Patent Application
20240009859
Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a grapple attachment. More particularly, embodiments of the present disclosure related to a mechanical grapple attachment that may be attached to a prime mover vehicle.
Prime mover vehicles such as excavators, tractors, skid-steers, or other machines are configured for attachment to many different types of implements. Exemplary implements include grapples, buckets, clam shells, plows, fork lifts, bale spears, and the like. Prime mover vehicles typically include a pair of hydraulically actuated lifting arms or a boom assembly (collectively referred to herein as “arms”) for lifting and tilting the implements. Some implements include additional hydraulic cylinders powered by the hydraulic system of the prime mover for actuating different elements of the implement. Other implements do not have any additional hydraulic cylinders. A coupler may be used to connect the implements to the lifting arms.
A grapple attachment is a type of implement having opposing tines configured to close together to grab a load, such as a felled tree or pile of brush. Some types of grapple attachments include electric motors or hydraulic cylinders for actuating the tines between engaged and retracted positions. The motors or cylinders of the grapple attachment are powered by the systems of the prime mover vehicle. Other types of grapple attachments, generally referred to as mechanical grapples, do not have independent motors or hydraulics to move the tines relative to each other. Instead, the opposing tines on these grapple attachments open and close by tilting the implement (using the prime mover's tilt cylinders) until the lower tine contacts the lifting arms of the prime mover and cannot rotate any further. The operator continues tilting the grapple attachment causing the upper tine to rotate toward the lower tine until the two tines close around the load. One problem with mechanical grapples is that the lower tine damages the arms of the prime mover vehicle as the lower tine contacts and slides along the arms. Often the grapple attachments and the arms of the prime mover are metal causing significant friction between the components. Both components can become damaged and dented by the lower tine's contact with the arms of the prime mover vehicle.
There is therefore a need for an improved grapple attachment which overcomes these and other drawbacks in the art.
One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a mechanical grapple configured to be combined with a prime mover vehicle having at least one lift arm. The grapple assembly has a first tine pivotally combined with a second tine, the first tine configured to be combined with the prime mover vehicle. A roller is rotationally combined with the second tine and configured to rotate relative to the second tine. The roller is also configured to engage the lift arm of the prime mover vehicle. The second tine further includes a forward portion, which may be a forward end, having one or more grasping teeth configured to help grasp and secure the load. Opposite the forward portion, the second tine includes a rearward portion, which may be a rearward end. The roller is combined with the rearward portion of the second tine. The first tine pivots relative to the second tine around a first axis of rotation and the roller is configured to rotate relative to the second tine around a second axis of rotation. The first axis of rotation is closer to the forward end than the second axis of rotation.
Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a mechanical grapple configured to be combined with a prime mover vehicle. The prime mover vehicle has one or more powered arms with a coupler at one end. The coupler is configured to attach to the mechanical grapple. The arms of the prime mover are able to lift and tilt the mechanical grapple attachment between a retracted position and an engaged positioned wherein the grapple is configured to grasp a load. The mechanical grapple attachment comprises a grapple assembly having a first tine pivotally combined with a second tine. The second tine includes a roller proximate to its rear end configured to contact the arm of the prime mover vehicle as the first tine is tilted toward the second tine. The first and second tines are not powered (hydraulically or otherwise). Instead, moving the first and second tines between the retracted position and the engaged position is accomplished by the tilting action of the prime mover's arms. To move the grapple assembly to the engaged position, the arms are tilted in one direction to move the first tine toward the second tine. In the embodiment shown, the arms are tilted in a forward direction. The second tine pivots in the same direction until the roller of the second tine contacts the arm of the prime mover vehicle preventing the second tine from pivoting further. The first tine continues to pivot toward the second tine causing the grapple assembly to compressively grasp a load between the tines. Although the second tine is generally prevented from pivoting further after it contacts the arm, further tilting of the first tine toward the second tine causes the second tine to travel linearly along a portion of the arm. The roller helps ensure a smooth engagement between the second tine and the arm with limited friction as the roller contacts and travels along a portion of the arm.
Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a method of using the grapple attachment described above. The method includes attaching the mechanical grapple to the arms of the prime mover or to a coupler secured to arms of the prime mover. The grapple assembly is positioned around a load so the first tine is positioned on one side of the load and the second tine is positioned on another side of the load. The arms of the prime mover are tilted forward causing the first tine to move toward the load and toward the second tine. The second tine pivots in the same direction until the roller contacts the arm of the prime mover vehicle and is prevented from pivoting further. The first tine continues to pivot toward the second tine causing the grapple assembly to compressively grasp the load between the tines. Although the second tine is generally prevented from pivoting further after the roller contacts the arm, further tilting of the first tine toward the second tine causes the second tine to travel along a portion of the arm. The roller rolls along a portion of the arm as the grapple assembly is further tilted to ensure the load is secured between the tines. The roller helps ensure a smooth engagement between the lower tine and the arm with limited friction as the roller contacts and travels along the arm.
In the embodiment shown, the axis of rotation B-B for the roller 20 is positioned closer to the rear end 25 (
As shown by comparing
Having thus described the invention in connection with the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that various revisions can be made to the preferred embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is my intention, however, that all such revisions and modifications that are evident to those skilled in the art will be included with in the scope of the following claims.
