Back to results
US 7,597,526 B2Granted
Attachment device for front-end loader
AssigneeBenson Metals, Inc.
InventorJohn Benson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The container handling device may include features useful for supporting a container (e.g., an open top rectangular bin) while the container is being filled, and supporting the container when tipping the container to empty contents of the container. The container handling device includes features that improve safe handling of the container when emptying. The container handling device also includes features that provide improved assembly and disassembly of various features for the purposes of, for example, manufacturing, shipping, replacing parts, and conducting maintenance.
Claims29
A container holding device for use with a front-end loader, the container holding device comprising:
- a base frame including first and second rails, a cross-support coupled between the first ends of the first and second rails, the base frame configured for attachment to the front-end loader;
- a container frame including first and second horizontal arms, first and second vertical arms, first and second top container retainers, and retaining arms, the top container retainers extending from the vertical arms in a direction generally parallel to the horizontal arms, the retaining arms extending from the top container retainers toward the horizontal arms into a container held by the container holding device, the horizontal arms pivotally coupled to the base frame at second ends of the first and second rails with first and second coupling members;
- a first actuator coupled between the base frame and the container frame, the first actuator being configured to move the container frame relative to the base frame through a first angle;
- a second actuator coupled between the base frame and the container frame and configured to move the container frame relative to the base frame through a second angle;
- and
- first and second bottom container retainers adjustable between extended and retracted positions, wherein in the extended position the container retainers restrict movement of the container in a direction along the length of the first and second horizontal arms of the container frame, each container retainer including an elongate actuating arm and an engagement arm coupled to the actuating arm, the actuating arm being mounted to the container frame and configured to rotatably adjust the engagement arm into an engagement position to resist movement of the container relative to the horizontal arms in a direction parallel to the horizontal arms, wherein each container retainer further includes an offset counterweight on an end of the actuating arm opposite the engagement arm, wherein the counterweight provides automatic rotation of the actuating arm when the container frame rotates relative to the base frame, wherein each container retainer includes a spring for biasing the engagement arm toward the engagement position when the container frame is moved relative to the base frame through the second angle.
3 more elements
A lifting assembly, comprising:
- a front-end loading vehicle;
- a container;
- and
- a container holding device, comprising:
- a base frame including first and second rails, a cross-support coupled between first ends of the first and second rails, an actuator support extending in a generally normal direction from the cross-support, the base frame being configured for attachment to the front-end loader;
- a container frame including first and second horizontal arms, first and second vertical arms extending from the horizontal arms, a top container retainer, a retaining arm, and an actuator engagement member, the actuator engagement member having a track structure formed thereon, the horizontal arms being pivotally coupled to the base frame at second ends of the first and second rails with first and second coupling members, and the top container retainer extends from one of the vertical arms in a direction parallel to the horizontal arms, the top container retainer being arranged to resist movement of the container in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal arms when the container is supported on the horizontal arms, the retaining arm being mounted to the top container retainer and having a portion thereof extending toward the horizontal arms and into the container, wherein the top container retainer is adjustable vertically relative to the one vertical arm the top container retainer extends from, wherein the retaining arm is adjustable horizontally relative to the top container retainer;
- a first actuator coupled to and extending parallel with the actuator support, the first actuator having a roller positioned on a free end thereof, the roller being configured to fit within the track structure, wherein extension of the first actuator moves the container frame through a first angle of pivotal motion relative to the base frame;
- a second actuator coupled between the base frame and the container frame and configured to move the container frame through a second angle of pivotal motion relative to the base frame;
- and
- a bottom container retainer including an elongate actuating arm and an engagement arm coupled to the actuating arm, the actuating arm being mounted to the container frame and configured to rotatably adjust the engagement arm into an engagement position to resist movement of the container relative to the horizontal arms in a direction parallel to the horizontal arms.
7 more elements
A container holding device for use with a front-end loader, the container holding device comprising:
- a base frame including first and second rails, a cross-support coupled between the first ends of the first and second rails, the base frame configured for attachment to the front-end loader;
- a container frame including first and second horizontal arms, first and second vertical arms, first and second top container retainers, the top container retainers extending from the vertical arms in a direction generally parallel to the horizontal arms, the horizontal arms pivotally coupled to the base frame at second ends of the first and second rails with first and second coupling members;
- a first actuator coupled between the base frame and the container frame, the first actuator being configured to move the container frame relative to the base frame through a first angle;
- a second actuator coupled between the base frame and the container frame and configured to move the container frame relative to the base frame through a second angle;
- and
- first and second bottom container retainers adjustable between extended and retracted positions, wherein in the extended position the container retainers restrict movement of the container in a direction along the length of the first and second horizontal arms of the container frame, each container retainer including an elongate actuating arm and an engagement arm coupled to the actuating arm, the actuating arm being mounted to the container frame and configured to rotatably adjust the engagement arm into an engagement position to resist movement of the container relative to the horizontal arms in a direction parallel to the horizontal arms, wherein each container retainer further includes an offset counterweight on an end of the actuating arm opposite the engagement arm, wherein the counterweight provides automatic rotation of the actuating arm when the container frame rotates relative to the base frame, wherein each container retainer includes a spring for biasing the engagement arm toward the engagement position when the container frame is moved relative to the base frame through the second angle.
3 more elements
A method of unloading a container using a container holding device that is attached to a front-end loader, the holding device comprising a base frame, a container frame, first and second actuators, at least one bottom container retainer, at least one top container retainer, and a retaining arm mounted to the at least one top container retainer, the base frame including first and second rails configured for attachment to the front-end loader, the container frame including first and second horizontal arms and at least one vertical arm, the first and second horizontal arms being pivotally connected to distal ends of the first and second rails, respectively, the method comprising:
- supporting the container on the first and second horizontal arms;
- adjusting a vertical position of the at least one top container retainer so as to be adjacent to a top rear edge of the container, wherein the at least one top container retainer faces a top surface of the top rear edge of the container;
- adjusting a horizontal position of the retaining arm relative to the at least one top container retainer, wherein the retaining arm faces an inside surface of the top rear edge of the container;
- actuating the first actuator to initiate rotation of the container frame relative to the base frame where the top rear edge of the container rotates away from the front-end loader;
- rotating the bottom container retainer with a counterweight into a raised position to engage a bottom front edge of the container as the container frame begins to rotate;
- actuating the second actuator after actuating the first actuator to further rotate the container frame relative to the base frame until contents of the container unload from the container by gravity forces.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.