Boom-stick adapter for two-piece boom

• US 4,029,225 A
• Filed: 04/16/1976
• Issued: 06/14/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Americas Company (Caterpillar Incorporated)
• Inventors: Wirt, Leon A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Spar, Robert J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Weaver, Ross
• Application Number:
  US05/677,575
• Time in Patent Office: 424 Days
• Field of Search: 214/138 R, 214/141, 212/54, 212/55, 212/58, 212/59, 212/144
• US Class Current: 414/694
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/301 with more than two arms (boom included), e.g. two-part boom with additional dipper-arm
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/32 working downwardly and towards the machine, e.g. with backhoes
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/38 Cantilever beams , i.e. booms;, e.g. manufacturing processes, forms, geometry or materials used for booms for booms with cable suspension arrangements E02F9/14 takes precedence; Dipper-arms , e.g. manufacturing processes, forms, geometry or materials used for dipper-arms; Bucket-arms E02F3/34 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/425 Drive systems for dipper-arms, backhoes or the like
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/963 Arrangements on backhoes for alternate use of different tools backhoes per se E02F3/30; quick-acting devices to connect tools to arms E02F3/3609, for arms to tractors or the like E02F3/627

Abstract

A material handling apparatus having a stub boom provided with structure for connecting a fore boom thereto to form a two-piece boom, structure for selectively swingably positioning the stub boom, a work implement, and an improved joint structure for swingably connecting the work implement to the stub boom. The improved joint is defined by an adapter having a mounting portion and a joint portion swingably interconnected. Mounting structure is provided for cooperating with the stub boom connecting structure for mounting the adapter mounting portion to the stub boom, and mounting structure is provided for mounting the work implement to the joint portion of the adapter. A positioner is provided for selectively swingably positioning the joint portion of the adapter for correspondingly selectively positioning the work implement.

Claims

1. In a material handling apparatus having a stub boom provided with means for connecting a fore boom thereto to form a two-piece boom, means for selectively swingably positioning the stub boom about a first axis, and a work implement, an improved joint means for swingably connecting the work element to said stub boom comprising:

an adapter having a mounting portion and a joint portion;

first mounting means cooperating with said stub boom connecting means for mounting said adapter mounting portion to said stub boom;

second mounting means swingably mounting said adapter joint portion to said mounting portion to pivot about an axis parallel to said first axis;

third mounting means fixedly mounting said work element to said adapter joint portion; and

positioning means mounted to said stub boom and connected to said adapter joint portion for selectively swingably positioning said portion relative to said mounting portion for selectively positioning the work element.

2. The material handling apparatus of claim 1 wherein said work element includes a stick member and a work implement carried by the stick, said third mounting means mounting said stick member of said work element to said adapter joint portion.

3. The material handling apparatus of claim 1 wherein said third mounting means comprises means fixedly mounting said work element to said adapter joint portion.

4. The material handling apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first mounting means comprises means fixedly mounting said adapter mounting portion to said stub boom.

5. The material handling apparatus of claim 1 wherein said stub boom defines a bifurcated distal end and said mounting portion comprises a box member secured to said stub boom in said bifurcated end.

6. The material handling apparatus of claim 1 wherein said joint portion comprises a pair of spaced side plates and transversely extending stiffener plates.

7. The material handling apparatus of claim 1 wherein said joint portion comprises a pair of spaced side plates and transversely extending stiffener plates, said side plates being provided with aligned holes receiving a plurality of pins defining portions of said second and third mounting means.

8. The material handling apparatus of claim 1 wherein said joint portion comprises a pair of spaced side plates and transversely extending stiffener plates, said side plates being provided with aligned holes receiving a pin defining means connecting said positioning means to said joint portion for positioning the work element.

9. The material handling apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus includes a vehicle and said work implement comprises a tree harvester.