Caterpillar Inc.

Peter M Nelson

Craig B Kelley

David E Nelson

Steven D Jones

Anthony F Cieszkiewicz

Leo Chuzhoy

The design and manufacture of past steering and transmission shifting control devices utilized an upright and rockable control handle for the steering function and an actuating element in close association with the control handle for effecting a speed change function of a multi-speed transmission. The design of the control handle does not offer a rotatable steering member which is familiar and easy to operate. The present invention overcomes these problems by providing a steering wheel for steering a vehicle. A means for changing the speed ratio of the transmission is mounted on a front portion of the steering wheel and extends from a front surface so that the changing means may be conveniently accessed by an operator. A means for selecting either the forward or reverse drive condition of the transmission is mounted on the back portion of the steering wheel and extends from the back surface so that the selecting means may be conveniently accessed by the operator. The use of the steering wheel results in a convenient and simple steering and transmission shifting control device.

Steering and transmission shifting control device

The present invention provides a rollover protection structure that utilizes unitary corner members that are cast pieces that require no additional bracing. In addition, each corner member includes a leg portion that integrally defines an area of reduced cross-section. This reduction in cross-section creates an area of predictable deformation in the structure which will prevent the structure from collapsing on an operator stationed within the cab.

Construction for a rollover protection structure

Cab assemblies utilized on modern day construction vehicles normally include a myriad of sheet metal components that are welded or bolted together to provide the structural support and the mountings for the various components that comprise a cab. The number of components and the time required to fabricate and weld, or otherwise assemble them, is often quite extensive. The more piece-parts that are required in the configuration of a cab, the more time is required to complete the assembly process. This translates directly into the cost of a cab assembly. The present invention provides a cab assembly that utilizes a non-metallic floor member as an integral part of its structure. The floor member not only incorporates the hardware required for mounting various components housed within the cab assembly, it also provides support for the cab's windshield assembly. The windshield assembly is mounted between the floor member and a structural member positioned in the vicinity of the cab's roof. Both structural members are adapted to provide surfaces to which the windshield assembly may be bonded. The combined result of these features provides a cab assembly that has a greatly reduced number of components and is therefore extremely economical and efficient in its design.

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Plano, IL, United States of America

Peter M Nelson