US3669286A

US3669286A - Public works machines

Info

Publication number: US3669286A
Application number: US889073A
Authority: US
Inventors: Yves M Gauchet
Original assignee: Poclain SA
Current assignee: Poclain SA
Priority date: 1969-02-06
Filing date: 1969-12-30
Publication date: 1972-06-13
Anticipated expiration: 1989-06-13
Also published as: BE771446Q; ES376239A1; JPS502926B1; FR2031763A5; GB1279467A; DE2001146A1

Abstract

This invention relates to a public works machine comprising a platform equipped with a driver''s cabin which is fast therewith and is oriented in the direction of translation of the machine, and with an operating equipment comprising a jib articulated on the platform about an axis 9 disposed substantially to the side of the driver''s cabin, while this jib is contituted by two elements articulated with respect to one another about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the axis of oscillation of the jib on the platform, wherein the axis of articulation of the two elements of the jib may be in a substantially vertical position, in which it is disposed substantially plumb with the front face of the driver''s cabin, while the relative rotation of the two articulated elements of the jib may be at least equal to 90* and while rotation preventing means may integrate the two elements of the jib.

Description

United States Patent Gauchet 51 June 13, 1972 [54] PUBLIC WORKS MACHINES 21 Appl. No.: 889,073

1,016,916 10/1957 Germany 971,028 9/1964 GreatBritain ..2l4/l38 Primary Examiner-Gerald M. Forlenza Assistant Examiner.lohn Mannix Attorney-Mason, Fenwick & Lawrence [5 7] ABSTRACT This invention relates to a public works machine comprising a platform equipped with a drivers cabin which is fast therewith and is oriented in the direction of translation of the machine, and with an operating equipment comprising a jib articulated on the platform about an axis 9 disposed substantially to the side of the drivers cabin, while this jib is contituted by two elements articulated with respect to one another about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the axis of oscillation of the jib on the platform, wherein the axis of articulation of the two elements of the jib may be in a substantially vertical position, in which it is disposed substantially plumb with the front face of the drivers cabin, while the relative rotation of the two articulated elements of the jib may be at least equal to 90 and while rotation preventing means may integrate the two elements of the jib.

4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUH13 M172 3369 286 SHEET 10F 2 Inventor Yves M .GAucHe'r Attorney 5 PATENTEUJUH 13 m2 3, 669,286

' Q SHEET 2 OF 2 MUE Inventor Yves M CIALICHET masm fi'wufifiw s orney PUBLIC WORKS MACHINES Public works machines are known which are quipped with a jib mounted to oscillate on the chassis of the machine. This jib is sometimes constituted by two elements articulated together about an axis which may be vertical for a given inclination of the element of the jib articulated to the chassis with respect thereto. Such is the case, for example, of certain machines with an offset working, so that the working tool operates in a plane which is offset laterally with respect to the plane in which the element of the jib articulated to the chassis moves. In this case, a hydraulic ram is coupled between the two elements of the jib and may control a limited relative rotation of the two elements, this rotation being smaller than a few tens of degrees, through 30 in each direction for example.

It nevertheless remains that, in the machines equipped with a drivers cabin known heretofore, the operating equipment is continually disposed to the front of the drivers cabin; in the best of cases, this equipment is arranged to the front and to the side, as in the machines with an offset working.

The general result of these arrangements is a poor visibility of the ground in front of the drivercabin, this being particularly awkward when the machine is moving, for example along the road.

The invention intends to remedy this state of affairs and to this end proposes a novel arrangement such that, when the operating equipment has a certain configuration, it is no longer disposed to the front of the drivers cabin but almost completelyto the rear thereof, and therefore allows complete visibility of the ground in front of the drivers cabin, from said cabin.

The invention therefore has for its object an improved arrangement for a public works machine comprising a platform equipped with a drivers cabin is fast therewith and is oriented in the direction of translation of the machine, and with an operating equipment comprising a jib articulated to the platform about an axis disposed substantially to the side of the driver's cabin. This jib is contituted by two elements articulated with respect to one another an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the axis of oscillation of the jib on the platform.

When the axis of articulation of the two elements of the jib is vertical, it is disposed substantially plumb with the front face of the drivers cabin, while the relative rotation of the two articulated elements of the jib may be greater than 90 and preferably substantially equal to 180 and that rotation preventing means may integrate the two elements of the jib.

Second locking means are advantageously provided which are capable of integrating the element of the jib equipped with the operating tool and the zone of the platform located to the rear of the drivers cabin.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood and to explain various secondary features and their advantages, one embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings,

. in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a machine with an arrangement according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view as seen in the direction of arrow F of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plane view of the machine shown in FIG. 1.

Referring now to the drawings, the machine with the arrangement according to the invention is constituted, in the embodiment chosen, by a chassis 1 provided with rolling members, here with wheels 2. On the chassis l is rotatably mounted a platform 3 on which is disposed an operating equipment constituted by a jib articulated on the platform 3 about a horizontal axis 9 and by a balance beam 7 articulated to the jib and provided, at its free end, with a bucket 8.

The jib is itself constituted by the elements 4 and 6. These elements are articulated with respect to one another about an axis perpendicular to the axis 9. The element 6 is articulated to the platform 3 about the axis 9, whilst the balance beam 7 is articulated to the element 4 about an axis 11. Moreover, a drivers cabin 5 is fixedly mounted on the platform 3 and is oriented in the direction of movement of the machine, when the platform 3 is itself oriented so that, from the drivers cabin, one looks towards the front of the machine, as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 shows that one of the notable points of the arrangement chosen is that, although the axis 9 is disposed to the side of the drivers cabin 5 and substantially at the same level thereas, neither to the front nor to the rear of the driver's cabin 5 and also close to the floor of said cabin 5, the axis 10, when it is vertical, is advantageously disposed higher than the upper part of the drivers cabin and substantially does not exceed the front face 5a of said cabin. Consequently, the part of the operating equipment connected with the element 4 of the jib is disposed completely to the rear of the front face 50 of the drivers cabin 5 when the element 4 has turned with respect to the element 6, as shown in dashed and dotted lines in the Figures.

The relative rotation of the elements 4 and 6 is moreover substantially equal to so that, in position 4, the element on which the beam is fixed has disposed the beam and the bucket at 7' and 8 to the rear of the drivers cabin 5.

Rotation locking means are provided for integrating the elements 4 and 6 of the jib in operating position. In the embodiment shown, a pin 12 cooperates with apertures 13 and 14 made respectively in the elements 4 and 6, aperture 13 being more clearly visible at 13 in position 4 of the element 4. The pin 12 is of course able to be fast with the rod of a small control jack in order to have its engagement and disengagement in and from the apertures 13 and 14 remotely controlled from the drivers cabin for example. When the pin 12 is engaged in the apertures 13 and 14, the elements 4 and 6 are generally in the same plane. However, they may also be contained in different planes forming a small angle therebetween.

Moreover, when the operating equipment connected with the jib element, on which the beam is articulated, is disposed at 4'-7-8, it may be fixed to the zone 3a of the platform 3 located to the rear of the drivers cabin 5, by integration means. These means are for example constituted by a fastening member 15 welded to the platform 3 in the zone 3a with which a connecting means such as'a rod 16 articulated to the bucket cooperates, the fastening member 15 and the rod 16 being temporarily connected by a removable pin 7.

The advantages of the arrangement according to the invention are considerable particularly when the machines which have adopted this arrangement are moving.

In fact, in displacement position, when the balance beam and the bucket are at 7' and 8', as was emphasized hereinabove, forward visibility is completely unhindered.

It is very simple to pass from operating position (jib elements 4 and 6 fast with one another) to displacement position. The pin 12 is disengaged, possibly by remote control, and the part of the operating equipment connected to the jib element 4 is pushed by hand or by leaning against a shaft or a hydraulic ram and by rotating the platform 3 with respect to the chassis 1, until said part reaches positions 4'-7-8'. The bucket 8' is then placed on the zone 3a of the platform. As an additional precaution, said bucket 8' is fixed to the zone 3a with the aid of integration or locking means 15-16-17.

Finally, it will be noted that, provided that at least one of the elements 4 or 6 is judiciously shaped in the vicinity of the apertures 13 and 14, the two elements, once integrated, may be contained in separate planes, so that the machine may be used for offset working. It is also very easy to imagine that, with the aid of a sector mounted to rotate on the element 6 for example and provided with a plurality of apertures 13 disposed at different distances from the axis of rotation of the sector on the element 6, the angle of the planes of the elements 4 and 6 and therefore the amount of ofiset of the tool may be adjusted. Such a system may finally replace the locking means 15-16-17, since in fact it enables the element 4' to be held in a position facing the rear.

It may therefore be conceived that, due to the adaptation of the position of axis 10 and to the locking means provided, the

machine may operate in a manner which was hitherto unknown.

What is claimed is: I

l. A public works machine comprising, a platform having a driver's cabin fixed thereon and oriented in the direction of translation of the machine, operating equipment including a jib having an inner part oriented in a first vertical plane and pivotally attached to the platform at one side and rearwardly of the driver's cabin for pivotal movement in said vertical plane and an outer part supporting an earthworking tool on its outer end and pivotally connected to the outer end of the jib inner part for horizontal swinging movement through an arc substantially greater than 90 relative to the inner part of the jib, between a first operative position extending outwardly from said inner part of the jib substantially in said first vertical plane and a second inoperative position extending rearwardly of the pivotal connection of the inner and outer jib parts in a second vertical plane substantially parallel to said first vertical plane, said pivotal connection between said jib parts lying in a plane which is immediately adjacent the front of the drivers cabin whereby movement of said outer part to said second position enables an unobstructed forward view from the drivers cabin, and means to lock the outer jib part against rotation and in alignment with the inner jib part to provide a unitary operative jib.

2. A public works machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the pivotal connection of the inner and outer jib parts is above the driver's cabin.

3. A public works machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the arc of horizontal rotation of the outer jib part relative to the inner jib part is at least 4. A public works machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein, there are second locking means located on the platform well back of the driver's cabin for securing the outer jib part to the platform when the outer jib part is in its second position.

Claims

1. A public works machine comprising, a platform having a driver''s cabin fixed thereon and oriented in the direction of translation of the machine, operating equipment including a jib having an inner part oriented in a first vertical plane and pivotally attached to the platform at one side and rearwardly of the driver''s cabin for pivotal movement in said vertical plane and an outer part supporting an earthworking tool on its outer end and pivotally connected to the outer end of the jib inner part for horizontal swinging movement through an arc substantially greater than 90* relative to the inner part of the jib, between a first operative position extending outwardly from said inner part of the jib substantially in said first vertical plane and a second inoperative position extending rearwardly of the pivotal connection of the inner and outer jib parts in a second vertical plane substantially parallel to said first vertical plane, said pivotal connection between said jib parts lying in a plane which is immediately adjacent the front of the drivers cabin whereby movement of said outer part to said second position enables an unobstructed forward view from the drivers cabin, and means to lock the outer jib part against rotation and in alignment with the inner jib part to provide a unitary operative jib.

2. A public works machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the pivotal connection of the inner and outer jib parts is above the driver''s cabin.

3. A public works machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the arc of horizontal rotation of the outer jib part relative to the inner jib part is at least 180*.

4. A public works machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein, there are second locking means located on the platform well back of the driver''s cabin for securing the outer jib part to the platform when the outer jib part is in its second posItion.