Abstract:
An implement for use with a bucket mounted to a dipper boom of an earth working machine wherein the implement includes bars slidable mounting within guide elements mounted to the dipper boom such that the bars may be moved by gravity from a first position spaced from the bucket to a second position in generally opposing relationship with respect to an opening in the bucket so as to facilitate the retention of materials within the bucket.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to excavating and construction equipment and more specifically to material handling systems for powered digging machines such as backhoes. 
     2. History of the Related Art 
     Backhoes have become some of the most commonly used equipment in modern industry. These machines are available in several mobile options, including track, wheel, rail, and barge mounted units. Foam filled tires, extendible dippers and side shift mounting arrangements are among the many options available for special applications. 
     With such a wide variety of jobs that must be done with a backhoe, it is sometimes difficult to avoid tying up a machine with specialized tools, such as log grapples and clamshell buckets, that require direct mounting to the dipper boom. Although these specialized tools work well, much time and labor are required in changing buckets and specialized tools. As a result, many machines are restricted from general use because of this disadvantage. 
     Several attachments are available that offer a partial solution to the problem of bucket and tool changing. These attachments are designed to aid in the handling of materials such as chunks of concrete, pipe, and logs, by providing a backup to the material being gripped by the curling action of the bucket. Some attachments also offer hydraulic control to the backup or clamping member to further help with the material handling. 
     Because of the similar mounting and operating action most of these attachments share, they tend to extend downward from the under side of the dipper boom excessively. This interferes with height clearance when working over obstacles such as high sided truck beds. Also, the material handling operation is so far off center of the dipper boom that it is difficult to operate in close quarter conditions, such as down in holes. 
     A further disadvantage of most known attachments is the absence of a horizontal edge on the attachments to work in cooperation with the teeth or edge of digging buckets. This edge is very important in handling many materials such as pipe or fence posts in vertical position, removing and handling sod, maneuvering and placing stone for rip-rap operations, and a wide variety of jobs that would be difficult without the horizontal edge. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the disadvantages in the above paragraphs, it is an object of this invention to provide a better system to assist a digging bucket with material handling. 
     A material handling system is provided that is secured to the underneath side of a dipper boom. A modular arrangement of sliding bars, secured together side by side to match the bucket width, is mounted adjacent and parallel with the dipper boom. The sliding bars glide freely through guides and are operated by gravity. The low profile mounting of the sliding bars confines the protrusion of the system to within a few inches from the underside of the dipper boom and does not change. 
     The unique mounting of this system places the material being handled near the projected center line of the dipper boom. This allows the system and the digging bucket to work cooperatively down in holes or other close quarter operations. The mounting of this system also provides a better height clearance when working over obstacles such as high sided truck beds. 
     Other objects and advantages of a material handling system of sliding bars include: 
     (a) working in cooperation with a digging bucket while causing minimum interference with the bucket digging qualities; 
     (b) offering an immediate and continuous choice of digging or material handling operations; 
     (c) having a mounting independent of the digging bucket which will not interfere with bucket changing; 
     (d) having a simple low profile and self-aligning mounting system for the installation or removal of the system by one person in minutes; 
     (e) the system can be exchanged from one machine to another with any machine equipped with the easily installed mounting bracket; 
     (f) having sliding bars which have enough vertical travel to provide unrestricted bucket opening and can be stored in an uppermost position; 
     (g) providing modular sections of identical parts that are interchangeable; 
     (h) having a horizontally mounted edge at the lower end of the sliding bars that combines the strength of the bars and maintains alignment; 
     (i) having an angled bottom surface as part of the horizontally mounted alignment support assembly whereby the angled bottom surface provides lift to the bars during a digging operation so the digging pressure exerted to the angled bottom surface of the alignment support causes the support to raise over the path of the material entering the bucket and so that the support returns by gravity to retain the material in the bucket when digging pressure is relieved; 
     (j) having shock absorbing sleeves at the top of each sliding bar and which sleeves also have an off center retaining hole that can change the operating height of the alignment support; 
     (k) can be operated with no power lift but offers power lift options; 
     (l) offers an optional baffle capable of sealing the bucket opening for handling sand, mud, crushed stone, and other flowable materials; 
     (m) offers an optional alignment support assembly for the top of the sliding bars when it is necessary to operate with the lower support assembly removed so that materials such as scrap cable and wire can be handled with no obstacle at the bottom of the bars to get caught on; and 
     (n) is universal in job use applications including interchangeable parts which greatly reduces the number of different parts needed to be carried in stock. 
     All that is needed to equip a machine with this system is the installation of a mounting bracket to the under side of the dipper boom. This is a simple job that requires only a measuring rule and a welder. 
     Considering their very mobile and adaptable nature, backhoes equipped with the system of the present invention could have life saving capability if they could be available when needed in a disaster area. 
     Further objects and advantages are to provide a material handling system that is equally of interest to all operations, whether it be farming, ranching, timbering or any of the many branches of industry. The interchangeable factor of the parts and systems from one machine to another can result in these systems being of universal nature. 
     Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from the following descriptions and drawings. 
    
    
     IN THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes. 
     FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of a six section sliding bar system of the invention mounted to a backhoe bucket and dipper boom assembly. 
     FIG. 2 shows a rear perspective view of a three section sliding bar system of the invention mounted to a backhoe bucket and dipper boom assembly. 
     FIGS. 3A to  3 D are side illustrational views of the sliding bars positioning during bucket loading. 
     FIGS. 4A to  4 D show a side, top, end, and top perspective view of a guide in accordance with the invention. 
     FIG. 5 in a partial assembly view showing a first guide of FIG. 4D installed to a backing plate and a second guide removed to illustrate hardware fastening. 
     FIG. 6A is an assembly view of a backing plate and a mounting bracket to illustrate hardware fastening. 
     FIG. 6B shows an exploded assembly view of the self-aligning feature of the backing plate and mounting bracket of FIG.  6 A. 
     FIG. 7A is an assembly view showing a sliding bar with a shock absorbing and positioning sleeve at the top and an alignment support assembly at the bottom with an optional wear plate. 
     FIG. 7B shows an exploded view of a section of the alignment support assembly of FIG. 7A to illustrate a key. 
     FIGS. 8A and 8B are side views of two guide and sliding bar assemblies to illustrate operating height adjustment. 
     FIG. 9A is a rear perspective assembly view of an optional sand and mud baffle with mounting hardware. 
     FIG. 9B is a side view of the baffle of FIG. 9A in operating position. 
     FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of an optional alignment support for the upper end of the sliding bars of the invention. 
     FIG. 11 is an assembly view showing the retaining hardware used on either end of the sliding bars. 
     FIG. 12 is a side view showing the optional alignment support of FIG. 10 mounted on the system. 
     FIG. 13A is a side view of an optional power lift arrangement for moving the slide bars of the invention. 
     FIG. 13B is a perspective assembly view of the power lift of FIG.  13 A. 
     FIG. 14 is a side view of another optional power lift arrangement for moving the slide bars of the invention. 
     FIGS. 15A and 15B show lay off plans for parts cutting. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A system is provided to assist a powered digging machine with general material handling capability. The system can be used with or without power lift assistance, can be stored clear of a digging area, or can be quickly removed or installed as needed. The system can accomplish specialized duty when equipped with optional equipment illustrated and discussed hereinafter. 
     This invention is best understood by reference to the following description in conjunction with the drawings wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. 
     Referring more particularly to FIG. 1, a conventional backhoe bucket and dipper boom assembly is shown generally at  20  and includes a backhoe bucket  22  mounted on the end of the dipper boom  24 . The lower edge of the opening to bucket includes a set of digging teeth  28 . As shown in FIG. 2, a hydraulic actuator  30  is mounted on the back of dipper boom  24  and is pivotally connected by link plates  36  and  38  and struts  42  and  44  to spaced flanges extending from the upper surface of the bucket  22 . 
     FIG. 1 also shows the preferred embodiment of the invention at  54  mounted to bucket and boom assembly  20 . A group of six guide elements  56  are secured together in a self supportive manner. The group of secured guide elements  56  are fastened to a backing plate  58 , as shown in FIG.  2 . The backing plate  58  is secured to a mounting bracket  60  that is fastened to the underside of dipper boom  24 . A sliding bar  62  passes through each guide  56  and is retained by retaining shaft  70 , spacer  90 , and clamp or locking collar  72 . The retaining shaft  70  also passes through and retains shock absorbing sleeves  68  that are placed at the top end of each bar  62 . A horizontal alignment support assembly  64  is mounted to the lower end of bars  62  and is secured by retaining shaft  70 ′, spacer  88 , and locking collar or clamp  72 ′. An optional wear plate  66  is secured to support  64  with bolts  112 . The manner in which the support assembly  64  is mounted to the bars  62  will be described hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, a rear perspective view of a backhoe bucket  22  and boom assembly is shown generally at  20 . Also shown is the three section material handling system  54  secured to dipper boom  24  by means of backing plate  58  and mounting bracket  60 . 
     Still referring to FIG. 2, the backhoe digging bucket  22  is shown pivotally mounted on the end of dipper boom  24  at pivot  26 . The lower edge of bucket  22  includes a set of digging teeth  28 . The hydraulic actuator  30  is pivotally mounted to an anchor (not shown) on the back of dipper  24  and includes cylinder  32  and piston rod  34 . Piston rod  34  moves telecopically in and out of cylinder  32  in response to corresponding control movements of hydraulic controls (not shown) by an operator (not shown). Extension and retraction of piston rod  34  moves bucket  22  arcuately about pivot  26  to accomplish the desired movement of bucket  22 . The end of piston rod  34  is pivotally engaged to the ends of link plates  36  and  38 . Link plates  36  and  38  are rigidly interconnected by pin  40  in which piston rod  34  is pivotally engaged adjacent the mid point of pin  40 . Struts  42  and  44  are pivotally mounted to pin  40  on each side of piston rod  34 , respectively, and are also pivotally mounted to bucket  22  at pivot point  52 . Link plates  36  and  38  are pivotally mounted on both sides of dipper  24  at pivot  50 . Extension of piston rod  34  move the corresponding end of link plates  36  and  38  in a clockwise motion about pivot  50 . Correspondingly, retraction of piston rod  34  moves the end of link plates  36  and  38  in counterclockwise motion about pivot  50 . Arcuate movement along this circular path by the ends of struts  42  and  44  is translated into a corresponding arcuate movement of bucket  22  about pivot  26 . Accordingly, bucket  22  can be opened rearward into a position where teeth  28  are parallel with dipper  24  or rotated forward to a point of close proximity to dipper  24 . A spacer  92  at pivot  52  separate the ends of strut  42  and strut  44 . 
     It is important to understand the corresponding movements of the previously described bucket control operation. The following operation section will further describe the cooperation of bucket  22  with system  54  to provide unique control characteristics. 
     Referring now more particularly to FIG. 3A, material handling system  54  is shown mounted to bucket and dipper boom assembly  20  which in turn is pivotally mounted to boom  150  at pivot  130  and pivot  138 . The lower end of boom  150  is mounted at pivot  146  to powered vehicle  148 . Hydraulic actuator  144  is attached to boom  150  at pivot  140  and pivotally anchored to vehicle  148 . 
     Height and lifting control are accomplished for the digging operation by the telescopic control of piston rod  142  by actuator  144 . Piston rod  142  retracts inward to raise boom  150  in response to corresponding movements of the hydraulic control (not shown) by the operator (not shown). Likewise, extension of piston rod  142  will cause the boom  150  to lower. 
     Dipper boom  24  control is accomplished by the extension and retraction of piston rod  134  in hydraulic actuator  136 . The extension of piston rod  134  causes dipper  24  to move arcuately about pivot  130 , which in turn causes bucket  22  to move inward toward vehicle  148 . 
     Note especially that digging is accomplished more by the dipper  24  action than by the bucket  22  action, when equipped with this system. 
     Still referring to FIG. 3A, bucket  22  has been positioned by the telescopic control of piston rod  34  to provide an opening of a few inches between digging teeth  28  and alignment support  64 . This opening is preferred to start the bucket loading cycle. 
     Referring now to FIG. 3B, assembly  20  with system  54  have been put into digging position. Digging action in FIG. 3B is accomplished by the extension of piston rod  134  to move bucket  22  toward vehicle  148  and corresponding control of piston rod  142  by the operator to maintain uniform digging depth. Digging pressure caused by bucket  22  being forced through the material toward vehicle  148  acts upon the bottom surface of support  64 . This causes support  64  and bars  62  to move upward through guides  56 . The extent to of the upward movement of bars  62  is made apparent by the space created between guides  56  and sleeves  68 . 
     FIG. 3C shows an action that will let bars  62  and support  64  return to the lower position to retain the material when the bucket is full. When bucket  22  appears to be loaded, extension of piston rod  134  is halted just as piston rod  142  is retracted. This action causes bucket  22  to stop moving toward vehicle  148  and move upward. After only a small amount of upward movement of bucket  22 , the bars will slide by gravity until sleeves  68  return to rest on top of guides  56  indicating the completion of the downward movement of bars  62 . At this time, and preferably before the bucket leaves the digging area, piston rod  34  is extended to minimize the space between teeth  28  and support  64 . There is no need to close bucket  22  toward support  64  with excessive pressure when loading loose material such as dirt. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the sleeves  68  are formed of a material which will exhibit shock absorbing characteristics when impacting the guides  56 , such as a hard and durable rubber material. In some embodiment metal sleeves may be used. 
     FIG. 3D shows assembly  20  and system  54  with a full bucket  22  ready for loading to vehicle or other type deposit. The amount of space between teeth  28  and support  64  is telescopically controlled by piston rod  34  and ranges from fully closed (as shown in FIG. 3D) to fully open (not shown) dump position. This fully controllable feature allows the operator to deposit determined amounts of material to targeted areas with immediate shut off control or to make a fast dump deposit. 
     FIG. 4A shows a side view of one of the guides  56 . Each guide  56  has an identical bolt hole pattern as to be reversible in nature. Although the sides of guide  56  have an identical hole pattern, one side of each guide  56  has threaded holes  154  while the other side has drilled holes  152 . The first guide can be placed with threaded hole  154  on either side of guide  56  but all other guides  56  that are added, six in FIG.  1  and three in FIG. 2, must match direction of the first guide. 
     FIG. 4B shows a top view of a guide  56 . The top side of guide  56  has access holes  156  to aid the installation of the mounting hardware (not shown). 
     FIG. 4C shows an end view of a guide  56 . Note that the sides and bottom of guide  56  are of sufficient thickness to support bolt threads and to be generally self supportive when bolted together in sections. 
     FIG. 4D shows a top perspective view of a guide  56 . The reversible feature of guide  56  is made apparent in this view. 
     FIG. 5 shows one guide  56  bolted to backing plate  58  and another guide  56  removed to illustrate hardware installation. Hardware to secure guide  56  to backing plate  58  includes capscrews  104  and washers  106  going directly through access holes  156  to the point of installation. Hardware to secure guide  56  together also includes capscrews  104  and washers  106  entering access hole  156 , then making a right angle turn to point of installation. 
     Guides  56  can be mounted to the backing plate  58  split center, as shown in FIG. 5, or on center as shown in the three section application in FIG.  2 . This choice of mounting allows a closer match to the bucket width when choosing the number of sections or elements needed. Each guide includes generally parallel inner guides walls  57  between which a bar  62  is slidably retained. 
     Backing plate  58  shown in FIG. 5 can be used on a narrow digging bucket, yet offers adequate support to a much wider application. If a narrow bucket application will not be used, backing plate  58  can be provided in any width desired. 
     FIG. 6A shows backing plate  58  separated from mounting bracket  60  to illustrate the self-aligning feature and hardware fastening. The alignment feature includes arcuate notches  58 A formed in plate  58  and in arcuate sleeves  60 A formed in bracket  60 . FIG. 6B shows an exploded view of the self-aligning feature of bracket  60 . 
     Still referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, mounting bracket  60 , as shown, is of sufficient thickness to support bolt threads. A much lighter mounting bracket could be used if threaded blocks or nuts were fastened to the back of the thinner plate and allowed to protrude into dipper boom  24  with provided access. 
     Referring now to FIG. 7A, a sliding bar is shown at  62 . At the lower end of bar  62 , the alignment support assembly  64  is shown separated from bar  62 . Wear plate  66  is shown separated from support  64  and includes bolt  112  and nut  114 . Also shown in FIG. 7A is shock absorbing and positioning sleeve  68 . 
     FIG. 7B shows an exploded view of support  64 . This view is necessary to illustrate a key  74 . Each bar  62  is mounted to shaft  70 ′ adjacent a bracket  76  extending from a plate  80 . The bar is positional between the bracket  76  and a spaced flange  78 . The key  74  self aligns the parts involved by fitting in notches  158  provided at the bottom end of the bars  62  and the brackets  76  and flanges  78 . 
     FIG. 8A shows a shortened side view of a bar  62  installed in guide  56 . Sleeve  68 , having an off center retaining hole, is installed on the top end of bar  62  so as to allow bar  62  to operate in a low position. Retaining shaft  70  passes through sleeve  68  and bar  62  to retain both parts. Guide  56  is secured to backing plate  58  which is secured to mounting bracket  60  by capscrews  100  and washers  102 . Mounting bracket  60  has been welded to dipper boom  24  at a location that allows wear plate  66  (if used) to contact digging tooth  28  when sleeve  68  is resting on guide  56  in the low operating position, as shown in FIG.  8 A. 
     FIG. 8B shows sleeve  68  installed for bars  62  to operate in a high position. In this position, the shaft  70  elevates the bar  62  and the hole in the sleeve  68  is higher because the sleeve is reversed. This height allows support  64  to enter the bucket with minimum tooth contact. This feature will be further described with respect to FIG.  9 B. 
     FIG. 9A shows a baffle at  82  for handling of materials such as sand, crushed stone, mud, and liquids. Also shown in FIG. 9A are items of hardware necessary to mount baffle  82  to system  54 . 
     FIG. 9B shows baffle  82  installed to system  54 . Bracket  84  is secured to guide  56  with capscrew  104 , capscrew  108 , washers  106  and nut  114 . Baffle  82  is secured to bracket  84  with bolts  118 , washers  116 , and nuts  120 . The lower end of baffle  82  is secured to support  64  with plates  86 , bolts  110 , and nuts  120 . 
     The preferred embodiment of this optional feature as shown in FIG. 9B shows sleeve  68  installed on bar  62  to operate in a high position. Bucket  22  is shown with no teeth. This arrangement offers better sealing possibilities at the bucket entrance with the absence of teeth  28 . 
     Baffle  82  is generally a flexible material that can be easily altered. By trimming baffle  82  to fit the bucket opening, a good seal can be obtained. Most buckets  22  have tapered bottom and sides offering a tighter seal as baffle  82  enters further into bucket  22 . 
     Even with teeth  28  installed on bucket  22 , a satisfactory seal can be obtained with baffle  82  for handling most flowable materials. 
     The rubber like material of baffle  82  can be substituted with heat resistant material such as linked material fabric. This could enable a machine equipped with system  54  and the baffle arrangement in FIG.  9 A and FIG. 9B to handle hot slag or other hot materials. 
     Still referring to FIG. 9B, bucket  22  is positioned to the tip of dipper  24  by the offset bucket mounting at pivot  26 . A bucket that has the mounting hole at pivot  26  positioned over the bucket rather than offset as in FIG. 9B may be more suitable for some baffle equipped operations. 
     FIG. 10 shows an optional alignment support  160  that can be installed to the upper end of bars  62 . Sleeves  68  must be removed to install support  160 . Retaining shaft  70 , spacer  88 , and clamp assembly  72  are used to secure support  160 . Materials such as scrap cable and wire can become tangled with lower support  64 . With support  160  in place to maintain support and alignment to bars  62 , support  64  can be removed, leaving the lower end of bars  62  bare. 
     FIG. 11 shows retaining hardware used at each end of bars  62 . Shaft  70 , spacer  88 , and clamp  72  are used to retain support  64  or support  160 . To retain sleeves  68 , shaft  70 , spacer  90 , and clamp  72  are used. 
     FIG. 12 shows a side view of system  54  mounted to assembly  20  with support  160  mounted to the upper end of bars  62 . 
     FIG. 13A shows a side view of system  54  mounted to assembly  20  with an optional power lift installed at  122 . As shown in FIG. 13B, this preferred arrangement consists of a hydraulic motor  162  secured to mounting plate  166  with bolts  118 , sprocket  174 , roller chain  176 , end  170 , and stop  172 . Hoses  164  are installed to hydraulic controls (not shown). Movements of the hydraulic controls by an operator causes sprocket  174  to correspondingly rotate in the desired direction to provide up or down movement of roller chain  176 . Clevis  124  connects end  170  to the middle ring of chain  126 . Shaft  70  connects to the end rings of chain  126 . 
     The installation of power lift  122  offers the operator an immediate choice of using system  54  or storing to their upper limit the bar  62 . This can save time removing and installing system  54  when full bucket freedom is needed. 
     FIG. 14 shows a side view of system  54  mounted to assembly  20 . Also shown are a small group of parts that can allow a power lift to be installed on machines with limited available space beneath dipper  24 . This illustration shows winch  178  mounted to the outside top of dipper  24 . A tube  184  has been inserted through dipper  24  and welded in place. Guide roller  180  is  5  bolted or welded beneath dipper  24  near the end of tube  184 . Cable  94  is routed from winch  178  through tube  184 , over roller or pulley  180 , then connected to system  54  at shaft  70  by thimble-clamp and clevis. 
     The parts shown in FIG. 14 can be arranged in many locations and angles to allow for the installation of a power lift arrangement to dipper  24  even with limited space. Power lift  122  can be used in place of winch  178  or many other available lifting devices. Any available power can be used including compressed air and electric. 
     FIG.  15 A and FIG. 15B show a parts layout plan for making holes and cutting parts from manufacturing stock material. 
     FIG. 15A shows the layout for cutting a bar  62  as shown in FIG.  7 A. Holes  96  are made first, then cuts are made at  98 . 
     There is no material waste and key notch  158  as shown in FIG. 7A is complete. 
     FIG. 15B shows the layout for cutting a bracket  76  and bracket  78  shown in FIG.  7 B. Holes  96  are made first, then cuts  98  are made. Bracket  76  and bracket  78  are complete with notch  158  as shown in FIG.  7 B. 
     An example of an option of the invention would be to install a lubricating system to guides  56 . A light lubricating material that retains minimum dust could be used. 
     A pressure control system for the bucket control circuit may be important addition to the system when handling crushable materials such as wood or plastic. Controls should be within easy reach of an operator and offer full range of immediate service. 
     In use, this system is subject to extreme environment and pressure. A tough bend resistant steel, such as T 1  should be used to build most of this system. A high quality ground engaging type steel should be used to make the bars. 
     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is therefore indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.