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US 6,267,200 B1Granted
Lift apparatus with floating lift cylinder attachment
AssigneeGrove U.S. L.L.C.
InventorHenry David Barthalow
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A lift method and apparatus for moving an arm structure includes a first arm structure and a second arm structure pivotally connected to the first arm structure. The apparatus further includes a moving device and a displacing link for displacing the moving device relative to at least the first or second arm structures. The displacing link provides the moving device with a mechanical advantage whereby work required to move the second arm structure is substantially reduced while lifting capacity of the second arm structure and the moving device is substantially increased, and the range of motion of the second arm structure relative to the first arm structure is also increased.
Claims27
A lift apparatus for moving an arm structure, comprising:
- a first arm structure;
- a second arm structure having a first longitudinal axis, said second arm structure being rotatable relative to said first arm structure;
- a moving device for applying a force along a second longitudinal axis;
- at least one link displacing said moving device relative to said first arm structure and said second arm structure in response to and during at least a portion of a range of motion of said second arm structure for increasing said range of motion of said second arm structure relative to said first arm structure and for providing said moving device with an increased mechanical advantage for moving said second arm structure relative to said first arm structure, said displacing link being associated with said first arm structure and displacing said moving device with respect to said first arm structure during only a portion of said range of motion of said second arm structure;
- and
- a connecting portion associated with said first arm structure, said second arm structure being rotatably attached to said connecting portion, wherein said connecting portion is a connecting plate associated with said first arm structure, said second arm structure and said displacing link are connected to said connecting plate at first and second pivot points, respectively, and said first and second pivot points and a predetermined point on a longitudinal axis of said first arm structure are in a substantially triangular configuration, wherein said connecting plate includes a first attachment portion connected to said first arm structure and a second attachment portion which includes said first and second pivot points.
3 more elements
A lift apparatus for moving an arm structure, comprising:
- a first arm structure;
- a second arm structure having a first longitudinal axis, said second arm structure being rotatable relative to said first arm structure;
- a moving device for applying a force along a second longitudinal axis;
- at least one link displacing said moving device relative to said first arm structure and said second arm structure in response to and during at least a portion of a range of motion of said second arm structure for increasing said range of motion of said second arm structure relative to said first arm structure and for providing said moving device with an increased mechanical advantage for moving said second arm structure relative to said first arm structure;
- and
- a connecting portion associated with said first arm structure, said second arm structure being rotatably attached to said connecting portion, wherein said connecting portion is a connecting plate associated with said first arm structure, said second arm structure and said displacing link are connected to said connecting plate at first and second pivot points, respectively, and said first and second pivot points and a predetermined point on a longitudinal axis of said first arm structure are in a substantially triangular configuration, wherein said connecting plate includes a first attachment portion connected to said first arm structure and a second attachment portion which includes said first and second pivot points.
3 more elements
A lift apparatus for moving an arm structure, comprising:
- a first arm structure;
- a second arm structure having a first longitudinal axis, said second arm structure being rotatable relative to said first arm structure;
- a moving device for applying a force along a second longitudinal axis;
- a displacing link for displacing said moving device relative to said first arm structure and said second arm structure such that a pivot point of said moving device changes during a range of motion of said second arm structure, wherein said displacing link displaces said moving device such that said moving device pivots about a first pivot point during a first portion of said range of motion and pivots about a second pivot point different than said first pivot point during a second portion of said range of motion;
- and
- a connecting portion associated with said first arm structure, said second arm structure being rotatably attached to said connecting portion, wherein said connecting portion is a connecting plate associated with said first arm structure, said second arm structure and said displacing link are connected to said connecting plate at first and second pivot points, respectively, and said first and second pivot points and a predetermined point on a longitudinal axis of said first arm structure are in a substantially triangular configuration, wherein said connecting plate includes a first attachment portion connected to said first arm structure and a second attachment portion which includes said first and second pivot points.
3 more elements
A lift apparatus for moving an arm structure, comprising:
- a first arm structure;
- a second arm structure having a first longitudinal axis, said second arm structure being rotatable relative to said first arm structure;
- a moving device for applying a force along a second longitudinal axis;
- a displacing link driven by a mass of said second arm structure to displace said moving device relative to said first structure and said second arm structure during at least a portion of a range of motion of said second arm structure;
- and
- a connecting portion associated with said first arm structure, said second arm structure being rotatably attached to said connecting portion, wherein said connecting portion is a connecting plate associated with said first arm structure, said second arm structure and said displacing link are connected to said connecting plate at first and second pivot points, respectively, and said first and second pivot points and a predetermined point on a longitudinal axis of said first arm structure are in a substantially triangular configuration, wherein said connecting plate includes a first attachment portion connected to said first arm structure and a second attachment portion which includes said first and second pivot points.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.