초록 ▼

A guard assembly for protecting lower portions of an earthmoving vehicle, such as the engine, transmission, and drive train, includes a guard plate which is held captive within a first space defined by sidewalls and endwalls of the vehicle frame. The guard plate can move within predetermined limits

A guard assembly for protecting lower portions of an earthmoving vehicle, such as the engine, transmission, and drive train, includes a guard plate which is held captive within a first space defined by sidewalls and endwalls of the vehicle frame. The guard plate can move within predetermined limits in longitudinal and lateral directions within the first space. Prior art lower guard assemblies utilize threaded fasteners to secure the guards directly to the vehicle frame. This produces loosening and breakage of the threaded fasteners when the vehicle frame flexes and twists. The subject guard assembly allows the guard plate to move slightly as the vehicle frame flexes and twists. Since the threaded fasteners holding the guard plate in place do not penetrate the guard plate, the threaded fasteners are not overstressed or slipped at the joint interfaces.

대표청구항 ▼

A guard assembly for a vehicle having a frame having first and second sidewalls and first and second endwalls, said sidewalls and endwalls each having an inner surface and defining a first space therebetween, said guard assembly comprising: a plurality of stop blocks, each block being connected to a

A guard assembly for a vehicle having a frame having first and second sidewalls and first and second endwalls, said sidewalls and endwalls each having an inner surface and defining a first space therebetween, said guard assembly comprising: a plurality of stop blocks, each block being connected to a respective inner surface of one of said sidewalls and said endwalls at a preselected first elevational position; a plurality of retaining brackets, each bracket being in contact with and connectable to one of the inner surfaces of said sidewalls and said endwalls at a preselected second elevational position, said second position being elevationally lower than said first position, each of said stop blocks and each of said retaining brackets defining a second space therebetween; and a guard plate having first and second side portions, first and second end portions, and a central body portions, said guard plate adapted to be positioned completely within said first space and maintained substantially in said position by said stop blocks and said retaining brackets, said guard plate being moveable within said first and second spaces and within predetermined limits in longitudinal and lateral directions.