Patent ID: 6572324
Filing Date: 2003-06-03
Classification: E02F,Y10S

Abstract:
A transversely driven projection and retraction assembly disposed by attachment within a loading bucket comprising two sides and a bottom and frontally connected to a utility vehicle, the assembly comprising:a fixed frame; a moveable frame; a plurality of spears, each attached at its rear end to the moveable frame at a point along the length thereof and disposed to project from it in a forward direction; a hydraulic piston cylinder supplied by reciprocal hydraulic feeder lines, transversely disposed in free-floating manner within and with reference to the bucket and comprising in turn a piston rod disposed to project therefrom and retract thereinto; a transverse projection shaft comprising opposing extensions, a first thereof attached at one end to the piston rod and the second, to the end of the piston cylinder opposite that from which the piston rod projects; a plurality of spreading links arrayed generally in a horizontal plane to as to provide rearwardly disposed and forwardly disposed members thereof, a first end of each link pivotally attached to a respective projection shaft extension at a point along the length thereof, a second end of each rearwardly disposed link pivotally connected to the fixed frame at a relatively corresponding point therealong and a second end of each forwardly disposed link pivotally attached to the moveable frame, the forwardly disposed links comprising relative correspondence with reference to one another and the rearwardly disposed links comprising relative correspondence to one another; the connections within the array being such as to dispose the moveable frame in scissor-like fashion at positions more proximate or more distal the fixed frame so as to provide frame dispositions in closed and open positions as well as at any intermediate point between them; whereby a utility vehicle operator may by empowering the hydraulic cylinder cause the moveable frame and attached spears to perform various farm tasks requiring projection and retraction movement.