Patent Application
20050111951
This invention relates generally to a restraint of a work machine, and, more particularly, to a linkage assembly restraint that transfers a load to a chassis of the work machine.
Work machines such as wheeled loaders, integrated tool carriers, and other work machines have linkage assemblies for raising, lowering, and tilting several different types of implements. The linkage assembly may need to be locked in a predetermined position to prevent damage to the implement and prevent tipping of the work machine. A restraint is used to lock the linkage assembly in position preventing it from being raised, lowered, or tilted. Once the linkage assembly is locked in the predetermined position there is a significant amount of load placed on the linkage assembly, links, lift arms, and levers. The load is caused by several factors such as the weight of the implement, the implement's distance from the work machine, and the vibration of the implement as the work machine moves.
One known linkage assembly restraint design is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,169,277 issued to Orser and Dubé on Dec. 8, 1992. The linkage assembly restraint includes a lock for selectively securing the lift arm to the vehicle body, when the lift arm is lowered. The lock includes a means for releasably and automatically locking the lift arm to the vehicle body at a position remote from the pivot when the lift arm is lowered. This design, however, does not permit a substantial load to be transferred from the lift arm to the chassis of the work machine and may result in significant loads being placed on the lift arm. Additionally, this design does not lock the tilt linkage assembly of the work machine in place and prevent the tilt function.
In one aspect of the present invention, a work machine comprises a chassis, at least one linkage assembly attached to the work machine, at least one restraint having a first-end portion and a second-end portion, the second-end portion being attached to the chassis and the first-end portion being attached to the linkage assembly, the restraint transferring a load from the linkage assembly to the chassis.
In another aspect of the present invention, a method of restraining at least one linkage assembly of a work machine having a chassis, the method comprises providing at least one restraint having a first-end portion and a second-end portion, moving the linkage assembly of the work machine to a predetermined position, attaching the second-end portion of the restraint to the chassis of the work machine, attaching the first-end portion of the restraint to the linkage assembly, and transferring a load from the linkage assembly to the chassis through the restraint.
For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be made to the accompanying drawings in which:
Referring to the drawings, depicted in
Referring further to
Finally, removably attached to the linkage assembly 115, including the tilt linkage assembly 125, and the chassis 100 of the work machine is at least one restraint 145. The restraint 145 has a first-end portion 148 and a second-end portion 151. For exemplary purposes herein, two restraints 145 are shown being utilized herein. The second-end portions 151 of the restraints 145 are removably attached to the chassis 100 of the work machine by using a fastener such as a bracket 153 and a plurality of bolts 154, 155. More specifically, the second-end portions 151 of the restraints 145 are removably attached to that portion of the chassis 100 that comprises the axle 106 using the brackets 153 and the plurality of bolts 154, 155. The brackets 153 have a first side 153a and a second side 153b. The first sides 153a are removably attached to the axle 106 by the use of bolts 154 and the second sides 153b are removably attached to the second-end portions 151 of the restraints 145 by the use of bolts 155.
As seen in
Depicted in
Industrial Applicability
The restraints 145 and the collars 160 lock the linkage assembly 115, including the lift arm 126 and the tilt linkage assembly 125, in a predetermined position preventing it from traveling from that position. In other words, the restraints 145 restrain the linkage assembly 115, and in particular, the lift arm 126, from any substantial up and down travel and restrains the tilt linkage assembly 125 from any tilting function. The restraints 145 are removably attached to the work machine by attaching the second-end portions 151 of the restraints 145 to the chassis 100, or more particularly, to that portion of the chassis 100 that comprises the axle 106, by using the brackets 153 and bolts 154, 155 and then attaching the first-end portions 148 of the restraints 145 to the linkage assembly 115 by having the hooks 255 fit over the linkage assembly 115 and having the bolts 256 threaded through the apertures 257 in the hooks 255. Finally, the collars 160 are removably attached to the hydraulic cylinders 133, 136 by placing the collars 160 on the rod ends 139 of the hydraulic cylinders 133, 136 abutting against the cylinder ends 142 and attaching them thereto. The collars 160 prevent the hydraulic cylinders 133, 136 from floating, or more particularly, the collars 160 prevent the hydraulic cylinders 133, 136 from compressing the rod ends 139 thereof toward the cylinder ends 142. This prevents the linkage assembly 115, and more particular, the lift arm 126, from substantial travel, or more specifically, lowering, especially when a load is placed thereon. Additionally, because the restraints 145 are removably attached to that portion of the linkage assembly 115 that comprises the tilt linkage assembly 125, the restraints 145 prevent substantial travel of the tilt linkage assembly 124, or more particularly, the tilt function.
To remove the restraints 145, the bolts 256 are unthreaded and removed from the apertures 257 in the hooks 255 of the first-end portions 148. The bolts 154 and 155 are unthreaded and removed from the bracket 153. The hooks 255 are then lifted off of the linkage assembly 115 and the restraints 145 are removed.
In the alternate embodiment, the restraints 145 are removably attached to the work machine as described above. Except however, the coupling members 303 and the hook members 306 are removably attached to one another by the use of bolts 322 being inserted into the apertures 320 and being threaded into the threaded apertures of the coupling member 303. To remove the restraints 145 of this embodiment, the bolts 256 are unthreaded and removed from the apertures 257 in the second-end portions 315 of the hook members 306. Then the bolts 322 are unthreaded from the apertures of the coupling members 303 and the apertures 320 of the hook members 306. The hook members 306 are lifted off the linkage assembly 115 and are removed therefrom. The coupling members 303 remain out of the way of the operation of the work machine and, therefore, can remain attached to the axle 106. The coupling members 303 can then even be used to lock the work machine in place during transportation thereof. To reattach the restraints 145 in this embodiment, only the hook members 306 need be attached to the coupling members 303 and the linkage assembly 115, as previously described.
It should be understood that the removable attachment of the first-end portions 148 and the second-end portions 151 of the restraints 145 and removable attachment of the collars 160 does not need to occur in any specific order. In addition, the attachment of the coupling members 303 and the hook members 306 may occur in any order. Once the linkage assembly 115 is in the predetermined position and the restraints 145 and collars 160 are attached, any loads placed on the linkage assembly 115, including the lift arm 126 and the tilt linkage assembly 125, during operation of the work machine are transferred through the restraints 145 to the chassis 100 of the work machine, or more particularly, through the restraints 145 to the axles 106 of the work machine. The restraints 145 help prevent shock loads from being placed on the linkage assembly 115, including the cylinders 127, 130, 133, 136, the lift arm 126, and the tilt linkage assembly 125. This may help prevent damage to those components of the work machine. For example, if a very heavy implement 124 is attached to the linkage assembly 115, it may be appropriate to restrain the linkage assembly 115 to prevent damage to the linkage assembly 115, including the cylinders 127, 130, 133, 136, the lift arm 126, and the tilt linkage assembly 125, and to prevent the work machine from tipping. Additionally, the restraints 145 may be used to restrain the linkage assembly 115 for other purposes, such as convenience, efficient operation of the work machine or the implement 124, to keep the implement 124 in a particular position, etc.
Other aspects, objects and advantages of the invention can be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims.
