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:
Nov. 10, 2009
Filed:
Jan. 05, 2007
Larry D. Hested, Geneva, IL (US);
Timothy G. Sidles, Oswego, IL (US);
Brian Marstall, Chesterfield, MO (US);
Larry D. Hested, Geneva, IL (US);
Timothy G. Sidles, Oswego, IL (US);
Brian Marstall, Chesterfield, MO (US);
Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US);
Abstract
A machine includes a chassis and a boom assembly. The boom assembly is movable relative to the chassis. The machine further includes a grapple assembly suspended from the boom assembly. The grapple assembly comprises a grapple head fluidly connected to a first hydraulic circuit for actuating the grapple head to a grasping configuration, and a hydraulic motor fluidly connected to a second hydraulic circuit for rotating the grapple head. The second hydraulic circuit includes a bypass valve. The bypass valve has a first position configured to block a fluid flow between a first port of the hydraulic motor and a second port of the hydraulic motor. The bypass valve also has a second position configured to allow a fluid flow between the first port of the hydraulic motor and the second port of the hydraulic motor. The bypass valve allows the grapple head to rotate freely when the grapple head is in a grasping configuration.