U.S. patent application number 11/381087 was filed with the patent office on 2009-11-19 for multi-function material moving assembly and method.
Invention is credited to Rick D. Johnson.
Application Number | 20090282710 11/381087 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41314771 |
Filed Date | 2009-11-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090282710 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Johnson; Rick D. |
November 19, 2009 |
Multi-Function Material Moving Assembly and Method
Abstract
A multi-function apparatus and method for material moving,
including excavation and movement of dirt, gravel and other
material, as well as other functions. The apparatus is mobile, and
comprises a bucket assembly which also has a clamping device, with
the bucket being able to rotate about a transverse axis and also
have continued rotation about a longitudinally forward to rear axis
of rotation. In one embodiment the apparatus travels on ground
engaging tracks, and in another embodiment the apparatus is able to
travel either over the ground or on rail track engaging wheels,
with the same apparatus being able to operate in either mode.
Inventors: |
Johnson; Rick D.; (Yelm,
WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HUGHES LAW FIRM, PLLC
5160 Industrial Place,#107
Ferndale
WA
98248-7819
US
|
Family ID: |
41314771 |
Appl. No.: |
11/381087 |
Filed: |
August 8, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
37/406 ; 37/195;
37/444 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02F 3/3681 20130101;
E02F 3/404 20130101; E02F 3/3677 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
37/406 ; 37/195;
37/444 |
International
Class: |
E02F 3/96 20060101
E02F003/96; E02F 1/00 20060101 E02F001/00; E02F 3/40 20060101
E02F003/40 |
Claims
1. A bucket assembly adapted to be mounted to an operating support
member at a connecting location of the operating support member for
movement about a bucket pivot axis and for rotational movement for
different bucket orientations, said apparatus comprising: a) a
bucket section having a longitudinal bucket axis, a transverse
bucket axis, and a vertical bucket axis generally perpendicular to
the longitudinal and transverse bucket axes, said bucket section
comprising: i) a bucket comprising a bucket structure which in turn
comprises front, rear, side and bottom wall portions defining a
containing area and having an upwardly facing open region; ii) a
clamping section which is mounted to said bucket and which
comprises a hydraulic actuating section which is mounted in the
bucket assembly and which moves the clamping section between an
open position and a closed position; b) an intermediate connecting
section comprising: i) a structural support section which comprises
a bucket connected support section and an operating support member
connected support section connected to, or adapted to be connected
to, said operating support member, said two support sections being
rotatably connected to one another in load bearing relationship and
for rotation relative to one another about a generally
longitudinally aligned bucket axis of rotation, said bucket
connected support section being connected to said bucket section so
as to be rotatable therewith, and said operating support member
connected section not being rotatably connected to said bucket
section; ii) a fluid supply and distribution section arranged to
deliver hydraulic fluid to and from said hydraulic actuating
section of said clamping section, said fluid supply and
distribution section comprising a first fluid carrying section
which comprises a bucket related fluid carrying section having a
first rotary fluid connecting section which is located in alignment
with the bucket axis of rotation, is associated with the bucket
assembly so as to be rotatable therewith, and which has fluid
connections between the bucket rotary fluid connecting portion and
the hydraulic actuating section of the clamping section; and a
second fluid carrying section which is an operating support member
connected support section related fluid carrying section which has
a second rotary fluid connecting section that is also in alignment
with the bucket axis of rotation, and that is not rotatably
associated with said bucket assembly, said first and second rotary
fluid connecting sections being in operative engagement with one
another so that the first and second rotary fluid connecting
portions are able to rotate about the bucket axis of rotation
relative to one another as said bucket assembly is rotated to
various orientations and fluid is able to pass to and from said
first and second fluid carrying sections; c) a drive section to
rotate said bucket section and said bucket connected support
section relative to said operating support member connected support
section about said bucket axis of rotation.
2. The bucket assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein, said bucket
structure has an upper edge portion defining at least in part said
upwardly facing region, and said clamping section comprises two
side members and a front member having a closed position adjacent
to upper edges of said bucket structure.
3. The assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein said clamping
section is mounted to said bucket section for rotation about a
generally transverse pivot axis and said hydraulic actuating
section is positioned rearwardly of said bucket structure.
4. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said bucket axis of
rotation is coincident with the longitudinal axis of said bucket
section.
5. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said structural
support section comprises a rotary bearing section having inner and
outer bearing races, one of said bearing races being connected to
the bucket connected support section, and the other of said bearing
races being connected to the operating support member connected
support section.
6. The assembly as recited in claim 5, wherein said outer race
bucket section is connected to said bucket support section.
7. The assembly as recited in claim 5, wherein said rotary bearing
section has a load bearing plane which is substantially
perpendicular to said bucket axis of rotation and is located at a
region of load bearing contact of an intermediate bearing member
portion located between the outer and inner bearing races, and
loads transmitted between said bucket connected support section and
the operating support member connected support section are
substantially isolated from said fluid supply and distribution
section.
8. The assembly as recited as claim 7, wherein said drive section
comprises a rotary drive section operatively connected between said
bucket connected support section and said operating support member
connected support section, and said rotary drive section comprises
a circumferential drive gear which is connected to the bucket
connected support section and a worm drive which is connected to
the primary arm member connected support section.
9. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said bucket
connected support section and said operating support member
connected support section have aligned openings substantially
coincident with the bucket axis of rotation and at least a part of
said fluid carrying section is located in at least some of said
openings.
10. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said fluid carrying
section comprises a fluid distribution member which has at least
two longitudinally aligned supply passages which extend through the
fluid distribution member and are adapted to be connected to a
hydraulic drive source, a forward portion of said fluid
distribution member comprising a rotary fluid connection by which
fluid is directed to and from said fluid distribution member and to
and from said hydraulic actuating section.
11. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein at least a portion
of one of said rotary fluid connecting sections surrounds at least
a portion of the other of said rotary fluid connecting sections,
and a fluid connection comprises at least a pair of circumferential
spaced distribution grooves connecting to fluid ports.
12. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said structural
support section comprises a rotary bearing section having inner and
outer bearing races and a bearing portion positioned between said
inner and outer races, one of said bearing races being connected to
the bucket connected support section, and the other of said bearing
races being connected to the operating support member connected
support section, and there is a rotary drive section which
comprises a drive gear that is connected to the bearing race which
is connected to the bucket connected support section, and a worm
gear drive that is connected to the operating support member
connected support section.
13. The assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein said operating
support member connected support section comprises at least two
operating support member connecting locations which are spaced from
one another and adapted to be connected to said operating support
member to enable said bucket assembly to be moved angularly about
said bucket pivot axis to various operating positions, and to
enable a force to be applied from said operating support member to
enable said rotation about said bucket pivot axis.
14. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said operating
support member connected support section comprises at least two
operating support member connecting locations which are spaced from
one another and adapted to be connected to said operating support
member to enable said bucket assembly to be moved angularly about
said bucket pivot axis to various operating positions, and to
enable a force to be applied from said operating support member to
enable said rotation about said bucket pivot axis.
15. The assembly as recited in claim 13, wherein said bucket
connected support section comprises a substantial unitary rigid
bucket structure and said operating member connected support
section comprises a substantially rigid structure, said structural
support section being arranged so that loads from the bucket
section are transmitted primarily through the bucket connected
support section to a rotary load bearing structural connection, and
into the operating support member connected support section which
is able to transmit these loads directly into load bearing members
of an operating support member.
16. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said bucket
connected support section comprises a substantial unitary rigid
bucket structure and said operating member connected support
section comprises a substantially rigid structure, said structural
support section being arranged so that loads from the bucket
section are transmitted primarily through the bucket connected
support section to a rotary load bearing structural connection, and
into the operating support member connected support section which
is able to transmit these loads directly into load bearing members
of an operating support member.
17. A method of providing and using a multi function bucket
assembly, said method comprising: a) providing a bucket section
having a longitudinal bucket axis, a transverse bucket axis, and a
vertical bucket axis generally perpendicular to the longitudinal
and transverse bucket axes, where said bucket section comprises: i)
a bucket comprising a bucket structure which in turn comprises
front, rear, side and bottom wall portions defining a containing
area and having an upwardly facing open region; ii) a clamping
section which is mounted to said bucket and which comprises a
hydraulic actuating section which is mounted in the bucket assembly
and which moves the bucket between an open position and a closed
position; b) providing a structural support section which comprises
a bucket connected support section and an operating support member
connected support section and connecting said two support sections
rotatably to one another in load bearing relationship and for
rotation relative to one another about a generally longitudinally
aligned bucket axis of rotation; c) connecting bucket assembly
connected support section being said bucket section so as to be
rotatable therewith; d) connecting said operating support member
connected section to an operating support member at a connecting
location of the operating support member for movement about a
bucket pivot axis; e) providing a fluid supply and distribution
section to deliver hydraulic fluid to said hydraulic actuating
section, where said fluid supply distribution section comprises a
fluid carrying section positioned in said structural support
section, with at least a portion of said fluid carrying section
being centered on said axis of rotation in the bucket assembly
connected support section and not being rotatable therewith; f)
providing a rotary fluid connection with a fluid connection portion
of the hydraulic actuating section of the clamping section so that
there are hydraulic fluid flow paths between the operating support
member connected section and the hydraulic actuating section of the
bucket connected support section; g) providing a drive section to
rotate said bucket section relative to said operating arm member
connected support section and operating said drive connection to
cause movement of said bucket assembly about said bucket pivot
axis; and h) providing a hydraulic fluid supply source and
selectively directing hydraulic fluid through said fluid supply and
distribution section to the hydraulic operating system to operate
the clamping member.
18. A mobile material moving machine comprising: a) a base
structure having a longitudinal, transverse and vertical axis; b) a
cab mounted to said base structure for rotation about a vertical
cab axis of rotation; c) an operating support section mounted to
said cab; d) a bucket assembly mounted to, or capable of being
mounted to, said operating support section; e) a locomotion section
connected to said base section and comprising; i) a ground engaging
track locomotion section; ii) a rail engaging wheel locomotion
section; iii) a height adjustment section which adjusts relative
height locations of the two locomotion sections so that one or the
other of the locomotion section is positioned in an operative
ground or rail engaging position whereby said machine is capable of
performing mobile operations from either a ground or a rail
location.
19. The machine as recited in claim 18, further comprising a
locomotion hydraulic drive system, said system comprising: a) left
and right track drive members, each of which is driven in forward
and reverse by left and right track drive motors respectively; b)
left and right rail wheels, each of which is driven in forward and
reverse by left and right wheel motors respectively; c) left and
right track drive power supply sections to provide hydraulic power
to the left and right track drive motors, respectively, either in a
forward drive mode or a reverse drive mode; and d) left and right
rail wheel power supply sections to provide hydraulic power to the
left and right rail wheel drive motors, respectively, in either a
forward drive mode or a reverse drive mode.
20. The machine as recited in claim 19, further comprising a
locomotion power control and distribution system, said system
comprising: a) an operator control section comprising left and
right control members, each having forward, reverse and neutral
positions; b) left and right distribution valve sections, each of
which is responsive to said operator control section to direct
hydraulic fluid either in a forward flow direction, reverse flow
direction or bypass flow; and c) left and right mode selecting
valve sections for selection of either a ground engaging track
locomotion mode or a rail engaging wheel locomotion mode, each of
which is arranged to direct flow from the left and right
distribution valve sections, respectively, to either the rail wheel
motors or the track drive motors, whereby the same locomotion power
control and distribution system with a common operating control
section can be utilized for the operation of the machine in either
its ground engaging track locomotion mode or its rail engaging
wheel locomotion mode.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] a) Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an assembly which can
provide a variety of functions, including the excavating any
movement of dirt, gravel and other material, and also of the
movement of various objects and positioning them in various
orientations. Thus, the term "material" is to be interpreted more
broadly to include various items which can be moved, lifted,
aligned in various positions and orientations, etc.
[0003] b) Background Art
[0004] For a number of decades there have existed in the prior art
machines which operate an excavating bucket to excavate material
from the earth, and also to move this material that has been
excavated. Quite commonly the bucket is mounted to an elongate
boom/support arm assembly, and it rotates about a horizontal axis
that is transverse to a lengthwise axis of the arm member to which
it is mounted. This assembly often comprises a mobile machine,
which travels either on tracks or wheels, and which comprises a cab
to which the boom/support arm assembly is mounted, with the cab
rotatably mounted for rotation about a vertical axis. Also the
prior art shows a bucket assembly where there is a bucket mounted
to a boom assembly or other base member, and the bucket is
rotatable about two or more axes.
[0005] In some designs, there is also provided a clamping member
that is pivotally mounted to the bucket so that it can move toward
and away from the bucket and clamp various articles between the
bucket and the clamping member. This clamping member is often
referred to as a "thumb"; the reason for this likely being that the
bucket plus the clamping member could be equated to a person's hand
where the fingers would comprise the bucket and the clamping member
would comprise the thumb, when the hand is grasping an article,
such as an elongate pole.
[0006] A search of the prior art has developed a number of U.S.
patents, and these are as follows: [0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,032,025
(ROSS) discloses a back hoe having a main boom, 14. At the forward
end of the boom 14 there is located a jib boom 12 which is
pivotally mounted at 18 to the boom 14 and is shown extended
downwardly. The jib boom 12 has an axis of rotation extending down
through center line of the jib boom 12. The lower end of the jib
boom 12 there is a hinge mounted bucket 10. There are three axes of
rotation, namely the upper axis rotation 18, the lower axis
rotation 42, and also the vertically aligned axis of rotation
extending down the center of the length of the jib boom. [0008]
U.S. Pat. No. 5,515,626 (HOLSCHER) discloses what is called a
"coupling device", that is positioned between an operating arm of
an excavator and an implement, such as an excavating bucket. With
reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a "stick 2" which is
accompanied by an actuator 3 comprising a hydraulic actuator that
is not shown, and the stick 2 has at it's lower end a shaft 4 which
provides an axis of rotation for a coupling device which comprises
an upper support part 7. Thus, this part 7 is able to rotate
upwardly and downwardly about a transverse horizontal axis defined
by the shaft 4. There is an upper quick coupling 11 by which the
upper support part 7 is attached to both the stick 2 and to the
actuator 3. [0009] The support part 7 provides a second generally
horizontal axis or rotation indicated at 10 in FIG. 1. The upper
support part 7 has two oppositely positioned elements 32 and 33,
and these support rings 30 connect to downwardly extending bearing
elements 28 and 29. The bearing element 29 can be seen more clearly
in FIG. 2 where it is tilted between left hand position shown in
full lines and a right hand position shown in broken lines, thus
showing that this could go from side to side about the axis of
rotation 10. [0010] There is a worm gear drive mechanism by which
this entire support section 8 carrying the bucket 1 can be moved
from one side to the other, and this worm gear drive is best shown
in FIG. 3. Thus, the bucket 1 can be rotated up and down about the
first axis of rotation provided by the shaft 4, and also can be
moved from side to side at different tilts about the second axis of
rotation 10. [0011] There is a third axis of rotation which is not
indicated on the drawings, but is described in column 3, beginning
on line 31 where it is stated that there is a coupling device
provided by a rotation device 26 mounted between the plates 24 and
25 in a cylindrical housing. It also states that it is driven by a
worm gear (not shown), and there is a reversible hydraulic motor 27
which is shown in FIG. 3. [0012] U.S. Pat. No. 4,283,866 (OGAWA)
relates to a convertible bucket attachment. The boom 11 has an axis
rotation at the end of the member 12, and the bucket would appear
to have an axis of rotation at 5''. [0013] U.S. Pat. No. 4,779,364
(HOLMDAHL) discloses a "device for a load carrying unit". With
reference to FIG. 1, there is a device 14 which carries the load
carrying unit 12 which is shown in broken lines in FIG. 1, and it
is attached by a member 16 to a support member 10. There is a shaft
20 which provides an axis of rotation and two plates 22 are
rotatably mounted to the shaft 20 to rock back and fourth about a
transverse horizontal access. There is a member 34 which is
rotatably mounted about a vertical axis and is supported by a
surrounding member 38. FIG. 4 illustrates the member 34 in cross
section, and there are bearing members 44 and 46 which are arranged
to be rotatably mounted and these resist the loads that are imposed
on the member 34. There is a piston 26, which presumably would move
the plates 22 to desired angular positions, and the attachment
means would be rotatable with the member 34 and would attach to the
load carrying unit 12. [0014] U.S. Pat. No. 5,140,760 (MANNBRO)
discloses an "arrangement for rotator units". In FIG. 1, there is
shown an excavator arm 1 which has an attachment pivotally mounted
to the end of the arm 1, and there is a piston 4 acting through
linkage 3 to rotate the device of member 2. The bucket 9 is
rotatable mounted about a vertical axis to a shaft coupling 8.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 5,398,430 (SCOTT et al) discloses an "earth
moving and compacting rig". This device is directed toward back
filling trenches and compacting the filling material. In FIG. 1,
there shown a back hoe having an end bucket 23, that is mounted to
boom 21. There is a vibrator 22, to which the bucket 23 is
attached, and these are attached to the lower end of boom 21 about
a transverse axis of rotation. Also, with reference to FIGS. 5 and
6 it can be seen that the bucket 23 is attached by means of two
swivel plates 28 and 29 that can be rotatably positioned at
different rotational angular position relative to an axis of
rotation which is generally perpendicular to the first access of
rotation. [0016] U.S. Pat. No. 5,596,824 (SCOTT et al) shows
substantially the same type of device as shown in there earlier
patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,398,430), with some added features. [0017]
U.S. Pat. No. 5, 649,377 (TANADA) Discloses "a multi-purpose bucket
structure" which is adapted to perform various tasks such as
pulling down a building, digging in the ground, carrying ready mix
concrete, etc. There is a bucket having two bucket portions hinged
to each other and arranged so that a gap is formed between the
peripheral edges when the bucket members are close to one another,
and the gap is closed by a cover removably attached to at least one
of the bucket members. In FIGS. 6 and 7, the bucket is shown
mounted to an arm which extends from a tracked vehicle. [0018] U.S.
Pat. No. 6,269,561 (CUMMINGS) discloses a "tilt-able implement for
excavator machines and alike". This patent discloses an excavating
machine which could be a bulldozer or possibly a bucket attached to
the end of a boom 12 which is called a "handle 12" in the text of
the patent. There is a device where the bucket is mounted about a
front to rear horizontal axis rotation and is positioned by two
cylinders 15 and 16 on opposite sides of the bucket so that it can
be tilted about a forward to rear axis, so that the bucket will be
tilted one way or the other, as indicated in FIG. 4.
[0019] While many of these machines are able to perform various
tasks relative to excavation and movement of material and moving
and manipulating objects, there are various situations where there
is a need for certain functions to be performed which may be beyond
the capabilities of the machines presently known to the applicant
to accomplish these effectively. An example of this would be where
excavating and material movement is needed, and also the function
of clamping different objects so that these could not only be
moved, but also oriented in various positions and be deposited
either on a vehicle for a movement or to some collecting location
or possibly to accomplish other tasks. This is given by way of
example, and there are obviously other situations where there are
other requirements in addition to these. It is toward these issues
and yet other issues that the embodiments of the present invention
are directed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the
multi-function assembly of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but only showing a front
portion of a bucket assembly and a front portion of a primary arm
member to which the bucket assembly is mounted;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing a side
elevational view of the bucket assembly and the forward part of the
arm, and showing the bucket section having been rotated about 90
degrees from the position of FIGS. 1 and 2, with an elliptical
arrow 36 illustrating the rotational path of travel of the bucket
section;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but showing a bucket in
a somewhat different angular position;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but showing the clamping
member of the bucket section having been rotated to a more open
position;
[0025] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the bucket section taken from
a location to the rear and slightly above the bucket section;
[0026] FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of FIG.
6;
[0027] FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of FIG.
6;
[0028] FIG. 8A is a view taken along the same section as in FIG. 8,
but showing only a fluid supply/distribution section;
[0029] FIG. 8B is a partial sectional view taken along the line 8B
of FIG. 8 showing a worm drive gear drive section of the bucket
assembly;
[0030] FIG. 8C is a partial sectional view which is taken along a
line 8C of FIG. 8B;
[0031] FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along 9-9 of FIG. 6 and
showing the rotary mounting of a base structure of a clamping
section;
[0032] FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the bucket gripping a
cylindrical object such as a log or a pole;
[0033] FIG. 11 is a top elevational view of the assembly of this
embodiment of the present invention, showing the bucket section
gripping the pole or log and lifting it;
[0034] FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11, but showing the bucket
section having been rotated 90 degrees so that the pole or log is
more longitudinally aligned;
[0035] FIG. 13 follows FIGS. 11 and 12 and is a side elevational
view of the assembly showing the bucket having been rotated 90
degrees about the axis of rotation of the bucket section about a
forward to rear axis of the bucket section and also having been
rotated 90 degrees so that the bucket holds the log or pole in a
vertical orientation;
[0036] FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the assembly in a position
where the bucket is being moved rearwardly as shown by an arrow as
the bucket section is moved along a path toward the mobile
vehicle;
[0037] FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 14, but showing the bucket
section having been rotated 90 degrees from the position of FIG. 14
so that the open face of the bucket is facing laterally, and
showing in phantom lines the mobile vehicle having been rotated
about its vertical center axis to the dotted line position of FIG.
15 so that the bucket section is traveling in a circular path;
[0038] FIGS. 16 and 17 are views showing the bucket section in a
laterally facing direction and thus scraping along an earth surface
to collect some of the surface material;
[0039] FIGS. 18, 19 and 20 are side elevational views of the bucket
section with the clamping member in different positions to perform
dirt moving and also surface finishing operations;
[0040] FIG. 21 is a side elevational view, partly in section,
illustrating a second embodiment of the present invention;
[0041] FIG. 22a is a schematic view a hydraulic drive system of the
first embodiment; and
[0042] FIG. 22b is a schematic drawing similar to FIG. 22a, showing
a hydraulic drive system of the second embodiment.
EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0043] It is believed that a better understanding of this
embodiment of the present invention will be achieved by first
identifying the basic components of the multi-function material
moving assembly and then describing the various pivot axes and
alignment axes that dictate the movement of these components. This
will be followed by a brief description of the actuating members
and the basic movements of the components. After this there will be
a more detailed presentation of this embodiment.
a) Introduction and General Description of the Assembly 10
[0044] The multi-function assembly 10 of this embodiment of the
present invention comprises a mobile machine 12 which has an
operating support section 13 which in this embodiment comprises a
boom 14 pivotally mounted to the machine 12, and a primary arm
member 16 (sometimes called a "stick") having a pivot connection to
the boom 14. The primary arm member 16 and the boom could each be
considered to be an operating member. There is a bucket assembly 18
which has a forward end portion and also a rear end portion by
which it is mounted to the forward end of the primary arm member
16. The boom 14, the primary arm member 16 and the bucket assembly
18 are all aligned in a longitudinally and vertically aligned
reference plane 17 which is indicated in FIG. 11. This bucket
assembly 18 has longitudinal axis 19 and comprises a bucket section
20 which in turn comprises a bucket 22 and a clamping member 24.
The bucket assembly 18 also comprises an intermediate connecting
section 26 by which bucket section 20 is connected to the front end
of the primary arm member 16. The bucket assembly 18 also has a
transverse axis 27 and a vertical axis 28 perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis 19 and the transverse axis 27.
[0045] To describe briefly the pivot axes about which several of
these components move, first there is a rear horizontally aligned
pivot axis 30 which is at the rear base end of the boom 14, and the
boom 14 rotates pivotally back and forth about this axis 30. The
boom also has a forward pivot axis 32 at which the boom connects to
a rear end portion of the primary arm member and this same pivot
axis 32 is the rear pivot axis for pivotal movement of the primary
arm member 16.
[0046] At the forward end of the primary arm member 16 there is a
forward primary arm member pivot axis 34, and this same pivot axis
34 is the rear pivot axis for the bucket assembly 18. The pivot
axes 30, 32 and 34 are all horizontally aligned, and perpendicular
to the reference plane 19 and the back and forth movement of the
boom 14 about the pivot axis 30, the back and forth movement of the
primary arm member 16 and also the back and forth movement of the
bucket assembly 18 are all located in the longitudinally and
vertically aligned forward to rear reference plane 19.
[0047] To describe axes of rotation reference will now be made to
FIGS. 2 and 3. As indicated above, the bucket assembly 18 comprises
the bucket section 20 comprising both the bucket 22 and the
clamping member 24 and the intermediate connecting section 26.
These two sections 18 and 26 are arranged so that the bucket
section 20 rotates relative to certain portions of the intermediate
connecting section 26 about a bucket axis of rotation 35 that
extends in a forward to rear direction relative to the bucket
section 20 and generally is at right angles to the rear bucket
assembly pivot axis 34. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, the bucket
section 20 is able to rotate in a circular path relative to this
bucket axis of rotation 35, as indicated by the arrow 36. In this
embodiment the bucket axis of rotation 35 is coincident with the
longitudinal axis 19 of the bucket assembly 18.
[0048] There is yet another pivot of axis, and this is the clamping
member pivot axis 37 (See FIGS. 9, 2 and 3) about which the
clamping member 24 rotates relative to the bucket 22. This pivot
axis 37 is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 19 of
the bucket assembly 12. This movement can be observed by examining
FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0049] The boom 14 has a boom alignment axis 38 which extends from
its boom rear pivot axis 30 to the boom forward pivot axis 32. The
primary arm member 16 also has an alignment axis 40 which extends
from the pivot axis 32 to the forward primary arm member pivot axis
34. The bucket assembly has a bucket assembly alignment axis 19 in
this embodiment which is coincidental with the bucket axis of
rotation 35 and a transverse bucket axis 41 (see FIG. 3) and a
vertical bucket axis 42 (see FIG. 2).
[0050] We will now turn our attention to some of the other
operating components of this assembly 10. With reference to FIG. 1,
in this particular embodiment of the invention, the mobile machine
12 can be seen to have the overall configuration of a track hoe.
Thus, the machine 12 comprises a cab 44 which is mounted to a base
section 45 shown schematically in FIG. 1 which in turn is carried
by a locomotion section 46 which in this embodiment comprises a
ground engaging locomotion section in the form of a track section
43 which comprises two laterally spaced tracks 47 (only one which
is shown only in outline in FIG. 1). Alternatively the ground
engaging locomotion section 46 could compress forward and rear sets
of wheels. The cab 44 is mounted so that it could rotate about a
vertical center axis of rotation indicated at 48. As will be
described later in this text, the ability of the cab 44 to rotate
about the vertical center axis 48 enables the overall assembly 10
to perform certain functions which would otherwise be accomplished
less easily.
[0051] To facilitate the further descriptive (and as is probably
evident from the descriptive text which has been presented thus
far), the term "forward" shall denote a direction which, as shown
in FIG. 1, is from the cab 44 toward the primary arm member 16. The
term "rearward" shall denote the opposite direction. Also, relative
locations will be described by the terms "front", "rear",
"forward", or "rearward" in accordance with the forward and rear
directions. With regard to relative locations on the primary arm
member 16 and the bucket assembly 18, the terms "forward" and
"rearward" shall apply relative to a reference location in a
configuration where the primary arm member 16 is extending
horizontally from the mobile machine 12, and the bucket assembly 18
is in alignment with the primary arm member 16 as shown in FIGS. 1
and 2.
[0052] The terms "upward" or "downward" and also the terms "up" and
"down" will in the overall description of the assembly 10 refer to
the relative positions with the assembly 10 in its position of FIG.
1, except that the primary arm member 16 would be rotated upwardly
about fifty degrees to a horizontal position so that the primary
arm member 16 and the bucket assembly 18 in a position where these
are all extending forwardly from the cab 44 and are horizontally
aligned.
[0053] However, in the following description an exception will be
made for the description specifically of the bucket assembly 18.
There are two reasons for this. First, when a person hears the term
"bucket", the person immediately has the concept of some liquid or
loose material being held in the bucket which is in an upright
position so that this material will not spill out. The second
reason is that in FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 8B and 8C, the bucket assembly 18
is shown (and described at length) with an open surface region of
the bucket facing upwardly in the position where the bucket would
be carrying a load of dirt, gravel, etc. If someone were to begin
reading this text without having read the earlier portion of the
text, that person would possibly be confused if the "bottom wall
76" of the bucket were called the "top wall". Further, it also to
be understood that when the terms "upward" or "downward" are used
in connection with the primary arm member 16 and the bucket
assembly 18, these are located in a different angular orientation
so that these terms do not denote their actual location as seen in
any particular drawing.
[0054] The boom 14 is rotated about the pivot axis 30 by means of
an actuator 50. This actuator 50 has a base connecting location in
(or adjacent to) the cab structure and an upper forward pivot
connection at 52 on the boom 14. There is also a primary arm member
actuator 54 which has a rear connection 56 at a more rearward part
of the boom 14 and a forward connection at 58 at the forward end of
the primary arm member 16.
[0055] Also the primary support arm comprises a bucket assembly
actuator 60 which has a rear end connection 62 at an upper rear
portion of the primary arm member 16 and a forward end connection
64 that in turn connects to a pair of links 66 and 68. These links
66 and 68 in turn connect pivotally to, respectively, a forward
location 67 on the primary arm member 16 and to a rear mounting
connection 69 of the bucket assembly 18.
[0056] With the foregoing description being completed, we will now
proceed with more detailed descriptions of the components of the
assembly 10 and there will now be a description of the bucket
section 20. After that description is completed, there will then be
a detailed description of the intermediate connection 26, and then
a discussion of some of the operating modes of this embodiment of
the invention.
b) The Bucket Section 20
[0057] As indicated earlier in this text, the bucket section 20
comprises the bucket 22 and the clamping member 24.
[0058] i) The Bucket 22. [0059] The bucket 22 in turn comprises a
bucket structure 70. This bucket structure 70 comprises two side
walls 72, and also front, bottom and back wall portions 74, 76 and
78, respectively. (See FIG. 7.) These three wall parts 74, 76, and
78 are joined together as one continuous curved wall generally
designated 80. The bucket structure 80 is made in upper and lower
sections 82 and 84 which are joined together at a seam 86 by
suitable means, such as welding. Also, the bucket structure has
upper front, rear and side edges 88, 90 and 92.
[0060] ii) The Clamping Member 24. [0061] The clamping member 24
comprises a clamping member structure 98 that comprises two side
arms 100 and 102 and a front cross member 104. The rear end
portions 106 of the two side arm members 100 and 102 are fixedly
connected (e.g. by welding) to a pivot mounting member which can be
in the form of a cylindrical pivot tube 108. The tube 108 is in
turn rotatably mounted about the clamping arm pivot axis 37 by
means of oppositely positioned bushings 110 (See FIG. 9) mounted to
two ears 112 which are bolted removably to the bucket structure 70
(See FIGS. 5 and 6). Thus by removing the ears 112, the pivot tube
10 which the clamping member structure 98 can be removed and
replaced. [0062] To rotate the clamping member 24 about its pivot
axis 37 at the center of the pivot tube 108, there is a hydraulic
actuating section 113 which in this embodiment is provided as two
laterally spaced hydraulic actuators 114. Each actuator 114 has an
upper connection 116 to the pivot tube 108, and a lower end
connection 118 to one of a pair of inner and outer mounting plates
120 and 122 which are in turn rigidly connected to a rear portion
of the bucket structure 70. Also, as can be seen in FIGS. 6 and 8,
the rear part of the bucket structure 70 has a reinforcing
structure 124 with two connected angled reinforcing plate portions
126. [0063] As can be seen in FIG. 6, the side arms 100 and 102 of
the clamping member 24 are located so that in a closed position,
the side arm members 100 and 102 are adjacent to (and just outside
of) the upper edge side edge portions 90 and 92 of the bucket 22.
The lower edge portion of the front cross member 104 comes into
engagement with the upper edge portion 88 of the front edge of the
front wall 74 of the bucket structure 70. [0064] As indicated
earlier in this text, the bucket assembly 18 further comprises an
intermediate connecting section 26. This intermediate connecting
section 26 connects the bucket section 20 to the forward end of the
primary arm member 16 and provides a number of functions for the
bucket assembly 18.
c. The Intermediate Connecting Section 26
[0065] It should be understood that most of the components
beginning with the numerical designation 130 and extending on
through to the numerical designation 214 appear primarily in FIGS.
8, 8A, 8B, 8C and 9, and these are in large part absent in FIGS. 1
through 7 and 10 through 20. Thus, many of these components are
only indicated schematically in the FIGS. 1 through 7 and 10
through 20. With that explanation being given, we will now proceed
to the more detailed description of the intermediate connecting
section 26.
[0066] In addition to having the connecting function, this
intermediate connecting section 26 performs some other functions.
For purposes of description, this section 26 comprises a fluid
supply/distribution section 130 to supply fluid to the hydraulic
actuating section 113 and a structural/drive section 132.
[0067] The structural/drive section 132 in turn comprises: [0068]
i. a bucket connected support section 134; [0069] ii. a primary arm
connected support section 136; [0070] iii. a rotary drive
connection 138. [0071] There will first be a description of the
fluid supply/distribution section 130.
d) The Fluid Supply/Distribution Section 130
[0072] The fluid supply/distribution section 130 is shown in FIG. 8
and will now be described with reference to primarily FIG. 8A which
shows this section 130 in a larger scale. It comprises a fluid
carrying section 139 which in this embodiment comprises a center
fluid distribution member 140 which has a longitudinal center axis
which is coincident with the aforementioned bucket axis of rotation
35. The rear end portion of the center fluid distribution member
140 is connected to a cylindrical mounting member 141 which is part
of the fluid carrying section 139 and as shown herein is aligned on
the same axis 35. Neither the center fluid distribution member nor
the mounting member 41 rotate with the bucket section 20.
[0073] The center fluid distribution member 140 has two
longitudinally aligned supply passages 142 which extend through the
mounting support member 141 to a rear location where these are in
turn connected to hydraulic feed tubes 143 through which the
hydraulic fluid is moved to and from a hydraulic drive source from
the primary arm member 16 or from some other location.
[0074] At the forward end of the center member 140 there is a
rotary fluid connection 144. This connection 144 comprises two
circumferentially aligned longitudinally spaced distribution
grooves 145. and also three seals 146 (O-ring seals) to seal off
each of the two distribution grooves 145. There are two groove
inlet/outlet openings 147, each of which leads from one of the
passageways 142 into a related one of two distribution chambers
defined by the three seals 146.
[0075] There is an outer cylindrical member 148 which is positioned
concentrically around the center member 140 and which is fixed
relative the bucket structure, and this is part of the fluid rotary
connection 144. This outer cylindrical member 148 has two
inlet/outlet ports 150 which are located at the same longitudinal
location as the distribution grooves 145. There are two connecting
tubes 152 which extend from the inlet/outlet ports 150 and are
directed to the two hydraulic actuators 114 to extend and retract
these hydraulic cylinders 114 to in turn open and close the
clamping member 24. Obviously there could be a reversal of parts
with the grooves 145 being formed in the outer member 148 and the
groove outlet openings 147 being located at those grooves 147.
[0076] At the front end of the center liquid distribution member
140 there is a snap ring 154 to help position the center liquid
distribution member within the outer cylindrical member 148, with a
low friction washer 156 being provided between the snap ring and
the cylindrical member 148. The mounting support member 141 that
connects to the center liquid distribution member 140 has a
diameter moderately larger than the diameter of the main part of
the center liquid distribution member 140 to create a forwarding
facing cylindrical shoulder 160. There is a second low friction
washer (not shown), positioned at a location 162 between that
shoulder and the rear circumferential edge surface of the outer
cylindrical member 148.
[0077] In the actual operation of the assembly 10, as the bucket
section 20 rotates about its axis of rotation 36, the outer
cylindrical member 148 rotates relative to the center liquid
distribution member 140 which does not rotate.
[0078] Therefore, in the operation of the assembly 10, when the
bucket section 20 rotates about its axis of rotation 35, the center
liquid distribution member 140 of the fluid supply/distribution
section 130 remains stationary while the outer cylindrical member
148 is revolving with the bucket section 20 around the stationary
center member 140. During this time the inlet/outlet ports 150 of
the cylindrical member 148 remain in constant contact with the
grooves 145 so that the hydraulic fluid can be directed into the
two hydraulic actuators 114 to either extend or retract them.
[0079] Thus, to summarize the operation of moving the clamping
member 24, the movement of the clamping member 24 is accomplished
by means of the two hydraulic actuators 114. The fluid supply
distribution section 130 is arranged so that the hydraulic lines
143 are connected to the rear end of the two internal passages 142
of the center member 140, and these passageways 142 connect through
the openings 147 into the two circumferential grooves 144 that in
turn connect to the ports 150 to the two tubes 152 that connect to
opposite ends of the actuators 114. Thus, the center liquid
distribution member is non-rotatable in that it does not rotate
with the bucket section 20 when it rotates about its axis 35. On
the other hand, the outer cylindrical member 148 and the tubes 152
that are attached therefore rotate with the bucket section 20.
[0080] Thus, the bucket section 20 could be rotated continuously in
one direction around the axis of rotation 35, which would not
possible if it were necessary to have electric wires or fluid
supply lines connected between the primary arm member 16 and the
rotating bucket section 20.
e) The Structural/Drive Section 132
[0081] As indicated above, there are three components of this
section, and these will now be described in order, with reference
to primarily being made to FIGS. 6 and 8.
[0082] i) The Bucket Connected Support Section 134. [0083] This
section 134 comprises in part a generally planar mounting plate 166
which is aligned perpendicular to the axis of rotation 35 of the
bucket section 20. The plate 166 has a center through opening 168
to accommodate the fluid supply distribution section 130. This
mounting plate 166 is supported by a connecting structure to 170 to
the forward part of the bucket 22, and this structure 170 comprises
the earlier mentioned mounting plates 120. [0084] These plates 120
also provide support for the lower connecting portions 118 of the
hydraulic actuators 114 for the clamping section 24. The plate 166
is connected by bolts 172 to an outer race 174 of a rotary bearing
176 which also has an inner race 177. The intermediate roller
bearing support section in the form of ball bearing members 173 are
between the outer and inner races 174 and 177. The structural/drive
section can be considered as having a load bearing plane which is
perpendicular to the axis of rotation 35 and located at the
location of the intermediate roller bearing support section. The
load bearing function of this roller bearing section 177 will be
discussed more completely later herein.
[0085] ii) The Primary Arm Member Connected Support Section 136.
[0086] This section 136 comprises a mounting plate 178 which also
is perpendicular to the axis of rotation 35 of the bucket assembly
20. There is a spacing structure 180 which is positioned against
the forward surface of the mounting plate 178, and the front
surface of the spacing structure 180 bears directly against the
inner bearing race 177 of the aforementioned rotary bearing 176.
Several bolts 184 connect the plate 178, the structure 180 and the
inner bearing race together. [0087] There is also provided a small
retaining plate 186 which is positioned at the center of the
mounting plate 178 and keeps the center liquid distribution member
140 of the fluid supply/distribution section 130 in its operating
position. The plate 178, the structure 180 and the inner bearing
race 177 all have aligned center through openings to accommodate
the center liquid distribution member 140 in support member 141 of
the fluid supply/distribution section 130. [0088] The
aforementioned spacing structure 180 has at its rear end portion a
radially outwardly extending plate member or disc 187 and at the
outer circumference of this disc like plate member 187, there is a
forwardly extending cylindrical skirt 188 which functions as a
protective cover surrounding the bearing 176 and also the drive
mechanism which is to be described below. Further, this skirt
structure 188 attaches to the housing for the rotary drive section
138 which will be described immediately below. [0089] The mounting
plate 178 has at its back surface a pair of laterally spaced
connecting lugs or ears 190 which can be best seen in FIG. 4. The
forward ends of lugs 190 are fixedly connected (e.g. by welding) to
the plate 178. At the rear portion of each of these lugs 190 there
is an opening 192 which in a connected position is located at the
pivot location 34. A pin, a rod, or other connecting structure is
inserted through these openings 192 of the lugs 190 and also
through matching openings in the lower-most end of the primary arm
member 16 so that the bucket assembly 18 can rotate about the pivot
axis at 34. [0090] The aforementioned mounting plate 178 extends
upwardly beyond its connecting spacing structure 180 so that it is
in a position for the connecting location to engage the
aforementioned actuating link 68 that is part of the primary arm
member 16. Thus, as the actuator 60 is extended and retracts, this
causes the rotational movement of the mounting plate 178 cause the
bucket section 20 upwardly and downwardly about the pivot axis 34,
and all the loads from the rear mounting plate are transmitted by
the lugs 190 and the connecting location 69 into the primary arm
member 16.
[0091] iii) The Rotary Drive Section 138. [0092] This section 138
will be described with reference to FIGS. 8, 8B and 8C. With
reference first to 8B and 8C, there is a drive section 200 which
comprises a ring gear 202 having evenly spaced exterior teeth 204.
The ring gear 202 is fixedly connected to the outer surface of the
outer race 174 of the rotary bearing 176. [0093] There is a worm
gear 206 which is contained in a cylindrical housing 208. The
helical threads 210 of the worm gear 206 engage the teeth of the
204 of the ring gear 202 to drive the ring gear 202 in a rotary
motion and thus cause the rotation of the outer race 174 of the
rotary bearing 176. There is an electric motor 212 which extends
laterally from the worm drive 206 and has a rotary power outlet to
drive the worm gear 206. Alternatively, a hydraulic motor could be
used. [0094] It was indicated previously in this text that there is
a skirt 188 which extends around the drive member (i.e., the ring
gear 202), and also provide support for the entire rotary drive
section 138. For ease of illustration, this is not been shown in
FIGS. 8B and 8C. However, it is to be understood that this
cylindrical skirt 187 does extend entirely around the ring gear 202
(except for the location of the worm gear housing 212) and also
connects to the housing 208 to provide support. Also, as indicated
previously, this cylindrical skirt 188 is part of the non-rotating
structure, so that the worm drive 206 remains at a stationary
location, and the ring gear 202 rotates with the bucket section
20.
[0095] iv) Transmitting the Loads Between the Bucket Section 20 and
the Primary Arm Member 16. [0096] The bucket structure has at its
forward end the two mounting members 120 that in turn connect
rigidly to the mounting plate 134 which is in turn rigidly
connected to the outer race 174 of the rotary bearing 176. All of
the loads that are imposed on the bucket 20 are thus transmitted
through the bucket connected support section 134 acting
structurally as a unitary structure into the outer bearing race
174. [0097] The rotary bearing 176 comprises the outer and inner
races 174 and 177, and the ball bearing members 173 are positioned
between the outer and inner races 174 and 177. All of the loads
that are imposed from the bucket section 20 to the outer bearing
race 174 are thus transmitted through the ball bearing members 173
into the inner bearing race 177. The inner bearing race 177 is
fixedly connected to the spacing structural member 180 which is
rigidly connected to the mounting plate 178. The mounting plate 138
reacts these loads into two locations. First, the loads are
transmitted into the two lugs 190 which connect rotatably at the
pivot locations 34 so that the bucket section 20 is constrained to
its rotary motion about the pivot axis 34. Second, the loads are
transmitted from the connecting location 69 into the link 68 and
into the actuator 60 of the primary arm member 16 and into the
primary arm member structure. [0098] The location of the bucket
section 20 in its privot motion about the pivot axis 35 is in turn
dictated by the link 68 that is in turn connected to the actuator
60 of the primary arm member 16. The actuator 60 is in turn
connected at its front end by the link 66 to the primary arm member
16, and also to its pivot connection at 62. [0099] Next, we look at
the rotational movement of the bucket section 20 about its axis of
rotation 35. The bucket section 20 is (as indicated previously)
fixedly connected to the outer race 174, and this outer race 174 is
in turn connected to the ring gear 202 of the drive section 200.
The ring gear 202 is in turn driven by the worm gear 206 which is
in turn driven by the motor 212. The rotational force exerted by
the worm gear 206 is thus is transmitted into the motor 212 into
the cylindrical housing 208 and from there into the cylindrical
skirt 188 which in turn transmits the load into the disc-like plate
187 that is in turn transmitted into the mounting plate 178. [0100]
The fluid supply distribution section 130 is substantially (if not
almost entirely) isolated from these loads. The center member 140
is positioned within the outer cylindrical 148 which is in turn
connected to the bucket load carrying structure. This center member
140 essentially "floats" within this outer cylindrical member 148,
and it has at opposite ends the low friction washers by which any
forward and rear movement is restricted. Then there are the three
O-rings 146 that serve not only a fluid sealing function, but also
provide a somewhat "soft" positioning support for the center member
140.
f) Overall Operation of the Multi-Purpose Assembly 10 of the First
Embodiment
[0101] For convenience, in this section of this text, the
multi-function material moving assembly 10 of this embodiment will
simply be called "the machine 10". To describe the operations and
versatility of the machine 10, several different situations will be
considered.
[0102] To consider a first situation, let us assume that the task
that is to be accomplished is the clearing of a forested site at
which construction of some sort will take place or possibly
preparation for some other function such as an athletic field.
We'll begin by looking at the task of safely moving and/or removing
some logs safely, and reference is made first to FIG. 10 which
shows the manner in which the bucket 22 and the clamping member 24
grip a log 220.
[0103] Let us assume that the log 220 has been gripped and lifted
and it is now desired to load it into a truck. However, the truck
happens to be in an awkward position so that it first be necessary
to rotate the log from the position of FIG. 11 to be in alignment
with the truck bed. This is accomplished by rotating the bucket in
a horizontal plane from the position of FIG. 11 to some other
position, such as the position of FIG. 12.
[0104] Now let us take another instance where the log or tree has
been dropped down and is laying on the forest floor with some of
the limbs having been removed. The tree is to be moved out from
among the trees and then to a vehicle or to stack it into a pile.
In this instance, the machine 10 could engage and then lift the log
while the bucket section 20 is aligned as in FIG. 12, and then it
can be moved out of the surrounding trees by backing up the machine
10, carrying the log out in the direction of travel. Then the
position of the tree could be moved to be in alignment with the bed
of the truck into which it is to be placed or stacked on a
pile.
[0105] Let us now consider a second situation where a standing tree
is to be cut down, and it may be difficult to cause the tree to
fall in the exact location desired. In this instance the machine
could go to the position of FIG. 13 and grasp the the truck of the
tree in the bucket section 20. The woodsman would then make the
cuts at the lower end of the trunk of the tree and then the tree
could be held vertically by the machine 10 until it could be moved
to another location and then down to a more level location to cut
off the limbs, etc.
[0106] Let us take yet a third situation where it is necessary to
bring in a temporary power line for the project and it is desired
to place a pole in vertical alignment and secure it in that
alignment. The machine 10 could be used to dig a hole in the
ground, and several stabilizing cables or lines could be secured to
what is to be the top end of the pole. Then with the hole having
been dug, the machine could move the pole to a vertical position
with the bottom end positioned in a stationary location in the
hole. The cables could be made taut to keep the pole vertical, and
the machine could release its grip on the tree and fill the hold to
further stabilize the pole.
[0107] To turn our attention now to a fourth situation with
reference to FIG. 14, this shows the machine 10 in a conventional
position where it can simply dig a ditch in the dirt by operating
the bucket section in the normal manner that is expected of a
backhoe.
[0108] Now we will look a fifth situation, with reference to FIGS.
15 through 17, and this is where some clearing has taken place and
it is now desired to smooth out the surface. The machine can be
placed in the position of FIG. 15 (as shown in full lines), and the
open chamber of the bucket 22 is facing laterally. Then the entire
cab section 44 can be rotated about its vertical axis to swing the
boom 14 in a sweep over the surface, with the lower front edge of
the bucket 22 scraping the ground. The manner in which this could
be done is illustrated in FIG. 16.
[0109] FIG. 17 illustrates a situation where the machine 10 itself
is placed on a ground surface where it is at a slant, and it is
desired to have an area to be either dug out or smoothed out.
Therefore, the boom 14 could be placed in a position shown in FIG.
17, and the boom 14, the arm member 16 and the slant of the bucket
as well as its vertical position could be controlled to obtain a
level ground surface.
[0110] Now our attention is directed to FIGS. 18, 19 and 20 to
describe a sixth situation. FIG. 18 illustrates the bucket 22
lifting a large amount of material in its usual operation. FIG. 19
illustrates the manner in which the clamping member 24 could be
used to control the discharge of the earth in the bucket.
[0111] Then FIG. 20 illustrates a situation where the bucket is
being used to make a quite smooth surface (as in FIGS. 16 and 17),
and it is desired to remove most all of a small pile of remaining
dirt. When there is that final small amount of dirt remaining, it
is often difficult to collect it in the bucket by itself, However,
the clamping member 24 can be used to come down and push that last
amount of earth into the bucket.
g) A Second Embodiment of the Invention
[0112] This second embodiment will now be described with reference
to FIG. 21. Components of this second embodiment which are similar
to components of the first embodiment will be given like numerical
designations, with an "a" suffix distinguishing those of the second
embodiment. This second embodiment is particularly adapted to be
used in a situation where work is to be done near or along a
railroad track or a railroad right-of-way and other situations. In
this second embodiment, it is possible for the multi-purpose
assembly 10a to travel over a ground surface, and also to be able
to be positioned on (and travel along) the two rails of a railroad
track. In the following text, for convenience, the assembly 10a
will be referred to as the "machine 10a" or as the "second
embodiment".
[0113] By way of introduction, components of this second embodiment
are in large part identical to (or substantially the same as) most
all of the components which are shown in FIG. 1, with the
exceptions being the base section 45, the locomotion section 46,
and the overall manner in which the locomotion section 46
functions. Aside from that, the remaining components that are shown
in FIGS. 1 through 20 are, or may be, also present in this second
embodiment in the same/or similar configuration.
[0114] It can be seen in FIG. 21 that only the lowermost portion of
the cab 44a is shown. This is done with the understanding that the
full cab 44a is the same as, or similar to, what is shown in FIG.
1, including its vertically aligned axis of rotation 48a. Further,
it is to be understood that the following components that appear in
FIG. 1 are also to be present in this assembly 10a, FIG. 21, these
components including: the boom 14, the primary arm member 16, and
the entire bucket assembly 18. Further, all of the other components
associated with these, such as the actuators 54 and 60, etc., are
also part of the second embodiment of FIG. 21.
[0115] There will first be a description of the components of the
second embodiment of FIG. 21 that are also present in the first
embodiment, in some modified form. First, there is the cab 44a
mounted to the base 45a. The base 45a is (or can be) basically the
same as in the first embodiment, except for "add-on" features for
the base section 45a. Then there is the locomotion system 46a which
is substantially the as in the first embodiment with respect to the
two ground engaging tracks 47a, and these are (or may be) the same
(or similar to) the tracks 47 of the first embodiment. However, the
locomotion system 46a differs in that it also comprises a railroad
track engaging section to be described later herein.
[0116] To describe now the base section 45a in more detail,
reference will now be made to FIG. 21. The base section 45a
comprises top, bottom, front and back frame portions 224a, 225a,
226a and 227a, respectively. Each ground engaging track 230a
comprises a lower track run 231 a, and upper track run 232a, a
front 90 degree track curved portion 234a, which is driven by a
sprocket 236a, and a rear track portion 238a which (as shown in
this embodiment) has an idler sprocket 240a. Also, there are
intermediate guide rollers or sprockets 242a. In an alternative
configuration the rear sprocket 232a could also be a drive
sprocket.
[0117] These components which have been described so far (i.e.,
223a through 242a) already are present in the first embodiment. Now
we shall proceed to describe the components which are new in this
second embodiment.
[0118] To proceed further now with a description of this second
embodiment, the operating assembly 10a of this first embodiment
comprises a combined locomotion system 46a which comprises: [0119]
i) the aforementioned ground engaging track locomotion section 43a,
and [0120] ii) a rail engaging wheel locomotion section 250a
(mentioned briefly earlier in this text).
[0121] It is believed that the ground engaging track locomotion
section 43a is described above sufficiently, so there will be no
further description of this section 43a at this time.
[0122] To describe now the rail engaging locomotion section 250a,
this section 250a comprises a wheel section 252a which in turn
comprises forward and rear wheel sets 254a, each of which comprises
two laterally spaced wheels 256a. There is a rear wheel mounting
section 258a which in turn comprises front and rear mounting
subsections 260a. Each mounting subsection 260a in turn comprises a
base mounting section 262a which in turn comprises front and a rear
base connecting mounting structures 264a. As their name implies,
these base mounting structures 264a are fixedly connected by a base
connecting portion 265a to the base 45a. Each base mounting
structure 264a has at its outer end portion two connecting pivot
locations 266a and 268a.
[0123] Each rail wheel mounting subsection 260a further comprises a
wheel support member 270a which is in the form of an elongate arm,
having a base pivot connections 272a at the lower pivot connecting
locations 266a. The opposite end of each wheel support member 270
is fixedly connected to a wheel support structure portion 274a, in
which the related wheel 256a is rotatably mounted.
[0124] Then there is for each set 254a of wheels 256a a wheel
positioning member which is in the form of a hydraulic actuator
276a which is shown only schematically by a broken line indicated
at 276a. This actuator 276a has a base connecting portion 278a that
connects pivotally to the pivot location 268a of the base mounting
structure 264a, and a second pivot connection at 280a to the wheel
support structure portion 274a.
[0125] In FIG. 51, the forward set of wheels 254 at the left in
FIG. 1 and its mounting structure 264a are shown in the raised
position where the hydraulic actuator 276a has been retracted, and
it can be seen that the forward set of wheels 254a is raised to an
upper location. Then on the rear part of the rail engaging
locomotion system 250a, the rear wheel set 254a is in its lower
rail engaging position, this being accomplished by extending the
rear hydraulic actuator or actuators 276a.
[0126] Therefore, when it is desired to operate the multi-purpose
assembly 10a in its ground engaging mode of operation, the
hydraulic actuators 276a are retracted to move the front and rear
set of wheels 254a to the raised position. Then when the
multi-purpose assembly 10a is to be located over the rails of the
rail track system, the two hydraulic actuators 276a are extended to
move the front and rear wheel sets 254a downwardly to engage the
rails and raise the assembly 10a so that the ground engaging
locomotion section 43a is raised above the level of the rails of
the railroad track.
[0127] There will now be a description of the hydraulic drive
section of the locomotion section 46a of the second embodiment.
This will be done by first describing the hydraulic drive system of
the first embodiment and the hydraulic system of the second
embodiment. In doing so, reference is made to FIGS. 22A and 22B
which show, respectively, the hydraulic drive system of the
locomotion section of the first embodiment 10 and then the
hydraulic drive section of the second embodiment.
[0128] The reason for this is that the hydraulic drive system of
the second embodiment is a derivation of the first embodiment, and
it is believed that a clearer understanding of the hydraulic drive
section of the second embodiment will be obtained by first
examining the schematic diagram of FIG. 22A which shows the
hydraulic drive system of the first embodiment and then moving on
the FIG. 22B and the description of the hydraulic drive section of
the second embodiment.
[0129] To again turn our attention to FIG. 22A, there is shown the
hydraulic drive system 280 of the ground engage locomotion of the
first embodiment, and this comprises a hydraulic power supply 282
of the first embodiment. This power supply 282 in turn comprises a
pump 284 and a reservoir 286.
[0130] This drive system 280 comprises left and right power
sections 288 and 290, with the left power section 288 driving the
left sprocket 236 that in turn connects to the left ground engaging
track 230, and the right power section 290 doing the same for the
right sprocket 236 and the right ground engaging track 230.
[0131] Each of the left and right power sections 288 and 290
comprises a four-way fluid distribution valve section 292 which in
turn selectively transmits the hydraulic fluid to its related
hydraulic motor 294 that connects to its related sprocket 236. To
accomplish this, there is a primary supply line 296 that delivers
hydraulic fluid to its distribution valve 292, and there are two
distribution hydraulic lines 298 and 300 which connect between the
distribution valve 282 and the motor 294.
[0132] The distribution valve 292 has three operating positions.
There is a first operating position where the valve 292 directs the
fluid into the motor supply line 298, with the hydraulic fluid
being discharged form the motor and into the other supply lines 300
which directs the fluid back to the distribution valve 292. The
distribution valve 292 then directs the liquid through a return
line 302 to the reservoir 286.
[0133] In the second position of the distribution valve 292, the
fluid flow is reversed, in that the hydraulic fluid is directed
from the hydraulic power supply 282 through the distribution valve
292 and into the supply line 300 which in turn directs the fluid to
the motor to turn the motor 294 in the opposite direction to cause
the drive sprockets 236 to reverse its direction so as to drive the
track 230 in the opposite direction.
[0134] Then there is a third position for the distribution valve
section 292 where the hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic power
supply 282 passes into and through the distribution valve section
292 and is returned directly back to the return line 302 to the
reservoir 286. In many systems, when the valve 292 is in the third
position the motor 294 goes to a locking position to prevent
rotation of the sprocket 236.
[0135] The right power supply section 290 operates in the same
manner as described above with regard to the left power section
290.
[0136] Also, there are shown in FIG. 21A left and right control
levers 304 and 306. If these two levers 304 and 306 are pushed
forward, they cause both left and right distribution valves 292 to
move to the first position where both sprockets 236 are driven in a
forward traveling direction. Then when the two levers 304 and 306
are moved rearwardly, these cause the distribution valve section
292 to move to the second position to cause both of the drive
sprockets 236a to rotate in the reserve direction.
[0137] Then when it is desired to execute a left hand turn, the
right control lever 306 is moved to a forward location, and the
left control lever 304 is moved forward to a lower power setting so
that the left sprocket 236 rotates more slowly, or to a non-turning
position where the machine executes the turn at substantially the
same location. Obviously, a right turn can be made in a similar
manner. Also, by manipulating the lever arms 304 and 306, the
machine 10 can back up in a straight line path or a curved path
where the curve is one way or the other.
[0138] With the foregoing description of the hydraulic drive system
280 of the first embodiment having been described, let us now turn
our attention to FIG. 22B which discloses the hydraulic drive
system 250a of the second embodiment. As indicated above, this
hydraulic drive system 280a of the second embodiment is an
adaptation from the hydraulic drive system 280 of the first
embodiment, so that many of the components in the hydraulic drive
system shown in 280A will be the same as, or similar to, those of
first embodiment. Also, as is done earlier in this text, components
of this second embodiment which are the same as, or similar to,
components of the first embodiment will be given like numerical
designations, with an "a" suffix distinguishing those of the second
embodiment.
[0139] Thus, in this second embodiment as shown in FIG. 22B there
is the hydraulic power supply 282a, comprising the pump 284a and
the reservoir 286a, and the left and right power sections 288a and
290a. Also, there are the two distribution valve sections 292a and
each of these receive hydraulic fluid from the line 296a and also
connect to the return line 302a. Further, there are the two drive
sprockets wheels 236a, and these have their two drive motors 294a
along with their connecting lines 298a and 300a.
[0140] Now to discuss the components which are added to comprise
this second embodiment, first there are the two rail wheels 256a,
each driven by a hydraulic motor 310a, each having two rail motor
supply lines 312a and 314a. There are the two mode selecting valves
316a, each of which has three sets of connections. First each mode
selecting valve 316a is connected through the lines 312a and 314a
to the motors 310a for the rail wheels 256a. Second, there are also
connections to the two lines 298a and 300a that connect to the
motors 294a to the drive sprockets 236a. Third, there are
connections through the two lines 318a and 320a connected directly
to the distribution valve sections 292a.
[0141] To turn our attention back now to the mode selecting valves
316a in this embodiment, each mode selecting valve 320a is a six
port valve which has two operating positions. In a first operating
position, the two transfer valves 320a have a through connection
from the distributor valve 292a through the lines 298a and 300a to
the motors 294a for drive sprockets 236a.
[0142] In a second operating position, each mode selecting valve
316 makes a through connection from the lines 318a and 320a to the
rail motor supply lines 312a and 314a to drive the two rail motors
310a.
[0143] Now we turn our attention to the two control levers 304a and
306a. In the particular arrangement of this second embodiment,
these are physically clamped together by a clamp member 330a (shown
schematically in FIG. 22B) so that the two levers 304a and 306a
move together to either a forward position or to a rear position.
This clamp 330a is put in place to connect to the two levers 304a
and 306a when the second embodiment 10a is in its rail traveling
mode. However, when the rail wheels 256a are raised so that the
ground engaging tracks 47a are in ground engagement, with the rail
wheels 256a out of engagement with the rails, the clamping member
330a is removed so that the machine can move over the ground making
turns, etc., as described previously herein.
[0144] To summarize the steps which the operator would take in
operating the machine 10a in its two different modes, let us assume
that the machine 10a is in its ground engaging mode of operation
where the rail wheels 256a are raised and the ground engaging
tracks 47a are thus in their ground engaging position. In this
instance, as indicated above, the two operating levers 304a and
306a are not clamped together and are able to move independently of
one another as described earlier in this text where the operation
of the first embodiment was described.
[0145] In this ground engaging position, the two mode selecting
valves 316a are positioned in their ground operating mode position.
In this position, the fluid flow paths through the distribution
valves 292a connect with the two sets of lines 318a and 320a which
connect the selecting valves 316a and to connect with the related
motors 294a for the track drive sprockets 236a.
[0146] Then, when the mode selecting valve 316a is moved to its
rail engaging mode, the flow paths through the same distribution
valve sections 292 and then through the mode selecting valves 316a.
However, the flow is through a different set of ports in the mode
selecting valves 316a so that the liquid flow is to and from the
motors 310a to drive the rail wheels 256a.
[0147] To discuss now the overall flow pattern of the drive section
280a, let us assume that the machine 10a is in its ground engaging
position so that the ground engaging tracks 47a are in engagement
with the ground, and that the machine 10 is to move in a forward
direction. The two levers 304a and 306a would be pushed forwardly
to the forward moving position, and this would in turn move the
distribution valves 292a to their forward traveling position so
that the fluid flow from the pump 284a is through the lines 296a to
pass through the distribution valves 292a to the mode selecting
valves 316a. At that time the mode selecting valves 316a would be
in its ground engaging mode, so that the flow from the lines 318a
would pass through the mode selecting valves 316a and through the
lines 298a and into the motors at 294a to drive the sprockets 236a
in the forward traveling direction of rotation. Then the flow from
each motor 294a would be on a return path through the line 300a
then through the mode selecting valve 316a to the ground engaging
return line 320a and through the selector valve 292a to flow
through the return line 302a back to the reservoir 286a.
[0148] If the operator is to place the machine 10a in reverse so as
to move backwards, then the two levers 304a and 306a will be moved
rearwardly to the backing up position, and the flow pattern would
remain basically the same, but with the direction reversed. Thus,
the flow toward each motor 294a would be through the line 296a,
through the distribution valve 292a through the line 320a, then
through the mode selecting valve 316a, and through the line 300a to
enter into the motor 294a to drive the sprocket 236a in the
opposite direction, and then follow a return path through lines
300a, 320a and 302a to return to the reservoir 286a.
[0149] Let us now consider the situation where the machine 10a is
to be in neutral. Then, as in the operation of the first embodiment
10, the levers 304a and 306a are moved to the neutral position so
that the flow is through the lines 296a to the distribution valves
292 and then through the lines 203 to the reservoir 286a.
[0150] Now let us assume that the operator has moved the machine to
a location over the railroad tracks where it is going to be in its
rail engaging mode of operation. The two sets of rail wheels 256
would be moved downwardly to the rail engaging position to lift the
ground engaging tracks 47a to a higher level. Then the procedure
would be substantially the same as the procedure followed in the
ground engaging mode except that the rail wheels 256a are being
driven instead of the sprockets 236a.
[0151] To return to the steps taken by the operator of the machine
10a, if it desired to transition now from the ground engaging mode
to the rail engaging mode of operation, the operator would move the
mode selecting valves 316a to the rail engaging position. This
could be done either by manually moving each of the valves 316a or
operating a valve control mechanism in the operating position of
the cab 44a. Then the operator would set the aforementioned clamp
330a in its lever engaging position so that the two levers 304a and
306a are locked into each so that they will move together to the
various operating positions. Then the procedures would follow as
described above. Then the operator of the machine 10a would have
the same "feel" of the operation of levers 304a and 306a.
[0152] In this particular embodiment, the power drive section 280a
is dedicated totally toward the locomotion of the machine 10 either
in its rail engaging mode of operation or its ground engaging mode
of operation. The hydraulic power that is needed for moving the
various actuators, rotating the cab 44a, etc., could be derived
from another hydraulic system. Alternatively, there could be a
common power source which would serve all of the functions of the
machine.
[0153] Also, if it is desired to drive all four rail wheels 256a,
the motors 310a on each side would be connected in series in the
hydraulic drive system. The same could be done with the sprockets
236a.
[0154] Now to discuss the operational features of this second
embodiment, let us consider the situation where the assembly 10a of
the second embodiment could be effectively used. Let us assume
there is some work to be done in the vicinity of a railroad track
where certain repair work must be done on the rail track or
possibly new rails are being installed. There could be a wide
variety of chores to be accomplished. First, there is a requirement
for the removal and/or adding and/or repositioning of various
material such as dirt, gravel or other fill, etc. The movement of
various ground material may be more conveniently accomplished with
the ground engaging locomotion system in its operating position
with the rail which sets 254a raised.
[0155] Also, there needs to be the placement of railroad ties, or
possibly installation of some lengths of the rails themselves. With
the machine 10a being able to lift elongate pieces and orient them
at different locations, it would be a simple task for this to be
accomplished by the machine 10. To consider a rather effective way
of accomplishing this, the machine 10, instead of operating on its
ground engaging section 43a, could be moved to a position over the
rails and then lower its rail wheels to the rail engaging
position.
[0156] Let us assume, for example, that there are two continuous
steel rails which extend over a relatively long distance, and the
rear portion of these rails have been laid in their final location
along the railroad right-of-way. The portions of the rails that are
forward of the location of the machine 10a would slant from the
rail path off to the side in a very moderate curve leading away
from the center to a side location. With the machine 10a being
mounted on the rail portions already in place, the machine 10a
could progress down the track, stopping at spaced locations, and
gripping each rail and realigning that portion of the rail to its
end alignment position. When this is accomplished with two adjacent
portions of the rail, then the machine 10 could move a distance
further on the track and accomplish the same task and do this
repeatedly.
[0157] With regard to excavating or depositing material on the
track location itself, this would not be a difficult task in the
rail mounted location. However, in addition to this, it sometimes
happens that it is necessary to grade the ground that is off to one
side of the track. The ground adjacent to the track may be slanting
downwardly and away from the track. On the other hand, if one side
of the track is on or next to a hillside, then it may be necessary
to do some grading on one or both of these slopes.
[0158] The bucket 20a could be rotated ninety degrees from its
front facing position so that the open face of the bucket is facing
horizontally toward the path of travel. Also the boom 14a and arm
member 16a could be used to locate the bucket assembly 18a to be in
proximity to the slope to be graded. Then the bucket could be
rotated about the bucket axis of rotation 35a so that the front
edge of the bucket could be placed at the appropriate angular
orientation. The cab 44a would have been rotated about its axis 42a
so that the vertical plane within which the primary support member
16 and the boom 14 move could be slanted either forwardly or
rearwardly, thus changing the directional orientation of the open
face of the bucket 22a. This would allow various slants of grading
to be accomplished along side surfaces. Thus, these multiple
functions could be accomplished by one machine 10.
[0159] It is evident that various modifications could be made to
the present invention without departing from the basic teachings
thereof.
* * * * *