U.S. patent application number 13/503566 was filed with the patent office on 2012-08-16 for pallet fork implement for work machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANY. Invention is credited to Jaroslav Fiser, Troy D. Kraft.
Application Number | 20120207576 13/503566 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43304038 |
Filed Date | 2012-08-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120207576 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kraft; Troy D. ; et
al. |
August 16, 2012 |
PALLET FORK IMPLEMENT FOR WORK MACHINE
Abstract
A pallet fork implement is configured to be mounted on a blade
of a power machine. The pallet fork implement includes an
engagement portion for engaging the blade of the power machine, and
a tine portion for performing a work function. The tine portion is
configured to extend generally forward of the blade when the
engagement portion is engaged with the blade. The engagement
portion of the pallet fork implement is a unitary assembly.
Inventors: |
Kraft; Troy D.; (Bismarck,
ND) ; Fiser; Jaroslav; (Pribram, CZ) |
Assignee: |
CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANY
West Fargo
ND
|
Family ID: |
43304038 |
Appl. No.: |
13/503566 |
Filed: |
October 21, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
October 21, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US10/53508 |
371 Date: |
April 23, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61253735 |
Oct 21, 2009 |
|
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|
61254000 |
Oct 22, 2009 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
414/785 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02F 3/968 20130101;
E02F 3/962 20130101; E02F 3/8152 20130101; B66F 9/144 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
414/785 |
International
Class: |
E02F 3/96 20060101
E02F003/96 |
Claims
1. A pallet fork implement configured to be mounted on a blade of a
power machine, comprising: an engagement portion for engaging the
blade of the power machine; a tine portion for performing a work
function, the tine portion configured to extend generally forward
of the blade when the engagement portion is engaged with the blade;
and wherein the engagement portion is a unitary assembly.
2. The pallet fork implement of claim 1, wherein the engagement
portion has a first contact area configured to contact a lip of the
blade when the engagement portion is engaged with the blade, and a
second contact area configured to contact an upper surface of the
blade adjacent to the lip of the blade when the engagement portion
is engaged with the blade.
3. The pallet fork implement of claim 2, wherein the first and
second contact areas are substantially orthogonal to one
another.
4. The pallet fork implement of claim 2, wherein the upper surface
of the blade with which the second contact area is configured to
contact is an upper surface of a moldboard of the blade.
5. The pallet fork implement of claim 2, wherein the engagement
portion has a third contact area configured to contact a cutting
edge of the blade when the engagement portion is engaged with the
blade.
6. The pallet fork implement of claim 5, wherein the engagement
portion includes a face surface extending between the second
engagement surface and the third engagement surface, and wherein
the engagement portion is configured such that the face surface is
not in contact with the blade when the engagement portion is
engaged with the blade.
7. The pallet fork implement of claim 6, wherein the engagement
portion includes a protrusion below the face surface, wherein the
protrusion provides the third contact area.
8. The pallet fork implement of claim 5, wherein the engagement
portion has a retention member adjacent the first engagement
surface and positioned opposing the second engagement surface, and
wherein when the first, second and third contact area are in
contact with the blade, the retention member is substantially not
in contact with the implement carrier.
9. A power machine having a frame and a blade operably coupled to
the frame, the blade configured to carry the pallet fork implement
of claim 1.
10. The power machine of claim 9, wherein the blade is configured
to carry a plurality of pallet fork implements concurrently.
11. The power machine of claim 9 and further comprising a lift arm
coupled to the blade and pivotally coupled to the frame and wherein
the lift arm is further coupled to a power source capable of moving
the lift arm relative to the frame.
12. The power machine of claim 10 and further comprising a storage
structure attached to the frame configured to retain the pallet
fork implements in a storage position.
13. The power machine of claim 12, wherein the storage structure
includes a plurality of pairs of brackets attached to the frame,
and wherein each pair of brackets is configured to retain a
separate pallet fork implement in the storage position.
14. The power machine of claim 12, wherein the storage structure is
configured to accept the work portion of each of the plurality of
pallet fork implements when the plurality of implements are
retained in the storage position.
15. The power machine of claim 14, wherein when the plurality of
pallet fork implements are retained in the storage position, the
engagement portions of each of the plurality of implements are
coupled together.
16. An implement, comprising: an engagement portion for engaging a
portion of a host implement that is attached to a power machine by
hanging over a portion of the host implement and abutting generally
planar portions of the host implement, wherein the host implement
is free from actuable mechanisms for locking the host implement to
the engagement portion; a work portion for performing a work
function; and wherein the engagement portion is a unitary assembly.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present discussion relates to a work implement for a
power machine such as an excavator. In particular, the present
discussion relates to pallet fork implements or attachments which
can be mounted or engaged on a blade of a power machine and which
can be stowed in a carrier system attached to or proximate an
undercarriage of the power machine.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Forklifts are commonly used to lift pallets and other loads.
Forklifts include pallet forks that engage a pallet or other load
to be lifted, allowing a lift mechanism of the fork lift to lift
the load in a stabilized manner. It is frequently too costly and
otherwise inconvenient to have a forklift available at a worksite,
particularly since the need for the forklift may be temporary,
short term, and/or otherwise infrequent.
[0003] To reduce the need for a separate forklift vehicle at a
worksite, pallet forks have been fixedly attached to other
implements or attachments of power machines. For example, pallet
forks have been attached to buckets for this purpose. To accomplish
the attachment of pallet forks to a bucket or other type of
attachments, some sort of mounting structure on the host attachment
is used to engage with the pallet forks to fixedly attach the forks
to the host attachment. This type of mounting structure adds cost
and complexity to the power machine, to the host attachment, and/or
to the pallet fork implement.
[0004] In at least some instances, pallet fork assemblies that are
designed to engage attachments of a power machine have required
adjustability to work with a variety of host attachments. They have
also required fastening mechanisms that are used to secure the
pallet fork assemblies to the implement. The need for adjustable
pallet fork implements and/or the need for the pallet fork
implements to include fastening mechanisms can increase
manufacturing costs, manufacturing complexity, installation time,
etc.
[0005] The discussion above is merely provided for general
background information and is not intended to be used as an aid in
determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
SUMMARY
[0006] A pallet fork implement is configured to be mounted on a
blade of a power machine. The pallet fork attachment includes an
engagement portion for engaging the blade of the power machine, and
a tine portion for performing a work function. The tine portion is
configured to extend generally forward of the blade when the
engagement portion is engaged with the blade. The engagement
portion of the pallet fork implement is a unitary assembly.
[0007] This Summary and the Abstract are provided to introduce a
selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further
described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary and the
Abstract are not intended to identify key features or essential
features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be
used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject
matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a power machine having a
host blade attachment or implement that receives a pallet fork
implement in accordance with disclosed embodiments.
[0009] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the power machine of FIG.
1, with pallet fork implements mounted on the host blade
attachment.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of portions of an undercarriage
of a power machine, such as the one shown in FIG. 1, illustrating
pallet fork implements in both mounted and stowed positions.
[0011] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate top and side views of an
embodiment of the pallet fork implement.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a rear view illustration of a portion of the power
machine of FIG. 1, with a pair of pallet fork implements in a
stowed position.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic side view of the pallet fork
implement in position to be accepted onto a host blade attachment
shown in cross section, illustrating features of the pallet fork
attachment that aid in installation and use.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic side view of the pallet fork
attachment accepted onto a host blade attachment shown in
cross-section, illustrating features of the pallet fork attachment
that aid in installation and use.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a power machine
100. For illustrative purposes, power machine 100 is shown to be a
self-propelled power excavator that has a chassis or undercarriage
102 and an upper rotatable frame 104. However, power machine 100
need not be an excavator, but can instead be other types of power
machine. Undercarriage 102 includes a lower frame 106 and a pair of
support surface engaging track assemblies 108 that are attached to
the lower frame 106 and driven with a suitable drive arrangement,
such as with hydraulic drive motors. Upper rotatable frame 104
supports a pivotally mounted two-section boom-arm structure 110,
which illustratively includes both a boom section 111 and an arm
section 113, capable of having an implement 112 (a bucket is shown
in FIG. 1) attached to an outer end thereof. The sections of
boom-arm structure 110 are illustratively operated with actuators
shown generally at 114 for moving the boom and arm sections about
horizontal pivots. Implement 112 is also operated with an actuator
116 to allow for pivotable movement of the implement 112 with
respect to the arm section 113. Upper rotatable frame 104 also
includes an operator compartment 118 and a housing 120 for an
engine for providing power to the suitable drive arrangement that
drives the pair of ground engaging track assemblies 108. A
plurality of actuation devices (not shown in FIG. 1) are positioned
within the operator compartment 118 to allow an operator to control
functions of the machine including, for example, the drive function
and manipulation of the boom-arm structure 110 and the implement
112. Although this and other power machines illustrated in this
discussion are power machines with operator compartments capable of
carrying an operator, it should be appreciated that the embodiments
discussed herein can be incorporated into various other power
machines, including walk behind machines.
[0016] The power machine 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 also includes an
implement assembly 122, which is operably coupled to the lower
frame 106. The implement assembly 122 illustratively includes a
pair of lift arms 124 that are rotatably coupled to the lower frame
106 at pivot points 126. A pair of actuators 128 is also coupled to
the lower frame 106 and lift arms 124. A blade 130 is
illustratively coupled to the lift arms 124. In one embodiment, the
blade 130 is fixedly attached to each of the lift arms 124. Other
arrangements are contemplated. For example, the blade 130 can
alternatively be attached to an attachment mechanism such as a
cross member (not shown) that is in turn attached to the lift arms.
Alternatively still, the blade 130 can be pivotally attached to the
lift arms 124. The actuators 128 are capable of rotating the lift
arms 124 with respect to the lower frame 106 to raise and lower the
blade 130. While FIG. 1 shows two actuators 128, alternatively, a
single actuator may be employed to control the angular position of
the lift arms 124 with respect to the lower frame 106.
[0017] FIG. 1A illustrates power machine 100, with a pair of pallet
forks 230 engaged with the blade 130 so that the pallet forks 230
hang from the blade 130 when mounted thereto. For the purposes of
this discussion, the blade 130 is a host implement or implement
carrier that is capable of receiving one or more pallet forks 230.
The pallet forks 230 are an illustrative example of an implement
that can be attached to or engaged with the host implement, in this
illustration, blade 130. Other implements besides forks or pallet
forks capable of being engaged with a host implement are
contemplated. While the forks 230 are described as pallet forks
with reference to this and other figures, it should be appreciated
that forks 230 can engage and support other structures besides
pallets and the use of the term pallet fork should in no way be
construed to limit the interpretation of forks 230 to that of being
able to engage only pallets.
[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates an undercarriage 200 similar to the
undercarriage 102 illustrated in FIG. 1. Undercarriage 200 is
configured to accept and be operably coupled to an upper rotatable
frame of the type illustrated in FIG. 1. The undercarriage 200
includes a frame 202 to which a pair of support surface engaging
track assemblies 204 are coupled. A pair of lift arms 206 (e.g.,
corresponding to lift arms 124 in FIGS. 1 and 1A) are rotatably
coupled to the frame 202 at pivot points 208 and extend from the
frame 202 on one side thereof. A cross member 210 is positioned
between and attached to each of the lift arms 206. A bracket 212
extends from the cross member 210 and is configured to accept and
be secured to an actuator (not shown in FIG. 2) of the type that is
capable of controlling the rotational position of the lift arms
206. Frame 202 also has a bracket 214, which is likewise capable of
accepting and being secured to the actuator. A blade 216 (e.g.,
corresponding to blade 130 shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A) is
illustratively coupled to each of the lift arms 206. The blade 216
includes a generally rectangular moldboard 218, having opposing
ends 222 and 224, which is capable of engaging and pushing
material. The distance W between the opposing ends 222 and 224 is
considered to be the width of the blade 216. The blade 216 also
includes a lip 220, which extends away from the top of the
moldboard 218 and generally toward the frame 202 along all or
substantially all of the width W of the blade 216. A cutting edge
226 extends along a bottom of the moldboard 218 along all or
substantially all of the width W of the blade 216. The cutting edge
226 is illustratively an edge of the moldboard 218. Alternatively,
the cutting edge is a piece of material that is fastened, removably
or otherwise, to the moldboard 218. Like FIG. 1A, a pair of pallet
forks 230 is shown engaged with the blade 216, although it is to be
understood one or more than two pallet forks 230 can be engaged
with blade 216 as may be advantageous to perform a particular
function. References herein to engagement of pallet forks 230 with
blade 218 should be interpreted as engaging in the same manner with
similar blade embodiments, such as blade 130 shown in FIGS. 1 and
1A.
[0019] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate the pallet forks 230. For the
purposes of this discussion, the pallet forks 230 in particular and
implements of the type that can engage a host implement in general
illustratively include an engagement portion and a work portion.
The pallet forks 230 include an engagement or mounting portion 232
and a work portion in the form of a tine 234, which extends from
the mounting portion 232 at a departure angle 236. Departure angle
236 is generally an obtuse angle, but any advantageous departure
angle can be employed. The tine 234 has a length L that is
advantageous for engaging pallets or other objects that may be
carried on one or more pallet forks 230 when they are engaged with
blade 216. The tine 234 has a tapered end 235, which allows the
tine to more easily engage objects that it is employed to lift. The
tines 234 of pallet forks 230 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B are
illustrative in nature and any acceptable shape, length, thickness,
or width may be employed without departing from the scope of the
discussion.
[0020] The mounting portion 232 includes an engagement structure
248 for engaging the blade 216 illustrated in FIG. 2. The
engagement structure includes a lip engagement member 238. The lip
engagement member 238 is shaped to allow the pallet fork to engage
the lip 220 of blade 216. A face 240 extends between the lip 220
and the cutting edge 226 of the blade when the pallet fork 230 is
coupled to the blade 216. It is not necessary, however, for the
face 240 to conform to the shape of the moldboard 216. The
engagement structure 248 also includes a protrusion 242, which is
configured to engage the cutting edge 226 by resting against the
cutting edge to provide some support between the pallet fork 230
and the blade 216.
[0021] Because the blade 216 has a lip 220 and a cutting edge 226
that extend from one side 222 to the other side 224 and have, in
one embodiment, a similar cross sectional profile over all or part
of the width W of the blade 216, the pallet forks 230 can
advantageously be positioned along any location of the width W (or
alternatively along substantial portions of the width W) of the
blade 216, which provides flexibility in terms of what the pallet
forks can engage. While FIG. 2 shows two pallet forks, it should be
appreciated that any number of pallet forks can be attached to the
blade 216, which can be advantageous when engaging some
objects.
[0022] The pallet forks 230 are mounted onto the blade 216 by
positioning the pallet fork 230 so that it extends forward from the
blade 216 and rotating the pallet fork 230 so that the lip
engagement member 238 is capable of engaging the lip 220. Then, the
fork is pulled forward and rotated down until the protrusion 242
engages and rests against the cutting edge 226. In some
embodiments, the engagement portion is a rigid, unitary assembly
when manufactured, although it may be assembled from a plurality of
components such as by welding metal parts together. It should be
appreciated that by unitary assembly, it is meant that the assembly
is not capable of disassembly, adjustment, and does not include a
portion that is pivotable with respect to another portion of the
assembly. That is, the engagement portion is manufactured so that
the unitary assembly is configured to engage and be accepted by the
implement carrier. Furthermore, the engagement and work portions
are, in some embodiments, a unitary assembly when manufactured.
[0023] Returning to FIG. 2, undercarriage 200 provides a structure
for storage of pallet forks 230 when they are not in use. Two
pallet forks 230A are shown (in dashed lines) secured to the
undercarriage 200. Two pairs of brackets 244 are mounted to the
frame 202. The pairs of brackets 244 on each side of the frame 202
are aligned so that the tines of pallet forks 230A are accepted
into each of the brackets. The pallet forks 230A are illustratively
inserted into the brackets 244 from a side of the frame 202 that is
opposite to the side of the frame that supports the lift arms 206.
Once inserted into the brackets 244, the pallet forks 230A are
illustratively secured to the frame 202. FIG. 4 illustrates a pair
of pallet forks 230A that are positioned within the frame of a work
machine 300. An attachment device 252 (in this figure a chain) is
used to secure the pallet forks to each other and to a mounting
structure 250, which extends from frame 202, or directly to the
frame. Although two sets of pallet forks are shown in FIG. 2
(mounted pallet forks 230 and stored pallet forks 230A shown in
dashed lines), this is shown for illustrative purposes to
demonstrate various features. One skilled in the art will recognize
that only one pair of pallet forks will generally be included, and
those pallet forks can be moved between the mounted and stored
positions.
[0024] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a cross section of a blade assembly
600 and a portion of pallet fork 602. In FIG. 5, the pallet fork
602 is shown in position to be engaged with the blade assembly 600
and in FIG. 6, the pallet fork 602 is shown in an engaged position
with respect to the blade assembly 600. The blade assembly 600
includes a cross section of a lift arm 604 and an attachment
structure 606, which couples the lift arm 604 to a blade 608. An
end plate 610 is attached to one end of the blade 608. The blade
608 includes a moldboard 636, with a cutting edge 612, and a lip
614 positioned along the bottom and top, respectively of the
moldboard 636. Lip 614 is positioned adjacent an upper surface 615
of the moldboard.
[0025] The pallet fork 602 includes a tine or work portion 624, a
portion of which is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and a mounting or
engagement portion 626. The mounting or engagement portion is
configured to engage an implement carrier, in this case blade 608.
In exemplary embodiments, the engagement portion 626 is a unitary
assembly. The unitary engagement portion assembly 626 can be made
from any suitable material, but in exemplary embodiments is steel.
Because the engagement portion of pallet fork 602 is a unitary
assembly configured to engage blade 608, separate attachment or
securing mechanisms are not required to mount the pallet fork onto
blade 608. In turn, the pallet fork can be made to be stronger or
more durable than some conventional pallet forks and can be
fabricated less expensively than some conventional pallet
forks.
[0026] In pallet fork 602, a lip engagement member 616 includes
material that is formed to include two adjacent contact areas 630
and 631, which engage adjacent portions of the blade 608, including
the lip 614 of blade 608 and upper surface 615 of the moldboard
636. To aid in the engagement of pallet fork 602 without separate
attachment mechanisms, contact areas 630 and 631 are not collinear
or parallel with one another in an exemplary embodiment. Further,
in some exemplary contact areas 630 and 631 are orthogonal or
substantially orthogonal with one another, although the
intersection of contact areas 630 and 631 may include a radius. An
angle between contact areas 630 and 631 of less than 90.degree. can
also be used. The lip engagement member also includes a tab 632,
which provides some retention force when the pallet fork 602 is
engaged with the blade 608 as is shown in FIG. 6. Thus, tab 632 can
also be referred to as a retention member. Retention member 632 is
positioned opposing the contact area 631. Tab or retention member
632 has an inner edge 635, which is also non-collinear with contact
area 630 such that it forms a corner region 633 of the retention
member between contact 630 and edge 635. In exemplary embodiments,
contact area 630 and edge 635 are oriented at an angle that is
significantly less than 90.degree.. There is a gap 634 between an
end of the tab 632 and the rest of the blade 608 so that the lip
614 can be accepted into the lip engagement member 616 through the
gap. As shown in FIG. 6, when the engagement portion 626 of pallet
fork 602 is fully engaged with blade 608, lip 614 of blade 608 is
in contact with contact area 630 and upper surface 615 of moldboard
636 is in contact with contact area 631. However, border 635 of
retention member 632 has little or no contact with blade 608. When
the pallet fork 602 is engaged with the blade assembly 606, the lip
engagement member 616 hangs over and surrounds a portion of the lip
614.
[0027] The pallet fork 602 includes a face 618 and a protrusion
620. The face 618 is positioned such that when the pallet fork 602
is engaged with the blade 608, the face 618 is not in contact with
moldboard 636. The pallet fork 602 also includes a cutting edge
contact area 628, which is configured to be in contact with the
cutting edge 612 when the pallet fork 602 is engaged with the blade
608. As is shown in FIG. 6, at least a portion of the tine 624 is
positioned below the cutting edge, although alternatively, the
pallet fork 602 can be structured to be entirely above or below the
bottom of the cutting edge 612. Thus, in the illustrative
embodiment, contact areas 630 and 631 and cutting edge engagement
contact areas 628 represent first, second and third contact areas
of the engagement member that engage and abut portions of the blade
608 when the pallet fork 602 is accepted onto blade 608. In some
instances, when a load is applied to the work portion, the load can
cause contact area 631 to lose contact with the upper surface 615
of the moldboard. Instead, contact area 630, corner region 633, and
cutting edge engagement contact area 628 represent first, second
and third contact areas of the engagement portion 626 that abut
surfaces of the blade 608. In other instances, such as when the
work portion 624 encounters an obstacle, the pallet fork 602 can
temporarily rotate back. However, the retention member 632 may
engage the lip 614 and prevent the pallet fork 602 from being
disengaged from the blade 608. It should be appreciated that the
portions of the blade 608, namely, the lip 614 and the upper
surface 615 of the moldboard 636 and cutting edge 612, to which the
contact areas of engagement portion 628 abut when the pallet fork
602 is hung over the blade 608 are generally planar surfaces. It
should be further appreciated that the geometric shape of the
engagement portion 628, as described above, corresponds with the
blade 602 to allow the pallet fork 602 to be engaged with the blade
608 without any sort of actuable locking mechanism on the blade 608
or the pallet fork 602 provided to hold the pallet fork 602 to the
blade 608.
[0028] While the embodiments above discuss pallet forks, it should
be understood that other implements that can be positioned on the
host implement of a power machine such as an excavator have been
contemplated. The embodiments disclosed above are illustrative in
nature and one skilled in the art would appreciate that changes can
be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and
scope of the present discussion.
* * * * *