Locking mechanism for lift arm assembly

Abstract

A locking mechanism adapted for use with a lift arm assembly. The lift arm assembly is connected to and operatively associated with a lift actuator for movement between raised and lowered positions. The lift actuator having a tubular body and an extendable rod. The locking mechanism includes a lockbar having a proximal end and a distal end opposite to the proximal end. The proximal end is configured to be pivotally connected to the lift arm assembly and movable between an inoperative position and an operative position to selectively prevent retraction of the rod within the tubular body of the lift actuator. The locking mechanism further includes a release lever pivotally connected at the distal end of the lockbar and is adapted to move between a rest position and a working position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A locking mechanism adapted for use with a lift arm assembly which is connected to and operatively associated with a lift actuator for movement between raised and lowered positions, the lift actuator having a tubular body and an extendable rod, the locking mechanism comprising:
 a lockbar having a proximal end and a distal end opposite to the proximal end, the proximal end configured to be pivotally connected to the lift arm assembly and movable between an inoperative position and an operative position to selectively prevent retraction of the extendable rod within the tubular body of the lift actuator; and   a release lever pivotally connected at the distal end of the lockbar, the release lever is adapted to move between a rest position and a working position.   
     
     
         2 . The locking mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the release lever includes a pivot end portion and a free end portion opposite to the pivot end portion, the pivot end portion of the release lever is pivotally connected at the distal end of the lockbar. 
     
     
         3 . The locking mechanism of  claim 2 , wherein in the rest position the free end portion of the release lever is disposed adjacent and substantially parallel with respect to the lockbar. 
     
     
         4 . The locking mechanism of  claim 2 , wherein in the working position the free end portion of the release lever is configured to be seated on the lift actuator. 
     
     
         5 . The locking mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the lockbar includes a plurality of openings which are configured to be aligned with an opening provided on a stow bar extending from the lift arm assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The locking mechanism of  claim 5 , wherein the openings provided on the lockbar and the stow bar are configured to be releasably locked by a pin assembly to store the lockbar in the inoperative position. 
     
     
         7 . The locking mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the lockbar includes securing slots provided at the distal end. 
     
     
         8 . The locking mechanism of  claim 7 , wherein the securing slots are configured to be releasably locked by a pin assembly to retain the lockbar in the operative position. 
     
     
         9 . A machine comprising:
 a frame;   a lift arm assembly pivotally coupled to the frame;   a lift actuator operatively connected with the lift arm assembly for moving the lift arm assembly between raised and lowered positions, the lift actuator having a tubular body and an extendable rod, the tubular body pivotally coupled to the frame and the rod pivotally connected to the lift arm assembly; and   a locking mechanism adapted for use with a lift arm assembly, the locking mechanism including:
 a lockbar having a proximal end and a distal end opposite to the proximal end, the proximal end configured to be pivotally connected to the lift arm assembly and movable between an inoperative position and an operative position to selectively prevent refraction of the extendable rod within the tubular body of the lift actuator; and 
 a release lever pivotally connected at the distal end of the lockbar, the release lever is adapted to move between a rest position and a working position. 
   
     
     
         10 . The machine of  claim 9 , wherein the release lever includes a pivot end portion and a free end portion opposite to the pivot end portion, the pivot end portion of the release lever is pivotally connected at the distal end of the lockbar. 
     
     
         11 . The machine of  claim 10 , wherein in the rest position the free end portion of the release lever is disposed adjacent and substantially parallel with respect to the lockbar. 
     
     
         12 . The machine of  claim 10 , wherein in the working position the free end portion of the release lever is seated on the lift actuator. 
     
     
         13 . The machine of  claim 9 , wherein the lockbar includes a plurality of openings which are configured to be aligned with an opening provided on a stow bar extending from the lift arm assembly. 
     
     
         14 . The machine of  claim 13 , wherein the openings provided on the lockbar and the stow bar are configured to be releasably locked by a pin assembly to store the lockbar in the inoperative position. 
     
     
         15 . The machine of  claim 9 , wherein the lockbar includes securing slots provided at the distal end. 
     
     
         16 . The machine of  claim 15 , wherein the securing slots are configured to be releasably locked by a pin assembly to retain the lockbar in the operative position. 
     
     
         17 . A lifting device comprising:
 a lift arm assembly pivotally coupled to a frame;   a lift actuator operatively connected with the lift arm assembly for moving the lift arm assembly between raised and lowered positions; and   a locking mechanism adapted for use with a lift arm assembly, the locking mechanism comprising:
 a lockbar having a proximal end and a distal end opposite to the proximal end, the proximal end configured to be pivotally connected to the lift arm assembly and movable between an inoperative position and an operative position to selectively prevent retraction of an extendable rod within a tubular body of the lift actuator; and 
 a release lever pivotally connected at the distal end of the lockbar, the release lever is adapted to move between a rest position and a working position. 
   
     
     
         18 . The lifting device of  claim 17 , wherein the release lever includes a pivot end portion and a free end portion opposite to the pivot end portion, the pivot end portion of the release lever is pivotally connected at the distal end of the lockbar. 
     
     
         19 . The lifting device of  claim 18 , wherein in the rest position the free end portion of the release lever is disposed adjacent and substantially parallel with respect to the lockbar. 
     
     
         20 . The lifting device of  claim 18 , wherein in the working position the free end portion of the release lever is seated on the lift actuator.