U.S. patent application number 11/664156 was filed with the patent office on 2007-12-20 for loader comprising arm section and parallel struts with an open cross section.
Invention is credited to Tommy Nilsson.
Application Number | 20070292255 11/664156 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33414865 |
Filed Date | 2007-12-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070292255 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nilsson; Tommy |
December 20, 2007 |
Loader Comprising Arm Section and Parallel Struts With an Open
Cross Section
Abstract
The present invention concerns a loader comprising two arm
constructions arranged parallel to each other, and which in turn
constitute extended arm sections and parallel struts arranged above
the extended arm sections. The invention is characterised in that
each parallel strut is constituted by an extended beam construction
with an open cross-section demonstrating a longitudinal opening
directed towards the arm section.
Inventors: |
Nilsson; Tommy; (Umea,
SE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NIXON & VANDERHYE, PC
901 NORTH GLEBE ROAD, 11TH FLOOR
ARLINGTON
VA
22203
US
|
Family ID: |
33414865 |
Appl. No.: |
11/664156 |
Filed: |
September 20, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
September 20, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/SE05/01372 |
371 Date: |
May 7, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
414/686 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02F 3/34 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
414/686 |
International
Class: |
E02F 3/38 20060101
E02F003/38 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 29, 2004 |
SE |
0402364-4 |
Claims
1. A loader comprising two arm constructions arranged parallel to
each other, and which in turn comprise extended arm sections and
parallel struts arranged above the extended arm sections
characterised in that each parallel strut is constituted by an
extended beam construction with an open cross-section demonstrating
a longitudinal opening directed towards the arm section.
2. The loader according to claim 1 in which the parallel strut sits
astride the arm section.
3. The loader according to claim 1 in which the parallel strut
comprises two side sections and a central section.
4. The loader according to claim 3 in which the two side sections
of the parallel strut extend downwards a certain extent on each
side of the arm section and in which the central part is located
above the arm section.
5. The loader according to claim 1 in which a space is limited by
the parallel strut and the arm section.
6. The loader according to claim 1 in which the parallel strut is
principally C-shaped or U-shaped when seen in a section transverse
to the direction of extension of the parallel strut.
7. The loader according to claim 1 in which the parallel strut
demonstrates a bent form along its longitudinal direction.
Description
[0001] The present invention concerns a loader according to the
introduction to claim 1.
[0002] Vehicles, usually tractors used for various types of work,
for example lifting work, are previously known. The vehicles are
normally provided with a construction, for example, a base,
fastening irons, brackets, or similar, on which an arm
construction, usually known as a "loader", is mounted.
[0003] The loader is an extended construction, an arm construction,
comprising two arms arranged parallel to each other and comprising
extended arm sections, linkage systems and joint constructions. The
loader has at one of its ends, the end that is facing towards the
vehicle, two parts, arranged parallel to each other and terminating
the arms, to which cylinders and other arm parts are attached.
These parts are known as "bearing boxes". Each bearing box is
mounted onto, connects with, the vehicle.
[0004] The loader has at its second end, the foremost end, the end
that faces away from the vehicle, towards the working area, an
attachment arrangement that makes it possible to attach equipment
at the outermost end of the loader.
[0005] The arm construction of the loader comprises two arm
sections, which extend from the relevant bearing box to a first
joint in the relevant arm, and an essentially square or rectangular
beam element, with a closed profile, or a rod construction, which
acts as a parallel strut at each arm. Dirt, soil, snow and similar
material in the surroundings of the loader tend to become trapped
between the parallel strut and the arm, and this affects negatively
the cleanliness aspects of the loader and it impairs the mobility
of the loader.
[0006] One aim of the present invention is to offer a parallel
strut and a loader with a design that is such that the problem
described above is solved or at least reduced.
[0007] This aim is achieved with a loader comprising the technical
properties that are specified in the characterising section of
claim 1.
[0008] The invention will be described in more detail below, with
reference to the drawings.
[0009] FIG. 1 shows a loader according to the present
invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 shows a parallel strut according to the
invention.
[0011] FIG. 3 shows a cross-section S through the arm section of
the loader and the parallel strut according to the invention.
[0012] FIG. 1 shows a loader 1 according to the present invention.
The loader 1 is constituted by an extended construction, an arm
construction, comprising two arms 2a and 2b arranged parallel to
each other. Those parts that are present on both arms and that have
the same design have been given the same reference number.
[0013] Each arm 2a and 2b comprises in turn extended arm sections 3
and joints 4. The loader has at one A of its ends, the end that
faces the vehicle, two parts 5 that are parallel to each other and
that terminate the arm parts to which control cylinders 6 and other
arm parts are attached. These parts 5 are known as "bearing boxes".
Each bearing box 5 is mounted onto and connects with the vehicle,
not shown in the drawing.
[0014] The first extended arm sections 3a of the two arms extend
between the relevant bearing box 5 and the first joint 4 of the
relevant arms 2a and 2b.
[0015] Each respective arm 2a and 2b comprises parallel struts 7
according to the present invention. The parallel struts 7, two such
for each loader, are arranged above the first extended sections 3a
of the two arms and they are attached at their first end 7a to the
relevant bearing box 5 and at their second end 7b to the relevant
joint 4.
[0016] Each parallel strut 7 is constituted by an extended beam
construction with an open cross-section, see FIG. 2. The beam
construction has essentially the form of a "C" or a "U" when seen
in a section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the
beam construction. The C form or the U form entails the beam having
two side sections 7.1 and 7.2 and a central section 7.3 that
connects the side sections to each other. The side sections 7.1 and
7.2 are arranged essentially parallel to each other. An open inner
space X arises within the side sections 7.1 and 7.2 and the central
section 7.3, and an extended opening Y that extends along the
complete length L of the parallel strut is formed between the outer
parts 7.1a and 7.2a of the side sections. The parallel strut 7 in
its basic design is open at the end sections 7a and 7b, but in
order to make it possible to mount the parallel strut 7 with
surrounding parts in the arm construction and in this way make
possible the transfer of force from the parallel strut 7 to the
parts that are arranged closest, there are at the end sections 7a
and 7b of the parallel strut welded attached bushes Q that offer
attachment points and mounting points. These bushes Q occupy part
of the space within the end sections of the parallel strut.
[0017] Each parallel strut 7 is located such that the central
section 7.3 is arranged above and along the relevant first arm
section 3a, see FIG. 3. The opening Y of the parallel strut is
directed downwards towards the arm section 3a. The parallel strut 7
is arranged relative to the first arm section 3a such that, the
parallel strut 7 sits astride the first arm section 3a. The side
sections 7.1 and 7.2 are extended downwards a certain amount Z on
each side of the first arm section 3a and cover in this way a
region on each outer side 3.1 and 3.2 that is on each opposite side
and facing in the opposite direction of the relevant extended first
arm section 3a. The space X is then limited by and surrounded by
the parallel strut 7 together with the first arm section 3a. The
parallel strut 7 and the first arm section 3a are not fixed
attached to each other, and this allows the flexibility that is
necessary between these parts 3a and 7 since they carry out
individual movements when the loader is used.
[0018] Since it can be said that the parallel strut 7 and the first
arm section 3a form together a unit and since there is now no
longer any space, no surfaces or volumes between the parallel strut
7 and the first arm section 3a, where dirt or snow can become
trapped, the loader has become easier to keep clean, and its
mobility has improved.
[0019] Since the parallel strut 7 has, according to the invention,
the form of a C or U, and thus has a round upper section
represented by the central section 7.3, dirt and snow will slide
off of the parallel strut 7, which further improves the possibility
of maintaining the loader 1 clean, and which also improves the
mobility of the loader.
[0020] The parallel strut 7 demonstrates a form that is, partially
or wholly, bent along its longitudinal direction. The parallel
strut 7, the central section 7.3, is, along its complete length L
or along parts of its length, bent. This bend along the
longitudinal direction further contributes to facilitating the
gliding off of snow and dirt from the parallel strut 7.
[0021] This description is not to be seen as a limitation of the
invention. It is to be seen as a guide to full understanding of the
invention in all of its parts. It should be realised that other
designs are also possible than those that have been described above
and shown in the drawings, and parts are possible within the
framework of the innovative concept specified in the attached
claims.
* * * * *