Material or article handling – Vertically swinging load support – Grab
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-21
2003-12-09
Underwood, Donald W. (Department: 3652)
Material or article handling
Vertically swinging load support
Grab
C414S724000, C414S912000, C037S403000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06659709
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to tools for use on mobile construction equipment such as excavators.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
One of the more common pieces of powered equipment used in construction projects, logging operations, road building operations and the like is the mobile excavator typically having a rotatable cab containing the power unit mounted on wheels or caterpillar-like tracks. Extending upwardly and rotatable with the cab is the angled large boom member which can be moved up and down by actuating cylinders. Mounted at the upper end of the boom is the excavator stick member which can be pivoted in an up and down motion about the end of the boom by an actuating cylinder mounted on the boom. Mounted on the lower end of the excavator stick typically will be a single tool; most commonly an excavator bucket which is pivotally mounted and rotatable by way of an actuating cylinder connected to a linkage assembly. These machines have been commercially available for many years from manufacturers such as Caterpillar Tractor.
Typically these machines are most often operated with the bucket mounted at the end of the stick, it being a versatile implement for digging soil, scarifying the ground, and smoothing the ground. Other well-known tools can be mounted on the end of the stick as the need arises if a particular task must be performed. For example, in a logging operation where it is common for tasks to include road construction, brush clearing and timber harvesting, different functional tools will be used. Traditionally, for example, when an excavator is to be utilized for harvesting timber the excavator bucket would be removed and, with a typical coupling mechanism, a tree-felling head would be mounted on the end of the excavator stick. Again, such assemblies are well known and commercially available to permit multiple uses by the mobile excavator.
Oftentimes when in actual use where the excavator would be performing multiple functions, it was common to remove the bucket, attach the needed tool (such as a felling head, harvester-head, log grapple, brush cutter, or the like), and thereafter perform the particular task. Once the particular task was performed and the bucket needed again, additional time was needed to remove the attached tool and reinstall the bucket. This process is time consuming and reduces the productivity of the excavator.
When an excavator is used in the woods, the tool that was removed could be left a great distance from where the task was completed utilizing the second tool then attached to the stick. Such being the case, the mobile excavator would then have to return to the site where the first tool was left, taking even more time. Oftentimes, the tool could not be readily located and additional time was lost searching for it.
Since the bucket is the commonly used tool on the end of the stick it became apparent that what was needed was a rack assembly for carrying a second tool on the end of the stick which could be mounted so as to not interfere with the functioning of the bucket but which could be readily deployed when needed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is a tool carrier attachment or rack mounted adjacent the primary tool on the end of an excavator stick for carrying a second tool while the excavator is being operated. The rack is an elongated frame pivotally mounted on the stick and rotates in the same plane as the primary tool. At the distal end of the frame there is provided a tool mounting station adapted to support and carry a selected second tool. Means are provided for rotating the frame from a retracted position extending upwardly and opposite the boom stick to an extended position where the rack extends downwardly from the end of the stick. When the rack is in the retracted position the attached tool may be held in place while main the excavator tool is used as the primary operating tool. When the rack is in its extended position the attached tool can be deployed for operational use.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3243066 (1966-03-01), Gardner et al.
patent: 3666124 (1972-05-01), Arnold
patent: 3999582 (1976-12-01), Allen et al.
patent: 4100688 (1978-07-01), Grist
patent: RE30769 (1981-10-01), Cobb et al.
patent: 4355670 (1982-10-01), Ohrberg et al.
patent: 4669947 (1987-06-01), Frost
patent: 4720234 (1988-01-01), Stralow
patent: 4884641 (1989-12-01), Kendall
patent: 5101872 (1992-04-01), Scheuren
patent: 5355918 (1994-10-01), Lang
patent: 5373652 (1994-12-01), Olsson
patent: 5472308 (1995-12-01), Somero
patent: 5544435 (1996-08-01), Somero
patent: 5553408 (1996-09-01), Townsend
patent: 5590482 (1997-01-01), Peterson et al.
patent: 5628130 (1997-05-01), Desrochers
patent: 5678332 (1997-10-01), Hawkins
patent: 5727610 (1998-03-01), Isley
patent: 5813822 (1998-09-01), Pisco
patent: 5964050 (1999-10-01), Svahn
Seed IP Law Group PLLC
Underwood Donald W.
LandOfFree
Tool carrier attachment for excavator does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Tool carrier attachment for excavator, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Tool carrier attachment for excavator will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3152907