Operator ride enhancement system

Abstract

An operator ride enhancement system that is coupleable to the frame of a vehicle includes a counterweight platform moveably coupled to the frame, and a resilient member engaged with the frame and the counterweight platform. The mass of the counterweight platform is configured to be approximately at least equal to a total mass supported by the counterweight platform during operation of the vehicle. The operator ride enhancement system attenuates and/or inhibits movement of the counterweight platform during operation of the vehicle.

I claim: 
     
       1. An operator ride enhancement system for use in a vehicle having a frame, the operator ride enhancement system comprising:
 a counterweight platform pivotally coupled to the frame of the vehicle about an axis and configured to support an operator engaging the operator ride enhancement system, the counterweight platform having a counterweight platform mass that is greater than approximately forty-five kilograms;   a resilient member engaged with the frame and the counterweight platform to attenuate movement of the counterweight platform about the axis; and   a control member engaged with the frame and the counterweight platform to inhibit movement of the counterweight platform along the axis.   
     
     
       2. The operator ride enhancement system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the axis is oriented substantially parallel with a fore-aft axis of the vehicle; and   the control member is oriented substantially parallel with the fore-aft axis of the vehicle.   
     
     
       3. The operator ride enhancement system of  claim 1 , wherein the counterweight platform comprises:
 a hinged portion pivotally coupled to the frame; and   a platform portion coupled to the hinged portion;   wherein the platform portion is tapered toward a distal end that is opposite to the hinged portion.   
     
     
       4. The operator ride enhancement system of  claim 1 , wherein the counterweight platform is configured to at least partially surround a steering wheel of the vehicle. 
     
     
       5. The operator ride enhancement system of  claim 1 , wherein the counterweight platform mass is at least one hundred and sixty kilograms. 
     
     
       6. An operator ride enhancement system for use in a vehicle having a frame and defining an operator compartment, the operator ride enhancement system comprising:
 a counterweight platform movably coupled to the frame of the vehicle and configured to support an operator within the operator compartment engaging the operator ride enhancement system, the counterweight platform having a counterweight platform mass that is greater than approximately forty-five kilograms to reduce the influence that an operator mass of the operator has on a dynamic response of the operator ride enhancement system; and   a resilient member engaged with the frame and the counterweight platform to attenuate movement of the counterweight platform and the operator supported by the counterweight platform.   
     
     
       7. The operator ride enhancement system of  claim 6 , wherein the counterweight platform is pivotally coupled to the frame for pivotal movement about an axis. 
     
     
       8. The operator ride enhancement system of  claim 7 , further comprising a control member engaged with the frame and the counterweight platform to inhibit movement of the counterweight platform along the axis. 
     
     
       9. The operator ride enhancement system of  claim 6 , wherein the resilient member is a torsion member having a first end rotatably fixed to one of the frame and the counterweight platform and a second end rotatably fixed to the other of the frame and the counterweight platform. 
     
     
       10. The operator ride enhancement system of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a preload member proximate the first end of the torsion member; and   a dampener member engaged with the frame and the second end of the torsion member to at least partially attenuate the disturbances transmitted through the frame to the counterweight platform.   
     
     
       11. The operator ride enhancement system of  claim 6  further comprising at least one guide coupled to the frame and engaged with the counterweight platform to allow the counterweight platform to translate along the guide in response to the disturbances. 
     
     
       12. The operator ride enhancement system of  claim 6 , further comprising a dampener member engaged with the frame and the counterweight platform to attenuate the disturbances transmitted through the frame to the counterweight platform. 
     
     
       13. The operator ride enhancement system of  claim 6 , wherein the counterweight platform mass is at least one hundred and sixty kilograms. 
     
     
       14. The operator ride enhancement system of  claim 6 , wherein the counterweight platform comprises:
 a hinged portion coupled to the frame for pivotal movement about an axis; and   a platform portion coupled to the hinged portion.   
     
     
       15. A method of attenuating disturbances transmitted between a frame of a vehicle and an operator ride enhancement system comprising a counterweight platform moveably coupled to the frame of the vehicle and configured to support an operator, the method comprising the steps of:
 determining an expected minimum operator mass of the operator supported by the operator ride enhancement system; and   adjusting a counterweight platform mass of the counterweight platform to be at least equal to the expected minimum operator mass.   
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15  wherein the expected minimum operator mass is approximately forty-five kilograms. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claims 16  wherein the counterweight platform mass is approximately one hundred and sixty kilograms. 
     
     
       18. A vehicle comprising:
 a frame;   a counterweight platform supported by the frame, the counterweight platform configured for translational movement relative to the frame and along a vertical axis; and   a resilient member configured to attenuate the translational movement of the counterweight platform, and a dampener member configured to inhibit the translational movement of the counterweight platform, the resilient member having a preload of approximately 1025 Newtons and a spring rate of approximately 3300 Newtons per centimeter to control the natural frequency of the counterweight platform.   
     
     
       19. The vehicle of  claim 18 , further including a channel and a carriage, the channel fixed to or integral with the frame, and the carriage fixed to the counterweight platform, the carriage including a roller rotatably captured within and slidable along the channel. 
     
     
       20. The vehicle of  claim 19 , wherein the counterweight platform is configured to surround a portion of a wheel of the vehicle to allow the counterweight platform to translate vertically relative to the wheel of the vehicle. 
     
     
       21. The vehicle of  claim 20 , further including a pedal switch, the pedal switch to translate with the counterweight platform. 
     
     
       22. The vehicle of  claim 21 , wherein the resilient member and the dampener member are engaged with the frame and the counterweight platform. 
     
     
       23. The vehicle of  claim 22 , wherein the resilient member is a spring and the dampener member is a shock absorber. 
     
     
       24. The vehicle of  claim 18 , further including a guide including a channel and a roller, the channel fixed relative to the frame, the roller coupled to the counterweight platform and received in the channel, the guide to allow the counterweight platform to translate relative to the frame in response to disturbances transmitted to the counterweight platform;
 a pedal switch, the pedal switch to translate with the counterweight platform, the pedal switch positioned within the operator compartment; and   wherein the counterweight platform includes an opening to allow the counterweight platform to surround a portion of a wheel of the vehicle and translate vertically relative to the wheel.   
     
     
       25. The vehicle of  claim 24 , wherein the pedal switch is positioned within a recess in the counterweight platform. 
     
     
       26. The vehicle of  claim 25 , wherein the resilient member is a spring and the dampener member is a shock absorber. 
     
     
       27. The vehicle of  claim 18 , further including a drain opening in the counterweight platform. 
     
     
       28. A vehicle including an operator ride enhancement system, the vehicle comprising:
 a frame, the frame defining a portion of an operator compartment of the vehicle, the operator compartment including operator controls, an armrest and a backrest;   a counterweight platform having a surface, the counterweight platform positioned within the operator compartment and being movably coupled to the frame and configured to support an operator standing on the surface within the operator compartment, the counterweight platform having a counterweight platform mass to reduce the influence that an operator mass has on a dynamic response of the counterweight platform; and   a resilient member, the resilient member including a first end engaged to the frame, and the resilient member including a second end engaged to the counterweight platform, the resilient member having a preload of approximately 1025 Newtons and a spring rate of approximately 3300 Newtons per centimeter to control the natural frequency of the counterweight platform.   
     
     
       29. The vehicle of  claim 28 , further including a guide, the guide including a channel and a carriage, the channel fixed to or integral with the frame, and the carriage fixed to the counterweight platform, the carriage including a roller captured within and slidable along the channel. 
     
     
       30. The vehicle of  claim 29 , wherein the counterweight platform includes a cutout to allow the counterweight platform to surround a portion of a wheel of the vehicle and translate vertically relative to the wheel. 
     
     
       31. The vehicle of  claim 30 , wherein the resilient member includes a spring and a shock absorber. 
     
     
       32. An operator ride enhancement system for use in a vehicle having a frame and defining an operator compartment, the operator ride enhancement system comprising:
 a counterweight platform to be movably coupled to the frame of the vehicle, the counterweight platform to support an operator within the operator compartment, the counterweight platform having a mass to reduce the influence that an operator mass has on a dynamic response of the counterweight platform; and   a resilient member to attenuate movement of the counterweight platform and the operator supported by the counterweight platform, the resilient member having a preload of approximately 1025 Newtons and a spring rate of approximately 3300 Newtons per centimeter to control the natural frequency of the counterweight platform.   
     
     
       33. The operator ride enhancement system of  claim 32 , further including a pedal switch, the pedal switch to move with the counterweight platform, the pedal switch positioned within a recess in the counterweight platform. 
     
     
       34. The operator ride enhancement system of  claim 32 , further including a drain opening in the counterweight platform. 
     
     
       35. The operator ride enhancement system of  claim 34 , wherein the pedal switch is positioned within the operator compartment to allow an operator to assume a left-facing stance. 
     
     
       36. The operator ride enhancement system of  claim 35 , wherein the counterweight platform is formed as a unitary body. 
     
     
       37. The operator ride enhancement system of  claim 36 , wherein the resilient member includes a spring and a shock absorber.