be coupled to the first support plate 40 and the fender frame 28 by a variety of coupling methods known in the art. A size and a shape of the second support plate 52 may be defined to provide desired structural stability to the first support plate 40. The second support plate 52 may be manufactured from variety of materials including, but not limited to, metal, alloys or any other materials known in the art.
The second support plate 52 further includes a number of openings 54. Each of the openings 54 defines an area “B”. The area “B” of each of the openings 54 of the second support plate 52 is equal to or greater than the area “A” of each of the plurality of cutouts 50 of the first support plate 40. In the illustrated example, the second support plate 52 includes three openings 54. Two openings 54 are in rectangular shape corresponding to the two rectangular cutouts 50 and one opening 54 is in triangular shape corresponding to the triangular cutout 50. The rectangular shape and the triangular shape of the openings 54 may define an optimum area in the second support plate 52 for the mud, and the debris to pass therethrough thereby to provide desired structural strength to the second support plate 52. Alternatively, the second support plate 52 may include any number of openings 54 in any other geometric shapes including, but not limited to, a circular, a square, a polygon or any other geometric shape known in the art.
The tread plate assembly 22 includes a support member 56 (shown in FIG. 4). The support member 56 is coupled to the second surface 48 of the first support plate 40 at the first end 42 thereof. The support member 56 provides structural strength to the first support plate 40. In one example, the support member 56 may be welded to the first support plate 40 and the second support plate 52. Alternatively, the support member 56 may be coupled by other coupling methods, such as bolts and nuts known in the art.
The tread plate 26 of the tread plate assembly 22 is coupled to the first surface 46 of the first support plate 40 via a number of fastening members 57. The tread plate 26 acts as a support and facilitates removing and draining of the mud, the debris or any other materials from the feet of the operator 19 and prevents the mud or the debris or any other material entering to the operator cabin 18 through the feet of the operator 19. The fastening members 57 may include, but not limited to, rivets, nuts and bolts, screws, or any other fastening members known in the art.
The tread plate assembly 22 further includes a floor plate 58. The floor plate 58 is coupled to the first surface 46 of the first support plate 40 via a number of fastening members 59. The fastening members 59 may include, but not limited to, rivets, nuts and bolts, screws, or any other fastening members known in the art. The floor plate 58 includes a number of treads 61. The treads 61 may have a star shape profile. Alternatively, the treads 61 may have any profile known in the art to provide anti-skidding properties.
FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the tread plate 26 of the tread plate assembly 22. The tread plate 26 includes a first contact surface 60 and a second contact surface 62. The treads 27 of the tread plate 26 are disposed in a spaced relationship from one another in multiple rows 66 and multiple columns 68 on a plane X defined by the first contact surface 60 of the tread plate 26. Each of the treads 27 includes an annular portion 70 extending from the first contact surface 60 of the tread plate 26. In the illustrated example, the annular portion 70 extends from the first contact surface 60 such that it forms a star shape profile for the tread 27 as shown. When the operator 19 walks on the tread plate assembly 22, the star shape profile of the treads 27 provides anti-skid properties that prevent the operator 19 from slipping. In another example, the annular portion 70 may be in different geometric profiles including, but not limited to, circular, oval, elliptical or any other geometric profiles known in the art.
The tread plate 26 further includes a number of holes 72. The holes 72 extend between the first contact surface 60 and the second contact surface 62 of the tread plate 26. The holes 72 are aligned with the area “A” of each of the cutouts 50 of the first support plate 40 (as shown in FIG. 2). Each of the holes 72 is surrounded by at least one of a pair of diametrically opposite treads arranged in one of the multiple rows 66 and a pair of diametrically opposite treads arranged in one of the multiple columns 68. A hole 72A is discussed in detail for illustration purposes of the present disclosure. The hole 72A is surround by a pair of diametrically opposite treads 27A arranged in a row 66A and a pair of diametrically opposite treads 27B arranged in a column 68A. In another example, a hole may be surrounded by at least one of a pair of diametrically opposite treads arranged in a row and a pair of diametrically opposite treads arranged in a column. The treads 27 and the holes 72 of the tread plate 26 may be made by a variety manufacturing techniques including, but not limited to, punching, drilling or any other manufacturing techniques known in the art.
The treads 27 and the holes 72 are defined in the tread plate 26 such that the mud and the debris accumulated in front of the door 21 of the operator cabin 18 passes through the holes 72 and then through the cutouts 50. Thereafter, the material passes through the openings 54 of the second support plate 52 and is disposed outside the machine 10.
Although only the tread plate assembly 22 is explained in detail, it is to be understood that construction of the tread plate assembly 22 is merely exemplary and should not be construed as limiting this disclosure. It is to be understood that the constructional features of a tread plate of the second tread plate assembly is similar to the tread plate 26 of the tread plate assembly 22.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

During the operation of the machine 10 in various conditions, material such as the mud, the dirt and other types of debris gets accumulated in front of the door 21 of the operator cabin 18. Accessing the operator cabin 18 becomes troublesome for the operator 19 ingress or egress of the operator cabin 18 of the machine 10. The present disclosure finds applicability to reduce any risk of injury to the operator 19. The present disclosure also facilitates in removal of mud, debris in front of the door 21 of the operator cabin 18.
The present disclosure relates to the tread plate assembly 22 that facilitates in removal/reduction of mud, debris in front of the operator cabin 18. More particularly, material such as mud and debris collected in front of the operator cabin 18 falls off through the holes 72 and the treads 27 present in the tread plate 26 of the tread plate assembly 22. The material then passes through the cutouts 50 of the first support plate 40 and the openings 54 of the second support plate 52 and is then discharged outside. Accordingly, the present configuration of the tread plate assembly 22 facilitates in easy opening and closing of the door 21 of the operator cabin 18.
Further, the tread plate assembly 22 reduces the effort of the operator 19 to clear the mud, the debris or any other material off the fender assembly 20. The tread plate assembly 22 provides improved anti-skid properties and is cost effective. The tread plate 26 of the tread plate assembly 22 may be used in surface or components such as step groups, floor panels of the machine 10, which requires anti-skid properties.
While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A tread plate assembly for a machine, the tread plate assembly comprising:

a support plate having a first end and a second end distal to the first end, the first end of the support plate adapted to couple to a frame of the machine, the support plate including:

a first surface;

a second surface opposite to the first surface; and

at least one cutout extending between the first surface and the second surface of the support plate; and

a tread plate coupled to the first surface of the support plate, the tread plate including:

a first contact surface;

a second contact surface opposite to the first contact surface;

a plurality of treads, wherein each of the plurality of treads includes an annular portion extending from the first contact surface; and

a plurality of holes extending between the first contact surface and the second contact surface of the tread plate, the plurality of holes are adapted to align with the area of the at least one cutout of the support plate, wherein each of the plurality of holes is surrounded by at least one pair of diametrically opposite treads of the plurality of treads.

2. The tread plate assembly of claim 1 further comprising, a second support plate coupled to the second surface of the support plate, the second support plate includes at least one opening aligned with the at least one cutout of the support plate.