Patent ID: 7160077
Filing Date: 2007-01-09
Classification: B66C,B66F

Abstract:
1. A grapple assembly for attachment to a boom assembly, the grapple assembly comprising: (a) a first pinching arm having a first end constructed for grappling an article and a second end constructed for attachment to the boom assembly at a first attachment arm connection, the first pinching arm having a first pinching arm connection; (b) a second pinching arm having a first end constructed for grappling an article and a second end constructed for attachment to the boom assembly at a second attachment arm connection, the second pinching arm having a second pinching arm connection; (c) a rotation arm including an attachment cylinder connection for attaching the rotation arm to an attachment cylinder of the boom assembly, the rotation arm having a first rotation arm connection and a second rotation arm connection, the first rotation arm connection provided on the rotation arm at a different location than the second rotation arm connection, the rotation arm also including an attachment arm connection for directly attaching the rotation arm to an attachment arm of the boom assembly; (d) a first pinching arm linkage attached to the rotation arm at the first rotation arm connection and attached to the first pinching arm at the first pinching arm connection; and (e) a second pinching arm linkage attached to the rotation arm at the second rotation arm connection and attached to the second pinching arm at the second pinching arm connection; (f) wherein rotation of the rotation arm relative to the boom assembly causes the first pinching arm and the second pinching arm to move between a closed position and an open position.