Excavation control mounting mast
First Claim
1. A mast assembly for mounting guidance components to an excavator component of an excavating vehicle, the mast assembly comprising the following:
- a mast; and
a magnetic removable securing member connected to the mast, the magnetic removable securing member being adapted and constructed for removable connection to a location on the excavator component.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A mast assembly is adapted for attachment to an excavating apparatus such as a loader bucket of a skid steer vehicle such as a BOBCAT. The excavating apparatus includes a rear wall, a pair of side walls, and a bottom. The mast assembly includes a mast, which can be fabricated from any suitable relatively rigid and durable material, such as aluminized steel. The mast includes an upper portion and a lower portion connected by an angled portion angled to maintain the upper portion in an upright vertical position. A laser receiver is secured to the upper portion of the mast with a pair of adjustable securing straps. The laser receiver operates in a known manner to receive laser energy from a laser beacon to facilitate accurate positioning of the excavating apparatus. A first removable securing member, such as a hook arrangement or latch bracket, is affixed to the mast. The hook arrangement can include a pair of hooks which extend through a corresponding number of bores formed in the excavating apparatus. The latch bracket can include a pair of latch points that fit into an adapter plate. A second removable securing member, such as a magnet, is connected to the mast. The second securing member is attached to the mast by a pair of adjustable securing straps, or by a pivotable bracket. The magnet should have sufficient strength to secure the mast to the excavating apparatus such that the mast remains fixed during excavation.
8 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A mast assembly for mounting guidance components to an excavator component of an excavating vehicle, the mast assembly comprising the following:
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a mast; and
a magnetic removable securing member connected to the mast, the magnetic removable securing member being adapted and constructed for removable connection to a location on the excavator component.
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2. A mast assembly for mounting guidance components to an excavator component of an excavating vehicle, the mast assembly comprising the following:
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a mast;
a first removable securing member connected to the mast, the first removable securing member being adapted and constructed for removable connection to a first location on the excavator component; and
a second removable securing member connected to the mast at a location spaced from the first removable securing member, the second removable securing member being adapted and constructed for removable connection to a second location on the excavator component;
wherein at least one of the removable securing members includes a magnet. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of securing a mast assembly to an excavator component of an excavating vehicle, the method comprising the following steps:
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providing a mast assembly having a first removable securing member connected to the mast and including at least one insertion member, and a second removable securing member connected to the mast at a location spaced from the first removable securing member and including a magnet;
providing receiving structure on the excavator component of the excavating vehicle, the receiving structure being capable of receiving the at least one insertion member of the first removable securing member;
angling the mast assembly so that the second securing member is spaced from the excavator component;
inserting the insertion member into the receiving structure; and
rotating the mast assembly to bring the second securing member into magnetic contact with the excavator component.
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Specification