IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,731,740
Granted Patent B2
US 12,731,740 · App. 18/414,505 · Granted Sep 8, 2026

System for accessing switch for ladder

Inventors: Quintin McDaniel (Marana, AZ); Srinivas Chikkala (Tucson, AZ); Bradley Charles Sconzert (Tucson, AZ); Shamshad S. Ahmed (Oro-Valley, AZ)
Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLC
H01H9/02B60R3/02
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,731,740
App. No.
18/414,505
Granted
Sep 8, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system for accessing a switch for a ladder of a work machine includes a cover movable between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position of the cover, the cover encloses the switch. The cover includes a lip portion. The system also includes a retention assembly. The retention assembly includes a spring member. The retention assembly also includes a lever coupled to the spring member. The lever includes a retention portion. The lever is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position of the lever, the lever engages with the lip portion of the cover. In the second position of the lever, the lever disengages from the lip portion of the cover.

Claims (44)

1 . A system for accessing a switch for a ladder of a work machine, the system comprising:

a cover movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein, in the closed position of the cover, the cover encloses the switch, the cover including a lip portion; and

a retention assembly including:

a spring member; and

a lever coupled to the spring member, the lever including a retention portion, wherein the lever is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein, in the first position of the lever, the lever engages with the lip portion of the cover, and wherein, in the second position of the lever, the lever disengages from the lip portion of the cover.

2 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a bracket defining a first portion and a second portion extending from the first portion, wherein, in the closed position of the cover, the cover at least partially contacts the first portion of the bracket, and wherein the second portion of the bracket is coupled to the spring member.

3 . The system of claim 2 , further comprising a coupling device that movably couples the cover with the first portion of the bracket.

4 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the coupling device includes a spring-loaded hinge that is adapted to bias the cover to the closed position.

5 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the lever defines a first end and a second end, and wherein the retention portion is disposed at the first end of the lever.

6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the lever further includes:

an arm member including the retention portion, wherein the arm member is pivotally coupled to the second portion of the bracket; and

a handle at the second end of the lever, wherein the handle extends orthogonally from the arm member.

7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the spring member is adapted to bias the lever to the first position.

8 . A switch assembly for a ladder of a work machine, the switch assembly comprising:

a switch; and

a system for accessing the switch, the system including:

a cover movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein, in the closed position of the cover, the cover encloses the switch, the cover including a lip portion; and

a retention assembly including:

a spring member; and

a lever coupled to the spring member, the lever including a retention portion, wherein the lever is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein, in the first position of the lever, the lever engages with the lip portion of the cover, and wherein, in the second position of the lever, the lever disengages from the lip portion of the cover.

9 . The switch assembly of claim 8 , wherein the system further includes a bracket defining a first portion and a second portion extending from the first portion, wherein, in the closed position of the cover, the cover at least partially contacts the first portion of the bracket, and wherein the second portion of the bracket is coupled to the spring member.

10 . The switch assembly of claim 9 , wherein the system further includes a coupling device that movably couples the cover with the first portion of the bracket.

11 . The switch assembly of claim 10 , wherein the coupling device includes a spring-loaded hinge that is adapted to bias the cover to the closed position.

12 . The switch assembly of claim 9 , wherein the lever defines a first end and a second end, and wherein the retention portion is disposed at the first end of the lever.

13 . The switch assembly of claim 12 , wherein the lever further includes:

an arm member including the retention portion, wherein the arm member is pivotally coupled to the second portion of the bracket; and

a handle at the second end of the lever, wherein the handle extends orthogonally from the arm member.

14 . The switch assembly of claim 8 , wherein the spring member is adapted to bias the lever to the first position.

15 . A work machine comprising:

a frame;

a ladder movable between a stowed position and a deployed position;

a switch to move the ladder from the stowed position to the deployed position; and

a system for accessing the switch, the system including:

a cover movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein, in the closed position of the cover, the cover encloses the switch, the cover including a lip portion; and

a retention assembly including:

a spring member; and

a lever coupled to the spring member, the lever including a retention portion, wherein the lever is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein, in the first position of the lever, the lever engages with the lip portion of the cover, and wherein, in the second position of the lever, the lever disengages from the lip portion of the cover.

16 . The work machine of claim 15 , wherein the system further includes a bracket defining a first portion and a second portion extending from the first portion, wherein, in the closed position of the cover, the cover at least partially contacts the first portion of the bracket, and wherein the second portion of the bracket is coupled to the spring member.

17 . The work machine of claim 16 , wherein the system further includes a coupling device that movably couples the cover with the first portion of the bracket, and wherein the coupling device includes a spring-loaded hinge that is adapted to bias the cover to the closed position.

18 . The work machine of claim 17 , wherein the spring member is adapted to bias the lever to the first position.

19 . The work machine of claim 16 , wherein the lever defines a first end and a second end, and wherein the retention portion is disposed at the first end of the lever.

20 . The work machine of claim 19 , wherein the lever further includes:

an arm member including the retention portion, wherein the arm member is pivotally coupled to the second portion of the bracket; and

a handle at the second end of the lever, wherein the handle extends orthogonally from the arm member.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 17, 2024
From: MCDANIEL, QUINTIN; CHIKKALA, SRINIVAS; SCONZERT, BRADLEY CHARLES; AHMED, SHAMSHAD S.
To: CATERPILLAR GLOBAL MINING EQUIPMENT LLC
Reel/Frame 066142/0685 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20250232927A1 · Jul 17, 2025
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