Patent ID: 6659709
Filing Date: 2003-12-09
Classification: E02F,Y10S

Abstract:
A device comprising:an articulated assembly, having a boom and a stick, the boom and stick being joined at respective first ends, and being rotatable with respect to each other around a common joint; a first tool, affixed to a second end of the stick, and rotatable, with respect to the stick, around a pivot point; a rack for attaching a second tool, having first and second ends, affixed at the first end to the stick, adjacent to the first tool, rotatable around the pivot point, and having a range of motion around the pivot point that enable the rack to lie, at a first extreme, against the stick, and to extend, at a second extreme, away from the stick, the second end of the rack being configured to attach the second tool; a bracket attached to the rack having an aperture in a position where it may be engaged by a locking assembly when the rack is at the first extreme of its range of motion; and the locking assembly coupled to the stick, the relative positions of the locking assembly on the stick, and the bracket on the rack, being selected such, that when the rack is rotated to the first extreme of its range of motion, the bracket is in close proximity to the locking assembly, which can engage the bracket to lock the rack into a defined, stable position, the locking assembly including: a cylinder coupled to the stick; a locking pin for engaging the bracket, positioned within the cylinder, having a first end and a second end, having a retracted position in which the locking pin does not engage the bracket, and an extended position in which the first end of the locking pin extends from the cylinder and engages the bracket, and wherein the first end of the locking pin is tapered, and the angle of the taper is selected such, that as the locking pin extends to the extended position, it engages the aperture of the bracket, and draws the rack tighter to the defined, stable position; and means for moving the piston from the retracted position to the extended position, and for moving the piston from the extended position to the retracted position.