WO2025003701A1

WO2025003701A1 - Vehicle tool arm

Info

Publication number: WO2025003701A1
Application number: PCT/GB2024/051687
Authority: WO
Inventors: William Wilson
Original assignee: European Forest Machinery Limited
Priority date: 2023-06-29
Filing date: 2024-06-28
Publication date: 2025-01-02
Also published as: GB2633445A; GB202409399D0; GB202309957D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to vehicles (100) used for cutting objects, especially tree-cutting excavators, and vehicle tool accessories for such vehicles (100). A vehicle tool arm (10) is described comprising a cutting element (12) and a grappling element (14), wherein the grappling element (14) is located adjacent the cutting element (12), and wherein the cutting element (12) is movable from a first cutting position to a second retracted position, wherein the cutting element (12) and grappling element (14) are closer in the first cutting position than in the second retracted position. The cutting element (12) being movable away from the grappling element (14) means that the cutting element (12) may be used to cut tree limbs (for example) and then be retracted to enable the grappling element (14) to latch onto the cut limbs.

Description

VEHICLE TOOL ARM

Description

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to vehicles used for cutting objects, especially tree-cutting excavators, and vehicle tool accessories for such vehicles.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle tool arm comprising a cutting element and a grappling element, wherein the grappling element is located adjacent the cutting element, and wherein the cutting element is movable from a first cutting position to a second retracted position, wherein the cutting element and grappling element are closer in the first cutting position than in the second retracted position.

The cutting element being movable away from the grappling element means that the cutting element may be used to cut tree limbs (for example) and then be retracted to enable the grappling element to latch onto the cut limbs.

The grappling element may be movable from a first stowed position to a second operating position. The cutting element may be a chain saw.

The cutting element may be mounted on a cutting element pivot.

The cutting element pivot may be mounted upon a first swivel.

The first swivel may be a 360° swivel.

The first swivel may be mounted upon a second swivel.

The second swivel may be a left/right swivel.

The second swivel may be mounted upon a third swivel.

The third swivel may be an up/down swivel.

There may be provided a cutting element drive portion.

The grappling element may be a twin claw type.

There may be provided a saw box oil reservoir to provide lubrication to the cutting element.

The saw box oil reservoir may be placed between the vehicle and the third swivel.

There may be provided a grappling element base section upon which the grappling element is mounted. There may be provided a grappling element pivot attaching the grappling element to the grappling element base section.

There may be provided a grappling element retraction bracket on the grappling element base section which may be adapted to be gripped by the grappling element.

The grappling element base section may be attachable to a vehicle upon which the tool arm may be mounted.

The tool arm may mount either to the existing arm or the existing boom of the vehicle.

The second retracted position may be such that the cutting element is positioned away from the grappling element and adjacent the existing arm or boom of the vehicle.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle with a vehicle tool arm according to the first aspect of the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an end elevation of a first embodiment vehicle and tool arm according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle and tool arm of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the vehicle tool arm of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 4 is a further side elevation of the vehicle tool arm of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the vehicle tool arm of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 6 is a further perspective view of the vehicle tool arm of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the vehicle tool arm of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a second embodiment vehicle tool arm according to the present invention; and

Fig. 9 is a further perspective view of the vehicle tool arm of Fig. 8.

Turning to the drawings and initially to Fig. 1 , a vehicle generally referred to as 100 is shown mounted with a vehicle tool arm generally referred to as 10. The vehicle tool arm 10 is an embodiment of the present invention as is the combination of vehicle 100 and tool arm 10.

The vehicle 100 has a pre-existing boom 102 and arm 104. This may otherwise be provided with a bucket (not shown) or the like, which may be modified by attaching the vehicle tool arm 10 of the present invention.

The vehicle tool arm 10 generally comprises a cutting element 12 and a grappling element 14, wherein the grappling element 14 is located adjacent the cutting element 12, and wherein the cutting element 12 is movable from a first cutting position (as seen generally in Figs 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7) to a second retracted position (as seen generally in Fig. 2), wherein the cutting element 12 and grappling element 14 are closer in the first cutting position than in the second retracted position.

The cutting element 12 being movable away from the grappling element 14 means that the cutting element 12 may be used to cut tree limbs (for example - not shown in Figs) and then be retracted to enable the grappling element 14 to latch onto the cut limbs (not shown).

It will be understood that the cutting element 12 and grappling element 14 will both be required to be used on items (felled limbs or limbs still attached to a tree) generally in the same area i.e. to the front of the tool arm 10. It is advantageous therefore to allow the cutting element 12 to be positioned generally at the extent of the vehicle’s existing arm 104 to allow cutting, and then for the cutting element 12 to be stowed away from that position and allow the operation of the grapple to take over.

As can be seen from Fig. 2, in the second retracted position, the cutting element is raised in line with the existing arm portion 104 of the vehicle.

Retraction of the cutting element 12 from first cutting position to second retracted position may either be accomplished either by the skill of the operator using existing control levers etc, or there may be provided a specific control sequence encoded which automatically moves the cutting element 12 to the second position.

The cutting element 12 is a chain saw 12 in the present embodiment.

The cutting element 12 is mounted on a cutting element pivot 16. A cutting element drive portion 18 is provided upon which the cutting element 12 is mounted via a cutting element pivot 16. Two umbilical cables 20 are provided between the drive portion 18 and the cutting element 12 to provide power and control for the cutting element 12.

The cutting element pivot 16 is rotatable within the drive portion 18, functioning as a universal joint. This allows the cutting portion to both rotate and pivot relative to the drive portion 18 in operation. This assists in being able to present the cutting element 12 at a desired angle to a tree limb or the like which a user may wish to cut.

The grappling element 14 is in the present embodiment a twin claw type grapple 14. There is provided a grappling element base section 22 upon which the grappling element 14 is mounted.

There is also provided a grappling element pivot 24 attaching the grappling element 14 to the grappling element base section 22. Again, the grappling element pivot 24 is both pivotable and rotatable in relation to the grappling element base section 22 which assists in allowing the grappling element 14 to be provided at the optimal angle to collect felled limbs.

A grappling element retraction bracket 26 is provided on the grappling element base section 22 which is adapted to be gripped by the grappling element 14. This allows the grappling element 14 to move from a first stowed position (see Fig. 3) to a second operating position (see Fig. 4).

A grappling umbilical 28 is provided between the grappling element base section 22 and the grappling element to allow for control over and power to the grappling element 14. A tool arm mounting bracket 30 is provided which both attaches the tool arm 10 to the existing vehicle arm 104 and is used to independently mount the grappling element base section 22 and the cutting element drive portion 18. A pivot joint 34 is provided between the tool arm mounting bracket 30 and the cutting element drive portion 18, which primarily enables the retraction of the cutting element into the second position beside the existing vehicle tool arm.

Umbilicals 32 are provided between the vehicle 100 and tool arm 10 to provide for power supply and control of the tool arm’s various components.

A second embodiment vehicle tool arm generally referred to as 110 is depicted in Figs 8 and 9. The vehicle tool arm 110 employs a similar numbering scheme as the first embodiment, albeit with the addition of a prefixing “1”, such as cutting saw 112 and grapple 114.

The second embodiment 110 is generally similar in form and function as the first embodiment, and corresponding elements will not be described again, rather reference may be made to the first embodiment except as described below.

The cutting element 112 is a chain-saw 112. A saw-box 118 houses the chain-saw 112 and provides the necessary motors and controls (not shown). A cutting element pivot 116 mounts the saw-box 118 and cutting element 112 to the rest of the tool arm 110 and enables the cutting element to pivot upwardly and downwardly from the perspective of Figs 8 and 9, albeit it will be appreciated that in use this may pivot in different directions depending on the position of the other pivots and swivels.

The cutting element pivot 116 mounts onto a first swivel 117 which allows full rotation of the cutting element pivot 116 and therefore the cutting element 112. The first swivel 117 is a 360° swivel and a motor (not shown) is provided to actuate the first swivel 117.

The first swivel 117 in the present embodiment provides continuous rotation in either direction, although it may be modified to have restricted rotation in either direction. The first swivel motor (not shown) is provided with an integral braking system to hold the first swivel 117 in position when not required to rotate.

A second swivel 119 mounts the first swivel 117 and allows the cutting element assembly 115 to be swivelled left and right (again from the perspective of Figs 8 and 9). The second swivel is a L/R swivel 119.

A third swivel 121 mounts the second swivel 119 and allows the second swivel 119 and cutting element assembly 115 to be swivelled up and down (again from the perspective of Figs 8 and 9) making it an UP/DOWN swivel.

The cutting element pivot 116, second swivel 119 and third swivel 119 are hydraulically actuated and will hold in position due to internal oil pressure when not activated to rotate.

A tool arm chassis 123 mounts the third swivel 121 and various other elements of the tool arm 110. The tool arm chassis 123 is a telescopically extendable piece. A hydraulic ram 113 mounts to the outer and inner telescopic elements of the tool arm chassis 123 to enable the tool arm 110 to be extended. The hydraulic ram 113 may be replaced with a pneumatic variant in further embodiments of the present invention.

A saw oil box 125 is mounted onto the tool arm chassis 123 and contains oil for lubricating the cutting element 112. By having a separate saw oil box 125 which is not mounted onto a pivoting potion of the tool arm 110 it means that the oil can be collected in a consistent manner from the saw oil box 125 and is unaffected by differing positions and gravity.

A hose loop carrier 127 is mounted onto the chassis 123 and contains the various umbilicals and hydraulic/pneumatic supply lines (not shown). The hose loop carrier 127 therefore protects them from potential snagging or cutting by outside elements, such as limbs or branches.

A mounting bracket 129 is provided on the chassis 123 to enable the tool arm 110 to be mounted to the vehicle 100.

A hydraulics tray 131 is mounted beneath the chassis 123.

A grapple chassis 133 is mounted beneath the chassis 123, between the hydraulics tray 131 and adjacent the L/R swivel 119. A grappling element pivot 124 attaches the grappling element 114 to the grapple chassis 133. There may be provided a braked or anti-swing link to the grappling element pivot.

The vehicle operator (not shown) may use the tool arm controls (not shown) to position the cutting element 112 into the desired position, using the various pivots and swivels that connect the cutting element 112 to the chassis 123. The cutting element 112 may then be used to cut limbs or anything else which the operator.

The cutting element assembly 115 may then be parked by primarily using the UP/DOWN swivel 121 to move it away from the grapple 114. The control system (not shown) may be provided with a specific “PARK” signal or control, which aligns the various swivels and pivots into a largely straight portion to allow the cutting assembly 115 to sit in line with the chassis 123.

The grapple 114 may then be controlled and be used to manipulate what the cutting element 112 has cut.

Cameras and lights (not shown) may be mounted to the tool arm 110 to enable the operator to better see the cutting action of the tool arm, and the cameras may feed back to monitors within the vehicle. Lights and/or cameras may be mounted, for example, on the saw box 118 or upon the hose loop carrier 127.

In addition, a drone may be used that could follow the vehicle/vehicle arm to provide a bird's eye view of the 112-section working at height, allowing a clearer view on a screen within the cab for the operator to use for specific limb cutting work.

A wireless remote-control unit may be used that an operator can use to control the excavator and vehicle tool arm while outside at a safe distance from the machine.

A tracked remote-controlled chipper could be employed that can follow the vehicle either automatically or via operator control with wireless controls while inside the excavator.

Claims

1 . A vehicle tool arm comprising a cutting element and a grappling element, wherein the grappling element is located adjacent the cutting element, and wherein the cutting element is movable from a first cutting position to a second retracted position, wherein the cutting element and grappling element are closer in the first cutting position than in the second retracted position.

2. A vehicle tool arm according to claim 1 wherein the grappling element is movable from a first stowed position to a second operating position.

3. A vehicle tool arm according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the cutting element is a chain saw.

4. A vehicle tool arm according to any preceding claim wherein the cutting element is mounted on a cutting element pivot.

5. A vehicle tool arm according to any preceding claim wherein the cutting element pivot is mounted upon a first swivel.

6. A vehicle tool arm according to claim 5 wherein the first swivel is a 360° swivel.

7. A vehicle tool arm according to claims 5 or 6 wherein the first swivel is mounted upon a second swivel.

8. A vehicle tool arm according to claim 7 wherein the second swivel is a left/rig ht swivel.

9. A vehicle tool arm according to claims 7 or 8 wherein the second swivel is mounted upon a third swivel.

10. A vehicle tool arm according to claim 9 wherein the third swivel is an up/down swivel.

11. A vehicle tool arm according to any preceding claim wherein further including a cutting element drive portion.

12. A vehicle tool arm according to any preceding claim wherein the grappling element is a twin claw type.

13. A vehicle tool arm according to any preceding claim wherein there is provided a grappling element base section upon which the grappling element is mounted.

14. A vehicle tool arm according to any preceding claim wherein there is provided a grappling element pivot attaching the grappling element to the grappling element base section.

15. A vehicle tool arm according to any preceding claim wherein there is provided a grappling element retraction bracket on the grappling element base section which is adapted to be gripped by the grappling element.

16. A vehicle tool arm according to any preceding claim wherein the grappling element base section is attachable to a vehicle upon which the tool arm is mounted.

17. A vehicle tool arm according to any preceding claim wherein the tool arm mounts either to the existing arm or the existing boom of a vehicle upon which the tool arm is mounted.

18. A vehicle tool arm according to any preceding claim wherein the second retracted position is such that the cutting element is positioned away from the grappling element and adjacent the existing arm or boom of a vehicle upon which the tool arm is mounted.

19. A vehicle with a vehicle tool arm according to any preceding claim.