IP Library Granted Patent US 8,615,907
Granted Patent B2
US 8,615,907 · App. 12/877,416 · Granted Dec 31, 2013

Reach and pull action loader grapple

Inventors: Timothy D. Miller (Sioux Falls, SD); Michael L. Feilmeier (Jefferson, SD)
Assignee: Agile Manufacturing, LLC
E02F3/413E02F3/4133E02F3/4136Y10S414/13
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,615,907
App. No.
12/877,416
Granted
Dec 31, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A grapple device includes a torque tube, a pivot, a rod and cylinder, a pivot link, and a tooth. The torque tube has first and second torque pivot points and is adapted to be mounted on a bucket. The pivot is rotatably connected to the first torque pivot point at a pivot cross tube located at a second end of the pivot, and the pivot further comprises a pivot collar at a first end, and first and second pivot faces adjacent the pivot collar. The rod and cylinder are operatively connected to the second torque pivot point, includes a rod and a cylinder, and has a rod pivot at a first end of the rod.

Claims (13)

1. A grapple device for picking up large amounts of materials, comprising:

a torque tube having a first torque pivot point and a second torque pivot point, the torque tube adapted to be mounted on a bucket;

a pivot having a first end and an opposite second end, the pivot rotatably connected to the first torque pivot point at a pivot cross tube located at the second end of the pivot, the pivot further having a pivot collar at the first end with first and second pivot faces adjacent the pivot collar;

a rod and cylinder operatively connected to the second torque pivot point and having a rod pivot point at a first end of the rod;

a pivot link operatively connected to the pivot at the pivot collar and the rod at the rod pivot, the pivot link comprising two stops at a first end of the pivot link;

a tooth member operatively connected to the pivot link;

guide arms operatively connected to the cylinder, a guide pin adapted to move along the guide arms;

wherein, in a fully open position, the rod is withdrawn within the cylinder, the guide pin of the pivot is positioned in a guide vee of the guide arms such that the pivot does not rotate counterclockwise about the first torque pivot point of the torque tube.

2. The grapple device of claim 1 wherein the device enables a reach and pull movement for grabbing material.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the pivot link is rotatable about both the rod pivot point and the pivot collar.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the pivot link is adapted to rotate in a clockwise direction relative to the pivot until the at least one stop abuts the first pivot face of the pivot.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the rod and cylinder are rotatable about the second torque pivot point.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the pivot further comprises a pivot angle stop configured to stop clockwise rotation of the pivot relative to the torque tube.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 17, 2024
From: AGILE MANUFACTURING, LLC
To: BMO BANK N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 068611/0919 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 9, 2010
From: MILLER, TIMOTHY D.; FEILMEIER, MICHAEL L.
To: AGILE MANUFACTURING, LLC
Reel/Frame 024958/0492 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61358578 · Jun 25, 2010
Related Publication 20110318158A1 · Dec 29, 2011