The present application is generally directed to a material handling apparatus for use on the articulated material engaging member of a material handling machine, such as the blade of a bulldozer or the bucket of a front-end loader. The invention is particularly useful for enabling the machine to lift and carry large objects such as stones or logs and loose material such as bundles of brush or the like. The invention may also be used on other material handling machines, such as a forklift truck.
Although the bucket of a front-end loader has sufficient strength, there are many types of materials which are too awkward to be retained on the bucket. My prior U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,155,473 issued May 22, 1979, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,403,906 issued Sep. 13, 1983 each discloses a hydraulically actuated clamping apparatus for use on the bucket of a front-end loader for handling awkward objects or material. The mechanism which is shown in each of these patents is moved hydraulically within a vertical plane for movement between a non-clamping position above the top edge of the bucket and a clamping position adjacent the lower edge of the bucket for clamping material against the bucket. The mechanism can also be moved hydraulically within a vertical plane which is transverse to the vertical clamping plane for storage along the top edge of the bucket when the clamping mechanism is not in use.
The clamping mechanism of my prior U.S. Pat. No. 4,403,906 has the added advantage of having a telescoping clamping arm which is extendable for clamping functions and retractable for storage during non-use.
Although the hydraulically actuated elements for storing the clamping device in each of my prior two patents is convenient for the operator of the machine, it adds to the complexity and expense of the clamping apparatus. This function requires an additional connector to the hydraulic system. Some machines have limited connections and the connections may be needed for other hydraulic accessories. These and other difficulties experienced with the prior art clamping devices have been obviated in a novel manner by the present invention.
It is, therefore, a principle object of the present invention to provide a clamping apparatus from use on a material handling machine which can be manually retracted to a storage position with relative ease and which can be secured in either the active position or the storage position.
Another object of this invention is the provision of a clamping apparatus for use on a material handling machine which can be manually removed with relative ease from the machine for storage during extended periods of non-use.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of a clamping apparatus for use on the material handling machine which is simple, rugged in construction, and which is capable of a long life of useful service.