Patent ID: 6280119
Filing Date: 2001-08-28
Classification: B66C,E02F,F16L

Abstract:
A working implement for lifting and positioning successive sections of elongate workpieces, end to end, and engaging respective ends of adjoining such sections of elongate workpieces, said implement comprising:(a) a mounting assembly having an implement mounting interface adapted and configured to attach said implement to an end of a working arm of a working vehicle having a cooperating machine mounting interface for securely mounting said working implement to such working vehicle such that said working implement at all times moves as one with movement of such end of such working arm of such working vehicle;(b) a grip assembly for gripping elongate workpieces to be lifted and positioned by said working implement;(c) orienting apparatus affecting orienting of said grip assembly with respect to respective Y and Z axes of such elongate workpiece being gripped by said grip assembly, the Y and Z axes, respectively, being perpendicular to each other, the Y axis extending generally horizontally transverse to a centerline of such workpiece, the Z axis extending upwardly, perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline of such elongate workpiece; and(d) linear displacement apparatus displacing said grip assembly, and correspondingly such elongate workpiece being gripped by said grip assembly, along a longitudinal such X axis of such elongate workpiece, and thereby linearly displacing said grip assembly with respect to said mounting assembly.