The present disclosure generally relates to work machines and, more particularly, relates to a lift apparatus associated with work machines.
Small wheel loaders are a type of work machine and generally include a machine frame, four wheels, and a cab mounted on the machine frame. The work machine includes a tool to scoop, or move/push, material from the ground, such as dirt, sand, or gravel, for transporting to a discharge location. The tool typically is connected to two booms that are connected to the machine frame, and the cab is adapted to protect the operator from the environment and often includes a door and front and side windows. In operation, work machines often need to be lifted into a work site. For example, small wheel loaders are used to unload the contents of large barges. To be positioned within a barge, the machines are lifted by a large crane or hoist, which are often connected to multiple points on the machine frame, or the machines are placed on platform connected to a crane.
Chinese Patent Publication No. 203699662 U, entitled “Novel Lifting Frame for Coiled Reinforced Bar and Wire Rod,” and assigned to Beijing Uni Construction Group, discloses a lifting structure. The lifting structure of the Chinese '662 patent application publication includes a structure that is in the shape of a ‘C’, and the structure can be lifted from its top on which the center of mass lies.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,602,679, entitled, “Construction Machine, In Particular Road Construction Machine, for Example Tandem Roller, Having a Vibration-Decoupled Operator Platform Structure and Having a Hitch Device,” discloses a lifting device. The lifting device is arranged on a platform structure of a construction machine. This device allows lifting of machines by a single point suspension.
However, there is still a need for an effective way to lift a machine from a single point that does not interfere with the cab.
In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a lift apparatus for a work machine. The lift apparatus may have a horizontally disposed lift frame that has a mount on its top surface. The lift apparatus may further include a first elongated member having a first end and a second end. The first elongated member is vertically disposed and attached to a first side of the lift frame at the first end, and the second end includes a first attachment point for attaching to the work machine. The lift apparatus further includes a second elongated member that has a first end and a second end, the second elongated member is vertically disposed and attached to a second side of the lift frame at the first end, and the second end includes a second attachment point for attaching to the work machine. The second end of the first elongated member may curve towards a front side of the lift frame, and the second end of the second elongated member may also curve towards the front side of the lift frame.
In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a work machine having a machine frame, one or more wheels, a cab, a tool attached to the frame by one or more booms, and a lift apparatus. The lift apparatus may further include a horizontally disposed lift frame including a mount on its top surface, and a first and a second elongated member each having a first end and a second end that curves towards a front side of the lift frame. The first elongated member is vertically disposed and attached to a first side of the lift frame at its first end, and the second end includes a first attachment point for attaching to the machine frame. The second elongated member is vertically disposed and attached to a second side of the lift at its first end, and the second end includes a second attachment point for attaching to the work machine.
Further, one aspect of the present disclosure may include a method of lifting a work machine. The method includes providing a work machine that has a machine frame, a cab, and a lift apparatus. The lift apparatus includes a horizontally disposed lift frame including a mount on its top surface, and a first and a second elongated member each having a first end and a second end. The first elongated member is vertically disposed and attached to a first side of the lift frame at its first end, and the second end curves towards a front side of the lift frame and includes a first attachment point for attaching to the machine frame. The second elongated member is vertically disposed and attached to a second side of the lift frame at its first end, and the second end curves towards the lift frame front side and includes a second attachment point for attaching to the machine frame. The first and second elongated members may be curved as at their respected second ends. The method further includes attaching an attachment device to the mount, the attachment device may be coupled to a lifting device.
These and other aspects and features of the present disclosure will be more readily understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
While the present disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrative embodiments thereof will be shown and described in detail. The disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but instead includes all modification, alternative constructions, and equivalents thereof.
Referring now to the drawings, and with specific reference to
The work machine 1 may comprise a machine frame 2 supported by the wheels 3. Although the wheels 3 are shown, other support and movement devices (not shown) may be tracks or of any other type. Mounted on the frame 2 may be a cab 4 in which the operator of the work machine 1 sits. The cab may include a door 6 to allow the operator to enter the cab 4, or a window 8 for the operator to see through the window 8 for operation of the work machine 1. The work machine 1 may further include a tool 9 connected to the machine frame 2 by one or more booms 10. As an example, the tool 9 may be a bucket loader configured to move or load materials such as asphalt, demolition debris, snow, feed, gravel, logs, raw minerals, recycled rock, or sand. Also shown is the lift apparatus 12 for providing a single point lifting structure.
As best shown in
Referring to
In some exemplary embodiments, there is between 1 and 2 feet clearance between a roof of the cab 4 and the lift frame 20, allowing for full operation of the vehicle without contact. In another embodiment, the clearance between the roof of the cab 4 and the lift frame can be less than a foot or more than two feet.
A mount 29 is located on the lift frame 20. The mount 29 is configured to provide a location to lift the work machine 1, and this lifting may be done by lifting devices such as a crane or a hoist (not shown). For example, in one exemplary embodiment the hook (not shown) of a crane may be configured to attach to the work machine 1 at the mount 29 to lift the work machine 1. The mount 29 may include bolt holes, such as bolt hole 30, for attachment of a lifting attachment 50 (discussed below). The mount 20 is shown in
Further shown in
The lift frame 20 may have a second side 40, a first side 42, a front side 44, and a rear side 46. The lift frame 20 may further include a top surface 48. As shown in
Further illustrated in
Illustrated in
The lifting attachment 50 may further include an attachment ring 53 to allow for the lifting of a work machine 1. As best shown in
A second exemplary 70 embodiment of a lift structure is illustrated in
The machine frame 2, in one embodiment, may include one or more attachment plates 80 for attachment of the first elongated member 22 and the second elongated member 24. In
In general, the foregoing disclosure finds utility in various applications, such as, in earthmoving, construction, industrial, agricultural, mining, transportation, and forestry machines. In particular, the disclosed lift apparatus may be used by small wheel loader machines and other applications, such as, a quarry conveyor and the like. By applying the disclosed lift apparatus to a small wheel loader machine, optimum lifting and placement of the work machine may be achieved.
In particular, the disclosed lift apparatus provides a single point in which a single point lifting of the work machine may be achieved. Furthermore, the lift apparatus may be bolted onto the machine frame of the work machine and is designed to be lifted from a single point that is aligned with the center of mass of the machine. This single point may be adapted for use with various couplers. Further, the lift apparatus is designed to minimize interference with the operation of the cab and the engine covers.
Turning now to
At block 104, an attachment device (not shown) in connected to the mount 29 of the lift apparatus 12. The mount 29 is versatile and provides for a multiple bolt hole configuration that allows for a variety of attachment device couplers to be used.
At block 106, the work machine 1 is lifted from the mount. The lift apparatus 12 wraps around the door and over the cab 4 to provide a location for lifting the work machine 1 from a single point.
While the preceding text sets forth a detailed description of numerous different embodiments, it should be understood that the legal scope of protection is defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this patent. The detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment since describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims defining the scope of protection.
It should also be understood that, unless a term was expressly defined herein, there is no intent to limit the meaning of that term, either expressly or by implication, beyond its plain or ordinary meaning, and such term should not be interpreted to be limited in scope based on any statement made in any section of this patent (other than the language of the claims). To the extent that any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent is referred to herein in a manner consistent with a single meaning, that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse the reader, and it is not intended that such claim term be limited, by implication or otherwise, to that single meaning.
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Number | Date | Country |
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203699662 | Jul 2014 | CN |
108455444 | Aug 2018 | CN |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20210238825 A1 | Aug 2021 | US |