EXCAVATOR BOOM EXTENSION

Abstract

A boom extension for an excavator is disclosed. The boom extension extends the length of the boom by about 2-2.5 feet. The boom extension is comprised of a bent metal plate, a flat bar, machined bosses, machined collars, and a metal rod (such as a solid steel rod). The boom extension also includes a cylinder extension with two collars on one end and one collar on the other end allowing the boom extension to operate normally without additional hydraulic components.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The embodiments generally relate to heavy equipment components and more specifically to boom extensions for excavators.

BACKGROUND

Excavators are heavy construction equipment consisting of a boom, dipper, bucket and cab which is often on a rotating platform. The cab sits on top of a track system or wheels to allow the excavator to move about during operation. Hydraulic excavators move their boom and bucket using hydraulic fluid with hydraulic cylinders and hydraulic motors. Modern excavators can be provided in various sizes and are used depending on the size of the project, material to be moved, among other considerations. Mini excavators are common for smaller projects and, like most excavators, are capable of engaging with various attachments including buckets, breakers, grapples, augers, etc. The boom length limits their reach which can impede efficiency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This summary is provided to introduce a variety of concepts in a simplified form that is disclosed further in the detailed description of the embodiments. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

The embodiments described herein relate to a boom extension for an excavator is disclosed. The boom extension extends the length of the boom by about 2-2.5 feet. The boom extension is comprised of a bent metal plate, a flat bar, machined bosses, machined collars, and a metal rod (such as a solid steel rod). The boom extension also includes a cylinder extension with two collars on one end and one collar on the other end allowing the boom extension to operate normally without additional hydraulic components.

The boom extension gives the operator the advantage of being able to reach further and dig deeper without needing a larger excavator. The boom extension is designed to be easily attached and removed when needed on-site using all existing pin and hinge points as well as the original bucket without the need for any modifications. The boom extension utilized a custom hydraulic cylinder extension without the need to modify or upgrade the mini excavator's existing hydraulic components. The boom extension is designed to for mini excavators ranging in size from 6,000-13,500 pounds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A complete understanding of the present embodiments and the advantages and features thereof will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the boom extensions engaged with a mini excavator, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the excavator boom extension components, according to some embodiments; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the excavator boom extension, according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The specific details of the single embodiment or variety of embodiments described herein are to the described apparatus. Any specific details of the embodiments are used for demonstration purposes only, and no unnecessary limitations or inferences are to be understood therefrom.

Before describing in detail exemplary embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of components and procedures related to the apparatus. Accordingly, the apparatus components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

The specific details of the single embodiment or variety of embodiments described herein are set forth in this application. Any specific details of the embodiments are used for demonstration purposes only, and no unnecessary limitation or inferences are to be understood therefrom. Furthermore, as used herein, relational terms, such as “first” and “second,” “top” and “bottom,” and the like, may be used to distinguish one entity or element from another entity or element without necessarily requiring or implying any physical or logical relationship, or order between such entities or elements.

In general, the embodiments provided herein relate to a boom extension for a mini excavator. The boom extension is used as a pin-on extension for mini excavators to increase the length of the boom by 2-2.5 feet. Depending on the size of the excavator, this gives the operator the advantage of being able to reach further and dig deeper without needing a larger excavator. The boom extension is designed to be easily attached and removed when needed on-site using all existing pin and hinge points as well as the original bucket without the need for any modifications. The boom extension utilized a custom hydraulic cylinder extension without the need to modify or upgrade the mini excavator's existing hydraulic components. The boom extension is designed to for mini excavators ranging in size from 6,000-13,500 pounds.

One skilled in the arts will readily understand that the boom extension may be configured for use with larger excavators and similar equipment to provide similar functionality and benefits.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the boom extension 100 engaged to a mini excavator boom 101 and attachment 103. The attachment 103 is illustrated as a bucket, however, one skilled in the arts will readily understand that the attachment 103 may be any excavator attachment known in the arts. The boom extension 100 is configured as a pin-on extension such that no modifications or additional parts are needed. The original pin and hinge points of the excavator's boom 101 are utilized to attach the extension. The boom extension 100 in the current embodiment extends the length of the boom by about 2-2.5 feet. The boom extension 100 is comprised of a bent metal plate, a flat bar, machined bosses, machined collars, and a metal rod (such as a solid steel rod). The boom extension 100 also includes a cylinder extension with two collars, one on a first end and one collar on the second end allowing the boom extension to operate normally without additional hydraulic components.

FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 illustrate the excavator boom extension 100 components. The boom extension is positioned between a first collar 200 and a second collar 201 each positioned at a first end 203 and a second end 205 of the boom extension 100 respectively. A bent metal plate 207 is positioned between the boom extension 100 and metal rod 209. Machined bosses 211 each accommodate a bolt shank 213 to facilitate the attachment of the boom extension 100 to the mini excavator.

During installation, the operator removes the attachment 103 pin and cylinder pin. The boom extension is engaged with the boom 101 of the excavator and pins are positioned at the attachment 103 end. The cylinder extension is then installed. Once the boom extension 100 and attachment are installed properly, the operator may use the mini excavator (including the boom and attachment) using normal operating procedures. This provides the advantage of an increased range of motion to gain efficiency during use.

Many different embodiments have been disclosed herein, in connection with the above description and the drawings. It will be understood that it would be unduly repetitious and obfuscating to describe and illustrate every combination and subcombination of these embodiments. Accordingly, all embodiments can be combined in any way and/or combination, and the present specification, including the drawings, shall be construed to constitute a complete written description of all combinations and subcombinations of the embodiments described herein, and of the manner and process of making and using them, and shall support claims to any such combination or subcombination.

An equivalent substitution of two or more elements can be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element can be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements can be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination can be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present embodiment is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the following claims.

Claims

1. A boom extension for a mini excavator, comprising: a boom extension positioned between an attachment and a boom of a mini excavator, the boom extension attached to the attachment via a first collar and attached to the attachment via a second collar, wherein the attachment of the boom extension permits the normal operation of the mini excavator.

2. The boom extension of claim 1, wherein the boom extension is a pin-on boom extension.

3. The boom extension of claim 1, wherein the boom extension extends the length of an excavator boom by about 2-2.5 feet.

4. The boom extension of claim 1, further comprising a bent metal plate positioned between the boom extension and a metal rod.

5. The boom extension of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of machined bosses each of which to accept a bolt shank.

6. The boom extension of claim 1, wherein the attachment is pivotally engaged to the boom extension via a pin.

7. A boom extension for a mini excavator, comprising: a boom extension to extend the length of a boom of a mini excavator, the boom extension positioned between an attachment and a boom of a mini excavator;a first collar to attach a first end of the boom extension to the attachment;a second collar to attach a second end of the boom extension to the boom;wherein the attachment of the boom extension permits the normal operation of the mini excavator.

8. The boom extension of claim 7, wherein the boom extension is a pin-on boom extension.

9. The boom extension of claim 8, wherein the boom extension extends the length of an excavator boom by about 2-2.5 feet.

10. The boom extension of claim 9, further comprising a bent metal plate positioned between the boom extension and a metal rod.

11. The boom extension of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of machined bosses each of which to accept a bolt shank.

12. The boom extension of claim 11, wherein the attachment is pivotally engaged to the boom extension via a pin.

13. A method for attaching a boom extension to a mini excavator, comprising: removing an attachment pin and a cylinder pin to disengage an attachment from a boom of a mini excavator;installing a boom extension to the boom at a second end of the boom extension; andre-engaging the attachment to a first end of the boom extension.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the boom extension is a pin-on boom extension to extend the length of the boom by about 2-2.5 feet.