Abstract:
Exemplary embodiments of an outrigger having a replaceable foot mount may be described. The replaceable foot mount may be removably coupled to a hydraulic cylinder using a variety of fasteners. The replaceable foot mount can be easily removed and replaced when broken to allow outriggers to be quickly repaired and deployed to new work locations.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/666,254, filed Jun. 29, 2012, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    In construction, manufacturing, drilling, and other situations where heavy objects are used, support outriggers are often used to provide strength and stability to the object. In particular, support outriggers are often used where stability is critical or where the object itself is heavy or is used to lift heavy objects. Support and stability is particularly important in mining or drilling, where the heavy object is supported on potentially unstable ground that is subject to environmental changes, for example, rain or mud causing the soil underneath an outrigger to become soft. In these operating environments, it is not uncommon for outriggers to sink into the ground due to the weight supported by the outriggers. 
         [0003]    Commonly, outriggers are single units that can extend outwards from the object supported by each outrigger using a linear actuator like a hydraulic cylinder, and a base plate or supporting pad is attached to the end of a piston rod or similar that can be retracted or extended. When an outrigger sinks into the ground, workers typically have to pull the outrigger from the ground in order to move the object being supported by the outrigger. The resulting stress on the outrigger often causes the outrigger to break near the coupling point where the hydraulic cylinder is attached to a foot pad. Because outriggers are often single units, replacement requires a great deal of time to disconnect the broken outrigger, cut away the broken swiveling foot mount, weld a new swiveling foot mount onto the outrigger, and reconnect the repaired outrigger. Because objects supported by outriggers cannot typically be used without the stability provided by the attached outriggers, the time spent repairing a broken outrigger delays the movement of heavy equipment to new work sites 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
       [0004]    An outrigger having a replaceable foot mount may be disclosed. Exemplary embodiments of the outrigger may have a hydraulic cylinder, a first pivoting joint configured to couple the outrigger to an object being supported by the outrigger, a second pivoting joint, a hydraulic cylinder coupled to the first pivoting joint at a first end and removably coupled to the second pivoting joint at a second end, and a removable foot pad. Exemplary embodiments of the coupling between the second pivoting joint and second end of the hydraulic cylinder may include rod-type fasteners, latch-type fasteners, bayonet coupling, sexless coupling, or a combination of multiple fasteners. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    Advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments. The following detailed description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying figures in which: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  shows an exemplary embodiment of an outrigger having a replaceable foot mount. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  shows an exemplary embodiment of a coupling between a replaceable foot mount and a hydraulic cylinder using a plurality of cylindrical fasteners. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  shows an exemplary embodiment of a coupling between a replaceable foot mount and a hydraulic cylinder using a plurality of latch-type fasteners. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  shows an exemplary embodiment of a coupling between a replaceable foot mount and a hydraulic cylinder using a bayonet-type mount. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4   a  shows an embodiment of a base of a replaceable foot mount having a plurality of lugs. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4   b  shows an embodiment of an end of a hydraulic cylinder having slots configured to accept each of the plurality of lugs and channels configured to securably hold each of the plurality of lugs. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  shows an exemplary embodiment of a coupling between a second end of a hydraulic cylinder and a mounting plate coupled to said second end. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5   a  shows an embodiment of a coupling between a second end of a hydraulic cylinder and a mounting plate having a plurality of bores in the mounting plate, a bore in the second end of the hydraulic cylinder, and a retaining pin configured to be inserted through the bores in the mounting plate and second end of the hydraulic cylinder. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5   b  shows an embodiment having a retaining pin longer than the width of the mounting plate with a pin hole at an end of the retaining pin and a second retaining pin inserted through the pin hole. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5   c  shows an embodiment having a threaded retaining pin and a threaded second fastener coupled to the end of the retaining pin. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    Aspects of the present invention are disclosed in the following description and related figures directed to specific embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize that alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the claims. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. 
         [0017]    As used herein, the word “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance or illustration.” The embodiments described herein are not limiting, but rather are exemplary only. It should be understood that the described embodiments are not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Moreover, the terms “embodiments of the invention”, “embodiments” or “invention” do not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation. 
         [0018]    Referring generally to  FIGS. 1-4 , exemplary embodiments of an outrigger having a replaceable foot mount may be disclosed. Outrigger  100  may have a first pivoting joint  102 , a hydraulic cylinder  104  having a first end  106  and a second end  108 , a second pivoting joint  110 , and a foot  112 . A mounting plate  114  may be coupled to the second end  108 . First pivoting joint  102  may be coupled to any object requiring support from one or more outriggers  100 . In some embodiments, this coupling may be removable; in other embodiments, this coupling may be fixed. The first end  106  of hydraulic cylinder  104  may be rotatably coupled to first pivoting joint  102 . Second pivoting joint  110  may be removably coupled mounting plate  114 . Foot  112  may be pivotally coupled to second pivoting joint  110 . 
         [0019]    Second pivoting joint  110  may have a base  116  and at least one coupling member  118 . Foot  112  may have a foot pad  120  and a coupling member  122 . Coupling member  122  of foot  112  may be pivotally coupled to the at least one coupling member  118  of second pivoting joint  110 . In some exemplary embodiments, coupling member  122  of foot  112  may be pivotally coupled to coupling member  118  of second pivoting joint  110  using a rod-and-pin combination. In other exemplary embodiments, the coupling member  122  of foot  112  may be pivotally coupled to at least one coupling member  118  of second pivoting joint  110  using a threaded rod and a plurality of nuts on both ends of the threaded rod, a rod and bushings, or any other appropriate coupling mechanism as known in the art. In some embodiments, the coupling between second pivoting joint  110  and foot  112  may be configured to have a single degree of freedom; in other embodiments, the coupling between second pivoting joint  110  and foot  112  may allow for up to three degrees of rotational freedom to allow foot  112  to have maximum contact with the ground. 
         [0020]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , second pivoting joint  110  may be removably coupled to the mounting plate  114  coupled to the second end  108  of hydraulic cylinder  104  using a plurality of rod-type fasteners. Mounting plate  114  may be substantially the same size and shape as base  116  of second pivoting joint  110 . Mounting plate  114  may have a plurality of fastener holes  124 , and base  116  may have a corresponding number of fastener holes  126 . Fasteners  128  may couple the second pivoting joint  110  to hydraulic cylinder  104 . In some embodiments, fastener holes  124  and  126  and fastener  128  may be threaded. In an embodiment where fastener holes  124  or  126  are threaded, fasteners  128  may be configured to have a length substantially similar to the combined height of fastener holes  124  and  126  such that the second pivoting joint  110  and hydraulic cylinder  104  are coupled by the friction of threading on a fastener  128  and the threading in fastener holes  124  and  126 . Where a more secure fit is desired, fasteners  128  may be longer than the combined height of fastener holes  124  and  126 , and a second fastener  130  may be coupled to the end of fastener  128 . Fasteners  128  may be bolts, pins, or other appropriate fasteners as known in the art, and second fasteners  130  may be nuts, pins, or other appropriate fasteners capable of coupling to fasteners  128  as known in the art. 
         [0021]    In other embodiments, fastener holes  124  and  126  may have a smooth bore. In some embodiments, fastener  128  may be longer than the combined height of fastener holes  124  and  126  such that the second pivoting joint  110  and mounting plate  114  may be coupled between the head of fastener  128  and a second fastener  130 . In some embodiments, fastener  128  may have threading on the end of the fastener, and second fastener  130  may have a corresponding thread to allow second fastener  130  to couple to the threaded portion of fastener  128 . In other embodiments, fastener  128  and second fastener  130  may be pins configured such that second fastener  130  can be positioned substantially perpendicular to fastener  128 , or other appropriate fasteners as known in the art. 
         [0022]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a further exemplary embodiment of an outrigger having a replaceable foot mount may be disclosed. Second pivoting joint  110  may have a plurality of fasteners  132  disposed around the perimeter of base  116 , and mounting plate  114  may have a corresponding number of second fasteners  134  disposed around the perimeter of mounting plate  114 . Fasteners  132  and  134  may be a latch, spring latch, or any other appropriate fastener as known in the art. Fasteners  132  and  134  may be recessed into the perimeter of base  116  of second pivoting joint  110  and mounting plate  114  so as not to protrude from the perimeter of base  116  or mounting plate  114 . 
         [0023]    In some embodiments, second pivoting joint  110  may be coupled to the mounting plate  114  coupled to the second end  108  of hydraulic cylinder  104  using a combination of fasteners. Base  116  of second pivoting joint  110  may be substantially the same size as mounting plate  114 . Mounting plate  114  may have a plurality of fastener holes  124  and a plurality of fasteners  134  disposed around the perimeter of second end  108 , and base  116  of second pivoting joint  110  may have a plurality of fastener holes  126  and a plurality of fasteners  132  disposed around the base  116 . Second pivoting joint  110  may be coupled to the second end  108  of hydraulic cylinder  104  by (1) inserting a fastener  128  through each of the plurality of fastener holes  124  and  126  and optionally coupling a second fastener  130  to fastener  128  and (2) coupling each of the plurality of fasteners  132  to a corresponding fastener  134 . 
         [0024]    Now generally referring to  FIG. 4 , a still further exemplary embodiment of an outrigger having a replaceable foot mount may be disclosed. Base  116  of second pivoting joint  110  may form a bayonet coupling with mounting plate  114 . Specifically referring to  FIG. 4   a , an exemplary embodiment of base  116  of second pivoting joint  110  may be disclosed. Base  116  of second pivoting joint  110  may have a plurality of lugs  136  protruding from the body of base  116 . Specifically referring to  FIG. 4   b , an exemplary embodiment of mounting plate  114  may be disclosed. Mounting plate  114  may have a number of flanges  138  corresponding to the number of lugs  136  coupled to base  116  of second pivoting joint  110 . Each lug  136  may engage with a corresponding flange  138  to couple second pivoting joint  110  to mounting plate  114 . In another exemplary embodiment, lugs  136  and flanges  138  may be flattened tabs that couple together in a bayonet mounting. In still further exemplary embodiments, base  116  of second pivoting joint  110  and mounting plate  114  may be a sexless coupling, similar to a Storz-type coupling. It may be recognized, however, that any other rotatable coupling, whether threaded or nonthreaded, known in the art may be used to couple base  116  of second pivoting joint  110  and mounting plate  114  together. 
         [0025]    Referring now generally to  FIG. 5 , an exemplary embodiment of the mounting plate  114  coupled to the second end  108  of hydraulic cylinder  104  may be disclosed. Mounting plate  114  may be larger than second end  108  of hydraulic cylinder  104 . Mounting plate  114  may have a receptacle  140  substantially the size of second end  108 . Second end  108  may have at least one bore  142 , and mounting plate  114  may have at least one bore  144 . Bores  142  and  144  may be substantially similar in size. At least one retaining pin  146  may couple second end  108  to mounting plate  114  through a bore  142  of second end  108  and a corresponding bore  144  of mounting plate  114 . In an exemplary embodiment, mounting plate  114  may have two bores  144  disposed directly opposite each other, and send end  108  may have a single bore  142  such that a single retaining pin  146  may couple the mounting plate  114  to the second end  108  of hydraulic cylinder  104 . It may be recognized, however, that any number of bores  142  and  144  and retaining pins  146  may be used 
         [0026]    In some embodiments, retaining pin  146  may couple second end  108  of hydraulic cylinder  104  and mounting plate  114  using a friction fit. In an embodiment, the length of retaining pin  146  may be substantially similar to the width of mounting plate  114 . In another exemplary embodiment, retaining pin  146  may be longer than the width of mounting plate  114 . In such an embodiment, retaining pin  146  may have a first and second end and a pin hole  148  at each of the first and second ends. A second retaining pin  150  may be inserted into a pin hole  148  to further secure second end  108  of hydraulic cylinder  104  and mounting plate  114 . 
         [0027]    In a still further exemplary embodiment, retaining pin  146  may be threaded. In some embodiments, bores  142  and  144  may be smooth, and the length of retaining pin  146  may be greater than the width of mounting plate  114 . A second fastener  152  may be coupled to an end of retaining pin  146  to secure second end  108  of hydraulic cylinder  104  and mounting plate  114 . In another embodiment, bores  142  and  144  may also be threaded. In some embodiments, the length of retaining pin  146  may be substantially the width of mounting plate  114 ; in other embodiments, retaining pin  146  may be longer than the width of mounting plate  114 , and a second fastener  152  may be coupled to an end of retaining pin  146 . 
         [0028]    The foregoing description and accompanying figures illustrate the principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the invention. However, the invention should not be construed as being limited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additional variations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. 
         [0029]    Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.