The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 29, 1987
Filed:
Sep. 11, 1986
Marvin K Palmer, Oswego, IL (US);
Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US);
Abstract
In the mounting of a grapple arrangement to the boom of a vehicle, it is desirable to provide motion dampeners between the hinged joints of the components. Various types of motion dampening devices have been employed which are mounted in a location that subject the device to structural damage or contamination. The present invention overcomes these drawbacks by providing the mounting apparatus between a grapple arrangement and the rotator of a boom that includes a mounting link. The connection between the mounting link and each of the rotator and grapple arrangement comprises a pair of pin assemblies and that allows relative rotation therebetween about two generally horizontal axes. Along each axis, a motion dampening device or snubber is mounted in association with one of the pin assemblies to apply a preselected amount of force against the pin assembly to resist the relative motion. Each snubber assembly is nested within the structure that is provided by the various portions of the mounting apparatus. Being so mounted, each snubber assembly is shielded from contact with surrounding objects and thus protected from damage that would otherwise be likely occur.