FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10; rule 13)
TITLE 1 A removable operator enclosure kit for an Agricultural
tractor or similar vehicle(s)
APPLICANT & 2. (a) MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA LTD
ADDRESS (a) GATEWAY BUILDING, APOLLO BUNDER,MUMBA1 400001.

The following specification particularly describes the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed :-


Field of the Invention
Present invention relates to a removable operator enclosure kit, adapted to be used on an agricultural tractor or similar vehicle(s) generally operated in absence of suspension system. The provision of this enclosure on an agricultural tractor or similar vehicle(s) protects an operator and / or co-passengers or any other material carried by the tractor, against direct influence of external atmosphere, weather conditions and sunrays. This removable enclosure, or it's structure, being flexible and self-adjustable; provides 'floating (roof) effect', because of which it is capable of sustaining shocks, vibrations and stresses developed during various operations of these vehicle(s).
Background of the Invention
In current scenario, an agricultural tractor or similar vehicle(s) is being used throughout the year for various operations like Soil Preparation, Haulage, Harvesting, Escavation, etc. During these operations, the operator and / or co passengers and any other materials carried out, are subjected to external atmospheric and weather conditions (rainy, summer, winter), leading to operator's discomfort, high degree of dissatisfaction, which causes early fatigue. To cater to these problems, the tractor or similar type vehicle[s] are provided with Hard Cabin, which is permanently fixed rigid structure. However, it is not always necessary to have such permanent fixture on tractor or similar vehicle[s]. Also such permanent fixtures require additional venting, cooling, entry-exit systems, which increases basic cost drastically. This necessitates need of a removable operator enclosure kit for an agricultural tractor or similar vehicle(s), which can be mounted or dismounted whenever required or can be subjected to longer use
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by adjusting various openings provided on its flexible fabric cover and around the operator's seat.
Prior art:
Operator enclosures as in US Patent no. 6 905 162 by Daimler-Chrysler Corporation, US Patent no. 6 543 830 by ATV Cabs, US Patent no. 6 565 139 by Jess Bayerle and publication by NT, Kharagpur on "A Collapsible Tractor Operator Enclosure", disclose rigid (non-flexible) structure design for the enclosure, which are derived from fixed type joining mechanisms. Thus they are not specifically designed, especially at joints, to sustain shocks, vibrations and stresses developing during various applications of an agricultural tractor or similar vehicle(s).
US Patent no. 6 189 955 / Indian Patent Application no. 226/DEL/2001 by Deere and Company also discloses fixed type operator enclosure used on agricultural tractors. This operator enclosure is extension of ROPS (Roll Over Protective Structure) with improved front upward visibility, practically useful in operating front end loader on the tractor. However the structure construction disclosed in above specification is not in the form of a removable kit.
The comparison of present invention over these prior publications in the field of an operator enclosure is listed below for reference: -
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US 6 905 162 B2 US 6 543 830 B1 US 6 565 139 B2
This Invention relates to an Enclosure for truck cargo box. This Invention talks about a portable operator enclosure kit (removable cab assembly). This Invention relates to a removable cover for ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) comprising a kit.
Cover support track (20) affixed, to each of the parallel side rails (122), each cover support track (20) extending beyond an outer face of the side rails (122) and having a depending lip (28). Cab assembly with flexible framework (38) removable specific to ATV (10) with carrying racks (24 and 26) at front and back of a seat (18). First end (24) of support member (20) engages to a predetermined portion of the ATV (12), whereas the second end (28) adopted to engage with a junction member (30).
A fabric siding including a U or J shaped channel edge (80) for engaging the support tracks (20) on each side of the cargo box (120) and adopted to connect to the support tracks (20) and span the support rods (40) in tension? Front and Rear mounting structure (80, 82, 86, 88) adapted to be attached by a front and rear clamping arrangement (56, 58, 70! 72, 32). At least two support posts (34) constructed and arranged to supportively and frictionally engage the flexible cover (22).
Connecting fittings (46, 48) are used for connecting flexible support rod (40). Deflector shield (46)
is adapted to removably connect to the front rack (24) for directing outside air to inside of an operator enclosure form by flexible framework (38) and fabric cover (40). Connectors (82) are provided at the first end (24) of flexible support members (40) to form shelter (70).

US 6 905 162 B2 US 6 543 830 B1 US 6 565 139 B2
Vehicle cargo box having parallel rails (122), wherein fabric covering (60) spans the framework of flexible rods (40) in tension Flexible framework (38) is made of resilient plastic material. Flexible cover (22) comprising of: cloth, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, polymer materials and any combinations thereof with fastening devices (58) consisting of zipper, ties, clips, buttons, straps, hook and loop material and any combinations thereof.
The front and rear edge of fabric covers are provided with hook and loop strands (108, 110, 156) adapted to be engaged front and rear equipment carrying racks (24 and 26).
Rear transverse member (90) provides back support for an operator.

IIT-Kharagpure FEP-2003-HE-9 US 6 189 955 Bl Present Invention
This publication talks about Collapsible operator enclosure frame for tractor with canvas cloth cover. The Invention talks about an operator enclosure for an agricultural tractor. This invention relates to a removable enclosure kit for an operator & / or co-passengers or any other material carried by an agricultural tractor or similar vehicle(s).

IIT-Kharagpure FEP-2003-HE-9 US 6 189 955 Bl Present Invention
Collapsible frame portion is form by bending three M S pipes of diameter 20 mm at two positions. The enclosure is formed by extending ROPS (Roll over protective structure) towards left, right and front side of an operator. This is fixed rigid type structure and much similar in construction as in case of "Hard Cabin" Fastening devices (9) are provided in between front support members (6) and roof structure (5) for:
- Facilitating assembly of
three dimensional front
support members (6),
- Self adjustment in case
of shocks and vibrations
(due to absence of
suspension system)
during various tractor
operations, thus avoiding
stresses transfer to the
entire framework (3).
Opening and closing of this Collapsible frame is done hydraulically and the power obtained from tractor hydraulic system. The front upward visibility, a feature practically useful in operating front end loader on tractor is improved by extending laterally front upward cross member (32) beyond roof left and right (30) members. Vertical support members
(7) positioned at side and
rear of an operator seat,
connected to roof
structure (5) by means of
specially designed hinges
(8) for:
- Allowing framework (3)
to have directional
flexibility, thus reducing
direct stresses to entire
framework (3),
- Positive folding of
vertical support members
(7), while dismantling the
enclosure (2).
Framework (2) directional rigidity by constraining it in all directions.

IIT-Kharagpure FEP-2003-HE-9 US 6 189 955 Bl Present Invention
More particularly this publication talks about the thermal environment and health of an operator in different whether conditions in combination with various cabin systems. Loop strands (ropes) (25) provided in fabric windshield (11), which facilitate windshield tightness and its profile adjustment whenever required.
At least two transverse members (12) are provided in between front support members (6) for additional support to the fabric windshield (11), which helps in maintaining windshield tightness for better operator visibility.
Balata strips (39) are provided at the bottom end (10) of vertical support member's (7) to absorb shocks and vibrations and provide better gripping
Therefore it is the requirement of an agricultural tractor or similar vehicle(s) to be provided with a removable operator enclosure kit, wherein a structure mounted on a tractor body is flexible enough to sustain shocks, vibrations and stresses developing during various operating conditions. Also the enclosure should offer easy dismantability and sufficient protection to an operator and / or co-passenger and any other material at extremely low cost when compared to generally used "Hard Cabins".

Summary of the Invention
Primary objective of the present invention is to provide a removable operator enclosure kit for an Agricultural tractor or similar vehicle(s), which can be assembled or dismantled as and when required depending on the external atmosphere and weather conditions (rainy, summer, winter) to protect an operator and / or co-passengers or any other material carried by the vehicle.
Another object of the present invention is to have flexible and floating roof structure by means of flexible joining mechanism in-between roof structure and vertical (front and side) support members of the structure, which minimizes direct shocks, vibration and stresses getting transferred to the entire enclosure structure.
Another object of the present invention is to provide wider flexibility of adjustment with surrounding, by means of fabric cover having various openings around the operator's seat (position).
Another object of the present invention is to provide loop stand (rope) and at least two transverse members in fabric windshield and front structure respectively to maintain windshield tightness and facilitate adjustment whenever required, thereby improving operator's visibility, which otherwise deteriorates with vehicle usage.

Another object of the present invention is to provide balata strips in between bottom -(fix) end of vertical support members and vehicle body, which provides better gripping with improved life and better resistance to shocks & vibrations developed during various agricultural and other operations.
It is further object of the present invention to provide cost effective operator enclosure, which can be fitted on all new and existing vehicles and can also provide additional protection for co-passengers and any other material carried by an agricultural tractor or similar vehicle(s).
Further,objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from consideration of the figures and detailed description of preferred
embodiments.
Brief description of the drawings
Figure 1 shows at least one type of a removable operator enclosure kit mounted on an agricultural tractor comprising of a floating structure and fabric cover.
Figure 2 shows a separate isometric view of a floating structure assembly used to form an enclosure as illustrated in figure 1 and suitably mounted on tractor body.
Figure 3 shows a separate isometric view of a fabric cover used to form an enclosure as illustrated in figure 1 and covers / overlaps a floating structure as illustrated in figure 2.

Figure 4A and 4B show the details of fastening devices and hinge used to connect front and vertical support members to the roof member of the floating structure.
Figure 5A and 5B show other possible embodiments of a removable operator enclosure kit, which can be adopted to be used on an agricultural tractor or similar vehicles on the same ground of present invention.
Detailed description of the preferred embodiments
As may be seen in figure 1, 2 and 3, the present invention is directed towards a removable operator enclosure kit for an agricultural tractor (1) or similar vehicles(s), generally used without suspension system for various applications like Soil preparation, Haulage, Harvesting, Excavation etc. throughout the year. The operator enclosure (2) comprises of two parts viz. floating structure (3) (here after called as framework) and flexible cover (4), which can be easily assembled or dismantled from the tractor (1) as and when required depending upon influence of atmosphere, changing weather conditions, sunrays etc. Also the enclosure (2) can be subjected to longer use without dismantling from the tractor (1), by adjusting various openings (21 and 22) and vents provided on the flexible cover (4). As mentioned earlier shocks, vibrations and stresses are continuously developed during tractor operations, which create concentrated energy which needs to be dissipated, therefore, the floating framework (3) as shown in figure 2 is constructed to absorb these shocks, vibrations, stresses that are developed during various tractor operations and has the provision to dissipate the energy so generated. Top portion (5), support member's at front, side & rear (6 and 7), flexible joining mechanism (9), hinge (8) or similar flexible joining mechanism and assembling and connecting means (39, 40, and 41) forms the floating framework (3). The flexible joining mechanism and hinge (9 and 8) provided in-between top


portion say roof (5) and front / vertical support members (6 and 7) have in-built free play and also constrain floating framework's (3) directional movements. This minimizes the stresses developed during various tractor operations without transferring it to the adjacent members and avoids excess floating movements of framework (3).
The framework (3) of the enclosure (2) is constructed to provide sufficient enclosure to an operator and / or co-passenger or any other material carried by the tractor (1). The top portion (5), front, side and rear support members (6 and 7) are arranged to provide flexible front portion like windshield (11), entry / exit doors (21), side windows (22) and improve operator's visibility.
The flexible joining mechanism (9) as shown in figure 4A connects top portion (5) and upper end of the front support members (6). This joining mechanism (9) comprises of a 'U' channel (31) passing through transverse member (32) of the top portion (roof) and arrested by means of a stopper or locking pin (33) fixed on the transverse member (32). A hollow piece (34) is located in 'IT channel (31) by means of a vertical locking pin (35). Therefore the hollow pipe (34) is free enough for assembling upper end of the front support member (6) to the roof (5) and also avoids shocks, vibration and stresses getting transferred to the framework (3).
In the same line that of flexible joining mechanism (9), a hinge (8) or similar flexible joining mechanism as shown in figure 4B, connects the roof (5) and upper end of the vertical support members (7). This joining mechanism (8) comprises of 'U' channel (31) passing through longitudinal and rear transverse members (36) of roof. A stopper like 'C' or similar channel (37) is fixed on bottom side of these longitudinal & transverse members (36) and around 'U' channels (31) to minimize directional movement of the roof (5) and facilitate positive roof folding while dismantling the enclosure (2) from an agricultural tractor (1).
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The bottom end (10) of the support members (7) is connected to the tractor body (38) by means of a balata strip (39) or similar shock absorbing material, which provides better gripping and absorbs shocks and vibrations. Whereas the bottom of front, support member (6) is connected to the tractor body (38) with suitable assembling and connecting means (40, 41).
At least two transverse members (12) are provided for connecting front support members (6), which maintains tightness and desired profile of front flexible cover may be windshield (11) against slacking and deflections, created because of it's weight, wind forces etc.
As may be seen in figure 3, a flexible cover (4) is designed to cover / overlap the floating framework (3), wherein various provisions like doors (21), windows (22), windshield like front portion (11) and vents are made using suitable fastening devices (23) like Velcro, chain, zip, buttons, straps etc. A Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) resin or similar type of material is used for better life of the enclosure. Transparent sheet (24) is used at suitable places like front portion may be windshield (11), doors (21) and windows (22) to improve operator's visibility during various tractor operations. A loop strand or similar tightening means (25) is passing through bottom edge (26) of flexible cover (4) and tied up with floating framework (3) & / or vehicle body (38). This helps in maintaining tightness and profile adjustments of entire enclosure (2), which otherwise deteriorates with the life / use of vehicle.
The flexible cover (4) is fixed to the tractor body (38) on the left and right sides by means of fastening devices (23) to get the desired tightness and to avoid entry of foreign particles into the operator enclosure (2). The flexible front cover in the form of windshield (11) may be applied with nano spray to improve the operator's
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visibility and the longevity of the transparent flexible sheet (24). The flexible windshield sheet (24) can be folded back in case of intense dusty atmosphere, where it affects the visibility of the operator. The flexible front portion (11) provides protection from direct exposure to the stormy winds, as the opening at front side is very narrow.
While the above description contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limitation in the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of the preferred embodiments thereof. Many other variations are possible depending upon various embodiments of the present invention.

We Claim ;
1. A removable operator enclosure kit for an agricultural tractor (1) or similar vehicles(s) comprising floating framework (3) and flexible cover (4), which can be assembled or dismantled from said vehicle body (38) as and when required.
2. A removable operator enclosure kit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said floating framework comprising ;
top portion (5) defining roof of said floating framework and thereof said operator enclosure ;
support members (6) defining front portion of said operator enclosure and supporting said top portion at its upper end by means of flexible joining mechanism (9);
support members (7) defining side and rear portion of said operator enclosure and supporting said top portion at its upper end by means of hinge or similar flexible joining mechanism (8) ; and
assembling and connecting means (39, 40, 41), connects lower end of said support members to said vehicle body.
3. A removable operator enclosure kit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flexible cover, covers / overlaps said floating framework and thereby an operator and / or co-passenger(s) or any other material carried by said vehicle.
4. A removable operator enclosure kit as claimed in claim 3, wherein said flexible cover provided with doors (21), windows (22), front portion like windshield (11) and vents by means of suitable combinations of Velcro, chain, zip, buttons and straps (23).

5. A removable operator enclosure kit as claimed in claim 4, wherein said flexible cover is provided with a loop strand or similar tightening means (25), passing through bottom edge (26) of said flexible cover and tied up with said floating framework & / or said vehicle body.
6. A floating framework as claimed in claim 2, wherein said top portion and support members are fitted on said vehicle body in such a way that it provides sufficient enclosure to an operator and / or co-passenger(s) or any other material carried by said vehicle (1) and provides windshield like front portion, entry / exit doors (21) and windows (22) around an operator.
7. A flexible joining mechanism as claimed in claim 2 has in-built free play and comprising :

- a 'U' channel (31) passing through transverse member (32) of said top portion and arrested by means of a stopper (33) fixed on said transverse member;
- a hollow pipe (34) is located in said 'U' channel by means of locking pin (35) in such a way that said hollow pipe is free enough for assembling upper end of support member to said top portion at front and avoids shocks, vibration and stresses getting transferred to said floating framework.
8. A hinge or similar flexible joining mechanism as claimed in claim 2 has in
built free play and comprising ;
- said "IT' channel passing through longitudinal and transverse
member's (36 and 32) of said top portion and arrested by means of

a stopper (37) fixed on said longitudinal and transverse members ; wherein
said support members at side, located at its upper end in said 'IT' channel by welding or suitable joining means in such a way that it minimizes directional movements of said top portion and facilitates folding of said floating framework while dismantling said operator enclosure from said agricultural tractor or similar vehicle.
9 A removable operator enclosure kit as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least two transverse members (12) connect each of said support members at front to provide support to said flexible cover at front.
10. A removable operator enclosure kit as claimed in claim 2, wherein a balata strip (39) or similar shock absorbing & gripping material can be provided in-between said assembling and connecting means and said vehicle body.
11. A removable operator enclosure kit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flexible cover is made of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) resin or similar type of material.

12. A removable operator enclosure kit as claimed in claim 2, wherein said front portion like windshield may be applied with "nano" spray to improve operator's visibility and the longevity of the transparent portion (24) of said flexible cover.
Dated this 25thday of December 2006

SHYAM SUNDER IYER PATENT AGENT TAS & CO.

TO
THE CONTROLLER OF PATENTS THE PATENT OFFICE, MUMBAI
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