MODULAR TILT ROTATE SYSTEM

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority in U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 63/640,622, filed Apr. 30, 2024, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The disclosed subject matter relates generally to power equipment, and more particularly to a modular tilt rotate system used with power equipment attachments.

Motorized vehicles are used to perform a variety of tasks, such as grading, leveling, packing, sweeping, vibrating, moving material and product, etc. Many times, a vehicle and the components used for such purposes are dedicated to a specific task. Some vehicles can be used with a variety of attachments, with each attachment performing a different task. However, even with such vehicles, it can be difficult, and time consuming to remove one attachment and replace it with a different attachment. This is particularly true for attachments that require tilt or rotation functionality or both.

SUMMARY

The disclosed subject matter includes a modular tilt rotate system and apparatus for use with a boom arm of a motorized vehicle, such as an excavator. The system includes a pivot assembly operably connected to a tilt coupler assembly. The tilt coupler assembly includes a top plate forming a first mounting formation hole arrangement of a plurality of holes, and a base plate forming a second mounting formation hole arrangement of a plurality of holes. The base plate is pivotally connected to the top plate, and an actuator operably connected to the top plate and the base plate moves the base plate and top plate about the pivot connection. The top plate is connected to the boom arm, and the pivot assembly is connected to an attachment used with excavators, such as, for example, a bucket. The pivot assembly presents a third mounting formation hole arrangement of a plurality of holes adapted for use with an attachment. The pivot assembly provides rotation of the attachment relative to the tilt coupler assembly. Various attachments used with excavators can be adapted for use with the system when the attachment includes an upper component forming a fourth mounting hole arrangement of a plurality of holes adapted for use with the second mounting formation hole arrangement of the base plate or the third mounting formation hole arrangement of the mounting pivot assembly. The use of the same mounting formation hole arrangement of holes for the attachments, pivot assembly, and tilt coupler assembly provides a modular system for mounting and removing different attachments to the boom arm, and allows quick and flexible options for using various combinations of the modular tilt rotate system.

In some embodiments the tilt coupler is formed by a first side plate depending from the top plate, a second side plate depending from the top plate parallel to the top plate, and a transverse opening extending through the first side plate and second side plate. In addition, a third side plate extends from the base plate and forms a first aperture, and a fourth side plate extends from the base plate parallel to the third side plate forming a second aperture, with the first aperture, transverse opening, and second aperture forming the pivot connection.

In other embodiments the tilt coupler assembly is formed by an upper coupler pivotally connected to a lower coupler. The upper coupler has a first side plate and second side plate depending from a top plate. The side plates have an opening at a lower end, a first arm forming first aperture, and a second arm forming a second aperture. The lower coupler has a first side plate and a second side plate extending from a base plate. The side plates a body forming a first opening at an upper end, a first foot depending from the body forming a first aperture, and a second foot depending from the body forming a second aperture. A first hydraulic cylinder connects to the upper coupler first arms and lower coupler first feet, and a second hydraulic cylinder connects to the upper coupler second arms and lower coupler second feet. The upper coupler lower openings and lower coupler upper openings are aligned and secured by a pin to form the pivot connection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosed subject matter is described herein with reference to the following drawing figures, with greater emphasis being placed on clarity rather than scale:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a modular tilt rotate system according to aspects to of the disclosed subject matter attached to a bucket attachment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a motorized vehicle to which a boom is attached.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a bucket attachment adapted for use with the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bucket attachment with a mounting plate according to an aspect of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the assembly of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the assembly of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a mounting assembly for use in conjunction with the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the mounting assembly for use in conjunction with the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the bucket attachment with the mounting assembly connected thereto.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a tilt coupler assembly according to an aspect of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the tilt coupler assembly of FIG. 10 according to an aspect of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a bucket attachment equipped with a tilt coupler assembly according to an implementation of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the mounting assembly mounted on a tilt coupler assembly.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a bucket attachment equipped with a tilt coupler assembly and mounting assembly according to an implementation of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the pivot assembly of FIG. 14 according to an implementation of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 16 is an exploded view of the pivot assembly according to an implementation of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the pivot assembly according to an implementation of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 17 with a guard plate mounted thereto.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the tilt coupler assembly mounted to the pivot assembly according to an implementation of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 20 is an exploded view of the assembly of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a front elevation view of the bucket attachment equipped with the tilt coupler assembly and pivot assembly according to an implementation of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 22 is a side elevation view of the assembly of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is an attachment that can be adapted to utilize the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 24 is an attachment that can be adapted to utilize the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 25 is an attachment that can be adapted to utilize the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 26 is an attachment that can be adapted to utilize the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 27 is an attachment that can be adapted to utilize the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 28 is an attachment that can be adapted to utilize the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 29 is an attachment that can be adapted to utilize the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 30 is an attachment that can be adapted to utilize the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 31 is an attachment that can be adapted to utilize the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 32 is an attachment that can be adapted to utilize the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of a tilt coupler assembly according to an aspect of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 34 is a perspective view from below of the upper coupler.

FIG. 35 is a left side elevation view of FIG. 34.

FIG. 36 is a perspective view from above of the lower coupler.

FIG. 37 is a plan view from above of FIG. 36.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a tilt rotate system 10 embodying aspects of the disclosed subject matter is shown, with a pivot assembly 40 operably connected to a tilt coupler 80. The pivot assembly 40 provides rotational movement of an attachment 160 in a first direction 166 and a second direction 167 at the end of a boom arm 210 of a motorized vehicle 200 for doing work, such as work on a work surface, such as the ground, or work to materials, such as a payload of a vehicle. The tilt coupler 80 provides side-to-side movement of an attachment 160 in a first direction 170 and a second direction 171 at the end of such a boom arm 210.

An implementation of the tilt rotate system 10 is shown between an attachment 160 and a mounting assembly 120 or “ears”. The attachment 160 is of a type used by a motorized vehicle 200 (FIG. 2) such as a backhoe, or excavator and is attached to the end of a boom arm 210 to do work. The exemplary attachment 160 is a bucket, but the attachment 160 may be one of many types of devices used with a boom arm 210 to perform work on or at a work surface, or to work materials, such as the attachments shown in FIGS. 23-32, including a packer wheel 216, pallet forks 218, grading bar 220, leveling bar 222, frost ripper 224, roller packer 226, root rake 228, vibratory plate compactor 230, wire brush 232, and sweeper 234. The boom arm 210 extends from a first end 212 attached to the motorized vehicle 200 and a second end 214 attached to the mounting assembly 120. The mounting assembly 120 connects the device connected to it to the boom arm 210. The motorized vehicle 200 moves the boom arm 210 up and down, and side to side, and delivers power to the pivot assembly 40 and tilt coupler 80. In an implementation, components of the tilt rotate system 10 are powered by hydraulics, such as a hydraulic pump connected to the components by hydraulic lines, or by electrical power.

In an implementation, the attachment 160 is directly connected to the stick 215 at the end of the boom arm 210 by the mounting assembly 120. In an implementation, the tilt coupler assembly 80 is disposed between the attachment 160 and mounting assembly 120 (FIG. 2). In an implementation, the pivot assembly 40 is disposed between the attachment 160 and mounting assembly 120. In an implementation, the pivot assembly 40 is disposed between the tilt coupler assembly 80 and attachment 160, and the tilt coupler assembly 80 is disposed between the pivot assembly 40 and mounting assembly 120 (FIG. 1). The connection between and among the attachment 160, pivot assembly 40, tilt coupler assembly 80, and mounting assembly 160 uses a mounting formation hole arrangement 12 comprising a plurality of holes, allowing the tilt rotate system 10, and the components, to be connected using fasteners, making the tilt rotate system 10 modular in that the components can connect via a common bolt hole arrangement. The number and arrangement of holes of the mounting formation hole arrangement 12 can be varied.

Referring to FIG. 3, the attachment 160 includes the mounting formation hole arrangement 12 in an arrangement of sixteen openings 162 or holes in an upper component 164 of the attachment 160 for connecting the attachment to components of the tilt rotate system 10, such as the mounting assembly 120. It is contemplated the components of the tilt rotate system 10 can be used in applications where the connection to the attachment 160 is not by means of a mounting formation hole arrangement 12 and fasteners, and where the connection to the motorized vehicle 200 is not by means of the mounting assembly 120 described herein.

The mounting assembly 120 provides a connection between the tilt rotate system 10 and the boom arm 210. Various manufacturers of boom arms 210 use different types of connections between the second end 214 and any attachments connected thereto. The mounting assembly 120 presents a mounting formation hole arrangement 12 for operably connecting the tilt rotate system 10, or its components, to a structure, such as a boom arm 210. In an implementation, the mounting assembly 120 includes a mounting plate 122 (FIGS. 4-6) at the upper component 164 forming openings in the mounting formation hole arrangement 12, such as hole pattern 132 that align with openings 162 for securing the mounting plate 122 to the attachment 160 by fasteners, such as a nut and bolt combination. Referring to FIGS. 7, the mounting assembly 120 is further formed by generally parallel first and second side plates 124, 126 extending from the mounting plate 122. Spaced apart first and second pins 128, 130 extend transversely between the side plates 124, 126, providing an attachment point between the mounting assembly 120 and the boom arm 210. The mounting assembly 120 is attached to the attachment 160 by aligning the openings 162 in the attachment 160 with the hole pattern 132 in the mounting plate 122, and securing the components together with nut and bolt assemblies. FIG. 9 shows the attachment 160 directly connected to the mounting assembly 120.

Referring to FIGS. 10-14, an implementation of the tilt coupler assembly 80 is shown, with an upper coupler or top half 100 stage pivotally mounted to a base 82, and actuated with a tilt cylinder 110. The base 82 is formed by first and second lower couplers or side plates 84, 86 extending from a base plate 92. The side plates 84, 86 extend between a first end 70 and a second end 72, and are secured to the base plate 92 along their respective first edges 88, 90, such as by welding. The base plate 92 includes the mounting formation hole arrangement 12 in the form of holes 94 in a pattern of openings that align with openings 162 in the attachment 160. The side plates 84, 86 extend upward from the base plate 92 forming apertures for receiving a first pin 96 for pivotally mounting the top half 100 to the base 82. The side plates 84, 86 form apertures at the second end 72 for receiving a second pin 98 for pivotally engaging the first end 112 of the tilt cylinder 110. In an implementation, side plate 84 forms a separate first half 85 forming the aperture for the first pin 96, and a separate second half 87, offset from the first half 8, 5 forming the aperture for receiving the second pin 98.

The top half 100 is formed by opposing first and second side plates 101, 102 depending from a top plate 103. The top plate 103 includes the mounting formation hole arrangement 12 in the form of openings 104 in a pattern of holes that align with the hole pattern 132 in the mounting plate 122 allowing the mounting assembly 120 to be attached to the top plate 103 in the manner shown in FIG. 13. The side plates 101, 102 are secured to the top plate 103 by welding. A transverse opening 106 extending through the side plates 101, 102 receives the pin 96 pivotally mounting the top half 100 to the base 82. A removable pin 105 at the bottom of the side plates 101, 102 pivotally engages a second end 114 of the cylinder 110.

The tilt cylinder 110 may be hydraulically powered through hydraulic lines connecting the tilt cylinder 110 to a hydraulic manifold and pump at the motorized vehicle 200, or by electrical means, or by other means known in the art. Extension and retraction of the rod 116 of the tilt cylinder 110 pivots the base 82 about the pin 96. Referring to FIG. 14, whereby the tilt coupler assembly 80 is shown connected to the attachment 160 and mounting assembly 120, when the mounting assembly 120 is connected to a boom arm 210 as shown in FIG. 2, the attachment 160 pivots about the pin 96 at the second end 214 of the boom arm 210. In an implementation, the tilt coupler assembly 80 has a seventy-degree range of motion permitting the attachment 160 to tilt thirty-five-degrees in either direction at the end of the boom arm 210. The tilting of the attachment 160 allows the operator to position the attachment 160 relative to the work surface or work materials, such as the payload of a vehicle.

Referring to FIGS. 15-18, an implementation of the pivot assembly 40 is shown, with a hydraulically actuated rotator gear assembly 42 between a rotator spacer plate 44 and upper plate 48. In an implementation, the rotator gear assembly 42 is a slewing drive manufactured by Cone Drive Operations, Inc. of Traverse City, Michigan, a Timken company. The rotator spacer plate 44 and upper plate 48 include the mounting formation hole arrangement 12. The rotator gear assembly includes the mounting formation hole arrangement 12 in the form of bolt holes 50 extending through the rotator gear assembly 42 that align with the mounting formation hole arrangement 12 in the upper plate 48 and align with the mounting formation hole arrangement 12 in the rotator spacer plate 44 for securing the pivot assembly 40 to the tilt coupler assembly 80, mounting assembly 120, and attachment 160. A guard plate 52 provides protection for the manifold assembly 46 providing hydraulic control of the motor operably connected to the rotor gear. The pivot assembly 40 permits the rotator spacer plate 44, and thus the attachment 160, to rotate about its vertical axis for 360 degrees, and provide high torque rotation.

Referring to FIGS. 19-22, in an implementation the base plate 92 of the tilt coupler assembly 80 forms the upper plate 44 of the pivot assembly 40. Further, this arrangement permits the guard plate 52 to be mounted to the side plate 86. It can be seen rom this arrangement that the disclosed subject matter provides the flexibility of adding a pivot assembly 40 to an attachment 160, a tilt coupler assembly 80 to the attachment 160, or both, providing flexibility as to the desired functionality for the particular attachment 160 involved.

Referring to FIGS. 33-37, an implementation of the tilt rotate system 10 includes a tilt coupler assembly 300 formed by an upper coupler 302 pivotally connected to a lower coupler 360, and pivoted side-to-side by first and second tilt cylinders 416, 418. The upper coupler 302 is formed by a first side plate 306 and an adjacent second side plate 332 depending from a top plate 356. The top plate 356 forms the mounting formation hole arrangement 12 in an arrangement of sixteen openings or holes for connecting the tilt coupler 300 to components of the tilt rotate system 10, such as the mounting assembly 120. The first side plate 306 has a body 304 forming an opening 318 at a lower end 316, and a first arm 308 extending upward forming a first ear 310 with an aperture 312, and a second arm 322 extending upward forming a second ear 324 with an aperture 326. The second side plate 332 has a body 330 forming an opening 344 at a lower end 342, and a first arm 334 forming a first ear 336 with an aperture 338, and a second arm 348 forming a second ear 350 with an aperture 352.

The first tilt cylinder 416 is mounted between opposing ears 310, 336. The first tilt cylinder 416 extends from a cylinder body 426 at a first end 422 to a piston 430 at a second end 424. The cylinder body 426 includes a trunnion 428 pivotally connected to the first side plate 306 and second side plate 332 by trunnion mounts 314, 340 at the apertures 312, 338. The second tilt cylinder 418 extends from a cylinder body 426 at a first end 422 to a piston 430 at a second end 424. The cylinder body 426 includes a trunnion 428 pivotally connected to the first side plate 306 and second side plate 332 by trunnion mounts 328, 354 at the apertures 326, 352.

A tubular bushing 436 extends between the openings 318, 344, and provides support for a vertical brace 438 extending between the bushing 436 and top plate 356. A lateral brace 440 below the bushing 436 extends between the first side plate 306 and second side plate 332 providing additional support to the upper coupler 302.

The lower coupler 360 is formed by a first side plate 364 and an adjacent second side plate 388 extending from a base plate 408. The base plate 408 forms the mounting formation hole arrangement 12 in an arrangement of sixteen openings or holes for connecting the tilt coupler 302 to components of the tilt rotate system 10, such as the pivot assembly 40. The first side plate 364 has a body 362 forming an opening 374 at an upper end 373, and a first leg 366 forming a first foot 368 depending from the first leg 366 with an aperture 370, and a second leg 375 forming a second foot 377 depending from the second leg 375 with an aperture 379. The second side plate 388 has a body 386 forming an opening 399 at an upper end 398, and a first leg 390 forming a first foot 392 depending from the first leg 390 with an aperture 394, and a second leg 400 forming a second foot 402 depending from the second leg 400 with an aperture 404. A crossmember 410 extending between the first and second side plates 364, 388 provides addition support to the lower coupler 360 at the feet, and aids in mounting collars 372, 396, 381, 406 at the apertures. A cylinder pin 432 extending through collars 372, 396 pivotally connects the second end 424 of the first tilt cylinder 416 to the lower coupler 360, and a cylinder pin 432 extending through collars 381, 406 pivotally connects the second end 424 of the second tilt cylinder 418 to the lower coupler 360. The upper coupler 302 and lower coupler 360 are pivotally connected by a tilt pivot pin or bolt 412.

The coupler assembly 300 provides side-to-side movement by actuation of the tilt cylinders. As above, the tilt cylinders 416, 418 may be hydraulically powered through hydraulic lines connecting the cylinders to a hydraulic manifold and pump at the motorized vehicle 200, or by electrical means, or by other means known in the art. The assembly is moved in a first direction by retracting the piston 430 of the first tilt cylinder 416 and extending the piston 430 of the second tilt cylinder 418, and the assembly is moved in a second direction by extending the piston 430 of the first cylinder 416 and retracting the piston 430 of the second tilt cylinder 418.

It is contemplated that features disclosed in this application, as well as those described above, can be mixed and matched to suit particular circumstances. Various other modifications and changes will be apparent to those of ordinary skill.

Directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration with reference to the orientation of the components of the system and apparatus of the disclosed subject matter.