WO2000075437A1

WO2000075437A1 - Device for coupling an implement to a telescopic boom type vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2000075437A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/014993
Authority: WO
Inventors: Troy J. Schweitzer
Original assignee: Upright, Inc.
Priority date: 1999-06-08
Filing date: 2000-05-31
Publication date: 2000-12-14
Also published as: WO2000075437A8; AU5310000A

Abstract

An adaptor provided for use on the tip end of a vehicle with a telescopic boom (10) to allow the boom (11) to carry conventional skid-steer attachments. The adaptor includes a carriage for detachably connecting to and carrying a conventional skid-steer attachment. The adaptor also includes a carriage support (40) connected to the tip end of a boom by a pair of parallel spaced pins (60, 70) and allows the carriage support to be articulated by movement of the tip end of the boom. The carriage support means has a pair of U-shaped arms (41, 42) and a pair of brackets with holes (45, 46) to engage the pins. The carriage support may be permanently attached to the carriage by welding. Alternately, the carriage and carriage support may be two separate pieces.

Description

DEVICE FOR COUPLING AN IMPLEMENT TO A TELESCOPIC BOOM TYPE

VEHICLE

Background and Brief Summary of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to self-propelled, boom-type vehicles referred to herein as telehandlers. More particularly, the present invention relates to an adaptor carried by the free or tip end of a telehandler boom, the adaptor being capable of carrying various conventional skid-steer attachments.

Skid-steer loaders have become increasingly popular in recent years. A typical skid-steer loader is shown in U.S. patent 5,518,358 dated May 21, 1996. A variety of work attachments has been developed for use by skid-steer loaders. Various adaptor designs have also been developed to allow skid-steer loaders to handle the commercially available attachments supplied by competing manufacturers. For example, such a skid-steer loader adaptor is shown in U.S. patent 5,098,252 dated March 24, 1992.

It is also known in the prior art to provide boom-type self-propelled vehicles with forklift attachments. Such prior art includes U.S. patents 5,073,077 dated December 17, 1991 and 4,632,630 dated December 30, 1986. Those patents show boom-type vehicles carrying a single forklift attachment.

The present invention provides an adaptor for allowing self-propelled boom-type vehicles, referred to herein as "telehandlers" to accept most, if not all, of the conven- tional skid-steer attachments. For example, one manufacturer advertises thirty-six separate attachments which may be utilized on its skid-steer vehicle.

Telehandler vehicles offer several advantages over skid- steer loaders. For example, the extendible booms available for use on telehandlers extend fifty feet and more. The telehandler chassis may be more easily designed for use on rough terrain as compared with typical skid-steer loaders.

A primary object of the invention is to provide an adaptor for use in conjunction with a telehandler which allows the telehandler to carry and utilize conventional skid-steer work attachments.

A further object of the invention is to provide a boom- type vehicle capable of operating on rough terrain with an adaptor allowing it to be compatible with the large array of conventional skid-steer attachments presently available.

A further object of the invention is to provide an adaptor for use on telehandlers which provides a quick release mechanism for rapidly changing the work attachment being used by the telehandler.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a telehandler adaptor which allows the user of the telehandler to quickly change work attachments, such attachments including without limitation, buckets, pallet forks, grapples, backhoes, breakers, augers dozers, planers, rakes, trenchers, blowers and sweepers.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description and drawings wherein: Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a telehandler which may be used in conjunction with the adaptor of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the telehandler of

Fig. 1 with the boom in its lowered and retracted position;

Fig. 3 is a schematic representation showing a first embodiment of the present invention prior to being connected to a telehandler boom tip; Fig. 4 is a schematic representation showing the embodiment of Fig. 3 as it is being connected to the boom tip;

Fig. 5 is a schematic representation showing the adaptor of Figs. 3 and 4 as connected to a telehandler boom tip, with the adaptor having been rotated into a vertical orientation for connection to a conventional skid-steer attachment;

Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of the embodiment of the present invention shown in Figs. 3-5 showing the orientation of the adaptor prior to being connected to a skid-steer attachment lying flat on the ground; Fig. 7 is a schematic representation showing a second embodiment of the invention, wherein the adaptor is a two- part apparatus, as the adaptor is being prepared for attachment to the boom tip;

Fig. 8 is a schematic representation showing one portion of the two-piece adaptor of the present invention shown in Fig. 7 having been connected to the boom tip;

Fig. 9 is a schematic representation showing the first piece of the two-part adaptor of Figs. 7 and 8 being rotated by the boom tip in preparation for being connected to the second part of the adaptor;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing the connection of the first and second parts of the adaptor of Figs. 7-9 to the boom tip;

Fig. 11 shows the two-part adaptor of Figs. 7-10 as connected to the boom tip with the adaptor rotated into a vertical position; and

Fig. 12 shows the adaptor of Figs. 7-11 as connected to the boom tip and rotated into a horizontal position.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 shows a self-propelled telehandler vehicle 10 with an extendible and elevatable boom 11. Boom 11 has a base end 12 pivotally attached to the chassis 13 of tele- handler 10 and a free end 14 which carries articulating boom tip 15. Fig. 2 shows the apparatus of Fig. 1 wherein the boom 11 is lowered and retracted. As used herein and in the claims, the term "telehandler" refers to a self-propelled boom-type vehicle having an extendible boom. Figs. 1 and 2 show the telehandler without any attachments connected to boom tip 15. Figs. 3-12 show two embodiments of the invention and how the adaptor attaches to and interacts with boom tip 15.

Figs. 3-6 show a first embodiment of the invention wherein a single piece adaptor shown generally as 20 is connected to the articulating boom tip 15 of the telehandler. A "gooseneck" 9 is welded to the end of boom 11. Gooseneck 9 supports a cylinder 6 mounted on pin 7. Cylinder 6 causes articulation of pivot member 75 about the axis of first support pin 60.

The single piece adaptor 20 shown in Fig. 3 includes a carriage means 30 adapted to detachably connect to and carry a conventional skid-steer attachment. The single piece adaptor 20 also includes a carriage support means shown generally as 40 which is intended to detachably connect to the tip end 15 of the telehandler boom 11. The single piece adaptor shown in Figs. 3-6 includes a connection means 50 for rigidly connecting the carriage means 30 to the carriage support means 40. As shown in Fig. 3, the connection means includes several beads of welding 51 which permanently connect the carriage means 30 to carriage support means 40. The tip end of the boom 15 includes a first mounting pin

60. Mounting pin 60 includes first and second ends 61 and 62, respectively, which are carried by support brackets 18 and 19 of gooseneck 9. Support pin 60 has a central portion 63 of larger diameter than tips 61 and 62. Central portion 63 extends between brackets 18 and 19.

Carriage support means 40 includes a pair of generally U-shaped arms 41 and 42 adapted to engage support pin tips 61 and 62, respectively. Arms 41 and 42 are spaced apart a distance to allow clearance from support brackets 18 and 19 while also providing lateral support. Carriage support means 40 also includes a pair of brackets 43 and 44, each having a passageway 45 and 46 formed therein, respectively, to engage second support pin 70. As shown in Fig. 4, first support pin 60 has been seated against U-shaped arms 41 and 42, and the second pin 70 has been inserted through brackets 43 and 44 to connect the adaptor 20 to boom tip 15. Plunger 80 is carried by boom tip 15 and is retracted as second pin 70 is installed. Pin 70 has a retaining groove 78 into which plunger 80 extends. Pin 70 also has a safety groove 79 into which plunger 80 extends if, for some reason, plunger 80 does not engage retaining groove 78. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, boom tip 15 includes compressive load bearing plates 76 and 77, which are the surfaces of pivot member 75 adjacent second pin 70. Carriage support means 40 includes a compressive load transfer plate 91 which extends between brackets 43 and 44. The compressive load transfer plate 91 is intended to transmit compressive loads directly to the load bearing plates 76 and 77 while simultaneously minimizing compressive loads applied directly to the second pin 70. Compressive loads are typically experienced when attachments such as scrappers and bucket attachments are carried by boom tip 15. Fig. 5 shows the adaptor 20 having been rotated into a vertical position for picking up a skid-steer attachment, if the attachment is sitting vertically.

Fig. 6 shows the adaptor 20 rotated into a horizontal position in order to pick up a skid-steer attachment which is lying flat on the ground. Spring loaded levers 101 and 102 are carried by the carriage means 30 and are lifted prior to attaching to any skid-steer attachment. The levers 101 and 102 are moved into the locked position shown in Fig. 6 when the attachment has been picked up.

Figs. 7-12 show a second embodiment of the invention wherein the adaptor 120 includes a two-piece design wherein the carriage means 130 and carriage support means 140 are two separate pieces. In all other respects, the two-piece design shown in Figs. 7-12 is essentially the same as the first embodiment shown in Figs. 3-6, with some minor variation. The similar parts in both embodiments are referenced by the same reference numerals in the "100" series. The significant difference in the two-piece design is that the carriage support means 140 includes a pair of "pickup" arms 105 and 106 for engaging the "pickup" pin 107 by engaging pin tips 108 and 109. After that engagement has been made, the carriage means 130 is connected to carriage support means by bolts (not shown) extending through passageways 196 and 197 of carriage support means 140 and threading into passageways 196 and 197 of carriage means 130.

The resultant connection made between the skid-steer attachment and the boom tip 15 is a four-point connection. Most of the forces borne by the skid-steer attachment are transmitted to the boom tip through the robust first support pin 60 into U-shaped arms. Compressive forces are transmitted through the compressive load transfer plate means directly to the compressive load bearing plate carried by boom tip 15.

It is to be understood that variations may be made in the design without departing from the scope of the invention. The invention is to be determined by the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An adaptor for use in conjunction with the tip end of a telehandler boom, said adaptor allowing said telehandler boom to carry conventional skid-steer attachments, said adaptor comprising: carriage means for detachably connecting to and carrying a conventional skid-steer attachment, carriage support means connected to said tip end of said boom whereby said carriage support means is articulated by movement of said tip end of said boom, and connection means for rigidly connecting said carriage means to said carriage support means.

2. The adaptor of claim 1 wherein said tip end of said boom includes first and second pins mounted on parallel, spaced axes and wherein said carriage support means comprises a pair of generally U-shaped arms adapted to engage said first pin and a pair of brackets having passageways formed therein to engage said second pin.

3. The adaptor of claim 2 wherein said first pin must be seated against said U-shaped arms prior to engagement of said second pin.

4. The adaptor of claim 3 further comprising a plunger carried by said boom tip and a retaining groove formed in said second pin, said plunger engaging said retaining groove to hold said second pin in position.

5. The adaptor of claim 4 further comprising a second safety groove formed in said second pin.

6. The adaptor of claim 2 wherein said boom tip includes a compressive load bearing plate adjacent said second pin, and wheein said carriage support means further comprises a compressive load transfer plate means adjacent said passageways engaging said second pin, said compressive load transfer plate means being adapted to transfer compressive loads from said skid-steer attachments to said boom tip and minimizing compressive loads placed on said second pin.

7. The adaptor of claim 1 wherein said carriage means and said carriage support means are welded together to form a one-piece adaptor.

8. In combination: a self-propelled telehandler vehicle having an extendible boom with a base and a free end, said boom having an articulating boom tip carried by said free end, an adaptor for use in conjunction with said tip end of said boom, said adaptor allowing said telehandler boom to carry conventional skid-steer attachments, said adaptor comprising: carriage means for detachably connecting to and carrying a conventional skid-steer attachment, carriage support means connected to said tip end of said boom whereby said carriage support means is articulated by movement of said tip end of said boom, and connection means for rigidly connecting said carriage means to said carriage support means.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said tip end of said boom includes first and second pins mounted on parallel, spaced axes and wherein said carriage support means comprises a pair of generally U-shaped arms adapted to engage said first pin and a pair of brackets having passageways formed therein to engage said second pin.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said first pin must be seated against said U-shaped arms prior to engagement of said second pin.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a plunger carried by said boom tip and a retaining groove formed in said second pin, said plunger engaging said retaining groove to hold said second pin in position.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a second safety groove formed in said second pin.

13. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said boom tip includes a compressive load bearing plate adjacent said second pin, and wheein said carriage support means further comprises a compressive load transfer plate means adjacent said passageways engaging said second pin, said compressive load transfer plate means being adapted to transfer compressive loads from said skid-steer attachments to said boom tip and minimizing compressive loads placed on said second pin.

14. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said carriage means and said carriage support means are welded together to form a one-piece adaptor.