Ergonomic motor grader vehicle control apparatus

Abstract

A motor grader vehicle control apparatus is provided including first and second joystick assemblies for controlling a blade and vehicle drive and steering systems. Additional control mechanisms are included on the joystick assemblies to provide further control of the blade and vehicle systems. Movement of the joystick assemblies correspond to operations of the blade and vehicles systems in an ergonomic and intuitive manner.

We claim: 
     
       1. A motor grader vehicle control apparatus comprising: a vehicle steering system for maneuvering the vehicle having front and rear frames pivotally connected and wheels supported thereon;   a vehicle drive system for propelling the vehicle having a transmission with a plurality of forward and reverse gears and a neutral gear, said transmission being connected to a differential axle;   a blade supported by said front frame for sculpting a surface of earth having left and right portions and an angle relative to the surface; and   first and second joystick assemblies for controlling said blade, and said vehicle drive and steering systems.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first joystick assembly is movable along first and second intersecting axes and rotatable about a third axis perpendicular to said first and second intersecting axes for substantially operating said blade, and said second joystick assembly is movable along fourth and fifth intersecting axes and rotatable about a sixth axis perpendicular to said fourth and fifth intersecting axes for substantially operating said blade said vehicle drive and steering systems. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 herein said first joystick assembly is rotatable about said third axis for rotating said blade relative to said front frame. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 further including a drawbar interposed between said front frame and said blade, said drawbar being movable relative to said front frame and said blade being movable relative to said drawbar, wherein said first joystick assembly is movable along said second axis in left and right directions for moving said blade laterally relative to said drawbar. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 further including a secondary control mechanism on said first joystick assembly movable along seventh and eighth axes, wherein said control mechanism is movable along said seventh axis in forward and rearward directions for tilting said blade forward and rearward relative the surface. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said secondary control mechanism is movable along said eighth axis in left and right directions for moving said drawbar laterally relative to said front frame. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said first joystick assembly is movable along said first axis in forward and rearward directions for raising and lowering said right portion of said blade relative to the surface. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said second joystick assembly is movable along said fourth axis in forward and rearward directions for raising and lowering said left portion of said blade relative to the surface. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 8 further including a trigger on each of said first and second joystick assemblies, wherein actuating one of said triggers while moving either of said first and second joystick assemblies rearward and forward raises and lowers said right and left portions of said blade simultaneously relative to the surface. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 further including a first switch on said second joystick assembly having forward, neutral, and reverse positions corresponding to said forward, neutral, and reverse gears respectively of said transmission, wherein said first switch enables one of said forward, neutral, and reverse gears when said first switch moves to one of said forward, neutral, and reverse positions respectively. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 further including a second switch on said second joystick assembly movable along a ninth axis in forward and rearward directions for upshifting between said plurality of gears when said second switch is moved in a forward direction and downshifting between said plurality of gears when said second switch is moved in a rearward direction. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said second joystick assembly is movable along said fifth axis in left and right directions for steering two of said wheels. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus as set forth in claim 12 further including a third switch attached to said second joystick assembly movable along a tenth axis in left and right directions for leaning said two of said wheels to the left and right respectively. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 further including a first button on said first joystick assembly, wherein actuating said first button locks said differential axle. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said second joystick assembly is rotatable about said sixth axis for rotating said front frame relative to said rear frame. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus as set forth in claim 15 further including a second button on said second joystick assembly, wherein actuating said second button rotates said front frame relative to said rear frame until said front and rear frame are aligned in a common plane.