GB2544833A

GB2544833A - Loading vehicle attachments

Info

Publication number: GB2544833A
Application number: GB1609763.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Leslie Christopher; James Leslie Daniel
Original assignee: Eastern Attachments Ltd
Current assignee: Eastern Attachments Ltd
Priority date: 2015-11-27
Filing date: 2016-06-03
Publication date: 2017-05-31
Anticipated expiration: 2036-06-03
Also published as: GB201619929D0; GB2544832A; GB2544794B; GB201609762D0; GB201520995D0; GB2546155A; GB2546155B; GB201609763D0; GB2544833B; GB2544794A; GB2544832B

Abstract

A load carrier comprising upper and lower jaws 2, 3, to facilitate the grabbing of a load to be carried by the attachment, wherein a folded sheet metal portion 4 is provided across at least one of the jaws 2, 3, the folded sheet metal portion comprising a fold portion (9, fig.2), an upper wing 7 and a lower wing 8 formed by the sheet metal and projecting from both sides of the fold portion 9 forming an acute angle between the wings 7, 8, and one or more tines 15 being secured to the at least one jaw 2, 3 and bisecting both the upper and tower wings 7, 8. The sheet metal portion may formed of structural steel with a yield strength grade of at least S275, preferably between S575 and S625.

Description

Loading Vehicle Attachments

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to loading vehicle attachments.

Background to the Invention and Prior Art known to the Applicants

The Applicants manufacture a range of loading vehicle attachments which comprise for example buckets, grabbers, forks, sweepers, skips and collectors. These are generally suitable for attachment to a vehicle. The vehicles to which these attachments are secured maybe road going work vehicles. In certain embodiments the term vehicle may appropriately include sea and snow going vehicles. When applied to particularly heavy duty work vehicles any improvement in the structure of the loading vehicle attachments will enhance the load bearing capabilities, the efficiency with which the load is carried and the durability of the loading vehicle attachment when submitted, in use, to repetitive significant stresses and strains. One of the problems which the invention addresses is to improve the toughness and strength of such loading vehicle attachments.

Summary of the Invention

In a first broad independent aspect, the invention provides a loading vehicle attachment comprising a load carrier suitable for attachment to a vehicle; said load carrier incorporates an upper and a lower jaw to facilitate the grabbing of a load to be carried by the attachment, wherein a folded sheet metal portion is provided across at least one of said jaws, said folded sheet metal portion comprising a fold portion, an upper wing and a lower wing formed by said sheet metal and projecting from both sides of said fold portion, one or more webs being located between said wings, and being attached to said wings; and one or more tines being secured to said at least one jaw and bisecting both said upper and lower wings.

This configuration is particularly advantageous because it provides advantageous reinforcement around the built-in portion of a tine where the bending moments cause stresses and strains to be concentrated. This configuration further improves the ability of the folded sheet metal portion to fit into or be secured to the rest of the jaw.

This configuration is particularly advantageous in order to present webs in a strengthening orientation relative to the wings of the folded sheet metal portion. This configuration further improves the interconnection between components of the jaw of the loading vehicle attachment.

In a subsidiary aspect, the fold portion and said upper and lower wings define a substantially U-shape when viewed in cross-section.

In a further subsidiary aspect, the fold portion and said upper and lower wings define a substantially V-shape when viewed in cross-section.

In a further subsidiary aspect, said upper and lower wings define an acute angle.

In a further subsidiary aspect, the acute angle is less than 90 degrees.

In a subsidiary aspect, the folded sheet metal portion is a structural steel with a yield strength greater than S275. This configuration is particularly advantageous in further strengthening the folded sheet metal portion for improved resistance to plastic deformation.

In a further subsidiary aspect, the grade is greater than S355 and lower than S875. This configuration further improves the overall resistance to unwarranted deformation.

In a further subsidiary aspect, the grade is greater than S400 and lower than S700.

In a further subsidiary aspect, the grade is greater than S400 and lower than S450.

In a further subsidiary aspect, the grade is greater than S575 and lower than S625.

In a further subsidiary aspect, the sheet metal portion has a thickness of 8 to 10 millimetres. This configuration further optimises the robustness of the overall fold portion and its upper and lower wings.

In a further subsidiary aspect, the folded portion has an inner radius of 17 to 25 millimetres. This kind of radius marks a departure from the prior art whilst allowing reduction in the concentration of stresses and strains which may be otherwise present in a folded portion of this kind.

In a further subsidiary aspect, the folded portion has an inner radius of substantially 21 millimetres. This configuration further improves the efficiency of the structure of the loading vehicle attachment.

In a further subsidiary aspect, the acute angle is of 30 to 60 degrees. This configuration is particularly advantageous in terms of distribution of the loading to which the attachment is subjected in use.

In a further subsidiary aspect, the acute angle is of 40 to 45 degrees. A further significant improvement step is obtained when providing this range of acute angle in order to maximise the life expectancy for this kind of loading vehicle attachment when used with a work vehicle.

Brief Description of the Figures

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a loading vehicle attachment in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a side elevation of the loading vehicle attachment of Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a portion of a jaw of the loading vehicle attachment of Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a folded sheet metal portion of the kind shown in Figure 3.

Detailed Description of the Figures

Figure 1 shows a loading vehicle attachment generally referenced 1. The loading vehicle attachment of Figure 1 takes the form of a grabber with an upper jaw 2 and a lower jaw 3. The upper jaw 2 incorporates a folded sheet metal portion 4 which extends across the width of the grabber. The folded sheet metal portion 4 is secured to a lateral arm 5 (as best illustrated in figure 2) which at its forward most extremity 6 forms a web which fits between upper wing 7 and lower wing 8 of the folded sheet metal portion. The folded sheet metal portion 4 has a rounded forward most fold portion 9. The lateral arm 5 has at its rear most extremity a primary pivot point 10 which allows the lateral arm 5 to pivot relative to a lateral plate 11 which forms a junction member between the upper jaw 2 and the lower jaw 3. A ram or hydraulic actuator 12 may be provided between a lower portion of the plate 11 and the upper most portion of the rear most extremity of arm 5 where a further pivot point 13 is provided. The ram or hydraulic actuator may be provided between pivot point 13 and a further pivot point 14 on the central plate 11. By actuating the ram or hydraulic actuator jaw 2 may be displaced between a relatively open position and a relatively closed position as shown in Figure 2. Further opening and closing of the jaw may be achieved by appropriate actuation.

The lower jaw 3 is formed by a succession of tines such as tine 15 which are regularly spaced. Each tine substantially extends in a longitudinal direction with a forward most tip. The tip may end with a rounded surface. Advantageously, the lower surface of each tine may incorporate a slight recess. Each one of the tines of the lower jaw is secured to a cross-piece 17 extending between lateral plates such plate 11. The cross-piece 17 possesses a plurality of apertures through which the tines are secured. A rear panel 18 is provided in order to prevent the contents exiting to the rear. The rear panel converges towards a line 19 which separates two substantially flat surfaces. Plate 18 also possesses a number of apertures such as apertures 20 which have triangular aspects. Furthermore, a wedge shaped aperture 21 is provided in an upper plate 22. A similarly shaped but oppositely orientated aperture 23 is provided in a position spaced from the first aperture 21.

The upper jaw 2 also carries a plurality of tines 24 which are shaped as a bow or arc. The forward most surface 25 and the rear most surface 26 converge towards a tip 27. At extremity 28 tine 24 bisects the upper and lower wings 7 and 8 of the folded sheet metal portion. Furthermore extremity 28 of the tine is secured permanently to the upper jaw. A plurality of tines of this kind are provided in spaced apart locations projecting from the folded sheet metal portion. Appropriate fasteners may be provided for attaching preferably permanently the tines to the upper jaw.

In order to accommodate, each one of these tines the folded sheet metal portion 4 incorporates a series of apertures or holes such as hole 29 (as shown in Figure 3) corresponding holes may be provided in both upper wing 7 and lower wing 8 of the folded sheet metal portion 4. Integrally formed with the folded metal sheet portion are shoulders 30 and 31 which are located on either side of the grabber and will be positioned within lateral arms such as lateral arm 5. An attachment member 33 (as shown in Figure 2) may be provided to secure the loading vehicle attachment to a work vehicle or any other appropriate vehicle. A bore or hole 32 provides the option for an axle to be secured. The recessed portion 34 which may itself present a concave or arc shaped surface may also be provided to engage an appropriate vehicle counterpart.

Figure 4 shows the folded sheet metal portion 4 with an inner radius 6 of 21mm and an upper wing 7 and a lower wing 8 defining an acute angle of 41 degrees. In one embodiment, the folded sheet metal portion has a thickness of 8 millimetres with the sheet metal being of a structural steel with a yield strength grade of S420.

In alternative embodiments, the yield strength grade may be greater than S275 whilst the thickness may be of 8 to 10 millimetres. In alternative embodiments, the folded portion may possess an inner radius of 17 to 25 millimetres.

In a further embodiment, the grade is greater than S355 and lower than S875. In a further embodiment, the grade is greater than S400 and lower than S700. In a further embodiment, the grade is greater than S400 and lower than S450. In an alternative embodiment, the grade is greater than S575 and S625. In an alternative embodiment, the acute angle is between 30 and 60 degrees. In a further embodiment, the acute angle is between 40 and 45 degrees. In a further embodiment, the sheet is of 8 millimetres in thickness and is of a grade of S600 of so-called ultra-high strength steel. In a further embodiment, the sheet is of 4 to 5 millimetres with a grade of S600.

The grade values may alternatively be expressed as minimum yield strength values with the numbers indicated previously accompanied with their units of N/mm2 when a metal sheet of 18 millimetres thick is assessed. In other words S275 corresponds to 275N/mm2. Whilst the preceding embodiment discusses specifically a grabber with a folded sheet portion. Other embodiments may concern another kind of loading vehicle attachment where a wall, an exposed edge or another appropriate member possesses a folded sheet metal portion with the properties defined in any preceding aspect.

Claims

1. A loading vehicle attachment comprising a load carrier suitable for attachment to a vehicle; said load carrier incorporates an upper and a lower jaw to facilitate the grabbing of a load to be carried by the attachment, wherein a folded sheet metal portion is provided across at least one of said jaws, said folded sheet metal portion comprising a fold portion, an upper wing and a lower wing formed by said sheet metal and projecting from both sides of said fold portion, one or more webs being located between said wings, and being attached to said wings; and one or more tines being secured to said at least one jaw and bisecting both said upper and lower wings.

2. A loading vehicle attachment according to claim 1, wherein said fold portion and said upper and lower wings define a substantially U-shape when viewed in cross-section.

3. A loading vehicle attachment according to either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said fold portion and said upper and lower wings define a substantially V-shape when viewed in cross-section.

4. A loading vehicle attachment according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said upper and lower wings define an acute angle.

5. A loading vehicle attachment according to claim 4, wherein said acute angle is less than 90 degrees.

6. A loading vehicle attachment according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said folded sheet metal portion is of structural steel with a yield strength grade greater than S275.

7. A loading vehicle attachment according to claim 6, wherein said grade is greater than S355 and lower than S875.

8. A loading vehicle attachment according to claim 7, wherein said grade is greater than S400 and lower than S700.

9. A loading vehicle attachment according to claim 8, wherein said grade is greater than S400 and lower than S450.

10. A loading vehicle attachment according to claim 8, wherein said grade is greater than S575 and lower than S625.

11. A loading vehicle attachment according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said sheet metal portion has a thickness of 8 to 10 millimetres.

12. A loading vehicle attachment according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said folded portion has an inner radius of 17 to 25 millimetres.

13. A loading vehicle attachment according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said folded portion has an inner radius of substantially 21 millimetres.

14. A loading vehicle attachment according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein said acute angle is of 30 to 60 degrees.

15. A loading vehicle attachment according to any of claims 4, 5 and 14, wherein said acute angle is of 40 to 45 degrees.