Patent ID: 7766596
Filing Date: 2010-08-03
Classification: B66F,E04F,E04G

Abstract:
1. An attachment for a telescopic material handler enabling support and manipulation of a load, the attachment comprising: a coupling section coupleable with the telescopic material handler; a gripping system that securely holds the load; a manipulation assembly supporting the gripping system and connected to the coupling section, the manipulation assembly being movable in at least five degrees of freedom independent from additional degrees of freedom provided by movements of the telescopic material handler; and an operator-controlled control system effecting control of the manipulation assembly, wherein the operator-controlled control system comprises a primary radio transmitter and a secondary radio transmitter, and wherein control of the load is transferable between the primary and secondary radio transmitters such that only one of the primary and secondary radio transmitters has control of the load at a time, the attachment further comprising control indicators providing a visual indication of which radio transmitter is in control of the load, wherein the manipulation assembly is pivotable about a first axis generally perpendicular to a ground plane, defining a first degree of freedom, the manipulation assembly comprising a main arm supporting the gripping system, wherein the main arm is pivotable about a second axis generally parallel to the ground plane, defining a second degree of freedom, the manipulation assembly further comprising a panel rotator assembly attached to the main arm via a four bar mechanism, wherein the four bar mechanism pivots the panel rotator assembly about a third axis generally parallel to the ground plane and the second axis, defining a third degree of freedom and effecting rotation of the load, wherein the gripping system is rotatable relative to the main arm by the panel rotator assembly about a fourth axis generally perpendicular to the second and third axes, defining a fourth degree of freedom and effecting rotation of the load about a normal axis, and wherein the gripping system is translatable relative to the main arm, defining a fifth degree of freedom.