Width adjustable ripper assembly
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorSudhagar Selvam
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A ripper assembly for a machine includes a main ripper unit and at least one auxiliary ripper unit. The main ripper unit is adapted to be coupled to a frame of the machine and is moveable relative to the frame along a height of the machine. The main ripper unit includes a main ripper. The auxiliary ripper unit is pivotably coupled to the main ripper unit, and is pivotable infinitely between a first position and a second position with respect to the main ripper unit. A distance between the main ripper unit and the auxiliary ripper unit, defined laterally in relation to a direction of travel of the machine, varies as the auxiliary ripper unit pivots from the first position to the second position.
Claims20
A ripper assembly for a machine, the ripper assembly comprising:
- a main ripper unit adapted to be coupled to a frame of the machine and being moveable relative to the frame along a height of the machine, the main ripper unit including a main ripper adapted to rip strata up to a depth beneath a surface underlying the main ripper unit, the main ripper unit further including a first pair of slats extending between a first pair of slabs, the main ripper arranged within a space dined between the first pair of slats;
- and
- at least one auxiliary ripper unit pivotably coupled to the main ripper unit, the at least one auxiliary ripper unit being pivotable between a first position and a second position with respect to the main ripper unit,
- wherein a distance between the main ripper unit and the at least one auxiliary ripper unit, defined laterally in relation to a direction of travel of the machine, varies as the at least one auxiliary ripper unit pivots from the first position to the second position.
A machine, comprising:
- a frame defining a forward end and a rearward end;
- an implement coupled to the forward end and adapted to receive material during a travel of the machine in a direction defined from the rearward end towards the forward end;
- a ripper assembly coupled to the rearward end, the ripper assembly including:
- a main ripper unit coupled to the frame and being moveable relative to the frame along a height of the machine, the main ripper unit including a main ripper adapted to rip strata up to a depth beneath a surface underlying the main ripper unit;
- at least one auxiliary ripper unit pivotably coupled to the main ripper unit, the at least one auxiliary ripper unit being pivotable between a first position and a second position with respect to the main ripper unit;
- and
- a first link and a second link spaced apart from the first link, each of the first link and the second link being pivotably coupled to the main ripper unit about a first axis and being pivotably coupled to the at least one auxiliary ripper unit about a second axis,
- wherein a distance between the main ripper unit and the at least one auxiliary ripper unit, defined laterally in relation to a direction of travel of the machine, varies as the at least one auxiliary ripper unit pivots from the first position to the second position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.