Abstract:
A boom extension apparatus is provided for a prime mover such as a skid-steer loader or vehicle wherein the rearward end of the boom extension apparatus is quickly and easily attachable to the forward ends of the boom arms of the skid-steer loader. The forward end of the boom extension apparatus is quickly and easily attachable to the rearward end of an implement such as a bucket, bale spear, etc.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to a boom extension apparatus for a prime mover such as a skid-steer loader or vehicle. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Skid-steer vehicles which are commonly referred to as skid-steer loaders such as the popular Bobcat® skid-steer loader include a wheeled frame having a pair of drive wheels at one side thereof and a pair of drive wheels at the other side thereof. A pair of elongated boom arms are pivotally connected to the wheeled frame at their rearward ends and extend forwardly therefrom. The boom arms are usually raised and lowered by means of a pair of hydraulic cylinders extending between the frame and the boom arms. Inasmuch as the skid-steer loaders normally are smaller than conventional farm tractors, the boom arms of the skid-steer loaders have a limited height and reach. In most cases, the forward ends of the boom arms have a conventional implement quick-attach apparatus, assembly or structure thereon to enable an implement to be quickly and easily attached thereto and detached therefrom. The various implements adapted for use with the skid-steer loader have quick-attach structures provided on the rearward ends thereof for mating attachment to the quick-attach assemblies on the forward ends of the boom arms. In some cases, the quick-attach structure on the forward ends of the boom arms is referred to as a male quick-attach while the quick-attach structure on the rearward end of the implement is referred to as a female quick-attach component. 
         [0005]    In the prior art skid-steer loaders, the boom arms are limited in their height and reach. When a bucket or the like is attached to the boom arms, the rear of the bucket is positioned closely to the front of the skid-steer loader which makes it difficult for the operator of the vehicle to observe the rear of the bucket when the bucket is positioned near the ground especially when the bucket is being used to drag material such as dirt or snow rearwardly. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
         [0007]    A boom extension apparatus is provided for effectively extending the boom arms on a prime mover such as a skid-steer loader or vehicle so that the implement on the extension apparatus may be lifted to a higher location or moved father away from the vehicle. The extension apparatus of this invention includes an extender frame having rearward and forward ends with the rearward end of the extender frame having a female quick-attach mounting structure mounted thereon adapted to be quickly attached to the conventional male implement quick-attach structure pivotally mounted on the forward ends of the boom arms. 
         [0008]    The forward end of the extender frame has a male implement quick-attach mounting structure thereon which is pivotally secured thereto and which is adapted to have an implement such as a bucket, bale spear, grapple, etc. quickly and easily secured thereto by way of the female quick-attach structure at the rear end of the implement. 
         [0009]    It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide a boom extension apparatus for a skid-steer loader or the like. 
         [0010]    A further object of the invention is to provide an extension apparatus for the boom arm of a skid-steer loader or the like which enables the implement on the forward end of the boom extension apparatus to be positioned at a greater height than normally possible. 
         [0011]    Still another object of the invention is to provide an extension apparatus for the boom arms of a skid-steer loader or the like which enables the implement positioned on the forward end of the boom extension apparatus to be positioned farther away from the vehicle. 
         [0012]    Yet another object of the invention is to provide a boom extension apparatus which enables the implement secured thereto to have an extra pivot over that of the prior art. 
         [0013]    Yet another object of the invention is to provide a boom extension apparatus which is quickly and easily attachable to the conventional quick-attach structure on the boom arms of a skid-steer loader or the like. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a side view illustrating a skid-steer loader having the boom extension apparatus of this invention mounted on the forward ends of the boom arms of a loader; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the boom extension apparatus of this invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the boom extension apparatus of this invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the boom extension apparatus of this invention mounted on the forward ends of the boom arms of a loader and having an implement mounted on the forward end of the boom extension apparatus, with portions of the apparatus cut-away to more fully illustrate the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a partial rear perspective view of the right rear portion of the apparatus of this invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a partial front perspective view of the right front portion of the apparatus of this invention; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a partial side elevational view of the quick-attach structure at the forward end of the boom extension apparatus of this invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0022]    Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense in that the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims. 
         [0023]    The numeral  10  refers to a prime mover such as a conventional skid-steer loader or vehicle having a pair of driven wheels  12  at one side thereof and a pair of driven wheels at the other side thereof which are identical to driven wheels  12 . Loader  10  includes a pair of boom arms  16  and  18  which are pivoted at their rearward ends to the loader and which extend forwardly therefrom. The boom arms  16  and  18  are raised and lowered in conventional fashion such as by a pair of hydraulic cylinders  19  in conventional fashion. The numeral  20  refers to a conventional implement mounting structure of the male quick-attach type which is secured to the forward end of the boom arms  16  and  18  and which is pivotally movable with respect thereto by means of one or more hydraulic cylinders  21  extending between the boom arms and the structure  20 . 
         [0024]    The numeral  22  refers to the boom extension apparatus of this invention having a rearward end  24  and a forward end  26 . Apparatus  22  includes an elongated frame means generally referred to by reference numeral  28 . A conventional female quick-attach structure  30 , which is normally found at the rear of an implement, is provided at the rear of the apparatus  22  so that the apparatus  22  may be attached to the quick-attach structure  20  on the boom arms  16  and  18 . Frame means  28  includes side frames  32  and  34  having the plates  36  and  38  of the conventional quick-attach structure  30  secured thereto respectively. Angle brace or frame  39  is secured to and extends between plates  36  and  38 . Side frames  32  and  34  extend forwardly from the forward end of plates  36  and  38  respectively with the lower forward ends thereof having openings  33  and  35  formed therein respectively. Brace or frame  39  is angled as seen in  FIG. 5  and serves as an upper attachment point for the upper forward end of the quick-attach structure  20  at the forward ends of boom arms  16  and  18 . 
         [0025]    Plate  36  has an angled lower attachment point  41  provided at its rearward side which has an opening  0  formed therein. Plate  38  has identical structure at its rearward side. The openings  0  in the points  41  are adapted to receive locking pins  66  and  68  therein as will be described hereinafter. 
         [0026]    The numeral  46  refers to a conventional quick-attach structure or assembly which would normally be pivotally secured to the forward ends of boom arms  16  and  18 . Assembly or structure  46  includes conventional male quick-attach structures  48  and  50  which have a frame  52  secured thereto and extending therefrom. The lower rearward ends of structures  48  and  50  are provided with bushings  49  and  51  mounted thereon respectively. 
         [0027]    A hydraulic cylinder  54  has its rearward end pivoted to side frame  32  at  56  and has its rod end pivotally secured to structure  48  at  57  by pin  40 . Similarly, a hydraulic cylinder  58  is pivotally connected at its rearward end to side frame  34  at  60  and has its rod end pivotally secured to structure  50  at  59  by pin  42 . The quick-attach structure  48  is pivoted to the bushings  49  and  51  at the lower forward ends of side frames  32  and  34  by pins  62  and  64  respectively which also extend through openings  33  and  35  respectively. As seen in  FIG. 3 , structures  48  and  50  include conventional locking pins  66  and  68  which are operated by locking levers  70  and  72  respectively. The extension and retraction of the cylinders  54  and  58  causes the quick-attach structure  48  to be pivotally moved about the pivot pins  62  and  64 . 
         [0028]    Again, it must be noted that the quick-attach structures at the forward and rearward ends of the boom extension apparatus  22  are identical to that of conventional quick-attach structures. The quick-attach structure  46  is adapted to be coupled or attached to the rearward end of an implement  74  having a female quick-attach structure at the rearward end thereof. 
         [0029]    Thus, it can be seen that the boom extension apparatus of this invention effectively extends the reach of the boom arms therefore extending the reach of the attachments for implements secured to the forward end of the boom extension apparatus. The boom extension apparatus of this invention allows attachments or implements to reach higher and still be able to dump the load carried thereby. The boom extension apparatus of this invention also permits the operator to observe what is happening behind the attachment or implement and provides room for material to build up when the attachment or implement is being used to drag material or the like rearwardly. It can also be seen that the boom attachment apparatus of this invention spaces the skid-steer vehicle away from branches when cutting and grappling trees. The boom extension apparatus of this invention also permits larger and higher piles of dirt, trees, etc. to be created. Additionally, the boom apparatus of this invention permits the loading and stacking of hay bales a much easier task. 
         [0030]    It can therefore be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives. 
         [0031]    Although the invention has been described in language that is specific to certain structures and methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific structures and/or steps described. Rather, the specific, aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing the claimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.