Technical Field

This disclosure relates to the field of work tools for crushing and/or cutting material and more particularly to the field of demolition and pulveriser tools having jaw assemblies for crushing and/or cutting material.

Background

A work tool for crushing and/ or cutting material is generally known. Typically, the work tool may comprise a jaw assembly having a first jaw and a second jaw. The first and second jaws may be pivotally connected. The first and second jaws may be moveable relative to each other. Blades may be provided on both jaws.

Material may be crushed or cut by closing the jaw assembly such that the first and second jaws are moved towards each other. The jaw assembly may be opened and closed under hydraulic pressure from a hydraulic cylinder. The work tool may comprise a frame that connects the jaw assembly to a jib of a machine.

The work tool may have a jaw assembly that is suitable for crushing and pulverizing concrete and reinforced concrete structures. The work cycle of a jaw assembly may be the opening of the first and second jaws to collect material and closing of the jaws to crush and/ or pulverise the material. The cycle time for the jaw assembly may be dependent on the time taken to open and close the first and second jaws and to crush and pulverize the material.

JP2010133109A discloses a crushing machine adaptable to both an operation for crushing by cutting into large pieces and an operation for crushing by cutting into small pieces. The crushing machine has an arm that includes a base frame, a fixed jaw which is integrally elongated from the base frame, a movable jaw which can be opened/closed and which is rotatably attached to the base frame and an extended jaw which protrudes from/recedes into the leading end of the fixed jaw in synchronization with the opening/closing of the movable jaw.

US56644734 discloses a crusher having a frame with a pair of support plates and rotatably mounted on the bracket, a lock arm having a pair of arm plates and pivotally mounted between the pair of support plates. The lock arm may carry at one end thereof a crushing jaw. A movable arm may be mounted between the arm plates of the lock arm so as to be pivotable about a first axis that is nearer to the tip of the arm than a second axis about which the lock arm pivots. A trunnion type drive cylinder may be mounted between the arm plates for pivoting the movable arm toward and away from the crushing jaw. The drive cylinder may have pivots arranged on the second axis and pivotally supporting the lock arm. A fixing means may fix the lock arm to the frame at both ends of the pivoting motion of the pivot shaft about the second axis. The ends may be separated a predetermined angle from each other.

The present disclosure is directed, at least in part, to improving or overcoming one or more aspects of the prior art system.

Brief Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect, the present disclosure describes a work tool comprising a jaw assembly supported on the frame, the jaw assembly comprising a upper jaw and a lower jaw, the upper and lower jaws contacting at an abutment plane; and a pivot axis extending through the lower jaw that is offset from the abutment plane, the first jaw being pivotally coupled to the lower jaw at the pivot axis.

In a second aspect, the present disclosure describes a method of operating the work tool. The method may comprise a jaw assembly, the jaw assembly having an upper jaw and a lower jaw, the upper and lower jaws contacting at a pivot axis; and pivoting the upper jaw pivotally coupled at the pivot axis, the pivot axis being positioned on the lower jaw offset from the contact axis.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be more fully understood from the following description of various embodiments, when read together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view of the work tool with the jaw assembly in the closed position according to the present disclosure; and

Fig. 2 is a side view of the work tool of Fig. 1 with the jaw assembly in the open position according to the present disclosure. Detailed Description

This disclosure generally relates to a work tool 10. The work tool 10 may be supported on a work machine.

Fig. 1 illustrates a work tool 10. The work tool 10 may comprise a jaw assembly 12. The jaw assembly 12 may comprise a lower jaw 18 and an upper jaw 16. The work tool 10 may comprise a pivot axis 20. A frame 14 may be integral with the lower jaw 18.

Frame 14 may support the jaw assembly 12. Frame 14 may comprise attachment elements for housing components therein. Frame 14 may house a hydraulic cylinder (not shown) for actuating the jaw assembly 12. The hydraulic cylinder may be connected to the frame 14 and to the jaw assembly 12. In an embodiment, lower jaw 18 may house the hydraulic cylinder (not shown) for actuating the jaw assembly 12. The hydraulic cylinder may be connected to the lower jaw 18 and to the upper jaw 16.

The hydraulic cylinder may actuate the jaw assembly 12 to open and close. Extraction of the hydraulic cylinder may actuate the jaw assembly 12 towards the closed position as illustrated in Fig. 1. Retraction of the hydraulic cylinder may actuate the jaw assembly 12 towards the open position as illustrated in Fig. 2.

The frame 14 or the lower jaw 18 may have an upper jaw connection end 15 for connection to the upper jaw 16 and a mounting end 17 for connection to a jib (not shown). Frame 14 may have a central axis 13. Central axis 13 may extend to the lower jaw 18. Central axis 13 may extend between the upper jaw connection end 15 and the mounting end 17. At least a part of the jaw assembly 12 may extend from the upper jaw connection end 15 in alignment with the central axis 13. In an embodiment, the extension of the part of the jaw assembly 12 may be parallel to the central axis 13.

Frame 14 or the lower jaw 18 may have a hinge portion 19. Hinge portion 19 may extend transversely away from the central axis 13. Hinge portion 19 may comprise spaced apart plates. Hinge portion 19 may be coupled to the jaw assembly 12. Jaw assembly 12 may be movable between a close and an open position about the hinge portion 19. At least a part of the jaw assembly 12 may be coupled between the plates. At least a part of the jaw assembly 12 may be movable between the plates.

Pivot axis 20 may be located at the frame 14 or the lower jaw 18. Pivot axis 20 may be transverse to the frame 14 or the lower jaw 18. Pivot axis 20 may extend through the lower jaw 18 or the frame 14. Pivot axis 20 may be perpendicular to the central axis 13. Pivot axis 20 may be positioned on the lower jaw 18 or the frame 14 spaced from the central axis 13. In an embodiment, pivot axis 20 may be positioned on the frame 14 spaced from the second jaw 18.

Pivot axis 20 may be positioned between the upper jaw connection end 15 and the mounting end 17. Pivot axis 20 may be positioned between the upper jaw connection end 15 and the hydraulic cylinder. Pivot axis 20 may be positioned between the upper jaw connection end 15 and the line of extraction and retraction of the hydraulic cylinder.

Pivot axis 20 may be positioned on the hinge portion 19. Pivot axis 20 may be positioned adjacent an edge of the hinge portion 19. Pivot axis 20 may be positioned adjacent the upper jaw connection end 15.

The upper jaw 16 and the lower jaw 18 may be suitably provided for crushing concrete and/ or cutting iron sections. The upper jaw 16 may be pivotably coupled to the lower jaw 18 or the frame 14. Upper jaw 16 may be pivotably coupled to the lower jaw 18 or the frame 14 at the pivot axis 20. Upper jaw 16 may be coupled to the lower jaw 18by a coupling pin (not shown) extending through the upper jaw 16 and the lower jaw 18 or the frame 14. The coupling pin may be engaged to the lower jaw 18 or the frame 14 to pivotally hold the upper jaw 16.

Upper jaw 16 may pivot about the pivot axis 20. Upper jaw 16 may pivot between a first jaw position and a second jaw position. The first jaw position may correspond to the close position of the jaw assembly 12 and the second jaw position may correspond to the open position of the jaw assembly 12. With reference to Fig. 1, the upper jaw 16 may be in the first jaw position. With reference to Fig. 2, the upper jaw 16 may be in the second jaw position. Upper jaw 16 may pivot relative to the lower jaw 18. Upper jaw 16 may pivot relative to the frame 14.

The pivoting path of the upper jaw 16 may be limited at the first jaw position and at the second jaw position. At the first jaw position, upper jaw 16 may be limited by abutting contact with the lower jaw 18. At the first jaw position, upper jaw 16 may be limited by the hydraulic cylinder. The complete extraction of the hydraulic cylinder may correspond to the first jaw position. At the second jaw position, upper jaw 16 may be limited by the hydraulic cylinder. The complete retraction of the hydraulic cylinder may correspond to the second jaw position.

With reference to Fig. 2, at an end, upper jaw 16 may have an upper engagement portion 22. The upper engagement portion 22 may contact material to be crushed and/ pulverised. The upper engagement portion 22 may lie on an upper engagement plane 23. In an embodiment, the upper engagement portion 22 may have a series of teeth 24. The free ends 25 of the teeth 24 may lie on the first engagement plane 23. In an alternative embodiment, the upper engagement portion 22 may comprise cutters. The free ends of the cutters may lie on the upper engagement plane 23. In a further alternative, the upper engagement portion 22 may comprise teeth and cutters.

Pivoting movement of the upper jaw 16 may move the upper engagement portion 22. Upper engagement portion 22 may move along a rotational path. Each point of the plane of the upper engagement portion 22 may move along a rotational path. The upper engagement portion 22 may move between a first jaw position and a second jaw position. Upper engagement portion 22 may rotate relative to the lower jaw 18. Upper engagement portion 22 may rotate relative to the frame 14.

Pivoting movement of the upper jaw 16 may move the upper engagement plane 23. Upper engagement plane 23 may move along a rotational path. The upper engagement plane 23 may move between a first jaw position and a second jaw position. Upper engagement plane 23 may rotate relative to the lower jaw 18. Upper engagement plane 23 may rotate relative to the frame 14.

With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, at an opposite end, upper jaw 16 may have a cylinder engagement portion 26. Cylinder engagement portion 26 may be connected to the hydraulic cylinder (not shown). Cylinder engagement portion 26 may be connected to the piston rod head (not shown) of the hydraulic cylinder. In an alternate embodiment, cylinder engagement portion 26 may be connected to a bottom connection point (not shown) of the hydraulic cylinder. Cylinder engagement portion 26 may be an elongated extension of the upper jaw 16. Cylinder engagement portion 26 may be a finger like extension. Cylinder engagement portion 26 may have an extension axis 28. Cylinder engagement portion 26 may be inclined relative to the upper engagement portion 22. The extension axis 28 may be inclined to the first engagement plane 23. The extension axis 28 may be inclined to the upper engagement portion 22.

With the upper jaw 16 coupled to the hydraulic cylinder, extraction or retraction thereof may effect corresponding movement of the upper jaw 16. Upper jaw 16 may be moved relative to the frame 14. Extraction of the hydraulic cylinder may move the upper jaw 16 towards the first jaw position. Retraction of the hydraulic cylinder may move the upper jaw 16 towards the second jaw position.

Upper jaw 16 may be coupled to the frame 14 or the lower jaw 18 between the cylinder engagement portion 26 and the upper engagement portion 22. In an embodiment, upper jaw 16 may be coupled to the frame 14 or the lower jaw 18 at a mid-point between the cylinder engagement portion 26 and the upper engagement portion 22. Upper jaw 16 may be coupled to the frame 14 or the lower jaw 18 such that the pivot axis 20 may be located between the cylinder engagement portion 26 and the upper engagement portion 22. Upper jaw 16 may have an arcuate shape. The upper engagement portion 22 may have a larger sectional dimension relative to the cylinder engagement portion 26.

The lower jaw 18 may be coupled to the frame 14 and may be integral with the frame 14. Lower jaw 18 may be coupled to the frame 14 at a position spaced from the pivot axis 20. Second jaw 18 may be coupled to the frame 14 at a position adjacent to the central axis 13. In an embodiment, the lower jaw 18 may be welded to the frame 14.

In an embodiment, jaw assembly 12 may be coupled with frame 14 such that the pivot axis 20 may be located at an extension on second jaw 18. First jaw 16 may connect pivotally to the extension on the second jaw 18 at the pivot axis 20.

With reference to Fig. 2, at an end, lower jaw 18 may have a lower engagement portion 32. The lower engagement portion 32 may contact material to be crushed and/ pulverised. The lower engagement portion 32 may lie on an lower engagement plane 33. In an embodiment, the lower engagement portion 32 may have a series of teeth 34. The free ends 35 of the teeth 34 may lie on the second engagement plane 33. In an alternative embodiment, the lower engagement portion 32 may comprise cutters. The free ends of the cutters may lie on the lower engagement plane 33. In a further alternative, the lower engagement portion 32 may comprise teeth and cutters.

With reference to Fig. 1, at the closed position, an abutment plane 21 may be positioned between the upper jaw 16 and the lower jaw 18. The abutment plane 21 may be formed between the upper and lower engagement portions 22, 32. The abutment plane 21 may be formed between the upper and lower engagement planes 23, 33.

In an embodiment, the upper and lower jaws 16, 18 may contact at an abutment plane 21. The abutment plane 21 may be formed at the contact of the upper and lower engagement planes 23, 33. The abutment plane 21 may be formed at the contact of the upper and lower engagement portions 22, 32. The abutment plane 21 may be located at the intersection of the teeth 24 of the upper engagement portion 22 and the teeth 34 of the lower engagement portion 32. Abutment plane 21 may be inclined relative to the extension axis 28.

With reference to Fig.1, the pivot axis 20 may have an offset distance A from the abutment plane 21. The offset distance between pivot axis 20 and abutment plane 21 may be between 0.25 times jaw depth to 0.75 times a jaw depth B of the lower engagement portion 32. The offset distance between pivot axis 20 and abutment plane 21 may be between 0.35 times jaw depth to 0.65 times a jaw depth B of the lower engagement portion 32. Jaw depth B may be defined as the distance of the lower engagement portion 32 from the cutting edge of the first implement that may be a tooth 24 or a cutter to the upper jaw connection end 15. Jaw depth B may be measured from the first free end 25 of the first tooth 24 positioned on the lower jaw 18 furthest from the upper jaw connection end 15. Jaw depth B of the lower engagement portion 32 may be measured parallel to abutment plane 21. In an embodiment, offset distance A may be perpendicular to the jaw depth B. Offset distance A may be perpendicular to the jaw depth B extrapolated from the lower engagement portion 32.

In an embodiment, jaw depth B may be defined as the distance of the lower jaw 18 from front edge 37 to the upper jaw connection end 15. The offset distance between pivot axis 20 and abutment plane 21 may be between 0.3 times jaw depth to 0.7 times a jaw depth B of the lower jaw 18.

Pivot axis 20 may be positioned on the frame 14 or the lower jaw 18 offset from the abutment plane 21. Pivot axis 20 may be positioned on the lower jaw 18 or the frame 14 laterally offset from the abutment plane 21. Pivot axis 20 may be positioned on the lower jaw 18 or the frame 14 transversely offset from the abutment plane 21. In an embodiment, pivot axis 20 may be positioned on the lower jaw 18adjacent the upper jaw connection end 15 and spaced from the abutment plane 21.

Pivot axis 20 may be positioned on the lower jaw 18 or the frame 14 offset to the intersection of the abutment plane 21 and the central axis 13. Pivot axis 20 may be positioned on the frame 14 or the lower jaw 18 spaced from the intersection of the abutment plane 21 and the central axis 13.

Pivot axis 20 may be positioned on the lower jaw 18 or the frame 14 spaced from the lower engagement plane 33. Pivot axis 20 may be positioned on the lower jaw 18 or the frame 14 laterally offset from the lower engagement plane 33. Pivot axis 20 may be positioned on the lower jaw 18 or the frame 14 transversely offset from the lower engagement plane 33. In an embodiment, pivot axis 20 may be positioned on the frame 14 or the lower jaw 18 adjacent the upper jaw connection end 15 and spaced from the lower engagement plane 33.

Pivot axis 20 may be positioned on the lower jaw 18 or the frame 14 offset to the intersection of the upper engagement plane 33 and the central axis 13. Pivot axis 20 may be positioned on the lower jaw 18 or the frame 14 spaced from the intersection of the lower engagement plane 33 and the central axis 13.

Pivot axis 20 may be positioned on the lower jaw 18 or the frame 14 spaced from the lower engagement portion 32. Pivot axis 20 may be positioned on the lower jaw 18 or the frame 14 laterally offset from the lower engagement portion 32. Pivot axis 20 may be positioned on the lower jaw 18 or the frame 14 transversely offset from the lower engagement portion 32. In an embodiment, pivot axis 20 may be positioned on the lower jaw 18 or the frame 14 adjacent the upper jaw connection end 15 and spaced from the lower engagement portion 32.

Lower jaw 18 may be fixedly coupled to the frame 14. Lower jaw 18 may not move relative to the frame 14. The jaw assembly 12 may be actuated between the closed and open positions by moving the upper jaw 16 relative to the lower jaw 18. Jaw assembly 12 may be in the closed position with the upper jaw 16 moved to be in contact with the lower jaw 18. Jaw assembly 12 may be in the open position with the upper jaw 16 moved away from the lower jaw 18.

In an embodiment, lower jaw 18 may be pivotably coupled to the frame 14. Lower jaw 18 may pivot about the connection axis 30. Lower jaw 18 may pivot between a first jaw position and a second jaw position. The first jaw position may correspond to the close position of the jaw assembly 12 and the second jaw position may correspond to the open position of the jaw assembly 12. The pivot axis 20 and the connection axis 30 may be parallel.

At the first jaw position, lower jaw 18 may be in contact with the upper jaw 16. The lower jaw 18 may be moved under hydraulic pressure from the first jaw position to the second jaw position. Lower jaw 18 may be moved relative to the frame 14. At the second jaw position, the lower jaw 18 may be disposed away from the upper jaw 16.

With reference to Fig. 2, the capacity of the jaw assembly 12 may be defined by the relative distance between the upper engagement portion 22 and the lower engagement portion 32. In particular, the capacity of the jaw assembly 12 may be defined by the relative distance between the first engagement plane 23 and the second engagement plane 33.

The pivoting movement of the upper jaw 16 may define the rotational path of the upper engagement portion 22. The upper engagement portion 22 may rotate relative to the lower engagement portion 32. Upper engagement portion 22 may be in the rotation path when abutting contact is made with the lower engagement portion 32. Rotational movement of upper engagement portion 22 while in contact with the lower engagement portion 32 may result in a grinding interaction between the upper engagement portion 22 and the lower engagement portion 32.

The pivoting movement of the upper jaw 16 may define the rotational path of the upper engagement plane 23. The upper engagement plane 23 may rotate relative to the lower engagement plane 33.

The pivoting movement of the upper jaw 16 may move the upper engagement portion 22 to a distance from the lower engagement portion 32 with an increased capacity. The pivoting movement of the upper jaw 16 may move the upper engagement portion 22 to a distance from the lower engagement portion 32 with an increased capacity. The angle of inclination of the upper engagement portion 22 relative to the lower engagement portion 32 may increase as the upper jaw 16 is pivoted from the first jaw position to the second jaw position.

The work tool 10 may be operated by actuating the jaw assembly 12 by a hydraulic cylinder that is positioned in the frame 14 and connected to the upper jaw 16. Retraction of the hydraulic cylinder may pivot the upper jaw 16 about the pivot axis 20 from the first jaw position towards the second jaw position. The upper engagement portion 22 may rotate relative to the frame 14 or the lower jaw 18 away from the lower engagement portion 32. The upper jaw 16 may continue the pivoting movement up to the complete retraction of the hydraulic cylinder. The upper jaw 16 may be at the limit of the pivoting path at the second jaw position. The jaw assembly 12 may be at the largest capacity to pick up material for crushing and/ or pulverizing.

Extraction of the hydraulic cylinder may pivot the upper jaw 16 about the pivot axis 20 from the second jaw position towards the first jaw position. The upper engagement portion 22 may rotate relative to the frame 14 or the upper jaw 18 towards the lower engagement portion 32. The upper jaw 16 may continue the pivoting movement up to abutting contact of the first and lower engagement portions 22, 32. The rotational movement of the upper engagement portion 22 against the lower engagement portion 32 may effect a grinding of the material. The material may be crushed and/ or pulverised with the pivoting movement of the upper jaw 16 towards the lower jaw 18.

The skilled person would appreciate that foregoing embodiments may be modified or combined to obtain the work tool 10 of the present disclosure.

Industrial Applicability

This disclosure describes a work tool 10 for a work machine. The work tool 10 may enable work operations such as crushing and/ or pulverizing of an increased amount of work materials such as concrete, in a single work cycle. The work tool 10 may have a larger jaw opening and/ or capacity which enables more work material to undergo work operation in the same work cycle. A larger jaw capacity may enable bigger blocks of concrete to undergo work operations in a single work cycle.

Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, the reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, neither the reference signs nor their absence have any limiting effect on the technical features as described above or on the scope of any claim elements.

One skilled in the art will realise the disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the disclosure or essential characteristics thereof. The foregoing embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects illustrative rather than limiting of the disclosure described herein. Scope of the invention is thus indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing description, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalence of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

The disclosures in European Patent Application No. 14175861.5 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.