Patent Grant
10414633
Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a grappling assembly that may be attached to a utility component, such as a front loader, backhoe, crane, boom, or the like.
Work or utility vehicles, such as tractors, skid steers, four wheelers, bulldozers, and the like, are often adapted to be used with various types of attachments. For example, loaders may be attached to the front of such equipment with arms and hydraulic controls that allow the loader to be raised and lowered, and also rolled forward and backward. Many different implements may be attached to the front of the work vehicles, thereby allowing an operator to accomplish various tasks via a single work vehicle.
Conventional front-end loaders include a pair of lifting arms or boom assemblies that include towers or rearward ends that pivotally attach to a tractor and lifting arms or forward ends that pivotally attach to an implement. A coupler may be used to connect various implements to the lifting arms. As such, the owner of a work vehicle may change the implement attached to the work vehicle in order to address the needs of a particular job. Exemplary implements found on conventional front-end loaders include buckets, clam shells, plows, fork lifts, bale spears, and the like.
Generally, the arms of the loader and the attached implement may be controlled by a hydraulic system. Hydraulic cylinders may be configured to operate front-end loaders and their attached implements. Hydraulic lines may extend along an exterior (or routed along the interior) of the front-end loaders for powering the hydraulic cylinders.
Known attachments, such as grapplers, are typically connected to a boom assembly through a complicated linkage. Further, multiple actuating cylinders are typically connected to known grapplers in order to move grappling jaws with respect to one another. For example, a first hydraulic cylinder is operatively attached to an upper jaw, while a second hydraulic cylinder is operatively attached to a lower jaw. The use of multiple actuating cylinders may add time and cost to a manufacturing process.
Further, known upper and lower grappling jaws are pivotally secured to each other at a fixed pivot axis that limits how wide the grappling jaws may be spread apart when the grappling assembly is in a fully-opened position as well as limits the distance between the lower grappling jaw and a pivot point at the end of a loader arm. The fixed pivot axis also limits an amount of grasping force that can be generated by the grappling jaws. As such, the grappling assembly is limited to handling structures that fit between the grappling jaws and structures that need less than a certain amount of grasping force to handle. However, the operator may need to handle, grab, or move an element that has a size that is too large to fit between the grappling jaws or that may need an amount of grasping force greater than an amount of force that the grappling jaws can generate. The individual may view the purchase of different and distinct grappling assemblies that are sized to handle different structures having different sizes to be expensive and wasteful. Further, the time of completing a task is lengthened when the operator detaches the grappling jaws and attach a different grappler that is sized to handle the larger element.
Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a grappling assembly that is configured to connect to a moveable arm of a utility component. The grappling assembly may include a first or upper claw and a second or lower claw. The upper claw includes first or lower grasping surfaces and coupling openings. The lower claw includes second or upper grasping surfaces and mating openings, wherein each mating opening is configured to be axially aligned with one of the coupling openings. Fasteners pivotally secure the lower claw to the upper claw. The fasteners are removably retained with the coupling openings of the upper claw and within the mating openings of the lower claw. The upper claw and the lower claw may rotate about the fasteners at first pivot axes when the fasteners are retained within first coupling openings of the upper claw and within the mating openings of the lower claw. The upper claw and the lower claw may rotate about the fasteners at different, second pivot axes when the fasteners are retained within second coupling openings of the upper claw and within the mating openings of the lower claw.
In at least one embodiment, the grappling assembly is connected to the moveable arm through a coupler.
In at least one embodiment, the second claw includes one or more stop bars that prevent rotation of the second claw in a direction towards the moveable arm.
The first claw may also include a main housing. The first grasping surfaces extend a distance away from the main housing.
Optionally, the first claw also includes lateral walls that extend a distance away from the main housing. The coupling openings of the first claw extend through at least one of the lateral walls.
Optionally, the first claw may also include a screen that extends at least partially along a surface of the main housing between the first grasping surfaces.
In at least one embodiment, the first claw includes grasping teeth and one or more connecting rods operably coupled with the grasping teeth.
In at least one embodiment, the second claw includes arcuate teeth and one or more connecting rods operably coupled with the arcuate teeth.
Optionally, at least one of the arcuate teeth includes a mounting end. The mating openings of the second claw extend through the mounting end of the at least one of the arcuate teeth.
In at least one embodiment, the grappling assembly is devoid of any additional linkages between the first claw and the second claw.
Each first grasping surfaces of the first claw may also include a grip. The grips maintain a position of a structure between the first grasping surfaces of the first claw and the second grasping surfaces of the second claw.
Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a grappling assembly configured to connect to a moveable arm of a utility component. The grappling assembly may include a first or upper claw, a second or lower claw, and fasteners configured to pivotally secure the lower claw to the upper claw. The upper claw includes one or more first or lower grasping surfaces and coupling openings. The lower claw includes one or more second or upper grasping surfaces and mating openings, wherein each mating opening is configured to be axially aligned with one of the coupling openings. The upper claw and the lower claw may rotate about the fasteners at first pivot axes when the fasteners are retained within first coupling openings of the upper claw and within the mating openings of the lower claw. The first pivot axes extend through the first coupling openings of the upper claw and the mating openings of the lower claw. The upper claw and the lower claw may rotate about the fasteners at different, second pivot axes when the fasteners are retained within second coupling openings of the upper claw and within the mating openings of the lower claw. The second pivot axes may extend through the second coupling openings of the upper claw and the mating openings of the lower claw. The second claw includes one or more stop bars that prevent rotation of the second claw in a direction towards the moveable arm.
The first claw may also include a main housing. The first grasping surfaces extend a distance away from the main housing.
Optionally, the first claw also includes lateral walls that extend a distance away from the main housing. The coupling openings of the first claw extend through at least one of the lateral walls.
Optionally, the first claw may also include a screen that extends at least partially along a surface of the main housing between the first grasping surfaces.
In at least one embodiment, the first claw includes grasping teeth and one or more connecting rods operably coupled with the grasping teeth.
In at least one embodiment, the second claw includes arcuate teeth and one or more connecting rods operably coupled with the arcuate teeth.
Optionally, at least one of the arcuate teeth includes a mounting end. The mating openings of the second claw extend through the mounting end of the at least one of the arcuate teeth.
Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a system that may include at least one moveable arm of a utility vehicle, and a grappling assembly removably secured to the at least one moveable arm. The grappling assembl(ies) may be similar to the embodiments described above.
Before the embodiments are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof.
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural of the elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional such elements not having that property.
Embodiments of the present disclosure may be used with various work or utility vehicles and/or equipment. For example, embodiments of the present disclosure may be used with respect to tractors, front loaders, backhoes, skid steers, and the like, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,160,077, entitled “Grapple Assembly, A Front end Loader Having a Grapple Assembly, and Method for Operating a Grapple, Assembly,” U.S. Pat. No. 7,431,554, entitled “Pinching Fingers Attachment for Utility Vehicles,” U.S. Pat. No. 7,566,197, entitled “Independent Hydraulic Pinching Fingers Attachment for Utility Vehicles,” and U.S. Pat. No. 8,221,049, entitled “Independent Hydraulic Pinching Fingers with Detachable Secondary Implement,” all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
The grappling assembly 10 may be operably coupled with a utility component such as a front loader, skid steer, crane, boom, or the like, for example. In general, the utility component may typically be operatively connected to a bucket or shovel for digging, transporting, or the like. The bucket may be operatively connected to moveable arms. However, the bucket may be removed from the moveable arms, and couplers may be configured to securely connect to the grappling assembly 10. While a single grappling assembly is shown, it is to be understood that more grappling assemblies 10 may be used. For example, embodiments of the present disclosure may provide two grappling assemblies 10 such that each grappling assembly is separately coupled with two different moveable arms.
Referring to
Gaps 34 span lengths between each of the arcuate teeth 24 along the length of the connecting rods 32, 33. In the illustrated embodiment, the gap 34 between the second tooth 24B and the third tooth 24C is greater than the gap 34 between the first tooth 24A and the second tooth 24B, and is greater than the gap 34 between the third tooth 24C and the fourth tooth 24D. While shown with four arcuate teeth 24, the lower claw 18 may include more or less than four teeth that may be connected together by more or less than two connecting rods 32, 33. For example, the lower claw 18 may alternatively include two opposing teeth 24 (e.g., the first tooth 24A and fourth tooth 24D). Additionally, the teeth 24 may be disposed at any uniform or unique distances apart from each other tooth along the length of the connecting rods 32, 33 such that the gaps 34 between teeth 24 may be substantially uniform or unique.
In one or more embodiments, one or both of the connecting rods 32, 33 may also be used to push a load in front of the teeth 24. For example, the connecting rods 32, 33 may act as a rake such that the rods 32, 33 may move a load in a forward direction when the grappling assembly 10 is open (e.g., the lower and upper claws 18, 20 are separated). Optionally, the grappling assembly 10 may include a screen (not shown) that may extend between any two or more of the teeth 24 along the connecting rods 32, 33 such that the screen may collect, block, push, or the like, a load in front of the teeth 24.
The main curved body of each of the arcuate teeth 24 of the lower claw 18 extends from a rear surface 76 of each tooth 24 to a free end 82. The free ends 82 extend away from the rear surfaces 76 in a direction away from the distal tip 30 of each arcuate tooth 24. As shown in
The upper claw 20 includes a main housing 40 having grasping teeth 54 that extend from a front surface 52 in a direction away from the main housing 40. The grasping teeth 54 are operably connected to each other by a connecting rod 38. The grasping teeth 54 converge at distal tips 56 that may be pivoted into the gaps 34 formed between the corresponding teeth 24 of the lower claw 18. In the illustrated embodiment, two grasping teeth 54 converge together to pivot into the gap 34 between the first and second teeth 24A, 24B, and two grasping teeth 54 converge together to pivot into the gap 34 between the third and fourth teeth 24C, 24D. Alternatively, single teeth 54 may extend from the main housing 40 of the upper claw 20 and may be configured to pivot into the gaps 34 between and/or outside of any of the teeth 24A-D of the lower claw 18. Further, the teeth configuration of the lower and upper claws 18, 20, respectively, may be switched or may have any alternative configuration and/or orientation.
Moreover, it is to be understood that the terms “upper” and “lower” are merely with respect to the orientations shown in the drawings. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a grappling assembly that may include first claws 20 and second claws 18 that are configured to pivot relative to one another. Either of the first claw 20 and second claw 18 may be above or below the other. Indeed, the first and second claws 20, 18 may be oriented such that they open in non-vertical orientations, such that neither claw is above or below the other. Alternatively, the first and second claws 20, 18 may be oriented in a perpendicular direction. For example, the first and second claws may be horizontally-oriented such that the claws are configured to close about a vertical axis. In this embodiment, neither claws may be above or below the other, but, instead, positioned with respect to a horizontal plane.
The distal tip 56 of each tooth 54 includes a grip 58 that may grasp, dig into, and/or maintain a position of a structure that is positioned between the lower and upper claws 18, 20. For example, the grip 58 has a sawtooth shape to dig into and grasp the structure. Optionally, the grips 58 may have any alternative shape, roughed-surface, or the like. Additionally, each grasping tooth 54 of the upper claw 20 includes a lower grasping surface 140. The lower grasping surfaces 140 may also be referred to herein as first grasping surfaces. As such, the structure or the item positioned between the lower claw 18 and the upper claw 20 may be compressively grasped between the upper grasping surfaces 28 of the teeth 24 of the lower claw 18 and the lower grasping surfaces 140 of the grasping teeth 54 of the upper claw 20.
The upper claw 20 also includes a screen 62 that extends along the front surface 52 of the main housing 40 and spans a gap between the grasping teeth 54. For example, the screen 62 may contain or hold the structure (e.g., a log, brush, or the like) between the lower and upper claws 18, 20, such as when the structure is compressively grasped between the upper and lower grasping surfaces 28, 140. In the illustrated embodiment, the screen 62 extends substantially the entire gap between exterior surfaces 112 of the grasping teeth 54 along the front surface 52. Optionally, the upper claw may not include the screen, the screen may not span the entire gap between the grasping teeth, the upper claw may include two or more screens that span at least part of the gap, or any combination therein.
The upper claw 20 also includes plural lateral walls 42 that extend in a direction away from the main housing 40. In the illustrated embodiment, the lateral walls 42 extend in a direction substantially opposite the distal tips 56 of the grasping teeth 54. Optionally, the lateral walls 42 may extend in any alternative direction away from the main housing 40. The lateral walls 42 pivotally connect the upper claw 20 to the lower claw 18. The lateral walls 42 include plural coupling openings 60. Additionally, the curved main body 16 of the first and fourth teeth 24A, 24D have mounting ends 80 that include mating openings 160. The mounting ends 80 of the first and fourth teeth 24A, 24D are received between corresponding lateral walls 42 and are pivotally coupled to the corresponding lateral walls 42 of the upper claw 20. For example, each mating opening 160 of the lower claw 18 is aligned with one of the coupling openings 60 of the upper claw 20. Fasteners 46, such as bolts, are removably retained within the coupling openings 60 of the upper claw 20 and within the mating openings 160 of the lower claw 18 that are axially aligned with each of the coupling openings 60.
Referring to
As shown in
The mating openings 160 of the lower claw 18 are axially aligned with the corresponding coupling openings of the upper claw 20 in order to removably retain the fasteners 46 and to pivotally secure the lower claw 18 to the upper claw 20. For example, as illustrated in
Alternatively, as illustrated in
Alternatively, as illustrated in
Alternatively, as illustrated in
Referring to
Accordingly, adjusting or changing the position of the fasteners 46 to pivotally secure the lower claw 18 to the upper claw 20 changes the position of the pivot axes about which the upper claw 20 pivots with respect to the lower claw 18. Changing the position of the pivot axes may also change how wide the upper claw 20 may be spread apart from the lower claw 18, may also change an amount of grasping force that may be generated by the lower and upper claws 18, 20, or the like, relative to the position of the pivot axes not changing. For example, a distance between the fasteners and the distal tips 30, 56 of the teeth 24, 54 of the lower and upper claws 18, 20 when the fasteners 46 are positioned within the fourth coupling openings 60D is greater than a distance between the fasteners 46 and the distal tips of the teeth when the fasteners 46 are positioned within the first, second, and third coupling openings 60A-C. Accordingly, changing the distance between the pivot axes and the distal tips of the teeth changes a length of the moment arm of the upper claw 20 as the upper claw 20 pivots in the direction of arc 64 with respect to the lower claw 18.
Moreover, it is to be understood that the terms “first” and “second” are merely with respect to the orientations shown in the drawings. The first and second claws may be oriented such that they open in non-vertical orientations, such that the one or more pivot axes may extend in non-horizontal orientations or directions. For example, the first and second claws may be oriented in a perpendicular direction such that the pivot axes extend in a vertical direction and the claws are configured to close about a vertical axis.
Additionally, is it to be understood that the lateral walls 42 of the upper claw 20 may include any number of coupling openings 60, and each coupling opening 60 may have any shape, size, configuration, or the like, with respect to each other coupling opening 60. In one embodiment, the fasteners 46 may be removably retained within a single coupling opening instead of within pairs of coupling openings. Additionally, the mounting ends 80 of the lower claw 18 may include any number of corresponding mating openings 160 that are configured to be aligned with the coupling openings 60 of the upper claw 20 in order to pivotally secure the lower claw 18 to the upper claw 20.
Referring to
The coupler 12 may include one or more mating surfaces and/or features (not shown) that are configured to mate with and secure the grappling assembly 10 to the coupler 12. In one embodiment, the upper claw 20 may include a reciprocal bracket that may engage with a ramped portion of each coupler and the upper claw 20 may include a lower reciprocal bracket that may engage or mate with a lower protuberance of each coupler. Optionally, each coupler may include a stud at an upper end and a connecting peg or plunger that may be actuated outwardly from a lower end of the coupler. The upper claw 20 may include an opening that may be configured to receive the stud of the coupler and may include a peg-retaining member or reciprocal housing that may be configured to receive the peg or plunger of the coupler in order to securely couple the grappling assembly 10 to the coupler 12. The coupler 12 may be further described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,559,270, entitled “Hydraulic Cylinder System,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
It is to be understood that embodiments of the present disclosure may be configured and modified to attach and detach from various types of couplers, other than those shown. For example, the couplers may be sized and shaped differently than shown, and the grappling assembly described in the present disclosure may be sized and shaped to be attached and detached from such a coupler. Optionally, the grappling assembly may be separated into two distinct grappling assemblies such that each grappling assembly is securely connected with each moveable arm. Optionally, the one or more grappling assemblies may be securely coupled with the one or more moveable arms without couplers.
As noted, the grappling assembly 10 may be configured to removable connect to the couplers 12 connected to the moveable arms 14 of the utility component (as shown in
Additionally, adjusting the position of the pivot axes, and thereby the position of the lower claw 18 with respect to the upper claw 20, allows the lower claw 18 to operate at a position that may be closer to or further away from a pivot point at the end of the moveable arm 14. For example, the lower claw 18 may need to be disposed a distance away from the end of the moveable arm 14. The first and second fasteners 46A, 46B may be disposed within the first coupling openings 60A when using of the grappling assembly 10 in a first operating condition. Alternatively, the lower claw 18 may need to be disposed closer to the end of the moveable arm 14 when using the grappling assembly 10 in a different, second operating condition. For example, the position of the first and second fasteners 46A, 46B may need to be adjusted such that the fasteners 46A, 46B may be removed from the first coupling openings 60A and disposed within the second, third, or fourth coupling openings 60B-D.
As shown in
In one or more embodiments, the position of the lower claw 18 may be adjusted in order for the lower and upper claws 18, 20 to be able to rotate to a fully-opened position and a fully-closed position without the stop bars 100 interfering with features of a variety of moveable arms. For example, the grappling assembly 10 may be first operably coupled with a first moveable arm 14 of a utility equipment and then subsequently be operably coupled with a different, moveable arm of a different piece of utility equipment that has a configuration that is different than the first moveable arm. The position of the lower claw 18 relative to the upper claw 20 may be adjusted such that the stop bars 100 do not interfere with different strands, stops, linkages, or the like, of the different moveable arms of the different utility equipment. Optionally, the position of the lower claw 18 may remain the same, and alternatively the position of the stop bars 100 may be adjusted so that the stop bars 100 do not interfere with different strands, stops, linkages, or the like, of the two different moveable arms of the different utility equipment.
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method of pivotally securing an upper claw 20 to a lower claw 18 of a grappling assembly 10. The method includes axially aligning one or more mating openings of the lower claw with one or more coupling openings of the upper claw. Fasteners are removably retained within first coupling openings of the upper claw and within the mating openings of the lower claw. The upper claw 20 and the lower claw 18 are configured to rotate about the fasteners at first pivot axes when the fasteners are retained within the first coupling openings of the upper claw and within the mating openings of the lower claw. The first pivot axes extend through the first coupling openings of the upper claw and the mating openings of the lower claw. The method also includes removably attaching the grappling assembly to a moveable arm of a utility component.
Referring to
The grappling assembly may be configured to grasp one or more structures through only a single actuating cylinder. For example, only a single actuating cylinder connected to the upper claw may be used to pivot the upper claw towards the lower claw. The lower claw may wedge up against the moveable arm, thereby providing leverage with respect to the closing upper claw. Optionally, two or more actuating cylinders may be connected to a single grappling assembly, or may be connected to two or more separate grappling assemblies.
The various grasping interfaces, shapes, sizes, orientations, connecting interferences, and fasteners shown in the illustrations are merely exemplary. It is to be understood that various configurations of the upper and/or lower claws may be used, that various connecting interferences may be used to pivotally secure the upper claw to the lower claw and/or to connect the grappling assembly to the moveable arm.
The grappling assembly may have one or more stops (which may move or “float” as the grappling assembly moves) that allows the grappling assembly to quickly and easily connect to one or more couplers, for example, without the need for an operator to manipulate the grappling assembly with his/her hands. The stop(s) may be sized and shaped so that it is wide enough to be universally used with various couplers. As such, the stop(s) may be sized and shaped to not interfere with bucket stops that some loaders have welded to loader arm ends, for example. Further, the stop(s) may eliminate the need to connect additional linkage to the grappling assembly that would connect opposed claws.
Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide grappling assemblies that may be universally used with various other couplers and quick-connecting systems and methods than those shown. While certain examples of couplers and quick connecting systems and methods are shown, it is to be understood that embodiments of the present disclosure may be used with numerous other couplers and systems.
Moreover, embodiments of the present disclosure provide grappling assemblies that may be larger or smaller than shown. The grappling assemblies may be sized and shaped based on the size and stability of the device, vehicle, or the like, to which they are to be attached.
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide grappling assemblies that provide an operator with the benefit of grasping, grabbing, or the like, with claws, as described above, that may be driven by hydraulic power as found on a typical loader, for example. As such, embodiments of the present disclosure may use the existing structure of a loader, for example, instead of requiring additional hydraulics, plumbing, and the like.
Additionally, certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a system and method for hands-free attachment and detachment of a grappling assembly to a loader, for example. As such, an operator is not required to handle and manipulate the grappling assembly in order to secure it to a loader, for example. Accordingly, the operator is spared the labor and mess that would otherwise arise when hooking up separate hydraulics and the like to the grappling assembly and/or the loader, for example.
As noted above, while various embodiments describe an upper claw operatively connected to an actuating cylinder, such as through a coupler, while the lower claw is not connected to an actuating cylinder, it is to be understood that such a configuration may be reversed. For example, a lower claw may be operatively connected to an actuating cylinder extending below a moveable arm, while the upper claw may not be connected to an actuating cylinder.
As noted above, the upper claw may pivotally connect to the lower claw at one or more pivot axes. The pivot axes may be completely aligned with a pivot axis on a coupler or a distal end of a moveable arm. Optionally, the pivot axes may be aligned in an offset manner with respect to the pivot axis of the coupler or the distal end of the moveable arm. For example, the pair of pivot axes of the grappling assembly may be offset between 1-15 degrees with respect to the pivot axis of the coupler or the moveable arm. Optionally, the offset angle may exceed 15 degrees. Also, for example, the pivot axes of the grappling assembly may be offset from the pivot axis of the coupler within a radius, such as a 10″ radius. Alternatively, the radius may be greater or less than 10″. In this manner, the pivot axes of the grappling assembly may be substantially axially aligned within a pivot radius of an arm pivot axis of a moveable arm, for example. The claws may be connected within a radius area of the pivot point of the loader arm end, for example.
Additionally, embodiments of the present disclosure provide grappling assemblies that include a stop, such as a stop bar, that is configured to be wedged into a portion of the moveable arm to provide a leverage point. The stop, which may swing forward when force is not applied to the lower claw, for example, provides a resistive leverage point, thereby allowing the upper claw to pinch or otherwise close with respect to the lower claw.
Unlike known grapplers, embodiments of the present disclosure do not require a complicated or elaborate linkage between the moveable arm and the grappling assembly. Certain embodiments of the present disclosure do not require additional bushings, sleeves, and/or pins to connect to couplers or distal ends of moveable arms. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure provide grappling assemblies that may be operated through the use of a single actuating cylinder operatively connected to only one of two pivotal grasping claws.
While various spatial and directional terms, such as top, bottom, lower, mid, lateral, horizontal, vertical, front and the like may be used to describe embodiments of the present disclosure, it is understood that such terms are merely used with respect to the orientations shown in the drawings. The orientations may be inverted, rotated, or otherwise changed, such that an upper portion is a lower portion, and vice versa, horizontal becomes vertical, and the like.
It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the various embodiments of the disclosure without departing from their scope. While the dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended to define the parameters of the various embodiments of the disclosure, the embodiments are by no means limiting and are exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the various embodiments of the disclosure should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure.
This written description uses examples to disclose the various embodiments of the disclosure, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various embodiments of the disclosure, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the various embodiments of the disclosure is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if the examples have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if the examples include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
This application relates to and claims priority benefits from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/659,727 entitled “Grappling Assembly For Use With Utility Equipment,” filed Apr. 19, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4854812 | Smith | Aug 1989 | A |
| 20160281318 | Perry | Sep 2016 | A1 |
| 20160281322 | Burenga | Sep 2016 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62659727 | Apr 2018 | US |
