Multifunctional grapple-heel combination device for use with a manipulation machine
AssigneeTreklos, LLC
InventorBrett Wade Eells
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A grapple-heel rack having a frame, a grapple, and first and second angle-enabler catches. A grapple attachment (which may be or may include a universal joint) may be used to support the grapple from a nose of the frame. A mechanical grapple return system may be used to return the grapple from a non-neutral position to a neutral position. At least one method for using the grapple-heel rack.
Claims25
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;
- and
- (b) a universal joint for associating said nose with said grapple, said universal joint having three axes of non-powered rotation between said nose and said grapple, the three axes all perpendicular to each other.
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 attached to said nose using a universal joint;
- and
- (iii) a mechanical grapple return system arranged to exert a return force on one of said grapple and said universal joint, at a location offset from an axis of rotation so that said exerted force causes said grapple to rotate about said axis of rotation, said mechanical grapple return system comprising:
- 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;
- a pulley associated with at least one of said first and second side rails, said flexible member runs forward and backward over said pulley;
- 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;
- said expandable/contractible member nose end being associated with said flexible member heel end;
- and
- said flexible member nose end being associated with at least one of a universal joint link associated with said universal joint and a grapple link associated with said grapple;
- and
- (b) implementing a hold in which a load is handled by said grapple-heel rack.
A grapple-heel rack and 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 connecting said grapple to said nose connector via said universal joint, said universal joint having three axes of non-powered rotation between said nose and said grapple, the three axes all perpendicular to each other;
- and
- (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.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.