EP0065949B1 - Suspenseur entierement pivotant amorti pour un grappin - Google Patents

Suspenseur entierement pivotant amorti pour un grappin Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0065949B1
EP0065949B1 EP19810901397 EP81901397A EP0065949B1 EP 0065949 B1 EP0065949 B1 EP 0065949B1 EP 19810901397 EP19810901397 EP 19810901397 EP 81901397 A EP81901397 A EP 81901397A EP 0065949 B1 EP0065949 B1 EP 0065949B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
load bearing
bearing means
assembly
pivoting
mounting member
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
EP19810901397
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0065949A1 (fr
EP0065949A4 (fr
Inventor
John R. Muntjanoff
Dennis M. Day
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Caterpillar Inc
Original Assignee
Caterpillar Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Caterpillar Inc filed Critical Caterpillar Inc
Publication of EP0065949A1 publication Critical patent/EP0065949A1/fr
Publication of EP0065949A4 publication Critical patent/EP0065949A4/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0065949B1 publication Critical patent/EP0065949B1/fr
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66C—CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES
    • B66C3/00—Load-engaging elements or devices attached to lifting or lowering gear of cranes or adapted for connection therewith and intended primarily for transmitting lifting forces to loose materials; Grabs
    • B66C3/005—Grab supports, e.g. articulations; Oscillation dampers; Orientation

Definitions

  • This application relates to a hanger assemblies for load engaging assemblies, such as grapple assemblies for log skidders.
  • a log skidder will have a boom assembly with a grapple assembly depending from it. It is structurally advantageous to mount the grapple assembly so that it is pivotable about the boom assembly. Commonly, grapple assemblies are pivotable about two mutually perpendicular, horizontal axes.
  • pivotability is, however, to a certain degree disadvantageous. If not somehow restrained the pivotable grapple assembly is freely swingable. Such uncontrolled movement of the grapple assembly about its pivot points may under some circumstances be sufficiently severe as to permit the grapple to periodically contact rear portions of the vehicle, occasionally resulting in damage. Damage to the pivot mountings themselves can also be caused by loadings resulting from this unrestrained swinging. It would be highly advantageous if this swinging could simply, inexpensively and automatically be controlled.
  • US-A-3904156 discloses a damped pivoting hanger assembly comprising a main mounting member which is arranged to be fixed to a supporting structure; first load bearing means pivotally connected to the main mounting member and depending therefrom; and first extendable and retractable damping means connected between the main mounting member and the first load bearing means for damping pivotal motion therebetween.
  • US-A-4181343 discloses a damped pivoting hanger assembly comprising a main mounting member which is arranged to be fixed to a supporting structure; first load bearing means pivotally connected about a first axis to the main mounting member and depending therefrom; first damping means connected between the main mounting member and the first load bearing means for damping pivotal motion therebetween; second load bearing means pivotally connected about a second axis, which is skew to the first axis, to the first load bearing means and depending therefrom; second damping means connected between the first load bearing means and the second load bearing means for damping pivotal motion therebetween; and a load engaging assembly carried by the second load bearing means; and, according to the invention, a hanger assembly of this general kind is characterised in that the main mounting member and the first and second load bearing means comprise opposed pairs of members, the members of each pair being spaced apart across the centre of the assembly so as to define a central recess which extends substantially vertically from the supporting structure through the main mounting member and the first and second load bearing means to the
  • a hanger assembly of this construction for grapple assemblies and similar load engaging devices, has the advantage of (a) pivotability about two skew axes; (b) a vertical recess through which hydraulic lines may be run protectively; (c) damping of the pivotal movement in a manner not requiring significant maintenance or adjustment; and (d) easy disconnection and mounting.
  • the illustrated damped fully pivotal hanger 10 is preferably utilized for supporting a grapple assembly 12 of a log skidding vehicle 14.
  • the log skidding vehicle 14 has an aft portion 16 to which is mounted a boom assembly 18.
  • a rotator 22 is attached to an aftmost position 20 on the boom assembly 18 for rotating the damped pivoting hanger 10 and, hence, the grapple assembly 12 attached thereto.
  • the hanger 10 has a main mounting member 24 by which it is attached to the rotator 22, the attachment being made with bolts 26 or other means to permit simple removability.
  • the main mounting member 24 has two substantially parallel spaced apart downward extending support portions 28.
  • a stub pin 30 projects from each support portion 28, with the stub pins 30 extending one toward the other in axially aligned spaced apart relation.
  • a first pivoting member 32 is pivotally mounted at an upper portion 34 thereof on each of the stub pins 30.
  • These first pivoting members 32 consist of downwardly extending plates substantially identical one to the other in parallel spaced apart symmetric relationship.
  • Preferably these first pivoting members 32 generally increase in width as they extend downward reaching a region of constant width at lower portion 36 thereof.
  • a pair of crossmembers 38 join the first pivoting members 32 one to the other. These crossmembers 38 are each connected between corresponding side edges 40 of the two first pivoting members 32. The crossmembers 38 follow the contour of the edge portions 40, extending outward and downward with respect to a vertical central axis 42 of the hanger 10 until they reach the first pivoting member lower portion 36 whereafter they extend purely downward and are mutually parallel.
  • a pivot pin 44 extends through and projects outward from a lower portion 46 of each crossmember 38. These pivot pins 44 are axially aligned and rotatable about their axes in the crossmembers 38.
  • a second pivoting member 48 is rigidly connected to each pivot pin 44 and is spaced from said central axis 42 a greater distance than the corresponding crossmember 38. These second pivoting members 48 are vertical plates which are mutually parallel and substantially per- pendicularto thefirst pivoting members 32. Within its plane each second pivoting member 48 extends outward and downward from the pivot pin 44.
  • a strengthening plate 50 is welded between bottom portions 52 of the two second pivoting members 46 to rigidly join them together.
  • a stop member 54 extends upward from each second pivoting member 48 to prevent the second pivoting members 48 from pivoting more than a preselected amount, preferably about 60 degrees, in either direction. Pivoting of the second members 48 more than about 60 degrees is resisted by the stop member 54 coming into rigid contact with the first member 32 as shown in phantom outline in Fig. 3.
  • This embodiment of the present invention has several pairs of major elements separated one from the other by a spaced horizontal distance.
  • the two support portions 28 are a spaced horizontal distance apart as are the two first pivoting members 32, the crossmembers 38 and the second pivoting members 48. This separation defines a central recess 71 through which may conveniently be run hydraulic lines 72 for operation of the grapple assembly 12.
  • first shock absorber pins 56 are rigidly connected to and project outwardly from each of the support portions 28, each being a spaced horizontal distance from the axis of the stub pins 30.
  • the axes of the stub pins 30 and the first shock absorber pins 56 are parallel and coplanar.
  • the axes of the stub pins 30 are between those of the first shock absorber pins 56.
  • Corresponding to each first shock absorber pin 56 is a second shock absorber pin 58 connected to one of the first pivoting members 32 a spaced vertical distance below the first shock absorber pin 56.
  • a damping means such as first shock absorber 60 is connected between the corresponding first and second pairs of shock absorber pins 56, 58.
  • This shock absorber 60 is preferably a heavy duty fluid type shock absorber but could also be a spring-type shock absorber or any of a number of other well known heavy duty shock absorbers.
  • a cover 62 connected to one of the crossmembers 38 and the adjacent first pivoting member 32, encloses and protects each first shock absorber 60.
  • each pair of second pivoting members 48 and crossmembers 38 has a pair of third shock absorber pins 64 and fourth shock absorber pins 66 providing a connection therebetween for a second shock absorber 68 of similar and preferably identical construction to the first shock absorber 60.
  • Cutouts 74 are provided in the lower portion 36 of each first pivoting member 32 to provide clearance for each second shock absorber 68 during pivoting of the second pivoting members 48.
  • One of each pair of third shock absorber pins 64 is rigidly connected to and projects inwardly from each crossmember 38 at a position below the corresponding pivot pin 44.
  • Each of the two fourth shock absorber pins 66 is connected to and projects inwardly from a second pivoting member outermost portion 70. The two fourth shock absorber pins are located on non- corresponding outermost portions 70 of the two second pivoting members 48.
  • the grapple assembly 12 is connected by welding or other means to the second pivoting members so as to depend therefrom.
  • the damped fully pivotal hanger 10 provides pivotability to a dependent grapple assembly 12 about two mutually perpendicular horizontal axes. This facilitates log handling and hauling operations as is well known to those skilled in the art. Depending the damped pivoting hanger 10 from the rotator 22 permits these axes of pivotability to be controllably positioned within a horizontal plane as the need therefor arises.
  • each pivoting assembly is composed of two substantially separated, rigidly joined torque countering elements; that is: the support portions 28, the first pivoting members 32, the crossmembers 38 and the second pivoting members 48.
  • This separation of the torque countering elements from the axis about which the imposed torque will act (this axis being the central axis 42) provides an increased moment arm permitting the required counter- torque to be developed with the application of smaller forces in the relevant members.
  • the benefits of this decreased deformation are obvious to those skilled in the art.
  • Hydraulic lines 72 for control of the grapple assembly 12 can be run from the boom assembly 18 to the grapple assembly 12 through this recess 71. They are thereby enclosed by the several components and hence are protected from chafing, crushing and other occurrences tending to rupture or otherwise decrease the life of the hydraulic lines 72.
  • shock absorber pairs 60, 68 for automatically damping free swinging of the fully pivotal hanger 10 when an unloaded log skidding vehicle 14 moves over rough ground.
  • the use of two rather than one shock absorber decreases the loadings induced by the damping imposed at any one point of the hanger 10; provides a greater total damping than would a single larger shock absorber capable of being fitted within the space constraints of grapple assembly 12; provides redundancy should one shock absorber 60, 68 fail or otherwise be inoperative; and provides a greater central recess 71 with a smaller imbalance of forces than would a single shock absorber, increasing the room available for the hydraulic lines 72.
  • the shock absorbers 60, 68 resist changes in their length in a well known manner and hence serve to damp pivoting motion of the various elements of the hanger 10.
  • Each of these shock absorbers 60, 68 is connected between two members pivotable with respect to one another. It is a well known principle of geometry that the distance between any two points on separate members will change as these members are pivoted with respect to one another, so long as neither point is on the axis of pivotability. Pivoting for example, of the first members 32 about the main member 24 causes the distances between the pins 56, 58, 64, 66 to which the shock absorbers 60, 68 are connected to change. Viewing Fig. 2, the pivoting of the first members 32 to the left causes extension of the shock absorber 60 on the right and compression of the shock absorber 68 on the left. The shock absorbers 60 resist such extension or contraction resulting in damping of the pivotal motion.
  • shock absorbers 60, 68 are fully protected by second pivoting members 48 and covers 62 from injurious contact with outside objects. However, as will readily be observed, access to these shock absorbers 60, 68 is readily available for maintenance and replacement when necessary. Further advantageous is the use of identical shock absorbers. Not only is interchangeability enhanced, but the degree of damping thereby remains constant irrespective of the orientation of the grapple assembly 12.
  • the described embodiment of the present. invention maintains as small a vertical distance as is believed to be attainable in a self damped fully pivotable high visibility hanger.
  • the upper or first shock absorbers 60 are vertically mounted so as to promote operator visibility on either side of the hanger 10. This vertical mounting of the upper shock absorbers 60 additionally serves to provide room for extensive pivoting of the second pivoting members 48 without resulting in contact between the upper and lower shock absorbers 60, 68 as would happen were both shock absorber pairs 60, 68 substantially horizontally mounted.
  • the lower or second shock absorbers 68 are substantially horizontally mounted minimizing vertical height of the dampened pivoting hanger 10.
  • the described embodiment of the present invention has internally contained damping providing simplicity of interchangeability of the grapple-hanger assembly. Removal requires only disconnection of the hydraulic lines 72 and unbolting the main mounting member 25 from the rotator 22.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Load-Engaging Elements For Cranes (AREA)

Claims (6)

1. Ensemble de suspension pivotant amorti (10) comprenant un organe de montage principal (24) qui est conçu pour pouvoir être fixé à une structure de support; un premier moyen porteur de charge (32,38) qui est relié à l'organe de montage principal (24), tout en pouvant pivoter autour d'un premier axe (30), et qui pend vers le bas sur ce dernier; un premier moyen d'amortissement (60) monté entre l'organe de montage principal (24) et le premier moyen porteur de charge (32, 38) pour amortir le mouvement de pivotement entre ces derniers; un second moyen porteur de charge (48) relié au premier moyen porteur de charge (32, 38) tout en pendant vers le bas sur ce dernier, avec une possibilité de pivotement autour d'un second axe (44) qui s'étend en biais par rapport au premier axe (30); un second moyen d'amortissement (68) monté entre le premier moyen porteur de charge (32, 38) et le second moyen porteur de charge (48), pour amortir le mouvement de pivotement entre ces derniers; et un dispositif de prise de charge (12) porté par le second moyen porteur de charge (48); caractérisé en ce que l'organe de montage principal (24) et les premier et second moyens porteurs de charge (32, 38; 48) comprennent des paires d'éléments en vis-à-vis (28, 32, 48), les éléments de chaque paire étant mutuellement espacés de part et d'autre du centre de l'ensemble, de manière à délimiter une cavité centrale (71) qui, depuis la structure de support, s'étend dans une direction sensiblement verticale, à travers l'organe de montage principal et le premier et second moyens porteurs de charge, jusqu'au dispositif de prise de charge; et en ce que le dispositif de prise de charge (12) est actionné par voie hydraulique et les conduits hydrauliques (72) descendent à travers la cavité verticale (71), depuis la structure de support jusqu'au dispositif de prise de charge.
2. Ensemble selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le dispositif de prise de charge est un ensemble formant grappin (12).
3. Ensemble selon la revendication 1 ou la revendication 2, dans lequel le premier moyen d'amortissement (60) comporte deux amortisseurs (60) et le second moyen d'amortissement (68) comporte deux amortisseurs (68), les quatre amortisseurs (60, 68) étant tous de structure identique.
4. Ensemble selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel l'organe de montage principal (24) présente deux sections de support (28) placées à distance l'une de l'autre, deux moyens de montage (30) étant rattachés chacun à une section de support respective (28); le premier moyen porteur de charge comprend deux organes pivotants (32) reliés chacun à un moyen de montage respectif (30) et susceptibles de pivoter par rapport aux sections de support (28), et deux traverses (38) réunissant l'un à l'autre les premiers organes pivotantes (32), les traverses (38) supportant respectivement deux axes-pivots (44) espacés dans la direction horizontale; et le second moyen porteur de charge comprend deux seconds organes pivotants (48) rattachés respectivement aux axes-pivots (44) et susceptibles de pivoter par rapport aux premiers organes pivotants (32).
5. Ensemble selon la revendication 4, dans lequel le second moyen d'amortissement (68) est monté entre les traverses (38) et l'un au moins des seconds organes pivotants (48).
6. Ensemble selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, renfermant des moyens d'arrêt (54) pour empêcher le second moyen porteur de charge (48) de pivoter, au-delà d'une amplitude de débattement prédéterminée, par rapport au premier moyen porteur de charge (32, 38).
EP19810901397 1980-12-04 1980-12-04 Suspenseur entierement pivotant amorti pour un grappin Expired EP0065949B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US1980/001647 WO1982001864A1 (fr) 1980-12-04 1980-12-04 Suspenseur entierement pivotant amorti pour un grappin

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0065949A1 EP0065949A1 (fr) 1982-12-08
EP0065949A4 EP0065949A4 (fr) 1985-07-01
EP0065949B1 true EP0065949B1 (fr) 1988-01-20

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19810901397 Expired EP0065949B1 (fr) 1980-12-04 1980-12-04 Suspenseur entierement pivotant amorti pour un grappin

Country Status (3)

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EP (1) EP0065949B1 (fr)
BR (1) BR8009123A (fr)
WO (1) WO1982001864A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2143798A (en) * 1982-11-09 1985-02-20 Robin Desmond Radcliff Andrews Improvements in and relating to automatic assembly process equipment
DE9015088U1 (de) * 1990-07-02 1991-02-07 Wahlers, Hans, 2727 Lauenbrück Haltevorrichtung für ein Arbeitsgerät, insbesondere einen Harvester

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1962516A (en) * 1928-12-29 1934-06-12 Harnischfeger Corp Power hoe
US3493135A (en) * 1968-03-08 1970-02-03 Bucyrus Erie Co Braked ball and socket support for bucket attachment
US3592503A (en) * 1969-04-09 1971-07-13 Beloit Corp Swivel-mounted grapple apparatus with damping action
SE378584B (fr) * 1973-12-19 1975-09-08 Johansson K E
US3895694A (en) * 1974-07-11 1975-07-22 Caterpillar Tractor Co Grapple snubbing apparatus
US3933389A (en) * 1974-10-16 1976-01-20 Deere & Company Grapple structure
SE399240B (sv) * 1976-01-22 1978-02-06 Hultdins Verkstads Ab Anordning for kontroll av rorelser kring ett eller flera svengningscentra vid ett hanteringsdon
SE404174B (sv) * 1977-02-17 1978-09-25 Hiab Foco Ab Pendlingsdempare for lyftdon upphengt i en lenk

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0065949A1 (fr) 1982-12-08
EP0065949A4 (fr) 1985-07-01
WO1982001864A1 (fr) 1982-06-10
BR8009123A (pt) 1982-10-26

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