Granted Patent B2

US 7,252,325 · App. 10/985,091 · Granted Aug 7, 2007

Abstract

Claims (44)

1. A screen comprising:

an array of intersecting strips extending in first and second directions at a significant angle to each other and substantially in the plane of the screen, the array defining openings surrounded by the strips;

at least one panel section between the array and an edge of the screen;

a plurality of ribs disposed in the array of strips;

at least one panel section rib disposed on the panel section; and

at least one intermediate panel disposed in the array, wherein the intermediate panel is substantially wider than the strips.

2. The screen of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the ribs protrudes along a first perpendicular direction relative to the screen, and at least a second of the ribs protrudes into a second perpendicular direction generally opposite to the first perpendicular direction.

3. The screen of claim 1 , wherein the panel section forms a frame substantially surrounding the array.

4. A side screen configured for forming a side of a cab on a vehicle, the side screen comprising:

an array of generally vertical strips and generally horizontal strips, defining openings between the strips;

at least one intermediate panel disposed within the array;

a panel frame substantially surrounding the array, the panel frame comprising at least one panel section;

a plurality of ribs disposed in the array of strips; and

at least one panel rib disposed on the panel frame; wherein the plurality of ribs disposed in the array and the panel rib protrude in a direction substantially perpendicular to the screen, wherein the intermediate panel section is significantly wider than the strips, and extends from a first position of the panel frame to a substantially opposing section of the panel frame.

5. A side screen configured for forming a side of a cab on a vehicle, the side screen comprising:

a metal sheet having a generally planar first major surface and a parallel generally planar second major surface;

a plurality of apertures in the sheet extending from the first major surface to the second major surface, the apertures defining an array of strips therebetween; and

at least one reinforcing deformation disposed on the sheet for relieving stresses on the sheet induced by the formation of the apertures in the sheet, thereby retaining the sheet in a flat condition, the reinforcing deformation protruding from the first major surface of the sheet.

6. The side screen of claim 5 , wherein the reinforcing deformation comprises a rib on the first major surface and a complementary recess on the second major surface.

7. The side screen of claim 5 , wherein the reinforcing deformation protrudes along a first direction relative to the screen.

8. The side screen of claim 7 , wherein at least a second reinforcing deformation protrudes along a second direction relative to the screen that is perpendicular to the first direction.

9. The side screen of claim 5 , wherein the reinforcing deformation is disposed on a strip of the array of strips.

10. The side screen of claim 9 , wherein the reinforcing deformation extends across the strip from a first aperture to a second aperture.

11. The side screen of claim 9 , wherein the reinforcing deformation extends across the strip between vertically adjacent apertures.

12. The side screen of claim 9 , wherein the reinforcing deformation extends across the strip between horizontally adjacent apertures.

13. The side screen of claim 5 , further comprising at least one panel section between the array and an edge of the screen, the reinforcing deformation being disposed on the panel section.

14. The side screen of claim 5 , further comprising an intermediate panel disposed within the array.

15. The side screen of claim 5 , wherein the reinforcing deformation is formed by pressing the sheet between a punch member and a die member.

16. A work vehicle comprising:

a frame supported for movement over the ground;

an operator cab supported by the frame; and

a side screen forming a side of the cab, the side screen including:

a metal sheet having a generally planar first major surface and a parallel generally planar second major surface;

a plurality of apertures in the sheet extending from the first major surface to the second major surface, the apertures defining an array of strips therebetween; and

at least one reinforcing deformation disposed on the sheet for relieving stresses on the sheet induced by the formation of the apertures in the sheet, thereby retaining the sheet in a flat condition, the reinforcing deformation including a rib protruding from the first major surface and a complementary recess on the second major surface.

17. The work vehicle of claim 16 , wherein the reinforcing deformation protrudes along a first direction relative to the screen.

18. The work vehicle of claim 17 , wherein at least a second reinforcing deformation protrudes along a second direction relative to the screen that is perpendicular to the first direction.

19. The work vehicle of claim 16 , wherein the reinforcing deformation is disposed on a strip of the array of strips.

20. The work vehicle of claim 19 , wherein the reinforcing deformation extends across the strip from a first aperture to a second aperture.

21. The work vehicle of claim 19 , wherein the reinforcing deformation extends across the strip between vertically adjacent apertures.

22. The work vehicle of claim 19 , wherein the reinforcing deformation extends across the strip between horizontally adjacent apertures.

23. The work vehicle of claim 16 , further comprising at least one panel section between the array and an edge of the screen, the reinforcing deformation being disposed on the panel section.

24. The work vehicle of claim 16 , further comprising an intermediate panel disposed within the array.

25. The work vehicle of claim 16 , wherein the reinforcing deformation is formed by pressing the sheet between a punch member and a die member.

Assignments (15)