US 10202266

US Patent 10202266, titled "Low profile compact tool carriers," was issued to Vermeer Manufacturing Co. on February 12, 2019, from an application filed on September 14, 2017. The inventors are Brad Thomas, Louis Hartke, Greg Langenfeld, and Matt Hutchinson.

Abstract:
The patent describes compact tool carriers featuring a loader mounted to a low-profile mainframe. According to the disclosure, the pivot points of the mainframe, around which the loader pivots, are positioned low relative to the mainframe. This design aims to reduce the mainframe size, lower the center of gravity, and thereby improve the stability of the compact tool carrier during operation.

Independent Claims Overview:

• Claim 1: Describes a loader apparatus for standing operator control. It includes a loader capable of carrying a tool and moving between a down and a vertically raised position. A loader support, free from direct attachment to the loader, has first and second sides. A first linkage, a second linkage, and an actuator are all pivotally attached to the first side of the loader support at respective pivot points. The apparatus also features a control station with operator controls for propulsion and loader movement, and an operator platform for standing operation, located at the rear. The key characteristic is that the first linkage, second linkage, and actuator pivot points are positioned forward of the operator platform and below the operator controls of the control station.

• Claim 7: Details a loader apparatus for standing or walk-behind operator control. It comprises a control station at the rear with operator controls, a loader for carrying a tool, and a rigid frame supporting both the control station and the loader. This rigid frame has a first side with first, third, and fifth pivot points for a first linkage, an actuator, and a second linkage, respectively. These components are also pivotally attached to the loader at second, fourth, and sixth pivot points. The claim specifies that as the loader moves from the down to the vertically raised position, all six pivot points are either disposed between the operator controls and the bottom of the rigid frame, or forward of the control station, or both.

• Claim 14: Defines a loader apparatus for standing or walk-behind operator control with a focus on pivot point positioning relative to the drive mechanism. It includes a loader, a loader support (free from direct attachment to the loader), a linkage, and an actuator, all pivotally attached to the first side of the loader support at first, second, third, and fourth pivot points. A drive mechanism, which propels the apparatus and has a drive sprocket defining a rotational axis R, is also present. The bottom of the first side of the loader support is separated from the rotational axis R by a vertical distance D5. A critical feature is that the vertical distance between the rotational axis R and the forward-most pivot point (either the first or third pivot point) is less than 0.75 times D5.

• Claim 19: Describes a loader apparatus for standing or walk-behind operator control with a machine structure defining a barrier guard. This structure includes a mainframe and an upper frame. It has a control station at the rear with operator controls, an actuator, a front linkage, and a rear linkage, all pivotally attached to the mainframe. A loader, adapted to carry a tool and moveable between down and vertically raised positions, is pivotally attached to the front and rear linkages at corresponding pivot points. The claim specifies that in the down position, the front linkage pivot point is either within the barrier guard or forward of it, or both. Additionally, as the loader moves to the vertically raised position, the rear linkage pivot point is also either within the barrier guard or forward of it, or both.

• Claim 25: Covers a loader apparatus for standing or walk-behind operator control similar to Claim 19, also featuring a machine structure (mainframe and upper frame) defining a barrier guard, a rear control station, an actuator, and a linkage pivotally attached to the mainframe. The loader is pivotally attached to this linkage at a linkage pivot point. The defining characteristics are that in the down position, the linkage pivot point is disposed within the barrier guard, and as the loader moves to the vertically raised position, this linkage pivot point is either within the barrier guard or forward of it, or both.