Excavating – Combined or convertible – Combined with clamp – grapple – or shear
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-04
2001-04-03
Pezzuto, Robert E. (Department: 3671)
Excavating
Combined or convertible
Combined with clamp, grapple, or shear
C414S722000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06209237
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to a material handling assembly mountable on the handle of a machine, and more particularly to such an assembly operable to a clamp, grasp or grapple material between a pair of members. The invention further contemplates an improved arrangement for securing a component of such assembly in a stored position permitting the other component of the assembly to operate independently.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the prior art, there has been developed an implement commonly referred to as a “thumb” mountable on the underside of the handle of an excavating machine which is operable independently to perform various work functions or in cooperation with the bucket of the machine for grasping material between the thumb and the bucket. Typically, the thumb is fixed relative to the handle of the machine and the bucket may be curled and uncurled to grasp material being handled. The thumb also is usually connected to the handle with a strut which may be either of a fixed or extendable length to permit adjustment of the angle of the thumb relative to the handle. The strut may consist of a rigid link detachably securable to one of a number of brackets disposed on the underside of the handle or a hydraulic cylinder assembly, the length of which may be varied between a fully extended position, a fully retracted or stored position adjacent the underside of the handle or a position therebetween.
In such an arrangement, it is desirable to be able to readily retract the thumb to the storage position to permit the bucket to be operated independent of the thumb, reliably secure the thumb in the storage position while the bucket is being operated, quickly and easily release the thumb and readily reposition it to a desired angle relative to the handle to cooperate with the bucket to perform material handling operations. It further is desirable to be able to reposition the thumb between selected operable positions and the storage position and to lock and release the thumb in the storage position, from the operator's station on the machine. It thus is the principal object of the present invention to provide such an assembly which may be operated in the manner described.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a thumb assembly which may be remotely controlled from the operator's station on the machine, generally consisting of a first implement pivotally mountable on the handle of the machine, a second implement pivotally mountable on the handle of the machine and cooperable with first the implement when the implements are mounted on the handle of the machine, angularly displaceable between extended, operable positions and a retracted, storage position, a bracket mountable on the handle, an extendable assembly operatively interconnecting the bracket and the first implement, remotely operable by the machine operator to set the angle of such first implement relative to the machine handle, and means disposed on the bracket engageable with the first implement and also remotely operable by the machine operator for releasably retaining the second implement in the storage position. The releasable retaining means comprises either a mechanical latch which may engaged or tripped by the operation of the extendable means or an electromagnetic device which may be energized or be energized by suitable control means provided at the machine operators station.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4375345 (1983-03-01), Hanson
patent: 4660654 (1987-04-01), Wiebe et al.
patent: 5111602 (1992-05-01), Risch
patent: 5553408 (1996-09-01), Townsend
patent: 5678332 (1997-10-01), Hawkins
Heiple Ashley
Keller Don
Pratt Samuel S
Lalos & Keegan
Lau Michael N.
Pezzuto Robert E.
Rockland Inc.
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