US3854609A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Boom supported material handling fork
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1973-03-12
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Granted: 1974-12-17
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Expires: 1993-03-12
Abstract
Abstract A boom having pivotally interconnected inner and outer sections is mounted on the three-point hitch of a tractor. A pair of vertically adjustable support legs are connected to the cross arm of the inner boom section for supporting the boom when the tractor lift arms are in the lowered position. A fork unit is pivotally connected to the outer end of the outer section and includes a pyramid-shaped frame having a hollow interior with oppositely disposed downwardly extending side walls. A pair of fork members each include two clevises engaging the frame side walls. A hydraulic cylinder extends between the oppositely disposed frame side walls and through openings formed therein for engagement with upstanding ear elements on the upper edge of the fork members whereby extension of the hydraulic cylinder pivots and forks towards each other and contraction of the hydraulic cylinder pivots the fork members outwardly.
Inventors
- 👤 R Cox
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 12:26
CPC Classifications
B; B66; B66C; B66C3/00; B66C3/20; A; A01; A01D; A01D87/00; A01D87/003; B66C3/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
264 words
A material handling unit comprising, a boom, a power means for raising and lowering the outer end of said boom; a fork unit on the outer end of said boom; said fork unit including a pyramid-shaped frame having a hollow interior, an apex, and side and end walls extending downwardly from said apex; said frame having its apex pivotally and detachably connected to said boom and a pair of cooperating fork members having upper pivot arms each of which includes spaced apart clevises pivotally and detachably connected to the lower ends of the sides of said pyramid frame, an upstanding ear on each of said pivot arms of said fork members offset from the pivotal axis of the clevis to provide a lever arm for pivoting said fork member, and a hydraulic power cylinder extending between the side walls of said frame and having its opposite ends connected to said upstanding ears on the pivot arms of said fork members for pivoting said fork members to a closed position when said cylinder is extended and to an open position when said cylinder is contracted, said end walls terminating closely adjacent said power cylinder and above the lower ends of said side walls to define end wall openings, and said ears on said pivot arms are positioned on the exterior of said pyramid-shaped frame and adjacent the end walls of said frame having said openings through which opposite ends of said hydraulic cylinder extend when said cylinder is extended, said cylinder ends being within said end walls when said cylinder is in a nonextended position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
264 words
A material handling unit comprising, a boom, a power means for raising and lowering the outer end of said boom; a fork unit on the outer end of said boom; said fork unit including a pyramid-shaped frame having a hollow interior, an apex, and side and end walls extending downwardly from said apex; said frame having its apex pivotally and detachably connected to said boom and a pair of cooperating fork members having upper pivot arms each of which includes spaced apart clevises pivotally and detachably connected to the lower ends of the sides of said pyramid frame, an upstanding ear on each of said pivot arms of said fork members offset from the pivotal axis of the clevis to provide a lever arm for pivoting said fork member, and a hydraulic power cylinder extending between the side walls of said frame and having its opposite ends connected to said upstanding ears on the pivot arms of said fork members for pivoting said fork members to a closed position when said cylinder is extended and to an open position when said cylinder is contracted, said end walls terminating closely adjacent said power cylinder and above the lower ends of said side walls to define end wall openings, and said ears on said pivot arms are positioned on the exterior of said pyramid-shaped frame and adjacent the end walls of said frame having said openings through which opposite ends of said hydraulic cylinder extend when said cylinder is extended, said cylinder ends being within said end walls when said cylinder is in a nonextended position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
264 words
A material handling unit comprising, a boom, a power means for raising and lowering the outer end of said boom; a fork unit on the outer end of said boom; said fork unit including a pyramid-shaped frame having a hollow interior, an apex, and side and end walls extending downwardly from said apex; said frame having its apex pivotally and detachably connected to said boom and a pair of cooperating fork members having upper pivot arms each of which includes spaced apart clevises pivotally and detachably connected to the lower ends of the sides of said pyramid frame, an upstanding ear on each of said pivot arms of said fork members offset from the pivotal axis of the clevis to provide a lever arm for pivoting said fork member, and a hydraulic power cylinder extending between the side walls of said frame and having its opposite ends connected to said upstanding ears on the pivot arms of said fork members for pivoting said fork members to a closed position when said cylinder is extended and to an open position when said cylinder is contracted, said end walls terminating closely adjacent said power cylinder and above the lower ends of said side walls to define end wall openings, and said ears on said pivot arms are positioned on the exterior of said pyramid-shaped frame and adjacent the end walls of said frame having said openings through which opposite ends of said hydraulic cylinder extend when said cylinder is extended, said cylinder ends being within said end walls when said cylinder is in a nonextended position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
264 words
A material handling unit comprising, a boom, a power means for raising and lowering the outer end of said boom; a fork unit on the outer end of said boom; said fork unit including a pyramid-shaped frame having a hollow interior, an apex, and side and end walls extending downwardly from said apex; said frame having its apex pivotally and detachably connected to said boom and a pair of cooperating fork members having upper pivot arms each of which includes spaced apart clevises pivotally and detachably connected to the lower ends of the sides of said pyramid frame, an upstanding ear on each of said pivot arms of said fork members offset from the pivotal axis of the clevis to provide a lever arm for pivoting said fork member, and a hydraulic power cylinder extending between the side walls of said frame and having its opposite ends connected to said upstanding ears on the pivot arms of said fork members for pivoting said fork members to a closed position when said cylinder is extended and to an open position when said cylinder is contracted, said end walls terminating closely adjacent said power cylinder and above the lower ends of said side walls to define end wall openings, and said ears on said pivot arms are positioned on the exterior of said pyramid-shaped frame and adjacent the end walls of said frame having said openings through which opposite ends of said hydraulic cylinder extend when said cylinder is extended, said cylinder ends being within said end walls when said cylinder is in a nonextended position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The structure of claim 2 wherein said power Means includes a hydraulic cylinder connected at its lower end to said inner section closely adjacent said cross member and connected to said outer section adjacent the pivotal connection between said inner and outer boom section.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-16 | 1978-06-17 | 1978-12-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-16 | 1982-06-17 | 1982-12-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-16 | 1986-06-17 | 1986-12-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |