Owatonna Manufacturing Company, Inc.

Jon A Macht

Brian C Clark

David L Blinne

Mike D Jines

A unitary frame (12) which is particularly adapted for skid steer loaders includes an elongate transmission case (66, 68 and 70) secured to the underside of a flat forward floor plate (56) extending between a pair of longitudinal side plates (52). The upper ends of the side plates (52) are formed into fenders (54). A front cross member (64) is secured between the front ends of the side plates (52). A pair of uprights (28) are secured to the rear ends of the side plates (52) and a rearward floor plate (58) extending beyond the side plates. Braces (78, 80) are provided for the axle housings (74, 76) extending outwardly from opposite sides of the transmission case (66, 68 and 70). A hydraulic fluid reservoir (102) is preferably secured beneath the rearward floor plate (58).

Vehicle frame

The specification discloses a brake system (84) which is particularly adapted for vehicles such as skid steer loaders in which the wheels on each side of the vehicle are driven independently by separate transmissions. The brake system (84) includes a caliper assembly (86) overlying brake discs (66) which are mounted for rotation about a common axis but are individually connected to the transmissions. The brake pucks (98) are actuated by a manual lever (132) connected to a rotatable cam (112) associated with an axial plunger (120). The cam (112) is rotatable about an axis parallel to the bore (96) in the caliper assembly (86) containing the brake pucks (98) and plunger (120), to provide a wider range of motion in a more compact space.

Brake system

The specification discloses a seatbelt-activated operator restraint/control lockout system (40) which is particularly adapted for use with industrial vehicles such as skid-steer loaders. A pivotal arm (46) connected to one side of the seatbelt (36) is moveable between a forward position corresponding to the seatbelt being fastened, and a rearward position corresponding to the seatbelt being unfastened. The pivot arm (46) is normally biased by a spring (74) to the rearward position, and means (70, 78) are provided for selectively locking out a control valve (86) against operation except when the pivot arm is in the forward position. A second embodiment (112) of the invention is particularly adapted for use with solenoid-activated control valves.

Operator restraint/control lockout system

A frame mounted on the lifting arms of a vehicle for lifting and loading materials, the frame having a releasable connection to an implement to be carried by the lifting arms and frame and operated from the vehicle. A locking device, carried by the frame, is operative to releasably lock the implement to the frame and to hold the implement against movement relative to the frame when locked thereto.

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Owatonna, MN, United States of America

Jon A Macht