U.S. patent application number 15/195659 was filed with the patent office on 2017-03-16 for mini-skid steer loader extractor.
The applicant listed for this patent is HCC, INC.. Invention is credited to Bruce L. Masters.
Application Number | 20170073997 15/195659 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58257139 |
Filed Date | 2017-03-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170073997 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Masters; Bruce L. |
March 16, 2017 |
MINI-SKID STEER LOADER EXTRACTOR
Abstract
A tool or extractor which is lightweight and portable. The tool
includes a plate which is mountable to a mini-skid steer loader.
The tool includes a first jaw member which is fixed. The first jaw
member is preferably welded or otherwise attached to or engaged
with the plate. The tool also includes a second jaw member. The
second jaw member is moveable, such as via a hydraulic cylinder,
and is pivotably connected the plate. The hydraulic cylinder is
also preferably pivotably connected to the plate, and is controlled
in order to affect a grip on a thing to be extracted. The mini-skid
steer loader is then operable to pull up on the thing, and extract
the thing from the ground.
Inventors: |
Masters; Bruce L.;
(Graettinger, IA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HCC, INC. |
Mendota |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
58257139 |
Appl. No.: |
15/195659 |
Filed: |
June 28, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62216618 |
Sep 10, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02D 9/02 20130101; E04H
17/265 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E04H 17/26 20060101
E04H017/26; E02D 9/02 20060101 E02D009/02 |
Claims
1. A hydraulically-operated post-pulling apparatus adapted to be
mounted to a mini-skid steer loader, said apparatus comprising: a
plate configured to be mounted to the mini-skid steer loader; a
first, fixed jaw member engaged with the plate; and a second jaw
member mounted to the plate and moveable relative to the first,
fixed jaw member.
2. The post-pulling apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the
first, fixed jaw member is attached to the plate.
3. The post-pulling apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the
first, fixed jaw member is welded to the plate.
4. The post-pulling apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the
second jaw member is pivotably connected the plate.
5. The post-pulling apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the
second jaw member is moveable, angularly generally toward and away
from the first, fixed jaw member.
6. The post-pulling apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the
second jaw member is hydraulically operated.
7. The post-pulling apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the
second jaw member is pivotably connected to the plate, via two
hinges which are provided by arms which are connected to the
plate.
8. The post-pulling apparatus as recited in claim 1, further
comprising an arm connected to the plate, and a hydraulic cylinder,
wherein one end of the hydraulic cylinder is hingedly connected to
the arm which is connected to the plate, while an opposite end of
the hydraulic cylinder is hingedly connected to an arm of the
second jaw member.
9. The post-pulling apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein each
of the first, fixed jaw member and the second jaw members comprises
teeth.
10. The post-pulling apparatus as recited in claim 1, further
comprising a hydraulic cylinder connected to the second jaw member,
and a controller which is configured to control the hydraulic
cylinder and move the second jaw member relative to the first,
fixed jaw member.
11. A hydraulically-operated post-pulling apparatus adapted to be
mounted to a mini-skid steer loader, said apparatus comprising: a
plate configured to be mounted to the mini-skid steer loader; a
first, fixed jaw member engaged with the plate; a second jaw member
mounted to the plate and moveable relative to the first, fixed jaw
member; and a controller which is control movement of the second
jaw member relative to the first, fixed jaw member.
12. The post-pulling apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the
first, fixed jaw member is attached to the plate.
13. The post-pulling apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the
first, fixed jaw member is welded to the plate.
14. The post-pulling apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the
second jaw member is pivotably connected the plate.
15. The post-pulling apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the
second jaw member is moveable, angularly generally toward and away
from the first, fixed jaw member.
16. The post-pulling apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the
second jaw member is hydraulically operated.
17. The post-pulling apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the
second jaw member is pivotably connected to the plate, via two
hinges which are provided by arms which are connected to the
plate.
18. The post-pulling apparatus as recited in claim 11, further
comprising an arm connected to the plate, and a hydraulic cylinder,
wherein one end of the hydraulic cylinder is hingedly connected to
the arm which is connected to the plate, while an opposite end of
the hydraulic cylinder is hingedly connected to an arm of the
second jaw member.
19. The post-pulling apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein each
of the first, fixed jaw member and the second jaw members comprises
teeth.
20. The post-pulling apparatus as recited in claim 11, further
comprising a hydraulic cylinder connected to the second jaw member,
wherein the controller is configured to control the hydraulic
cylinder and move the second jaw member relative to the first,
fixed jaw member.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
Priority Claim
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 62/216,618, filed Sep. 10, 2015, which is
hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention generally relates to post pullers,
i.e., devices which are configured to be used with a pulling device
for extracting something out of the ground, such as a pole, a tree,
etc.
[0003] There are devices, such as the devices disclosed in U.S.
Pat. Nos. 6,382,594 and 7,926,786, which are configured for use
with machinery in order to pull things out of the ground--things
such as poles, trees, etc. Such devices are typically complex,
involve a lot of parts, require heavy machinery, and/or do not
provide a very good grip on the thing to be extracted.
[0004] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,382,594 discloses a post puller
which is relatively complex in terms of the number of parts
involved. The post puller requires a heavy skid steer loader, and
has multiple moving parts--parts that are moveable using hydraulics
which are part of the post puller. The overall device is very
heavy, complex, and involves a multitude of parts and hydraulic
chambers.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 7,926,786 discloses a more simple post puller,
where the post puller is configured for use with a forklift. In
operation, the post puller is engaged with the forks of the
forklift, and thereafter the forklift is driven in order to move
the post puller into engagement with the thing which is desired to
be extracted from the ground. The forklift is then operated to pull
up on the thing, while the post puller supplies the grip on the
thing. None of the parts of the post puller are configured to be
actively moved to engage and grip the thing to be extracted.
Instead, the forklift is operated to contact and engage the post
puller with the thing to be extracted. While the post puller does
include two doors which are capable of movement, these doors are
not actively moved by any component of the post puller. Instead,
the doors merely move upon being forced by the thing to be
extracted. By not providing any part which can be actively moved
into gripping engagement with the thing to be extracted, the post
puller is very limited with regard to the effectiveness of the grip
that can be achieved. Additionally, the post puller requires a
forklift, which is typically not a good option for a homeowner who
wants to avoid harming his or her lawn or grassy area. Finally, the
device is complex, heavy and includes a multitude of parts.
[0006] Such devices are not configured for use by, for example, a
homeowner to safely remove brush, shrubs, small trees or fence
posts, without tearing up one's yard or grassy area. Instead, such
devices are configured for use with heavy equipment, and are more
configured for use by construction workers without regard to
whether or not the ground below is negatively impacted.
SUMMARY
[0007] An object of an embodiment of the present invention is to
provide a tool that enables a home owner or landscaper to remove
brush, shrubs, small trees and fence posts using a mini-skid steer
loader without tearing up yards and gassy areas.
[0008] Briefly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a
tool which comprises a plate which is mountable to a mini-skid
steer loader. A first jaw member is fixed, and is engaged, such as
welded or otherwise attached, to the plate. A second jaw member is
moveable, such as via a hydraulic cylinder, and is pivotably
connected the plate. The hydraulic cylinder is also preferably
pivotably connected to the plate, and is controlled in order to
affect a grip on a thing to be extracted. The mini-skid steer
loader is then operated to pull up on the thing, and extract the
thing from the ground.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The organization and manner of the structure and operation
of the invention, together with further objects and advantages
thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following
description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings
wherein like reference numerals identify like elements in
which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tool which is in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a top view of the tool shown in FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a side view of the tool shown in FIG. 1; and
[0013] FIG. 4 is end view of the tool shown in FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT
[0014] While this invention may be susceptible to embodiment in
different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will be
described herein in detail, a specific embodiment with the
understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an
exemplification of the principles of the invention, and is not
intended to limit the invention to that as illustrated.
[0015] An embodiment of the present invention provides a tool or
extractor which is lightweight, has few parts, provides exceptional
grip on a thing to be extracted, and which is configured to be used
with a mini-skid steer loader. The tool can be used by a home owner
or landscaper to remove brush, shrubs, small trees and fence posts
using a mini-skid steer loader, without tearing up yards and grassy
areas.
[0016] The tool 10 is shown in FIGS. 1-4 and will now be described,
in association with a representative thing 12 (see FIG. 2) to be
extracted. As shown, the tool 10 comprises a mini quick attach
plate 14 which is configured for easy mounting to a mini-skid steer
loader 16 (see FIG. 2).
[0017] The tool 10 also comprises a pair of jaw members 18, 20
which are configured to grip the thing 12 which is to be extracted.
The jaw members 18, 20 include a first jaw member 18 which is
fixed. The first jaw member 18 is preferably engaged, such as
welded or otherwise attached, to the plate 14.
[0018] The jaw members 18, 20 also include a second jaw member 20
which is moveable, angularly generally toward and away from the
first jaw member 18. Preferably, the second jaw member 20 is
pivotably connected to the plate 14, such as via two hinges 22
which are provided by arms 24 (see FIG. 1) which are connected to
the plate 14. Preferably, the second jaw member 20 is moveable,
angularly generally toward and away from the first jaw member 18,
via a hydraulic cylinder 30. As shown, one end of the hydraulic
cylinder 30 is preferably hingedly connected to an arm 32 which is
connected to the plate 14, while an opposite end of the hydraulic
cylinder 30 is preferably hingedly connected to an arm 34 of the
second jaw member 20.
[0019] As shown, preferably both jaw members 18, 20 include teeth
36 which are configured to engage and grip the thing 12 (see FIG.
2) which is to be extracted. Preferably, the hydraulic cylinder 30
is controllable by a user interfacing with a controller 40 (see
FIG. 2) having one or more buttons and/or switches for moving the
second jaw member 20 relative to the first jaw member 18, to grip
the thing 12 desired to be extracted from the ground. As such, the
jaw members 18, 20 can effectively be opened and closed to clinch
on the thing 12 to be extracted. Once the thing 12 to be extracted
is clinched tightly by the tool 10, the mini-skid steer loader 16
can be operated to lift up (i.e., vertically) on the thing 12 being
gripped by the tool 10, causing the thing 12 to become extracted
from the ground.
[0020] The tool is beneficial in that it is quite portable and
lightweight. It also does not include very many parts, and can be
readily used with a pulling device such as a mini-skid steer
loader. By providing one fixed jaw and one moveable jaw, the tool
provides an exceptional grip on a thing to be extracted, without
having to include a multitude of moving parts. The tool can be used
by a home owner or landscaper to remove brush, shrubs, small trees
and fence posts using a mini-skid steer loader, without tearing up
yards and grassy areas.
[0021] While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown
and described, it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may
devise various modifications without departing from the spirit and
scope of the present invention.
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