Inventive concepts relate to large tools and, in particular, to a method and apparatus for storing large tools, such as large hydraulic tools.
Hydraulic tools, which may be operated with heavy equipment, are employed in a vast array of applications in, for example, the construction, mining, and farming industries. It is vitally important to ensure that the hydraulic tools are not damaged by the loss or displacement of fluids and subsequent drying-out and damage to hydraulic components. The seals of an improperly stored hydraulic tool, one stored horizontally for example, may dry out, warp, and fail. If a tool with damaged seals is then put into use, hydraulic fluid may escape, causing catastrophic damage for the tool and/or associated equipment and undermining the performance of the hammer. As of this writing, some hydraulic tools, such as hydraulic hammer-breakers, or, simply, hydraulic hammers, may cost $100,000 or more and a system and method for their proper storage and transportation would maintain both the value of the hydraulic tool and the integrity of the environment.
In example embodiments, in accordance with principles of inventive concepts, a hydraulic tool storage device may include a base, a vertical support, and a top collar. The base may be of sufficient area to prevent tipping of the tool when the tool is positioned within the stand. The vertical support connects the base and top collar and at least partially encloses the hydraulic tool. The top collar at least partially encloses the tool and may include a clamping assembly to hold the tool in a preferred position.
In example embodiments, the base may be configured and arranged to support, at least partially, the mass of an associated hydraulic tool, to prevent tipping while the tool is loaded, stored, or transported, and to endure the typically challenging environment in which the tool employed. To that end, the base may be constructed of a solid metal plate, a structural framework, or a combination thereof. In example embodiments, the base includes rectangular mild-steel tubes connected, by welding for example, to form a framework. Parallel rectangular tubes form end pieces that are connected by parallel rectangular mild steel tube crosspieces. A pair of plates are attached to the set of parallel crosspieces, thereby forming a rectangular box upon which a hydraulic tool may be supported. The plates may, in example embodiments, include a structure configured to engage a portion, one end for example, of an associated hydraulic tool. Such an engaging structure may be a vertical tubular structure with an opening or concavity at the top configured to receive the working end, or hammer end (that is, the end associated with the tool shaft, bit, breaker, or chisel, of the hammer), of a hydraulic hammer, for example. The upper portion of the hydraulic tool may be held in place by a top collar that may, in turn, include a clamping assembly that opens to admit the hydraulic tool for insertion or removal, allowing such insertion or removal without lifting the hydraulic tool above the level of the top collar.
In accordance with aspects of the inventive concepts, a tool stand comprises a rigid base, a support structure that extends from the base and defines a central void to receive a hydraulic tool; and a collar defining a collar opening configured to receive and maintain the hydraulic tool in a predetermined position.
In various embodiments, the hydraulic tool is a hydraulic hammer.
In various embodiments, the base has a length of between 70 and 90 inches.
In various embodiments, the base has a width of between 60 and 80 inches.
In various embodiments, the base is larger in length and width than the support structure.
In various embodiments, the stand is configured to receive and hold a hydraulic tool of at least about 500 pounds.
In various embodiments, the stand is configured to receive and hold a hydraulic tool of at least about 2,000 pounds.
In various embodiments, the tool stand further comprises a main pin extending from the base into the central void and configured to engage a distal end of the hydraulic tool.
In various embodiments, the tool stand further comprise a chisel holder configured to hold one or more chisels.
In various embodiments, the predetermined position is an upright position.
In various embodiments, the tool stand further comprise a clamping assembly having at least one clamp configured to tighten to secure the hydraulic tool in the predetermined position.
In various embodiments, the clamping assembly is configured to open to receive the hydraulic tool and to close to secure the hydraulic tool in the predetermined position within the tool stand.
In various embodiments, the tool stand further comprise an adapter plate configured to adjust the collar opening to enable the tool stand to receive and maintain different size hydraulic tools.
In various embodiments, the adapter plate removably secures to the collar.
In various embodiments, the tool stand further comprise at least one positioning mechanism formed to enable positioning the tool stand, at least one positioning mechanism chosen from the group consisting of: lifting loops, lifting points, lifting rings, and/or lifting eyes.
In various embodiments, the tool stand further comprise a pair of fork pockets configured for engagement by a pair of tines from a forklift and/or pallet truck.
In accordance with another aspect of the inventive concepts, provided is a tool stand, comprising: a rigid base; a support structure that extends from the base and defines a central void to receive a hydraulic hammer; a main pin extending from the base into the central void and configured to engage a distal end of the hydraulic hammer; and a collar defining a collar opening configured to receive and maintain the hydraulic hammer in an upright position, wherein the base is larger in length and width than the support structure.
In various embodiments, the stand is configured to receive and hold a hydraulic hammer of at least about 500 pounds.
In various embodiments, the tool stand further comprises a clamping assembly having at least one clamp configured to tighten to secure a received hydraulic tool in the upright position, wherein the clamping assembly is configured to open to receive the hydraulic tool and to close to secure the hydraulic tool in the predetermined position within the tool stand.
In various embodiments, the tool stand further comprises an adapter plate configured to adjust the collar opening to enable the tool stand to receive and maintain different size hydraulic tools.
In various embodiments, the tool stand further comprises at least one positioning mechanism formed to enable positioning the tool stand, the at least one positioning mechanism chosen from the group consisting of: a pair of fork pockets, lifting loops, lifting points, lifting rings, and/or lifting eyes.
In accordance with another aspect of the inventive concepts, provided is a method of storing a hydraulic tool that includes providing a hydraulic tool stand, comprising a base configured to at least partially support a hydraulic tool and a vertical structure, wherein the vertical structure positions a hydraulic tool for storage and transport, preparing the tool for storage; and positioning the tool within the stand in a storage orientation.
In various embodiments of the method, the hydraulic tool is a hydraulic hammer.
In various embodiments of the method, the stand includes inclinometers that indicate to an operator whether the stand is being positioned within a safe tilt range. In example embodiments the stand/tool combination may be safely displaced from the vertical by up to ±5 degrees and the inclinometers provide feedback to an operator, which may be audio and/or visual, to indicate whether stand/tool combination is positioned within a safe tilt range. In example embodiments the feedback may be in the form of a visual green indication when the stand/tool is within a safe tilt range and a visual red indication when the tool/stand is within an unsafe tilt range. In example embodiments the “safe” tilt zone may be defined as half the tipping pitch/slope (10 degrees in example embodiments).
In various embodiments of the method, the tool stand includes a collar supported by the vertical structure and open on one side to permit entry of a tool; and a clamping assembly configured to open for admission of a hydraulic tool and to close in order to secure the hydraulic tool within the tool stand; and storing the tool includes opening the collar for insertion of the tool and closing the collar for securing the tool after the tool is inserted into the stand.
In various embodiments, the method includes removing a chisel of a hydraulic hammer prior to placing the hydraulic hammer in the tool stand; including a pin on the base of the tool stand; placing the pin within an opening left by the removal of the chisel, at the hammer-end of the hydraulic hammer.
In various embodiments, the method includes employing positioning mechanisms on the tool stand to position the tool stand.
In various embodiments, the method includes positioning employing fork pockets.
In various embodiments, the method includes providing a clamping assembly on the tool stand and clamping the hydraulic hammer in place after placing the hammer in the tool stand.
The present invention will become more apparent in view of the attached drawings and accompanying detailed description. The embodiments depicted therein are provided by way of example, not by way of limitation, wherein like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating aspects of the invention. In the drawings:
Various aspects of the inventive concepts will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some exemplary embodiments are shown. The present inventive concept may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein.
It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element from another, but not to imply a required sequence of elements. For example, a first element can be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element can be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the present invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The term “or” is not used in an exclusive or sense, but in an inclusive or sense.
It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on” or “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly on or connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements can be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” or “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.).
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. 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,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like may be used to describe an element and/or feature's relationship to another element(s) and/or feature(s) as, for example, illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use and/or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” and/or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. The device may be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.
Exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-sectional illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized exemplary embodiments (and intermediate structures). As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, exemplary embodiments should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing.
Although methods and apparatuses in accordance with principles of inventive concepts may be employed in conjunction with any of a variety of hydraulic tools or other types of large tools, for clarity and brevity of description, example embodiments herein will be described in the context of hydraulic tools referred to as a hydraulic hammer breaker, or, more simply, as a hydraulic hammer or hammer. And within this context, a tool stand for holding such large tools may be referred to herein as a hydraulic tool stand, a tool stand, a hammer stand or, simply, a stand.
In example embodiments, a large tool stand may include a base, a vertical support, and a support top. The base may be of sufficient area, rigidity, and strength to prevent tipping of the tool and stand when the tool is received and maintained within the stand. The vertical support connects the base and the support top and at least partially encloses the tool. The support top can comprise a top collar that at least partially encloses the tool and may include a clamping assembly to hold the tool in a preferred position within the stand, such as an upright position. In combination, the clamping assembly and top collar may completely or substantially surround the tool received within the stand. In example embodiments a tool stand in accordance with principles of inventive concepts may store a tool, such as a hydraulic hammer, in a vertical orientation safely and facilitate the movement of the tool with relative ease. In example embodiments inclinometers may provide an indication to operators of whether the stand and tool are positioned within a safe tilt range. A locking mechanism holds a hammer in place, preventing unwanted movement of the hammer within the stand, whether the stand is stationary or moving. The locking mechanism, also referred to herein as a clamping assembly, opens to allow easy entry of a hammer that is to be stored. With the locking mechanism open, the hammer need not be lifted the full height of the stand to insert or remove the hammer, thereby furthering the safe operation of storage and retrieval of the hammer. In example embodiments, the chisel (also referred to herein as a breaker, or a bit) may be removed from the hammer for storage, with a separate chisel holder provided for storage of the chisel. Removing the chisel and storing it separately allows the hammer itself to be stored in a manner in which the center of gravity of the hammer/stand combination is lowered, thereby further enhancing the safety of the stand. In some example embodiments fork pockets may be positioned relatively high on the stand, near the center of gravity of the stand/hammer combination, to further enhance the safe operation of the stand, particularly while moving the stand.
As an example, the base may be configured and arranged to support the mass of a large hydraulic tool, and to prevent tipping while the tool is loaded, stored, or transported in the stand. The base is also structured to endure the typically challenging environment in which such tools are often employed. To that end, the base may be constructed of a structural framework that supports a base support surface having at least one metal plate.
The stand may be configured to receive and hold large tools of different sizes. In example embodiments, the stand may be employed to store a plurality of different hydraulic hammers, such as an H160 and H180 hydraulic hammers manufactured by Caterpillar, Inc., or similar hydraulic hammers or tools. To that end, in various embodiments, the stand may include one or more adapters that enable the stand to be configured to receive and hold tools of different sizes and/or weights, such as hydraulic hammers H110 S, H115 S, H120 S, H130 S, H140 S, H160 S, H180 S, H190 S, and H215 S by Caterpillar Inc., and equivalents thereof. The chisel of such hydraulic hammers can have a length of about 30 inches or more and, with the chisel or tip removed, the center of gravity of the stand/tool combination may be greatly reduced, thereby enhancing safety.
Referring to the figures,
As shown in several figures, such as
The stand 100 and its base 102 are configured, structured, formed, and/or arranged to support the mass of an associated hydraulic tool, to prevent tipping while the tool is loaded, stored, maintained, and/or transported, and to endure the typically challenging environment in which the tool may be employed, such as unpaved construction sites. In example embodiments, an unloaded hydraulic tool stand 100 may weigh approximately 1,900 pounds. The same tool stand may weigh approximately 10,000 pounds when loaded with an H180 hammer and approximately 8,500 pounds when loaded with an H160 hammer, as examples.
Referring to
In the embodiment of
More specifically, in the figures the base 102 includes rectangular mild steel tubes 108, 110, 112, 114 connected, by welding, for example, to form a framework. The base 102 may also include at least one solid metal plate secured to the framework formed by the tubes 108, 110, 112, 114. In this embodiment, the base includes a top plate 116 and a bottom plate 118 in parallel. In example embodiments, parallel rectangular tubes 108, 110 form endpieces that are connected by parallel rectangular tube crosspieces 112, 114. Top and bottom base plates 116, 118 are attached to the crosspieces 112, 114, thereby forming a box structure open on two ends and closed by the crosspieces 112, 114 on either side.
The base 102 may, in some embodiments, include an engagement structure configured to engage a portion, e.g., one end, of an associated hydraulic tool 107 (e.g., see
Loops 152, 154, 156, 158 may be formed on the base 102 at the extremes of the endpieces 108, 110, see, for example,
The base 102 may include pads 162, 164, 166, 168 to elevate the tool stand 100 from a surface upon which it rests to provide clearance, for example, for a retaining bolt that holds main pin 160 in place. The pads 162, 164, 166, 168 may be located at ends of the endpieces 108, 110 and their total area may be such that a loaded stand may rest on a surface, such as paved asphalt, without damaging the surface. In some embodiments, the pads 162, 164, 166, 168 may be located under the loops 152, 154, 156, 158, respectively.
Referring to
In the embodiment of
In various embodiments, the support structure 104 may include one or more cross members. As shown in
In some embodiments, structural cross members may be added to strengthen and stabilize the vertical posts, for example they may be affixed to one or more of the vertical posts 122, 124, 126, 128 and/or portions of the base 102 and/or portions of the collar 106. In various embodiments the plates 130, 132 may serve to provide greater structural stability to the support structure 104. In some example embodiments stand 100 may inclinometers positioned perpendicular to one another (i.e., north/south, east/west) to avoid positioning of the stand 100 with an excessive tilt angle. In example embodiments inclinometers 139a, 139b may be included on plates 130, 132, which are perpendicular to one another and thereby provide the requisite “north/south,” “east/west” tilt orientations. In example embodiments inclinometers 139a, 139b may be guarded with, for example, a steel frame to prevent damage.
Referring again to
In various embodiments, as shown, for example, in
In the embodiment shown, the clamping assembly 134 may include parallel upper 182 and lower 180 clamp arms, between which the clamp 136 can be disposed. In other embodiments, the clamping assembly 134 can include more or less plates to form an arm and the clamp 136 could be differently attached to the clamping assembly 134.
The clamping assembly 134 can include one or more pins, such as pins 184 and 186, configured to attach and secure the clamping assembly 134 to the u-shaped collar 106. In example embodiments, pin 184 may be a hinge pin that couples the clamping assembly 134 to the collar 106 and the other pin may be a quick release pin 186 that locks the clamping assembly closed. The hinge pin 184 allows an operator to rotate the clamping assembly 134 out of the way so the hydraulic hammer 107 can be positioned within the stand 100 and allows the clamping assembly 134 to quickly rotate to close the opening in the collar 106 when the hydraulic hammer is positioned within the stand 100. Once closed, the locking pin 186 can be inserted to lock the clamping assembly closed. Then the clamp 136 can be tightened to secure the hammer 107 within the stand 100. In the embodiment of
Referring to various figures, in various embodiments, lifting points, rings, or eyes 142, 144, 146, 148 may be affixed to or formed in the collar 106 for use in lifting and positioning the stand 100. In some embodiments, the lifting eyes 142, 144, 146, 148 can be bolted or otherwise coupled to the top collar 106, e.g., bolted or otherwise coupled to the upper plate 135 and/or the lower plate of the top collar 106. In some embodiments, the lifting points, rings, or eyes 142, 144, 146, 148 can take the form of D-rings bolted to the collar 106.
In some embodiments, fork pockets 138, 140 may be included within or proximate to the collar 106 to receive tines of a forklift and/or pallet truck, which may be used to load or unload the stand 100 and associated hydraulic hammer, if there is one within the stand, for transport. In various embodiments, the fork pockets 138, 140 can take the form of tubes having a rectangular cross-section that are disposed between the upper and lower plates 135, 137 of the top collar 106. In some embodiments, the fork pockets 138, 140 can be the same depth as the top collar 106. In some embodiments, the fork pockets 138, 140 can have a depth that is greater than the top collar 106. But in other embodiments, the fork pockets can have a depth than is less than a depth of the top collar 106.
Referring, for example, to
In example embodiments, the stand 100 may be employed to store a hydraulic hammer, e.g., the H160 or H180 hydraulic hammers, when placed on a level, improved surface such as concrete, pavement or hard-packed gravel not to exceed 5 degrees in slope. In example embodiments, the stand 100 may be moved to such a surface using the four lifting points or eyes 142, 144, 146, 148 or with forklift pockets 138, 140.
To load a hammer 107 into stand 100, the stand 100 is preferably placed on a level surface, or substantially level surface (e.g., level with a pitch of less than 5 degrees), with an operator ensuring, through use of inclinometers 139a, 139b, that the slope in either direction (that is, parallel with or perpendicular to the direction of end pieces 108, 110 for example) is less than a maximal slope, 5 degrees in example embodiments.
As shown in
Depending on the size of the hydraulic tool, the adapter plate 131 may or may not be needed. If used, the adapter plate 131 is locked in position relative to the top collar 106. The clamping assembly 134 (including upper 182 and lower 180 arm plates) may be opened and the hammer lifted, e.g., by a crane, to the vertical position. The bottom (that is, hammer-end) of the hammer 107 with tool bit, or chisel, removed is placed within the stand 100 on the main pin 160. The clamping assembly 134 is then closed and the clamp 136 tightened before disconnecting the hammer from the lifting hardware (crane, for example).
In various embodiments, as examples, the adapter plate 131 may be positioned to accommodate whichever of the H160 or H180 hydraulic hammers, or other hydraulic hammers, is to be supported or held by the stand 100. As an example,
The adapter plate 131 can include at least one handle 133 to allow easy handling and positioning of the adapter plate 131 between a use position on top of the collar 106 and a stowed position on the side of the stand 100, e.g., as shown in
While the foregoing has described what are considered to be the best mode and/or other preferred embodiments, it is understood that various modifications can be made therein and that the invention or inventions may be implemented in various forms and embodiments, and that they may be applied in numerous applications, only some of which have been described herein. It is intended by the following claims to claim that which is literally described and all equivalents thereto, including all modifications and variations that fall within the scope of each claim.
It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provide in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.
For example, it will be appreciated that the features set out in the claims (whether independent or dependent) can combined in any given way.
The present application is a continuation-in-part of United States Design application Ser. No. 29/857,412 filed Oct. 21, 2022, entitled Hammer Stand, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 29857412 | Oct 2022 | US |
Child | 18104967 | US |