Level indicator for skid steer attachment

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10190876-B2
Application number	US-201514793155-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 7, 2015
Priority date	Jul 7, 2014
Publication date	Jan 29, 2019
Grant date	Jan 29, 2019

Abstract

A level indicator for a skid steer attachment. The level indicator comprises a reference component configured to display a plurality of references, with each of the references being associated with a particular orientation of the skid steer attachment. The level indicator additionally comprises a securement component for supporting the reference component with respect to the skid steer attachment. The level indicator further comprises an indicator mechanism rotatably connected to the reference component or to the securement component. The indicator mechanism is configured to highlight one of the references of the reference component based on an orientation of the skid steer attachment.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A skid steer assembly for a skid steer, said skid steer assembly comprising:
a scarifier attachment including—
a frame,
a skid shoe assembly positioned on a bottom of said frame, wherein said skid shoe assembly comprises a central portion, a rear portion extending rearward from the central portion, and a forward portion extending forward from the central portion,
one or more ground-engaging elements configured to extend from the bottom of the frame and into the ground; and

a depth indicator for indicating a depth of said ground-engaging elements of said tiller attachment below the ground level, wherein said depth indicator includes—
a cylindrically-shaped reference component displaying a plurality of references, wherein each of said references is associated with a particular depth below the ground level of said ground-engaging elements of said scarifier attachment;
an elongated securement component for supporting said reference component with respect to the scarifier attachment, wherein said securement component comprises a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said securement component is configured to be secured to the scarifier attachment, and wherein said second end of said securement component is configured to be spaced above the scarifier attachment and is secured to said reference component, wherein said second end of said securement component is circularly-shaped with a diameter that matches a diameter of said reference component; and
an indicator mechanism rotatably connected to said securement component adjacent said second end of said securement component, wherein said indicator mechanism is configured to highlight one of said references of said reference component based on depth below the ground level of said ground-engaging elements of said scarifier attachment.

2. The skid steer assembly of claim 1 , wherein references are formed on an exterior radial surface of said reference component.

3. The skid steer assembly of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of references includes indications of the attachment being orientated at a full depth and at one or more partial depths with respect to the ground level.

4. The skid steer assembly of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of references further indicate an angle of inclination of the scarifier attachment.

5. The skid steer assembly of claim 1 , wherein said securement component rigidly secures said reference component to the scarifier attachment, such that said reference component is configured to maintain a constant orientation with respect to the scarifier attachment.

6. The skid steer assembly of claim 1 , wherein said indicator mechanism is rotatably connected at a rotation point, with such rotation point configured to act as an axis about which said indicator mechanism rotates.

7. The skid steer assembly of claim 1 , wherein said indicator mechanism comprises a pointer arm and a weighted arm, wherein said weighted arm has a greater mass than said pointer arm, such that said weighted arm is generally gravitationally aligned, and wherein a portion of said pointer arm extends at an angle from said weighted arm in direction generally towards a line of sight of an operator of the skid steer.

8. The skid steer assembly of claim 7 , wherein as the scarifier attachment rotates to different orientations, said weighted arm is configured to remain generally gravitationally aligned and said pointer arm is configured to remain directed generally towards the line of sight of an operator of the skid steer.

9. The skid steer assembly of claim 7 wherein said pointer arm includes a main portion and an end portion, and wherein said end portion is positioned at an angle with respect to said main portion.

10. The skid steer assembly of claim 9 , wherein said end portion is positioned at an angle such that it lies generally parallel to an exterior radial surface of said reference component.

11. A skid steer assembly for a skid steer, said skid steer assembly comprising:
a tiller attachment comprising—
a frame,
a skid shoe assembly positioned on a bottom of said frame, wherein said skid shoe assembly comprises a central portion, a rear portion extending rearward from the central portion, and a forward portion extending forward from the central portion,
one or more ground-engaging elements configured to extend from the bottom of the frame and into the ground; and

a depth indicator for indicating a depth of said ground-engaging elements of said attachment below the ground, wherein said depth indicator includes—
a reference component displaying a plurality of references, wherein each of said references is associated with a particular depth below the ground level of said ground-engaging elements of said tiller attachment,
an elongated securement component for supporting said reference component with respect to said tiller attachment, wherein said securement component comprises a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said securement component is configured to be secured to said tiller attachment, and wherein said second end of said securement component is configured to be spaced above said tiller attachment and is secured to said reference component,
an indicator mechanism rotatably connected to said securement component adjacent said second end of said securement component, wherein said indicator mechanism is configured to highlight one of said references of said reference component based on the depth below the ground level of said ground-engaging elements of said tiller attachment.

12. The skid steer assembly of claim 11 , wherein said indicator mechanism comprises a pointer arm and a weighted arm, and wherein as said tiller attachment rotates to different orientations, said weighted arm is configured to remain generally gravitationally aligned and said pointer arm remains directed generally towards a line of sight of an operator of the skid steer.

13. The skid steer assembly of claim 11 , wherein said securement component rigidly secures said reference component to said tiller attachment, such that said reference component is configured to maintain a constant orientation with respect to said tiller attachment.

14. The skid steer assembly of claim 11 , wherein said ground-engaging elements comprise tines.

15. A method of using a skid steer with a tiller attachment comprising a frame, a skid shoe assembly positioned on a bottom of said frame, wherein said skid shoe assembly comprises a central portion, a rear portion extending rearward from the central portion, and a forward portion extending forward from the central portion, and one or more ground-engaging elements configured to extend from the bottom of the frame and into the ground, wherein the tiller attachment further includes a depth indicator, with the depth indicator comprising a reference component configured to display a plurality of references, and an indicator mechanism configured to highlight one of the references of the reference component based on a depth within the ground of one or more ground-engaging elements of the tiller attachment, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) providing the depth indicator, with the depth indicator additionally comprising an elongated securement component for supporting the reference component with respect to the tiller attachment, wherein the securement component comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the securement component is secured to the tiller attachment, wherein the second end of the securement component is spaced above the tiller attachment and is secured to the reference component, a

Assignees

• Great Plains Mfg Incorporated
• Great Plains Mfg Inc

Inventors

• Myers Kevin L

Classifications

• G01C9/00 Primary

  Measuring inclination, e.g. by clinometers, by levels · CPC title

• E02F3/96 Primary

  with arrangements for alternate {or simultaneous} use of different digging elements {(E02F3/7604, E02F3/769, E02F3/78 take precedence; quick-acting devices to connect tools to arms or booms E02F3/3609, for arms to tractors or the like E02F3/627)} · CPC title

• E02F9/264

  Sensors and their calibration for indicating the position of the work tool · CPC title

• A01B76/00

  Parts, details or accessories of agricultural machines or implements, not provided for in groups A01B51/00 - A01B75/00 · CPC title