Abstract: Impact rippers are useful, for example, in fracturing rock and other hard material which is to be excavated. Known systems using structures which mount the impact hammer and the linear ram within a single housing transmit vibrations into the mounting frame and are difficult to service and expensive to maintain. The subject linear impact ripper apparatus has an impact hammer having one end resiliently mounted to a mounting frame and another end slidably mounted on one of the linear ram and the tool holder. Thus, the disclosed linear impact ripper apparatus reduces vibrations transmitted to the mounting frame and has separate elements for ease of service and reduced maintenance cost and maintains the alignment between the separate parts of the structure. The arrangement allows the connection between the impact hammer and one of the linear ram and the tool holder to be sealed from atmosphere.

Abstract: Impact buckets are useful, for example, in fracturing rock and other hard material which is to be excavated. Known systems using vibrating mechanisms which are mechanically coupled to a cutting edge assembly do not produce forces high enough to efficiently fracture the rock or other hard material and send destructive vibration forces to the base vehicle. The subject impact bucket mechanism uses an impact hammer which is impact coupled to a cutting edge assembly to fracture rock and other hard material. This results in a force controlled system in which displacement varies with material resistance. The force levels achieved by the impact coupled system are higher than the vibrating system. Thus, the disclosed impact bucket mechanism can produce higher force levels which can more efficiently fracture the rock or the other hard material without sending destructive vibration to the base machine.

Abstract: A dampener for cushioning engagement forces of an impacting mechanism. An impacting mechanism has relatively movable members that can be releasably coupled together. The coupling engagement produces forces which tend to deform the coupling members. An impacting mechanism, having an actuator with a releasable coupling member is coupled to a relatively movable impact plunger, contains a dampener which compresses or deforms to cushion the coupling force. An impacting mechanism having a dampener for cushioning the forces during coupling engagement prevents the coupling members from being deformed.

Abstract: An impacting mechanism for impacting a surface. An impacting mechanism having plungers spaced apart and adjacent allows fractured pieces to fly away and has a latch assembly that puts side loads on the plungers. An impacting mechanism having an impact plunger disposed in generally centered relation within a tubular actuator shields the impact to contain fractured pieces and provides a plurality of latch assemblies to equalize loading. The impacting mechanism breaks composite material into a plurality of pieces.

Abstract: Demolition apparatus which is attached to a movable boom-like member of a machine. The demolition apparatus includes support structure which carries a power plunger and an actuator plunger. The plungers are mounted in adjacent relationship and are movable with respect to the support structure. A compression spring urges the power plunger in a direction from the support structure. The actuator plunger includes a latch device which engages a portion of the power plunger. In operation, the support structure is moved toward a surface to be demolished. The actuator member engages the surface and remains fixed as the support structure continues to move toward the surface. Therefore, as this occurs, there is relative movement between the support structure and the actuator plunger. A latch carried by the actuator plunger engages a part of the power plunger and retains the position of the power plunger with respect to the actuator plunger.

Abstract: A control system for a pneumatic actuator uses pressurized gases, such as air, as the actuating medium. Such gases and particularly air commonly contain moisture which condenses to form a liquid, such as water, which collects in a closed chamber of an expandable chamber assembly in the pneumatic actuator. In cold climates, the water freezes, preventing proper control of the pneumatic actuator. By providing a control system having a valve positioned elevationally higher or in close proximity to a pneumatic actuator and a tube which extends into the closed chamber of the expandable chamber assembly, water which is contained in the closed chamber is expelled from the elevationally lowest portion of the assembly when the valve is shifted to exhaust the air from the control system.

Abstract: Door lock and lock assemblies are useful, for example, in vehicle cabs. Latch and lock assemblies of known structures which can be unlocked from inside the cab while remaining locked from outside the cab require complex and bulky linkage assemblies. The subject door latch and lock assembly includes pivotal outer and inner actuator. The pivotal movement of the outer actuator simultaneously pivots the inner actuator to open a catch mechanism. Pivot movement of the inner actuator can be independent of the outer actuator. A locking lever can be pivoted to a locked position to prevent pivotal movement of the outer actuator. Pivotal movement of the inner actuator is not prevented by the locking lever. Thus, the disclosed door latch and lock assembly can be opened from inside the cab while remaining locked from outside the cab without requiring complex and bulky linkage assemblies.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement for a linear impact ripper pivotally connected to a support frame and including an elongated torque tube or crossbeam having a pair of forwardly extending end plates pivotally mounting the crossbeam to the support frame. A pair of impactor mounting plates extend downwardly from the cross beam and position a linear reciprocating impact hammer therebelow. A pair of ripper shank mounting plates extend forwardly from the crossbeam to provide a pivot mounting for a ripper shank. The mounting frame transfers forces from the individual components into the crossbeam for effectively minimizing the transfer of shock forces from the ripper assembly to the vehicle.

Abstract: A guarding and clamping device wherein a plurality of control lines are held in position by resilient blocks on a support member of a work machine. The control lines are also protected and maintained in an ordered arrangement by cover guard.

Abstract: A latch mechanism is provided wherein the pawl has a concave recess which provides a vertical clearance between the pawl and the striker to allow limited vertical movement of the door. The vertical clearance reduces contact between the pawl and the striker to reduce wear.