Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to material handling equipment, and more particularly to a self loading elevating material handler that is both a material handler and a pallet or container carrier.

Background of the Invention Heavy-duty machinery, generally known as material handlers, are utilized to grasp, transport, lift and lower, and release a wide variety of materials. A number of material handlers are intended to move large, heavy objects including large scrap metal items. Examples of such heavy-duty material handlers are produced by CATERPILLARX and typically include a large counter-weighted body with a cab for an operator and an elongate vertically extending boom. The body, cab and boom are supported on either heavy-duty earth mover tires or on tracks. The material handlers can be moved and can also be used in a stationary position. The boom can be maneuvered by an operator within the cab to pick, move and place material such as scrap metal, or virtually any other type of material.

Other types of material hauling equipment are known and produced by the assignee of the present invention. One such machine is known as a pallet carrier.

Exemplary pallet carriers typically include a forward control cab portion supported on a frame by at least a pair of heavy-duty earth mover tires. A typical pallet carrier also has a rear frame pivotally connected to the forward cab and frame and that is also supported by a plurality of heavy-duty tires. The rear frame has a flat top surface adapted to receive and carry pallets thereon. In particular, the top surface is adapted to be received under a pallet which in turn is adapted to support a container or what is known in the art as a scrap bucket or the like. These material

containers typically have an open top and are supported by a separate pallet having a plurality of stilts or upstanding legs. The legs are spaced apart and depend from the sides of a support surface of the pallet to define a gap between the legs. The pallet legs are upright to elevate the container above a ground surface. The rear frame portion of the pallet carrier can be positioned beneath the pallet between the legs and then raised to contact a bottom surface of the pallet. The container carried on the pallet can then be moved by moving the pallet carrier. The rear frame can again be lowered to release the pallet and material container where desired.

These types of pallet carriers can be used to transport a variety of heavy and large materials such as steel ingots, slabs, blooms, billets, structural shapes, and scrap, any of which can be held in a scrap bucket, a ladle used in the steel fabrication industry, a slag pot or other container type. These pallet carriers typically have a plurality of earth mover size tires, especially on the rear frame section for reliability and long life and for supporting the extremely heavy and large loads. Some of these pallet carriers are equipped to dump the contents stored in the container. The dumping pallet is typically a pallet and container provided as a single unit that can be picked up, transported, and dropped off as described above.

The dump container, when supported on the pallet carrier, can be tipped in order to dump material held within the container. This type of pallet carrier resembles a dump truck except that the dump bucket container includes depending legs such that the container can be dropped and released by the pallet carrier.

When collecting and transporting material, a material handler must be obtained and operated as a separate piece of equipment in order to manipulate the material. If the material is to be collected in a container, a pallet carrier must also be obtained and operated as a separate piece of equipment and positioned near the material handler for loading the pallet carrier. When necessary to move the material handler to collect additional material, the pallet carrier and container must also be moved if out of reach of the material handler's boom. It is extremely costly to acquire and maintain these two separate pieces of heavy-duty machinery. It is also costly to operate these two machines because each one requires a separate operator.

Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a side view of a material handling apparatus constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

Fig. 2 illustrates an end portion of a boom of the material handler including an alternative handling device thereon.

Fig. 3 illustrates a first end view of apparatus showing the material handler of Fig. 1 wherein the boom is not illustrated.

Fig. 4 is a second end view of the apparatus showing the material handling of Fig. 1 and illustrating a material container and pallet resting on a material carrying region of the apparatus and raised above the ground.

Fig. 5 illustrates the material handling apparatus shown in Fig. 1 but supporting material directly on a pallet.

Fig. 6 illustrates the material handling apparatus shown in Fig. 1 but supporting another alternative material container construction.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Referring now to the drawings, Fig. 1 shows one example of a material handling apparatus 10 constructed according to the teachings of the present invention. The apparatus 10 generally supports a material handler 12 on one end and defines a material carrying region 14 on the opposite end. The material carrying region 14 is adapted to support what is known in the industry as a pallet 16 thereon which is further adapted to carry a separate material container 18 on the pallet such as a scrap basket or scrap bucket as illustrated in Fig. 1.

The apparatus 10 generally has a frame 20 with a first frame section 22 and a second frame section 24, an upper side 26, and a plurality of wheels or tires 28 supporting the frame on a ground surface G. One frame section 22 supports the material handler 12 and the opposite frame section 24 provides the material carrying region 14 on the upper side 26. As is known in the art, the frame 20 is constructed from heavy-duty steel as is known for rugged, heavy-duty industrial equipment used in steel manufacturing facilities, scrap yards, mines, and the like. The frame 20 must be constructed to support extremely heavy loads and yet be highly durable for

these types of industries. In the illustrated example, the material handling apparatus 10 is useful for picking up scrap steel, placing it in a scrap bucket, delivering the scrap bucket and scrap to a melt facility and dropping off the bucket and scrap for unloading by a crane so that the scrap can be melted. The first frame section 22 and second frame section 24 are joined at a pivot 29 that permits the frame sections to twist or swivel about a longitudinal axis relative to one another over uneven terrain when the apparatus is moved.

The material handler 12 illustrated in Fig. 1 is an exemplary material handler and is capable of grasping and releasing a wide variety of materials and is further capable of easily reaching the material carrying region 14 of the apparatus 10. In one example, the material handler 12 has a base 30 mounted to the frame section 22.

The base 30 is capable of rotation about a vertical axis V relative to the frame to assist in maneuvering the material handler 12. The material handler 12 in the present example also includes a cab 32 which provides a dedicated and enclosed environment for an operator of the apparatus 10. The cab can include a plurality of controls (not shown) for operating the various mechanical, electrical and hydraulic systems and functions of the apparatus 10. In other examples, the cab can be provided on portions of the apparatus separate from the material handler or can alternatively be mounted to other portions of the frame separate from the material handler, though adjacent to the material handler.

The material handler 12 also has a maneuverable boom 34 with a proximal end 36 connected to the base 30 at a horizontal axis pivot joint 38. The boom 34 has a distal end 40 that supports a handling device 42 thereon. As will be explained through example below, the handling device 42 can vary in construction and function without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The handling device 42 is suspended near the distal end 40 of the boom and can be maneuvered by moving the boom.

The boom 34 in this example includes a first boom section 44 that defines the proximal end 36 and that is connected to the base 30 at the pivot joint 38. The boom 34 also has a second boom section 46 pivotally connected to the first boom section 44 at a pivot joint 48 and pivots about a horizontal axis relative to the first

boom section. The second boom section 46 defines the distal end 40 of the boom 34. In order to manipulate the boom 34, in one example. at least one hydraulic cylinder 50 interconnects the first boom section 44 with the base 30 as is known in the art. Often a pair of such cylinders are positioned on opposite sides of the boom.

The hydraulic cylinder 50 is attached to the base at a distance from the pivot joint 38 whereby length adjusting the cylinder raises or lowers the first boom section.

Similarly, at least one other hydraulic cylinder 52 interconnects the first and second boom sections and is arranged to change the angle between the two boom sections by altering the length of this cylinder.

The handling device 42 as illustrated in Fig. 1 is a four-tine grapple suspended from the distal end 40. The tines 54 of the grapple handling device 42 are manipulated hydraulically as known in the art to open and close the tines relative to one another for gripping and releasing material.

The material carrying region 14 is spaced from the material handler 12 so that the handling device 42 can be maneuvered via the boom 34 to a position near the material carrying region. The handling device 42 can be positioned by the boom 34 to pick up material from and release material onto the material carrying region 14 of the apparatus. The base 30 can be rotated relative to the frame section 22 so that the boom distal end 40 and the handling device 42 can also be positioned remote from the material carrying region and from the apparatus. The handling device can then pick up material and deliver it to the material carrying region 14 or pick up material from the region and drop it in a location remote from the apparatus.

As illustrated in Fig. 2, the handling device 42 can be replaced by other suitable devices such as a magnetic lift device 60 that magnetically attracts objects such as scrap steel. The magnetic lift device 60 has a large surface area magnet 62 supported from the boom distal end 40 by a plurality of supports 64 such as chains or rods. As is known in the art, the magnetic field of the magnet 62 can be manipulated to pick up and release material as desired. As will be evident to those of ordinary skill in the art, the handling device 42 can vary considerably and yet fall within the scope of the present invention.

The material handling apparatus 10 has a plurality of outriggers 70 extending from sides of the frame section 22 for stabilizing the apparatus 10 when using the material handler 12 as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. In the present example, each outrigger has an elongate rigid body 72 pivotally connected to the frame section 22 at a proximal end. A distal end of the body 72 carries a pivotable foot plate 74 for contacting the ground surface G. Each of the outriggers 70 further includes a hydraulic cylinder 78 or other length adjusting mechanism also pivotally carried by the sides of the frame section 22 at a position above the attachment point of the outrigger bodies 72. Each length adjustable element or cylinder 78 is also connected to a respective one of the outrigger bodies 72 near its distal end. By adjusting the length of the cylinders or elements 78, each outrigger distal end including the foot pad 74 is raised or lowered as desired relative to the ground surface G. Each of the outriggers 70 is preferably positioned relative to one another so that the base 30 of the material handler 12 is disposed within a perimeter defined by the outriggers for maximum stability. The outriggers 70, when extended to touch the ground G, provide stability and support for the material handler 12 when being used to move material.

Also as shown in Figs. 1,3 and 4, each of the wheels 28 is supported on an end of one of a plurality of axles 80a, b. The axles are in turn journalled in supports 81a, b secured to a section of the frame 20 as is known in the art. In the present example, each of the axles 80a, b is provided with at least one lift mechanism 82a, b coupled between the axle support 81a, b and the frame 20 in order to raise or lower the frame relative to the supports, wheels and axles. By utilizing the lift mechanisms 82a, b, the upper side 26 of the frame can be raised or lowered relative to the ground G.

In one example, each of the lift mechanisms 82a, b is a hydraulic cylinder 84a, b extending between a respective section of the frame 20 and the corresponding axle support 81a, b. By lengthening or reducing the length of the cylinders, the frame can be raised or lowered relative to the wheels and axles, and hence, relative to the ground G.

The purpose of the lift mechanisms 82b is to raise or lower the material

carrying 14 region to pick up and drop off a pallet 16 and material container 18. A typical pallet 16 in the heavy equipment industry supports the material storage container 18 on a support 88 elevated by a plurality of depending legs 90. The support 88 is intended to support the storage container 18 above the ground surface G providing clearance for the frame section 24 underneath. A gap is defined between the bottom surface 92 of the pallet support 88 and the ground G. The frame section 24, and particularly, the material carrying region 14 can be positioned beneath the material container 18. When positioned as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the material carrying region 14 can be raised by the lift mechanisms 82b into contact with the bottom surface 92 of the support 88 of the pallet 16. The entire container 18 and pallet 16 can be lifted such that the legs 90 do not touch the ground surface G as is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4. In this manner, the material handling apparatus 10 can be moved while carrying the pallet and container to different locations as desired. The lift mechanisms 82b can be lowered in order to drop off and release the container where desired.

As shown in Fig. 1, the left most axle 80a and wheels 28 beneath the material handler 12 also include at least one lift mechanism 82a such as a hydraulic cylinder 84a. By manipulating this particular mechanism 82a in concert with the mechanisms 82b beneath the material carrying region 14, the upper side 26 of the frame 20 can be maintained relatively level at all times. By leveling the entire apparatus 10, unnecessary stress and strain on the base and boom of the material handler can be minimized.

The material carrying region 14 can also be provided with a scale apparatus for monitoring a particular load supported by the region 14. The scale can vary in configuration and construction but is preferably adapted to provide an indication to the operator or to a remote manager or system of the particular load weight carried in the container 18, on the pallet 16, or on the material carrying region 14. In this manner, precise load sizes can be loaded onto and carried by the material handling apparatus 10 as desired.

In the example illustrated in Fig. 4, a scale is provided on the rear frame section 24 of the apparatus. In this example, three or more load cells 98 are

provided on the upper side 26 of the frame section 24. A floating platform 100 is supported by the load cells 98 and can move relative to the frame section 24. The upper surface of the floating plate 100 defines the material carrying region 14 of the apparatus in this example. As material such as the pallet 16 and container 18 are placed on the material carrying region 14, the floating plate 100 will increase downward pressure on the load cells 98 to weigh material supported within the container 18. The load cells 98 in this example can be connected to a readout in the cab 32 or at a remote manager or system providing an indication of the weight of material stored in the container 18. As known in the art, the scale can be zeroed to eliminate the weight of the pallet and container.

As will be evident to those of ordinary skill in the art, the surface and structure of the material carrying region 14 of the apparatus 10 can vary considerably in configuration and construction to adapt the apparatus to a particular use. The container 18 and/or pallet 16 illustrated in Fig. 1 can vary in construction and in certain embodiments can necessitate a different material carrying region configuration. In addition, the material carrying region 14 can be adapted to support certain types of material directly on the upper side 26 of the frame section 24 without use of a separate container 18 or pallet 16.

Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate alternative constructions and configurations of the apparatus 10 and/or the container 18. Fig. 5 illustrates a heap of scrap material 102 supported directly on the pallet 16 on the material carrying region 14. In this example, the region 14 uses no additional storage container on the pallet 16.

Instead, the pallet 16 is adapted to support the materials directly on the support 88.

In another example, the heap of scrap material 102 or other material can alternatively be supported directly on the upper side 26 of the material carrying region 14 without using a pallet 16.

Fig. 6 illustrates an alternative lower profile, elongate container 104 supported on an alternative pallet construction 106. In this example, the elongate container 104 exemplifies a scrap steel container that is typically utilized in the steel making industry for delivering material to an oxygen furnace for melting down the steel material. In the prior embodiments, the scrap bucket-type container 18 is

typically used in conjunction with an electric furnace in the steel making industry.

In the example of Fig. 6, the right-most axles 80b are adequately positioned relative to the rear frame section 24 in order to properly support the elongate pallet 106 and container 104. As will be evident to those of ordinary skill in the art, the frame section 24, the containers 18 or 104, and the pallets 16 or 106 can each vary in configuration and construction from the examples illustrated in Figs. 1 and 6 and yet remain within the scope of the present invention.

Though not illustrated, there are many possible steering mechanisms that can be utilized in conjunction with the apparatus 10 to steer or turn the apparatus. In one example, a hydrostatic steering system can be utilized that incorporates hydraulic pumps and cylinders which can turn the wheels at angles relative to the left-most axle 80a, for example, in order to slowly turn the apparatus 10. As will be evident to those of ordinary skill in the art, other turning systems and mechanisms can be utilized as well for maneuvering the apparatus 10.

In addition, the material handling apparatus 10 is preferably provided with a known drive system or prime mover for driving one or more of the wheels or tires 28 of the apparatus. Preferably, the operator can manipulate the drive system and steering system in order to selectively move the apparatus as desired. In one example, the drive system is a hydrostatically operated system coupled to the material handler motor or prime mover and to a planetary geartrain as is known in the art. Other drive systems and mechanisms may also be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims.