Enclosed hose management system for sliding boom delimber

Abstract

A hose management system for a sliding boom delimber includes a hose reel carrier assembly that is enclosed within the boom structure along with the flexible system hoses to protect the system hoses and cables from contact and damage from outside sources. The hose reel management system provides a tension balance between flexible hoses pulling the hose reel carrier assembly in one direction and a tensioning cable pulling hose reel carrier assembly in the opposite direction to cause a preset tension to be maintained on the hoses as the boom is extended and retracted, maintaining the hoses in a substantially straight path as they move back and forth over the range of the system movement.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of provisional application Ser. No. 60/573,981, which is entitled “Enclosed Hose Management System For Sliding Boom Delimbers”, and which was filed on May 24, 2004, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to material handling devices, particularly to sliding boom delimbers, and to an improved hose management system for sliding boom delimbers.

Sliding boom delimbers have been found to provide fast and efficient delimbing, cutting and stacking of timber stems. Sliding boom delimbers are used to delimber timber stems that are large both in length and in diameter, with the boom being slid between retracted and fully extended positions during delimbing operations. Sliding boom delimbers typically include a rotatable platform upon which is mounted a cab, a power source and a material handling apparatus.

In some known sliding boom delimbers, the material handling apparatus includes a tunnel that is dimensioned to slideably receive a sliding boom that carries a grapple head, delimbing arms and other material handling apparatus at its distal end. The grapple head delimbing arms and other material handling apparatus are hydraulically and/or electrically operated under the control of an operator in the cab. To this end, a hose and cable system, including hydraulic hoses and/or electrical power cables, extends between the power source on the platform and the grapple head carried by the end of the boom. Due to the continually changing spacing of the grapple head from the power source, a need exists for improved boom constructions which are able to provide a hose and cable system between the grapple head and the power source, which minimizes boom complexity and costs, and which prevents the hydraulic hoses and/or electrical power cables from catching on external objects, protecting the hoses and cables from excessive wear or damage.

In known prior art sliding boom delimbers, the hoses and cables are mounted on the outside of the boom and extend along the top of the boom to the front grapple area. Because the hoses and cables are located outside of the boom structure, they are exposed to possible damage by falling limbs or contact with trees and other objects or other material that may come in contact with the hose or cables.

A further consideration is that slack is produced in the flexible hoses and cables as the boom is extended and retracted, allowing the hoses and cables to become tangled, or damaged during operation of the sliding boom delimber. One known sliding boom delimber, that is commercially available from PRO PAC Industries of Beauce, Quebec, Canada, includes a reel system to minimize slack in the hoses and cables as the sliding boom is being reciprocated. However, the reel system locates the hoses and cables exposed at the top of the boom.

It is accordingly the primary objective of the present invention that it provide an improved hose management system for a machine or apparatus that includes a sliding boom.

It is another objective of the present invention that it provide an improved hose management system for a sliding boom delimber.

Another objective of the present invention is that it provide a hose management system for a sliding boom delimber that substantially prevents contact and damage to hydraulic hoses from outside sources during operation of the sliding boom delimber.

Yet another objective of the present invention is that it provide a hose management system for a sliding boom delimber that maintains system flexible hoses substantially tensioned and prevents out of plane motion of the hoses, thereby preventing tangling or damage to the hoses as the boom is reciprocated during operation of the delimber.

A further objective of the present invention is that it provide a hose management system for controlling movement of a plurality of sets of a plurality of flexible hoses of a sliding boom delimber as the boom is extended and retracted.

The apparatus of the present invention must also be of construction which is both durable and long lasting, and it should also require little or no maintenance to be provided by the user throughout its operating lifetime. In order to enhance the market appeal of the apparatus of the present invention, it should also be of inexpensive construction to thereby afford it the broadest possible market. Finally, it is also an objective that all of the aforesaid advantages and objectives be achieved without incurring any substantial relative disadvantage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disadvantages and limitations of the background art discussed above are overcome by the present invention. By this invention, there is provided a hose reel management system for managing one or more flexible hoses and/or cables for extending hydraulic and/or electrical operating power to components of other types of machines or apparatus that include a movable boom that is supported for reciprocating movement. The hose management system is particularly suitable for managing flexible hoses and/or cables of a sliding boom delimber.

In accordance with the invention, a hose reel management system includes a hose reel carrier assembly which, together with a tensioning cable system, allows one or more system flexible hoses and/or cables to be maintained tensioned to prevent tangling, or damage to the hoses and cables during operation of the system functions, including reciprocation of the boom. The hose reel carrier assembly of the hose reel management system moves in the same direction as the structure enclosing the hose reel management system in a manner to maintain a preset tension on the flexible hoses and cables, maintaining the hoses and cables in a substantially straight path as the hoses and cables are moved back and forth through the range of the system movement. This controlled tension limits out of plane motion of the hoses and cables which could cause damage to the hoses and cables.

In accordance with the invention, the hose reel carrier assembly is contained within a cavity of the boom. This feature protects the hoses and cables from contact and damage from outside sources. This design also allows the boom to be moved into brush piles and log piles without causing damage to the hoses or cables. Moreover, the hoses and cables are protected from possible damage by falling branches and limbs or contact with trees or other objects during use and/or transport of the sliding boom delimber.

The basic operation of the hose reel management system is to provide a tension balance between flexible hoses, with hoses and cables applying a force to the hose reel carrier assembly for pulling the hose reel carrier assembly in one direction, and a tensioning cable applying a force to the hose reel carrier assembly for pulling the hose reel carrier assembly in the opposite direction. The hoses and cables have one end coupled to one end of the boom, such as the forward end of the boom, are wrapped around sheaves of the hose reel carrier assembly, and have their other end coupled to a fixed mainframe. The tensioning cable is coupled to the hose reel carrier assembly and has one end coupled to the other end of the boom, such as the rearward end of the boom, and the other end coupled to the opposite side of the mainframe. The movement relationship between the boom and the hose reel carrier assembly is a 2:1 reduction, that is, the hose reel carrier assembly moves one-half the distance, and at one-half the speed of the boom.

As the boom moves to extend and/or retract the boom, the hose reel carrier assembly is moved in the same direction as the boom, taking up any slack in the hoses. As the boom is extended, for example, the hose reel carrier arrangement causes a tension to be provided between the tensioning cable, the hose reel carrier assembly, and the mainframe, but the hoses and/or cables pull the hose reel carrier in the direction of movement of the boom and away from the mainframe. As the boom is retracted, the tensioning cable pulls the hose reel carrier in the opposite direction. This tension increase balances the slack that would be created by the flexible hoses moving towards the mainframe, thereby balancing the forces. In other words, as the flexible hoses and/or cables tend to loosen, the tensioning cable tends to tighten, maintaining a substantially constant tension in the hose carrier system. In addition, the controlled tension balance causes the hose reel carrier assembly to be suspended within the cavity of the boom by the hose and/or cable and the tensioning cable.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the hose reel carrier assembly includes a main sheave and a secondary sheave. A first set of the plurality of hoses and/or cables are wrapped around the main sheave and a second set of the plurality of hoses and/or cables are wrapped around the secondary sheave. The secondary sheave matches rpm for both of the hose/cable sets. If the hoses/cables were stacked on a common sheave, the hoses of the inner hose/cable set would move less than the hoses/cables of the outer hose/cable set because the inner hoses/cables roll on a different radius than the outer hoses/cables. The secondary sheave allows the inner and outer hoses/cables to be looped around separate sheaves so that the inner and outer hose/cable sets are played out at the same rotary speed.

It may therefore be seen that the present invention provides a hose reel management system for a sliding boom delimber or other machine or apparatus of the type that includes a sliding boom carrying hoses and/or cables for powering components carried by the boom. The hose reel management system includes a hose reel carrier assembly which, together with a tensioning cable system, maintains system flexible hoses and/or cables tensioned to prevent tangling, or damage to the hoses and cables during operation of the system functions. The hose reel carrier assembly of the hose reel management system moves in the same direction as the boom structure enclosing the hose reel management system in a manner to maintain a preset tension on the flexible hoses and cables, maintaining the hoses and cables in a substantially straight path as the hoses and cables are moved back and forth through the range of the system movement. This controlled tension limits out of plane motion of the hoses and cables that could cause damage. Moreover, the flexible hoses and/or cables of a sliding boom delimber are located within the boom structure so that the hoses and/or cables are not exposed to possible damage by falling limbs or contact with trees during use and/or transport of the sliding boom delimber.

The hose reel management system of the present invention is of a construction which is both durable and long lasting, and which will require little or no maintenance to be provided by the user throughout its operating lifetime. The hose reel management system of the present invention is also of inexpensive construction to enhance its market appeal and to thereby afford it the broadest possible market. Finally, all of the aforesaid advantages and objectives are achieved without incurring any substantial relative disadvantage.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other advantages of the present invention are best understood with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a sliding boom delimber which includes a hose management system of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a simplified representation of the sliding boom and a hose reel carrier assembly of the sliding boom delimber of FIG. 1, shown in the fully retracted position;

FIG. 3 is a simplified representation of the sliding boom and the hose reel carrier assembly of the sliding boom delimber of FIG. 1, shown in the fully extended position;

FIG. 4 is a simplified representation of the sliding boom and the hose reel carrier assembly of the sliding boom delimber of FIG. 1, shown in a position intermediate the fully retracted and fully extended positions;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the mainframe of the sliding boom delimber of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an end view taken along the sight line 6-6 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of portions of the boom of the sliding boom delimber of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a section view taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the back end portion of the boom shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of the hose reel carrier assembly;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the hose reel carrier assembly of FIG. 10, with the hoses and the tensioning cable shown;

FIG. 12 is a section view taken along the line 12-12 of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 13 is a section view taken along the line 13-13 of FIG. 7.

All figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachings of the present invention only; the extensions of the Figures with respect to number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts to form the preferred embodiment will be explained or will be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, and similar requirements will likewise be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood.

Where used in the various figures of the drawings, the same numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms “top”, “bottom”, “first”, “second”, “inside”, “outside”, “front”, “back”, “outer”, “inner”, “upper”, “lower”, “height”, “width”, “length”, “end”, “side”, “horizontal”, “vertical”, “rear”, “forward”, and similar terms are used herein, it should be understood that these terms have reference only to the structure shown in the drawings as it would appear to a person viewing the drawings and are utilized only to facilitate describing the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a sliding boom delimber 20 incorporating the improved hose management system according to the present invention. The delimber 20 includes a wheeled or track carrier unit 22 which can be similar to the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,565,486. The delimber 20 is a side discharge-type machine. In particular, the carrier unit 22 includes a rotatable platform 24 upon which are mounted a cab 26, a power source 28 and a main frame unit 30, for rotation relative to the carrier unit 22. The carrier unit 22 does not form a part of the invention and other forms of movable carrier or support units can be utilized, including but not limited to tracks. Moreover, while the hose management system according to the present invention is described with reference to an application in a sliding boom delimber, the hose management system can be used for managing one or more flexible hoses and/or cables for extending hydraulic and/or electrical operating power to components of other types of machines or apparatus that include a movable boom that is supported for reciprocating movement.

Referring also to FIGS. 5 and 6, the main frame unit 30 includes a mainframe 38 having a central, front-to-back opening 40 (FIG. 6) of a size and shape for slideably receiving a sliding boom 42 that carries a material handling attachment 34 (FIG. 1). The mainframe unit 30 further includes a boom drive 44 for reciprocating the boom 42 on the carrier unit 22 between a fully retracted position, shown in FIG. 2 and a fully extended position, shown in FIG. 3. The delimber 20 can be operated with the boom 42 located at the fully extended or fully retracted positions, or any position intermediate the fully extended or retracted positions, such as the centered position shown in FIG. 4.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, the boom drive 44 can include a drive gear and a drive chain that provide a rack and pinion type drive for reciprocating the sliding boom 42. When the drive gear is driven, the boom 42 will slide in the opening 40 of the mainframe 38 due to the rack and pinion type drive provided between the drive chain and the drive gear. The boom 42 can be supported within the opening 40 (FIG. 6) of the top head unit 30 in any suitable manner such as by support rollers on the top, bottom and one side of the boom, and slide bearings on the other side of the boom.

Referring to FIG. 1, the material handling attachment 34 can include a top head unit 48, which can be of conventional design, is suitably secured and mounted to the forward end of the sliding boom 42. Preferably, the top head unit 48 is mounted to the forward end of the boom 42. The top head unit 48 can include suitable grapple and delimbing arms, a topping saw, and other material handling apparatus. The mainframe 38 can also include material handling apparatus such as feed rollers mounted thereto, grapples, and buttsaw systems. A rear stop can be suitably mounted to the rear end of the boom 42. Suitable bumpers can be provided on the mainframe unit 30 to prevent destructive abutment of the top head unit 48 and the rear stop with the mainframe unit 30.

The mainframe unit 30 further includes one or more flexible hoses, collectively indicated by reference numeral 36, for extending hydraulic and/or electrical operating power to components of the top head unit 48 of the delimbing machine. As will be shown, in the preferred embodiment, the hoses 36 include two sets of hoses, with each hose set including two hoses. However, each hose set can include fewer or more hoses and with suitable modification, the hoses 36 can include more than two sets of hoses. The flexible hoses 36 can include one or more flexible hydraulic lines carrying hydraulic fluid under pressure, and/or one or more electrical cables, and the like. The hose management system in accordance with the invention provides a controlled tension on the hoses 36 during movement of the hoses 36 between the front and the back of the boom 42 as the boom is reciprocated. This controlled tension limits out of plane motion of the hoses 36 that could cause damage.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 5, 6 and 12, the boom 42 can be formed by a conventional I-beam 52 (FIG. 12) including a top flange 54, a bottom flange 56 and an interconnection web 58 integrally extending generally perpendicular to the flanges intermediate the edges of the flanges 54 and 56. The widths of the flanges 54 and 56 can be equal. The flanges 54 and 56 extend generally horizontally with flange 54 located vertically above flange 56.

The boom 42 further includes a side plate 60 of a length generally equal to the length of the I-beam 52 and a height that allows the side plate 60 to be received between the top flange 54 and the bottom flange 56. The side plate 60 can be secured to the I-beam 52 on one side of the I-beam in any suitable manner, preferably by welding. The boom 42 includes a set of partial plates 62 that is centered on the opposite side of the I-beam, centrally located between the top flange 54 and the bottom flange 56, partially closing the other side of the I-beam and, together with the web 58, defining a cavity 64, shown in FIGS. 6 and 12, for example. The partial plate 62 can be secured to the I-beam 52 on other side of the I-beam, preferably by welding, or in any other suitable manner.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the hose management system includes a hose reel carrier assembly 70 that maintains system flexible hoses 36 substantially tensioned to prevent tangling or damage to the hoses as the boom 42 is reciprocated during operation of the delimber 20. The hose management system further includes a tensioning cable system, including a tensioning cable 100, which, together with the hose reel carrier assembly 70, prevents slack in the hoses 36 as the sliding boom 42 is reciprocated between fully retracted and fully extended positions. The hoses 36 pull the hose reel carrier assembly 70 for boom movement in one direction and the tensioning cable 100 pulls the hose reel carrier assembly 70 for boom movement in the opposite direction. By way of example, the tensioning cable 100 can be a steel cable.

More specifically, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 8-11, as is stated above, the hoses 36 include two sets of hoses, including an inner hose set 79 and an outer hose set 80. The inner hose set includes hoses 81 and 82, shown in FIGS. 8 and 11. The outer hose set includes hoses 83 and 84, also shown in FIGS. 8 and 11. As will be shown each of the hoses 81-84 has one end clamped to the mainframe unit 30 and the other end clamped to the top head unit 48. The hose reel carrier assembly 70 and the hoses 36 are at least partially enclosed within the boom structure, located within the cavity 64 (FIG. 6) defined by the web 58 and the partial plates 62 and thus are enclosed within the structure of the boom 42 at one side of the web 58 as shown in FIG. 6, for example. This feature protects the hydraulic and/or electrical hoses 36 and the tensioning cable 100 from contact and damage from outside sources.

The hose reel carrier assembly 70 includes a plurality of sheaves, such as sheaves 71 and 72, that direct the hoses 81-84 as the boom 42 is reciprocated. The hoses 81-84 are not stacked, using a common sheave, because the hoses would be played out at different speeds. Accordingly, the hose reel carrier assembly 70 includes a main sheave 71 and a secondary sheave 72 that is located forwardly of the main sheave 71. The secondary sheave 72 matches rpm for both of the hose sets 79 and 80. If the hoses are stacked on a common sheave the hoses 81,82 of the inner hose set 79 would move less than the hoses 83,84 of the outer hose set 80 because the inner hoses 79 roll on a different radius than the outer hoses 80. Although the hoses 81,82 and 83,84 would move at the same linear speed, the inner and outer hoses would be played out at different rotary speeds so that either not enough or too much hose would be played out, and proper tension cannot be maintained if the hoses are stacked on a common sheave. The diameter of the secondary sheave 72 is less than the diameter of the main sheave 71, allowing the hoses and/or cables of the inner and outer sets to be played out at the same rotary speed as the boom is reciprocated.

Considering the hose reel carrier assembly 70 in more detail with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9-11, the hose reel carrier assembly 70 includes a pair of support members 73 which are spaced apart by pivot axles 75 and 74 which pivotally mount the main sheave 71 and the secondary sheave 72, respectively. The hose reel carrier assembly 70 further includes a sheave 76 pivotally mounted to the support members 73 by a pivot axle 77 at the back of the hose reel carrier assembly 70. A guide sheave 78 is mounted to the support members 73 by a pair of bars 89 which pivotable support the guide sheave 78 at a location above and slightly forward of the sheave 76. The sheaves 76 and 78 are part of the tensioning cable system as is described below. Preferably, the axes of rotation of the three sheaves 71, 72 and 76, which are defined by the pivot axles 74, 75 and 77, lie in a common horizontal plane.

The hose reel carrier assembly 70 is not connected to the boom 42 or to the mainframe unit 30 and is capable of moving relative to the boom 42 and the mainframe unit 30. The hose reel carrier assembly 70 is suspended within the boom 42 by the hoses 36 and the tensioning cable 100 due to this tension balance. A tension balance is provided between the hoses 81-84 pulling in one direction and the tensioning cable 100 pulling in the opposite direction. The hose reel carrier assembly 70 is moved in the same direction as the boom 42 to cause a preset tension to be maintained on the hoses 81-84 as the boom 42 is extended and retracted. Consequently, the hoses 81-84 are maintained in a substantially straight path as they move back and forth over the range of the system movement.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 7 and 8, each of the hoses 81 and 82 of hose set 79, such as hose 81, has one end 85 connected at location H2 to the forward end of the boom 42 that carries the top head unit 48. The hose 81 is looped around the secondary sheave 72 of the hose reel carrier assembly 70 and the other end 86 (FIG. 2) of the hose 81 is attached to the mainframe at location H1. The mainframe unit 30 can include a mounting block 91 having four separate outlet passageways 93, including a separate passageway to which the four hoses or cables 81-84 are individually coupled. The connection of the hose end 85 to the forward end of the boom 42 can be made using a hose clamp assembly 90, shown in FIG. 13, that is secured to boom 42 and having separate hose clamps 91 and 92, hose clamp 91 clamping the end 85 of the hose 81 and hose clamp 92 clamping the end of hose 82, the ends of the hoses 81 and 82 passing through the hose clamp assembly 90 to the top head unit 48. The hose clamp assembly 90 has an opening 93 to allow the ends of hoses 83 and 84 to pass through the hose clamp assembly 90 to the top head unit 48. The two clamping positions for the hoses 81 and 82 are indicated in FIGS. 1-4, for example, as H1 and H2.

Similarly, each of the hoses 83 and 84 of hose set 80, such as hose 83, has one end 87 connected at location H2 to the forward end of the boom 42 that carries the top head unit 48. The hose 83 is looped around the main sheave 71 of the hose reel carrier assembly 70 and the other end 88 of the hose 83 is attached to the mainframe 38 at location H1. The connections of the hose ends 87 and 88 to the forward end of the boom 42 and the mainframe 38, respectively can be made in the manner described above for hoses 81 and 82. The connection of the hose end 85 to the forward end of the boom 42 can be made using a hose clamp assembly 94, shown in FIG. 12, that is secured to boom 42 and having separate hose clamps 95 and 96, hose clamp 95 clamping the end 87 of the hose 83 and hose clamp 96 clamping the end of hose 84, the ends of the hoses 83 and 84 passing through the hose clamp assembly 94 to the grapple head of the top head unit 30. The hose clamp 94 has an opening 97 to allow the ends of hoses 81 and 82 to pass through the hose clamp 94 to the grapple head 48. The two clamping positions for the hoses 83 and 84 are the same as those for hoses 81 and 82, indicated in FIGS. 1-4 as H1 and H2.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 3, 7 and 10, 12 and 13, in addition to the tensioning cable 100, the tensioning cable system includes the sheave 76 and the sheave 78 which are coupled to and move with the hose reel carrier assembly. The tensioning cable system further includes a fixed sheave 102 and a fixed sheave 103. The sheave 76 is coupled to the hose reel carrier assembly 70 by supports 73. The sheave 78 is coupled by bars 89 to the supports 73 of the hose reel carrier assembly 70 to move with the hose reel carrier assembly 70 as the boom 42 is reciprocated between retracted and extended positions. The fixed sheave 102 is mounted to the boom 42 at the back end at a location above a location S (FIG. 9) at which one cable end 104 of the tensioning cable 100 is attached to the boom 42. The connection of sheave 102 can be made using an all threaded rod 110, a mounting plate 112 and a nut 114. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 9, the connection of cable end 104 to the boom 42 at location S can be made using an all threaded rod 116, the mounting plate 112 and nuts 118. The other cable end 106 of the tensioning cable 100 is connected to mainframe 38 at location MF. Referring to FIGS. 7, 12 and 13, the fixed sheave 103 is mounted to the front end of the boom 42 by an all threaded rod 120 that passes through an aperture in a mounting plate 122 attached to the top flange 54 of the boom 42, and held in place by a pair of nuts 124.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 5, 7, and 9, the tensioning cable 100 extends from location S around the movable sheave 76 that is attached to the hose reel carrier assembly 70, redirected to the fixed sheave 102, passes around the fixed sheave 102, and is redirected to the guide sheave 78. The tensioning cable 100 passes over the guide sheave 78 and extends to the front end of the boom 42. The sheave 76 couples the tensioning cable 100 to the hose reel carrier assembly 70. The guide sheave 78 maintains the tensioning cable 100 above the hoses 81-84 in the proximity of the hose reel carrier assembly 70. At the front end of the boom 42, the tensioning cable 100 passes over sheave 103 and is redirected to the connection point MF on the mainframe 38.

The point of coupling of the tensioning cable 100 to the hose reel carrier assembly 70, at sheave 76, is centered so that tension will be equal on either side. Thus, if for any reason the hose reel carrier assembly 70 tends to tilt, the hoses 36 tend to align it. If the sheave 76 were located at a higher position, such as the height of guide sheave 78, such positioning could allow creation of an undesirable moment, causing the hose reel carrier assembly 70 to rotate whereby additional non-tension related forces could be introduced into the system, resulting in additional tensional forces.

As is stated above, the hose reel carrier assembly 70 is enclosed within the structure of the boom 42 at one side of the web 51 as shown in FIG. 6, for example. This feature protects the hydraulic and/or electrical hoses 81-84 and the tensioning cable 100 from contact and damage from outside sources. This design also allows the boom 42 to be moved into brush piles and log piles with out causing damage to the hoses or cables. During the time, the delimbing machine is driven through the woods, the hoses 81-84 are protected from falling branches and trees that would normally damage the hoses.

The basic operation of the hose reel carrier assembly 70 is a tension balance between the hoses 81-84 pulling in one direction, and the tensioning cable 100 pulling in the opposite direction. The tensioning cable system produces a force in the direction opposite to that being produced by the hoses 81-84 as the result of movement of the boom 42.

The movement relationship between the boom 42 and the hose reel carrier assembly 70 provides a 2:1 reduction, i.e., the hose reel carrier assembly 70 moves ½ the distance, and at ½ the speed of the boom 42. The looping of the hoses 81-84 and the tensioning cable 100 over the hose reel carrier assembly 70 and the sheaves 71, 72 and 76 provide this reduction.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4 and 7, the following is an illustration of the operation of the hose management system. As is stated above, the mainframe 38 on the mainframe unit 30 is stationary and the boom 42 is moved relative to the mainframe unit 30 and thus the mainframe 38.

FIG. 2 shows the boom in the fully retracted position. As the boom 42 is extended, i.e., moved forward, to the left in FIGS. 3 and 4, the four hoses 81-84 are pulled behind the boom 42, as shown in FIG. 4, where the boom is shown in an intermediate position, and in FIG. 3, where the boom is shown fully extended position. The hose reel carrier assembly 70 moves at ½ half the speed and direction of the boom 42. The hoses 81-84 and the tensioning cable 100 move at the same rate. As the boom 42 moves forward, the hoses 81-84 are played out as shown in FIGS. 4 and 3, with the hoses 36 moving twice as far as the hose reel carrier assembly 70. For example, the hoses move one foot for every six inches that the hose reel carrier assembly 70 moves. The sheaves 72 and 76 allow this 2-to-1 movement. Thus, for one foot of movement of the boom 42, there will be six inches of movement of the upper extent of the hoses and six inches of movement of the lower extent of the hoses as they loop around the sheaves 72 and 76.

As the boom 42 is moved in the opposite direction (retracted), to the right in FIGS. 4 and 2, the hoses 39 are being picked up and the tensioning cable 100 is being pulled to the right by the mainframe, causing the tensioning cable 100, pulled over sheave 103 and over sheave 102 to pull against the sheave 76 at the opposite end of the mainframe 38, so that the hose reel carrier assembly will pick up any slack in the hoses as the boom is moved from the extended position (FIG. 3) toward the retracted position (FIG. 2).

Thus, in operation, when the boom drive 44 is activated, the boom 42 slides in the mainframe unit 30 in response to the rack and pinion-type drive provided. Whenever the boom 42 is being retracted from the fully extended position, the hose reel carrier assembly 70 is taking up slack in the hoses 36, as illustrated in FIG. 4 which shows the boom 42 in an intermediate position. When the boom 42 is driven to the fully retracted position, FIG. 2, the stop engages the rear end of mainframe unit 30 as seen in FIG. 1, preventing further retraction of the boom 42.

Referring to FIG. 10, the tensioning cable 100 is coupled to the hose reel carrier assembly 70 at a point of coupling that is centered vertically so that tension will be equal on either side, above or below, the sheave 76. Thus, if the hose reel carrier assembly 70 tends to tilt for any reason, the hoses 81-84 tend to align the hose reel carrier assembly 70. Locating the sheave 76 at a higher position could create an undesirable moment, causing the hose reel carrier assembly 70 to rotate, causing additional non-tensional forces to be introduced into the system, creating additional tensional forces.

Referring again to FIG. 1, as the boom 42 is retracted to move the top head unit 48 towards the mainframe unit 30, this moves the hose reel carrier assembly 70 in the same direction as the boom 42 and the top head unit 48. If no other forces were present, this would loosen the hoses 81-84. As the top head unit 48 of the boom 42 moves towards the mainframe, this causes tension to be created between the steel cable 100, the hose reel carrier assembly 70, and the mainframe 38. This tension increase balances slack that would otherwise be created by the hoses 81-84 moving towards the mainframe 38, thereby balancing the forces. In other words, as the hoses 81-84 tend to loosen, the tensioning cable 100 tends to tighten, maintaining a constant tension in the hose reel carrier assembly 70. The sheave 78 prevents the portion of the hoses 81-84 overlying the hose reel carrier assembly 70 from sagging and engaging the first portion of hoses 81-84 located on the sheaves 71 and 72.

It may therefore be appreciated from the above detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention that it provides a hose management system for a sliding boom delimber or other machine of the type including a reciprocating boom that maintains on the hose bundles as the boom is reciprocated in use.

Although an exemplary embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described with reference to particular embodiments and applications thereof, it will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that a number of changes, modifications, or alterations to the invention as described herein may be made, none of which depart from the spirit or scope of the present invention. All such changes, modifications, and alterations should therefore be seen as being within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A hose reel management system for at least one flexible hose and/or cable of a machine including a mainframe and a movable boom supported by the mainframe for movement relative to the mainframe between extended and retracted positions, said hose reel management system comprising:

a hose reel carrier assembly including at least one sheave, said one hose and/or cable being wrapped around the sheave; and

a tensioning cable system including a tensioning cable coupled to the hose reel assembly;

wherein said one hose and/or cable and the tensioning cable apply forces to the hose reel carrier assembly in opposite directions for maintaining a controlled tension balance on said one hose and/or cable to limit out of plane motion of said one hose and/or cable when the boom is being extended and retracted, the controlled tension balance causing the hose reel carrier assembly to be suspended by said one hose and/or cable and the tensioning cable.

2. The hose reel management system according to claim 1, wherein the hose reel carrier assembly is moved in the direction in which the boom is being moved.

3. The hose reel management system according to claim 1, wherein said one hose and/or cable has a first end coupled to the boom near a first end of the boom and a second end coupled to the mainframe.

4. The hose reel management system according to claim 3, wherein the tensioning cable has a first end coupled to the boom near a second end of the boom and a second end coupled to the mainframe.

5. The hose reel management system according to claim 4, wherein the tensioning cable is coupled to the hose reel carrier assembly at a point of coupling that is centered vertically along one side of the hose reel carrier assembly to substantially prevent tilting of the hose reel carrier assembly.

6. The hose reel management system according to claim 1, wherein as the boom is extended, the boom pulls said one hose and/or cable in the direction in which the boom is moving and wherein as the boom is retracted, the tensioning cable causes the hose reel carrier assembly to be moved in the direction in which the boom is moving, taking up any slack in said one hose and/or cable.

7. The hose reel management system according to claim 4, wherein the first and second ends of the boom are forward and rearward ends, respectively, of the boom.

8. The hose reel management system according to claim 1, wherein, as the boom is reciprocated, the distance moved by and the speed of the hose reel carrier assembly are one-half the distance moved by and the speed of the boom, respectively.

9. The hose reel management system according to claim 1, wherein at least the hose reel carrier assembly and said one hose and/or cable are located within a cavity of the boom.

10. A hose reel management system for a plurality of flexible hoses and/or cables of a sliding boom delimber, the sliding boom delimber including a mainframe and a movable boom supported by the mainframe for movement relative to the mainframe between extended and retracted positions, said hose reel management system comprising:

a hose reel carrier assembly including a main sheave and a secondary sheave, a first set of the plurality of hoses and/or cables being wrapped around the main sheave and a second set of the plurality of hoses and/or cables being wrapped around the secondary sheave; and

a tensioning cable system including a tensioning cable coupled to the hose reel assembly;

wherein the hoses and/or cables and the tensioning cable apply forces to the hose reel carrier assembly in opposite directions for maintaining a controlled tension balance on the hoses and/or cables to limit out of plane motion of the hoses and/or cables when the boom is being extended and retracted, the controlled tension balance causing the hose reel carrier assembly to be suspended by the hoses and/or cables and the tensioning cable.

11. The hose reel management system according to claim 10, wherein each of the hoses and/or cables has a first end coupled to the boom near a forward end of the boom and a second end coupled to the mainframe.

12. The hose reel management system according to claim 11, wherein the tensioning cable has a first end coupled to the boom near a rearward end of the boom and a second end coupled to the mainframe.

13. The hose reel management system according to claim 10, wherein the hose reel carrier assembly is moved in the direction in which the boom is being moved.

14. The hose reel management system according to claim 10, wherein the main sheave has a first diameter and the secondary sheave has a second diameter that is less than the first diameter to allow the hoses and/or cables of the first and second sets of hoses and/or cables to be played out at the same rotary speed as the boom is reciprocated.

15. The hose reel management system according to claim 10, wherein the secondary sheave is located between the forward end of the boom and the main sheave.

16. The hose reel management system according to claim 10, wherein at least the hose reel carrier assembly and the hoses and/or cables are located within a cavity of the boom.

17. A hose reel management system for a plurality of flexible hoses and/or cables of a machine including a mainframe and a movable boom supported by the mainframe for reciprocating movement relative to the mainframe between extended and retracted positions, said hose reel management system comprising:

a hose reel carrier assembly including a main sheave and a secondary sheave, a first set of the plurality of hoses and/or cables being wrapped around the main sheave and a second set of the plurality of hoses and/or cables being wrapped around the secondary sheave; and

a tensioning cable system including a tensioning cable coupled to the hose reel assembly;

wherein the hoses and/or cables and the tensioning cable apply forces to the hose reel carrier assembly in opposite directions for maintaining a controlled tension balance on the hoses and/or cables to limit out of plane motion of the hoses and/or cables when the boom is being extended and retracted.

18. The hose reel management system according to claim 17, wherein each of the hoses and/or cables has a first end coupled to the boom near one end of the boom and a second end coupled to the mainframe.

19. The hose reel management system according to claim 17, wherein the tensioning cable has a first end coupled to the boom near one end of the boom and a second end coupled to the mainframe.

20. The hose reel management system according to claim 17, wherein the hose reel carrier assembly is moved in the direction in which the boom is being moved.

21. The hose reel management system according to claim 17, wherein at least the hose reel carrier assembly and the hoses and/or cables are located within a cavity of the boom, the controlled tension causing the hose reel carrier assembly to be suspended within the cavity of the boom by the hoses and/or cables and the tensioning cable.

22. The hose reel management system according to claim 17, wherein the main sheave has a first diameter and the secondary sheave has a second diameter that is less than the first diameter, the diameter of the secondary sheave being selected to allow the first and second sets of hose and/or cables to be played out at the same rotary speed as the boom is reciprocated.

23. The hose reel management system according to claim 17, wherein the secondary sheave is located between the forward end of the boom and the main sheave.

24. The hose reel management system according to claim 17, wherein the machine is a sliding boom delimber.