Claims:1. A linkage mechanism for a grapple attachment for an earthmoving or construction machine comprising :
 An upper jaw 11 and a lower jaw 12 connected to each other at one end while other ends of the both jaws are open and having sharp projections;
 Atleast one hydraulic cylinder 18 mounted on an arm 19 of the earthmoving or construction machine;
 Atleast one tipping lever 17 mounted on the arm 19 of the earthmoving or construction machine and further connected to the hydraulic cylinder 18 ;
 Atleast one bucket link 16 whose one end connected to the upper jaw 11 while other end connected to the tipping lever 17;
 Atleast one link L 15 whose one end connected to the lower jaw 12 while other end connected to the tipping lever 17 on the arm 19 of the earthmoving or construction machine; and
 Atleast one mechanical component for limiting free movement of the upper jaw 11 and the lower jaw 12 may be of circular, rectangular, square shape or combination of thereof or of any other shape mounted between the grapple arm 20 of either of jaws 11 & 12 or both.
2. The linkage mechanism for the grapple attachment claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper jaw 11 and lower jaw 12 are connected to each other by atleast one connecting pin 13 on a pivot point P4.

3. The linkage mechanism for the grapple attachment claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper jaw 11 is mounted on the arm 19 of the earthmoving or construction machine by atleast one appropriately sized pivot pin 14 passing through the arm 19 on a pivot point P3.

4. The linkage mechanism for the grapple attachment claimed in claim 1, wherein one end of the link L 15 is connected to the lower jaw 12 and more particularly to atleast one of the grapple arm 20 by atleast one appropriately sized pin on pivot point P5 while other end is connected to the one end of the tipping lever 17 by atleast one appropriately sized pin on a pivot point P6 passing through the arm 19 of the earthmoving or construction machine.

5. The linkage mechanism for the grapple attachment claimed in claim 1, wherein one end of the bucket link 16 is connected to the upper jaw 11 and more particularly to atleast one of the grapple arm 20 by atleast one appropriately sized pin on pivot point P2 while other end is connected to the other end of the tipping lever 17 by atleast one appropriately sized pin on a pivot point P1.

6. The linkage mechanism for the grapple attachment claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper jaw 11 and lower jaw 12 comprises
 one or multiple numbers of vertically arranged grapple arms 20 having sharp projections at either of end; and
 one or multiple numbers of horizontally arranged member 21 may be of circular, rectangular, square shape or combination of thereof passing through the said grapple arms 20.

7. The linkage mechanism for the grapple attachment claimed in claim 1, wherein openings 51,51,52,54,81,82,83 and 84 are aligned to each other and placed on a single axis wherein the upper jaw 11 and the lower jaw 12 are connected to each other in a manner that the opening 52 is placed between the openings 81 & 82, whereas the opening 54 is placed between the openings 83 & 84 and further connected by inserting atleast one appropriately sized the connecting pin 12 on the pivot point P4.

8. The linkage mechanism for the grapple attachment claimed in claim 1, wherein, as the hydraulic cylinder 18 starts extending,
 the tipping lever 17 mounted on the arm 19 of the excavator starts rotate in clockwise direction P1-P1’-P1” about the pivot point P6, whereas the bucket link 16 and the upper jaw 11 start moving is a clockwise direction P2-P2’-P2” about the pivot point P3;
 the pivot point P4 starts rotate in a clockwise direction P4-P4’-P4” and moves in upward right direction;
 the pivot point P5 moves in rightward in anticlockwise direction P5-P5'-P5'' which further rotate the lower jaw 12 in anticlockwise direction leads to closing of the grapple attachment;
 the upper jaw 11 rotates in clockwise direction while the lower jaw 12 rotates in anticlockwise direction.
 the mechanical component for limiting free movement such as stopper may restrict the further movement of either of the jaws or both of the jaws
whereas as the hydraulic cylinder 18 starts retracting to opening the grapple attachment above mentioned linkage mechanism works in reverse.
, Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[1] The present invention relates to design improvements in a linkage mechanism for a grapple attachment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[2] An earthmoving or construction vehicles are generally used to excavate, handle and move material such as rock, soil or any other solid material. An earthmoving or construction vehicle includes various types of loaders, excavators, backhoe loaders, telehandlers, aerial lifts and other off road vehicles etc.
[3] The earthmoving or construction vehicle such as backhoe machine consisting of boom, arm, bucket for excavating and handling material. While the earthmoving or construction vehicle such as loader includes loader arm, hydraulic cylinders and shovel or bucket etc.
[4] A grapple is generally known attachment is often attached to the earthmoving or construction vehicle to perform various other operations like grabbing and handling material. The grapple is generally attached to the excavator end of the backhoe loader for the purpose of sorting, picking, handling and transporting the material. It may be used to perform various other operations like breaking lightweight material.
[5] The grapple is quickly and easily may be placed on the excavator end of the backhoe loader after demounting the existing bucket assembly. The grapple is attached without much modification in the existing designs and linkages available on the arm of the excavator end of the backhoe loader.
[6] Generally, the grapple consists of upper jaw and lower jaw, connected to each other with a connecting pin. The connecting pin allows both the jaws to rotate about the connecting pin for opening and closing the grapple. The connecting pin is used to secure the upper jaw and lower jaw against each other. The grapple assembly use existing hydraulic cylinder present on the arm of excavator end of the backhoe loader for opening and closing the grapple.
[7] In conventional grapple, the connecting pin is used for dual purpose, first, to mount the grapple on the arm of excavator end of the backhoe loader and second, to secure the upper jaw and lower jaw against each other. In such cases, movement of the upper jaw and lower jaw restricted. It is also observed that, only one jaw is rotate against the connecting pin while other jaw remains fixed. This leads to limited opening of the jaws and further work efficiency of machine goes down.
[8] Some of the grapple also need additional hydraulic cylinder to perform the operations, which further increase a cost of the vehicle and more complex design of the vehicle. It may also create confusion in mind of an operator in performing dual hydraulic cylinders operations.

[9] To overcome abovementioned shortcoming and problems associated with conventional system, it is more desirable to have mechanism which is easy to implement and cost effective.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[10] The present invention is relates to a linkage mechanism for a grapple attachment.
[11] The grapple attachment includes an upper jaw 11 and a lower jaw 12 connected to each other with a connecting pin 12 at one end while other ends of each of jaws are open with sharp projections.
[12] The grapple attachment further includes the linkage mechanism in order to open and close the upper and the lower jaws in assistance with the existing hydraulic cylinder 18 present on the arm 19 of the excavator end of backhoe loader. The linkage mechanism consists of the lower jaw 12, couple of link L 15 connected to one end tipping lever 17 projections. The linkage mechanism further consists of the upper jaw 11, a bucket link 16 connected to the other end of the tipping lever 17 projections.
[13] The lower jaw 12 is connected to the hydraulic cylinder 18 with the one of projection of the tipping lever 17 and the link L 15. The upper jaw 11 is connected to the hydraulic cylinder 18 with assistance of the other end of projection of the tipping lever 17 and the bucket link 16.
[14] The upper jaw 11 is mounted on the arm 19 of excavator end of the backhoe loader with an appropriately sized pivot pin 14. While the upper jaw 11 and the lower jaw 12 are pivotally connected to each other with the connecting pin 13.
[15] The each jaw consists of atleast one grapple arm 20 and atleast one horizontal member 21 passing through the said grapple arms 20. One end of the bucket link 16 is mounted on the grapple arm 20 present on the upper jaw 11 while other end is mounted on the tipping lever 17 projections. Similarly, one end of the link L 15 is mounted on the grapple arms 20 present on the lower jaw 12 while other end of the link L 15 is mounted on the projection of the tipping lever 17.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[16] With reference to the following drawings, a more detailed description of different exemplary embodiments of the invention will follow below.
In the drawings:
Figure 1 Illustrates A linkage mechanism for a grapple attachment according to the present invention
Figure 2 Illustrates, the linkage mechanism for the grapple attachment according to the present invention consisting of multiple pivot points;
Figure 3 Illustrates various components of the upper jaw;
Figure 4 Illustrates various components of the lower jaw;
Figure 5 Illustrates design of the link L according to the present invention;
Figure 6 Illustrates movements of various components including the upper jaw and the lower jaw when the hydraulic cylinder is retracted;
Figure 7 Illustrates movements of various components including the upper jaw and the lower jaw when the hydraulic cylinder is extended;
Figure 8 Illustrates working of the linkage mechanism of the grapple attachment; and
Figure 9 Illustrates various development stages as the hydraulic cylinder is extending to close the grapple attachment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[17] A linkage mechanism for a grapple attachment according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described hereinunder with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.
[18] As shown in FIG.1, a grapple attachment comprising of an upper jaw 11, a lower jaw 12, a connecting pin 13, a pivot pin 14, a link L 15, a bucket link 16, a tipping lever 17, a hydraulic cylinder 18 mounted on arm 19 of an excavator, atleast one grapple arm 20 and atleast one horizontal member 21 passing through the said grapple arm 20.
[19] The upper jaw 11 and the lower jaw 12 are connected to each other pivotally by the means of the connecting pin 13 at end while other ends of the both jaws are open and having sharp projections at the edges.
[20] The upper jaw 11 is mounted pivotally on the arm 19 of the excavator by appropriately sized the pivot pin 14. One end of the bucket link 16 is placed pivotally on the upper jaw 11 while other end of the bucket link 16 is pivotally connected to tipping lever 17.
[21] The lower jaw 12 is mounted pivotally on the upper jaw 11 by means of the connecting pin 13 which assist the lower jaw 12 in opening and closing of the jaw 12. One end of the link L 15 is placed pivotally on the lower jaw 12 while other end of the link L 15 is pivotally connected to tipping lever 17.
[22] The tipping lever 17 is mounted on the hydraulic cylinder 18 disposed on the arm 19 of the excavator. One side the tipping lever 17 is connected to the bucket link 16 which further connected to the upper law 11 while other side of the tipping lever 17 is connected to the link L 15 which further connected to the lower law 12.
[23] The upper jaw 11 and the lower jaw 12 are connected to the hydraulic cylinder 18 in such way that movement of the hydraulic cylinder 18 leads to movement of the jaws 11 & 12. Retracting the hydraulic cylinder 18 leads to opening of the jaws 11&12 while extending of the hydraulic cylinder 18 leads to closing of the jaws 11&12.
[24] The grapple attachment is further comprises vertically mounted multiple numbers of grapple arms 20 and multiple numbers of horizontal members 21 passing through the grapple arms 20.
[25] The bucket link 16 and the link L 15 are preferably connected on central part of respective upper and lower jaw 11 & 12.
[26] As shown in FIG. 2, the linkage mechanism for the grapple attachment according to another embodiment of the present invention consisting of multiple pivot points which are explained hereinunder.
[27] The grapple attachment consisting of atleast six pivot points placed at various locations of the grapple attachment. A pivot point P1 is used for connecting the tipping lever 17 to the bucket link 16. A pivot point P2 is used for connecting the bucket link 16 to the upper jaw 11 (particularly grapple arms 20 of the upper jaw 11).
[28] A pivot point P3 is fixed pivot used to move the upper jaw 11 mounted on the arm of the excavator 19 with assistance of appropriately sized the pivot pin 14.
[29] A pivot point P4 is free pivot used to move the upper jaw 11 and lower jaw 12 against each other which are further connected by connecting pin 13.
[30] A pivot point P5 is used for connecting the link L 15 to the lower jaw 12 (particularly grapple arms 20 of the lower jaw 12) while a pivot point P6 is used for connecting the tipping lever 17 to the link L 15.
[31] Referring to FIG. 3, various components of the upper jaw 11 are explained hereinunder.
[32] The upper jaw 11 comprises multiple vertical grapple arms 20 and multiple horizontal members 21 passing through the said grapple arms 20. Multiple openings 60 & 61 are provided on the grapple arms 20 of the upper jaw 11 in order to place the bucket link 16 with a pivot pin (not shown in FIG.) on the pivot point P2.
[33] Similarly, another couple of openings 71 & 71 are provided on the grapple arms 20 of the upper jaw 11 in order to mount the upper jaw 11 on the arm 19 of the excavator by means of the pivot pin 14 on the pivot point P3.
[34] Yet another multiple openings 81,82,83,& 84 are provided on the grapple arms 20 of one of the extreme end of the upper jaw 11 in order to connect the upper jaw 11 and the lower jaw 12 by means of the connecting pin 13 on the pivot point P4.
[35] Referring to FIG. 4, various components of the lower jaw 11 are explained hereinunder.
[36] The lower jaw 12 comprises multiple vertical grapple arms 20 and multiple horizontal members 21 passing through the said grapple arms 20. Multiple openings 41 & 42 are provided on the grapple arms 20 of the lower jaw 12 in order to place the link L 15 with a pivot pin (not shown in FIG.) on the pivot point P5.
[37] Yet another multiple openings 51,52,53,& 54 are provided on the grapple arms 20 of one of the extreme end of the lower jaw 12 in order to connect the upper jaw 11 and the lower jaw 12 by means of the connecting pin 13 on the pivot point P4.
[38] The upper jaw 11 and the lower jaw 12 are connected to each other by the connecting pin 13 in such way that the openings 51,51,52,54,81,82,83 and 84 are aligned to each other and placed on a single axis.
[39] The upper jaw 11 and the lower jaw 12 are connected to each other in a manner that the opening 52 is placed between the openings 81 & 82, whereas the opening 54 is placed between the openings 83 & 84.
[40] FIG. 5 shows design of link L 15 the according to the present invention
[41] Referring to FIG. 6, movement of various components including the upper jaw 11 and the lower jaw 12 when the hydraulic cylinder is retracted is shown with arrow indications.
[42] Referring to FIG. 7, movement of various components including the upper jaw 11 and the lower jaw 12 when the hydraulic cylinder is extended is shown with the arrow indications.
[43] Referring to FIG. 8, working of the linkage mechanism of the grapple attachment is explained in details. As the hydraulic cylinder 18 starts extending, the tipping lever 17 mounted on the arm 19 of the excavator starts rotate in clockwise direction P1-P1’-P1” about the pivot point P6. Whereas the bucket link 16 and the upper jaw 11 start moving is a clockwise direction P2-P2’-P2” about the pivot point P3.
[44] The pivot point P4 also starts rotate in clockwise direction P4-P4’-P4”. As the pivot point P4 moves in upward right direction as shown in FIG.7, then the pivot point P5 tends to move in rightward in anticlockwise direction P5-P5'-P5'' which further rotate the lower jaw 12 in anticlockwise direction leads to closing of the grapple attachment. The upper jaw 11 rotates in clockwise direction while the lower jaw 12 rotates in anticlockwise direction. Atleast one mechanical component for limiting free movement such as stopper may be placed on the either of the jaws or both of the jaws, which may restrict the further movement of either of the jaws or both of the jaws.
[45] As the hydraulic cylinder 18 starts retracting to opening the grapple attachment above mentioned linkage mechanism works in reverse.
[46] Referring to FIG. 9, various development stages are shown when the hydraulic cylinder 18 is extending to close the grapple attachment.
[47] Abovementioned interconnection between the upper jaw 11 and the lower jaw 12 is explained for reference purpose only and there may possible to achieve same technical functionality with other mechanism which may be obvious to a person skilled in the art. All references to the disclosure or example being discussed are not intended to imply any limitation to scope of the invention.