GB2490488A

GB2490488A - Agricultural or construction vehicle with mountings for two working arms

Info

Publication number: GB2490488A
Application number: GB1107094.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Keith Stephen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-04-27
Filing date: 2011-04-27
Publication date: 2012-11-07
Also published as: GB201107094D0

Abstract

An agricultural or construction vehicle is equipped with two forward arm mountings 5 that allow attachment of arms 1 that are articulated, telescopic and include pistons. The arms 1 may be operated independently and may have quick hitch mounts that allow the use of various attachments such as single and double buckets, forks, single and double bailer spikes. The arms may have wrists 11 articulated to allow movement of attachments in at least two directions by means of hinges 12, 13, vertical angular movement being achieved using hydraulic rams and horizontal angular movement by an electric motor. The vehicle may include support legs 2.

Description

PATENT APPLICATION

OF

!fLTH STEPHEN

FOR

MOTOR VEHICLE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a motor vehicle, more particularly a motor vehicle for use in agricultural settings or for construction work.

Backqpund Many agricultural settings or construction sites are time pressured. As a result the heavy lifting and other work needs to be completed quickly.

Prior Art

Chinese utility model CN 2 108 748 (ANZHANG et al) discloses a wheel loading machine with two telescopic actuating arms. Two double-acting telescopic oil cylinders which are installed in the inner of the telescopic arms can control the telescopic actions of the telescopic arms. The simultaneous action of the two telescopic arms is mainly controlled by a hydraulic system. By using a translational motion oil cylinder, the translational motion of a working head or a bracket is simultaneous to the action of the lifting oil cylinder of the actuating arms. A reverse oil cylinder which is installed on the bracket is used to control the unloading action of the working head. Compared with an ordinary wheel loading machine or a single telescopic arm loading machine, the utility model maintains the advantages of the original telescopic arm loading machine; besides, the lifting height of the ordinary loading machine is increased, and the insertion force and the breakout force of the utility model are equivalent to the insertion force and the breakout force of the ordinary loading machine.

Granted Finnish patent Fl 83 069 (RUNESSON) discloses a device pertaining to telescopic crane arms having the facility to transmit hydraulic power, compressed air and/or electrical power. In a construction of three telescopic parts the middle part is configured as a tube having two rails which are diametrically disposed one relative to the other and which have U-shaped grooves, facing respectively outwards and inwards relative to the tube, for the reception of rollers 10 disposed on the outer and inner tubes respectively. The axle journals of the rollers support sliding bearing plates for interaction with the bottom surfaces of the grooves. One or more lines transmit hydraulic power, for example, from the outer telescopic part to the inner telescopic part. Each line part between the fixed points on the outer part and inner part respectively is constant in length.

European patent application EP 1 384 698 (MAGNI) discloses an apparatus comprising a first telescopic arm, exhibiting a lower portion rotatably constrained to a first horizontal hinge axis, a first motor for rotating the first telescopic arm; a second telescopic arm rotatably constrained to an upper portion of the first telescopic arm which upper portion is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the first telescopic arm at a second horizontal hinge axis; a terminal load support group for a load mounted on the second telescopic arm and a second motor for rotating the second telescopic arm.

The present invention in contrast provides a vehicle that is equipped to increase the productivity of a user in an agricultural, construction or other setting.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a motor vehicle equipped with two forward arm mountings that allow attachment of arms that are articulated, telescopic and include pistons.

Preferably the arms are provided with wrists that are hinged in two directions, powered by an electric motor. There is also provided a hitch or hook end to the wrist, to enable attachments.

Furthermore it is envisaged some mechanism is provided to secure or fasten the hitched or hooked attachment such as a grub screw or chained bar.

Some embodiments of the arms include fully articulated wrists such that any attachments a user equips the vehicle with by attaching to the arms may be manipulated in a variety of angles, directions and consequently for multiple purposes.

In order to achieve this the wrists may rotate about the axis suggested by the arm, and additionally hinge and/or tilt.

In embodiments where the wrists are hinged or pivoted in two planes, but unable to rotate, rotatory movement is provided by the arm.

In preferred embodiments the arms or wrists have quick hitch mounts that allow the arms to be equipped with various attachments such as single and double buckets, forks, single and double bailer spikes.

Vertical angular movement of the quick hitch mounts is preferably achieved by using hydraulic rams, whilst horizontal angular motion is achieved using an electric motor Extension and retraction of the arms is ideally facilitated by internal hydraulic systems located in arm cavities. The arms can be programmed to operate separately or independently. Additionally the operation of the quick hitch attachments is controlled by electric motors.

A 40 degree lifting arc is disposed to facilitate bale stacking and loading of vehicles.

Both articulated arms are able to traverse 110 degrees for precision operation and rapid loading.

Ideally the arms and/or wrists are controlled by joysticks and movement of the arms is controlled and observable on displays, such as liquid crystal displays. Ideally the vehicle is controlled in the normal manner, for instance with a steering wheel, gearlever and pedals.

In total a vehicle equipped in this manner allows a wide variety of movement, and therewith uses when provided with the correct attachment.

Power connectors or power take-off points are ideally provided to the front and rear of the vehicle for connection of independently provided or available devices such as muck spreaders, mowers, road sweepers and bailers.

In order that the vehicle is capable of remaining stable in use, such as where the arms are carrying or lifting weight, there may be provided articulated support legs or braces that are capable of being extended out from the vehicle and providing support that enlarges or balances a notional footprint of the vehicle as well as ensuring the vehicle's tyres/wheels are not compelled to take the weight. These legs may be retracted in full into the body of the vehicle for transport purposes.

Ideally the vehicle is powered by an internal combustion engine, but electrical or other operated vehicles may also be encompassed.

Brief Description of Figures

Figures 1 shows a rear isometric view of a preferred embodiment with the arms and legs in use; Figure 2 shows a side view of the preferred embodiment; Figure 3 shows an overhead view of the preferred embodiment; Figure 4 shows a front view of the preferred embodiment. And

Figures 5 show an overhead and side view respectively of the hinge or pivot of the wrist with the arm with a dotted line showing the available movement axis, and a side view of the wrist with the hitch or hook, in a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiment of the Invention The vehicle has two arms (1, 1) mounted on the arm mountings! each being piston driven and fully articulated. Both have quick hitch mountings to be used to attach a variety of tools (not shown).

The arms 1 are provided with articulated wrists 11, capable of moving attachments to the arms in a large variety of directions so as to better perform tasks. The wrists have hands 10 that hitch or hook to attachments (not shown).

The wrists are articulated in two directions in the pictured embodiment by the provision of hinges (12, 13).

Further embodiments of the vehicle may include articulated or partite arms, which may allow greater freedom of reach. In the alternative or in addition the arm mountings 5 may be hydraulically variable in height such that the mounted arm may be capable of being raised or lowered to provide further variety of reach position.

Support legs 2 are also shown, as is a control booth 3 accessed via a ladder 4.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A motor vehicle equipped with two forward mounted arm mountings that allow attachment of arms that are articulated3 telescopic and include pistons.
2. A motor vehicle with first and second hydraulically driven arms extending beyond the notional footprint of the vehicle.
3. A motor vehicle according to any preceding claim including wrists that accept attachments.
4. A motor vehicle according to any preceding claim including articulated wrists.
5. A motor vehicle according to any of claims 1, 2 or 3 including wrists that allow movement in at least two orthogonal axes.
6. A motor vehicle with first and second hydraulically driven arms extending according to a preceding claim wherein the arms may project above horizontal.
7. A motor vehicle with first and second hydraulically driven arms extending according to a preceding claim wherein the arms are capable of extending in a forward direction.
8. A motor vehicle according to any preceding claim including support legs.