NZ548313A - A grapple - Google Patents

Abstract

A tractor grapple includes a bottom jaw assembly 1 and the top jaw assembly 4 hinged together at A. The bottom jaw is shaped to be able to free-stand on a surface and presents a curving lower skeletal material engagement face 3 and a straight material engagement face above the lower portion that stands vertically when the jaw is free standing on a horizontal surface, and the top jaw assembly has a skeletal material engagement face 5 that curves in the opposite direction. The jaws both terminate at their respective distal ends with sets of fingers 14, 15, and when the jaws are fully closed the fingers of the top jaw extend back behind the distal finger region of the bottom jaw.

Description

6%^ 3/3 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT, 1953 No: 548313 Date: 5 July 2006 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION A GRAPPLE We, THE FEEDER LEADER COMPANY LIMITED, a company duly incorporated under the laws of New Zealand of 14 Ruapehu Street, Taupo, New Zealand, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: Intellectual Property Office of N.Z. . 1 MAY 2008 received! The present invention relates to a grapple assembly of a kind for connection direcdy or indirecdy (e.g. via a coupler) to the arm or boom of a vehicle or machine.

Various form of grapple assembly of the kind previously mentioned are known. Most however are designed so as to be specific to materials to be carried.

We are not aware of a form of grapple with the robustness and design features required to enable it to be used for materials so diverse as, on the one hand, logs or tree trunks, and, on the other hand, a loose material such as silage. That is one object of the present invention.

In between the extremes of such uses are other uses, i.e. uplifting cut vegetation of various other kinds.

It is another or alternative object to provide a grapple able to free stand in at least one mode when unconnected.

It is another or alternative object to provide a grapple able to drag fill when appropriately disposed.

The present invention is directed to a grapple assembly (preferably have one or more of the aforementioned attributes). It is therefore at least an object of the present invention to provide some diversity of effectiveness.

In an aspect the invention is a grapple assembly for connection directly or indirectly (e.g. via a coupler) to the arm or boom of a vehicle or machine, the assembly comprising or including a first jaw assembly, and a second jaw assembly pivoted from the first jaw assembly; wherein said first jaw assembly defines a form able to free stand on a surface and to present a curving lower skeletal material engagement face and, there above, a substantially non curving skeletal material engagement face; and wherein said second jaw assembly defines a curving skeletal material engagement face, the curving being opposite to that of the first jaw assembly; and wherein each of said first and second jaw assemblies includes at its distal region, a series of fingers; and wherein said second jaw assembly, when in a closed condition, has its fingers back behind the distal region of the fingers of said first jaw assembly, and wherein first jaw assembly's at least substantially non curving skeletal material engagement face is substantially vertical when said first jaw assembly notionally stands on a flat horizontal surface with the fingers extending out in front and below.

Intellectual Property Office ef N.Z. 28 may 2008 received In another it can be a grapple assembly for connection directly or indirectly (e.g. via a coupler) to the arm or boom of a vehicle or machine, the assembly comprising or including a first jaw assembly (at its rear) connectable direcdy or indirecdy to a suitable arm or boom, a second jaw assembly pivoted (preferably direcdy) from the first jaw assembly, and linkages whereby, under the action of a ram or other input, there can be controlled relative movement of the first jaw assembly relative to the second jaw assembly about the or a pivot axis between the jaw assemblies, wherein said first jaw assembly defines at least with fingers and with end plates a form able to free stand on a surface and to present at its front a substantially vertical (preferably skeletal) material engagement face above a curving lower skeletal material engagement face, and where said second jaw assembly defines at least with fingers a curving material engagement face, the curving being opposite to that of the first jaw assembly.

Preferably the distal regions of the fingers of the second jaw assembly mesh into fingers of the first jaw assembly.

Preferably at least one ram acts between a lower rear region of the first jaw assembly and the linkages between said first and second jaw assemblies.

Preferably a first linkage arm pivots from the first jaw assembly and a second linkage arm pivots from the second jaw assembly, and each linkage arm pivots to the other and/or at least pivots on to the pivot axis on which the ram acts.

Preferably the linkage between the pivot axis on which the ram acts and the second jaw assembly is in the form of a clevis.

Preferably there is such a linkage series on either side of the grapple and preferably inwardly of end plates of the first jaw assembly.

Preferably the relative dispositions of the first and second jaw assemblies under the action of such linkage can be over the range substantially as herein described by reference to Figures 1A through Figure ID.

Preferably the rear of the first jaw assembly carries a pair of pins transversely of the first jaw assembly, each pin being receivable by a coupler for attaching indirecdy the grapple to a distal region of an arm or boom of a vehicle or machine.

In another aspect the invention can be a grapple assembly for connection directly or indirectly (e.g. via a coupler) to the arm or boom of a vehicle or machine, the assembly comprising or including a first jaw assembly connectable to a said arm or boom, Intellectual Property Office of N.Z. _ 1 may 2008 received a second jaw assembly pivoted from the first jaw assembly, wherein said first jaw assembly defines at least with fingers and end plates a form able to free stand on a surface and to present a substantially vertical skeletal material engagement face above a curving lower skeletal material engagement face, and where said second jaw assembly defines at least with fingers a curving material engagement face, the curving being opposite to that of the first jaw assembly.

Preferably said first and second jaw assembly are interconnected in part by a spaced double clevis like linkage arm linkage adapted to provide reproducibility of positioning of one jaw assembly relative to the other about the pivot therebetween under the action of an input at a pivot axis between pivot axes direcdy of a linkage to the first and second jaw assemblies respectively.

In another aspect the invention can be a grapple assembly for connection directly or indirectly (e.g. via a coupler) to the arm or boom of a vehicle or machine, the assembly comprising or including a first jaw assembly, and a second jaw assembly pivoted from the first jaw assembly, wherein said first jaw assembly defines a form able to free stand on a surface and to present a curving lower skeletal material engagement face, and where said second jaw assembly defines a curving skeletal material engagement face, the curving being opposite to that of the first jaw assembly.

Preferably at least one of the jaw assemblies (preferably each of said first and second jaw assemblies) includes at its distal region a series of fingers.

Preferably said series of fingers provides much of the skeletal material engagement face of the jaw assembly or jaw assemblies.

Preferably said skeletal fingers are linked one to another by a spanning member or interposed intermittent spanning member(s).

Preferably said spanning member(s) are preferably set back from the skeletal material engagement face largely provided (at least at the distal regions) by the fingers.

Preferably the curving of the lower skeletal material engagement face is from a material engagement face (preferably vertical when the first jaw assembly is supported on a supporting surface).

Preferably the curving of the lower skeletal material engagement face is more extreme than that of the second jaw assembly, i.e. if the curve of each was actually or notionally an arc of the circumference of a circle, the radius of the curving of the lower skeletal material engagement " Intellectual Property Office of N.Z. -1 MAY 2008 face is or of the first jaw assembly would be less than the radius of the actual or notional curving skeletal material engagement face of the second jaw assembly.

Preferably said first and second jaw assembly are interconnected by a spaced double clevis like linkage arm linkage adapted to provide reproducibility of positioning of one jaw assembly relative to the other about the pivot therebetween under the action of an input at a pivot axis between pivot axes direcdy of a linkage to each of the first and second jaw assemblies respectively.

In another aspect the invention can be, in combination, an armed or boomed vehicle and a grapple assembly connected directly or indirectly (e.g. via a coupler) to the arm or boom of the vehicle or machine, the grapple assembly comprising or including a first jaw assembly connected direcdy or indirecdy to the arm or boom, a second jaw assembly pivoted from the first jaw assembly, and linkages whereby, under the action of a ram or other input, there can be relative movement of the first jaw assembly relative to the second jaw assembly about the pivot axis between the jaw assemblies, wherein said first jaw assembly defines a form able to free stand on a surface and to present (preferably a substantially vertical skeletal material engagement face above) a curving lower skeletal material engagement face defined at least in part by fingers, and where said second jaw assembly defines a curving material engagement face defined at least in part by fingers, the curving being opposite to that of the first jaw assembly.

The present invention also consists in the use of a grapple or a combination as previously defined.

In still a further aspect the present invention consists in a method of handling materials which involves the use of a grapple or a combination as previously defined in a manner substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

In still a further aspect the present invention consists in a grapple or componentry of a grapple substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

In still a further aspect the invention consists in a method of grapple handling materials (e.g. logs, vegetation, silage, hay or other forage material) when performed substantially as herein described with reference to any one, some or all of the accompanying drawings.

As used herein the term "and/or" means "and" or "or", or both.

As used herein the term "(s)" following a noun includes, as might be appropriate, the singular or plural forms of that noun.

Intellectual Property Office of N.Z.

- \ MAY 2008 RECEIVED As used herein "clevis" refers to any shaped linkage pivot mounted at each end.

Preferably at least one linkage of that kind is truly clevis shaped e.g. curved.

Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompany drawings in which Figure 1A shows a series of diagrams showing the relative movement responsive to the action on linkages between the first and second jaw assemblies, the first jaw assembly in each of Figures 1A to ID being shown in its free standing form, preferably double clevis type arm type linkages to a pivot axis being acting upon by a ram system or systems acting from a pivot axis or pivot axes from the first jaw assembly, the second jaw assembly being able to be positioned from a fully open condition as shown in Figure 1A to a fully closed and in part meshed condition as shown in Figure ID, the mount for a coupler or an arm or boom (not shown in Figures 1A to ID) being to the rear of the first jaw assembly which in Figures 1A through ID is to the left, Figure 2 is a view of a preferred grapple in accordance with the present invention when in the condition as in Figure ID and free standing on the ground, the assembly being shown from a front perspective looking through the skeletal nature of the second arm assembly to the near vertical skeletal material contacting surface of the first jaw assembly above its at least in part finger defined curved lower region, Figure 3 is a similar view to that of Figure 2 but from an end perspective, Figure 4 shows the apparatus in a condition almost open to the extent as shown in Figure 1A when connected by a connector to the end of an arm or boom of a harvesting machine, excavator, back hoe or the like, the grapple being ready to uplift a log, Figure 5 shows the apparatus in a condition, such as in Figure 1C, where the log is engaged and has been uplifted by the grapple under the action of the ram and the uplift of an arm, Figure 6 shows apparatus on the end of an arm as in Figures 4 and 5 but open to the condition substantially as in Figure 1A and disposed and ready to uplift silage, Figure 7 shows the apparatus of Figure 6 moved to a condition such as shown in Figure 1C uplifting silage, Figure 8 is an end view of apparatus in a condition as shown in say Figure 1A showing in broken outlines the silhouette of some of the spanning members of the construction, Figure 9 is a similar view to that of Figure 8 but whilst the apparatus is in a condition as in say Figures ID and Figure 3, Figure 10 is a perspective view from the front of a preferred form of a first jaw assembly showing multiple fingers supported laterally by a variety of side to side spanning Intellectual Property Office of N.Z. - 1 MAY 2008 m r* A I? I if p n members (preferably penetrating through each finger) and being fixed at each end to an end plate, Figure 11 is an end view of the first jaw assembly of Figure 10, Figure 12 is a plan view of the first jaw assembly of Figures 10 and 11, Figure 13 is a front elevation of the first jaw assembly of Figures 10 through 12, Figures 10 through 13 not showing the means for attachment directly to a coupler or the arm or boom of a vehicle but showing the mounting points from which such arrangements can be provided, as can also a lifting hitch, if desired, as shown in earlier figures, Figure 14 is a perspective view from its front showing a preferred second jaw assembly, there being fingers supported by a variety of spanning members, the curvature being opposite and preferably of a greater sweep (actual or notional radius) than the sweep or arc or actual or notional radius of the lower curved region of the corresponding first jaw assembly, Figure 15 is an end view of the second jaw assembly of Figure 14, and Figure 16 is a front elevational view of the second jaw assembly of Figures 14 and 15. In the preferred form of the present invention it is provided a first jaw assembly 1 having, as skeletal materials contacting surfaces, a substantially vertical profile at 2 and a curved profile below 2 at 3. Both the curved and vertical profile is preferably a continuous (i.e. from top to bottom) but laterally skeletal materials contacting surface.

The second jaw assembly 4 preferably has a like skeletal materials contacting surface 5, preferably also formed reliant upon fingers.

As can be seen there is a direct pivoting at A between the jaw assemblies 1 and 4 thus allowing the movement shown from Figure 1A to ID.

Such movement is preferably controlled under the action of a ram 6 anchored at a pivot point 7 of the end plate or any spanning pivot providing full or partial therebetween or therefrom.

Preferably there are two such rams acting in unison, each at each end of the arrangement, although (less desirably) this could instead be centrally placed to act on a pivot providing axle or other member which acts on or as the pivot axis or pivot B between linkage arms 8 pivoted at C and B and 9 pivoted at B and D.

The pivot D is to the second jaw assembly 4.

Of the linkages preferably the linkage 8 is substantially a straight form and that designated as 9 preferably at each end is curved. Whilst the curvature of the member 9 is clevis like in the true sense, preferably each such linkage 8 and 9 can be considered as a clevis as defined herein. Preferably each linkage 8 and 9 is a dual linkage at each end for strength and to avoid skewing.

Intellectual Property Office of N.Z. -1 MAT 2008 RECEIVED A feature of the invention is the provision of the lower curved region 3 which has a notional or actual radius (or in any event a sweep) more extreme than the actual or notional radius (or in any event sweep) of the surface 5 of the co-acting jaw.

As can be seen the first jaw assembly 1 has a flat peripheral profile 10 on which, when at least in the condition as shown in Figures ID, 2 and 3, the device is free standing. If desired the apparatus can have a lifting bracket 11 provided so that, should the apparatus have fallen over, it can be uplifted to the condition as shown in Figure 2 for then attachment of a coupler or other arrangement into the structure 12 of any appropriate form at its rear so that it can then be carried by a manipulation arm 13 as shown in each of Figures 4 through 7.

The grapple is upliftable by the rear of the first jaw assembly optionally by an engagement to a coupler. Suitable couplers are typified by that of J B Sales or those disclosed in New Zealand Patent Specification Nos. 220557/222864, 250811, or 502511.

As can be seen, under the action of hydraulic or other inputs, the rams 6 or its equivalent (preferably acting in unison at each end) has the affect of taking the apparatus from a condition as it might be at rest (as in Figures 2 and 3) to any of the conditions shown in Figures 4 through 6 and of course between such conditions as shown by Figures 1A through ID.

Apparatus in accordance with the present invention has a capability of being used in a variety of different ways and this is enhanced by the provision of the fingers 14 of the first jaw assembly and the fingers 14 and the end plates (preferably also finger defining).

Preferred dual clevis arrangements on each side of the apparatus as shown in Figures 6 and 7 provides a robustness in use allowing its use as shown in Figures 6 and 7 on such material as silage or other forage material as well as on hefty logs or the like as shown in Figures 4 and 5.

Apparatus in accordance with the present invention can be a pure grapple as shown in Figures 4 through 7 or it can be used as a drag fill grapple.

It is believed therefore that apparatus in accordance with the present invention will find widespread acceptance.

Intellectual Property Office of N.Z. . 1 may 2008 received

Claims (22)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A grapple assembly for connection directly or indirectly (e.g. via a coupler) to the arm or boom of a vehicle or machine, the assembly comprising or including a first jaw assembly, and a second jaw assembly pivoted from the first jaw assembly; wherein said first jaw assembly defines a form able to free stand on a surface and to present a curving lower skeletal material engagement face and, there above, a substantially non curving skeletal material engagement face; and wherein said second jaw assembly defines a curving skeletal material engagement face, the curving being opposite to that of the first jaw assembly; and wherein each of said first and second jaw assemblies includes at its distal region, a series of fingers; and wherein said second jaw assembly, when in a closed condition, has its fingers back behind the distal region of the fingers of said first jaw assembly, and wherein first jaw assembly's at least substantially non curving skeletal material engagement face is substantially vertical when said first jaw assembly notionally stands on a flat horizontal surface with the fingers extending out in front and below.

2. An assembly of claim 1 wherein said first and second jaw assembly are interconnected in part by a spaced double clevis like linkage arm linkage adapted to provide reproducibility of positioning of one jaw assembly relative to the other about the pivot therebetween under the action of an input at a pivot axis between pivot axes directly of a linkage to the first and second jaw assemblies respectively.

3. A grapple assembly of claim 1 or 2 wherein said first jaw assembly at its rear is connectable directly or indirectly to a suitable arm or boom; and wherein, under the action of a ram, there can be controlled relative movement of the first jaw assembly relative to the second jaw assembly about the, or a, pivot axis between the jaw assemblies;

4. An assembly of claim 3 wherein the second jaw assembly is pivoted direcdy from the first jaw assembly.

5. An assembly of claim 3 or 4 wherein the fingers of the second jaw assembly can have their distal region each mesh into adjacent a finger of the first jaw assembly.

6. An assembly of any one of the claims 3 to 5 wherein at least one ram acts between a lower rear region of the first jaw assembly and the linkages between said first and second jaw assemblies. Intellectual Property Offi0e of N.Z. 2 8 may 2008 -10-

7. An assembly of any one of the preceding claims wherein a first linkage arm pivots from the first jaw assembly and a second linkage arm pivots from the second jaw assembly, and each linkage arm pivots to the other and/or at least pivots on to the pivot axis on which the ram acts.

8. An assembly of claim 7 wherein the linkage between the pivot axis on which the ram acts and the second jaw assembly is in the form of a clevis.

9. An assembly of claim 8 wherein there is a said linkage on either side of the grapple.

10. An assembly of claim 9 wherein each said linkage is inwardly of an end plate of the first jaw assembly.

11. An assembly of claim 8, 9 or 10 wherein the relative dispositions of the first and second jaw assemblies under the action of such linkage can be over the range substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1A through Figure ID.

12. An assembly of any one of the preceding claims wherein the rear of the first jaw assembly carries a pair of pins transversely of the first jaw assembly, each pin being receivable by a coupler for attaching indirectly the grapple to a distal region of an arm or boom of a vehicle or machine.

13. An assembly of claim 1 wherein said series of fingers provides much of the skeletal material engagement face of the jaw assembly or jaw assemblies.

14. An assembly of claim 1 or 13 wherein said skeletal fingers are linked one to another by a spanning member or interposed intermittent spanning member(s).

15. An assembly of claim 14 wherein said spanning member(s) are set back from the skeletal material engagement face largely provided at least at the distal regions by the fingers.

16. An assembly of any one of the preceding claims wherein the curving of the lower skeletal material engagement face is from a material engagement face at least substantially vertical when the first jaw assembly is supported on a supporting surface.

17. An assembly of any one of the preceding claims wherein the curving of the lower skeletal material engagement face is more extreme than that of the second jaw assembly, i.e. if the curve of each was actually or notionally an arc of the circumference of a circle, the radius of the curving of the lower skeletal material engagement face is or of the first jaw assembly would be less than the radius of the actual or notional curving skeletal material engagement face of the second jaw assembly.

18. An assembly of any one of the preceding claims wherein said first and second jaw assembly are interconnected by a spaced double clevis like linkage arm linkage adapted to provide reproducibility of positioning of one jaw assembly relative to the other about the pivot therebetween under the action of an input at a pivot axis between pivot axes rlii-prtlv of p link^e "sstomep* to each of the first and second jaw assemblies respectively. 28 MAY 2008 receive -11 -

19. A grapple assembly of any one of the preceding claims substantially as herein described with reference to any one, some or all of the accompanying drawings.

20. In combination, an armed or boomed vehicle and a grapple assembly connected directly or indirectly (e.g. via a coupler) to the arm or boom of the vehicle or machine, the grapple assembly being as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

21. A method of handling materials as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings which involves the use of a grapple assembly of any one of claims 1 to 19 in a manner substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

22. A method of grapple handling materials selected from logs, trees, branches, vegetation, vegetative components, silage, hay and/or forage material when performed substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. InMtetual Property Office of N.Z. 28 may 2008 RECEIVED