By Tensioned Flexible Connector Patents (Class 414/709)
  • Patent number: 5501570
    Abstract: An anti-rollback mechanism is provided for an off-highway implement having a mobile frame and a loader mechanism including a bucket pivotally attached between lift arms of the loader mechanism. The lift arms are connected to the frame of the implement and lift actuators are used to angularly move the lift arms to elevationally position the bucket. Tilt actuators connected to the bucket and to the lift arms effect rolling movements of the bucket relative to the lift arms. A single handled control mechanism regulates operation of the tilt and lift actuators through hydraulic tilt and lift valves. The anti-rollback mechanism of the present invention automatically positions the tilt valve as the lift arms move through a predetermined range of angular movements relative to the frame to prevent rollback of the bucket past a generally level position as the lift arms and bucket are elevated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Case Corporation
    Inventor: Robert E. Mozingo
  • Patent number: 4946337
    Abstract: In a precision operable robot arm comprising four levers pivotally connected with each other into a paralle arranged link form, when one ends of first and second levers aligned vertically, for example, are driven respectively by two motors such that the levers are swung around the alignment axis in a horizontal plane, for example, a work supporting device provided at an outwardly extending end of the fourth lever is also moved in a horizontal plane.A first pulley is fixedly secured to a position aligning with the driving shafts of the two motors, while second and third pulleys, which are integrally rotatable, are rotatably supported by a pivot pin coupling the second and fourth levers, and fourth pulley rotatably supported at the outer end of the fourth lever is fixed to the work supporting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Shuichi Tonai, Shigeo Matsushita
  • Patent number: 4861224
    Abstract: An aerial lift having means for sensing a combination of the load placed on the upper end of the upper boom and the relative position of the upper boom with respect to horizontal and for generating a signal or interrupting supply of hydraulic fluid to the upper boom lift cylinder in the event the moment on the upper boom exceeds a selected moment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Assignee: Hi-Ranger, Inc.
    Inventor: William K. Holmes
  • Patent number: 4795305
    Abstract: A portable bucket loader attachment can be operated by a conventional garden tractor or pickup truck. The loader has a wheel mounted frame having a forwardly extending boom carrying a bucket rotationally mounted at the end of the boom. A rotational control device mounted on the frame is operated by one or more cables which are operatively connected to a pair of electric winches. The rotational control device is connected to the bucket by connecting rods which control the rotational position of the bucket about the boom, thus controlling the "scoop" and "dump" functions of the bucket. Elevation of the bucket is controlled by a winch which retrieves and releases cable connected to the rotational control device, the cable also passing over a sheave mounted at an upper portion of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1989
    Inventor: Russell P. Friend
  • Patent number: 4645408
    Abstract: An uncontrolled angular displacement compensating device for compensating an uncontrolled angular displacement of a robot hand mounted on a robot hand mounting link of a robot hand shifting linkage of an industrial robot, resulting from the expansion or contraction of the robot hand shifting linkage. The uncontrolled angular displacement compensating device comprises a pair of identical sprockets fixed to a first shaft supported on the free end of the robot hand mounting link and on a second shaft rotatably supported on the basal end of the same link, respectively, a driving bevel gear fixed to the first shaft, a driven bevel gear rotatably mounted on a robot hand mounting member pivotally joined to the free end of the same link and engaging the driving bevel gear, and an endless chain extended between the sprockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Assignee: Mizuno Tekko Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenji Mizuno
  • Patent number: 4494973
    Abstract: There is herein disclosed a take-out arm mechanism for a glass forming machine particularly suited for the simultaneous handling of four or more containers wherein the arm is provided with an integrally molded and formed counterweight carried thereby to counteract the weight and mass of four take-out tongs, holders and attendant mechanisms. In addition, a novel tensioning means is provided for maintaining an adjustable, constant tension in an endless chain which extends between a pair of sprockets carried within the take-out arm. The sprockets and the chain together form, in essence, a parallel linkage mechanism which maintains the tong holder end of the take-out arm vertical relative to the movement of the arm through 180.degree. about the axis of the fixed spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1985
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois, Inc.
    Inventor: Jack I. Perry
  • Patent number: 4398863
    Abstract: A pick and place robot is provided in which support 10 carries a rotatable turret 12, which in turn has one end of the pick and place arm 14 pivotally carried therefrom, the arm carrying a working tool 16 at its other end supported in rotatable relation and connected to constant orientation means 62, 64, 66 which maintains the working tool in a given disposition throughout the extent of the swing of the arm from a pick to a place location, both the turret and the arm being driven independently by its own drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1983
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Lanson Y. Shum
  • Patent number: 4375344
    Abstract: A bucket leveling mechanism that automatically operates a tilt cylinder for pivoting the bucket so that the attitude of the bucket remains substantially constant as the bucket lift arms are raised. Two push-pull cable assemblies are provided; one cable assembly senses the rotation of the bucket and the other cable assembly senses the pivotal movement of the lift arms. The cable assembly for the bucket is attached between the bucket and a wedge shaped block that operates a spool control valve for the bucket tilt cylinder. The lift arm cable assembly is attached to a lift arm at one end and includes an opposite roller end that engages one side of the wedge shaped block, with the block being sandwiched between the control valve spool and roller end of the lift arm cable assembly. The wedge shaped block includes a cam surface that is movable between the control valve spool and roller end of the lift arm cable assembly in proportion to the relative movement of the bucket and lift arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1983
    Assignee: J. I. Case Company
    Inventors: Dean O. Baum, James E. Dawson
  • Patent number: 4188165
    Abstract: A loader comprises a bucket at the end of a dipper arm swinging from a cross-member on an upstanding yoke. The dipper arm swings between the uprights to the yoke for the bucket to pick up material on one side and deposit it on the other side. A winch actuates the bucket to dig and lift on the one side and a cam causes the bucket to turn upside down on the other side to deposit its load. The yoke can lean to the one side to extend the reach of the dipper arm and can slew about a vertical axis. The yoke can center itself when the dipper arm swings to the other side. For travelling the whole assembly can fold into a compact bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1980
    Assignee: General Mining and Finance Corporation Limited
    Inventors: Rolf C. Bohme, Dieter G. Luck