Position adjustable grapple attachment
US8328071B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 17, 2012 |
| Grant date | Dec 11, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 17, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T83/7487
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An attachment that is configured for attachment to an arm of a piece of construction equipment. The attachment includes a pair of grapple mechanisms mounted on a main beam. Each grapple mechanism includes opposing grab arms mounted to a grab arm housing. The grab arm housings of the grapple mechanisms are each individually adjustable separate from one another relative to the main beam in one or more directions generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main beam. The attachment can fine adjust the positions of the pipe ends relative to one another until the ends align with each other, at which point the pipe ends can be welded or otherwise secured to each other while being held in position by the grapple mechanisms.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.