BUCKET THUMB ASSEMBLY

• US 20130129461A1
• Filed: 11/21/2011
• Published: 05/23/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Seljestad, Gregory A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,127,440 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 414/724
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/404 comprising two parts movable relative to each other, e.g. for gripping
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/413 with grabbing device E02F3/404 takes precedence; with grab buckets moved by cables or hoisting ropes E02F3/47; grab equipment for cranes B66C
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/26 Indicating devices E02F5/145 takes precedence

Abstract

A bucket thumb assembly mountable to a lifting arm of a machine (e.g., an excavator or a backhoe loader) includes a mounting lug and a thumb member pivotably coupled to the mounting lug. The bucket thumb assembly also includes a link member extending from the thumb member. The link member has a first aperture at a first end of the link member. The link member has an indicator block extending from the link member. The bucket thumb assembly further includes a mounting plate having a second aperture and a catch. The mounting plate is configured to selectively couple with the link member using a pin inserted through the first and second apertures when the indicator block is resting on the catch such that a face surface on the indicator block and a face surface of the catch are substantially co-planar.

Claims

1. A bucket thumb assembly comprising:

a mounting lug;

a thumb member pivotably coupled to the mounting lug;

a link member extending from the thumb member, the link member having a first aperture at a first end of the link member, the link member further having an indicator block extending from the link member; and

a mounting plate having a second aperture and a catch, the mounting plate configured to selectively couple with the link member using a pin inserted through the first and second apertures when the indicator block is resting on the catch such that a face surface on the indicator block and a face surface of the catch are substantially co-planar.

2. The bucket thumb assembly of claim 1, wherein the mounting plate further includes a third aperture and a second catch, the mounting plate configured to selectively couple with the link member using the pin inserted through the first and third apertures when the indicator block is resting on the second catch such that the face surface on the indicator block and a face surface of the second catch are substantially co-planar.

3. The bucket thumb assembly of claim 2, wherein the thumb member is at a first orientation when the pin is inserted through the first and second apertures, and wherein the thumb member is at a second orientation when the pin is inserted through the first and third apertures.

4. The bucket thumb assembly of claim 1, wherein the link member extends from the thumb member via a pivoting joint.

5. The bucket thumb assembly of claim 1, further comprising a base plate supporting both the mounting lug and the mounting plate.

6. The bucket thumb assembly of claim 1, wherein the indicator block is formed having a step, wherein the step is used to attach the indicator block to the link member.

7. The bucket thumb assembly of claim 1, wherein the link member is formed to couple with the mounting plate to place the thumb member in a storage position.

8. The bucket thumb assembly of claim 1, wherein the first aperture and the second aperture are not concentric when the indicator block is resting on the catch and the face surface on the indicator block and a face surface of the catch are substantially co-planar

9. The bucket thumb assembly of claim 8, wherein the first aperture and the second aperture are not concentric by a distance of approximately 3.5 mm.

10. The bucket thumb assembly of claim 9, wherein the second aperture and the first aperture are substantially concentric when the pin is inserted through the apertures.

11. The bucket thumb assembly of claim 10, wherein the indicator block is separated a distance from the catch when the first and second apertures are substantially concentric.

12. The bucket thumb assembly of claim 1, wherein a position adjustment orientation for the bucket thumb assembly places the indicator block in a position to be shadowed in daylight on a lower surface of the indicator block.

13. A bucket thumb assembly comprising:

a mounting lug;

a thumb member pivotably coupled to the mounting lug;

a link member extending from the thumb member;

the link member having a first aperture, the link member further having an indicator block extending from the link member proximate the first aperture; and

a mounting plate having a second aperture and a catch located proximate the second aperture, the link member configured to selectively couple with the mounting plate using a pin inserted into the first and second apertures, the indicator block and the catch configured to work in conjunction with one another to indicate that the thumb member is positioned with the first and second apertures sufficiently co-axial to insert the pin through the first and second apertures, or to indicate a direction to move the thumb member so that the first and second apertures will be sufficiently co-axial to insert the pin through the first and second apertures.

14. The bucket thumb assembly of claim 13, wherein indicator block and the catch are configured to work in conjunction with one another to indicate that the thumb member is curled too little, too much, or properly to insert the connecting pin through the first and second apertures.

15. The bucket thumb assembly of claim 13, wherein the mounting plate further includes a second catch, the indicator block and the second catch configured to work in conjunction with one another to indicate that the thumb member is curled too little, too much, or properly.

16. A machine comprising:

a power source configured to provide power to the machine;

an operator station configured to allow an operator to control operations of the machine; and

an implement system coupled to the machine and configured to be operated from the operator station using power from the power source, the implement system including,

a boom pivotably coupled to the machine;

a bucket operatively and pivotably coupled to the boom; and

a thumb assembly operatively coupled to the boom, the thumb assembly including,

a mounting lug having a mounting lug aperture;

a thumb member pivotably coupled to the mounting lug at the mounting lug aperture;

a link member extending from the thumb member;

the link member having a base mounting aperture at an end of the link member that is substantially opposite the thumb member, the link member further having an indicator block extending from the link member proximate the base mounting aperture; and

a mounting plate having a link mounting aperture and a catch located proximate the link mounting aperture, the link mounting aperture is configured to selectively couple with the base mounting aperture using a pin, the indicator block and the catch configured to work in conjunction with one another to indicate that the thumb member is positioned,

too far forward to insert the pin,

too far rearward to insert the pin, or

sufficiently to insert the connecting pin.

17. The machine of claim 16, further including a propulsion system coupled to the machine and configured to propel the machine using power from the power source.