초록 ▼

A headboard assembly connected to a machine frame includes a stationary gate that is pivotally connected to the frame and a moveable gate disposed in slidable engagement with the stationary gate. A linear actuator pivotally connects the moveable gate to the frame via first and second pin joints. The

A headboard assembly connected to a machine frame includes a stationary gate that is pivotally connected to the frame and a moveable gate disposed in slidable engagement with the stationary gate. A linear actuator pivotally connects the moveable gate to the frame via first and second pin joints. The linear actuator selectively extends and retracts the moveable gate relative to the stationary gate when the headboard assembly is in an operating position. The linear actuator is further arranged to selectively tilt the headboard assembly relative to the frame when the headboard assembly is in a service position.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A machine having a frame that includes a payload portion, an operator cab, and a crane disposed on a base connected to the frame between the payload portion and the operator cab, the machine further comprising: a headboard assembly connected to the frame and disposed between the base a

We claim: 1. A machine having a frame that includes a payload portion, an operator cab, and a crane disposed on a base connected to the frame between the payload portion and the operator cab, the machine further comprising: a headboard assembly connected to the frame and disposed between the base and the payload portion, the headboard assembly including: a stationary gate that is pivotally connected to the frame, and a moveable gate disposed in slidable engagement with the stationary gate; and a linear actuator pivotally connected to the moveable gate at a first pin joint and pivotally connected to the frame at a second pin joint, the linear actuator being arranged to selectively extend and retract the moveable gate relative to the stationary gate when the headboard assembly is in an operating position, and being arranged to selectively tilt the headboard assembly relative to the frame when the headboard assembly is in a service position. 2. The machine of claim 1, further including: a retention pin opening formed in the stationary gate; a corresponding retention pin opening formed in the moveable gate and being alignable with the retention pin opening when the moveable gate is disposed at a predetermined position relative to the stationary gate; and a retention pin disposed in the retention pin opening and extending through the corresponding retention pin opening to slidably engage the stationary gate and the moveable gate when in the headboard assembly is configured to operate in the service position. 3. The machine of claim 1, further including: at least one stabilizing arrangement connected to the stationary gate; at least one pin opening formed at one end of the at least one stabilizing pin arrangement; a receiving pin opening formed on the frame; and a retention pin disposed in the at least one pin opening and extending through the receiving pin opening such that the stationary gate is connected to the frame when the headboard assembly is configured to operate in the operating position. 4. The machine of claim 1, wherein the stationary gate of the headboard assembly further includes: two channel members having a C-cross section and respective open sides, the two channel members disposed at opposite ends of the stationary gate and having their respective open sides facing one another to define a gate frame; wherein the moveable gate is disposed to slide at least partially within the gate frame. 5. The machine of claim 4, wherein the stationary gate includes a plurality of bars extending across an opening defined by the gate frame. 6. The machine of claim 1, wherein the headboard assembly is pivotally connected to the frame at two pins that are rigidly connected to the frame and that extend through respective pin openings formed in the headboard assembly. 7. A headboard assembly for a log forwarder machine having an articulated frame that includes an engine portion and a payload portion connected to one another at a pin joint, the log forwarder machine further including a base connected to the payload portion of the articulated frame proximate the pin joint and a crane connected to the base, wherein the headboard assembly is connected to the payload portion of the articulated frame and includes a stationary gate that is pivotally connected to the articulated frame and a moveable gate that is slidably connected to the stationary gate, the headboard assembly comprising: a linear actuator pivotally connected to the moveable gate at a first pin joint and pivotally connected to the articulated frame at a second pin joint, the linear actuator being arranged to selectively extend and retract the moveable gate relative to the stationary gate when the headboard assembly is in an operating position, and being arranged to selectively tilt the headboard assembly relative to the articulated frame when the headboard assembly is in a service position. 8. The headboard assembly of claim 7, further including: a retention pin opening formed in the stationary gate; a corresponding retention pin opening formed in the moveable gate and being alignable with the retention pin opening when the moveable gate is disposed at a predetermined position relative to the stationary gate; and a retention pin disposed in the retention pin opening and extending through the corresponding retention pin opening to slidably engage the stationary gate and the moveable gate when in the headboard assembly is configured to operate in the service position. 9. The headboard assembly of claim 7, further including: at least one stabilizing arrangement connected to the stationary gate; at least one pin opening formed at one end of the at least one stabilizing pin arrangement; a receiving pin opening formed on the articulated frame; and a retention pin disposed in the at least one pin opening and extending through the receiving pin opening such that the stationary gate is restrained from pivoting relative to the articulated frame when the headboard assembly is configured to operate in the operating position. 10. The headboard assembly of claim 9, wherein the stationary gate of the headboard assembly further includes: two channel members having a C-cross section and respective open sides, the two channel members disposed at opposite ends of the stationary gate and having their respective open sides facing one another to define a frame; wherein the moveable gate is disposed to slide at least partially within the frame when the headboard assembly is configured to operate in the operating position, extending relative thereto when the linear actuator is extended and retracting relative thereto when the linear actuator is retracted. 11. The headboard assembly of claim 10, wherein the stationary gate includes a plurality of bars extending across an opening defined by the frame. 12. The headboard assembly of claim 7, wherein the headboard assembly is pivotally connected to the articulated frame at two pins that are rigidly connected to the articulated frame and that extend through respective pin openings formed in the headboard assembly. 13. The headboard assembly of claim 7, wherein the linear actuator is a hydraulic cylinder having: a bore portion connected to the articulated frame at the second pin joint and forming a bore; a piston slidably disposed to move within the bore when one side of the piston is exposed to pressurized fluid; an actuator arm connected to the piston and to the moveable gate at the first pin joint. 14. A method of operating a log forwarder having a headboard assembly, the log forwarder including an articulated frame defining a payload portion, the log forwarder further including a base connected to the payload portion of the articulated frame proximate a crane connected to the base, the headboard assembly being pivotally connected to the payload portion of the articulated frame and including a stationary gate that is pivotally connected to the articulated frame and a moveable gate that is slidably connected to the stationary gate, the method comprising: providing a linear actuator in pivotal connection with the moveable gate at a first pin joint and with the base at a second pin joint; providing a moment arm tending to rotate the headboard assembly relative to the articulated frame when a force is applied to the headboard assembly by the linear actuator; restricting pivotal motion of the headboard assembly relative to the articulated frame when the headboard assembly is in an operating position; extending the moveable gate relative to the stationary gate by extending the linear actuator while the headboard assembly is in the operating position; and retracting the moveable gate relative to the stationary gate by retracting the linear actuator while the headboard assembly is in the operating position. 15. The method of claim 14, further including: releasing the headboard assembly for pivotal motion relative to the articulated frame when switching from the operating position to a service position; restricting sliding motion of the moveable gate relative to the stationary gate when switching from the operating position to the service position; tilting the headboard assembly relative to the articulated frame in a direction away from the base by extending the linear actuator and applying a force over the moment arm; and selectively raising the headboard assembly relative to the articulated frame by retracting the linear actuator. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein tilting the headboard assembly includes passing the headboard assembly through an opening defined between two posts extending from a bunk that is connected to the articulated frame. 17. The method of claim 15, further including selectively switching between the operating position and the service position by selectively switching between restricting pivotal motion of the headboard assembly relative to the articulated frame and restricting sliding motion of the moveable gate relative to the stationary gate. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein restricting pivotal motion of the headboard assembly relative to the articulated frame includes releasing sliding motion of the moveable gate relative to the stationary gate. 19. The method of claim 17, wherein restricting pivotal motion of the headboard assembly relative to the articulated frame includes inserting at least one pin into a pin opening formed in a stabilizing arrangement that is connected to the stationary gate, and wherein the pin extends through a corresponding opening formed in the articulated frame. 20. The method of claim 17, wherein restricting sliding motion of the moveable gate relative to the stationary gate includes: providing a retention pin opening formed in the moveable gate; providing a corresponding retention pin opening formed in the stationary gate; aligning the retention pin opening with the corresponding retention pin opening by moving the moveable gate relative to the stationary gate; and inserting a retention pin into the retention pin opening such that the retention pin extends through the corresponding retention pin opening and the retention pin opening.