FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of agricultural vehicles.
DEFINITION
As used in the present disclosure, the following terms are generally intended to have
the meaning as set forth below, except to the extent that the context in which they are
used indicate otherwise.
Bumper: The expression ‘bumper’ used hereinafter in this specification refers to, a
structure placed in the front of a tractor or an agricultural vehicle as a guard for hood,
headlights and other sheet metal/chassis related components.
10 Hood: The expression ‘hood’ used hereinafter in this specification refers to, but is not
limited to, a sheet metal structure used to cover an internal combustion engine, a
radiator, a radiator cooling fan, and a fuel tank.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not
15 necessarily prior art.
An agricultural vehicle typically consists of a chassis and a sheet metal structure
which extends till the front. The sheet metal structure further comprises a face, a
grille and a hood. The hood is can be formed in two or more sheet metal parts. The
hood can be hinged laterally or longitudinally in the direction of the vehicle. The
20 agricultural vehicle is driven across thick vegetation for various purposes, namely,
ripping, harvesting, bush hogging, mowing and so on, where the hood and face of the
tractor is subjected to regular impacts from thick stems of vegetation such as of
sugarcane plants. The hood and related components (inside and outside sheet metal)
3
are susceptible to damages due to its position near the front portion of the agricultural
vehicle.
The agricultural vehicles are provided with a bumper at the front portion of the
vehicle. The bumper is typically a heavy metal structure in various shapes to protect
the face, the grille, headlights and the hood. However, the conventional size a5 nd
positioning of the bumper proves to be a hindrance when the hood is tilted for
maintenance of the engine, radiator or any other component enclosed under the hood.
The current design available in the market uses a rigid connection between the
bumper and the chassis. To allow servicing of vehicle, either of following known art
10 options is available. First option is to have a lengthier bumper wide enough with a
recess for the hood to pass through. However, lengthier bumpers are bulky and can
lead to road accidents as well as restrict complete tilling of field corners. Second
option available is to design the bumper as a part of chassis which acts as a stopper
for hood to rest, but permanent cost addition of the bumper increases the vehicle cost.
15 There is, therefore, the need for a conjointly tiltable hood and bumper assembly
which ameliorates the aforementioned issues.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein
satisfies, are as follows:
20 An object of the present disclosure is to provide a tilt-able bumper on an agricultural
vehicle.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a compact bumper design for
safe driving and better field coverage.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide an adjustable tilt leverage
25 ratio to suit different hood designs.
4
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a bumper on an agricultural
vehicle to protect face and grille of the agricultural vehicle.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a bumper that can be tilted
conjointly with the hood.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from 5 om the
following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present
disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages a conjointly tiltable hood and bumper assembly for
10 an agricultural vehicle. A bumper is disposed in an operative front portion of
agricultural vehicle to guard a hood, grille, and headlights of the vehicle.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the conjointly tiltable hood
and bumper assembly for an agricultural vehicle includes an arrangement consisting
of a first bracket and a second bracket for fitting the bumper and the hood
15 respectively to the chassis of the vehicle to enable the conjoint titling of the assembly.
According to aspect of the present disclosure, the conjointly tiltable hood and bumper
assembly for the agricultural vehicle is configured to tilt conjointly in an operative
configuration.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the conjointly tiltable hood
20 and bumper assembly for an agricultural vehicle includes a first bracket for mounting
the bumper and a second bracket rigidly attached on the first bracket at one operative
end of the first bracket.
5
According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the conjointly tiltable
hood and bumper assembly includes a connecting arm for connecting the bumper and
the hood with each other.
According to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the conjointly tiltable
hood and bumper assembly includes pivot pins for fitting the hood and the bumper 5 in
their respective brackets.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
A tiltable bumper for an agricultural vehicle of the present disclosure will now be
described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
10 Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of a hood of an agricultural vehicle, according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2A illustrates a schematic view of a bumper extension for an agricultural
vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2B illustrates a schematic view of a bumper for an agricultural vehicle,
15 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 3 illustrates a schematic view of a first and second bracket, according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 4A illustrates a schematic view of a connecting arm, according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure;
20 Figure 4B illustrates an isometric view of a turnbuckle arrangement, according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 5 illustrates a schematic view of a conjointly tiltable hood and bumper
assembly an inoperative configuration, according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
6
Figure 6 illustrates a schematic view of a conjointly tiltable hood and bumper
assembly an operative configuration, according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
LIST OF REFERENCE 5 E NUMERALS
Reference numeral Elements associated with reference numeral
1 Hole in second bracket
1’ & 3 Holes in hinge plate
2 Hole in first bracket
2’ & 4 Holes in bumper
3’ & 4’ Holes in connecting arm
8 Bumper
8a Front portion of bumper
8b Block of bumper
8c Connecting element
7
8e Extension
10 Conjointly tiltable hood and bumper assembly
12 First Bracket
14 Second Bracket
16 Hood
20 Connecting arm
40 & 42 Pivot pins
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the
accompanying drawing.
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of 5 the
present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth,
relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of
embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the
art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the
10 scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, wellknown
apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
8
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining
a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the
scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms “a”, “an”
and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context
clearly suggests otherwise. The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “including” a5 nd
“having” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of
stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, modules, units and/or
components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features,
integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The
10 particular order of steps disclosed in the method and process of the present disclosure
is not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance as described or
illustrated. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be
employed.
Agricultural vehicles need to be driven through thick vegetation for tasks such as
15 ripping, harvesting, bush hogging, and so on. It is necessary to protect the delicate
components at the operative front end of the agricultural vehicle.
A hood 16 is illustrated in Figure 1 where a hinge plate 24 extends from an operative
bottom edge of the hood 16. The hinge plate 24 is attached to the hood 16 by welding
or any other suitable mean. A hole 3 is provided on the hinge plate 24 proximal to the
20 free end of said hinge plate 24. Another hole 1’ is provided on the hinge plate 24
proximal to the centre of the hinge plate 24. The hood 16 is configured to pivotably
rotate about the chassis during servicing or maintenance of the agricultural vehicle.
A bumper 8 for the agricultural vehicle is illustrated in Figure 2A and Figure 2B. The
bumper consists of a vertical part (8a) connected to a block (8b) via a connecting
25 element (8c). The vertical part (8a) is configured to receive an extension 8e that is
configured to guard headlights (not shown) of the agricultural vehicle. The bumper 8
is provided with a hole 2’ near the operative top edge of the block 8b and a hole 4 is
9
provided below the hole 2’. The bumper 8 is configured to pivotably rotate about a
second pivot point defined at the hole 2 of the first bracket 12.
A first bracket 12 as illustrated in Figure 3 is attached to the chassis of the
agricultural vehicle and extends forward along the longitudinal direction of the
vehicle. The second bracket 14 is attached at an operative top surface of the 5 first
bracket 12. A hole 1 is provided in the second bracket 14. The hood 16 is pivotably
mounted at the hole 1 through a pivot pin.
Figure 4A illustrates a connecting arm 20. The connecting arm 20 is provided with a
hole 3’ at one end and a hole 4’ on the opposite end.
10 Figure 4B illustrates an adjustable turnbuckle arrangement that can be used in place
of a connecting arm 20.
Figure 5 illustrates a conjointly tiltable hood and bumper assembly (10) when the
hood 16 and the bumper 8 are in their inoperative positions. The hole 3’ on the
connecting arm 20 is registered with the hole 3 on the hinge plate 24 via a pin. The
15 hood 16 is pivotally mounted at the hole 1’ via a pivot pin (40) which passes through
holes 1’ and 1. The hole 4’ of the connecting arm (20) is coupled to the hole 4 of the
bumper (8) via a pin.
Figure 6 illustrates a conjointly tiltable hood and bumper assembly 10 with the hood
16 in an operative position, wherein the bumper 8 is tilted in the forward direction.
20 The tilting of the bumper 8 along with the hood 16 facilitates accommodation of
various sizes of the hood 16. The angle of tilt of the bumper 8 is a function of the
length of the connecting arm 20. The angle of tilt (Ɵ) of the hood 16 ranges between
(but not limited to) 45 degrees to 60 degrees. The angle of tilt (Ɵ) of the bumper 8
can be adjusted by changing the length of the connecting arm 20.
25 According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the connecting arm 20 is in
the form of a tie rod. The tie rod facilitates the change in the distance between the
10
holes 3’ and 4’. The bumper 8 and the hood 16 can rotate about their respective pivot
points in a specific relation when connected to each other through the connecting arm
20.
The bumper 8 is usually in the form of a heavy structure made of iron or wrought
iron, typically by a casting process. When the hood 16 is to be opened 5 d for
maintenance or other purpose, the hood 16 is pivotably rotated about the hole 1
provided on the second bracket 14.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the bumper 8 has an in-built
tow hook for certain situations when the agricultural vehicle is needed to be pulled
10 out from a marsh land or along a steep climb of a road when the vehicle is loaded and
cannot move effectively on its own.
The present disclosure is not limited to an agricultural vehicle. A similar type of
bumper can also be mounted at the front of other vehicles.
When an element is referred to as being “mounted on”, “engaged to”, “connected to”
15 or “coupled to” another element, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or
coupled to the other element. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all
combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.
The terms first, second, third, etc., should not be construed to limit the scope of the
present disclosure as the aforementioned terms may be only used to distinguish one
20 element, component, region, layer or section from another component, region, layer
or section. Terms such as first, second, third etc., when used herein do not imply a
specific sequence or order unless clearly suggested by the present disclosure.
Terms such as “inner”, “outer”, “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper” and
the like, may be used in the present disclosure to describe relationships between
25 different elements as depicted from the figures.
11
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of
illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual
components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular
embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a
departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to 5 be
within the scope of the present disclosure.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages
including, but not limited to, the realization of a conjointly tiltable hood and bumper
10 assembly for an agricultural vehicle, which:
 eliminates the need for a lengthy fixed and bulky bumpers (for rotatable
hoods);
 has a compact design;
 facilitates safe driving and prevents road accident;
15  provides a better field coverage;
 prevents damage to hood from plants and trees on field boundaries;
 provides an adjustable tilt angle feature for bumper different than hood tilt
angle;
 provides an adjustable tilt angle allowing same bumper fitment with different
20 hood designs;
 provides a separate pivoting of a bumper and the hood for preventing damage
to hood and related components in case front impact collision;
 makes servicing of engine convenient;
 protects face, grille, headlights and hood;
25  is easy to install;
12
 is easy to operate;
 absorbs impact load; and
 protects chassis/hood components in case of collision.
The foregoing disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying
embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. Th5 e
description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof
are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following
description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are
10 omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples
used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the
embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to
practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed
as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
15 The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal the general
nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge,
readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments
without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and
modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and
20 range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the
phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not
of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms
of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the
embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of
25 the embodiments as described herein.
13
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more
elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the
disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has
been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context 5 t for
the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters
form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field
relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this
application.
10 The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or
quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower
than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall
within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification
specific to the contrary.
15 While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and
component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many
embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred
embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other
changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure
20 will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to
be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted
merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.

WE CLAIM:
1. A conjointly tiltable hood and bumper assembly (10) for an agricultural
vehicle, said assembly (10) configured to tilt conjointly in an operative
configuration of said assembly (10).
2. A conjointly tiltable hood and bumper assembly (10) for an agricultura5 l
vehicle, said assembly (10) comprising a connecting arm (20) to connect a
bumper (8) to a hood (16) for facilitating a conjoint movement between said
bumper (8) and said hood (16).
3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly includes an arrangement
10 comprising:
a. brackets (12, 14) for fitting said bumper and said hood respectively to
the chassis of the vehicle;
b. a connecting arm (20) connected between said bumper and said hood;
and
15 c. pivot pins (40, 42) fitted in hole (1, 2) in said hood and bumper
respectively,
to enable the conjoint titling of said assembly.
4. The assembly (10) of claim 3, wherein said bracket (14) is rigidly fitted at one
end operatively above said bracket (12).
20 5. The assembly (10) of claim 3, wherein the length of connecting arm (20) is
adjustable to vary the tilt angle of said assembly.
6. The assembly (10) of claim 1, comprising:
15
a. a first bracket (12) for pivotably attaching said bumper (8) to the
chassis of the agricultural vehicle;
b. a second bracket (14) for pivotably attaching said hood (16) to said
first bracket (12);
c. a connecting arm (20) swivelably fitted between said bumper and 5 said
hood (16);
d. a pivot pin (40) for attaching said hood (16) to said second bracket
(14); and
e. a pivot pin (42) for attaching said bumper (8) to said first bracket (12).
10 7. The assembly (10) of claim 8, wherein a hinge plate (24) extends said hood
(16), a hole (1’) is defined in said plate (24) and said pivot pin (40) passes
through a hole (1) defined in said second bracket (14) and said hole (1’);
8. The assembly (10) of claim 8, wherein a hole (2) is defined on said first
bracket (12) and a hole (2’) is defined said bumper (8) and said pivot pin (42)
15 passes through said holes (2) and (2’);
9. The assembly (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein an
extension (8e) is provided on said bumper (8) for guarding headlights (not
shown) fitted on said hood (16).
10. A method for assembling a bumper and hood assembly, said method
20 comprising the following steps:
a. mounting a first bracket (12) with an integrated second bracket (14) on
the chassis of an agricultural vehicle;
b. pivotably attaching a hood (16) to said second bracket (14) via a pivot
pin (40);
16
c. pivotably attaching a bumper (8) to said first bracket (12) via a pivot
pin (42); and
d. connecting said bumper (8) to said hood (16) through a connecting
arm (20),
to facilitate the conjoint titling of said hood and bumper assembly (5 10).