IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,378,181
Granted Patent B2
US 10,378,181 · App. 15/159,558 · Granted Aug 13, 2019

Guard rail with insert

Inventors: Terril James Johnson (Washington, IL); Christian D. Ritchie (Morton, IL); Gary C. Bryant (Chillicothe, IL); Robert J. Madera (Lemont, IL)
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
E02F9/0833
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,378,181
App. No.
15/159,558
Granted
Aug 13, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

A guard rail system for use with a machine is provided. The guard rail system comprises a handrail member, a support member that defines a longitudinal axis and an open channel that extends along the longitudinal axis and a snap receiving aperture that is in communication with the channel, and an insert that includes a snap feature that is configured to fit within the channel and the snap feature is configured to be disposed in the snap receiving aperture.

Claims (25)

1. An insert for use with a support member of a guard rail system, the insert comprising:

a main wall portion that defines a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end disposed along the longitudinal axis, a first edge and a second edge that extend generally along the longitudinal axis from the first end to the second end;

a tail portion that extends from the main wall portion and forms an included angle with the main wall portion that is less than 180°; and

at least one sidewall portion that extends from an edge of the main wall portion and that forms a first snap feature that points outwardly from the sidewall portion.

2. The insert of claim 1 , wherein the first end of the main wall portion defines an arcuate profile that extends in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main wall portion.

3. The insert of claim 2 , wherein the arcuate profile extends through a sidewall portion along a direction that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

4. The insert of claim 1 , wherein the tail portion defines a free end that includes a contoured profile.

5. The insert of claim 4 , wherein the contoured profile includes a straight end surface and chamfered surfaces positioned on either side of the straight end surface.

6. The insert of claim 1 , wherein the sidewall portion defines a pair of slots that define a snap finger and the snap feature extends from the snap finger.

7. The insert of claim 1 further comprising a support portion that includes a contact surface that is spaced inwardly away from the sidewall portion a predetermined distance along a direction that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

8. The insert of claim 7 , wherein the support portion includes a generally c-shaped or u-shaped configuration.

9. The insert of claim 7 further comprising a second snap feature that extends from the same sidewall as the first snap feature and the support portion is disposed between the first and second snap features along a direction that is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis.

10. The insert of claim 1 , wherein the insert comprises a translucent plastic material that has reflective properties that define a coefficient of retroreflection that ranges from 7 to 250 cd/lx/m2.

11. A guard rail system comprising:

a handrail member that includes a circular perimeter;

a support member that defines a longitudinal axis and an open channel that extends along the longitudinal axis and a snap receiving aperture that is in communication with the channel; and

an insert that includes a snap feature that is configured to fit within the channel and the snap feature is configured to be disposed in the snap receiving aperture and at least a portion of the insert is configured to match the circular perimeter of the handrail member;

wherein the support member includes a first end that is positioned along the longitudinal axis and the snap receiving aperture is positioned proximate the first end.

12. The guard rail system of claim 11 , wherein the support member includes a generally u-shaped or c-shaped configuration that includes a pair of sidewalls, a rear wall and a pair of transition walls that connect the sidewalls to the rear wall.

13. The guard rail system of claim 11 , wherein the support member is vertically oriented.

14. The guard rail system of claim 11 , wherein the support member includes a pair of sidewalls and a pair of transition walls and the snap receiving aperture is positioned on a sidewall or a transition wall.

15. The guard rail system of claim 11 , wherein the support member includes a pair of sidewalls that define front surfaces and the insert includes a main wall portion that defines a front surface that is flush to recessed compared to the front surfaces of the sidewalls of the support member.

16. The guard rail system of claim 15 , wherein the support member includes a rear wall and the insert further includes a tail portion that extends from the main wall portion of the insert toward the rear wall of the support member.

17. The guard rail system of claim 15 , wherein the insert includes a support portion that is configured to contact the support member.

18. The guard rail system of claim 11 , wherein the support member further defines a second snap receiving aperture that is positioned a predetermined distance away from the first snap receiving aperture along a direction that generally parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 20, 2016
From: JOHNSON, TERRIL JAMES; RITCHIE, CHRISTIAN D.; BRYANT, GARY C.; MADERA, ROBERT J.
To: CATERPILLAR INC.
Reel/Frame 038654/0067 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20170335543A1 · Nov 23, 2017