Skid steer attachment system

• US 7,654,551 B2
• Filed: 02/02/2007
• Issued: 02/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: James H. Page
• Original Assignee: James H. Page
• Inventors: Page, James H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris; Lesley D
• Assistant Examiner(s): ARCE, MARLON ALEXANDER
• Application Number:
  US11/670,558
• Publication Number:
  US 20080187426A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,096 Days
• Field of Search: 280/416.1, 280/901, 280/417.1, 280/441.2, 414/724, 414/607
• US Class Current: 280/416.1
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/02 Travelling-gear, e.g. associated with slewing gears drives therefor E02F9/20; for motor vehicles B60B, B60G; undercarriages for locomotives or railroad cars B61F; track-laying vehicles B62D; for cranes B66C23/18
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/085 Ground-engaging fitting for supporting the machines while working, e.g. outriggers, legs for vehicles in general B60S9/00, for cranes B66C23/78
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 280/901 Adaptation of nonspecialized vehicles to semitrailer tractors

Abstract

A skid steer attachment system for efficiently increasing the functionality of a skid steer loader. The skid steer attachment system generally includes an attachment assembly to mechanically attach to a skid steer loader, a support frame mechanically attached to the attachment assembly, wherein the support frame is comprised of a U-shaped structure and at least one wheel rotatably attached to the support frame opposite the attachment assembly and wherein the wheel is positionable upon an opposing side of the skid steer loader as the attachment assembly.

Claims

1. A skid steer attachment system, comprising:

an attachment assembly, wherein said attachment assembly is mechanically attached to a skid steer vehicle;

a support frame mechanically attached to said attachment assembly, wherein said support frame is comprised of a U-shaped structure;

at least one wheel rotatably attached to said support frame opposite said attachment assembly, wherein said at least one wheel is positionable upon an opposing side of said skid steer vehicle as said attachment assembly;

a platform attached to said support frame adjacent said at least one wheel, wherein said platform is pivotally attached to said support frame; and

at least one actuator device attached between said platform and said support frame, wherein said at least one actuator device pivotally adjusts said platform.

2. The skid steer attachment system of claim 1, including a knuckle assembly mechanically attached between said attachment assembly and said support frame.

3. The skid steer attachment system of claim 2, wherein said support frame rotates about said attachment assembly via a first pivot axis of said knuckle assembly.

4. The skid steer attachment system of claim 3, wherein said support frame rotates about said attachment assembly via a second pivot axis of said knuckle assembly, wherein said second pivot axis is substantially perpendicular to said first pivot axis.

5. The skid steer attachment system of claim 2, wherein said support frame rotates 360 degrees about said skid steer vehicle via said knuckle assembly.

6. The skid steer attachment system of claim 1, wherein said support frame includes a first support member mechanically attached to said attachment assembly, a second support member mechanically attached to said at least one wheel and a third support member mechanically attached between thereof wherein said first support member, said second support member and said third support member form said U-shaped structure.

7. The skid steer attachment system of claim 6, wherein said first support member and said second support member are substantially perpendicular to a ground plane and wherein said third support member is substantially parallel to said ground plane.

8. The skid steer attachment system of claim 6, wherein a first longitudinal axis of said first support member and a second longitudinal axis of said second support member are substantially perpendicular to a third longitudinal axis of said third support member.

9. The skid steer attachment system of claim 6, wherein a distance from of said third support member to a ground surface is greater than a height of said skid steer vehicle.

10. The skid steer attachment system of claim 1, wherein a third pivot axis of said platform is perpendicular to a ground plane.

11. The skid steer attachment system of claim 1, wherein a fourth pivot axis of said platform is parallel to a ground plane.

12. The skid steer attachment system of claim 1, including a three point hitch attached to said support frame adjacent said at least one wheel.

13. The skid steer attachment system of claim 1, wherein said attachment assembly includes a pair of channel members extending across said attachment assembly, wherein said pair of channel members slidably attach to a fork unit of said skid steer vehicle.

14. The skid steer attachment system of claim 1, wherein said attachment assembly includes a pair of slots extending within a pair of opposing side portions of said attachment assembly, wherein said pair of slots slidably attach to a bucket of said skid steer vehicle.

18. The skid steer attachment system of claim 1, wherein said attachment assembly includes a pair of channel members extending across said attachment assembly, wherein said pair of channel members slidably attach to a fork unit of said skid steer vehicle.

19. The skid steer attachment system of claim 1, wherein said attachment assembly includes a pair of slots extending within a pair of opposing side portions of said attachment assembly, wherein said pair of slots slidably attach to a bucket of said skid steer vehicle.

15. A skid steer attachment system, comprising:

an attachment assembly to mechanically attach to a skid steer vehicle;

a support frame mechanically attached to said attachment assembly, wherein said support frame is comprised of a U-shaped structure; and

at least one wheel rotatably attached to said support frame opposite said attachment assembly, wherein said at least one wheel is positionable upon an opposing side of said skid steer vehicle as said attachment assembly;

wherein said support frame includes a first support member mechanically attached to said attachment assembly, a second support member mechanically attached to said at least one wheel and a third support member mechanically attached between thereof wherein said first support member, said second support member and said third support member form said U-shaped structure;

wherein said first support member and said second support member are substantially perpendicular to a ground plane and wherein said third support member is substantially parallel to said ground plane;

wherein a first longitudinal axis of said first support member and a second longitudinal axis of said second support member are substantially perpendicular to a third longitudinal axis of said third support member;

wherein a distance from of said third support member to a ground surface is greater than a height of said skid steer vehicle;

a knuckle assembly mechanically attached between said attachment assembly and said support frame;

wherein said support frame rotates about said attachment assembly via a first pivot axis of said knuckle assembly;

wherein said support frame rotates about said attachment assembly via a second pivot axis of said knuckle assembly and wherein said second pivot axis is substantially perpendicular to said first pivot axis.

16. A skid steer attachment system, comprising:

an attachment assembly to mechanically attach to a skid steer vehicle;

a support frame mechanically attached to said attachment assembly, wherein said support frame is comprised of a U-shaped structure;

at least one wheel rotatably attached to said support frame opposite said attachment assembly, wherein said at least one wheel is positionable upon an opposing side of said skid steer vehicle as said attachment assembly;

wherein said support frame includes a first support member mechanically attached to said attachment assembly, a second support member mechanically attached to said at least one wheel and a third support member mechanically attached between thereof wherein said first support member, said second support member and said third support member form said U-shaped structure;

wherein said first support member and said second support member are substantially perpendicular to a ground plane and wherein said third support member is substantially parallel to said ground plane;

wherein a first longitudinal axis of said first support member and a second longitudinal axis of said second support member are substantially perpendicular to a third longitudinal axis of said third support member;

wherein a distance from of said third support member to a ground surface is greater than a height of said skid steer vehicle; and

a knuckle assembly mechanically attached between said attachment assembly and said support frame;

wherein said support frame rotates about said attachment assembly via a first pivot axis of said knuckle assembly;

wherein said support frame rotates about said attachment assembly via a second pivot axis of said knuckle assembly, wherein said second pivot axis is substantially perpendicular to said first pivot axis;

wherein said support frame rotates 360 degrees about said skid steer vehicle via said knuckle assembly;

wherein said attachment assembly includes a pair of channel members extending across said attachment assembly;

wherein said attachment assembly includes a pair of slots extending within a pair of opposing side portions of said attachment assembly.

17. A skid steer attachment system, comprising:

an attachment assembly, wherein said attachment assembly is mechanically attached to a front end of skid steer vehicle;

a universal joint connected to said attachment assembly;

a support frame mechanically attached to said universal joint opposite of said attachment assembly, wherein said support frame is comprised of a U-shaped structure capable of allowing said skid steer vehicle to pass beneath and through an opening within the U-shaped structure;

wherein said support frame rotates 360 degrees about said skid steer vehicle via said universal joint;

at least one wheel rotatably attached to said support frame opposite said attachment assembly, wherein said at least one wheel is positionable upon an opposing side of said skid steer vehicle as said attachment assembly.