Truss style stick or boom

• US 6,793,452 B2
• Filed: 08/14/2001
• Issued: 09/21/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Cusack, Christopher C., Goodman, Aaron D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Underwood, Donald W.
• Application Number:
  US09/929,793
• Publication Number:
  US 20030035710A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,134 Days
• Field of Search: 414/694, 414/722
• US Class Current: 414/694
• 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

Abstract

A stick or boom for a work machine. The stick or boom has a box portion including a first and second end and a first and second pivot point position at respective ends. A truss portion having an offset pivot point is attached to said stick or boom.

Claims

1. A work machine having a frame, at least one of a boom and a stick, said boom pivotally attached to said frame, and said stick pivotally attached to said boom, and a material handling device connected to one if said stick and said boom, said work machine comprising:

at least one of said boom and stick having a first pivot point and a second pivot point positioned on a box portion having a box type construction; and

an offset pivot portion positioned on a truss portion, said truss portion being attached to said box portion and at least one support member extending from said truss portion to said box portion, wherein said truss portion is rigidly positioned relative to said box portion.

2. The work machine of claim 1, wherein said truss portion forms at least one triangle.

3. The work machine of claim 1, wherein said stick includes said box portion and said truss portion.

4. The work machine of claim 1, including:

a first drive mechanism interconnecting said boom and said stick for pivotally moving said stick with respect to said boom; and

a second drive mechanism interconnecting said stick and said material handling device for pivotally moving said material handling device with respect to said stick.

5. The work machine of claim 4, wherein said first drive mechanism has a first end connected to said boom and a second end connected to said truss portion of said stick and wherein said second drive mechanism includes a first end connected to said truss portion of said stick and a second end connected to said bucket.

6. The work machine of claim 5, wherein said second end of said first drive mechanism and said first end of said second drive mechanism are pivotally connected to said truss portion.

7. The work machine of claim 6, wherein said first and second drive mechanisms includes a cylinder having a rod that is hydraulically driven.

8. The work machine of claim 1, wherein said truss portion is pivotally connected to said box portion and has a support member fixedly connecting said truss portion to said box portion.

9. The work machine of claim 1, wherein said truss portion is removably attached to said box portion.

10. One of a boom or stick for a work machine, said one of boom or stick having a box portion including a first end and a second end, a first pivot point disposed adjacent said first end and a second pivot point disposed adjacent said second end, a structural member comprising:

a truss portion having a offset pivot point;

said truss portion having a plurality of longitudinal truss members extending between said offset pivot and said box portion; and

said longitudinal members forming a rigid structure in relation to said box structure.

11. The structural member of claim 10, wherein said structural member is a boom for a work machine.

12. The structural member of claim 10, wherein said structural member is a stick for a work machine.

13. The structural member of claim 10, wherein said truss portion is removably attached to said box section.

14. The structural member of claim 10, wherein said truss portion is integral of said box section.

15. The structural member of claim 10, wherein said truss portion forms a triangular portion.

16. The structural member of claim 10, wherein said plurality of longitudinal truss members comprises a first longitudinal truss member extending between said offset pivot point and a first location adjacent said box portion, and a second longitudinal truss member extending between said offset pivot point and a second location adjacent said box portion.

17. The structural member of claim 16, wherein said plurality of longitudinal truss members further comprises a third longitudinal truss member extending between said offset pivot point and a third location adjacent said box portion, and a fourth longitudinal truss member extending between said offset pivot point and a fourth location adjacent said box portion, said third longitudinal truss member being laterally located to said first truss member, and said fourth longitudinal truss member being laterally located to said second truss member.