US4006834A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tilt linkage for loader buckets
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
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Filing: 1976-01-15
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Granted: 1977-02-08
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Expires: 1996-01-15
Abstract
Abstract A loader comprises a tractor having a pair of laterally spaced lift arms pivotally mounted thereon and a loader bucket pivotally mounted on forward ends of the lift arms. A cross brace is secured between the lift arms and has at least one bellcrank of a tilt linkage pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on lugs secured rearwardly on the cross-brace. The tilt linkage further comprises a double-acting hydraulic cylinder pivotally interconnected between the tractor and an upper end of the bellcrank and a link pivotally interconnected between a lower end of the bellcrank and the loader bucket. Upon actuation of the cylinder during operation of the loader, compressive stress will be imposed on the lugs and their metal common with the cross-brace and tensile stress will be imposed on the opposite surface of the cross-brace which is free of section changes that are stress concentrators. The absence of stress concentrators in this high tensile stressed surface reduces fatigue failure potential.
Inventors
- 👤 Reynold M. Anderson
- 👤 Donald E. Tullar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 08:47
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02F; E02F3/00; E02F3/04; E02F3/28; E02F3/34; E02F3/3405; E02F3/3411
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
A construction vehicle comprising a tractor having a frame, a pair of laterally spaced lift arms having rearward ends thereof pivotally mounted on said frame and having forward ends thereof extending forwardly of said tractor, a laterally extending cross-brace disposed between the forward and rearward ends of said push arms and secured therebetween, lift cylinder means pivotally interconnected between at least one of said lift arms and said frame for selectively raising or lowering said lift arms vertically, a work tool pivotally mounted on the forward ends of said lift arms, and tilt linkage means pivotally interconnected between said frame, said cross-brace and said work tool for selectively pivoting said work tool on said lift arms, said tilt linkage means comprising bellcrank means pivotally mounted intermediate upper and lower ends thereof rearwardly on said cross-brace at a location disposed between said cross-brace and the rearward ends of said lift arms whereby compressive stress will be imposed on said location and tensile stress will be imposed on an opposite, forward surface on said cross-brace from said location upon pivoting of said work tool on said lift arms during operation thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
189 words
A construction vehicle comprising a tractor having a frame, a pair of laterally spaced lift arms having rearward ends thereof pivotally mounted on said frame and having forward ends thereof extending forwardly of said tractor, a laterally extending cross-brace disposed between the forward and rearward ends of said push arms and secured therebetween, lift cylinder means pivotally interconnected between at least one of said lift arms and said frame for selectively raising or lowering said lift arms vertically, a work tool pivotally mounted on the forward ends of said lift arms, and tilt linkage means pivotally interconnected between said frame, said cross-brace and said work tool for selectively pivoting said work tool on said lift arms, said tilt linkage means comprising bellcrank means pivotally mounted intermediate upper and lower ends thereof rearwardly on said cross-brace at a location disposed between said cross-brace and the rearward ends of said lift arms whereby compressive stress will be imposed on said location and tensile stress will be imposed on an opposite, forward surface on said cross-brace from said location upon pivoting of said work tool on said lift arms during operation thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The construction vehicle of claim 1 wherein said work tool constitutes a loader bucket.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The construction vehicle of claim 1 wherein said tractor comprises a pair of ground engaging endless tracks.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The construction vehicle of claim 3 wherein said lift cylinder means is disposed entirely above upper levels of said endless tracks.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The construction vehicle of claim 4 wherein said lift cylinder means constitutes a pair of laterally spaced double-acting hydraulic cylinders each pivotally interconnected between the frame of said tractor and a respective lift arm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The construction vehicle of claim 1 wherein each of said lift arm is generally S-shaped to extend forwardly and downwardly relative to said tractor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The construction vehicle of claim 1 wherein the bellcrank means of said tilt linkage means comprises a pair of bellcranks each pivotally mounted closely adjacent to a respective one of said lift arms.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The construction vehicle of claim 7 wherein said tilt linkage means further comprises a pair of double-acting hydraulic cylinders each pivotally interconnected between the frame of said tractor and an upper end of a respective one of said bellcranks.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The construction vehicle of claim 8 wherein said cylinders are at least substantially confined vertically within said lift arms when said lift arms are maintained in their lowered positions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The construction vehicle of claim 8 wherein said tilt linkage means further comprises a pair of links each pivotally interconnected.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The construction vehicle of claim 1 wherein said bellcrank means is pivotally mounted at said location on a pair of lugs secured rearwardly on said cross-brace.
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) | 1980-02-08 | 1980-08-09 | 1981-02-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-02-08 | 1984-08-09 | 1985-02-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-02-08 | 1988-08-09 | 1989-02-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |