Pole handling apparatus

Pole or mast handling apparatus adapted for mounting on a loader type vehicle, such as a tractor mounted loader or skid steer type loader having one or more booms movable between reclined position and an elevated position, the booms including a support member mounted at a distal end and positionable with respect to the booms. The apparatus includes a frame for mounting on the support member and a pair of pole grasping jaws which are selectively operable by a hydraulic actuator to move between pole grasping and non-grasping positions. The booms and support member may be oriented such that the apparatus is in a position to grasp a pole in a reclined position and by raising the boom and retracting the support member, rotate the apparatus so that the pole is in an erect position for placement in a receptacle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Elongated pole or mast structures, such as flagpoles, utility poles, light standards, sign posts and similar structures, are difficult to handle with respect to placing the pole erect in a working position or removing the pole from a working position. Typically, such structures are manipulated by cranes supporting block and tackle type rigging connected to the pole to be handled. However, this type of handling of elongated flagpoles, for example, is difficult and somewhat hazardous.

Accordingly, there has been a need to develop equipment or apparatus for handling elongated pole-like structures, such as flagpoles, utility poles, masts and similar structures. It is to these ends that the present invention has been developed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a pole handling apparatus useful for placing poles, such as flag poles, in their working positions and removing such poles from their working positions.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention an apparatus is provided for attachment to or including a so-called loader, such as a tractor type loader or a skid steer type loader vehicle. Such vehicles are typically provided with spaced apart moveable booms which may be raised and lowered by hydraulic actuators, for example. The boom distal ends are adapted to pivotally support a support member for connection of a loader bucket or other attachments, for example to the booms. The apparatus of the present invention is advantageously mountable on the aforementioned support member, which support member is moveable with respect to the aforementioned booms by additional actuators, such as hydraulic cylinder and piston assemblies. Still further, the apparatus of the invention includes a frame for attachment to the loader support member and pair of jaws moveable relative to each other between pole clamping and non-clamping positions. The pole clamping jaws are mounted on an elongated support beam which places the jaws laterally to one side of the loader booms and the jaws and other structure may be counter-weighted by an adjustable counterweight mechanism which extends from an opposite side of the apparatus of the present invention.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the aforementioned apparatus is particularly advantageously configured in conjunction with the moveable booms for grasping a pole in a horizontal reclined position, and extending the loader booms or arms, as well as the member supporting the apparatus frame for rotating the pole from a reclined position to a substantially erect or vertically oriented position or placement in another working position of the pole. The jaws of the pole handling apparatus are controlled by an actuator which may be a pressure fluid actuator, such as a hydraulic cylinder type actuator, and may be controlled by the operator of the loader vehicle or apparatus to selectively grip the pole and release the pole sufficiently to allow placement of the pole in it working position. The apparatus of the present invention provides several advantages including operation in conjunction with so-called loader type vehicles of various types which include one or more moveable booms and a support member moveable relative to the boom or booms. The apparatus is relatively mechanically uncomplicated and durable and may be adjusted for handling poles of a wide variety of diameters, lengths, and weights, for example.

Those skilled in the art will further appreciate the above-mentioned advantages and superior features of the invention together with other important aspects thereof upon reading the detailed description which follows in conjunction with the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the description which follows like parts are marked throughout the specification and drawing with the same reference numerals, respectively. The drawing figures may not be to scale and certain features may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form in the interest of clarity and conciseness.

Referring toFIG. 1, there is illustrated the invention in combination with an apparatus particularly useful for and comprising, essentially, a part of the invention. An exemplary embodiment of an apparatus is disclosed herein and is generally designated by the numeral10. The apparatus10is commonly referred to as a loader and includes a self propelled, motorized, chassis12, spaced apart support wheels14and16and an operators cab18. The apparatus10may take various forms, but one apparatus useful as part of or in conjunction with the invention is a so-called skid steer type loader. One useful embodiment of the apparatus10is a 300 series skid steer loader manufactured by Deere & Company, Moline, Ill. and characterized as a self propelled skid steer vehicle which supports spaced apart moveable booms20and22, seeFIG. 4also.

Booms20and22may be identical or mirror image parts with respect to each other and only boom20is shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. Booms20and22are mounted on chassis12for movement with respect thereto by linkages or arms23, one shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, which arms are pivotably connected to chassis12at one end and to booms20and22at an opposite end, respectively, and as indicated by pivot points23aand23bfor boom20,FIG. 2. The booms20and22may be moved between a somewhat reclined or intermediate position, as shown inFIG. 1, to a more elevated position by pressure fluid actuators, such as hydraulic cylinder and piston type actuators24, one shown in the drawingFIGS. 1 and 2. Actuators24are operator controlled for moving the booms20and22at will.

Booms20and22are provided with distal ends20aand22a, seeFIG. 4also, which are each pivotably connected to a support member26extending therebetween. Support member26may be moved relative to the booms20and22by additional pressure fluid actuators comprising hydraulic piston and cylinder type actuators28aand28b, suitably operably connected between respective booms20and22and support member26, again, seeFIG. 4. Support member26may take various configurations but one configuration operable with the present invention comprises a support member frame part27,FIG. 6, and one or more spaced apart support plates28each having a somewhat diamond or triangular shaped upper end29, and a lower flange31,FIG. 6.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the articulation structure of the loader10may be, essentially, reproduced in other self-propelled vehicles, such as conventional tractors, other off-road vehicles and other types of so-called skid steer vehicles wherein the apparatus of the invention essentially requires one or more movable booms and a support member mounted at a distal end of the boom and movable relative to the boom for manipulation of the apparatus of the invention.

Referring further toFIGS. 1 and 2, the invention includes a pole grasping and handling apparatus, generally designated by the numeral30. Apparatus30includes a frame32, seeFIGS. 1,4and6, characterized by an elongated plate-like member34which is configured with a somewhat diamond or triangular shaped recess36for receiving corresponding diamond or triangular shaped projections29on the support member26, as illustrated. Plate member34may conform somewhat to the shape of the support member28and may include one or more spaced apart recesses38, one shown inFIG. 6for receiving bosses28cof support plate28, one shown, which bosses are hollow and may project through the recesses or openings38and are operable to be locked in position by one or more removable keys28d,FIG. 6, for example. Frame32further includes spaced apart gussets40secured to plate34and to an elongated tubular beam42of apparatus30.

Referring further toFIGS. 3 and 4, one end of beam42is connected to a transversely extending tubular post member44which supports spaced apart pole grasping jaw support plates46and48. Support plates46and48are fixed to post44and are not moveable relative to each other. Support plates46and48support moveable pole grasping jaw support plates50and52,FIG. 3, which are essentially identical in shape as are the plates46and48with respect to each other. Jaw support plates50and52are interconnected by a square cross section post member54,FIGS. 3 and 4, and are also pivotally connected to the jaw support plates46and48at a pivot pin56.

As further shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, apparatus30includes an actuator58, preferably comprising a hydraulic cylinder and piston type actuator, which is secured at one end58ato a member42csecured to tubular beam42. The opposite or piston rod end58bof actuator58is suitably secured to post member54whereby, in response to extension of the actuator58, the jaw support plates50and52move in unison in a counterclockwise director, viewingFIG. 4, with respect to the pivot connection at pivot pin56. InFIGS. 3 and 4, the jaws of the apparatus30, supported by the sets of support plates46,48and50,52are in a closed position grasping a flag pole60, for example.

Referring further toFIGS. 3 and 4, the apparatus30includes pole grasping jaws62and64. Jaw62is supported by and between support plates46and48and jaw64is supported by and between movable jaw support plates50and52. Jaws62and64may be formed by right angle steel metal shapes, for example. Jaws62and64may be provided with suitable non-abrasive replaceable jaw liners66, respectively to prevent marring or denting an aesthetically pleasing pole, such as an elongated flag pole.

Referring still further toFIGS. 3,4and5, the tubular beam42is adapted to support and receive a telescoping counterweight beam member43which is shown received within tubular beam42in the drawing figures. Counterweight beam43supports plural disc-like counterweights45at its distal end and which are removably retained connected to the distal end of counterweight beam43by a suitable retainer47. Moreover, the position of the counterweights45with respect to the support member26may be adjusted by moving the counterweight beam43longitudinally within the tubular beam42to a selected position and retaining the counterweight beam in its selected position by one or more removable retaining pins70, one shown inFIG. 5.

Retaining pin70may be selectively located within one or more openings72,FIG. 4, formed in tubular beam42. One or more corresponding openings73may be formed in beam43and, when selected openings72and73are aligned with each other, permit insertion of the retaining pin or pins70, as shown inFIG. 5, for example. In this way, depending upon the length and weight of a pole to be handled by the apparatus30, the apparatus may be stabilized by positioning the counterweights45at a greater or lesser distance from the support member26and also positioned closer to or further from a centerline of the vehicle or apparatus10, for example.

In the operation of the apparatus10,30the frame34is suitably connected to the support member26, as shown inFIG. 6, and the booms20and22positioned generally as indicated inFIG. 1, for pickup of a pole, such as the pole60. In this position the booms20and22may be at least partially elevated by their respective actuators24and the support member26may be moved to a position generally parallel to the ground surface11on which the apparatus10is disposed by extension of the actuators28aand28bto pivot the frame30into the position shown with the jaws62and64extending substantially horizontally in a position to grasp the pole60. Jaws62and64are moved relative to each other by actuation of the actuator58which may be carried out by the operator of the apparatus10along with operation of the actuators24,28aand28b.

As shown inFIG. 3, for example, an auxiliary hydraulic circuit, commonly available on apparatus such as the apparatus10, is operable to supply pressure fluid to the actuator58via a reversible control valve80which may include a manual or operator controlled actuator82. Pressure fluid is provided by a pump84and an exemplary hydraulic reservoir86is operable to receive hydraulic fluid from a return line or circuit88while hydraulic fluid is supplied by way of the valve80to the actuator58through a supply line90. The amount of grip applied to the pole60may be controlled by the operator of the apparatus10by way of the control valve80,82. Accordingly, with a pole, such as the pole60, resting in a reclined position, the apparatus10may be positioned adjacent to the pole and the booms20,22manipulated to position the jaws62,64generally over or above the pole and with the jaws in an open position lower the booms20,22to place the jaws in a position to grasp the pole when the actuator58retracts its piston rod to the position shown inFIG. 4. Once the pole60is firmly grasped, the apparatus10may move the pole to a location for insertion in the ground11or other structure and then raise the booms20,22to, generally, the position shown inFIG. 2. Once the booms20and22have been raised to a suitable elevation so that the lower end60aof pole60will clear the ground11, the actuators28aand28bmay be retracted to a position which will orient the support member26with its support plate28substantially vertical which will place the frame32also in a substantially vertical position as shown inFIGS. 2 and 6whereby the jaws62and64are also now extending substantially vertically. The apparatus10may be moved to a selected position for placement of the pole60in a suitable receptacle, such as a hole11ain the earth's surface,FIG. 2, after suitable preparation of the hole. With the pole60positioned as shown inFIG. 2, the operator may relax pressure on the cylinder actuator58to allow the jaws62and64to relax their grip on the pole60and allow same to slide downwardly into the aforementioned receptacle. Once the pole60is stabilized in its working position, the actuator58may be operated to rotate the jaw64away from the jaw62sufficiently to allow the apparatus to be moved away from the pole whereby the booms20,22may then be lowered and the apparatus10placed in a selected position for its next operation.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that, for retrieving a pole from its working position to a reclining or transport position, the order of steps described above may be substantially reversed. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the apparatus10,30is particularly versatile for handling pole like structures such as flag poles, utility poles, and other mast-like structures, all of which present certain problems in handling for movement between a reclined position and an erect working position. The apparatus of the invention is operable to handle poles of various configurations including poles of various cross sectional shapes including circular, square, octagonal and other shapes used for elongated pole structures. Moreover, the actuators described herein, including actuator58, may be other than pressure fluid operated.

The fabrication of the apparatus30, in particular, may be carried out using conventional manufacturing techniques and engineering materials used for construction equipment and the like and also using conventional components, such as hydraulic cylinder and piston type actuators and associated control elements.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in detail herein, those skilled in the art will recognize that various substitutions and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.