US3709550A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic one line grapple
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1967-05-10
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Granted: 1973-01-09
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Expires: 1987-05-10
Abstract
Abstract A grapple employed in the logging industry which includes a pair of tongs which are automatically opened and closed while being hung or supported from a single line or support and which is especially useful in highlead grapple yarding. The tongs are opened and closed in a single cycle of operation or a multiple cycle of operation which renders the grapple quite useful in turning or rotating a log. The tongs of the grapple are either supported from a supporting pin and linkage in which position the tongs are in closed or adjacent position or supported from a pin interconnecting the crossed tongs which pivots the tongs to an open position with the supporting function being sequential in response to movement of the grapple in a predetermined manner.
Inventors
- 👤 J Mitchell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:34
CPC Classifications
B; B66; B66C; B66C1/00; B66C1/10; B66C1/42; B66C1/58; B66C1/585; B66C21/00; B66C2700/00; B66C2700/01; B66C2700/011
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
432 words
An automatic one line grapple for logging or the like comprising a vertically disposed shaft having means thereon for connection with a single support, a frame movably supported from the shaft for relative vertical movement in relation thereto, a tong assembly attached to and depending from the frame for opening and closing in response to relative vertical movement between the fraMe and shaft, and means interconnecting the shaft and frame for sequentially locking the shaft to the frame to preclude relative vertical movement therebetween and releasing the shaft from the frame to permit relative vertical movement therebetween for opening and closing the tong assembly, said tong assembly including a pair of crossed tong members pivotally interconnected by a center pivot at the point of crossing thereof, a tension member having one portion thereof engaged with the center pivot, means connecting another portion of the tension member to the shaft for selectively supporting the tong members from the center pivot, a pair of links attached to the ends of the tong members disposed above the center pivot, and a support means connecting the upper ends of the links to the frame whereby support of the tong assembly from the support means on the frame will cause the tong members to pivot towards each other about the center pivot whereby the tong members will be closed when the tong assembly is supported from the support means on the frame and support of the tong assembly from the center pivot will open the tong members, said tension member interconnecting the frame and tong assembly being in the form of a flexible cable having a central portion thereof extending under and engaged with the center pivot, enlarged stops on the free ends of said cable disposed within said frame, an apertured plate disposed within the frame and movable in relation thereto receiving the cable, for enabling movement of the plate in one direction on the cable for limiting movement of the plate in relation to the cable in the other direction when the plate engages the enlarged stops on the cable, said plate being fixed to the lower end of said shaft for movement therewith to support the center pivot of the tong assembly when the frame and shaft move vertically in relation to each other so that the effective length thereof is greater than the effective length of the shaft and cable thereby causing the tong members to pivot to an open position by supporting the tong members from the center pivot and permitting the frame and support means to move towards the center pivot.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
432 words
An automatic one line grapple for logging or the like comprising a vertically disposed shaft having means thereon for connection with a single support, a frame movably supported from the shaft for relative vertical movement in relation thereto, a tong assembly attached to and depending from the frame for opening and closing in response to relative vertical movement between the fraMe and shaft, and means interconnecting the shaft and frame for sequentially locking the shaft to the frame to preclude relative vertical movement therebetween and releasing the shaft from the frame to permit relative vertical movement therebetween for opening and closing the tong assembly, said tong assembly including a pair of crossed tong members pivotally interconnected by a center pivot at the point of crossing thereof, a tension member having one portion thereof engaged with the center pivot, means connecting another portion of the tension member to the shaft for selectively supporting the tong members from the center pivot, a pair of links attached to the ends of the tong members disposed above the center pivot, and a support means connecting the upper ends of the links to the frame whereby support of the tong assembly from the support means on the frame will cause the tong members to pivot towards each other about the center pivot whereby the tong members will be closed when the tong assembly is supported from the support means on the frame and support of the tong assembly from the center pivot will open the tong members, said tension member interconnecting the frame and tong assembly being in the form of a flexible cable having a central portion thereof extending under and engaged with the center pivot, enlarged stops on the free ends of said cable disposed within said frame, an apertured plate disposed within the frame and movable in relation thereto receiving the cable, for enabling movement of the plate in one direction on the cable for limiting movement of the plate in relation to the cable in the other direction when the plate engages the enlarged stops on the cable, said plate being fixed to the lower end of said shaft for movement therewith to support the center pivot of the tong assembly when the frame and shaft move vertically in relation to each other so that the effective length thereof is greater than the effective length of the shaft and cable thereby causing the tong members to pivot to an open position by supporting the tong members from the center pivot and permitting the frame and support means to move towards the center pivot.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
177 words
The grapple as defined in claim 1 wherein said means interconnecting the shaft and frame also includes a closing stop rigidly fixed to said frame and including a downwardly opening notch in the lower surface thereof, a pivot arm pivotally mounted on the upper end to said shaft and including a laterally extending closing pin on the lower end thereof for engagement in the notch in the lower end of the closing stop so that upward movement of the shaft will cause corresponding upward movement of the frame to support the tong assembly from the support means, and a pivot arm positioner disposed on said frame below the closing stop and including at least one pair of cam surfaces facing the notch on the closing stop for positioning the pivot arm in a desired position in relation to the closing stop for aligning the pin with the notch or misaligning the pin in relation to the notch on the closing stop for selectively engaging the pivot arm and shaft connected thereto with the closing stop and frame.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
181 words
The grapple as defined in claim 2 wherein said frame includes a guide member extending vertically therein and including a laterally offset upper end for engaging the stop pin to pivot the pivot arm to an initial position after the pin has been released from the notch and pivoted to a position in misalignment with the notch in the closing stop, said closing stop including a cam surface on the upper surface thereof for engagement by the pin and pivoting the pivot arm to a position so that the pin will engage the first cam surface on the pivot arm positioner during downward movement of the shaft and pivot arm in relation to the frame thus pivoting the pin on the pivot arm into alignment with the notch so that the pin will engage the notch upon subsequent upward movement of the shaft and pivot arm in relation to the frame thereby supporting the frame from the shaft and supporting tong assembly from the frame at the support means at the lower end thereof thereby causing the tong assembly to close.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
79 words
The grapple as defined in claim 3 wherein said closing stop includes a plurality of downwardly facing notches and said positioner includes more than two cam surfaces on the upper surface thereof for requiring a multiple cycle of movement of the pin on the pivot arm between the lower surface of the closing stop and the pivot arm positioner for providing a multiple cycle of operation to interconnect the shaft and frame and to disconnect the shaft and frame.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
232 words
An automatic one line grapple for logging or the like comprising a vertically disposed shaft having means thereon for connection with a single support, a frame movably supported from the shaft for relative vertical movement in relation thereto, a tong assembly attached to the lower end of the frame for opening and closing in response to relative vertical movement between the frame and shaft, and means interconnecting the shaft and frame for sequentially locking the shaft to the frame to preclude relative vertical movement therebetween and releasing the shaft from the frame to permit relative vertical movement therebetween for opening and closing the tong assembly, said means forming the single support for the shaft including a swivel structure at the upper end of said shaft, a connecting link attached to the upper end of the swivel, and a sky carriage attached to the upper end of the connecting link, said connecting link including a depending lug provided with a vertical slot therein pivotally securing the swivel to the connecting link when a load is supported by the connecting link, said lug on the connecting link having a flat lower edge for engagement with he swivel when the connecting link is not supporting a load to prevent tilting of the connecting link and sky carriage in relation to the shaft to prevent interference with the telescoping action thereof in relation to the frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
232 words
An automatic one line grapple for logging or the like comprising a vertically disposed shaft having means thereon for connection with a single support, a frame movably supported from the shaft for relative vertical movement in relation thereto, a tong assembly attached to the lower end of the frame for opening and closing in response to relative vertical movement between the frame and shaft, and means interconnecting the shaft and frame for sequentially locking the shaft to the frame to preclude relative vertical movement therebetween and releasing the shaft from the frame to permit relative vertical movement therebetween for opening and closing the tong assembly, said means forming the single support for the shaft including a swivel structure at the upper end of said shaft, a connecting link attached to the upper end of the swivel, and a sky carriage attached to the upper end of the connecting link, said connecting link including a depending lug provided with a vertical slot therein pivotally securing the swivel to the connecting link when a load is supported by the connecting link, said lug on the connecting link having a flat lower edge for engagement with he swivel when the connecting link is not supporting a load to prevent tilting of the connecting link and sky carriage in relation to the shaft to prevent interference with the telescoping action thereof in relation to the frame.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
The grapple as defined in claim 1 wherein said center pivot between the crossed tong members includes a sleeve thereon, said tension member being in the form of a cable entrained over said sleeve, said sleeve being smooth thereby eliminating chaffing and jamming of the cable during pivotal movement of the tong members.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
117 words
The grapple as defined in claim 1 wherein said shaft includes shiftable means on the lower end thereof in engagement with said frame, and means on the frame for engaging the shiftable means to position the shiftable means in position for selective lifting engagement with the frame at a position below the point of engagement between the shaft and tension member whereby the tension member will not support the center pivot of the tong members even when fully closed, the other position of the shiftable means permitting the shaft to move upwardly to engage and to operatively exert tension force on the tension member to support the tong members from the center pivot to open the same.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2384396A
Cited
US2894782A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-09 | 1976-07-10 | 1977-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-09 | 1980-07-10 | 1981-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-09 | 1984-07-10 | 1985-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |