CA2619948A1 - Loewen 360 - Google Patents

Abstract

This is an attachment for use on excavators. It is unique in it's configuration. It fits between the excavator's stick and bucket.
The Loewen 360 allows the excavator operator greater control of his bucket or other attachment. The Loewen 360 is designed to allow the operator to rotate his digging bucket 360 degrees, thereby providing bucket control and versatility that otherwise would be impossible. With the Loewen 360, the operator of the excavator can rotate the bucket and dig away from the machine, and can position the bucket at any angle in order to slope the dirt as he desires without repositioning the entire machine.

Description

In conjunction with the attached thumb, the operator can grab rocks, pipe, brush etc. and manipulate it in anyway he chooses.
It gives the operator the maximum flexibility possible.
The Loewen 360 attaches to the machine using the OEM pin locations. The digging bucket attaches to the Loewen 360, using standard quick-attach lugging.
The actual thumb component of this attachment is removable by means of a drift pin. This allows thumbs designed for different purposes to be interchanged, or for the thumb to be removed altogether if required. (This thumb is also unique and patent has been applied for. When I receive that application number I will reference it to this application.) BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The Loewen 360 has it's roots in our Loewen High Rotation Wrist (Industrial design application 115833) The gearbox, hydraulic motor, and rotate bearing are identical. The configuration is similar.
The Loewen 360 is an attachment that enhances the functionality of any excavator. An excavator can only function in one direction of movement; a scooping action, pulling the bucket toward the machine. With the addition of the Loewen 360, the bucket can be rotated and angled to provide almost unlimited flexibility. It allows the operator to perform functions otherwise impossible to accomplish. It also allows the machine to operate within tight confines that would otherwise be unworkable.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Refer to Drawing titled "Patent Drawing" page 1 Top View: Basic upper configuration illustrated here. This view is looking down to where the Loewen 360 mounts to the excavator.
The -gearbox is located at the bottom of this drawing, the control valve is at the top, with the mounting brackets between. A rota manifold is located in the center. The circle illustrated with dotted lines is the rotate bearing. The upper mounting brackets (2) are welded to the main plate (see patent drawing p3,detail 11), the other items bolt to the main plate. The thumb is shown extending out to the right.
The gearbox is a planetary type, with a 6:1 reduction. The output shaft of the gearbox has gear teeth machined into it that interact with teeth cut into the outer rim of the rotate bearing. Thus when the output shaft of the gearbox spins, it causes the rotate bearing to spin also.
The gearbox is powered by a hydraulic motor that bolts to the top face of the gearbox and is connected to it by means of an input shaft. The motor receives hydraulic pressure from the excavator by means of hydraulic hoses.
Not shown in these drawings are the hydraulic hoses. Two hoses, run from the excavator itself to provide flow and return pressure.
These (2) hydraulic hoses supply the control valve.
The control valve, allows the two functions of the Loewen 360 (the thumb function and the rotate function) to work simultaneously on one hydraulic supply line from the excavator.
The control valve consists of 2 electrically switched hydraulic valves that open and allow the desired hydraulic flow to either the thumb or rotate function, or both together. This is controlled by the operator in cab.

A rotary manifold is used to connect the hydraulic lines to the thumb. This is necessary because the lower part of the Loewen 360, which the thumb is mounted to, rotates 360 degrees, and hydraulic lines supplying the thumb cylinder must rotate also.
Bottom View: Basic lower configuration is illustrated here. This view is looking up at the arrangement of the hydraulic thumb, the lower mounting brackets (2), and the secondary plate. (patent drawing page 3 detaill2) Note the bucket mounting bosses.

Side View: (Patent drawing p2) As described in top view, upper mounting brackets (2) (see patent drawing p.4 detail 13) are welded to the main plate. The main plate is bolted to the inner race of the rotate bearing. The secondary plate is bolted to the outer race of the rotate bearing. There is a steel ring that surrounds the outside of the rotate bearing. This ring is welded to the main plate.
There is a slight clearance between this ring and the secondary plate so that when the secondary plate is rotating, it does not rub on the ring.
The lower mounting brackets (2) (see patent drawing p.4 detail 14) are welded to the underside of the secondary plate. The various components of the thumb mechanism are located between these lower mounting brackets.
The thumb mechanism is as follows:
Hydraulic cylinder (light lines) positioned horizontally under the secondary plate. Note "ears" on left side, welded to secondary plate, to anchor the cylinder. The hydraulic cylinder acts on a lever which actuates the thumb through it's range of movement when the hydraulic cylinder extends. (as illustrated in side view drawing) The thumb pivots on a 2.5 inch pin.
The Thumb is removable by driving out a lock pin with a hammer.

* This thumb design is also part of another product that Loewen Forestry Equipment has developed (Loewen Qwik-Attach Thumb).
A patent on the Loewen Qwlk-attach Thumb was applied for 4 weeks ago.

Front View: Visible in this drawing, on the left side, is the metal cover positioned over the gearbox and motor (labelled item 8); also a metal cover, on the right side, over the control valve (labelled item 32). These covers are to protect the gearbox and control valve underneath from impacts.

Summary of Fitment: The Loewen 360 is attached to the excavator by means of the upper mounting brackets.
Two hydraulic supply lines from the excavator are attached to the control valve. Electrical connections are made at the control valve, to the operator's controls in the cab.
The bucket is attached to the Loewen 360 by means of the lower mounting brackets.

_---you, Regards, Dave Howat, VP, Operations.
Loewen Forestry Equipment Phone: (250) 314-6179 Fax: (250) 314-6178

Claims (4)

1. Is a hydraulically operated attachment used to mount a bucket or other tool to an excavator machine. It incorporates a rotary bearing and a hydraulic motor, acting through a planetary gearbox, which allows the bucket to spin 360 degrees in either direction.

2. This attachment also allows for the mounting of a hydraulically operated thumb.
This thumb is actuated by a horizontally mounted thumb, concealed within the structure.

3. This thumb is secured by means of a wedge, allowing quick removal and replacement.

4. The entire unit is mounted to the excavator using standard quick-attach lugging to allow easy installation or removal.