WO2008135944A2

WO2008135944A2 - Excavation machine

Info

Publication number: WO2008135944A2
Application number: PCT/IB2008/051732
Authority: WO
Inventors: Colin Wray Shaw
Original assignee: Colin Wray Shaw
Priority date: 2007-05-04
Filing date: 2008-05-05
Publication date: 2008-11-13
Also published as: WO2008135944A3

Abstract

The invention concerns an excavation machine (10) comprising a guide (18) having a first position (20) located towards one end of the excavation machine and a second position (22) located towards another end of the excavation machine. The excavation machine further includes an arm (24) which movable along the guide between the first position and the second position The arm in turn includes an attachment formation (28) for facilitating attachment to a front end loader bucket (32) and to a backhoe bucket (30) respectively. In use, when the arm is connected to a backhoe bucket and is located in the first position of the guide, the excavation machine performs as a backhoe loader. In the case where the arm is connected to a front end loader bucket and is located in the second position of the guide the excavation machine performs as a front end loader.

Description

EXCAVATION MACHINE

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

THIS invention relates to an excavation machine. In particular the invention is concerned with an excavation machine which can perform digging by drawing earth backwards as well as digging by moving earth in a forward direction.

A TLB loader (tractor-loader-backhoe) is the most utilised item of excavation equipment used on any construction site. It has even been said that a TLB loader is the first machine to arrive at a building site and also the last machine to leave the site.

Figure 1 of the drawings shows an example of a conventional TLB loader, generally indicated with the reference numeral 1. The TLB loader 1 comprises a tractor 2 having a front end loader attachment 3 as well as a backhoe attachment 4. The front end loader attachment 3 comprises an arm 5 to which a front end loader bucket 6 is attached. The backhoe attachment 4 in turn comprises a backhoe arm 7 to which a backhoe bucket 8 is attached. When it is now required to move earth by digging in a forward direction the front end loader attachment 3 with its front end loader bucket 6 will be used. A drawback of using the front end loader bucket 6, however, is that it can not be used for digging deep trenches. Accordingly, when it is required that deep trenches be dug, the backhoe attachment 4 with its backhoe bucket 8 can be used. As persons skilled in the field of excavation equipment will well know, the backhoe attachment 4 digs trenches by drawing earth backwards, i.e. towards the tractor 2.

Drawbacks of conventional TLB loaders include that they become cumbersome and clumsy when they carry both front end loader as well as backhoe loader attachments as a result of the unfavourable weight distribution of these attachments. This state of affairs is particularly evident when such loaders are to be driven some distance from one site to another. It is also a well known fact that oniy the front end loader or the backhoe loader can be used at any one time.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to address the drawbacks associated with conventional TLB loaders by providing an alternative excavation machine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an excavation machine comprising:

a guide having a first position located towards one end of the excavation machine and a second position located towards another end of the excavation machine;

an arm movable along the guide between the first position and the second position, the arm including an attachment formation for facilitating attachment to a front end loader bucket and to a backhoe bucket respectively;

such that when the arm is connected to a backhoe bucket and is located in the first position of the guide the excavation machine performs as a backhoe loader while when the arm is connected to a front end loader bucket and is located in the second position of the guide the excavation machine performs as a front end loader.

Preferably the guide comprises a linear slide.

More preferably the arm includes a carriage which can slide along the linear slide. Advantageously the attachment formation is a quick couple attachment.

In an embodiment of the invention the carriage includes a hinge for allowing the arm to pivot about the carriage.

Preferably the slide includes a horizontal hinge for allowing the slide to pivot in a horizontal plane.

More preferably the slide includes a hinge formation for allowing the slide to pivot in a vertical plane.

In an embodiment of the invention the arm is telescopic.

Preferably the excavation machine includes a cab which is attached to a support assembly, the support assembly being movable between a first position and a second position whereby the cab in turn can be moved from a first position to a second position.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided an excavation machine comprising:

a hinge located towards one end of the excavation machine, the hinge defining a first position and a second position;

an arm movable about the hinge from the first position to the second position, the arm including an attachment formation for facilitating attachment to a front end loader bucket and to a backhoe bucket respectively;

such that when the arm is connected to a backhoe bucket and is located in the first position of the hinge the excavation machine performs as a backhoe loader, while when the arm is connected to a front end loader bucket and is located in the second position of the hinge the excavation machine performs as a front end loader. Preferably the arm is telescopic.

More preferably the excavation machine of the second aspect of the invention includes a cab which is attached to a support assembly, the support assembly being movable between a first position and a second position whereby the cab in turn can be moved from a first position to a second position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic side view of a conventional TLB loader;

Figure 2 shows a diagrammatic side view of an excavation machine in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention having its arm located in a first position and performing as a backhoe loader;

Figure 3 shows a diagrammatic side view of the excavation machine of the first embodiment having its arm located in a second position and performing as a front end loader;

Figure 4 shows a diagrammatic top view of the excavation machine of the first embodiment;

Figure 5 shows a diagrammatic top view of the excavation machine of the first embodiment wherein its guide is caused to pivot in a horizontal plane about a horizontal hinge; Figure 6 shows a diagrammatic side view of the excavation machine of the first embodiment wherein its guide is caused to pivot in a vertical plane about a vertical hinge;

Figure 7 shows a diagrammatic side view of an excavation machine in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention wherein its arm is located in a second position and is attached to a front end loader bucket;

Figure 8 shows a diagrammatic side view of the excavation machine of the second embodiment operating as a front end loader;

Figure 9 shows a diagrammatic side view of an excavation machine in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention wherein the arm is located in a first position and is attached to a backhoe bucket to operate as a backhoe loader;

Figure 10 shows a further side view of the second embodiment of the excavation machine acting as a backhoe loader and illustrating the movement of its cab between a first position and a second position;

Figure 11 shows a side view of a telescopic arm of the excavation machine in a retracted position;

Figure 12 shows a side view of the telescopic arm of the excavation machine in an extended position;

Figure 13 shows a diagrammatic side view of an excavation machine in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention wherein its arm is located in a second position and is attached to a front end loader bucket; Figure 14 shows a diagrammatic side view of an excavation machine in accordance with the third embodiment of the invention wherein the arm is located in a first position and is attached to a backhoe bucket in order to operate as a backhoe loader; and

Figure 15 shows a top view of the third embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

Figures 2 to 6 show an excavation machine in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, generally indicated with the reference numeral 10. The excavation machine 10 comprises a tractor 12 having a cab 14, in which an operator can sit whiie operating the excavation machine 10, and a motor 16 for driving the excavation machine and for powering its hydraulic equipment.

The excavation machine 10 further includes a guide, generally indicated with the reference numeral 18. In this embodiment of the invention the guide 18 is provided in the form of a linear slide which defines a first position which is located towards one end of the excavation machine, here at the front of the tractor 12, and indicated with the reference numeral 20. The guide 18 also defines a second position which is located towards another end of the excavation machine, here at the rear of the tractor 12, and which is indicated with the reference numeral 22. As shown in Figure 4 of the drawings, the linear slide 18 is located towards the centre of the tractor 12, but it would be appreciated that it could also be located towards one of the sides of the tractor.

The excavation machine 10 further includes an articulated backhoe arm 24 which in turn has a carriage 26 which is held by the linear slide 18. It is pointed out that the carriage 26 is slidabiy held by the linear slide 18 and accordingly allows the arm 24 to be moved between the first position 20 and the second position 22. The arm 24 is further fitted with an attachment formation 28, here a quick couple attachment, for facilitating attachment respectively of a backhoe bucket 30, as shown for example in Figure 2, and a front end loader bucket 32, as shown for example in Figure 3.

It is envisaged that the quick couple attachment constituting the attachment formation 28 could also be used for facilitating attachment of a forklift, a grader blade, a grab and other hardware to the arm 24.

An important aspect of the invention is that the carriage 26 includes a hinge 34 which allows the arm 24 to pivot about the carriage 26 at an angle of 180°, as shown in Figure 4 of the drawings. It will, however, be appreciated that pivoting of the arm need not be limited to 180°, but that the arm could pivot through 360°.

The operation of the excavator machine 10 can be described by firstly referring to Figure 2 where the carriage 26 of the arm 24 has been located in the first position 20 of the linear slide 18 and the backhoe bucket 30 has been secured to the attachment formation 28. The excavation machine 10 can now perform as a backhoe loader as shown.

In Figure 3 the carriage 26 of the arm 24 has been slid along the linear slide 18 to be located in the second position 22 while the backhoe bucket 30 has been replaced with the front end loader bucket 32. In this configuration the excavation machine 10 can perform as a front end loader as shown.

An advantage of the excavation machine 10 is that an operator can permanently face forward as there would now be no need for him to turn around in order to operate the backhoe, unlike the case with conventional TLB loaders.

A further advantage of making use of a single articulated arm 24 which slides in the linear slide 18 is that the rear of the tractor 12 is free for holding other attachments such as a ripper, a grader blade or a three-point agricultural linkage. The weight distribution problem with conventional TLB loaders is also addressed in having a single arm.

In the first embodiment of the invention the linear slide 18 is secured in position with the use of a horizontal hinge 36, shown in Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings. This allows the slide 18 to pivot in a horizontal plane and makes it possible for the arm 24 to slew parallel to a centre line 38.

The linear slide 18 is also provided with a hinge formation 40, shown in Figure 6, for enabling the slide 18 to pivot in a vertical plane, for example with the use of an hydraulic ram. This improves the tipping height of the excavation machine 10 substantially as compared to conventional TLB loaders.

Although not illustrated in the accompanying drawings it is pointed out that the carriage 26 of the arm 24 could also be located and secured at any position along the linear slide 18. This feature enhances both the versatility as well as the reach of the excavator machine 10. This feature can be particularly useful if the excavation machine is to perform as a forklift.

Figures 7 to 9 show a second embodiment of an excavation machine in accordance with the invention, generally indicated with the reference numeral 50. The excavation machine 50 operates in a manner similar to that of the excavation machine 10 in that its arm 52 can be connected to a front end loader bucket 54 and be located in a second position 56 to perform as a front end loader, as illustrated in Figures 7 and 8. In Figure 9 the arm 52 has been located in its first position 58 and a backhoe bucket 60 attached thereto in order to act as a backhoe loader as described above. In this position the excavation machine makes use of its anchor 61 for providing stability during use.

The excavation machine 50 does, however, differ from the excavation machine 10 in that its front and rear wheels are of similar diameter. In the excavation machine 10 the front wheels are smaller in diameter than those of the rear wheels. Further differences between the excavation machine 50 and the excavation machine 10 include that the cab 62 of the excavation machine 50 is moveable between a first position and a second position as shown in Figure 10, while the arm 52 of the excavation machine 50 is telescopic. These features of the excavation machine 50 are described below.

Referring to Figure 10 of the drawings it is pointed out that the cab 62 is attached to a support assembly 64. The support assembly 64 in turn comprises two hydraulic cylinders 66, only one of which is shown in Figure 10, which are connected to a linkage assembly 68. In use, when the hydraulic cylinders 66 are located in a retracted position the support assembly 64 will be located in a first position, consequently causing the cab 62 also to be located in a first position 70. When the hydraulic cylinders 66 are now located in their extended positions they will simultaneously cause the support assembly 64 to be located in its second position and, as a result, cause the cab 62 also to be located in its second position, indicted with the reference numeral 72. In this second position the driver inside the cab 62 will be seated in an elevated position which will enhance his visibility on the excavation taking place inside, for example, a trench being dug.

As mentioned, the excavation machine 50 incorporates a telescopic arm 52. One arrangement of a telescopic arm 52 is shown in Figures 1 1 and 12 of the drawings. It is pointed out that the arm 52 includes an hydraulic cylinder 74 which is located below a housing 76. In the case of the arm 52 shown in Figures 8 and 9 the hydraulic cylinder 74 is located above the housing 76. These differences are not material although it is envisaged that having the hydraulic cylinder 74 located below the housing 76 may be advantageous for the reason that will become apparent from the description which follows below.

The arm 52 is supported at one end with a hinge 77. An hydraulic cylinder 78 is held inside the housing 76 and is connected to an arm member 79. The arm member 79 in turn is connected to the hydraulic cylinder 74 with the use of a bracket 80 which extends through a longitudinal slot 80 in the housing 76. It is envisaged that by having the slot 80, and as a result the hydraulic cylinder 74, in the bottom of the housing 76 dirt and grime will be deterred from accumulating inside the housing 76 and interfering with the operation of the hydraulic cylinder 78.

When it is desired that the arm 52 be located from its retracted position, shown in Figure 1 1 , to its extended position, shown in Figure 12, the hydraulic cylinder is 78 is moved from its retracted position to its extended position, as a result causing the arm member 79 to move from its retracted to its extended position. It will be appreciated that in having a telescopic arm the reach of the excavation machine can be improved.

It is pointed out that in the arrangement of Figures 11 and 12, an hydraulic cylinder 84 is provided for lifting the arm 52 in a vertical plane while an hydraulic cylinder 86 will serve to induce rotation in the backhoe bucket 60. Finally, the hydraulic cylinder 74 will serve to move a second arm member 88 as shown.

A third embodiment of an excavation machine in accordance with the invention is shown in Figures 13 to 15 and generally indicated with the reference numeral 90. The excavation machine 90 operates in manner similar to the embodiments previously described in that its arm 92, again a telescopic arm, similar to that of the second embodiment, can be located in a first position 94 in which a backhoe bucket 96 is secured thereto such that the excavation machine 90 can operate as a backhoe loader. The arm 92 can also be located in a second position 95 such that with a front end loader bucket 97 attached thereto the excavation machine 90 can operate as a front end loader.

The excavation machine 90 does, however, differ from the first and second embodiments in that it includes a hinge 98, here in the form of an hydraulic rotary actuator, which allows the arm 92 to pivot between its first and second positions 94 and 95, by moving the arm 92 through an angle of 270° as shown. Also, in the third embodiment the operator will face backwards when operating the backhoe loader, while he will face forward when operating the front end loader.

An excavation machine as described above addresses the drawbacks typically associated with conventional TLB loaders mentioned in the background portion of the specification. In particular, it is envisaged that the excavation machine of the invention has increased versatility, compactness, maneuverability and reduced manufacturing costs over conventional TLB loaders.

Claims

1. An excavation machine comprising:

2. An excavation machine according to claim 1 wherein the guide comprises a linear slide.

3. An excavation machine according to claim 2 wherein the arm includes a carriage which can slide along the linear slide.

4. An excavation machine according to claim 3 wherein the attachment formation is a quick couple attachment.

5. An excavation machine according to claim 4 wherein the carriage includes a hinge for allowing the arm to pivot about the carriage.

6. An excavation machine according to claim 5 wherein the slide includes a horizontal hinge for allowing the slide to pivot in a horizontal plane.

7. An excavation machine according to claim 6 wherein the slide includes a hinge formation for allowing the slide to pivot in a vertical plane.

8. An excavation machine according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the arm is telescopic.

9. An excavation machine according to any one of the preceding claims including a cab which is attached to a support assembly, the support assembly being movable between a first position and a second position whereby the cab in turn can be moved from a first position to a second position.

10. An excavation machine comprising:

such that when the arm is connected to a backhoe bucket and is located in the first position of the hinge the excavation machine performs as a backhoe loader, while when the arm is connected to a front end loader bucket and is located in the second position of the hinge the excavation machine performs as a front end loader.

11. An excavation machine according to claim 10 wherein the arm is telescopic.

12. An excavation machine according to either claim 10 or 11 including a cab which is attached to a support assembly, the support assembly being movable between a first position and a second position whereby the cab in turn can be moved from a first position to a second position.