Claims:
1. A grapple attachment for grabbing, holding and manipulating an elongated object comprising :
? at least one longitudinal beam structure 10 to provide support to other parts of the grapple attachment;
? at least one grab assembly 11 consists of at least one primary clamp 12 and one secondary clamp 13 mounted on the beam structure 10 through a bracket 15, the clamps 12 , 13 have a secure position and a release position; and
? at least one support structure 20 pivotally connected to the beam structure 10 by a swivel assembly 17.
2. The grapple attachment claimed in claim 1, wherein the primary clamp 12 and secondary clamp 13 are interchangeably mount on the grab assembly 11.
3. The grapple attachment claimed in claim 1, wherein both the primary clamp 12 and secondary clamp 13 are movable.
4. The grapple attachment claimed in claim 1, wherein either of the primary clamp 12 or the secondary clamp 13 is stationary while other clamp is movable.
5. The grapple attachment claimed in claim 1, wherein the grab assembly 11 is provided with at least one actuator 14 to move the clamps 12, 13 towards each other in order to secure the object and move clamps 12, 13 away from each other to release the object.
6. The grapple attachment claimed in claim 1, wherein surface of the clamps 12, 13 includes surface that face the object receiving area when at the securing position and further the surface may be rubber or metallic or made from any metal or non-metal material or combination of thereof.
7. The grapple attachment claimed in claim 1, wherein clamps 12, 13 may be square, rectangular, triangular, circular or any other geometric shape depending on a shape of the object or size of the object or both.
8. The grapple attachment claimed in claim 1, wherein clamps 12, 13 are parallel or angled to each other and in same axis or offset to each other.
9. The grapple attachment claimed in claim 1, wherein either of the clamps 12, 13 or both the clamps are mounted on a pivot 16 allowing the object with tapered sides to be grab securely.
10. The grapple attachment claimed in claim 1, wherein the support structure 20 pivotally connected to the beam structure 10 by the swivel assembly 17 comprising :
? at least one master actuator 21 has a first end connected to the support structure 20 and a second end connected to a pivot pin 19 provided on a bracket 18, further the bracket 18 is mounted on the beam structure 10; and
? at least one detachable and lockable pivot pin 22 to mount the grapple attachment 100 on a vehicle.
11. The grapple attachment claimed in claim 1, wherein extend or retract of the master actuator 21 leads rotation of the beam structure 10 about the swivel assembly 17.
12. The grapple attachment claimed in claim 5 & 9, wherein the actuators 14 & 21 are a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, a mechanical actuator or combination thereof.
, Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[1] The present disclosure is related to off-road vehicle and/or construction, earthmoving equipment or on-road vehicle such as a tractor and particularly to an attachment attached to the off-road vehicle and/or construction, earthmoving equipment and more particularly an attachment used for grabbing, holding and manipulating an elongated object.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[2] In the erection of an elongated object, such as, but not limited to, a power pole, it is necessary to load and unload the pole from a vehicle such as truck or from the ground at the work site.
[3] Presently, the pole is individually lifted from the bed of the truck. Normally, nylon straps and cables are secured around the pole and further attached to bucket of the earthmoving equipment such as backhoe loader or excavator.
[4] In some rural area, these poles are erected by using a jib crane and chain. The chain is either tied to the pole at multiple locations or inserted through the pole if the pole is hollow.
[5] When lifting with a strap, it is very important to lift the pole from the centre while unloading as a minor offset, even by few inches, leads to decreased control and unwanted tilt of the pole. Furthermore, it is necessary to have at least one worker on the bed on the truck and at the location where the pole is being erected. These workers manually tie the nylon strip around the pole while loading and untie it while unloading. The workers guide the pole and further help in tilting and rotating the pole at an appropriate location.
[6] Abovementioned methods are unsafe as they allow the pole to swing freely during transport and require the loader arms to be near full height affecting machine stability. Also, they do not provide a way to control the pitch or roll of the pole when it is placed in the ground. The use of a chain can also damage the pole being manipulated. These conventional pole planting methods are cumbersome and dangerous for the worker as the worker may fall off the truck or be crushed by the pole. The current pole loading and unloading methods may damage the adjacent pole.
[7] To overcome abovementioned shortcoming and problems associated with conventional system, it is more desirable to have a robust, hydraulically actuated mechanism to load, unload and plant the pole which is simple in construction, effective and cost effective than previously known methods and solves or at least relieves some of the problems discussed above.
[8] It is therefore an objective of the present invention to overcome one or more problems associated with the prior art.
[9] Another objective of the present invention is to simplify and mechanise the pole lifting and planting mechanism.
[10] A method according to an aspect of the present invention is also disclosed.
[11] Further advantageous embodiments and further advantages of the invention emerge from the detailed description below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[12] The present invention relates to a grapple attachment for grabbing, holding and manipulating an elongated object. The grapple attachment as shown and described herein improves loading and unloading of an elongated object such as a power pole from a stock of poles or truck bed without damaging adjacent poles. The present grapple attachment also improves control over gripping, handling and positioning of the poles.
[13] The grapple attachment also reduces the number of workers required in the pole planting operation. In addition, disclosed attachment minimises the risk of injury to workers due to hit and crush of the pole.
[14] In one of the embodiments, the grapple attachment has multiple rubber lined clamps arranged in pairs on a common beam structure. Clamps are preferably mounted at the extreme ends of the beam structure to give more control and stability over the pole during all planting operations. The clamps material, shape and size may be varied depending upon shape, size and weight of the pole. The clamps are designed such so that the pole is fully secured during all planting operations. The clamps are opened and closed with an actuator provided on the clamps.
[15] Yet another embodiment of the present invention, the grapple attachment provided with a support structure. The support structure is pivotally connected to the beam structure and more preferably connected central part of the beam structure with a swivel assembly. A master actuator is mounted on the support structure. Furthermore, the support structure is pivotally connected to the beam structure through a pivot mounted on the beam structure. The support structure is provided with an arrangement so that it can be easily mounted on the loader arm of the earthmoving equipment.
[16] Other advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent when viewed in light of detailed description of the preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[17] With reference to the following drawings, a more detailed description of different exemplary embodiments of the invention will follow below.
In the drawings:
[18] Figure 1 Illustrates the grapple attachment for grabbing, holding and manipulating an elongated object according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[19] Figure 2 Illustrates a view of the clamp mechanism in its closed position according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[20] Figure 3 Illustrates a view of the clamp mechanism in its open position according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and
[21] Figure 4 Illustrates another view of the grapple attachment with the beam structure rotated into pole planting position according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[22] A grapple attachment used for grabbing, holding and manipulating an elongated object such as a power pole according to preferred embodiment of the present invention and will be described hereinunder with reference to accompanying drawings FIGS. 1 to 4.
[23] For ease of discussion, clarity, understanding and reference the elongated object is referred as a pole. The present grapple attachment is generally used for planting or erecting the pole, however it can be used in other domains that require grabbing, holding and manipulating any elongated object that is cylindrical, non-cylindrical, rectangular, square or triangular.
[24] The grapple attachment improves loading and unloading of the poles from a stock of poles or truck bed and greatly reduces the risk of damaging adjacent poles. The present grapple attachment also improves control when gripping, handling and positioning of the poles. In addition, disclosed attachment minimises the risk of injury to workers due to hit and crush of the pole.
[25] The grapple attachment consists of beam structure, atleast one pair of clamps preferably provided to extreme ends of beam structure however clamps can be provided at any other location on the beam structure. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that positioning of clamps on the beam structure does not limit the scope of the invention.
[26] The pair of clamps is designed in such a way that the clamps can be opened and closed with the actuators provided on the clamps. The clamps can be opened or moved away from each other so that the pole can be inserted between the clamp faces. The clamps can be closed or moved towards each other so that the pole can be securely held in the clamps and grab, hold and transported to required location.
[27] As shown in FIG. 1, the grapple attachment for grabbing, holding and manipulating an elongated object.
[28] The grapple attachment 100 attachable to an earthmoving equipment consisting of atleast one grab assembly 11 mounted on a beam structure 10 and preferably mounted on the extreme ends of the beam structure 10, however position of the grab assembly 11 does not intend to limit the scope of invention and those skilled in the art appreciate that the grab assembly 11 may be mounted on any location of the beam structure 10.
[29] As shown in FIG. 2 & 3, the grab assembly 11 consists of a pair of square shaped clamps 12, 13. The clamp surfaces 12, 13 may be rubber or metallic or made from any metal or non-metal material and material used for the clamps does not restrict the scope of the invention. In the attached figures, the clamps 12, 13 are rubber lined and square in shape, however the shape of clamps may be changed to square, rectangular, triangular, circular or any other geometric shape to hold any object of different shape, weight and size. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that shape of the clamps does not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The clamps 12, 13 are detachable and bolt on in nature provided on the structure. The clamps 12, 13 are designed to interchangeably mount on the grab assembly 11 to replace or alter the clamps 12, 13 based on type of object to grab, hold and manipulate.
[30] In another embodiment of the present invention, the grab assembly 11 provided with atleast one actuator 14 connecting both the clamps 12 & 13. The clamps 12, 13 may be closed or moved towards each other by retracting the actuator 14 to grab and secure the pole. Further, the clamps 12, 13 may be opened or moved away from each other by extending the actuator 14 to release the pole.
[31] Yet another embodiment of the present invention, one of the clamps 12 or 13 is stationary while other one is movable clamp where both the clamps 12, 13 are parallel and on same plane or axis.
[32] Yet another embodiment of the present invention, both clamps 13 are mounted on a pivot 16 allowing poles with tapered sides to be clamped securely.
[33] Yet another embodiment of the present invention, both the clamps 12 & 13 are movable clamps and may be angled with each other and offset.
[34] In another embodiment of the present invention, the grab assembly 11 is mounted on the beam structure 10 with a bracket 15 either bolt on or welded in nature.
[35] Yet another embodiment of the present invention, a bracket 18 is welded or bolted on the beam structure 10 in order to pivotally hold a support structure 20. The support structure 20 is pivotally connected to the beam structure 10 by a pivot pin 19 passing through the bracket 18. The bracket 18 may be mounted at any location on the beam structure 10 and more preferably to central part of the beam structure 10, however those skilled in the art will appreciate that mounting location or position of the bracket 18 does not limit the scope of the invention.
[36] As shown in FIG. 4, the support structure 20 is pivotally connected to the beam structure 10 and more preferably connected central part of the beam structure 10 with a swivel assembly 17. The positioning of the swivel assembly 17 does not intend to limit the scope of invention and the swivel assembly 17 may be connected on any part of the beam structure 10.
[37] Yet another embodiment of the present invention, a master actuator 21 is mounted on the support structure 20 and connected via pivot pin to pivot 19 on beam structure 10. The actuator 21 is used to rotate the beam structure 10 about the swivel assembly 17. The beam structure 10 may rotated in clockwise or anti-clockwise direction.
[38] Yet another embodiment of the present invention, the support structure 20 is provided with atleast one lockable pivot pin 22 so that it can be easily connected to the loader arm (not shown in fig.) of the earthmoving equipment. The lockable pivot pin 22 is easily demountable so that the grapple attachment can be easily connected and disconnected to the loader arm (not shown in fig.) of the earthmoving equipment.
[39] The brackets mentioned in the present invention may be of any shape and size and located at any part of the beam structure 10. The shape and size of the brackets shown in the figures are only for reference and explanation purpose and does not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
[40] The swivel motion of the beam structure 10 with respect to the support structure 20 through swivel assembly 17 and actuation of the clamps through actuator 14 may controlled electronically, electrically or mechanically or with a combination of thereof from inside a cabin of the earthmoving equipment.
[41] The abovementioned description describes the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the art will easily understand from the description and from the accompanying drawings and claims that various changes, modifications and variations can be made therein without changing scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.