GRAPPLE WITH U-SHAPED, SERRATED, HIGH STRENGTH CROSSMEMBER

Abstract

A grappling attachment for an industrial or farm vehicle, such as a skid steer or tractor, includes an upper jaw and a lower jaw, which can close relative to each other to grasp roots and debris. At least one of the upper jaw and the lower jaw is formed as a plurality of first curved bars with serrations formed along edges of the plurality of first curved bars facing toward the other jaw, which serrations assist in cutting embedded roots and debris as the first and second jaws are pulled away from the embedded roots and debris, such as when the vehicle is driven in a reverse direction. A U-shaped crossmember is attached to at least one of the first and second jaws. The U-shaped crossmember has slots cut therein to hold the plurality of first curved bars in a spaced relationship. One or more edges of the U-shaped crossmember has serrations facing toward the other jaw. In a preferred embodiment, the U-shaped crossmember has serrations at both ends of the U-shaped profile.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a grapple attachment for a tractor or skid steer. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved crossmember, oriented perpendicular to a travel direction of the vehicle, for holding parallel grappling bars of a jaw of the grapple in a spaced relationship.

2. Description of the Related Art

Traditional grapples can be seen in U.S. Pat. 4,285,628; 6,543,566; 6,820,357; 7,913,431; 8,449,241; 10,066,360 10,233,612 and 10,584,462 and U.S. Published Application 2020/0157767, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

As shown in FIG. 1, U.S. Published Application 2020/0157767 teaches a grapple 1 including a lower jaw 2 formed by a series of parallel, lower grappling bars 3. The grapple 1 also includes an upper jaw 4 formed by a plurality of parallel, upper grappling bars 5. The upper jaw 4 may pivot relative to the lower jaw 2 about axle 6, i.e., the upper jaw 4 may open and close relative to the lower jaw 2.

A plurality of lower, box-shaped crossmembers 7, e.g., four, are welded into slots or through holes in the lower grappling bars 3 and serve to hold the lower grappling bars 3 parallel to each other. Likewise, a plurality of upper, box-shaped crossmembers 8, e.g., two, are welded into slots or through holes in the upper grappling bars 5 and serve to hold the upper grappling bars 5 parallel to each other. The lower and upper grappling bars 3 and 5 may include serrations 9 on facing edges to assist in cutting roots and gripping debris to be picked up by the grapple 1.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are front and rear perspective views of an upper jaw 11 of a grapple made by the current inventor. The upper jaw 11 is formed by eight parallel upper grappling bars 13, i.e., 13-1, 13-2, 13-3, 13-4, 13-5, 13-6, 13-7 and 13-8. Two upper, tube-shaped crossmembers 15-1 and 15-2 are welded into through holes 17 in the upper grappling bars 13 and serve to hold the upper grappling bars 13 parallel to each other. The upper, tube-shaped crossmember 15-1 may be formed as a drawn-over-mandrel (DOM) tubing having a 1 5/8 inch diameter with a 1/4 inch wall thickness. Serrations 19 are formed along the edges of the grappling bars 13 which face toward a lower jaw (not shown in FIGS. 2 and 3).

FIG. 4 is part of the disclosure in U.S. Pat. 10,233,612. In FIG. 4, the lower jaw 23 of a grapple 21 has box-shaped, crossmembers 25 to hold lower grappling bars 27 in a parallel configuration. The upper jaw 29 has flat plates 31 welded into slits 33 in the upper, grappling bars 35. Bottom edges of the flat plates 31 include serrations 37 facing toward the lower jaw 23.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The Applicant has appreciated drawbacks in the grapple attachments of the prior art. The round and box-shaped crossmembers provide excellent strength in holding the grappling bars of the upper and lower jaws of the grapple in a spaced, parallel relationship. A tubular member formed of a stock material, either round or box-shaped, resists bending because portions of the continuous sidewall are always oriented perpendicular to a force tending to bend the member. A flat member of the same stock material, such as shown in FIG. 4, will bend more easily if a force is exerted perpendicular to the plane of the flat member.

With a grapple attached to a vehicle, e.g., a tractor or skid steer, the vehicle drives the grapple forward into a buried root ball or pile of debris with the upper jaw spaced from the lower jaw. The upper jaw is closed onto the roots or debris, and then the vehicle is driven in reverse to pull and tear roots free from the ground or debris free from the pile. As the vehicle is driven in reverse, the impact force is in the direction F, as shown in FIG. 3 on the backside of the crossmember 15-1, if a root or piece of debris contacts the crossmember 15-1. Experience shows that the tubular stock of FIGS. 1-3 resists bends, and hence the upper grapple bars remain parallel and the hydraulic cylinder or cylinders moving the upper grappling bars are not put into a bind by misaligned upper grappling bars.

The flat plate crossmembers of FIG. 4 will receive the same force direction if contacted by a root, piece of debris, embedded rock, foundation or pole in the ground. As previously mentioned, a flat plate is more likely to bend than a tubular member of a same stock material. If the upper grappling bars of the upper jaw become non-parallel due to a bend in a crossmember, the connection to the cylinder can be shifted in position, and the cylinder will be placed under a lateral force as it moves the upper jaw relative to the lower jaw. The lateral force can lead to hydraulic fluid seal leakage and failures. Also, one or more upper grappling bars end tips may abut one or more lower grappling bars such that wear may occur and/or the upper jaw may no longer fully close toward the lower jaw.

One drawback to the tubular crossmembers of FIGS. 1-3 is the lack of serrations facing toward the lower jaw of the grapple. If a root or piece of debris is contacting only the crossmember and nearly parallel to the adjacent upper grappling bars, it is unlikely that an embedded root will be pulled up from the ground or broken off, or that a piece of embedded debris will be pulled free from the pile of debris as the vehicle is driven in reverse. Rather, the smooth edges of the round or box-shaped crossmember will allow the root or piece of debris to slide out of the closed upper and lower jaws, as the vehicle is driven in reverse and/or the grapple is raised by the vehicle.

The serrations on the flat plate crossmember in FIG. 4 will exert more friction or bite onto the root or piece of debris. Hence, the serrated flat plate crossmember will be able to exert a greater force on a root or piece of debris, which contacts only the crossmember and is nearly parallel to the adjacent upper grappling bars. The flat plate crossmember with serrations facing the lower jaw will have a much greater chance of pulling or breaking a root free from the ground or dislodging a piece of debris free from a debris pile, when the vehicle is driven in reverse and/or the grapple is raised by the vehicle. However, the flat plate is more likely to be damaged, e.g., bent, as compared to the tubular crossmembers of FIGS. 1-3.

It is an object of the present invention to address one or more of the shortcomings in the prior art grapples. These and other objects are accomplished by a grappling attachment for an industrial or farm vehicle, such as a skid steer or tractor, which includes an upper jaw and a lower jaw, which can close relative to each other to grasp roots and debris. At least one of the upper jaw and the lower jaw is formed as a plurality of first curved bars with serrations formed along edges of the plurality of first curved bars facing toward the other jaw, which serrations assist in cutting embedded roots and debris as the first and second jaws are pulled away from the embedded roots and debris, such as when the vehicle is driven in a reverse direction. A U-shaped crossmember is attached to at least one of the first and second jaws. The U-shaped crossmember has slots cut therein to hold the plurality of first curved bars in a spaced relationship. One or more edges of the U-shaped crossmember has serrations facing toward the other jaw. In a preferred embodiment, the U-shaped crossmember has serrations at both ends of the U-shaped profile.

Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are not limits of the present invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a grapple, in accordance with a first embodiment of the prior art;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an upper jaw of a grapple, in accordance with a second embodiment of the prior art;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the upper jaw of the grapple of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a grapple, in accordance with a third embodiment of the prior art;

FIG. 5 is a top view of a flat, crossmember prior to bending, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the crossmember of FIG. 5 after a bending operation;

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the crossmember of FIG. 6;

FIG. 7A is a side view of a crossmember formed by a stepped bending process;

FIG. 8 is a front, top perspective view of a grapple in an open state with the crossmember of FIGS. 6 and 7 attached thereto;

FIG. 9 is a rear, bottom perspective view of the grapple of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the grapple of FIGS. 8 and 9;

FIG. 11 is a front, top perspective view of the grapple of FIGS. 8-10 in a closed state;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the grapple of FIG. 11; and

FIG. 13 is a front, top perspective view of a grapple bucket in an open state with the crossmember of FIGS. 6 and 7 attached thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention now is described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. In the figures, the thickness of certain lines, layers, components, elements or features may be exaggerated for clarity. Broken lines illustrate optional features or operations unless specified otherwise.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the specification and relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.

As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, phrases such as “between X and Y” and “between about X and Y” should be interpreted to include X and Y. As used herein, phrases such as “between about X and Y” mean “between about X and about Y.” As used herein, phrases such as “from about X to Y” mean “from about X to about Y.”

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on”, “attached” to, “connected” to, “coupled” with, “contacting”, etc., another element, it can be directly on, attached to, connected to, coupled with or contacting the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being, for example, “directly on”, “directly attached” to, “directly connected” to, “directly coupled” with or “directly contacting” another element, there are no intervening elements present. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature that is disposed “adjacent” another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.

Spatially relative terms, such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”, “upper”, “lateral”, “left”, “right” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature’s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is inverted, elements described as “under” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “over” the other elements or features. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the descriptors of relative spatial relationships used herein interpreted accordingly.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a flat, crossmember 101 prior to bending, in accordance with the present invention. The crossmember 101 is formed of an abrasion resistant steel, like HARDOX® 450, which is approximately 3/16 of an inch thick. However, other thicknesses of a greater or lesser value are possible, such as ⅛, ¼, 5/16 or ⅜ of an inch. HARDOX® 450 is produced by SSAB, based in Oxelosund, Sweden. HARDOX® 450 has excellent structural properties and a nominal hardness of 450 HBW, which meets the standards of EN 10029, 10051 and 10131.

The cross member 101 has first and second longitudinal edges 103 and 105, and first and second end edges 107 and 109. Each of the first and second longitudinal edges 103 and 105 is longer than each of the first and second end edges 107 and 109. For example, each of the first and second end edges may have a width W1 of approximately four to twelve inches, such as five to eight inches, like six inches. Each of the first and second longitudinal edges may have a length L of about six to twelve times the width W1, such in the range of eight to eleven times the width W1 or about 48 to 72 inches long. For example, lengths L could be set at about 55 inches, 60 inches or 66 inches.

A plurality of serrations 111 are formed along a length of the first longitudinal edge 103. In a preferred embodiment, the serrations 111 are also formed along a length the second longitudinal edge 105. A first plurality of slots 113 are cut into the first longitudinal edge 103 and a second plurality of slots 115 are cut into the second longitudinal edge 105. Each slot of the first and second pluralities of slots 113 and 115 has an opening width OW. The opening width OW may be on the order of slightly greater than ⅛ to ½ inch, such as slightly greater than 3/16 to ⅜ inch . The opening width OW will be explained in more detail hereinafter. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 8-13, the first plurality of slots 113 number eight and the second plurality of slots 115 number eight, and the slots are aligned with each other on the first and second longitudinal edges 103 and 105.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the crossmember 101 of FIG. 5 after a bending operation, and FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the crossmember of FIG. 6. In a preferred embodiment, the bend in the crossmember 101 is a continuous curve and causes the first and second end edges 107 and 109 to become curved. The crossmember 101 shows a substantially U-shaped, cross-sectional profile, which is uniform across the length L of the crossmember 101. The first and second longitudinal edges 103 and 105 become closer together at a distance of W2, where W2 is in the range of two to four inches, such as in the range of two and a half to three inches, like 2⅞ inches. A base 117 of the U-shaped, cross-sectional profile is formed at the midway point of the length W2.

The first longitudinal edge 103 faces in a first direction 119 and the second longitudinal edge 105 faces in a second direction 121, which is angled between one hundred twenty degrees to two hundred twenty degrees from its initial orientation when the crossmember 101 was flat in FIG. 5. In the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, the second direction 121 is angled approximately one hundred eighty degrees from its initial position, such that the first and second longitudinal edges 103 and 105 face in parallel first and second directions 119 and 121. However, it is not necessary that the first and second longitudinal edges 103 and 105 face in parallel first and second directions 119 and 121, as will be described in connection with the embodiment of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7A is a side view of the first end edge 107 of a crossmember 101A formed by a stepped bending process instead of a continuous bending process. The stepped bending process can approximate a continuous curve about a center of a radius of curvature CRC. For example, thirteen bends 123-1 through 123-13 may be located at twelve intervals spaced 15 degrees apart about the center of the radius of curvature CRC. The solid lines in FIG. 7A depict that the first and second longitudinal edges 103 and 105 face in parallel first and second directions 119 and 121, i.e., the stepped bending process has resulted in the second edge 105 facing one hundred eighty degrees away from its initial orientation when the crossmember 101 was flat in FIG. 5. With thirteen bends 123-1 through 123-13, each bend angle would be about 13.85 degrees.

It possible for the first and second longitudinal edges 103 and 105 to face in non-parallel directions in either the continuous bending embodiment or the stepped bending embodiment. For example, if the stepped bending process stops at the ninth bend 123-9, the second longitudinal edge 105 would face a second direction 121', which is approximately one hundred twenty-five degrees relative to its initial orientation when the crossmember 101 was flat in FIG. 5. Also, if an additional angle of twenty degrees were add to the thirteenth bend 123-13, or more preferably if the uniform bend angle of 13.85 degrees of bends 123-1 through 123-13 were increased to a uniform bend angle of about 15.38 degrees, the second longitudinal edge 105 would face a second direction 121″, which is approximately two hundred degrees relative to its initial orientation when the crossmember 101 was flat in FIG. 5.

During the bending operations to produce the crossmember 101 and 101A of FIGS. 6, 7 and 7A, it has been noted that 3/16 inch thick HARDOX 450 as a spring back of about 12%. In other words, if a press bends an angle of 10 degrees into the plate and then releases the plate, the plate will spring back toward being flat and the resulting angle will be about 8.8 degrees. Therefore, spring back is accounted for in the continuous and stepped bending processes.

FIG. 7 best illustrates that the first and second longitudinal edges 103 and 105 and the serrations 111 thereon recess toward the base 117 of the U-shaped, cross-sectional profile between adjacent slots of the first and second pluralities of slots 113 and 115. For example, the maximum recess distance RD occurs midway between adjacent slots of the first and second pluralities of slots 113 and 115. The recesses between adjacent slots of the first and second pluralities of slots 113 and 115 are caused by gradual curves and produce a lateral sawing action on the debris and roots to be gripped that will be further explained hereinafter.

FIG. 8 is a front, top perspective view of a grapple 131 in an open state with the crossmember 101 of FIGS. 6 and 7 attached thereto. FIG. 9 is a rear, bottom perspective view of the grapple 131 of FIG. 8, and FIG. 10 is a side view of the grapple 131 of FIGS. 8 and 9. Hereinafter, it should be understood that the cross member 101A of FIG. 7A may be substituted into any of the illustrated configurations of the grapple 131, as desired.

The grapple 131 is considered an attachment for an industrial or farm vehicle, such as a skid steer or a farm tractor. The grapple 131 includes an upper jaw 133 formed of a plurality of first grappling bars 135, and a lower jaw 137 formed of a plurality of second grappling bars 139. Each of the plurality of first grappling bars 135 has a same inner profile characterized by a curved inner edge 141 facing to the lower jaw 137 and serrations 143 formed along at least a portion of the inner edge 141. Each of the plurality of second grappling bars 139 has a same inner profile characterized by a curved inner edge 145 facing to the upper jaw 133 and serrations 147 formed along at least a portion of the inner edge 145.

The plurality of second grappling bars 139 may be held together in an aligned configuration to form the lower jaw 137 by two or more crossbeams, like a round closed tubular crossbeam 149 and square or rectangular open or closed crossbeams 151. For example, the round closed tubular crossbeam 149 may be formed of ¼ inch drawn-over-mandrel (DOM) tubing, which provides high structural strength and has high weld strength. The plurality of first grappling bars 135 may be held together in an aligned configuration by two or more crossbeams, like a round closed tubular crossbeam 153 and the crossmember 101 of FIGS. 6 and 7. The round closed tubular crossbeam 153 may be formed of schedule 80 pipe, as it serves primarily for alignment, whereas the cross member 101 provides a high degree of structural strength.

As best seen in FIG. 9, an articulated connection 155 exists between the upper jaw 133 and the lower jaw 137. The articulated connection 155 may include first and second aligned axles 157 and 159 attaching two or more of the plurality of first grappling bars 135 to two or more of the plurality of second grappling bars 139. FIGS. 8-10 show the grapple 131 in an open state, which is caused by a first end of an actuator, e.g., one or more hydraulic cylinders, pushing or pulling on actuation openings 161 formed in the rearward ends of two or more of the plurality of first grappling bars 135, while the other end of the actuator is anchored to the lower jaw 137 and/or a mounting bracket on the vehicle.

FIG. 11 is a front, top perspective view of the grapple 131 of FIGS. 8-10 in a closed state. FIG. 12 is a side view of the grapple 131 of FIG. 11. In the closed state, the actuator has exerted a pushing or pulling force on the actuation openings 161 to cause the upper jaw 133 to move toward the lower jaw 137. The plurality of first grappling bars 135 of the upper jaw 133 may contact the lower jaw 137, e.g., the round closed tubular crossbeam 149, or may be partially spaced therefrom, due to a range of motion limitation of the actuators attached to the actuation openings 161.

As previously mentioned, the cross member 101 has a first plurality of slots 113-1 through 113-8 formed into the first longitudinal edge 103 and a second plurality of slots 115-1 through 115-8 formed into the second longitudinal edge 105. The slots 113/115 are linearly aligned, e.g., slot 113-3 is linearly aligned with slot 115-3 across the cross section of the crossmember 101. The opening width OW of each slot 113/115 is slightly greater than a thickness of each of the first grappling bars 135, e.g., the opening width OW of the slots 113-3 and 115-3 is slightly greater than the thickness of the first grappling bar 135-3.

In FIGS. 8-12, the cross member 101 is installed onto the upper jaw 133 by inserting the first grappling bars 135-1 through 135-8 into the corresponding and aligned first and second pluralities of slots 113/115-1 through 113/115-8. The crossmember 101 is then attached to the first grappling bars 135-1 through 135-8 of the upper jaw 133 by welding joints on at least one side, and preferably both sides, of each of the first and second pluralities of slots 113/115-1 through 113/115-8. Once attached, the first and second longitudinal edges 103 and 105 face toward the lower jaw 137, and the base 117 of the U-shaped, cross-sectional profile faces away from the lower jaw 137.

In operation, the crossmember 101 extends perpendicular to a travel direction of the vehicle operating the grapple 131. The plurality of second grappling bars 139 of the lower jaw 137 extend parallel to the travel direction of the vehicle. With the upper jaw 131 in the open position, the vehicle is driven forward and the forward tips of the plurality of second grappling bars 139 are driven into the ground where roots of a bush or tree are present or into a pile of debris. The forward tips of the plurality of second grappling bars 139 may be triple layered with laminated steel for reinforcement. The serrations 147 on the tops of the plurality of second grappling bars 139 assist in ripping up ground and cutting through or into roots or a debris pile.

The upper jaw 133 is then moved toward the closed position closer to the lower jaw 137 to pinch roots and debris between the upper and lower jaws 133 and 137, and the vehicle is driven in reverse. Sometimes, the roots will have been cut through or nearly through and will pull free or break free from the ground as the vehicle is driven in reverse and the grapple 131 will then leave the dig area with a full bite of root debris to move to another location for dumping.

Often the roots are not cut through entirely, and the roots are strong enough to hold into the ground, at which point the vehicle’s wheels or drive tracks spin or the vehicle stalls when the vehicle is driven in reverse. In other words, the grapple 131 will not be able to be reverse driven away from the dig site. At this point, it is common to drive the vehicle in the forward and reverse directions several times, attempting to further cut or loosen the roots engaged to the pluralities of first and second grappling bars 135 and 139 of the grapple 131.

With the grapples depicted in the prior art of FIGS. 1-3, embedded roots will tend to slip out of the grasp of the upper and lower jaws because the engaging surfaces of the crossmembers 8 and 15-1 are smooth. Drag force is generated when a portion of the pinched object extending outside of the grapple engages the ground and is drug along the top surface of the ground. Drag force may also be caused by embedded roots or debris in the ground. The drag force will tend to pull the object out of the grapple, which may also free other loose objects within the grasp of the grapple. In other words, if a root is pinched against the box-shaped cross member 8 in FIG. 1 or the round crossmember 15-1 in FIG. 2 the root can easily slide over and past the crossmember 8 or 15-1. This results in the grapple of FIGS. 1-3 not pulling a full bite of roots or debris from the ground or debris pile when roots or debris are embedded into the ground or debris pile.

With the present invention, serrations 111 are formed along the first and second longitudinal edges 103 and 105 of the crossmember 101 or 101A of the upper jaw 133, which serrations 111 face to the lower jaw 137. The serrations 111 increase friction by digging into the surface of the objects to be picked up, e.g., by slightly penetrating into the roots. Also, the first and second longitudinal edges 103 and 105 and the serrations 111 thereon have a radius of curvature, with a recessed area midway between the slots 113 and 115 holding the first grappling bars 135. The radius of curvature will tend to push loose roots and debris toward the center of the area between the first grappling bars 135 as the upper jaw 133 is closed relative to the lower jaw 137. This movement of roots and debris will cut a slight notch into the roots and debris. The notch will then be captured on the serration 111 of the first or second longitudinal edges 103 and/or 105, as the vehicle is reverse driven and will act as a stop surface so that the root or debris does not easily slide free of the crossmember 101. Hence, more pulling force is applied to the root or debris to dislodge it free from the soil or pile.

During the forward and reverse driving of the vehicle, the crossmember 101 is close to the ground and oriented perpendicular to forward and reverse driving directions. Hence, the crossmember 101 is fully exposed to damage as a solid and embedded rock, foundation or pole could impact the cross member at the base 117 of the U-shaped, cross-sectional profile when driven in the forward direction or at serrations 111 when driven in the reverse direction. Like the square or tubular crossmembers 8 or 15-1 of the prior art of FIGS. 1-3, the crossmember 101 of the present invention has an arch shaped profile at the base 117 of the U-shaped, cross-sectional profile to resist bending if impacted when the vehicle drives in the forward direction. Also, the crossmember 101 of the present invention has long linear sidewalls behind the first and second longitudinal edges 103 and 105, which are approximately perpendicular to the direction of any impact occurring when the vehicle is driven in the reverse direction.

With the grapple depicted in the prior art of FIG. 4, the flat plates 31 between the grapple bars 35 would be impacted nearly perpendicular to the plane of the flat plates 31 by embedded objects and would be much more susceptible to bends and distortions. Any bends in the flat plates 31 could lead to breaks or bends to the grappling bars 35, which could place the actuators into a bind causing a leakage of hydraulic fluid and failure of the actuator of the grapple 21.

FIG. 13 is a front, top perspective view of a grapple bucket attachment 171 in an open state with the crossmember 101 of FIGS. 6 and 7 attached thereto. The grapple bucket 171 has an upper jaw 133 the same as shown in FIGS. 8-12. However, the lower jaw is formed as a bucket 173, instead of interconnected second grappling bars 139. As previously noted, the articulated connection 155 may include first and second aligned axles 157 and 159 attaching two or more of the plurality of first grappling bars 135 to two or more upstanding ears 175 of the bucket 173.

The bucket 173 includes a substantially planar, bottom panel 177, and first and second upwardly extending end walls 179 and 181 attached to opposing side ends of the bottom panel 177. A front lip 183, optionally reinforced by laminated steel plating, is formed at a forward end of the bottom panel 177, and a backstop wall 185 extends upwardly from a rearward end of the bottom panel 177. In the case of landscaping cleanup, the bucket 173 may serve to be more useful to scoop up smaller debris, e.g., pinecones, small rocks and small twigs, where larger limbs and bushes reside on the top of the debris pile to be engaged by the upper jaw 133 and pressed toward the bucket 173. In the case of construction cleanup, the bucket 173 may serve to be more useful to scoop up smaller debris, e.g., broken bricks, shingles and glass, where lumber framing and fixtures reside on the top of the debris pile to be engaged by the upper jaw 133 and pressed toward the bucket 173.

The crossmember 101 has been shown as attaching the plurality of first grappling bars 135 together along one lateral position of the plurality of first grappling bars 135. However, it would be possible to attach the plurality of first grappling bars 135 together along two lateral positions by attaching two crossmembers 101 to the plurality of first grappling bars 135 of the first jaw 133. The serrations 111 of the added second crossmember 101 would face toward the lower jaw 137 to enhance the gripping force applied to pinched debris within the grapple 131 or grapple bucket 171.

Moreover, it would be within the teachings of the present invention to use one or more crossmembers 101 to attach together the plurality of second grappling bars 139 of the grapple 131. The serrations 111 of the crossmember(s) 101 added to the lower jaw 137 would face to the upper jaw 133 to enhance the gripping force applied to pinched debris within the grapple 131.

Although eight grappling bars 135 are shown in the upper jaw 133, more or fewer grappling bars 135 may be used, such as four, five, six, seven, nine or ten.

The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. An attachment for an industrial or farm vehicle, said attachment comprising: an upper jaw formed of a plurality of first grappling bars;a lower jaw formed of a plurality of second grappling bars;an articulated connection between said upper jaw and said lower jaw; anda crossmember that extends between and is attached to at least first, second and third grappling bars included in either said plurality of first grappling bars or in said plurality of second grappling bars, wherein said crossmember has a substantially U-shaped, cross-sectional profile.

2. The attachment according to claim 1, wherein said crossmember has first and second longitudinal edges and first and second end edges, wherein said first and second end edges are curved and show said substantially U-shaped, cross-sectional profile of said crossmember, and wherein each of said first and second longitudinal edges is longer than each of said first and second side edges.

3. The attachment according to claim 2, wherein said first, second and third grappling bars are included in said plurality of first grappling bars of said upper jaw, and wherein said first and second longitudinal edges face toward said lower jaw, and a curved base of said U-shaped, cross-sectional profile faces away from said lower jaw.

4. The attachment according to claim 3, further comprising: a plurality of serrations formed along a length of said first longitudinal edge.

5. The attachment according to claim 4, further comprising: a first plurality of slots cut into said first longitudinal edge and a second plurality of slots cut into said second longitudinal edge, wherein a width of each slot of said first and second pluralities of slots is sufficient to accept a width of one of said first, second or third grappling bars therein.

6. The attachment according to claim 5, wherein said first plurality of slots number eight and said second plurality of slots number eight, and wherein in addition to said first, second and third grappling bars, said upper jaw includes fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grappling bars, and wherein each of said first through eighth grappling bars is welded into one of said first plurality of slots and one of said second plurality of slots.

7. The attachment according to claim 5, wherein said first longitudinal edge and said serrations thereon recess toward said base of said U-shaped, cross-sectional profile between adjacent slots of said first plurality of slots.

8. The attachment according to claim 1, wherein said first longitudinal edge faces in a first direction and said second longitudinal edge faces in a second direction, which is within plus or minus thirty degrees to being parallel to the first direction.

9. The attachment according to claim 8, wherein the second direction is substantially parallel to the first direction.

10. The attachment according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of first grappling bars has a same inner profile characterized by a curved inner edge facing to said lower jaw and serrations formed along at least a portion of said inner edge.

11. The attachment according to claim 10, wherein each of said plurality of second grappling bars has a same inner profile characterized by a curved inner edge facing to said upper jaw and serrations formed along at least a portion of said inner edge.

12. An attachment for an industrial or farm vehicle, said attachment comprising: an upper jaw formed of a plurality of grappling bars;a lower jaw formed as a bucket;an articulated connection between said upper jaw and said bucket; anda crossmember that extends between and is attached to at least first, second and third grappling bars included in said plurality of grappling bars, wherein said crossmember has a substantially U-shaped, cross-sectional profile.

13. The attachment according to claim 12, wherein said bucket includes a substantially planar, bottom panel, first and second upwardly extending end walls attached to opposing side ends of said bottom panel, a front lip on a forward end of said bottom panel and a backstop wall extending upwardly from a rearward end of said bottom panel.

14. The attachment according to claim 12, wherein said crossmember has first and second longitudinal edges and first and second end edges, wherein said first and second end edges are curved and show said substantially U-shaped, cross-sectional profile of said crossmember, wherein each of said first and second longitudinal edges is longer than each of said first and second side edges, and wherein said first and second longitudinal edges face toward said bucket, and a curved base of said U-shaped, cross-sectional profile faces away from said bucket.

15. The attachment according to claim 14, further comprising: a plurality of serrations formed along a length of said first longitudinal edge; anda first plurality of slots cut into said first longitudinal edge and a second plurality of slots cut into said second longitudinal edge, wherein a width of each slot of said first and second pluralities of slots is sufficient to accept a width of one of said first, second or third grappling bars therein.

16. The attachment according to claim 15, wherein said first plurality of slots number eight and said second plurality of slots number eight, and wherein in addition to said first, second and third grappling bars, said upper jaw includes fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grappling bars, and wherein each of said first through eighth grappling bars is welded into one of said first plurality of slots and one of said second plurality of slots.

17. The attachment according to claim 15, wherein each of said plurality of grappling bars has a same inner profile characterized by a curved inner edge facing to said bucket and serrations formed along at least a portion of said inner edge.

18. An attachment for an industrial or farm vehicle, said attachment comprising: an upper jaw formed of a plurality of grappling bars;a lower jaw;an articulated connection between said upper jaw and said lower jaw; anda crossmember that extends between and is attached to at least first, second and third grappling bars included in said plurality of grappling bars, wherein said crossmember has a substantially U-shaped, cross-sectional profile.

19. The attachment according to claim 18, wherein said plurality of grappling bars is a first plurality of grappling bars, and wherein said lower jaw is formed of a plurality of second grappling bars.

20. The attachment according to claim 18, wherein said lower jaw is formed as a bucket, and further comprising: plurality of slots cut into said crossmember, wherein a width of each slot is sufficient to accept a width of one of said first, second or third grappling bars therein.