Rolling protection structure

Abstract

A rollover protection structure (ROPS) (100) for a work machine includes a rigid strut (120) having a fixed longitudinal length. On one end of the strut (120), a pivot end mechanism (130) having a mounting plate (135) that pivots relative to the strut (120) is attached. On opposite ends of the struts (120), socket end mechanisms (150) having mounting plates (152) extending longitudinally relative to the struts (120) are attached. When installed, e.g., in the case where a mounting plate on each end of the strut (120) is attached to the work machine, e.g. By welding, the ROPS (100) may extend to span an opening (7) in the chassis (5) of the work machine and exert a specific compression / tension on the strut (120). Further, the socket end mechanism (150) may be detached while its mounting plate (135) remains attached to the work machine, and the strut (120) may be rotated about an axis in the pivot end mechanism (130) about which the mounting plate (135) in the pivot end mechanism pivots.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a Roll-Over Protection Structure (ROPS), and more particularly, to a ROPS mounted in a structure removed from around an operator's cab. Background Art

[0002] Roll-over protection structures that limit injury to vehicle operators are not only a key safety feature in most motor vehicles, but in some cases, they are also mandatory. Roll bars and roll cages are well-known exemplary ROPS deployed above and / or around an operator's cab. European Patent Application EP 1 197 399 A2 describes one such example: a roll bar for protecting a ride-on mower operator. The roll bar is collapsible, but when engaged in its fully upright position, it protects the vehicle operator by absorbing the energy that would otherwise be applied to the operator, like other roll bars.

[0003] In certain machinery such as large mining vehicles, deformation due to roll-over accidents can occur in structures other than around the cab and can also pose a threat to the operator. FIG. 1 is an illustration of a ROPS 10 that prevents deformation of a pair of chassis uprights 11a and 11b on either side of a chassis opening 7 of a chassis 5 during a roll-over accident, where such deformation can be dangerous to a machinery operator in an attached operator's cab. A chassis opening 7 may be required to access system components, so the chassis opening has no permanent structure. Accordingly, the ROPS 10 can be selectively removable to provide access to such system components. As shown in FIG. 1, the ROPS 10 includes struts 24 having end plates 22 at each end that can be attached to a frame plate 9 by a set of bolts, representatively shown at bolts 26, which hold the ROPS 10 within the chassis opening 7.

[0004] The work machine chassis 5 twists during both operation and vehicle maintenance tasks when fully populated with vehicle components, thereby applying alternating forces, such as compression / tension, clockwise / counterclockwise torsion, etc., to the ROPS 10. Under these dynamic forces, one or more bolts 26 holding the ROPS 10 to the work machine chassis 5 can crack or even break, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the ROPS 10 as an operator protection structure. For these and other reasons, design efforts are underway for ROPS that can be displaced (e.g., to access otherwise blocked components). Summary of the Invention

[0005] In one aspect of the concepts disclosed herein, a roll-over protection structure (ROPS) for a work machine includes rigid struts having a fixed longitudinal length. At one end of a strut, a pivot end mechanism may be attached, the pivot end mechanism including a pivot end mounting plate that pivots relative to the strut. At the other end of the strut, a socket end mechanism may be attached, the socket end mechanism including a socket end mounting plate that extends longitudinally relative to the strut.

[0006] In another aspect of the concepts disclosed herein, a ROPS for a vehicle includes rigid struts having a fixed longitudinal length that corresponds to the dimensions of an opening in the vehicle's chassis. A pivot end mechanism may be mechanically positioned between the vehicle and the strut, the pivot end mechanism including a pivot end mounting plate that pivots relative to the strut. A socket end mechanism may be mechanically positioned between the vehicle and the opposite end of the strut, the socket end mechanism including a socket end mounting plate that extends longitudinally relative to the strut.

[0007] In yet another aspect of the concepts disclosed herein, a work machine having a chassis with an operator's cab constructed thereon includes a ROPS having rigid struts with a fixed longitudinal length. A pivot end mechanism may be attached to one end of the strut and includes a mounting plate that pivots relative to the strut. A socket end mechanism may be attached to the opposite end of the strut and includes another mounting plate that extends longitudinally relative to the strut. A frame plate may interconnect the chassis and the mounting plate of the pivot end mechanism, and another frame plate may interconnect the chassis and the other mounting plate of the socket end mechanism. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a roll-over protection structure (ROPS) related to the concepts described in the present disclosure for its intended purpose.

[0009] Figure 2 is an illustration of a mounted ROPS that may embody the concepts described in the present disclosure.

[0010] Figure 3 is an illustration of a ROPS that may embody the concepts described in the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 4 is an illustration of the pivot end of a ROPS that embodies the concepts described in the present disclosure.

[0012] Figure 5 is an illustration of the socket end of a ROPS that embodies the concepts described in the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 6 is Figure 5 a cross-sectional illustration of the socket end shown in

[0014] Figure 7FIG. is a diagram of a D-shaped pin that can be employed in an exemplary embodiment of the concepts described in the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 8 FIG. is a diagram of a ROPS embodying the concepts described in the present disclosure that is installed in a work machine.

[0016] Figure 9 FIG. is a diagram of a ROPS embodying the concepts described herein that rotates away from a component of a work machine that was originally blocked. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The concepts disclosed herein are best described by certain of their embodiments, which are described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals always refer to like features. It is to be understood that the concepts described herein are not limited to the illustrative embodiments described below, and the following description is to be understood in such a context.

[0018] Additionally, the term exemplary as used herein means "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment of a construction, process, design, technique, etc. designated as exemplary herein is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other such embodiments.

[0019] The technology described herein relates to a rollover protection structure for protecting a vehicle operator in a vehicle rollover accident. Although the description herein is based on an exemplary embodiment of a large mining vehicle, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize and appreciate other ROPS environments in which the concepts can be practiced.

[0020] Figure 2 FIG. is a diagram depicting an exemplary ROPS 100 embodying the present invention that is installed in a work machine chassis 5 such as a large mining vehicle. The ROPS 100 can be installed in a chassis opening 7 between chassis uprights 11a and 11b and can include a pivot end 130 at one of its ends and a socket end 150 at its opposite end. These and other features that can embody the concepts described herein are described in detail below. For the purposes of the present discussion, it is sufficient to note that the overall length of the ROPS 100 can be variable and the ROPS 100 can be installed according to specifications by a variable length feature. As an example, it may be required to load the ROPS 100 to a specified compression / tension, which can be achieved by changing the length of the ROPS 100 after installation until a specified force is measured, for example, by a strain gauge (not shown).

[0021] Figure 3 FIG. is a diagram of a ROPS 100 that can embody the concepts described herein shown in both a top view and a side view. For the purposes of this specification, a "longitudinal" axis or dimension is along its length L Xthe axis or dimension, and the "lateral" axis or direction is an axis or direction that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and spans the top of the ROPS 100 depicted in the lower sub - figure of the drawing. The lateral axis can be understood as pointing outside the drawing in the side view depicted in the upper sub - figure of the drawing.

[0022] As Figure 3 shown, the ROPS 100 can include rigid struts 120 having a fixed length L T to which socket end mechanisms 150 and pivot end mechanisms 130 are rigidly attached at their respective ends. The struts 120 can be made of a metal bar material such as a steel tube. In the illustrated embodiment, the struts 120 can have a quadrilateral cross - section, such as a square.

[0023] As described in detail below, the length L of the ROPS 100 X can be varied by the socket end mechanism 150. Additionally, the ROPS 100 can be displaceable through the pivot end 130, where this displacement ability is achieved without removing the ROPS from the work machine on which the ROPS 100 is mounted. Thus, the socket end mechanism 150 can implement the feature of releasing the ROPS from the work machine at that end of the ROPS 100. Once released at the socket end mechanism 150, the ROPS 100 can rotate about the axis of rotation 105 implemented by the pivot end mechanism 130.

[0024] The ROPS 100 can have features that are less for safety purposes and more for vehicle assembly purposes. For example, the ROPS 100 can have a pair of platform mounts 125a and 125b and line routing tabs 127 to which vehicle components can be coupled and against which vehicle electrical and fluid lines can be secured. It should be understood that such mechanical features can vary according to the vehicle assembly and are not necessary for practicing the concepts described herein.

[0025] Figure 4 is an illustration of the pivot end of the ROPS embodying the present concept, where the lower sub - figure is an exploded view of the pivot end mechanism 130 shown in side view in the upper sub - figure. The pivot end mechanism 130 can be attached to the work machine chassis 5 via a frame plate 137, on opposite sides of which a mounting plate 135 is rigidly attached to the frame plate. The mounting plate 135 can have mounting plate openings 138 formed therethrough to cooperate in the pivot structure described more fully below.

[0026] In all of the figures of this patent application, certain components are shown as having chamfered or beveled edges that can serve as a backing for a weld seam, such as the chamfered or beveled edge shown at component edge 2. It can be assumed that the beveled edge shown in the manner of component edge 2 is a weld seam target, and in a fully fabricated ROPS 100, these edges are blocked by the weld seam and are configured to support the weld seam. However, it should be understood that the components by which this concept is described herein can be joined by techniques other than welding. For example, industrial adhesives and / or other structural joining techniques can be used that can withstand the forces applied to the ROPS 100 and thus maintain its structural integrity as an operator protection device.

[0027] Now returning to Figure 4 , the pivot end mechanism 130 can be rigidly attached to the strut 120 via a mounting plate 131. On opposite sides of the mounting plate, a pair of pivot mounts 132a and 132b can be rigidly attached to the mounting plate. The pivot mounts 132a and 132b can have respective pivot pin apertures 136a and 136b formed therethrough to cooperate in the pivot structure mentioned above. That is, the pivot mounts 132a and 132b can be spaced apart on the mounting plate 131 to receive the mounting plate 135 therebetween. The mounting plate 135 and the pivot mounts 132a and 132b can be sized relative to each other such that the mounting plate aperture 138 is aligned with the pivot pin apertures 136a and 136b, with sufficient longitudinal spacing to provide a degree of rotational freedom by which the ROPS 100 can be displaced to access originally blocked components of the work machine on which the ROPS is mounted. The displacement capabilities of the exemplary ROPS 100 are discussed further below.

[0028] With the mounting plate aperture 138 axially aligned with the pivot pin apertures 136a and 136b, a pin assembly 140 can be received therein to complete the pivot structure. That is, the pivot pin 142 can be installed in the aligned mounting plate aperture 138 and pivot pin apertures 132a and 132b and held therein by, for example, a retaining pin 144, which itself can be held in the pivot pin 142 by a retaining pin 146. The pivot pin 142 can extend along a transverse axis to effect Figure 3 the axis of rotation 105 shown in

[0029] Figure 5FIG. is an illustration of the socket end of a ROPS embodying the concepts described herein, where the lower sub - figure is an exploded view of the socket end mechanism 150 shown in side view in the upper sub - figure. The socket end mechanism 150 can be attached to the work machine chassis 5 via a frame plate 151, and on opposite sides of the frame plate, mounting plates 152 can be rigidly attached to the frame plate. The mounting plate 135 can have an opening formed therethrough, herein referred to as the mounting plate D - shaped opening 242, which has a D - shape complementary to the cross - sectional profile of a D - shaped pin 220 discussed further below. For the purposes of this discussion, it is sufficient to consider that the mounting plate D - shaped opening 242 can be shaped to prevent the D - shaped pin 220 from twisting or otherwise rotating about a transverse axis when the D - shaped pin is inserted therethrough.

[0030] The socket end mechanism 150 can be rigidly attached to that end of the strut 120 by constructing a weld or other rigid structural joint between the U - bolt 210 and the end of the strut 120 opposite the end to which the pivot end mechanism 130 is attached. The U - bolt flange 216 can be received within the hollow end of the strut 120, which can be a press - fit to strengthen the joint, and the interface between the U - bolt 210 and the strut 120 can be welded into a solid joint.

[0031] The U-bolt 210 can be a monolithic structural component that includes a U-bolt body 214. A U-bolt flange 216 can be formed on one side of the U-bolt body, and a pair of U-bolt projections 212a and 212b can extend on opposite sides of the U-bolt body. The U-bolt projections 212a and 212b can have D-shaped pin slots 244a and 244b extending therethrough along a transverse axis to communicate with a U-bolt slot 217 formed between the U-bolt projections 212a and 212b. The U-bolt body 214 can have a pair of threaded socket screw openings 246a and 246b formed therein, the pair of threaded socket screw openings extending along a longitudinal axis to communicate with the D-shaped pin slots 244a and 244b. A pair of socket screws 230a and 230b can be threadedly received in the respective socket screw openings 246a and 246b and in respective lock nuts 234a and 234b. A mounting plate 152 can be received in the U-bolt slot 217, and a D-shaped pin opening 242 can be aligned with the pair of D-shaped pin slots 244a and 244b along the transverse axis. A D-shaped pin 220 can be inserted through the aligned D-shaped pin opening 242 and D-shaped pin slots 244a and 244b, wherein a planar face 225 of the D-shaped pin 220 is keyed to a linear opening segment 243 of the mounting plate D-shaped opening 242. In this arrangement, the planar D-shaped pin face 225 faces the U-bolt body 214 along the longitudinal axis. The socket screws 230a and 230b can be actuated to extend into the D-shaped pin slots 244a and 244b such that the socket screw tips 232a and 232b engage respective D-shaped pin recesses 222a and 222b aligned in the D-shaped pin slots 244a and 244b along the longitudinal axis.

[0032] Figure 6 is Figure 5 a cross-sectional illustration of the socket end shown in, where the socket end mechanism 150 is rigidly attached to the strut 120 (welds or alternative connection types not shown) and the ROPS 100 is under compression. For example, the ROPS 100 can be rigidly mounted on the work machine chassis 5, and the socket screws 130a and 130b can be actuated to apply a force F on the D-shaped pin 220, the force F being transmitted to the mounting plate 152, the frame plate 151, and then to the work machine chassis 5 ( Figure 6 not shown in). In Figure 6 a similar force depicted as pointing along the line of force F' can be applied on the pivot end mechanism 130. When a specified level of compression as can be measured by a strain gauge or similar measuring device is achieved, the lock nuts 232a and 232b can engage against the U-bolt body 214 to hold the socket screws 130a and 130b in place.

[0033] Embodiments of the concepts described herein can be configured such that force F is transmitted around U-bolt projections 212a and 212b, which avoids potential failure modes. Instead, force F is transmitted through mounting plate 152 to D-pin 220 and through the threads of socket screws 230a and 230b to U-bolt body 214. In fact, D-pin slots 244a and 244b are elongated such that when ROPS 100 is in compression / tension, a gap G is left between D-pin slots 244a and 244b and D-pin 220 (gap G is also depicted in the side view of ROPS 100 in Figure 5 ). Additionally, the shapes of socket screw tips 232a and 232b are complementary to corresponding D-pin recesses 222a and 222b and form corresponding interfaces 260a and 260d through which D-pin 230 is captured within U-bolt 210.

[0034] Figure 7 FIG. is an illustration of D-pin 220 that can be used in embodiments of the concepts described herein. D-pin 220 can be made of a metal such as high-strength steel to have a D-shaped cross-sectional profile 224. D-pin recesses 222a and 222b can be formed in planar D-pin face 225 with positions and spacings corresponding to the positions and spacings of socket screws 230a and 230b in U-bolt 210. Each D-pin recess 222a and 222b can have a radius R measured across planar D-pin face 225 and a depth D measured from planar D-pin face 225. The radius R and depth D of D-pin recesses 222a and 222b can correspond to the complementary shapes of socket screw tips 232a and 232b; both can be hemispherical.

[0035] Figure 8FIG. is a diagram of a ROPS 100 embodying the concepts described herein, which is installed in a work machine chassis 5 of a work machine 800. As shown in this figure, the chassis opening 7 in which the ROPS 100 is installed can provide access to the power equipment 850 of the machine. Therefore, the chassis columns 11a and 11b define an open span in the work machine chassis 5 adjacent to the cantilevered operator's cab 820. In fact, the cantilever 822 can be rigidly attached to the chassis column 11b, and the cantilever is directly adjacent to the open span of the chassis opening 7, and the operator's cab 820 is installed on top of the cantilever. Those skilled in the art of machinery will understand that the work machine chassis 5 will likely be designed to support the cantilevered operator's cab 820 in the presence of the open span of the work machine chassis opening 7. However, in a vehicle rollover, the opening 7 may collapse by itself, while the cantilever 822 may fold away from the chassis opening 7, thereby imposing great stress on the joint constructed between the cantilever 822 (and any other cantilever supporting the operator's cab 820 hidden in the figure) and the chassis column 11b. In a rollover, the safest state for the operator in the operator's cab 820 is to keep the operator in the seat by a safety belt that stays with the vehicle. In the absence of the ROPS 100, there is a risk that the operator's cab 820 will separate from the work machine chassis 5 in a rollover accident.

[0036] Figure 9 FIG. is a diagram of a ROPS 100 embodying the concepts described herein that rotates away from an originally blocked component (such as the power equipment 850) of the work machine 800. That is, in Figure 8 its engaged state as shown, the chassis opening 7 that provides access to the power equipment 850 is blocked by the ROPS 100, while in Figure 9 its open state as shown, the chassis opening 7 is not blocked, and thus, the power equipment 850 is open and accessible.

[0037] Embodiments of the concepts described herein can provide the rollover protection described above and provide access to work machine components that were originally blocked due to this rollover protection without breaking any permanent joints in the structure. Referring again to Figure 5 , the disassembly of the socket end mechanism that provides the strut 120 to be displaced from the chassis opening 7 can be started by disengaging the lock nuts 234a and 234b from the U-shaped clamp 210 to allow the socket screws 230a and 230b to rotate freely. As referenced in Figure 6As described, the socket screws 230a and 230b can be actuated to relieve the compression / tension applied in the ROPS 100, which is a beneficial feature of an embodiment of the concepts described herein. The socket screws 230a and 230b can be further actuated to disengage the socket screw tips 232a and 232b from the respective D-shaped pin recesses 222a and 222b until the D-shaped pins 220 can be removed from the U-bolt 210 and the mounting plate 152. Once this is done, the ROPS can be considered detached from the work machine chassis 5 and can be displaced.

[0038] Return Figure 9 , the strut 120 and the U-bolt 210 attached thereto can rotate about an axis formed by the pin assembly 140. It should be noted that access to the power unit 850 is provided by displacement of the ROPS 100 while the two frame plates 151 and 137 and the two mounting plates 152 and 135 remain rigidly attached (e.g., welded) to the work machine chassis 5.

[0039] Industrial applicability

[0040] In any industrial environment, personnel safety is of utmost importance, and each environment requires different precautions against the specific hazards of that environment. Operating large machinery (such as heavy construction machinery or large mining vehicles) can pose significant risks to personnel on and around it. The concepts described herein provide rollover protection for such vehicles and are implemented in a way that allows them to be displaced to access otherwise blocked components of the machinery.

[0041] The foregoing description is intended to illustrate possible embodiments of the concepts and is not restrictive. Many variations, modifications, and alternatives will be apparent to those skilled in the art after reviewing this disclosure. For example, components equivalent to those shown and described can be substituted, and thus, elements and methods described separately can be combined, and elements described as discrete can be distributed among many components. Therefore, the scope of the concepts should not be determined with reference to the foregoing description, but rather should be determined with reference to the full scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0042] Unless expressly excluded, the use of the singular to describe a component, structure, or act does not exclude the use of a plurality of such components, structures, or acts or their equivalents. In the context of describing the present invention (especially in the context of the following claims), the terms "a," "an," "the," "at least one," or the term "one or more" and similar referents should be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise specified herein or clearly contradicted by the context. The use of the term "at least one" followed by a list of one or more items (e.g., "at least one of A and B" or one or more of A and B) should be construed to mean one item selected from the listed items (A or B) or any combination of two or more of the listed items (A and B; A, A, and B; A, B, and B), unless otherwise specified herein or clearly contradicted by the context. Similarly, as used herein, the word "or" refers to any possible permutation of a set of items. For example, the phrase "A, B, or C" refers to at least one of A, B, C, or any combination thereof, such as any one of the following: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B, and C; or multiple of any item, such as A and A; B, B, and C; A, A, B, C, and C, etc.

[0043] In addition, it should be understood that terms such as "left," "right," "top," "bottom," "front," "rear," "side," "height," "length," "width," "upper," "lower," "inner," "outer," "inside," "outside," etc. may be used herein, which only describe reference points and do not necessarily limit embodiments of the disclosed subject matter to any particular orientation or configuration. Further, terms such as "first," "second," "third," etc. only identify one of a plurality of parts, components, reference points, acts, and / or functions as described herein and likewise do not necessarily limit embodiments of the disclosed subject matter to any particular configuration or orientation.

[0044] Although aspects of the present disclosure have been specifically shown and described with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various additional embodiments can be conceived by modifications to the disclosed machines, components, systems, and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed content. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined by the claims and any equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A roll-over protective structure (ROPS) (100) for a work machine, comprising: A rigid strut (120) having a fixed longitudinal length; A pivot end mechanism (130) attached to one end of the strut (120) and including a pivot end mounting plate (135) pivotable relative to the strut (120); And A socket end mechanism (150) attached to the opposite end of the strut (120) and including a socket end mounting plate (152) extending longitudinally relative to the strut (120).

2. The ROPS according to claim 1, wherein the socket end mechanism (150) comprises: A U-bolt (210) attached to the strut (120) and including a U-bolt groove (217) formed between a pair of U-bolt protrusions (212a - 212b), the socket end mounting plate (152) being received in the U-bolt groove.

3. The ROPS according to claim 2, wherein the socket end mounting plate (152) comprises an opening (242) having an outer peripheral shape formed through the socket end mounting plate.

4. The ROPS according to claim 3, wherein the U-bolt (210) comprises slotted openings (244a - 244b) in each of the U-bolt protrusions (212a - 212b).

5. The ROPS according to claim 4, wherein the socket end mechanism (150) comprises a socket pin (220) disposed in the opening (242) of the socket end mounting plate (152) and the slotted openings (244a - 244b) of the U-bolt (210), the socket pin (220) having a cross-sectional shape complementary to the outer peripheral shape of the opening (242) in the socket end mounting plate (152).

6. The ROPS according to claim 5, wherein the outer peripheral shape of the opening (242) formed in the socket end mounting plate (152) comprises linear segments (243).

7. The ROPS according to claim 6, wherein the socket pin (220) comprises a planar surface (225) disposed across the socket pin, the planar surface corresponding to the linear segment (243) on the opening (242) formed in the socket end mounting plate (152).

8. The ROPS according to claim 7, wherein the socket pin (220) comprises a set of recesses (222a - 222b) formed on the planar surface (225) of the socket pin.

9. The ROPS according to claim 8, wherein the socket end mechanism (150) comprises a set of socket screws (230a - 230b) threadedly engaged with the U-bolt (210), each of the socket screws (230a - 230b) having a screw tip (232a - 232b) received in a corresponding recess in the recesses (222a - 222b) on the socket pin (220).

10. The ROPS according to claim 9, wherein the recesses (222a - 222b) on the socket pins (220) and the screw tips (232a - 232b) on each of the socket screws (230a - 230b) are complementary hemispheres.

11. A roll - over protection structure (ROPS) (100) for a vehicle, comprising: A rigid strut (120) having a fixed longitudinal length corresponding to the size of an opening (7) in a chassis (5) of the vehicle; A pivot end mechanism (130) mechanically disposed between the vehicle and the rigid strut (120) and including a pivot end mounting plate (135) pivotable relative to the rigid strut (120); and A socket end mechanism (150) mechanically disposed between the vehicle and the rigid strut (120) at an end of the rigid strut opposite to the end where the pivot end is located and including a socket end mounting plate (152) extending longitudinally relative to the rigid strut (120).

12. The ROPS according to claim 11, wherein the socket end mechanism (150) comprises: A U-bolt (210) attached to the rigid strut (120) and including a U-bolt groove (217) formed between a pair of U-bolt protrusions (212a - 212b), the socket end mounting plate (152) being received in the U-bolt groove.

13. The ROPS according to claim 12, wherein the socket end mounting plate (152) includes an opening (242) formed through the socket end mounting plate and having a D - shaped outer peripheral shape, and wherein the U - shaped clamp (210) includes slotted openings (244a - 244b) in each of the U - shaped clamp protrusions (212a - 212b).

14. The ROPS according to claim 11, wherein the socket end mechanism (150) includes a socket pin (220) disposed in the opening of the socket end mounting plate (152) and in the slotted openings (244a - 244b) of the U - shaped clamp (210), the socket pin (220) having a D - shaped cross - sectional shape complementary to the D - shaped outer peripheral shape of the opening (242) in the socket end mounting plate (152).

15. The ROPS according to claim 14, wherein the socket pin (220) includes a set of recesses (222a - 222b) formed on a planar surface (225) of the socket pin, and wherein the socket end mechanism (150) includes a set of socket screws (230a - 230b) threadedly engaged with the U - shaped clamp (210), each of the socket screws (230a - 230b) having a screw tip (232a - 232b) received in a corresponding recess in the recesses on the socket pin (220).

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