U.S. patent application number 13/416402 was filed with the patent office on 2012-07-26 for powered module and attachment combination.
Invention is credited to Scott Bender, Scott Svend Hendron.
Application Number | 20120186841 13/416402 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44224033 |
Filed Date | 2012-07-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120186841 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hendron; Scott Svend ; et
al. |
July 26, 2012 |
POWERED MODULE AND ATTACHMENT COMBINATION
Abstract
Various attachments (different dozer blade arrangements, a
gantry crane, large auger) are designed for use with multiple
identical powered mobile modules including a main support frame
housing an internal combustion engine as a prime mover and being
supported on either powered tracks or wheels. The modules can be
either equipped with a cab and manned or used without a cab and
controlled remotely. One or more of the mobile modules may be
equipped with a GPS unit to aid in positioning the associated
attachment.
Inventors: |
Hendron; Scott Svend;
(Dubuque, IA) ; Bender; Scott; (Des Moines,
IA) |
Family ID: |
44224033 |
Appl. No.: |
13/416402 |
Filed: |
March 9, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12652994 |
Jan 6, 2010 |
8167053 |
|
|
13416402 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
172/814 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02F 3/7622 20130101;
E02F 3/246 20130101; E02F 3/815 20130101; E21B 7/02 20130101; B66C
1/58 20130101; E02F 3/84 20130101; B66C 19/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
172/814 |
International
Class: |
E02F 3/76 20060101
E02F003/76 |
Claims
1-18. (canceled)
19. A mobile implement, comprising: first and second and third
powered mobile modules each including a main support frame,
rotatable ground supporting arrangements located at opposite sides
of and connected in supporting relationship to said main frame, and
an engine supported by the main frame for powering said module; an
attachment including a generally T-shaped frame arrangement, with a
top of the T being formed by an earth working implement having a
backside including first and second spaced apart connection
arrangements respectively connected to said first and second mobile
modules, and a rearwardly extending beam forming a stem of the T
and having a forward end joined to said backside of the earth
working implement at a location between said first and second
connection arrangements; a third connection arrangement being
connected to a rear end of said beam; and said third mobile module
being connected to said third connection arrangement.
20. The mobile implement, as defined in claim 19, wherein said
first, second and third connection arrangements are each coupled
for universal movement relative to said frame arrangement.
21. The mobile implement, as defined in claim 20, wherein said
first, second and third mobile modules are respectively equipped
with first, second and third vertically swingable boom arm
assemblies respectively having rear end regions connected to the
main frames of said first, second and third mobile modules and
having front end regions respectively connected to said first,
second and third connection arrangements.
22. The mobile implement, as defined in claim 21, wherein said
first, second and third connection arrangements each comprise a
bracket having a downwardly opening receptacle; and each of said
first, second and third swingable boom arm assemblies being
equipped with a mounting adapter shaped complementary to, and being
received within an associated one of the downwardly opening
receptacles of the respective brackets of said first, second and
third swingable boom arm assemblies.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser.
No. 12/652,994, filed Jan. 6, 2010.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to powered mobile machinery,
and, more specifically, relates to powered mobile modules that are
capable for selectively powering a variety of attachments rather
than being dedicated for performing a single task.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] There are a multitude of powered tool and powered equipment
designs wherein a base component is used to which a variety of
attachments can be selectively connected. One common example of
such powered tools is the use of a battery pack to which a number
of so called "cordless" electrically driven tools (drills, saws,
sanders, etc.) may be alternately coupled for receiving driving
power from the battery pack. The utility work machines manufactured
by the Bobcat Company are an example of powered equipment, which
utilize a base component including a powered wheel-supported main
frame, and are advertised as being adapted for being selectively
coupled to forty easy-to-change attachments.
[0004] However, there is a need for being able to provide
additional power for operating some attachments without increasing
the size of the powered mobile module.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] According to the present invention there is provided a novel
powered mobile module and attachment combination which makes it
possible for providing an increase in the amount of power available
for operating a given attachment by using a non-dedicated powered
mobile module without increasing the size of the powered
module.
[0006] An object of the invention is to provide a powered mobile
module and attachment combination wherein the attachment is
configured for being coupled to a plurality of identical powered
mobile modules.
[0007] In a first embodiment, the attachment is in the form of a
dozer blade having first and second mounting brackets respectively
secured to opposite end locations of the backside of the dozer
blade, with main support frames of first and second powered mobile
modules being respectively connected to the first and second
mounting brackets.
[0008] A second embodiment is provided which utilizes two powered
mobile modules like the first embodiment, but instead of having two
connection assemblies on the backside of the dozer blade, only a
single connection assembly is provided and it is located midway
between opposite ends of the blade while the second is provided in
fore-and-aft alignment with the first connection assembly at a
backside of a cross beam secured to rear ends of a pair of side
beams having forward ends secured to the backside of the blade at
locations adjacent opposite ends of the blade.
[0009] A third embodiment is provided which is like the first
embodiment but additionally includes a fore-and-aft extending beam
having a forward end fixed to a central location of the backside of
the dozer blade, and having a rear end to which a third connection
assembly is secured, with the main frame of a third powered mobile
module having a forward end connected to the third connection
assembly.
[0010] A fourth embodiment is provided, wherein the attachment is
also a dozer blade, but, in this case two connection assemblies are
secured to transversely spaced locations at opposite sides of a
middle location on the backside of the dozer blade, and a framework
is secured to the backside of the blade so as to form an enclosed
rectangular zone behind each of the two adaptors, with a backside
of the framework supporting two more connection assemblies
respectively in fore-and-aft alignment with the first two
connection assemblies, whereby four separate powered, mobile base
components may respectively be secured to the four connection
assemblies.
[0011] In a fourth embodiment, the attachment is in the form of a
gantry crane including a transverse guide beam having opposite ends
respectively fixed to the main frames of a pair of powered, mobile
modules by respective vertical mounting plates. An object handling
apparatus is mounted for traveling along said transverse guide
beam.
[0012] In a fifth embodiment, the attachment is in the form of a
large auger including an elevated support beam having a middle
location connected in supporting relationship to a vertical auger.
Opposite ends of the support beam are respectively coupled to the
frames of first and second powered mobile modules, with the modules
facing in opposite directions so that by driving them both in a
forward direction about a circular path they effect rotation of the
auger.
[0013] The powered mobile modules used in all of the foregoing
embodiments are constructed in a skid-steer form having either
tracks or tires, and can be used in either a manned mode, in which
case a cab is mounted to the module, or an unmanned mode, wherein
no cab is required but the control system must be placed in a
robotic or autonomous mode, with control signals being sent from a
remote location or from a manned module.
[0014] The foregoing and other objects will be apparent from a
reading of the ensuing description together with the appended
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a right front perspective view looking downward at
a powered mobile module having tracks and being constructed in
accordance with the principles of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 2 is right side view of the module shown in FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a view like that of FIG. 2, but showing the module
equipped with tires instead of tracks.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a side view like that of FIG. 2 with the module
being equipped with a cab and with a lift boom arrangement carrying
an attachment mounting apparatus at its forward end.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a right rear perspective view showing a first
dozer blade embodiment to which a pair of powered modules equipped
with a lift boom arrangement and attachment mounting apparatus like
that shown in FIG. 4 may be attached in side-by-side relationship
to each other.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a schematic left side view of the dozer blade
shown in FIG. 5 together with two powered mobile modules connected
to the dozer blade, with the boom arms of the right module being
lowered and the boom arms of the left module being raised such that
the blade is tilted with its left end elevated above its right
end.
[0021] FIG. 7 is a right rear perspective view showing a second
dozer blade embodiment to which a pair of powered modules equipped
like that shown in FIG. 4 may be attached in fore-and-aft alignment
with each other.
[0022] FIG. 8 is a schematic right side view showing the dozer
blade of FIG. 7 attached to the front of boom arrangement provided
on each of a pair of powered modules, with the dozer blade being
shown in a position wherein it is lowered onto the ground in front
of the front powered module and pitched forward.
[0023] FIG. 9 is a view like that of FIG. 8, but showing the blade
in a raised, rearwardly pitched position.
[0024] FIG. 10 is view like that of FIG. 7, but showing the blade
in a raised, level position.
[0025] FIG. 11 is a right rear perspective view of a third dozer
blade embodiment to which a side-by-side pair of powered mobile
modules may be connected along with a third powered module located
equidistant from, and behind the side-by-side pair.
[0026] FIG. 12 is a schematic top view of the blade shown in FIG.
11 being connected to the forward ends of boom arrangements
respectively mounted to the three powered mobile modules, with the
blade being shown in a position perpendicular to a common direction
of travel of the mobile modules.
[0027] FIG. 13 is similar to FIG. 12, but showing the blade angled
relative to the direction of travel.
[0028] FIG. 14 is a right rear perspective view showing a fourth
dozer blade embodiment to which first and second pairs of powered
modules may be attached in fore-and-aft alignment with each
other.
[0029] FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view of a gantry crane
showing opposite ends of the transverse beam of the crane
respectively supported by a pair of powered mobile modules.
[0030] FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view of a large vertical
auger having oppositely extending arms respectively coupled to a
pair of powered mobile modules traveling in opposite directions so
as to rotate the auger.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0031] Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in
detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in
its application to the details of construction and the arrangement
of components set forth in the following description or illustrated
in the following drawings. The invention is capable of being
carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the
phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of
description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of
"including, "comprising" or "having" and variations thereof herein
is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents
thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited
otherwise, the terms "mounted", "connected", "supported" and
"coupled" and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass
both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports and
couplings.
[0032] As should also be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the
art, although no specific systems are shown in the figures, there
are various systems available in the prior art which are suitable
for use with the disclosed vehicles and implements. Remote control
of unmanned modules is capable of being implemented in software
executed by a microprocessor or a similar device, or of being
implemented in hardware using a variety of components including,
for example, application specific integrated circuits ("ASICS").
Terms like "processor" and "controller" may include or refer to
hardware and/or software. While a control-area network (CAN) bus is
mentioned as an example of a communication network in the following
embodiments, these embodiments can also utilize other networks,
such as a wireless network. Thus, the claims should not be limited
to specific examples or terminology or to any specific hardware or
software implementation or combination of software or hardware.
[0033] Furthermore, although the illustrated embodiment
contemplates application of the invention to skid steer machines,
the invention may be applied to other power machines.
[0034] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a powered
mobile module 10 for forming a base part of a skid steer vehicle.
The module 10 includes a generally shoe-shaped main support frame
12 mounted on right and left endless tracks 14 and 16,
respectively, or on right and left pairs of front and rear wheels
18 and 20, respectively, as shown in FIG. 3. The tracks 14 and 16,
or pairs of wheels 18 and 20 are conventionally driven by hydraulic
motors (one motor 22 being shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 coupled to a
track drive sprocket 24 for driving the right track 14)
incorporated in a hydraulic system powered by an internal
combustion engine 26, shown schematically in FIG. 2, that is
located in an engine compartment 30 provided in a rear region of
the frame 12. The engine compartment 30 is defined by a curved wall
arrangement connected to the frame 12 rearward of the engine 26,
the compartment 30 containing an oil cooler, radiator and fan (not
shown), with the engine being coupled for driving the fan for
drawing cooling air in through louvers 32 at the top rear of
compartment and a screen 34 at the rear of the compartment 30.
[0035] The frame 12 includes transversely spaced, fore-and-aft
extending, right and left vertical side walls 36 and 38,
respectively, having forward ends joined by an upright front wall
39, The side walls 36 and 38 each have an upper edge which includes
an elevated, generally horizontal upper rear section 40 joined to a
generally horizontal lower front section 42 by a downwardly and
forwardly angled section 44. Right and left pairs of horizontal
support pads 46 are joined to, and extend inwardly towards each
other from rear regions of the lower front edge sections 42, while
similar pairs of support pads 48 and 50, respectively, are joined
to middle and front regions of the edge sections 42. A support
plate 52, shaped similarly in side view to the upper edges of the
side walls 36 and 38, extends between and is supported by the side
walls 36 and 38, with the plate 52 containing right and left
coupling arrangements 54 and 56, respectively, adapted for being
coupled to controls (not shown) for controlling operation of
various components associated with the module 10 including the
engine 26 and drive train for the tracks 14 and 16.
[0036] Referring now to FIG. 4, it can be seen that an operator's
cab 60 is mounted on the module 10. The cab 60 would normally
contain a seat and controls (not shown) operable by a seated
operator for controlling operation of the engine, tracks and
attached implements. Controls particularly suitable for use in the
present invention would be electro-hydraulic controls which are
coupled for sending signals to various proportional control valves
for effecting operation of right and left hydraulic drive motors
for the propulsion tracks 14 and 16, or right and left sets of
wheels 18 and 20 for selectively causing straight ahead, right or
left turning or reverse operations. Electrical signals would be
proportional to the amount of movement manually imparted to lever
controls including joystick controls, for example. It is further
noted that the module 10 would be equipped with an on-board
computer and a remote control unit permitting the module 10 to
remotely control another module or to be controlled remotely by
another module. For this purpose, each remote control unit would be
provided with an aerial for transmitting a radio signal to a
receiver forming part of an electro-hydraulic control system of the
module. Such an arrangement is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
6,283,220, granted to Carter on Sep. 4, 2001.
[0037] Mounted to the module 10 is a lift boom arrangement 70
including boom arms 72 positioned on each side of the module 10 by
way of a linkage arrangement 74. A mounting adapter 76 extends
transversely across the front ends of the arms 72 and includes a
pair of upright holders 78 each defined by a pair of parallel,
transversely spaced plates between which the arms 72 are
respectively received, with a pivotal connection being made between
lower regions of the holders 78 and the arms 72. The mounting
adapter 76 further includes a horizontal elongate bar 80 which
extends between and is joined to upper forward regions of the
holders 78, and a tilt cylinder 82 is coupled between each boom arm
72 and holder 78 for selectively tilting the mounting adapter 76
about its pivotal mounting with the arms 72. The boom arms 72 and
the linkage arrangement 74 are generally identical on both the left
and right sides of the module 10. Therefore, only the structure on
the right side of the module 10 will be described in detail
below.
[0038] The linkage arrangement 74 is designed so that the mounting
adapter 76 will describe a near vertical path of movement within a
lower portion of a normal operating range of vertical movement of
the boom arms 72, the significance of this near vertical movement
having an apparent advantage when used in conjunction with some of
the attachments described below. Specifically, the linkage
arrangement 74 includes bottom and top link members 84 and 86. The
bottom link member 84 has a forward end coupled to a bracket 88
fixed to a middle portion of the right side wall 36 of the module
10, and has a rear end connected to a lower rear end location of
right boom arm 72. The top link member 86 has a front end pivotally
coupled to an upper end of a right vertical support post 90 having
a bottom end fixed to the right frame side wall 36 just to the rear
of the cab 60. A rear end of the link member 86 is pivotally
coupled to an upper rear region of the right boom arm 72. An
extensible and retractable hydraulic actuator 92 is coupled between
the bracket 88 and a rear region of the right boom arm 72, the arm
72 being lowered when the actuator is retracted, a shown in FIG. 4,
and raised when the actuator is extended.
[0039] Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown an attachment in the
form of a first dozer blade arrangement 100 wherein an elongate
blade 101 forms its own carrying frame and has a rear side having
opposite end regions respectively to which a pair of brackets 102
are each attached through the agency of a ball joint assembly 104.
The brackets 102 are constructed as a formed plate having a
vertical rectangular central portion 106 having a horizontal top
edge joined to a downwardly and rearwardly inclined top flange 108,
which together with the vertical portion defines a downwardly
opening receptacle having an inverted V shape in side view. The
central portion 106 of each bracket 102 has a horizontal bottom
edge which is joined to a bottom flange 110, the latter containing
at least one vertical opening (not shown) for receiving a locking
element (not shown) carried by the mounting adapter 76. Although
the components could be reversed, it is noted that the ball joint
assembly 104 is arranged with the ball fixed to, and projecting
forwardly from a central location of the central portion 106 of
each of the brackets 102, with a corresponding ball receptacle
being fixed to the back side of the dozer blade 101.
[0040] Referring now to the schematic view illustrated in FIG. 6 of
the dozer blade 101 mounted to the boom arms 72 of first and second
mobile powered modules 10, it can be seen that the boom arms 72 are
respectively coupled to the pair of brackets 102 provided at the
back side of the dozer blade arrangement 100, with the respective
elongate bars 80 of the adapters 76 being received within an
associated one of the V-shaped receptacles defined by the top
flanges 108 of the brackets 102. The bottoms of the adapters 76 are
located above the bottom flange 110 and is secured thereto by the
locking element carried by the adapter 76. As illustrated, the boom
arms 72 of the right module 10 are in a lowered position wherein
the right end of the blade 101 is resting on the ground, while the
boom arms 72 of the left module 10 are raised a small amount
thereby elevating the left end of the blade 100 above the right end
of the blade. It will be appreciated that this tilting movement of
the blade 100 is facilitated by the ball joint assemblies 104. The
blade 101 may be pitched forwardly by operation of the tilt
cylinders 86 so as to pivot the adapters 76 forwardly about their
connections with the boom arms 72.
[0041] Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown a second dozer blade
arrangement 120 including a rectangular frame 122 having its
forward end defined by the blade 101, opposite, transversely spaced
sides defined by fore-and-aft extending side beams 124 having their
forward ends joined to opposite end locations of the backside of
the dozer blade 101 and their rear ends joined to a cross beam 126.
Front and rear mounting brackets 102 are respectively fixed to
centered locations between opposite ends of the blade 101 and
between opposite ends of the cross beam 126, with each of these
brackets being fixed through the agency of a ball joint assembly
104.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown a schematic side view of
a pair of powered modules 10 carrying boom arms 72 equipped with
adapters 76 that are connected to the brackets 102. The front
module 10 is here shown with its associated boom arms 72 in a
lowered position, while the arms 72 of the rear module 10 are
raised to a considerable height resulting in the blade 101 being
located on the ground and pitched forwardly. FIG. 9 is a view
similar to that of FIG. 8, but here the boom arms 72 of the rear
module 10 are lowered while the boom arms 72 of the front module 10
are raised. This results in the blade 101 being raised and pitched
back. FIG. 10 is a view similar to that of FIG. 8, but here the
boom arms 72 of both the front and rear modules 10 are raised an
equal amount resulting in the blade 101 being raised and disposed
in a level, non-tilted position.
[0043] A third dozer blade arrangement 130 is shown in FIG. 11
wherein the blade 101 has right and left bracket assemblies 102
respectively coupled to locations adjacent right and left ends of
the blade 101 by the agency of right and left ball joint assemblies
104. A third bracket assembly 102 is similarly connected to a rear
end of a central beam 132 having its forward end secured to a
central location of the backside of the blade 101 equidistant from
the right and left bracket assemblies 102. It is noted that blade
pitching operations can be accomplished in a manner similar to that
described above with reference to FIGS. 8, 9 and 10.
[0044] FIG. 12 is a schematic top view of the blade arrangement 130
shown coupled to the adapters 76 carried by the boom arms 72
respectively carried by the right and left powered modules 10, and
with a third powered module similarly connected to the rear bracket
assembly 102, the three powered modules 10 being shown travelling
in straight parallel paths, with the front modules being
side-by-side and the blade 101 being shown disposed perpendicular
to these paths. FIG. 13 is similar to FIG. 12, but here the right
module 10 is shown ahead of the left module, with the blade being
angled relative to the paths of travel of the three modules.
[0045] It is noted that a single operator can control operation of
all three modules 10, as configured in FIGS. 12 and 13, with the
operator preferably being located on the rearmost module 10 since
the front two modules 10 can be easily observed from the rearmost
module. An angle sensor (not shown) could be placed at the ball
joint 104 at the connection of the rear bracket 102 with the
central beam 132 for sensing the angle the beam 132 makes relative
to a direction of travel of the rearmost module, this angle being
the same as the angle the blade 101 makes to a line perpendicular
to the direction of travel. The manned module 10 would be equipped
with a computer and a display for displaying a desired orientation
of the blade 101 relative to the direction of travel of the
modules. Assuming the desired orientation of the blade 101 is that
shown in FIG. 12, then an operator will look at the display and
select a mode of operation wherein only the appropriate one of the
forward modules 10 receives a driving signal for causing that
module to move forward until the measured angle equals zero. Then
an operation mode is selected for effecting simultaneous forward
driving of all of the modules. If it is then desired to angle the
blade 101 as shown in FIG. 13, the operator selects a mode of
operation wherein only the right module 10 receives a driving
signal with the rear module 10 being placed in a neutral condition
and the left module braked, whereby the blade 101 is caused to
rotate about its connection with the left module 10. When the
display indicates that the blade 101 is in the position illustrated
in FIG. 13, then a mode of operation is selected which results in
each of the modules receiving the same driving signals. Signals may
be transmitted by an appropriate wiring harness or by wireless
means.
[0046] FIG. 14 shows a fourth dozer blade arrangement 140 wherein
the blade 101 forms the forward end of a frame arrangement
including right and left side beams 142 having their forward ends
respectively joined to right and left backside locations adjacent
opposite ends of the blade 101. A central beam 144 extends parallel
to the side beams 142 and has its forward end fixed to the blade
101. Rear ends of the side beams 142 and central beam 144 are
joined together by a cross beam 146. Mounted, through the agency of
a first ball joint assembly 104, to the backside of the blade 101
at a central location between the left side beam 142 and the
central beam 144 is a front left mounting bracket assembly 102,
while a front right mounting bracket assembly 102 is similarly
mounted to the backside of the blade 102 at a central location
between the central beam 144 and the right side beam 142. Rear
right and left mounting bracket assemblies 102 are respectively
mounted to backside locations of the cross beam 146 which are
respectively in fore-and-aft alignment with the front right and
left mounting bracket assemblies 102.
[0047] It will be appreciated that four power modules 10, each
equipped with boom arms 72, could be respectively connected to the
four bracket assemblies 102 carried by the blade arrangement 140
and that blade pitch operations could be performed in the same
manner described with reference to FIGS. 8-10, except here the
front and rear pairs of modules 10 are respectively operated to
perform the same as the single front and rear modules 10 shown in
FIG. 7.
[0048] It is to be understood that the dozer blade arrangement 100
is only representative of a variety of earth working tools which
would find utility in arrangements similar to those of the
above-described dozer attachment. For example, other earth working
tools such as scarifiers, rippers, box scrapers or the like, could
be used instead of the dozer blade 101. Further, it is t be noted
that, for some of the blade arrangements, the brackets 102 could be
mounted to adapters 76 mounted directly to the front of the module
frame 12. It is also to be noted that the universal connections 104
may not be needed for some dozer blade operations, such as fine
grading, for example, but otherwise perform to provide desired
flexibility when two or more of the modules are coupled to a given
rigid frame, noting that frame sections could be interconnected by
universal joints to achieve the desired flexibility.
[0049] Referring now to FIG. 15, there is shown an attachment in
the form of a gantry crane arrangement 150 including a frame
arrangement defined by an elongate guide beam 152 having opposite
ends to which are fixed top regions of vertical, right and left
support posts 154 and 156. The guide beam 152 is disposed at right
angles to longitudinal centerlines of right and left power modules
10 with a lower end region of the right support post 154 being
fixed to a left, forward region of the main frame 12 of the right
powered module 10, and with a lower end region of the left support
post 156 being fixed to a right, forward region of the main frame
12 of the left powered module 10. The guide beam 152 is here shown
as being a tube having a rectangular cross section, with the bottom
side of the beam being provided with a guide slot (not shown)
extending lengthwise of the beam. A carriage or trolley 158
includes a body (not shown) located within the beam 152 and joined
to a top edge of a vertical plate 160 projecting downwardly from
the body through the slot in the beam. Located within the beam 152
and projecting horizontally through and secured to the plate 160
are right and left axles, each having rollers mounted on their
opposite ends such that pairs of rollers respectively on first and
second ends of the axles engage the top surface of the bottom side
of the beam 152 at opposite sides of the slot. Located within the
beam 152 is a length of roller chain 162 looped about an idler
sprocket 164 mounted for rotation about a vertical shaft 166 fixed
within an upper side of the beam, and about a drive sprocket 168
fixed to a vertical drive shaft of a hydraulic motor 170 mounted to
a top, right end region of the beam.
[0050] A hoist arrangement 172 includes a motor 174 pivotally
suspended from the plate 160, with a length of an elongate,
flexible hoist element 176, such as a cable or chain, forming a
length-adjustable loop extending about a spool or pulley
arrangement coupled for being driven by the motor, and a further
spool or pulley arrangement associated with a supporting body 178.
Pivotally suspended from the body 178 is an upper end of a motor
housing 180 containing a hydraulic motor (not shown) having an
output shaft disposed in axial alignment with, and coupled for
effecting selective rotation of, a cylindrical support member 182.
Mounted to the bottom of the support member 182 are right and left
grapple arms 184 and 186, respectively, with the arm 184 being
substantially semi-circular and having one end fixed across the
bottom of the support member 182, and with the arm 186 being
substantially L-shaped and having an end of its long leg pivotally
attached to the grapple arm 184 at a location adjacent the support
member 182. An extensible and retractable hydraulic actuator 188 is
coupled between an upper region of the support member 182 and the
grapple arm 186 at a location where the long and short legs of the
L are joined.
[0051] The grapple arms 184 and 186 are here shown clamped onto a
length of pipe 190 here being shown disposed in alignment with a
centerline 192 of a previously placed length of pipe 194. A GPS
receiver 196 is mounted on the center of the beam 152 and receives
position information which can be used with other information for
the precise orientation of the pipe 190. It is to be understood
that the use of a grapple attachment with the crane arrangement is
illustrative only and that other material handling attachments
could be used.
[0052] Referring now to FIG. 16, there is shown an attachment in
the form of a large auger arrangement 200 including a frame
arrangement defined by a pair of tubular arms 202 and 204,
respectively, having elongate axially aligned horizontal sections
206 and 208 including first ends respectively received within, and
fixed to, horizontal cylindrical sleeves 210 and 212 projecting
oppositely from, and being fixed to a vertical cylindrical stem
guide 214 which is tubular and is provided with internal splines
(not shown). Opposite second ends of the horizontal sections 206
and 208 of the arms 202 and 204 are respectively joined to
relatively short vertical sections 216 and 218 each having a lower
end secured to a mounting arrangement 220 including the mounting
bracket assembly 102. First and second powered modules 10 are each
equipped with a mounting adapter 76 at their forward ends which is
secured to a respective mounting bracket assembly 102 forming a
part of the mounting arrangement 220. If desired, the mounting
adapter 76 could be carried at the forward end of a loader boom
assembly 70 such as that shown in FIG. 4. In any event, the two
powered modules 10 are oriented for traveling in opposite
directions, with the directions shown here being along a circular
path 232 when operating the auger arrangement for making a
cylindrical hole in the ground, as described below in further
detail.
[0053] An auger 234 includes an elongate central shaft or stem 236
having a bit 238 fixed to its lower end and helical flighting 240
secured to a lower end region of the stem. An upper end region of
the stem 236 is provided with external splines 242 shaped
complementary to, and being received for sliding within the
internal splines of the stem guide 214. Fixed to the top of the
stem 236 is a horizontal, cylinder mounting yoke 244, with a pair
of vertically disposed, extensible and retractable hydraulic
actuators 246 and 248 having rod ends respectively connected to the
sleeves 210 and 212, and having cylinder barrels rigidly connected
to opposite ends of the yoke 244. Thus, the auger 234 can be
adjusted up and down by the actuators 246 and 248. Auxiliary
hydraulic connections (not shown) are provided on the modules 10
with one set of the connections being coupled to the hydraulic
actuators 246 and 248 by suitable hoses routed along one or the
other of the frame arms 202 and 204.
[0054] Power for rotating the auger 234 is provided by the first
and second powered modules 10, which are driven in opposite
directions about the circular path 232, with clockwise rotation
advancing the auger 234 into the ground and counterclockwise
rotation retracting the auger from the ground. A GPS unit 250 is
mounted to the top of the cylinder mounting yoke 204 so as to be
vertically aligned with the auger stem 236. It is possible then to
use the GPS unit 250 to provide a signal for allowing an operator
of one of the powered module units 10 to position the auger for
drilling a vertical hole at a desired location.
[0055] In operation, the module units 10 are driven using the
output of the GPS unit 250 as a guide so as to place the auger 234
in vertical alignment with a location on the ground where a hole is
desired. The auger 234 is then placed into ground contact by
actuating the actuators 246 and 248 so as to extend the piston rods
within the cylinders by pressurizing the top sides of the pistons.
A pressure regulator (not shown) may be used to maintain a
preselected down pressure on the auger 234 as the module units 10
are simultaneously driven along the circular path 232, thereby
effecting rotation of the auger 234 in the clockwise direction.
After forming the hole, the auger 234 may be raised out of the hole
by pressurizing the bottom sides of the pistons of the actuators
while exhausting fluid from the tops of the actuators. Further, it
is noted that in installations where the arms 202 and 2044 are
supported by boom arms 72, it is possible that the auger stem 236
can be constructed to accept an additional section or sections of
stem located above the auger flighting 240 in order to be able to
make deeper holes if desired, with the boom arms 72 being raised to
accommodate the longer stem length and then placed in a float
condition to permit the arms to lower as the auger is turned to
make the hole deeper.
[0056] Having described the preferred embodiment, it will become
apparent that 10 various modifications can be made without
departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the
accompanying claims.
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