Frame assembly for a work machine digging assembly

Abstract

A work machine having a frame structure and a digging assembly is disclosed. The work machine includes at least one pivot support supported on the frame structure and a first frame pivotally connected to the at least one pivot support for pivotal movement about a first axis. A second frame is disposed adjacent to the first frame. The second frame includes a top portion and a bottom portion connected by a closed side. The second frame is pivotally connected to the first frame for pivotal movement about a second axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the first axis. A swing frame is connected to the top and bottom portions of the second frame, and is configured to support the digging assembly.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A work machine having a frame structure and a digging assembly, the work machine comprising: 
 at least one pivot support supported on the frame structure;    a first frame pivotally connected to the at least one pivot support for pivotal movement about a first axis;    a second frame disposed adjacent the first frame, the second frame having a top portion and a bottom portion connected by a closed side, the second frame being pivotally connected to the first frame for pivotal movement about a second axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the first axis; and    a swing frame connected to the top and bottom portions of the second frame, the swing frame being configured to support the digging assembly.    
     
     
         2 . The work machine of  claim 1 , wherein the first frame is a pitch frame pivotal in a pitch direction and the second frame is a roll frame pivotal in a roll direction.  
     
     
         3 . The work machine of  claim 2 , further including a connection bar support configured to secure the swing frame to the roll frame.  
     
     
         4 . The work machine of  claim 2 , further including: 
 roll pins connecting the roll frame to the pitch frame; and    pitch pins connecting the pitch frame to the at least one pivot support.    
     
     
         5 . The work machine of  claim 2 , further including: 
 a swing actuator extending from the roll frame to the swing frame to rotate the swing frame about a swing axis;    a pitch actuator extending from the pitch frame to the frame structure; and    a roll actuator extending from the pitch frame to the roll frame.    
     
     
         6 . The work machine of  claim 5 , wherein the pitch frame includes a bottom section and an extension extending therefrom.  
     
     
         7 . The work machine of  claim 1 , wherein the first frame extends rearwardly of a rearward end of the machine frame structure.  
     
     
         8 . The work machine of  claim 1 , wherein the pivot supports are integral with the frame structure.  
     
     
         9 . The work machine of  claim 1 , wherein the pivot supports are connected indirectly to the frame structure through a member supported by the frame structure.  
     
     
         10 . The work machine of  claim 1 , wherein a swing axis is defined by at least one swing pin connecting the swing frame with the second frame.  
     
     
         11 . A method for controlling a digging assembly on a work machine having a frame structure, the method comprising: 
 pivoting a first frame about a first axis to orient the first frame to a desired position, the first frame being connected by at least one pivot support to the frame structure of the work machine;    pivoting a second frame about a second axis to orient the second frame to a desired position, the second axis being substantially perpendicular to the first axis, the second frame being disposed adjacent the first frame and having a top portion and a bottom portion connected by a closed side, the second frame being pivotally connected to the first frame; and    pivoting a swing frame connected to the top and bottom portions of the second frame to rotate the digging assembly through a range of motion.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further including: 
 activating a swing actuator to pivot the swing frame about a swing axis.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first and second frames are pivoted to their respective desired positions to thereby orient the swing axis in a direction substantially perpendicular to a desired work surface for the digging assembly.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein pivoting the first frame includes pivoting the first frame in a pitch direction, the first frame being a pitch frame, and 
 wherein pivoting the second frame includes pivoting the second frame in a roll direction, the second frame being a roll frame.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , including: 
 activating a swing actuator to pivot the swing frame, the swing actuator extending from the roll frame to the swing frame;    activating a pitch actuator to pivot the pitch frame in the pitch direction, the pitch actuator extending from the pitch frame to the frame structure; and    activating a roll actuator to pivot the roll frame in the roll direction, the roll actuator extending from the roll frame to the pitch frame.    
     
     
         16 . A work machine comprising: 
 a frame structure;    pivot supports supported on the frame structure;    a pitch frame having a bottom section extending between a first wall and a second wall;    pitch pins connecting the bottom section of the pitch frame with the pivot supports, the pitch pins forming a pitch axis;    a C-shaped roll frame situated at least partially between the first and second walls of the pitch frame, the roll frame having a top portion and a bottom portion connected by a closed side, the closed side being adjacent to the second wall of the pitch frame;    roll pins connecting the bottom portion of the roll frame with the first and second walls of the pitch frame, the roll pins forming a roll axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the pitch axis;    a swing frame having top and bottom swing arms extending between the top and bottom portions of the roll frame; and    at least one swing pin extending from the top and bottom swing arms to the top and bottom portions of the roll frame.    
     
     
         17 . The work machine of  claim 16 , further including: 
 a work implement;    a stick member connected to the work implement; and    a boom member connected to the stick member and the swing frame such that the work implement may be oriented by selective movement of the pitch frame and roll frame.    
     
     
         18 . The work machine of  claim 16 , wherein the pitch frame extends rearwardly of a rearward end of the frame structure.  
     
     
         19 . The work machine of  claim 16 , wherein the pitch frame includes a bottom section and an extension extending therefrom.  
     
     
         20 . The work machine of  claim 16 , wherein the pivot supports are integral with the frame structure.  
     
     
         21 . The work machine of  claim 16 , wherein the pivot supports are connected indirectly to the frame structure through a member supported by the frame structure.  
     
     
         22 . A frame assembly for orienting a work machine digging assembly, the work machine having a frame structure and at least one pivot support supported on the frame structure, the frame assembly comprising: 
 a first frame configured to pivot about a first axis;    at least one first pin configured to connect the first frame to the at least one pivot support;    a second frame configured to pivot about a second axis, the second axis being oriented substantially perpendicular to the first axis, the second frame having a top portion and a bottom portion connected by a closed side; and    at least one second pin configured to connect the second frame to the first frame.    
     
     
         23 . The frame assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the first frame includes a bottom section extending between first and second walls, the at least one second pin being configured to connect the first and second walls to the second frame.  
     
     
         24 . The frame assembly of  claim 22 , further including a connection bar support configured to secure a swing frame to the second frame.  
     
     
         25 . The frame assembly of  claim 22 , further including an actuator extending from the first frame to the second frame.  
     
     
         26 . The frame assembly of  claim 25 , wherein the first frame includes a bottom section and an extension extending therefrom.