US 8,328,071 B2 · Position adjustable grapple attachment

Abstract

An attachment that is configured for attachment to an arm of a piece of construction equipment. The attachment includes a pair of grapple mechanisms mounted on a main beam. Each grapple mechanism includes opposing grab arms mounted to a grab arm housing. The grab arm housings of the grapple mechanisms are each individually adjustable separate from one another relative to the main beam in one or more directions generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main beam. The attachment can fine adjust the positions of the pipe ends relative to one another until the ends align with each other, at which point the pipe ends can be welded or otherwise secured to each other while being held in position by the grapple mechanisms.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A mechanism comprising a pair of grapple mechanisms mounted on a main beam, each grapple mechanism includes opposing grab arms mounted to a grab arm housing that is mounted on the main beam;

for each grapple mechanism, at least one of the grab arms is pivotally mounted to the grab arm housing and is pivotable relative to the respective grab arm housing between a closed position and an open position;
the grab arm housing of at least one of the grapple mechanisms is adjustable relative to the main beam independently of the pivoting of the at least one grab arm associated therewith in one or more directions generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the main beam to adjust the position of the grab arm housing of the at least one grapple mechanism relative to the main beam;
and each grapple mechanism includes a grab arm actuator having a first end pivotally connected to the respective grab arm housing and a second end pivotally connected to the at least one grab arm.

An attachment that is attachable to an arm of construction equipment for use in positioning one or more pipes, comprising:

a mount bracket that is configured to be connectable to the arm of the construction equipment;
a lower head assembly rotatably mounted to the mount bracket to permit the lower head assembly to rotate relative to the mount bracket about a first axis;
a main beam pivotally mounted to the lower head assembly so that the main beam can pivot relative to the lower head assembly about a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis;
a pair of grapple mechanisms mounted on the main beam, each grapple mechanism includes opposing grab arms mounted to a grab arm housing that is mounted on the main beam;
for each grapple mechanism, at east one of the grab arms is pivotally mounted to the grab arm housing and is pivotable relative to the respective grab arm housing between a closed position and an open position, each of the grab arm housings of the grapple mechanisms and the main beam are adjustable relative to each other independently of the pivoting of the at least one grab arm associated therewith in two directions generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the main beam to adjust the relative positions of the grab arm housings and the main beam, the longitudinal axis of the main beam is substantially perpendicular to the first axis and to the second axis, and the grab arms are actuatable between a closed position gripping the one or more pipes and an open position;
each grapple mechanism includes a grab arm actuator having a first end pivotally connected to the respective grab arm housing and a second end pivotally connected to the at least one grab arm
each grab arm housing and the main beam are adjustable relative to each other in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main beam;
and
first and second tilt actuators, each tilt actuator having a first end attached to the lower head assembly and a second end attached to the main beam.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Position adjustable grapple attachment

Life of this patent

Position adjustable grapple attachment

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21