Patent ID: 12234622

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG.1is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing heavy piece of equipment or machinery10(which can be a Skid Steer loader, for example) with grapple bucket attachment5and the attachment apparatus of the present invention, designated generally by the numeral20, attached to grapple bucket attachment5. In a preferred embodiment, attachment apparatus of the present invention can be sized and shaped to mate with or attach to any size piece of heavy machinery or construction equipment.

In a preferred embodiment, machinery attachment apparatus20of the present invention can include frame, as shown inFIG.4. Frame or support structure23can include one or more attachment receiving components or trays15.FIG.4shows a preferred embodiment of frame23that has two attachment receiving trays15. Frame23can also include quick connect attachment plates22that are preferably attached at each end of frame23. In a preferred embodiment, grapple bars21are preferably located between plates22. Bars21are preferably generally parallel to each other. Attachment tray15can be generally C-shaped. As shown inFIG.7, in a preferred embodiment tray15can include locking pin slots26.

Tray15of frame or structure23is preferably sized and shaped to accommodate a first component or construction equipment attachment tool24, which is preferably a broom attachment (as shown inFIG.5). Shell or tray15of structure23is also preferably sized and shaped to accommodate a second component or construction equipment attachment tool30, which is preferably a rake attachment30(as shown inFIG.6).

Second construction equipment tool30and first construction equipment tool24can preferably be attached to their respective tray15in the same manner. Broom attachment24can include its own locking pin or securing means45. Rake attachment30can include its own locking pin or securing means45that can be similar to pin45for broom attachment24.

In a preferred method of attaching attachments24,30to frame23includes first removing pin or securing means45from attachment24,30; then, positioning attachment24,30onto its own tray15using handle or grip40. Then, each locking pin or securing means45is returned to its respective attachment24,30by sliding pin45through slots26of each tray15, returning pin45to the safety position, and securing each attachment24,30to its own respective tray15. Slots26are preferably sized and shaped to accommodate pin or rod45.

InFIG.1, broom attachment or component24and rake attachment or component30are each connected to/secured to a respective tray15of frame23. Grapple bucket5can latch or grab onto grapple bar21.FIG.1shows grapple bucket5secured to/grabbing onto grapple bar21and titling attachment apparatus20so that rake component30is in contact with the ground or surface and is ready for use. When rake attachment30is in contact with the ground, broom attachment24can be titled up so that it is not in contact with the ground (as shown inFIG.1). If a user wants to use broom component24of the attachment apparatus20of the present invention, the user can tilt attachment apparatus20enabling the broom attachment24to be in contact with the ground or surface and ready for use. In a preferred embodiment, when broom attachment24is in contact with the ground or surface, rake attachment30can be tilted up so that it is not in contact with the ground. InFIG.1, for example, a user could detach bucket5from grapple bar21that it is secured to and the have bucket5then grab onto or secured to the other bar21sitting atop broom component24. Broom attachment would then be in contact with the ground or surface and would be ready for use, and rake component30would be tilting up and not in contact with the ground. Detachment or unlatching of the attachment apparatus20from the piece of machinery can occur, but preferably only occurs if a user or operator of the piece of machinery is switching directions.

FIG.2is an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a Skid Steer loader using the quick connect attachment system.FIG.2shows broom attachment24and rake attachment30each connected to a respective tray15of frame23.FIG.2shows attachment apparatus20tilted so that rake attachment30is in contact with the ground and is ready to be used. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, attachment apparatus20is designed so that when rake attachment30is in contact with the ground, broom attachment24is titled up so that it is not in contact with the ground. In this alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention, if a user wants to use the broom attachment24of the attachment apparatus20of the present invention, the user or operator of the piece of equipment10can tilt the attachment apparatus20enabling the broom attachment24to be in contact with the ground or surface and ready for use. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, attachment apparatus20is designed so that when broom attachment24is in contact with the ground or surface, rake attachment30is tilted up so that it is not in contact with the ground.

FIG.3is a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention with the broom24and rake30attachments attached to the frame23. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, handle or grip40and pin45, shown inFIG.3, can secure broom attachment24to tray15. A second handle40and pin45can secure rake attachment to tray15of frame23. Handle40can be attached to broom attachment24. Rake attachment30can also have handle40attached to it. In a preferred embodiment, handle40allows for the broom24or rake30trays to be easily removed from its respective tray15for repairs, replacement, and/or maintenance. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, broom attachment24is attached to tray15that is not the same tray15that rake attachment30is attached to. Because of this, broom attachment24can be removed from its respective tray15while leaving rake attachment30intact/still attached to its respective tray15. In a preferred embodiment, pin45can secure broom attachment24from coming out. Pin45can fit into slot46to preferably secure broom attachment24. Pin45can also secure rake attachment30from coming out by sliding into slot46.

FIGS.5and9show a preferred embodiment of broom attachment24.FIG.5shows broom attachment24attached to tray15of support23.FIG.9shows broom attachment24not attached to tray15. Broom attachment24preferably includes broom bristles25that come into contact with the ground or surface when broom attachment24is in use.

FIGS.6and8show a preferred embodiment of rake attachment30.FIG.6shows rake attachment30attached to its respective tray15of structure23.FIG.8shows rake attachment30prior to its attachment to tray15. Rake attachment30preferably includes extensions or appendages27that are preferably spring loaded rake tongues, and extensions or appendages28that are preferably fixed rake tongues or extensions. Spring loaded extensions27are preferably longer than fixed rake extensions28. Extensions27and28can come into contact with the ground or surface when rake attachment30is in use.

In various preferred embodiments of the present invention, broom attachment24is preferably about 2-20 feet long, more preferably about 6-8 feet long, and most preferably about 6 feet 10 inches long. Broom attachment24can have different dimensions than those listed herein.

In various preferred embodiments of the present invention, rake attachment30is preferably about 2-20 feet long, more preferably about 6-8 feet long, and most preferably about 6 feet 6 inches feet long. Rake attachment30can have different dimensions than those listed herein.

In various preferred embodiments of the present invention, grapple bar21is preferably about 2-20 feet long, more preferably about 6-8 feet long, and most preferably about 6 feet 6 inches long. In various preferred embodiments of the present invention, grapple bar21preferably has a diameter of about 2-20 inches, more preferably about 5-8 inches, and most preferably about 6 inches. Grapple bar21can have different dimensions than those listed herein.

In various preferred embodiments of the present invention, quick connect attachment plate22is preferably about 2-20 feet long, more preferably about 6-8 feet long, and most preferably about 6 feet long. In various preferred embodiments of the present invention, quick connect attachment plate22is preferably about 1-2 feet in height, more preferably about 1′4″-1′10″ in height, and most preferably about 1′6″ high. Attachment plate22can have different dimensions than those listed herein.

PARTS LIST

The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in the present invention:

PartsNumberDescription5Grapple bucket of heavy piece of equipment ormachinery 1010Heavy piece of equipment or machinery (suchas a front-end loader or skid steer)15Attachment receiving component/tray/shell of frame 2320Machinery attachment apparatus21Grapple bars of frame 2322Quick connect attachment plate of frame 2323Frame/support/structure of attachment apparatus 2024Broom attachment/component/tool of attachmentapparatus 2025Broom bristles of broom attachment 2426Locking Pin Slot for the quick connect system27Extensions/fingers/appendages (preferably Springloaded) of rake attachment 3028Extensions/fingers/appendages (preferably Fixed rake)of rake attachment 3030Rake attachment/component/tool of machineryattachment apparatus 2040Handle/Grip45Pin/Securing means/Rod46Slot/hole

All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. All materials used or intended to be used in a human being are biocompatible, unless indicated otherwise.

The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.