Shovel, Rake, Handle, Or Boom Structure Patents (Class 414/722)
  • Patent number: 11933016
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a bucket, an excavator including the bucket and method of construction of the bucket. In one form, the bucket includes an attachment portion for attachment of the bucket to the machine; and a containment portion mounted to the attachment portion, said containment portion defined by a base wall, an opposed top wall, a pair of opposed sidewalls and a rear wall, each of the base wall, the top wall and the opposed sidewalls having an outer edge and extending from the rear wall to the outer edge to define an opening to the containment portion. The bucket further includes a reinforcing formation extending across an outer surface of the top wall and at least an adjacent portion of each sidewall of the containment portion, said reinforcing formation having an arcuate shape that transitions into, and at least partially defines, a corner between the top wall and each sidewall to reinforce a join between the top wall and the sidewall and enhance rigidity of the bucket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Mainetec Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Brett Ashley Hampson, Stephen Mounsey
  • Patent number: 11920319
    Abstract: A dipper assembly and parts thereof for use with a mining shovel includes: a dipper body having a back wall and an open dipper bottom; a dipper door pivotally coupled to the back wall of the dipper body and moveable between open and closed positions relative to the open dipper bottom; and a latch assembly for releasably securing the door in the closed position. The latch assembly includes a latch keeper and a latch member for engaging the latch keeper. The latch keeper is associated with the dipper body proximate the open dipper bottom and the latch member is coupled to the dipper door. The latch member includes at least one roller to assist the latch member in engaging and disengaging with the latch keeper and to reduce wear on the latch member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Mainetec Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Stephen John Mounsey, Brett Ashley Hampson
  • Patent number: 11866905
    Abstract: A work machine includes a frame, a traction system supporting the frame, an arm assembly having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the frame, an implement connected to the second end, and a linkage connecting the implement to the second end of the arm assembly. The linkage includes a pin-supporting section configured to accept a pin and a linking section attached to the pin-supporting section by a weld. The linking section includes a recess proximate to the weld.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventors: Daniel T. Unger, Ramanagarajan Meenakshinathan, Kort C. Randall
  • Patent number: 11851837
    Abstract: A hydraulic power shovel includes a frame, a power cylinder, a hydraulic installation, and a control unit. The frame is configured to support a turret equipped with an arm terminated by a tool, such as a bucket having a tamping surface. The power cylinder is linked to the arm and is configured to press on the turret. The hydraulic installation includes an adjustable flow pump configured to supply the power cylinder via a slide valve and a hydraulic liquid tank. The control unit is linked to (i) a control member actuated by the operator and configured to generate a control signal, and (ii) a sensor configured to generate a sensor signal corresponding to a pressure and temperature of hydraulic liquid in the power cylinder. A vapour pressure diagram of the hydraulic liquid is available in the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Gilles Florean
  • Patent number: 11840821
    Abstract: A removable tool assembly for a backhoe digging apparatus of a construction equipment machine having spaced apart parallel first and second fastening pins is disclosed. The removable tool assembly includes an attachment mechanism for releasably attaching the removable tool assembly onto the backhoe digging apparatus, the attachment mechanism including: a first attachment element having first receiving areas adapted to receive the first fastening pin, and a second attachment element having second receiving areas adapted to receive the second fastening pin, wherein the second attachment element is movable relative to the first attachment element between a first position, in which the first and second fastening pins can be removed from the first and second receiving areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AB
    Inventors: Didier Reymond, Gregory Arnal, Edgar Bond
  • Patent number: 11795042
    Abstract: A bale loading apparatus has a base frame mounted to a loader vehicle operative to move the base frame up and down. Right and left fork frames are connected to right and left portions of the base frame by corresponding right and left linkages, and right and left fork pairs extend away from the loader end of the base frame. A right actuator is operative to pivot the right fork pair with respect to the base frame upward and outward to the right of a path of the loader vehicle from a lowered right position to a raised right position, and a left actuator is operative to pivot the left fork pair with respect to the base frame upward and outward to the left of the path of the loader vehicle from a lowered left position to a raised left position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Penno's Machining and Manufacturing Ltd.
    Inventor: Howard McKay
  • Patent number: 11718971
    Abstract: An excavator arm for an excavator as a link between excavator boom and attachment, wherein the excavator arm substantially is formed by a box-like sheet metal construction, and wherein at least one bearing plate is applied onto an end plate of the sheet metal construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Liebherr-France SAS
    Inventors: Jules Hannetel, Jeremie Grimaud, Guillaume Elbel
  • Patent number: 11686058
    Abstract: A snow blower implement for a power machine includes a power machine interface having a machine mount configured to engage the implement interface of the power machine. A tool of the implement is coupled to the power machine interface. The tool includes a frame forming an auger housing, and the auger housing includes apertures formed in the housing and arranged to proved an operator of the power machine with visibility, through the apertures, of an implement workspace within or in front of the auger housing while operating the power machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANY
    Inventors: Eric Schwingler, Jason Legatt
  • Patent number: 11268257
    Abstract: A bucket assembly for attachment to a machine, such as a skid steer or tractor, that includes a bucket and a mounting assembly that permits swiveling of the bucket about a vertical axis and pivoting of the bucket about a horizontal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Leonardi Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Leonardi, Bruce C. Jordan
  • Patent number: 10494787
    Abstract: A working machine includes: a boom base portion including: an inner side wall; and an outer side wall disposed opposite to the inner side wall; a lift link disposed on a rear portion of the boom base portion; and a boom cylinder disposed in front of the lift link. One end side of the lift link is inserted between the inner side wall and the outer side wall and is pivotally supported on the boom base portion. The other end side of the lift link is pivotally supported on the machine body. One end of the boom cylinder is inserted between the inner side wall and the outer side wall in front of the lift link and is pivotally supported on the boom base portion. The other end of the boom cylinder is pivotally supported on the machine body by below the lift link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshihiko Takemura, Shunichiro Mori
  • Patent number: 10072392
    Abstract: A boom and boom foot section for connection to a machine, where the boom includes a center section and a box section extending between the foot and center sections. The box section includes first and second side walls. The foot section includes a machine connection for connecting the boom to the machine, and first and second protruding flanges. The first flange couples to the first side wall, and the second flange couples to the second side wall. The foot section can include a bulkhead. The machine connection, bulkhead, and flanges can be formed by a single piece of material. The flanges can be coupled to the side walls by weld joints that do not have weld roots. The flanges can extend beyond the bulkhead to allow internal welds in the weld joint. The flanges and side walls can have double-beveled edges for the weld joints formed by fused groove welds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Gregory Wittendorf
  • Patent number: 9938687
    Abstract: An arm assembly for a work vehicle includes an arm configured to rotatably couple to a chassis of the work vehicle. The arm includes a substantially vertical portion, and the substantially vertical portion is configured to support an implement. The arm assembly also includes a lift actuator coupled to the arm and configured to couple to the chassis of the work vehicle. The lift actuator is configured to rotate the arm relative to the chassis to control a position of the implement along a vertical axis. In addition, the arm assembly includes a support actuator configured to couple to the chassis. The support actuator is configured to engage the substantially vertical portion of the arm to support the arm against a horizontal load applied to the arm by the implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Richard Carter Eckrote
  • Patent number: 9618941
    Abstract: A system and a method for controlling a tool pivotably mounted to an articulated boom connected to a work machine having a control unit. The solution: 1) determining the direction a predetermined point of the boom or the tool is moving to, i.e. the moving direction, and 2) controlling orientation of the tool as a function of one or several predetermined dependencies, the predetermined dependencies defining at least the orientation of the tool in relation to the moving direction. According to an example the work machine is a forest machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Mikko Palmroth, Marko Paakkunainen, Vesa Siltanen
  • Patent number: 9315966
    Abstract: An arm of a hydraulic excavator is formed as a box-shaped structural body surrounded by left and right side plates, an upper plate, a lower plate, and a thick rear plate. An upper end of the thick rear plate is protruded upward from an outer surface of the upper plate. Upper ends of a pair of arm cylinder brackets joined to an outer surface of the thick rear plate are arranged higher than the outer surface of the rear thick upper plate and lower than the upper end of the thick rear plate. As a result, in each of the arm cylinder brackets, a joint area with the thick rear plate can be ensured large, and joint strength can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Sugaya, Takeshi Takahashi, Takayuki Shimodaira
  • Patent number: 9267262
    Abstract: A lift arm linkage includes a pair of lift arms, a pair of extension arms, and a tool. Each lift arm of the pair of lift arms includes a first lift arm end and a second lift arm end. Each extension arm of the pair of extension arms includes a first extension arm end pivotally attached to the second lift arm end and a second extension arm end. The tool is pivotally attached to the second extension arm end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar SARL
    Inventor: Gerald Fuerst
  • Patent number: 9212495
    Abstract: A work machine capable of decreasing the height of a work attachment in a folded state and suppressing the influence on the operability during demolishing operation. An arm has a surface facing downward when the attachment is in a folded posture, and the surface includes a flat arm contact surface capable of making contact with a mounting surface, on which a work attachment is mounted; and an attachment surface that extends in the direction away from the mounting surface. A work device cylinder is attached to the attachment surface so as not to make contact with the mounting surface. When the attachment is in the attachment folded posture, the arm contact surface is more parallel to a boom upper surface than a boom-side sloped surface and an arm-side sloped surface or is parallel to the boom upper surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: KOBELCO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takanobu Nakamura, Yasushi Shigenari
  • Patent number: 9127440
    Abstract: A bucket thumb assembly mountable to a lifting arm of a machine (e.g., an excavator or a backhoe loader) includes a mounting lug and a thumb member pivotably coupled to the mounting lug. The bucket thumb assembly also includes a link member extending from the thumb member. The link member has a first aperture at a first end of the link member. The link member has an indicator block extending from the link member. The bucket thumb assembly further includes a mounting plate having a second aperture and a catch. The mounting plate is configured to selectively couple with the link member using a pin inserted through the first and second apertures when the indicator block is resting on the catch such that a face surface on the indicator block and a face surface of the catch are substantially co-planar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory A. Seljestad
  • Patent number: 9127442
    Abstract: An excavating machine, representatively a tracked excavator, has a boom stick portion on which an excavating bucket and a gripper assembly mounted. A hydraulic breaker is protectively mounted inside the breaker assembly and extends outward therefrom. The bucket may be operated independently of the gripper assembly for digging operations. The gripper assembly may be positioned independently of the bucket and the breaker actuated for refusal material-breaking operations. The bucket and the gripper may be cooperatively operated to perform removal operations. The same excavating machine can be used for digging, gripping, and breaking operations without a tool change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Inventor: Lowell Underwood
  • Publication number: 20150132095
    Abstract: A working machine includes: a machine frame; an operator seat provided on the machine frame; a boom arranged on each side of the operator seat; a boom base portion being a part of the boom, the boom base portion being provided to a position corresponding to a rear portion side of the machine frame and being pivotally supported to enable the boom to swing upward and downward; a hose insertion hole provided in the boom base portion, the hose insertion hole being opened upward and downward; and a hydraulic hose internally installed into an inside of the boom through the hose insertion hole, the hydraulic hose being used for passage of a hydraulic operation fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshihiko TAKEMURA, Masahiro KURODA, Kenichi OGURA, Hayato IDO, Shigeki MORISHITA
  • Patent number: 9017006
    Abstract: Mobile apparatus, comprising a main frame (202) displaceable on displacing means; a sub-frame (203) which is rotatable around a vertical axis and which is mounted on the main frame and provided with a control unit; at least one operating arm (210) mounted on the sub-frame and an automatically movable lifting device provided on the main frame, which lifting device is adapted to be connectable to an agricultural attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Hudsin Bay Holding B.V.
    Inventor: Leendert Wilhelmus Cornelis Huissoon
  • Publication number: 20150110592
    Abstract: A mining machine includes a boom, a handle coupled to the boom, and a dipper coupled to the handle. The mining machine further includes a liner system coupled to the dipper. The liner system includes a first guide member and a second guide member coupled to a surface of the dipper, wherein the first and second guide members and the surface of the dipper define a channel extending along the dipper, and wherein the liner system further includes an insert disposed at least partially within the channel that is inhibited from moving away from the surface of the dipper by a portion of the first guide member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Nicholas R. Voelz, Richard Nicoson
  • Patent number: 8998560
    Abstract: A boom assembly is provided for a material handling machine. The boom assembly includes a boom pivotally coupled to a frame of the machine. The boom has a pair of side plates, a top plate and a bottom plate that are rigidly interconnected. The top plates have a pair of slots which extend therethrough. An arm is pivotally coupled to an end of the boom. A mounting unit extends between a center portion of the side plates. A pair of hydraulic boom cylinders are coupled between the frame and the mounting unit. A pair of spaced apart arm cylinder mounting plates are rigidly mounted to the mounting unit. Each mounting plate extends through a corresponding one of the slots. An arm cylinder is connected between the mounting plates and an arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Jesse A. Crane, David E. Lemm
  • Patent number: 8991029
    Abstract: A beam structure of the present disclosure includes a baffle plate. A plurality of lap strips are attached around outer edges of the baffle plate. An adhesive layer is applied to outer surfaces of the lap strips. A plurality of sidewalls are assembled together around the adhesive layer, the lap strips and the baffle plate, thereby forming the beam structure. In an embodiment, the beam structure may be used as a boom assembly for a machine, such as an excavator machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Alexei P. Yelistratov, James A. Forck
  • Patent number: 8991079
    Abstract: Machines are often used to collect and transport materials in a work environment. One of the more common methods of collecting and transporting materials is with a fork having tines. Another common instrument attached to a machine for collecting and transporting materials is a bucket. The present disclosure describes a bucket that engages the tines of a fork, and therefore can be used with a machine that already has a fork attached. The present disclosure also engages with tines of multiple lengths, meaning that the same bucket will engage with forks from different machines. The bucket has first and second side members; a collecting member extending between the first and second side members; and an engagement portion having an engagement surface and a pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jimmy L. Stewart, Wayne M. Castegnaro, Jr., Ryan P. Shea
  • Patent number: 8992158
    Abstract: A reinforcement device for a load bearing structure is disclosed. The reinforcement device may include a tubular wall including a first end, a second end, a throat disposed between the first end and the second end, and a curved portion disposed between the throat and each of the first end and the second end. The tubular wall may also include a first dimension at the throat and a second dimension at each of the first and second ends, the first dimension being smaller than the second dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Springer, Jason Musheno
  • Patent number: 8974172
    Abstract: A boom has a central connection plate attached between a pair of side plates, and a rear portion side of a cover plate on a front boom portion and a front portion side of a cover plate on a rear boom portion are connected thereby. A pivoting support for a working tool cylinder used to move a working tool connected to a foremost portion of the front boom portion is provided on a front side of a top portion on each of the left and right side plates. The central connection plate is formed with a connection plate projection projecting from a front portion attached to the rear portion of the cover plate toward a midway portion so as to approach the pivoting support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventor: Ryoichi Nishi
  • Patent number: 8939700
    Abstract: A loader for a work vehicle comprises a lift arm, a bucket, a bucket linkage, and a hydraulic bucket cylinder. The bucket and the linkage are pivotally attached to the lift arm. The linkage comprises a first link and a second link, which are pivotally attached to the bucket. The bucket cylinder is pivotally attached to the first and second links and the bucket and operable to pivot the bucket relative to the lift arm. The linkage comprises a debris guard substantially obstructing a space defined between the first and second links and between the bucket cylinder and the bucket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Robert R. Cate, Dennis A. Brimeyer, Jessica A. Hill
  • Patent number: 8926257
    Abstract: A work machine includes a pivotable arm having a first gripping device formed therein, the arm operatively connected to an attachment for securing an object between the first gripping device and the attachment. A second gripping device is removably securable to the arm near the first gripping device, the second gripping device configured to at least partially secure an object between the second gripping device and the attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Nathan Bradley, Matthew J. Hennemann, Michael R. Heiar, Bradley O'Connor, David J. Sanning, Matthew Wagenbach
  • Publication number: 20150003950
    Abstract: A mining machine includes a boom having an interior chamber, a saddle block coupled to the boom, a handle slidably coupled to the saddle block, and a reel system disposed at least partially within the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: William J. Hren, Ethan Pedretti
  • Publication number: 20150003949
    Abstract: In the case of arranging hydraulic hoses inside a boom, to make it possible for the hydraulic hoses to smoothly move along part of a hose introduction hole when the boom is vertically swung. On the inner surface side of the upper wall of the body part, an enlarged opening part gradually extending upward from the fore end side toward a forked side is formed, whereas on the outer surface side of the upper surface of the body part, a swelling part extending upward from the fore end side toward the forked side so as to correspond to the upper wall inner surface side, and skirt parts gradually extending downward from the lateral center of the top part of the swelling part toward the upper surfaces of the left and right leg parts are formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: Kenzo KUSAMA
  • Patent number: 8920106
    Abstract: A thumb assembly mountable to a lifting arm of an excavator includes a base member mountable to the lifting arm, the base member having a link mounting aperture, a thumb member pivotally connected to the base member, a link member having a base mounting aperture in a first end for coupling to the base member and a thumb mounting aperture in a second end for coupling to the thumb member, a removable pin receivable through the link mounting aperture and the base mounting aperture to connect the link member to the base member, and a connection-assist system disposed on at least one of the link member and base member, the connection-assist system configured to provide a visual indication that the thumb member and the link member are in a position such that the removable pin can be received through both the link mounting aperture and the base mounting aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory A. Seljestad
  • Publication number: 20140341690
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a parallel linkage-type working apparatus for construction equipment in which a parallel lever and a parallel link operate to prevent a working tool from bending inward so that, even if the working tool is raised, a tilting phenomenon in which the working tool is inclined inward may be prevented, and an amount of change in posture of the working tool at each height may be reduced. Also, the parallel linkage-type working apparatus is capable of increasing excavation ability or power with a posture on the ground surface by supplying a larger amount of hydraulic fluid at one time when working hydraulic pressure is supplied to each cylinder head, in comparison with a case in which working hydraulic pressure is supplied to a cylinder rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2012
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Hyuk Joong Kim, Young Sun Yoo, Kyung Ho Hwang, Jong Won Kim, Yong Hee Han, Sun Ho Kim, Heung Keun Park
  • Patent number: 8870461
    Abstract: A bushing for a bearing assembly is provided. The bushing includes a tubular sleeve having an inner surface and an outer surface. An inner circumferential channel is provided on the inner surface of the bushing. An outer channel is provided diagonally on the outer surface of the bushing and is configured to be in fluid communication with a lubricant supply path. Further, the bushing includes a port connecting the inner channel and the outer channel of the bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpiller Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew J. Hansen
  • Publication number: 20140314537
    Abstract: A mining shovel includes a dipper having an inner surface, and a removable liner assembly coupled to the dipper and adjacent to the inner surface of the dipper. The removable liner assembly includes a first rail coupled to the dipper, a first liner segment disposed on the first rail and covering at least a portion of the first rail, and a second liner segment removably coupled to the first rail and covering at least one of a portion of the first liner segment and a portion of the first rail. The first rail is substantially covered by at least one of the first and second liner segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventors: David T. Bienfang, Gregory A. Gruber
  • Patent number: 8851826
    Abstract: A bottom surface part of a bucket includes first and second curved surface parts. The second curved surface part is positioned closer to a back surface part than the first curved surface part. A second curvature radius of the second curved surface part is shorter than a first curvature radius of the first curved surface part. The center of the first curvature radius is positioned to the outside of a main bucket body when viewed from the side. In a horizontal state, the first curved surface part is arranged along or above a reference curved surface when viewed from the side. A connecting part between the first curved surface part and the second curved surface part is positioned more towards a lip part than the portion of the bottom surface part that is positioned lowest in the bottom surface part in the horizontal state when viewed from the side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Takanori Nagata, Kenichi Higuchi, Masakuni Ueda, Kouzou Ishida, Daijirou Itou
  • Publication number: 20140294550
    Abstract: A mining shovel includes a digging assembly having a generally V-shaped boom including a lower connection point for attachment to the mining shovel. A first portion of the boom extends generally upwardly from the lower connection point, and a second portion of the boom is angled with respect to and extends upwardly and forwardly from the first portion. The second portion includes a distal end defining a sheave support, and a pivot element is positioned generally at a connection area between the first portion and the second portion. The digging assembly also includes a boom attachment having a first end that is pivotally supported by the pivot element and a second end that is supported by the sheave support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: William J. Hren, Rainer Poetter
  • Patent number: 8839534
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a monolithic floor for use with a hot slag bucket. The monolithic floor improves the lifespan of the bucket when used with hot slag by reducing warpage caused by heating and cooling and thus significantly reduces the cost of owning and operating the hot slag bucket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: ACS Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. Zeno, Robert J. Willoughby
  • Publication number: 20140271077
    Abstract: A composite material structure and a method for making the composite material structure are provided. The composite material structure includes a first stack of fiber panels arranged with fibers parallel to a loading axis to accommodate a first tension load in a first plane. The composite material structure includes a second stack of fiber panels arranged with fibers parallel to the loading axis to accommodate a second tension load in a second plane. The composite material structure includes a pre-consolidated fabric structure between the first and the second stack arranged with fibers plied perpendicular to the fibers of the first stack of fiber panels and perpendicular to the fibers of the second stack of fiber panels, the fibers further being orthogonal to the loading axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron K. Amstutz
  • Patent number: 8827627
    Abstract: Apparatus for the moving and spreading of loose materials, such as dirt. A frame attaches to the three point hitch on a tractor. A bucket is rotatably attached to the frame, and a blade is attached to the frame and positioned within the bucket so as to substantially span the height and width of the bucket interior. In a first position, the bottom wall of the bucket is positioned substantially horizontally. The tractor moves so as to insert the open mouth of the bucket into a quantity of loose material, then raises the bucket and moves to a desired location. The bucket is lowered so that drag members on the bucket contact the ground; forward movement of the tractor causes the bucket to rotate, creating an opening between the bucket and the blade and causing the loose material to flow out of the bucket onto the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Inventors: Ronnie Joseph Landry, Chase Michael Landry
  • Patent number: 8827626
    Abstract: A thumb assembly mountable to a stick of an excavator is provided. The thumb assembly comprises a base member having at least a first joint location, a thumb member pivotally connected to the base member, and first and second linkage members pivotally connected at their first ends to the thumb member and the joint location respectively. The linkage members are connected by a knee joint at their second ends such that they are foldable relative to each other between a working position and a storage position in which the thumb member extends close to the base member. The knee joint permits both relative rotation and relative sliding of the first and second linkage members so that the thumb assembly can be moved between the working position and the storage position without disconnecting the linkage members from the thumb member and the joint location on the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory A. Seljestad
  • Patent number: 8821104
    Abstract: A loader work machine is disclosed in which a base portion of each of right/left arms (77) is received by an arm support portion (164) of a first lift link (81) and pivotally supported by a first arm shaft (88), and a hydraulic pipe arrangement (167) connected to a hydraulic actuator (98) extend through an support frame (11) from inside to outside of its inner wall (12), and toward an arm (77). The base portion of the arm (77) is supported to the arm support portion (164) at a position adjacent a link outer wall (157) in a transverse direction so that a hose accommodation space (165) is formed between a link inner wall (156) and an internal side face of the base portion of the arm (77). The hydraulic pipe arrangement (167) runs frontward of the first arm shaft (88) and a first link shaft (85), and is disposed in the hose accommodation space (165).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Toyoaki Yasuda, Masanori Fujino, Toshihiko Takemura, Yasuo Nakata, Yoshitaka Matsubara, Yoshihiro Ueda, Yuuki Takano, Yusuke Kawai, Ryohei Sumiyoshi, Hiroyuki Anami, Naoya Muramoto, Kenji Mitsui, Youhei Kawano, Takeshi Ikumura
  • Publication number: 20140241841
    Abstract: A construction machine, such as an excavator, a loader, or a crane, has at least one hydraulic attachment, such as an arm of the excavator, the loader, or the crane. The attachment includes at least one pivot bearing, a separator plate provided at the pivot bearing, at least one first hydraulic line, and at least one second hydraulic line, with the separator plate connectable to the pivot bearing and the hydraulic lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Liebherr-Hydraulikbagger GmbH
    Inventors: Daniel VELOSO, Stefan SCHOTT, Michael REUTHLINGER, Dirk ASAM
  • Patent number: 8801354
    Abstract: A boom assembly includes a first boom member and a second boom member slidable relative to the first member in a first direction. A stop member that at least partially defines a receptacle is attached to the first member. A closure member is attachable to the first member in a fixed position and movable away from the fixed position. A planar wearpad is insertable into the receptacle in the first direction when the closure member is moved away from the fixed position and the second member is positioned on the first member. The stop and closure members inhibit lateral movement of the wearpad in a direction parallel to the plane of the wearpad, and allow movement of the wearpad in a direction transverse to the plane, when the wearpad is positioned in the receptacle. The second member inhibits movement of the wearpad in the direction transverse to the plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Terex South Dakota, Inc.
    Inventor: Randell J. Lettau
  • Publication number: 20140205413
    Abstract: A work machine capable of decreasing the height of a work attachment in a folded state and suppressing the influence on the operability during demolishing operation. An arm has a surface facing downward when the attachment is in a folded posture, and the surface includes a flat arm contact surface capable of making contact with a mounting surface, on which a work attachment is mounted; and an attachment surface that extends in the direction away from the mounting surface. A work device cylinder is attached to the attachment surface so as not to make contact with the mounting surface. When the attachment is in the attachment folded posture, the arm contact surface is more parallel to a boom upper surface than a boom-side sloped surface and an arm-side sloped surface or is parallel to the boom upper surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: KOBELCO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takanobu Nakamura, Yasushi Shigenari
  • Publication number: 20140193231
    Abstract: A boom structure on a work machine includes at least two boom branches and a main boom structure extending from their convergence area substantially in a working direction. Thus, the boom structure provides a fork-like structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: PONSSE OYJ
    Inventors: Vesa Yrjänä, Pentti Hukkanen, Jorma Hyvönen, Marko Halonen
  • Patent number: 8770908
    Abstract: A support structure for a tilt cylinder of a machine that controls movement of an articulating implement may include a mounting plate, vertical support plates extending outwardly from a top surface of the mounting plate, and a central and side gussets connected to the top surface of the mounting plate and to the outer sides of the vertical support plates. The gussets assist in transitioning lateral or horizontal forces on the vertical support plates to the mounting plate and the end frame of the machine to reduce fatigue cracking at the points of connection of the vertical support plates to the mounting plate. The support structure may further include first and second lower support plates having top edges spaced from each other and connected to the bottom surface of the mounting plate, and bottom edges connected to each other so that the lower support plates and the mounting plate form a triangle in cross-section to further assist in transitioning the forces to the end frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoming Tan, Michael Sekulich, Allen Boyer, Robert Hunter, Sameer Rishipathak
  • Patent number: 8770537
    Abstract: Disclosed therein is an apparatus for fixing hydraulic pipes for a construction machine having a hydraulic pipe clamp fixing a plurality of pipes to a boom structure, including: a lower clamp (20) having a mounting hole (21); a clamp position setting member (22) for fixing the lower clamp (20) to one side of the boom structure (100) through a clamp support member (23) coupled to the mounting hole (21); an upper clamp (30) coupled onto the lower clamp (20) and having an interference prevention groove (31) in which a head portion (23a) of the clamp support member (23) is placed; and vibration-proof members (41,42) attached to the interiors of the clamps (20,30) to absorb vibration of the pipe (10). When the pipes (10) are assembled or disassembled, the lower clamp (20) is fixed to the boom structure to set the positions of the pipe and the clamp, and thus the assembly is greatly improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB
    Inventor: Joon-Seog Go
  • Publication number: 20140133948
    Abstract: A bushing for a bearing assembly is provided. The bushing includes a tubular sleeve having an inner surface and an outer surface. An inner circumferential channel is provided on the inner surface of the bushing. An outer channel is provided diagonally on the outer surface of the bushing and is configured to be in fluid communication with a lubricant supply path. Further, the bushing includes a port connecting the inner channel and the outer channel of the bushing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew J. Hansen
  • Publication number: 20140119869
    Abstract: A bucket for a machine, such as a wheel loader or track loader is disclosed. The bucket includes a bottom section connected to a top section by a middle section. The top, bottom and middle sections are connected to a pair of side walls. The bottom section includes a bottom distal edge and the top section includes a top distal edge. A rear side of the bucket includes a lower ear for receiving a lower pin. The lower pin connects the lower ear and the bucket to a lower linkage. A first distance between the lower pin and the bottom distal edge has a first length and a second distance between the lower pin and the top distal edge has a second length. A ratio of the first and second length, referred to as a loading index (LI) ranges from greater than 0.83 to less than 0.95.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Sylvain France, Jamel Necib
  • Publication number: 20140079520
    Abstract: A bucket for a loader with integrated hydraulic cylinder is disclosed. The hydraulic cylinder is mounted at the bottom of the bucket and extends the width of the bucket in a pocket between the bottom side and rear wall of the bucket. This allows the hydraulic cylinder to be used to manipulate materials at an exterior of the bucket. The bucket allows the user to use the bucket to both move and manipulate materials without having to use multiple attachments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventor: Derek W. Kent