GB2101557A - Swinging assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A swinging assembly intended primarily for diggers comprises a frame 5, a boom 4 linked to the frame so as to be horizontally rotatable with respect to a vertical axle 1. The assembly further comprises a swinging arm 2 which is freely rotatable with respect to the axle 1 and stationary relatively to the boom 4, and an auxiliary arm 3 which is freely rotatable with respect to the axle 1 as well as to the boom 4. A hydraulic cylinder 6 is linked by its one end to the frame 5 and by its other end to the auxiliary arm 3 and a second cylinder 7 is linked by its one end to the auxiliary arm 3 and by its other end to the swinging arm 2. The hydraulic cylinders, which have their respective piston ends connected to the head ends of the other cylinder, are operated by oil pressure which is controlled by means of a hydraulic valve 8, to swing the boom 4 through 180 DEG , i.e. 90 DEG to either side from the position shown. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Swinging assembly The present invention relates to a swinging assembly for mechanical diggers and the like. In particular, the invention concerns a swinging assembly intended for tractor diggers in order to swing or turn a working unit, such as a boom and associated bucket, in lateral direction.

The prior art swinging devices for turning the boom of working machines are generally intended for heavy-dury working machines and, thus, such swinging equipment is constructionally heavy, complicated and expensive. No simple, light and inexpensively manufactured swinging assemblies are available which could be used as auxiliary devices e.g. with conventional tractors for farm work with view to using them for digging and the like duties.

An object of the present invention is to provide a swinging assembly whose manufacturing costs are low and which can be applied for use as an auxiliary device with conventional tractors, and by means of which a working unit, e.g. the boom and associated digging bucket of a differ, which is to be mounted on a tractor, can be turned laterally through an angle of up to 1800. A further object of the invention is to provide a swinging assembly based on the use of conventional hydraulic cylinders which are to be articulated at the ends thereof.

According to the present invention there is provided a swinging assembly for use with diggers and the like, comprising a frame, a boom articulated to the frame so as to be rotatable with respect to an axis and two cylinders operated by pressurized medium for swinging the boom relative to the axis in which the assembly is provided with a swinging arm freely rotatable relative to the axis and stationary relative to the boom, an auxiliary arm freely rotatable relative to the axis and to the boom, and in which one of the cylinders is by its one end linked to the frame and by its other end to said auxiliary arm, and the other of the cylinders is by its one end linked to the auxiliary arm and by its other end to the swinging arm.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to one embodiment thereof and referring to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a tractor fitted with a swinging assembly of the invention with swinging arms and cylinders removed, Figures2 to 4 show the same swinging assembly as Figure 1 in various boom positions, and Figure 5 shows the swinging assembly of Figures 1 to 4 as seen from tractor side.

Figure 1 shows a swinging assembly according to the invention mounted on the back of a tractor and supported by lifting arms 10 and a fastening means 12. The swinging assembly comprises a frame or base 5 (shown in Figures2 to 4) as well as a boom 4 articulated to the base so as to be rotatable with respect to a vertical axle 1. Boom 4 is articulated or linked to the axle or pillar 1 so as to be pivotable in vertical direction and is fitted with a hydraulic cylinder 9 for lifting and lowering the boom, i.e. for turning it in the vertical plane.

Figures2 to 5 show the two cylinders 6, 7 operated by means of pressurized medium e.g.

hydraulic fluid, and forming part of the swinging assembly for pivoting the boom 4 with respect to the axle 1. According to the invention, the assembly is provided with a swinging arm 2 which is freely rotatable with respect to the axle 1 and stationary relatively to the boom 4, as well as with an auxiliary arm 3 which is freely rotatable relatively to the axle and also freely rotatable relatively to the boom. The former of the cylinders 6, 7 is articulated by its one end to said base 5 and by its other end to said auxiliary arm 3 and the latter cylinder 7 is correspondingly articulated by its one end to the auxiliary arm 3 and by its other end to the swinging arm 2. Cylinders 6, 7 are operated by pressurized oil controlled by a doubleaction hydraulic valve 8.Hydraulic cylinders 6, 7 are double-acting and oil pressure is led by means of pressure lines below and/or above the piston of cylinders 6, 7. The operation of cylinders 6, 7 and thus the adjustment of the position of said boom 4 is effected by means of the hydraulic valve 8, as explained hereinafter.

In Figure2, boom 4 is directed rearwards of the tractor, in the figure straight upwards, with the pistons of cylinders 6, 7 being half-way extended.

For turning the boom 4 to the right, as viewed from the operator's cabin of the tractor, (the (the position shown in Figure 3) pressure is applied below the piston of the former cylinder 6 and above the piston of the latter cylinder 7, whereby the former cylinder opens and urges the auxiliary arm 3 , which is freely rotatable relatively to axle 1, clockwise towards parallel relationship with the cylinder. Simultaneously, the latter cylinder 7 retracts and, being supported by its one end to said auxiliary arm 3 and by its other end to the swinging arm 2 fixed in view of said boom 4, pushes the boom from said swinging arm clockwise to the right (Figure 3).For turning the boom counter-clockwise, i.e. to the left, as viewed in the Figures pressure is applied above the piston of the former cylinder 6 and below the piston of the latter cylinder 7, whereby the former cylinder retracts and pulls the auxiliary arm 3, which is freely rotatable with respect to axle 1 , in counterclockwise direction (Figure 4). The auxiliary arm 3 thereby moves the latter cylinder 7 which at the same time extends and thus swings or turns the boom 4. The phase differeiice between the extreme positions of boom 4, shown in Figures 3 and 4, is at least 1 800 and, if so desired, 1 800 can even be exceeded.

Movements of the above-mentioned boom 4 are effected by applying oil pressure by means of a double-action hydraulic valve 8 either to below the piston of the former cylinder 6 and simultaneously above the piston of the latter cylinder 7 (hereinafter referred to as pressure 1, Figure 3); or alternatively to above the piston of the former cylinder 6 and below the piston of the latter cylinder 7 (hereinafter referred to as pressure 2 Figure 4). Thus, the lateral swinging of the boom is effected between pressure 1 and pressure2 of said hydraulic valve 8, shown respectively in Figures 3 and 4. The boom 4 can be stopped in a desired intermediate position and held in the intermediate position by equalizing the pressures on both sides of the cylinder 6, 7 (as in Figures 2 and 5).

The swinging assembly of the invention is constructionally extremely simple and its power equipment consists of two conventional hydraulic cylinders linked or articulated by both ends. The hydraulic valve 8, together with its pressure hoses, can easily be connected with the hydraulic system of a working machine, such as a tractor but, if so desired, it is naturally possible to employ a separate hydraulic pump as well. If desired, the swinging assembly can be lifted and lowered on vertical support pipes 1 5 mounted on the lifting arms 10 of a tractor 13, (Figures 1 to 2) said support pipes being fitted in vertical sleeve-like base pipes 14 of the base 5 of the swinging assembly and connected thereto with pins 1 6. The support pipes 1 5 are provided with a plurality of openings in vertical direction at a certain distance from each other, so that the positional level of sockets 1 7 and, thus, the position of the base of the swinging assembly to be placed on the sockets can be adjusted in vertical direction, if desired.

Claims (4)

1. A swinging assembly for use with diggers and the like, comprising a frame, a boom articulated to the frame so as to be rotatable with respect to an axis and two cylinders operated by pressurized medium for swinging the boom relative to the axis in which the assembly is provided with a swinging arm freely rotatable relative to the axis and stationary relative to the boom, an auxiliary arm freely rotatable relative to the axis and to the boom, and in which one of the cylinders is by its one end linked to the frame and by its other end to said auxiliary arm, and the other of the cylinders is by its one end linked to the auxiliary arm and by its other end to the swinging arm.

2. A swinging assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which said boom is additionally fitted with a lifting means, such as a cylinder operated by means of a pressurized medium.

3. An assembly as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2 in which a hydraulic valve is provided capable of supplying pressure above the piston of one cylinder and simultaneously below the piston of the other said cylinder.

4. An assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.