Return, Buffer, Or Counterweight Feature Patents (Class 414/719)
  • Patent number: 11433956
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vehicle, in particular an off-highway vehicle, comprising a first axle and a second axle and a sensor unit comprising at least one load sensor configured to produce a load sensor signal indicative of a load on at least one of the first axle and the second axle. The vehicle further comprises a movable weight configured to be moved relative to the first axle and to the second axle, an actuator system configured to move the movable weight relative to the first axle and to the second axle, and a control unit configured to control the actuator system based at least on the load sensor signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: DANA ITALIA S.R.L.
    Inventors: Josemir Calcagnotto Da Silva, Lorenzo Serrao
  • Patent number: 10829351
    Abstract: A load-handling vehicle, including a body; a boom, pivotally mounted to the body at a rear end region so that the boom can pivot up and down about an axis extending laterally with respect to the vehicle, wherein the boom has a load carrying implement attachable at a forward end region thereof; a steerable ground engageable propulsion arrangement; an electrically powered drive for the propulsion arrangement; a platform positioned at the rear of the body and to the side of the boom; and a battery pack positioned on the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: J.C. Bamford Excavators Limited
    Inventors: Richard Paul Wild, Rod Scott, Sam Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 10773379
    Abstract: A joint structure for a robot of the present invention includes: a first member; a speed reducer coupled to one surface of a wall portion of the first member; a motor located at a side opposite to the one surface of the wall portion of the first member; a first gear attached to a shaft of the motor; a second gear attached to a shaft of an input unit of the speed reducer and intermeshing with the first gear; and a second member attached to an output unit of the speed reducer. The diameter of the second gear is larger than a coupling unit that couples to the first member. The first member is provided with a gear accommodating portion that accommodates the first and second gear, a part of the gear accommodating portion which covers at least the second gear is removable with respect to the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryuji Takikawa, Satoshi Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 10421366
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling the electrical power consumption of selected consumers of an electric vehicle limits power to consumers in dependence upon the prevailing charge state of a battery that is provided for driving the vehicle. The electric power consumption of high current consumers is adjusted to use an available residual amount of energy in an efficient manner. Consumers may be selected and corresponding power limits or reduction factors for the consumers and associated battery states of charge via a vehicle graphical user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Birkenbeil
  • Patent number: 10358174
    Abstract: A working vehicle is provided with a traveling vehicle, a working section which is supported on a rotatable base, an operator's cab, and a connection section. The connection section includes: a connection section body which connects the rotatable base and the operator's cab and which is provided so as to be capable of pivoting about a base-side connection section connected to the rotatable base and about the operator's cab-side connection section connected to the operator's cab; and a pivot control section which extends so as to always intersect the connection section body in the range of pivoting of the connection section body, connects the rotatable base and the operator's cab, and is provided so as to be capable of pivoting about a base-side connection section connected to the rotatable base and about an operator's cab-side connection section connected to the operator's cab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: TADANO LTD.
    Inventor: Takeshi Yamada
  • Patent number: 10301797
    Abstract: To improve the precision of position of a fastener hole and a seating face for mounting a counterweight, a counterweight supporting member is comprised of a support plate erected and fixed at the rear end of a revolving frame and a supporting member attached to the support plate. The supporting member is comprised of a base member that is locked and secured to a through hole opened on the support plate in a back and forth adjustable manner and has a counterweight fixing surface and a bolt fastening member in which a fastener hole for receiving a fastener bolt is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar SARL
    Inventors: Takahiro Iwamoto, Kentaro Nakayama, Takeshi Tsuneyoshi
  • Patent number: 10174480
    Abstract: A work machine includes a lower-part traveling body, an upper-part turning body, an arm, a boom, a cab, an engine, a fuel tank, and a counterweight. The upper-part turning body is turnably disposed on the lower-part traveling body. The boom has a first end connected to the upper-part turning body and a second end connected to the arm. The cab is mounted on a front left of a frame of the upper-part turning body. The engine is disposed behind the cab on the frame. The fuel tank is disposed behind the engine on the frame. The counterweight is disposed behind the fuel tank on the frame. The fuel tank is disposed in a hollow formed in the counterweight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: SUMITOMO (S.H.I.) CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yousuke Tanaka, Kenichi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 10119247
    Abstract: A working machine comprising: a base assembly including a ground engaging structure; an undercarriage connected to the ground engaging structure; a superstructure connected to the undercarriage; a working arm mounted to the superstructure; a connector connecting the undercarriage to the superstructure; and a drive arrangement located in the base assembly for moving the ground engaging structure to propel, in use, the working machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: J. C. Bamford Excavators Limited
    Inventors: Jonathan Lyle, Peter Jowett, John Griffin, David Price, Nicholas Roberts, Ryan Page, Ian Carswell
  • Patent number: 9895813
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for improving force and torque sensing and feedback to the surgeon performing a telerobotic surgery are provided. In one embodiment, a robotic surgical manipulator system, a robotic surgical system, and a method for improved sensing of forces on a robotic surgical instrument and/or manipulator arm are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J Blumenkranz, Guiseppe M Prisco, Simon Peter DiMaio, Gregory William Dachs, II, Hanifa Dostmohamed, Christopher J Hasser, Gary S Guthart
  • Patent number: 9771249
    Abstract: Disclosed is a sporting vehicle lift that lifts a sporting vehicle and allows a car to be placed under the lifted vehicle. Sling arms that move vertically on a lift tower are connected to a lift pan with pivot connector to raise and lower the lift pan with respect to the floor and allow said lift pan to pivot. The lift pan rotates towards the tower by either placing the pivot connectors on the lift pan in a position so that the center of gravity causes the lift pan to rotate towards the tower, or by using a tilt arm, that is connected to the lift pan, which engages a pivot pin on the tower to rotate the lift pan as the lift pan is raised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Inventor: William E. Scott
  • Patent number: 9689144
    Abstract: The present invention provides a configurable and variable counterweight system for a material handling machine comprising one or more planar paths, said planar paths containing any one or combinations of straight, curved or angled portions between at least a first and second end, said planar path having transferable counterweights, said planar path or counterweights communicating with a control device and system, said control device and system comprising one or more drive unit and optionally one or more sensors, said counterweights being able to move along any curved, angled or straight portions of said planar path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas V Roden, Edward S Werner
  • Patent number: 9587377
    Abstract: A mining shovel includes a base, a revolving frame coupled to the base and rotatable about an axis, a boom pivotally coupled to the revolving frame, a handle coupled to the boom, and a dipper coupled to the handle. The dipper has a dipper door, and is located at a front end of the shovel. A counterweight having a center of gravity is disposed at the rear end of the shovel to balance the shovel, and is supported by a truss structure that is coupled to the revolving frame, such that the center of gravity is disposed above the revolving frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Harnischfeger Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Mooyoung Lee
  • Patent number: 9486928
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for limiting the contact force between a moving device and another object, using a parallel mechanism and torque limiters where the threshold force to activate the force limiting mechanism is not related to the configuration of the moving device or the location of the contact force relative to the activation point of the force limiting mechanism, and where the mechanism may be configured for one, two or three degrees of freedom. A counterbalance mechanism is also provided to counteract gravity load when the force limiting mechanism is configured for three degrees of freedom and responsive to contact forces including a vertical element. In particular, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for limiting the contact force between a moving robotic device and a contactable object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Nicolas Lauzier, Clement Gosselin, Dalong Gao, Martin Grenier, Robin Stevenson
  • Patent number: 9114526
    Abstract: The invention relates to an industrial robot having an apparatus for driving an attachable/detachable four-bar link mechanism, comprising: a base frame having a rotating joint for a robot body; a pivot frame which is coupled to the rotating joint and which has a rotating joint; a column frame which is coupled to the rotating joint of the pivot frame, and which has a straight-line joint; a motor arranged in the pivot frame to rotate the column frame; a decelerator attachably/detachably mounted on the rotating joint of the pivot frame or directly on the pivot frame to receive driving force from the motor; and a four-bar link installed between an output shaft of the decelerator and the column frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Heavy Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hie Yong Jeong, Dong Soo Kang, Eun Jung Kim, Young Jun Park
  • Publication number: 20150139768
    Abstract: A left weight mounting part (16) and a right weight mounting part (17) are provided with rear ends of a left vertical plate (8) and a right vertical plate (9) of a main frame (6), and a placing plate (24) adapted to place a battery (29) thereon is provided between the left weight mounting part (16) and the right weight mounting part (17). An accommodating groove (25G) is provided in a counterweight (25) by notching, in a front-rear direction, a part that faces the placing plate (24) in an up-down direction. A space (26A) formed by the placing plate (24) and the accommodating groove (25G) can be configured as an article accommodating room (26) that accommodates the battery (29).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Shuji Egawa, Hidetoshi Satake, Kouji Ishikawa, Mitsugu Ojima
  • Patent number: 8998559
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a backhoe boom lock for engaging a hook member of a boom in a transport position. The boom lock includes a pair of side members disposed parallel to one another along a substantially horizontal axis, each side member having a first end and a second end. A transverse member is coupled between the first end of the pair of side members, the transverse member is configured to engage the hook member in the transport position. The boom lock further includes a pivot point defined near the second end of the pair of side members, the pair of side members being pivotally coupled with respect to the pivot point such that the boom lock pivots about the pivot point. A flange is disposed between the second ends of the pair of side members and is further disposed outwardly from the pivot point at an angle with respect to the horizontal axis. The boom lock also includes a counterweight body integrally coupled to the second ends of the pair of side members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Naushad Maheboob Mujawar, Sandeep Dhotre, Kurtis L. Langner, Dennis A. Brimeyer
  • Patent number: 8979125
    Abstract: On a rear part side of a revolving frame (5) constituting an upper revolving structure (3), a counterweight (7) holding weight balance with a working mechanism (4) is provided, and on the front side of the counterweight (7), an engine (9) and an exhaust gas post-treatment device (21) for applying purification treatment to an exhaust gas of the engine (9) are provided. The exhaust gas post-treatment device (21) is configured by connecting a PM trapping filter device (22) and an NOx purifying device (23), and the PM trapping filter device (22) is mounted on the engine (9), while the NOx purifying device (23) is mounted on the counterweight (7). When the counterweight (7) is to be removed from the revolving frame (5), the NOx purifying device (23) is supported by a treatment device support bracket (26) mounted on the engine (9). As a result, the counterweight (7) can be removed while the PM trapping filter device (22) and the NOx purifying device (23) are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kensuke Sato, Tsuyoshi Nakamura, Takahiro Kobayashi, Hiroyuki Azuma
  • Patent number: 8925964
    Abstract: A ballast assembly for a work vehicle includes a ballast weight having a central groove. Two pairs of coupling pins extend across the central groove. A pair of support rods are attached to an underside of a frame part of the vehicle. The assembly also includes a pair of ballast bracket, each of which is releasably coupled to a corresponding pair of the coupling pins. The assembly also includes a pair of links, each having an end pivotally coupled to a corresponding ballast bracket, and having a body with a slot which slidably receives a corresponding support rod. A hydraulic cylinder has a first end pivotally coupled to one of the links and a second end pivotally coupled to the frame part. Each ballast bracket includes a latch member which releasably holds the ballast bracket to the corresponding pair of coupling pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Steven A. Duppong, Bryan K. Buerkle, Robert David Andrew Wolsky, Lucas Aaron Laudenbach, James Gregory Johnson
  • Publication number: 20150003948
    Abstract: The present invention provides a configurable and variable counterweight system for a material handling machine comprising one or more planar paths, said planar paths containing any one or combinations of straight, curved or angled portions between at least a first and second end, said planar path having transferrable counterweights, said planar path or counterweights communicating with a control device and system, said control device and system comprising one or more drive unit and optionally one or more sensors, said counterweights being able to move along any curved, angled or straight portions of said planar path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas V. Roden, Edward S. Werner
  • Publication number: 20140271076
    Abstract: A boom assembly includes a lower boom, an intermediate member, an upper boom, an intermediate link, and an actuator coupled between the intermediate member and the upper boom. The lower boom includes an intermediate member end and a base end, and the base end is configured to be pivotally coupled to a lift device. The intermediate member is pivotally coupled to the intermediate member end of the lower boom. The upper boom includes a first end pivotally coupled to the intermediate member, and the intermediate link is coupled directly between the upper boom and the lower boom. The intermediate member includes a base portion positioned to carry structural loading and a weighted portion positioned to provide counterweight for the lift device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Jacob J. Perron
  • Patent number: 8807910
    Abstract: A movable counterweight system moves under a material-handling vehicle to provide a safe low center of gravity, and avoid interference to the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Inventors: Thomas V. Roden, Edward S. Werner
  • Patent number: 8800704
    Abstract: A wheel loader includes a vehicle body frame, an engine, a working unit a fuel tank and a cooling device. The fuel tank is attached to a bottom surface of a rear part of the vehicle body frame, and has a rear end surface slanted obliquely rearwards from up to down. The cooling device is configured to release heat of a coolant flowing through an inside thereof. The cooling device is supported by the rear part of the vehicle body frame. A bottom end portion of the cooling device is opposed to and separated away from a rear end surface of the fuel tank at a predetermined distance in a back-and-forth direction. A bottom surface of the cooling device is positioned lower than a top surface of a rear end portion of the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kitaoka, Ryuutaro Kato
  • Publication number: 20140219763
    Abstract: A power shovel including a tool for lifting, a machine house, a hoist drum, hoist drum machinery and an auxiliary weight box having a perimeter, the hoist drum and hoist drum machinery being at least partially disposed within the perimeter of the auxiliary weight box and the hoist drum being disposed outside of the machine house.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventors: David T. Bienfang, Frank R. Szpek, JR., Carl D. Gilmore
  • Patent number: 8751084
    Abstract: An apparatus including a plurality of electric vehicle movement components, where a first one of the components is configurable to operate in one of a plurality of power operational modes; and a connection connecting the plurality of electric vehicle components to each other. The first component is configured to select one of the operational modes based, at least partially, upon information through the connection regarding an identification of a second different one of the components and/or an operational capability of the second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Curtis Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Stuart E. Marwell
  • Publication number: 20140126985
    Abstract: A crowd machinery guard system for a mining shovel is provided. The crowd machinery guard system includes a mounting bracket assembly coupled to the front of the mining shovel frame. The crowd machinery guard system also includes at least one support leg rotatably coupled to the mounting bracket assembly, and an impact plate assembly coupled to the support leg. The impact plate assembly includes an impact plate configured to receive dipper impacts, at least one support leg bracket coupled to the impact plate, and at least one cushion subassembly including a dampening portion. The crowd machinery guard system is configured to absorb and distribute the force of dipper impacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventors: Jeanne Yaunke, Andrew Freres, Neil Doll, Jonathan Vitas
  • Patent number: 8662460
    Abstract: A weight adapter bracket is provided for a drawbar support frame having a cylinder coupling member for coupling to a hydraulic cylinder. The coupling member has a slot for removably receiving an end of the cylinder. The adapter bracket includes a lug which extends from a flange. The lug is removably receivable by the coupling member, and the flange is adapted to engage and support a weight. A coupling bore extends through the lug and bracket bores extend through the coupling member. A coupling pin is insertable through the coupling bore and the bracket bores and to releasably hold the bracket in the coupling member. A pin bore extends vertically through the bracket, and a further coupling pin is removably insertable through the pin bore. The further coupling pin is adapted to engage a weight which is mounted on the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Heimbuch, Deepak Bhoir
  • Publication number: 20130343853
    Abstract: On a rear part side of a revolving frame (5) constituting an upper revolving structure (3), a counterweight (7) holding weight balance with a working mechanism (4) is provided, and on the front side of the counterweight (7), an engine (9) and an exhaust gas post-treatment device (21) for applying purification treatment to an exhaust gas of the engine (9) are provided. The exhaust gas post-treatment device (21) is configured by connecting a PM trapping filter device (22) and an NOx purifying device (23), and the PM trapping filter device (22) is mounted on the engine (9), while the NOx purifying device (23) is mounted on the counterweight (7). When the counterweight (7) is to be removed from the revolving frame (5), the NOx purifying device (23) is supported by a treatment device support bracket (26) mounted on the engine (9). As a result, the counterweight (7) can be removed while the PM trapping filter device (22) and the NOx purifying device (23) are connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kensuke Sato, Tsuyoshi Nakamura, Takahiro Kobayashi, Hiroyuki Azuma
  • Patent number: 8573646
    Abstract: A mounting structure is provided for an NOx reduction system for a hydraulic excavator. The NOx reduction system includes a PM collection filter to be arranged in an exhaust passage of an engine to collect suspended particulate matter in exhaust gas from the engine, a urea SCR catalyst for reducing and purifying nitrogen oxides in the exhaust gas from the engine, a urea water spay device for spraying a urea water into the exhaust passage of the engine, a urea water feeder for feeding the urea water to the urea water spray device, and a urea water storage tank for storing therein the urea water to be guided to the urea water feeder. In the mounting structure, the counterweight is provided with a recessed section formed therein, the urea SCR catalyst is arranged in the recessed section, and the PM collection filter is arranged in the engine compartment. The urea SCR catalyst and PM collection filter are arranged to form an “L” pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shohei Kamiya
  • Publication number: 20130259626
    Abstract: A counterweight system for an industrial machine includes a body having a front end and a back end, the body defining a cavity, and a plurality of walls defining a plurality of discrete sections within the body, each discrete section having an aperture for inserting a counterweight into the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: HARNISCHFEGER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher T. Larson, Joseph Colwell, James Hutsick, Daniel Schlegel
  • Patent number: 8523226
    Abstract: Disclosed is a counterweight which is filled with a heavy-weight concrete containing, instead of currently used iron ores, a heavy-weight aggregate that scarcely causes the material segregation from cement paste and which can be produced at a low cost and is effectively enhanced in the filling factor of heavy-weight concrete into a case. A counterweight 6 comprises a case 62 and heavy-weight concrete filled therein, wherein the heavy-weight concrete contains a heavy-weight fine aggregate containing 20 mass % or more of aggregate particles having particle diameters of less than 0.15 mm and 20 mass % or more of aggregate particles having particle diameters of 2.5 mm to less than 5 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Yoshimoto, Yasuhide Higo, Eichi Manabe, Wataru Kataoka, Kazuya Kuriyama
  • Publication number: 20130078071
    Abstract: An electric construction machine that enables quick and easy replacement of the battery device with different types of battery devices is provided. An upper swing structure has a vehicle main body and a vehicle rear part. The battery device is mounted on the vehicle rear part and the vehicle rear part is attachable and detachable to/from a vehicle body frame of the vehicle main body using a bolt. A main frame overhangs and extends in a longitudinal direction to reach the underside of the vehicle rear part. The vehicle rear part also includes a rear frame to be mounted on the main frame and is fixed with the bolt and a rear cover covering the rear frame forming a battery compartment, and having a shape imitating a counter weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akira Noguchi, Masayuki Yunoue
  • Publication number: 20120315121
    Abstract: A counterweight attachment and removal system includes a machine mounting bracket and a link having two spaced apart arms. A proximal end of the link is pivotably coupled with the machine mounting bracket. A rotate cylinder has a proximal end pivotably coupled with the machine mounting bracket and a distal end pivotably coupled with a distal end of the link. A slide cylinder has a proximal end pivotably coupled with the link and a distal end pivotably coupled with a lift pin. The lift pin is positioned through slots defined by the two spaced apart arms. The counterweight attachment and removal system includes a first configuration in which the link is pivoted away from the machine mounting bracket, the rotate cylinder is retracted, the slide cylinder is extended, and the lift pin is positioned through distal portions of the slots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Praveen Halepatali, Ha-Rok Bae, Kazushige Okamoto, Hiroaki Ando, Yozo Nakamoto, Chris Ha
  • Patent number: 8317453
    Abstract: In a first aspect, the invention is directed to a manipulator that is relatively compact and has a relatively large range of motion. The manipulator includes a linkage that folds back on itself, which reduces the footprint of the linkage. In a particular embodiment, the manipulator includes a linkage and a load balancing device. The linkage includes a first link, a second link, a third link and a fourth link. The first link and second links are rotatably connected to a base about first and second connection axes. The third and fourth links are connected to the first and second links respectively about third and fourth connection axes respectively. The third and fourth links are rotatably connected to a lift arm about fifth and sixth connection axes respectively, wherein the fifth and sixth connection axes are horizontally displaced from the third and fourth connection axes in the direction of the first and second connection axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Inventor: Ray Givens
  • Patent number: 8220765
    Abstract: A counterbalance mechanism counterbalances an eccentric mass on a rotating shaft supported by a frame. A first pulley is coupled to and concentric with the shaft. An arm is coupled to the shaft to rotatably support a second at a first distance from the first pulley. A third pulley is fixedly coupled to the frame at a second distance from the first pulley. A fourth pulley is rotatably coupled to and concentric with the third pulley. A spring is fixed at a first end to the frame and has a second end that is coupled to the fourth pulley such that the spring provides a restoring force as the fourth pulley is rotated. A first cable has a first end that is coupled to the fourth pulley and a second end that is coupled to the frame through the third pulley after passing over the first and second pulleys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: David W. Bailey
  • Patent number: 8100622
    Abstract: An articulated lift aim assembly for a refuse receptacle generally includes an engaging device for releasably grasping the receptacle, an extendable boom along with an articulated arm mechanism interconnecting the book and the engaging device. A gear arrangement provides for coupling the boom and the arm for raising the arm mechanism with respect to the boom, rotating the arm mechanism with respect to the boom during raising of the arm mechanism and inverting the engaging device and receptacle during raising of the arm mechanism. A gravity operated hook is provided for latching the receptacle when the receptacle is inverted to prevent undesired release from the engaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Rainbow Conversion Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Glenn A. Romacly
  • Publication number: 20120003071
    Abstract: Disclosed is a counterweight which is filled with a heavy-weight concrete containing, instead of currently used iron ores, a heavy-weight aggregate that scarcely causes the material segregation from cement paste and which can be produced at a low cost and is effectively enhanced in the filling factor of heavy-weight concrete into a case. A counterweight 6 comprises a case 62 and heavy-weight concrete filled therein, wherein the heavy-weight concrete contains a heavy-weight fine aggregate containing 20 mass % or more of aggregate particles having particle diameters of less than 0.15 mm and 20 mass % or more of aggregate particles having particle diameters of 2.5 mm to less than 5 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Yoshimoto, Yasuhide Higo, Eichi Manabe, Wataru Kataoka, Kazuya Kuriyama
  • Patent number: 8069592
    Abstract: The present invention is a heavy equipment vehicle for laying pipe, such as a modified excavator. The vehicle includes an undercarriage with a tracks for moving, an excavator cab mounted to the undercarriage by a rotating platform, a counterweight mounted to the cab, a boom having a first arm and a second arm, two pipe hoists, and an excavator tool attachment. The excavator tool attachment can be a bucket, scoop, grapple, a pulverizer, claw or a hammer of an excavator. Each arm of the vehicle has a pipe hoist attached to an underside thereof. The pipe hoist element is a two-block hoist with a top block and a bottom block with a hook extending downward, and a winch with line connecting to the two-block hoist, such that the line lowers and raises a hook connected to a harness of a pipe. The boom can also have stabilizer attachments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Inventor: William Anthony Ellett
  • Patent number: 8007222
    Abstract: A variable counterweight system includes a counterweight and at least one linear transfer device. The counterweight preferably includes a plurality of individual counterweight members. Each linear transfer device preferably includes a moving track and a drive device. The moving track could be a chain or a belt. The drive device is preferably a hydraulic, electric or pneumatic motor. The moving track is preferably retained in a guide track. A control unit receives input from at least one vertical sensor. If an attachment or a boom is in an elevated position, then the control unit powers the at least one drive device to move the counterweight to a rear of the skid steer. If the attachment or boom is in a lowered position, then the control unit powers the at least one drive device to move the counterweight to a front of the skid steer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: ET&T Engineering LLP
    Inventor: Thomas V. Roden
  • Publication number: 20100290883
    Abstract: The work vehicle includes a main body frame, a counterweight, a first beam member, and a first cover member. The counterweight is placed at a rear portion of the main body frame. The counterweight forms a concave portion that is recessed rearwardly from a front surface side of the counterweight and extends to a top surface of the counterweight. The first beam member extends across the concave portion and is attached to both side ends of the counterweight. The first cover member is provided on a top surface of a first frame portion including the first beam member and the concave portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Taichirou Kitatani, Toshiharu Kurosawa
  • Publication number: 20100172730
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a control circuit for automatically bringing a hydraulically operated work arm into a particular position without having to manually reverse the direction of the hydraulic operating system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: Richard J. LECH, Vlad P. PATRANGENARU
  • Patent number: 7751919
    Abstract: A buffer station provides potential improvement for the operation of a facility. By storing to-be-accessed workpieces in the buffer stations of an equipment, the operation of the facility is not interrupted when the equipment is down. The workpieces can be retrieved through emergency access port of the buffer station, thus ensure the continuous supply of workpieces for the workpiece flow of the facility. Algorithm for getting the needed workpieces to the buffer station is also provided through a controller or a computer mechanism. The buffer station can be incorporated in a stocker, such as wafer stocker or reticle stocker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Dynamic Micro Systems
    Inventor: Lutz Rebstock
  • Patent number: 7677129
    Abstract: A spatial linkage including an inboard gimbal plate that provides a ground for the spatial linkage, an outboard gimbal plate, and three links that couple the outboard gimbal plate to the inboard gimbal plate. Each link has a longitudinal axis and two pivotal couplings disposed at opposite ends of the longitudinal axis. Each link is pivotally coupled to the outboard gimbal plate at a first end of the longitudinal axis and pivotally coupled to the inboard gimbal plate at a second end of the longitudinal axis opposite the first end. The pivotal couplings allow the outboard gimbal plate to move relative to the inboard gimbal plate and preventing relative rotation between the outboard gimbal plate and the inboard gimbal plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Michael Schena, Roman Devengenzo
  • Patent number: 7618062
    Abstract: A working machine includes a rear mounted 3 point hitch and a ballast assembly. The ballast assembly includes a housing and a metal frame positioned within the housing. The frame includes a 3 point coupler connected with the 3 point hitch. Concrete ballast is within the housing in contact with the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Nicholas Hamm, Peter Sutherland Sharpe
  • Publication number: 20090104011
    Abstract: An objective of the present invention is to provide a counterweight of a power shovel interchangeable with that of a superordinate model without affecting a rear end radius of the shovel at the time of rotation. In the power shovel 50 in which the counterweight is formed at the rear part of a vehicle body frame 11 extended from a front end to a rear end of a lower part of a rotation upper body 10, and an engine 14 is mounted on the rear part of the vehicle body frame 11, an additional weight 12 is placed in a space between the rear part of the vehicle body frame 11 and the engine 14.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: YANMAR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Oyamada, Keiichi Nishihara, Takahiro Ikeda, Takafumi Nobayashi, Masao Nagata, Saizou Kondou, Masami Miyanishi
  • Publication number: 20080253875
    Abstract: A counterweight installation device includes: a weight support unit provided on a rear end of a body frame of a construction machine; a weight mounting unit disposed on a counterweight; a pin member for mounting the counterweight adapted to move between a first position at which the weight mounting unit is mounted on the weight support unit and a second position at which the weight mounting unit is dismounted from the weight support unit; and a rod device, one end of which is linked with the pin member and an other end of which extends so as to project to an outside of the counterweight, adapted to move the pin member between the first position and the second position by operation at the other end thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: Hitachi Sumitomo Heavy Industries Construction Crane Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunori Yamamoto, Koji Yamagata, Yoshimasa Sugiura
  • Patent number: 7097186
    Abstract: An industrial vehicle includes a vehicle body, a pair of rear wheels, a rear axle for supporting the rear wheels, a lock cylinder, a counterweight and a coupling portion. The rear axle is supported to be pivotable relative to the vehicle body. The lock cylinder is located between the vehicle body and the rear axle. The lock cylinder limits pivoting of the rear axle. The counterweight forms a rear portion of the vehicle body. The counter weight supports the rear axle. The coupling portion is integrally formed with the counterweight to couple the fluid pressure cylinder with the vehicle body. This reduces the number of components and the manufacturing steps of the industrial vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Shuo Uematsu, Hiroshi Kobayashi, Takahito Miyake
  • Patent number: 6997668
    Abstract: The invention concerns a handling device comprising, in combination, a mechanical equilibrium mechanism (10) with low reaction time, having an arm (20) whereof the proximal end (22) is locked on a pivot pin (18) and whereof the distal (26) is adapted to support a load (10), a force sensor (30) positioned in a selected site for detecting apparent weight variation the load (10) resulting from a force being exerted on said load in response to an operator's movement, servo feed-back means (32) actuated by the force sensor (30), and an actuator (34) controlled by the servo feed-back means (32) and connected to the arm to assist the operator's movement. The invention is applicable in particular to robot arms or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventors: Christian Salesse, Jean-Marc Loriot
  • Patent number: 6923613
    Abstract: A manipulator is provided that includes a foot part and a number of members connected to the foot part and to each other respectively, and at least a gripper part, such that the members, the gripper and the foot part form an arm. One or more motors are provided in the foot part for moving at least a one of the members and the gripper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Inventor: Henricus Johannes Adrianus Stuyt
  • Patent number: 6821081
    Abstract: A small loader machine of the skid-steered type having a counterweight to balance heavy loads in the loader bucket. The bucket is automatically extended forward as the counterweight is extended in the opposite direction so as to keep the machine always in reasonable balance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Inventor: William C. Kurtz
  • Patent number: 6758113
    Abstract: A pick and place apparatus comprises a bond arm adapted for rotation about an axis between a pick location and a place location. The bond arm is formed with a cavity at an end of the arm remote from the axis, within which cavity are located a plurality of damping particles for damping unwanted vibrations of the bond arm. The particles may be irregular tungsten granules with a diameter between 0.3 and 1.2 mm and a filling ratio of about 75%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: ASM Assembly Automation Limited
    Inventors: Ping Kong Choy, Chou Kee Liu, Wei Hsin Laio, Yu Wang