US 6,408,906 B1 · Gripping and cutting apparatus

Abstract

Apparatus (10) having special application for gripping and cutting tree limbs around utility lines includes a tubular insert (18) slideably received in the free end of a tubular boom (12). A plate (28) is pivoted about a first pivot axis relative to the insert (18) by a linearly extendable actuator (36) mounted within the insert (18) and mounts a first rotary actuator (38). A second rotary actuator (58) is mounted to a U-shaped mount (48) which is pivoted about a second pivot axis to the first rotary actuator (38) and rotates a working head (96) 360° about a third pivot axis. Gripping arms (78) are fixed to shafts (74) rotatably mounted in the working head (96) about axes perpendicular to the third axis, with the shafts (74) being rotated by a single linearly extendable actuator (82) extending between crank arms (80) fixed to the shafts (74). The crank arms (80) abut with an abutment (84) to prevent only one set of gripping arms (78) from moving. An untethered remote control unit (112) is provided to prevent the creation of an electrical path to ground through the operator. A solar and battery-powered transmitter (144) mounted on the head (96) sends an electromagnetic signal to prevent actuation of the valves (101-103) controlling the operation of the boom assembly (14) when the saw bar (88) is not in its home position.

Claims30

Dependent claims

Apparatus for gripping and cutting attachable to a free end of a tubular boom of a boom assembly, with the tubular boom having annular cross sections, comprising, in combination:

a gripping and cutting assembly;
a tubular insert having first and second ends and an outer surface having annular cross sections of a size corresponding to and for a slideable fit within the free end of the tubular boom;
first pivot ears formed on the first end of the tubular insert;
first actuator ears secured in the tubular insert spaced from the first end;
a mount having second pivot ears pivotably mounted to the first pivot ears about a first pivot axis, with the mount having second actuator ears;
and an extendable actuator having a first end pivotably mounted to the first actuator ears about a second pivot axis spaced from and parallel to the first pivot axis and having a second end pivotably mounted to the second actuator ears about a third pivot axis spaced from and parallel to the first and second pivot axes and extending within the interior of the tubular insert, with the gripping and cutting assembly being mounted to the mount for pivotable movement about a fourth axis substantially perpendicular to the first pivot axis and a fifth axis substantially perpendicular to the first pivot axis and the fourth pivot axis.

3 more elements

Apparatus for gripping and cutting attachable to a free end of a boom of a boom assembly, comprising, in combination:

a gripping and cutting assembly including:
first and second shafts rotatable about first and second, spaced, parallel pivot axes;
a first crank arm extending radially from the first shaft;
a second crank arm extending radially from the second shaft;
an extendable actuator having a first end pivotably mounted to the first crank arm about a third pivot axis and having a second end pivotably mounted to the second crank arm about a fourth pivot axis spaced from and parallel to the first, second, and third pivot axes;
at least a first gripping arm extending radially from the first shaft;
at least a second gripping arm extending radially from the second shaft;
and an abutment located equidistant between but in a plane parallel to but spaced from a plane extending between the first and second pivot axes to limit travel of the crank arms and rotational movement of the first and second shafts;
with the gripping and cutting assembly being mounted to the free end of the boom of the boom assembly for pivotable movement about a first axis, a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis, and a third axis substantially perpendicular to the first and second axes.

6 more elements

Apparatus for gripping and cutting attachable to a free end of a tubular boom of a boom assembly mounted on a vehicle, comprising, in combination:

a gripping and cutting assembly comprising, in combination:
first and second shafts rotatable about first and second, spaced, parallel pivot axes, a first crank arm extending radially from the first shaft, a second crank arm extending radially from the second shaft, an extendable actuator having a first end pivotably mounted to the first crank arm about a third pivot axis and having a second end pivotably mounted to the second crank arm about a fourth pivot axis spaced from and parallel to the first, second, and third pivot axes, at least a first gripping arm extending radially from the first shaft, at least a second gripping arm extending radially from the second shaft, an abutment located equidistant between but in a plane parallel to but spaced from a plane extending between the first and second pivot axes to limit travel of the crank arms and rotational movement of the first and second shafts, and a saw system of the chain saw type including a bar pivotable abut an axis parallel to the first and second axes;
means for mounting the gripping and cutting assembly to the free end of the tubular boom of the boom assembly for pivotable movement about a fifth axis, a sixth axis substantially perpendicular to the fifth axis, and a seventh axis substantially perpendicular to the fifth and sixth axes, with the mounting, means including a tubular insert having first and second ends and an outer surface having annular cross sections of a size corresponding to and for a slideable fit within the free end of the tubular boom, first pivot ears formed on the first end of the tubular insert, first actuator ears secured in the tubular insert spaced from the first end, a mount having second pivot ears pivotably mounted to the first pivot ears about the fifth pivot axis, with the mount having second actuator ears, and an extendable actuator having a first end pivotably mounted to the first actuator ears about an eighth pivot axis spaced from and parallel to the fifth pivot axis and having a second end pivotably mounted to the second actuator ears about a ninth pivot axis spaced from and parallel to the fifth and eighth pivot axes;
means carried by the vehicle for controlling the operation of the boom assembly, the pivotable movement of the gripping and cutting assembly, the pivoting of the gripping arms, and the operation of the saw system;
and a remotely operated control operating the controlling means and which is untethered to the vehicle during operation, with the remotely operated control including a first transmitter, and the controlling means including a first receiver for receiving control transmissions from the first transmitter;
wherein the saw system includes a sensor for detecting an operational mode of the saw system, with the controlling means further including an interlock for preventing operation of the boom assembly when the operational mode of the saw system is detected by the sensor.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Gripping and cutting apparatus

Life of this patent

Gripping and cutting apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims30