Variable-position stabilizer leg

Abstract

A stabilizer assembly is provided for a work vehicle that has at least two positions: a stowed position and a working position. The stabilizer assembly includes a telescoping stabilizer leg having a first end and a second end, the first end of the stabilizer leg being pivotally attached to the work vehicle, the stabilizer leg being generally vertically disposed when in the stowed position; and a hydraulic actuator having a first end and a second end, the first end of the hydraulic actuator being pivotally attached to the work vehicle, the second end of the hydraulic actuator being pivotally attached to the telescoping stabilizer leg, wherein the hydraulic actuator is disposed to pivot the telescoping stabilizer leg with respect to the work vehicle.

1 . A stabilizer assembly for a work vehicle, the stabilizer assembly having at least two positions, one of the two positions being a stowed position, and another of the two positions being a working position, the stabilizer assembly comprising: 
 a telescoping stabilizer leg having a first end and a second end, the first end of the stabilizer leg being pivotally attached to the work vehicle, the stabilizer leg being generally vertically disposed when in the stowed position; and    a hydraulic actuator having a first end and a second end, the first end of the hydraulic actuator being pivotally attached to the work vehicle, the second end of the hydraulic actuator being pivotally attached to the telescoping stabilizer leg, wherein the hydraulic actuator is disposed to pivot the telescoping stabilizer leg with respect to the work vehicle.    
   
   
       2 . The stabilizer assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second end of the hydraulic actuator is pivotally attached to the stabilizer leg at the second end of the stabilizer leg.  
   
   
       3 . The stabilizer assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second end of the hydraulic actuator is pivotally attached to the stabilizer leg at a location on the stabilizer leg located between the first end of the stabilizer leg and the second end of the stabilizer leg.  
   
   
       4 . The stabilizer assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a stabilizer pad attached to the second end of the stabilizer leg.    
   
   
       5 . A stabilizing assembly for an off-road work vehicle, the off-road work vehicle having a first side and a second side, the first and second sides being located on opposite sides of a longitudinal center line of the off-road work vehicle, the stabilizer assembly having a working position and a stowed position, the stabilizer assembly comprising: 
 a telescoping stabilizer leg pivotally attached to the first side of the off-road work vehicle at a first pivot point, the stabilizer leg having an inner tube and an outer tube; and    a first hydraulic actuator pivotally attached to the first side of the off-road work vehicle at a second pivot point, wherein the first hydraulic actuator is pivotally attached to the stabilizer leg to pivot the stabilizer leg about the first pivot point, and further wherein the first hydraulic actuator is configured to extend generally laterally away from the first side of the off-road work vehicle.    
   
   
       6 . The stabilizing assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the first hydraulic actuator is pivotally attached to the inner tube of the stabilizer leg.  
   
   
       7 . The stabilizing assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the first hydraulic actuator is pivotally attached to the outer tube of the stabilizer leg.  
   
   
       8 . The stabilizing assembly of  claim 5 , further comprising: 
 a second hydraulic actuator disposed within the stabilizer leg to extend and retract the stabilizer leg.    
   
   
       9 . The stabilizing assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the second hydraulic actuator is a hydraulic cylinder.  
   
   
       10 . The stabilizing assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the first hydraulic actuator is a hydraulic cylinder.  
   
   
       11 . The stabilizing assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the first pivot point is located above the second pivot point.  
   
   
       12 . The stabilizing assembly of  claim 5 , further comprising a stabilzing pad coupled to the outer tube, wherein the inner tube is pivotally coupled to the work vehicle at the first pivot point, and further wherein the inner tube is slidably disposed inside the outer tube.  
   
   
       13 . The stabilizing assembly of  claim 5 , further comprising a stabilizing pad coupled to the second end of the stabilizer leg.  
   
   
       14 . The stabilizing assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the stabilizing pad is pivotally coupled to the stabilizer leg.  
   
   
       15 . The stabilizing assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the stabilizing pad is coupled to the outer tube of the stabilizer leg.  
   
   
       16 . The stabilizing assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the second hydraulic actuator is disposed parallel to the stabilizer leg.  
   
   
       17 . The stabilizing assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the second hydraulic actuator is disposed coaxially with the stabilizer leg.  
   
   
       18 . The stabilizing assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the stabilizer pad is disposed below the first pivot point when the stabilizing assembly is in its stowed position.  
   
   
       19 . A loader/backhoe with a left side, a right side, and a bottom side, the loader/backhoe comprising: 
 a tractor;    a loader coupled to the front of the tractor;    a backhoe attachment coupled to the rear of the tractor;    a left stabilizer disposed on the left side of the tractor, comprising: 
 a first support leg pivotally coupled to the tractor, the first support leg having an inner tube and an outer tube, wherein the first support leg is configured to telescopically extend generally leftward and downward from the tractor; and  
 a first hydraulic cylinder coupled to the tractor, wherein the first hydraulic cylinder is configured to telescopically extend generally leftward from the tractor, further wherein the first hydraulic cylinder is pivotally attached to the first support leg, yet further wherein the first hydraulic cylinder is disposed to pivot the first support leg laterally away from the left side of the tractor; and  
   a right stabilizer disposed on the right side of the tractor, comprising: 
 a second support leg pivotally coupled to the tractor, the second support leg having an inner tube and an outer tube, wherein the second support leg is configured to telescopically extend generally rightward and downward from the tractor; and  
 a second hydraulic cylinder coupled to the tractor, wherein the second hydraulic cylinder is configured to telescopically extend generally rightward from the tractor, further wherein the second hydraulic cylinder is pivotally attached to the second support leg, yet further wherein the second hydraulic cylinder is disposed to pivot the second support leg laterally away from the right side of the tractor.  
   
   
   
       20 . The loader/backhoe of  claim 19 , further comprising: 
 a third hydraulic cylinder disposed within the first support leg to telescopically extend and retract the first support leg; and    a fourth hydraulic cylinder disposed within the second support leg to telescopically extend and retract the second support leg.    
   
   
       21 . The loader/backhoe of  claim 20 , wherein the inner tubes and the outer tubes of the left and right stabilizers are generally rectangular in cross section.