Abstract:
A system to stabilize a construction vehicle having a frame and a pair of stabilizing legs with ground-engaging shoes at the ends of the legs. The stabilizing legs pivotally connect to the frame on substantially opposing sides, so that the stabilizing legs pivot upwards to a stowed position and pivot downwards to a stabilizing position where the shoe engages the ground. Further, the stabilizing legs telescope between a retracted position and an extended position. The retracted position locates the shoe closer to the vehicle and the extended position locates the shoe further from the vehicle. A pair of hydraulic cylinders connect to the respective stabilizing legs to power the telescopic movement of the stabilizing legs between the retracted position and extended position.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Applicant is not aware of any system capable of telescopically extending and retracting an outrigger shoe for construction equipment, such as, backhoe loaders. 
     OBJECTS AND FEATURES 
     A primary object and feature of the present invention is to provide a system for providing a range of ground positions to position the shoe of an outrigger so that the operator of the construction equipment can select the preferred ground position. 
     It is a further object and feature of the present invention to provide lateral movement of construction equipment where the outriggers are in the stabilizing position. 
     A further primary object and feature of the present invention is to provide such a system that is safe, efficient, trustworthy, inexpensive and handy. Other objects and features of this invention will become apparent with reference to the following descriptions. 
     CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     SUMMARY 
     Disclosed is a system to stabilize a construction vehicle having a frame and a pair of stabilizing legs with ground-engaging shoes at the ends of the legs. The stabilizing legs pivotally connect to the frame on substantially opposing sides, so that the stabilizing legs pivot upwards to a stowed position and pivot downwards to a stabilizing position where the shoe engages the ground. Further, the stabilizing legs telescope between a retracted position and an extended position. The retracted position locates the shoe closer to the vehicle and the extended position locates the shoe further from the vehicle. A pair of hydraulic cylinders connect to the respective stabilizing legs to power the telescopic movement of the stabilizing legs between the retracted position and extended position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view that illustrates a backhoe loader with an outrigger engaged with the ground after being extended to a location further from the vehicle. 
         FIG. 2  shows a top, diagrammatic view that illustrates a backhoe loader positioned near a ditch requiring extension of an outrigger to cross the ditch. 
         FIG. 3  shows a top, diagrammatic view that illustrates a backhoe loader positioned near a ditch after translating the backhoe over the ditch by retracting the extended outrigger and extending the retracted outrigger. 
         FIG. 4  shows a cross-sectional side view that illustrates the outrigger in the stowed, retracted position. 
         FIG. 5  shows a cross-sectional side view that illustrates the outrigger in the stowed, extended position. 
         FIG. 6  shows a cross-sectional side view that illustrates the outrigger in the stabilizing, retracted position. 
         FIG. 7  shows a cross-sectional side view that illustrates the outrigger in the stabilized, extended position. 
         FIG. 8  shows a schematic view that illustrates a hydraulic circuit to retrofit pre-existing construction equipment with the telescoping outrigger. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present Telescoping Outrigger Systems will now be discussed in detail with regard to the attached drawing figures, which were briefly described above. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth illustrating the Applicant&#39;s best mode for practicing the Telescoping Outrigger Systems and enabling one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the Telescoping Outrigger Systems. It will be obvious, however, to one skilled in the art that the present Telescoping Outrigger Systems may be practiced without many of these specific details. In other instances, well-known manufacturing methods, mechanical engineering considerations, hydraulic circuit considerations, fluid dynamics principals and other details have not been described in particular detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring this disclosure. 
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective view that illustrates backhoe loader  110  with outrigger  120  that may include a stabilization leg engaged with ground  130  after being extended to a location further from backhoe loader  110  across ditch  140 . System  100  shows how outriggers on backhoe loaders can extend and retract hydraulically. That is, system  100  shows how outriggers can telescope their length to provide positioning of shoe  125  across a range of ground locations to permit the operator to place shoe  125  on stable ground. Hydraulically telescoping outriggers can be helpful when shoe  125  would otherwise be positioned inside or along the edge of the ditch that the backhoe loader digs. 
     For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , backhoe loader  110  uses the bucket  150  to dig a ditch  140  in the ground  130  between building  160  and a terminus, (which is not shown), such as the street, or utility connection. It is desirable to dig ditch  140  to extend close to both building  160  and the terminus using backhoe loader  110  (and not digging manually, for example, using shovels). One way to dig ditch  140  using backhoe loader  110  would be to begin digging at the terminus and proceed toward building  160 . As the ditch approaches building  160 , backhoe loader  110  would be turned around to complete the ditch (and to avoid running into the building) by digging outwardly from the building back toward the ditch  140 . 
     Without telescoping outriggers, backhoe loader would likely place the outrigger inside the ditch (that is, not properly engaged with ground), or, immediately next to the ditch where the ground may not be stable. Without telescoping outriggers, the backhoe loader operator might need to re-position or repeatedly re-position the backhoe loader to avoid an undesirable placement of the outrigger shoe. Without the telescoping outriggers, the backhoe loader might be required to refill a portion of the ditch in order to place the outrigger stably. 
     As shown, backhoe loader  110  could avoid these problems. Backhoe loader  110  shows outrigger  120  extended beyond ditch  140  to place shoe  125  beyond ditch  140 . Without extending, outrigger  120  might be placed in ditch  140 . This shoe  125  placement relieves the need to reposition backhoe loader  110 , which may improve efficiency, for example, because the time spent repositioning the backhoe loader could be saved. This shoe  125  placement relieves the need to partially fill in ditch  140 , which may save time and improve safety, for example, because the time spent partially filling in the ditch could be saved and because more stable ground could be selected for placement of the shoe of the outrigger. 
     By allowing a wider range of placements of the shoe  125 , safety can be improved, for example, because a more stable location for placing the shoe  125  may be selected by the operator. The telescoping outrigger maintains many of the existing benefits of backhoe outriggers generally. For example, the outriggers remain stowable for easy transportation of the backhoe rigger. 
     Further, when the backhoe loader is used on uneven ground, the use of telescoping outriggers can provide additional positioning of the backhoe loader and placement of the shoe of the outrigger. 
     As shown in the exploded portion A of  FIG. 1 , the outrigger  120  can be telescoped (that is, extend or retract along a range of ground positions) and moved between stowed/stabilized positions using hydraulic cylinders. Hydraulic cylinder  127  moves outrigger  120  between a stowed position and a stabilizing position. Hydraulic cylinder  129  is shown positioned inside outrigger  120 . Hydraulic cylinder  129  extends or retracts the length of outrigger  120 , because outrigger  120  has two mating portions that slide along the long axis. 
     Backhoe loader  110  has a bucket  150  for digging and excavating on one end. Backhoe loader  110  has a loader  170  on the other end for conveying materials into transportation trucks. Backhoe loader  110  prepares for excavation by lowering loader  170  and both of its outriggers  120 , as shown, to stabilize the backhoe loader  110  while the bucket  150  moves, swings, and scoops during excavation. If necessary outriggers  120  may be telescoped to select a desirable or stable ground position for shoe  125 . Backhoe loader  110  excavates by swinging bucket  150  out to engage the ground by extending the stick and boom  190 , and scooping up earth, which can be picked up and placed into piles of dirt  180 , as shown. 
     The construction vehicle may be any suitable mechanical excavator with bucket and hinged boom, such as, the bucket loader (or front-end loader) shown in  FIG. 1 , for backhoe loader  110 . Alternately, construction vehicle may be an excavator with features like removable buckets, removable loaders, etc. The stabilizing leg may be any suitable stabilizing beam such as rigger shown in  FIG. 1 , for outrigger  120 . The frame may be any suitable vehicle chassis, such as the body of the backhoe loader shown in  FIG. 1 . The tractor may be any suitable prime mover, such as the engine enclosed in the backhoe loader shown in in  FIG. 1 . 
     The backhoe bucket may be any suitable excavating-scoop such as the shovel-scoop shown in  FIG. 1 , for bucket  150 . The loader bucket may be any suitable bucket conveyor for loading materials, such as the wide scoop shown in in  FIG. 1  as loader  170 . The shoe may be any suitable ground-engaging member, such as the friction gripper shown in  FIG. 1  for shoe  125 . The stick and boom may be any suitable hinged boom, such as the pivoting, two-beam hydraulically controlled boom shown in  FIG. 1  as stick and boom  190 . 
     The hydraulic cylinder may be any suitable linear hydraulic motor, such as the mechanical actuator that provides a unidirectional force with a unidirectional stroke, shown in  FIG. 1  for hydraulic cylinder  127  and hydraulic cylinder  129 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a top, diagrammatic view that illustrates backhoe loader  110  positioned near ditch  140  requiring extension of an outrigger to cross ditch  140 .  FIG. 3  shows a top, diagrammatic view that illustrates backhoe loader  110  positioned near ditch after translating the backhoe over ditch  140  by retracting extended outrigger  122  and extending retracted outrigger  121 . 
     Now turning to  FIGS. 2               3  together, these figures show that the operator of backhoe loader  110  may translate backhoe loader  110  from side to side by simultaneous extending one outrigger and retracting the other outrigger, as shown.  FIG. 2  shows outrigger  121 ′ in the retracted position and outrigger  122 ′ in the extended position. In both  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , loader  170  may be lowered to the ground position and is providing a third point of stabilization with the ground. This arrangement may be desirable because it would position the ground engaging end of outrigger  122  beyond ditch  140 . Between the positions of the backhoe loader  110  shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , operator would simultaneously extend outrigger  121  and retract outrigger  122 .  FIG. 3  shows the outrigger  121 ″ in the extended position and outrigger  122 ″ in the retracted position.
     The result is that backhoe loader has moved predominately sideways, which can be seen by the movement of pivot  155 . Bucket  150  is attached to the stick and boom which is attached to backhoe loader  110  at pivot  155 . Pivot  155  allows bucket  150  to swing from side to side. In  FIG. 2 , pivot  155 ′ is positioned well to one side of ditch  140 , as shown. In  FIG. 3 , pivot  155 ″ is positioned substantially over top of ditch  140 , as shown. Further,  FIG. 3  shows that the wheels of backhoe loader may be positioned over ditch  140 , as well. That is, the lateral translation of the backhoe loader may allow the backhoe loader to reach positions and placements that may not be reached by driving on backhoe loader&#39;s wheels. This arrangement may have the further advantage of saving time by aligning the in-and-out scooping motion of bucket  150  (along the hinged stick and boom) with ditch  140 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , which may aid in efficiency of excavation, ease of operation, or provide other advantages. 
     Loader  170  may rotate over (or slide across) the ground to accommodate the predominately sideways motion of the backhoe loader  110 . This can be seen by the change in angle of the loader  170  relative to ditch  140 , as shown between  FIGS. 2               3 .
       FIG. 4  shows a cross-sectional, side view that illustrates outrigger  200  in the stowed, retracted position.  FIG. 5  shows a cross-sectional side view that illustrates outrigger  200  in the stowed, extended position.  FIG. 6  shows a cross-sectional side view that illustrates outrigger  200  in the stabilizing, retracted position.  FIG. 7  shows a cross-sectional side view that illustrates outrigger  200  in the stabilized, extended position. 
     Now, considering  FIGS. 4, 5, 6 ,              7  together, the various extreme (that is, fully-extended or fully-contracted) positions of outrigger  200  can be seen. Outrigger  200  connects to frame  210 , as shown. The medial end of outrigger  200  pivotally connects to frame  210  at joint  292 , as shown. The medial end of hydraulic cylinder  270  pivotally connects to frame  210  at joint  294 , as shown. The distal end of hydraulic cylinder  270  pivotally connects to outrigger  200  at joint  298 , as shown. This arrangement of joints  292 ,  294 , and  298  with outrigger  200  and hydraulic cylinder  270  allows outrigger  200  to rotate between a stowage position and a stabilization position. These pivoting connections may be made by pins.
     Outrigger  200  pivotally connects to shoe  230  at joint  296 , as shown, which allows shoe  230  to engage the ground at a varying angle. This pivoting connections may be made by a pin. Alternately, the shoe may be fixedly connected to the outrigger. 
     Outrigger  200  includes external member  250  and internal member  240 , as shown. External member  250  may be disposed around internal member  240  to allow internal member to slide in and out along the long axis. Hydraulic cylinder  260  may be disposed inside of internal member  240  and fixedly connected to the distal end, as shown. Hydraulic cylinder  260  may be disposed inside of external member  250  and fixedly connected to the medial end, as shown. This arrangement of external member  250 , internal member  240  and hydraulic cylinder  260  allows outrigger  200  to extend and retract, that is, it allows telescoping along the long axis of outrigger  200 . The external member  250 , internal member  240  and hydraulic cylinder  260  may be designed to be sufficient to overcome the forces generated during swinging, scooping and otherwise operating the bucket on the stick and boom, for example, selection of the materials and design may include factors such as modeling of mechanical forces, advances in materials technology, advances in hydraulics or fluid dynamics, economic considerations, etc. 
     The beams may be any type of slidably-mating beams, such as the mating cylinders shown in  FIGS. 4, 5, 6 ,              7  for external member  250  and internal member  240 .
     Alternately, the external member and internal member may be reversed, with the internal member connected to the frame and the external member connected to the shoe. Further alternately, the hydraulic cylinder may be disposed along the outside of the outrigger. Yet further alternately, the members may be inter-mating in any fashion that allows sliding or extension/contraction along the long axis. In some embodiments, the joint between the stowage/stabilization cylinder and the outrigger may be desirable on the portion/beam/member that is immediately pivotally connected to the frame. 
       FIG. 8  shows a schematic view that illustrates hydraulic circuit  300  to retrofit pre-existing construction equipment with a pair of telescoping outriggers. For pre-existing construction equipment, a kit may be provided to retrofit with telescoping outriggers. This kit would include two telescoping outriggers, of the type shown in  FIGS. 4, 5, 6 ,              7 . The kit could also include sufficient controls to operate the two new hydraulic cylinders, that is, control valve, lines, and manual valves for the placement in cab. The kit would also include installation instructions (to describe the installation steps) and an operating manual (to describe operation of the telescoping outrigger after installation).
     This kit would be sold as an aftermarket solution. Kits would be assembled using parts with appropriate dimensions for the make, model, and/or year of construction equipment. The outrigger would mount to the pre-existing machine frame pin bores. The outrigger arm would house a separate control valve, which would allow the telescoping circuit to be operated by the pre-existing stow/stabilize hydraulic circuit. 
     Installation would begin by removal of the original (non-telescoping) outrigger. The hydraulic cylinder (for stow/stabilize hydraulic circuit) would be left attached to the construction equipment. Next, the new telescoping outrigger would be attached to the frame of the construction equipment, which includes a hydraulic cylinder for extend/retract hydraulic circuit. Finally, the extend/retract cylinder would be connected to the existing hydraulic circuit by modifying the circuit to function as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 8  shows a hydraulic circuit that permits use of the existing (stow/stabilize) hydraulic controls to alternate between controlling the pair of hydraulic cylinders that stow/stabilize and controlling the pair of hydraulic cylinders that extend/retract (telescope). The original hydraulic lines from head end  310  and rod end  315  of the stow/stabilize hydraulic circuit may be connected into the diverter valve  320 , which may be the diverter valve provided with the telescoping outrigger as part of a kit. 
     Hydraulic oil may flow into diverter valve  320  from the head end  310  and rod end  315 , as shown. Diverter valve  320  contains control spools  321 , double check valves  327 , and pressure reducing valve  325 , as shown. Upon activation of the hydraulic circuit, pilot oil would be produced through pressure reducing valve  325 , as shown. This pilot oil would flow to control valves  330  located in cab  340 . Hydraulic fluid may be any suitable incompressible fluid, such as hydraulic oil. 
     Control valves  330  are detented. When control valves  330  are in a normal position, control valves  330  would block oil and allow only operation of the stow/stabilize hydraulic circuit of the stow/stabilize hydraulic cylinder  350 . This allows moving the telescoping outrigger between the stowed position and the stabilizing position. 
     When the operator would like to operate the telescoping hydraulic circuit, the operator would change the position of the detented control valves  330 . The pilot oil from the control valves  330  would then travel back to diverter valve  320  allowing the position of spools  321  to re-direct the pump flow to the extend/retract hydraulic circuit of the telescoping cylinder  360 . 
     In some embodiments, diverter valve  320  may be mounted within or upon the telescoping outrigger. In some embodiments, it may be preferable to provide quad check valves or multiple check valves to prevent movement of the stow/stabilize cylinder while the extend/retract hydraulic circuit is in use. 
     The hydraulic controller may be any suitable mechanical, pilot, or electro-hydraulic controls, such as the diverter valves shown in  FIG. 8  as diverter valve  320 . 
     For installations into new construction equipment, the original equipment manufacturer may include a control circuit as part of the original construction equipment. This control circuit would be operated from the cab by the operator and allow extension and retraction of the telescoping outriggers, either independently, or simultaneous (as desirable to create side-to-side movement described in  FIGS. 2               3 , above). These controls may be mechanical, pilot, or electro-hydraulic controls, or other types of controls.
     Although Applicant has described Applicant&#39;s preferred embodiments of this invention, it will be understood that the broadest scope of this invention includes modifications and implementations apparent to those skilled in the art after reading the above specification and the below claims. Such scope is limited only by the below claims as read in connection with the above specification. Further, many other advantages of Applicant&#39;s invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the above descriptions and the below claims.