Powered guard group for a machine

Abstract

The disclosure describes, in one aspect, a powered guard group for a machine, the guard group including a frame, a linkage, a door, and an actuator for moving the guard group between an open position and a closed position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A guard group for a work machine comprising:
 a door having an inner side, an outer side, a first edge and a second edge, the first edge being opposite of the second edge, the door being configured to move between a closed position and an open position;   a linkage coupled to the door;   a frame coupled to the linkage, the frame having at least two stiffners, the stiffners being configured to contact the inner side and inhibit the door from moving when the door is in the closed position and is contacted by a rock, stump or the like; and   an actuator coupled to the linkage, the actuator being configured to move the door between the closed position and the open position.   
     
     
         2 . The guard group of  claim 1  further comprising a cross-member coupled to at least one of the at least two stiffners, the cross-member being coupled to the at least one of the at least two stiffners at a center portion of the at least one of the at least two stiffners. 
     
     
         3 . The guard group of  claim 1  wherein the frame comprises at least three stiffners, each stiffner being configured to contact the inner side and inhibit the door from moving when the outside side is contacted by a rock, stump or the like. 
     
     
         4 . The guard group of  claim 3  wherein the linkage is pivotally coupled to the frame. 
     
     
         5 . The guard group of  claim 4  wherein the actuator is a hydraulic actuator. 
     
     
         6 . The guard group of  claim 1  wherein the second edge is configured to be selectively coupled to the frame using a fastener when the door is in the closed position. 
     
     
         7 . The guard group of  claim 1  wherein the actuator is coupled to the frame. 
     
     
         8 . A guard group for a machine comprising:
 a first door movable between a closed position and an open position, the first door being configured to inhibit rocks, branches and the like from striking a mechanical component when the first door is in the closed position;   a second door movable between a closed position and an open position, the second door being configured to inhibit rocks, branches and the like from striking a mechanical component when the second door is in the closed position;   a first linkage coupled to the first door;   a second linkage coupled to the second door;   a first actuator coupled to the first linkage, the first power actuator being configured to move the first door between the closed position and the open position; and   a second actuator coupled to the second linkage, the second power actuator being configured to move the second door between the closed position and the open position.   
     
     
         9 . The guard group of  claim 8  further comprising a frame having a first guard mounting surface, a second guard mounting surface, a first stiffner, a second stiffner and a third stiffner wherein the first stiffner, second stiffner, and third stiffner are each coupled to the first guard mounting surface and the second guard mounting surface and further wherein the first linkage is coupled to the first guard mounting surface and the second linkage is coupled to the second guard mounting surface. 
     
     
         10 . The guard group of  claim 9  further comprising a third linkage and a fourth linkage, the third linkage being coupled to the first door and the fourth linkage being coupled to the second door. 
     
     
         11 . The guard group of  claim 9  further comprising a cross-member coupled to at least one of the first stiffner, second stiffner and third stiffner and wherein the first door is configured to be selectively coupled to at least one of the cross-member, first stiffner, second stiffner and third stiffner using a fastener when the first door is in the closed position. 
     
     
         12 . The guard group of  claim 9  wherein the actuator is hydraulically powered. 
     
     
         13 . A machine comprising:
 a chassis;   a work implement coupled to the chassis;   a prime mover coupled to the chassis;   a first and second track assembly powered by the prime mover and configured to selectively move the machine; and   a guard group coupled to the chassis, the guard group comprising:
 a first guard mounting surface coupled to the chassis; 
 a second guard mounting surface; 
 a first stiffner and a second stiffner coupled to the first guard mounting surface and the second guard mounting surface; 
 a linkage coupled to the first guard mounting surface; 
 a door coupled to the linkage, the door being configured to move between a closed position and an open position; 
 an actuator coupled to the linkage, the actuator being configured to move the door between the closed position and the open position. 
   
     
     
         14 . The machine of  claim 13  further comprising a second door and a second linkage, the second linkage being coupled to the second guard mounting surface and the second door, the second door being configured to move between a closed position and an open position. 
     
     
         15 . The machine of  claim 13  wherein the door is configured to inhibit rocks, branches and the like from striking a mechanical component when the door is in the closed position. 
     
     
         16 . The machine of  claim 15  further comprising a third linkage coupled to the door and the first guard mounting surface. 
     
     
         17 . The machine of  claim 15  wherein the actuator is a hydraulic actuator. 
     
     
         18 . The machine of  claim 17  wherein the work machine is a track-type tractor. 
     
     
         19 . The machine of  claim 13  further comprising a cross-member coupled to the first stiffner, the cross-member being perpendicular to the first stiffner and wherein the door is selectively coupled to the cross-member when the door is in the closed position. 
     
     
         20 . The machine of  claim 19  wherein the cross-member inhibits the door from moving when a rock, stump or the like presses against the door.