APPARATUS FOR AERIAL TOOL CONFIGURATIONS
First Claim
1. An aerial tool apparatus comprising:
- a transport vehicle;
an aerial boom comprising;
one or more sections;
two ends including a proximate end attached to the transport vehicle and a distal end at a far end from the proximate end; and
at least two boom axes including a planar boom axis associated with a plane relative to a most distal section of the one or more sections and a perpendicular boom axis perpendicular to the planar boom axis;
an aerial tool assembly comprising;
a plurality of attachment points connecting one or more aerial tool accessories to form a configured aerial tool assembly;
an actuator assembly comprising;
a first connection to the distal end to extend the aerial boom by attachment of the actuator assembly to form a new distal end;
a second connection to connect a first axial rotator to the new distal end; and
one or more actuators configured to orient the configured aerial tool assembly relative to the perpendicular boom axis; and
a first axial rotator comprising;
a third connection to connect the configured aerial tool assembly directly or indirectly to the actuator assembly at the new distal end, the first axial rotator for turning the configured aerial tool assembly relative to the perpendicular boom axis; and
a first rotating swivel having a plurality of swivel ports, one or more of the plurality of swivel ports to provide hydraulic or pneumatic power to a first accessory of the one or more aerial tool accessories, via one or more quick connect/disconnect sealable hose couplings associated with a respective one of the plurality of swivel ports.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A field-configurable apparatus for different aerial applications is provided. The field-configurable apparatus attaches to an aerial boom on a mobile carrier. The apparatus can perform rapid semi-precise cutting of vegetation. Additionally, the apparatus can perform more precise trimming of one or more areas (e.g., limbs) and optionally use a limb clamp to prevent cut limbs/vegetation from arbitrarily falling on objects below the cutting area. Still further, the apparatus can have a grapple or similar device attached to the end of the boom for use in relocating debris or for loading debris. Other industrial applications are also possible (e.g., commercial water blasting, deicing of planes, etc.). In each configuration, the apparatus comprises one or more rotatable or pivoting couplings to allow for rotation about one or more axis and therefore allow precise manipulation of an aerial tool assembly from an operator in the vehicle or on the ground.
0 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. An aerial tool apparatus comprising:
-
a transport vehicle; an aerial boom comprising; one or more sections; two ends including a proximate end attached to the transport vehicle and a distal end at a far end from the proximate end; and at least two boom axes including a planar boom axis associated with a plane relative to a most distal section of the one or more sections and a perpendicular boom axis perpendicular to the planar boom axis; an aerial tool assembly comprising; a plurality of attachment points connecting one or more aerial tool accessories to form a configured aerial tool assembly; an actuator assembly comprising; a first connection to the distal end to extend the aerial boom by attachment of the actuator assembly to form a new distal end; a second connection to connect a first axial rotator to the new distal end; and one or more actuators configured to orient the configured aerial tool assembly relative to the perpendicular boom axis; and a first axial rotator comprising; a third connection to connect the configured aerial tool assembly directly or indirectly to the actuator assembly at the new distal end, the first axial rotator for turning the configured aerial tool assembly relative to the perpendicular boom axis; and a first rotating swivel having a plurality of swivel ports, one or more of the plurality of swivel ports to provide hydraulic or pneumatic power to a first accessory of the one or more aerial tool accessories, via one or more quick connect/disconnect sealable hose couplings associated with a respective one of the plurality of swivel ports. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A method of operating an aerial tool apparatus for trimming trees, the method comprising:
-
identifying at least a portion of one or more trees to be cut; positioning a transport vehicle proximate to the one or more trees, the transport vehicle comprising; an aerial boom comprising; one or more sections; two ends including a proximate end attached to the transport vehicle and a distal end at a far end from the proximate end; and at least two boom axes including a planar boom axis associated with a plane relative to a most distal section of the one or more sections and a perpendicular boom axis perpendicular to the planar boom axis; an aerial tool assembly comprising; a plurality of attachment points connecting one or more aerial tool accessories to form a configured aerial tool assembly; an actuator assembly comprising; a first connection to the distal end to extend the aerial boom by attachment of the actuator assembly to form a new distal end; a second connection to connect a first axial rotator to the new distal end; and one or more actuators configured to orient the configured aerial tool assembly relative to the perpendicular boom axis; and a first axial rotator comprising; a third connection to connect the configured aerial tool assembly directly or indirectly to the actuator assembly at the new distal end, the first axial rotator for turning the configured aerial tool assembly relative to the perpendicular boom axis; and a first rotating swivel having a plurality of swivel ports, one or more of the plurality of swivel ports to provide hydraulic or pneumatic power to a first accessory of the one or more aerial tool accessories, via one or more quick connect/disconnect sealable hose couplings associated with a respective one of the plurality of swivel ports; extending the aerial boom to a location relative to the portion; and activating at least a part of the aerial tool assembly to effectuate the cut. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification