BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a heavy duty mobile demolition tool for attachment to the boom structure and hydraulic system of a mobile power implement.

More particularly, the demolition tool is attachable to an implement such as an excavator and has a frame which supports a variety of demolition jaws in an offset manner with respect to the frame to make the tool operable on a workpiece over a wide range of boom structure movement.

In rebuilding large structures or reclaiming developed land, demolition often plays a large part. That is, to make way for improvements, structures as buildings, bridges, roadways, airports, refineries and other obsolete facilities are often demolished and cleared. Problems arise in that government regulations and practicable considerations relating to hazardous materials and landfills do not permit the ready disposal of large chunks of demolished structures. Ideally, the structures are to be greatly reduced in size which will accommodate reclamation of certain metals and reuse of crushed frangible materials, such as concrete, as fill or as an aggregate base for roadways and the like.

The workpieces to be reduced and associated with buildings, bridges, roadways, refineries and the like vary greatly in composition and shape. Concrete is often found that may be reinforced and shaped into decks, floors, slabs, sidewalks, roadways, walls, etc. Asphalt

may also be used. Certain of these workpieces may be vertically orientated, at ground level. Other pieces may be at raised levels which may make the materials difficult to reach and dangerous to place men in and around to demolish. The workpieces are also commonly associated with noncrushable structural metal materials such as beams channels, rebar, sheets, plates, pipes, rods, cables, pieces and scrap.

Consequently, attachments to mobile power implements, such as excavators and backhoes, have been developed to assist in the demolition of structures, collecting of the demolished debris and scrap, and processing the reduced materials for reuse or reclamation. U.S. Patent No. 4,519,135 issued on May 28, 1985 to LaBounty is for a metal demolition shear. The shear is unique for demolition, reduction and processing of crushable and noncrushable structural materials. Such materials may include beams, channels, plates, pipes, rods and other metal scrap. The shear essentially reduces the materials by shearing or tearing. U.S. Patent No. 4,838,493 issued on June 13, 1989 to LaBounty is for a concrete crusher for use with crushable or frangible materials. The crusher reduces, breaks or fractures crushable materials such as reinforced and nonreinforced concrete. U.S. Patent No. 4,017,114 issued on April 12, 1977 to LaBounty shows a multi-directional grapple which is typically used for collecting the reduced materials and scrap. The collected materials and scrap are then placed into the back of a truck or rail car for transportation to a remote location for reuse, disposal or reclamation. The grapple patent also reveals a rotational assembly which permits a multitude of angles for orientating the grapple.

There are problems associated with these attachments and the excavators upon which they are attached and used. The attachments have a limited range of use with respect to the boom structure and the excavator. The demolition tools, and more particularly their jaws, are often rigidly mounted as extensions onto the dipper stick or arm of the boom structure. Sometimes the attachments are mounted directly onto the boom as an extension of the boom. Some attachments have their jaws mounted onto a frame which together are an in line extension of the dipper stick or boom. With these arrangements, the orientation of the attachment for operation often requires repeated movement of the excavator to permit the attachment to reach and orientate the workpiece into the jaws of the tool for reduction or demolition.

There is a need for a heavy duty mobile demolition tool that has a frame that will support a variety of jaw structures in an offset manner to permit the tool to be fully operational over the full range of the boom structure movement without repeated moving of the excavator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A heavy duty mobile demolition tool for attachment to the boom structure and hydraulic system of a mobile power implement having an elongate frame with opposing ends. A pair of demolition jaws are pivotally connected to each other as to be opened and closed relative to each other. One of the jaws is rigidly attached and offset from the elongation of the frame to thereby close the one end of the frame. The other jaw is pivotally mounted

onto the frame as to swing toward the one rigid jaw. An attachment mounting assembly is fixed onto the other end of the frame for a quick mounting of the frame to the boom structure of the implement.

A principle object and advantage of the present demolition tool is its unique frame which supports an offset jaw structure to permit the tool to operate on a workpiece over the full range of boom structure movement without necessarily moving the excavator.

Another advantage and object of the present tool is that it has an unique mounting assembly which permits easy and quick mounting as to orientate the tool either toward or away from the excavator depending upon whether the operator wishes to demolish the workpiece by drawing the boom structure toward or away from the cab.

Another principle object and advantage of the present invention is that the tool has a unique mounting structure which is readily adaptable to be mounted either on the dipper stick or the boom of the excavator as well as to mount the tool either toward or away from the cab.

Still another object and advantage of the present invention is that the frame of the tool advantageously permits offset mounting of a variety of jaw configurations for either shearing, crushing or other demolition work.

Yet another object and advantage of the present invention is that the frame is of a box construction adding light weight strength, durability and protection to the operating and moving parts of the tool.

Finally, yet another principal object and advantage of the present invention is that the tool permits demolition of dangerous, difficult and hard to reach workpieces that may be very close to the excavator, far out in front of the excavator, or elevated up and away from the excavator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the heavy duty demolition tool with a shear and guide blade jaw structure attached to boom structure and swinging linkage of a hydraulic excavator shown in broken outline;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the attachment mounting assembly including the mounting plates;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the attachment mounting assembly including the mounting plates broken away from the tool frame;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the attachment mounting assembly pivotally connected to the dipper stick, swinging linkage and hydraulic cylinder of a mobile power implement;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the heavy duty mobile demolition tool having the shear and guide blade jaw structure, the attachment mounting assembly and the elongate frame partially broken away;

FIG. 6 is an arm or stick mounted demolition tool with the shear jaws facing the cab having the boom structure extended outwardly for horizontal, ground level workpiece demolition in the direction of the cab;

FIG. 7 is the stick mounted tool of to FIG. 6 with the shear jaws moved close to the cab after completing a work stroke the range of horizontal movement of the boom structure toward the cab;

FIG. 8 is a stick mounted tool with shear jaws oriented close to and facing away from the cab for horizontal, ground level demolition work to be directed away from the cab;

FIG. 9 is the stick mounted tool of FIG. 8 with the shear jaws and tool extended outwardly after completing a work stroke the range of horizontal movement of the boom structure away from the cab;

FIG. 10 is a stick mounted demolition tool with the shear jaws elevated to the maximum height of the boom structure and oriented towards the cab to work downwardly on an elevated vertical workpiece;

FIG. 11 is a stick mounted demolition tool with concrete pulverizer or crusher jaws elevated to the maximum height of the boom structure and oriented toward the cab to work on an elevated vertical workpiece;

FIG. 12 is a stick mounted demolition tool with the shear jaws oriented over a workpiece at ground level with the tool and shear jaws mounted to face the cab;

FIG. 13 is a stick mounted demolition tool mounted with a rotator mechanism to the boom structure and extended outwardly with the shear jaws facing the cab to work on a workpiece in the direction of the cab;

FIG. 14 is a stick mounted demolition tool with concrete deck pulverizer jaws mounted to face away from the cab, the tool being oriented to work on an elevated horizontal workpiece;

FIG. 15 is a boom mounted demolition tool with shear jaws mounted to face the cab;

FIG. 16 is a boom mounted demolition tool with shear jaws facing away from the cab;

FIG. 17 is a stick mounted demolition tool with concrete deck pulverizer jaws orientated close to and mounted facing away from the cab to work on a workpiece as the boom structure is moved away from the cab; and

FIG. 18 is the stick mounted demolition tool of FIG. 17 with the pulverizer jaws away from the cab after completing a horizontal work stroke with the boom structure moved away from the cab.

DETAILED SPECIFICATION

Although the heavy duty mobile demolition tool of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1-18, some background about mobile power implements is firstly appropriate. Mobile power implements more specifically may be described as excavators 10, backhoes or the like as shown in FIGS. 6-18.

Excavator 10 is mounted on a pair of continuous tracks 12 which permit the excavator 10 to crawl along the ground. Wheels may also be used. Rotatably mounted above the tracks 12 is cab or swinghouse 14. The operator sits within the cab 14 to operate the

excavator 10. The articulated boom structure generally includes the boom 16 pivotally mounted 18 to both sides of the cab 14. The boom typically may have the demolition tool attachment connected thereto. Sometimes the dipper stick or arm 24 is pivotally connected to the boom 14 for supporting the demolition tool at the stick end 28 of the dipper stick 24.

More specifically as contemplated with this invention, boom 16 is mounted at pivot 18 to cab 14. A hydraulic actuator or hydraulic cylinder 20, which suitably includes a piston and ram, is pivotally connected to the boom 16 and cab 14 to permit raising and lowering of the boom 16. The end of the boom 16 has a pivot point 22 upon which the dipper stick 24 is pivotally mounted. A hydraulic cylinder 26 appropriately pivotally connects the top of the boom 16 and the end of the dipper stick 24 as to move the dipper stick 24 upwardly and away from the cab as well as downwardly and towards the cab with respect to the boom 16. The stick 24 and boom 16 may be moved independent of each other. The stick end 28 of the dipper stick or arm 24 appropriately has a pivot pin aperture 30 therethrough for appropriately supporting a transverse pivot pin 32 (FIG. 4) for mounting an attachment to the end 28 of the dipper 24 of excavator 10.

Attachment swinging linkage 34 may be used in connecting an attachment to the stick end 28. Linkage 34 includes spacer links 36 which are pivotally connected to the pivot mount 38 at the stick end 28 of the dipper stick 24. Away from pivot mount 38 is the linkage pivot point 40. Pivot pin 43 (same as point 40) will permit attachment of cylinder 41 to the swinging linkage 34, perhaps by cylinder ram 42 joining pin 40. Also

connected to pin 40 and ram 42 are attachment links 44 which are directed towards the attachment. At the attachment link ends 46 are located apertures 48 through which a pin 50 may be held thereby locking the swinging linkage 34 to the attachment.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, the attachment mounting assembly 49 of the present invention may be clearly seen and described. Mounting assembly 49 includes attachment mounting plates 51 and 52 which are parallel and may be pentagonal in shape (FIG. 1) , triangular in shape 51a (FIG. 5) , or semi-circular in shape 51b (FIG. 6) . Connector support plates 53 and 54 are suitably interconnected between attachment mounting plates 51 and 52 as by welding or weldments 55. Mounting plates 51 and 52 along with support plates 53 and 54 are also fixedly mounted onto a base plate 56 (similar to attachment frame end, cap or top 74) as by welding or weldments 57.

Attachment mounting plates 51 and 52 each have three apertures 59, 60, 61; 62, 63, 64 which are arranged in a triangle as will be advantageously explained. Mounting plate 51 have collars 65 which are raised round flanges or bosses at apertures 59, 60 and 61. The collars 65, however, may be on either mounting plate 51 or 52 or on both plates (FIG. 4) . Collars 65 appropriately have transverse apertures 66 therethrough. Conventional bolts with nuts 67 may pass through apertures 66 and pins 32 and 50 to interlock the pins 32 and 50 to the attachment mounting assembly 49. By this arrangement, the attachment mounting assembly 49 may be pivotally secured to the dipper stick 24, swinging linkage 34 and hydraulic cylinder 41. Alternatively, the mounting assembly may be pivotally secured to the boom 16 and cylinder 26a.

Depending upon the type of workpiece or material to be crushed or sheared and its shape, various attachment jaws suitably may be mounted to the mobile demolition tool as by welding onto the attachment frame 72. More specifically, for materials to be reduced, scrapped, demolished or otherwise sheared that are not generally crushable, the shear and guide blade structure attachment 68 of the referenced '135 patent is appropriate. The shear blades 89 and 97 will readily shear, sever, break, cut as well as crush and pulverize. The shear demolition tool attachment 68 is shown in FIGS. 1, 5-10, 12-13, and 15-16 herein.

For workpieces that are suitably crushable or frangible such as concrete or reinforced concrete, the referenced '493 patent discloses an appropriate concrete crushing demolition tool attachment 69 wherein the jaws 154 and 158 are suitably connected to the frame 72 of the demolition tool as shown in FIG. 11.

Where such crushable materials or workpieces are horizontally situated, such as with decks, floors, slabs, sidewalks, bridges and roadways, the concrete deck pulverizer demolition tool 70 may be used. The pulverizer tool 70 may be appropriately connected onto the frame 72 of the demolition tool as shown in FIGS. 14, 17 and 18 herein.

Common to the various demolition tool jaw structures 68, 69 or 70, is the elongate frame 72 which is preferably of a metal box like or box shaped design with opposing ends 74 and 86. More specifically, frame 72 has closed top, cap or end 74, closed rear wall 76, closed side walls 78 and partially open front wall 80.

Front wall 80 has an elongate opening 82 therethrough which provides access to the frame interior 84. The closed bottom or end 86 suitably is closed by the connecting thereat of the desired demolition tool jaw structure 68, 69 or 70.

At the bottom end 86 of attachment frame 72 the pair of relatively swingable demolition tool jaws 68, 69 and 70 are preferably offset, right angled, 90" or substantially perpendicular with respect to the direction or elongation of frame 72. This relationship is illustrated in FIG. 5. When viewing the vertically oriented elongate frame 72 with respect to horizontal line H through the jaw pivot 109, angle A is roughly but preferably approximate to 90°. However, substantially perpendicular may mean angle A may range depending upon the tool's particular application. In other words, substantially perpendicular or Angle A may vary from 45" to 135".

Referring more specifically to the particular tool jaw structures 68, 69 and 70, the attachment tool with the shear jaws 68 of the '135 patent includes a lower fixed rigid jaw described as a shear and guide blade structure 87. Jaw structure 87 includes lower shear blade 89 and a rigid guide blade 91 which are rigidly mounted as by welding to the frame 72. Tie plate 93 rigidly interconnects the outer ends of the shear and guide blades 89 and 91. Upper jaw 95 appropriately supports a shear blade 97 and a cylinder mounting bracket 99. Pin 101 passes through bracket 99 which is attached to cylinder 103. The opposite end of cylinder 103 has bracket 105 (FIG. 5) suitably anchored to frame 72 by passing a pin 107 through the closed side walls 78. The upper jaw 95 is pivotally supported within the frame

interior 84 by main pivot 109 which also passes through the close side walls 78.

The attachment tool that has the concrete deck pulverizer jaw structure 70 suitably includes the lower jaw 88 which is rigidly connected to frame 72. Jaw 88 has a wedge shape as well as a box design. Lower jaw 88 supports teeth, tips or lugs. Opposing lower jaw 88 is swingable upper jaw 120 which is similarly of a box design. Upper jaw 120 is pivotally mounted and supports teeth, tips or lugs which confront the teeth of lower jaw 88. Upper moveable jaw 120 is swingable by action of a cylinder assembly (not shown) located within the interior 84 of elongate frame 72. By this arrangement, the upper jaw 120 pivots inwardly and outwardly within the frame 72 through elongate opening 82.

The attachment tool which supports the concrete crusher jaw structure 69 of the referenced '493 patent includes a lower grid shaped jaw 154 which supports grid elements or teeth and upper movable grid shaped j w 158 which similarly supports grid elements or teeth. The moveable jaw 158 is supported within frame 72 by a main pivot and is moveable by a cylinder assembly as previously discussed.

The elongate box frame 72 is unique in that it further adds light weight strength and durability to the demolition tool 68, 69, 70. The frame 72 and particularly side walls 78 adequately support and retain the main pivot 132 as well as the hydraulic cylinder pivot 158. The referenced lower jaw structures are sturdily welded onto the bottom end 86 of frame 72. The

box frame 72 also provides protection to the operating and moving parts such as the cylinder 150 and the main pivot 109 and its bearing elements as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5.

Attaching the demolition tool 68, 69 or 70 to an excavator 10 with its various jaw structures will now be appreciated. An attachment mounting, suitably as assembly 49, may be comprised of opposing plates 51 and 52 which may be pentagonal, triangular or semi-circular in shape. However, plates 51 and 52 should have the triangular arranged apertures 59, 60, 61; 62, 63, 64 therethrough to advantageously permit the tool 68, 69 or 70 to be reversibly mounted to the boom structure as to orientate the jaws towards or away from the cab 14. The demolition tool may be attached to the stick end 24 and swinging linkage 34 as shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 6-9, 10-12, 14, 17 and 18. Alternatively, the tool 68, 69 or 70 may be attached to the boom 16 as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. The attachment mounting assembly 49 may also include rotator assembly 58 which permits a hydraulic motor to rotate the jaw structure either away or toward the cab 14. Such rotator assemblies are known and also are disclosed in the referenced LaBounty '114 patent.

Now referring to FIGS. 6-18, the operation of the various demolition tools 68, 69 and 70 may be appreciated. The unique arrangement of orientating the tool jaws substantially perpendicular, offset, right angled or 90° with respect to the elongation of the frame 72 gives the demolition tool a new range of operation that runs the full working stroke and reach of the boom structure 16 and 24 without repeatedly moving the excavator 10. This operation is achieved by the hydraulic articulation of the boom 16, dipper stick 24

and attachment mounting assembly 49 together and independently of each other. This advantage is fully appreciated when the demolition tool is mounted to the dipper stick 24 which is then mounted to the boom 16.

More specifically, FIG. 6 shows that the tool 68 may reach extremely far away from the cab 14 and demolish the workpiece W. As the tool 68 moves toward the cab 14, its jaws demolish and reduce the workpiece W into Rubble R right up to the cab 14 or tracks 12 as shown in FIG. 7. FIGS. 8 and 9 show the demolition tool 68 mounted away from the cab 14. The working stroke begins close to the tracks 12 and continues working on the workpiece W in a direction away from the cab 14 to the reach end of the boom structure 16 and 24. FIGS. 10 and 11 show the shear and the concrete crushing tools 68 and 69 which have offset jaw structures with respect to the elongation of the frame 72. This arrangement permits the boom structure 16 and 24 and tool to reach to extremely high levels to begin working downwardly upon a workpiece W unlike any prior art tool. FIG. 12 shows that the articulation of the boom structure with the demolition tool permits easy grasping of a small workpiece off the ground. FIG. 13 reveals the rotator assembly 58 as part of the attachment mounting assembly 49, as previously discussed. FIG. 14 shows the demolition tool 70 may also operate on a horizontal workpiece at substantially elevated levels as a second or a third concrete floor of a building. FIGS. 15 and 16 show how the demolition tool 68 readily attaches to the boom structure 16 and operates within the range of movement of the boom 16. FIGS. 17 and 18 reveal how the demolition tool may work upon a deck or sidewalk from immediately adjacent the excavator track 12 to the farthest reach of the boom structure to demolish the workpiece into rubble R.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof; therefore, the illustrated embodiment should be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.