IP Library Granted Patent US 12,391,316
Granted Patent B2
US 12,391,316 · App. 18/072,198 · Granted Aug 19, 2025

Hood assembly for a work vehicle

Inventors: Lorenzo Anthony Gomez (Westmont, IL); Michael J. Braun (Oswego, IL); Robert Allen Neubauer (Bottineau, ND); Mark Douglas Klassen (Lockport, IL)
Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
B62D25/12B62D25/10E05F15/70
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,391,316
App. No.
18/072,198
Granted
Aug 19, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A hood assembly for a work vehicle includes a hood and a hood pivot joint configured to pivotally couple the hood to a chassis of the work vehicle. The hood pivot joint is configured to enable the hood to rotate between an open position and a closed position. The hood assembly also includes a lift mechanism having a linkage assembly pivotally coupled to the hood and configured to pivotally couple to the chassis of the work vehicle. In addition, the lift mechanism includes a linear actuator coupled to the linkage assembly. The linear actuator is configured to drive the linkage assembly to rotate the hood between the open and closed positions.

Claims (29)

1. A hood assembly for a work vehicle, comprising:

a hood;

a hood pivot joint configured to pivotally couple the hood to a chassis of the work vehicle, wherein the hood pivot joint is configured to enable the hood to rotate between an open position and a closed position, and the hood pivot joint is positioned at a rear portion of the hood; and

a lift mechanism, comprising:

a linkage assembly comprising a lower link and an upper link pivotally coupled to one another, wherein the upper link is pivotally coupled to the hood at a front portion of the hood, and the lower link is configured to pivotally couple to the chassis of the work vehicle; and

a linear actuator configured to drive the linkage assembly to rotate the hood between the open and closed positions, wherein the linear actuator is pivotally coupled to the lower link and to the upper link, wherein the lower link has an opening configured to receive a portion of the linear actuator while the hood is in the closed position.

2. The hood assembly of claim 1 , wherein the lift mechanism comprises a strut pivotally coupled to the lower link and to the upper link.

3. The hood assembly of claim 2 , wherein the strut is pivotally coupled to the lower link at a strut pivot joint, the linear actuator is pivotally coupled to the lower link at a linear actuator pivot joint, and the strut pivot joint and the linear actuator pivot joint are substantially coaxial.

4. The hood assembly of claim 2 , wherein the strut is pivotally coupled to the upper link at a strut pivot joint, the linear actuator is pivotally coupled to the upper link at a linear actuator pivot joint, and the strut pivot joint and the linear actuator pivot joint are substantially coaxial.

5. A hood assembly for a work vehicle, comprising:

a hood;

a hood pivot joint configured to pivotally couple the hood to a chassis of the work vehicle, wherein the hood pivot joint is configured to enable the hood to rotate between an open position and a closed position, and the hood pivot joint is positioned at a rear portion of the hood; and

a lift mechanism, comprising:

a linkage assembly comprising a lower link and an upper link pivotally coupled to one another, wherein the upper link is pivotally coupled to the hood at a front portion of the hood, and the lower link is configured to pivotally couple to the chassis of the work vehicle; and

a linear actuator configured to drive the linkage assembly to rotate the hood between the open and closed positions, wherein the linear actuator is pivotally coupled to the lower link and to the upper link, and wherein the linear actuator is pivotally coupled to the lower link at a linear actuator pivot joint, the linear actuator pivot joint comprises a pin configured to selectively release the linear actuator from the lower link to enable the hood to be manually rotated from the closed position to the open position, and the hood has an opening configured to facilitate access to the pin while the hood is in the closed position.

6. A hood assembly for a work vehicle, comprising:

a hood;

a support structure coupled to the hood;

a hood pivot joint configured to pivotally couple the hood to a chassis of the work vehicle, wherein the hood pivot joint is configured to enable the hood to rotate between an open position and a closed position;

a mount configured to couple to the chassis of the work vehicle; and

a lift mechanism, comprising:

a linkage assembly comprising a lower link and an upper link pivotally coupled to one another, wherein the upper link is pivotally coupled to the support structure, and the lower link is pivotally couple to the mount; and

a linear actuator configured to drive the linkage assembly to rotate the hood between the open and closed positions, wherein the linear actuator is pivotally coupled to the lower link and to the upper link;

a first strut pivotally coupled to the lower link and to the upper link; and

a second strut pivotally coupled to the lower link and to the upper link,

wherein the first and second struts are positioned on opposite lateral sides of the upper and lower links.

7. The hood assembly of claim 6 , wherein the upper link has a recess configured to receive the mount while the hood is in the closed position.

8. The hood assembly of claim 6 , wherein the lift mechanism comprises a pivot assembly configured to pivotally couple the linear actuator to the upper link, and the pivot assembly comprises a resilient bushing.

9. The hood assembly of claim 6 , wherein the linear actuator comprises an electric linear actuator.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 7, 2026
From: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC
To: BLUE LEAF I.P., INC.
Reel/Frame 075345/0160 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 31, 2023
From: GOMEZ, LORENZO ANTHONY; BRAUN, MICHAEL J.; NEUBAUER, ROBERT ALLEN; KLASSEN, MARK DOUGLAS
To: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC
Reel/Frame 065410/0046 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240174297A1 · May 30, 2024
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