US20230120568A1 - Grapple with u-shaped, serrated, high strength crossmember - Google Patents

Abstract

A grappling attachment for an industrial or farm vehicle, such as a skid steer or tractor, includes an upper jaw and a lower jaw, which can close relative to each other to grasp roots and debris. At least one of the upper jaw and the lower jaw is formed as a plurality of first curved bars with serrations formed along edges of the plurality of first curved bars facing toward the other jaw, which serrations assist in cutting embedded roots and debris as the first and second jaws are pulled away from the embedded roots and debris, such as when the vehicle is driven in a reverse direction. A U-shaped crossmember is attached to at least one of the first and second jaws. The U-shaped crossmember has slots cut therein to hold the plurality of first curved bars in a spaced relationship. One or more edges of the U-shaped crossmember has serrations facing toward the other jaw. In a preferred embodiment, the U-shaped crossmember has serrations at both ends of the U-shaped profile.

Description

• This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/257,090, filed Oct. 18, 2021, which is herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION1. Field of the Invention
• The present invention relates to a grapple attachment for a tractor or skid steer. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved crossmember, oriented perpendicular to a travel direction of the vehicle, for holding parallel grappling bars of a jaw of the grapple in a spaced relationship.
2. Description of the Related Art
• Traditional grapples can be seen in U.S. Pat. 4,285,628; 6,543,566; 6,820,357; 7,913,431; 8,449,241; 10,066,360 10,233,612 and 10,584,462 and U.S. Published Application 2020/0157767, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.
• As shown inFIG.1, U.S. Published Application 2020/0157767 teaches agrapple1 including alower jaw2 formed by a series of parallel,lower grappling bars3. Thegrapple1 also includes anupper jaw4 formed by a plurality of parallel,upper grappling bars5. Theupper jaw4 may pivot relative to thelower jaw2 aboutaxle6, i.e., theupper jaw4 may open and close relative to thelower jaw2.
• A plurality of lower, box-shaped crossmembers7, e.g., four, are welded into slots or through holes in thelower grappling bars3 and serve to hold thelower grappling bars3 parallel to each other. Likewise, a plurality of upper, box-shaped crossmembers8, e.g., two, are welded into slots or through holes in theupper grappling bars5 and serve to hold theupper grappling bars5 parallel to each other. The lower andupper grappling bars3 and5 may includeserrations9 on facing edges to assist in cutting roots and gripping debris to be picked up by thegrapple1.
• FIGS.2 and3 are front and rear perspective views of anupper jaw11 of a grapple made by the current inventor. Theupper jaw11 is formed by eight parallel upper grappling bars13, i.e.,13-1,13-2,13-3,13-4,13-5,13-6,13-7 and13-8. Two upper, tube-shaped crossmembers15-1 and15-2 are welded into throughholes17 in the upper grappling bars13 and serve to hold the upper grappling bars13 parallel to each other. The upper, tube-shaped crossmember15-1 may be formed as a drawn-over-mandrel (DOM) tubing having a 1 5/8 inch diameter with a 1/4 inch wall thickness.Serrations19 are formed along the edges of the grappling bars13 which face toward a lower jaw (not shown inFIGS.2 and3).
• FIG.4 is part of the disclosure in U.S. Pat. 10,233,612. InFIG.4, the lower jaw23 of agrapple21 has box-shaped,crossmembers25 to holdlower grappling bars27 in a parallel configuration. Theupper jaw29 hasflat plates31 welded intoslits33 in the upper, grapplingbars35. Bottom edges of theflat plates31 includeserrations37 facing toward the lower jaw23.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The Applicant has appreciated drawbacks in the grapple attachments of the prior art. The round and box-shaped crossmembers provide excellent strength in holding the grappling bars of the upper and lower jaws of the grapple in a spaced, parallel relationship. A tubular member formed of a stock material, either round or box-shaped, resists bending because portions of the continuous sidewall are always oriented perpendicular to a force tending to bend the member. A flat member of the same stock material, such as shown inFIG.4, will bend more easily if a force is exerted perpendicular to the plane of the flat member.
• With a grapple attached to a vehicle, e.g., a tractor or skid steer, the vehicle drives the grapple forward into a buried root ball or pile of debris with the upper jaw spaced from the lower jaw. The upper jaw is closed onto the roots or debris, and then the vehicle is driven in reverse to pull and tear roots free from the ground or debris free from the pile. As the vehicle is driven in reverse, the impact force is in the direction F, as shown inFIG.3 on the backside of the crossmember15-1, if a root or piece of debris contacts the crossmember15-1. Experience shows that the tubular stock ofFIGS.1-3 resists bends, and hence the upper grapple bars remain parallel and the hydraulic cylinder or cylinders moving the upper grappling bars are not put into a bind by misaligned upper grappling bars.
• The flat plate crossmembers ofFIG.4 will receive the same force direction if contacted by a root, piece of debris, embedded rock, foundation or pole in the ground. As previously mentioned, a flat plate is more likely to bend than a tubular member of a same stock material. If the upper grappling bars of the upper jaw become non-parallel due to a bend in a crossmember, the connection to the cylinder can be shifted in position, and the cylinder will be placed under a lateral force as it moves the upper jaw relative to the lower jaw. The lateral force can lead to hydraulic fluid seal leakage and failures. Also, one or more upper grappling bars end tips may abut one or more lower grappling bars such that wear may occur and/or the upper jaw may no longer fully close toward the lower jaw.
• One drawback to the tubular crossmembers ofFIGS.1-3 is the lack of serrations facing toward the lower jaw of the grapple. If a root or piece of debris is contacting only the crossmember and nearly parallel to the adjacent upper grappling bars, it is unlikely that an embedded root will be pulled up from the ground or broken off, or that a piece of embedded debris will be pulled free from the pile of debris as the vehicle is driven in reverse. Rather, the smooth edges of the round or box-shaped crossmember will allow the root or piece of debris to slide out of the closed upper and lower jaws, as the vehicle is driven in reverse and/or the grapple is raised by the vehicle.
• The serrations on the flat plate crossmember inFIG.4 will exert more friction or bite onto the root or piece of debris. Hence, the serrated flat plate crossmember will be able to exert a greater force on a root or piece of debris, which contacts only the crossmember and is nearly parallel to the adjacent upper grappling bars. The flat plate crossmember with serrations facing the lower jaw will have a much greater chance of pulling or breaking a root free from the ground or dislodging a piece of debris free from a debris pile, when the vehicle is driven in reverse and/or the grapple is raised by the vehicle. However, the flat plate is more likely to be damaged, e.g., bent, as compared to the tubular crossmembers ofFIGS.1-3.
• It is an object of the present invention to address one or more of the shortcomings in the prior art grapples. These and other objects are accomplished by a grappling attachment for an industrial or farm vehicle, such as a skid steer or tractor, which includes an upper jaw and a lower jaw, which can close relative to each other to grasp roots and debris. At least one of the upper jaw and the lower jaw is formed as a plurality of first curved bars with serrations formed along edges of the plurality of first curved bars facing toward the other jaw, which serrations assist in cutting embedded roots and debris as the first and second jaws are pulled away from the embedded roots and debris, such as when the vehicle is driven in a reverse direction. A U-shaped crossmember is attached to at least one of the first and second jaws. The U-shaped crossmember has slots cut therein to hold the plurality of first curved bars in a spaced relationship. One or more edges of the U-shaped crossmember has serrations facing toward the other jaw. In a preferred embodiment, the U-shaped crossmember has serrations at both ends of the U-shaped profile.
• Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are not limits of the present invention, and wherein:
• FIG.1 is a front perspective view of a grapple, in accordance with a first embodiment of the prior art;
• FIG.2 is a front perspective view of an upper jaw of a grapple, in accordance with a second embodiment of the prior art;
• FIG.3 is a rear perspective view of the upper jaw of the grapple ofFIG.2;
• FIG.4 is a front perspective view of a grapple, in accordance with a third embodiment of the prior art;
• FIG.5 is a top view of a flat, crossmember prior to bending, in accordance with the present invention;
• FIG.6 is a front perspective view of the crossmember ofFIG.5 after a bending operation;
• FIG.7 is a rear perspective view of the crossmember ofFIG.6;
• FIG.7A is a side view of a crossmember formed by a stepped bending process;
• FIG.8 is a front, top perspective view of a grapple in an open state with the crossmember ofFIGS.6 and7 attached thereto;
• FIG.9 is a rear, bottom perspective view of the grapple ofFIG.8;
• FIG.10 is a side view of the grapple ofFIGS.8 and9;
• FIG.11 is a front, top perspective view of the grapple ofFIGS.8-10 in a closed state;
• FIG.12 is a side view of the grapple ofFIG.11; and
• FIG.13 is a front, top perspective view of a grapple bucket in an open state with the crossmember ofFIGS.6 and7 attached thereto.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention now is described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
• Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. In the figures, the thickness of certain lines, layers, components, elements or features may be exaggerated for clarity. Broken lines illustrate optional features or operations unless specified otherwise.
• The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the specification and relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.
• As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, phrases such as “between X and Y” and “between about X and Y” should be interpreted to include X and Y. As used herein, phrases such as “between about X and Y” mean “between about X and about Y.” As used herein, phrases such as “from about X to Y” mean “from about X to about Y.”
• It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on”, “attached” to, “connected” to, “coupled” with, “contacting”, etc., another element, it can be directly on, attached to, connected to, coupled with or contacting the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being, for example, “directly on”, “directly attached” to, “directly connected” to, “directly coupled” with or “directly contacting” another element, there are no intervening elements present. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature that is disposed “adjacent” another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.
• Spatially relative terms, such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”, “upper”, “lateral”, “left”, “right” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature’s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is inverted, elements described as “under” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “over” the other elements or features. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the descriptors of relative spatial relationships used herein interpreted accordingly.
• FIG.5 is a top view of a flat,crossmember101 prior to bending, in accordance with the present invention. Thecrossmember101 is formed of an abrasion resistant steel, like HARDOX® 450, which is approximately 3/16 of an inch thick. However, other thicknesses of a greater or lesser value are possible, such as ⅛, ¼, 5/16 or ⅜ of an inch. HARDOX® 450 is produced by SSAB, based in Oxelosund, Sweden. HARDOX® 450 has excellent structural properties and a nominal hardness of 450 HBW, which meets the standards of EN 10029, 10051 and 10131.
• Thecross member101 has first and secondlongitudinal edges103 and105, and first and second end edges107 and109. Each of the first and secondlongitudinal edges103 and105 is longer than each of the first and second end edges107 and109. For example, each of the first and second end edges may have a width W1 of approximately four to twelve inches, such as five to eight inches, like six inches. Each of the first and second longitudinal edges may have a length L of about six to twelve times the width W1, such in the range of eight to eleven times the width W1 or about 48 to 72 inches long. For example, lengths L could be set at about 55 inches, 60 inches or 66 inches.
• A plurality ofserrations111 are formed along a length of the firstlongitudinal edge103. In a preferred embodiment, theserrations111 are also formed along a length the secondlongitudinal edge105. A first plurality ofslots113 are cut into the firstlongitudinal edge103 and a second plurality ofslots115 are cut into the secondlongitudinal edge105. Each slot of the first and second pluralities ofslots113 and115 has an opening width OW. The opening width OW may be on the order of slightly greater than ⅛ to ½ inch, such as slightly greater than 3/16 to ⅜ inch . The opening width OW will be explained in more detail hereinafter. In the embodiment depicted inFIGS.8-13, the first plurality ofslots113 number eight and the second plurality ofslots115 number eight, and the slots are aligned with each other on the first and secondlongitudinal edges103 and105.
• FIG.6 is a front perspective view of thecrossmember101 ofFIG.5 after a bending operation, andFIG.7 is a rear perspective view of the crossmember ofFIG.6. In a preferred embodiment, the bend in thecrossmember101 is a continuous curve and causes the first and second end edges107 and109 to become curved. Thecrossmember101 shows a substantially U-shaped, cross-sectional profile, which is uniform across the length L of thecrossmember101. The first and secondlongitudinal edges103 and105 become closer together at a distance of W2, where W2 is in the range of two to four inches, such as in the range of two and a half to three inches, like 2⅞ inches. Abase117 of the U-shaped, cross-sectional profile is formed at the midway point of the length W2.
• The firstlongitudinal edge103 faces in afirst direction119 and the secondlongitudinal edge105 faces in asecond direction121, which is angled between one hundred twenty degrees to two hundred twenty degrees from its initial orientation when thecrossmember101 was flat inFIG.5. In the embodiment ofFIGS.6 and7, thesecond direction121 is angled approximately one hundred eighty degrees from its initial position, such that the first and secondlongitudinal edges103 and105 face in parallel first andsecond directions119 and121. However, it is not necessary that the first and secondlongitudinal edges103 and105 face in parallel first andsecond directions119 and121, as will be described in connection with the embodiment ofFIG.7A.
• FIG.7A is a side view of thefirst end edge107 of acrossmember101A formed by a stepped bending process instead of a continuous bending process. The stepped bending process can approximate a continuous curve about a center of a radius of curvature CRC. For example, thirteen bends123-1 through123-13 may be located at twelve intervals spaced 15 degrees apart about the center of the radius of curvature CRC. The solid lines inFIG.7A depict that the first and secondlongitudinal edges103 and105 face in parallel first andsecond directions119 and121, i.e., the stepped bending process has resulted in thesecond edge105 facing one hundred eighty degrees away from its initial orientation when thecrossmember101 was flat inFIG.5. With thirteen bends123-1 through123-13, each bend angle would be about 13.85 degrees.
• It possible for the first and secondlongitudinal edges103 and105 to face in non-parallel directions in either the continuous bending embodiment or the stepped bending embodiment. For example, if the stepped bending process stops at the ninth bend123-9, the secondlongitudinal edge105 would face a second direction121', which is approximately one hundred twenty-five degrees relative to its initial orientation when thecrossmember101 was flat inFIG.5. Also, if an additional angle of twenty degrees were add to the thirteenth bend123-13, or more preferably if the uniform bend angle of 13.85 degrees of bends123-1 through123-13 were increased to a uniform bend angle of about 15.38 degrees, the secondlongitudinal edge105 would face asecond direction121″, which is approximately two hundred degrees relative to its initial orientation when thecrossmember101 was flat inFIG.5.
• During the bending operations to produce thecrossmember101 and101A ofFIGS.6,7 and7A, it has been noted that 3/16 inch thick HARDOX 450 as a spring back of about 12%. In other words, if a press bends an angle of 10 degrees into the plate and then releases the plate, the plate will spring back toward being flat and the resulting angle will be about 8.8 degrees. Therefore, spring back is accounted for in the continuous and stepped bending processes.
• FIG.7 best illustrates that the first and secondlongitudinal edges103 and105 and theserrations111 thereon recess toward thebase117 of the U-shaped, cross-sectional profile between adjacent slots of the first and second pluralities ofslots113 and115. For example, the maximum recess distance RD occurs midway between adjacent slots of the first and second pluralities ofslots113 and115. The recesses between adjacent slots of the first and second pluralities ofslots113 and115 are caused by gradual curves and produce a lateral sawing action on the debris and roots to be gripped that will be further explained hereinafter.
• FIG.8 is a front, top perspective view of agrapple131 in an open state with thecrossmember101 ofFIGS.6 and7 attached thereto.FIG.9 is a rear, bottom perspective view of thegrapple131 ofFIG.8, andFIG.10 is a side view of thegrapple131 ofFIGS.8 and9. Hereinafter, it should be understood that thecross member101A ofFIG.7A may be substituted into any of the illustrated configurations of thegrapple131, as desired.
• Thegrapple131 is considered an attachment for an industrial or farm vehicle, such as a skid steer or a farm tractor. Thegrapple131 includes anupper jaw133 formed of a plurality of first grapplingbars135, and alower jaw137 formed of a plurality of second grappling bars139. Each of the plurality of first grapplingbars135 has a same inner profile characterized by a curvedinner edge141 facing to thelower jaw137 andserrations143 formed along at least a portion of theinner edge141. Each of the plurality of second grapplingbars139 has a same inner profile characterized by a curvedinner edge145 facing to theupper jaw133 andserrations147 formed along at least a portion of theinner edge145.
• The plurality of second grapplingbars139 may be held together in an aligned configuration to form thelower jaw137 by two or more crossbeams, like a round closedtubular crossbeam149 and square or rectangular open orclosed crossbeams151. For example, the round closedtubular crossbeam149 may be formed of ¼ inch drawn-over-mandrel (DOM) tubing, which provides high structural strength and has high weld strength. The plurality of first grapplingbars135 may be held together in an aligned configuration by two or more crossbeams, like a round closedtubular crossbeam153 and thecrossmember101 ofFIGS.6 and7. The round closedtubular crossbeam153 may be formed of schedule 80 pipe, as it serves primarily for alignment, whereas thecross member101 provides a high degree of structural strength.
• As best seen inFIG.9, an articulatedconnection155 exists between theupper jaw133 and thelower jaw137. The articulatedconnection155 may include first and second alignedaxles157 and159 attaching two or more of the plurality of first grapplingbars135 to two or more of the plurality of second grappling bars139.FIGS.8-10 show thegrapple131 in an open state, which is caused by a first end of an actuator, e.g., one or more hydraulic cylinders, pushing or pulling onactuation openings161 formed in the rearward ends of two or more of the plurality of first grapplingbars135, while the other end of the actuator is anchored to thelower jaw137 and/or a mounting bracket on the vehicle.
• FIG.11 is a front, top perspective view of thegrapple131 ofFIGS.8-10 in a closed state.FIG.12 is a side view of thegrapple131 ofFIG.11. In the closed state, the actuator has exerted a pushing or pulling force on theactuation openings161 to cause theupper jaw133 to move toward thelower jaw137. The plurality of first grapplingbars135 of theupper jaw133 may contact thelower jaw137, e.g., the round closedtubular crossbeam149, or may be partially spaced therefrom, due to a range of motion limitation of the actuators attached to theactuation openings161.
• As previously mentioned, thecross member101 has a first plurality of slots113-1 through113-8 formed into the firstlongitudinal edge103 and a second plurality of slots115-1 through115-8 formed into the secondlongitudinal edge105. Theslots113/115 are linearly aligned, e.g., slot113-3 is linearly aligned with slot115-3 across the cross section of thecrossmember101. The opening width OW of eachslot113/115 is slightly greater than a thickness of each of the first grapplingbars135, e.g., the opening width OW of the slots113-3 and115-3 is slightly greater than the thickness of the first grappling bar135-3.
• InFIGS.8-12, thecross member101 is installed onto theupper jaw133 by inserting the first grappling bars135-1 through135-8 into the corresponding and aligned first and second pluralities ofslots113/115-1 through113/115-8. Thecrossmember101 is then attached to the first grappling bars135-1 through135-8 of theupper jaw133 by welding joints on at least one side, and preferably both sides, of each of the first and second pluralities ofslots113/115-1 through113/115-8. Once attached, the first and secondlongitudinal edges103 and105 face toward thelower jaw137, and thebase117 of the U-shaped, cross-sectional profile faces away from thelower jaw137.
• In operation, thecrossmember101 extends perpendicular to a travel direction of the vehicle operating thegrapple131. The plurality of second grapplingbars139 of thelower jaw137 extend parallel to the travel direction of the vehicle. With theupper jaw131 in the open position, the vehicle is driven forward and the forward tips of the plurality of second grapplingbars139 are driven into the ground where roots of a bush or tree are present or into a pile of debris. The forward tips of the plurality of second grapplingbars139 may be triple layered with laminated steel for reinforcement. Theserrations147 on the tops of the plurality of second grapplingbars139 assist in ripping up ground and cutting through or into roots or a debris pile.
• Theupper jaw133 is then moved toward the closed position closer to thelower jaw137 to pinch roots and debris between the upper andlower jaws133 and137, and the vehicle is driven in reverse. Sometimes, the roots will have been cut through or nearly through and will pull free or break free from the ground as the vehicle is driven in reverse and thegrapple131 will then leave the dig area with a full bite of root debris to move to another location for dumping.
• Often the roots are not cut through entirely, and the roots are strong enough to hold into the ground, at which point the vehicle’s wheels or drive tracks spin or the vehicle stalls when the vehicle is driven in reverse. In other words, thegrapple131 will not be able to be reverse driven away from the dig site. At this point, it is common to drive the vehicle in the forward and reverse directions several times, attempting to further cut or loosen the roots engaged to the pluralities of first and second grapplingbars135 and139 of thegrapple131.
• With the grapples depicted in the prior art ofFIGS.1-3, embedded roots will tend to slip out of the grasp of the upper and lower jaws because the engaging surfaces of thecrossmembers8 and15-1 are smooth. Drag force is generated when a portion of the pinched object extending outside of the grapple engages the ground and is drug along the top surface of the ground. Drag force may also be caused by embedded roots or debris in the ground. The drag force will tend to pull the object out of the grapple, which may also free other loose objects within the grasp of the grapple. In other words, if a root is pinched against the box-shapedcross member8 inFIG.1 or the round crossmember15-1 inFIG.2 the root can easily slide over and past thecrossmember8 or15-1. This results in the grapple ofFIGS.1-3 not pulling a full bite of roots or debris from the ground or debris pile when roots or debris are embedded into the ground or debris pile.
• With the present invention,serrations111 are formed along the first and secondlongitudinal edges103 and105 of thecrossmember101 or101A of theupper jaw133, which serrations111 face to thelower jaw137. Theserrations111 increase friction by digging into the surface of the objects to be picked up, e.g., by slightly penetrating into the roots. Also, the first and secondlongitudinal edges103 and105 and theserrations111 thereon have a radius of curvature, with a recessed area midway between theslots113 and115 holding the first grappling bars135. The radius of curvature will tend to push loose roots and debris toward the center of the area between the first grapplingbars135 as theupper jaw133 is closed relative to thelower jaw137. This movement of roots and debris will cut a slight notch into the roots and debris. The notch will then be captured on theserration111 of the first or secondlongitudinal edges103 and/or105, as the vehicle is reverse driven and will act as a stop surface so that the root or debris does not easily slide free of thecrossmember101. Hence, more pulling force is applied to the root or debris to dislodge it free from the soil or pile.
• During the forward and reverse driving of the vehicle, thecrossmember101 is close to the ground and oriented perpendicular to forward and reverse driving directions. Hence, thecrossmember101 is fully exposed to damage as a solid and embedded rock, foundation or pole could impact the cross member at thebase117 of the U-shaped, cross-sectional profile when driven in the forward direction or atserrations111 when driven in the reverse direction. Like the square ortubular crossmembers8 or15-1 of the prior art ofFIGS.1-3, thecrossmember101 of the present invention has an arch shaped profile at thebase117 of the U-shaped, cross-sectional profile to resist bending if impacted when the vehicle drives in the forward direction. Also, thecrossmember101 of the present invention has long linear sidewalls behind the first and secondlongitudinal edges103 and105, which are approximately perpendicular to the direction of any impact occurring when the vehicle is driven in the reverse direction.
• With the grapple depicted in the prior art ofFIG.4, theflat plates31 between the grapple bars35 would be impacted nearly perpendicular to the plane of theflat plates31 by embedded objects and would be much more susceptible to bends and distortions. Any bends in theflat plates31 could lead to breaks or bends to the grappling bars35, which could place the actuators into a bind causing a leakage of hydraulic fluid and failure of the actuator of thegrapple21.
• FIG.13 is a front, top perspective view of a grapplebucket attachment171 in an open state with thecrossmember101 ofFIGS.6 and7 attached thereto. The grapplebucket171 has anupper jaw133 the same as shown inFIGS.8-12. However, the lower jaw is formed as abucket173, instead of interconnected second grappling bars139. As previously noted, the articulatedconnection155 may include first and second alignedaxles157 and159 attaching two or more of the plurality of first grapplingbars135 to two or moreupstanding ears175 of thebucket173.
• Thebucket173 includes a substantially planar,bottom panel177, and first and second upwardly extendingend walls179 and181 attached to opposing side ends of thebottom panel177. Afront lip183, optionally reinforced by laminated steel plating, is formed at a forward end of thebottom panel177, and abackstop wall185 extends upwardly from a rearward end of thebottom panel177. In the case of landscaping cleanup, thebucket173 may serve to be more useful to scoop up smaller debris, e.g., pinecones, small rocks and small twigs, where larger limbs and bushes reside on the top of the debris pile to be engaged by theupper jaw133 and pressed toward thebucket173. In the case of construction cleanup, thebucket173 may serve to be more useful to scoop up smaller debris, e.g., broken bricks, shingles and glass, where lumber framing and fixtures reside on the top of the debris pile to be engaged by theupper jaw133 and pressed toward thebucket173.
• Thecrossmember101 has been shown as attaching the plurality of first grapplingbars135 together along one lateral position of the plurality of first grappling bars135. However, it would be possible to attach the plurality of first grapplingbars135 together along two lateral positions by attaching twocrossmembers101 to the plurality of first grapplingbars135 of thefirst jaw133. Theserrations111 of the addedsecond crossmember101 would face toward thelower jaw137 to enhance the gripping force applied to pinched debris within thegrapple131 or grapplebucket171.
• Moreover, it would be within the teachings of the present invention to use one ormore crossmembers101 to attach together the plurality of second grapplingbars139 of thegrapple131. Theserrations111 of the crossmember(s)101 added to thelower jaw137 would face to theupper jaw133 to enhance the gripping force applied to pinched debris within thegrapple131.
• Although eight grapplingbars135 are shown in theupper jaw133, more or fewer grapplingbars135 may be used, such as four, five, six, seven, nine or ten.
• The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (20)

1. An attachment for an industrial or farm vehicle, said attachment comprising:

an upper jaw formed of a plurality of first grappling bars;

a lower jaw formed of a plurality of second grappling bars;

an articulated connection between said upper jaw and said lower jaw; and

a crossmember that extends between and is attached to at least first, second and third grappling bars included in either said plurality of first grappling bars or in said plurality of second grappling bars, wherein said crossmember has a substantially U-shaped, cross-sectional profile.

2. The attachment according toclaim 1, wherein said crossmember has first and second longitudinal edges and first and second end edges, wherein said first and second end edges are curved and show said substantially U-shaped, cross-sectional profile of said crossmember, and wherein each of said first and second longitudinal edges is longer than each of said first and second side edges.

3. The attachment according toclaim 2, wherein said first, second and third grappling bars are included in said plurality of first grappling bars of said upper jaw, and wherein said first and second longitudinal edges face toward said lower jaw, and a curved base of said U-shaped, cross-sectional profile faces away from said lower jaw.

4. The attachment according toclaim 3, further comprising:

a plurality of serrations formed along a length of said first longitudinal edge.

5. The attachment according toclaim 4, further comprising:

a first plurality of slots cut into said first longitudinal edge and a second plurality of slots cut into said second longitudinal edge, wherein a width of each slot of said first and second pluralities of slots is sufficient to accept a width of one of said first, second or third grappling bars therein.

6. The attachment according toclaim 5, wherein said first plurality of slots number eight and said second plurality of slots number eight, and wherein in addition to said first, second and third grappling bars, said upper jaw includes fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grappling bars, and wherein each of said first through eighth grappling bars is welded into one of said first plurality of slots and one of said second plurality of slots.

7. The attachment according toclaim 5, wherein said first longitudinal edge and said serrations thereon recess toward said base of said U-shaped, cross-sectional profile between adjacent slots of said first plurality of slots.

8. The attachment according toclaim 1, wherein said first longitudinal edge faces in a first direction and said second longitudinal edge faces in a second direction, which is within plus or minus thirty degrees to being parallel to the first direction.

9. The attachment according toclaim 8, wherein the second direction is substantially parallel to the first direction.

10. The attachment according toclaim 1, wherein each of said plurality of first grappling bars has a same inner profile characterized by a curved inner edge facing to said lower jaw and serrations formed along at least a portion of said inner edge.

11. The attachment according toclaim 10, wherein each of said plurality of second grappling bars has a same inner profile characterized by a curved inner edge facing to said upper jaw and serrations formed along at least a portion of said inner edge.

12. An attachment for an industrial or farm vehicle, said attachment comprising:

an upper jaw formed of a plurality of grappling bars;

a lower jaw formed as a bucket;

an articulated connection between said upper jaw and said bucket; and

a crossmember that extends between and is attached to at least first, second and third grappling bars included in said plurality of grappling bars, wherein said crossmember has a substantially U-shaped, cross-sectional profile.

13. The attachment according toclaim 12, wherein said bucket includes a substantially planar, bottom panel, first and second upwardly extending end walls attached to opposing side ends of said bottom panel, a front lip on a forward end of said bottom panel and a backstop wall extending upwardly from a rearward end of said bottom panel.

14. The attachment according toclaim 12, wherein said crossmember has first and second longitudinal edges and first and second end edges, wherein said first and second end edges are curved and show said substantially U-shaped, cross-sectional profile of said crossmember, wherein each of said first and second longitudinal edges is longer than each of said first and second side edges, and wherein said first and second longitudinal edges face toward said bucket, and a curved base of said U-shaped, cross-sectional profile faces away from said bucket.

15. The attachment according toclaim 14, further comprising:

a plurality of serrations formed along a length of said first longitudinal edge; and

a first plurality of slots cut into said first longitudinal edge and a second plurality of slots cut into said second longitudinal edge, wherein a width of each slot of said first and second pluralities of slots is sufficient to accept a width of one of said first, second or third grappling bars therein.

16. The attachment according toclaim 15, wherein said first plurality of slots number eight and said second plurality of slots number eight, and wherein in addition to said first, second and third grappling bars, said upper jaw includes fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grappling bars, and wherein each of said first through eighth grappling bars is welded into one of said first plurality of slots and one of said second plurality of slots.

17. The attachment according toclaim 15, wherein each of said plurality of grappling bars has a same inner profile characterized by a curved inner edge facing to said bucket and serrations formed along at least a portion of said inner edge.

18. An attachment for an industrial or farm vehicle, said attachment comprising:

an upper jaw formed of a plurality of grappling bars;

a lower jaw;

an articulated connection between said upper jaw and said lower jaw; and

a crossmember that extends between and is attached to at least first, second and third grappling bars included in said plurality of grappling bars, wherein said crossmember has a substantially U-shaped, cross-sectional profile.

19. The attachment according toclaim 18, wherein said plurality of grappling bars is a first plurality of grappling bars, and wherein said lower jaw is formed of a plurality of second grappling bars.

20. The attachment according toclaim 18, wherein said lower jaw is formed as a bucket, and further comprising:

plurality of slots cut into said crossmember, wherein a width of each slot is sufficient to accept a width of one of said first, second or third grappling bars therein.

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