STORAGE CONTAINER FOR WORK VEHICLES

The invention relates to a device for detachably attaching a storage container to the exterior of a utility vehicle, such as a tractor.

Detachable storage containers are often externally mounted to utility vehicles. Such containers can be used as toolboxes, for storage of the tools necessary for maintenance of the vehicle, and for storage of tools for installation tasks and minor repairs. For example, it is known to mount a bracket near the steps of the John Deere 6400 series tractor, and to attach thereto a toolbox. Since these storage containers are attached to the exterior sides of the vehicle, and because of the small amount of available space, known toolboxes are relatively small and permit only a few tools to be stored. When the utility vehicle is away from where it is usually kept for extended periods, many items that should be brought along cannot be or must be accommodated elsewhere, since there is no room in the toolbox. Such items may include chains, attachment devices, spare parts, a large hammer, protective clothing, and rubber boots. In the agricultural technology journal “profi” Nr. 7/00, page 4, a makeshift storage receptacle covered by canvas is shown, which is intended to remedy the shortcomings of the small original toolbox.

The object of the present invention is to provide an attachment device for attaching a large storage container to a utility.

This object of the invention is achieved by the present invention, wherein a storage container is detachably mounted to the outside of a utility vehicle, such as a tractor, by an attachment device which includes a mounting bar and a support bolts. The mounting bar projects essentially perpendicularly from the rear wall of the container toward the back and includes a mounting bore. The bolts also projects from the rear wall of the container toward the back. The projection distance of the bolts can be adjusted.

The storage container according to the invention is also suited for mounting to a towing attachment of a utility vehicle. The towing attachment is designed so that a towing bar or rope can be attached to it in an emergency as required by certain European regulations. The towing attachment has a jaw-like design. An essentially vertical cylindrical bore into which a pin can be inserted, extends through the center of the jaws. Towing attachments of this type are generally mounted to the central area of the front end of the vehicle and are immobile. They can also be attached to the rear end of the vehicle. The invention exploits the fact that sufficient room is available in these areas for a storage container, so that the container can be made sufficiently large, regardless of the space restrictions imposed by the vehicle contours.

Weights are often attached to the front of farming tractors for ballast. These front weights include a standard towing attachment in the form of a front recess through which a vertical, cylindrical recess extends that receives the bolt.

The storage container of the present invention can be attached directly to the vehicle or via a ballast weight, by means of the above-described towing attachment, in which case the mounting bar is pushed into the jaw-like hitch recess of the towing attachment until the vertical recess of the towing attachment is aligned in the vertical recess in the mounting bar of the storage container. The pin of the towing attachment is then inserted into the recess. Finally, the support bolts are screwed in until their free ends butt against the vehicle or the ballast weight in the area of the jaw-like hitch recess, and thus support the storage container against the vehicle or ballast weight. The contact between the storage container and the vehicle is sufficiently tight that they will also not move against one another, while the vehicle is in operation, and no rattling occurs. Should it be necessary to use the towing attachment, the storage container can be easily detached by loosening the bolts and removing the pin.

FIG. 1shows a carrying element14mounted on the front area of bridge frame12of a partially shown farming tractor10, to which ballast weight16is attached. The weight16may be attached to carrying element14in a known conventional manner. Instead of ballast weight16, which can be handled as a single unit, conventional plate-shaped ballast weights can be used.

Ballast weight16includes a towing attachment in its front area and which features jaw-like hitch recess18, as well as vertically-running cylindrical recesses or slots20,22. Pin24, which includes a handling ring26on its top end, is inserted from the top down into cylindrical recess20,22.

Storage container or box28is attached to the front side of ballast weight16. Box28is essentially rectangular and contains a portable toolbox29for the storage of various items, such as tongs and rubber boots31, as well as other items. As is evident fromFIG. 1, the outer contours of storage container28match those of ballast weight16to produce a uniform total contact pressure, in terms of the lateral and height dimensions of the container, on the one hand, and the rounding of its edges, on the other. The storage container28may taper somewhat towards the front.

Storage container28, represented schematically inFIG. 2, has a top opening that can be closed with lid30. Lid30is connected to the upper area of essentially vertical rear wall34of the container by hinge32. It can be closed with a suitable latch35. In the upper third of rear wall34of the container28, a rail36which has an essentially hollow rectangular cross section and extends in a horizontal direction, is welded in place. As shown inFIG. 3, the length of rail36is matched to the length of the jaw-like hitch recess18of ballast weight16. The rail36increases the rigidity of the container28and carries the mounting bar38. The dimensions of the hollow section are matched to the space requirements of the recess18of the towing attachment.

Mounting bar38is welded in place on rearwardly facing side37of rail36, and extends into jaw-like hitch recess18. Mounting bar38consists of a rectangular, hollow section, which projects from rail36in the direction of ballast weight16. Two mounting bores40,42pass vertically through mounting bar38, i.e., through its upper and lower sections. Bore40receives pin24, while the other bore42is provided for other attachments. The mounting bar38must sustain the weight of the storage container including its contents, as well as the attachment forces and dynamic forces. Thus, it must be configured to be sufficiently stable. In order to adapt the storage container28to different mounting requirements, multiple vertical through-holes can be formed in the mounting bar38, side by side or one behind the other, so that a bolt can be inserted into the appropriate hole.

Two bores44are provided on rear side37of rail36alongside mounting bar38. Threaded nuts48aligned with bores44, are welded in place on rear side37. Bolts50are threaded into each nut48and act as support elements. Each bolt50has a free end which engages and is supported on support surface52of jaw-like hitch recess18. Relatively large bores56,58are formed in forward-facing side54of rail36, which is attached to rear side34of storage container28, as well as in aforementioned rear side34, through which bolts50can be inserted for mounting. The diameters of bores56,58are larger than the circumference of a tool (not shown) that is applied to bolt heads60. By screwing bolts into and out of the nuts48, one can adjust the length of the bolts50which extends from the nuts48to surfaces52. Alternatively, the nuts48can be attached to the rear wall34of the container28or to the rail36.

In order to mount container28to ballast weight16, container28is lifted, and its mounting bar38is inserted into the recess18of ballast weight16. Pin24is then inserted into bores20,40,22. Finally, both bolts50are uniformly screwed into flange nuts48until their free ends rest against support surfaces52. By tightening bolts50, container28is braced against ballast weight16, so that it cannot move relative to ballast weight16. Since the towing attachment is standardized, a correspondingly matched storage container can be attached to different vehicles without problem.

Preferably, the mounting bar38is attached to a middle portion of the container28with respect to its transverse dimension. One bolt50is symmetrically provided on each side of the mounting bar38. Optimally, the mounting bar38and the bolts50are located in the upper third of the rear wall34of the container28. This results in good stability, as well as good transfer of weight between the container28and vehicle10.

In the front area of the tractor10, room for attachments is not restricted, so that the container28can be made relatively large. In this arrangement, it extends past the front contours of the vehicle10or of the ballast weight16and its lateral and height dimensions are matched to the structural shape of the front of the vehicle. It is possible to provide a storage container with a 45 liter volume, which can store many other items besides a conventional portable toolbox, such as chains, attachment devices, spare parts, a large hammer, protective clothing, and rubber boots. The storage container28mounted in the front or the rear area of the vehicle is easily accessible from three sides.

Preferably, the storage container28is substantially rectangular. For aesthetic reasons, it is advantageous to determine the shape and design of the container based on the shape of the vehicle, so that the rounding and, if present, the tapering of the front contours of the vehicle and/or of the front weight is continued by the shape of the storage container. It is also possible to design the storage container28so that it can be matched to various model of tractors.

While the present invention has been described in conjunction with a specific embodiment, it is understood that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations which fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.