Grapple with u-shaped, serrated, high strength crossmember

Abstract

A grappling attachment for an industrial or farm vehicle, such as a skid steer or tractor, includes an upper jaw and a lower jaw, which can close relative to each other to grasp roots and debris. At least one of the upper jaw and the lower jaw is formed as a plurality of first curved bars with serrations formed along edges of the plurality of first curved bars facing toward the other jaw, which serrations assist in cutting embedded roots and debris as the first and second jaws are pulled away from the embedded roots and debris, such as when the vehicle is driven in a reverse direction. A U-shaped crossmember is attached to at least one of the first and second jaws. The U-shaped crossmember has slots cut therein to hold the plurality of first curved bars in a spaced relationship. One or more edges of the U-shaped crossmember has serrations facing toward the other jaw. In a preferred embodiment, the U-shaped crossmember has serrations at both ends of the U-shaped profile.

1 . An attachment for an industrial or farm vehicle, said attachment comprising:
 an upper jaw formed of a plurality of first grappling bars;   a lower jaw formed of a plurality of second grappling bars;   an articulated connection between said upper jaw and said lower jaw; and   a crossmember that extends between and is attached to at least first, second and third grappling bars included in either said plurality of first grappling bars or in said plurality of second grappling bars, wherein said crossmember has a substantially U-shaped, cross-sectional profile.   
     
     
         2 . The attachment according to  claim 1 , wherein said crossmember has first and second longitudinal edges and first and second end edges, wherein said first and second end edges are curved and show said substantially U-shaped, cross-sectional profile of said crossmember, and wherein each of said first and second longitudinal edges is longer than each of said first and second side edges. 
     
     
         3 . The attachment according to  claim 2 , wherein said first, second and third grappling bars are included in said plurality of first grappling bars of said upper jaw, and wherein said first and second longitudinal edges face toward said lower jaw, and a curved base of said U-shaped, cross-sectional profile faces away from said lower jaw. 
     
     
         4 . The attachment according to  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a plurality of serrations formed along a length of said first longitudinal edge.   
     
     
         5 . The attachment according to  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a first plurality of slots cut into said first longitudinal edge and a second plurality of slots cut into said second longitudinal edge, wherein a width of each slot of said first and second pluralities of slots is sufficient to accept a width of one of said first, second or third grappling bars therein.   
     
     
         6 . The attachment according to  claim 5 , wherein said first plurality of slots number eight and said second plurality of slots number eight, and wherein in addition to said first, second and third grappling bars, said upper jaw includes fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grappling bars, and wherein each of said first through eighth grappling bars is welded into one of said first plurality of slots and one of said second plurality of slots. 
     
     
         7 . The attachment according to  claim 5 , wherein said first longitudinal edge and said serrations thereon recess toward said base of said U-shaped, cross-sectional profile between adjacent slots of said first plurality of slots. 
     
     
         8 . The attachment according to  claim 1 , wherein said first longitudinal edge faces in a first direction and said second longitudinal edge faces in a second direction, which is within plus or minus thirty degrees to being parallel to the first direction. 
     
     
         9 . The attachment according to  claim 8 , wherein the second direction is substantially parallel to the first direction. 
     
     
         10 . The attachment according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of first grappling bars has a same inner profile characterized by a curved inner edge facing to said lower jaw and serrations formed along at least a portion of said inner edge. 
     
     
         11 . The attachment according to  claim 10 , wherein each of said plurality of second grappling bars has a same inner profile characterized by a curved inner edge facing to said upper jaw and serrations formed along at least a portion of said inner edge. 
     
     
         12 . An attachment for an industrial or farm vehicle, said attachment comprising:
 an upper jaw formed of a plurality of grappling bars;   a lower jaw formed as a bucket;   an articulated connection between said upper jaw and said bucket; and   a crossmember that extends between and is attached to at least first, second and third grappling bars included in said plurality of grappling bars, wherein said crossmember has a substantially U-shaped, cross-sectional profile.   
     
     
         13 . The attachment according to  claim 12 , wherein said bucket includes a substantially planar, bottom panel, first and second upwardly extending end walls attached to opposing side ends of said bottom panel, a front lip on a forward end of said bottom panel and a backstop wall extending upwardly from a rearward end of said bottom panel. 
     
     
         14 . The attachment according to  claim 12 , wherein said crossmember has first and second longitudinal edges and first and second end edges, wherein said first and second end edges are curved and show said substantially U-shaped, cross-sectional profile of said crossmember, wherein each of said first and second longitudinal edges is longer than each of said first and second side edges, and wherein said first and second longitudinal edges face toward said bucket, and a curved base of said U-shaped, cross-sectional profile faces away from said bucket. 
     
     
         15 . The attachment according to  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a plurality of serrations formed along a length of said first longitudinal edge; and   a first plurality of slots cut into said first longitudinal edge and a second plurality of slots cut into said second longitudinal edge, wherein a width of each slot of said first and second pluralities of slots is sufficient to accept a width of one of said first, second or third grappling bars therein.   
     
     
         16 . The attachment according to  claim 15 , wherein said first plurality of slots number eight and said second plurality of slots number eight, and wherein in addition to said first, second and third grappling bars, said upper jaw includes fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grappling bars, and wherein each of said first through eighth grappling bars is welded into one of said first plurality of slots and one of said second plurality of slots. 
     
     
         17 . The attachment according to  claim 15 , wherein each of said plurality of grappling bars has a same inner profile characterized by a curved inner edge facing to said bucket and serrations formed along at least a portion of said inner edge. 
     
     
         18 . An attachment for an industrial or farm vehicle, said attachment comprising:
 an upper jaw formed of a plurality of grappling bars;   a lower jaw;   an articulated connection between said upper jaw and said lower jaw; and   a crossmember that extends between and is attached to at least first, second and third grappling bars included in said plurality of grappling bars, wherein said crossmember has a substantially U-shaped, cross-sectional profile.   
     
     
         19 . The attachment according to  claim 18 , wherein said plurality of grappling bars is a first plurality of grappling bars, and wherein said lower jaw is formed of a plurality of second grappling bars. 
     
     
         20 . The attachment according to  claim 18 , wherein said lower jaw is formed as a bucket, and further comprising:
 plurality of slots cut into said crossmember, wherein a width of each slot is sufficient to accept a width of one of said first, second or third grappling bars therein.