Patent ID: 6244643
Filing Date: 2001-06-12
Classification: B66C

Abstract:
A grapple device for attachment to the lifting arms of a loading vehicle comprising:a linearly extending rear frame section including means at one end thereof for mounting the device to the lifting arms of the vehicle;an intermediate frame section pivotably mounted to said rear frame section for rotational movement relative thereto about a first axis in a first plane parallel to the lengthwise axis of said rear frame sections and means for actuating and controlling said rotational motion of the intermediate frame section;a transversely extending front frame section pivotably mounted to said intermediate frame section for motion about a second axis, forwardly displaced from said first axis, in a second plane perpendicular to said first plane, and means for actuating and controlling said rotational motion of the front frame section; andgripping means associated with said front frame section, comprising a pair of transversely spaced gripping paddle arms extending forwardly from said front frame section, hydraulic cylinder actuators connected between said front frame section and respective outer surfaces of said paddle arms, a bumper plate positioned between the gripping paddle arms and a toggle linkage connecting rear pivot connections on said bumper plate to corresponding pivot connections on said gripping paddle arms,such that hydraulically actuated closing of the paddle arms causes forward linear movement of said bumper plate to engage a load gripped by the paddle blades.