Pipelayer machine with rear engine configuration

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11970374-B2
Application number	US-202117449896-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 4, 2021
Priority date	Oct 4, 2021
Publication date	Apr 30, 2024
Grant date	Apr 30, 2024

Abstract

A pipelayer machine may comprise a machine chassis; an operator cabin supported by the machine chassis; an engine supported by the machine chassis; and a boom coupled to the machine chassis. The operator cabin may include a seat assembly. The operator cabin may be stationary with respect to the machine chassis. The pipelayer machine may comprise a front portion and a rear portion. The engine may be provided in the rear portion. The boom may be provided forward with respect to the seat assembly.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A pipelayer machine, comprising:
ground engaging members;
a machine chassis;
a stationary operator cabin that includes a seat assembly, is supported by the machine chassis, and is in a non-rotatably fixed position relative to the machine chassis and the ground engaging members;
an engine supported by the machine chassis;
a boom coupled to the machine chassis;
a hook component associated with the boom; and
one or more lifting cables that extend to the hook component via the boom,
wherein the pipelayer machine comprises a front portion and a rear portion,
wherein the engine is provided in the rear portion,
wherein the boom is provided forward with respect to the seat assembly,
wherein the seat assembly is between the boom and the engine, and
wherein the hook component and the one or more lifting cables are between a portion of the boom and a door of the stationary operator cabin.

2. The pipelayer machine of claim 1 , wherein the seat assembly is configured to face the front portion of the pipelayer machine.

3. The pipelayer machine of claim 1 ,
wherein the hook component is configured to secure or move a load, and
wherein the hook component is provided forward with respect to the seat assembly.

4. The pipelayer machine of claim 1 , wherein the machine chassis is provided between the ground engaging members.

5. The pipelayer machine of claim 1 , further comprising:
a counterweight assembly,
wherein the counterweight assembly is configured to be extended away from the machine chassis.

6. The pipelayer machine of claim 5 , wherein, when the counterweight assembly is extended away from the machine chassis, a top surface of the counterweight assembly is disposed below a top portion of the seat assembly.

7. The pipelayer machine of claim 1 , wherein the seat assembly is provided in a first plane,
wherein the stationary operator cabin comprises a front surface, a rear surface, a first lateral surface, and a second lateral surface opposite the first lateral surface,
wherein the boom is provided, in a second plane, adjacent to the first lateral surface or the second lateral surface of the stationary operator cabin, and
wherein the second plane is parallel to the first plane.

8. The pipelayer machine of claim 1 ,
wherein the front portion is defined in a direction of forward travel of the machine chassis,
wherein the rear portion is defined in a direction of reverse travel of the machine chassis, and
wherein the boom is provided further on a side of the machine chassis.

9. A machine, comprising:
ground engaging members;
a machine chassis provided between the ground engaging members;
a stationary operator cabin that includes a seat assembly, is supported by the machine chassis, and is in a non-rotatably fixed position relative to the machine chassis and the ground engaging members;
a power source supported by the machine chassis;
a boom coupled to the machine chassis and is forward of the seat assembly; and
one or more lifting cables that extend via the boom,
wherein the machine comprises a front portion and a rear portion,
wherein the power source is provided in the rear portion,
wherein the seat assembly is between the boom and the power source,
wherein at least a portion of the boom is provided forward with respect to a door of the stationary operator cabin, and
wherein the door of the stationary operator cabin is between at least a portion of the seat assembly and the one or more lifting cables.

10. The machine of claim 9 , wherein the seat assembly is configured to face the front portion of the machine.

11. The machine of claim 10 , wherein the boom is provided forward with respect to the power source.

12. The machine of claim 9 , further comprising:
a hook component configured to secure or move a load,
wherein the hook component is connected to the boom via the one or more lifting cables.

13. The machine of claim 12 , wherein the hook component is provided forward with respect to the seat assembly.

14. The machine of claim 9 ,
wherein the power source is stationary with respect to the ground engaging members.

15. A pipelayer machine, comprising:
ground engaging members;
a machine chassis;
a stationary operator cabin that includes a seat assembly and is in a non-rotatably fixed position relative to the machine chassis and the ground engaging members;
a power source that is stationary with respect to the ground engaging members;
a boom; and
one or more lifting cables that extend via the boom,
wherein the pipelayer machine comprises a front portion and a rear portion,
wherein the seat assembly is configured to face the front portion of the pipelayer machine,
wherein the boom is provided forward with respect to the seat assembly and adjacent to a side of the stationary operator cabin,
wherein the seat assembly is between the boom and the power source,
wherein at least a portion of the boom is provided forward with respect to a door of the stationary operator cabin, and
wherein the door of the stationary operator cabin is between at least a portion of the seat assembly and the one or more lifting cables.

16. The pipelayer machine of claim 15 , wherein the stationary operator cabin comprises a front surface, a rear surface, a first surface, and a second surface, and
wherein the boom is provided adjacent to the first surface or the second surface of the stationary operator cabin.

17. The pipelayer machine of claim 15 , wherein the power source includes an engine, and
wherein the power source is provided in the rear portion of the pipelayer machine.

18. The pipelayer machine of claim 15 , wherein the machine chassis supports the stationary operator cabin and the power source.

19. The pipelayer machine of claim 15 , wherein the machine chassis is between the ground engaging members.

20. The pipelayer machine of claim 15 , further comprising:
a hook component configured to secure or move a load,
wherein the hook component is connected to the boom via the one or more lifting cables, and
wherein the hook component is provided forward with respect to the seat assembly.

Assignees

• Caterpillar Inc

Inventors

• Caldwell Curtis John
• Vance Donald L
• Barbier Benjamin

Classifications

• B66C23/44 Primary

  Jib-cranes adapted for attachment to standard vehicles, e.g. agricultural tractors · CPC title

• F16L1/024

  Laying or reclaiming pipes on land, e.g. above the ground (F16L1/12 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B66C13/54

  Operator's stands or cabins · CPC title

• B66C23/76

  and movable to take account of variations of load or of variations of length of jib · CPC title

• B66D1/00

  Rope, cable, or chain winding mechanisms; Capstans (portable or mobile lifting or hauling appliances B66D3/00) · CPC title