Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02829580 2013-1()-09
HORIZONTALLY ROTATABLE MULTI-KNUCKLE BOOM
CROSS REFERENCE To RELATED APPLICATION
[00011 This application claims priority to co-pending U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 61/714 972, filed
October 17, 2012, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated
by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[00021 This invention relates generally to vehicles and, more
particularly, to a vehicle having a horizontally rotatable
multi-knuckle boom.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Vehicles having spray booms for spraying liquids during
mining have typically included booms that can fold, extend and
rotate about a horizontal axis perpendicular to a direction of
motion of the vehicle. A vehicle having a boom with greater
degrees of movement and easier methods of rotation is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
100041 A first aspect of the present invention is to provide a
mining vehicle for spraying a fluid. The mining vehicle
includes a vehicle portion having a propulsion system for
propelling the mining vehicle, a boom connected to the vehicle
portion, and a hydraulically driven pivot assembly connecting
the boom to the vehicle portion. The pivot assembly includes a
horizontal axis pivot member to allow the boom to pivot about
the vehicle portion about a first horizontal axis. The boom
comprises at least three boom arms and a nozzle on an end
thereof, with each of the boom arms being pivotable about an
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adjacent one of the boom arms about a second axis. The second
axis is substantially perpendicular to the first horizontal
axis.
[0005] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a
mining assembly for spraying a fluid comprising a base, a boom
connected to the base, and a hydraulically driven pivot assembly
connecting the boom to the base. The pivot assembly includes a
horizontal axis pivot member to allow the boom to pivot about
the base about a first horizontal axis. The boom comprises at
least three boom arms and a nozzle on an end thereof, with each
of the boom arms being pivotable about an adjacent one of the
boom arms about a second axis. The second axis is substantially
perpendicular to the first horizontal axis. The mining assembly
also includes a tube system extending between the base and the
nozzle, with the tube system being configured to supply the
fluid from the base to the nozzle for spraying the fluid out of
the nozzle.
[0006] Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a
mining vehicle for spraying a fluid comprising a vehicle portion
having a propulsion system comprising wheel for propelling the
mining vehicle, a boom connected to the vehicle portion, and a
hydraulically driven pivot assembly connecting the boom to the
vehicle portion. The pivot assembly includes a horizontal axis
pivot member to allow the boom to pivot about the vehicle
portion about a first horizontal axis. The boom comprises at
least three boom arms and a nozzle on an end thereof, with each
of the boom arms being pivotable about an adjacent one of the
boom arms about a second axis. The second axis is substantially
perpendicular to the first horizontal axis. The mining vehicle
also includes a tube system extending between the vehicle
portion and the nozzle, with the tube system being configured to
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supply the fluid from the vehicle portion to the nozzle for
spraying the fluid out of the nozzle. At least one of the boom
arms is a telescoping arm having the nozzle on a distal end
thereof. Each adjacent pair of the boom arms have an actuator
pivotally connected thereto for rotating the boom arms relative
to each other about the second axis.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a side view of vehicle of the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a side view of a boom of the vehicle of the
present invention in a folded position.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a side view of the boom of the vehicle of the
present invention in an unfolded position.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the boom of the vehicle
of the present invention in the unfolded and fully extended
position.
PHI FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a horizontal axis pivot
assembly and a first arm of the boom of the vehicle of the
present invention.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the horizontal axis
pivot assembly of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of a second arm of the
boom of the vehicle of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of a third arm of the boom
of the vehicle of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of a fourth telescoping
arm of the boom of the vehicle of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] For purposes of description herein, it is to be understood
that the invention may assume various alternative orientations,
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except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to
be understood that the specific devices and processes
illustrated in the attache-1 drawings, and described in the
following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the
inventive concepts defined herein. Hence, specific dimensions
and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments
disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless
expressly stated otherwise.
10017] The reference number 10 (FIG. 1) generally designates a
vehicle embodying the present invention. In the illustrated
example, the vehicle 10 includes a front vehicle portion 12 and
a rear vehicle portion 14. A joint 16 articulates between the
front vehicle portion 12 and the rear vehicle portion 14. The
joint 16 can be a powered joint or a passive joint. While any
joint 16 could be used, an example of a powered joint that could
be used is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 61/625 962,
entitled ARTICULATION AND OSCILLATION JOINT FOR VEHICLE, the
entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by
reference. While the vehicle 10 is illustrated as having a
pivoted front vehicle portion 12 and a rear vehicle portion 14,
it is contemplated that the vehicle 10 could be formed of a
single fixed body.
[0018] The illustrated front vehicle portion 12 propels the
vehicle 10. The front vehicle portion 12 includes an engine for
driving the vehicle 10 and at least one pair of driven wheels 17
for propelling the vehicle 10 (e.g., four wheel drive with two
pairs of driven wheels 17). The pair of driven wheels 17 can be
connected by a solid axle or cradle axle. Cradle axles are well
known to those skilled in the art and any cradle axle can be
used. For example, the front vehicle portion 12 can have the
cradle axle discussed in U.S. Patent No. 4 082 377 entitled AXLE
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CRADLE MOUNTING HAVING ELASTOMERIC SPHERICAL BUSHINGS, the
entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by
reference. The rear vehicle portion 14 can comprise a trailer or
any other structure and can include at least one axle (solid or
cradle) having a pair of wheels 19 connected to ends thereof.
100191 In the illustrated example, the front vehicle portion 12
includes a boom 20 that can rotate about a horizontal axis 25
relative to the front vehicle portion 12 by a horizontal axis
pivot assembly 30 having a pivot actuator 26. The boom 20 can
be used for carrying anything on an end thereof. In the
illustrated example, the boom 20 includes an articulating nozzle
22 on an end thereof. The articulating nozzle 22 can be used in
any application including for spraying a fluid therethrough for
use in mining as is well known to those skilled in the art. The
fluid is supplied to the nozzle 22 from the vehicle through
tubing 36 connected to the boom 20.
[00201 The illustrated boom 20 includes a first arm 24 connected
to the horizontal axis pivot assembly 30, a second arm 28, a
third arm 32 and a fourth telescoping arm 34 having the
articulating nozzle 22 on a distal end thereof. The first arm
24, the second arm 28, the third arm 32 and the fourth
telescoping arm 34 are pivotable relative to each other to allow
the boom 20 to move from a folded position as illustrated in
FIG. 1 to an unfolded position as illustrated in FIG. 3.
Furthermore, the fourth telescoping arm 34 can be extended from
a retracted position as illustrated in FIG. 1 to an expanded
position as illustrated in FIG. 4. Certain terminology will be
used in the following description for convenience in reference
only, and will not be limiting. For example, the words "distal"
and "distally" will refer to the direction toward the end of the
boom 20 as illustrated in the unfolded position in FIG. 3, which
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includes the nozzle 22, and the words "proximal" and
"proximally" will refer to the direction toward the end of the
boom 20 which is connected to the front vehicle portion 12 and
that is furthest from the nozzle 22. In FIGS. 3-5 and 7-9, the
distal side is a right side of the drawing and a proximal side
is a left side of the drawing. Said terminology will include the
words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of
similar import.
100211 In the illustrated example, the horizontal axis pivot
assembly 30 (FIGS. 1-5) allows the boom 20 to rotate about the
horizontal axis 25 with the pivot actuator 26. The pivot
actuator 26 includes an external cylinder 38 and an internal
cylinder 40 (or similar structure) that rotates relative to the
external cylinder 38 (see FIG. 6). The pivot actuator 26 also
includes a proximal cap 42 connected to a proximal side of the
internal cylinder 40 and a distal cap 44 connected to a distal
side of the internal cylinder 40. The proximal cap 42 and the
distal cap 44 have substantially the same diameter as the
external cylinder 38 to cover ends of the same (with a seal
between the caps 42, 44 and the external cylinder 38 to allow
the caps 42, 44 to rotate with the internal cylinder 40 relative
to the external cylinder 38). The pivot actuator 26 can be
powered to actively rotate the boom 20 relative to the vehicle
about the horizontal axis 25 extending through a center of
the pivot actuator 26. The pivot actuator 26 can be the
actuator disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5 447 095 entitled
ACTUATOR WITH RING GEAR AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME, the
entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by
reference. The pivot actuator 26 can also be an L30 helical,
hydraulic actuator as sold by Helac Corporation CD of Enumclaw,
Washington. The pivot actuator 26 can be powered hydraulically
or by other means. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the external
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cylinder 38 has hydraulic lines 46 connected thereto for
supplying the pivot actuator 26 with hydraulic fluid under
pressure (from a source of pressurized fluid on the vehicle in)
to power the pivot actuator 26.
[0022] The illustrated external cylinder 38 of the pivot actuator
26 of the horizontal axis pivot assembly 30 is fixedly connected
to the vehicle 10 to allow the internal cylinder 40 to rotate
about the horizontal axis 25. The front vehicle portion 12 of
the vehicle 10 includes a proximal connection collar 48 and a
distal connection collar 50. The proximal connection collar 48
includes a substantially block-shaped base plate 52 and a ring
collar portion 54 extending from the base plate 52. The base
plate 52 of the proximal connection collar 48 is fixed to the
front vehicle portion 12 and the ring collar portion 54
surrounds an exterior periphery of a proximal side
circumferential surface of the external cylinder 38 of the pivot
actuator 26. The ring collar portion 54 of the proximal
connection collar 48 is fixed to the external cylinder 38 of the
pivot actuator 26 by any means (e.g., fasteners). Similarly,
the distal connection collar 50 includes a substantially block-
shaped base plate 56 and a ring collar portion 58 extending from
the base plate 56. The base plate 56 of the distal connection
collar 50 is fixed to the front vehicle portion 12 (by, e.g.,
fasteners) and the ring collar portion 58 surrounds an exterior
periphery of a distal side circumferential surface of the
external cylinder 38 of the pivot actuator 26. The ring collar
portion 58 of the distal side connection collar 50 is fixed to
the external cylinder 38 of the pivot actuator 26 by any means
(e.g., fasteners). It is contemplated that the proximal
connection collar 48 and the distal connection collar 50 could
be fixed to a plate or similar structure rotatably connected to
the vehicle 10 to allow the boom 20 to be rotatable about a
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vertical axis to provide even greater range of motion for the
boom 20.
[00231 In the illustrated example, the horizontal axis pivot
assembly 30 further includes a pivot connection 60 fixed to the
proximal cap 42 and the distal cap 44 and connected to the first
arm 24 of the boom 20 for transferring rotary motion of the
pivot actuator 26 to the first arm 24 of the boom 20. The pivot
connection 60 includes a top plate 62 fixed to top edges of the
proximal cap 42 and the distal cap 44. The top plate 62 is
substantially I-shaped when viewed from above and includes a
proximal side end 64, a distal side end 66 and a thin extension
68 extending between the proximal side end 64 and the distal
side end 66. A top of the proximal cap 42 is fixed to the
proximal side end 64 (by, e.g., fasteners) and a top of the
distal cap 44 is fixed to the distal side end 66 (by, e.g.,
fasteners). A plurality of angled struts 67 can extend between
the proximal surface of the proximal cap 42 and a bottom surface
of the proximal side end 64 of the top plate 62 to reinforce the
connection between the proximal cap 42 and the top plate 62.
The top plate 62 rotates with the internal cylinder 40 of the
pivot actuator 26, the distal cap 44 and the proximal cap 42.
The distal cap 44 and the distal side end 66 of the top plate 62
are fixed to the first arm 24.
10024] The illustrated first arm 24 of the boom 20 is fixed to the
horizontal axis pivot assembly 30 to allow the horizontal axis
pivot assembly 30 to rotate the first arm 24 and the boom 20
about the horizontal axis 25. The first arm 24 includes a pair
of parallel planar side walls 70, an angled middle wall 72 and
an end wall 74. The pair of parallel planar side walls 70 have
a proximal side edge connected to the distal cap 44 of the
horizontal axis pivot assembly 30. A pair of co-planar tabs 76
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extend from a distal edge of the top plate 62 of the horizontal
axis pivot assembly 30 and are connected to proximal side top
edges of the pair of parallel planar side walls 70 of the first
arm 24. The angled middle wall 72 of the first arm 24 extends
between the pair of parallel planar side walls 70 and is
connected thereto. The angled middle wall 72 has a higher
proximal side connected to a bottom of the distal side end 66 of
the top plate 62 of the horizontal axis pivot assembly 30. A
lower distal side of the angled middle wall 72 terminates at a
bottom distal side of the first arm 24. The end wall 74 extends
between the pair of parallel planar side walls 70 in a
substantially vertical orientation. A lower edge of the end
wall 74 is spaced from the lower distal side of the angled
middle wall 72 to create a second arm receiving space 78
therebetween. The second arm 28 is pivotally connected to the
first arm 24.
[00251 In the illustrated example, the second arm 28 (FIG. 7) is
connected to the first arm 24 of the boom 20 and is configured
to be forcibly pivoted relative to the first arm 24. The second
arm 28 includes a pair of substantially parallel side wall
assemblies 80, a pivot block 82 and an angled stepped plate 84.
Each of the substantially parallel side wall assemblies 80
includes an inside plate 86, an outside plate 88 and a
substantially oval spanning plate 90. The substantially oval
spanning plate 90 extends between and is connected to
peripheries of the inside plate 86 and the outside plate 88.
The pivot block 82 is connected to and extends between the pair
of substantially parallel side wall assemblies 80 at the end of
the second arm 28 connected to the first arm 24 (i.e., the
proximal end of the second arm 28 is connected to the distal end
of the first arm 24). The angled stepped plate 84 also is
connected to and extends between the pair of substantially
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parallel side wall assemblies 80. The angled stepped plate 84
includes, moving from a proximal side to a distal side thereof,
a bottom step 91 and a top step 92, with a middle angled plate
94 extending between the bottom step 91 and the top step 92.
The angled stepped plate 84 also includes an upper angled plate
96 at a distal end of the top step 92. The bottom step 91 is
located adjacent a first longitudinal edge 98 of the pair of
substantially parallel side wall assemblies 80, with the upper
angled plate 96 facing away from the first arm 24. The pair of
substantially parallel side wall assemblies 80 and an area below
the middle angled plate 94, the top step 92 and the upper angled
plate 96 define a third arm receiving space 100.
[0026] The illustrated second arm 28 is pivotally connected to the
first arm 24 and a first articulating assembly 102 connected
therebetween forces rotation of the second arm 28 relative to
the first arm 24. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the second arm 28
is connected to the first arm 24 by inserting the proximal end
of the second arm 28 having the pivot block 82 into the second
arm receiving space 78 of the first arm 24. A pivot pin 101
extends through the pair of parallel planar side walls 70 of the
first arm 24, the pair of substantially parallel side wall
assemblies 80 of the second arm 28 and the pivot block 82 of the
second arm 28 to allow the second arm 28 to pivot relative to
the first arm 24.
100271ln the illustrated example, the first articulating assembly
102 includes a first expandable cylinder 104 having a proximal
end pivotally connected to the first arm 24 by a first pin 106
and a distal end pivotally connected to the second arm 28. The
distal end of the first expandable cylinder 104 is connected to
the second arm 28 at a location adjacent a center area of the
second arm 28, but closer to the third arm 32 than the first arm
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24 (at a location adjacent an end of the bottom step 91 of the
angled stepped plate 84). The first pin 106 extends between the
pair of parallel planar side walls 70 above the Pnri 1,,711 74 of
the first arm 24. The first expandable cylinder 104 includes a
ring surrounding the first pin 106 in a center area 107 thereof.
A pair of sleeves 108 surround the center area 107 of the first
pin 106 to maintain a position of the first expandable cylinder
104 on the first arm 24. The first expandable cylinder 104 can
comprise a pair of telescoping tubes, with the interior tube
being driven hydraulically or pneumatically into and out of the
exterior tube. When the first expandable cylinder 104 is in a
contracted position, the distal end of the second arm 28
connected to the third arm 32 rotates away from the first arm 24
as illustrated in FIG. 3 (although the first arm 24 and the
second arm 28 could be further extended until the first arm 24
and the second arm 28 are substantially linear). When the first
expandable cylinder 104 is in an expanded position, the distal
end of the second arm 28 connected to the third arm 32 rotates
toward the first arm 24 as illustrated in FIG. 2. A driver of
the vehicle 10 and/or a person outside of the vehicle 10 can
control expansion or contraction of the first expandable
cylinder 104 using control levers and/or button (or similar
controls).
100281 The illustrated third arm 32 (FIG. 8) is pivotally
connected to the second arm 28. The third arm 32 includes a U-
shaped proximal end member 110, a rectangular center tube 112, a
fourth arm support member 114 and a U-shaped distal end member
116. The U-shaped proximal end member 110 includes a pivot
block cylindrical base 118 and a pair of parallel planar arms
120. The pair of parallel planar arms 120 of the U-shaped
proximal end member 110 abut opposite side faces 122 of the
rectangular center tube 112 to connect the U-shaped proximal end
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member 110 to the rectangular center tube 112. The fourth arm
support member 114 extends from a top face 124 of the
rectangular center tube 112. The fourth arm support member 114
has an inverted U-shape and includes a pair of parallel support
legs 126 and an angled top plate 128. As discussed in more
detail below, the fourth telescoping arm 34 rests on the angled
top plate 128 of the fourth arm support member 114 when the boom
20 is in the folded position. The U-shaped distal end member
116 includes a proximal block 130 connected to a distal end of
the rectangular center tube 112 and a pair of parallel side
plates 132 connected to sides of the proximal block 130.
[0029] The illustrated third arm 32 is pivotally connected to a
distal end of the second arm 28 and a second articulating
assembly 134 connected therebetween forces rotation of the third
arm 32 relative to the second arm 28. As illustrated in FIG. 2-
4, the third arm 32 is connected to the second arm 28 by
inserting the proximal end of the third arm 32 with the U-shaped
proximal end member 110 having the pivot block cylindrical base
118 into the third arm receiving space 100 of the second arm 28.
A pivot pin 111 extends through the pair of substantially
parallel side wall assemblies 80 of the second arm 28
surrounding the third arm receiving space 100 and the pivot
block cylindrical base 118 of the U-shaped proximal end member
110 of the third arm 32 to allow the third arm 32 to pivot
relative to the second arm 28.
[0030] In the illustrated example, the second articulating
assembly 134 includes a second expandable tube 136 having a
first end pivotally connected to the second arm 28 by a second
arm connection assembly 138 and to the third arm 32 by a third
arm connection assembly 140. The second expandable tube 136 can
comprise a pair of telescoping tubes, with a smaller interior
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tube 142 being driven hydraulically or pneumatically into and
out of a larger exterior cylinder 144 (see FIG. 3).
[0031] The illustrated larger exterior cylinder 144 is connected
to the second arm connection assembly 138 of the second arm 28
and is able to pivot relative thereto. The second arm
connection assembly 138 (FIG. 7) comprises a pivot pin 146
extending substantially perpendicularly from one of the
substantially parallel side wall assemblies 80 of the second arm
28 and a W-shaped receiver 148 having the pivot pin 146
extending through three parallel arms 150 of the W-shaped
receiver 148. It is contemplated that the pivot pin 146 and the
W-shaped receiver 148 could be rotatable relative to or fixed in
position on the second arm 28. The larger exterior cylinder 144
of the second expandable tube 136 has a U-shaped fork extending
therefrom on an end opposite to the smaller interior tube 142.
Tines of the U-shaped fork are inserted into receiving spaces
between pairs of the three parallel arms 150 of the W-shaped
receiver 148 and the pivot pin 146 extends through the tines of
the U-shaped fork to allow the larger exterior cylinder 144 to
pivot about the pivot pin 146.
[0032] In the illustrated example, the smaller interior tube 142
is connected to the third arm connection assembly 140 and is
able to pivot relative thereto. The third arm connection
assembly 140 comprises a tube 154 extending perpendicularly from
a side face 156 of one of the parallel planar arms 120 of the U-
shaped proximal end member 110 of the third arm 32. The tube
154 includes a pair of parallel slots 158 in a lower face
thereof, with a pair of lobes 160 extending from the lower face
of the tube 154 on opposite sides of the pair of parallel slots
158. An end support plate 162 is connected to a terminal end of
the tube 154. A pivot pin 164 extends through the end support
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= plate 162, the lobes 160 and into the side face 156 of the one
of the parallel planar arms 120 of the U-shaped proximal end
member 110 of the third arm 32. The smaller interior tube 142
of the second expandable tube 136 has a U-shaped fork extending
therefrom on an end opposite to the larger exterior cylinder
144. Tines of the U-shaped fork are inserted into the parallel
slots 158 in the tube 154, with the pivot pin 164 extending
through the tines of the U-shaped fork to allow the smaller
interior tube 142 to pivot about the pivot pin 164.
[00331 When the second expandable tube 136 is in a contracted
position, the distal end of the third arm 32 connected to the
fourth telescoping arm 34 rotates away from the second arm 28 as
illustrated in FIG. 3 (although the second arm 28 and the third
arm 32 could be further extended until the second arm 28 and the
third arm 32 are substantially linear). When the second
expandable tube 136 is in an expanded position, the distal end
of the third arm 32 connected to the fourth telescoping arm 34
rotates toward the second arm 28 as illustrated in FIG. 2. A
driver of the vehicle 10 and/or a person outside of the vehicle
can control expansion or contraction of the second expandable
tube 136 using control levers and/or button (or similar
controls).
[0034] The illustrated fourth telescoping arm 34 (FIG. 5) is
pivotally connected to the distal end of the third arm 32. The
fourth telescoping arm 34 includes a proximal inner telescoping
tube 168, a middle telescoping tube 170 and a distal outer
telescoping tube 172, with the distal outer telescoping tube 172
having the articulating nozzle 22 on a distal end thereof. The
proximal inner telescoping tube 168 is configured to slidingly
telescope into and out of the middle telescoping tube 170 and
the middle telescoping tube 170 is configured to slidingly
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telescope into and out of the distal outer telescoping tube 172
to selectively shorten and lengthen the length of the fourth
telescoping arm 34.
[1:1035] In the illustrated example, the proximal inner telescoping
tube 168 of the fourth telescoping arm 34 comprises a tube 174
having a pair of connection panels 176 on opposite side faces
178 of the tube 174 at the proximal end thereof. Each of the
connection panels 176 includes a substantially aligned top
opening 180 and a bottom opening 181 (illustrated as being
vertically aligned in FIG. 9). Each of the connection panels
176 also includes a connection portion 182 distally located from
the substantially aligned top opening 180 and bottom opening
181. The connection portion 182 of the connection panels 176
are connected to the proximal end of the tube 174. A pivot pin
tube 184 extends between the top openings 180 in the connection
panels 176. A pivot pin extends through the pivot pin tube 184
to pivotally connect a proximal end of the fourth telescoping
arm 34 to the distal end of the third arm 32. A distal end of
the proximal inner telescoping tube 168 slides into a proximal
end of the middle telescoping tube 170. The proximal end of the
middle telescoping tube 170 includes a stop member 186
configured to abut the connection panels 176 for preventing the
proximal inner telescoping tube 168 from fully sliding into the
proximal end of the middle telescoping tube 170. The proximal
inner telescoping tube 168 and the middle telescoping tube 170
have mating structure therein for telescoping the proximal inner
telescoping tube 168 into and out of the proximal end of the
middle telescoping tube 170 as is well known to those skilled in
the art (e.g., a hydraulic extendable tube connected to each of
the proximal inner telescoping tube 168 and the middle
telescoping tube 170).
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LOON A proximal end of the illustrated distal outer telescoping
tube 172 is configured to receive a distal end of the middle
telescoping tube 170 therein. The proximal end of the distal
outer telescoping tube 172 includes a stop member 187 configured
to abut the stop member 186 on the middle telescoping tube 170
for preventing the middle telescoping tube 170 from fully
sliding into the proximal end of distal outer telescoping tube
172. The distal outer telescoping tube 172 and the middle
telescoping tube 170 have mating structure therein for
telescoping the middle telescoping tube 170 into and out of the
proximal end of the distal outer telescoping tube 172 as is well
known to those skilled in the art (e.g., a hydraulic extendable
tube connected to each of the distal outer telescoping tube 172
and the middle telescoping tube 170). The distal outer
telescoping tube 172 includes a tube 188 having a nozzle holding
assembly 190 on a distal end thereof.
100371 In the illustrated example, the nozzle holding assembly 190
(see FIGS. 2, 3 and 9) holds the articulating nozzle 22. The
nozzle holding assembly 190 includes a proximal U-shaped plate
192, a holding tube 196, a U-shaped pivot connector 198 and a Y-
shaped pivot connector 200. The proximal U-shaped plate 192 is
spaced from the distal end of the distal outer telescoping tube
172 and extends upwardly from a top surface 202 of the tube 188.
The proximal U-shaped plate 192 includes a spanning wall 204 and
a pair or parallel connection walls 206. The connection walls
206 are parallel to opposite side surfaces 208 of the tube 188
and include extension portions 210 connected to the side
surfaces 208 of the tube 188. The holding tube 196 extends from
a distal face of the spanning wall 204 beyond the distal end of
the tube 188. The U-shaped pivot connector 198 includes a
middle panel 212 connected to a distal end of the holding tube
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196 and a pair of parallel arms 214 extending in a distal
direction from the middle panel 212. The Y-shaped pivot
connector 200 includes hinnk 216 inflated between the arms
214 of the U-shaped pivot connector 198 and configured to pivot
relative thereto. The Y-shaped pivot connector 200 also
includes a pair of holding supports 218 having the articulating
nozzle 22 extending throughthrough. The Y-shaped pivot
connector 200 is configured to pivot relative to the U-shaped
pivot connector 198 to pivot the articulating nozzle 22 about
the distal end of the fourth telescoping arm 34. The Y-shaped
pivot connector 200 can be forced to pivot relative to the U-
shaped pivot connector 198 in any manner well known to those
skilled in the art (e.g., a rotary actuator connected located
within the holding tube 196 and connected to the Y-shaped pivot
connector 200 for rotating the Y-shaped pivot connector 200
relative to the U-shaped pivot connector 198 under control of an
operator).
[0038]The illustrated proximal end of the fourth telescoping arm
34 is pivotally connected to the distal end of the third arm 32.
As illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, the fourth telescoping arm 34 is
connected to the third arm 32 by inserting the connection panels
176 at the proximal end of the fourth telescoping arm 34 into a
fourth arm receiving space 185 located between the pair of
parallel side plates 132 of the third arm 32. A pivot pin 183
extends through a pair of co-linear distal openings 228 in the
pair of parallel side plates 132 and through the bottom openings
181 in the connection panels 176 to pivotally connect the fourth
telescoping arm 34 to the third arm 32.
100391 In the illustrated example, a third articulating assembly
220 connected between the fourth telescoping arm 34 relative to
the third arm 32 forces rotation of the fourth telescoping arm
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34 relative to the third arm 32. The third articulating
assembly 220 includes a third expandable cylinder 234, which can
comprise a pair of telescoping tubes, with a smaller interior
tube 240 being driven hydraulically or pneumatically into and
out of a larger exterior tube 238 having a first end pivotally
connected to the third arm 32. The larger exterior tube 238 of
the third expandable cylinder 234 is connected to a third arm
tube support 236 of the third arm 32. As illustrated in FIGS.
2, 3 and 8, the third arm tube support 236 comprises a pair of
plates 235 having aligned openings 237. A pin 239 extends
through the aligned openings 237 and into a proximal end of the
larger exterior tube 238 of the third expandable cylinder 234,
thereby allowing the third expandable cylinder 234 to pivot
relative to the third arm 32. A distal end of the third
expandable cylinder 234 is connected to a knuckle assembly 241
connected to both the distal end of the third arm 32 and the
fourth telescoping arm 34.
[0040] The illustrated knuckle assembly 241 allows the fourth
telescoping arm 34 to rotate about the distal end of the third
arm 32. The knuckle assembly 241 includes a pair of outside
curved knuckles 224 and a pair of inside curved knuckles 222.
The pair of outside curved knuckles 224 each have a proximal end
pivotally connected to the pair of parallel side plates 132 of
the third arm 32 by a pin or pins 225 extending through proximal
openings 230 in the pair of parallel side plates 132 and the
proximal ends of the outside curved knuckles 224. A distal end
of the outside curved knuckles 224 is pivotally connected to a
pin 232 extending through a distal end of the smaller interior
tube 240 of the third expandable cylinder 234. The pin 232
connected to the distal end of the outside curved knuckles 224
and the distal end of the smaller interior tube 240 is also
pivotally connected to a proximal end of the pair of inside
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CA 02829580 2013-10-09
curved knuckles 222. A distal end of the pair of inside curved
knuckles 222 is pivotally connected to a pivot pin 245 that
extends through the pivot pin tube 184 and the top opening 180
of the connection panels 176 of the fourth telescoping arm 34.
[0041] When the third expandable cylinder 234 is in a contracted
position, the distal end of the fourth telescoping arm 34 having
the nozzle 22 thereon rotates toward the third arm 32 as
illustrated in FIG. 2. When the third expandable cylinder 234
is in the contracted position, the distal outer telescoping tube
172 will rest on the angled top plate 128 of the fourth arm
support member 114 of the third arm 32. When the third
expandable cylinder 234 moves to an expanded position, the
smaller interior tube 240 of the third expandable cylinder 234
pushes the pin 232, thereby causing the pair of outside curved
knuckles 224 to rotate about the pin 225 in the proximal
openings 230 in the pair of parallel side plates 132 of the
third arm 32. Furthermore, the smaller interior tube 240 of the
third expandable cylinder 234 also pushes the pin 232 to thereby
cause the pair of inside curved knuckles 222 to rotate about the
pivot pin 245 extending through the pivot pin tube 184 and the
top opening 180 of the connection panels 176 of the fourth
telescoping arm 34. Moving the third expandable cylinder 234 to
the expanded position causes the distal end of the fourth
telescoping arm 34 having the nozzle 22 thereon to rotate away
from the angled top plate 128 of the fourth arm support member
114 of the third arm 32 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. A
driver of the vehicle 10 and/or a person outside of the vehicle
can control expansion or contraction of the third expandable
cylinder 234 using control levers and/or button (or similar
controls).
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CA 02829580 2013-10-09
[0042] In use, the illustrated boom 20 moves the articulating
nozzle 22 on an end thereof for spraying a fluid therethrough
for use in mining as is well known to those skilled in the art.
The vehicle 10 with the boom 20 could also be used in other
industries for spraying any fluid. The fluid is supplied to the
nozzle 22 from the vehicle through tubing 36 connected to the
boom 20. As illustrated in FIGS. 3, holding links 250 extending
from the fourth telescoping arm 34 can be used to hold portions
of the tubing 36 adjacent to the fourth telescoping arm 34.
Likewise, rod 252 having tubing sections 254 on ends thereof can
extend from the second arm 28 and the third arm 32, with the
tubing 36 extending through the tubing sections 254 or with the
tubing sections 254 forming a portion of the tubing 36 to
support the tubing 36 along the length of the boom 22.
moul It is to be understood that variations and modifications
can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing
from the concepts of the present invention.
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