The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 20, 2002
Filed:
Sep. 21, 2000
Shuuji Hori, Oyama, JP;
Naoki Ishizaki, Tochigi, JP;
Yasuhiro Sato, Oyama, JP;
Masayoshi Mototani, Oyama, JP;
Komatsu Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
The aim is to improve operability in vehicles such as skid steer loaders and to reduce the burden on the operator. It is made easy to switch between a first operation pattern wherewith only one operation apparatus of two operation apparatuses is used in driving two actuators, and a second operation pattern wherewith the two actuators are driven using both of the two operation apparatuses. It is made possible to hold operation positions, and to release held positions, whether with an operation lever apparatus that is capable of operation in only one directional component or with an operation lever apparatus that is capable of operation in two directional components in the forward and backward direction and in the left and right direction. When a change to a first combination is designated by a pattern switching lever, the first combination (first operation pattern) is switched to by switching means. This effects correspondences between operation direction signals output from one operation apparatus of two (left and right) operation apparatuses and the drive directions of left and right running actuators. It is thereby made possible to drive left and right running bodies by operating one of the operation levers (the left operation lever). When a change to a second combination is designated by the pattern switching lever, the second pattern (second operation pattern) is switched to by the switching means. Thereby correspondences are effected between the operation direction signals output from the left operation apparatus and the drive directions of the left running actuator, and correspondences are effected between the operation direction signals output from the right operation apparatus and the drive directions of the right running actuator. It is thereby made possible to drive the left and right running bodies by operating both the left and the right operation lever. When a switching valve is switched to a valve position, and the operation lever has been operated so as to tilt, the operation lever is held in that tilted position. And when the switching valve is switched to another valve position, the operation lever holding condition is released.