U.S. patent application number 11/810055 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-17 for adjustable recovery spade.
This patent application is currently assigned to Jerr-Dan Corporation. Invention is credited to David F. Humphries.
Application Number | 20080012280 11/810055 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22734632 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080012280 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Humphries; David F. |
January 17, 2008 |
Adjustable recovery spade
Abstract
A recovery spade that is adjustably coupled to a rescue vehicle
to thereby maximize traction during rescue operations. The recovery
spade includes an anchor blade and a hollow support member. The
anchor blade includes a plurality of holes for selective connection
to the support member at differing heights via a pin. The anchor
blade further includes an anchor portion with teeth at one end for
engaging the ground to effect the traction and coupling holes at
the other end for selective connection to the anchor blade at
differing angles.
Inventors: |
Humphries; David F.;
(Greencastle, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FOLEY & LARDNER LLP
777 EAST WISCONSIN AVENUE
MILWAUKEE
WI
53202-5306
US
|
Assignee: |
Jerr-Dan Corporation
|
Family ID: |
22734632 |
Appl. No.: |
11/810055 |
Filed: |
June 4, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10257773 |
Jun 9, 2003 |
7226080 |
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PCT/US01/13005 |
Apr 23, 2001 |
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11810055 |
Jun 4, 2007 |
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60198745 |
Apr 21, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
280/763.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60S 9/04 20130101; B60P
3/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
280/763.1 |
International
Class: |
B60S 9/02 20060101
B60S009/02 |
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. A recovery vehicle comprising: a winch supporting a cable
configured to define a longitudinal rescue line; and a recovery
spade comprising: a guide portion having a longitudinal axis; and
an anchor portion supported at the guide portion and rotatable
about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of
the guide portion, the anchor portion comprising a friction surface
configured to penetrate a surface, wherein the friction surface of
the recovery spade is selectively positionable relative to the
longitudinal rescue line.
22. The recovery vehicle of claim 21, wherein the friction surface
is configured to penetrate the surface to generate a tractive
force.
23. The recovery vehicle of claim 21, wherein the friction surface
is a substantially flat surface.
24. The recovery vehicle of claim 21, wherein the friction surface
includes a lower edge having a plurality of teeth.
25. The recovery vehicle of claim 21, wherein the friction surface
is selectively positionable at an orientation that is substantially
traverse to the longitudinal rescue line.
26. The recovery vehicle of claim 21, wherein the anchor portion is
movable in a translational manner relative to the guide
portion.
27. The recovery vehicle of claim 21, wherein the recovery spade
further comprises a support member coupled to the vehicle for
supporting the guide portion.
28. The recovery vehicle of claim 27, wherein the support member is
coupled at a rear portion of the vehicle.
29. The recovery vehicle of claim 27, wherein the guide portion is
movable in a translational manner relative to the support
member.
30. The recovery vehicle of claim 21, wherein the anchor portion is
received within a hollow interior of the guide portion.
31. The recovery vehicle of claim 21, wherein the guide portion
includes at least one hole and the anchor portion includes a
plurality of holes positioned about a periphery of the anchor
portion adapted to be positioned in registry with the at least one
hole of the guide portion.
32. The recovery vehicle of claim 31, wherein the plurality of
holes of the anchor portion are angularly offset from each other
around the periphery of the anchor portion.
33. The recovery vehicle of claim 31, wherein the plurality of
holes of the anchor portion are provided at more than one height
about the periphery of the anchor portion.
34. The recovery vehicle of claim 31, wherein the recovery spade
further comprising a locking mechanism configured to engage the at
least one hole of the guide portion in combination with at least
one of the plurality of holes of the anchor portion to secure the
anchor portion relative to the guide portion.
35. A recovery vehicle comprising: a winch supporting a cable
configured to define a longitudinal rescue line; and a recovery
spade comprising: a guide portion having a longitudinal axis; and
an anchor portion supported at the guide portion and rotatable
about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of
the guide portion, the anchor portion having a friction surface
configured to penetrate a ground surface, wherein one of the guide
portion and the anchor portion defines a first hole and the other
of the guide portion and the anchor portion defines a second hole
and a third hole, the second hole and the third hole are configured
to be in selective registry with the first hole, the third hole
being angularly offset from the second hole, and wherein the
friction surface is selectively movable to a desired orientation by
rotating the anchor portion relative to the guide portion and
aligning one of the second hole and the third hole with the first
hole.
36. The recovery vehicle of claim 35, wherein the third hole is
angularly offset from the second hole between around 30 degrees and
around 45 degrees.
37. The recovery vehicle of claim 35, wherein the second hole is
provided at a first height and the third hole is provided at a
second height, the first height being different than the second
height.
38. The recovery vehicle of claim 37, wherein a plurality of holes
are provided at the first height and the second height.
39. The recovery vehicle of claim 35, wherein the guide portion
defines the first hole and the anchor portion defines the second
hole and the third hole.
40. A recovery vehicle comprising: a chassis; a winch supported by
the chassis and configured to support a cable defining a
longitudinal rescue line; and a recovery spade supported by the
chassis, the recovery spade comprising: a support member fixed
relative to the chassis; a guide portion supported at the support
member and movable in a translational manner relative to the
support member, the guide portion having a longitudinal axis; and
an anchor portion supported at the guide portion and rotatable
about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of
the guide portion, wherein the anchor portion is selectively
positionable at a desired orientation relative to a position of the
longitudinal rescue line.
41. The recovery vehicle of claim 40, wherein the recovery spade
further comprises a first locking mechanism for selectively
securing the guide portion relative to the support member and a
second locking mechanism for selectively securing the anchor
portion relative to the guide portion.
42. The recovery vehicle of claim 40, wherein at least one of the
first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism is a
pin.
43. The recovery vehicle of claim 40, wherein the anchor portion is
movable in a translational manner relative to the guide portion.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present Application is a divisional application of U.S.
application Ser. No. 10/257,773, filed Apr. 23, 2001, now U.S. Pat.
No. 7,226,080 (issued Jun. 5, 2007), which is a National Stage of
International Application No. PCT/US2001/013005 filed on Apr. 23,
2001, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.
60/198,745 filed on Apr. 21, 2000, the complete disclosures of
which are incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure relates to rescue and rescue vehicles
and, more particularly, to a recovery spade for maintaining the
vehicle in a stationary position during rescue and recovery
operations.
[0003] During the course of normal activities, drivers often
encounter hazards that often result in vehicular misfortunes. Such
misfortunes often involve one or more vehicles being directed off a
public and/or private road into a trench or furrow (i.e., a ditch).
Once in the trench, the vehicle becomes trapped and is unable to
escape on its own. Normally, a rescue vehicle must be provided to
retrieve the trapped vehicle. Rescue vehicles are known by various
other names, including "wrecker" rescue vehicle, towing vehicle,
tow truck, etc.
[0004] Rescue vehicles are commonly fitted with a crane member (or
boom) that includes a winch and associated cable. The cable is
secured to the trapped vehicle and the winch is activated to pull
the trapped vehicle out of the trench. Accordingly, the winch and
associated cable define a longitudinal rescue line. Rescue vehicles
require a substantial amount of tractive power in order to
accomplish their task. Supporting stifflegs, or recovery spades,
are commonly provided at the rear of the rescue vehicle to engage
the ground and increase the tractive power of the rescue vehicle.
In order to maximize tractive power, the rescue vehicle should be
oriented such that the longitudinal rescue line is parallel to the
damaged vehicle. There are times, however, when such alignment is
not practical because, for example, the rear wheels of the rescue
vehicle would be positioned on compromising surfaces. There are
also times when the rescue vehicle should preferably be aligned
with (or positioned on) the road.
[0005] Recovery spades must be oriented transversely (i.e.,
perpendicular) to the longitudinal rescue line in order to maximize
traction of the rescue vehicle. In situations where it is not
practical, or feasible, to align the rescue vehicle with the
longitudinal rescue line, conventional recovery spades cannot be
oriented transversely to the longitudinal rescue line.
Consequently, the maximum tractive power realizable by the rescue
vehicle cannot be achieved. Rescue vehicles are often aligned with
the longitudinal rescue line regardless of the environmental
conditions in order to circumvent this shortcoming. Such attempts,
however, place the rescue vehicle in a situation where it can slide
and suffer the same fate as the trapped vehicle.
[0006] Various arrangements have been proposed for improving the
tractive power of rescue vehicles and the like. For example, U.S.
Pat. No. 2,928,557 issued to Cline discloses a wrecker, or hoisting
apparatus, that includes means for stabilizing and preventing side
slip while a service cable is used to pull a disabled automobile
back onto a highway.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 3,127,037 issued to Newman discloses an
apparatus for towing road vehicles that includes a pair of
sprag-ended rods capable of engaging the ground to restrain the
apparatus against movement during towing activities.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,018,458 issued to Shumaker discloses a
vehicle stabilizer that consists of a pair of telescoping members,
one of which includes a ground engaging foot. The stabilizer
includes latch means between the telescoping member and the foot
for holding the foot in a number of rotated positions relative to
the telescoping member.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,245,855 issued to Larson discloses a vehicle
stabilizer that includes a hydraulic cylinder pivotably mounted on
each side of the vehicle. The stabilizer includes an extension rod
that causes a tension member to rotate the cylinder about its
pivot.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,640,660 issued to Watson discloses a
recovery and towing vehicle designed to transport a freighter
aircraft. The towing vehicle includes a pair of spades mounted in
slideways. The spades are capable of being moved to engage the
ground.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 4,700,852 issued to Mjoberg discloses a
recovery vehicle device that includes a pair of lowerable
supporting stifflegs that are capable of engaging the ground.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,431,443 issued to Skoff discloses a
supporting device for a rescue vehicle that includes two legs, each
of which has a footing plate located near a lateral vehicle edge of
the vehicle. The legs are capable of being swiveled from a
transportation position to a supporting position.
[0013] Accordingly, there is a need for a recovery spade capable of
maximizing tractive power of a rescue vehicle regardless of its
orientation relative to a trapped vehicle. There also exists a need
for a recovery spade that can be adjusted such that it is
substantially transverse with a longitudinal rescue line,
regardless of the orientation of the rescue vehicle.
SUMMARY
[0014] According to an exemplary embodiment, one advantage of the
recovery spade of the present disclosure is that it maximizes the
tractive power of a rescue vehicle.
[0015] Another advantage of the recovery spade of the present
disclosure is that it can be adjusted such that tractive force on
the rescue vehicle is improved regardless of its orientation
relative to a trapped vehicle.
[0016] These advantages are achieved by configuring the recovery
spade to be adjusted such that it is transverse to a longitudinal
recovery line between the rescue vehicle and the trapped
vehicle.
[0017] According to one exemplary embodiment, a recovery spade
comprises: a support member having a hollow interior; an anchor
blade slidably coupled to the support member, and a locking
arrangement for securing the anchor blade to the support member.
The anchor blade includes a plurality of teeth for engaging a
surface, and is configured for placement in one or more
orientations relative to the support member. According to such an
arrangement, the recovery spade is capable of providing maximum
tractive power to a rescue vehicle during a recovery operation.
Moreover, this is accomplished irrespective of the rescue vehicle's
orientation relative to a trapped vehicle.
[0018] Another exemplary embodiment, relates to recovery vehicle.
The recovery vehicle includes a winch supporting a cable configured
to define a longitudinal rescue line and a recovery spade. The
recovery spade includes a guide portion having a longitudinal axis
and an anchor portion supported at the guide portion and rotatable
about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of
the guide portion. The anchor portion includes a friction surface
configured to penetrate a surface. The friction surface of the
recovery spade is selectively positionable relative to the
longitudinal rescue line.
[0019] Another exemplary embodiment also relates to a recovery
vehicle. The recovery vehicle includes a winch supporting a cable
configured to define a longitudinal rescue line and a recovery
spade. The recovery spade includes a guide portion having a
longitudinal axis and an anchor portion supported at the guide
portion and rotatable about an axis substantially parallel to the
longitudinal axis of the guide portion. The anchor portion has a
friction surface configured to penetrate a ground surface. One of
the guide portion and the anchor portion defines a first hole and
the other of the guide portion and the anchor portion defines a
second hole and a third hole. The second hole and the third hole
are configured to be in selective registry with the first hole. The
third hole is angularly offset from the second hole. The friction
surface is selectively movable to a desired orientation by rotating
the anchor portion relative to the guide portion and aligning one
of the second hole and the third hole with the first hole.
[0020] Another exemplary embodiment further relates to a recovery
vehicle. The recovery vehicle includes a chassis, a winch supported
by the chassis and configured to support a cable defining a
longitudinal rescue line and a recovery spade supported by the
chassis. The recovery spade includes a support member fixed
relative to the chassis, a guide portion supported at the support
member and movable in a translational manner relative to the
support member, the guide portion having a longitudinal axis, and
an anchor portion supported at the guide portion and rotatable
about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of
the guide portion. The anchor portion is selectively positionable
at a desired orientation relative to a position of the longitudinal
rescue line.
[0021] Additional advantages and novel features of the present
invention will be set forth in part in the description which
follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the
art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by
practice of the present invention. The embodiments shown and
described provide an illustration of the best mode contemplated for
carrying out the present invention. The invention is capable of
modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing
from the spirit and scope thereof. Accordingly, the drawings and
description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not
as restrictive. The advantages of the present invention may be
realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and
combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is an environmental view illustrating a rescue
vehicle that incorporates a recovery spade constructed in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view illustrating a recovery
spade in a first orientation;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the recovery spade
illustrated in FIG. 2;
[0025] FIG. 4 is a side perspective view illustrating the recovery
spade in a second orientation;
[0026] FIG. 5 is a side perspective view illustrating the recovery
spade in a third orientation;
[0027] FIG. 6A is a side elevational view of the recovery
spade;
[0028] FIG. 6B is a sectional view taken along section A-A of FIG.
6A;
[0029] FIG. 7A is a top plan view of a support member of the
recovery spade;
[0030] FIG. 7B is a front elevational view of the support
member;
[0031] FIG. 7C is a side elevational view of the support
member;
[0032] FIG. 8A is a top plan view of the anchor blade used in the
recovery spade;
[0033] FIG. 8B is a side elevational view of the anchor blade;
[0034] FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a locking arrangement
according to an exemplary embodiment;
[0035] FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of a locking pin for use
with the locking arrangement;
[0036] FIG. 11A is a front elevational view of a support member
configured to be secured to a rescue vehicle.
[0037] FIG. 11B is a side elevational view of the support member
illustrated in FIG. 11A; and
[0038] FIG. 11C is a bottom plan view of the support member
illustrated in FIG. 11A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0039] According to an exemplary embodiment, the recovery spade of
the present disclosure enables configuration of rescue vehicles
that are capable of performing rescue operations on trapped
vehicles while being positioned in the most stable position
available. Hence, the rescue vehicle does not need to be
repositioned based on the location of the trapped vehicle. Rather,
the rescue vehicle is positioned in the most suitable location
available and the recovery spades are oriented such that maximum
traction is generated during the recovery operation. FIGS. 1-5
illustrate various configurations of the combination of the
recovery spade according to an exemplary embodiment with a rescue
vehicle. It should be noted that although one recovery spade is
shown coupled to the rescue vehicle, a plurality of recovery spades
can be used. It is preferred that at least two be used (one on each
side of the rescue vehicle).
[0040] Turning to FIGS. 6a and 6b, one exemplary embodiment of the
recovery spade 10 will be discussed. FIG. 6a illustrates a side
view of the recovery spade 10 with a suitable coupler structure 12
adapted to couple the recovery spade 10 to the rescue vehicle (not
shown in FIG. 6a). The recovery spade 10 includes generally a
support member 100, an anchor blade 200, and a locking mechanism
300. The support member 100 is of rigid construction and has a
hollow interior. According to an exemplary embodiment, the support
member 100 is constructed of high strength metals or metal alloys,
such as iron and steel. Additionally, the metal can be treated
using specialized processing, such as heat treatment or other
methodologies, in order to further improve its properties. The
support member 100 can also be formed from non-metallic materials
such as composites and fiber reinforced composites. Although the
support member 100 is illustrated as having a rectangular
cross-section, it should be noted that various other configurations
(i.e., circular, elliptic, etc.) could be used. The support member
100 is constructed such that it can be secured to the rear portion
of a rescue vehicle via coupler structure 12. This can be
accomplished using various fastening methods such as, for example,
bolts, rivets, welding, etc.
[0041] The anchor blade 200 includes an anchor portion 202 and a
guide portion 204. Similar to the support member 100, the anchor
blade 200 is rigidly formed from high strength materials such as
metals, metallic alloys, or composites. The guide portion 204 has
an outer periphery that is similar to the inner periphery of the
support member 100 in order to facilitate sliding movement within
the support member 100. Alternatively, it is also possible to
configure guide portion 204 so that it slides on the external
surface of support member 100. In addition, the guide portion 204
of the anchor blade 200 can have a hollow interior in order to
reduce weight. In most instances, however, the guide portion 204
can be of solid construction in order to maximize strength.
[0042] The anchor portion 202 has a generally flat configuration
that defines a friction surface. The anchor portion 202 can include
a tapered cross-section that allows the anchor blade 200 to
penetrate a ground surface and generate a tractive (i.e., or
frictional) force that prevents the rescue vehicle from moving
during a rescue operation. More particularly, the anchor blade 200
is designed such that the friction surface is positionable
transversely (i.e., perpendicularly) with respect to a longitudinal
rescue line. As previously stated, the longitudinal rescue line can
be defined as being substantially parallel to the cable
interconnecting the winch of the rescue vehicle and the trapped
vehicle. The closer to transverse the friction surface can be
positioned relative to the longitudinal rescue line, the greater
the tractive force generated. Hence, the rescue vehicle will be
more stable while performing rescue operations.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 6b, the anchor portion 202 can include a
plurality of teeth 206 formed at the end thereof. The teeth 206
function to further improve penetration of the anchor blade 200
into the ground during recovery operations. In addition, the teeth
206 can be designed to have various profiles such as conical,
pyramidal, etc. Such configurations can improve the effectiveness
of the recovery spade 10 in penetrating the ground to generate
tractive (or frictional) force during rescue operations.
[0044] Turning to FIGS. 7a through 7c, the anchor blade 200 will be
discussed in further detail. As shown in FIG. 7a, the guide portion
204 of the anchor blade 200 includes a plurality of holes 208
extending through a front face thereof. These holes 208 are
configured to be in registry with a corresponding hole of the
support member 100 so that a first locking pin (not shown in FIG.
7) can lock the anchor blade 200 to a desired height by being
inserted through the hole of the support member 100 and a selected
one of the plurality of holes 208. The guide portion 204 includes a
handle 210 which is gripped by the operator to help lift or lower
the guide portion 204 for sliding movement within the support
member 100. As shown in FIG. 7b, the guide portion 204 further
includes holes 212 on a side face thereof. These holes 212 are
configured to be in registry with a corresponding hole of the
anchor portion 202 so that a second locking pin (not shown in FIG.
7) can lock the anchor portion 202 to a desired angle by being
inserted through a selected hole 212 and a respective hole of the
anchor portion 202.
[0045] Turning to FIGS. 8a and 8b, the anchor portion 202 will be
discussed in further detail. As shown in FIG. 8a, the anchor
portion 202 includes a plurality of holes 214 extending
therethrough at two different heights and various positions around
the periphery of the anchor portion 202. In the exemplary
embodiment shown in FIG. 8a, the holes 214 are positioned at
equally spaced 45 degree intervals with respect to each other.
However, it should be appreciated that intervals of any desired
angle (e.g., 30 degrees, etc.) can be used. In addition, the
intervals between holes 214 need not be equally spaced and
moreover, can be positioned at any number of respective heights. In
sum, the holes 214 can be designed at any relative spacing in order
to set forth desired positioning of the anchor portion 202. As
shown in FIG. 8b, the anchor portion 202 includes a handle 202'
whose functionality will be discussed below.
[0046] Turning to FIG. 9, the locking mechanism 300 will be
discussed in further detail. The locking mechanism 300 includes a
locking pin 302 slidably fitted within a lock housing 304. The
locking pin 302 includes a plunger 302' which is coupled to a
handle 302'' (e.g., via rivet 14) configured to be gripped by the
operator. Within lock housing 304 is a biasing spring 306. Biasing
spring 306 engages a shoulder of the plunger 302' at one end and an
inner surface of the lock housing 304 at another end, and is
configured to bias locking pin 302 into a locking position
(leftward as viewed in FIG. 9). As shown in FIG. 9, the plunger
302' extends through hole 102 of the support member 100 and the
selected hole 208 of the guide portion 204 to thereby lock the
anchor blade 200 to the support member 100 at a desired height.
[0047] When an operator desires to change the height of the anchor
blade 200, he/she will grip the handle 210 with one hand and grip
the handle 302'' with the other hand, and thereafter pull the
plunger 302' out of the respective holes 208, 102 against the bias
of spring 306. The operator can then lift or lower guide portion
204 to a desired height by positioning another hole 208 of guide
portion 204 in registry with hole 102, and then releasing handle
302' so that biasing spring 306 forces the plunger 302' back into a
locking position. If a desired height is only one hole 208 apart
from the currently used hole 208, after removing the plunger 302'
from the locking position and moving the guide portion 204, the
operator can let go of handle 302'' and continue lifting or
lowering the guide portion 204 until the biasing spring 306
automatically forces the plunger 302' back into the locking
position.
[0048] With reference to FIGS. 6a, 6b, 8a, and 10, the manner in
which the recovery spade 10 is adjusted to a desired angle will now
be discussed. As shown in FIG. 10, the locking mechanism 300
further includes a pin 382, a linkage 384 (e.g., chain link; but
suitable alternatives include, but not limited to, a wire, thread,
etc.), a locking ring 386, and a rivet 388. FIGS. 6a and 6b
illustrate the recovery spade 10 in the normal angle with respect
to the rescue vehicle (see, for example, FIGS. 1 and 5). Once the
anchor portion 202 is locked to the support member 100 at a desired
height, the operator can then adjust the anchor portion 202 by
rotating it relative to the guide portion 204.
[0049] In order to effect the adjustment, the operator must first
remove pin 382, which extends through one of the selected holes 212
of guide portion 204 and the selected holes 214 of the anchor
portion 202. Pin 382 extends through the respective holes and
extends out on the opposite side of the anchor portion 202. There,
pin 382 is inserted through locking ring 386, which meets pin 382
outside of guide portion 204 on the opposite side via linkage 384,
so that rivet 388 (e.g., threaded bolt) can extend through hole
382' of pin 382; thereby locking pin 382 to guide portion 204 and
anchor portion 202. In order to remove pin 382, the operator needs
to simply unthread rivet 388 from hole 382' and pull pin 382 out.
While doing so, the operator will be holding the handle 202' so
that when the pin 382 is removed, the operator can rotate and/or
lift/lower anchor portion 202 relative to guide portion 204 so that
the desired holes 214 of the anchor portion 202 are in registry
with the desired holes 212 of the guide portion 204. Thereafter,
the operator re-inserts the pin 382 through the respective holes to
lock anchor portion 202 to guide portion 204 in the desired
orientation.
[0050] Accordingly, it is readily apparent that the anchor blade
202 of recovery spade 10 can be rotated and locked such that the
friction face is oriented at varying heights and angular
displacements. For example, consider a longitudinal rescue line
that is coincident with a centerline of the rescue vehicle. Turning
to FIGS. 1-5, which illustrate exemplary embodiments, the anchor
blade 200 can be advantageously rotated such that the friction face
forms a 45 degree, 90 degree, 135 degree, or 180 degree angle with
the longitudinal rescue line. Such an ability allows the rescue
vehicle to be positioned at the most structurally stable location
available to perform the rescue operation, while the anchor
blade(s) 200 are rotated to a position that will provide maximum
tractive force. Specifically, the winch cable is dispensed and
attached to the trapped vehicle. Once attached, a longitudinal
rescue line can be determined. The anchor blade(s) 200 are then
rotated such that the friction face is as close to transverse (or
perpendicular) as possible relative to the longitudinal rescue
line. Accordingly, a maximum amount of tractive force can be
generated by the rescue vehicle during the rescue operation without
compromising stability of the rescue vehicle.
[0051] In order to maximize effectiveness of the recovery spade 10,
the anchor blade 200 must be sufficiently inserted into the ground.
According to one exemplary embodiment, the recovery spade 10 is
secured to the rescue vehicle using an underlift assembly. During
recovery operations, the underlift is lowered toward the ground. As
this operation continues, the rear of the rescue vehicle is
eventually lifted off the ground. The anchor blade 200 is then
positioned in the appropriate orientation and lowered until contact
is made with the ground. The locking pin is then inserted through
the locking apertures of the support member 100 to secure the
anchor blade 200. The underlift is raised in order to lower the
rear of the rescue vehicle. As the rear of the rescue vehicle is
lowered, the anchor blade 200 is simultaneously forced to penetrate
the ground.
[0052] According to another exemplary embodiment, a hydraulic unit
is provided to lower the anchor blade 200. This can be
accomplished, for example, by attaching a hydraulically actuated
cylinder to the underlift. The recovery spade 10 is secured to the
underlift such that the anchor blade 200 can be operatively coupled
to the moving end of the cylinder once appropriately oriented. The
hydraulic cylinder is actuated to lower the anchor blade 200 and
penetrate the ground until sufficient depth is achieved.
[0053] As may be apparent from the above description, the depth at
which the anchor blade penetrates the ground greatly effects the
stability of the rescue vehicle during the recovery operation. The
surface characteristics of the terrain (i.e., soil, concrete,
asphalt) will also effect penetration. For example, hard surfaces
such as concrete or asphalt will not facilitate penetration by the
anchor blade, while softer surfaces such as soil readily facilitate
penetration. Accordingly, the rescue vehicle is preferably
positioned on soft terrain during recovery operations so that the
anchor blades can sufficiently penetrate the ground to provide
maximum stability.
[0054] Only the preferred embodiments and but a few examples of its
versatility are shown and described in the present disclosure. It
is to be understood that the invention is capable of use in various
other combinations and environments and is capable of changes or
modifications within the scope of the inventive concept as
expressed herein.
[0055] While this invention has been described in connection with
what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred
embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not
limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is
intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements
included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *