Patent ID: 9121164
Filing Date: 2015-09-01
Classification: E02F

Abstract:
1. A self-unloading bucket comprising: a bucket shell having two ends and a middle portion therebetween; sandbag outlets formed in each of the ends of the bucket shell; an FIBC bag outlet formed in the middle portion of the bucket shell; a double handed auger mounted within the bucket shell between the sandbag outlets, and passing over the FIBC outlet; wherein the auger has a right-handed auger blade portion and a left-handed auger blade portion which extend to or meet over the FIBC outlet of the bucket; a reversible motor mounted to the bucket shell and in driving relation to the double handed auger so that the auger moves material in the bucket shell either toward the ends of the bucket shell and the sandbag outlets formed therein or toward the middle portion of the bucket shell and the FIBC outlet formed therein, depending on the direction of rotation of the auger; further comprising a cover for the FIBC outlet releasably mountable to the bucket shell to close the FIBC outlet and prevent the escape of material therethrough from the bucket; wherein the cover for the FIBC outlet further comprises: a rectangular plate having two long edges and two shorter edges, an upper side and a lower side and upwardly angled side flanges joined thereto; a mounting plate joined to the bottom side of the rectangular plate and extending beyond the short edges on either side of the rectangular plate; a first part of the mounting plate overlain by a first portion of the bucket shell; a support plate joined to the rectangular plate and extending over the first part of the mounting plate to form a gap between the support plate and the first part of the mounting plate, which captures the first portion of the bucket shell which overlies the first part of the mounting plate; a second part of the mounting plate opposite in relation to the first part, the second part overlain by a second portion of the bucket shell; and a member passing through the second part of the mounting plate and the second portion of the bucket shell which overlies the second part of the mounting plate to releasably affix the cover to the bucket shell.