Hydraulic boom cart system

Abstract

A hydraulic boom cart system for elevating and positioning material within confined spaces. The hydraulic boom cart system includes a base structure, a first boom pivotally attached to the base structure, a second boom slidably positioned within the first boom, a first actuator attached between the base structure and the first boom, a support tube pivotally attached to the second boom, an inner tube rotatably positioned within the support tube, and a support attachment attached to the inner tube.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not applicable to this application.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicable to this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] 1. Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention relates generally to elevating devices and more specifically it relates to a hydraulic boom cart system for elevating and positioning material within confined spaces.

[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0006] Material elevating devices such as forklifts and tractors have been in use for years. Conventional material elevating devices require a motor to provide power to the material elevating devices. In addition, conventional material elevating devices are relatively large in size and difficult to operated in small and confined areas.

[0007] Examples of patented devices which may be related to the present invention include U.S. Pat. No. 2,917,189 to Isaacs; U.S. Pat. No. 5,259,721 to Sato et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,621 to Fatemi et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,286,695 to Tetreault; U.S. Pat. No. 6,010,299 to Jesswein; U.S. Pat. No. 5,375,963 to Wohlwend; U.S. Pat. No. 4,925,039 to Macris; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,804,979 to Lassiter.

[0008] While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they are not as suitable for elevating and positioning material within confined spaces. Conventional material elevating devices are not suitable for elevating and positioning material loads in confined spaces.

[0009] In these respects, the hydraulic boom cart system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of elevating and positioning material within confined spaces.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of material elevating devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new hydraulic boom cart system construction wherein the same can be utilized for elevating and positioning material within confined spaces.

[0011] The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new hydraulic boom cart system that has many of the advantages of the material elevating devices mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new hydraulic boom cart system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art material elevating devices, either alone or in any combination thereof.

[0012] To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a base structure, a first boom pivotally attached to the base structure, a second boom slidably positioned within the first boom, a first actuator attached between the base structure and the first boom, a support tube pivotally attached to the second boom, an inner tube rotatably positioned within the support tube, and a support attachment attached to the inner tube.

[0013] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

[0014] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0015] A primary object of the present invention is to provide a hydraulic boom cart system that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices.

[0016] A second object is to provide a hydraulic boom cart system for elevating and positioning material within confined spaces.

[0017] Another object is to provide a hydraulic boom cart system that does not utilize a motor.

[0018] An additional object is to provide a hydraulic boom cart system that may be manufactured and sold at a relatively inexpensive price.

[0019] A further object is to provide a hydraulic boom cart system that is versatile and capable of handing various material loads.

[0020] Another object is to provide a hydraulic boom cart system that is manually operated and manipulated.

[0021] A further object is to provide a hydraulic boom cart that may be utilized in various facilities and locations.

[0022] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention.

[0023] To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

[0025] FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of the present invention with the boom in a lowered position.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a side view of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a side view of the present invention in an elevated and extended position.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a side cutaway view of the present invention with the boom in the elevated and extended position.

[0029] FIG. 5 is a front end view of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 6 is a rear end view of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 7 is a top view of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 8 is a top view of the present invention with the support attachment rotated.

[0033] FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 7.

[0034] FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 8.

[0035] FIG. 11 is an upper perspective view of the present invention with an alternative support attachment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 through 11 illustrate a hydraulic boom cart system 10, which comprises a base structure 20, a first boom 30 pivotally attached to the base structure 20, a second boom 32 slidably positioned within the first boom 30, a first actuator 38 attached between the base structure 20 and the first boom 30, a support tube 40 pivotally attached to the second boom 32, an inner tube 66 rotatably positioned within the support tube 40, and a support attachment 60 attached to the inner tube 66.

[0037] The present invention includes a base structure 20. The base structure 20 is preferably sufficient in size and weight to prevent instability when a load is supported upon the support attachment 60. The base structure 20 may have various structures and configurations. FIG. 1 illustrates the base structure 20 having a rectangular structure with a slot for receiving the boom structure. The base structure 20 has a plurality of wheels 22 which may be comprised of swivel wheels 22 as shown in FIGS. 1 through 6 of the drawings. A manual brake may be positioned upon one or more of the wheels 22 for preventing movement of the base structure 20 in a selective manner.

[0038] FIGS. 1 through 4 best illustrate the first boom 30 pivotally attached within the base structure 20 by a main pin 24. The first boom 30 is preferably comprised of a tubular structure and may have various cross sectional shapes such as but not limited to circular, square and rectangular.

[0039] A second boom 32 is slidably positioned within the first boom 30 as further shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 of the drawings. The second boom 32 includes a plurality of alignment apertures 34 that allow for selective engagement of the desired position of the second boom 32 by the insertion of a first pin 36. The user is able to adjust the overall length of the boom structure by sliding the second boom 32 with respect to the first boom 30 and then inserting the first pin 36 through an aperture within the first boom 30 aligned with the desired alignment aperture 34.

[0040] A first actuator 38 is pivotally attached between a floor 26 of the base structure 20 and the first boom 30. The first actuator 38 may be comprised of various actuator devices such as but not limited hydraulic cylinders, hydraulic jacks, electrical actuators, screw actuators and the like. The first actuator 38 is manually operated by the user for elevating and lowering the first boom 30.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 1 through 5 of the drawings, a support tube 40 is pivotally attached to the distal end of the second boom 32. The support tube 40 has an inner lumen that extends substantially upwardly as best illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 of the drawings. The support tube 40 is preferably movably in a pivotal manner along a vertical path as illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings.

[0042] A second actuator 50 is preferably pivotally attached between the second boom 32 and the support tube 40 for providing the desired pivotal position for the support tube 40 as further shown in FIGS. 2 through 4 of the drawings. The second actuator 50 may be comprised of various actuator devices such as but not limited hydraulic cylinders, hydraulic jacks, electrical actuators, screw actuators and the like. The second actuator 50 is manually operated by the user for pivoting the support tube 40 relative to the second boom 32.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 1 through 11 of the drawings, a support attachment 60 is attached to the support tube 40. The support attachment 60 may be comprised of various structures for loading, supporting and unloading a material load. FIGS. 2 through 5 of the drawings show an inner tube 66 rotatably positioned within the inner tube 66 for rotatably supporting the support attachment 60. A second pin 67 is inserted through an aperture within the support tube 40 into one of a plurality of apertures within the inner tube 66 for locking a desired rotated position of the support attachment 60.

[0044] The support attachment 60 preferably includes a first portion 62 attached to a second portion 64 in a substantially orthogonal manner as best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4 of the drawings. The second portion 64 is attached to the upper end of the inner tube 66 as best illustrated in FIG. 9 of the drawings. FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative support attachment 60 comprised of a pair of fork members 70 extending from the second portion 64. Various other structures may be utilized to construct the support attachment 60.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 2 through 4 of the drawings, one or more first brackets 68 are attached to the second portion 64. FIGS. 2 through 4 of the drawings further illustrate one or more second brackets 69 attached to the first portion 62. One or more straps 12 may be utilized to secure the load to the support attachment 60 by securing to the first brackets 68 and the second brackets 69.

[0046] As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

[0047] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed to be within the expertise of those skilled in the art, and all equivalent structural variations and relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0048] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A hydraulic boom cart system for supporting a material load in an elevated position, comprising:

a base structure;

a plurality of wheels attached to said base structure;

a boom structure pivotally attached within said base structure;

a first actuator attached between said base structure and said boom structure;

a support attachment pivotally supported at a distal end of said boom structure.

2. The hydraulic boom cart system of claim 1, wherein said support attachment includes:

a support tube pivotally attached to said distal end of said boom structure;

an inner tube rotatably positioned within said support tube; and

a support frame attached to said inner tube for supporting a material load.

3. The hydraulic boom cart system of claim 2, including a second actuator attached between said boom structure and said support tube.

4. The hydraulic boom cart system of claim 3, wherein said support tube is pivotally attached to said boom structure in a vertical manner.

5. The hydraulic boom cart system of claim 2, wherein said support frame is comprised of a first portion and a second portion attached together, wherein said second portion is attached to said inner tube.

6. The hydraulic boom cart system of claim 5, wherein said first portion and said second portion form an L-shaped structure.

7. The hydraulic boom cart system of claim 5, including at least one first bracket attached to said second portion.

8. The hydraulic boom cart system of claim 7, including at least one second bracket attached to said first portion.

9. The hydraulic boom cart system of claim 2, including a second pin insertable within an aperture within said support tube and a selected aperture within said inner tube.

10. The hydraulic boom cart system of claim 1, wherein said base structure includes a center slot for receiving said boom structure.

11. The hydraulic boom cart system of claim 1, wherein said boom structure is comprised of:

a first boom pivotally attached within said base structure by a main pin;

a second boom slidably positioned within said second boom;

a plurality of alignment apertures within said second boom;

a main aperture within said first boom; and

a first pin insertable within said main aperture and one of said plurality of alignment apertures.

12. The hydraulic boom cart system of claim 11, wherein said support attachment includes:

a support tube pivotally attached to said distal end of said boom structure;

an inner tube rotatably positioned within said support tube; and

a support frame attached to said inner tube for supporting a material load.

13. The hydraulic boom cart system of claim 12, including a second actuator attached between said boom structure and said support tube.

14. The hydraulic boom cart system of claim 13, wherein said support tube is pivotally attached to said boom structure in a vertical manner.

15. The hydraulic boom cart system of claim 12, wherein said support frame is comprised of a first portion and a second portion attached together, wherein said second portion is attached to said inner tube.

16. The hydraulic boom cart system of claim 15, wherein said first portion and said second portion form an L-shaped structure.

17. The hydraulic boom cart system of claim 15, including at least one first bracket attached to said second portion.

18. The hydraulic boom cart system of claim 17, including at least one second bracket attached to said first portion.

19. The hydraulic boom cart system of claim 12, including a second pin insertable within an aperture within said support tube and a selected aperture within said inner tube.

20. The hydraulic boom cart system of claim 11, wherein said base structure includes a center slot for receiving said boom structure.