Multifunctional grapple-heel combination device for use with a manipulation machine

A method for using a grapple-heel rack with a grapple and a manipulation machine, said manipulation machine having a boom support and a thumb, said method comprising:

• (a) providing said grapple-heel rack, said grapple-heel rack comprising:
• (i) a frame having a nose, a heel, and first and second side rails spanning between said nose and said heel;
• (ii) said grapple associated with said nose;
• (iii) a first angle-enabler catch associated with said first side rail, said first angle-enabler catch positioned between said nose and said heel;
• (iv) a second angle-enabler catch associated with said second side rail, said second angle-enabler catch positioned between said nose and said heel;
• (v) a first catch notch formed between said first angle-enabler catch and said first side rail, said first catch notch between said first angle-enabler catch and said heel, said first catch notch being unobstructed between said first angle-enabler catch and said heel;
• and
• (vi) a second catch notch formed between said second angle-enabler catch and said second side rail, said second catch notch between said second angle-enabler catch and said heel, said second catch notch being unobstructed between said second angle-enabler catch and said heel;
• and
• (b) implementing an angled-catch hold by gripping said load with said grapple and tucking said load under at least one of said first angle-enabler catch or said second angle-enabler catch and tucking said load into at least one of said first catch notch or said second catch notch.

A grapple-heel rack for use with a grapple, said grapple-heel rack comprising:

• (a) a frame having a nose, a heel, and first and second side rails spanning between said nose and said heel;
• (b) a nose connector connecting said first and second side rails at said nose;
• (c) a universal joint, said grapple connected to said nose connector via said universal joint;
• (d) said grapple having a neutral position, said grapple rotatable to a plurality of non-neutral positions, a mechanical grapple return system for returning said grapple from one of said non-neutral positions to said neutral position, said mechanical grapple return system comprising:
• (i) an expandable/contractible member having a heel end and a nose end, a flexible member having a heel end and a nose end, a heel end fixer, and at least one universal joint link or grapple link associated with said universal joint or said grapple;
• (ii) said expandable/contractible member heel end being associated with said heel end fixer to fix the expandable/contractible member heel end in a position relative to the frame;
• (iii) said expandable/contractible member nose end being associated with said flexible member heel end;
• and
• (iv) said flexible member nose end being associated with at least one of said universal joint link or grapple link;
• (e) at least one heel bar associated with said heel, said at least one heel bar spanning between said first and second side rails, said at least one heel bar connecting said first and second side rails;
• (f) a first angle-enabler catch associated with said first side rail, said first angle-enabler catch positioned between said nose and said heel, a first catch notch being formed between said first angle-enabler catch and said first side rail, said first catch notch between said first angle-enabler catch and said heel, said first catch notch being unobstructed between said first angle-enabler catch and said heel;
• and
• (g) a second angle-enabler catch associated with said second side rail, said second angle-enabler catch positioned between said nose and said heel, a second catch notch being formed between said second angle-enabler catch and said second side rail, said second catch notch between said second angle-enabler catch and said heel, said second catch notch being unobstructed between said second angle-enabler catch and said heel.