Caterpillar Tractor Co.

John S Logsdon

Norman J Hodge

George H Meiner, Iii

Recurring problems associated with the manufacturing tolerances of the links, slides, rollers and other componentry forming the carriages for adjustable and reversible seats are such that, after assembly, an undesirable and annoying amount of movement or 'play' is introduced in the seat. The present invention is an improved latch assembly (15) for locking a vehicle operator's seat assembly (10) in either a forward or a reverse operating position (12,13) and includes a cam (92) selectively positionable in response to movement of the seat assembly (10) and an arm assembly (108) and a pin (118) for releasably engaging the cam (92) and cooperating therewith in locking the seat assembly (10) in position.

Latch assembly-reversible seat

A protective guard assembly for the instrument panel of an operator's console has a vandalism-proof cover which is supported for movement between a storage position over the console and a closed position over the instruments by sets of swing links. The swing links are of different length to provide different movement paths for the upper and lower ends of the panel cover. The cover upper end swings along a relatively flat arc into and out of the storage position and the lower end swings just in front of the instrument panel from above the console to over the lower edge of the instrument panel. Space required for movement of the cover does not encroach upon the space usually occupied by the vehicle operator. Links at opposite sides of the panel cover are connected by a torque rod to prevent binding as the panel cover is moved. The panel cover is designed to interfere with an ignition key inserted into the instrument panel, but not with instruments which project from the panel.

Link-supported instrument panel guard

A seat for a dual-purpose vehicle having a first implement at the front and a backhoe at the rear is provided with a reversible back, and the seat is carried upon an adjustable support which includes a seat mounting carriage that has a forward end carried on rollers and a rearward end supported by links so that by the use of a manual lever which is pivoted adjacent the seat and operatively connected to the rear part of the carriage the seat may be elevated and moved rearwardly so as to provide a more favorable seat position for backhoe operation.

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Chillicothe, IL, United States of America

John S Logsdon