Configurable counterweight device and system for a material handling machine

Abstract

The present invention provides a configurable and variable counterweight system for a material handling machine comprising one or more planar paths, said planar paths containing any one or combinations of straight, curved or angled portions between at least a first and second end, said planar path having transferable counterweights, said planar path or counterweights communicating with a control device and system, said control device and system comprising one or more drive unit and optionally one or more sensors, said counterweights being able to move along any curved, angled or straight portions of said planar path.

Claims

1. A configurable and variable counterweight system for a material handling machine comprising one or more configurable counterweight devices each said configurable counterweight device of said one or more configurable counterweight devices comprising a plurality of individual counterweight units connectable to a non-rigid transfer element, said non-rigid transfer element comprising a planar path having a first end and a second end whereby each individual counterweight unit of said plurality of individual counterweight units is transferable on said non-rigid transfer element in a forward or aft direction between its said first or second end, said planar path of said non-rigid transfer element comprising any two or combinations thereof of straight, curved, angled or rollable portions, said non-rigid transfer element connectable to an energy source, drive element, and control unit for transferring said plurality of individual counterweight units thereon, whereby said plurality of individual counterweight units are transferable along adjacent surfaces or adjacent sides of said material handling machine.

2. Said configurable and variable counterweight system for a material handling machine according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of individual counterweight units comprising counterweight mass in solid, flowable or pliable form.

3. Said configurable and variable counterweight system for a material handling machine according to claim 1 wherein each said counterweight unit of said plurality of counterweight units are transferable along said planar path according to predetermined size or weight to a designated location along said planar path.

4. Said configurable and variable counterweight system for a material handling machine according to claim 1 wherein said transfer element is connected to an energy source, drive element, control unit and one or more sensors, each said sensor of said one or more sensors comprising any one or combination of a vertical, horizontal, or tilt sensor for assessing the coordination, changing load position or center of gravity of said material handling machine.

5. Said configurable and variable counterweight system for a material handling machine according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of individual counterweight units are automatically, manually or remotely transferable.

6. Said configurable and variable counterweight system for a material handling machine according to claim 1 wherein each individual counterweight unit of said plurality of individual counterweight units is connectable to said transfer element adjacently to another individual counterweight unit in side by side manner or above and below another individual counterweight unit in layered manner or by combinations thereof.

7. Said configurable and variable counterweight system for a material handling machine according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of individual counterweight units is transferable along said transfer element by said control unit wherein said control unit is automatically, remotely or manually controllable by digital, electric, or magnetic means or combinations thereof.

8. Said configurable and variable counterweight system for a material handling machine according to claim 1 wherein said configurable counterweight devices is attachable along the chassis side and an adjacent side of said material handling machine with sufficient spatial clearance between said material handling machine and the ground surface thereunder.

9. Said configurable and variable counterweight system for a material handling machine according to claim 1 wherein one or more said configurable counterweight devices is attachable to a material handling machine.

10. Said configurable and variable counterweight system for a material handling machine according to claim 1 wherein said planar path of said transfer element comprising a rollable or stackable portion.

11. Said configurable and variable counterweight system for a material handling machine according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of individual counterweight units are linearly transferable in preconfigured form by non-rigid conveyor means or by pressurized chamber means.

12. Said configurable and variable counterweight system for a material handling machine according to claim 1 wherein said non-rigid transfer element comprising rope, wire, belt, chain components or combinations thereof.

13. Said configurable and variable counterweight system for a material handling machine according to claim 1 wherein said non-rigid transfer element comprising one or more pressurized valve chamber or bladder component.

14. Said configurable and variable counterweight system for a material handling machine according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of individual counterweight units is able to be consolidated in bulk manner by rolling or stacking.

15. Said configurable and variable counterweight system for a material handling machine according to claim 1 wherein each said configurable counterweight device of said one or more configurable counterweight devices is attachable to two or more adjacent sides or surfaces of said material handling machine.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements. Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

(2) FIG. 1 is a left side plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the invention herein.

(3) FIG. 2 is a left side plan view of an alternative embodiment of the invention herein.

(4) FIG. 3 is a left side plan view of an alternative embodiment of the invention herein.

(5) FIG. 4a is a top plan sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the invention herein.

(6) FIG. 4b is a side plan sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the invention herein.

(7) FIG. 5 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the invention herein.

(8) FIG. 6 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the invention herein.

(9) FIG. 7 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the invention herein.

(10) FIG. 8 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the invention herein.

(11) FIG. 9 comprising top and rear plan views of an alternative embodiment of the invention herein.

(12) FIG. 10 is a left side plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the invention herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(13) Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary aspects of the present invention which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

(14) Referring to FIG. 1, a vehicle type material handling machine 101 having a work arm (boom) 102 carrying a drill frontward 103. A counterweight device 104 of this invention, containing a plurality of individual solid form counterweights 105 along a linear planar path 106 attached to the bottom 107 of the vehicle. In this case, the counterweight device 104 is held within the chassis 108 of the vehicle, protected from external debris. It is further possible to achieve an even lower center of gravity on hydrostatic vehicles that do not rely on a chassis configuration. In such case, the linear planar device 104 may be attached at lower level external to vehicle's bottom surface 107 with still sufficient clearance to avoid interference with the ground surface. According to the example of FIG. 1, the counterweight 105 is consolidated towards the front 109 of the vehicle in a rolled position within a rotary axle 110 to provide the greatest amount of reinforcement leverage to the drilling machine 103. FIG. 2 illustrates the same invention 200 with an alternative zig-zag 201 manner of counterweight consolidation. FIG. 3 illustrates a similar material handling machine 300 with a work arm (boom) 301 that, in contrasts to FIG. 1, lifts heavy material load 302. As such, counterweight is preferably consolidated towards the rear 303 for maximal counterweight leverage.

(15) FIGS. 3, 4a, 4b, and 5 provide examples of potential embodiments of counterweight mass and transfer element configurations. The embodiment of FIG. 3 illustrates a multilayered counterweight stacking option 304 having two or more layers 305 of counterweights attached vertically 305 and adjacently 306. FIG. 4a illustrates a linear embodiment of the invention 401 wherein lengths of solid weights 402 are attached (in this case linked) 404 to a linear transfer element and are moved forward and rearward by a drive system (not shown). FIG. 4b illustrates the same method of link interconnection 404 between the weights 402 that eliminates the need for rope chord and enables the zig-zag consolidation pattern shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 provides an alternative transfer element and counterweight system 501 within the scope of this invention wherein liquid, fluid counterweight 502 (i.e. flowable or pliable matter as defined above within this disclosure) is held within a transfer element 503 (a pipe and chamber) and transferred between chambers 504 through a length of space (i.e. tube) 505 by pressurized force (a bladder system 506). The pressurized force, according to this exemplary embodiment is generated from the interaction between two or more vacuum or pressure chambers 506 controlled by release valves or diaphragm which direct flow of material to and from the enclosed chambers 506. The system mimicking self directing movement of blood through an mammalian heart valve.

(16) FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 further illustrates different strategic orientations of one or more transfer elements on a material handling machine 600 to maximize counterweighing effect. FIG. 6 provides two devices wherein a first transfer element 601 is positioned along the length of the right side 602 of the vehicle and wraps towards the front side 603 of the vehicle 600. Conversely, a second transfer element 604 is positioned on the left side 605 of the vehicle 600 and wraps towards the front side 603 of the vehicle 600. Both devices 601, 604 being driven by rotary axles 606 located at a first 607 and second end 608 of the transfer elements. In this embodiment, the weights are consolidated towards the front side 603 of the vehicle 600 and distributed evenly across for maximum even reinforcement weight with use of a drill 609.

(17) FIG. 7 provides a similar configuration of two transfer elements 701, 702 wherein counterweights 703 are consolidated towards the rear 704 of the material handling machine 700 to achieve maximum and even counterweight leverage for a lifting arm 705. FIG. 8 provides a third manner of consolidating counterweights for the same configuration of FIGS. 6 and 7 wherein counterweights 801 of a first transfer element 802 is consolidated completely at its rear rotary axle 803 and counterweights 801 of a second transfer element 804 is consolidated completely at its front rotary axle 805. This results in maximum counterweight leverage towards the right side 806 of the machine 800. FIG. 9 illustrates the benefits of counterweighing a proximal side 901 of a vehicle machine 900 according to FIG. 8, particularly when heavy loaded vehicles 900 travel through uneven sloped terrain 902.

(18) According to FIG. 10, the control unit 154 is preferably positioned near the operator 152 for the option of user control. Vertical sensors (not shown) attached to the work arm and alternatively to the counterweight load of this invention may determine the load differential of the machine at any given time and position. The control unit may further be sensitive to the tilt and central gravity position of the machine, using a tilt meter or a gravitometer sensor. Said control unit receives input from said sensors either remotely (i.e. via electro-magnetic means) or by wired means. Should the work arm (either bucket or boom) be in elevated position or lowered position, the control unit may automatically react according to preset algorithmic parameters to adjust and distribute counterweight to a desired location for the desired effect.

(19) It is to be understood that any exact measurements/dimensions or particular construction material indicated herein is solely provided as examples of suitable configurations and is not intended to be limiting in any way. Depending on the needs of the particular application, those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of the following teachings, a multiplicity of suitable alternative implementation details.

(20) Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention, other equivalent or alternative methods according to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The invention has been described by way of summary, detailed description and illustration. The specific embodiments disclosed in the above drawings are not intended to be limiting. Implementations of the present invention with various different configurations are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention. The invention is thus to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the following claims.