AU716482B2

AU716482B2 - Back-hoe and tipper

Info

Publication number: AU716482B2
Application number: AU64403/96A
Authority: AU
Inventors: William Michael Doherty
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-08-30
Filing date: 1996-08-30
Publication date: 2000-02-24
Anticipated expiration: 2016-08-30
Also published as: AU6440396A

Description

P/00/011 28/5/91 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT INVENTION TITLE: BACK-HOE AND TIPPER The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- TITLE OF THE INVENTION Back-hoe and Tipper FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to back-hoe and tipper devices and machines.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Conventional back-hoe devices suffer from several major limitations. They are designed to be loaded onto the end of a tractor or bob-cat and are dependent on the power supply of the relevant vehicle. The positioning of the back-hoe arm at an end of the vehicle restricts the degree of continuous horizontal rotation that the armn is able to achieve, often requiring that the tractor vehicle itself be moved firequently when digging up or moving the relevant materials. Conventional back-hoes are often also required to be used in conjunction with dump trucks or other similar vehicles.

The present invention has an independent power supply and may be used free-standing or mounted on the top of a tray backed utility truck. The invention combines a modified back-hoe element with a side-emptying tray such that the device is able to load earth and other materials onto itself, which feature obviates the need for use in conjunction with tip-truck vehicles in order to move material between sites. The configuration of the lifting-arm and its relationship with the corresponding hydraulic ram device is such as to allow greater lift power and reach than are conferred by the use of traditional backhoes. In addition, the modified lifting-arm, when attached to the non- hinged side of o••o the tray, may be used to actuate the emptying of the tray contents.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention provides a back-hoe and tipper capable of being used as a selfsupporting unit which comprises: 99oo a hydraulically powered digging or lifting-arm (hereinafter "lifting-arm") which is attached at its upper end to a scoop or bucket device (hereinafter "bucket") and which lifting-arm is joined at its base-end to an operating unit (hereinafter "turn-table") which turn-table is able to rotate in the horizontal plane and is positioned close to a tray device (hereinafter "tray") wherein the turn-table rotates the modified lifting-arm in the horizontal plane, the lifting-arm carrying the bucket in the vertical plane such that by horizontal and vertical co-ordination of the turn-table and the lifting-arm, the lifting-arm bucket may dig for and carry materials, and load them onto the tray; the tray contents may then be unloaded by attachment of the lifting-arm to the non-hinged side of the tray, which lifting-arm when raised, tilts the tray sideways (as viewed in use), thereby emptying the contents of the tray externally.

This invention further provides a back-hoe and tipper which comprises: an hydraulically powered digging or lifting-arm (hereinafter "liftingarm") which is attached at its upper end to a scoop or bucket device (hereinafter "bucket") and which lifting-arm is joined at its base-end to an operating unit (hereinafter "turn-table") which turn-table attaches pivotally to the top of a support frame, which frame additionally carries a tray device (hereinafter "tray") hinged to one side (as viewed in use) of the support frame wherein the turn-table rotates the modified lifting-arm in the horizontal plane, the lifting-anm carrying the bucket in the vertical plane such that by horizontal and vertical co-ordination of the turn-table and the lifting-arm, the lifting-arm bucket may dig for and carry materials, and load them onto the tray; the tray contents may then be unloaded by attachment of the lifting-arm to the non-hinged side of the tray, which lifting-arm when raised, tilts the tray sideways (as viewed in use), thereby emptying the contents of the tray externally; the support frame being capable of use while mounted onto the rear of a utility truck or while standing independently of the vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS One embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the invention 10 in its stored position.

Figure 2 is an exploded view of the invention showing both sides of the tray, the lug device 53, the lifting-arm 20, the hydraulic components 25-27 and the selfsupporting frame Figure 3 is a perspective view of the invention 10 showing the invention standing independently, and the lifting-arm 20 positioned below the level of the tray.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the invention 10 showing the lifting-arm connected to the non-hinged end 53 of the tray and in the tilted position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The modified lifting-armnn preferably comprises a boom arm section joined pivotally S• towards one end of a dipper arm section.

The boom anrm preferably comprises a lower portion and an upper portion which portions are fixed approximately perpendicularly to each other (hereinafter "lower boom Sarm" and "upper boom arm", respectively).

Conveniently, the ight angle configuration of the boom arm and the relationship of the lift ram with the boom arm (described below), generally confers greater power, leverage and reach to the lifting-aim as compared with conventional back-hoe devices, while additionally enabling the lifting-arm to load materials onto the tray and to safely actuate the emptying of the said tray.

Preferably, the boom arm is movable hydraulically by the pivotal connection of one end of a hydraulic ram device (hereinafter "lift ram") to a turn-table structure and the other end of the lift ram centrally along the underside of the upper boom anm.

It is preferred that the lift ram is longer than lift rams conventionally used in proportion to the length of the boom arm, and that the lift ram is pivotally connected to the upper boom arm at a distance comparatively further towards its upper end than is usual for back-hoe devices.

Preferably, the dipper arm is movable hydraulically by the pivotal connection of one end of an hydraulic ram device (hereinafter "dipper ram") centrally to the upper side of the upper boom arm and the other end of the dipper ram to the end of the dipper arma.

It is preferred that a chain device is attached approximately halfway along and on the underside of the dipper arm.

Conveniently, a scoop or bucket device is pivotally attached to the upper end of the dipper arm.

Preferably, the bucket is movable hydraulically by the pivotal connection of one end of an hydraulic ram device (hereinafter "bucket ram") centrally to the upper side of the dipper arm and the other end of the bucket ram to the back of the bucket.

It is desirable that the hydraulic oil tank is fixably attached to one side of the turn-table and that the operator's seat is in turn, fixably positioned on top of said hydraulic oil tank.

Conveniently, the engine and hydraulic pump are fixably positioned on an adjacent side of the turn-table.

A hydraulic control bank is conveniently and fixably attached to the turn-table, close to *o the operator's seat, which control bank is used to control the movement of each of the aforesaid hydraulic rams, thereby enabling overall control of the lifting-anm.

Preferably, the turntable is secured to and horizontally rotatable upon a support frame.

It is desirable that a slew drive be used to rotate the turn-table horizontally on the support frame.

The support frame is conveniently and generally parallelepipedal in structure and is contoured to fit the outline of a vehicle's tray.

Preferably, foldable and adjustable legs are attached to each corner of the support frame, which legs are extendable to enable the invention to be self supporting or which legs may be folded away while the invention is mounted upon the flat tray of a vehicle.

It is desirable that one side of the tray (hereinafter "the release side") is able to be opened in a downwards direction, so as to enable the tray contents to be emptied.

It is preferred that the release side of the tray is located on one side of the vehicle (as viewed when mounted on the vehicle).

Conveniently, the bottom edge of the tray's release side is secured via a hinge arrangement to one side of the support frame.

It is preferred that a lug device is vertically hinged (as viewed when the tray is lying flat) to the non-release side of the tray (where the non-release side of the tray is defined as being the side of the tray which is opposite the release side) and which lug device is adapted to receive and secure the chain member of the dipper arm.

Preferably, the lifting-arm actuates the emptying of the tray via the attachment of its chain member to the tray's lug device.

S° Preferably, both the chain's length and position along the dipper arm are adapted such that during the emptying of the tray (when the chain is connected to the tray's lug :i device) the arc-line created by the chain being raised, is as close to vertical as possible.

Conveniently, the aforesaid relationship of the chain with the dipper arm and the lug device ensures that the bucket of the lifting-aim is positioned as far from the cabin or driver's section of the vehicle as possible and that at no stage during the emptying of the tray, is the bucket directly above the said cabin section, which is a preferred safety feature of the invention.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the invention 10 showing the lifting-arm 20 in the stored position, the lower boom arm 21 pivotally attached to the turn-table 40, the upper boom aim 22 pivotally attached to the dipper arm 23, the bucket 24 attached to the upper end of the dipper arlm 23, the lift ram pivotally attached to both the turntable and the upper boom arm 22, the dipper ram 26 pivotally connected to both the upper side of the upper boom aim 22 and to the end of the dipper arm 23, the bucket ram 27 pivotally attached to both the upper side of the dipper arm 23 and to the back of the bucket 24, the hydraulic control bank 30 attached to the turn-table 40, the hydraulic oil tank 31 and operator's seat 32 attached to the turntable 40, the slew drive 33, the tray 50 showing the release side 51 in the open position, the support frame 60 and an adjustable or foldable leg 61.

Figure 2 is an exploded view of the invention 10 substantially as in Figure 1 showing the non-release side of the tray 52, the vertically hinged lug device 53, the modified digging or lifting-armn 20, the support frame 60 with two foldable and adjustable legs 61 extended, and the release side of the tray 51 in the open position.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the invention 10 substantially as in Figure 1, showing the dipper or lifting-arm 20 in the downwardly extended position, the engine and hydraulic pump 34, the tray 50, the support frame 60 with all four legs extended 61 in the self supporting position.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the invention 10 substantially as described in Figure 1, showing the dipper or lifting-aim 20 actuating the emptying of the tray 50 sideways in relation to the vehicle, the chain 28 of the dipper arm 23 attached to the tray's lug device 53 (shown in ghost lines).

*o *o*

Claims

9.9*1 999 9*9 *9*9 9. *9 9 @9 *9* 99 9. 9**9 0 9 9 *.99 9 9 at s baserating unit (hereinafter turn-table ")which turn-table attaches pivotally to the top of th ko. frame, which frame additionally carries a d a s uppn^ .atone end tothe support fame tray devise (hereinafter" tray") hinged at ne end t the support frame wherein the turn-table rotates the lifting-arm in the horizontal plane the lifting-arm carrying the bucket in the vertical plane such that by horizontal and vertical coordnation of the tuntable and the ifting-arm the lifting-arm bucket may dig for and carry materials, and load them ontothe tray; the tray contents may then be unloaded by attachment of the lifting arm to a lug devise on the non hinged end of the tray, which ifting-arm when raised, tilts the tray sideways thereby emptying the contents of the tray externally; the support frame being capble of ue while mounted onto a vehicle or while standing independently of the vehicle.