Abstract:
A turret mounted compact tool carrier. The tool carrier is a small, ride-on machine. The tracked substructure is connected to the upper section of the machine by a 360 degree turret, which allows the upper section of the machine to face any direction, independent of the direction of the tracks. The distance between the tracks is adjustable, depending on particular application. An operator rides on a platform at the back of the upper section, while a work tool is connected to the front of the upper section. Thus, the operator always maintains a line-of-sight parallel to the direction of operation of the work tool, resulting in a greater degree of safety. The machine has lift arms that are extendable, allowing the work tool to be pushed without operating the tracks. These features give the tool carrier the ability to fully operate in narrow spaces and with limited operation of the tracks, resulting in more efficient use and less ground damage than traditional skid loaders.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of PCT Application Number PCT/US2006/022821, filed Jun. 9, 2006, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/689,245, filed Jun. 10, 2005, the contents of which are incorporated fully herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of compact utility vehicles and more particularly to a ride-on turret mounted tool carrier. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention is a compact tool carrier machine comprising a drive frame undercarriage, an upper frame, a turret, a lift arm apparatus, a tool adaptor, and an operator station. The upper frame has a front end and a back end. The turret is adapted to rotatably connect the upper frame to the undercarriage. The lift arm apparatus has a first end and a second end. The first end of the lift arm apparatus is pivotally connected to the upper frame at a pivot point. The tool adaptor is attachable to the second end of the lift arm apparatus. The operator station is supported by and substantially centered on the back end of the upper frame. The operator station comprises a platform. The platform is adapted to allow operation of the machine while standing on the platform. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a compact work machine built in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a rear view of the machine in  FIG. 1  showing an upper frame rotated to the side. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a turret apparatus for use with the present invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  is a cut-away perspective view of an extension apparatus, for use with the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  is a cut-away side view of the extension apparatus in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 6  is a rear view of a tool adaptor with a pivoted plate adaptor. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    Turning now to the drawings in general and  FIG. 1  in particular, there is shown a compact tool carrier with a turret mounted upper structure in accordance with the present invention. The tool carrier, designated by reference numeral  10 , comprises a drive frame undercarriage  12 , a turret assembly  14 , an upper frame  16 , and a lift arm apparatus  18 . The turret assembly  14  rotatably connects the drive frame undercarriage  12  with the upper frame  16 . The lift arm apparatus  18  is adapted with a common attachment plate or tool adaptor  20  for connection to any of a plurality of work tools. In a preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the work tool  22  comprises a bucket. 
         [0011]    The drive frame undercarriage  12  comprises a track frame substructure  24  and a plurality of drive tracks  26  mountable on the track frame substructure. Alternatively, the drive frame undercarriage  12  may be a wheeled unit. The track frame substructure  24  and the drive tracks  26  define an undercarriage axis of orientation  28 . The undercarriage axis of orientation  28  is parallel to the lengthwise orientation of the drive tracks  26 . The tool carrier  10  will generally travel in a direction parallel to the undercarriage axis of orientation  28  when the drive tracks  26  are operating at identical speeds. 
         [0012]    Each of the plurality of drive tracks  26  is preferably movably attachable to the track frame substructure  24  and supported on a plurality of support members  30  and  32 . The support members  30  and  32  are rotatably secured to the substructure  24 . Preferably, the support members  30  and  32  comprise a rear support member  30  and a front support member  32 . The rear support member  30  is a drive sprocket that engages any of the plurality of drive tracks  26 . The front support member  32  is an idler, rotatably supporting to the drive tracks  26 . 
         [0013]    With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , each of the plurality of drive tracks  26  is further supported by a plurality of rollers  34 . Preferably, the plurality of rollers  34  are connected to the frame substructure  24  to provide resistance to force exerted on the drive tracks  26  by the ground. The rollers  34  are disposed on the track frame substructure  24  along a length of the tracks  26 . The rollers  34  may also be disposed on both the inside and outside of the track frame substructure  24  to provide additional support. The rollers  34  may be connected to the track frame substructure  24  in the center to rotate on an axle  36 . Alternatively, the rollers  34  may be paired by a connector bar  38 . Preferably, the connector bar  38  is attached by a connector bar bolt  40  to the track frame substructure  24 . This configuration allows paired rollers  34  to pivot around the connector bar bolt  40 . In this configuration, the connector bars  38  and rollers  34  commonly referred to as bogie rollers provide a smoother ride across rough ground terrain. 
         [0014]    A preferred embodiment of the upper frame  16  is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The upper frame  16  has a front end and a back end  53 . The upper frame  16  comprises a support frame  42 , a turret mount  44 , an engine (not shown) supported within an engine casing  46 . The support frame  42  defines an upper frame axis of orientation  48 . The upper frame axis of orientation  48  is essentially the lengthwise centerline of the upper frame  16 . The turret mount  44  connects the upper frame  16  to the turret assembly  14 . 
         [0015]    The engine rotates hydraulic pumps that provide power to the tool carrier  10 . The engine and hydraulic pumps are housed within the engine casing  46 . The engine casing  46  protects the engine, pumps, and other machine components from external damage while protecting persons and objects near the tool carrier  10  from hazards due to operation of the engine. 
         [0016]    The tool carrier  10  further comprises an operator station  50 , supported on the upper frame  16 , having controls  52  for operating the machine. The operator station  50  is preferably substantially centered on the back end  53  of the upper frame  16 . In one embodiment, the operator station  50  comprises an operator platform  54  and a control panel  56  comprising the controls  52 . The control panel  56  is preferably in a position that allows an operator to access the control panel  56  while walking behind or along the side of the tool carrier  10  or while standing on the platform  54 . The operator platform  54  provides a stable place for an operator to stand, providing easy access to the control panel  56 . More preferably, the operator platform  54  is attached to the support frame  42  with a rubber mount  58 . The rubber mount  58  absorbs shock associated with operation of the tool carrier  10 . 
         [0017]    The control panel  56  controls key elements of the tool carrier  10 . In a preferred embodiment, from the control panel  56 , an operator can start, stop and adjust the engine, and change the speed of the drive tracks  26  to change the velocity and direction of the tool carrier  10 . The control panel  56  also controls the orientation of the turret assembly  14 , manipulates the lift arm apparatus  18 , and controls operation of the work tool  22 . 
         [0018]    Alternatively, as one skilled in the art would appreciate, the compact tool carrier  10  can be operated by way of a remote control. In this embodiment control panel  56  could be contained within a remote control housing that would be carried or positioned by an operator and at a discrete distance from the tool carrier  10 . The operator could then operate tool carrier  10  without the need to maintain physical contact with the machine. Control signals would be carried via radio signals, a tethered connection, or other transmission method to the unit. The tool carrier  10  would respond appropriately according to control signals. 
         [0019]    The lift arm apparatus  18  pivotally attaches to the support frame  42 . The lift arm apparatus  18  has a first end  60  and second end  62 . The first end  60  is pivotally connected to the support frame  42 . The second end  62  is connected to the tool adaptor  20 . The second end  62  of the lift arm apparatus  18  is preferably located proximate the front end of the upper frame  16 . The lift arm apparatus  18  comprises a telescoping extension apparatus  64 , a plurality of lift arms  66  and a plurality of lift cylinders  68 . As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the lift arms  66  are connected to the support frame  42  at a pivot connection  70 . In a preferred embodiment, the pivot connection  70  is aft of the turret assembly  14 , proximate the operator station  50 . In the configuration, the tool adaptor  20  and the work tool  22  are disposed on a side of the turret  14  opposite from the operator station  50 . The extension apparatus  64 , yet to be described, is adapted to extend the work tool  22  without operation of the drive tracks  26  for increased reach and versatility. 
         [0020]    The plurality of lift cylinders  68  are adapted to raise and lower the plurality of lift arms  66 . The plurality of lift cylinders  68  are hydraulically powered by the engine and controlled at the control panel  56 . Each lift cylinder comprises a first end  72  and a second end  74 . Each of the lift cylinders  68  is pivotally connected at the first end  72  to the support frame  42  and at the second end  74  to the lift arms  66 . When pressure in the lift cylinders  68  is increased, the distance between the first end  72  and the second end  74  increases. The extension of the lift cylinders  68  causes the lift arms  66  to be raised pivotally around the pivot connection  70 . 
         [0021]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , shown therein is a preferred embodiment for the drive frame undercarriage  12 . The track frame substructure  24  comprises a left track substructure  76 , a right track substructure  78 , and a center main substructure  80 . Preferably, the left substructure  76  comprises a left drive motor  82 , used to rotate a left rear support member  84 . The right substructure  78  comprises a right drive motor  86 , used to rotate a right rear support member  88 . The speed of the motors  82  and  86  may be adjusted separately, allowing for adjusting the speed of the drive tracks  26  and steering of the tool carrier  10 . 
         [0022]    The main substructure  80  connects the left substructure  76  and the right substructure  78 . The main substructure  80  comprises an adjustment mechanism (not shown) that adjusts the distance between the left substructure  76  and the right substructure  78 . This width adjustment is known to those skilled in the art and will only be explained briefly here. One preferred method of track width adjustment includes using a tubular structure where one set of tubes fit snuggly inside a second set of tubes. These tubes maintain the structural tie between the tracks  26 . Typically a cylinder is attached between the left substructure  76  and the right substructure  78  and is used to push and pull said substructures to produce a wider or narrower track width. In this embodiment, the tracks  26  can be narrowed to allow the tool carrier  10  to fit into narrow spaces. Alternatively, the tracks  26  can be widened to give the tool carrier  10  increased stability. Stability is an important consideration to the tool carrier  10  in that the machine can rotate the work tool  22  to one side. This rotation may cause an instability when the machine is configured with very narrow tracks. Thus, the machine may have load sensors (not shown) contained within lift arms  66  or lift cylinders  68 . The load sensors can sense the load on the work tool  22 . The turret assembly  14  may also have a rotational sensor which senses rotational position of the turret assembly  14  relative to the undercarriage  12 . The track width adjustment may have a width adjustment sensor to indicate track width. The tool carrier  10  might also contain a sensor micro-processor or logic sensor that receives load sensor information or rotational sensor information or track width sensor information and controls or limits rotational speed and for angle or rotation to prevent the upper frame  16  from rotating to a position of instability. Additionally, the tool carrier  10  might have an inclination sensor that could provide additional input to stability decisions. 
         [0023]    With continued reference to  FIG. 2 , the turret assembly  14  is shown in a configuration where the undercarriage axis of orientation  28  is nonparallel to the upper frame axis of orientation  48 . One skilled in the art will note the advantages of this. The operator&#39;s platform  54  is able to extend beyond the drive tracks  26  during rotation for more precise placement of the work tool  22 . In confined spaces where there is a limitation on where the drive tracks  26  may be positioned, operation of the turret assembly  14  allows movement of work from one side of the tool carrier  10  to another or from the front to the rear without requiring operation of the drive tracks  26 . This is particularly advantageous, for example, when dumping material from a bucket or placing material carried with a fork or grapple. Additionally the precise placement of the work tool  22  can be more easily attained using the combination of rotation of the upper frame  16  and operation of the extension apparatus  64  than with placement resulting from movement of the tracks  26 . 
         [0024]    The turret assembly  14  comprises a turret frame  94 , a sprocket  96 , a worm gear  98 , and a turret motor  100 . The turret frame  94  is preferably attached to the drive frame undercarriage  12  on the center main substructure  80 . More preferably, the turret frame  94  is attached to the main substructure  80  such that the turret assembly  14  is located toward a front end of the track undercarriage  12 , forward of a center point of the undercarriage. The center point may be defined as a point equidistant from the front end and the back end of the undercarriage  12 . In this location, the turret  14  is located forward of the center of gravity of the tool carrier  10 . 
         [0025]    A preferred embodiment of the turret assembly  14  is shown in  FIG. 3 . The turret frame  94  comprises a turret sleeve  102  and a lower stationary  104 . The sprocket  96  rotationally attaches to the turret sleeve  102 . The sprocket is fixed to an upper stationary surface  106 , which is bolted to the upper frame  16 . Thus, as the sprocket  96  is rotated by the worm gear  98 , the entire upper frame  16  rotates relative to the undercarriage  12 . The turret assembly  14  allows 360 degree rotation. One skilled in the art will appreciate that this will allow operation of the tool carrier  10  when the undercarriage axis of orientation  28  is nonparallel to the upper frame axis of orientation  48 . 
         [0026]    The worm gear  98  is rotated by the turret motor  100 . As the worm gear  98  rotates, threads on its rotational surface interact with the threads on the surface of the sprocket  96 . Preferably, the turret motor  100  is hydraulic and may be powered by operation of the engine. Alternatively, one skilled in the art could envision turret assembly  14  containing a rotation axis that is powered by a cylinder, in which case the rotational angle would be limited by rotational stroke. One skilled in the art could envision alternative mechanisms such as a spur gear or bevel gear to provide rotational action. 
         [0027]    Turning now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the extension apparatus  64  positioned at the second end  62  of the lift arm  66  is shown. The extension apparatus  64  comprises extension cylinders  108 , first and second extension arms  110 , support arms  112 , tilt cylinders  114 , and a stabilizing cross member  116 . The extension cylinders  108  each have a first end  118  and a second end  120 . The first ends  118  of the extension cylinders  108  are connected to the lift arms  66 . The second ends  120  are attached to the extension arms  110 . 
         [0028]    Each of the extension arms  110  comprise a sleeve that is adapted to receive the lift arms  66 . Preferably, the extension cylinders  108  are hydraulically powered by the engine and controlled from the control panel  56 . As the pressure in the extension cylinders  108  is increased, the distance between the first end  118  and the second end  120  increases. The second ends  120  push the extending arms  110  along the lift arms  66 , away from the pivot connection  70 . Preferably, when the extension cylinders  108  reach a maximum length, there will be enough remaining contact between the extension arms  110  and the lift arms  66  to provide the extension apparatus  64  with stability. More preferably, the extension arms  110  are caused to move along the lift arms  66  by way of a stabilizing track or other common telescoping mechanisms. 
         [0029]    The support arms  112  are mounted on the extension arms  110  and are pivotally attached to the tilt cylinders  114 . The tilt cylinders  114  adjust the orientation of the tool adaptor  20 , by shortening or lengthening a distance between the support arms  112  and the tool adaptor  20 . As the tilt cylinders  114  change length, the tool adaptor  20  is pivotally rotated about an adaptor connector  122 . Preferably, when the tilt cylinders  114  shorten, the tool adaptor  20  tilts back relative to the loader arm apparatus  18 . The cross member  116  attaches to the extension arms  110  to provide additional stability. One skilled in the art will recognize other means of extending the reach and the orientation of the tool adaptor. 
         [0030]    Those skilled in the art will appreciate the implications of the extension cylinders  108  and tilt cylinders  114  in tandem with the turret assembly  14 . The tool carrier  10  is able to utilize the extension apparatus  64  to extend a work tool parallel to the upper frame axis of orientation  48 . This may be particularly advantageous when the turret  14  is rotated such that the upper frame axis of orientation  48  is non-parallel to the undercarriage axis of orientation  28  as previously described. 
         [0031]    When the turret  14  is rotated in this manner, the work tool  22  and the operator station  50  extend beyond opposite sides of the tracks  26 . In this configuration, the operator station  50  counterbalances the weight of the work tool  22 . One skilled in the art will appreciate that this gives the operator of the tool carrier  10  a clear line-of-sight (not shown) enabling safe and proper operation of the lift arm apparatus  18 , yet to be described, and the work tool  22 . Positioning of the turret assembly  14  on the upper frame  16  towards the work tool  22  offsets the weight of the attachment and the load for improved weight distribution on the tracks  26  when a load is being carried or lifted and when the upper frame axis of orientation  48  is nonparallel to the undercarriage axis of orientation  28 . Maintaining the line-of-sight along the upper frame axis of orientation  48  with the lift arm apparatus  18  will limit accidents and loss of productivity due to errors in the operator&#39;s perspective. Alternatively, one skilled in the art could envision that the turret assembly  14  could be positioned in a non centered position. If the turret assembly  14  were positioned closer to the operator, the operator would experience less tangential force while operating the turret assembly  14 . 
         [0032]    With reference now to  FIG. 6 , a preferred embodiment of the tool adaptor  20  is shown in additional detail. The tool adaptor  20  comprises a plate adaptor  124  and a tool pivot assembly  126 . The plate adaptor  124  is adapted for easy attachment to any of a plurality of work tools  22 . The tool pivot assembly  126  is adapted to pivot the work tool  22  and the plate adaptor  124  about a pivot pin  128 . The plate adaptor  124  comprises a plurality of release latches  130 . Pivotal motion of the plate adaptor  124  is restricted by operation of the plurality of release latches  130 . 
         [0033]    The tool pivot assembly  126  comprises a plurality of bosses  132 , a tilt cylinder attachment  134 , a leveling cylinder  136 , a leveling plate  138 , and a plurality of guides  140 . 
         [0034]    The plurality of bosses  132  provides a pivot connection between the tool adaptor  20  and the extending arms  110 . The tilt cylinder attachment  134  connects the tool adaptor  20  to the tilt cylinders  114 . Thus, as the tilt cylinders  114  are operated as previously described, the tool adaptor  20  is rotated about the connection between the bosses  132  and the extending arms  110 . 
         [0035]    The leveling plate  138  is secured to the tilt cylinder attachment  134  and the bosses  132 . The leveling cylinder  136  is connected at a first end  142  to the leveling plate  138  and at a second end  144  to the plate adaptor  124 . Thus, adjusting the length of the leveling cylinder  136  causes the plate adaptor  124  to rotate about the pivot pin  128 . The guides  140  are attached to the plate adaptor  124  and adapted to hold the leveling plate  138  in place, while allowing the plate adaptor to rotate about the pivot pin  128 . 
         [0036]    Various modifications can be made in the design and operation of the present invention without departing from its spirit. Thus, while the principal preferred construction and modes of operation of the invention have been explained in what is now considered to represent its best embodiments, it should be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described.