WO2012017296A1

WO2012017296A1 - Pole setting machine for excavators and an excavator comprising said machine

Info

Publication number: WO2012017296A1
Application number: PCT/IB2011/001806
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mirko Passalacqua
Original assignee: Geomec Di Passalacqua Mirko
Priority date: 2010-08-04
Filing date: 2011-08-03
Publication date: 2012-02-09
Also published as: IT1401432B1; ITFI20100170A1

Abstract

A pole setting machine comprises a frame (3) exhibiting a coupling portion (4) for connection with an arm (2) of an excavator, a beam (8) connected to the frame (3) and developing along a direction (A) of insertion of a pole to be driven into the ground, and a pusher member (9) slidingly associated with the beam (8) and being active along the direction (A) of insertion to press the pole into the ground.

Description

"POLE SETTING MACHINE FOR EXCAVATORS AND AN EXCAVATOR COMPRISING SAID MACHINE"

Technical Field of the Invention

The object of the present invention is a pole setting machine for excavators and an excavator including said machine .

The present invention is mainly applied in agricultural and industrial sectors, in particular in the construction of pilings such as for vineyards, enclosures, photovoltaic facilities or the like.

State of the art

Pole setting machines are known for application to excavators to facilitate the laying and insertion of poles or stays into the ground.

The pole setting machine for excavators of the prior art are chiefly of "vibrating plate" type and are mounted to an arm of the excavator.

More specifically, such machines comprise a main plate- shaped body exhibiting two faces opposite to each other. One coupling face has a plurality of brackets for the junction thereof with the excavator's arm, and one thrust face that can face the ground, has a body engageable with the pole to be driven into the ground.

Moreover, the known machines comprise a vibrating member acting on the main body to shake it so as to promote the penetration of the pole into the ground.

In use, an operator standing on the ground places the pole into a suitable seat formed in advance in the ground and holds the pole until the excavator places the pole-setting machine in correspondence of same pole by coupling the engageable portion with the head portion thereof.

At this time, the operator standing on the ground can walk away while allowing the pole setting machine to work independently.

In particular, the excavator exerts, by means of its arm, a thrust action onto the pole in a preset insertion direction (that is, the direction of orientation of the pole) and the vibrating member is concurrently activated so as to ease the perforation of the ground by the same pole.

Once the pole reaches a target depth, the vibrating member is deactivated and the excavator' s arm is driven to the point corresponding to the next pole to be set.

Disadvantageoulsy, the pole setting machines for excavators of the prior art do not ensure the alignment of the insertion direction, that is, of the pole's axis of development, with the direction of thrust exerted by the machine, thereby increasing the possibility of heavy inaccuracies in the installation of the pole.

Moreover, such machines act onto the pole with low precision inasmuch as the thust action is controlled by the mechanical arm of the exacavator, so that the adjustment of pole's inclination relative to the ground becomes complicated.

Besides, the placement of the machine in correspondence of the pole requires a great manoeuvring skill by the operator on board of the excavator, inasmuch as the successful outcome of the work depends largely on the movement of the mechanical arm which, however, is not conceived for fine movements .

Object and Summary of the Invention

In this context, the technical task on which the present invention is based is to propose a pole setting machine for exacavators and an excavator including said machine able to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art above cited. In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a pole setting machine for exacavators which is precise and simple to use.

A further object of the present invention is to propose a pole setting machine for exacavators which is versatile and safe. The indicated technical task and specified objects are substantially reached by a pole setting machine for exacavators and an excavator including said machine, comprising the technical characteristics set forth in one or more of the appended claims.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly from the indicative and non-limiting description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of a pole setting machine for exacavators, and an excavator including said machine, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a pole setting machine for exacavators according to the present invention;

- Fig. 2 is a side view of the pole setting machine of Fig. 1, mounted on the arm of an exacavator; and

- Fig. 3 is a top view of the pole setting machine of Fig. 1.

Detailed Description

With reference to the attached figures, numeral 1 designates a pole setting machine for exacavators according to the present invention.

As mentioed above, the pole setting machine 1 can be mounted onto an excavator, preferably in correspondence of a mechanical arm 2 thereof.

In particualr, the pole setting machine 1 is mounted firmly to the arm 2 in correspondence of a free end 2a of same arm 2, preferably disposed in place of a bucket which the excavators are commonly provided with.

The pole setting machine 1 comprises a support frame 3 having a coupling portion 4 for connection with the arm 2 of the excavator.

Preferably, the coupling portion 4 exhibits a plate 4a with a bracket 4b rising therefrom for engagement with the arm 2 of the excavator.

In the illustrated embodiment, the bracket 4a is defined by a saddle 5 having two tongues 5a facing each other and rising transversally to the plate 4a.

Each of said tongues 5a exhibits a plurality of slots and/or through holes that can be used for anchoring the pole setting machine 1 to the arm 2 of the excavator.

More specifically, the holes are two for each tongue 5a and allow for the insertion pivots (not shown) to engage the arm 2 of the excavator.

Moreover, the plate 4a exhibits a plurality of through openings to adjust the fixing position of the pole setting machine 1, with respect to the arm 2 of the excavator, in compliance with the excavator models and the length of arm 2 so as to avoid possible collisions with the beam 8.

Moreover, in correspondence of a face of plate 4a opposite to that from which the bracket 4b comes up, the coupling portion 4 comprises one or more bearing elements 10 allowing the plate resting stably onto the ground when the pole setting machine 1 is installed.

Such elements 10 define a rest surface of the pole setting machine 1 on the ground.

In the illustrated embodiment, such bearing elements 10 are, at least in part, defined by two skids 10a developing parallel to each other and to the plate 4a.

Alternatively, the bearing elements may comprise feet or legs developing transversally to the plate.

The pole setting machine 1 comprises an active portion which engages a pole (non shown) to drive it into the ground.

To this end, the pole setting machine 1 comprises a beam 8 linked to the frame 3 and developing transversally to the coupling portion 4 away therefrom.

More specifically, the beam 8 develops transversally to the plate 4a between a first end 8a close to same plate 4a and a second end 8b at a distance therefrom.

In particular, the beam 8 develops concordantly with the bracket 4b as it rises therefrom.

In other words, the beam 8 develops away from the bearing surface of the pole setting machine 1 so as to result transverse to the ground when the machine is installed. Preferably, the direction of development of beam 8 corresponds to the direction of pole insertion "A" into the ground.

To this end, the pole setting machine 1 comprises a pusher member 9 slidingly associated with the beam 8 and acting along the direction of insertion "A" to press the pole into the ground.

In particular, in an active thrust stage, the pusher member 9 is movable, along the direction on insertion "A", from a position close to the second end 4a of beam 8, and a position away from the first end 8a.

More specifically, the pusher member 9 comprises a slide 6 slidingly connected to the beam 8 and movable therealong in the direction of insertion "A".

Such slide 6 comprises a body 11 engageable to the beam 8 and exhibiting a surface 11a of contact with a head of the pole to be set.

In the illustrated embodiment, the engageable body 11 is, at least in part, defined by a cap 12 able to be coupled with the head of said pole.

In other words, the engageable body 11 is, at least in part, defined by a a cup-shaped body having its concavity facing the first end 8a wherein the pole's head can be inserted .

The pusher member 9 further comprises an actuator 13 connected to the beam 8 and acting onto the slide 6 to move it along the beam 8.

Preferably, the actuator 13 is of hydraulic type but, as an alternative, it may be provided of electric or pneumatic type.

More preferably, the actuator 13 comprises an oil-pressure actuated cylinder connected to the engageable body 11.

In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator 13 comprises a telescopic arm 13a sliding inside the beam 8 along the direction of insertion "A".

Such telescopic arm 13a is rigidly connected to the slide 6 to move it along the beam 8.

Preferably, the pole setting machine 1 comprises a gripping body 14 associated with the pusher member 9 and selectively commutable between an operative configuration in which it retains the pole, and an inoperative position in which it releases the pole.

In particular, the gripping body 14 is brought into the operative configuration to maintain the pole oriented along the direction of insertion "A" and with the head thereof in contact with the pusher member 9.

Preferably, the gripping body 14 is disposed ad a preset distance from the engageable body 11 of pusher member 9 along the direction of insertion "A" .

Advantageously, this allows the pole setting machine 1 to have at least two regions of contact with the pole, thereby making the movements thereof more reliable.

In fact, the engageable body 11 of pusher member 9 is engageable with the pole's head, while the gripping body 14, when in operative configuration, is engageable with a pole's portion located at a preset distance from the head and corresponding to the distance lying between the gripping body 14 and the engageable body 11 of pusher member 9.

The gripping body 14 is movable, concurrently with the pusher member 9, along the direction of insertion "A".

Preferably, the gripping body 14 is mounted on the slide 6. In the illustrated embodiment, the gripping body 14 comprises a clamp 15 rigidly connected to the pusher member 9, preferably to the slide 6, and acting transversally to the direction of insertion "A". In other words, the clamp 15 comprises two arms 16 facing each other and movable close to, and away from each other to define an open configuration and a closed configuration, respectively corresponding to the inoperative and operative configurations of the gripping body 14.

Preferably, each of the arms 16 exhibits one end 16a having a substantially ^VU" shape to define a receiving concavity for the pole.

In particular, such ends 16a of arms 16 are opposite to each other with respective concavities facing each other.

It should be noted that each arm 16 exhibits two direction of movement being transverse, preferably orthogonal, to each other.

In fact, the arms 16, being engaged to the pusher member 9, are movable along the direction of insertion "A".

Moreover, such arms 16 are movable transversally to said direction, in opposite relationship, to allow the gripping body 14 to shift from the closed to the open configurations .

Preferably, moreover, the pole setting machine 1 comprises a feeler element 17 to adjust the depth of pole insertion. More specifically, the feeler element 17 is connected to the pusher member 9, preferably to the slide 6, and is able to measure the pole's emerged part when the latter reaches a length preset by the operator.

In particular, the feeler element 17 comprises an active portion 17a disposed at a preset, selectively adjustable distance from the engageable body 11 along the direction of insertion "A".

Such distance between the engageable body 11 and the active portion 17a corresponds to the length selected by the operator for the emerged part of the pole.

In this way, upon driving the pole into the ground, the contact of the active portion 17a of feeler element 17 with the ground represents the reaching of the target length for the emerged part of the pole.

In the illustrated embodiment, the feeler element 17 comprises a rod 18 slidingly associated with the slide 6 and developing parallel to the beam 8.

It will be appreciated that the sliding between the rod 18 and slide 11 allows the above indicated adjustment of the feeler element 17.

The said rod 18 exhibits one free end 18a corresponding to the active portion 17a of feeler element 17, whose distance from the engageable body 11 is selectively adjustable by the operator.

Preferably, the feeler element 17 is associated with a control unit (not shown) able to stop the action of the pusher member 9 when reaching the desired insertion depth. Preferably, the beam 8 is movable relative to frame 3 in a driving plane "B" transverse to the direction of insertion "A" .

To this end, the machine 1 comprises a driving device 19 active between the frame 3 and the beam 8 to move the beam 8 with respect to the frame 3 in a driving plane "B" transverse to the direction of insertion "A".

Advantageously, this makes it possible to perform a final positioning of the pusher member 9 in correspondence of the pole and in a way fully independent of the excavator.

In the light of the above, the machine results easy to use inasmuch as the fine movements are carried out by members especially designed to this purpose and does not depend on the skill of the operator in driving the arm on board of the excavator.

Preferably, the driving device 19 is movable respect to said driving plane "B" along at least one direction of advancement "C".

Even more preferably, the driving device 19 is of biaxial type, that is, it is active along two directions orthogonal to each other. In this way, the beam 8 results easily placeable close to the excavator's arm 2 without the need for the latter to be driven into any motion. More precisely, the frame 3 is made to rest on the ground by the excavator's arm 2 and, afterwards, the driving device 19 locates the beam 8 in the position most suitable for inserting the pole into the ground.

It is thus evident that the movement of beam 8 and that of arm 2 can be, at least in part, independent of each other. Preferably, the driving device 19 comprises at least one guide 20 rigidly connected to the frame 3 and developing along the above mentioned direction of advancement "C" lying on the driving plane "B".

In the illustrated embodiment, the guide 20 is disposed on a wall 4c of the frame 3 for rising transversally to the plate 4a and developing along the said direction of advancement "C".

More specifically, the guide 20 comprises a track disposed along said wall 4c.

Moreover, the driving device 19 comprises a carriage 21 slidingly associated with the guide 20 and connected to the beam 8 to move it along the guide 20.

In other words, the beam 8 is engaged to the carriage 21 along the direction of advancement "C".

Consequently, a sliding of carriage 21 onto the guide 20 along the direction of advancement "C" will correspond to a sliding of beam 8 along such direction.

Preferably, moreover, the driving device 19 comprises at least one additional guide 22 rigidly connected to the carriage 21 and developing along a direction of transverse sliding "D" which is preferably orthogonal to the direction of advancement "C".

It should be noted that the advancement direction "C" and sliding direction "D" are preferably the main directions of the driving plane "B". In other words, the directions of advancement "C" and of sliding "D" define the driving plane "B".

In particular, the carriage 21 exhibits a base portion 21a, facing of the guide 20, and a portion 21b protruding from the base portion 21a away therefrom, preferably in the sliding direction "D".

In the illustrated embodiment, the additional guide 22 is mounted on the protruding portion 21b of carriage 21, and develops along the said sliding direction "D".

More specifically, the additional guide 22 comprises a track disposed along such protruding portion 21b.

Moreover, the driving device 19 comprises an additional carriage 23 slidingly associated with the additional guide 22 and connected to the beam 8 to move it along the additional guide 22.

More in particular, the beam 8 is directly connected to the additional carriage 23 and only indirectly to the carriage 21 via the additional guide 22.

In a manner similar to that previously set forth herein, the beam 8 is engaged to the additional carriage 23 along the sliding direction "D".

Consequently, a sliding of the additional carriage 23 onto the additional guide 22 along the direction of sliding "D", will correspond to a sliding of beam 8 along such direction.

The driving device 19 also comprises a relevant actuation unit (not shown) operating between each carriage 22, 23 and the respective guide 20,22.

Such actuation units are possibly of electrical, electro- mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic or other types.

Preferably, the pole setting machine 1 comprises an orientation member 24 acting on the beam 8 and intermediate between said beam 8 and frame 3 to change the inclination of the insertion direction "A" relative to the ground.

Advantageously, this allows easing the laying of poles also on steep grounds, with no need of complicated driving operations by the excavator's arm 2.

More specifically, the beam 8 is pivotally associated with the frame 3 so as to vary its inclination relative to the same frame 3.

In detail, the beam 8 is pivotally associated with the frame 3 in correspondence of its first end 8a.

Preferably, the orientation member comprises at least one rotational joint 25 for connection between the beam 8 and the driving device 19.

Since the driving device 19 is engaged to frame 3 as far as the rotations are concerned, the beam 8 results rotatable also relative to frame 3.

In the illustrated embodiment, the beam 8 is connected to the rotational joint 25 in correspondence of the first end 8a.

In detail, the beam 8 is pivotable relative to the driving device 19 via the rotational joint 25, at least about one axis "E" preferably parallel to the direction of advancement "C".

In the preferred embodiment, the rotational joint 25 defines a rotational, at least biaxial constraint, between the beam 8 and the driving device 19.

In other words, by means of the rotational joint 25, the beam 8 can be pivoted relative to the additional carriage 23 about the axis "E" and about another transverse axis "F", preferably orthogonal to axis "E" .

In the illustrated embodiment, the rotational joint 25 comprises a dual-pivot structure.

In particular, the rotational joint 25 comprises a sleeve portion 25a pivotally engaged in the additional carriage 23 to which a pintle portion 25b is rigidly connected and developing transversally to the sleeve portion 25a.

Such pintle portion 25b act as a pivot for the first end 8a of beam 8. In detail, the sleeve portion 25a and the pintle portion 25b are superimposed to each other and in a 90°-offset relationship .

In this way, in order to rotate the beam 8 about the axis "E", it is sufficient to provide the rotation of the sleeve portion 25a about this axis.

On the contrary, in order to rotate the beam 8 about the axis "F", it is sufficient to act directly on the beam 8 which rotates about the pintle portion 25b of joint 25. In order to control the said rotations, the orientation member 24 comprises actuators 26, 27 acting between the driving device 19 and said beam 8 so as to incline the latter relative to the driving plane "B".

In the illustrated embodiment, the actuators 26, 27 are directly and/or indirectly active on the beam to rotate the latter relative to the driving plane ^VB" about both axes

A first actuator 26 is intermediate between the additional carriage 23 and the rotational joint 25 in order to incline the beam 8 about the axis "E".

More in particular, the first actuator 26 is active along a direction transverse to the axis "E" to rotate the beam 8 about the axis "E".

To facilitate the connection between the first actuator 26 and the rotational joint 25, the latter exhibits a projection 25c on which the first actuator 26 acts directly.

A second actuator 27 e disposed between the rotational joint 25 and the beam 8, and is active along a direction substantially transverse to the additional axis "F" to rotate the beam 8 about the additional axis "F".

Preferably, the first 26 and second 27 actuators are linear actuators .

More preferably, both the first 26 and second 27 actuators comprise an oil-pressure operated cylinder. Alternatively, such actuators may comprise actuation elements of different type, such as electrical or pneumatic type .

Preferably, the orientation member 24 can incline the beam 8 through ±60° to the vertical about both axes "E" , "F".

Even more prefereably, the orientation member 24 can incline the beam 8 through ±30° to the vertical about both axes "E", "F".

In the illustrated embodiment, the first actuator 26 can incline the beam 8 of +25° / -25° to the vertical about the axis "E".

The second actuator can incline the beam 8 of +25° to the vertical about the axis "F".

The pole setting machine 1 also comprises a control device (not shown) associated with the driving device 19, the orientation member 24 and pusher member 9.

Preferably, such control device comprises a plurality of levers which control the movement of a multi-axis joystick allowing to move the beam 8 along more directions by means of only one lever.

The control device may be of wireless type, connected to the machine and able to be mounted on the excavator.

It should be noted that the beam 8, and thus the pole aligned thereto during the installation of the machine 1, is rigidly movable in the driving plane "B" along the two main directions of this plane, and can concurrently change its inclination relative thereto.

By considering that the pusher member 9 drives the engageable body 11, and thus the pole, into motion along the direction of insertion "A" transversally to the driving plane "B", the pole setting machine 1 exhibits five-axis motion, thereby allowing a wide range of operative positions and solutions to be obtained.

In a preferred embodiment, the pole setting machine 1 comprises a device (not shown) for the rotation of the pole associated with the beam 8.

Such device can be selectively activated on the pole to rotate the latter about its axis of prevalent development, that is, about the direction of insertion "A".

In particular, the rotation device is connected to, and acting on, the engageable body 11 of the pusher member. Alternatively, or in addition to it, the rotation device is connected to, and acting on, the gripping body 14 of the pusher member.

The invention reaches the proposed objects and obtains major advantages.

In fact, the presence of the pusher member along the beam ensures the alignment between the thrust direction and the axis of pole development, by rendering the operations more accurate.

Moreover, as the pusher member is released from the excavator's arm, it is not necessary to operate directly with the excavator to exert the thrust onto the pole's head, thereby making the machine's use more simple.

Again, the utilization of the gripping body, especially if shifted relative to the active element of the pusher member, allows acting on two different points of the pole, thereby ensuring the alignment.

Moreover, the presence of the driving means between the machine's frame connected to the excavator's arm and the beam along which the pole slides, makes it possible to carry out a precise positioning without the need of activating the arm, thereby conferring improved operability to the machine even in restricted spaces.

Claims

1. Pole setting machine comprising:

- a frame (3) having a portion (4) for connection with the arm (2) of an excavator;

- a beam (8) connected to the frame (3) and developing along a direction (A) of insertion of a pole to be driven into the ground;

- a pusher member (9) slidingly associated with the beam (8) and being active along a direction of insertion (A) for pressing the pole into the ground, characterized in that it further comprises a driving device (19) being active between the frame (3) and the beam (8) to move said beam (8) with respect to the frame (3) in a driving plane (B) transverse to the direction of insertion (A) , said driving device (19) comprising at least one guide (20) rigidly connected to the frame (3) and developing along the above mentioned direction of advancement (C) lying on the driving plane (B) ; said driving device (19) also comprising a carriage (21) slidingly associated with the guide (20) and connected to the beam (8) to move it along the guide (20), said driving device (19) further comprising at least one additional guide (22) rigidly connected to the carriage (21) and developing along a sliding direction (D) transverse to the advancement direction (C) ; said driving device (19) further comprising an additional carriage (23) slidingly associated with the guide (22) and connected to the beam (8) to move the same beam (8) along said additional guide (22) .

2. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one gripping body (14) associated with the pusher member (9) and selectively commutable between an operative configuration in which it retains the pole along the direction of insertion (A) , and an inoperative configuration in which it releases the pole.

3. Machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the gripping body (14) comprises a clamp (15) rigidly connected to the pusher member (9) and acting on the pole transversally to the direction of insertion (A) ; said clamp (15) being commutable between an open configuration and a closed configuration respectively corresponding to the operative and inoperative configurations of the gripping body (14) .

4. Machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a feeler element (17) connected to the pusher member (9) and exhibiting an active portion (17a) disposed at a preset, preferably adjustable, distance from an engagement body (11) along the direction of insertion (A) , allowing measuring when an emerged portion of the pole reaches a length preset by the operator.

5. Machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an orientation member (24) acting on said beam (8) and intermediate between said beam (8) and said frame (3) to change the inclination of the insertion direction "A" relative to the ground.

6. Machine according to claim 5, characterized in that the orientation member (24) comprises at least one rotational joint (25) for connection between the beam (8) and the driving device (19), and an actuator (26, 27) being active between said driving device (19) and said beam (8) to incline the beam (8) with respect to the driving plane (B) .

7. Machine according to claim 6, characterized in that the rotational joint (25) defines one, at least biaxial, rotational constraint between the beam (8) and the driving device (19) .

8. Excavator comprising an operating arm (2), characterized in that it comprises a pole setting machine (1), according to any of the preceding claims, connected to the excavator's operating arm (2) through the coupling portion (4) of the frame (3) .