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A linkage arrangement is disclosed to provide an articulated machine with an arrangement that allows two frame structures to both articulate and oscillate relative to one another. The linkage arrangement includes a three point pivot arrangement with an angled link. Two of the pivots provide for arti

A linkage arrangement is disclosed to provide an articulated machine with an arrangement that allows two frame structures to both articulate and oscillate relative to one another. The linkage arrangement includes a three point pivot arrangement with an angled link. Two of the pivots provide for articulation while two of the pivots provide for oscillation. The two pivots involved for oscillation are of lower overall height than the overall height for the two pivots providing the articulation, thereby reducing overall machine height while maintaining structural integrity.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A linkage arrangement for an articulated machine comprising: a first frame structure having a first longitudinal axis;a second frame structure having a second longitudinal axis, the second longitudinal axis being generally collinear in plan view with the first longitudinal axis when the articulat

1. A linkage arrangement for an articulated machine comprising: a first frame structure having a first longitudinal axis;a second frame structure having a second longitudinal axis, the second longitudinal axis being generally collinear in plan view with the first longitudinal axis when the articulated machine has no articulation;a link member configured to connect said first and second frame structures, said link member receiving at least a portion of said first and second frame structures;a first universal bearing arrangement for pivotably connecting said first frame structure to said link member, said first bearing arrangement having a first pivot center;a second universal bearing arrangement for pivotably connecting said second frame structure to said link member, said second bearing arrangement having a second pivot center;said first and second universal bearing arrangements being configured such that when said first and second longitudinal axes are substantially parallel and substantially horizontal said first and second pivot centers lie in different horizontal planes. 2. A linkage arrangement according to claim 1 further including a third universal bearing arrangement configured to connect said first frame structure with said second frame structure, said third universal bearing having a third pivot center and being configured such that when said first and second longitudinal axes are substantially parallel and substantially horizontal said third pivot center lies below said first and second pivot centers. 3. A linkage arrangement according to claim 2, wherein said first, second and third universal bearing arrangements each include a self-aligning spherical bearing including a housing portion and a curved portion arranged in said housing portion, said curved portion having a central bore, each of said universal bearing arrangements further including a link pin extending at least partially through said central bore. 4. A linkage arrangement according to claim 3, wherein said link pins of said first and third bearing arrangement define longitudinal axes that are substantially coaxial when said first and second longitudinal axes are substantially parallel and substantially horizontal. 5. A linkage arrangement according to claim 3, wherein said link pins of said first, second and third universal bearing arrangements define longitudinal axes that are substantially parallel to one another when said first and second longitudinal axes are substantially parallel and substantially horizontal. 6. A linkage arrangement according to claim 3, wherein said link member is an angled link having first and second generally U-shaped opposing end portions each configured to receive at least a portion of said spherical bearings and at least a portion of said link pins of said first and second universal bearing arrangements respectively. 7. A linkage arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the link pins of said first and second universal bearing arrangements can change position relative to said first and second frame structures while said link pin of said third universal bearing arrangement is positionally fixed relative to said first frame structure. 8. A linkage arrangement according to claim 2, wherein said first and third bearing enable said first and second frame structures to articulate relative to one another. 9. A linkage arrangement according to claim 2, wherein said second and third bearing enable said first and second frame structures to oscillate relative to one another. 10. A linkage arrangement for an articulated machine comprising: a first frame structure having a first longitudinal axis;a second frame structure having a second longitudinal axis,a link member configured to connect said first and second frame structures;a first universal bearing arrangement for pivotably connecting said first frame structure to said link member, said first bearing arrangement having a first pivot center lying in a first substantially horizontal plane;a second universal bearing arrangement for pivotably connecting said second frame structure to said link member, said second bearing arrangement having a second pivot center lying in a second substantially horizontal plane;a third universal bearing arrangement for pivotably connecting said first frame structure to said second frame structure, said third bearing arrangement having a third pivot center lying in a third substantially horizontal plane;said first, second and third universal bearing arrangements being configured such that when said first and second longitudinal axes are substantially parallel and substantially horizontal the distance between said first and third substantially horizontal planes is greater than the distance between said second and third substantially horizontal planes, each of the first, second and third substantially horizontal planes being different substantially horizontal planes. 11. A linkage arrangement for an articulated machine comprising: a first frame structure having a first longitudinal axis;a second frame structure having a second longitudinal axis,a link member configured to connect said first and second frame structures;a first universal bearing arrangement for pivotably connecting said first frame structure to said link member, said first bearing arrangement having a first pivot center; anda second universal bearing arrangement for pivotably connecting said second frame structure to said link member, said second bearing arrangement having a second pivot center;wherein the first and second universal bearing arrangements are configured such that when said first and second longitudinal axes are substantially parallel and substantially horizontal said first and second pivot centers lie in different horizontal planes;the first and second universal bearing arrangements each include a self-aligning spherical bearing including a housing portion and a curved portion arranged in said housing portion, said curved portion having a central bore, each of said universal bearing arrangement further including a link pin extending at least partially through said central bore; andsaid link member is an angled link having first and second generally U-shaped opposing end portions each configured to receive at least a portion of said spherical bearings and at least a portion of said link pins of said first and second universal bearing arrangements respectively. 12. A linkage arrangement for an articulated machine comprising: a first frame structure having a first longitudinal axis;a second frame structure having a second longitudinal axis,a link member configured to connect said first and second frame structures;a first universal bearing arrangement for pivotably connecting said first frame structure to said link member, said first bearing arrangement having a first pivot center;a second universal bearing arrangement for pivotably connecting said second frame structure to said link member, said second bearing arrangement having a second pivot center; anda third universal bearing arrangement configured to connect said first frame structure with said second frame structure;wherein the first and second universal bearing arrangements being configured such that when said first and second longitudinal axes are substantially parallel and substantially horizontal said first and second pivot centers lie in different horizontal planes;the first, second and third universal bearing arrangements each include a self-aligning spherical bearing including a housing portion and a curved portion arranged in said housing portion, said curved portion having a central bore, each of said universal bearing arrangements further including a link pin extending at least partially through said central bore; andthe link pins of said first and second universal bearing arrangements can change position relative to said first and second frame structures while said link pin of said third universal bearing arrangement is positionally fixed relative to said first frame structure.